Air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile induction not earlier than 2012: Dr Pillai

The air launched version of the BrahMos will be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) only by 2012, according to chief executive officer and managing director, Brahmos Airspace, Dr A Sivathanu Pillai. A unique supersonic cruise missile, the BrahMos has already been inducted into service by the Indian Navy and Army and will be deployed in various configurations by both these services.

''Trials and tests will be carried out by 2011 and it is expected to be inducted into the IAF by 2012,'' he said.

The BrahMos, a jointly developed Indo-Russian cruise missile, has already been tested in a land attack version for the Army and in land-to-sea, sea-to-land, sea-to-sea versions for the Navy. It awaits testing as a submarine launched version for lack of a suitable testing platform with the Indian Navy.

Dr Pillai was addressing media persons after inaugurating IWAPS 2008, a two-day international workshop on 'Advances in processing of solid propellant rocket motors' at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) here as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and centenary celebrations of HEMRL.

Around 300 scientists from several countries will participate in the workshop, which will also discuss futuristic development programmes.

Stressing on the importance of research in nanotechnology, Pillai, who is also chief controller, R&D (ACE & NS) at DRDO, said the organisation would lay more emphasis on this domain. ''Materials such as nano-aluminium, which will augment weight reduction of equipment, will be increasingly used in various defence applications.

The DRDO will continue to develop innovative equipment, Pillai added.