An old article on Aviationweek on the Brahmos A and the modifications that were necessitated.

The BrahMos-A is a modified version of the baseline land- or ship-launched version, sporting a smaller booster and fins for airborne stability after launch. The missile also has been modified to relocate its umbilical connector. The missile is designed for a release height from a Su-30MKI of 500-14,000 meters (1,640-46,000 ft.). After a free fall of 100-150 meters, the BrahMos-A has a cruise phase at 14,000 meters and terminal phase at 15 meters.

The BrahMos-A’s current weight of 2.55 tons means it will be tested and deployed only on the Su-30MKI. The company’s earlier plans to make the weapon available for the Indian navy’s Ilyushin Il-38 maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft fell through after ground clearance constraints cropped up. Similar plans to deploy it on the navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft were also shelved after the Navy said it was not worth the cost of modification, given that the fleet did not have much time left in service.

An officer with the IAF’s Pune-based Su-30MKI squadron said, “Heavy modifications have been necessary for such a heavy missile, and initially it didn’t seem to make sense to deploy a single missile. But in simulations, the weapon holds promise. Our test crews look forward to firing the missile and seeing how it does. It’s a potent standoff weapon. We’ve provided BrahMos with several inputs over the years about how the missile needs to perform.”

The BrahMos JV has had trouble obtaining engineering help from the Sukhoi Design Bureau to modify the Su-30MKI airframe to deploy the BrahMos. Sources say it was Sukhoi’s reluctance that forced BrahMos and HAL to conduct the modification virtually by themselves, though Sukhoi may have assisted in 2011. BrahMos intends to hand over the weapon to the IAF in 2015, after which it is expected to be deployed in at least three squadrons.

Work is also underway on a modified lighter and smaller-diameter version of the BrahMos for deployment on the Indian navy’s MiG-29K and, potentially, the Dassault Rafale, as part of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft acquisition, which is still under negotiation.

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Su-30MKI is fine against Pakistan, but it’s only a stalemate with China. The only advantage India has is the ability to build and service their own engines. Otherwise China has better ability to replace losses to attrition

This one thing will cause more headaches on the Chinese side than any other single IAF capability..to be able to sneak up at low height and attack radar installations, bases, depots, bridges, whatever. China has other issues as well. They still lack the ability to launch massive attacks against India from Tibetan bases.

Finally! An immensely important capability for the IAF ! To be able to launch a supersonic land-attack and anti-ship cruise missile from a fighter plane with the kind of range and endurance of the Su-30MKI, is a game changing capability..base some of these fighters on the Andaman & Nicobar islands and they could provide a very dangerous threat to the PLAN’s surface warships if they ever attempted anything. PN ships could be (if they’re detected and tracked) be attacked by the Su-30MKI/Brahmos from stand-off ranges where any fleet cover wouldn’t exist and beyond the range of defensive fighters.

More F-35 orders remain on horizon for Israel

UK’s first military H135 ready for ground test

India taps locally made HTT-40 as next basic trainer

New Delhi will procure Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) HTT-40 basic trainers, and cap the further import of foreign-built aircraft.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar made the announcement during a visit to Bangalore to witness the first public flight of the indigenously designed and developed, tandem seat, turboprop trainer.

“Stage II training is now also being handled by BTAs and therefore the requirement for the total number will increase from 181 to approximately 210,” Parrikar said.

HAL received an order for 68 HTT-40s in 2015, the minimum number of airframes for the project to be economically viable. Orders could rise as high as 120.

Parrikar also made it clear that there would be no further import of basic trainers, meaning no more orders will be forthcoming for the Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 MKII, of which 75 are in operational service. An options clause for an additional 38 of the type was cleared by the defence acquisition council (DAC) in March 2015.

Design and development work on the HTT-40 commenced in August 2013, when Hindustan Aeronautics’ decided to proceed with the programme using internal funding. The type conducted its maiden flight on 31 May 2016, and the second prototype is scheduled to fly in December.

“The initial performance of the HTT-40 has been up to expectations and further flying testing is under progress to further expand the aircraft’s performance envelope,” says HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju.

Developmental flight testing will comprise 350 flights, with a third and final prototype to be built in series production configuration. Wind tunnel trials for stall and spin testing are already underway.

“Concurrent manufacturing tasks are expected to commence and receive approval for production in 2017,” says Raju.

The planned weaponised variant of the HTT-40 will have two in-board and two outboard stations to carry weapons. A Heads-Up Display is being considered.

The HTT-40 is fitted with Martin Baker Zero-Zero MK16A ejection seats.

Not sure what it means for the HJT-36 Sitara if the Stage II training that HAL Kiran trainers handle currently, will also be taken over by the PC-7 Mk2 and the HTT-40.