All the Fuss About Extended Range Brahmos Missile

                                             

We all know that Brahmo 1 has a range of 300 km (298 km actually). The range was restricted in accordance with MTCR regulations, as when the missile was developed and tested India was npot a part of MTCR. Jointly developed by India and Russia Brahmos is based on the Yakhont missile, whose actual range is 600 km. How the range was capped at under 300 km, simply by filling the propellant fuel tank with less than 50% or less than half only. After negotiations started for India’s entry into MTCR the missiles’ fuel tank was filled up to 75% or 3/4 which allowed its range to be extended to 450 km. 

After it was confirmed that India is part of MTCR the Block 3 missiles were built with a full propellant fuel tank giving the missile a range of 600 km, but as customary India understates its missile range at 550 km only. One needs to understand the range was extended only by filling the propellant fuel tank and not by increasing the length or width of the missile. While it is confirmed that Brahmos is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world and Brahmos 2 which will be derived from a Russian Zircon hypersonic missile with a 600 km range, will also be built (Zircon is around 1000 km), and no prize for guessing it will be even more expensive than the baseline Brahmos. 

A smaller derivative, Brahmos Mini or NG with a range of 300 km only will also be developed for the Air Force and Navy. This missile can be fired from any fighter jet in IAF inventory and from any torpedo tube of IN submarine. As the longer-range requirements are to be filled with subsonic Nirbhay missiles with a minimum range of 700 km and a maximum range of 1400 km for use by IA, IAF, and IN. as such, there is no need to develop a Brahmos missile with a range of over 800 km or even 1500 km. Even if developed it will be a frightfully expensive missile to be built as that will require an entirely new engine and a new propellant that will make it an unviable deal. As such, there is no chance of an 800 km or 1500 km Brahmos missile.