The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has transcended its reputation as merely the fastest weapon in its class to become a symbol of uninterceptable precision.
Following the decisive 'Operation Sindoor' in May 2025, where the missile system reportedly evaded China's most sophisticated export-grade air defence networks, the BrahMos Aerospace pavilion has emerged as the most frequented Indian exhibit at the Dubai Airshow 2025.
According to senior representatives from BrahMos Aerospace, the tangible success of the missile in combat has fundamentally altered the nature of global interest.
Visitor footfall and serious procurement inquiries have more than tripled compared to previous airshows. High-level military delegations from the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America are now queuing for technical briefings, eager to understand the weapon's capabilities.
“Prior to May 2025, the world acknowledged the BrahMos for its speed. Post-Operation Sindoor, they recognise it as unstoppable,” stated a company official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We are currently in the final stages of concluding government-to-government contracts with two nations, while active discussions are progressing with three to four others. Air forces from the Gulf cooperation countries, ASEAN region, and select African states are demonstrating the most robust interest.”
The strategic shift in perception stems from the events of the night of 9–10 May 2025. During this operation, Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jets launched over a dozen BrahMos-A missiles at strategic targets within Pakistan, including the heavily fortified PAF Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi and a forward operating base at Jacobabad.
Satellite imagery later verified precision strikes on hardened aircraft shelters, command and control centres, and runways. These strikes succeeded despite the target areas being protected by dense layers of Chinese-supplied HQ-9BE long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries and HQ-16FE medium-range systems.
Despite the HQ-9BE being marketed with a 90 per cent probability of intercepting targets at speeds exceeding Mach 5, not a single BrahMos missile was intercepted. Reports indicate that the defending forces had less than 30 seconds to react to the incoming threats, leading to panic within the command structures.
Post-strike assessments, which have been shared confidentially with friendly nations, reveal that the missiles performed terminal-phase sea-skimming and high-altitude pop-up manoeuvres at speeds surpassing Mach 3.2. These tactics effectively rendered the Chinese radars and interceptors useless.
One specific missile reportedly executed a complex "S" evasion manoeuvre just 12 metres above the ground before diving vertically onto a hangar housing fighter aircraft.
This combat validation has spurred intense interest in future variants, particularly the lighter 1.5-tonne BrahMos-NG (Next Generation). This smaller variant is designed to be deployed in pairs on lighter fighters such as the Tejas Mk2, Rafale, and Mirage 2000.
Open-source intelligence suggests that while the BrahMos-NG is scheduled for flight testing in 2026 with production expected by 2027–28, it is already a focal point for potential buyers.
Additionally, several navies are closely monitoring the development of the submarine-launched variant, viewing it as a cost-effective alternative to Western heavyweights like the Tomahawk cruise missile.
Sources confirm that one Gulf nation has already commenced staff-level negotiations for a comprehensive package that includes coastal defence batteries and the integration of air-launched missiles onto its Rafale fleet.
Simultaneously, two Southeast Asian nations are evaluating the extended-range variant of the missile to serve as a strategic deterrent against larger regional naval powers.
