Article Posted on : - Sep 12, 2011

A file photo.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (BNS): BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL) will soon be awarded the task of manufacturing airframes for BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile systems.

A decision in this regard will be finalised within a month, Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace said.

"This is an opportunity came knocking for BATL. However, propulsion systems will continue to be made by other agencies," Dr. Pillai was quoted as saying in a news report.

With this award, BATL will become the second manufacturing hub to make airframes for the missile system.

Presently, airframes made of light alloy for the missile are being manufactured by Godrej. The company set up a separate plant for the purpose, but it was not sufficient, Pillai was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

BrahMos Aerospace is set to step up production as the Indian Army has placed a large number of orders for the BRAHMOS weapon system.

BATL, which is situated at Chakkai, Kerala, had received some orders for making the cylindrical containers for the missiles. The company has also initiated work on Phase-II operations, Pillai said.

The construction of a Missile Integration Complex in the southern state, for which Defence Minister A.K. Antony had laid the foundation stone in 2009, is expected to be completed within a year, the BrahMos Chief said.

BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and Joint Stock Company “Military Industrial Consortium” “NPO Mashinostroyenia” (JSC “MIC” “NPOM”) of Russia.

BRAHMOS cruise missiles with a range of 290 km are already in service in the Indian Army and Navy.