MRSAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile)

MRSAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile)

Type: Long-Range Air Defense System

Domain: land

Country of Origin: India

Manufacturer: DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation)

Overview

India's medium-range air and missile defence system, jointly developed with Israel Aerospace Industries based on the naval Barak-8 missile. MRSAM (also known as Barak-8 Army/Air Force variant or LRSAM - Long Range SAM in naval configuration) provides area air defence against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles at ranges exceeding 70 km and altitudes up to 16 km. The system features vertical launch from an 8-cell launcher mounted on a Tatra 8x8 truck, two-way datalink for mid-course guidance updates from the multifunction radar, dual-pulse solid rocket motor for high manoeuvrability throughout flight, active radar seeker for terminal phase, and a 60 kg fragmentation warhead. The IAI EL/M-2084 multifunction radar provides search, tracking, and missile guidance simultaneously for multiple targets. Reaction time under 10 seconds with capability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. The Indian Army and Air Force operate multiple MRSAM batteries protecting strategic assets, air bases, and vital areas. The system achieved operational status in 2021.

Technical Specifications

range70–100 km
speedMach 2+
altitude~16 km
guidanceActive radar seeker + dual-band datalink
variantsArmy (MRSAM), Navy (Barak-8 ER), Air Force (MRSAM AF)
developerDRDO (India) / IAI Elta (Israel)

Operators

Related land Weapon Systems