India and Russia Eye Joint Production of BrahMos Missile Engines

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In a significant stride toward enhanced defense self-reliance, India and Russia are in discussions to jointly manufacture ramjet engines for the formidable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and its next-generation variant, the BrahMos-NG. This strategic move, reported by Sputnik India and other defense news outlets, aims to localize the production of a critical component, thereby bolstering India’s “Make in India” initiative and strengthening its long-standing defense partnership with Moscow.

The talks focus on producing the liquid-fuelled ramjet engines, which are the core technology enabling the BrahMos missile’s supersonic speed and precision strike capabilities. Currently, these engines have been largely sourced from Russia. However, this new agreement would see the manufacturing process brought to a newly inaugurated BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The plant, which opened in 2024, is set to become a hub for missile production, with a goal of producing 80 to 150 BrahMos and BrahMos-NG missiles annually starting in 2026.

According to military expert and retired Indian Air Force veteran Vijainder K. Thakur, as quoted by Sputnik India, the indigenous production of the ramjet engines is a key step. He notes that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already developing a liquid-fuelled ramjet engine based on technology acquired through the BrahMos joint venture. This engine is intended to power not only the BrahMos and BrahMos-NG but also future aerial target drones for the Indian Air Force.

The BrahMos missile, a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, is widely considered the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile. Its variants can be launched from land, sea, air, and submarines. The upcoming BrahMos-NG is a lighter and more compact version designed for deployment on various fighter aircraft, including India’s indigenous TEJAS.

Localizing the production of these key components is expected to reduce India’s reliance on foreign imports and lower the cost of the BrahMos missile, potentially making it more attractive for export to friendly nations. This collaboration underscores a deepening of the Indo-Russian defense relationship, evolving from a simple buyer-seller arrangement to joint research, design, and production.