DRDO Showewd New SR-SAM Air Defense System in Dubai Airshow

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) made a significant impact at the Dubai Airshow, unveiling a series of cutting-edge Indian-made weapon systems, including the highly anticipated Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SR-SAM) Mobile Air Defence System. This debut represents a milestone moment, showcasing the SR-SAM system designed to provide robust inner-circle protection against aerial threats for both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.

The SR-SAM, a truck-based air defense system, is derived from the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM), originally developed for the Indian Navy to replace the Israeli Barak-I Point Defence Missile system on frontline warships. This initiative aligns with DRDO ongoing commitment to fortify India indigenous air defense capabilities.

The VL-SRSAM system, serving as the foundation for the SR-SAM, is meticulously crafted to engage high-speed airborne targets within a range of 40 to 50 km, boasting a speed of 4.5 mach and an altitude capability of approximately 15 km. Drawing inspiration from the Astra missile, a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile, the system employs a fiber-optic gyroscope-based inertial guidance mechanism during mid-course flight and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase. With lock-on before launch (LOBL) and lock-on after launch (LOAL) capabilities, the missile seamlessly receives mid-course updates via datalink.

A noteworthy achievement in the development process occurred during the fourth test when DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted a flight test of the VL-SRSAM from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on August 23, 2022. The test involved launching the missile from an Indian Naval Ship against a high-speed unmanned aerial target, demonstrating the system vertical launch capability. Equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, the missiles exhibited remarkable accuracy by intercepting the target with precision.

The showcased SR-SAM Mobile Air Defence System at the Dubai Airshow is anticipated to play a pivotal role in enhancing India air defense capabilities, presenting a versatile and effective solution against a diverse range of aerial threats. Notably, DRDO SR-SAM is poised to complement the existing Israeli Spyder short and medium-range mobile air defense systems developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries, which are already in operation within the Indian Air Force. This collaborative effort underscores India commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the realm of air defense.