News: The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, operational since 2001, was likely used in combat for the first time during Operation Sindoor on May 10, 2025, as part of India’s retaliatory precision strikes on Pakistani military bases. Brahmos Missile.
About Brahmos Missile
Type: Supersonic cruise missile
Developed by: Joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM under BrahMos Aerospace (est. 1998)
Speed: Up to Mach 2.8–3.0
Range: Initially 290 km; extended to 350–400 km, with plans up to 800 km
Named after: Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers
First tested: 2001
Launch Platforms
Land-based: Deployed along borders; variants like Block I (precision), II (deep-dive), III (mountain warfare)
Ship-based: Sea-to-sea and sea-to-land roles; salvo-firing capability
Air-launched: Modified Sukhoi-30 MKI; enhances reach in Indian Ocean
Submarine-launched: Tested successfully from submerged platform (2013)
Technical Features
Two-stage system:
1st stage – solid booster
2nd stage – liquid ramjet for sustained supersonic cruise
Fire-and-forget system with advanced guidance
Stealth features: Low radar signature
High precision and kinetic impact
Next-Generation (BrahMos-NG)
Under development
Smaller, lighter, stealthier
Can be launched from aircraft, ships, submarines (torpedo tubes)
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