Israel & India jointly developed new surface-to-air missile; today successfully test-fired, from a defense base off Odisha coast.
Kudos to @DRDO_India successfully tested new air defense missile system developed in collaboration with Israel. pic.twitter.com/zbNfUOli5Y
— Pallava Bagla (@pallavabagla) June 30, 2016
The medium range missile (MR-SAM), a product of joint venture between India and Israel, was successfully test launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at around 8.15 am, a DRDO official said.
“The test launch was a grand success and it met all the targets,” he said.
On Launch pad-3 of the ITR the missile was positioned and put in to action after getting signal from the radars to intercept a flying target unmanned air vehicle (UAV) ‘Banshee’ over the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile, they said.
“The missile along with MF-STAR will provide the users with the capability to neutralise any aerial threats,” said a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist.
Indian Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), a laboratory of DRDO based at Hyderabad, has jointly developed this missile in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), he said.
I congratulate @DRDO_India & Industry teams for the successful flight test of MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) weapon system.
— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) June 30, 2016
A new production facility to deliver 100 missiles a year has been established for such type of long rang and medium range surface-to-air missiles at M/s Bharat Dynamics Limited, India.
With a striking range of 50-70 KM such type of medium range surface-to-air missiles (SR-SAM), can fill the gap of existing missiles that India has under her belt, they said.
Security of the local and fisherman were ensured before test fire.
