The BrahMos (also designated as PJ-10) is a long-range, ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, fighter aircraft or TEL. It is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace. The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
Land-launched, ship-launched as well as air-launched
The missile guidance has been developed by BrahMos Aerospace. In 2016, after India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the range of the missile was gradually enhanced.
Origin
left|thumb|<br />BrahMos tested with Indian components in January 2022.
The BrahMos was developed from Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOMASH) P-800 Oniks family of cruise missiles, through a joint venture between NPOMASH and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), named BrahMos Aerospace.The missile design was significantly aided by Alexander Leonov, CEO and Chief designer at NPOMASH. The company was established on 5 December 1995 with an authorized share capital of . India holds 50.5% share of the joint venture, and its initial financial contribution was , while Russia holds 49.5% share with an initial contribution of .
Since late 2004, the missile has undergone several tests from a variety of platforms, including a land-based test from the Pokhran range in the desert, in which the evasive 'S' maneuver at Mach 2.8 was demonstrated for the Indian Army, and a launch in which the land attack capability from sea was demonstrated.
thumb|BrahMos is India's fastest cruise missile
thumb|BrahMos missile at [[Republic Day Parade 2009]]
Keltec (now known as BrahMos Aerospace Trivandrum Ltd or BATL), an Indian state-owned firm, was acquired by BrahMos Corporation in 2008. Approximately invested in the facility to make BrahMos components and integrate the missile systems. This was necessitated by the increased order book of the missile system, with orders having been placed by both the Indian Army and Navy. Initially, Russia supplied 65% of the BrahMos' components, including its ramjet engine and radar seeker. , 65% of the missile was manufactured in India and there were plans to increase this to 85% by replacing the components with an Indian made seeker and booster.
The BrahMos headquarters complex is located at New Delhi and consists of a design centre and aerospace knowledge centre. The integration complex is located at Hyderabad and a production centre is located at Thiruvananthapuram. Another assembly line is being established at Pilani. The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.
Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) was successful in preparing domestic fuel for BrahMos. Testing of the fuel, which will power the missile's liquid ramjet engine, has begun at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). As per the lab, the fuel will not freeze even in temperatures between −50° and −55 °C. It will replace the imported fuel from Russia.
Development
Surface-to-surface variants
thumb|Surface-launched BrahMos tested in May 2018.
BrahMos was first test-fired on 12 June 2001 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in a vertical launch configuration. On 14 June 2004, another test was conducted at ITR and BrahMos was fired from a mobile launcher. On 5 March 2008, the land attack version of the missile was fired from the destroyer and the missile hit and destroyed the right target among a group of targets. The vertical launch of BrahMos was conducted on 18 December 2008 from INS Ranvir. The BrahMos I Block-I for the army was successfully tested with new capabilities in the deserts of Rajasthan, at a test range near Pokharan in December 2004 and March 2007.
During a user trial on 20 January 2009, BrahMos was tested with a new navigation system but it failed to hit the target. BrahMos Aerospace Corporation's director Dr A. Sivathanu Pillai said, "The missile performance was absolutely normal until the last phase, but the missile missed the target, though it maintained the direction." and that "The problem was in the software, not hardware". The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said that there were "small hitches" in the last stage of the test firing due to delay in input of satellite navigation input to the inertial navigation system, the missile travelled for 112 seconds instead of the slated 84 seconds and fell 7 km away from the target. According to BrahMos Corporation, another test of the new missile was to be conducted within one month, but it was eventually conducted on 4 March 2009 and was deemed successful. BrahMos was test-fired again on 29 March 2009. For the test, the missile had to identify a building among a cluster of buildings in an urban environment. BrahMos successfully hit the intended target in two and a half minutes of launch. According to official sources, "The new seeker is unique and would help us to hit our targets, which are insignificant in terms of size, in a cluster of large buildings. India is now the only nation in the world with this advanced technology". After the third test, Lt Gen. Noble Thamburaj, said that the Indian Army wanted the BrahMos to achieve high standards of accuracy and congratulated the scientists on behalf of the Indian Army. The Indian Army confirmed that the test was successful and the army is satisfied with the missile. This marking the completion of the development phase of BrahMos Block-II, and it was ready for induction.
thumb|BrahMos fired from [[INS Chennai (D65)|INS Chennai during TROPEX 2017]]
The 5 September 2010 test of BrahMos created a world record for being the first cruise missile to be tested at supersonic speeds in a steep-dive mode. The missile was test-fired from the integrated test range launching complex-3 (LC-3) at Chandipur around 11.35 am. With this launch, the Indian army's requirement for land attacks with Block-II advanced seeker software with target discriminating capabilities was met. BrahMos became the only supersonic cruise missile possessing advanced capability of selection of a particular land target amongst a group of targets, providing an edge to the user with precise hit.
