New Delhi | India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has received formal clearance to develop the BM-04, a new short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) aimed at strengthening the country’s conventional strike capabilities. With the grant of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), the programme is expected to move quickly into full-scale development and testing.
The BM-04 is designed to fill a crucial gap in India’s missile inventory. While systems such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher serve battlefield roles with ranges up to 90 kilometres, and the Agni series caters to long-range strategic deterrence, the BM-04 will operate in the 400 to 1,500 kilometre range. This places it firmly in the medium battlefield–strategic overlap zone, allowing precise strikes against high-value targets well inside hostile territory.
Unlike nuclear-capable strategic missiles, the BM-04 is intended primarily for conventional precision strikes. It is expected to be capable of targeting enemy command centres, air bases, logistics hubs and infrastructure, offering India a strong non-nuclear response option and reinforcing its doctrine of graduated military escalation.
According to available details, the missile will weigh around 11.5 tonnes, measure approximately 10.2 metres in length, and carry a 500-kilogram conventional warhead. It will be powered by a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system, enabling faster launch readiness and improved mobility—key factors in modern, high-tempo conflict scenarios.
Guidance is expected to combine inertial navigation with satellite assistance, including India’s indigenous NavIC system, enhancing accuracy and resilience against electronic warfare and jamming. The missile’s circular error probable (CEP) is reportedly under 30 metres, ensuring high precision. Control surfaces and manoeuvring capability are likely to help it evade enemy air and missile defence systems.
Operational flexibility is a central feature of the BM-04 programme. The missile is planned to be canisterised and road-mobile, mounted on truck-based launchers. This configuration allows rapid deployment, shoot-and-scoot operations, and easier concealment, reducing vulnerability to pre-emptive strikes.
Strategically, the BM-04 will significantly enhance India’s conventional deterrence posture. It will eventually integrate into the proposed Integrated Rocket Forces, streamlining command and control of rocket and missile assets. Its range allows coverage of critical targets across India’s western and northern theatres without crossing into intermediate-range missile classifications.
DRDO has previously demonstrated elements of the BM-04 concept, indicating technological maturity. With AoN in place, the programme is expected to advance through engineering development and flight trials. Indigenous production is a key objective, with potential participation from Indian private defence manufacturers, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
User trials with the Indian Army could follow successful testing, with induction anticipated in the early 2030s. Designed for deployment across varied terrain—from deserts to mountainous regions—the BM-04 is expected to become a versatile component of India’s missile forces.
Overall, the BM-04 represents a significant step in expanding India’s conventional strike options. By bridging the gap between rocket artillery and long-range strategic missiles, it strengthens operational flexibility and underscores New Delhi’s focus on self-reliant defence capabilities in a challenging regional security environment.
