Times of India: “The utter lack of long-term strategic planning in the Indian defence establishment was once again evident on Wednesday when the country for the first time tested the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from underwater.
The submarine-launched version of the missile was “successfully” tested from an underwater pontoon off Visakhapatnam around 2.10pm. BrahMos chief A Sivathanu Pillai promptly declared, “The missile is fully ready for fitment in the ‘Project-75 India’ submarines of the Indian Navy in vertical launch configuration, which will make the platform (submarine) one of the most powerful weapon platform in the world.”
Defence minister A K Antony also chipped in soon after by saying, “It’s a wonderful achievement and proud moment for India.” DRDO chief V K Saraswat said it was “a significant step towards boosting India’s military strength”. Other defence scientists proclaimed this was “first time any supersonic cruise missile has been launched vertically from a submerged platform”.
Amid all these gushing accolades, they however forgot to mention one critical fact: the Project-75 India submarines are nothing but a mere pipedream at present. With even the initial global tender or RFP (request for proposal) for them yet to be floated, the Navy will not get the first such submarine anytime before 2023.”
via India tests underwater BrahMos missile, but has no submarine to fire it – The Times of India.

