Co-developed with Russia, the weapon was launched from the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar islands
The Indian Army has test-fired a long-range BrahMos cruise missile, co-developed with Russia, from the islands of Andaman and Nicobar off the country’s east coast.
The launch was carried out by the Indian Army’s ‘Rising Sun’ missile specialists, and showed the weapon’s “long-range targeting capabilities,” the Eastern Command posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
The “calculated strike” hit its mark with precision, the army added, describing the test as “a poignant reminder of India’s steadfast dedication to defending its sovereignty and fostering regional stability.”
The Andaman Islands, located at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea off India’s southeast coast, are considered strategically important due to their proximity to the Malacca Strait, a vital shipping lane. Last month, the Indian Navy commissioned a new base, INS Jatayu, on the Minicoy Island of Lakshadweep to bolster its operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The base will also enhance operational reach and support the Indian Navy’s efforts in anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea, New Delhi stated.
#WATCH | Northern Command, Indian Army tweets, "In a display of precision and might at Andaman and Nicobar, Dhruva BrahMos Warriors successfully launched #BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, striking the long-range target with precision and lethality." pic.twitter.com/FaHbdzJncE
— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2024
India’s latest test-firing of the BrahMos coincided with the presence of the Chinese Yuan Wang 3 space-tracking ship in the region, Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW), a specialized outlet, noted last week. New Delhi views the presence of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean Region as “problematic” and believes the ships could be used for monitoring missiles or satellites test-fired from locations in the region.