Article Posted on : - Mar 30, 2010

Dr A S Pillai, BrahMos CEO and MD poses alongside a miniature model of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile at DIMDEX.

NEW DELHI (BNS): BrahMos Aerospace has grabbed the most media attention at the opening day of 2nd Doha International Maritime and Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX) on Monday, compared to any other South Asian defence establishment.

"The 100% success achieved in recent times in the firing of missiles from different platforms was a matter of immense pride to its developers,” Gulf Times quoted CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace, Dr A S Pillai as saying.

Recently, Indian Navy has successfully tested the BRAHMOS missile from a vertical launcher fitted in a moving warship INS Ranvir.

“All tests proved in no uncertain terms that BRAHMOS cruise missile travels three times faster than sound and renowned missile experts have certified the equipment as one of the fastest missiles developed ever,” he added.

The supersonic cruise missile has a flight range of 290 km with a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach.

“Again, its ability to be fired from different kinds of platforms makes it very unique,” he said.

The BRAHMOS missile operates on “Fire and Forget” principle and it has been launched from multiple platforms based on land, sea, sub-sea and air against sea and land targets.

According to the media report, when queried about the missile's significance in a strategic region as the Middle East, Pillai said it could be effectively used for sea operations in the event of hostilities.

At the opening day, officials from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) defence team visited the BrahMos pavilion. “The visit of HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani soon after the inauguration was a big boost to each of us associated with the project,” said Pillai.

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