When A Missile Goes Astray: The 24 Crore Mistake That Could Have Led To War

It was just another day at the office for the Indian armed forces on January 22, 2020, when one of their top-of-the-line supersonic missiles, the BrahMos, accidentally fired itself off. The missile was headed straight towards Pakistan, and the fear of conflict between two nuclear-armed nations was palpable. It took just a few hours for the Indian Ministry of Defense to acknowledge the error and assure their Pakistani counterparts that it was an inadvertent mistake and that they were taking the necessary steps to avoid a repeat.

The BrahMos missile, co-developed by India and Russia, is widely regarded as one of the most advanced missile systems in the world. It is capable of cruising at near supersonic speeds of Mach 2.8 and can be launched from planes, ships, and land-based platforms. And it comes with a hefty price tag. This missile had already cost the Indian government a whopping 24 crore, and the fact that it went off-course raised questions about the efficacy of India's missile defense capabilities and the reliability of the system.

the BrahMos Accident

The BrahMos incident is not just a case of an expensive mistake. It has far-reaching consequences that go beyond the financial burden it has placed on the Indian taxpayers. Let's take a closer look at some of the quantifiable examples that illustrate the impact of the BrahMos missile's accidental firing.

The cost of the missile itself: As mentioned earlier, the BrahMos missile is a top-of-the-line weapon system that comes with a hefty price tag of 24 crore. That's roughly equivalent to 3.2 million US dollars. The Indian government had already spent a significant amount of money on the development of this missile, and this incident means that they will have to bear this cost again.
The risk of accidental war: The BrahMos missile is capable of causing significant damage to its target. Had the missile gone off-course and landed on Pakistani soil, it could have led to a major escalation of tensions between the two countries. The risk of accidental war is always present when two nuclear-armed nations are involved, and the BrahMos accident has brought this risk into sharp focus.
The damage to India's reputation: India has long prided itself on being a responsible nuclear power. The BrahMos accident has raised questions about India's ability to handle advanced missile systems and may have damaged its reputation as a responsible nuclear power. This could have far-reaching consequences for India's strategic interests and international relations.

Lessons Learned from the BrahMos Incident

Any incident involving nuclear weapons and advanced missile systems is cause for concern. The BrahMos accident is no exception. It has highlighted the need for greater caution and diligence when dealing with such sophisticated weapons. Here are some of the lessons that can be learned from this incident:

Greater emphasis on training and drills: The BrahMos incident may have been caused by human error. This underscores the need for greater emphasis on training, drills, and simulation exercises for the military personnel who handle these weapons systems.
Improved communication and coordination: The BrahMos incident also revealed gaps in communication and coordination between different branches of the Indian armed forces. Addressing these gaps is crucial to ensure that such accidents do not occur in the future.
Rigorous testing and quality control: Finally, the BrahMos accident has raised questions about the efficacy of India's missile defense systems. It is crucial that such systems undergo rigorous testing and quality control measures to ensure that they are reliable and effective.

In Conclusion

The BrahMos missile incident was a wake-up call for India's armed forces and the Indian government. It is a stark reminder of the dangers of nuclear weapons and advanced missile systems and the need for greater caution and diligence when dealing with them. The incident has also underscored the importance of robust training, communication, and quality control measures to ensure that such accidents do not occur in the future.

References:

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/job-s-data-breach-how-to-protect-yourself-against-fraud-1555073269218.html
https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/brahmos-missile-accidentally-fired-during-trial-from-chandipur-in-odisha-120011800000_1.html

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