The BrahMos missile, now a ‘war-proven’ system after Operation Sindoor, is driving India’s defence exports, which have reached Rs 38,400 crore. With deals in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, BrahMos Aerospace is expanding its global footprint.
The BrahMos is not just a missile anymore it is the power, precision and pride of a confident, self-reliant New India. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces deployed the weapon system in active warfare for the first time. Striking critical targets, including major Pakistani airbases like Nur Khan the Armed forces showcased the might of the weapon system. The BrahMos system also forms a cornerstone of India’s defence exports which have reached Rs 38,400 crore with an impressive 62.7% annual growth.
BrahMos: Driving India’s Defence Exports
Speaking on the success of the Brahmos, Dr. Jaiteerth Joshi-CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace said, “The BrahMos success story at the exports frontier started even before the weapon was combat-tested in 2025. In 2022, we received our first historic export order, and that multi-million dollar deal propelled forward India’s defence export aspirations at the global arena. Today, BrahMos stands at the forefront of India’s military exports strategy. As a flagship product, the supersonic cruise missile has steadily expanded its exports arc, especially after it established its impeccable capabilities and became a ‘war-proven’ system during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. We have signed deals with two more countries in Southeast Asia this year after our first export deal with the Philippines. So, we are strongly positioned in the international market today, and are looking ahead to further expand our exports foothold.”
Dr Joshi said that BrahMos is working on further strengthening supply chain to meet growing demand and surge capacity. “The near-term and long-term priorities are to complete all the orders that we have received so far from our Armed Forces. All our production units at Hyderabad, Nagpur, Pilani and the newest, at Lucknow, are working in full-swing in this direction. We also intend to expedite our R&D work by setting up ‘Tech-bricks’ for niche technologies required for developing and testing the nextgeneration BrahMos. Strengthening supply chain to meet growing demand and surge capacity in case of any eventuality. From earlier 1-2 Industry partners of each system / sub-systems we are willing to develop 45 sources. This will also help to bring in competition in terms of quality and price,” he said.
BrahMos is a flagship for India’s defence export push, with orders and deliveries to the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam set to take exports beyond $600 million.
A ‘War-Proven’ First-Strike Weapon
“The world has always been looking at BrahMos with awe and wonder. After ‘Operation Sindoor’, the incredibly versatile missile has proven that it is indeed an enigma – a highly evolved, formidable system for today’s complex, multi-domain, high-intensity kinetic warfare. As India’s unparalleled “first strike” weapon, BRAHMOS has validated its power and supremacy as the most lethal weapon in its class and calibre capable of eliminating adversary’s targets with deadly accuracy while maintaining stealth, swiftness and agility.
Future Roadmap: BrahMos-NG and Extended Range
BrahMos-NG (Next Generation)
A key development on the forefront will be the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) which is a smaller, lighter, and stealthier supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya through BrahMos Aerospace. It will expand India’s Air-Launched Strike Capability. Dr Joshi says the first prototype will be developed by 2027-2028.
“We expect to develop the first prototype by 2027 or 2028. Since this new system will have higher indigenous content, and would also feature many new technologies, advanced materials etc., we need to undertake extensive R&D work. We have chalked out our plans and steadily moving forward in this direction. At this point of time, it is under development stage, ” he said.
1,500-km Strike Variant
Another future project for BrahMos Aerospace is a 1,500-km strike variant. “We have taken up the range extension programme in a phase-wise manner, and the missile has validated its longer range capabilities during test firings conducted from ground, sea and air, surpassing its initial 290-km strike ambit. The 1,500-km range is part of our future roadmap which is presently at the conceptual stage. We are in discussion with our JV partner for further upgrades in the missile system,” Dr Joshi said.
Recent Defence Procurement
Meanwhile, on October 6, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace for procurement of BrahMos Fire Control System and Launchers for Indian Navy ships. With a minimum 68% indigenous content, the project encourages active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs. (ANI)
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