New Delhi: In yet another shot in the arm for Atmanirbhar Bharat and demonstration of its fire power, India successfully test fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi on April 19. The test of the anti-ship variant of the missile was conducted using an upgraded modular launcher on board INS Delhi.
“Successful maiden BrahMos firing by INS Delhi from an upgraded modular launcher once again demonstrated long range strike capability of BrahMos along with validation of integrated Network Centric Operations from frontline platforms,” the Navy said in a statement.
On the Eastern seaboard the same day, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test fired a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter jet, demonstrating its operational preparedness. The “live firing” of the missile was carried out in close coordination with the Indian Navy, the IAF said. The missile hit the target with accuracy and precision, officials said. The government’s decision to integrate the air-launched variant of the BRAHMOS into over 40 Sukhoi fighter jets was conceived to enhance the IAF’s capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target on sea or land.
Early last month, the Indian Navy had successfully test-fired an advanced version of the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile from a stealth destroyer INS Chennai in the Indian Ocean.
BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms. With the advanced version of BRAHMOS missile, the range have been extended to around 350 km from the original 290 km. The missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.
