The BrahMos-II hypersonic cruise missile, a collaborative effort between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia, is poised to revolutionize military capabilities with its speed and range. As of May 11, 2025, its development reflects India’s ambition to enhance its strategic deterrence and global defense market standing. This section provides a comprehensive analysis, drawing from recent updates and technical details, to elucidate its specifications, development status, and strategic implications, alongside the recent combat use of the original BrahMos against Pakistan.
Technical Specifications and Design of BrahMos-II
The BrahMos-II is engineered for hypersonic speeds, with a target velocity of Mach 8 (approximately 9,900 km/h), significantly surpassing the Mach 2.8–3.0 of the original BrahMos. This speed is achieved through advanced scramjet technology, a supersonic combustion ramjet that sustains flight at hypersonic velocities by utilizing atmospheric oxygen, reducing the need for heavy oxidizers. The propulsion system operates in two stages:
- First Stage: A solid-propellant booster accelerates the missile to supersonic speeds for initial launch.
- Second Stage: A liquid-fueled scramjet engine maintains hypersonic cruise, ensuring efficiency and range.
The missile’s range is projected at 1,500 km, a substantial increase from the original BrahMos’s 290–600 km, enabled by India’s entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, which lifted range restrictions. It can carry a payload of 200–300 kg, with the air-launched variant supporting up to 300 kg, suitable for conventional or potentially nuclear warheads. The guidance system leverages the “Fire and Forget Principle,” integrating advanced embedded software and the G3OM chip, which combines GPS, GLONASS, and India’s GAGAN for precise navigation, ensuring a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 1 meter.
Design-wise, BrahMos-II incorporates aero-thermodynamic shaping to minimize drag and heat buildup, likely featuring a waverider configuration for enhanced lift and stability at hypersonic speeds. Advanced composites, such as carbon-carbon and titanium alloys, are used to withstand temperatures exceeding 2,000°C, addressing the thermal challenges of hypersonic flight. Its reduced radar cross-section (RCS) and low infrared signature enhance stealth, making it difficult for enemy air defenses to detect.
The missile’s multi-platform compatibility is a key feature, designed for launch from land (mobile launchers), sea (surface ships and submarines), and air (fighters like Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Rafale, or HAL Tejas). This versatility ensures integration across India’s tri-services, enhancing operational flexibility.
Development Status and Timeline
As of February 2025, BrahMos-II was showcased at the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) 2025 , reflecting significant progress and public demonstration of its capabilities. This event underscores India’s growing missile technology prowess and its intent to market the system globally. Recent updates indicate ongoing development, with BrahMos Aerospace focusing on optimizing hypersonic technology and addressing technical challenges.
Flight trials for related variants, such as BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), are expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, as per updates from February 2024 at the World Defense Show . This timeline suggests BrahMos-II is on a similar trajectory, though earlier plans for testing in 2020 were delayed, as noted in BrahMos-II – Wikipedia. The delay is attributed to the complexity of hypersonic technology and geopolitical factors, including technology transfer from Russia, particularly for the 3M22 Zircon missile, which shares characteristics with BrahMos-II.
However, there is some controversy regarding the program’s status. A November 2024 report from the Indian Defence Research Wing suggested that the BrahMos-2K program (possibly a variant of BrahMos-II) was shelved due to high costs, with the armed forces prioritizing upgrades to existing BrahMos missiles. This contrasts with the February 2025 showcase, indicating that while cost concerns are real, development continues, possibly under a revised budget or scope.
Challenges and Technological Innovations
Developing a hypersonic missile poses significant challenges, including thermal management, material science, and cost. Hypersonic flight generates extreme heat due to air friction, necessitating advanced materials like carbon-carbon composites and ceramic matrix composites to maintain structural integrity. The scramjet engine, while efficient, requires precise engineering to sustain combustion at supersonic airflow, a technology still in its nascent stages globally.
BrahMos Aerospace has tied up with institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Moscow’s aviation institutes to develop high-temperature materials and energy modules, as noted in a May 2023 Financial Express article . These collaborations aim to address scientific hurdles, but geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s involvement and international missile control regimes, add complexity.
A unique feature is the potential integration of technology from Russia’s 3M22 Zircon missile, as mentioned by BrahMos Aerospace CEO Atul Rane in August 2022 . This could accelerate development, but reliance on foreign technology transfer introduces risks, especially given global sanctions and defense export controls.
Strategic Implications and Global Context
The BrahMos-II enhances India’s strategic deterrence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, countering threats from adversaries like China, which is also developing hypersonic weapons. Its 1,500 km range and Mach 8 speed make it nearly invulnerable to current missile defense systems, such as the Aegis or S-400, due to its short flight time (e.g., covering 600 km in under 5 minutes) and maneuverability. This capability is crucial for time-critical strikes against high-value targets like aircraft carriers, bunkers, or missile launch sites.
