The Indian Navy has successfully conducted the test firing of the medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) from the Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyer INS Kochi.
Additionally, the Western Naval Command vessel has been successful in accurately tracking and intercepting a ‘low-flying high-speed target’ at enhanced range, reported the news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).
The test firing has been carried out via the ship-borne Combat Management Suite (CMS).
The Indian Navy was quoted by PTI as saying: “This firing not only marks a significant milestone in proving the integration of the missile and the associated Fire Control System (FCS) with the ship-borne CMS, but also demonstrates the vital area defence capability of the ship.”
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) collaborated with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop the advanced MRSAM air defence system, which features a command and control system, a tracking radar, missiles, and mobile launcher systems.
The MRSAM is a variant of Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) equipped with a DRDO-built dual-pulse solid propulsion system, reported One India.
The 4.5m-long missile system has been specifically developed to defend naval vessels against air threats such as missiles and aircraft attacks.
INS Kochi is the second of the three Kolkata-class destroyers designated for use by the Indian Navy, and MRSAM has been installed on all the three vessels.
Image: INS Kochi during sea trials. Photo: courtesy of Indian Navy.
