NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — Meanwhile, Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitley has urged its forces to be prepared at all times, as "preparedness is the best deterrent" and identified the expanding presence of extra-regional powers in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as an area of concern.
The term "extra-regional power" predominantly refers to China, as the Indian Navy has informed the government about the presence of Chinese submarines in Indian Ocean Rim in the recent past.
"The land-to-land BRAHMOS Block — III was launched from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher and hit the target with bull's eye precision. The supersonic cruise missile successfully hit the land-based target with desired precision in a top attack configuration," an army official said.
Last month the Indian Navy had fired an extended-range version of the BrahMos missile from its Talwar class frigate INS Teg. The Indian Air Force has plans to test air versions of the BrahMos missile from a Su-30 MKI next month.
