CEO and MD of the joint Indo-Russian corporation BrahMos Aerospace, Sudhir Mishra, has revealed that a new advanced and lighter ‘NG’ version of the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos may be ready for testing sometime in the next two years and could be integrated with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) within four years, reports Economic Times.

He believes that such integration with the LCA would greatly increase its appeal for foreign buyers as the indigenous weapon system will allow the fighters fitted with it to eliminate targets on the sea, land and in the air for a range greater than 300 km.

“The Brahmos NG is going to be the future system of our armed forces. We had earlier designed it for the Navy and this time we are developing an air to air version,” Mishra stated.

Mishra remarked that the idea of integrating a new version of the missile with the LCA was put forward by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra. He added that studies and analyses have already been conducted showing what modifications would be required on the fighter aircraft to allow for equipping it with the BrahMos NG.

This version of the missile will also be fitted on to the Su 30 MKI fighter aircraft. The BrahMos NG is being developed with a special focus on neutralising slow moving “force multipliers” deep inside enemy territory. This earns the missile the title of ‘AWACS killer’ as it could destroy an enemy early warning and control system even after being fired from the Indian side of the border. The missile would also be able to destroy refuelling and transport aircraft.

The NG version will play a role in the future land and sea battlefields as well. For the latter, it means that the missile would be integrated with submarines as well as torpedo tubes.