MRSAM success: India’s answer to China and Pakistan’s defence game
The flight tests of the medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army on April 3 and April 4, 2025, have made every Indian proud. Carried out at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast, these tests showed how the MRSAM can protect our skies. It hit fast-moving targets at long range, short range, high altitude and low altitude with perfect aim. This is a big leap for India’s safety, proving that our scientists and soldiers are working hard together.
The MRSAM is not just any missile—it is a smart system made with the help of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The main missile it uses is called Barak 8. This missile is super-fast, flying at twice the speed of sound (around 2,400 kph), and can hit targets up to 70 kilometres away.
The MRSAM is launched from mobile trucks that carry eight missiles all at once. With sharp radar in its nose, Barak 8 can find, and chase, enemy planes, drones, or missiles even in driving rain, or in darkness. It is about 4.5 metres long, weighs 275 kilograms and has a strong warhead that blasts targets apart. These tests showed that it works perfectly against all kinds of threats.
The Indian Army’s Eastern and Southern Commands ran the tests, using high-tech radars and cameras to check everything. Soon, two Army regiments will get this system, bolstering the country’s air defence system. This is a sign that India is getting better at building its own defence technology. But, to understand why this matters, let us look at what our neighbours, China and Pakistan, have in their hands.
China’s Air Defence Systems
China has several large missile systems, such as the HQ-9. This long-range missile can hit targets 125-200 kilometres away. It is based on Russia’s S-300 and has been improved by China. The HQ-9 uses smart radar to shoot down planes, cruise missiles and even some kinds of ballistic missiles. China stations it on ships and land, especially in such places as the South China Sea, to flex its muscles.
The HQ-9 can cover a huge area and hit many targets at once. China also has the HQ-16, a medium-range missile with a 40-70-kilometre range, similar to our MRSAM. These show that China is serious about guarding its skies, especially against such countries as India and the US. With Barak 8 in the MRSAM, India now has a solid reply to China’s medium-range missiles, especially along our borders.
Pakistan’s Air Defence Systems
Pakistan, our other neighbour, is also building its air defence—mostly with China’s help. They have the HQ-9/P, called HIMADS, which reaches a distance of 125 kilometres. Then, there is the LY-80, a medium-range missile with a 40-70-kilometre range, much like our MRSAM. Pakistan uses these to block Indian planes and missiles.
After the 2019 Balakot airstrike, when Indian jets hit inside Pakistan, people said their systems failed. Since then, they have upgraded. The LY-80 can hit multiple targets and works with radars that ‘see’ 150 kilometres. Pakistan wants longer-range missiles to match India’s. With Barak 8 and MRSAM, India now has the upper hand in this medium-range fight, providing us with a strong shield.
Why MRSAM Matters for India
The MRSAM, with its Barak 8 missile, is not just about keeping up with China and Pakistan—it is about staying ahead. It is flexible, can hit targets at different distances and heights, and is perfect for today’s tricky threats. Unlike in Pakistan, where some say Chinese missiles did not work well, our MRSAM has been tested and proven here. China’s HQ-9 goes farther, but Barak 8 fits our needs along the line-of-actual control (LAC) and the line-of-control (LoC).
And the best part? India is doing this all by itself! The DRDO and IAI have teamed up, but such companies as Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) manufacture the key parts here. This is a big win for ‘Make in India’—we do not need to beg others for help. The army, navy and air force can all use MRSAM versions, saving money and boosting India’s power.
India’s Message for the World
These tests shout out loud and clear—India is ready. With border tensions and such new dangers as drones, we need systems like our MRSAM with Barak 8 to stay safe. China and Pakistan have their own plans, but India’s homegrown technology gives us an edge. This is not just a missile—it is our promise to protect our people and our land.
In the end, MRSAM’s success is a victory for all Indians. It is having pride in our scientists, faith in our soldiers and hopes of a strong future. As we keep building, India shows the world that we are not following—we are actually leading in defence. This is just the beginning. With more like this, we will be ready to face any threats that may come our way.
(The author Girish Linganna f this article is an award-winning Science Writer and a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)
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