New Delhi: BrahMos Aerospace is working on a new generation of supersonic cruise missiles while preparing to increase production to meet domestic and overseas demand, CEO and managing director, Jaiteerth Joshi, has said. The company’s plans include developing the BrahMos next generation (NG) prototype by 2027–2028 and exploring a future missile variant with a range of 1,500 kilometres.
The proposed longer-range missile is still at the conceptual stage, while BrahMos NG is under development. Joshi said the company was discussing further upgrades with its Russian joint venture partner and was carrying out range extension work in phases.
In an interview with ANI, Joshi said longer-range capabilities had been validated through test firings from land, sea and air platforms, extending beyond the missile’s initial range of 290 kilometres. He said the next-generation programme would require extensive research because of its higher indigenous content, advanced materials and new technologies.
BrahMos NG is being developed jointly by DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya through BrahMos Aerospace. The smaller, lighter and stealthier missile is intended to expand India’s air-launched strike capabilities, with the first prototype expected by 2027–2028.
“We have chalked out our plans and steadily moving forward in this direction,” Joshi said, adding that the programme remained under development.
Alongside these projects, BrahMos Aerospace is working to complete existing orders for the Indian Armed Forces. Its production facilities in Hyderabad, Nagpur, Pilani and Lucknow are operating towards this target, while the company plans to establish specialized technology centres called ‘Tech-bricks’ for developing and testing technologies required for future missile systems.
Joshi said the company also wanted to expand its supplier network significantly to support higher production and respond to sudden increases in demand. “From earlier 1-2 industry partners of each system/sub-systems we are willing to develop 45 sources,” he said, explaining that a larger supplier base would encourage competition in quality and pricing.
The company’s export business has also expanded since it received its first export order in 2022, before the missile’s combat use during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The Philippines became its first foreign customer, followed by deals with two more Southeast Asian countries in 2026, Joshi said.
“The BrahMos success story at the exports frontier started even before the weapon was combat-tested in 2025,” he said. Joshi added that the missile’s use during Operation Sindoor, including strikes against Pakistani targets such as Nur Khan airbase, had strengthened its standing in the international market.
The October 6 contract adds to BrahMos Aerospace’s ongoing work for the Indian Armed Forces. The agreement, signed by the defence ministry, covers the procurement of BrahMos fire control systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships, with a minimum indigenous content of 68 per cent and participation from Indian industries, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
With new export agreements and development programmes underway, BrahMos Aerospace is seeking to expand its international customer base while strengthening domestic production and preparing the next generation of missile systems.