State-owned defence contractor Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed agreements worth $93m with the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to provide naval medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) systems.

The scope of the contracts includes the provision of complementary systems for the air defence system (ADS).

Provisions of the contracts also include follow-up orders for a range of maintenance and other services for various sub-systems of IAI’s advanced MSRAM ADS.

Last week, the Indian Navy and IAI conducted an interception test aboard Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyer INS Chennai, which evaluated potential collaboration between ships.

During the interception scenario, the Indian Navy assessed how the operational force of the MSRAM can be doubled regionally, rather than topically.



IAI Missiles & Space Group Systems executive vice-president and general manager Boaz Levi said: “The follow-up orders provide additional evidence of the satisfaction and trust of our Indian partners in respect to the MRSAM family.

“The follow-up orders provide additional evidence of the satisfaction and trust of our Indian partners in respect to the MRSAM family.”

“The Thursday test demonstrated the advanced technological capabilities of the air defence system, as well as our collaboration between IAI, its partners in India’s navy, the local Indian industry and our colleagues at IAI’s ELTA and Rafael.”

The MRSAM air defence system is in service with Israel’s navy, as well as India’s naval, air and ground forces.

IAI developed the MRSAM in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Defence, India’s Defence Research and Development Organization, Rafael, and Elta Systems.

So far, the defence system achieved more than $6bn in sales, the company noted.

MRSAM, which is capable of providing broad and topical defence against air, marine and ground threats, comprises several systems, including a digital radar, command and control, launchers, and interceptors with advanced homing seekers.