Following the resounding success of Operation Sindoor, India and Russia have commenced discussions to jointly develop a more advanced version of the BrahMos missile. This move underscores the deepening defense ties between the two nations and their commitment to enhancing India's indigenous defense capabilities.
Operation Sindoor, executed in early May 2025, served as a powerful demonstration of the BrahMos missile's precision and effectiveness. The operation, a response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, involved deep-penetration strikes into Pakistani territory, targeting terrorist infrastructure and military installations. The BrahMos, a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia, played a central role in these strikes, hitting key targets with pinpoint accuracy.
India's Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, emphasized the effectiveness of the BrahMos missile during Operation Sindoor. He highlighted that equipment manufactured in India, including the BrahMos, had repeatedly proven its capabilities. He also noted that defense ties between India and Russia extend beyond traditional procurement, encompassing joint development and production of defense products.
The decision to jointly develop an advanced BrahMos missile builds on this successful collaboration. Russia has reportedly extended its full technical support to India for this project. Initial negotiations between New Delhi and Moscow have already taken place, signaling the commitment from both sides.
The BrahMos missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, symbolizes the partnership between India and Russia. Since its first successful test in 2001 and induction into the Indian Navy in 2005, it has evolved into a versatile, multi-platform missile system. It has been adapted for use by the Army in 2007 and the Air Force's Sukhoi-30MKI fighters. Operation Sindoor marked the BrahMos system's first real combat deployment. Its speed, accuracy, and deep-strike capability were brought to bear with devastating effect.
The new BrahMos facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, inaugurated on May 11 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has been identified as the primary location for manufacturing the advanced version of the missile. The 200-acre facility, established at a cost of Rs 300 crore, includes an anchor unit PTC and other supporting facilities. It is expected to produce missiles in substantial numbers.
The success of Operation Sindoor has not only highlighted the BrahMos missile's capabilities but has also boosted India's image as a reliable manufacturer of defense equipment. Several countries, including those in Latin America, have expressed interest in acquiring the BrahMos for naval and coastal defense roles. This growing export profile underscores India's expanding strategic reach and technological prowess.
Operation Sindoor demonstrated India's ability to strike terrorist and military targets with precision while neutralizing counterattacks. This has restored deterrence and unveiled a new national security doctrine. The operation also highlighted the synergy of indigenous and co-developed weapon systems, reflecting India's growing self-reliance in defense. The BrahMos missile, along with other systems like the Akash air defense missiles and the Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, formed a lethal combination that proved decisive in the operation.
The joint development of an advanced BrahMos missile will further strengthen India's defense capabilities and solidify the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
