Syllabus section: Internal security

 

Why in News?

BDL signs pact with Thales to make STARStreak Missile Systems.

 

About:

• The STARStreak is a short-range surface-to-air missile. It was earlier called as the Shorts Missile System. It travels at Mach 3 speed, that is, the speed of the missile is three times the speed of sound.

• STARStreak has been in service with the British Army since 1997.

• The minimum range of the system is 0.3 km and the maximum range is 7 km. The range of the STARStreak System II variant is more than 7 km.

• The other variants of the STARStreak system are air to air system that can be fired from helicopters.

• The Light Weight Multiple Launcher variants of the STARStreak system can be used mounting on a stationary vehicle.

• The surface to air missile installed in the STARStreak Air Defence System is currently the fastest short-range surface to air missile in the world.

• The missile is made of three LASER guided Darts.

 

Source: The Hindu