DRDO successfully test fires land-attack version of BrahMos missile

BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile, with major indigenous systems, was successfully test fired from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur in Odisha. The missile was test-fired for its full strike range of 290-km during the launch jointly conducted by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and BrahMos Aerospace.

The first extended version of BrahMos missile was successfully tested on 11 March, 2017, which had a strike range of 450 kilometres.

About BrahMos Missile

The versatile BrahMos has been jointly developed by India and Russia and is operationalised in the Indian Armed Forces with all the three services.

The recent test fire was conduted on land-attack version of 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which featured Indian propulsion system, airframe, power supply and major indigenous components.

The missile can be fired from land as well as sea-based platforms. The missile has been fitted with increased indigenous equipment and is a version used by Indian Army.

Significance: With this successful mission, the indigenous content in formidable weapon has reached a high value for the country, which further bolsters defence indigenisation of India and flagship ‘Make in India’ programme.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019