SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
After the resounding success of the BrahMos-A air-launched cruise missile from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30MKI fleet, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the IAF are moving ahead with plans to further expand this potent strike capability. As per information obtained by idrw.org, work will begin later this year to upgrade an additional 20 Su-30MKI fighters to be capable of carrying the 2.5-ton BrahMos-A missile.
Currently, around 40 Su-30MKIs have been modified with hardened wings and reinforced undercarriage to accommodate the heavy BrahMos-A missile, which significantly extends the IAF’s stand-off strike capabilities. These specially modified aircraft have been at the forefront of India’s deterrence posture, capable of delivering precision strikes at long range against high-value land and maritime targets.
With the planned upgrade of 20 more aircraft, the IAF will soon have 60 BrahMos-capable Su-30MKIs, enabling the formation of a third dedicated squadron for this role. The upgraded fighters will be modified to handle the aerodynamic stress and structural loads imposed by the heavy missile, which travels at Mach 2.8 and has a range of over 400 km.
According to the report, HAL is expected to begin modification work at its facilities later in 2025, with initial deliveries to the IAF anticipated by 2027. This will allow the IAF to raise a third Su-30MKI squadron dedicated to BrahMos-A operations, further bolstering India’s long-range precision strike capability.
The BrahMos-A integration program has been hailed as a game-changer in South Asia, offering a combination of speed, range, and destructive power unmatched by other air-launched cruise missile systems in the region. The missile’s ability to hit hardened, high-value targets with pinpoint accuracy provides India with a critical edge in conventional deterrence.
With three squadrons of Su-30MKIs armed with BrahMos-A, the IAF will be capable of launching coordinated, multi-vector strikes deep inside enemy territory, including against naval formations in the Indian Ocean and critical infrastructure targets along hostile borders. This growing capability significantly raises the operational and strategic costs for potential adversaries.
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