India’s Defence Research and Development (DRDO) has reportedly launched the anti-ship version of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile.
The missile was test-fired from the launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on 4 June in the state of Odisha, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported citing DRDO sources.
Go deeper with GlobalData
BrahMos is claimed to be the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile that can hit its target with a high rate of precision and accuracy. The missile can be fired from land, sea and air.
Sources told the news agency that the missile is capable of striking targets up to around 290km and that it would act as a deterrent against any possible threats from neighbouring countries.
Test-firing was performed in the presence of senior defence officials and scientists from DRDO and BrahMos.
BrahMos was established as a joint venture between the DRDO and Russia’s NPOM through an inter-governmental agreement signed in February 1998 between India and Russia.
The BrahMos missile is already in service with the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF).
It is known for its land-attack, anti-ship capabilities with multi-role and multi-platform abilities.
The latest test comes after the Indian Army’s Unit of Eastern Command launched a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Car Nicobar Islands last month as part of joint training by the three services.
Last month, the IAF successfully tested the BrahMos air-launched missile from its frontline Su-30MKI fighter aircraft.
