• In a significant boost to defence capabilities of India, MRSAM was handed over to IAF at Air Force Station, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.
• Handing over of the system to IAF is a giant leap towards becoming “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and it will be a game changer in the air-defence-system. Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) is an advanced network centric combat Air Defence System.
• It was jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with Indian industry consisting of private and public sectors as well as MSMEs. It is a surface-to-air-missile, 4.5m in length. Contract for MRSAM programme was signed in February 2009. Under the contract, IAF was to buy 450 MRSAMs and 18 firing units at the value of $2bn.

MRSAM 

• MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against threats like fighter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, sub-sonic & supersonic cruise missiles guided & unguided munitions, etc. This system is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kms in severe saturation cases. It is powered by indigenously developed rocket motor and control system which helps in achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.