Article Posted on : - Apr 27, 2010

A File Photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Indian Air Force will acquire and induct one squadron of the land attack version of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles in mobile complex.

A deal in this regard has been signed following the Government of India's approval in March this year to induct the weapon system in the IAF, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Parliament on Monday.

The Government had finalised a Rs. 11,600 crore agreement in March 2010, paving the way for the induction of BRAHMOS in the IAF.

“The Government has also approved development of Air launched version of the BrahMos missile to be fitted with Sukhoi SU-30 MK-1 to be ready in 2012,” the Defence Minister said.

The Air launched version of the missile has been modified with a reduced weight of 2.5 tonnes, Antony said.

The multi-platform BRAHMOS missile has already been developed for the Indian Army and Navy. Its submarine-launched version is getting ready for test soon.

The cruise missile has a 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.