The BrahMos missile, a joint supersonic cruise missile developed by India and Russia, has attracted significant international attention following its reported use in Operation Sindoor, a military campaign carried out by India in May 2025. The operation targeted Pakistani airbases and terror infrastructure, demonstrating the missile’s exceptional precision, and its ability to evade and penetrate advanced air defense systems. This successful deployment has elevated global interest in BrahMos, with several nations seeking to acquire different variants of the missile.
Thirteen countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman, have shown strong interest in acquiring BrahMos, particularly its coastal, naval, and air-launched versions. Among them, the Philippines had already signed a $375 million deal in 2022 for three batteries and received a second batch in April 2025. Indonesia is in advanced discussions for a $450 million purchase of shore- and ship-based systems, while Vietnam is negotiating a $700 million deal for both army and navy variants. Malaysia is exploring options to equip its Sukhoi Su-30MKM jets and Kedah-class warships. Several Middle Eastern countries are progressing in talks for naval and coastal defense systems, and multiple Latin American nations are also exploring similar capabilities. Meanwhile, negotiations with Thailand, Singapore, and Brunei are ongoing at various stages.
BrahMos has gained popularity due to its versatility across land, sea, air, and even submarine platforms. Its “fire-and-forget” guidance system, stealth features, and reliability under combat conditions have made it highly desirable, especially following its performance in Operation Sindoor.
The operation has not been without controversy. Unverified claims emerged that India struck Kirana Hills, a location in Pakistan’s Punjab province historically linked to its nuclear program. Allegations suggested that the strike caused a nuclear leak. However, both the Indian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency have denied these claims, emphasizing that the operation exclusively targeted military and terrorist installations, not nuclear facilities. These reports appear to have originated from speculative sources on social media.
Operation Sindoor also reportedly exposed weaknesses in Pakistan’s Chinese-made defense systems, particularly those associated with the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. According to U.S. military expert Colonel (Retd) John Spencer, Chinese air defense systems proved ineffective against the BrahMos missile, highlighting a major vulnerability. This has potentially impacted international perception and future sales of Chinese military hardware, including JF-17 jets and radar systems.
Additionally, the effectiveness of India’s systems during the operation has prompted comparisons with the U.S.-made F-16 jets used by Pakistan. Although there is no direct evidence that the U.S. is struggling to demonstrate the F-16’s superiority, the success of BrahMos has raised questions about whether the F-16 still holds a dominant position in modern air combat, especially in contested airspaces.
The BrahMos missile’s effective deployment during Operation Sindoor has significantly increased its global demand, influenced perceptions of Chinese and U.S. defense systems, and sparked geopolitical and satirical commentary, all while positioning India as a serious player in the global defense market.
