The range of Indo-Russian Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles has been increased to 450 km after the lifting of restrictions on India under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), SP's has learnt from highly-placed military sources. The earlier range was 290 km.

This increases India military options for launching surprise precision cross-border attacks, and beefs up the stand-off buffer for the Brahmos, which is very difficult to detect and intercept in terrain-hugging flight mode at speeds up to 2.8 Mach.

This increases India military options for launching surprise precision cross-border attacks, and beefs up the stand-off buffer for the Brahmos, which is very difficult to detect and intercept in terrain-hugging flight mode at speeds up to 2.8 Mach

Brahmos is an Indo-Russian joint venture, with Russia providing critical parts and technologies. The MTCR placed an embargo on supply of missiles and missile technology to non-members of this export-control regime in cases when the range exceeded 300 km. This restriction was lifted after India became a full member of the MTCR in 2016.

"Modifications have been made to the Brahmos software and quantum of fuel has been enhanced for increased range," a top source confirmed to SP's.

With air-launched weapons a big priority, the airborne version of the extended-range Brahmos is being integrated on 42 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft. "Structural modifications are being done to reinforce the central pylon for increasing the load carrying capacity to 2.5 tons to enable the integration of the Brahmos," a senior officer explained.

HAL had initiated a case for producing one more Sukhoi squadron on the grounds of ease of fulfillment of the requirement to arm 42 fighters with the Brahmos. It would take them much longer to retrofit and modify already-built jets for this purpose

"The last batch of Sukhois being produced at HAL's Nasik Division are being built with reinforced bellies to carry the additional load of the Brahmos. Some more Su-30MKI which are already flying will have to be recalled for retrofitment," he added.

SP's has learnt that the current order book position of HAL puts the number of pending Su-30MKI deliveries at 12. The total number ordered was 272. "An additional 12 are expected to be ordered this year. HAL had initiated a case for producing one more Sukhoi squadron on the grounds of ease of fulfillment of the requirement to arm 42 fighters with the Brahmos. It would take them much longer to retrofit and modify already-built jets for this purpose," a highly-placed source disclosed.

The Russians will provide completely knocked down kits for the building of these jets at Nasik. Yet another order for the Su-30MKI could be expected next year, informed sources indicated.