At an international arms expo in Abu Dhabi years ago, BrahMos Aerospace Founder and former CEO Dr. A Sivathanu Pillai was caught in a surprising conversation with a Pakistani general. Recalling the moment, Pillai revealed that the general had asked whether India would consider selling its prized BrahMos missile to Pakistan. Pillai's sharp reply? "For Pakistan, it would be even free of cost."

In a recent interview, Pillai connected this witty exchange to the missile's combat debut during Operation Sindoor, when India launched over 15 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles at strategic Pakistani targets on May 10. The strikes targeted key airbases, bunkers, hangars, and runways, reportedly with pinpoint accuracy within a meter.

Developed as a joint venture between India and Russia, BrahMos is now produced entirely in India and is deployable from land, sea, air, and submarine platforms. Pillai hailed Operation Sindoor as a proud milestone, marking both the missile's battlefield effectiveness and the culmination of years of research and development.

"Operation Sindoor is a remarkable moment for us. The success of BrahMos reflects the dedication and hard work of our teams and the strength of Indo-Russian cooperation," Pillai said.