SUCCESSFUL FIRING OF BRAHMOS AIR LAUNCHED MISSILE FROM Su-30 MKI AIRCRAFT

IAF successfully fired the BrahMos air version missile from its Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft. According to the Indian Air Force, the launch from the aircraft was smooth and the missile followed the desired trajectory before directly hitting the land target.

The air launched BrahMos missile is a 2.5 ton supersonic air to surface cruise missile with ranges of close to 300 km, designed and developed by BAPL. The IAF became the first Air Force in the world to have successfully fired an air launched 2.8 Mach surface attack missile of this category on a sea target on 22 Nov 17. Today’s was the second such live launch of the weapon. The integration of the weapon on the aircraft was a very complex process involving mechanical, electrical and software modifications on aircraft. 

The Indian Navy also pitched in by ensuring availability of a large number of monitoring ships to ensure range safety clearance.

The IAF has been involved in the activity from its inception. The software development of the aircraft was undertaken by the IAF engineers while HAL carried out mechanical and electrical modifications on the aircraft. The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the IAF, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have proven the capability of the nation to undertake such complex integrations. 

BrahMos now is now capable of being launched from land, sea and air. The air launch gives a big boost to the firepower of Indian Air Force with a much desired capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions.

Building on the successful tests and further inputs, the range of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles is planned to be increased to 500 kilometres (311 miles) from 400 kilometres.

The world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, is already concourse to achieving 75 per cent localisation in India.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is also being developed as 'NG'  version which is to be integrated onto India's home grown LCA fighter jets Tejas, lacing the the aircraft with fastest and the most advance weapon in its category.

Recently held IMDEX Asia 2019 exhibition in Singapore, BrahMos generated great interests from the South East Asian and Gulf countries. India looks at good opportunities for exports.  

BrahMos missile has been jointly developed with Russia and is named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva in Russia.