Block III has advanced guidance and upgraded software, incorporating high manoeuvres at multiple points and steep dive from high altitude. It will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh. It can engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 metres for surgical strikes without any collateral damage. It is capable of being launched from multiple platforms like submarines, ships, aircraft and land based Mobile Autonomous Launchers (MAL). On 12 August 2011, it was test-fired by ground forces and met all mission parameters.
thumb|BrahMos at the moment of impact
The new navigation system uses an Indian chip called G3OM (GPS, GLONASS, GAGAN on a module). The system weighs around 17 grams, and gives accuracy below five metres using Indian, US and Russian navigation satellites. The system can be used in tandem with an inertial navigation system (INS) to provide high-accuracy targeting without using any seeker.
BrahMos was tested with an Indian seeker for the first time on 22 March 2018, and was tested with an India-developed propulsion system, airframe and power supply on 30 September 2019. The test was carried out under BrahMos project of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under which the missile was launched with an indigenous booster. The missile was launched from a land-based facility in Odisha. This is the second test-firing of the extended range version of the missile which has an indigenously developed airframe and booster.
In May 2025, a report suggested that an indigenous seeker, developed by Data Patterns, was flight-tested in BrahMos around four weeks earlier. The seeker performed in a "text book manner" and the company expected an order for te seekers soon.
Submarine-launched variant
The submarine-launched variant of BrahMos was test fired successfully for the first time from a submerged pontoon near Visakhapatnam at the coast of Bay of Bengal on 20 March 2013. This was the first vertical launch of an Indian supersonic missile from a submerged platform. The missile can be launched from a depth of .
Air-launched variant
thumb|right|BrahMos-A displayed at [[MAKS (air show)|MAKS 2009]]
BrahMos-A
The BrahMos-A is a modified air-launched variant of the missile with a range of 500 km which can be launched from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI as a standoff weapon. To reduce the missile's weight to 2.55 tons, many modifications were made like using a smaller booster, adding fins for airborne stability after launch, and relocating the connector. It can be released from the height of 500 to 14,000 metres (1,640 to 46,000 ft). After release, the missile free falls for 100–150 metres, then goes into a cruise phase at 14,000 metres and finally the terminal phase at 15 metres. BrahMos Aerospace planned to deliver the missile to the IAF in 2015, where it is expected to arm at least three squadrons.
thumb|A Su-30MKI fighter armed with BrahMos
The missile was also planned to arm the Indian Navy's Ilyushin Il-38 and Tupolev Tu-142 maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft with 6 missiles per aircraft, but this could not be made possible due to insufficient ground clearance of the IL-38, high cost of modifying the Tu-142 and the questionable benefits of modifying an aging fleet.
An expert committee from the DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) had ruled out any structural modifications to the Su-30MKI to carry the missile. On 22 October 2008, A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller, R&D, DRDO and CEO and managing director of BrahMos Aerospace, announced that trials and tests were to be carried out by 2011, and the IAF would get its own version of BrahMos by 2012.
On 10 January 2009, it was reported that two Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets were sent to Russia for a retrofit program that would enable them to launch the missile. On 8 August 2009, Alexander Leonov, Director of the Russian Machine Building Research and Production Centre, said "we are ready for test launches." He also said that a new takeoff engine for the launching of the missile in air and at extremely high altitudes had been developed, and the initial test firing of the missile would be undertaken from the Su-30 MKI but did not specify the dates. On 26 February 2012, A. Sivathanu Pillai said that the air-launched version of BrahMos is being developed and will be tested by the end of 2012. This version of the BrahMos missile will use air-breathing scramjet propulsion technology and would be more fuel-efficient than a traditional rocket-powered missile.
The purchase of over 200 air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 19 October 2012, at the cost of . This would include funds for the integration and testing of the BrahMos on Su-30MKI of the IAF. As per this plan, the first test of the air-launched version of the missile was to be conducted by December 2012. Two Su-30MKI of the IAF would be modified by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Nashik facility where they will also be integrated with the missile's aerial launcher.
thumb|Su-30MKI with BrahMos-ER
A demonstration flight was carried out at HAL Nashik on 25 June 2016 as a modified Su-30MKI carrying BrahMos-A underwent a successful trial flight, the first time a heavyweight supersonic cruise missile had been integrated on a long-range fighter aircraft; the project to adapt the weapon for air launch was approved in 2011, but was bogged down with technology transfer and intellectual property rights concerns. To carry the missile, the Su-30MKI undercarriage had to be strengthened, which also required new hard points and structural modifications. The cost of adapting the BrahMos for air launch was "phenomenal", but efforts to downsize the missile were abandoned after an attempt to reduce the size of the ramjet. On 22 November 2017, the missile was successfully test fired for the first time from a Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal. This made the Indian Air Force the first in the world to have successfully tested such a type of air launched trisonic-class missile on a sea-based target. After the IAF successfully tested BrahMos from a Su-30MKI against a sea-based target, it declared on 17 December 2019 that the integration of BrahMos-A on Su-30 MKI is completed.
