SOURCE: AFI
The impending induction of the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system into the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army is set to significantly bolster India’s air defence grid, particularly against the aerial threats posed by Pakistan and China. With a proposed acquisition worth Rs 25,000-30,000 crore for three regiments, this indigenous system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), promises to enhance India’s ability to counter a range of airborne challenges along its contested borders.
The QRSAM, designed as a short-range surface-to-air missile system with a 30 km range and the capability to engage targets up to 10 km in altitude, addresses critical gaps in India’s layered air defence network. Its primary strength lies in its mobility, mounted on an Ashok Leyland 8×8 truck, allowing it to operate on the move with search, track, and fire capabilities during brief halts. This agility is a significant upgrade over static systems, enabling rapid response to low-flying threats such as drones, helicopters, and fighter jets—tactics increasingly employed by Pakistan and China in border skirmishes.
Against Pakistan, the QRSAM will fortify India’s western frontier, where recent tensions, including the May 2025 Operation Sindoor, have highlighted the need for robust short-range defences. Pakistan’s reliance on low-altitude drones and loitering munitions, as seen in cross-border provocations, has exposed vulnerabilities in India’s existing systems like the Akash missile. The QRSAM’s ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously—up to six per launcher—coupled with its electronic counter-countermeasure features, including a laser proximity fuze, ensures it can neutralize jamming attempts and strike with precision, countering Pakistan’s growing arsenal of Chinese-supplied UAVs and missiles.
On the northern front with China, the QRSAM complements India’s long-range S-400 Triumf systems by providing a critical short-range layer. China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) operates advanced stealth fighters and high-altitude drones, posing a multifaceted threat along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The QRSAM’s 360-degree radar coverage, enabled by its Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar and Multi-function Radar, enhances situational awareness and allows integration with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This network-centric approach will help plug surveillance gaps in rugged terrains like Ladakh, where rapid deployment is essential during standoffs.
The system’s recent successful trials, including six flight tests in 2022 and completion of Limited Series Production deliveries in 2024-25, demonstrate its readiness to address operational challenges. Its ability to operate in all weather conditions and its indigenous design—over 90% locally sourced—align with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reducing dependence on foreign imports like the Israeli Spyder system. However, concerns about its performance against low-altitude hovering helicopters and minimum-range targets suggest that further refinements are needed, a focus area as the Army prepares for additional trials.
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