Russia and India to increase production of BrahMos PJ-10 supersonic cruise missiles

Indian-Russian Joint Venture "Brahmos Aerospace" plans to increase the production of the supersonic cruise missiles PJ-10 by 300 percents within 2 years, according to the executive director of the company Sivathanu Pillai. The plans are explained first of all by the increased demand from the Indian MoD. In the past half a year Brahmos has regained the status of one of the most often mentioned subject in the military news reels, at least in the context of cruise missiles.

Photo: Russia and India to increase production of BrahMos PJ-10 supersonic cruise missiles

Russia and India to increase production of BrahMos PJ-10 supersonic cruise missiles

Recently joint venture "BrahMos" announced commencement of the works on the submarine version of the anti ship missile Brahmos. The new complex should be ready in some years. In this way India claims to become the first nation in the world which will arm its subs with supersonic anti ship missiles. According to the executive director of the JV Sivathanu Pillai the submarine version will be identical in every respect to its predecessors. Unique update will concern only the cylindrical launching module of the 7,65m diameter in which the rocket will be placed onboard a submarine. The JV has already directed the inquiry to the Indian Navy provide one project "Kilo" submarine for the forthcoming tests. Simultaneously the missile will be refitted for the new Russian Amur submarines, which are planned for the construction at Sazagon Shipyard on a parallel line with the French Scorpen. Submarine missile will be able to start from a 60m depth.

Now the naval version of the Brahmos complex is already commissioned with the Indian Navy. Manufacturing and commissioning of the ground version will begin this year. The test of the first air version is planned in 2007 as well. The first launch will take place from Su-30MKI fighter in 2008. According to Indian estimations export opportunities of the new complex surpassed the most optimistic expectations. India already this year can export its first missile for the first time in the nation’s history. Brhamos is of great interest for Malaysia. This contract can be signed within a year. Within the nearest 10 years "Brahmos" plans to make 1000 missiles which should cover the needs of the Armed Forces of India, Russia and other importers in the foreseeable future.

However, "Brahmos" is not going to stop with the success it already reached. The company already created a working group to study the opportunities of the parallel program of creating the next generation missile. Indian Navy is actively updating its structure of the fighting ships. Soon it will get three project 1135.6 frigates from Russia, three destroyers of the project "Delhi" and the frigates of the project "Godvardi" which will be equipped with "Brahmos".

As it was mentioned in a decade "BrahMos" intends to sell about 1000 missiles. According to its specialists the whole market of the missiles of this class is 2000. As of today the Armed Forces of India have ordered "BrahMos" complexes for the Navy and Army. These orders amount to 35 billion rupees (790 million dollars). From 2007 ground complexes "BrahMos" will be delivered to the three rocket regiments of the Indian Army. Each regiment will be equipped with four systems on the Check chassis "Tatra" with the wheel formula 12х12. Additionally "Brahmos " declared the plans to install two rockets PJ-10 on each of the modernized plane Il-38SSD in addition to the already available Х-35 "Uran".

Chairman of the board of directors of BrahMos Alexander Dergachev confirmed the information that Moscow did not object the export of the missile made by the joint venture. (Brahmos is a joint development based on the Russian prototype Yahont). This information was also confirmed by the general designer of the project Alexander Leonov. Besides, Dergachev declared that there is no ground for such objections and the supervising committee including the representatives from the governments of Russia and India already completed the list of the "friendly nations", where the missiles can be sold. According to unofficial information among other states the list includes Malaysia, Chile, South Africa, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates with which India had negotiations on the delivery of the new complexes.

Yuri Seleznyov
Pravda.ru