New Delhi: India’s actions before the ceasefire with Pakistan highlighted the growing strength of the country’s indigenous defence technology. For the first time in such operations, India relied heavily on its homegrown missile systems to strike terrorist hideouts and infrastructure across the border.
In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world witnessed the capability of Indian-made weapons during this operation, although he did not mention any specific system. According to defence sources, India used three key indigenous missile systems during the strike – BrahMos, Akash and MRSAM (also known as Barak-8).
BrahMos: Supersonic cruise missile
Developed jointly by India and Russia, the BrahMos missile is one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world. It can be launched from land, air, sea and even submarines. With a speed of Mach 3 and a range of over 500 kilometers, BrahMos was used to target key terror camps and infrastructure. It is capable of flying at low altitudes to avoid detection and delivers high-precision strikes.
There are multiple versions of BrahMos, including:
- Land-based (Block I, II, III)
- Air-launched (used with Su-30MKI aircraft)
- Ship-launched
- Submarine-launched
- BrahMos-NG: a smaller, next-generation version for fighter jets
Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile
Akash missile, developed by DRDO, is a surface-to-air missile with a range of about 25 to 30 kilometers. It is used by all three branches of India’s armed forces. The missile can engage targets at an altitude of up to 18 kilometers and carries a 60 kg warhead. Its mobile launch platforms make it highly versatile. During the operation, Akash systems were deployed to safeguard Indian airspace and counter any aerial threats.
MRSAM (Barak-8): Joint India-Israel development
MRSAM, or Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile, is a product of India-Israel collaboration. DRDO is now manufacturing this system in India. It has a range of 70 to 100 kilometers and is capable of neutralizing multiple targets in air at a speed of up to 2400 km per hour. The system provides 360-degree coverage and can function in all weather conditions.
Variants of the missile are used by the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy, each tailored for specific operational needs.
