IAI Delivers First LRSAM Missile to Indian Navy

The LRSAM air and missile defense system, jointly developed by IAI and India’s DRDO, will be installed in India's operational missile ships whose construction has been completed recently

IAI Delivers First LRSAM Missile to Indian Navy

The first LRSAM Missile handed to India's minister of defense (Photo: IAI)

At a ceremony held on Sunday, August 27 in Hyderabad, India, 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.

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 a historic 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 the 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."

Boaz Levi, IAI's Executive Vice President and General Manager of Systems, Missiles & Space Group, said, "The delivery of the first missile manufactured in India to India's defense arms is a technological dream come true. It is another exciting step in the many-years collaboration between IAI, India's government, India's DRDO and other partners and one that reflects a technological and engineering effort of the highest level."

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 assemblies which are integrated with Indian-made assemblies into an operational missile.

LRSAM is an advanced air and missile defense system, jointly developed 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 elements, advanced phased-array radar (MFSTAR), command and control system, launchers and missiles with advanced RF seekers. The system provides protection against a variety of aerial, naval and airborne threats and is operational with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and, in the near future, 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.