How India Is Preparing For Future Wars? | A Sivathanu Pillai: The Visionary Behind BrahMos | News18

Summary

In this engaging discussion, the founder and CEO of Brahmos Aerospace, recognized as the 'father of Brahmos,' reflects on his journey from developing the SLV technology to creating the supersonic Brahmos missile. He shares insights on the partnership between India and Russia, the challenges of missile design, and the strategic impact of Brahmos in combat scenarios. Highlighting his work with Dr. Abdul Kalam and India's rise in military technology, the conversation also delves into future advancements in hypersonic missiles and the need for self-reliance in defense technology, with a call for India's permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Takeaways

• 😀 The development of Brahmos missile was a major milestone in India's defense capabilities, with the collaboration between India and Russia being key to its success.
• 😀 Brahmos missile, known for its supersonic speed (2.8 Mach), is difficult to track, which makes it highly effective against enemy defense systems.
• 😀 The name 'Brahmos' is derived from the Brahmaputra and Moscow rivers, symbolizing the partnership between India and Russia.
• 😀 India's technological progress in defense has been significant, with India being one of the few nations to develop such advanced missile technology.
• 😀 The partnership with Russia, particularly in missile development, has been essential, with India having contributed significantly to the technological and design aspects.
• 😀 The goal for Brahmos is to eventually transition to hypersonic missile technology, which would increase the missile's speed and capabilities even further.
• 😀 Hypersonic missiles, which are still under development, require different technologies such as scramjet engines to achieve speeds up to 7-8 times the speed of sound.
• 😀 While other countries are also working on hypersonic technology, India is committed to developing its own capabilities in this domain.
• 😀 The ability to destroy enemy assets precisely with missiles, such as Brahmos, has been proven in operations like 'Surgical Strike' against Pakistan-based terrorist infrastructure.
• 😀 India's growing military strength and economic growth position it as a potential permanent member of the UN Security Council, with a call for the removal of veto powers among the five permanent members.

Q & A

What inspired the development of the Brahmos missile?

The development of the Brahmos missile was inspired by the need for a supersonic cruise missile, especially after observing the crucial role of the Tomahawk missile during the Gulf War. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and the speaker decided to work on a supersonic missile with the help of Russia's advanced engine technology.

What was the significance of Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was a crucial moment in demonstrating the effectiveness of Brahmos. During this operation, more than 15 Brahmos missiles were used to target terrorist points, which significantly disabled Pakistan's defenses, forcing them to surrender. This marked a major milestone in the development and operational success of Brahmos.

Why was the name Brahmos chosen for the missile?

The name Brahmos was chosen to reflect a partnership between India and Russia. 'Brahmos' is a combination of the Brahmaputra river in India and the Moskva river in Russia, symbolizing the collaboration between the two nations. Initially, the missile was to be named 'Brahmaputra' but was later changed to Brahmos to represent the joint venture.

What makes the Brahmos missile difficult to intercept by enemy defense systems?

The Brahmos missile's supersonic speed (around 2.8 Mach) makes it extremely difficult to track and intercept. Additionally, its stealth design, low altitude flight, composite materials, and advanced electronic countermeasures further contribute to its invisibility and survivability against enemy radar and defense systems.

What is the difference between supersonic and hypersonic missiles?

Supersonic missiles, like Brahmos, travel at speeds of around 2.8 Mach, while hypersonic missiles travel at speeds greater than 5 Mach. Hypersonic missiles require a different technology, such as supersonic combustion in scramjet engines, and are designed for even greater speed and efficiency, though they present significant challenges in material and engine design.

What is the current status of India's hypersonic missile development?

India is actively working on hypersonic missile technology through initiatives like the collaboration between DRDO, the Indian Institute of Science, and the Moscow Aviation Institute. While progress has been made in improving temperature resistance for hypersonic systems, it will take time to achieve a functional, long-range hypersonic cruise missile capable of sustained operation.

What role does material science play in the development of hypersonic missiles?

Material science is crucial in the development of hypersonic missiles, as the extreme temperatures generated during high-speed flight require advanced materials that can withstand such conditions. The development of suitable composite materials and metallurgy is essential to achieving operational hypersonic missile capabilities.

Can India independently develop bunker-buster technology?

While India has not yet perfected bunker-buster technology, it has the potential to develop it. The speaker mentions that while Brahmos has been successful in breaking concrete structures in some instances, the specific requirements for bunker-busters, such as penetrating several meters of reinforced concrete, would require further research and development.

How is India addressing the challenge of developing indigenous defense systems?

India is moving towards self-reliance in defense technology, as indicated by the government's support for indigenous systems. The speaker mentions that DRDO is focusing on developing hypersonic missile technology independently, with increased collaboration with private industries for research and development in defense technologies.

Why does India deserve a permanent seat in the UN Security Council?

India is seen as a strong military and economic power, with a growing GDP, nuclear capabilities, and a successful space program. The speaker argues that India’s achievements in these areas, combined with its democratic governance, make it deserving of a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, and that the veto power of the five permanent members should be abolished to ensure fairness.