BrahMos-NG: Lighter Missile Prototype Due by 2027-28, Says CEO

BrahMos Aerospace expects to build the first prototype of its next-generation BrahMos-NG missile in 2027 or 2028, chief executive Jaiteerth Joshi told ANI on Thursday, 22 October. The lighter, air-launched version is meant for fighters with smaller payloads such as the Tejas, The Tribune reported, citing sources, while the 1,500-km missile is still on paper.

A Lighter Missile for More Jets

The BrahMos-NG will be smaller and lighter than the current missile and use composite materials, The Tribune reported. Its report puts the weight at about 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes, the length under 6 metres and the speed at Mach 3.5. About 40 Su-30MKI jets have been modified to carry the existing BrahMos, which is too heavy for lighter aircraft. Joshi said some countries that fly the Sukhoi-30 have asked about an air-launched BrahMos, and others are interested in the NG, which will be developed first in an airborne form.

1,500-km Range Stays a Concept

“The 1,500-km range is part of our future roadmap which is presently at the conceptual stage,” Joshi said. The missile’s range has been raised in phases beyond the original 290 km, and the Indian Air Force has tested an extended-range air-launched version beyond 450 to 500 km, The Tribune said. The Army wants a range above 800 km. India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016, which made the 290-km cap redundant. IPB’s earlier report on the programme is BrahMos missile with indigenous booster successfully test-fired.

Supplier Base Planned at 45 Sources

Joshi listed the near-term priorities as completing existing orders from the armed forces, expanding research through what he called “Tech-bricks”, and growing the supplier base from one or two industry partners per system to 45 sources. On 6 October the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace for fire control systems and launchers for Navy ships, with at least 68 per cent indigenous content, ANI reported. The Tribune said series production of the NG is targeted for 2027-28 at a new facility in Lucknow. No date has been given for the 1,500-km missile. More defence stories are in Daily Updates.

Source: Based on reporting by ANI and The Tribune.

Image: The Tribune (file photo).