Context

• Indian Air Force has recently conducted a successful firing test of its in-house designed and developed SAMAR air defence missile system during Exercise Astrashakti-2023 conducted at Air Force Station Suryalanka (Andhra Pradesh).

Key Points

• The IAF has developed the SAMAR air defence missile system using its older Russian-origin air-to-air missile systems.
• 'SAMAR' has been developed by 7 BRDs based in the national capital.
• The Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force has also achieved significant success in indigenizing many spares and equipment used in other weapon systems such as fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, helicopters and ground-based weapon systems.

Features of SAMAR

• The system can counter air threats with missiles operating at a speed range of Mach 2 to 2.5.
• IAF officials said the SAMAR system comprises a twin-turret launch platform capable of launching two missiles in single and salvo modes, depending on the threat scenario.

 IMPORTANT FACTS FOR EXAM

Indian Air Force

• Founded: 26 January 1950 (After Independence)
• Establishment Before Independence : 8 October 1932 (as Royal Indian Air Force)
• Air Force Day: 8 October
• Chief of the Air Staff (CAS): Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari