India showcases military might, successfully conducts MRSAM firing test: Watch

The MRSAM was jointly developed by the DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries. MRSAM produced by Bharat Dynamic Ltd has capability of engaging anti-ship missiles.

The Indian Navy has tested the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) from INS Vishakapatnam.

Jointly developed by the DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries and produced by Bharat Dynamic Ltd, this test validate the capacity to engage anti-ship missiles.

The MRSAM has been designed to destroy hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters and drones at a 70-kilometre range. The Army, Navy and Indian Air Force will be inducting MRSAMs on the next generation Barak8 systems under the three joint projects that have been inked by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries at an initial cost of over Rs 30,000 crore.

#IndianNavy successfully undertook MRSAM firing from #INSVisakhapatnam validating capability to engage Anti Ship Missiles. MRSAM jointly developed by

@DRDO_India & #IAI, & produced at #BDL reflects #IndianNavy's commitment to #AatmaNirbharBharat, the Indian Navy said in a tweet.

Earlier March 5, the Indian Navy had successfully tested firing the supersonic Brahmos missile from the Arabian Sea. The ship-launch version of the Brahmos had indigenous seekers and boosters.

About MRSAM:

The MRSAM is an advanced network centric-combat air defence system, which is used by the Indian and Air Force. It has a 70-kilometre range and is capable of taking down several types of aerial targets such as drones, helicopters, planes and incoming missiles. The frontal end of the missile which includes the seeker and other important electronics is referred to as the missile kit or mid-section.

In a bid to further enhance India's defence capabilities, the first deliverable firing unit (FU) of the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) was presented to the Indian Air Force on September 9 2021 at the Air Force Station, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

The MRSAM IAF is a cutting edge network centric combat air defence system which was created in partnership between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Indian industry which includes both commercial and public sectors including MSMEs.

"The MRSAM weapon system which is also called the 'Abhra' Weapon System is a state-of-the-art medium-range air defence weapon system and is a joint venture of DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) with active participation from Indian public and private defence industry partners including MSMEs," a press statement issued in February stated.

News agency ANI had said that Lt. General R P Kalita, GOC-in-C of the Eastern Command had emphasised to the MRSAM Regiment that India's defence industry has taken a significant step towards indigenisation, and that the country will soon achieve self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.