India tests new BrahMos variant

BrahMos Aerospace conducted additional test-firing of its universal long-range supersonic cruise missile system from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, on the east coast of India, at 1030 h local time on 20 January.

The variant of the BrahMos missile that was tested was not confirmed by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD). However, Janes analysis of images suggests that the missile was the BrahMos extended-range (ER) variant. India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the tested missile was an enhanced variant, and images show a missile larger than the compact air-launched version of it, named BrahMos NG.

The MoD said the missile was tested by BrahMos Aerospace in co-ordination with the DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM). BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between these two entities.

According to the MoD, the tested BrahMos missile was equipped with advanced indigenous content and technologies and followed a modified optimal trajectory. It added that the test was successful.

The MoD said that the missile employed an upgraded control system and had been “fine-tuned to achieve enhanced capabilities”.

According to the MoD, the BrahMos flight test was monitored by range instrumentation sensors that included telemetry, radar, and electro-optical tracking systems. These systems were deployed across the eastern coast and on ships positioned downrange, it added.

Earlier in January the BrahMos was tested on the Indian Navy's Kolkata/Visakhapatnam (Project 15A/15B)-class guided destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam (D66). The DRDO said this missile “hit the designated target ship precisely”. The Indian Navy's public relations office described the missile as one with an extended range.

In December 2021 Janes