NEW DELHI, Jan 29: India is poised with its undersea launch version of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile and wants the Navy to help in preliminary test trials by the end of the year.
The Navy's help is being sought as the DRDO lacks a platform to undertake tests of the submarine launch Brahmos missile, which will put India among the countries who have the capability to launch underwater supersonic missiles.
The Indian Navy's present fleet of just upgraded Kilo class submarines do not have the capability to test fire such missiles, BrahMos Aerospace CEO A Sivathanu Pillai was quoted as having told.
“We are in talks with the Navy to loan one of their expanded Kilo-class or some other submarine to undertake the tests,” he said.
Alternatively, New Delhi has also proposed that initial tests could be undertaken in Russian waters on Russian naval platform.
“We are ready with the designs and looking for a platform to launch the missile from under the sea,” Pillai said.
India has already inducted the warship version of the 290-km range missile and the surface-to-surface version is also ready for induction this year, he said.
“We need a five-metre space on the submarine to store the missile module — each one carrying eight missiles,” Pillai said.
The BrahMos is being configured for Russia's Amur class submarines that are likely to compete for second-line of submarine construction at Mumbai's Mazgaon Docks parallel to the French Scorpene line.
Pillai said the 12 tests of BrahMos missile, carried out in extreme conditions, have been successful and scientists were working on projects to equip multi-role Sukhoi fighter aircraft with the missile.
“Currently, we can arm the Su 30 MkI with a single missile. We want to add one weapon each beneath the wing of the aircraft for which the wings need to be reinforced,” he said.
Pillai said the BrahMos will meet all its delivery schedules for the Indian armed forces as this was the priority for the company.
He said BrahMos, that operates in extreme temperatures ranging between minus 50 degrees Celsius and 55 degrees Celsius, is world class and the only missile in its category and could be fired within four minutes at a target.—APP
