Move to deploy BrahMos in N-E raises China’s hackles

The Narendra Modi government's decision to deploy the BrahMos supersonic missile in the country's northeast has not gone down well with China. Within weeks of the government's clearance to raise a new regiment that will be equipped with a special version of the BrahMos cruise missile, the PLA Daily has warned that the move could lead to ''counter-measures'' from China.

PLA Daily is the official publication of People's Liberation Army.

The new version of BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, will be developed specially for mountain warfare and is expected to cost over Rs4,000 crore. According to The Financial Express, this version of BrahMos will have additional features such as steep-diving capabilities.

PLA Daily has said that India's decision will have a ''negative influence'' on the relations and the stability along the border. ''India deploying supersonic missiles on the border has exceeded its own needs for self-defence and poses a serious threat to China's Tibet and Yunnan provinces,''PLA Daily said.

It further said that BrahMos being deployed in Arunachal Pradesh will definitely increase competitiveness and confrontation between India and China. The mouthpiece of PLA feels that BrahMos could ''increase suddenness and effectivity of attacks''.

Even as it noted that the supersonic missile's ability to penetrate may pose a threat to China's border areas, the PLA Daily added that BrahMos cannot threaten the ''deep zones'' of China.

BrahMos is said to be the world's fastest anti-ship cruise missile. The missile can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. The missile has a range of 290 km, and new and advanced version of BrahMos is already being developed. It will be equipped with a compact engine that can reach speed of Mach 3.3.

Meanwhile, the PLA Daily also noted that India is ramping up its defence in the northeast, not only with the imminent deployment of BrahMos missile, but also drones and Sukhoi 30-MKI fighter planes. Last week, a Sukhoi-30 MKI landed at the upgraded Pasighat Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh.

This is also a major fillip to India's defence capabilities in a state that shares border with China.