In a significant move to bolster India’s short-range air defence capability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has inducted a limited number of indigenous SAMAR (Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation) systems for operational deployment and user trials. The system, which marks a blend of innovation and cost-efficiency, aims to provide quick-reaction defence against aerial threats amid evolving regional security dynamics.
The SAMAR system is the result of a collaborative effort between the IAF’s 7 Base Repair Depot (BRD) in Tughlakabad, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and private sector partner Simran Flowtech Industries. It repurposes the Russian-origin Vympel R-73 air-to-air missiles—previously used on fighter aircraft—into a twin-turret surface-to-air launch system capable of firing in both single and salvo modes.
Operating at speeds between Mach 2 and 2.5, SAMAR offers a mobile and responsive platform for short-range air defence. So far, the system has completed 17 successful test firings, with key demonstrations held during Exercise AstraShakti at Air Force Station Suryalanka in December 2023 and Exercise Vayushakti in February 2024.
Following the official confirmation of its development during Aero India 2023, five production batches of the SAMAR-1 variant are ready for induction into IAF’s Air-Defence Missile Unit. Though still undergoing extensive field evaluations, the system has already entered early operational service as of May 2025.
By extending the lifecycle of retired R-73E missiles through reconditioning and adaptation, the SAMAR programme exemplifies India’s thrust towards self-reliance and resource optimisation in defence production. It provides a low-cost, high-impact solution to fill critical gaps in air defence, particularly against threats from low-flying aircraft, drones, and helicopters.
Defence experts view SAMAR as a vital addition to India’s layered air defence network. It complements existing systems like Akash, Spyder, and the newly inducted MR-SAM, enhancing the IAF’s capacity to respond swiftly in multi-threat environments. The system’s mobility and ease of deployment are seen as major advantages in rapidly shifting battlefield scenarios.
With regional tensions persisting along India’s western and northern frontiers, the SAMAR system positions the IAF to better deter and neutralise hostile aerial intrusions, reinforcing India’s commitment to a robust, indigenously developed defence architecture.
