DRDO Test-Fires Multi-Role Quick Reaction SAM Missile Off Odisha Coast

A Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) has been test fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from a test facility off Odisha coast, The New Indian Express has reported.

According to the report, the highly mobile and sleek air defence system was fired from a canister mounted on a rotatable truck-based launch unit from Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha.

“The test was aimed at validating various parameters, including propulsion performance of the weapon system and its killing capability. Data generated during the test are being analysed,” said a defence official.

The missile can destroy aerial targets such as fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles as well as short range ballistic missiles at a 15 km distance and will supplement the medium range surface-to-air missile Akash which is capable of hitting 30 km distant targets.

The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), can outsmart aircraft jammers using its electronic counter-measures and can be used from a ship as an anti-sea skimmer against low flying attacking missiles.

The missile which is yet unnamed will have to go through several rounds of trials before being inducted into the Armed Forces.