New Delhi: Enhancing its anti-air warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy on Friday successfully fired the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM).

According to the Navy official, the firing was undertaken on the Western Seaboard by Indian Naval Ships Kochi and Chennai wherein the missiles of both ships were controlled by one ship to intercept different aerial targets at extended ranges. The firing trial was carried out by the Indian Navy along with the DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

What is MRSAM?

MRSAM is an advanced groundbreaking air and missile defence system that can provide ultimate protection against a variety of aerial threats such as hostile aircraft, missiles and drones. The system includes advanced phased-array radar, command and control systems, mobile launchers and missiles with advanced RF seekers.

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This missile was jointly developed by DRDL Hyderabad and DRDO Lab in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries. The MRSAM has been manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited. It was in January this year, Israel Aerospace Industries entered into agreements worth $93 million for providing Naval Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile systems to India.

Officials said these surface to air missiles are fitted on board the Kolkata Class Destroyers and would also be fitted on all future major warships of the Indian Navy.

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“With the successful proving of this cooperative mode of engagement, the Indian Navy has become a part of a select group of Navies that have this niche capability. This capability significantly enhances the combat effectiveness of the Indian Navy thereby providing an operational edge over potential adversaries,” said a Navy spokesperson.

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