On Tuesday, the Indian Navy successfully tested the ship-based medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) on INS Visakhapatnam (D66), the first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer. This is a major milestone for India's indigenous defence industry and will greatly enhance the Navy's capability to protect its assets in the region. The success of this test marks the enhancement of the Indian Navy's anti-air warfare capability.

The missile is developed by the joint effort of the Defence Research and Development Organisation in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries. State-run Bharat Dynamics Limited manufactured the missile, which reflects the Indian Navy's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat. For the first time in September 2021, the firing unit MRSAM was handed over to IAF at the Air Force Station in Jaisalmer.

MRSAM is designed to counter a wide range of threats, such as fighter aircraft, helicopters, guided and unguided munitions, cruise missiles, and drones up to 70km range. The missile is developed with a rocket motor and control system to achieve high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.