Underwater and air launch systems for BrahMos being developed

Kochi: Indian scientists are currently developing systems that will b used to launch BrahMos cruise missiles from submarine and air platforms, according to A Sivathanu Pillai, chief executive officer, BrahMos Aerospace Ltd.
 
"We are working with the Indian Navy in this regard", Pillai told reporters on the sidelines of an international symposium on 'Ocean Electronics' here.

The Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30MKI fighter has been designated as the platform for the air-launched version of the BrahMos, he said, adding that this version would be developed by 2009.

He also pointed out that the Indian army was the only one in the world to operate land attack missiles.

Dr Pillai said that the Indian Navy was highly 'pro-active' in implementing indigenous systems, which it did very quickly. For instance, the Navy was now using indigenously designed and built sonar developed by DRDO. The organisation had developed multiple- use sonar systems for installation in submarines, he said.

DRDO had also mastered lightweight torpedoes, which could be fired from ships or helicopters, and was now in the process of developing heavy weight torpedoes. Homing devices in torpedoes had also been developed by DRDO.