Godrej has completed and handed over the first production order of 40 sets of BrahMos  missile air –frame assemblies to BAPL (Brahmos Aerospace Pvt ltd)

Brahmos missile is a supersonic cruise missile with a flight range of upto 290 kms. It carries a convention warhead weighing 200-300 kilograms and can cruise at an altitude as high as 15 kms and as low as 10 metre above ground and maintains supersonic speed (more than 1 kms per second).Once fired it does not need further guidance from control centres.
Jointly designed and developed by India and Russia, the versatile cruise missile’s variant for air force is undergoing trials. It has already been inducted in navy and army. The missile's air version will be mounted on Su-30 aircraft. Its sheer speed makes it a highly lethal weapon and its pin-point accuracy helps minimize collateral damage.

Speaking to the media A S Pillai, MD and CEO Brahmos said that the air force version will be lighter than its sea and ground variants and the planes will require upgrades. Flight trials will take place next year and deliveries to IAF are slated to begin in 2015.

"Currently we have orders worth $6 billion and various countries have shown interest to acquire the missiles,'' said Pillai.

Responding to a question on why Russia had not inducted these missiles he said, “Discussions were on this regard. It is a question of their policy and requirement. We are making all out efforts and hope a decision is made soon.''

“The association between Godrej and Brahmos dates way back to August 2000 and it has been an exciting journey so far. Last month Godrej Aerospace completed the first order of 40 sets of missile air frame assemblies. Based on our superior performance and dedication to this endeavour, the second serial order of another 100 sets has also been awarded to Godrej Aerospace” said Jamshyd Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director, Godrej and Boyce Mfg  Co Ltd.

The first BrahMos missile was fired June 12, 2001 from a land-based launcher at the interim test range off the Chandipur coast in Odisha.

Formed in 1998, BAPL is a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPOM.