Induction of air version of BrahMos by 2012: Dr Sivathanu Pillai

Tiruchirapalli: BrahMos Aerospace chief executive officer and managing director,  Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, said Monday that work related to the air-launched version of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile was at an advanced stage. The missile had been realised, he said, and necessary changes had been incorporated.

Dr.Pillai is also chief controller (research & development), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

According to Dr Pillai modifications were required to be made on the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role combat aircraft in order to enable them to carry out flight tests. These modifications would be made by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in Russia.

 ''Our target is to induct the missile in the air force in 2012,'' Dr. Pillai said. He revealed that the weight of the air version had been reduced by 500 kilograms as compared to the land version.

Once the aerial version was inducted the BrahMos would be the only cruise missile with the capability of being launched from land, sea and air, Dr Pillai said.

The design team had already been lined up and discussions would be held shortly between the joint venture partners on investments, sharing of technical responsibilities, administration and sharing of manufacturing facility infrastructure, he said.