The flight testing of the first multi-role Su-30MKI fighter armed with air-launched BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile was started in India, BrahMos Aerospace CEO Sudhir Mishra told TASS about it at LIMA-2015 exhibition.

“The flight testing of the first upgraded Su-30MKI fighter able to use BrahMos-А missiles was started. The second jet of the type is being upgraded; the work will be completed this year,” Mishra said.

According to him, the second jet is required in order to assure continuity of the flight testing. The testing should be completed this year.

CEO of BrahMos Aerospace explained that changes were made in the design of the aircraft, in particular, loads applied to the fighter’s structural components were redistributed. At that, the missile is 500 kg lighter and about 50 cm shorter compared to its previous version.

The flight testing will be carried out in several stages and will allow specialists from Russia and India to assess the results of their work carried out over the last two years. In future it is planned to make similar modifications to 42 Su-30MKI jets (not including the first two test aircraft) operated by Indian air forces.

The government made a decision to purchase 200 BrahMos-A missiles for Su-30MKI jets worth $1,1 billion (the deal was approved by the security committee of the Indian government in October 2012).