India test-fires extended-range model of BrahMos missile

By PTI

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday efficiently test-fired an extended-range model of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet within the Bay of Bengal, in a lift to the nation’s strategic strike functionality.

It was the primary launch of the prolonged vary model of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30MKI plane, the defence ministry stated.

The vary of the superior model of the missile is learnt to have been prolonged to round 350 km from the unique 290 km.

“The launch from the aircraft was as planned and the missile achieved a direct hit on the designated target in the Bay of Bengal region,” the ministry stated in an announcement.

It stated the extended-range functionality of the missile coupled with the excessive efficiency of the Su-30MKI plane offers the Indian Air Force a strategic attain and permits it to dominate future battlefields.

“With this (test-firing), the IAF has achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges,” the ministry stated.

Besides the IAF, the Navy, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) have been concerned within the check firing.

“The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the IAF, Indian Navy, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have proven the capability of the nation to achieve this feat,” the ministry stated.

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an India-Russian three way partnership, produces supersonic cruise missiles that may be launched from submarines, ships, plane, or land platforms.

BrahMos missile flies at a pace of two.8 Mach or nearly 3 times the pace of sound.

In April too, the Indian Air Force efficiently test-fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet on the japanese seaboard.