Sukhoi-BrahMos combo soon

In about eight months’ time, a deadly combat platform, the Russian-made supersonic Sukhoi fighter (Su-MKI 30) aircraft integrated with the lethal BrahMos missile, will join the ranks of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

“There are plans to deploy and operate fighter squadrons of the Sukhoi aircraft with the integrated heavyweight BrahMos missile within the first four months of 2017,” a top defence source told this newspaper on condition of anonymity, adding that utmost priority is being accorded to move things at a much faster pace.

India plans to raise three squadrons of Sukhoi-30 fighters equipped with BrahMos missiles.

“By December 2016, two key and final tests, where the BrahMos air variant will be fired from the Su-MKI 30 to a sea-borne and a land-based target, will be completed. These tests will be conducted jointly by India and Russia. After that we will integrate the BrahMos-Su MKI 30 platform and make them ready for deliveries.”

Explaining the distinctive features of the air variant, the source elaborated: “The air variant of the BrahMos is different in the sense that it is about 500 kg lighter in weight, a little shorter, it will have tail fins to aid free-fall and then a differently shaped nose cap so as to have as less air resistance as possible.”

The missile, fitted in the Sukhoi-30 fuselage, will be released from the aircraft first. Once it drops clear of the aircraft, the missile’s booster engine will ignite, propelling the weapon towards its target.

What makes the combination lethal is that the stealth-capable Sukhoi-30 which flies at a speed 2.8 times more than that of sound, will carry the BrahMos which is remarkable for the kinetic energy it generates due to its very high speed, heavy payload, low flight range with a variety of flight trajectories, and a low radar signature for a stealthy approach.

On June 25, Indian scientists created history by flying the BrahMos for 58 minutes (45 minutes in-flight) with a Sukhoi 30 at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Nashik.

The Su30-BrahMos combination has already generated a lot of commercial interest raising expectations that its export could turn out to be a veritable profit-making business for India and Russia.

Earlier, Sudhir Kumar Mishra, the CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace, had told this newspaper that the business proceeds of the joint venture effort will be divided in accordance with the 50.5 per cent Indian share and 49.5 per cent Russian share.

The Indian Army has already operationalised three BrahMos regiments.

BULLET-POINTS: Sukhoi MKI 30-BrahMos combo squadrons likely by April India plans to raise three Su-MKI 30-BrahMos squadrons By December 2016, BrahMos air variant will be fired at a sea-borne and a land-based target BrahMos air variant is 500 kg lighter, shorter and will have tail fins as well as a differently shaped nose cap BrahMos is remarkable for the kinetic energy it generates