Work on BrahMos supersonic missile over, trials to wait

Manash Pratim Bhuyan
Moscow, Dec 12 (PTI) BrahMos Aerospace, an Indo-Russian
joint venture, has completed the work on aerial and underwater
versions of a supersonic cruise missile, but the test-fire of
the two variants is held up for the time being in the absence
of platforms for trials.
The test-fire of underwater version of the missile will
take place early next year while the trial of air-borne
variant is likely to be held in 2012, BrahMos Aerospace said.
Alexander Leonov, Director General of NPO
Mashinostroyenia which is the Russian partner of the joint
venture, said work on both aerial and submarine versions of
the missile has been completed and they are ready for trial.
He said BrahMos scientists are now waiting for the
Su-30MKI aircraft to be provided by Indian Air Force to act as
a platform for testing the aerial version while a specially
designed submerged vehicle will be used for trial of the
submarine version.
In the absence of a specially designed submarine to
conduct the test, a submerged platform will be used for
carrying out the trial of underwater version of the missile.
Marketing Director of Brahmos Praveen Pathak said IAF has
already identified two Sukhoi 30 fighter jets for testing the
aerial version, which is set to take place in 2012. He said
induction of the missile into the IAF is likely to begin in
2013.
"As per our estimate, we will be able to complete by end
of 2012 all the development trials of airbrone version and
induction should start by 2013," Pathak told PTI.
Leonov said Indian Navy only wants to integrate the
missile on Indian manufactured submarines, which is why test
has to be carried out from a specially designed submerged
vehicle.
"As far as I know the submarines where the missiles are
likely to be integrated will be manufactured in India. The
missile is ready for installations," he said.

The 290-km range missile, which can carry a conventional
warhead of up to 300 kg, is already in service with the Navy
as its Shivalik class frigates have been equipped with it.
BrahMos has also been inducted into the Army. The missile can
fly at 2.8 times the speed of sound.
One regiment of the BrahMos—I variant, consisting of 67
missiles, five mobile autonomous launchers on 12x12 'Tatra'
vehicles and two mobile command posts, among other equipment,
is already operational in the Army.
India and Russia have so far invested 300 million dollars
in BrahMos Aerospace, which was established to design,
develop, produce and market the missile by using the
technological skills and capabilities of both countries.
Pathak said several countries have shown interest in
buying the missile and negotiations are currently underway
with them.
"We have got applications from various countries.
Negotiations are currently going on with them," he said.
Lenov said BrahMos Aerospace is also planning to develop
a hypersonic version of the missile to be called BrahMos-II
which may have speed in the range of 5 to 7 Mach to make it
the fastest cruise missile in the world.
"The combination of (India's) requirement and achivable
level of speed will determine the future configuration," he
said. PTI MPB
SMT