Brahmos Missile

April 25, 2023

Brahmos Missile

Super/Hypersonic Missile

The BrahMos (also designated as PJ-10)is a medium-range Ramjet Supersonic Cruise Missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, airplanes or land, notably being the Fastest Supersonic Cruise Missile in the World.

It is a joint-venture between the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, who together have formed BrahMos Aerospace. The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.

The former President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam asked BrahMos Aerospace to develop an advanced version of the BrahMos cruise missile to maintain India's lead in the field.He stated that hypersonic version of BrahMos would be needed that could deliver its payload and return to base.

*Place of origin*

India

Russia

*Type*

1) Cruise missile

2) Air-launched cruise missile

3) Anti-ship missile

4) Land-attack missile

5) Surface-to-surface missile

6) Submarine-launched cruise missile

*In service*

November 2005

*Designer*

India Defence Research and Development Organisation,

Russia NPO Mashinostroyeniya

*Manufacturer*

BrahMos Aerospace Limited

*Unit cost*

BrahMos : US$ 3.5 Million

BrahMos-ER : US$ 4.85 Million

BrahMos-A : US$ 5.5 Million

*Engine*

1st Stage :

Solid Rocket Booster

2nd Stage :

Liquid Rocket Ramjet

*Propellant*

1st Stage: Solid fuel

2nd Stage: Liquid fuel

The land-launched and ship-launched versions are already in service.An air-launched variant of BrahMos appeared in 2012 and entered service in 2019.

A Hypersonic version of the missile, BrahMos-II, is also presently under development with a speed of Mach 7–8 to boost aerial fast strike capability. It was expected to be ready for testing by 2024.

In 2016, as India became a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), India and Russia are now planning to jointly develop a new generation of BrahMos missiles with 800 km range and an ability to hit protected targets with pinpoint accuracy. Plans are to eventually upgrade all missiles to a range of 1,500 km

*Extended range*

In 2016, India became a member of the MTCR. India and Russia are now planning to jointly develop a new generation of BrahMos missiles with 1500 km-plus range and an ability to hit protected targets with pinpoint accuracy. On 24 November 2020, DRDO successfully test fired upgraded 800 km BrahMos variant. This upgrade will also be applied to all existing BrahMos missiles.

BrahMos-II

BrahMos-II is a hypersonic cruise missile currently under development and is estimated to have a range of 600 km. With a speed of Mach 8, it will have double the speed of the current BrahMos missile, and it will be the fastest hypersonic missile in the world. Development could take 7–8 years to complete.

BrahMos-NG

Size comparison between BrahMos and the planned BrahMos-M/BrahMos-NG.

BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) is a mini version based on the existing BrahMos system. It will have same 290 km range and Mach 3.5 speed but it will weigh around 1.5 tons, with a length of 6 metres and a diameter of 50 cm, making BrahMos-NG 50 percent lighter and three metres shorter than its predecessor.The system is expected to be inducted on the year 2024.BrahMos-NG will have lesser RCS (radar cross section) compared to its predecessor, making it harder for air defense systems to locate and engage the target. BrahMos-NG will have Land, Air, Ship-borne and Submarine tube-launched variants. The first test flight is expected to take place in 2022–24. Initially BrahMos-NG was referred to as BrahMos-M. Additionally, the BrahMos-NG will have an AESA radar rather than the mechanically scanned one on the BrahMos.

BrahMos Aerospace is planning to manufacture BrahMos-NG in Uttar Pradesh. The Indian Air Force already confirmed a requirement of 400 missile that will cost around ₹8,000 crore and be delivered within 5 years of time period.The missile is likely to be ready in late 2022.