Indian Army eyes 800-km BrahMos as long-range warfare gains focus
New Delhi/Chennai: The Indian Army is preparing to significantly enhance its long-range strike capability by planning a major order for the 800-km range variant of the BrahMos missile, amid evolving global conflict scenarios and lessons from recent wars.
Defence officials said the Army, which currently operates BrahMos missiles with a strike range of over 450 km, is now looking to induct the extended-range version capable of hitting targets beyond 800 km. The proposal is expected to be taken up for clearance at an upcoming high-level meeting of the Ministry of Defence.
The move comes as militaries worldwide place greater emphasis on long-range precision strike systems, especially in light of ongoing conflicts in West Asia. Officials noted that such capabilities are becoming critical in modern warfare, where stand-off attacks and rapid response play a decisive role.
The BrahMos missile system, jointly developed by India and Russia, has already been integrated across all three services for land attack, anti-ship, and air-launched roles. The system proved its operational effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, where it was deployed to target key enemy installations.
Alongside missile expansion, the Army is also accelerating efforts to modernise its force structure with a strong focus on drones and indigenous technologies. Dedicated drone regiments and specialised platoons are being raised within artillery and infantry units as part of this transformation.
In a parallel push for self-reliance, the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers has partnered with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to boost indigenous defence innovation.
As part of the collaboration, a Nodal Indigenisation Centre has been established at Avadi near Chennai to leverage the region’s industrial ecosystem and strengthen the Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor.
“This collaboration strengthens our indigenisation efforts by leveraging cutting-edge research,” said Major General Lalit Kapoor, Indian Army Commander-Base Workshop Group.
By working closely with IIT-M Pravartak, the Corps of EME aims to enhance operational readiness, upgrade legacy platforms with advanced technologies, and develop niche capabilities for future roles while reducing dependence on external sources.
IIT-Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation CEO M J Shankar Raman said, “India's journey toward self-reliance in defence technologies requires strong synergy between the armed forces, academia, and innovation ecosystems. This partnership is a significant step toward accelerating indigenous solutions that are technologically robust and operationally relevant.”