Army of India on Monday, April 7, 2014, successfully test fired an advanced version of 290 km range supersonic cruise missile BrahMos as part of a user trial at Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. The missile was launched by a mobile autonomous launcher deployed in full configuration with mobile command post at the ranges.

The 290-km BrahMos flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach and carries a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg. The missile can be launched from multiple platforms including land, sea, sub-sea and air. The missile hit a target approximately 55 km away on Ajasar area.

The BrahMos missile, with deep-penetration capability, was launched from a mobile autonomous launcher deployed with full configuration with a mobile command post.

The trial had also to do with complicated software upgradation in the missile system and it was a challenging one, a Defence research Development Organisation (DRDO) official said.

The missile successfully hit the designated target, said defence spokesperson Colonel S.D. Goswami. The launch was witnessed by senior army and air force officers.

According to informed sources, the army has inducted the missile in two of its regiments, and is preparing to induct it into a third regiment later this year.

BrahMos Aerospace plans to deliver the missile to the Indian Air Force in 2015, where it is expected to arm at least three squadrons.