Bangalore, September 15, 2005, Madhuprasad (Deccan Herald)

The modification programme of the BrahMos for fitting it on the Su-30 combat jets used by both the countries has also commenced.

India expects to enhance its long-range strike abilities with the PJ-10 BrahMos cruise missile, jointly developed by India and Russia.

According to sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the programme of modifications of the BrahMos for fitting it on the Su-30 combat jets used by both the countries has commenced.

Elated at the successful test flight from Chandipur in Orissa, the Russian-Indian cruise missile BrahMos has entered production this month, the sources said.

The modified design of BrahMos will be lighter than the current missile, the sources added but did not disclose the exact modifications or weight of the missile which could be fitted-in on Su-30.

The supersonic missile - which derives its name from the Brahmaputra rivers in both countries - has a range of almost 300 km and is designed for use with land and sea platforms, the source said. According to sources of the Russian collaborating company, Mashinostroyenie, “The BrahMos missile has successfully completed its test, and the first customer is the Indian navy. Serial manufacture has begun in both Russia and India. The initial batch of BrahMos missiles will number approximately 70.” The BrahMos basic model is anti-ship but it could also be adapted for use against land targets. It could also be adapted for airborne platforms, the sources said.

Mashinostroyenie designed the missile and its propulsion system, all-important software and the guidance system is designed by Indian counterpart - DRDO.

The missile is a two-stage vehicle that has a solid propellant booster and a liquid (propellant) ram jet system.

This technological achievement places India among a small group of countries to acquire the capacity of producing cruise missiles.

“The jointly produced cruise missile is distinguishable from others in that it travels at a supersonic speed which is more than twice the speed of sound. Almost all other contemporary anti-ship missiles fly at subsonic speed,” the DRDO sources added. The supersonic speed imparts it a greater strike-power as well. Possessing stealth characteristics, the 6.9-meter cruise missile weighing three tonnes has a range of 280 km. This cruise missile does not violate obligations under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) or any of the international agreements related to proliferation and is well within the 300 km limit stipulated under the MTCR, the sources added.