50 IAF SU-30MKI will be modified to carry the BrahMos-A missile, these modified Su-30MKIs will have electronic circuits capable of withstanding nuclear electromagnetic pulse. On 20 January 2020, the IAF commissioned its first squadron of Su-30MKI fighters equipped with the BrahMos-A missile. IAF plans to procure 200 BrahMos-A missiles. IAF test fired BrahMos-A from Su-30MKI on 8 December 2021 and is now ready to enter mass production. The test validated the structural integrity and functional performance. Major airframe assemblies such as non-metallic air frame sections comprising ramjet fuel tank and pneumatic fuel supply system which form the integral part of the Ramjet Engine are now locally developed.
Testing
{|class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse"
|+ class="nowrap" | List of tests across all variants
! No
! style=width:7em | Date
! style=width:7em | Variant tested
! User
! Result
! Location
! Platform
! Comments
! Reference
|-
|1
|12 Jun 2001
|SSM – Block I
|
|rowspan="16"
|Integrated Test Range
|
|Tested in vertical configuration
|
|-
|2
|28 Apr 2002
|SSM – Block I
|
|Integrated Test Range
|
|Tested on an inclined plane
|
|-
|6
|23 Nov 2003
|ASM
|
|Bay of Bengal
|
|Fired from a moving ship at a decommissioned vessel
|
|-
|7
|13 Jun 2004
|SSM – Block I
|
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|First production missile integrated at BrahMos Integration Complex, Hyderabad
|
|-
|8
|3 Nov 2004
|ASM
|
|Bay of Bengal
|
|
|
|-
|9
|21 Dec 2004
|SSM
|
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|First test of land-attack version
|
|-
|10
|15 Apr 2005
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Arabian Sea
|
|
|
|-
|11
|30 Nov 2005
| rowspan="4" |SSM
| rowspan="4" |Indian Army
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|12
|31 May 2006
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|13
|16 Apr 2007
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|First test with the "S" maneuver
|
|-
|14
|22 Apr 2007
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|15
|5 March 2008
|LACM
|Indian Navy
|Andaman & Nicobar Islands
|
|First test of the land attack variant
|
|-
|16
|18 Dec 2008
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Bay of Bengal
|
|First test from a VLS
|
|-
|17
|20 January 2009
| rowspan="4" |SSM – Block II
| rowspan="4" |Indian Army
|
| rowspan="4" |Pokhran Test Range
| rowspan="4" |Mobile launcher
|Failed to correctly discriminate target located within a cluster
|
|-
|18
|4 Mar 2009
| rowspan="10"
|First successful test in a target discriminatory role
|
|-
|19
|29 Mar 2009
|
|
|-
|20
|29 Jul 2009
|
|
|-
|21
|21 Mar 2010
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Orissa
|
|Tested on decommissioned INS Meen
|
|-
|22
|5 Sep 2010
|SSM – Block II
|
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|24
|12 Aug 2011
|SSM – Block III
|Indian Army
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|25
|4 Mar 2012
|SSM – Block II
|Indian Army
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|Operational test of the second army regiment
|
|-
|26
|28 Mar 2012
|SSM – Block III
|Indian Army
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|27
|30 Mar 2012
|
|DRDO
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|28
|29 Jul 2012
|
|DRDO
|
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|Developmental flight test with 25 new subsystems and components
|
|-
|29
|7 Oct 2012
| rowspan="2" |ASM
| rowspan="2" |Indian Navy
| rowspan="11"
|Arabian Sea
|
|Tested with a GLONASS navigation system derived from Kh-101
|
|-
|30
|9 January 2013
|Bay of Bengal
|Naval ship
|Tested with double maneuver in "S" form
|
|-
|31
|20 Mar 2013
|SLCM
|DRDO
|Visakhapatnam
|Underwater pontoon
|First test from a submerged platform
|
|-
|33
|18 Nov 2013
|SSM – Block III
|Indian Army
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|Destroyed a hardened target
|
|-
|34
|7 February 2014
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Arabian Sea
|
