Why is it in the news?
- In accordance with a USD 375 million agreement signed in 2022, India supplied the first batch of BrahMos Cruise Missiles to the Philippines, marking a significant development in defence exports.
Defence Exports of India
- India recently delivered two Dornier 228 aircraft to Guyana, extending export linkages to Caribbean nations, showcasing a notable advancement in Indian defence exports.
- India is presently exporting military hardware to approximately 85 countries, with major export items including missiles, artillery guns, rockets, and armoured vehicles.
- In FY 2023-24, India’s defence exports reached an all-time high of Rs. 21,083 crores, underlining the growing prowess of the Indian defence industry in the global market.
- Key Opportunities: Defence exports provide strategic leverage, bolstering relationships with partner nations, while also enhancing self-reliance in defence through the expansion of domestic manufacturing capabilities.
- Key Challenges: Delays in export clearances have been identified as a significant challenge, impacting the competitiveness of Indian defence products. Additionally, historical perceptions of inconsistency in product quality pose hurdles.
Initiatives:
- The Draft Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy with the goal of achieving a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 crore ($25 billion) in the defence sector.
- Simplification of export procedures has been facilitated through platforms like India Defence Mart, an online portal for export license applications and tracking.
- Other Initiatives: Additional initiatives include the Scheme for Promotion of Defence Exports (SPDE), Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX), and the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP 2020), aimed at promoting and streamlining defence exports.
| About BrahMos Missile
· BrahMos Missile was developed under a joint venture agreement between India and Russia. · It is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile, capable of traveling at speeds of around 2-3 Mach. · The missile is propelled by jet engines. · BrahMos operates on the “Fire and Forget” principle, meaning once it is launched, it requires no further guidance and can autonomously navigate towards its target. · It boasts a long flight range of 290 kilometres, enabling it to engage targets at considerable distances. · BrahMos Missile is capable of executing various flight trajectories, providing flexibility in engaging different types of targets. · The missile is designed to have a low radar signature, making it difficult for enemy radar systems to detect and track, enhancing its stealth capabilities.
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