On Wednesday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) achieved a significant milestone by conducting a successful test of an extended-range (ER) version of the air-launched Brahmos missile. This development has substantially expanded the missile's reach, empowering it to engage targets at greater distances compared to previous capabilities.
The extended-range variant of the Brahmos missile exhibits the capability to engage both land and sea-based targets at an impressive maximum range of 400 to 500 kilometers, maintaining supersonic speed throughout its entire flight trajectory.
During the test, a Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, taking off from a southern Indian airbase, accomplished a remarkable feat by covering a distance of over 1,500 kilometers and accurately striking its intended target with the Brahmos missile. This achievement now equips the IAF with the capability to engage high-value targets, whether they are situated at sea or on land. The combination of the missile's extended range and the high-performance characteristics of the Su-30MKI aircraft has conferred a significant strategic advantage on the IAF.
In a recent podcast, a former IAF chief underscored the deployment of Su-30 MKI fighters armed with air-launched Brahmos missiles during the India-China border tensions in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. This deployment exemplifies the utility of the Brahmos missile system in bolstering India's national security.
It's important to note that the Brahmos missile is a collaborative creation of Brahmos Aerospace, a joint venture between India and Russia. This venture has yielded a remarkable missile system that enhances India's defense capabilities and ensures its readiness to meet evolving security challenges.
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