BrahMos Aerospace, the Indo-Russian joint venture, is advancing the BrahMos-II hypersonic cruise missile, targeting Mach 6-8 speeds and a 1,500 km range using scramjet propulsion, with first flight tests planned for 2027-28 following prototype integration by late 2026. Showcased at NAVDEX 2025 in February, the lighter 1.33-tonne design, half the weight of current air-launched variants, enables integration with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, enhancing its long-range strike capabilities for land and naval targets. DRDO’s April 25, 2025, scramjet combustor test exceeding 1,000 seconds supports indigenous tech infusion, amid renewed India-Russia talks post-Operation Sindoor in May 2025, bolstering self-reliance and Indo-Pacific deterrence.