Article Posted on : - Apr 22, 2010

The air-launched version of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile.

KUALA LUMPUR (BNS): The Indian Air Force is planning to arm its 40 Su-30MKIs fighter aircraft with BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles, said Dr AS Pillai, CEO & MD BrahMos Aerospace as reported by RIA Novosti.

"The inclusion of BRAHMOS cruise missile will make the aircraft unique in firepower," said Dr Pillai at the Defence Services Asia-2010 exhibition here, in an interview with the Russian news agency.

He also added that the first trials of the air-launched version were set for 2011 and the first test-flight with the missile on-board are scheduled for 2012.

The supersonic cruise missile has a range of 290-km and flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach.

The BRAHMOS missile is a successful Joint Venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together to form the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.