India Boosts Defense: $2.36B Nuclear Missile Deal Post-Agalega Base

India secures contracts worth $2.36 billion to acquire nuclear-capable missiles. The nuclear-capable BrahMos missile, a collaborative effort between India and Russia. India has finalized key contracts to procure BrahMos missiles for its navy at a cost of 195.2 billion rupees ($2.36 billion), as announced by the government.

Out of the five contracts signed by India’s Ministry of Defense on Friday, two were with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for the purchase of BrahMos missiles and ship-based BrahMos systems for the Indian Navy.

“This system serves as the primary weapon for maritime strike operations for the Indian navy, installed on various frontline warships,” emphasized the press release.”Capable of striking land or sea targets from extended ranges with precise accuracy at supersonic speeds,” it added.

“These missiles will be used to fulfill combat outfit and training needs of the Indian navy,” the government stressed.The total value of the five contracts amounted to 390 billion Indian rupees ($4.7 billion).”These agreements will enhance domestic capabilities, save foreign currency, and decrease reliance on foreign equipment manufacturers in the future,” the official statement confirmed.

The deal was finalized a day after India and Mauritius jointly inaugurated an Indian-funded air base on the island of Agalega. India’s move to establish an air base in Mauritius comes amidst China’s growing influence in the region. With only 300 residents, Agalega is strategically located in the southwest Indian Ocean. India had previously approved the procurement of 200 BrahMos missiles.

The ministry also sealed a contract worth 9.88 billion rupees for the purchase of a ship-borne missile system.The BrahMos missile, developed through a partnership between India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile deployable from submarines, ships, fighter aircraft, or a transporter erector launcher (TEL).

Capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3, the BrahMos missile is among the world’s fastest cruise missiles, with a maximum warhead weight of 300 kilograms, potentially enabling it to be equipped with a tactical nuclear weapon.

Source: PRESSTV