Indian Armed Forces successfully test air defence systems

 Aakash Surface-to-Air Missile was fired from a defence test facility off Launching Complex - III of the Integrated Test Range (ITR)  near Odisha coast against an electronic target. The entire flight and point of interception was captured by the electro-optical tracking system as per a defence official. 

Indian Navy also conducted successful trial firing of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) from its frontline destroyer INS Kochi, the second ship of the Kolkata Class destroyers. The ship successfully tracked and intercepted the aerial target at enhanced ranges with pinpoint accuracy.

This firing marked a significant milestone in proving the successful integration of these missiles with the ship-borne systems including the indigenously developed combat management system.

Prior to Aakash test , Air Force personnel flight tested Italian Pilot Less Target Aircraft (PTA) Mirach from the Launching Complex - I of the ITR. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flew for about 45 minutes proving its consistency.

The Mirach is of typical twin-boom pusher-prop battlefield surveillance UAV. It can be used for range validation sorties and simulating purposes. The 3.85 meter long and 1.27 meter high UAV can attain a height of 3.5 km and fly for nearly an hour.