Operation Sindoor has brought the BrahMos missile system into the limelight, following its reported deployment during strikes on Pakistan, marking the first time the missile has been used in combat.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also acknowledged it on May 11 during the inauguration of a new BrahMos missile facility in Lucknow, where he was joined by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Let’s take a closer look at how global interest in the BrahMos cruise missile is gaining momentum.
The Philippines
India signed a landmark defence deal with the Philippines in January 2022—its first major missile export—valued at approximately $375 million. The agreement includes the delivery of three BrahMos coastal defence batteries.
The first battery was delivered in April 2024 via an Indian Air Force aircraft, supported by civil aviation partners, completing a non-stop six-hour flight to the western Philippines. The second battery was dispatched in April 2025, this time transported by ship, according to defence sources. The final delivery is expected to follow as part of the ongoing contract.
Indonesia
According to reports, India has been in talks with Indonesia to sell the BrahMos missile, with negotiations ongoing for nearly a decade. The deal is estimated to be worth around $450 million. Reports suggest that Indonesia is seeking an upgraded version of the cruise missile.
Vietnam, Malaysia, and Others
Vietnam is pursuing a deal with India to acquire BrahMos missiles for both its army and navy, with the agreement estimated at around $700 million.
Malaysia has shown interest in equipping its Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets and Kedah-class warships with the missile system. Several other countries—including Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman—have also expressed varying degrees of interest in procuring the BrahMos missile.
About the BrahMos Missile
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile stands as a key pillar of India’s missile arsenal. Developed by BrahMos Aerospace—a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya—the missile is capable of being launched from land, air, sea, and even submarines.
With a range of nearly 300 kilometres, the BrahMos carries a warhead between 200 and 300 kilograms and travels at a blistering speed of 2.8 Mach, nearly three times the speed of sound. Designed on the “fire and forget” principle, it features stealth technology, an advanced guidance system, and supersonic velocity throughout its flight, drastically reducing its chance of interception.
The missile can cruise at an altitude of 15 kilometres and descend to just 10 metres above ground for terminal strikes, achieving high precision with a circular error probability (CEP) of under 1 metre. According to India Today, about 83 per cent of its components are now indigenously sourced, marking a major milestone in India’s self-reliance efforts.
A next-generation variant of the BrahMos is also under development. Weighing around 1,290 kilograms—down from the earlier 2,900 kg—it enables platforms like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI to carry up to three missiles instead of just one. This upgraded version is expected to offer an extended range of approximately 400 kilometres.
On May 11, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new BrahMos manufacturing facility in Lucknow, where he praised the Indian armed forces for their “befitting reply” to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. “Operation Sindoor sent a clear and strong message to the nation and the world about India’s resolve in countering terrorism,” Singh said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath echoed the sentiment, stating, “You must have seen a glimpse of the BrahMos missile during Operation Sindoor. If not, just ask the people of Pakistan—they’ve witnessed its power firsthand.”
