The
BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from the
Indian Navy's newest guided missile frigate INS Tarkash off the coast
of Goa ?? 22nd of May 2013. The missile performed high-level “C”
maneuvere at pre-determined flight path and successfully hit the target.
The surface-to-surface missile, having a range of 290-km, was test launched
from the Russian-built Project 1135.6 class warship at 1100 hrs on the
22nd of May 2013.
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The
launch was carried out by Indian Navy as part of Acceptance Test Firing
(ATF) of the ship.
Indian Navy commissioned INS Tarkash on 9 November, 2012. The warship
along with two other frigates of the class - INS Teg and INS Trikand
have been built as part of a $1.6 billion contract signed between India
and Russia in July, 2006. INS Teg was commissioned on 27 April, 2012
and the commissioning of INS Trikand is expected soon.
The advanced warship has been fitted with an upgraded multi-role combat
suite to make it one of the most potent platforms of the Indian Navy.
The weapons suite of INS Tarkash includes surface-to-air and surface-to-surface
missile systems, 100 mm medium range gun, close-in weapon system, torpedo
tubes and anti-submarine rockets. The BRAHMOS surface-to-surface missile
system is capable of engaging targets at extended ranges at supersonic
speed.
All the three ships will be equipped with 8 vertical launched BRAHMOS
missile system as the prime strike weapon.
The new missile frigates are designed to accomplish a wide range of
maritime missions, primarily hunting down and destroying large surface
ships and submarines.
The vertical launch configuration of BRAHMOS enhances the stealth capabilities
of the ship as the missiles are under the deck and not exposed. The
Universal Vertical Launcher (UVLM) being used in these ships has a unique
design, developed and patented by BrahMos Aerospace. The same also ensures
manoeuvring of the missile in any direction after launch, independent
of ship movement, thereby providing the surprise attack concepts to
the ships.
Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BRAHMOS missile has a flight
range of up to 290 km and is capable of carrying a conventional warhead
of 300 kg. The missile can cruise at a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach.
Visit BrahMos Aerospace during IMDS on stand 501
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