|2 missiles test fired in salvo mode
|
|-
|35
|7 Apr 2014
|SSM – Block III
|Indian Army
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|Tested in steep dive-cum-target discrimination mode
|
|-
|36
|9 Jun 2014
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Karwar
|
|
|
|-
|37
|8 Jul 2014
|SSM
|Indian Army
|Integrated Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|First test with advanced guidance system and indigenously built software algorithm
|
|-
|38
|1 Nov 2014
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Arabian Sea
|
|
|
|-
|39
|14 February 2015
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Goa
|
|
|
|-
|40
|9 Apr 2015
| rowspan="2" |SSM
| rowspan="2" |Indian Army
|
| rowspan="2" |Car Nicobar
| rowspan="2" |Mobile launcher
|
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|41
|8 May 2015
| rowspan="37"
|
|-
|42
|7 Nov 2015
|SSM
|Indian Army
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|43
|27 May 2016
|SSM
|IAF
|Pokhran Test Range
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|44
|6 February 2017
|ASM
|Indian Navy
|Arabian Sea
|
|
|
|-
|45
|11 Mar 2017
|Extended range
| –
|Integrated Test Range
| –
|First test of the extended range
|
|-
|46
|21 Apr 2017
|LACM
|Indian Navy
|Bay of Bengal
|
|
|
|-
|47
|2–3 May 2017
|SSM – Block III
|Indian Army
|Andaman & Nicobar Islands
|Mobile launcher
|2 missiles tested in top attack configuration
|
|-
|48
|22 Nov 2017
|ALCM
|Indian Air Force / DRDO
|Bay of Bengal
|Su-30MKI
|First test of the air launched variant
|
|-
|50
|21 May 2018
|SSM
| rowspan="2" |DRDO
| rowspan="3" |Integrated Test Range
| rowspan="3" |Mobile launcher
|Validated "life extension" technologies
|
|-
|51
|22 May 2018
|SSM
|Tested Indian fuel management system and a few non-metallic airframe components
|
|-
|52
|16 Jul 2018
|SSM
|DRDO / Indian Army
|Tested to validate service life extension of the missile under extreme weather conditions
|
|-
|53
|7 Jul 2019
|Block-II
| rowspan="2" |DRDO
| –
| –
|Tested the vertical steep dive version.
|
|-
|54
|30 Sep 2019
|SSM
| Integrated Test Range
| Mobile launcher
|Tested with India-developed propulsion system, airframe and power supply.
|
|-
|55
|21-21 Oct
2019
|SSM
|IAF
|Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|Mobile Launcher
|
- Twin firings was carried out as a part of the routine operational training.
- The missile engaged the designated mock targets close to 300 km away with a direct hit on the ground target in both cases with pinpoint accuracy from a mobile platform.
|
|-
|56
| rowspan="2" |17 Dec 2019
|SSM
| rowspan="2" |DRDO-IAF
| Integrated Test Range
| Mobile launcher
| Launch Complex 3 (8:30 am)
| rowspan="2" |
|-
|57
|ALCM-AShM
|Kalaikunda AFS/Bay of Bengal
|Su-30MKI
|
|-
|58
|8 Dec 2021
|ALCM
|IAF
|Integrated Test Range
|Su-30MKI
|Validated structural integrity and functional performance. Cleared for serial production.
|
|-
|60
|20 January 2022
|
|DRDO
|Integrated Test Range
| rowspan="2" |Mobile launcher
|Improved variant with more indigenous content
|
|-
|61
|1 February 2022
|AShM
| rowspan="3" |Indian Navy
|Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|
|
|-
|62
|18 February 2022
|AShM
|Bay of Bengal
|INS Visakhapatnam
|
|
|-
|63
|5 Mar 2022
|SSM
|
|INS Chennai
|Extended-range land-attack BrahMos variant tested.
|
|-
|64
|23 Mar 2022
|SSM
|Andaman and Nicobar command
|Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|Mobile launcher
|Extended range version tested.
|
|-
|65
|19 Apr 2022
|ASM and ALCM
|IAF and Indian Navy
|Bay of Bengal
|Su-30MKI and INS Delhi
|Air-launched version fired at a decommissioned ship. SSM version tested from INS Delhi from an upgraded modular launcher.
|
|-
|66
|27 Apr 2022
|AShM
|Indian Navy and A&N command
|A&N Island
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|67
|12 May 2022
|ALCM
|IAF and DRDO
|Bay of Bengal
|Sukhoi Su-30MKI
|IAF and DRDO tested extended range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30 MKI, hit the target precisely.
