Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Expanded BRICS Packs Nuclear, Naval And Missile Power
The expanded BRICS group includes several countries with powerful militaries.
Russia, China and India are its main military leaders.
Russia has nuclear weapons, missiles, submarines and experience from its war in Ukraine.
India has missiles, aircraft carriers, submarines and an important position in the Indian Ocean.
China has a very large navy, stealth aircraft and many conventional missiles.
Other members add drones, aircraft, ships, aerospace industries and important locations.
General Satish Dua said the military strength of Russia, China and India makes a powerful combination.
He also said India can work with both Western and Eastern countries while keeping its own strategic choices.
Russia, China and India form the grouping’s central military power base.
Russia contributes nuclear forces, missiles, air defenses, submarines and wartime production experience.
India combines nuclear weapons, Agni missiles, BrahMos, carriers, submarines and Indian Ocean geography.
China adds the world’s largest navy by battle-force ship count, stealth fighters and extensive missile capabilities.
Iran, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Indonesia contribute specialized capabilities and strategic positions.
- Who
- The expanded BRICS grouping, especially Russia, China and India, along with Iran, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Indonesia.
- What
- The grouping contains a major concentration of nuclear weapons, missile forces, armies, naval power, defense industries and strategic geography.
- Where
- Across the BRICS members’ territories and strategic regions, including the Indian Ocean, Indo-Pacific maritime routes and the Suez Canal.
- Why
- The grouping’s military capabilities give it significant collective hard power, while India’s participation reflects its ability to engage with both Western and Eastern partners.
- Core military powers
- Russia, China and India are identified as the grouping’s three central military powers.
- Russia’s capabilities
- Strategic nuclear forces, missiles, air-defense systems, nuclear submarines and a wartime defense industry.
- India’s capabilities
- Nuclear deterrence, Agni missiles, BrahMos, aircraft carriers, ballistic-missile submarines and air and missile defenses.
- China’s capabilities
- The world’s largest navy by battle-force ship count, J-20 stealth fighters, conventional missiles, space and cyber capabilities, drones and autonomous systems.
- Additional capabilities
- Iran contributes missile, drone and asymmetric-warfare capabilities; Brazil has a significant aerospace industry; and Saudi Arabia and the UAE operate advanced combat aircraft.
- Strategic geography
- Egypt is associated with the Suez Canal, while Indonesia occupies a position along important Indo-Pacific maritime routes.
- Expert assessment
- Former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen Satish Dua described Russia, China and India as a strong hard-power combination.