India has successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile from a modified Su-30MKI fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) against a sea-based target over the Bay of Bengal, Livefist has reported.
"The successful maiden test firing of BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) from Su-30MKI will significantly bolster the IAF's air combat operations capability from stand-off ranges," the Defence Ministry has said in its statement.
The IAF is slated to receive its first air-launched nuclear-capable BrahMos-A missiles in January 2018, BrahMos Aerospace joint venture co-director Alexander Maxichev told TASS news agency at the Dubai Airshow 2017 on 13 November.
India plans to modify at least 42 Su-30MKIs of the IAF to carry the air-launched BrahMos-A, two of which have already undergone structural and software changes.
The effort to arm IAF’s upgraded MiG-29s, Rafale jets and Indian Navy’s MiG-29Ks are also underway. For this, lighter and smaller-diameter versions of the supersonic cruise missile are being developed.
Also Read: Why Su-30MKI Plus BrahMos Will Be India's Most Potent Weapons Package