BRAHMOS MISSILE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci & Tech)

Context: India and the Philippines are looking to step up defence ties after the Southeast Asian nation's high-profile purchase of a BrahMos missile. 

BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles 

• About: A joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO) and the NPOM of Russia.

• BrahMos is named for the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva (Russia).

• Range: 290 km 

• Fastest cruise missile in the world: A top speed of Mach 2.8 (nearly three times the speed of sound).

• Two-stage missile system: Solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in second.

• Multiplatform missile: Can be launched from land, air, and sea and multi capability missile with pinpoint accuracy that works in both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions.

• Operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle: It does not require further guidance after launch.