Designers: Russian Ships Can Launch BrahMos Missiles

12.12.2011 Trials of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos held in the Baltic Sea by a frigate built for Indian Navy provide strong evidence that the missile can be used by Russian-built ships, said managing co-director of BrahMos Aerospace Alexander Maksichev.

"The missile's pop-up launches were successfully held few days ago in the Baltic Sea. It was the first Russian-built warship armed with BrahMos missiles", said Maksichev at the LIMA 2011 international arms exhibition, reports Interfax.

Maksichev explained that pop-up tests are conducted in order to prove all constructive solutions; that the missile's launch would not damage the ship and the ship would stand all effects it is supposed to stand. That was successfully proved. The missile was launched and impacted in predetermined safe zone.

"The next step is delivery trials, launch of a standard missile. This will take place in India, when the ship will be handed over to the orderer and finally commissioned. Hopefully, this would happen in 2012", Maksichev said.

He said that two other frigates built for Indian Navy at Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad) would be also armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

New Russian-Indian cruise missile BrahMos was developed by joint venture BrahMos Aerospace established in 1998 by Russian NPO Mashinostroyenie and Indian Defense research and Development Organization (DRDO). It is planned to kick off the missile's production both in Russia and India.

Comparing to foreign analogs, BrahMos missile has triply higher speed, 2.5-time longer range, and 3-4-time faster reaction time.