India is going to further strengthen the precision attack capability of its army. In the next two years, the new BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with a range of 800 kilometers is going to be inducted into the army. This missile will be completely ready by the end of the year 2027. Astra air-to-air missile with a range of more than 200 kilometers is also being prepared for production in 2026-27.
BrahMos missile New version: fast and far reaching
The BrahMos missile is already one of India’s deadliest weapons. It flies three times faster than the speed of sound i.e. 3424 km/hr. As of now its range is 450 kilometers. But now its new version will be able to target the enemy up to a distance of 800 kilometers.
The ramjet engine of 800 km BrahMos is already almost ready. Some changes have been made in it to make it stronger. Some more tests are going on now. In these tests, the matching of the missile’s internal INS (Inertial Navigation System) and external GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is being checked. Its purpose is that the missile always hits the target accurately, avoids jamming (signal blocking) and remains strong.
If this test is successful the missile will be completely ready. The Navy will be able to upgrade the 450 km BrahMos already installed on its warships to 800 km. There is no need for much change for this. Just the software, graphical user interface (GUI) of the fire control system and some minor changes will be enough. The basic design and launcher of the missile will remain the same.
Sources said that the Navy and Army will first adopt 800 km BrahMos as it will be easier. The air launched version will take a little more time.
Operation Sindoor: Success of BrahMos
In Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the Indian Air Force carried out strikes deep inside Pakistan. In this, BrahMos missiles were launched from Su-30MKI fighter planes. These missiles were completely successful in accurately targeting nine terrorist targets. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had also praised the accuracy of BrahMos. He had said that it is a missile with pinpoint accuracy.
In that operation, Pakistan used Chinese J-10 fighter planes, which were equipped with PL-15 missiles. Their range was more than 200 kilometers. But BrahMos surprised everyone by attacking from stand-off distance.
Big deals of BrahMos
India has so far signed deals worth more than Rs 58,000 crore with Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace. The biggest deal was done in March 2024 – worth Rs 19,519 crore. In this, more than 220 BrahMos missiles were taken for the Navy. Now about 20 warships, such as new destroyers and frigates, are equipped with these missiles.
After Operation Sindoor, in August 2025, the Defense Acquisition Council gave preliminary approval for 110 air-launched BrahMos for the Air Force. Its value is around Rs 10,800 crore.
Also read: Astra-Mk2 Missile: Not good for Pakistan… Indian Air Force will include 200 km range missile
astra missile: Will blow the enemy to dust in the air
DRDO is working on increasing the range of Astra Mark-2 missile from 160 km to more than 200 km. The Air Force has already acquired more than 280 Astra Mark-1 missiles (100 km range). The trajectory shaping and propulsion system for Astra Mark-2 is being upgraded.
This will create more thrust and burn for a longer time. If the trials are successful, production could begin in six months. Otherwise it will take a little more time. The Air Force has initially planned to acquire 700 Astra Mark-2 missiles for Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas aircraft.
In the future, Astra Mark-3 will come, which will have solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) propulsion. Its range will be 350 kilometers, but it will be ready in three years. Astra series missiles work day and night and in all weather conditions. These will replace the expensive Russian, French and Israeli BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles, which are currently imported.
Integrated Rocket Force: New role of BrahMos
The 800 km ground-launched version of BrahMos will form part of the proposed Integrated Rocket Force (IRF). It will also include Pralay ballistic missiles (400 km range) and derivatives of Nirbhay missiles (1,000 km range). India’s defense system will become stronger with IRF.
These developments will give India new heights in regional security. Indigenous missiles like BrahMos and Astra will not only target the enemies from a distance, but will also be an example of self-reliant India.
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