Indian Navy Successfully Test 800 Km Range Brahmos Missile Varient

Defense News ,India :- In a significant milestone, the Indian Navy, in collaboration with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), achieved a successful engagement of a land target at an extended range using an advanced supersonic cruise missile on Wednesday.

The test is believed to be for the 800 km extended range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, reaffirming India's commitment to 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in extended-range precision strike capabilities from combat-ready ships.

Earlier this year, the Indian Army conducted a successful test of the extended-range variant known as BrahMos-ER, with reports indicating that the trial took place in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as part of the induction trials for the extended-range version.

The BrahMos-ER variant, with a maximum range of 400 to 500 kilometers, is designed to strike both land and sea targets. An Indian Army officer emphasized that the missile is yet to be formally inducted, and its induction will depend on the outcomes of the trial. Further trials are anticipated before the missile becomes part of the army's arsenal.

The BrahMos missile, initially tested in June 2001, had a baseline range of 290 km for striking sea-borne targets. Jointly developed by Russian NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, it is based on the Russian P-800 Onyx missile. Over the years, the missile has undergone iterative developments, extending its range to 500 km and incorporating an advanced 'Made-in-India' active radar seeker.

India has diversified its BrahMos arsenal by introducing an air-launched version named BrahMos-A, which is lighter at 2.5 tonnes compared to the ground and ship-launched variant weighing 3 tonnes. Additionally, work is underway on the BrahMos-NG missile, a lighter and faster variant, which is compatible with Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets. The BrahMos-NG is poised to enhance India's aerial precision strike capabilities in the near future.