India’s Subsonic Cruise Missile Deviates From Path During Test Launch

The launch of the subsonic missile Nirbhay in India had to be terminated half way through the test after it failed to stick to the designated trajectory, according to local media.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — A test-launch of India’s indigenous Nirbhay surface-to-surface missile failed on Friday, local media reported, citing defense officials.

The launch of the subsonic missile had to be terminated half way through the test after it failed to stick to the designated trajectory, OneIndia news portal reported citing India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

"It flew for around 10 minutes only after which the mission had to be terminated," a DRDO official said, as cited by the media.

During the launch, a Russia-made Sukhoi jet was on chase duty, according to the news portal.

The missile was launched from the Chandipur Integrated Test Range (ITR) in northeastern India.

Nirbhay's first test on March 12, 2013 also failed as the missile fell after 20 minutes of flight. The second test, on October 17, 2014, was considered to a success even though the missile was unable to maintain a low trajectory.

The Nirbhay cruise missile is hoped to supplement the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which is a product of a Indo-Russian joint venture and can carry warheads for up to 290 km.