India is set to induct the new 800 km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles in little over two years. Additionally, over 200 km Astra air-to-air missiles are also set for production in 2026-27.
Currently, tests are underway for the 800 km range BrahMos, with a modified ramjet engine and other upgrades, to ensure the conventional (non-nuclear) missile is fully ready by end-2027, top defence sources told TOI.
At present, the BrahMos has a range of 450 km, which fly at almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8,. They were reportedly launched from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets for the targeted strikes deep into Pakistan under Operation Sindoor in May.
“The 800-km BrahMos is more or less developed in terms of the modifications to its ramjet engine. A few more tests are required to test the efficacy of its combination of internal INS (inertial navigation system) and external global navigation satellite systems to ensure high accuracy, resilience and resistance to jamming,” a source told TOI.
Once tested, the Navy can upgrade the existing 450-km BrahMos missiles on its frontline warships to the 800 km variant by only tweaking the software, the ‘graphical user interface’ of the fire control system and the like.
“With the basic missile and launcher remaining the same, Navy and Army will first begin inducting the 800-km missile. The air-launched version will take slightly longer,” the source said.
The DRDO is also working on increasing the beyond visual range (BVR) of Astra Mark-2 missiles to over 200 km from the earlier 160 km, while IAF is inducting over 280 Astra Mark-1 missiles with 100 km range.
“Along with trajectory shaping, the propulsion system is being upgraded to generate more thrust and burn for a longer time. If the trials are successful, Astra Mark-2 production can begin in six months. Otherwise, it will take a longer,” another source said.
The Indian Air Force has finalised the plan to induct initial 700 Astra Mark-2 missiles for its Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas jets. There is also an Astra Mark-3 in the pipeline. It comes with solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) propulsion to increase the range to 350kmm but it will take three years to become operational.
The all-weather day and night capable Astra series of missiles are crucial because they will eventually replace the expensive Russian, French and Israeli BVR air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) that are imported to arm IAF fighters.
The total value of the deals inked with Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace has crossed Rs 58,000 crore over the years, with the missiles becoming the prime conventional precision strike weapons for IAF, Navy and Army, according to the TOI report.
In March last year, defence ministry had signed the largest-ever Rs 19,519 crore deal for procurement of over 220 BrahMos missiles for Navy.
Around 20 warships, including the latest destroyers and frigates, are already armed with the vertical-launched BrahMos missiles.
After Operation Sindoor, the Rajnath Singh-led defence acquisitions council in Aug had also given the preliminary nod for IAF to get another 110 air-launched BrahMos missiles for around Rs 10,800 crore.
(With TOI inputs)
Currently, tests are underway for the 800 km range BrahMos, with a modified ramjet engine and other upgrades, to ensure the conventional (non-nuclear) missile is fully ready by end-2027, top defence sources told TOI.
At present, the BrahMos has a range of 450 km, which fly at almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8,. They were reportedly launched from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets for the targeted strikes deep into Pakistan under Operation Sindoor in May.
“The 800-km BrahMos is more or less developed in terms of the modifications to its ramjet engine. A few more tests are required to test the efficacy of its combination of internal INS (inertial navigation system) and external global navigation satellite systems to ensure high accuracy, resilience and resistance to jamming,” a source told TOI.
Once tested, the Navy can upgrade the existing 450-km BrahMos missiles on its frontline warships to the 800 km variant by only tweaking the software, the ‘graphical user interface’ of the fire control system and the like.
“With the basic missile and launcher remaining the same, Navy and Army will first begin inducting the 800-km missile. The air-launched version will take slightly longer,” the source said.
The DRDO is also working on increasing the beyond visual range (BVR) of Astra Mark-2 missiles to over 200 km from the earlier 160 km, while IAF is inducting over 280 Astra Mark-1 missiles with 100 km range.
“Along with trajectory shaping, the propulsion system is being upgraded to generate more thrust and burn for a longer time. If the trials are successful, Astra Mark-2 production can begin in six months. Otherwise, it will take a longer,” another source said.
The Indian Air Force has finalised the plan to induct initial 700 Astra Mark-2 missiles for its Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas jets. There is also an Astra Mark-3 in the pipeline. It comes with solid-fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) propulsion to increase the range to 350kmm but it will take three years to become operational.
The all-weather day and night capable Astra series of missiles are crucial because they will eventually replace the expensive Russian, French and Israeli BVR air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) that are imported to arm IAF fighters.
The total value of the deals inked with Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace has crossed Rs 58,000 crore over the years, with the missiles becoming the prime conventional precision strike weapons for IAF, Navy and Army, according to the TOI report.
In March last year, defence ministry had signed the largest-ever Rs 19,519 crore deal for procurement of over 220 BrahMos missiles for Navy.
Around 20 warships, including the latest destroyers and frigates, are already armed with the vertical-launched BrahMos missiles.
After Operation Sindoor, the Rajnath Singh-led defence acquisitions council in Aug had also given the preliminary nod for IAF to get another 110 air-launched BrahMos missiles for around Rs 10,800 crore.
(With TOI inputs)
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