The Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving towards an indigenous missile era. HAL has completed integration of BrahMos thermonuclear cruise missile with Sukhoi-30MKI after over two years of work, modifying the Russian-made aircraft.
HAL director S Subrahmanyan, who led the project, said the first test flight of the modified Su-30MKI with the BrahMos missile will be conducted in March. HAL chairman RK Tyagi confirmed crucial ground vibration test was completed late 2014.
The project, first conceived in July-August 2012, seeks to integrate 216 air-version missiles with 42 Sukhoi fighters.