Explained: All You Need To Know About BrahMos Missiles That Targeted 11 Pakistani Airbases Under Operation Sindoor

Following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BrahMos Integration and Testing Facility in Lucknow on Sunday, May 11.

Hailing the BrahMos missile system as a symbol of India’s strategic strength, Singh said it is “not just one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles, but a message of the strength of the Indian Armed Forces, a message of deterrence to adversaries, and a message of the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its borders.”

ब्रह्मोस सिर्फ एक मिसाइल नहीं, ये हमारी सेना की ताकत और सरहद की सुरक्षा के प्रति हमारे संकल्प का प्रतीक है। यह सिर्फ एक हथियार नहीं बल्कि एक ‘मैसेज’ है। pic.twitter.com/ebaiC6Xl6v

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 11, 2025

Here’s everything you need to know about India’s modern military arsenal:

How Does the BrahMos Missile Work?

BrahMos is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile equipped with a solid propellant booster and a liquid-fuelled ramjet engine. This configuration allows the missile to reach speeds up to Mach 2.8-3, nearly three times faster than traditional subsonic cruise missiles. Initially accelerating to supersonic speeds, the booster detaches in-flight, allowing the ramjet engine to take over for sustained high-speed travel.

‘ब्रह्मोस’ अपने आप में एक ‘मैसेज’ है। pic.twitter.com/3Rh9ZbT5Gh

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 11, 2025

Capable of striking targets up to 290 km away (soon to be extended to 800 km or more) the missile is designed for precision strikes. It travels at altitudes ranging from 15 km during cruise to just 10 metres at its terminal phase, making it hard to detect and intercept. Its stealth is aided by a minimal radar cross-section.

The BrahMos operates on the “fire-and-forget” principle, requiring no further input once it is launched, offering high accuracy and survivability for launch platforms.

How Was BrahMos Originated?

BrahMos was born out of India’s realisation in the 1990s that cruise missiles were essential for modern warfare. Inspired by their effectiveness in the Gulf War, India partnered with Russia in 1998 to develop the missile. This led to the creation of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM.

The name “BrahMos” is a blend of two rivers—the Brahmaputra in India and the Moskva in Russia, symbolising bilateral cooperation. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, then heading DRDO, was instrumental in shaping the project.

A Vietnamese 🇻🇳 delegation led by Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) showed keen interest in the supersonic #BRAHMOS and its variants on display during his visit to #BrahMos pavilion at @DSAMalaysia 🇲🇾. He… pic.twitter.com/ABhuWKeXam

— BRAHMOS Missile (@BrahMosMissile) May 8, 2024

Variants of BrahMos

1. Naval Version: Operational since 2005, this variant can be launched from static or moving warships, capable of engaging sea and land targets. It can be fired singly or in salvos of up to eight missiles.

2. Land-Based Version: Used by the Indian Army since 2007, this version includes mobile launch platforms carrying multiple missiles. Each launcher can engage different targets almost simultaneously, with upgraded models reaching beyond 400 km.

3. Air-Launched Version: Integrated into IAF’s Sukhoi-30MKI fleet, BrahMos was first air-tested in 2017 and has since extended the aircraft’s strike range significantly, up to 1,500 km.

4. Submarine-Launched Version: Successfully tested in 2013, this variant can be launched from submerged submarines at depths of 50 metres, adding a strategic underwater capability.

Brhamos's recent deployment during Operation Sindoor against Pakistani military targets signals India’s rapid strike capability in high-stakes conflict scenarios.