'Flight test of Brahmos air version in 2009'

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 25: The flight test of the air version of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile will be conducted in 2009, Chief Controller (Research and Development), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and BrahMos Aerospace Chief Executive and Managing Director A Sivathanu Pillai said.

Talking to the press here yesterday, Mr Pillai said the induction of BrahMos Missile into the Army and Navy was under progress and the production capability would be enhanced to beyond 100 units a year if the need arose owing to the interest evinced by about ten countries, including developed nations.

To a question, he said no decision had been taken so far to sell the missile to other countries as the priority was to meet the demand of the armed forces in the country.

An Indo-Russian Team has finalised the preliminary specifications for the hypersonic BrahMos II. The development of the new version would be undertaken in five years.

Mr Pillai said the time was ideal to build research capabilities in technology.

Creation of excellent laboratory facilities would obviate the need for scientists to go abroad for research, he said.

The DRDO, with four research boards and grant-in aid scheme, had tie-ups with 200 institutions in the country, he added.

UNI