Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)

A new generation Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), developed by India and Israel, was recently successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range off Odisha Coast.

• This is the first time that the MRSAM system was tested in India. In the next few days, a series of tests will take place before the system joins the Indian Air Force arsenal.

Key facts:

• The missile is similar to the Barak-8 missile used by the Navy’s new destroyers.
• The supersonic missile system was jointly developed with the Israel Aerospace Industries. 400 scientists, including 100 from Israel, worked for seven years to make this weapon system.
• The missile is designed to defend any type of airborne threat including aircraft and helicopters. It can intercept supersonic aircraft and even missiles.
• The MR-SAM has strike ranges from 50 to 70 km. Once inducted into Indian Armed forces, it will provide the users capability to neutralise any aerial threats.
• The system also includes a multi-functional surveillance and threat alert radar for tracking, detection and guidance of the missile.
• Companies like Bharat Electronic Limited, L&T, Bharat Dynamics Limited and the Tata Group have developed sub systems that have been put to use in this flight test.