Correct Answer: Option C - Both 1 and 2
BRAHMOS is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. The question examines the warhead capabilities of this advanced weapons system:
Statement 1: It can carry thermobaric warheads for anti-bunker operations.
This is correct. BRAHMOS missiles can be equipped with thermobaric warheads (also known as fuel-air explosives or vacuum bombs). These specialized warheads are designed to penetrate hardened structures like bunkers by creating a high-temperature explosion followed by a high-pressure blast wave. The thermobaric capability significantly enhances BRAHMOS's effectiveness in destroying underground or reinforced targets.
Statement 2: Its payload can be tailored for both strategic deterrence and tactical missions.
This is also correct. BRAHMOS is designed with a modular architecture that allows for different warhead configurations depending on the mission requirements:
For tactical missions: It can carry conventional warheads for precision strikes against military targets, ships, or infrastructure.
For strategic deterrence: Though primarily a conventional system, its range, speed (being supersonic), and accuracy make it an important component of India's strategic deterrence capabilities.
The versatility of BRAHMOS to be configured with different types of warheads (conventional, thermobaric) and for different mission profiles (tactical strike, strategic deterrence) makes both statements correct.
