The production of BrahMos NG (Next Generation), the supersonic missile system, which is at an advanced stage of development, will commence from 2027-28.
BrahMos is a light and and smaller version of its earlier avatar and the modification has been done for onboarding the missile on the marine and aerial platforms like SU-30 MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
“BrahMos is a sleeker missile with same capabilities as of its predecessor. We are developing state-of-the-art technologies so that the missile becomes sleeker and the effects remain the same. We are in the advanced stage of the development and may be in a year or so we will be doing the flight runs,” Jaiteerth R Joshi, Director General of India–Russia Joint Venture BrahMos, said on the sidelines of the company’s stall at the Aero India 2025.
Among other improvements over the previous version is that the BrahMos NG carries a lesser radar cross section (RCS), leaving little signature for air defence systems to target the missile, another company official stated. It will also have AESA radar.
Talking about the production timelines of the missile whose model was at display at the Aero India, Joshi stated, “It will be ready for production in next 1-1.5 years post the first flight run.”
The development phase of the BrahMos — which is 6 meters long and 50 centimeters in diameter, and has a speed of 3.5 Mach and range of 290 km — began after the completion of the design of the missile system.
It’s speed and range is similar to the older version which though was 9 meter long and weighed 3 tonnes.
The range has not been improved due to the limitations of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). When it was BrahMos was being developed, India was not part of the MTCR but subsequently it became a signatory to the Group, which will give liberty to extend the range further to 450 km and beyond.
With the missile being considered high among its class internationally, India is trying to push its exports, encouraged by orders from Philippines. It is learnt that talks with Indonesia is at a fairly advanced stage on contracting BrahMos.
During the state visit to India last month, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto visited the BrahMos headquarter in Delhi. The President was briefed on the supersonic cruise missiles during the discussion where price negotiation also took place.
Some African countries too have evinced interest in the missile system which have gained importance as an arsenal in the modern warfare.