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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday (March 4) successfully test fired the new version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in Pokharan at Rajasthan. The BrahMos missile failed to hit the target during its test trail on January 20, but this time it succeeded to destroy the target. According to an official of DRDO, the results of the test fire is yet to be analysed which will take sometime.
The cruise missiles have the ability to evade enemy radars and air-defence systems as they fly at low altitudes. These kinds of missiles are cheaper and easier to operate. The new version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is developed jointly by India and Russia. The joint venture entity called BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited built the missile. The Indian Army is already equipped with land-fired version of the BrahMos and the first battery entered in service in June 2007.
Each battery has four mobile launchers mounted on heavy 12x12 Tatra transporters. The army is considering to rope in three more such batteries. The BrahMos missile takes its name from the Brahmaputra river in India and Russian Moskva river. The supersonic cruise missile is capable of hitting the target placed at 300 km with a speed of up to 2.8 Mach. It can carry a 300 kg conventional warhead. The missile will be mounted on the three 7,000 tonne Kolkata class warships which are under construction.
