Chandipur: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army conducted four successful flight-tests of the Army version of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)-Army from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha over two days recently.The four operational flight-trials were carried out against high-speed aerial targets. The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them, registering direct hits. The trials were carried out to intercept four targets at long-range, short-range, high altitude and low altitude, proving the operational capability.“The flight-tests were carried out with the weapon system in operational condition. The performance of the weapon system was validated through the flight data captured by range instruments like radars and electro-optical tracking systems deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The flight tests were carried out in the presence of senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Army,” an official said.The trials were carried out by the Eastern and Southern Commands of the Army under DRDO guidance. These trials have proven the operational capability of both Army Commands and paved the way for operationalisation of the weapons system in two regiments. The MRSAM is developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries for use by the Indian Army. The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises multi-function radar, command post, mobile launcher system and other vehicles.Defence minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Army and Indian industry for the successful flight-tests. The four successful tests have re-established the capability of the weapons system in intercepting targets at critical ranges, he said. Samir V Kamat, secretary, Department of Defence R&D and chairman, DRDO complimented the teams involved in the successful flight-trial, terming them as major milestones for building operational capability of the Army.
