Support Equipment

Mobile Autonomous Launcher

Also known as
  • MAL
  • BrahMos MAL
  • BrahMos Mobile Autonomous Launcher

The Mobile Autonomous Launcher is BrahMos Aerospace's road-mobile land launcher for the BrahMos missile family. It is built on a high-mobility 12x12 carrier, carries two or three canisterised missiles depending on configuration, and combines protected crew space, fire control, command, control, communications, and power systems for single or salvo launch from one vehicle.

Mobile Autonomous Launcher, Single-vehicle land launcher that carries two or three canisterised BrahMos missiles, Support Equipment
Image source: BrahMos MAL at DefExpo 2014 | Wikimedia Commons
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
India
Type
Single-vehicle land launcher that carries two or three canisterised BrahMos missiles
Service note
Operational with the Indian Army from the 2000s

Specifications

Carrier
Advanced all-terrain high-mobility 12x12 launcher vehicle
Missile capacity
Two or three canisterised BrahMos missiles
Launch modes
Single or salvo launch
Onboard systems
Command, control, communication, power, and fire-control systems
Crew protection
Air-conditioned protected cabin with NBC fallout operating capability
Canister environment
Thermally conditioned canisters for -40 C to +55 C operation
Command integration
A group of four launchers can be controlled by a Mobile Command Post
Mobility
Road-mobile and truck-mounted
Launched Missile

The BrahMos land-based weapon system uses the Mobile Autonomous Launcher as its mobile ground launcher.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
BrahMos, Supersonic anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile, MunitionsBrahMosSupersonic cruise missile

BrahMos Aerospace describes the Mobile Autonomous Launcher as carrying two or three canisterised BrahMos missiles, and official press material documents BrahMos test-firing from the MAL.

Sources: BrahMos Land Based Weapon System, BrahMos Block-II MAL Test

Land-Based BrahMos Complex

BrahMos Aerospace describes the land-based weapon complex as a launcher-centered system built around Mobile Autonomous Launchers, a Mobile Command Post, a Missile Replenishment Vehicle, and associated ground support equipment.

ElementFunctionDocumented context
Mobile Autonomous LauncherRoad-mobile firing vehicleThe MAL carries two or three canisterised BrahMos missiles and provides onboard fire-control, command-control, communications, and protected crew facilities.
Mobile Command PostLauncher control nodeBrahMos Aerospace says a group of four MAL vehicles is controlled by the Mobile Command Post.
Missile Replenishment VehicleReload and support vehicleThe MRV is listed as a component of the land-based weapon complex alongside MAL, MCP, and ground support equipment.
Ground support equipmentField support layerAssociated ground support equipment is part of the same land-based complex rather than a separate launch platform.
Timeline

Mobile Autonomous Launcher Key Events

  1. Land-attack BrahMos enters Indian Army service

    BrahMos Aerospace states that the land-attack version of BrahMos was operationalised with the Indian Army in 2007, giving the MAL its principal Army launcher role.

  2. Block II land-attack trial from MAL

    An Indian Army Block II land-attack BrahMos test was fired from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher at Pokhran and met its mission parameters.

  3. Block III trial with MAL and command post

    BrahMos Aerospace reported a Block III land-attack test from a fully configured Mobile Autonomous Launcher deployed with a Mobile Command Post.

Media

Mobile Autonomous Launcher Videos

Mobile Autonomous Launcher Images

Mobile Autonomous Launcher, Single-vehicle land launcher that carries two or three canisterised BrahMos missiles, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: BrahMos Launcher Republic Day 2009 | Wikimedia Commons
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Sources

BrahMos Land Based Weapon SystemPublisher: BrahMos Aerospace | Note: Supports the Mobile Autonomous Launcher's single-vehicle land-launcher role, three canisterised missile load, 12x12 carrier, and onboard support systems. | Accessed: 2026-06-29BrahMos Block-II MAL TestPublisher: BrahMos Aerospace | Note: Supports the 9 March 2009 Block II land-attack BrahMos test firing from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher at Pokhran. | Accessed: 2026-06-29BrahMos Block-III MAL and MCP TestPublisher: BrahMos Aerospace | Note: Supports the 18 November 2013 Block III land-attack BrahMos test from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher deployed with a Mobile Command Post. | Accessed: 2026-06-29BrahMos MAL at DefExpo 2014 | Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an Indian Army BrahMos Mobile Autonomous Launcher at DefExpo 2014. | Accessed: 2026-06-29BrahMos Launcher Republic Day 2009 | Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the BrahMos missile system parade image that identifies the launcher on Republic Day 2009. | Accessed: 2026-06-29