India has successfully test-fired a newly-developed surface-to-air ballistic missile, Barak-8, from a defence base off Odisha coast.
Barak-8, jointly developed by India and Israel, met all the targets and will fulfill a huge Indian army requirement.
DRDO
The ballistic missile is four-meter long, weighs 275 kg and can carry a payload of 60 kg. It can hit the target within a range of 70 km.
The missile is equipped with the Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR) and has the capability to neutralise any aerial threats.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar tweeted:
I congratulate @DRDO_India & Industry teams for the successful flight test of MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) weapon system.
— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) June 30, 2016
The test-firing of the missile was jointly carried out by Indian defence personnel, DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries.
rediff
Taking precautions, Balasore district administration, in consultation with defence officials, had made adequate arrangements to temporarily shift 3,652 civilians residing within 2.5 km radius of the launch pad No 3 of the ITR during trial time, officials said.
jantakareporter
Officials say a new production facility to deliver 100 missiles a year has been set up for long range and medium range surface-to-air missiles.
This is India’s first ever missile test since India became the 35th member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) regime, which controls advanced missile and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) technology globally.
timesofisrael
The MTCR is an informal and voluntary partnership bound by no legal means to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying over 500 kg payload for more than 300 km.