Published 23:00 IST, April 29th 2019
India to testfire air-launched version of BrahMos Missile soon: Report
To boost ability to destroy major ground targets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the DRDO are planning to testfire the air-launched version of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos next week from a Su-30MKI combat aircraft.
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To boost ability to destroy major ground targets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the DRDO are planning to testfire the air-launched version of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos next week from a Su-30MKI combat aircraft.
Sources in the IAF said they are very keen on a fast-track development of the 290-km strike range missile which can destroy targets on the ground and can be used for Balakot-type air strikes, where the planes will not even have to cross enemy borders for the hit.
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"A test of the missile is planned for the next week in the southern part of the country to prove its integration with the heavyweight Su-30 fighter," they said.
During Balakot airstrikes, the IAF had used the Spice-2000 bombs launched from a Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft for striking Jaish-e Mohammed (JeM) terro camp in Pakistan.
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With the availability of BrahMos missile developed by DRDO, the IAF would be able to destroy similar targets from at least 150 km inside the Indian territory.
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The world's fastest supersonic cruise missile was first flight tested in July 2018 over the Bay of Bengal from a Su-30MKI only.
The supersonic cruise missile can be utilised in ''multi-mission'' roles, including precision strikes on terror camps across the LoC, against high-value naval targets including aircraft carriers and nuclear bunkers.
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During the previous test, the missile was gravity dropped from the aircraft and the two-stage missile's engine fired up and propelled it towards the intended target.
10:32 IST, April 28th 2019