The Hindu : National : IAF draws plan for BrahMos induction

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Tuesday, Mar 03, 2009
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IAF draws plan for BrahMos induction

S. Anandan

Russia inks agreement to procure the missile to be mounted on two ships

Both India and Russia will sell missile to friendly countries
Air Force had assigned two Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft for evaluation

KOCHI: The Indian Air Force has set a schedule for induction of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile into its inventory and is expected to procure, counting reserve and replenishment requirements, nearly 200 missile units.

Chief Executive and Managing Director of BrahMos A. Sivathanu Pillai told The Hindu that the Air Force had assigned two Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft for evaluation of the missile and the demonstration of the air version’s capabilities would take place in 2011. If everything went as planned, it would be inducted in 2012.

In a landmark move, Russia inked an agreement to procure the missile to be mounted on two ships that would be constructed over the next 10 years.

“The Russian Air Force is keen to fly it on their Sukhoi. So, we will see to it that the air version is jointly validated on Sukhoi so that both countries can use it. The missile is ready to fly. Its launcher is being made at the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Thiruvananthapuram. Only some changes are to be made in the interface between the launcher and the aircraft. Once proven, it will be their main weapon. Of the 140 Sukhois that would be assembled at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., at least 40 to 50 would be fitted with BrahMos,” Mr. Pillai said.

Export plans

On export plans, he said: “Fourteen countries have been short-listed for sale of the missile. The issue is like, we have two governments that have jointly developed it. They have also inked a pact that they would sell it to friendly countries. The committee that was formed with top officials from both countries to work out a policy on that has come out with a report which clearly states the type of countries to which it could be sold. Now, both governments will screen the shortlist. It is a time-consuming process as it involves Foreign Ministries and the like, but a collective decision is taken in the end.”

Wait still on

As regards the submarine-launched version of the missile, he said the wait for a platform was still on.

“But merely testing the missile is not enough. The Navy has to have a plan to induct it as well,” Mr. Pillai said.

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