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New Delhi: India on Wednesday conducted a test-fire with an extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The missile, whose test launch was successful, is capable of hitting targets at more than 400 km range.
The missile was reported to have been test fired at around 10.30am from a mobile launcher at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha’s Balasore district.
The test was carried out within the framework of the PJ-10 project of the Defense Research and Development Organization, under which the missile was launched with an indigenous propellant.
This is the second time that the extended-range version of the BrahMos supersonic missile has been tested. The missile’s fuselage and propellant have been developed indigenously.
“The extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was tested today off the Balasore coast of Odisha. The missile can hit targets at a distance of more than 400 km. It is equipped with a new indigenous propeller and fuselage ”. AND ME reported.
Congratulating the team of scientists involved in today’s successful test of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, DRDO President Dr. G Satheesh Reddy said it will lead to adding more indigenous content to the missile.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated the DRDO on the successful flight tests of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. “This achievement will give a huge boost to India’s #AtmaNirbharBharat engagement,” he tweeted.
The BrahMos missile, developed as part of a joint venture between India and Russia, was originally built with a range of 290 kilometers. However, as part of the capability upgrade, the missile’s range was extended to more than 400 kilometers. By some estimates, the supersonic cruise missile can hit targets at a range of up to 450 km.
The first test of the extended-range BrahMos missile was conducted in March 2017.
BrahMos is the first supersonic cruise missile known to be in service, according to the official website.
BrahMos was first inducted into the Indian armed forces in 2005, when it was deployed to the Indian Navy ship INS Rajput.
The land and naval versions of BrahMos are already in service, while the airdrop version has been tested successfully.
