NEW DELHI: India is reportedly close to finalising defence agreements worth around $450 million to supply BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the weapon system used to strike Pakistani air bases during the four-day conflict in May — strikes that prompted Islamabad to seek a ceasefire.“The deals are expected to be signed in the near future and are in final stages at the moment. These are expected to be followed by many more agreements as there is big interest in the missiles by many other countries from across the globe,” defence sources told news agency ANI.Also Read | Upgrading strike capability: India tests 800-km BrahMos
According to officials, “friendly foreign nations have been highly impressed with the missile’s performance,” noting its precise hits on the Pakistani air bases that left several facilities unusable for days following Operation Sindoor.Operation Sindoor — launched on May 7 following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 — marked the first combat use of BrahMos. The Indo-Russian joint production was also showcased at the recent Dubai Air Show, drawing significant interest from potential buyers.Soon after the border clashes, the defence ministry cleared a substantial order for BrahMos missiles for the Indian Navy, along with ground- and air-launched variants for the Indian Air Force (IAF).Also Read | ‘Pinpoint accuracy’: Rajnath Singh hails BrahMos missile; links it to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ visionThe Navy plans to deploy the missile on its Veer-class warships, while the IAF will integrate it with its Russian-origin Su-30 MKI fighter fleet.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting on the May conflict, has repeatedly highlighted the performance of indigenous weapon systems, remarking that Operation Sindoor showcased the strength of India’s air defence platforms, missiles and drones — especially the BrahMos.
