SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
BrahMos Aerospace, India’s premier missile manufacturer, has embarked on an ambitious project to develop an airborne launcher for the BrahMos-NG, now rebranded as BrahMos-MA (Mini Airborne), in collaboration with a private-sector company. This lightweight launcher, weighing just 220 kilograms, is designed to integrate the supersonic cruise missile with a wide range of Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, starting with the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI and Tejas Mk1A. Announced in early 2025, this development strengthens India’s Indigenous defence capabilities and positions the BrahMos-MA as a game-changing weapon in the IAF’s arsenal.
The airborne launcher, a critical component for deploying the BrahMos-MA from fighter aircraft, marks a significant engineering feat. At 220 kg, it is notably lighter than previous BrahMos launchers, such as the 500 kg unit used for the air-launched BrahMos-A on the Su-30 MKI. This weight reduction enhances compatibility with smaller platforms like the Tejas Mk1A, broadening the missile’s operational reach across the IAF fleet. The launcher’s modular design ensures adaptability to almost all IAF fighter types, including the Mirage 2000, Rafale, and potentially the upcoming Tejas Mk2 and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
The BrahMos-MA itself, weighing approximately 1,330 kg, is a compact evolution of the original BrahMos missile, tailored for air-launched applications. It mirrors the weight of the SCALP-EG (Storm Shadow) missile (1,300 kg), a stealthy subsonic cruise missile operated by the IAF on its Rafale jets. However, while the SCALP relies on stealth and a 400 km range at subsonic speeds (Mach 0.8), the BrahMos-MA offers a stark contrast: a blistering Mach 3.5 supersonic speed and a range of 290 km. This combination of velocity and reach makes it a formidable standoff weapon, capable of penetrating enemy defenses before countermeasures can fully respond.
The missile retains the BrahMos family’s signature ramjet propulsion technology, enabling sustained supersonic flight—an edge over subsonic rivals that prioritize stealth over speed. Its warhead, likely around 200-300 kg, ensures a devastating impact against high-value targets such as command centres, naval vessels, and fortified installations. Guidance will combine inertial navigation with satellite-based systems (INS-GPS/GLONASS), augmented by an active radar seeker for terminal precision, offering a Circular Error Probable (CEP) in the single-digit meter range.
The lighter BrahMos-MA and its 220 kg launcher allow for twin-missile configurations on the Su-30, doubling its firepower without compromising range or manoeuvrability. Trials for this setup are expected to commence by late 2025, with operational clearance targeted for 2027.
The Tejas Mk1A, a light combat aircraft with a payload capacity of around 3,500 kg, is the next platform in line. The BrahMos-MA’s reduced weight makes it feasible for the Tejas to carry a single missile, transforming the indigenous fighter into a potent strike platform. This integration, slated for testing in 2026, will enhance the IAF’s flexibility, allowing lighter jets to undertake missions previously reserved for heavier aircraft. Future compatibility with the Rafale and Mirage 2000 further diversifies deployment options, ensuring fleet-wide synergy.
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