DRDO to test-fire BrahMos missile on March 4

After failing to hit the target in the previous test, the Defence Research and Development Organisation is planning to test-fire the Block II version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on March 4.

"We are planning to conduct the second test of the BrahMos Block II version at the Army's test range in Pokharan on March 4 this week," Defence Ministry officials said.

The earlier test of the Indo-Russian joint venture missile was carried out on January 20 where it took off successfully but deviated from its path and landed far away from its target.

Speaking about the earlier problems with the missile, officials claimed that there was a 'small defect' in the software of the homing device of the missile, which they claimed to have rectified for the test this week.

Officials claimed that the technology in the Block II missiles was 'unparallelled' and would help them hit even insignificant targets hidden in cluster of buildings.

"The new seeker is unique and would help us to hit our targets, which are insignificant in terms of size, in a cluster of large buildings. We would be the only nation with this advanced technology," the officials claimed.

The Army has already made it clear to BrahMos Aerospace Corporation that it will induct the supersonic missile's new version only after it proves its capabilities in a series of tests to be conducted in the near future.

DRDO officials claimed that despite the failure of tests, BrahMos would be able to start deliveries of the 240 missiles ordered by the Army, in two years from now as per the original schedule.

The Army has already inducted one regiment of the Block I version of the missile. BrahMos is an Indo-Russian joint venture company with its headquarters in Delhi.