The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has attracted increased international attention following its reported performance during Operation Sindoor. According to the source, the missile demonstrated high accuracy and effectiveness and was reportedly able to evade Chinese-origin air-defence systems operated by Pakistan. The reported performance contributed to interest among countries seeking advanced precision-strike capabilities.
India had already entered the export market before the operation. In January 2022, it signed a $375 million agreement with the Philippines for three BrahMos missile batteries. The source says negotiations with other prospective customers accelerated after Operation Sindoor. Vietnam is reported to have reached a deal valued at about $629 million, while Indonesia is associated with an agreement estimated at $200–300 million.
The BrahMos programme dates back to 1997. At that time, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was leading DRDO and the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. The programme’s five major missile systems—Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul and Nag—did not include a terrain-hugging cruise missile, creating a capability gap.
In 1997, a 27-member Indian delegation made up of DRDO scientists, government defence-company officials and private-sector representatives travelled to a military-industrial facility in Reutov near Moscow. The group studied an engine associated with Russia’s Onyx supersonic cruise missile and spent nearly three months evaluating the technology.
India subsequently signed an inter-governmental agreement with Russia in 1998 to establish the joint venture that became BrahMos Aerospace. The programme received high-level political clearance and was initially treated as highly classified. It was developed through cooperation between DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
BrahMos later evolved from a closely guarded joint venture into one of India’s most prominent defence-export products. The source says the missile played a major role during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when at least 15 BrahMos missiles were reportedly launched by Indian fighter aircraft against Pakistani military installations without crossing the international border.
The reported combat performance increased the missile’s international profile. Production has also expanded, with facilities operating in Hyderabad, Nagpur and Pilani, alongside a newer production facility in Lucknow.
According to the source, all four centres can currently manufacture at least four missiles each month, while capacity expansion is under way. India plans to equip major naval warships and fighter aircraft with BrahMos, while at least a dozen countries across Europe, West Asia, Latin America and Africa have reportedly expressed interest.
Development is also continuing on newer variants, including an underwater-capable version and a smaller missile intended to broaden deployment options. The long-term goal is to integrate an increasingly indigenous BrahMos with Indian aircraft such as Tejas and the future LCA Mk 2, supporting India’s defence self-reliance and export ambitions.
