Being termed as a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities, the first deliverable Firing Unit (FU) of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) System was handed over to IAF at Air Force Station, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

The MRSAM (IAF) is an advanced network centric combat Air Defence System developed jointly by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the Indian industry comprising of private and public sectors including MSMEs.

DRDO Chairman, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy handed over the first deliverable FU to Chief of Air Staff. During the event, DRDO and IAI officials demonstrated the capabilities of MRSAM system, as part of On-Site Acceptance Test (OSAT). The CAS affirmed that the system will bolster the air defence capabilities of the country.

The MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against a wide range of threats including fighter aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, guided and unguided munitions, sub-sonic & supersonic cruise missiles etc. It is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kms in severe saturation scenarios, informed the official statement. The missile is powered by indigenously developed rocket motor and control system for achieving high maneuverability during the terminal phase.

Appreciating the joint efforts of DRDO, IAI, various inspection agencies, public & private industry partners in developing, the Defence Minister termed the MRSAM as one of the best state-of-the-art missile systems in the world that will prove to be a game changer in the air defence system.

The new test facilities and infrastructure created in the development of this programmeare deemed to prove helpful in producing quality products for both the countries in the future. “The sub-systems being manufactured for this programme as a great example of synergy between Indian public and private sector companies,” he said.

The firing unit of the system comprises of Missiles, Combat Management System (CMS), Mobile Launcher Systems (MLS), Advanced Long Range Radar, Mobile Power System (MPS), Radar Power System (RPS), Reloader Vehicle (RV) and Field Service Vehicle (FSV).

During his address, the Minister remembered former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, terming him a visionary who paved the way for self-reliance in defence sector, especially in the missile development programme. “Around 30 years ago Dr Kalam initiated the Integrated Missile Development Programme at a time when scientists were facing various restrictions in the field of technology. Despite all this, the success of the programme not only ensured self-reliance in missile development, but also thwarted possibility of any cross-border threat.”