|
|-
|68
|29 Nov 2022
|SSM
|Indian Army
|A&N Island
|Mobile launcher
|
|
|-
|69
|29 Dec 2022
|ALCM; AShM
|IAF
|Bay of Bengal
|Su-30MKI
|ER Version of BrahMos Air Launched missile against a Ship Target
|
|-
|70
|5 Mar 2023
|AShM
| rowspan="2" |Indian Navy
|Arabian Sea
|Naval Ship
|
|
|-
|71
|14 May 2023
|AShM
|
|INS Mormugao (D67)
|
|
|-
|72
|18 Oct 2023
|ALCM
|IAF
|A&N Island
|Su-30MKI
|
|
|-
|73
|22 Nov 2023
|ER-AShM
|Indian Navy
|Arabian Sea
|INS Imphal (D68)
|
|
|-
|74
|24 January 2024
|ER-LACM
|Indian Navy and BAPL
|Bay of Bengal
|INS Ranvir or INS Ranvijay
|
|
|-
|75
|2 April 2024
|ER-LACM
|Indian Army
|A&N Island
|Mobile launcher
|Conducted by Eastern Command
|
|-
|76
|17 January 2025
|ER-LACM
|Indian Army
|A&N Island
|Mobile launcher
|Conducted by XXI Corps, Southern Command
|
|-
|77
|1 December 2025
|ER-LACM
|Indian Army
|A&N Island
|Mobile launcher
|Conducted by a BrahMos unit under the Southern Command and elements of Andaman and Nicobar Command.
|
|}
Specifications
thumb|Vertical Launch System for BrahMos on [[INS Trikand|INS Trikand]]
BrahMos has the capability of attacking surface targets by flying as low as five metres in altitude and the maximum altitude it can fly is 15,000 metres. It has a diameter of 70 cm and a wingspan of 1.7 m. It can gain a speed of Mach 3.5, and has a maximum range of 650 km. The ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg warhead, whereas the aircraft-launched variant (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead. It has a two-stage propulsion system, with a solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration and a liquid-fuelled ramjet responsible for sustained supersonic cruise. Air-breathing ramjet propulsion is much more fuel-efficient than rocket propulsion, giving the BrahMos a longer range than a pure rocket-powered missile would achieve.
The high speed of the BrahMos likely gives it better target-penetration characteristics than lighter subsonic cruise-missiles, such as Tomahawk. Being twice as heavy and almost four times as fast as Tomahawk, the BrahMos has more than 32 times the on-cruise kinetic energy of a Tomahawk missile, although it carries only 3/5 the payload and a fraction of the range, which suggests that the missile was designed with a different tactical role. Its Mach 2.8 speed means that it cannot be intercepted by some existing missile defence systems and its precision makes it lethal to water targets.
thumb|[[INS Nilgiri (2019)|INS Nilgiri firing BrahMos.]]
Although BrahMos was primarily an anti-ship missile, the BrahMos Block III can also engage land-based targets. It can be launched either in a vertical or inclined position and is capable of covering targets over a 360-degree horizon. The BrahMos missile has an identical configuration for land, sea, and sub-sea platforms. The air-launched version has a smaller booster and additional tail fins for added stability during launch. The BrahMos has currently been configured for aerial deployment with the Su-30MKI as its carrier. On 5 September 2010 BrahMos created a record for the first supersonic steep dive. The BrahMos missile also utilises a "fire-and-forget" system, requiring no additional input from the operator once the missile has been launched.
Variants
thumb|[[INS Delhi (D61)|INS Delhi fires BrahMos missile ]]
thumb|BrahMos Block-III test fired
Surface-launched (Block I)
- Ship-launched, anti-ship variant (operational)
- Ship-launched, land-attack variant (operational)thumb|[[INS Chennai (D65)|INS Chennai firing a BrahMos missile]]
- Anti-aircraft carrier variant (tested in March 2012) – the missile gained the capability to attack aircraft carriers using the supersonic vertical dive variant of the missile that could travel up to 290 km.
Air-launched
- Air-launched, anti-ship variant (operational)
- Air-launched, land-attack variant (operational)
Submarine-launched
- Submarine-launched, anti-ship variant
- Submarine-launched, land-attack variant
In its March 2024 order for 220 units of the missile, the Indian Navy has reportedly sought the 800 km ranged variant of the BrahMos. As of October 2025, the 800 km ranged variant is under trials and most of its development have completed, including the modified ramjet motor. The development is expected to be completed by 2027-end. After this, the existing 450 km range BrahMos, including those in service with the Navy could be modified to extend their range to 800 km. The procedure would include changes in the software, the graphical user interface of the fire control system and others. While the Army and Navy will induct the missile earlier, the air-launched variant will take more time to be developed. The ground-launched variant when in service with the Army, will be part of the proposed Integrated Rocket Force (IRF).
Further developments
BrahMos-NG
thumb|Size comparison between BrahMos and the planned BrahMos-M/BrahMos-NG.
BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) or BrahMos-MA is a shortened version based on the existing BrahMos system. A model of the new variant was revealed on 20 February 2013, at the 15th anniversary celebrations of BrahMos Corporation. It will maintain range of 290 km and speed of Mach 3.5 but will weigh around 1.5 tons, with a length of 6 metres and a diameter of 50 cm, making it 50% lighter and three metres shorter than its predecessor. The first test flight was expected to take place in late 2024 induction by the end of 2025. BrahMos-NG will have lesser radar cross section (RCS) compared to its predecessor, making it harder for air defense systems to detect and engage the target. BrahMos-NG will have Air-launched and Submarine torpedo tube/VLS-launched variants. The missile has been designated as BrahMos-M, BrahMos-NG and BrahMos-MA over the years. Additionally, the BrahMos-NG will have an AESA radar rather than the mechanically scanned one on the BrahMos. including Dassault Rafale, Submarine launched variant will be capable of being fired from the new P75I class of submarines. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI would carry three missiles while other combat aircraft would carry one each.
BrahMos Aerospace will manufacture BrahMos-NG in Uttar Pradesh. The Indian Air Force already confirmed a requirement of 400 missiles that will cost around ₹8,000 crore and be delivered within 5 years of time period. At the World Defense Show in February 2024, BrahMos Export Director Pravin Pathak disclosed that the initial flight samples of the BrahMos-NG will be gathered for flight testing concurrently with the building of the manufacturing factory, with an anticipated launch date of late 2025 or early 2026.
In August 2024, co-director of the project, Alexander Maksichev revealed that the flight trials of BrahMos-MA will begin in 2026 and the company is now engaged in preparing the detailed design documents. This difference in timeline and name designation, however, led to a question that whether India and Russian projects are different.
BrahMos-II
thumb|Model of the BrahMos-II at [[Aero India 2013]]
BrahMos-II is a hypersonic cruise missile currently under development, expected to have characteristics similar to the 3M22 Zircon. Development could take 7–8 years to complete. He stated that a hypersonic version of BrahMos would be needed that could deliver its payload and return to base.
Combat Use
<big>2020-2021 China-India Skirmishes</big>
In 2020, India deployed BrahMos along with long range cruise missile Nirbhay and Akash surface to air missile to deter Chinese aggression along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.
2025 India–Pakistan conflict
It was reported that India used BrahMos missiles as part of its Operation Sindoor on 7 May 2025 against suspected terrorist targets and training camps at 9 locations inside Pakistan. On 10 May 2025, India reportedly used BrahMos missiles from Sukhoi Su-30MKI in precision strikes on Pakistani airbases during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict. Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, while speaking at an event in Azerbaijan on the 29th of May said that his armed forces were planning to retaliate against India at 4:30 in the morning of May 10 but before that hour even arrived, India used BrahMos missile to strike 11 PAF airbases including PAF Base Nur Khan (Chaklala, near Islamabad), Rafiqui, Murid, Sukkur, Sialkot, Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari and Jacobabad in a coordinated attack.
A Pakistani politician, Rana Sanaullah, admitted that Pakistan's military had only about 30 to 45 seconds to assess whether the BrahMos missiles fired by India at the Nur Khan Airbase carried a nuclear warhead which could have further escalated the situation towards a nuclear conflict.
Earlier, during the 2025 India–Pakistan crisis, multiple Indian Naval Ships undertook several successful anti-ship firings in the Arabian Sea to revalidate the preparedness of platforms, systems, and crew for long-range, precise offensive strikes.
Operational history
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India
Indian Army
First Regiment
On 21 June 2007, the Indian Army raised its first BrahMos regiment, designated 861 Missile Regiment, The first regiment with five mobile launcher cost $83 million to set up.
Second Regiment
By 2009, after multiple tests, Block-II variant of the missile with advanced seeker was ready for induction. This will be followed by raising of two regiments of Block-II BrahMos Weapon System. Around 260 missiles would be bought. The deal would cost over .
On 9 November 2011, the second regiment equipped with BrahMos Block-II was officially commissioned with 16 weapon systems. The delivery was completed ahead of schedule. Reports also confirmed that two more regiments were also planned including one equipped with Block-III variant.
On 4 March 2012, the Army test fired a BrahMos missile at the Pokhran Field Firing Range. Following this, the second regiment of BrahMos, meant for desert warfare, was operationalised. The third regiment was already on order and would be inducted in Arunachal Pradesh. Each of the two new regiments would have 65 missiles, five Mobile Autonomous Launchers and two mobile command post.
Third Regiment
In 2015, Indian Army activated the third regiment of BrahMos Block-II missiles, designated 344 Missile Regiment. The regiment which took part in the Republic Day Parade in 2025 was the latest BrahMos regiment.
As of April 2018, the Indian Army's fourth BrahMos regiment was under formation in Ladakh region.
On 20 March 2025, it was reported that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had cleared the procurement of additional regiments equipped with BrahMos-ER missiles worth around . The DAC will meet on 27 March 2026 during which it is expected to clear the Indian Army's plan to purchase large number of extended range BrahMos missiles.
