ZHUKOVSKY, near Moscow. Aug 18 (Interfax) - The Russian Armed Forces could start buying BrahMos supersonic cruise missile after new platforms are put in place for them, Sudhir Kumar Mishra, chief of the Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace, told Interfax-AVN.
Under an intergovernmental agreement, BrahMos missiles will be delivered to the Russian and Indian armed forces. Russia has assured us that it will weigh purchase plans after new platforms are put in place for such missiles, he said at the Oboronexpo arms show in Zhukovsky.
BrahMos missiles are a perfect system for warships, he also said.
Concerning BrahMos missiles' deliveries to third countries, Mishra said that the intergovernmental agreement provides for their use not only by Russia and India, but also by friendly countries.
If BrahMos missiles are to be exported, special terms must be observed, Mishra said, adding that importers must be friendly counties for both Russia and India.
The BrahMos missile is a derivative of Russia's Yakhont missile. Its forte is a high speed, a variety of tactical schemes and methods of employment, and compatibility of sea-based, submarine-based, airborne and land-based missiles. It has a range of up to 300 kilometers, it can develop a speed of 2,700 kilometers per hour and carry a warhead weighing up to 300 kilograms.