- The MRSAM is an advanced path-breaking air and missile defence system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms
Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS), a joint venture between India’s Kalyani Group and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel rolled out its first batch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) for the Indian Army and the Air Force.
The roll-out event marked KRAS’ commitment to deliver more than 1000 MRSAM ‘missile kits’ for the military over the coming years. These missile sections will then be ‘forwarded’ to India’s state-run defence miniratna Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for further and future integration.
Baba Kalyani, Chairman/ Managing Director, Kalyani Group, said, “Apart from the missile kits, we will extend our support in Maintenance and Repair Operations (MRO) as in-service Air Defence Missile System for the armed forces.”
In July 2019, Rafael awarded KRAS a $100 million (INR 685 crore) contract to deliver 1,000 units of Barak 8 missile kits.
Barak 8 is designed to defend against any type of airborne threat including aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, UAVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and combat jets. Both maritime and land-based versions of the system exist. The range of the missile system is 70-100 km.
The Barak 8 has a length of about 4.5 meters, a diameter of 0.225 meters at missile body, and 0.54 meters at the booster stage, a wingspan of 0.94 meters and weighs 275 kg including a 60 kg warhead which detonates at proximity. The missile has maximum speed of Mach 2 with a maximum operational range of 70 km, which was later increased to 100 km.
