Indian DRDO, Israeli IAI To Develop Medium Range Missile Defence System

Indian Army and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)  for developing a medium-range surface to air missile (MR-SAM) that would be capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and aircraft.

“The MoU indicates the commencement of development of MRSAM system in the configuration as required by the Army,” a senior Army official was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India.

He said the missile will be produced by the DRDO in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The missile will be capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at a range of more than 50 kms.

In April, Israel’s IAI had said it signed a contract with India worth over $1.6 billion for providing the missile to the Army.

“The MRSAM system will be capable of shooting down enemy ballistic missiles, aircraft, helicopters, drones, surveillance aircraft and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

The Indian Army has signed a MoU with the DRDO to raise one regiment of MRSAM. The army plans to have a total of five regiments of this air defence system, which will be deployed opposite to China and Pakistan. One  regiment consists of four launchers with three missiles each. Hence, five regiments will have 60 missiles.