India–Russia Nearing Approval of BrahMos‑II: A 1,500 km Mach-7 Hypersonic Strike Weapon With 2031 Induction Target
The Indo‑Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is nearing approval of its
most advanced system — the BrahMos‑II hypersonic cruise missile. Intended as a
successor to the current supersonic BrahMos, this new variant represents one
of the most ambitious offensive missile programmes jointly undertaken by the
two nations.
BrahMos‑II is designed to reach speeds up to Mach 7 using a next‑generation
scramjet propulsion system developed in collaboration with leading Russian
design bureaux. The propulsion architecture merges Russian hypersonic
air‑breathing expertise with Indian thermal management and integration
technologies, ensuring sustained high‑speed flight at altitudes exceeding 25
km.
The missile’s range is expected to surpass 1,500 km, offering precision
deep‑strike capability against high‑value land and maritime targets. It
incorporates a new Indian seeker and advanced electronic warfare‑resistant
avionics suite developed by DRDO, significantly improving terminal accuracy
and survivability against layered air defence networks.
BrahMos‑II will feature a universal launch compatibility matrix, enabling
deployment from land‑based launchers, frontline naval ships, and submarine
torpedo tubes. A future air‑launched version for heavy fighters such as the
Su‑30MKI is also under active evaluation.
The missile employs advanced stealth shaping, radar‑absorbent coatings, and
active trajectory‑modulation algorithms to minimise detection during
hypersonic glide. Its warhead options include conventional and potentially
strategic payloads, depending on mission configuration.
Final approval of the BrahMos‑II project is expected soon, following
successful validation of ground testing modules for the hypersonic combustor
and guidance system. Once cleared, prototype integration trials could begin by
late 2026, with first‑phase flight testing likely around 2027.
BrahMos‑II Hypersonic Missile: 2031 Induction Target
The development journey of BrahMos‑II began in 2013 with concept and
feasibility studies assessing high‑speed propulsion and aerodynamic design. By
2019, the missile’s configuration took shape, and combustor trials
successfully demonstrated sustained Mach 6+ flight conditions. A detailed
design phase between 2023 and 2025 saw the integration of advanced composite
materials, indigenous flight control computers, and radar‑absorbent coatings
to enhance stealth and thermal resilience.
Formal program approval is expected by the end of 2025, paving the way for
prototype assembly and ground testing through 2026. Initial flight trials are
scheduled for 2027–28, validating propulsion, guidance accuracy, and
manoeuvrability in hypersonic regimes. Post‑test analysis and refinement will
continue till 2029, leading to production readiness by 2030.
The Indian Navy and Strategic Forces Command are slated to receive the first
BrahMos‑II systems around 2031, marking India’s formal entry into the global
hypersonic weapons domain. With launch compatibility spanning land, sea, and
submarine platforms, the system promises to revolutionise India’s
precision‑strike and deterrence posture against high‑value strategic and naval
targets.
BrahMos‑II Hypersonic Cruise Missile — Technical And Operational Summary
| Parameter | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Program Partners | India (DRDO, BAPL) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyenia) |
| Missile Type | Hypersonic cruise missile – next-generation variant of BrahMos |
| Maximum Speed | Up to Mach 7 (≈ 8,575 km/h) |
| Operational Range | Around 1,500 km (planned) |
| Propulsion System | Two‑stage configuration: solid‑fuel booster for initial acceleration, followed by scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise stage |
| Propulsion Origin | Russian hypersonic propulsion design with Indian integration and testing facilities |
| Seeker and Guidance | Indigenous Indian seeker with integrated INS/GPS/GLONASS‑based mid-course navigation and terminal active radar homing |
| Avionics and EW Resistance | Indian-developed digital flight control computer, hardened for electronic countermeasures and jamming resistance |
| Flight Altitude Envelope | 20–30 km during cruise, descending to low‑altitude glide in terminal phase |
| Accuracy (CEP) | Estimated under 1 metre with terminal guidance corrections |
| Launch Platforms | Land-based mobile launchers, naval surface ships (vertical cells), submarine torpedo tubes; future air‑launch variant under study |
| Warhead Type | Conventional high‑explosive or unitary penetrator; potential nuclear-capable configuration under strategic variant |
| Structural Design | Stealth-optimised body with radar-absorbent material (RAM) coatings and heat‑resistant alloys |
| Control Mechanisms | Aerodynamic fins and thrust‑vectoring for mid‑course and terminal manoeuvrability |
| Planned Flight Trials | Prototype integration by late 2026; initial flight tests projected for 2027 |
| Operational Role | Deep precision strike against command centres, naval carrier groups, and fortified airbases |
| Strategic Significance | Establishes India’s entry into the global hypersonic weapons domain with dual deterrence and rapid reaction capability |
IDN (With Agency Inputs)
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