On the threshold of joining the elite club of select countries in exporting critical defence products, India shall , therefore, be exporting BrahMos missiles to the Philippines about which due confirmation in the form of signing of a contract worth USD 374 million took place recently between BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd and the Philippines Defence Ministry. In other words , first of such contracts in respect of exporting of the Missile is worth Rs.2244 crore. Philippines as the South East Asian nation is in dire need to bolster its defence capabilities looking to the growing hegemony and belligerence of China . Vietnam, similarly facing the threat from China, could also buy the cruise missiles from India. This missile , one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles in the world , developed by Indo- Russian joint venture can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft or land capable of a speed between 2100 to 2300 mph thus making it the most viable and effective cruise missile.
The Indian Armed forces, it may be underlined, have already inducted these missiles thus giving more edge to acquiring of latest weapons system to defend our territories. It is to be seen to be felt proud of- that a country which usually imported almost all of its defence requirements, is now becoming a major exporter of arms and sophisticated defence equipment . In this connection, Union Defence Minister , last year had already confirmed about export of different types of missile systems, Light Combat Aircraft , helicopters, multipurpose light transport aircraft , warships, tanks, artillery gun systems , radars , military vehicles and the list is long.
Since it is the era of electronic warfare , products in respect of that area too are being exported hence the basket of the items of exports from India being not only traditional ones but by putting critical defence products and services, a new horizon in exports portfolio of the country has emerged. Not only the public sector, but due involvement of private sector in manufacturing defence products has given new dimensions to making of defence products besides leapfrogging towards achieving more mile stones in self sufficiency or ”Atmanirbarta.” Despite the constraints of COVID, exports of various types of defence equipment in 2020-21 stood at Rs.8500 crore and with the export of BrahMos missiles, the marked effect on the earnings through exports shall be increasingly felt. This is so, only in respect of this cruise missile many countries besides from the ASEAN region, are showing keen interest and in that context, discussions with the UAE for such sales being in advanced stages as also for export of Aakash missiles are bound to give a fillip to production of varied defence equipment for international markets.
Countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malasia and Singapore are other ASEAN countries with whom inking of similar contracts in the very near future is expected. Besides countries like Brazil, Chile and Argentina too are identified in the regions which have been in touch with the Union Ministry of Defence for BrahMos missile imports from India. More and more teeth in speed and effectiveness to the missile system being the integral part of the Indian missile technology programme , right from 2001 when the first test launch of the BrahMos took place , numerous test launches ever since till date have taken places from various ships , Mobile Autonomous Launchers , different types of aircraft thus lending the weapon all versatility. It may be recalled that the agreement between the two countries marks a decisive step forward for Prime Minister’s Mission SAGAR and India’s Indo-Pacific engagement. Indo-Pacific region , of late, has assumed more importance as the US wants to challenge China in the region in entirety and ”SAGAR” vision or Security and Growth for All in the Region championing free and open Indo-Pacific idea has been the great strategic concept of India gaining wide recognition.
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