New Delhi: Work has begun to integrate the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on 40 Sukhoi-30 MKI combat jets, which is expected to fulfil the critical needs of the Indian Air Force given the region’s evolving security dynamics.
The air-launched variant of the BrahMos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, was successfully test-fired from a Sukhoi-30 MKI jet on November 22, that was a major milestone in enhancing the precision strike capability of the IAF
Officials said with the work of integrating the BrahMos missile on 40 Sukhoi-30 jets already begun, a timeline for the project has been set, and it is expected to be completed by 2020.
The fleet of 40 Sukhoi-30 MKIs will undergo structural modifications at the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for integration of the missile. The 2.5-ton missile flies almost three times at the speed of sound at Mach 2.8, and has a range of 290 km.
The range of the missile, an India-Russia joint venture, can be extended up to 400 km as certain technical restrictions were lifted after India became a full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) last year.
The BrahMos missile is the heaviest weapon deployed on India’s Su-30 MKI fighters. Once the project to integrate the missiles on the combat aircraft is over, the IAF’s capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target in sea or land is expected to go up manifold.
“It is a very important project considering the IAF’s evolving need to boost air power when the possibility of a two-front war cannot be ruled out,” said an official.
