India Successfully Tests Extended-Range BrahMos Supersonic Missile Capable of 800-KM Strike
India has marked a significant advancement in its strategic capabilities by successfully testing an extended-range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, now equipped to hit targets up to 800 kilometers away. This achievement highlights India's growing prowess in conventional strike capabilities, enabling it to neutralize threats deep within enemy territory before they can retaliate.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has indicated that tests are underway to ensure the missile reaches full operational status by the end of 2027. Once in service, the extended-range BrahMos will offer the Indian Armed Forces considerable flexibility, capable of being launched from land, air, and sea to deliver precise strikes from various platforms.
The upgraded BrahMos missile represents a significant leap in India's strike capacity, extending its reach from 290 kilometers to 800 kilometers. This expansion allows India to target nearly every strategic location in Pakistan, including military centers and naval facilities. Analysts highlight that this development significantly shortens the reaction time available to enemy defenses, enhancing India's deterrent and rapid-strike capabilities.
In May 2025, India showcased the BrahMos missile's combat effectiveness during Operation Sindoor. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Air Force used BrahMos missiles launched from Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets to strike nine terrorist camps located deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation destroyed key infrastructure used by groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, eliminating over 100 militants. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the missile's "pinpoint accuracy," emphasizing its transformative role in India's strategic arsenal.
The BrahMos missile travels at speeds ranging from Mach 2.8 to 3.0, nearly tripling the speed of sound. This velocity leaves adversaries with little time to respond, as experts note that by the time enemy radar detects the missile, the strike is often already executed. This makes the BrahMos an extremely powerful weapon in contemporary warfare.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's attempts to counter the Indian offensive were unsuccessful despite employing Chinese-origin J-10 fighters with PL-15 beyond-visual-range missiles. The Indian Air Force's superior tactics and indigenous technology clearly outperformed the imported systems, highlighting the effectiveness of domestically developed defense capabilities.
The successful test of the 800-kilometer BrahMos positions India among the top global leaders in precision conventional strike capabilities, delivering a strong message to potential adversaries and solidifying its strategic deterrence position.
