Sukhois to carry Brahmos by 2009: Pillai

Tiruchirapalli, Apr 16 (UNI) The air-launched version of supersonic cruise missile Brahmos will be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2009, Brahmos Aerospace Managing Director A Sivathanu Pillai today said.

Talking to newspersons here, Dr Pillai said air launched version of Brahmos,the world's first supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, will undergo trials next year on the sophisticated Sukhoi MK fighter jets.

By 2009, all Sukhoi MK fighter jets will be fitted with these missiles.

On the naval version, Dr Pillai said the induction process was progressing. The recently acquired INS Colkata will alone carry 16 such missiles.

With a range of 290 km, Brahmos could be put on different platforms. These missiles come with long flight range with shorter time, fire and forget principle and higher destructive capability.

Asked whether Brahmos will be exported, he said though some friendly countries had evinced interest to buy the missiles, many factors had to be considered by both Russia and India before a decision could be taken.

After the completion of induction of all varieties of Brahmos missiles, India will start developing hypersonic cruise missiles which will be more powerful than the supersonic versions.

As DRDO Chief Controller of Research and Development, Dr Pillai said it will establish centres of excellence at five locations across the country, including one on life sciences at Bharathiar University in Coimbatore.

Hyderabad and Pune were also on the list while work is on to identify the locations for the remaining centres in East and North India.

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