Indian Air Force
- Thanjavur AFS: 47 Wing
- No. 222 Squadron (Tigersharks) (Air launched BrahMos)
The Indian Air Force also operates surface launched (transporter erector launcher) variants. The number of TELs in service with IAF is unknown. The land based weapons complex was inducted into the force in December 2014. The variants were test fired once from the Pokhran Test Range in 2016,
On 5 August 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council cleared the procurement of 110 BrahMos air-launched cruise missiles for the Indian Air Force at a cost of .
Indian Navy
BrahMos has become the primary strike missile deployed in the Navy fleet. Most of the modern destroyers, frigates and corvettes are being equipped with the missile.
In May 2015, the Defence Acquisition Council of the Indian Ministry of Defence cleared the procurement of nine systems of BrahMos cruise missiles to equip three of the Delhi-class destroyers as well as the first batch of s at a cost of . By 2016, 10 frontline warships of the Navy were equipped with BrahMos.
On 21 February 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security of India cleared the acquisition of over 220 BrahMos-ER for deployment on warships of the Indian Navy. A deal worth around for missile procurement has been signed on 1 March 2024 by BAPL and MoD along with a deal of for shipborne BrahMos launch systems. While this was the largest BrahMos order, the Ministry of Defence placed an overall order of with the BrahMos Aerospace till date. while the remaining in-service s are also expected to be equipped with the weapon system.
Philippines
Philippine Marine Corps
thumb|BrahMos deal between India and the Philippines signed on 28 January 2022 for the Philippine Marines' Coastal Defense Regiment's SBASM Battalion
In 2017, the Shore-based Anti-ship Missile System Acquisition Project for the maritime force was first conceptualized, while in 2020 the Office of the President approved its inclusion in the Horizon 2 Priority Projects.
In March 2021, the Department of National Defense (DND) signed an arms agreement with India to potentially acquire Indian weapons, including the BrahMos missile.
On 27 December 2021, two (SARO) — worth Php 1.3 billion (₹190 crore) and Php 1.535 billion (₹224 crore) — were issued by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) for the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System Acquisition Project of the Philippine Navy. The SARO allows the DND to finalise contracts for military projects.
On 31 December 2021, BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd's representatives received the Notice of Award (NOA) for the project worth US$374,962,800. A contract was signed on 28 January 2022. It includes at least 3 batteries as part of the agreement. A battery will have at least 3 mobile firing units, plus attached command and control, radar, and support vehicles and units. Each mobile firing unit has 3 ready-to-fire BrahMos anti-ship supersonic missiles, with the export variant having a maximum range of around .
The batteries would be operated by the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) Battalion of the Philippine Marine Corps' Coastal Defense Regiment.
Philippines Marine Corps personnel has also completed their mandatory operator training under the supervision of BrahMos Aerospace and the Indian Navy in 2023. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar felicitated Philippines Marine Corps personnel in a valedictory ceremony in India. Addressing the ceremony, Admiral Hari Kumar said that the induction of the BrahMos missile into the Philippine Marine Corps will strengthen the country's maritime capability and will contribute to the collective maritime security within the region.
On 19 April 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the first units of the BrahMos Missile Systems were delivered to the Philippine Marine Corps via Indian Air Force's C-17 and Il-76 transport aircraft. The deliveries to the Philippines was held up for a few months as the two nations hadn't signed a non-disclosure agreement, various sources stated. The delivery of the first battery was conducted with support from civilian aircraft agencies after a non-stop six-hour journey.
On 20 April 2025, India delivered the second battery of BrahMos cruise missiles to Philippines via sea.
The first battery of the Philippines Marine Corps will be based at the Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui located southwards of Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Zambales. The construction had begun by August 2022. The battery is composed of two twin missile launcher vehicles supported by a maintenance vehicle, a command post vehicle and a four-missile transporter-reloader vehicle. The version is reportedly an export variant of BrahMos Block I.
On 22 December 2024, it was reported that a deal worth $700 million for the sale of BrahMos to Vietnam was to be signed within few months. The initial techno-commercial intricacies had been discussed, while the draft agreement (which includes the final deal amount, delivery timeline, payment terms, and other details from the manufacturer) is awaited. The orders are expected from both Vietnamese Army and Vietnamese Navy. During a delegation-level meeting between the Indian defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on 4 December, the latter had approved of the no objection on the weapon's export to Vietnam and Indonesia.The receival of the formal No Objection Certificate, however, is due.
On 31 May 2026, the Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, confirmed during the Shangri-La Dialogue that an order has indeed been signed during the visit, though the exact public details were not publicly announced. India also expressed interest to supply the missiles to other ASEAN nations.
