Nagpur: India's first indigenous warhead for the BrahMos supersonic missile is set to be delivered from Nagpur on Thursday by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a company that manufactures boosters for propulsion systems for missiles with a range of up to 290 kilometers. While propulsion systems carry the missile, the warhead is responsible for hitting the target. Equipped with seekers, these warheads can lock onto targets and strike with precision, according to sources.
Major Step Toward Indigenisation
This development represents a significant milestone in India's indigenisation efforts, particularly involving the private sector. Although India has missile manufacturing facilities, it has historically depended on Russia for warheads, which are a critical component of the system, sources said.
Delivery and Trials
SDAL's warhead will be delivered alongside the 100th booster produced by the company from its plant on Thursday. The warhead will be transported to the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, a DRDO facility in Chandigarh, where trials will be conducted before induction into service. The warhead delivery will be received by Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi, CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL).
Technology Transfer and Development
The indigenous warheads have been developed by SDAL through a technology transfer arrangement with DRDO, which began its own process of developing an indigenous warhead in 2017-18, a source revealed. The trials mark the beginning of warhead production in India. The BrahMos missile proved its effectiveness during Operation Sindoor.
Understanding the Missile System
A missile system comprises three major components: the booster that propels the missile, the sustainer engine that maintains its flight, and finally the warhead that strikes the target.
