India to Procure 250 BrahMos Missiles With 800km Range

India to Acquire 250 Extended-Range BrahMos Missiles in Major Military Boost

India’s armed forces are set to strengthen their long-range strike capabilities with the planned acquisition of 250 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, according to local media reports. The procurement, recently approved by the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), awaits final clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security before deployment begins.

Sources cited by India Today TV and ANI indicate that the advanced missiles will be integrated into existing units of the Indian Army and Air Force, and strategically deployed across diverse terrains, including deserts and high-altitude regions.

The BrahMos missile—named after India’s Brahmaputra and Russia’s Moskva rivers—is a product of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia established in 2005. The company is co-owned by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which holds a 50.5% stake, and Russian defense firm NPO Mashinostroyenia, which holds the remaining 49.5%.

Widely regarded as a critical asset within India's military arsenal, the BrahMos is capable of delivering precision strikes against a variety of targets on land, at sea, and under water. Originally developed with a range of 290 kilometers (180 miles), the missile has undergone continuous upgrades, significantly extending its reach and strategic utility.

In a landmark test in 2023, the Indian Air Force successfully launched an upgraded BrahMos missile with a range of 450 kilometers (279 miles) from a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. Reports now suggest that the missile’s range has been further extended to an impressive 800 kilometers (497 miles), vastly enhancing India’s standoff strike capabilities.

According to India Today, both the Army and Air Force have submitted proposals for additional BrahMos systems, in what appears to be a repeat order similar to the acquisition already underway for the Indian Navy.

These developments follow the signing of a new Indo-Russian defense agreement in February 2025. The pact aims to streamline logistics and boost military cooperation between the two countries, enabling greater operational synergy and joint activities.

Speaking at the Aero India defense expo last month, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described Russia as a "longtime and reliable partner" in India’s defense journey. Russia continues to be India’s primary supplier of sophisticated military hardware, including Su-30MKI fighter jets and BrahMos missiles—both jointly developed with Indian collaboration.

Currently, an estimated 60% of India’s defense inventory comprises Russian-origin systems. However, under the 'Make in India' initiative championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi has made significant strides toward domestic defense production, with growing involvement from private sector entities.