Indian Navy Successfully Tests BrahMos Missile With Extended Range of 900 Km

The Indian Navy declared the successful engagement of a land-based target at an extended range using the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on January 24 . The test, conducted from a Rajput-class destroyer—either INS Ranvir or INS Ranvijay—featured images released by the Navy showcasing the missile launch. The BrahMos, a preferred offensive missile for the Indian Navy, undergoes frequent testing in various versions. Notably, the January 24 test demonstrated “extended range precision strike capability from combat & mission-ready ships” and coincided with a substantial area warning. A no-fly zone, with a maximum length of approximately 900 km, was in effect between January 24 and 25. This marks the longest-known area warning for a BrahMos missile test, strongly suggesting the missile’s capability to reach ranges of up to 900 km.

The BrahMos, also known as PJ-10, is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile launchable from submarines, ships, fighter aircraft, or TEL. Developed through a joint venture between the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the missile is based on the P-800 Oniks. Named after the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia, the BrahMos has land-launched and ship-launched versions already in service. An air-launched variant, compatible with the Su-30MKI, entered service in 2019. Plans for a new generation of BrahMos missiles, jointly developed by India and Russia, include an 800 km range with precision targeting capabilities. The goal is to eventually upgrade all missiles to a range of 1,500 km.

Significantly, the BrahMos is progressively becoming more Indian, with indigenous content rising from 13% in 2004 to over 75% by 2023. A recent announcement from a DRDO lab revealed the development of fuel for liquid ramjet propulsion, expected to be used in BrahMos and other projects upon clearance. While BrahMos Aerospace currently sources the ramjet engine from Russia, initiatives like the BrahMos NG and the DRDO Supersonic Target (STAR) program aim for near 100% indigenization, including the ramjet engine. Successful projects like STAR could pave the way for similar advancements in the BrahMos system.

Although BrahMos Aerospace does not currently plan full indigenization of the BrahMos system, India is on track to achieve near-complete indigenous production with projects like BrahMos NG and STAR. The DRDO Chairman, Dr. Samir V Kamat, announced on January 24 that the export of ground systems, including three BrahMos batteries ordered by the Philippines Marine Corps, would commence in the “next 10 days.” Missiles are expected to be delivered by March, marking a significant step in India’s defense capabilities.