Indian army parades latest Barak 8 MR-SAM air defense system.

The new Barak 8 MR-SAM (Medium-range, surface-to-air missile) has been developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The Indian military displayed a Barak 8 MR-SAM for the first time during its annual Republic Day parade on 26 January (Picture source: IndianDefenceNews)

MRSAM is the land based configuration of the missile. It consists of a command and control system, tracking radar, missile and mobile launcher systems. Each launcher will have eight such missiles in two stacks and are launched in a canister configuration. The system is also fitted with an advanced radio frequency (RF) seeker. According to airforce-technology, the MR-SAM 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.

The MR-SAM 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 70 km.

The Indian Army ordered five regiments of this version, which consists of about 40 launchers and 200 missiles for US$2.4 billion. It is expected to be deployed by 2023 with first deliveries commencing in 2020.

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-kilometre range. The proposed MR-SAM, to replace the old Pechora missiles which currently in service of Indian Defence Forces.