The DRDO and Indian Air Force are actively engaged in discussions to extend the range of the BrahMos-A air-launched missile from its current 450 km to 800 km. This upgraded BrahMos-LR (Long Range) variant has already undergone a successful test in early 2025 from a warship in the Bay of Bengal, showcasing its capability to strike both land and sea targets with high precision at Mach 3 speed. The significant range enhancement is achieved through a larger fuel tank powered by a new high-energy-density liquid fuel developed indigenously, stable even at temperatures as low as -50°C, coupled with refined propulsion technology. This fuel powers the missile’s ramjet engine, enabling sustained supersonic cruise over extended distances. The upgrade also incorporates improvements in the missile’s inertial navigation system and indigenous active radar seeker, bolstering accuracy and operational flexibility. Integration plans include equipping more Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters of the IAF, expanding the strike capability deep into adversaries’ strategic areas, particularly within Pakistan and Chinese-occupied Tibet. Trials are ongoing, aiming for production and induction by 2027-28, underscoring India’s strategic boost in long-range precision strike assets and self-reliance in defense technologies. This development notably strengthens India’s deterrence posture amid regional security challenges.