BDL inks deal to provide medium-range surface-to-air missiles to Indian Navy

The Indian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the supply of medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM) for the Indian Navy.

As disclosed, the contract was inked by the officials of MoD and BDL in the presence of Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on January 16, 2025.

The value of the deal is approximately Rs 2,960 crore (around $342,000).

According to the navy, a medium-range surface-to-air missile system is a standard fit onboard multiple Indian naval ships. It is planned to be fitted on the majority of the future platforms planned for acquisition. 

The navy highlighted that the contract marks “a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to bolster India’s defense capabilities and indigenize advanced military technology”.

MRSAM is a high-response, quick-reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile designed to neutralize enemy threats. It is used by army, navy, and air force as different variants.

The system is capable of intercepting enemy aircraft, missiles, helicopters and drones at a range of more than 70 km.

In 2019, the navy carried out a launch of the MRSAM aimed at testing its cooperative engagement capability (CEC). The navy used destroyers Kochi and Chennai for the test, in which the missiles of both ships were controlled by one ship to intercept different aerial targets at extended ranges.

India’s defense research agency, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) oversaw the test.

MRSM, which is also referred to as the Barak 8, was developed by DRDL Hyderabad, in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries and industry partners.

As part of its ongoing efforts to modernize the fleet, last week, the Indian Navy welcomed three new naval combatants: INS Surat, the fourth and final P15B guided-missile destroyer; INS Nilgiri, the first P17 stealth frigate; and INS Vaghsheer, the sixth submarine of the P75 project (Scorpene/Kalvari class).