MoD signs Rs 661.50 crore deal with BrahMos Aerospace for Navy warship launchers, fire control systems

The Defence Ministry on Tuesday signed a major contract to buy fire control systems and launchers for the BrahMos missile. The deal, with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, is reported to be worth Rs 661.50 crore. It is being seen as an important step by the ministry to strengthen the Indian Navy's maritime strike capability.

According to the Defence Ministry, the contract has been awarded under the "Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)" category. It was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Under the project, the focus will be on enhancing the capability of the BrahMos system deployed on the Navy's frontline warships. A key feature of the project is that it will use at least 68 per cent indigenous content. This will promote the manufacture of defence equipment in the country and increase the share of Indian industry.

Several micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are expected to take part in the project. The step is important for self-reliance in the defence sector. Indian industry is playing a steadily growing role in making equipment linked to advanced military technology.

According to the ministry, the project will also create employment over the next three years. The BrahMos system is one of the Indian Navy's main surface-to-surface missile systems and is deployed on several frontline warships. Its key features are very high speed and precision targeting. The system can hit targets at sea as well as on land from a long distance.

The purchase of the new fire control systems and launchers is expected to further strengthen the strike power of the Navy's warships. India is continuing to stress indigenous defence technology while strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. The Rs 661.50 crore contract is therefore not merely a purchase of equipment. It is an important step towards strengthening maritime security, indigenous defence production and the Navy's future combat capability.