Indian Navy Plans Near-Universal BrahMos Missile Deployment Across Major Warships By 2030

The Indian Navy is expanding the use of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles across its frontline warships and plans to have the weapon on almost all major surface combatants by 2030, according to sources.

More than six BrahMos-capable warships have joined the Navy over the past year, taking the number of frontline naval ships equipped with the missile to around 20.

New warships are being commissioned with BrahMos systems, while some existing ships are being modified to carry the missile.

The move follows the missile’s operational use during Operation Sindoor and is part of the Navy’s plan to strengthen its long-range strike capability and reduce dependence on foreign defence equipment.

More warships to get BrahMos

The Navy is adding BrahMos to both new and existing warships.

“All new ships being commissioned into the Navy are equipped with BrahMos missile systems, while conversions are also being undertaken on existing ships to equip them with the missile. BrahMos has proven its capabilities in operations,” a source familiar with the matter said.

The latest Indian warships are increasingly being built with BrahMos capability. The Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, including INS Udaygiri, INS Himgiri and Mahendragiri, are equipped with eight vertically launched BrahMos missiles.

The Navy also plans to gradually replace older ship-launched anti-surface missile systems with BrahMos.

More than 220 missiles approved

The expansion is supported by a major missile procurement programme.

In February 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the purchase of more than 220 BrahMos Extended Range missiles for Indian Navy warships.

In 2025, the government also approved additional BrahMos fire-control systems and vertical launchers for naval vessels. These systems will allow more ships to carry and launch the missile.

BrahMos has also been developed for different ranges and platforms. Extended-range versions are being developed to give the missile greater stand-off capability. The system is already used in land-, sea- and air-launched configurations.

Navy targets more than 200 ships by 2030

Sources said the Navy is working on a plan to integrate BrahMos into all its warships over the next four years.

By the end of 2030, more than 200 Indian Navy ships are expected to be ready to fire BrahMos missiles. The service is also working towards having the missile on virtually all major surface combatants.

The Navy is expanding its fleet at the same time. New ships are being commissioned with BrahMos capability, while older vessels are being modified to carry the system.

If the plan is completed, BrahMos would be deployed across a much larger part of the Navy’s surface fleet.

India is continuing to build and upgrade its warships as it expands BrahMos deployment. The Navy aims to become 100% indigenous by 2047.

References: freepressjournal, indiatoday