India and Russia have pumped in $50 million to develop an aircraft version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, according to a top official of the joint venture.
"Development for the aircraft version is a new initiative, which was not originally contemplated. Towards that we have added $50 million in the company as investment from both India and Russia," CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace A Sivathanu Pillai told PTI in Bangalore Friday.
Pillai said the Indian Air Force would integrate the missile with Sukhoi-30 fighters. "We have now completed the feasibility study for integrating the BrahMos with Sukhoi-30 for air force. They have accepted the report and now we are in the process of making certain changes in the missile, which will suit its integration with the Sukhoi and 2007 is the target date for flying in the aircraft," he said.
The missile system was being inducted by the Indian Navy, Pillai said adding, some trials have been conducted for the army too.
"We are going to do some more trials to meet the various requirements of the army against land targets. Once that process is over, the army would also induct the system," he said.
According to Pillai, the Russian government, as a joint venture partner, would install the system on their ships.
"We are working out as to how to do it," he said.
Essentially an anti-ship missile, BrahMos has a striking range of 290 km. "We have to restrict the range being a player at the international (level) now. If you want to sell the product outside (overseas), you have to follow certain conditions. That's why we have restricted the range," Pillai said.
He said being the best anti-ship missile in the world today, BrahMos has attracted the interest of many countries. "There are countries who are very keen to have the BrahMos system. We are in discussion with them," Pillai said.
"We are addressing various countries, which are friendly with us, by conducting various exhibitions and interacting with their defence ministries and at the government-to-government level," he said.
According to Pillai, there are some countries who think the system is good, but are reluctant to buy it since India is not a big player in arms sales so far. Pillai said the cost of the BrahMos missile depends on its platform, configuration and application. "We have not finalised the cost as a standard module," he said.