India’s defense authorities have certified the newest BRAHMOS-A (‘A’ for Air-launched) air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) for the country’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) multirole combat aircraft, according to the news agency OnManorama.
The BRAHMOS-A missile is reported to have received its FRC on June 10 during a high-level meeting of the program’s stakeholders. “The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Defence Research and Development Organisation [DRDO], BrahMos Aerospace [the developer of the BRAHMOS-family cruise missiles — TASS], Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment [ASTE], Software Development Institute [SDI], headquarters of the IAF, and the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification [CEMILAC],” said the OnManorama, adding that the BRAHMOS-A’s FRC certificate had been issued by CEMILAC.
According to some unnamed Indian officials, the aforementioned certificate will allow the IAF to arm its Su-30MKIs with the BRAHMOS-A ALCMs, once the required tests and certifications of the new weapon have been fully completed.