23.3.18

BrahMos with indigenous seeker test-fired at Pokhran

India successfully tested the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed with Russia, with an indigenous seeker for the first time at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan.

The missile, which currently has a range of 290-km and flies at almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8, “flew in its designated trajectory” and hit the pre-set target 33 km away with “pinpoint accuracy” during the test at about 8.45 am.

“The seeker, used for missile guidance, is one of the critical technologies involved. With the development of the indigenous seeker by DRDO and BrahMos Aerospace, the import content of the missile from Russia (around 60% now) will reduce,” said an official.

The Army is now preparing to induct the 4th BrahMos Regiment, which will be the missile’s Block-III version that has steep dive, trajectory manoeuver and top-attack capabilities. The Navy has deployed the BrahMos missiles on over 10 frontline warships, while the IAF has also inducted two squadrons of the landlaunched missiles.

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