India test fires air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

Bhubaneswar: The air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired from supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off Odisha coast on Wednesday.

The missile was launched from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur at 10.30 am, the Defence Ministry said in an official statement.It is a major milestone in the BrahMos development and clears the system for the serial production of air-version BrahMos missiles within the country, the DRDO said. 

Major airframe assemblies which form integral part of the Ramjet Engine are indigenously developed by Indian Industry.During the test,the structural integrity and functional performance have been proven. The air version of BrahMos was last flight tested in July 2021.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has praised Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), BrahMos, Indian Air Force and the industry on the successful test firing.Congratulating the teams involved in the flight test, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy said various laboratories of DRDO, academic institutions, quality assurance & certification agencies, Public Sector undertakings and Indian Air Force participated in the development, testing, production and induction of this complex missile system.

BrahMos is a Joint Venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) for the development, production and marketing of the supersonic cruise missile. BrahMos is the potent offensive missile weapon system already inducted into the Armed Forces.