Brahmos can launch nuclear warheads from land, air, water, and underwater India completed its nuclear triad when Brahmos was test-fired from a Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft. After the inclusion of India in MTCR it is most probable that the range of Brahmos will be increased. Even if the Indian surface-to-surface missile test went wrong (as being said from seeing its deflection from projectile discourse), here are some questions to ask:
- where’s the NOTAM to support this?
- when has india ever conducted a Brahmos test from Punjab?
- why wasn’t self destruct initiated in the 6 min flight if it went so haywire?
Pakistan can’t have it both ways-claiming they’ve been targeted by Brahmos but also let’s wait for India’s answers. This misfire needed a far more serious response. Instead of just brushing it under the carpet, as it seems to be happening. Also, this test went awry but Pakistan didn’t take any remedial action? PAF claims they tracked it up to 40,000ft, that’s the cruising altitude of airliners and they didn’t close the airspace down even temporarily? Rogue missiles crossing borders aren’t something to sweep away. If it is a KH 31 air-launched Cruise missile then it must be launched from an aircraft. It could be a Sukhoi Su-30mki or in MIG 29 UPG. But the Pakistani administration has never mentioned that they have detected an aircraft as well.
They don’t fire or test Brahmos on the west coast of India, the eastern sector (I don’t think so Indian Army even do missile tests near Sirsa. It’s usually Chandipur or Kalam Island.) is dedicated to that. Unless it was a warning shot for some misadventure for the upcoming Elections for Modi in about 1 and a half years’ time. We will never know. But in both cases. It is a serious violation of international borders, a major threat for civil aviation and the civilian population. This endangered security of civil aviation could have resulted in a major disaster. Why Indian military is still silent over the issue? Why there are no swift answers? For this India should answer and be held accountable.
It is for them to explain.
DG ISPR
Excerpts of this article are taken from a thread by Talha Ahmad of Pakistan Strategic Forum
