India successfully testfired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Indian Navy destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam off the Western coast. The sea-to-sea variant of the missile was testfired at the maximum range and it hit the target ship with pinpoint accuracy – news agency ANI reported citing sources.
“Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam today. The missile hit the designated target ship precisely,” the DRDO later said in a tweet. The defence research agency also shared a photograph of the lethal missile.
The Indian Navy hailed the successful test-firing of the extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from INS Visakhapatnam, Navy’s newest indigenously-built guided-missile destroyer a ‘twin achievement’. “(It) certifies the accuracy of the ship’s combat system & armament complex, validates a new capability the missile provides the Navy & Nation. Augurs very well for #AatmaNirbharBharat & provides the Navy yet another shot in the arm. This is a historic day indeed,” the Navy said in a tweet.
A multi-role, multi-platform missile for ground, air and sea
In December 2020, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in anti-ship mode was successfully testfired against a decommissioned Indian Nav vessel. A supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and NPOM of Russia under the joint venture BrahMos, the missile has been a major deterrent in modern-day battlefields.
The multi-role and multi-platform supersonic missile system have proven its mettle against the sea, land, as well as air targets and, has been deployed in all three arms of the Indian armed forces.
Launched in 2001, the system has been successfully launched from Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, various ships of the Indian Navy as well as from mobile autonomous launchers. Its accuracy and ability to integrate with all three services make it one of the most versatile weapon systems in the country.
Moreover, the development and the advancement of BrahMos also integrate with the Make in India vision of the Government of India.
