Balasore: India conducted four successful flight-tests of Army Version of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast on April 3-4.
“The four operational flight-trials were carried out against high-speed aerial targets. The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them, registering direct hits. The trials were carried out to intercept four targets at long-range, short-range, high altitude and low altitude, proving the operational capability,” a PIB release said.
It further stated that 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.”
The trials were carried out by the Indian Army from Eastern and Southern Commands under the guidance of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These trials have proven the operational capability of both Army Commands and paved the way for operationalisation of weapon systems in two regiments, it added.
The MRSAM has been developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries for use by the Indian Army. The weapon system comprises multi-function radar, command post, mobile launcher system and other vehicles.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Army and the industries for the successful flight-tests. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman, Samir V Kamat complimented the teams involved in the successful flight-trial and termed it as major milestones for building operational capability of the Indian Army.
