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In a significant milestone for India’s missile manufacturing ecosystem, the first BrahMos warhead produced by a private-sector facility was flagged off on Thursday alongside the 100th BrahMos booster manufactured by Nagpur-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL).
The rollout marks a major step in the gradual expansion of private industry participation in one of India’s most closely guarded strategic missile programmes.
The 100th booster was flagged off by Dr Jaiteerth Joshi, Chief of BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL), in the presence of senior scientists from BAPL, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). SDAL Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal was also present.
SDAL began its BrahMos journey in February 2018 after receiving the transfer of technology (ToT) from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The company said it completed technology absorption by April 2019, while its composite propellant production facility received certification from Russian experts in April 2022. Final approvals for production were obtained in September that year.
Speaking at the event, Nuwal said the company had moved from technology transfer to full-scale production approval in less than four years and was now preparing for a substantial increase in output.
He said SDAL plans to double its production capacity from six BrahMos boosters a month to 12 beginning August and is targeting the manufacture of more than 150 boosters during the current year.
“The capacity is expanding every month and we are confident of meeting the target,” Nuwal said.
The delivery of the first BrahMos warhead manufactured at a private facility comes amid a broader government push to deepen private-sector involvement in strategic defence production and strengthen indigenous supply chains for advanced weapon systems.
Meanwhile, India’s prospects for BrahMos exports are also expected to expand.
Joshi indicated that Vietnam will soon become the next overseas customer for the supersonic cruise missile after the Philippines.
“Vietnam is almost through. Only a few clearances remain. We are also in advanced discussions with several countries in the eastern and western regions,” he said.
Joshi also disclosed that Russia has expressed interest in acquiring additional BrahMos missiles, despite having industrial partners in the joint Indo-Russian programme.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, remains one of the world’s fastest operational supersonic cruise missiles and has emerged as a key element of India’s defence exports strategy following its first overseas sale to the Philippines.
Team BharatShakti
