The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to procure 110 BrahMos-A air-launched supersonic cruise missiles as part of a $7.64 billion defence purchase approved by India’s Defence Ministry. Along with 87 heavy-duty drones, this move highlights India’s push to modernize its military and boost strategic defense capabilities.
BrahMos-A’s Combat Debut in Operation Sindoor
The BrahMos-A missile made its combat debut during Operation Sindoor, where it successfully targeted and damaged key airbases and runways of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). This marked a significant milestone for the missile system, showcasing its precision and destructive power.
About the BrahMos-A Missile
The BrahMos-A is an air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, developed jointly by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya through BrahMos Aerospace. Named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, it travels at speeds between Mach 2.8 and 3.0, with a range exceeding 450 km, extendable to 800 km in upgraded variants.
Operating on a “fire and forget” system, the missile tracks targets autonomously, requiring little external guidance. It is launched from the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets and carries a high-explosive warhead weighing between 200 and 300 kg, suitable for precise strikes on land and sea targets.
Integration with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Tactical Advantages
Integrated with the Su-30MKI since 2017, the BrahMos-A significantly enhances India’s long-range strike capability. Its low radar visibility and ability to fly at high altitudes (up to 15 km) and extremely low altitudes (as low as 10 meters) make it very difficult to intercept by standard air defense systems.
Operation Sindoor proved the missile’s effectiveness in penetrating deep into enemy territory and destroying critical military installations with high precision.
Copyright Notice
AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content produced by AFI is owned by AFI and protected under copyright law. AFI actively protects its content against unauthorized use and will pursue legal action if infringed.
