India, Russia In Talks to Co-Produce Advanced BrahMos Missile

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India and Russia have begun discussions to jointly manufacture an advanced variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This move follows the missile’s recent battlefield success during Operation Sindoor and aims to deepen bilateral defence cooperation while enhancing India’s self-reliant defence manufacturing capabilities.

Russian authorities have expressed full willingness to collaborate on the technology transfer, proposing that the upgraded missile be produced at the newly operational BrahMos manufacturing unit in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The facility, developed under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, is equipped to handle the production of both current and future missile variants.

The proposed advanced BrahMos missile is expected to feature extended range capabilities of up to 800 kilometers, compared to the current range of approximately 290 to 400 kilometers. It will also include enhancements in targeting precision and electronic warfare resistance. These improvements aim to bolster India’s deterrence capabilities in response to regional threats, particularly from China and Pakistan.

BrahMos Aerospace, the Indo-Russian joint venture responsible for the missile’s development, has achieved high levels of indigenisation in recent years. From relying heavily on Russian components in its early years, the company now sources around 85 percent of its components from Indian suppliers. This has made BrahMos a symbol of successful defence collaboration and a key export product for India.

India had previously exported the missile system to the Philippines and continues to attract interest from countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Defence experts believe the advanced version, once developed, will further strengthen India’s position as a competitive player in the global arms market.

Strategically, the move is part of India’s broader aim to modernize its armed forces while promoting indigenous manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign defence imports. Officials from both countries are optimistic that a formal agreement on co-production could be reached within the coming months.

If finalized, the joint production initiative would not only enhance India’s defence capabilities but also pave the way for the export of the upgraded BrahMos to friendly nations. This would support India’s dual goals of strengthening national security and expanding its footprint in the global defence export market.