DRDO Eyes Brahmos Upgrade, More Potent Hypersonic Missiles In Push For Autonomous Systems

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is developing a smaller version of the state-of-the-art Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, besides working on more potent hypersonic missiles.

"Brahmos is a high-precision missile and we are now looking to increase its range," DRDO Chairperson Samir Kamat told NDTV in an interview. "We are working on making a smaller version to be able to mount it on all aircraft platforms."

Currently, the Russian-made Sukhoi 30 fighter jet can carry a Brahmos missile. BrahMos is universal — it can be launched from land, sea and air platforms. The missile proved effective in combat during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based targets.

Kamat said the DRDO is working on two types of hypersonic missiles: cruise and glide.

The hypersonic glide missile is at an advanced stage of development and has been tested once. In two to three years, the DRDO will complete all the development trials, after which it will be inducted into service, he said.

When it comes to hypersonic cruise missiles, the agency recently demonstrated scramjet propulsion for more than 1,000 seconds — a major breakthrough.

"We hope the government will sanction a programme to convert the scramjet propulsion into a hypersonic cruise missile weapon system," Kamat said.

"All weapon systems have to work in an electronically denied environment. We have to develop weapon systems that are fully autonomous and work in those conditions," the DRDO chief said, explaining the lessons learnt from Operation Sindoor last month.

He also informed that the DRDO is working on a higher-range air-to-air missile called Astra Mark 2 and Astra Mark 3; longer-range air-to-ground missiles and Rudram 1, 2 and 3; surface-to-air missiles for air defence with wider range under the 'Kusha' programme.

In the age of drone warfare seen in the Ukraine-Russia and Iran-Israel conflict, the agency is developing a directed energy weapon anti-drone system based on both lasers and high-power microwaves.

Moreover, a variety of gun systems, mounting locally-made howitzer 'ATAG' on a moving vehicle, a light tank and light and heavy weight torpedos for naval applications are also in works, Kamat said.

The DRDO is looking at a new execution model for India's 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

"In AMCA, we are looking for a partner via an Expression of Interest. It can be HAL, or a private sector company, or a joint venture between HAL and a private company or a JV between private companies," Kamat said.

He cited the example of the Tejas programme where variants of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) were co-produced with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Several Indian companies, including Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Mahindra Aerospace Ltd., Bharat Forge Ltd., and Godrej Aerospace Ltd., currently supply parts, systems, sub-systems, and components to leading aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.

Watch the full interview: