BrahMos: India’s flagship supersonic missile system

Following recent tensions between India and Pakistan, one major weapon has been in the spotlight: BrahMos. This supersonic missile has been making headlines thanks to its distinctive capabilities in modern warfare.

But how was this system developed and used? Here’s what you need to know.

The development of BrahMos can be traced back to 1998. Following the Gulf War, India wanted to introduce cruise missile systems to its defense mechanisms. To achieve this, they partnered with Russia to create BrahMos Aerospace, a corporation dedicated to manufacturing missiles. The two main entities involved in this joint venture are India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

BrahMos was selected as a compound name with ‘Brah’ stemming from the Indian river Brahmaputra and ‘Mos’ from the Russian river Moskva.

The first test use of the missile occurred on June 12, 2001 in Chandipur, India, and it has since undergone multiple successful test launches. BrahMos was officially introduced to India’s navy and army in 2005 and 2007, respectively.

BrahMos, also known as PJ-10, was designed with key aspects like accuracy, speed, and versatility in mind.

One of the missile’s most well-known features is its speed. While the missile maintains supersonic speed levels throughout its whole journey, during its cruising phase, BrahMos can reach Mach 3 – three times the speed of sound.

The missile also features a 290 kilometer flight range (original), with options for various types of flight trajectories. Extended-range versions can go up to 900km.

BrahMos is multifaceted and has the ability to be utilized on different platforms. Thanks to its universal system, missiles can be launched on land, at sea, or in the air.

The land-based launches are administered using mobile autonomous launchers that can host up to three missiles at a time. These missiles can be fired independently or configured to other sequences as required.

Naval platforms on ships and submarines are utilized for sea-based launches. On ships, missile launches can be fired from a moving or stationary vessel at a vertical or inclined position. They also have the ability to target multiple locations in varying directions. Submarines also feature the vertical launch option, while withholding the potential to be launched from up to 50 meters underwater.

As for air launches, BrahMos is equipped for use in Indian Air Force’s fighter jet, Sukhoi-30MKI. With BrahMos, they primarily work on land and sea targets. Previous testing proved its use successful during both day and night, and under various weather conditions.

In terms of operating, BrahMos utilizes a ‘fire and forget’ principle. This indicates that once a missile has been launched, no further guidance is required for its operations.

A low radar signature detail also amplifies the ability for the missile to go unseen, thereby increasing the potential of a successful expedition.

Until recently, BrahMos was exclusively part of the Indian army’s arsenal. However, in 2022, India signed a $375-million contract to export BrahMos missiles to the Philippines. The first deliveries of this landmark deal took place in April 2025.

BrahMos Aerospace continues to work on developing different models of the missile, such as the BrahMos-MA model. This edition of the missile is widely known to be a lighter and upgraded version of the original. Also in the works is BrahMos-II, a hypersonic missile that is expected to have a speed of Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound, and a range of up to 1,500km.

Mariam Khan is a trainee journalist at Gulf News.