Russia is keen to induct the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile into its armed forces, with discussions under way on expanding production capacity and possible supplies from India, BrahMos Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Jaiteerth Joshi said on Thursday.
Speaking after the flagging off of the 100th indigenous booster manufactured by Solar Industries India Ltd, Joshi said Moscow had expressed interest in the missile despite having established industrial partners associated with the BrahMos programme.
“Government of Russia is keen on taking it,” Joshi said, adding that discussions were continuing on meeting future requirements amid evolving security scenarios.
Asked whether future missiles for Russia could be supplied from India, he said Indian industry could help augment existing Russian production facilities.
“They have the facility, but that facility may not be enough. We will work hand in hand and we will supply it from India,” Joshi said.
The BrahMos missile is jointly developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia, and has emerged as one of India's most prominent defence exports.
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Joshi said the missile's growing reputation was the result of more than 25 years of development, testing and operational deployment.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, he described the missile's use during the operation as a significant milestone.
“Live test was carried out during Operation Sindoor, and it was a success story which the entire country and the world know,” he said, adding that it marked a rare instance of a missile being validated in a live operational environment against an adversary.
The remarks come as negotiations for the export of BrahMos missiles to Vietnam enter the final stages. Joshi said only a few clearances remained before the deal could be concluded.
He added that discussions were also under way with several other countries in eastern and western regions, reflecting growing international interest in the missile system.
BrahMos is regarded as a key component of India's defence export ambitions as the country seeks to expand its footprint in the global arms market while strengthening indigenous manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
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