India successfully test fired a new surface-to-air missile from a defence base off Odisha coast on Thursday.
The medium range missile (MR-SAM), a product of joint venture between India and Israel, was launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at around 8:15 am.
“The test launch was a grand success and it met all the targets,” a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) official said.
The system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile.
“The missile along with MF-STAR will provide the users with the capability to neutralise any aerial threats,” said a DRDO scientist.
Research Centre Imarat, a laboratory of DRDO based at Hyderabad, has jointly developed this missile in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries, he added.
The missile, which was initially proposed to be tested on Wednesday but later postponed for Thursday.
As a safety measure, Balasore district administration in consultation with the defence officials had temporarily shifted 3652 civilians residing within 2.5 km radius of the launch pad No.3 of the ITR at Chandipur to nearby shelter centres this morning to ensure a safe launch of the missile, said a district revenue official.
Fishermen engaged in sea fishing along the Bay of Bengal in three Odisha coastal districts namely Balasore, Bhadrakh and Kendrapada were asked not to venture into the sea during the test launch time.