Major Modernisation Milestones: INS Vikrant and BrahMos Missiles Redefining India’s Defence Power
INS Vikrant – India’s Indigenous Giant at Sea
Commissioned in September 2022, INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the first aircraft carrier designed and built in India. At 262 meters in length and weighing around 45,000 tonnes, it is a symbol of India’s ability to design, engineer, and construct complex naval platforms indigenously.
- Built with over 76% indigenous components, reflecting India’s push for self-reliance.
- Supports MiG-29K fighter jets, helicopters, and advanced missile systems.
- Enhances India’s ability to project power across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Since its commissioning, INS Vikrant has completed extensive sea trials and is now operationally ready, boosting India’s maritime dominance. It also strengthens naval diplomacy, as aircraft carriers serve not just as warfighting assets but as tools for international presence and cooperation.
👉 Read more on Regiments of the Indian Army to understand how India is modernising across all services.
BrahMos Missile – The Supersonic Game Changer
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, capable of flying at speeds up to Mach 2.8–3. First inducted in the early 2000s, it has continuously evolved into a versatile, multi-platform weapon.
- Can be launched from land, sea, and air platforms.
- Newer versions extend range from 290 km to 450–600 km, with ongoing work to reach 800 km+.
- Known for pinpoint accuracy and high lethality, deployed with the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The missile’s export success, beginning with the Philippines BrahMos deal in 2022, highlights India’s rise as a global defence supplier. Deployment in sensitive regions adds a strong deterrence factor against potential adversaries.
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Broader Impact on India’s Defence Modernisation
Together, INS Vikrant and BrahMos embody India’s ambition of achieving strategic autonomy while reducing reliance on foreign imports. Their significance extends beyond individual platforms:
- Propel India’s defence exports and manufacturing ecosystem.
- Strengthen deterrence posture against regional threats.
- Position India as a leading power in the Indo-Pacific.
These projects also fuel innovation in allied technologies such as propulsion, stealth, and missile guidance systems, nurturing the wider defence-industrial base.
Conclusion
The commissioning of INS Vikrant and the evolution of BrahMos missiles are not isolated achievements. They are milestones in India’s long-term roadmap of military modernisation and self-reliance. Both platforms not only secure India’s maritime and land-based frontiers but also enhance its stature as a responsible regional power.
👉 DefenceNiti will continue tracking India’s journey in modernisation—from aircraft carriers to missile systems and beyond. Stay tuned for more on India’s Defence Modernisation.
