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India's Defense Ministry signs $2.5-billion contract to acquire BrahMos missiles

Another $120-million contract with BrahMos Aerospace was signed for the supply of missile systems for the Navy

NEW DELHI, March 1. /TASS/. India's Defense Ministry has signed a contract with the Russian-Indian company BrahMos Aerospace for the supply of supersonic cruise missiles nearly $2.5 billion worth, the Defense Ministry has said in a news release.

A contract has been signed with BrahMos Aerospace for the supply of BrahMos missiles $2.36 billion worth. These missiles will be used for combat equipment and exercises by the Indian Navy, the news release reads.

Another $120-million contract with BrahMos Aerospace was signed for the supply of missile systems for the Navy. This brings the total value of the agreements to $2.48 billion.

In all, the Defense Ministry concluded $4.7-billion procurement contracts on Friday. Among them there is an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the supply of Russian-designed RD-33 engines for MiG-29 fighter jets.

These engines will enable the Indian Air Force to maintain the combat readiness of its MiG-29 fighter jets until the end of their life cycle. The engines will be produced under license based on a technology transfer arrangement with a Russian manufacturer, the news release says.

Two more agreements have been signed with the Indian company Larsen&Toubro Limited, which will supply the Indian Armed Forces with short-range air defense systems worth $925 million, as well as high-power radars worth $690 million.

The BrahMos missile is manufactured by BrahMos Aerospace, a Russian-Indian joint venture. It was developed by Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India's Defense Research and Development Organization. Last February, Moscow and New Delhi celebrated the 25th anniversary of the missile's development. Initially, its range was 290 km. The latest configuration of BrahMos has an increased range of 450 km. The missile flies at a speed of 2.5-2.8 times the speed of sound and can be launched from submarines, naval ships, coastal installations, as well as from airplanes.

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