Article Posted on : - Mar 30, 2010

The air-launched version of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Govt. of India last week finalised a Rs. 11,600 crore agreement that will pave the way for the induction of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

According to a news report by the Indian Express, the induction of the cruise missile will give the IAF a cutting edge over adversaries in the region.

Top sources said the multi-crore agreement with BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between the DRDO and Russian company NPOM, would enable factory production of advanced versions of the cruise missile, as per the report.

BRAHMOS cruise missile can be launched from aircraft, ships, submarine and land.

The air launched version has lesser weight and additional rear fins for aerodynamic stability during separation from the aircraft and launch.

The cruise missile has flight range of up to 290-km with supersonic speed all through the flight, leading to shorter flight time, consequently ensuring lower dispersion of targets, quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system in the world.