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Sandeep Pratap Singh
Written By Sandeep Pratap Singh
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2 Mins

With the development of the BrahMos Next Generation (NG) missile, India along with its defence capabilities are entering a new era. They are lighter, faster, and smarter and modified versions of the original BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. These missiles have been specially designed to enhance the Indian Air Force’s striking flexibility and precision. Its special characteristics include cutting-edge technology, reduced radar visibility, and supersonic speed which will provide assistance in the deployment on a wide range of fighter jets such as indigenous Tejas and legacy platforms like the MiG-29 and Mirage-2000. 

Therefore the development of these missiles marks a significant step towards India’s ability to deliver rapid, high-impact strikes across land,sea, and air domains.



Supersonic Edge for IAF Fighters

In order to enhance its defence capabilities, India has taken a major step towards it by developing a modified version of the original BrahMos cruise missiles, BrahMos-NG which have excellent cutting-edge technology, reduced radar visibility and supersonic speed.


BrahMos-NG has been specifically designed to be used on more fighter jets like the MiG-29, Mirage 2000, and Tejas.

Development and Timeline

  • The missile is in advanced stages of development.

  • First test flights are expected by 2026, with production starting around 2027-28.

  • A new factory in Uttar Pradesh will handle production.

  • The IAF has already placed an order for 400 missiles, costing around ₹8,000 crore (~$1 billion), to be delivered over 5 years.

There’s been some confusion around its name—some Russian officials have referred to it as “BrahMos-MA”—but the core features remain the same.

Smaller But Just As Powerful

  • Weight: 1.3 to 1.6 tonnes (less than half of the original BrahMos)

  • Speed: Up to Mach 3.5 (3.5 times the speed of sound)

  • Range: About 290 km

  • Length: 6 meters (3 meters shorter than the original)

  • Radar Cross Section (RCS): Much lower, making it harder to detect

  • Guidance System: Upgraded AESA radar for better targeting and electronic warfare protection

It uses a two-stage propulsion system (solid booster + ramjet) that keeps it flying supersonically all the way to the target, making interception nearly impossible.

Fighter Jet Integration

One of BrahMos-NG’s biggest strengths is that it can be fitted on multiple aircraft:

  • Su-30MKI (can carry 3 missiles)

  • MiG-29, Mirage 2000, and Tejas (each can carry 1 missile)

  • Future plans include Rafale and Tejas Mk-2

This gives the IAF a major edge in precision strike capability, especially during cross-border operations like Operation Sindoor, where BrahMos missiles were successfully launched from Indian territory.

Advanced Combat Features

  • Stealth tech: Harder to detect by enemy radar

  • High ECCM resistance: Works well in jamming-heavy battle zones

  • Versatile use: Can also be launched from ships and submarines (torpedo tubes or vertical launch systems)

  • Fire-and-forget: Once launched, it flies to its target on its own

  • Flexible flight paths: Can fly high or very low (as low as 10 meters) for surprise attacks

As the BrahMos-NG’s development is about to get completed, it will become one of the most significant contributions of India’s aerial deterrence strategy.


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