The Hindu Business Line : Air version of BrahMos missile `in next few years'

With the Indian Army agreeing to induct the supersonic BrahMos missile, the Indo-Russian joint venture company BrahMos Aerospace is upbeat on accelerating its efforts to bring in the air version too in the next few years.

"The design and feasibility to incorporate the missile in the Russian built Sukhoi aircraft has been completed and by end of 2007 it will be ready for flight tests," the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace, Dr Sivathanu Pillai, told Business Line.

The 12th successive flight of the BrahMos was achieved with full success on Thursday in the deserts of Rajasthan. The Indian Navy has already started inducting the missile, which is considered the best in the supersonic cruise class (over 2 Mach speed) in the world today.

BrahMos Aerospace, the unique Indo-Russian joint venture, which involves industry and laboratories from both countries, has seen an investment of Rs 500 crore each since inception in 1998. "We expect production orders to cross Rs 10,000 crore by the end of 2007", said Dr Pillai in response to questions.

The potential market for the missile is high. Dozen's of foreign countries have already evinced interest. Once both the countries agree to market it, the financial potential would be realised. BrahMos has been showcased in major air and defence expos across the globe, the CEO said.

Interestingly, in the joint venture, the Indian private sector is not just a participant, but has invested in setting up production facilities for the BrahMos missile. The industries have demonstrated high standards of quality and cost effectiveness, which is in tune with the requirements of the company, Mr Pillai said.

Asked if being a one missile (product) company would mean risks in the face of competition, Dr Pillai said "For the next 10 years we expect BrahMos to keep us in the lead in this class of missiles. In the next stage to be ahead of competition we are already firming up plans to make it more versatile and multiple applications".

The Indian Navy, which has been involved right from the beginning, has started inducting the missile into its fleet. The Naval Chief has said all future ships to be built in India will have the BrahMos system.

Similarly, the three Talwar Class of ships to be built in Russia would also be fitted with the missile.

The BrahMos cruise missile can be launched from multiple platforms such as ship, road mobile launcher, submarine and air. The company has demonstrated the ship to ship and ship to land capabilities already and is working on the others, he said.

The Russian Government is committed to supporting, inducting and promoting the BrahMos missile in its defence forces as well.

During the Russian President, Mr Vladmir Putin's last visit to India the Russian Government gave its second round of funding for the project to pursue the Air version and consolidate, Mr Pillai said.

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