IAF test fires extended range BrahMos from Sukhoi-30 fighter

BrahMos missile was tested from naval ship, air-launched from a Su-30 MKI aircraft.

The launch

• First time extended-range version of BrahMos missile was fired from Su-30 MKI aircraft.
• Now, IAF is capable to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges.

Significance

• Extended range capability coupled with high performance of Su-30MKI aircraft gives IAF strategic reach and allows it to dominate future battlefields.
• Earlier extended-range missile was fired from Navy’s stealth destroyer, INS Chennai

BrahMos:

• A joint venture between the DRDO and the NPOM of Russia.
• BrahMos is named on the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva.
• A two-stage (solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in second) missile.
• Multiplatform missile: can be launched from land, air, and sea.
• Multi capability missile: having pinpoint accuracy that works in both day and night irrespective of the weather conditions.
• Operates on the "Fire and Forgets" principle i.e it does not require further guidance after launch.
• One of the fastest cruise missiles currently operationally deployed with speed of Mach 2.8.

Su-30 MKI

• Russian Company Sukhoi designed Sukhoi Su-30 MKI is under license manufactured for the Indian Air Force in India by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Indian Air Force has a total of 260 Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft in service presently.
• The 12 Su-30MKI fighters will be manufactured at the Nasik, Maharashtra facility of the HAL.

INS Chennai

• A Kolkata-class stealth Guided missile destroyer ship was commissioned into Indian Navy’s combat fleet on 21 November 2016 in Mumbai.
• Largest-ever destroyer to be built in India.
• 3rd and last Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers built under Project 15A.
• Features:
  • State of the art weapons and sensors
  • stealth features
  • an advanced action information system
  • a comprehensive auxiliary control system
  • world class modular living spaces
  • sophisticated power distribution system
  • a host of other advanced features.
  • Capable of undertaking a full spectrum of maritime warfare.
  • Has the formidable prowess of missile technology.
• Armed with supersonic surface to surface ‘BrahMos’ missiles and ‘Barak-8’ long-range surface to air missiles.

Exam Track

Prelims takeaway

• BrahMos
• INS Chennai

Mains Track

Q. How is BrahMos Cruise Missile system technically superior to any other system present available in the world? Discuss its strategic importance for India.