SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant leap forward for India’s defense capabilities, sources close to the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org) have revealed that the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was recently tested for an extended range of 800 kilometers, marking a historic milestone in its development.
This test, conducted in the Bay of Bengal, is believed to be the first successful demonstration of the BrahMos missile’s 800km variant, significantly enhancing India’s offensive firepower and strategic deterrence.
Defense expert Ranesh Rajan, speaking to idrw.org, emphasized the strategic implications of the 800km-range BrahMos. “This significantly boosts the offensive capabilities of the Indian military,” he stated. For the Indian Navy, the extended range enables strikes on land targets and enemy warships from safer standoff distances. For the Indian Army, it provides the ability to target any part of Pakistan and reach deep into Chinese-occupied Tibet, potentially altering regional power dynamics.
The BrahMos missile’s range was initially capped at 290km due to restrictions imposed by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which limits the transfer of missile technology with ranges exceeding 300km to non-member states. India’s entry into the MTCR in June 2016 removed these barriers, enabling collaboration with Russia to enhance the missile’s capabilities. By modifying software restrictions and expanding the internal fuel tank capacity, BrahMos Aerospace first extended the missile’s range to 450km, with the BrahMos-ER (Extended Range) variant successfully tested in 2017.
The latest 800km variant, known as BrahMos-LR, represents a further technological advancement. According to idrw.org, the missile’s length has been increased to accommodate a larger fuel tank for its ramjet engine, ensuring sustained supersonic speed over greater distances. This development not only enhances the missile’s operational reach but also maintains compatibility with existing launchers, facilitating seamless integration with the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
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