India is expanding its defence export portfolio with four more countries expressing interest in acquiring the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Vietnam have shown keen interest in procuring the advanced missile system, according to sources.
Growing Global Demand for BrahMos The BrahMos missile, known for its precision and versatility, has already made its mark on the global stage. India began delivering the shore-based version of the missile to the Philippines last year, which sought it for anti-ship operations with a range of 290 km. The Philippines’ acquisition was significant, considering its ongoing territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea. India offers multiple variants of the BrahMos, including land, sea, and air versions.
Talks with Indonesia Underway In addition to the interest from the four countries, negotiations with Indonesia are progressing. A high-level military delegation from Indonesia is scheduled to visit India in the coming weeks to initiate formal discussions on adopting the missile for their defence systems. If successful, Indonesia would become the second ASEAN nation, after the Philippines, to acquire the BrahMos.
BrahMos NG: Next-Generation Advancements During the Aero India event, BrahMos Director General JR Joshi provided updates on the missile’s technological advancements. He announced that trials of the new ‘BrahMos NG’ (Next Generation) have commenced and are expected to be completed by 2026. The NG variant, designed to be compatible with the Sukhoi 30MKI fighter jets, will be installed under the wings of the aircraft, enhancing India’s air combat capabilities.
Potential Range Extension When questioned about the possibility of extending the missile’s range beyond 300 km, Joshi stated that India possesses the technological capability to achieve it. However, any extension would depend on the government’s strategic decisions.
A Symbol of Indo-Russian Collaboration The BrahMos missile is a product of a joint venture established in 1998 between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. With a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach (approximately 3,450 km/h), the missile remains one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world.
India’s Growing Defence Export Ambitions India’s efforts to export BrahMos to more countries align with its broader goal of becoming a major player in the global defence market. With the increasing demand from countries across Asia and the Middle East, the BrahMos missile continues to be a key component of India’s defence diplomacy strategy.
