BRAHMOS missile with indigenous systems test-fired successfully

On Monday, the BRAHMOS supersonic missile consisting of the Indian propulsion system, airframe, power supply, and other major indigenous components was successfully test-fired at 10.20 am. This was revealed via a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence. The missile was launched from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha. The full 290 km range of BRAHMOS was tested and the result was positive. It was jointly conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the BrahMos Aerospace.  

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Commendations pour in

Because of the successful mission, the government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ programme has received a big boost. Director General BrahMos Dr Sudhir Kumar Mishra, Director Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Dr Dashrath Ram along with Director, Integrated Testing Range Dr BK Das coordinated and witnessed the entire mission. Describing the test as successful, they called it a “landmark achievement” in enhancing India’s defence indigenisation. The Secretary, Department of Defence, Research & Development, Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy and Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems M Prasad congratulated the entire team for the successful launch. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh too lauded the DRDO and the BrahMos.  

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History of the BRAHMOS missile

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam signed an inter-governmental agreement with Russia's Deputy Defence Minister on February 12, 1998. As a result, a joint entity called 'BrahMos Aerospace' was created between the two countries. This was aimed at building the world's only supersonic cruise missile system. Initially, while India held a 50.5% share in the venture, the other stake was with Russia. The first successful launch of BRAHMOS took place on June 21, 2001. Subsequently, it was operationalised in the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. 

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