SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant push toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure 48 launchers, 48 night vision sights, 85 missiles, and one missile test station for the Very Short Range Air Defence System (New Generation) [VSHORADS-NG] under the “Buy (Indian)” category. This acquisition, aimed at enhancing the Indian Army’s air defense capabilities, underscores India’s commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, prioritizing indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured systems.
The VSHORADS-NG, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Indian industry partners like Adani Defence & Aerospace and ICOMM Tele Limited, is a fourth-generation MANPADS designed to neutralize drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. The system, an evolution of the DRDO’s VSHORADS tested successfully in 2022-2024, features advanced infrared (IR) homing, miniaturized reaction control systems, and integrated avionics, offering a range of 250 meters to 6 kilometers and a speed of Mach 1.5. Its portability—either shoulder-launched or tripod-mounted—ensures flexibility for troops in diverse terrains, from high-altitude borders to coastal regions.
The RFP’s “Buy (Indian)” category mandates at least 50% indigenous content, aligning with the MoD’s focus on fostering domestic defense production. This follows the DRDO’s successful completion of VSHORADS developmental trials on October 5, 2024, at Pokhran, Rajasthan, where the system intercepted high-speed, low-altitude targets, including drones with reduced thermal signatures. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the trials, noting their role in strengthening India’s air defense network. The current procurement, though modest in scale, is a precursor to larger orders, with the Army eyeing 500 launchers and 3,000 missiles to replace aging Russian Igla-1M systems.
The Indian Army’s air defense modernization has gained urgency amid evolving threats, as demonstrated in conflicts like Ukraine, where VSHORAD systems have proven critical against drones and helicopters. The Army’s existing inventory, including 450 refurbished Igla-1M missiles and limited Igla-S systems procured under emergency powers in 2020 and 2023, is insufficient to meet current demands. Emergency procurements, such as the ?260 crore deal for 48 Igla-S launchers, 100 missiles, and 48 night sights in 2023, have been stopgap measures, with deliveries ongoing through 2024. The VSHORADS-NG aims to address this gap with a fully indigenous solution, reducing reliance on imports like Russia’s Igla-S, Sweden’s RBS 70 NG, and France’s MBDA Mistral, which competed in earlier tenders.
The RFP specifies that the VSHORADS-NG must operate in extreme conditions, from -45°C to +45°C, and in diverse environments, including rain, fog, and high-altitude areas up to 5,500 meters. The night vision sights will enhance 24/7 operability, while the missile test station ensures maintenance and reliability. The system’s design allows for future upgrades, ensuring adaptability to emerging threats like stealth drones and low-IR targets. Industry sources indicate that the DRDO’s collaboration with Adani Defence and ICOMM Tele under the Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) program will streamline production, with potential orders valued at ?1,900 crore for the tri-services’ requirements.
This procurement follows a troubled history of VSHORAD acquisitions. A 2010 RFP for 5,175 missiles and 516 launchers, valued at ?27,000 crore, saw Russia’s Igla-S emerge as the lowest bidder in 2018, but the deal collapsed due to procedural irregularities and a freeze on direct imports. Repeated failures to close deals for 88 launchers and 372 missiles since 2020 underscored the urgency of indigenous development. The DRDO’s VSHORADS, initially a tripod-based system, is being miniaturized for shoulder-launched use, with technologies transferable to a laser-beam-riding VSHORAD project under the Make-2 procedure, potentially involving Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Thales for 1,200 missiles and 200 launchers.
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