At Least 5 Countries Could Buy the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile

Zachary Keck

Security, Europe

India and Russia just might have a hit on their hands. 

At least five countries are interested in purchasing Russia and India’s jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

This week, India’s Financial Express reported that Chile and Peru are now expressing interest in acquiring the BrahMos missile. The report quoted “diplomatic sources” as saying, “The Chilean armed forces are interested in buying the missile. There have been active discussions between the two sides.” It added that there have been “several inquiries” from the Peruvian government, and that this interest has only increased since India began testing BrahMos missiles from the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-30 MKI.

“Diplomatic sources” told the Financial Express that the joint company that runs the BrahMos missile program expects a great deal of interest from Latin American countries, because of the extensive use of Sukhoi and other Russian fighters in that region. Regarding the Su-30 specifically, the only Latin American country that currently operates the jet is Venezuela. But last year, Sergei Ladygin, the deputy head of Rosoboronexport, the Russian arms exporter, listed Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay and Argentina as countries interested in purchasing the Su-30 or other Russian fighter jets. Peru’s Air Force currently has two Russian planes, the MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-25. The Chilean Air Force currently relies on American planes, with the F-16 and F-5 serving as their combat aircraft.

Recommended: The 5 Biggest Nuclear Bomb Tests (From All 6 Nuclear Powers).

Recommended: How Israel Takes U.S. Weapons and Makes Them Better.