Unveiled in India: BrahMos-II, ushering in the era of advanced Hypersonic combat
India Accelerates Development of Next-Generation Missile BrahMos-II
India is speeding up the development of its next-generation missile, the BrahMos-II, following its successful deployment during Operation Sindoor.
The BrahMos-II project, first announced in 2008, has faced numerous delays due to technical challenges and high development costs. However, recent advancements have put the project back on track.
During Operation Sindoor, India's air defence systems successfully repelled enemy drones and missiles. The BrahMos missiles, a crucial part of India's defence arsenal, played a key role in the operation.
The resolution of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) issue in 2016 allowed Russia to share missile technology with India for the BrahMos-II project. This collaboration has been instrumental in the project's progress.
The BrahMos-II missile is expected to be used with India's LCA Tejas Mk 2 fighter jet. Early discussions between India and Russia have started to strengthen defence ties and technological cooperation.
The BrahMos-II is designed to be a hypersonic cruise missile, capable of flying at speeds between Mach 6 and Mach 8 (7,200 to roughly 11,000 km/h) with an estimated strike range of up to 1,500 kilometers. This is a substantial extension beyond the current BrahMos range cap of 450 km.
The missile is inspired by Russia's Zircon hypersonic missile, emphasizing rapid strike capability and maneuverability. Unlike its predecessor, the BrahMos, which used a ramjet engine, the BrahMos-II will use a scramjet engine for ultra-high speed. This transition from a two-stage propulsion system (solid rocket booster and liquid-fueled ramjet) to a scramjet engine will facilitate sustained hypersonic flight.
The scramjet engine component of the BrahMos-II was successfully tested for over 1,000 seconds in April 2025. This significant milestone marks a significant step forward in the development of the BrahMos-II.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's home-grown weapons used during Operation Sindoor. The successful deployment of the BrahMos missiles during the operation underscores their importance in India's defence strategy.
The BrahMos-II missiles, once developed, will be manufactured at the recently opened BrahMos manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh. The next-generation version of the BrahMos missile is expected to greatly enhance India's fast strike and precision capabilities.
References:
- BrahMos-II: India's Hypersonic Missile Ambition
- India's BrahMos missile: From Mach 3 to Mach 5
- BrahMos missile: India's fastest supersonic cruise missile
- BrahMos-II: India's next-generation hypersonic missile
- The progression in India's defense technology, exemplified by the BrahMos-II project, is deeply rooted in the country's historical pursuit of advanced military capabilities.
- The successful testing of the scramjet engine for the BrahMos-II missile indicates a significant step forward in India's technology development, specifically in the realm of hypersonic cruise missiles in sports, a sector usually dominated by a few global powers.
