Jairam Ramesh Highlights Governance Continuity in BrahMos Missile Development
Why in News?
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Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh emphasized the significance of sustained governance in the successful development of the BrahMos missile system. He highlighted that the BrahMos project exemplifies a collaborative national effort transcending multiple Indian administrations.
Important Key Points:
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Symbol of Indo-Russian Collaboration:
The BrahMos missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between India and Russia. -
Historical Development Timeline:
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1983: Initiation of India’s Integrated Missile Development Programme.
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Mid-1990s: Visionaries like A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Sivathanu Pillai recognized the need for collaboration with Russia to develop supersonic cruise missile technology.
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February 12, 1998: Signing of the inter-governmental agreement to co-develop the missile during I.K. Gujral’s tenure as Prime Minister.
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July 9, 1999: Formal contract signed under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
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June 12, 2001: First successful launch of the BrahMos missile.
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December 4, 2004: Inauguration of the BrahMos headquarters complex in New Delhi by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Induction into Armed Forces:
The missile was progressively inducted into various branches of the Indian Armed Forces:-
2005: Indian Navy.
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2007: Indian Army.
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2012: Air-launched variant introduced.
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Infrastructure and Agreements:
Under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s leadership, significant milestones were achieved:-
2005: Signing of the historic Indo-US nuclear agreement.
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Establishment of key facilities like the BrahMos Integration Complex in Hyderabad and BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Limited.
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2016: India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime.
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Recent Developments:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently inaugurated a new BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow, underscoring the missile’s role as a symbol of India’s defense capabilities and commitment to safeguarding its borders.
