In a major boost to India's strategic capabilities, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has undergone successful testing, demonstrating an extended range of 800 kilometers. This enhanced range significantly expands India's ability to strike targets deep within enemy territory, bolstering its defense posture.
The test, conducted in the Bay of Bengal earlier in 2025, validated the missile's enhanced capabilities, paving the way for its induction into the armed forces within the next two to three years. Designated as BrahMos-LR, the long-range missile represents a major milestone for India's defense. It allows the Indian military to execute precision strikes on high-value targets from safer standoff distances, strengthening India's strategic deterrence and reshaping the military balance in the region. During the test, the BrahMos-LR performed complex maneuvers at supersonic speeds of nearly Mach 3, engaging both land and sea targets with exceptional accuracy.
The BrahMos missile is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Originally, its range was capped at 290 km due to restrictions by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). However, India's entry into the MTCR in 2016 removed these limitations, enabling significant range extensions. This led to the development of a 450km variant (BrahMos-ER) in 2017, and now the 800km BrahMos-LR. The extended range was achieved by redesigning the missile to hold more fuel for its advanced ramjet engine.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army are slated to acquire advanced BrahMos missiles with the 800-km range. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has already sanctioned a proposal to procure approximately 250 of these land-attack missiles. These missiles will be integrated into existing operational units and deployed in desert and high-altitude regions. The Indian Navy is also expected to receive a similar batch of BrahMos missiles.
The BrahMos's capabilities were reportedly showcased during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, a retaliatory campaign following a terror attack in Pahalgam. The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed approximately 15 BrahMos missiles, primarily air-launched from Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, targeting key airbases in enemy territory. The strikes reportedly crippled runways, command centers, and air defense systems. The missile's ability to evade enemy air defense systems was a critical factor in its success.
Further development of the BrahMos is ongoing, with tests planned to refine stealth capabilities, maneuverability, and accuracy. Research is also underway on BrahMos-II, a hypersonic version capable of reaching Mach 6 to 7, which would further complicate defensive countermeasures. A new BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow will play a crucial role in the missile's development and production. This facility will assemble and test existing and next-generation BrahMos variants and produce aerospace-grade materials. BrahMos Aerospace is also developing the Next-Generation (NG) variant for torpedo-tube compatibility, with tests slated for late 2025.
