India could deliver BrahMos missiles to Russia at the end of the war in Ukraine.

On July 13, 2023, BrahMos Aerospace, an Indian defense company, expressed its intention to sell the advanced BrahMos cruise missiles to Russia. Atul Dinkar Rane, the CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, revealed this information in an exclusive interview with The Week. However, the CEO emphasized that this would happen "after the current situation in Europe ends."
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Russo-Indian BrahMos cruise missile (Picture source: Army Recognition )

Rane stated that his company is actively exploring the Russian market as a potential buyer for the BrahMos missiles. He also highlighted the strategic value of acquiring these missiles, particularly in light of the current geopolitical situation. BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia, is renowned for developing the supersonic cruise missile known as BrahMos.

The BrahMos cruise missile family includes various types, such as air-launched missiles, anti-ship missiles, land-attack missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, and submarine-launched missiles. Jointly developed by India and Russia, these advanced weapons have been in service since November 2005 and are currently deployed by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. Additionally, the Philippine Marine Corps recently placed an order for these missiles.

The unit cost of the BrahMos missile is approximately US$ 3.5 million, while the extended-range variant, BrahMos-ER, is priced at around US$ 4.85 million. The missile's versatility is demonstrated through its various launch platforms, including ships, land-based transport erector launchers (TELs), and even fighter aircraft.

In terms of specifications, the missile has a mass of 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) and a length of 8.4 m (28 ft). Its diameter measures 0.6 m (2.0 ft), providing excellent aerodynamic performance. With a powerful engine comprising a solid rocket booster for the first stage and a liquid rocket ramjet for the second stage, the BrahMos achieves a maximum speed of Mach 3 (3,700 km/h or 2,300 mph).

One of the key features of the BrahMos missile is its range, which varies depending on the launch platform. Ship and land-based variants have a range of over 500 km (310 mi), while the air-launched version has a range of 450-500 km (280-310 mi). The missile flies at an altitude as low as 3-4 meters (10-13 ft) above sea level, allowing for exceptional precision and agility. Its flight ceiling reaches an impressive height of 15 km (49,000 ft), enabling it to overcome various obstacles.

Guided by a navigation system, the BrahMos missile ensures accuracy with a circular error probability (CEP) of 1 meter. The guidance system incorporates an inertial navigation system (INS) and SatNav (satellite navigation) for mid-flight guidance, while active radar homing takes over during the terminal phase, ensuring precise target acquisition.

With a warhead weighing between 200 and 300 kg (440-660 lb), the BrahMos cruise missile is capable of carrying conventional and semi-armored semi-penetrating explosive payloads. The upcoming model, BrahMos-NG, is a smaller and lighter variant with a length of 6 meters (20 ft) and a diameter of 0.5 meters (1.6 ft), bringing enhanced capabilities.

BrahMos Aerospace foresees potential orders from Russia for the BrahMos cruise missile, but only once the current situation in Europe subsides. Their supersonic missile is a highly interesting asset, especially considering the widespread use of such equipment in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.