The Defence Ministry signed a Rs 661.50 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace on October 6. The deal covers fire control systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships. Here is what the BrahMos system is.

BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia. It is the Indian Navy’s primary surface-to-surface missile system. It can strike targets on land and at sea at supersonic speed.

The latest contract falls under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. That means the equipment must have at least 68 per cent indigenous content. The project is expected to create jobs over three years.

The missile is fitted on frontline warships. It gives the Navy a long-range strike option against ships and coastal targets. India has been building a domestic missile ecosystem around such systems.

The contract encourages Indian industry, including MSMEs, to take part. It is a prominent example of India’s push for self-reliance in defence.