VSHORAD: Indian Army Develops Indigenous Shoulder-Fired Missiles

April 22, 2024

The Indian Army is progressing two projects worth over Rs 6,800 crore to develop indigenous Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems. These shoulder-fired missile systems are being developed to counter aerial threats along the borders with China and Pakistan. The Army plans to procure over 500 launchers and around 3,000 missiles through these indigenous routes.

Laser Beam Riding VSHORADS Project

The first project, valued at Rs 4,800 crore, involves the development of a laser beam riding VSHORADS.
A Hyderabad-based defense Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and a private sector firm from Pune are collaborating on this project.
The system will provide protection against enemy drones, fighter aircraft, and helicopters.
The Army will be the lead service for this project, with the Indian Air Force also set to receive a portion of the 1,200 missiles and 200 launchers being developed.

DRDO’s Infra-Red Homing VSHORADS

The second project is being carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop an infra-red homing-based VSHORADS.
DRDO is working with its development and production partners, Adani Defence and I-Comm, to create this system.
The DRDO has already tested the system using a tripod and is now working on miniaturizing it for shoulder-launched use.

Emergency Procurement and Revival of Igla-S Deal

To address the immediate shortage of VSHORAD systems, the Indian Army and Air Force have procured 96 Russian Igla launchers under Emergency Procurement powers.
The first batch of 48 launchers has already arrived, with the remaining 48 expected soon.
There is also a proposal to revive a previous deal for the Russian Igla-S system, which was abandoned more than five years ago.

About VSHORAD Systems

VSHORAD systems have proven their value and versatility in recent conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war.
These missiles play a crucial role in providing a layered air defense capability against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. The Indian military has been working on replacing its aging VSHORAD inventory, which primarily consists of the Igla-1M system inducted in 1989 and scheduled for de-induction in 2013.

Make in India Initiative

The development of indigenous VSHORAD systems aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to promote self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Meetings among project stakeholders are expected to take place soon to discuss the implementation of these projects under the Make in India framework.

About Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):

Established in 1958
Premier R&D organisation under the Ministry of Defence, India
Headquartered in New Delhi
Network of over 50 laboratories across India
Develops technologies for the Indian Armed Forces
Notable projects: Agni and Prithvi missiles, Tejas fighter aircraft, Arjun tank
Developed critical systems like EW, radars, sonars, torpedoes, and combat vehicles

As the Indian Army continues to bolster its air defense capabilities, the successful development and deployment of these indigenous VSHORAD systems will significantly enhance the country’s ability to counter aerial threats along its borders with China and Pakistan.

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