- Views: 94
- Replies: 1
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the verge of a major leap in its aerial strike capabilities.
According to former DRDO Chairman Dr. Sudhir Mishra, the upcoming BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) supersonic cruise missile will fundamentally transform how the Su-30MKI heavy fighter operates.
Because the new missile is significantly lighter than its predecessors, a single Sukhoi fighter will be able to carry up to five of these weapons at once, massively multiplying the aircraft's offensive firepower.
Currently, the air-launched BrahMos-A missile is a massive weapon weighing about 2.5 tonnes and measuring nearly 9 meters in length. Due to its sheer size, the Su-30MKI can only carry one missile mounted on a specially modified centerline pylon.
The BrahMos-NG, however, slims down to roughly 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes and shrinks to 6 meters in length. This compact design allows the aircraft to carry a heavy load of multiple missiles without losing its aerodynamic agility or flight performance.
Slated for its first flight test in 2026 and expected to be fully operational by 2028–2029, the NG variant also incorporates advanced technology like an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for stealthier and more precise strikes.
This sharp drop in weight will completely alter the combat role of the Su-30MKI.
While current missions involve launching a single, high-value cruise missile at a target, the new configuration will allow a single fighter jet to destroy several different targets in one flight.
Alternatively, the aircraft could launch a salvo attack—firing multiple missiles simultaneously at a single heavily guarded target to overwhelm its air defence systems.
To achieve this five-missile configuration, the IAF will make smart use of the Su-30MKI's existing 12 hardpoints (which can be expanded to 14). The jet's strongest hardpoint is on its belly (Station 3), which currently holds the BrahMos-A and will carry one BrahMos-NG.
The real game-changer lies in the inner wing stations (Stations 4 and 5). These pylons are already reinforced to carry heavy payloads like large drop tanks, heavy bombs, and anti-ship weapons.
By using dual-ejector racks or specialised dedicated mounts, these wing stations are perfectly suited to hold the remaining four BrahMos-NG missiles, distributing the weight evenly to keep the aircraft balanced in flight.
Meanwhile, the fighter's outer wing stations will remain free for lighter air-to-air missiles, such as the indigenous Astra or the Russian R-73, ensuring the aircraft can still protect itself in aerial combat.
Out of the IAF's active fleet of over 270 Su-30MKIs, around 40 have already been structurally modified to carry the heavier BrahMos-A, and older jets are being earmarked specifically to serve as heavy missile trucks.
Ultimately, carrying up to five supersonic cruise missiles gives operational planners incredible tactical flexibility.
A lone Su-30MKI could take out an entire group of enemy naval warships, strike a string of critical land targets, or shatter advanced defence networks on its own—all without needing backup from other aircraft.
The BrahMos-NG project aims to deliver a weapon that is far more versatile and lightweight than the original, while still maintaining the terrifying Mach 3.5 speeds that make the BrahMos family so lethal.
Furthermore, the compact nature of the BrahMos-NG means it will not be limited to the Sukhoi; the Indian defence establishment plans to integrate it onto other platforms as well, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, creating a formidable and widespread deterrence force across the armed forces.
