Army to induct fourth BrahMos regiment in the north-east
24 Sep 2011
New Delhi: The Indian Army will soon induct an advanced variant of the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the country's north –east as part of its overall drive to upgrade capabilities against the military might of China in that region.
The decision will see the army raising its fourth regiment of the land attack version of the BrahMos. Approval for the raising has been granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the defence ministry's apex decision making body.
The sanction is for a new regiment of the Block III steep-dive variant of the BrahMos. The steep-dive attack cruise missile can hit enemy targets hidden in the shadows of mountains, defence ministry sources said.
The army already has inducted three regiments of these missiles, including two with Block II variants, which have the capability of homing in on enemy buildings or assets even in a cluster.
India has been forced to build-up its capabilities in the north-east in the backdrop of massive military infrastructure build-up by China in these areas.
India has already deployed two squadrons of the potent Su-30MKI fighter jets in Tezpur and Chhabua in Assam and has announced its decision to raise two mountain divisions for deployment in Arunachal Pradesh and adjoining areas.
The government is also working on developing over 70 strategic roads on the Sino-Indian border.
BrahMos multi-capable stealth supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land and has been inducted in all the three services.