NEW DELHI (News Desk) – While India is forcefully campaigning to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), it is also preparing to sell its advanced cruise missile system to over 15 countries including those involved in the South China Sea conflict against China.
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According to news reports, a undated, secret note by the Modi government has revealed India’s chilling plans of selling Indian-Russian produced BrahMos missiles to a number of countries, including some hostile to China.
The note urges BrahMos Aerospace, the company manufacturing the supersonic missiles, to speed up the production of the missiles, which can be fired from land, sea and submarine at three times the speed of sound and can hit targets up to 290 km away.
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The countries which have recently expressed interest in buying the Indian missile technology include Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Chile and South Africa.
11 other countries interested in buying these missiles are planning detailed discussions with India. These include the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates on the top of the list.
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Vietnam, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines are all party to the South China Sea conflict.
In the past, however, India had put a similar deal with Vietnam on hold in 2011, fearing that it may anger China.
However, the nuclear power seems more comfortable with the idea of quietly challenging its regional rival, now that it has forged strong military and nuclear ties with the United States.
