The BrahMoS NG missile is a smaller, lighter, and more compact version of the BrahMos supersonic ramjet missile, boasting similar firepower to its larger sibling.
In a major development that would significantly boost the offensive firepower of the India Air Force (IAF), the force will receive the advanced BrahMos NG missiles by the end of 2026, which will be equipped on the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets. Dr. Jaiteerth Raghavendra Joshi, the CEO and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace, revealed that the firm is building a new unit Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for manufacturing BrahMos NG missiles, according to a report by Navbharat Times (NBT).
Joshi, a prominent missile scientist, said a trial run of the next-generation of BrahMos missiles has been successfully conducted using Su-30 combat jets, and development is at an advanced stage.
BrahMos NG capabilities
According to early details, the BrahMoS NG is a smaller, lighter, and more compact version of the BrahMos supersonic ramjet missile, boasting similar firepower to its larger sibling. The NG variant is 30 percent smaller and slimmer than the BrahMos variants currently being used by IAF.
The smaller dimensions of the BrahMoS NG variant will allow a combat aircraft to carry more missiles, significantly boosting its offensive capabilities, and increasing the probability of striking the target with more precision and accuracy. The new variant can also be carried under the wing of a fighter jet, according to experts.
Additionally, the ability to carry more missiles means a fighter jet can engage more targets simultaneously, vastly enhancing its offensive capabilities.
IAF to get BrahMos NG by 2026 end
Joshi revealed that the IAF will likely receive the first batch of the advanced BrahMos NG missiles by the end of next year, after all trials are completed, adding that the process will be quickened by employing artificial intelligence (AI) to conducts various tests. “But several real-world trials need to completed before the missile is operation ready,” he stated.
The BrahMos chief also said that several countries have expressed interested in acquiring the NG variant, however, India will first prioritise its own needs and requirements before making any export commitments.
