In a recent development, the BrahMos-NG, a next-generation air-launched supersonic cruise missile being jointly developed by India and Russia, has been rebranded as the BrahMos-MA (Small Aircraft).
This announcement was made by Alexander Maksichev, co-director of the BrahMos joint venture, during the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2024” in Russia.
The rebranding aligns with the missile's intended integration with a range of smaller aircraft, enhancing its versatility and operational reach. While this signifies progress in the missile’s development, the testing timeline has been revised. Maksichev indicated that testing is expected to commence in two years, potentially pushing the timeline to the summer of 2026.
This revised timeline contrasts with earlier expectations from the Indian side, which anticipated state trials to begin by 2025. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been eagerly awaiting the BrahMos-MA, considering it a crucial asset in enhancing its precision firepower capabilities.
The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, has underscored the importance of precision and long-range firepower, particularly in light of ongoing global conflicts and India's own border tensions with China and Pakistan.
The BrahMos-MA, a scaled-down and stealthier variant of the existing BrahMos missile, is expected to maintain a range of 290 kilometers and achieve a supersonic speed of Mach 3.5. Its successful development and deployment are seen as critical for India's defence strategy in the face of evolving security challenges.