Indonesia
Indonesia has been in discussion with India for the purchase of BrahMos missile since July 2020 during the meet of the then Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh in India. As reported in January 2025, a deal worth $450 million for 290 km range BrahMos missiles is to be signed soon making Indonesia the third export customer after Philippines and Vietnam.
Multiple reports suggested that the deal would be finalised on 25–26 January 2025 when the Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, visits India as the Republic Day chief guest since India, Russia and Indonesia has trilaterally agreed upon the price of the deal. The final deal could take some time as formal procedures are due. The purchase will be on loan from one of the national banks of India (like the State Bank of India) unlike the previously expected EXIM Bank.
On 26 January, it was reported that an Indonesian delegation led by Navy chief Muhammad Ali visited the BrahMos Aerospace headquarters in order to finalise the proposed deal.
As reported on 4 November by ANI, all procedures and negotiations for Indonesia's BrahMos deal had been completed and only a final nod from the Russian authorities was pending for the contract signing. During a delegation-level meeting between the Indian defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on 4 December, the latter had approved of the no objection on the weapon's export to Vietnam and Indonesia. The combined value of both the deal is $450 million and further order might be placed following the initial deal. The receival of the formal No Objection Certificate, however, is due. One battery for coastal defence will be procured in the first phase. The procurement will be expanded in future phases. The contract is expected to be signed within 2 to 3 months, i.e., early in the next fiscal year.
Philippines
In October 2019, the Philippine Army was reported to be in discussion with India for a possible BrahMos missile sale for at least 2 batteries to be acquired under the Land Based Missile System Acquisition (LBMS) Project. These systems are planned to be operated by the 1st Land Based Missile System Battery of the Army Artillery Regiment, which was activated in October 2019.
On 21 January 2022, the Philippine Army announced plans to purchase two of BrahMos medium-range missile systems within the 3rd horizon of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (R-AFPMP) scheduled at the start of 2023 to the end of 2027. Further orders from Philippines are expected to materialise as of 23 December 2025.
Brazil
Brazil has shown interest in the missile system. The discussions for signing a deal with BrahMos Aerospace to procure the missiles are on. The Commander of the Brazilian Army, General Tomas Ribeiro Paiva, already visited India to have a look at a military exercise being conducted at the Pokhran field firing ranges in August 2023. A new Brazilian delegation is poised to visit India in August 2024 to discuss the sea version of the missile, to possible fit the future frigates and the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile System variant.
Others
BrahMos Aerospace has said that several Southeast Asian and Latin American countries have expressed interest in the system, with particular interest in naval and coastal defense versions, and that a "definite list of countries" exists. These countries are Brunei, Chile, Egypt, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, Venezuela, and Vietnam. In the case of Malaysia, they are considering the purchase of the missile for use on its Kedah class warships and Sukhoi Su-30MKM.
Operators
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Current operators
- : Four BrahMos regiments are known to be in service:
- 861 Missile Regiment (BrahMos Block-I)
- 1889 Missile Regiment
- 334 Missile Regiment (BrahMos Block-II)
- 881 Missile Regiment
- Indian Air Force BrahMos units: Surface-to-surface missiles
- – INS Ranvir (D54) and INS Ranvijay (D55)
- – Batch 2 onwards
- Veer-class corvette - INS Vidyut
– Three BrahMos batteries ordered.
- : Operates the BrahMos Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile system (Land-launched, anti-ship variant)
- Coastal Defense Regiment
- Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) Battalion
- : Agreement signed in FY2025-26.
Potential operators
- 12 July 2021 – In a test fire off the coast of Odisha, an extended-range variant of the missile fell to the ground shortly after launch, reportedly due to an error in the propulsion system.
- 9 March 2022 – An accidentally fired missile crashed into Pakistan. Pakistan said that the missile took off on the evening of 9 March and it was picked up by its air defence systems. From its initial course, the missile suddenly maneuvered towards Pakistani territory and crashed near Mian Channu city of Punjab province, causing no civilian casualties. Pakistan said its air force had "initiated requisite tactical actions" in response as it tracked the missile from its point of origin in India to its point of impact. Pakistan strongly condemned the incident and also cautioned India against recurrence of any such incident in the future. India said the incident was due to a "technical malfunction" and that it was "deeply regrettable". India also said that they have ordered a high-level court of inquiry to look into the incident. While still unconfirmed by both the Indian and Pakistani authorities, sources say that the missile fired was a BrahMos. According to Times of India, conventional missiles like the BrahMos also don't have self-destruct mechanisms like the ones available on India's strategic or nuclear missiles. ThePrint, quoting unnamed sources, claimed that Pakistan's air defence systems were not able to track the missile down and the missile did not veer off from its trajectory and followed the trajectory that it would have in case of a conflict.