India's BrahMos-2K Hypersonic Program Shelved Due to High Costs, Focus Shifts to Upgrading Existing BrahMos

India's ambitious BrahMos-2K hypersonic missile program has been put on hold due to concerns over its high development costs, according to recent media reports. The BrahMos-2K, envisioned as a derivative of Russia's 3M22 Zircon missile, was intended to achieve speeds of Mach 6-7. However, the projected per-unit cost has prompted the Indian Armed Forces to re-evaluate the program's feasibility.

With hypersonic missile technology still in its early stages globally, research, development, and production costs remain prohibitively high. The Indian Armed Forces have expressed reservations about the financial implications of acquiring a significant number of BrahMos-2K missiles at their projected cost.

Instead of pursuing the BrahMos-2K, the focus has shifted to enhancing the capabilities of the existing BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. Currently capable of speeds up to Mach 3, the BrahMos, jointly developed by India and Russia, is undergoing upgrades to its propulsion system, particularly the ramjet engine, to achieve speeds closer to Mach 5.

By attaining near-hypersonic speeds, the upgraded BrahMos would significantly improve its penetration capabilities against advanced air defence systems designed to counter traditional cruise missiles. This incremental upgrade strategy ensures the BrahMos remains a relevant and potent weapon system in modern warfare while circumventing the exorbitant costs associated with developing a new hypersonic missile.

This decision reflects a pragmatic approach to defence modernization, balancing technological ambition with fiscal responsibility. While the BrahMos-2K program may be revived in the future, the current focus on optimizing the existing BrahMos platform ensures that India maintains a credible deterrent capability while managing defence expenditure effectively.

 

[Akshat SP]

Why are the mock up models of brahmos 2k modelled on hypersonic ramjet or scramjet style test projectiles if it was to be based on the ballistic kinzhal hypersonic missile which doesn't have that kind of waverider shape typical of scramjet vehicles.

 

[Frank]

Brahmos should focus on Brahmos ng and brahmos A. And try to make brahmos 100% indegenous using Indian ramjet engine and Indian seeker.

Let DRDO go for HSTDV hypersonic missile

 

[sanket]

Good thoughts. Just for extra or a couple of Mach speed, why pay heavy development costs? Mach 3 is also the borderline of hypersonic. It will increase the speed by over 60% of Mach 3 by upgrading the missile propulsion system.

 

[CIA]

Chill Project Vishnu is gonna fly next year with our own scram engine derived from HSTDV program, will have a completely indigenous missile in our arsenal.

 

[ramdas]

They aimed to negotiate with Russia for the Zircon technology transfer, but the cost was astronomical, leaving the negotiations unresolved. They lack the funds for research or to purchase it outright.

 

[Bhishma]

Brahmos should focus on Brahmos ng and brahmos A. And try to make brahmos 100% indegenous using Indian ramjet engine and Indian seeker.

Let DRDO go for HSTDV hypersonic missile

Why does indigenous matter? Russia holds 49.5% stake in it anyway.

 

[Bhishma]

It seems Russia's reluctance to share critical tech on time has backfired. Now that India has already developed hypersonics, there's no reason to shell out exorbitant amounts to a partially foreign owned company.

 

[vikrant rao]

It seems Russia's reluctance to share critical tech on time has backfired. Now that India has already developed hypersonics, there's no reason to shell out exorbitant amounts to a partially foreign owned company.

What do you think Brahmos is?? Do you think India would've achieved that tech without ToT and assistance from Russia? The Russians are there Jess in hypersonic tech even the Chinese need their help hitting a moving target. India is no more closer to hypersonics than it was two years ago. Learn to read propaganda when your see it.

 

[vikrant rao]

India needs to show Russia it can be trusted with deep tech. The Russians are leaders in hypersonics now developing hypersonic ADa with S550 and S600 meanwhile US and combined West still trying to perfect a hypersonic glide vehicle!!! Russian electronic counter warfare suites have also proven their worth & beaten over 200 satellites, 42 countries and combined NATO strength! US instructing UA to try and capture TOR M2 and Pantsir battlefield radar system is proof! India would do well to go with the devil or knows rather than the devil it doesn't! Proof of this is in the delayed F404 and 414 engines instead blaming SK for it while Indian army still waiting for its AH-64s which are already four years late! Let's not forget Kargil and how the US cheated India not to mention who saved the IAF by giving precise geo locations....

 

[tipoo2]

Why does indigenous matter? Russia holds 49.5% stake in it anyway.

No external rate limiting components in a conflict of attrition

 

[tipoo2]

Chill Project Vishnu is gonna fly next year with our own scram engine derived from HSTDV program, will have a completely indigenous missile in our arsenal.

Project Vishnu should definitely keep the Sudarshana Chakra

 

[Garuda]

Zircon is not needed if we can push Bramhos and make it immune against laser based air defense systems. If not than Zircon's speed, Stealth characteristics due to its Plasma shield and resistance to high temperature can be a vital asset in our arsenal. They know better anyways so 🤷🏻

 

[Bhishma]

What do you think Brahmos is?? Do you think India would've achieved that tech without ToT and assistance from Russia?

Brahmos is supersonic cruise missile. The one tested is a ballistic missile assisted glide vehicle. We have mastered ballistic missiles long time ago (first Agni tested in 1989). They are different tech. Not the same. Perhaps you want to show your sources on "ToT and assistance" for the hypersonic specifically?

India is no more closer to hypersonics than it was two years ago. Learn to read propaganda when your see it.

🤡 oh well. Then ask the Chinese to bring their ACs and we shall find out.

But in a way you could be right. We have had hypersonics even before two years ago. Sometime back there was an unknown missile test that made a line of fire in the sky. India has a habit of doing the tests as a geopolitical message. When the reality is we would have acquired the capability many years ago.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Zircon is not needed if we can push Bramhos and make it immune against laser based air defense systems. If not than Zircon's speed, Stealth characteristics due to its Plasma shield and resistance to high temperature can be a vital asset in our arsenal. They know better anyways so 🤷🏻

Plasma shield means communication blackout also and difficulty in controlling. I hope we have tech to communicate from outside plasma shield.

 

[Vivek M. R]

Bramhos is based on Russian missile Onyx P800 whose maximum range is 600kms and export version has a range of 300kms at Mach 3 cost of missile itself is $1.25 million. Russia Ukraine conflict has given us invaluable lesson how present day war or conflict are fought. Zircon is very expensive for us better to design our own seekers and increase the range to 600kms at Mach 3. Our own Hypersonic program will start giving results soon.

 

[Vikas Yadav 007]

Today we thought about cost per unit tomorrow the same missiles will be developed by china on half a cost.
If our enemy have such powerful weapons.then todays cost is secondary matter.
One we got Brahmos who thought this will be our backbone and will export to third country and opportunities to extend speed, distance etc & in future indigenous seekers and scramjet engine will reduce overall cost if we prepare in bulk.15year back stealthy jet fighter is not into scheme now every country make 5th and 6th generation fighter jet .indian airforce shouldn't drop Brahmos-2K plan

 

[FROST]

Russia is a trusted partner in crisis. But a Shylok in extracting their pound of flesh. GOI has to tread carefully while seeing the possibility of indigenous research in all such fields. I understand in most of the TOT even if 80%is indigenous the rest is with the foreign power. It would be better if our own billionaires right from TN contribute from their wealth.