The recent tussles with China have prompted the Indian armed forces to spruce up their defense capability. One of the most important military equipment that was lacking till now was the advanced medium-range surface to air missile (MRSAM) system. Now, after years of wait, the Indian Army will finally be getting the MRSAM by 2020. The MRSAM will be very useful for army, as it can effectively shoot down fighter jets, ballistic missiles, attack helicopters, drones, surveillance aircraft and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft. The unique thing about MRSAM is that it can detect dangerous objects up to 70 km and destroy them when they are still far away.

The MRSAM will play a crucial role in case a full-fledged war takes place between India and China. China also has its own indigenously developed MRSAM, which is why it currently has better military capability as compared to India. But when India gets its MRSAM in 2020, it would be able to match the firepower of Chinese military.

The MRSAM will be developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The deal with IAI is valued at Rs 17,000 crore. “The MRSAM for Army’s Air Defense is an advanced all weather, 360 degree mobile land based theatre air defense system capable of providing air defense to critical areas against a wide variety of threats in a combat zone,” an army official said.