**Russian Envoy Reveals Plans for Next-Gen BrahMos Hypersonic Missiles**
In a significant announcement, Denis Alipov, the Russian ambassador to India, revealed that India and Russia are collaborating on the development of smaller hypersonic variants of the BrahMos missile. This statement was made during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the missile's first test launch, highlighting the ongoing defense partnership between the two nations.
The BrahMos missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, is recognized as one of the fastest supersonic cruise missiles globally, capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 3. Alipov emphasized that the new hypersonic versions currently under development will enhance the Indian Armed Forces' multi-domain strike capabilities.
The BrahMos missile has gained prominence for its operational effectiveness, notably during Operation Sindoor, a brief military engagement between India and Pakistan last year. During this operation, India reportedly launched between 15 to 20 BrahMos missiles, targeting and damaging several key Pakistani air bases.
The BrahMos joint venture, established in 1995, marked a pivotal shift in Indo-Russian relations from a traditional buyer-seller dynamic to a more collaborative framework focused on technology sharing, co-development, and co-production. Alipov noted that this approach has been further institutionalized by India’s Make-in-India initiative, which aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and technological advancement.
In addition to the BrahMos missile project, Alipov highlighted other collaborative defense efforts, including the joint development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft based on Russia’s Su-57 platform and the production of S-400 air defense systems. He stated that these projects have significantly strengthened the trajectory of bilateral defense cooperation.
The ambassador also pointed to the successful licensed production of Su-30MKI fighter aircraft and T-90 main battle tanks in India as examples of the fruitful partnership between the two countries. Furthermore, he mentioned the recent production of AK-203 rifles through the Indo-Russia Rifles joint venture.
BrahMos Aerospace, the company responsible for the missile's development, has expressed readiness to supply the BrahMos missiles to the Russian Navy and land forces. The missile's range, initially capped at 180 miles (290 km), has been extended through upgrades, expanding its operational capabilities.
Internationally, the BrahMos missile system has garnered interest, with the Philippines becoming its first foreign customer after signing a $375 million contract in 2022. The first batch of BrahMos missiles was delivered to the Philippines in April 2024, with a second delivery scheduled for April 2025. Additionally, India recently confirmed a deal with Vietnam for the supply of BrahMos missiles, further expanding its global footprint.
BrahMos Aerospace reported a remarkable revenue growth of 48.6% for the fiscal year 2025-26, underscoring the increasing demand for its missile systems and the success of its international sales strategy.
As India and Russia continue to deepen their defense collaboration, the development of next-generation BrahMos hypersonic missiles represents a significant advancement in military technology, potentially reshaping the strategic landscape in the region.