On 7th May 2025, CENJOWS successfully conducted the second MRSAM-India Eco-System Summit at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The Eco-system summit, hosted by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), in association with Aerospace Services India (ASI) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), served as a critical convergence for key defense stakeholders in highlighting the collaborative achievements and future possibilities in enhancing India’s air defense capabilities under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India” initiatives.
The Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) India Eco-System Summit 2.0 also witnessed participation from senior representatives of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Armed Forces, DRDO, Bharat Electronics Limited, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and leading Indian defense manufacturers. The summit functioned as a high-level platform for collaborative dialogue on enhancing national air defense readiness and indigenous development of missile systems.
The #MRSAM India Ecosystem Summit 2.0 kicks off today at the Manekshaw Centre with great momentum. A testament to the deepening strategic ties between #India and #Israel, the summit underscores a joint commitment to counter terrorism and co-develop advanced weapon systems,… pic.twitter.com/V8QsQsWVU8
— CENJOWS INDIA (@CENJOWS) May 7, 2025
Empowering India’s Strategic Air Defence Framework
The summit highlighted the MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) system, which is a product of Indo-Israeli joint development, and how it serves as the cornerstone of the nation’s multilayered air defense network. The summit also underscored a joint commitment to counter terrorism and co-development of advanced weapon systems, including next-generation missile defense technologies, to empower the armed forces.
Keynote Address Highlights: Induction of BARAK 8 Missile Across The Forces
The MRSAM Summit opened with remarks by Maj Gen Ashok Kumar (Retd), DG CENJOWS, and H.E. Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India, showcasing the growing defense and strategic partnership between the two nations. It further concluded that a robust doctrinal framework and clear operational philosophy are the need of the hour, as addressed by a distinguished panel, joined by Lt Gen Dr. A.P. Singh (Retd), former DG AAD, Air Marshal Anil Chopra, and Maj Gen Roopesh Mehta.
It then went on to announce the induction of the BARAK 8 missile across the multi-operational commands of the Indian Army, Navy, and the Air Force. The MRSAM system was jointly produced domestically, as per the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, by BEL and BDL, in collaboration with the DRDO and IAI (Israel).
Adaptability, Interoperability, and Sustained Joint Collaboration
Another panel at the MRSAM Summit presented a collaborative viewpoint of the Indian Armed Forces, underlining the need for joint operational preparedness and highlighting the unique challenges of integrating the MRSAM system across diverse service environments. The discussion explored the need for adaptability, interoperability, and sustained joint collaboration.
Experts Shared Views On Operational Realities
The MRSAM summit also held a panel discussion on air defense lessons from the recent Ukraine conflict and from Israeli history. It went into the realities on the ground, and presented potential challenges faced by armed forces, which serves as invaluable insights for the nation’s air defense preparedness.
Air Defence Lessons from Israel and Ukraine | MRSAM Summit
Among the most sought-after sessions at the MRSAM Summit was the panel discussion on air defence lessons from the Israel and Ukraine conflicts. Expert panelists dissected operational realities and strategic implications —… pic.twitter.com/ENWMfPQmaN— CENJOWS INDIA (@CENJOWS) May 7, 2025
Unveiling STORMS – An AI-Powered Service Management Platform
Yet another technology showcase that was the highlight, was the introduction of STORMS, an AI-powered service management platform. It was developed by ASI to streamline life-cycle support and logistics for high-value defense systems. The AI-powered platform leverages machine learning to enhance operational availability by predicting sustainability of MRSAM batteries.
Collaborative Frameworks and Strategic Vision For The Future
The summit concluded by reinforcing the necessity of a resilient and future-ready air defense infrastructure, which is only possible via multilateral cooperation, capacity building, and innovation-driven indigenous manufacturing. It further highlighted the role of joint ventures, the private sector, and start-ups in accelerating the ideal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Senior military officials also reiterated that a robust and agile air defense in the need of the hour and non-negotiable in today’s dynamic geopolitical landscape, especially considering the increasing use of precision-guided munitions, UAV swarms, and stand-off weapon systems.
Milestones in Making: CENJOWS
The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) has historically proven itself by shaping India’s defense landscape, such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Military College of Material Management (MCMM), an Indian Army training establishment located at Sita Pahari, Jabalpur. It has also contributed to the nation’s disaster management capabilities when it signed another MoU with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
