Air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile successfully test-fired

Sources from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday informed that India has successfully test-fired the air version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the integrated test range of Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. The mission is described as a 'major milestone' in the development of BrahMos, a joint venture between India (DRDO) and Russia (NPOM) for the development, production and marketing of the supersonic cruise missile.

The air version of the missile was test-fired from supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I at 10:30 am. The "copy book flight" followed the pre-planned trajectory and met all objectives, sources added. Furthermore, the launch has cleared the way for serial production of air-version BrahMos missiles.

Dr G Satheesh Reddy, the secretary in the Department of Defence Research and Development and chairman of DRDO, congratulated the teams involved in the test. Various laboratories at the premier agency, academic institutions, public sector undertakings and Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the testing, production and induction of this complex missile system, he added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also praised the DRDO, Indian Air Force and other stakeholders for the mission's success. The offensive missile weapon system has been inducted into the Armed Forces.