India's BrahMos missile—that hit Pakistan air bases—superior to China's air defences, says expert Sanjeev Srivastava
Defence expert Sanjeev Srivastava has underscored the unparalleled power of India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, referencing remarks by US defence analyst John Spencer, who stated that the missile's capabilities exceed those of China's advanced air defence systems.
India's BrahMos missile targetted Pakistan air bases in the recent conflict, giving 'a befitting reply' as part of Operation Sindoor which was justice served to those killed in Pahalgam attack on April 22.
'US defence expert John Spencer stated that India's BrahMos supersonic missile is so advanced that even China's air defence systems have been unable to intercept it. He noted that this highlights India's significant military edge, particularly in its operations against Pakistan, where the failure of Pakistan's HQ-9B air defence system was exposed," Sanjeev said.
He mentioned, 'Spencer added that India's successful retaliatory strikes using BrahMos missiles demonstrated their effectiveness, generating global interest in the weapon. The India-Russia collaboration on the BrahMos missile has proven to be a major success, with the system now being exported to other countries as well.'
The BrahMos missile system is known for its long-range capability in an initial range of 290 km. It can be launched from submarines, ships, fighter aircraft or TE. It has strengthened India's role in defense diplomacy through its Cruise Missile Triad, enabling precision strikes on land and sea targets; its Deterrent Capability, enhancing India's defense posture with supersonic speed and extended range; and its Indo-Russian Collaboration, highlighting successful bilateral cooperation in defense technology.
Among other features is reaching supersonic speeds, cruising close to Mach 3; there are versions being developed for up to 800 km and advanced guidance, including the stealth technology for precise targetting.
It has seen major upgrades and testing of extended-range versions like the BrahMos-ER. The BrahMos-II, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 7–8, is currently in development, while the BrahMos-NG—a smaller, stealthier variant with a reduced radar cross-section—is also being developed to enhance overall capabilities.
While speaking on India's foreign policy and defence strategy, the defence expert stated that it is independent without the influence by Western pressure, citing the government's resolute approach during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He added, 'India's new government does not operate under the influence or pressure of Western nations. When the Russia-Ukraine war began, the United States and several other countries tried to persuade India to scale back its bilateral relations with Russia. However, India stood firm and maintained its independent stance. India's diplomatic engagements and defence strategies are guided by national interests and remain free from external influence.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
37 minutes ago
- Hans India
India Accelerates Deployment Of 52 Military Surveillance Satellites Following Operation Sindoor
India has expedited its ambitious military satellite program, announcing plans to deploy 52 defense surveillance satellites by 2029 as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen space-based monitoring capabilities across sensitive border regions with China and Pakistan, as well as the Indian Ocean Region. The substantial Rs 26,968 crore initiative represents a direct response to China's expanding military space infrastructure and aims to establish continuous real-time surveillance and enhanced border security measures. The program has gained urgency following strategic insights gained from Operation Sindoor, which demonstrated the critical importance of indigenous and commercial satellite-based tracking systems. Under the third phase of the Space-Based Surveillance program, the Indian Space Research Organisation will be responsible for launching 21 satellites, while three private sector companies will develop and deploy the remaining 31 satellites. This public-private partnership approach marks a significant shift in India's defense satellite strategy, emphasizing rapid deployment capabilities and technological innovation. The satellite constellation's deployment timeline begins with the first satellite launch scheduled for April 2026, with the entire network expected to achieve full operational capacity by the end of 2029. The system will provide high-resolution imaging capabilities and enhanced revisit frequencies to support India's Army, Navy, and Air Force in monitoring adversary movements within enemy territory. A key innovation in this program involves ISRO's plan to transfer Small Satellite Launch Vehicle technology to private partners, enabling swift satellite deployment during emergency situations. This capability ensures rapid response times for critical surveillance needs and maintains operational flexibility during periods of heightened tension. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, emphasized the strategic importance of early threat detection, stating that India must identify and track potential threats while they remain in staging areas, airfields, and bases deep within adversary territory, rather than waiting until they approach Indian borders. The Integrated Defence Staff is supervising the comprehensive project, which will utilize both low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit configurations to maximize coverage and surveillance effectiveness. The satellite network is designed to serve as both a deterrent and countermeasure against China's developing anti-satellite capabilities, including kinetic weapons and electronic warfare systems. The acceleration of this program reflects India's recognition of space as a critical domain for national security, particularly given the evolving threat landscape in the region. The constellation will significantly enhance India's ability to monitor strategic locations, track military movements, and maintain situational awareness across vast geographical areas. This initiative positions India among the leading nations in military space capabilities, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy and defensive preparedness in an increasingly complex security environment. The project's success will establish India as a formidable player in space-based defense systems while providing essential intelligence capabilities for national security operations.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: Indian Navy Officer's ‘Jet Loss' Comment Ignites Storm, Govt Rushes to Clarify
/ Jun 30, 2025, 11:28AM IST A new controversy has erupted over India's top-secret Operation Sindoor, after Navy Captain and Defence Attaché to Indonesia Shiv Kumar publicly stated that the Indian Air Force lost 'some aircraft' during the cross-border anti-terror strikes in Pakistan and PoK. Speaking at a defence seminar on June 10, he revealed that initial IAF losses occurred due to political constraints, as forces were told not to strike Pakistani military infrastructure or air defences in the first wave. He added that tactics were changed later to suppress enemy air defences using BrahMos missiles. The Indian Embassy in Indonesia has since issued a clarification, calling the remarks 'misrepresented' and 'taken out of context'. This has reignited debate over whether India lost Rafale or other jets in the operation—a claim long denied by officials.#OperationSindoor #IAFLosses #ShivKumar #IndianAirForce #IndiaPakistan #RafaleJet #pakistan #pakistanairforce #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Ukraine Deploys F-16s in Major Airstrike; NATO Responds with Jet Scramble
Russia news: The Ukrainian F-16 ultrasonic military jet and its pilot was destroyed on Sunday in the largest air Russia attacks Ukraine overnight, according to reports. The third loss to an F-16 fighter jet shot down during the conflict, according to the military's the news agency Reuters. The pilot Lt. Col. Maksym Ustimenko born in 1993 according to reports, was aiming air targets at the time he was shot down alongside the West-supplied plane. "The pilot utilized all his weapons onboard and was able to shoot down seven targets in the air. When he was shooting down the final one his aircraft was damaged, and began to lose altitude" The Air Force said on the Telegram messaging application. NATO has been forced to reshuffle Russia-Ukraine war following Russia employed 500 missiles to take down the F-16. "Due to the strike by Russian Federation Russian Federation carrying out strikes at objects within the Ukraine, the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aviation is now operating in our airspace" Poland's operational command stated in a post via X (formerly Twitter). "In compliance with guidelines, the Operational Commanding Officer of the Polish Armed Forces has activated all forces and assets that are at his disposal. Duty fighters have been scrambled and the air defense systems that are based on ground as well as radar-based reconnaissance equipment are in the most advanced state of readiness." the announcement read. "The measures are designed to protect those areas which border the threatened regions. It is the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is keeping track of the situation at hand, as well as the troops and resources of the subordinate units are completely prepared for immediate action," the command stated. Russia overnight unleashed 537 drones at Ukraine including 477 drones, decoys and drones as well as 60 missiles the Ukrainian air force reported. Of the 537, 249 were shot down, and 226 were destroyed most likely because they were electronically blocked.
