First Made-in-India LRSAM Missile Delivered to India’s Navy

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The first LRSAM Missile manufactured in India was delivered to India’s Minister of Defense Mr. Arun Jaitley, who awarded it to the Indian Navy. The Missile is part of the LRSAM air & missile defense system of India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), to be installed in India’s operational missile ships whose construction has been completed recently. The ceremony was held on August 27 in Hyderabad, India.

The local manufacturing in the LRSAM Project is part of India’s “Make in India” Policy. IAI and RAFAEL from Israel together with Baharat Dynamic (BDL) from India have established production lines, in India, for the LRSAM program. The local production line is provided with Israeli-made assembles which are integrated with Indian-made assemblies into an operational missile.

According to IAI’s announcement, LRSAM is an advanced air and missile defense system a unique joint development by IAI and India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with IAI subsidiary ELTA, RAFAEL and various Indian companies. The system comprises several key state-of-the-art elements, advanced phased-array radar (MFSTAR), command and control system, launchers and missiles with advanced RF seekers. The system provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial, naval and air born threats and is operational with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Israel Defense Forces and in the near future with the Indian Army. Over the past few years, IAI has awarded several contracts for air and missile defense systems to India, including$2.5 billion-deals in recent months.

Mr. Arun Jaitley, India’s Minister of Defense, praised the collaborative effort of developing this advanced technology. He pointed out at the ceremony: This is an historical day for India, in which our navy becomes the proud owners of one of the most sophisticated systems in the world. This system will help the Indian Navy protect our country. India needs to be prepared for any scenario therefore we should equip our operational forces with the best of advanced technology. The delivery of the first missile coming out from indigenous production line is an example of the Indian economy and industry capabilities. We must continue developing the local infrastructure and manufacturing as part of our defense capabilities.