SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Recent Indian media reports indicate that the ambitious BrahMos-2K hypersonic missile program has been shelved for the time being due to high costs associated with its development. The BrahMos-2K, envisioned as a derivative of Russia’s 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile, was intended to achieve speeds of Mach 6-7—slightly reduced from the Zircon’s Mach 9 capability. However, concerns over the per-unit cost have led the armed forces to reconsider the feasibility of the program.
The Indian Armed Forces have reportedly expressed reservations about the high per-unit cost of the BrahMos-2K missile, which would make large-scale acquisition financially prohibitive. With hypersonic missile technology still in its nascent stages globally, the costs of research, development, and production remain exorbitant.
Instead of pursuing the BrahMos-2K, the focus has shifted to optimizing the existing BrahMos missile. Currently, the BrahMos, co-developed by India and Russia, is a supersonic cruise missile capable of speeds up to Mach 3. The BrahMos Aerospace team is now exploring upgrades to the missile’s propulsion system, particularly the ramjet engine, to push its speed closer to Mach 5.
By achieving near-hypersonic speeds, the upgraded BrahMos would enhance its penetration capability against advanced air defence systems, which are increasingly designed to counter traditional cruise missiles. This incremental improvement ensures that the BrahMos remains relevant in modern warfare while avoiding the steep costs of hypersonic technology development.
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