Indian Air Force SAMAR Air Defence System in Action

Defense News ,India :- The Exercise Vayushakti witnessed a historic moment as the SAMAR air defence missile system, developed internally by units of the Indian Air Force's Maintenance Command, made its debut appearance.

SAMAR, an acronym for Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation, represents a formidable air defence missile system. Crafted by the adept team at the 7 Base Repair Depot Tughlakabad (BRD) of the Indian Air Force, SAMAR utilizes refurbished Russian-origin air-to-air missile systems.

Capable of engaging aerial threats with missiles operating at speeds ranging from 2 to 2.5 Mach, the SAMAR system features a twin-turret launch platform. This platform has the remarkable capability of launching two missiles either in a single or salvo mode, adapting to the dynamics of the threat scenario.

The world got its first glimpse of the SAMAR system during Aero India 2023, and in December 2023, it underwent a successful test firing during Exercise AstraShakti, as highlighted in the video linked below.

Simultaneously, the Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Vayushakti in Rajasthan, showcasing its offensive prowess with over 120 aircraft performing day and night operations. The fleet included the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas, and Hawk fighter aircraft. Notably, the Apache attack helicopter made its inaugural appearance, demonstrating firepower by engaging targets with Air to Ground guided missiles. Additionally, Mi-17 helicopters targeted ground objectives with rockets.

The indigenous Air Defence Systems, Akash and SAMAR missile systems, took the spotlight, successfully neutralizing multiple aerial targets. In a remarkable display, approximately 50 tonnes of ordnance were dropped within a two-hour span over a two-square-kilometer area, showcasing the IAF's offensive lethality and precision targeting capabilities.

This integrated display underscores the Indian Air Force's commitment to technological advancements and its preparedness to counter diverse threats on both domestic and international fronts.