BrahMos Missile System
Science & Technology › Defence Technology and Missile Systems · Topic 16.4
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia through the joint venture BrahMos Aerospace, formed in 1998. The name comes from the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva. It is a two stage missile with a solid propellant booster and a liquid fuelled ramjet engine, flying at about Mach 2.8, nearly three times the speed of sound. The original range of about 290 km was raised to 450 km and later to about 800 km in extended range versions. It can be fired from land, ships, submarines and aircraft, was first tested on 12 June 2001, and was exported to the Philippines in 2022 and 2024.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Defence Technology and Missile Systems
At a Glance
- Formed 1998
- Partners DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyenia
- Speed About Mach 2.8
- First test 12 June 2001
- First export Philippines
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Defence Technology and Missile Systems
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the account of Indian missile systems. BrahMos is the main cruise missile of the three services, and links with the next topics on anti-ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons. Previous topic: India’s Missile Systems: Prithvi, Trishul, Nag, Akash, Agni Series. Next topic: Anti-Ballistic Missile System.
What Are the Features of BrahMos?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Joint venture | BrahMos Aerospace was formed in 1998 under an agreement signed in February 1998 in Moscow, with India holding 50.5 percent and Russia 49.5 percent. It is based in New Delhi |
| Name | Brahmaputra and Moskva, the rivers of the two countries |
| Propulsion | Two stages: a solid fuel booster takes it to supersonic speed and drops off, and a liquid fuel ramjet then powers it at about Mach 2.8 to 3 |
| Range | Originally limited to 290 km under the Missile Technology Control Regime. After India joined the regime in 2016, extended versions of 450 km and then about 800 km were tested |
| Guidance | Inertial navigation with satellite updates, and an active radar seeker for the terminal phase. Fire and forget |
| Flight | Can fly very low, sea skimming at a few metres or at high altitude and then dive |
| Warhead | About 200 to 300 kg conventional warhead |
Where Is BrahMos Used and What Are Its Variants?
- Land based: mobile launchers with the Army, inducted from 2007
- Ship launched: first fitted on INS Rajput in 2005 and now on many warships
- Submarine launched: tested in March 2013 from a submerged platform
- Air launched: from Su-30MKI fighters, first tested on 22 November 2017, so that India has the missile on land, sea, sub-sea and air platforms
- BrahMos-NG: a lighter next generation version for smaller platforms such as Tejas and submarine torpedo tubes, under development
- BrahMos-II: a hypersonic version of about Mach 7 planned with Russia
- Export: the Philippines signed a deal of about 375 million dollars in January 2022 for a shore based anti-ship battery, and the first batch arrived in April 2024
- Other interest: Vietnam, Indonesia and others have been reported to be in talks. Check the latest
What Else Should You Remember?
- Supersonic and hypersonic: BrahMos is supersonic, not hypersonic
- Ramjet principle: air enters at supersonic speed and is compressed by the shape of the intake, so no compressor is needed
- Ramjet needs initial speed: hence the booster
- Anti-ship role: a main role is to hit large ships
- Land attack: precision strike on ground targets, including in mountains
- Steep dive: a version can dive steeply to attack targets hidden behind hills
- Production: made at facilities in Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram and elsewhere
- Indian share: the share of Indian made parts has risen over time
- BrahMos at Lucknow: a new integration and testing facility was set up in Uttar Pradesh under the defence corridor
- Chairman: BrahMos Aerospace has been led by distinguished DRDO scientists
- Deterrence: the missile gives conventional strike options at long range
- Cost: each missile is costly, so users must stock them carefully
- Operation Sindoor: reports in May 2025 spoke of its use in strikes on Pakistani airbases, which should be checked from official statements
- Missile defence: its speed and low flight make it hard to stop
- India-Russia ties: an example of a defence production partnership
- Link: types of missiles are in Classification of Missiles: Ballistic vs Cruise Missiles
- Link to hypersonic: faster weapons are in Hypersonic Glide Vehicles and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles
- Class of weapon: the weapon is a supersonic cruise missile, while its slower Indian cousin Nirbhay is subsonic and covered in a later topic
- Training: BrahMos Aerospace runs training for the forces and users
- Delhi-Moscow ties: the venture is an example of the special strategic partnership with Russia
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Origin: 1998 India-Russia JV
- Engine: ramjet
- Speed and range: Mach 2.8, 290 to 800 km
- Current affairs link: exports and BrahMos-NG
- Common errors: calling BrahMos hypersonic or an IGMDP missile
As an analytical point, BrahMos is India’s best example of a successful joint development, and its exports show growing defence industry strength. Fast, low-flying cruise missiles complicate enemy defence planning.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Origin Joint venture
- Tech Ramjet
- Export Philippines
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the anti-ballistic missile system. Next topic: Anti-Ballistic Missile System.
Key People and Terms
- Ramjet Engine using air compression by speed
- Mach Speed of sound multiple
- Fire and forget Self guided
- Sea skimming Flying just above waves
- JV Joint venture
- MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- BrahMos Aerospace: 1998.
- Speed about Mach 2.8.
- First test: 12 June 2001.
- Air launched first: November 2017.
- Philippines deal: January 2022.
Do Not Confuse With
- BrahMos and Nirbhay Supersonic ramjet versus subsonic turbofan
- BrahMos and Agni Cruise versus ballistic
- Supersonic and hypersonic Mach 1 to 5 versus above 5
Memory Hook
Brahmaputra plus Moskva, booster then ramjet, Mach two-point-eight, land sea sky.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for origin, engine and speed. These points help.
- Origin Joint venture
- Variants Platforms
- Export Strategic
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the significance of the BrahMos missile for India’s military capability and defence exports.”
How to Answer
- Origin JV.
- Features Ramjet, speed.
- Platforms All four.
- Export Philippines.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BrahMos?
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia. It flies at about Mach 2.8 using a ramjet engine, can be launched from land, ships, submarines and aircraft, and is used against ships and land targets.
Why is the missile named BrahMos?
The name BrahMos combines the Brahmaputra river of India and the Moskva river of Russia, symbolising the partnership of the two countries that developed it. The joint venture was set up in 1998 and the first test firing took place on 12 June 2001.
What is the range of BrahMos?
The original BrahMos had a range of about 290 km, because of the Missile Technology Control Regime limits. After India joined the regime in 2016, extended versions of about 450 km and later about 800 km were tested, and longer range versions are planned.
Is BrahMos a hypersonic missile?
No. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile with a speed of about Mach 2.8 to 3. A hypersonic version called BrahMos-II, with a speed of about Mach 7, has been planned, but it is still under development and the schedule has changed several times.
Which country imports BrahMos from India?
The Philippines is the first export customer. It signed a contract of about 375 million dollars in January 2022 for a shore based anti-ship system, and the first batch was delivered in April 2024. Other countries have shown interest, but the details need to be checked from official sources.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 BrahMos is powered by a ramjet engine in its second stage.
After a solid booster.
2 BrahMos is a hypersonic missile.
It is supersonic.
3 BrahMos was developed with Russia.
By a joint venture.
4 The Philippines is the first export customer of BrahMos.
From 2022.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Defence Technology and Missile Systems. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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