Indian Army's Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles prove war-readiness as they pass key trials

In what has been billed as “major milestones for building the operational capability of the Indian Army”, four flight tests of the Army version of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) were carried out successfully against high-speed aerial targets, paving the way for the operationalisation of weapon systems.

The MRSAM Army weapon system, developed jointly by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries for use by the Indian Army comprises multi-function radar, command post, mobile launcher system and other vehicles.

The tests, involving targets at long-range, short-range, high altitude and low altitude, were conducted by DRDO and the Indian Army from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on Thursday and Friday.

The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them, registering direct hits, proving their operational capability.

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The flight tests were carried out with the weapon system in operational condition. “The performance of the weapon system was validated through the flight data captured by range instruments like radars and electro-optical tracking systems deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur,” a statement from the defence ministry read.

The trials were carried out by the Indian Army from Eastern and Southern Commands under DRDO guidance.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the Indian Army on the successful flight tests, saying these have re-established the capability of the weapon system to intercept targets at critical ranges.

Defence