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| Su-30 launching a Barhmos Missile (Promotional Image) |
by Neelam Mathews and Chris Pocock
The Indo-Russian Brahmos missile has taken to the air on an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI for the first time. The long-delayed 45-minute captive-carry test flight on June 25 marked a significant milestone for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), which has faced issues related to the limited design data shared by the Russians. Brahmos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) is a joint venture between the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Russian NPOM missile house.
“This is the first time that a heavyweight supersonic cruise missile has been integrated on a long-range fighter aircraft,” claimed Sudhir Kumar Mishra, CEO and managing director of BAPL.
The project to adapt the land- and ship-launched weapon for air launch was approved in 2011, but was bogged down with transfer of technology and intellectual property rights concerns. BAPL awarded the task to HAL, rather than the Sukhoi design bureau, in 2014. “Only seven percent of the technology was shared with us,” said a person associated with the project.
Read the full story at AINonline