India Successfully Tests BrahMos Missile

Having commissioned new Russian-Indian supersonic missile systems BrahMos, Indian Army held another successful test launch on Aug 12, reported RIA Novosti referring to a source in India’s defense ministry.

The launch was recognized effective as the missile hit the target. It was the 25th launch, and it once again proved the missile system is completely ready for use, said the interviewee.

Sea- and land-based systems BrahMos are already operated by Indian Navy, Air Force, and Army. In prospect, BrahMos missiles will be stationed on Su-30MKI fighters. The company has developed the submarine-based technology for those missiles as well.

Currently, Indian Army has deployed one regiment armed with 36 missiles capable to destroy targets at the range of up to 300 km; other two regiments are to be purchased from Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace, the contract implementation is in progress. It is also planned to order BrahMos systems for the fourth regiment which is to be specialized in mountain warfare.

Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace established by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia was named after rivers Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia). Its headquarters is located in New Delhi. The company produces two-stage solid-propellant supersonic cruise missiles with flight range of 290 km and payload weight of 200-300 kg.
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Source: rusnavy, August 16, 2011;