India successfully tests nuclear-capable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

India, on Wednesday, successfully testfired surface to surface BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in Andaman and Nicobar. Defence Ministry officials said that the extended range missile hit its target with pinpoint accuracy. BrahMos is a nuclear-capable missile that can be fired from land, surface and air and gives India the much-needed teeth in completing the nuclear triad for India's armed forces.

"Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari congratulated on the successful test-firing of surface to surface BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. He is in the Island territory of Andaman & Nicobar to review operational preparedness," Defence officials said, news agency ANI reported.

Earlier this month, the long-range precision strike capability of the advanced version of the BrahMos missile was successfully validated when the missile was fired from a frontline warship on March 5. The advancements in BrahMos are in line with the government's Make in India programme.

In a boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) also signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines for the supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System to the Philippines in January this year.

"We strengthen our partnership with a $374mn deal for BrahMos missiles with the Philippines, this is our major deal. BrahMos is imp to them however many more deals will follow. Many countries showed their interest in BrahMos," Atul Dinkar Rane, CEO and MD, BrahMos Aerospace Limited had said after the deal was signed.