India is developing a miniature version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, designated BrahMos-NG, with a strike range exceeding 1,500 km. The new variant will be lighter and sleeker, enabling its deployment on a wider range of fighter jets, including the LCA Tejas, which has a lower payload capacity than the Sukhoi-30MKI.
BrahMos-NG Development and Features
Jaiteerth Joshi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace, revealed the plans at an event in Nagpur over the weekend. He stated, “We are going with the BrahMos-NG for additional distances, very large distances.” The missile is being redesigned with composite materials to reduce weight and size, making it suitable for smaller aircraft.
The BrahMos-NG is expected to weigh between 1 and 1.5 tonnes and measure less than 6 meters in length. It can travel at speeds up to Mach 3.5, which is 3.5 times the speed of sound. Ground integration and design validation are in advanced stages, according to Joshi.
Range and Operational Capabilities
Joshi added, “We are looking at ranges of 1,500 km plus... we are working on it. Once the basic design is proven and simulation studies are done, we will come back to what will be the exact range.” The current conventional BrahMos, used by the Indian Army and Air Force, has a range of around 290 km for the anti-ship variant and 450 km for the land-attack variant, but the new version aims to significantly extend that.
The BrahMos missile played a key role during Operation Sindoor last year against Pakistan, where it was launched from Sukhoi-30MKI jets. The miniature BrahMos-NG will allow other aircraft like the LCA Tejas, which has a much lower payload capacity, to carry and launch the missile.
Export and Strategic Significance
Separately, India is in talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to sell the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This export deal would mark a significant step in India's defense diplomacy and strategic partnerships in the region.
The development of the BrahMos-NG is part of two parallel strategic paths for future versions of the missile. The first path focuses on miniaturization for multi-platform deployment, while the second aims to extend the range to strike targets beyond 1,500 km. The missile's enhanced range and versatility are expected to bolster India's deterrence capabilities and provide a competitive edge in the global missile market.
