DRDO, Army conduct successful flight tests of medium-range surface-to-air missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army successfully conducted four flight tests of the Army version of the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha, on April 3 and 4.

These trials have proven the operational capability of two Army commands and paved the way for operationalisation of weapon systems in two regiments.

The trials were carried out to intercept four targets at long-range, short-range, high altitude and low altitude, proving the operational capability, according to an official statement.

The four operational flight-trials, conducted by Indian Army personnel from the Eastern and Southern Commands under DRDO guidance were carried out against high-speed aerial targets. The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them, registering direct hits. 

The 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. 

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

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Army and the industries for the successful flight-tests. “Four successful tests have re-established the capability of the weapon system in intercepting targets at critical ranges,” he said.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, said that the successful flight-trial was a major milestone for building operational capability of the Indian Army.