The missile’s multi-platform versatility—land, sea, and air—ensures integration into joint operations, enhancing India’s power projection. For instance, air-launched variants from fighters like the Su-30 MKI gain additional range and flexibility, while submarine-launched versions could bolster India’s undersea warfare capabilities. This aligns with India’s broader military modernization, including the P75I submarine program.
Globally, BrahMos-II positions India as a competitor in the hypersonic arms race, alongside the U.S. (AGM-183 ARRW), Russia (Zircon), and China (DF-ZF). Its potential export to nations like Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as highlighted at NAVDEX 2025, strengthens India’s defense diplomacy and economic ties. However, the high cost per unit, estimated to be prohibitive for large-scale acquisition, could limit its market, as noted in the November 2024 report.
Comparison with Variants and Related Projects
It’s important to distinguish BrahMos-II from other variants, as there is some confusion in nomenclature. The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), a lighter, supersonic variant weighing 1.3 tons with a range of 290 km (extendable to 450 km) and Mach 3.5 speed, is designed for multi-platform use, with flight trials expected in 2026 . BrahMos-MA and BrahMos-2K appear in some reports but lack consistent definition; BrahMos-2K might refer to a specific development phase of BrahMos-II, while BrahMos-MA could be another advanced variant, possibly related to BrahMos-NG.
The table below summarizes the key differences:
| Variant | Speed | Range | Weight | Purpose | Status (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrahMos-II | Mach 8 | 1,500 km | ~3 tons | Hypersonic, strategic strikes | Under development, showcased at NAVDEX |
| BrahMos-NG | Mach 3.5 | 290–450 km | 1.3 tons | Lighter, multi-platform, tactical | Flight trials expected 2026 |
| BrahMos-MA | – | – | – | Possibly advanced variant, unclear | Flight trials mentioned for 2026 |
| BrahMos-2K | – | – | – | Possibly hypersonic, development on hold per some reports | Status unclear, possibly paused |
This table highlights BrahMos-II’s unique position as the hypersonic variant, while others focus on supersonic enhancements.
Recent Combat Use of BrahMos Against Pakistan
On May 10, 2025, India likely used BrahMos in combat for the first time, launching precision strikes on eight Pakistani military sites, including airbases like Rafiqui, Murid, and Nur Khan, from Sukhoi Su-30 MKI jets . The strikes were part of Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps and military installations in response to Pakistani aggression, using a combination of BrahMos, SCALP, and HAMMER munitions . This marked a significant operational milestone, demonstrating BrahMos’s effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
Prior to this, the only notable incident involving BrahMos and Pakistan was in March 2022, when an accidental launch landed in Pakistan, causing no casualties but highlighting the missile’s potential . The May 2025 use, however, was deliberate and combat-oriented, reinforcing India’s strategic capabilities.
Future Prospects and Conclusion
Looking ahead, BrahMos-II is expected to enter service by the late 2020s, potentially operational by 2027–2028, aligning with India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in defense technology. Its development is part of a broader roadmap, including range extensions for existing BrahMos missiles to 800 km, as noted in October 2024 reports . The missile’s success will depend on overcoming cost and technical challenges, but its potential to redefine modern warfare is undeniable.
In summary, the BrahMos-II hypersonic missile, with its Mach 8 speed, 1,500 km range, and multi-platform versatility, is a strategic asset for India, enhancing deterrence and global market presence. Its development, while facing hurdles, is actively progressing, with recent showcases and planned trials indicating a bright future. The recent combat use of BrahMos on May 10, 2025, against Pakistan further underscores its operational effectiveness, marking a pivotal moment in India’s defense strategy.
Key Citations
- BrahMos-II hypersonic missile development status – Wikipedia
- BrahMos Aerospace Showcases its Hypersonic Missile System at NAVDEX 2025 – India Strategic
- India likely used BrahMos in combat for first time in precision strikes on Pakistan: Report – Business Today
- Operation Sindoor: From HAMMER to BrahMos, the precision guided long range weapons in Indian military’s arsenal | Explained News – The Indian …
- 2022 India–Pakistan missile incident – Wikipedia
- Hypersonic BrahMos-II missile may include tech from Tsirkon missile – Naval News
- BrahMos – Wikipedia
- Hypersonic Hiccups: Challenges in BRAHMOS II Development
- India Puts Hypersonic BrahMos-2K Program on Hold, Focuses on Upgrading Current BrahMos Missiles – Indian Defence Research Wing
- Next Generation BrahMos missile to make first flight run in 2026
- BrahMos to Unveil Hypersonic Future: BrahMos-2K to Usher in New Era of Cruise Missiles – Indian Defence Research Wing