Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) Air Marshal HS Arora, PVSM, AVSM, Aide-De-Camp visited Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Defence research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hyderabad and reviewed the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) project which is soon to be inducted into the Indian Air Force.
He is on a visit to the College of Air Warfare (CAW), DRDO Hyderabad and Air Force Academy from 21 – 22 January 2021. MRSAM is capable of intercepting enemy aircraft and missiles within a range of 70 Km. The IAF ordered has one MRSAM regiment, including 16 firing units and associated fire control systems and surveillance systems.
During the interactions with the scientists, he stressed on the need for indigenous and mission mode development of missiles and weapon systems. He also assured scientists of full cooperation and support from IAF for the indigenous R&D efforts by DRDO.
The MRSAM project began in mid 2000’s as a joint development program between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the DRDO. The missile system has been selected by all the three services of the Indian armed forces and Bharat Dynamics (BDL) is the production agency for the IAF version of MRSAM. The IAF version of the MR-SAM is mounted on trailers. The radar used for detection is Multi-function and Search and Track Alert Radar (MF-STAR). MRSAM will be networked into the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of IAF.
The VCAS also flew a sortie on Pilatus PC-7 Trainer Aircraft and Hawk Aircraft at the Air Force Academy.