India’s New 12,000 km Bomber: A Game-Changer for Global Reach

India is taking a bold step in reshaping its defense strategy with the development of an ultra-long-range strategic bomber, the Ultra Long-Range Strike Aircraft (ULRA), capable of striking targets over 12,000 kilometers away without refueling. This ambitious project, equipped with advanced BrahMos-NG missiles, marks a significant shift from India’s regional defense focus to a global strategic presence, potentially enabling strikes as far as New York. Here’s an in-depth look at this groundbreaking development and its implications.

A New Era in Indian Defense

India’s defense policy has traditionally centered on regional security, countering threats from neighboring countries like Pakistan and China. However, the ULRA represents a paradigm shift, aiming to project power across continents. With a range surpassing 12,000 km, this bomber could reach targets in the United States, Europe, Africa, or Australia without mid-air refueling, outpacing the capabilities of the U.S. B-21 Raider, which has a range of approximately 9,300 km.

The ULRA draws inspiration from Russia’s Tu-160 “White Swan” and the U.S. B-21 Raider, blending advanced stealth technology, radar-dodging features, and automated flight systems. This combination ensures the aircraft can remain undetected, travel vast distances, and deliver precise, devastating strikes. The project is led by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and the Aircraft Development Agency, with talks underway for technology transfers from Russia and France. The first prototype is expected by 2035.

The Power of BrahMos-NG Missiles

A key feature of the ULRA is its integration with the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile, a lighter and more advanced version of the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The BrahMos-NG, weighing approximately 1.33 tonnes (half the weight of the current air-launched BrahMos-A), is designed for enhanced stealth, precision, and versatility. Each ULRA is expected to carry up to four BrahMos-NG missiles, capable of striking targets between 290 and 450 km away at speeds of Mach 2.8–3.0. These missiles can target enemy airfields, radars, command hubs, or even nuclear facilities with pinpoint accuracy.

The BrahMos missile, named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, is already a cornerstone of India’s defense arsenal, known for its “fire and forget” capability and ability to evade interception. Its success in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where it crippled Pakistani air bases, underscores its combat effectiveness. The BrahMos-NG enhances these capabilities, making it compatible with multiple platforms, including the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, and potentially equipping the ULRA with a formidable arsenal.

In addition to BrahMos-NG, the ULRA may carry short-range ballistic weapons like the Agni-1P, laser-guided bombs, and anti-radiation missiles, further amplifying its destructive potential. This diverse payload ensures the bomber can adapt to various mission profiles, from conventional strikes to nuclear deterrence.

Strategic Implications

The ULRA’s development signals India’s intent to bolster its nuclear triad—land, sea, and air-based nuclear capabilities—enhancing its strategic deterrence. By achieving intercontinental reach, India positions itself as a global defense player, capable of countering threats far beyond its borders. This is particularly significant in the context of regional rivals like China, which is developing its own H-20 stealth bomber with a 10,000 km range, and Pakistan, whose air defenses struggled against BrahMos strikes in 2025.

The bomber’s stealth features, including a low radar cross-section and radar-absorbent materials, make it a formidable asset against advanced air defense systems like China’s HQ-22 or Pakistan’s HQ-9. Its ability to carry multiple BrahMos-NG missiles or heavier munitions in a single sortie enhances its strategic value, offering India the flexibility to target high-value assets deep in enemy territory.

Challenges and Timeline

Building an intercontinental bomber from scratch is a monumental task. The ULRA project requires significant advancements in stealth technology, propulsion systems, and weapons integration. India’s collaboration with Russia and France aims to bridge these technological gaps, but challenges remain, including high development costs and complex engineering hurdles. The first prototype is not expected until 2035, indicating a long-term commitment to this strategic vision.

Additionally, India’s earlier plan to lease Russia’s Tu-160M bombers, which also have a 12,000 km range and could carry BrahMos missiles, has been delayed due to Russia’s wartime priorities. This setback underscores the importance of indigenous development through programs like Atmanirbhar Bharat, which aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology.

Global Impact and Future Prospects

The ULRA could position India as a major defense innovator, potentially attracting export interest from nations seeking alternatives to American, Russian, or Chinese platforms. Its ability to integrate advanced BrahMos variants, including the hypersonic BrahMos-II with speeds up to Mach 8 and a 1,500 km range, further enhances its appeal. The BrahMos-II, inspired by Russia’s 3M22 Zircon missile, is expected to be ready for testing by 2026–2027, aligning with the ULRA’s development timeline.

Globally, the ULRA strengthens India’s strategic partnerships, particularly with Russia, with whom it shares a long-standing defense collaboration through BrahMos Aerospace. It also signals India’s growing confidence in its technological capabilities, as evidenced by DRDO’s successful testing of a scramjet combustor for over 1,000 seconds in April 2025.

Conclusion

India’s Ultra Long-Range Strike Aircraft represents a bold leap toward global strategic relevance. With a 12,000 km range, stealth capabilities, and the ability to carry advanced BrahMos-NG missiles, the ULRA promises to redefine India’s defense posture. While challenges remain, the project underscores India’s ambition to assert itself as a global power, capable of deterring threats and projecting strength across continents. By 2035, this bomber could make headlines not just for reaching New York but for cementing India’s place in the elite league of military superpowers.

Sources: The Economic Times, India Today, The Hindu, Indian Defence Research Wing