India, Russia close to final testing of air-launched BrahMos

Moscow, Aug 8 (PTI) Indian and Russian scientists are
close to final development and testing of the air-launched
version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

A top Russian defence official said a new takeoff engine
for launching of the missile in air and at extreme high
altitudes had been developed.

Alexander Leonov, Director of the Russian Machine Building
Research and Production Center, said: "we are ready for test
launches."

Leonov was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency
that the initial test firing of the missile would be
undertaken from the Sukhoi-30 MKI, but did not specify the
exact dates.

After testing, the IAF would be launch customers for the
air launched BrahMos cruise missile, which will make the
Indian Air Force, the only force in Asia to have such a
capability.

The BrahMos is already inducted in its ship to shore role
and land-to-land versions in the Indian Navy and Army.

Leonov for the first time disclosed that Moscow and New
Delhi were also "very close" to designing and testing of the
submarine launched version of the BrahMos missile.

India's indigenous nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant,
which has been launched for final sea trials, could be using
the Indian made K-15 nuclear missile. But experts say that its
upgraded versions would have facilities to carry BrahMos
cruise missiles.

Though Leonov did not directly comment, Russian sources
have indicated that the Akula-II class Nerpa nuclear submarine
being leased to India this December has the capability to
launch underwater BrahMos missiles. PTI ZH
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