Key Takeaways
India, today successfully fired the Extended Range Version of BrahMos Air Launched missile from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The launch from the aircraft was as planned and the missile achieved a direct hit on the designated target in the Bay of Bengal region.
It was the first launch of an Extended Range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft.
With this, the IAF has achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges
About BrahMos Missile
- BRAHMOS is a join venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s National Propulsion Organisation (NPOM).
- The rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva are named Brahmos.
- It’s a two-stage air-to-surface missile that
- solid propellant engine in the first stage
- liquid ramjet in the second stage
- Strike Range – Initially 300km but later extended to 450 km-600km after India’s entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
- Brahmos is a multiplatform operational missile that can be launched with pinpoint accuracy from land, air, or sea at any time of day or night, regardless of weather conditions.
- Operation Principle – “Fire and Forgets”
- Missile Type – Cruise Missile
- Speed – Mach 2.8
About Su – 30MK1
- The Sukhoi Su-30MK (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter
- Developed by Russia’s Sukhoi and built under licence by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- It is a variant of the Sukhoi Su-30, it is a heavy, all-weather, long-range fighter.
- The first Russian-made Su-30MKI variant was accepted into the Indian Air Force in 2002, while the first Su-30MKI assembled in India entered service with the IAF in 2004.
- The IAF has nearly 260 Su-30MKIs in inventory as of January 2020.
- Features:
- The Su-30MKI is a highly integrated twin-finned aircraft.
- The Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft incorporates an aerodynamic airframe made of titanium and high intensity aluminium alloys.
- The Su-30MKI is fitted with a tarang radar warning receiver (RWR) indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The aircraft also integrates chaff / flare dispensers and active jammers.
- The maximum take-off weight of Su-30MKI is 38,800kg.
Content Source: The Hindu