Development of longer range BrahMos missile as well as sleeker BrahMos-NG variant on track
The development of a new, compact air launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), is at an advanced stage, while the range extension of the original BrahMos, much heavier than the air launched one, to 800 km is progressing well, defence sources said. The BrahMos air launched version was employed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to devastating effect in the recent confrontation with Pakistan to strike that country's air bases.
The range of BrahMos was originally capped at 290 km, in line with the limitations of the Missile Technology Control Regime. However, since India joined the grouping in June 2016, the range was extended to 450 km, and work to extend it to 800 km is underway. The maiden trial has been conducted and more trials will be undertaken, two officials independently confirmed.
'BrahMos-NG is a sleeker air launched missile than the current variant, and is in advanced stages of development. It should be ready for flight testing in a year or so,' a defence official said, adding it would be ready for production and induction in one to two years after that.
The air launched version is lighter than the land and ship variants, and is currently mounted on the Sukhoi Su-30MKIs. Being much lighter, the BrahMos-NG can be mounted on other fighters, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
In January 2020, the IAF inducted the 222 'Tiger Sharks' squadron consisting of modified Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, armed with air launched BrahMos missiles. Of the 272 Su-30MKI contracted by the IAF, 40 were initially modified to carry the air launched BrahMos.
The BrahMos-NG will weigh 1.33 tonnes, about half the weight of the current air launched missile at 2.65 tonnes. With this, a Su-30MKI will be able to carry up to four BrahMos-NG missiles, while the LCA will be able to carry two missiles, as reported by The Hindu earlier. According to the IAF, the air launched BrahMos is a 2.5 tonne supersonic air to surface cruise missile with a range of more than 400 km and a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach.
During the strikes by the Indian forces on Pakistani military targets from May 7-10, the IAF fired the air launched BrahMos from Su-30MKI jets for precision hits on air bases, and they could not be intercepted by Pakistan's Chinese origin air defence systems.
Former Air Chief Marshal (ACM) V. R. Chaudhari has stated in the past that the forthcoming BrahMos-NG would be the IAF's 'primary deterrent weapon'. The ACM had said in 2023 that as the standoff unfolded on the northern borders in 2020, they had realised it could be used very effectively for land attacks. The IAF has since equipped more squadrons with Su-30MKI aircraft modified to launch BrahMos missiles.
BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, inducted in 2005 in an anti-ship variant. The missile is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea, and air against surface and sea-based targets.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
14 hours ago
- Economic Times
HAL shares in focus as defence PSU denies report of stalled GE414 engine deal
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) shares will be in focus on Thursday after the company refuted a media report claiming that its negotiations with General Electric (GE) for the local production of GE414 engines had stalled. The state-run aerospace and defence firm called the report 'factually incorrect and misleading.' ADVERTISEMENT 'An online article has inaccurately reported that negotiations between HAL and GE for the local production of GE414 engines have stalled, suggesting HAL is now in talks with another engine manufacturer,' the company said in a statement. 'HAL would like to clarify that this report is factually incorrect and misleading.' HAL reaffirmed that discussions with GE are on track and progressing well, and confirmed it is not in talks with any other company regarding engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2.'Any information suggesting otherwise is incorrect,' it added. Also Read: MRF snatches India's highest-priced stock crown back from Elcid Investments ADVERTISEMENT In June 2023, HAL and GE Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of fighter jet engines in India, as part of the Indian Air Force's LCA Mk2 programme. The agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the United States, was regarded as a key milestone in strengthening India–US defence MoU includes the potential joint production of GE's F414 engines in India. ADVERTISEMENT GE Aerospace has been active in India for over four decades, with a broad presence across engines, avionics, services, engineering, manufacturing, and local sourcing. Its operations include the John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bengaluru (opened in 2000) and the Multi-modal Factory in Pune (opened in 2015). Also Read: These 10 Nifty microcap stocks can rally 70-200% in the next 12 months ADVERTISEMENT According to Trendlyne, the average target price for HAL is Rs 5,585, indicating a potential upside of 13% from current levels. Among the 18 analysts tracking the stock, the consensus recommendation is 'Buy'.On Wednesday, HAL shares closed 0.47% lower at Rs 4,959.7 on the BSE, even as the benchmark Sensex rose 0.32%. The stock has gained 50% over the past three months and surged 213% over the last two years. HAL's market capitalisation currently stands at Rs 3,31,695 crore. Also Read: Ola Electric, Kalyan Jewellers among 10 firms where promoters pledge increased in Q4 (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) ADVERTISEMENT (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
