Brahmos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile today created history after it was successfully flight-tested for the first time from the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal.
Brahmos, the world-class weapon with multi-platform, multi-mission role is now capable of being launched from land, sea and air, completing the tactical cruise missile triad for India. With the successful test firing, it has become the first weapon system in the world to have such capability.
According to a communique released by the Ministry of Defence, the missile was gravity dropped from the Su-30 from fuselage, and the two-stage missile’s engine fired up and straightway propelled towards the intended target at the Bay of Bengal.
The successful maiden test firing of Brahmos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI significantly boosts the IAF’s air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges. Brahmos ALCM weighing 2.5 ton is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft modified by HAL to carry weapons.
It is a joint venture between DRDO of India and NPOM of Russia. As of now, there is no such weapon available which can be fired from land, sea and air platforms.
Union minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the BrahMos for the outstanding accomplishment.
Dr S Christopher, Chairman DRDO & Secretary, Department of Defence R&D congratulated the scientists and engineers for this excellent textbook kind of flight test.
Defence sources said the BrahMos Aerospace had to reduce the weight of the missile as it is to be launched from a moving platform unlike its army and navy versions. Some modifications have also been made in its design to easily integrate it in Sukhoi aircraft.
Though the air-version of the missile is yet to be tested, several countries had evinced interest in the weapon system during the recently concluded Dubai air show. Earlier, it had demonstrated successful integration with the aircraft.
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