New missile test successful at ITR

Balasore: India on Thursday successfully tested a medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) jointly developed by the defence research development organisation (DRDO) and Israel aircraft industries (IAI) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), achieving a milestone in the sector.
The missile was tested twice in the morning and afternoon at the Chandipur integrated test range (ITR) and hit the target, a pilotless aircraft, 'successfully', an official media release said.
Both, Indian and Israel teams were present during the missile's launch. "The MRSAM system provides reliable air defence at medium ranges," the release said.
Unlike Akash with a target range of about 25 km, MRSAM, sources said, with many improved features can penetrate up to 70 km.
The official release said a number of subsystems for the development and flight test of the missile were obtained from many Indian industries like BEL, L&T, BDL and TATA group of companies and other private industries.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar congratulated the DRDO and industry partners for the 'successful demonstration of the Air Defence capability.'
Secretary department of Defence R&D and DG DRDO, Dr S Christopher, declared the launch as a major milestone for the IAF towards air defence. Sources said the missile is likely to be tested again on Friday.
Nearly 5,000 people evacuated from about seven villages located in the vicinity of the ITR for the MRSAM launch had been asked by the district administration to stay put in the temporary shelters.