HAL shares in focus as defence PSU denies report of stalled GE414 engine deal
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) shares will be in focus on Thursday after the company refuted a media report claiming that its negotiations with General Electric (GE) for the local production of GE414 engines had stalled. The state-run aerospace and defence firm called the report 'factually incorrect and misleading.' 'An online article has inaccurately reported that negotiations between HAL and GE for the local production of GE414 engines have stalled, suggesting HAL is now in talks with another engine manufacturer,' the company said in a statement. 'HAL would like to clarify that this report is factually incorrect and misleading.' HAL reaffirmed that discussions with GE are on track and progressing well, and confirmed it is not in talks with any other company regarding engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2. 'Any information suggesting otherwise is incorrect,' it added. Also Read: MRF snatches India's highest-priced stock crown back from Elcid Investments In June 2023, HAL and GE Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the production of fighter jet engines in India, as part of the Indian Air Force's LCA Mk2 programme . The agreement, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the United States, was regarded as a key milestone in strengthening India–US defence cooperation. The MoU includes the potential joint production of GE's F414 engines in India. GE Aerospace has been active in India for over four decades, with a broad presence across engines, avionics, services, engineering, manufacturing, and local sourcing. Its operations include the John F. Welch Technology Centre in Bengaluru (opened in 2000) and the Multi-modal Factory in Pune (opened in 2015). Also Read: These 10 Nifty microcap stocks can rally 70-200% in the next 12 months HAL Shares Target Price According to Trendlyne, the average target price for HAL is Rs 5,585, indicating a potential upside of 13% from current levels. Among the 18 analysts tracking the stock, the consensus recommendation is 'Buy'. On Wednesday, HAL shares closed 0.47% lower at Rs 4,959.7 on the BSE, even as the benchmark Sensex rose 0.32%. The stock has gained 50% over the past three months and surged 213% over the last two years. HAL's market capitalisation currently stands at Rs 3,31,695 crore. Also Read: Ola Electric, Kalyan Jewellers among 10 firms where promoters pledge increased in Q4 ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
India Eyes Deadliest Missile Yet: Meet R-37M That Can Obliterate Pakistan's AWACS, F-16s Before They Even Fire
New Delhi: In the escalating arms race post-Operation Sindoor, India may be acquiring a game-changing weapon that could rewrite South Asia's air warfare equation. It is Russian R-37M missile, a long-range air-to-air beast so fast and deadly that even the United States and China are known to shudder at its capabilities. Russia is said to have offered India to supply the R-37M and license its production on Indian soil. If the deal goes through, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will gain a powerful edge over adversaries such as China and Pakistan in high-stakes aerial confrontations. The R-37M is considered to be a nightmare for Pakistan's F-16s and AWACS. It is not only a missile but also a jet killer. Built to destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range (BVR), it can take down Pakistan's prized F-16s and AWACS surveillance aircraft before they even detect an Indian fighter jet. With speeds of up to Mach 6, six times the speed of sound, the R-37M can strike targets more than 300 kilometers away. Its mid-flight target switch capability and active radar guidance system make it almost impossible to dodge, even for highly maneuverable jets. 'It's not a missile but an airborne predator. It allows India to destroy enemy aircraft without ever entering their strike zone. That flips the entire doctrine of air combat,' said a senior defense analyst. At present, the IAF deploys R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI jets. But the R-37M could replace the R-77 entirely, offering a dramatic leap in range, speed and precision. Designed originally to target U.S. AWACS and refueling aircraft, the R-37M's induction into India's arsenal would render Pakistan's air surveillance systems deeply vulnerable. Russia is reportedly willing to share production technology, allowing India to manufacture the missile domestically – a huge win for India's 'Make in India' defense ambitions. Built for the kill, let's know the R-37M by the numbers: speed – Up to Mach 6 (7,400 km/h); range – estimated 300-400 km; weight – 510 kg, length – over four metres; warhead – 60 kg high-explosive; designation – NATO calls it the AA-13 Axehead; and targets – fighter jets, AWACS, drones and tanker aircraft. Unlike older systems, the R-37M does not need visual confirmation. It can lock onto targets far outside the enemy's radar or weapon range, hitting them from the safety of stand-off distances. For Indian pilots, this means striking first from far and never being seen. R-37M Can Strike Across LoC The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is heavily reliant on U.S.-made F-16s, which are considered its crown jewel. But defense experts warn that with the R-37M in play, India could shoot them down from across the Line of Control (LoC) before they even know what hit them. 'The R-37M neutralises Pakistan's aerial advantage. If deployed, this missile makes any cross-border intrusion suicidal for enemy jets,' said a retired Air Marshal. As India's defense modernisation accelerates in the wake geopolitical tensions simmer, the R-37M could soon be a centerpiece of the country's air dominance strategy – one that might keep adversaries awake at night.
