BrahMos test-fired with conventional warhead

The Indian Navy yesterday reported the successful test-fire of the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg.

The BrahMos, a supersonic missile that can travel as low as 10 metres above the ground, is an old Indo-Russian project that has often been in the news.

"The cruise missile was test-fired from guided missile frigate INS Teg off the coast of Goa early morning," an official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) told the media.

The people on the spot said the missile, performing high-level manoeuvres, hit the target ship – which was still on fire through Sunday.

The launch ship, INS Teg, is also of Russian manufacture, as incidentally is the controversial Kudankulam nuclear plant. The renamed Teg was built at the Yantar shipyard in Russia, and had fired the missile successfully during pre-induction trials in Russia last year.

The two remaining warships of the project - INS Tarkah and INS Trikand - will also be armed with the BrahMos in vertical launch mode, DRDO officials said.