BrahMos at Forefront of India's Military Export Push: 'War-Proven' Might Driving Global Demand
BrahMos Aerospace CEO Jaiteerth Joshi highlights the 'war-proven' missile's role in boosting India's military exports and future NG developments.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has evolved from a strategic asset into a symbol of a self-reliant "New India," positioning itself as the primary driver of the nation's burgeoning defence export sector. According to Dr. Jaiteerth Joshi, MD & CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, the system is no longer just a weapon but a representation of power, precision, and national pride.
India's defence exports have seen a meteoric rise, reaching Rs 38,400 crore with a staggering annual growth rate of 62.7%. At the heart of this success is the BrahMos, which has transitioned from a domestic powerhouse to a globally sought-after military asset.
The 'War-Proven' Edge: Operation Sindoor
A pivotal moment in the missile's journey was its deployment during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. For the first time, the Indian Armed Forces utilized the system in active warfare, striking critical targets including major Pakistani airbases such as Nur Khan. This operation validated the missile's supremacy as a "first strike" weapon, proving its ability to eliminate targets with deadly accuracy while maintaining stealth and agility in high-intensity kinetic warfare.
Dr. Joshi noted that while the first historic multi-million dollar export order arrived in 2022—even before the system was combat-tested—the success of Operation Sindoor has further solidified its reputation as a "war-proven" system, making it an enigma of versatility in the international market.
Expanding the Global Footprint
Following the initial landmark deal with the Philippines, India has expanded its reach in Southeast Asia. This year, deals were signed with two additional countries in the region. With deliveries and orders for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, exports are expected to surpass $600 million.
Scaling Production and Supply Chain
To keep pace with the surging international and domestic demand, BrahMos Aerospace is aggressively scaling its operations. Production is currently running at full capacity across units in:
- Hyderabad
- Nagpur
- Pilani
- Lucknow (the newest facility)
To ensure resilience and competitiveness, Dr. Joshi revealed a plan to diversify the supply chain. The company aims to move from having only one or two industry partners per sub-system to developing 45 different sources. This strategy is intended to drive competition in both pricing and quality while ensuring surge capacity for any eventuality.
The Future: BrahMos-NG and Long-Range Variants
The innovation pipeline for BrahMos Aerospace is focused on two major frontiers: stealth and range.
BrahMos-NG (Next Generation)
Developed jointly by India's DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya, the BrahMos-NG will be a smaller, lighter, and stealthier version of the cruise missile. This variant is designed to significantly expand India's air-launched strike capabilities. Dr. Joshi stated that the first prototype is expected by 2027 or 2028, noting that the project requires extensive R&D due to its higher indigenous content and the use of advanced materials.
The 1,500-km Strike Variant
Beyond stealth, the company is pursuing a range extension programme. Moving beyond the initial 290-km limit, the missile is being developed into a 1,500-km strike variant. This capability has already been validated through a series of test firings conducted across ground, sea, and air platforms.