India is reviewing the BrahMos-II hypersonic missile program, which it is developing jointly with Russia. The project has effectively been put on hold, and priority is shifting towards more affordable armaments, Defence Security Asia (DSA) reported.
One hypersonic munition is estimated to cost approximately $12 million, making mass strikes economically unfeasible.
An additional factor was the re-evaluation of combat experience from 2025. During Operation Sindoor, Indian forces actively used older supersonic BrahMos missiles, costing from $3 million, and successfully overcame layered air defense.
From the Russian side, the VPK NPO Mashinostroyeniya is involved in the missile's development. Media reported that India was dissatisfied with Russia's unwillingness to share ramjet engine technologies with India. Without them, BrahMos-II turned out to be "truncated" – with a flight speed of 6, not 8 Mach.
Read more on the topic:
- "Deadly Complex": Asian Countries Interested in BrahMos Missiles for Su-30 Fighters
- "The Most Dangerous Air Defense System in the World, Surpassing THAAD": Russia and India Close to Agreement on Establishing an S-400 Maintenance Enterprise
- S-500 "Prometey" Designed to Destroy Stealth Aircraft: India and China Monitor Russian Air Defense System