The Ministry of Defense will soon consider the initial approval of a proposal of ₹ 30,000 crore for the Army’s new indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM) systems for the purchase of three regiments. According to reports, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will consider giving ‘Accepting of requirement’ for these mobile QR -SAM systems later this month. Let us tell you that these systems have been designed to stop enemy fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones from 25 to 30 km.
The move has been taken at a time when India’s current multi-level air defense system played an important role in thwarting the Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missile attacks released by Pakistan during the ‘Operation Sindoor’ (clashes between 7 to 10 May). Let us tell you that in the last three-four years, DRDO and the army have tested the QR-Sam systems against various types of dangers and high-speed air goals, so that their capabilities can be evaluated in both day and night situations. It is being told that public sector companies in defense sector – Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will form these systems.
Giving information about these systems, an official said, “QR-SAM systems are capable of conducting operations, which facilitates search and track and can fire on a short time break.
They have been specially designed to run along with tanks and infantry combat vehicles as well as aerial security in the strategic battlefield. “Let us tell you that Army Air Defense (AAD), who performed extraordinary during Operation Sindoor, really requires 11 regiments of QR-SAM. However, although the Army is also involving the respective ‘Akash’ system, but the current is also involving its resignation, but the current is also included in the present. The capacity is about 25 km.
Let us tell you that the inclusion of QR-SAM systems will further strengthen the existing air defense network of the Air Force and the Army. As far as the military forces have the systems already existing, let us tell you that it has a Russian S-400 ‘Triumph’ long-range surface-to-air missile system that has a 380 km blocking capacity. Apart from this, we have a jointly developed Barak-8 medium range SAM system with Israel with a capacity of 70 km. At the same time, we have missiles to be fired on the Russian ‘Igla-S’ shoulder, which has a capacity of 6 km. There is also an advanced L-70 anti-aercraft gun (3.5 km) and indigenous integrated drone detection and interdiction system with a capacity of 1-2 km.
Let us also tell you that DRDO is also preparing a very short distance air defense missile system (VSHORADS) whose obstructive capacity is 6 km but the real “game-chain” will be the air defense system that will have a range of 350 km and is being developed under the ambitious ‘Project Kusha’. According to media reports, India is planning to bring this long distance system to operation by 2028-2029. In September 2023, the Ministry of Defense approved an AON of ₹ 21,700 crore for the purchase of five squadrons.