India will testfire the submarine-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile by the end of this year. The missiles will have a range of 290 kilometers. This was stated by BrahMos Aerospace Chief Sivathanu Pillai in New Delhi.

Underwater weapon-delivery platforms are considered to be the most potent second strike capability of countries’ defence strength.

Pillai also said that India is planing to deploy BrahMos cruise missile on the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft being developed with Russia. He said the trials of launching BrahMos cruise missile from air will begin next year and there will be no delay in the programme.

The Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft – FGFA – is joint venture aircraft development programme between India and Russia. Under this, India will induct 250 to 300 of these advanced planes. The missile is already being developed for deployment on Su-30MKIs of the Indian Air Force.