Defense cooperation between India and Russia is getting new strength. Both the countries are jointly developing a new version of the BrahMos cruise missile, which will have a range of up to 800 kilometers. This is a big jump compared to the current versions, which have a range of around 450 kilometres.
The development of this new version will give India the ability to launch precise strikes at depth while remaining out of the enemy air defense range. This will further strengthen India’s strategic deterrence capability.
This project is being jointly developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia. Despite increasing the range, the biggest feature of the missile is its supersonic speed, which will remain intact. This missile flies at a speed of approximately Mach 3, making it extremely difficult to intercept.
BrahMos missile is already deployed on many platforms like ground launchers, naval warships, submarines, Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. In 2019, the prototype of the air-launched version has also been revealed, which has further increased the strength of the Air Force.
Weighing about 3 tonnes, this missile is capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 300 kg. Its high speed and accuracy make it among the world’s deadliest cruise missiles.
Discussion may take place in Defense Acquisition Council
The purchase of this new version with 800 km range is likely to be discussed soon in the Defense Acquisition Council, which is chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Although defense deals worth $25 billion were approved in March 2025, this new version was not included in that list.
According to reports, during the India-Pakistan tension in May 2025, the BrahMos missile was used to attack Pakistan’s airbase and radar sites, highlighting its strategic usefulness.
Let us tell you that the BrahMos project was started in the late 1990s. It is named after the Brahmaputra rivers of India and Moskva rivers of Russia, symbolizing the cooperation between the two countries. The missile has been continuously evolving since it was first tested in 2001 and now the new version with 800 km range is considered to be its next big leap forward.
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