New Delhi: India today successfully test-fired the Extended Range Version of BrahMos Air Launched missile from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The launch from the aircraft was as planned and the missile achieved a direct hit on the designated target in the Bay of Bengal region.
The Ministry of Defence in a statement said it was the first launch of the Extended Range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft. With this, the IAF has achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against land and sea targets over very long ranges.
The dedicated and synergetic efforts of the IAF, Indian Navy, DRDO, BAPL and HAL have proven the capability of the nation to achieve this feat. The extended range capability of the missile coupled with the high performance of the Su-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate the future battlefields.
Last month the Indian Air Force had conducted a live firing of the Brahmos missile from a Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft on the Eastern seaboard. It was undertaken in close coordination with the Indian Navy. More than 40 Sukhoi fighter jets have to be integrated with the air-launched variant of the Brahmos.
A test of the anti-ship variant of the missile was also successfully conducted last month using an upgraded modular launcher onboard INS Delhi.
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