New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the army conducted four successful flight-tests of the army version of the medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) from an island off the coast of Odisha on April 3 and 4, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.
The four operational flight trials were carried out against high-speed aerial targets, it said in a statement.
“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,” the ministry said.
The four operational flight-trials were carried out to check how well the missile works against high-speed aerial targets. The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them, registering direct hits. The trials were carried out tocheck the missile’s capabilities at long-range, short-range, high altitude and low altitude. The flight-tests were carried out with all systems working in full operational condition.
According to the MoD, “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 DRDO guidance. The success of these trials shows that the Army commands are ready to operate the system, and the MRSAM will be used by two army regiments.
The flight tests were carried out in the presence of senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Army.
The MRSAM has been developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries for the Indian Army. The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises multi-function radar, command post, mobile launcher system and other vehicles.
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.
