India has formally greenlit the development of a new Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), designated BM-04, after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) received the crucial Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). This regulatory clearance marks a decisive milestone for the programme, transitioning it from conceptual design into full-scale hardware development and subsequent trials.
The BM-04 is being designed as a high-precision, conventionally armed missile to bridge the operational gap between tactical battlefield rockets, such as the Pinaka, and strategic nuclear-capable systems like the Agni series. Defence analysts emphasise that the missile’s intended role is to provide India with a flexible, non-nuclear deterrent capable of striking high-value targets deep within adversary territory. With an estimated engagement range between 400 km and 1,500 km, the BM-04 is expected to target critical infrastructure, including command centres, airbases, and logistics hubs, while remaining below the nuclear threshold.
This capability is particularly relevant to India’s proposed Integrated Rocket Force (IRF), envisioned as a centralised command structure for all land-based rocket and missile assets. The BM-04 would give planners a scalable, precision-guided option to counter anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) threats using conventional warheads. Analysts note that the weapon’s introduction could enhance India’s ability to project power and deter adversaries without resorting to strategic nuclear escalation.
Unlike conventional ballistic missiles that follow predictable parabolic trajectories, the BM-04 appears to incorporate advanced aerodynamic features. The missile is reported to have a fixed-wing configuration, suggesting the use of a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) or hypersonic glide technology. These characteristics would allow the missile to perform evasive manoeuvres during its terminal phase, increasing its survivability against advanced missile defence systems.
The missile is designed around a two-stage solid-propellant system, which offers high reliability and rapid launch readiness. Technical specifications reported in defence circles include a launch mass of approximately 11,500 kg, a length of 10.2 metres, and a diameter of 1.2 metres. Its guidance system combines inertial navigation with satellite updates via GPS and India’s NavIC constellation, reportedly achieving a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 30 metres—an accuracy level considered exceptional for an SRBM.
Operational flexibility and survivability are central to the BM-04’s design. The system is planned for canisterised launch from a road-mobile 6×6 Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL), enabling rapid dispersal and firing from unprepared sites. Such mobility significantly reduces vulnerability to pre-emptive strikes and enhances battlefield adaptability. Visual indications from concept designs, such as control fins and a base shroud, point to an emphasis on aerodynamic stability and terminal precision.
The missile is intended to carry a 500 kg conventional warhead, offering a credible counter-force capability while minimising collateral damage. Defence experts highlight that the BM-04 represents a shift in India’s strategic posture, emphasising precision-guided, conventional ballistic weapons that can deter aggression through the threat of accurate, non-nuclear retaliation.
The granting of the AoN provides DRDO with the necessary institutional and financial backing to accelerate developmental testing, moving India closer to operationalising a next-generation conventional deterrent. Analysts believe that once operational, the BM-04 could strengthen India’s warfighting toolkit by combining range, accuracy, and mobility—key attributes in modern precision warfare.
With the BM-04 programme now officially underway, India is signalling a clear commitment to bolstering its conventional deterrence capabilities, reflecting a nuanced approach to regional security where scalable, precise, and survivable strike options are increasingly vital.
