India and Russia have commenced negotiations to jointly manufacture an advanced version of the BrahMos missile, building upon the weapon's demonstrated success in recent military operations. This collaboration aims to enhance the missile's capabilities and increase its production within India.

Background and Strategic Importance

The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile developed as a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia. Named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, it symbolizes the partnership between the two nations in defense technology. The missile has been inducted into the Indian armed forces since 2005 and has become a key component of India's defense arsenal.

The BrahMos is known for its speed, precision, and versatility, capable of being launched from land, sea, air, and submarine platforms. Its "fire and forget" principle, combined with a high supersonic speed throughout its flight, ensures a quick engagement time and reduces the possibility of interception by enemy weapon systems. The missile's destructive power is enhanced by its large kinetic energy upon impact.

Advanced Version and Production Plans

The current negotiations focus on producing an advanced version of the BrahMos missile, incorporating technological upgrades and enhanced performance characteristics. Russia has reportedly extended its full technical support to facilitate the joint production of this advanced variant in India.

A newly established BrahMos facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has been identified as the primary site for manufacturing the advanced missiles. This facility, inaugurated on May 11, 2025, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and is expected to produce missiles in substantial numbers. The facility was built with an investment of ₹300 crore, with the Uttar Pradesh government providing 80 hectares of land free of cost. The unit includes an anchor unit PTC and seven other supporting facilities.

BrahMos-NG

The development of a new, compact air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), is in advanced stages. The BrahMos-NG is lighter than the current air-launched variant, and is expected to be ready for flight testing soon and production and induction shortly thereafter. Being much lighter, the BrahMos-NG can be mounted on other fighters, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The IAF plans to use the BrahMos-NG as a primary deterrent weapon.

Operational Success and Global Interest

The BrahMos missile has demonstrated its effectiveness in various operational scenarios. The air-launched version was used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to strike air bases during the recent confrontation with Pakistan. Defense analyst Sanjeev Srivastava noted that the BrahMos's capabilities surpass those of even the most advanced Chinese air defense systems.

The missile's success has also generated significant international interest. Several countries have expressed interest in acquiring the BrahMos, with the Philippines already having signed a deal to acquire three shore-based anti-ship batteries. Vietnam is also close to finalizing a deal for five missile batteries, while Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have also shown interest.

Indo-Russian Defense Cooperation

The BrahMos project exemplifies the strong defense cooperation between India and Russia. The joint venture has not only produced a world-class missile system but has also fostered technological collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two countries. India now produces over 70% of BrahMos components domestically, reducing dependence on Russian parts and opening the door to global exports.

Future Developments

In addition to the advanced version and the BrahMos-NG, there are ongoing efforts to extend the range of the original BrahMos missile. The Indian Navy has ordered extended-range missiles with a range of 800 km. Furthermore, the BrahMos-II, a hypersonic version capable of reaching speeds of Mach 7-8, is currently under development.

The continued development and production of the BrahMos missile system will significantly enhance India's defense capabilities and strengthen its position as a major player in the global defense market. The collaboration with Russia ensures access to advanced technology and promotes indigenous defense production, contributing to India's strategic autonomy.