Second flight test of QRSAM missile successful

On November 17, 2020, India test fired the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) defence system and was successful. This is the second time the test is being conducted. The first QRSAM system test fire was conducted on November 13, 2020 and was successful.

Key Highlights

The test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. The test was conducted in deployment configuration. QRSAM is a short range missile and was developed by DRDO. It consists of fully automated command and control systems, active array battery multifunction radar, active array battery surveillance radar. The weapon system is to be inducted into Indian Army by 2021. However, it was deployed in Eastern Ladakh in June 2020 during the standoff with China. It has a range of 25 km to 30 km.

The QRSAM acquisition programme was launched in 2007 as a part of the replacement programme for Kvadrat and Osa-AK missile systems. Both were developed by Soviet Union.

Recent Missile Tests

On October 23, 2020, the Indian Navy released a video showing the INS Prabal launching a missile. Similar tests were conducted by Indian Navy on October 30, 2020 as well. On October 30, 2020, the Indian Navy test fired an anti-ship missile from INS Kora in Bay of Bengal.

The other recently conducted missile test fires of India are as follows

• RUDRAM anti-radiation missile
• A new version of shaurya missile
• LASER guided anti-tank missile
• Brahmos missile with an indigenous booster
• Prithvi II missile
• Test fire of RUSTOM II
• TORPEDO SMART
• Flight test of ABHYAS
• Test fire of Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle
• Flight Test of Naval Version of BRAHMOS
• Test fire of PRITHVI II
• Failed test of Nirbhay
• SANT Missile test
• Nag Missile
• Test Fire of Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile by the Indian Air Force
• First flight test of Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air-Missiles

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020