An Indian Air force Sukhoi Su 30 MK fighter aircraft successfully flew with a BrahMos missile fitted to it for 45 minutes at the HAL Airport in Nashik and it is a significant success. It is the first time in the world that such a heavy weight supersonic cruise missile has been integrated on a fighter aircraft. It is a unique achievement because the 2500 kg heavy weight missile has been integrated in a fighter aircraft with significant success. The development, under the BrahMos air-launched flight test programme, has huge implications for the weapons delivery system and capability of the IAF. The Su-30-BrahMos combination will carry out air combat operations within and beyond visibility range. It will also provide the IAF with the capability of attacking targets protected by powerful air defense assets. Integration of BrahMos with the Su-30MKI will render the weapon a multi-platform capability while making the IAF the only Air Force in the world in procession of a supersonic cruise missile system. The flight trial has been keenly observed by several other nations in the world in possession of the Su-30 strike fighter who are looking towards acquiring a lethal weapon system for the Russian-made warplanes. It is indeed a unique success.
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