So, why didn't the Indian army use BrahMos to destroy important targets at the start of the war?

It's simple, it's too expensive.

Although the missile was put into production more than 10 years ago and marketed to many countries, Russia, which participated in the joint development, did not purchase it.

Why?

It's because it's expensive.

No matter how badly India blows about "BrahMos", because the core technology is in the hands of Russia, and some core equipment needs to be imported from Russia, the price of "BrahMos" is not decided by the Indians, and even if it is purchased by the Indian army, it is impossible to get cheaper.

How expensive is this missile?

The last batch of production models had a factory unit price of more than $10 million.

10 million cruise missiles!?

Not to mention India, I'm afraid even the United States can't afford it.

You must know that the most expensive cruise missile in the US military is only $2.5 million each, and the US military feels that it is expensive and asks the manufacturer to lower the price.

Actually, just compare it.

At that time, the unit price of the latest model of the "Khataf" cruise missile produced in Pakistan was less than $500,000, and the purchase of large quantities could be reduced.

One "BrahMos" is equivalent to more than twenty "Hataf"!

With such expensive missiles, it is obviously impossible for the Indian army to be equipped with too many.

In fact, the Indian army did not purchase much.

Although India has been preaching "BrahMos" and even saying that it is the trump card of the Indian army, before the outbreak of the war, the Indian army had less than 200 in total, and most of them were deployed in the eastern region, that is, to deter China.

There are less than 100 pieces that can be used in Pakistan.

What can be done with such a missile?

You know, it is precisely because "Khataf" is cheap enough that on the day of the war, Pakistan dared to launch a counterattack with cruise missiles.

It can be seen that just this time of counterattack, the Indian army used up half of the inventory of "BrahMos".

Of course, the counterattack had minimal effect.

During the two days of the counterattack, the Pakistani army did suffer considerable losses, but after the counterattack ended, the Pakistani army immediately regained its combat effectiveness.

At this time, what else is there to fight?

Although the Indian army took advantage of the opportunity of the Pakistani army's adjustment of deployment to attack the ancient city of Lahore and made some progress, it was impossible to occupy this vital city, let alone march into Fort *** after capturing Lahore as originally planned.

Strategically, India has already lost the war.

You know, as long as it falls in Lahore, the Indian army will be defeated.

In fact, this is also mentioned before, that is, at this time, the ideal choice for the Indian authorities is to accept the mediation proposal of Huaxia and other countries.

Unfortunately, the Indian authorities did not recognize the seriousness of the problem.

Although the news fed back from the front line is very bad, for example, the casualty rate of the front-line combat units has exceeded 30%, many of the main forces lack ammunition and other materials, the officers and soldiers are extremely tired, and the morale has also begun to decline, but the Indian top brass has always believed that it can force Pakistan to surrender in Lahore, or take it for granted that the Pakistani army has also paid an extremely heavy price in order to hold Lahore.

At the end of the day, India's top brass is still trying to force Pakistan to surrender.

Even if it's just a symbolic surrender.

Is it possible?

Regardless of whether the Pakistani army has suffered heavy losses, the Pakistani authorities will not compromise unless India takes the initiative to withdraw its troops from Lahore, declare a cease-fire, and take the initiative to stop military operations in the face of a steady stream of aid provided by China and Arab League countries.

Obviously, this is no less possible for the Indian authorities.

Since there is no choice, then it can only be stumbling in Lahore.

On the 11th day of the war, the last chance appeared in front of the Indian authorities.

On the same day, the General Staff of the Indian Army received extremely reliable information.

At least two armored brigades of the Pakistani army have reached the vicinity of Lahore, and these two brigades are ace troops, equipped with "Khalid 2" main battle tanks aided by Arab League countries, and at least one of them has obtained "Salman", that is, the main battle tank provided by Saudi Arabia.

Just these 2 brigades were enough to defeat the Indian army in Lahore.

You must know that the Indian army deployed on the front line at that time actually had only 3 armored brigades, and only 1 brigade was equipped with a relatively better T-90S.

In addition, most of the combat units have the problem of lack of ammunition.

Obviously, as long as the Pakistani army launches a counterattack, the Indian army may not be able to withstand it.

At that time, the commander of the Indian army's front-line troops had already recognized the seriousness of the problem, and reported to the General Staff to request that the operational deployment of the front-line troops be adjusted, that is, to abandon the offensive operation in Lahore and turn the troops into defense by shrinking the defensive line.

Defense?

Obviously, the top brass of the Indian army will definitely not agree.

Of course, the top brass of the Indian army also recognized the seriousness of the problem and began to strengthen the defensive deployment, but the reserves in the rear were used.

To put it simply, the Indian army still believes that the Pakistani army is at most launching a tactical counterattack.

Why?

At least in terms of the comparison of forces, the Indian army still has an absolute advantage, so the Indian army's top brass does not believe that the Pakistani army will launch a full-scale counterattack.

Given the situation at that time, if the Indian army adjusted its defensive deployment in time, it might have to give it a fight.

The key is that the Indian army does have enough troops, and even if it lacks the necessary main battle equipment, as long as it gives full play to its superiority in strength, even if it cannot grasp the initiative on the battlefield, it has a great deal of confidence in withstanding the counterattack of the Pakistani army and consuming the combat effectiveness of the Pakistani army in defensive operations.

If the Pakistani counterattack can be stifled through defense, the Indian army may be able to gain a foothold in Lahore.

Of course, even if a decisive victory cannot be achieved, the armistice negotiations with Pakistan can be negotiated on relatively favorable terms.

In any case, the Indian army is fighting on Pakistani soil.

It is a pity that carelessness, or underestimation of the enemy, or not daring to face reality, whatever it is, the Indian army missed this opportunity.

2 armored brigades are not much, but they are enough to crush the Indian army near Lahore.

You know, these 2 armored brigades have close to 300 main battle tanks, as well as hundreds of infantry fighting vehicles, as well as four battalions of long-range artillery.

More importantly, the Pakistan Air Force has always firmly held the battlefield air supremacy.

When everything is ready, that's when the Pakistani army launches a counterattack.

Although according to the information disclosed later, the front-line generals of the Indian army have made necessary efforts, such as adjusting the deployment of troops within their own jurisdictions and allowing some combat units to enter a defensive state, these efforts cannot change the fate of the Indian army at all.

What awaits the Indian army is bound to be a fiasco!