<p>A top Russian defence official said a new takeoff engine for launching of the missile in air and at extreme high altitudes had been developed.<br /><br />Alexander Leonov, Director of the Russian Machine Building Research and Production Center, said: "we are ready for test launches."<br /><br />Leonov was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency that the initial test firing of the missile would be undertaken from the Sukhoi-30 MKI, but did not specify the exact dates.<br /><br />After testing, the IAF would be launch customers for the air launched BrahMos cruise missile, which will make the Indian Air Force, the only force in Asia to have such a capability.<br /><br />The BrahMos is already inducted in its ship to shore role and land-to-land versions in the Indian Navy and Army.<br /><br />Leonov for the first time disclosed that Moscow and New Delhi were also "very close" to designing and testing of the submarine launched version of the BrahMos missile. <br /><br />India's indigenous nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant, which has been launched for final sea trials, could be using the Indian made K-15 nuclear missile. But experts say that its upgraded versions would have facilities to carry BrahMos cruise missiles.<br /><br />Though Leonov did not directly comment, Russian sources have indicated that the Akula-II class Nerpa nuclear submarine being leased to India this December has the capability to launch underwater BrahMos missiles.</p>
<p>A top Russian defence official said a new takeoff engine for launching of the missile in air and at extreme high altitudes had been developed.<br /><br />Alexander Leonov, Director of the Russian Machine Building Research and Production Center, said: "we are ready for test launches."<br /><br />Leonov was quoted as saying by the Itar-Tass news agency that the initial test firing of the missile would be undertaken from the Sukhoi-30 MKI, but did not specify the exact dates.<br /><br />After testing, the IAF would be launch customers for the air launched BrahMos cruise missile, which will make the Indian Air Force, the only force in Asia to have such a capability.<br /><br />The BrahMos is already inducted in its ship to shore role and land-to-land versions in the Indian Navy and Army.<br /><br />Leonov for the first time disclosed that Moscow and New Delhi were also "very close" to designing and testing of the submarine launched version of the BrahMos missile. <br /><br />India's indigenous nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant, which has been launched for final sea trials, could be using the Indian made K-15 nuclear missile. But experts say that its upgraded versions would have facilities to carry BrahMos cruise missiles.<br /><br />Though Leonov did not directly comment, Russian sources have indicated that the Akula-II class Nerpa nuclear submarine being leased to India this December has the capability to launch underwater BrahMos missiles.</p>
