Why India's BM-04 Boost-Glide Missile Raises the Cost for Adversaries - An Analysis

 

BM-04 in Flight by @Grok

The DRDO has reportedly received a go-ahead from the MoD to

develop the BM-04 Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM).

A full-scale mock-up of the missile was unveiled at the

Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defence exhibition in Hyderabad (February 28

to March 2, 2025).

The design of the re-entry vehicle armed with the missile warhead suggests that it is a boost-glide hypersonic weapon. However, the placard placed next to the missile mock-up, displaying its specifications, did not specify its speed.

Specifications

The canister-launched missile is 10.2 metres long, 1.2 metres in diameter, and weighs 11,500 kg. It features a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and carries a 500 kg conventional warhead.

It is deployed using a six-axle indigenous Transport Erector Launcher (TEL).

#DRDO's new BM-04 missile with MaRV warhead🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/pQMOpV3qDn

— News IADN (@NewsIADN) February 28, 2025

Missile Capabilities

The missile features a precision-strike-capable 500 kg conventional warhead and has a range of 400–1,500 km. It uses satellite-aided inertial navigation, incorporating GPS and the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). A CEP of less than 30 m is claimed.

The BM-04 uses a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system and navigates using a combination of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and a Satellite Navigation System (SATNAV). The missile does not have terminal homing capability and has a CEP of 30 metres.

Physical Characteristics

The missile features a conical-shaped re-entry vehicle, likely a boost-glide vehicle with a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB). The inclusion of a C-HGB, along with features such as fixed wings and control fins on the re-entry vehicle, suggests hypersonic speeds with manoeuvrability during both exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric phases, enabling evasion of radar and missile defence systems.

Analysis

The BM-04 shares visual and technological similarities with the Agni-I and Agni-Prime (Agni-P) missiles but is tailored for conventional roles, with a smaller payload and hypersonic capabilities.

The missile’s range allows it to be stored deep within Indian territory, complicating adversaries’ ability to target launch sites. Its canisterised design also supports a “shoot-and-scoot” capability for rapid, pre-emptive strikes.

The hypersonic enabling technologies for the BM-04 were likely developed under the Long-Range Hypersonic Missile (LRHM) programme, which was maiden-tested in November 2024.

The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted a flight trial of its long range hypersonic missile on 16th Nov 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the Industry for successful flight… pic.twitter.com/wq7yM2YS9f

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2024

Maneuvering hypersonic missiles have demonstrated the ability to penetrate the most advanced air defence systems in the world. The BM-04’s precision-strike capability and ability to operate in contested airspace would allow it to rapidly erode an adversary’s warfighting capability while remaining well below the nuclear escalation threshold.

The BM-04 missile and the Long-Range Hypersonic Missile (LRHM) tested by DRDO in November 2024 are likely not the same missile. However, they share technological similarities and are part of DRDO’s broader hypersonic missile development programme.

DRDO may have used the LRHM as a hypersonic boost-glide technology development and demonstration testbed. The “Long-Range” designation of the LRHM, along with the claimed range of more than 1,500 km in the PIB press release announcing the maiden test, suggests that the LRHM may eventually be developed into a long-range hypersonic missile.

Copyright © Vijainder K Thakur. First published on Thumkar.

Salvo Launch Demonstrates Pralay’s Twin-Launcher Survivability

Pralay Twin Container Launcher

DRDO successfully conducted a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha at about 1030 hrs on December 31, 2025. The flight test was conducted as part of User Evaluation Trials. Both missiles followed the intended trajectory and met all flight objectives, as confirmed by tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.

Significance of the Salvo Launch

The launch of two missiles from the same launcher indicates that the system employed a twin-tube launcher.

The Pralay system uses containerised missiles that can be erected vertically for launch from an autonomous launcher. A 12×12 launcher features two missile containers, while an 8×8 launcher carries a single container, supported by a Battery Command Centre (BCC) vehicle that serves as the communication hub.

The system uses a high-mobility wheeled Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) developed by Ashok Leyland in collaboration with DRDO.

When using the twin-launcher platform, the ability to launch both missiles in quick succession is critical to launcher survivability. Any significant delay in firing the second missile would expose the launcher to counter-battery fire.

It is reported that the Pralay system can be ready for launch within 10 minutes of arrival at a firing position, with a 60-second transition from command to launch, underscoring its quick-reaction capability. It can be reasonably assumed that a similar timeframe would be required to “scoot” after a “shoot.”

Earlier Tests

Pralay was last tested on July 29, 2025. On that occasion, DRDO conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of the missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on July 28 and 29, 2025.

These flight tests, aimed at validating the missile system’s maximum and minimum range capabilities, were also carried out as part of User Evaluation Trials.

Outstanding Features

Powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor, the missile follows a flattened trajectory within the atmosphere, reducing radar detection range.

A DRDO official told Janes during Aero India 2023 that the missile can carry three types of warheads—pre-fragmented (PF), monolithic penetration-cum-blast (PCB), and submunition PCB—and is capable of striking targets at ranges between 150 and 400 km.

The missile navigates to its target using inertial navigation combined with SATNAV guidance and can be controlled throughout its flight. It employs DSMAC (Digital Scene Mapping and Correlation) for terminal guidance, achieving a CEP (Circular Error Probability) of approximately 10 metres. This accuracy allows effective engagement of command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) nodes; radar installations; airfields; oil refineries; and ammunition depots.

The missile is difficult for an adversary to intercept due to its high terminal speed, quasi-ballistic trajectory, and ability to perform evasive manoeuvres during the terminal phase.

The Pralay missile also features two sets of small fins designed to reduce its radar signature.

Mobility

DRDO has stated that Pralay missiles are canisterised and can be erected vertically for launch from an autonomous launcher, enhancing mobility and survivability.

Indigenous Targeting System

It has recently been reported that Pralay uses INDIGIS, a fully indigenous mapping and location system developed by DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Bengaluru.

CAIR transferred the INDIGIS platform technology to Bengaluru-based Microgenesis Techsoft Pvt Ltd through a commercial transfer-of-technology (ToT) agreement. Microgenesis subsequently modified and upgraded the INDIGIS software suite to meet the specific requirements of the Pralay missile.

Development Timeline

According to ANI, development of the Pralay missile began in 2015. The missile is expected to be inducted first into the Indian Air Force, followed by the Indian Army.

ANI reported on December 25, 2022, that the Ministry of Defence had cleared the procurement of approximately 120 Pralay ballistic missiles for the Indian armed forces.

Procurement Status

In January 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) reportedly approved the acquisition of one Pralay regiment for the Indian Army. The DAC had earlier approved the acquisition of the missile by the Indian Air Force.

Enhanced Variant

On September 28, 2024, The Times of India reported that DRDO is working on enhancing the range, accuracy, and lethality of the conventional Pralay ballistic missile.

Copyright © Vijainder K Thakur. First published on Thumkar.