Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)

Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Indigenization of technology & developing new technology

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: MRSAM

Mains level: Army’s need for new types of equipment and their development in India

India displayed its latest surface-to-air missile system, called the MRSAM, in a parade held on 26 January to mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s founding.

About MRSAM

The new missile system is developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The MRSAM provides the armed forces with air defense capability against a variety of aerial threats at medium ranges.
The missile launcher and the command post would be made in India, with the rest of the complex system – including the missile itself – to be made in Israel.
IAI will reportedly supply India with 2,000 missiles capable of intercepting enemy aircraft and missiles within a 70-kilometer range.
The proposed MRSAM, to replace the old Pechora missiles which currently in service of Indian Defense Forces.

Combat Capability

The MRSAM missile is equipped with an advanced active radar radio frequency (RF) seeker, advanced rotating phased array radar and a bidirectional data link.
The RF seeker, located in the front section of the missile, is used to detect moving targets in all weather conditions.
The MRSAM surface-to-air missile is powered by a dual-pulse solid propulsion system developed by DRDO.
The propulsion system, coupled with a thrust vector control system, allows the missile to move at a maximum speed of Mach 2.
The weapon has the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously at ranges of 70km.