The Ministry of Defence has signed a Rs 661.5 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for the procurement of BrahMos fire control systems and launchers for Indian Navy warships.
The contract was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh. The procurement will be carried out under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) or Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
According to the Defence Ministry, the procurement will strengthen India’s maritime security architecture and enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy. It also marks another step towards increasing self-reliance in advanced defence technology.
The BrahMos system installed on several frontline Indian Navy warships serves as the Navy’s primary surface-to-surface missile system for maritime strike operations. The supersonic cruise missile can engage both land and sea targets from extended ranges with high precision and at supersonic speeds.
The project requires a minimum of 68 per cent indigenous content and is expected to encourage greater participation from Indian defence industries, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The project is also expected to generate employment over the next three years.
Reports indicate that around 20 frontline Indian Navy warships are currently equipped with BrahMos systems. The missile provides the Navy with the capability to strike targets at distances of around 250 to 300 nautical miles.
Meanwhile, the next-generation BrahMos-NG is under development by the India-Russia joint venture. The smaller, lighter and stealthier supersonic cruise missile is expected to expand the Navy’s strike capabilities and could eventually offer a range of up to 500 km.
The latest contract is therefore expected to further strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime strike capabilities while supporting India’s broader push for indigenous defence production and advanced military technology.
