Russian-Indian Joint Venture BrahMos Develops New Cruise Missile

Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos has developed a new cruise missile capable to destroy aircraft carriers, reports Interfax on March 31 citing the company’s director Sivathanu Pillai.

New version of the BrahMos missile is capable to perform final supersonic nosedive, and its operating radius is 290 km. After recent performance demonstration of the high-precision missile, the company is going to offer it to Indian Navy, Pillai said. The missile’s test launches were held on March 28 and 30 in Indian state Orissa.

Based on Russian cruise missile Yakhont, supersonic BrahMos has long flight range, low signature, and is 2.5-2.8 times faster than sound speed. It is produced in ground-, air-, and sea-based variants. First test launch was held in 2001.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , April 03, 2012; Image: belfercenter