The Indian Air Force has equipped Su-30 fighters purchased from Russia with BrahMOS missiles, a joint Russian-Indian weapon system that exceeds 500 kilometers in range. This capability broadens the reach of the Su-30 in combat, enabling Indian crews to strike strategic targets well beyond their own borders while maintaining a defensive posture at home. The upgrade marks a significant shift in how India conducts airpower in the region, giving pilots the ability to disrupt enemy infrastructure from within secure airspace. The modernization effort is presented as a cost-effective alternative to procuring comparable European or American missiles, with officials arguing that upgrading existing platforms is simpler and cheaper than fielding new missiles of similar class from abroad. Initially, plans indicated that 85 of the 260 Su-30s would undergo modernization, a figure that signals a deliberate approach to updating the air force while balancing budget and capability across the fleet.
Earlier reports noted that India conducted a successful test of a BrahMOS air variant, launching it from a Su-30MKI aircraft and demonstrating the missile’s suitability for aerial operations. In another incident, a BrahMOS missile without a warhead landed in Mian Channu, Pakistan, during routine maintenance and inspection. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh expressed regret over the event, clarifying that the launch was accidental and not part of an operational mission. Subsequent to the incident, Indian authorities took disciplinary action, with three officers from the air force personnel involved in the incident being dismissed. The three officers included the captain of the missile-armed crew, the flight commander, and the squadron leader, reflecting a strict response to safety lapses in handling hazardous ordnance.