India's Brahmos vs US' Tomahawk: Know which is more powerful cruise missile

In modern warfare, cruise missiles have emerged as game-changers, changers, enabling nations to execute precision strikes deep within enemy territory without exposing manned aircraft to enemy defenses. Two of the most iconic cruise missiles in the world today are the BrahMos, developed jointly by India and Russia, and the Tomahawk, designed and produced by the United States. While both have garnered attention for their effectiveness, they are designed with different strategic philosophies in mind.

Let's find out which missile is more powerful

Speed and propulsion: Supersonic vs Subsonic

The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile, capable of reaching speeds between Mach 2.8 to 3.0. This high speed drastically reduces the reaction time of enemy defenses and enhances its ability to penetrate heavily guarded targets. In contrast, the Tomahawk is a subsonic missile, cruising at approximately Mach 0.74. While it lacks the speed of the BrahMos, the Tomahawk compensates with its ability to fly at very low altitudes, often just above the terrain, making it highly effective in scenarios requiring stealth.

Range and operational flexibility

The Tomahawk is engineered for strategic deep-strike missions, boasting a range of up to 2,400 kilometers in its most advanced versions. This capability allows it to engage targets well behind enemy lines, making it invaluable in long-range strike operations. On the other hand, the BrahMos has traditionally had a more limited range, initially capped at around 500 kilometers due to MTCR restrictions. However, with India's entry into the MTCR and technological advancements, newer variants have reportedly extended the range to 800 kilometers and beyond.

Guidance systems and accuracy

Both missiles employ sophisticated guidance systems to achieve pinpoint accuracy. The Tomahawk utilizes a multi-layered guidance system, including GPS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM), and Digital Scene-Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC). These systems ensure the missile can strike targets with precision, even in GPS-denied environments. The BrahMos employs a combination of Inertial Navigation, satellite guidance, and active radar homing in its terminal phase, offering remarkable accuracy against moving and stationary targets.

Deployment history

The Tomahawk has an extensive and well-documented combat history, having been used in numerous military campaigns by the U.S. Navy, starting from the Gulf War in 1991 to more recent conflicts in Libya, Iraq, and Syria. Its track record has solidified its reputation as one of the most reliable and effective cruise missiles in the world. In contrast, the BrahMos has not been used in active combat but has undergone numerous successful tests and deployments, currently integrated into a wide range of platforms, including naval ships, submarines, fighter aircraft, and mobile ground launchers.

Strategic roles and Mmission profiles

Each missile is tailored for different strategic roles. The BrahMos is optimised for tactical precision, with a focus on anti-ship and quick-strike operations, particularly useful in littoral and regional conflicts where rapid response is critical. The Tomahawk, in contrast, is designed for long-range, pre-emptive strikes, playing a central role in force projection for the U.S. and its allies.

Next-generation developments

Both countries are working on next-generation variants. The U.S. is upgrading its Tomahawk to be more stealthy and network-enabled, while India and Russia are jointly developing the BrahMos-II, which is expected to be hypersonic, reaching speeds of Mach 7. This would significantly enhance the BrahMos's capabilities, making it even faster, more accurate, and lethal.