Why Russia has not Inducted BrahMos Yet?

February 21, 2013 idrw.org (INDRUS)

There are at least four explanations for this in the whisper corridors but nothing official has come yet from the Russians. One such explanation is that except for the P-700, the rest of the Russian fleet has 300Km missiles, same range as the BrahMos. The argument is that anything bigger would require heavier ships and subs because the P-700 is a 7 ton missile and only the Kirov class carries it.

The other explanation is that the Russians currently don’t have a requirement for BrahMos because they are not inducting new ships like India is. Russia’s latest inductions will happen only later this year for the new Gorshkov class frigates. The new ships will either be equipped with BrahMos or Klub missiles, depending on the budget. Klubs are cheaper but BrahMos is more capable.

Third, many Russian experts view BrahMos as a downgraded Yakhont and so why should Russia choose it instead of Yakhont? It is pointed out that Yakhont is the export name for the P-800 Oniks. BrahMos is just the short range version of Yakhont. The Indians wanted a longrange missile but the Russians could not give it because of the MTCR (Missile TechnologyControl Regime) stipulations and so they gave the shorter version (BrahMos) to the Indians.

Fourth, Russia cannot incorporate whatever they have learnt from the BrahMos because everything for the missile is out sourced from Russia. The missile’s seeker, guidance,navigation and fire control systems are all India’s responsibility for manufacturing along with the firing mechanism. Why should Russia develop the same things again and incorporate these into the Oniks?

However, BrahMos has a greater tactical value over Yakhont. While Yakhont is an anti-shipcruise missile only and can be fired from ships, BrahMos can be used against any land or seabased target and can be fired from any platform be it land, sea, air or underwater.

BrahMos a Game Changer for India

Whatever Russia’s reasons are for not integrating the BrahMos missiles in its armed forces yet, for India BrahMos is a potent weapon and a veritable game changer. In view of this, Antony, in his February 19, 2013 speech announced that the Indian government has decided to expand the infrastructure at multiple centres to cater to larger production requirement of BrahMos missiles and systems. He said the Indian armed forces consider BrahMos to be an important weapon due to its speed, precision and power.

Antony also said that the cooperation between the scientists and scientific expertise of India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM and many other organizations from India and Russia has proved that there is a way to do things faster and take the lead in the world. He pointed out that the partnership has blossomed and yielded results, which have not been achieved by any other country.

The minister said that the role of DRDO, NPOM and the quality assurance agencies ingrooming this industry to achieve high technology levels and a superior quality product has indeed resulted in customer’s delight, that is, the Indian defence forces. He remarked that this process has resulted in a new trend of thinking, in terms of a collaboration and joint venture, as India too could share its technology and products with others.

Indian Air Force Chief NAK Browne in his address said that the modified Su-30 Mk-1 aircraft will soon be equipped with BrahMos missile. It should be pointed out in this context that the Indian Army and the Navy have already got BrahMos, while the IAF will get it by 2014. The integration of the new BrahMos missile on to Sukhoi’s Su-30MKI long-rangefighter is due to reach a key milestone this year with integration of the weapon on test aircraft, ahead of planned first deliveries to the IAF in 2014