SOURCE: AFI
Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies, a key player in India’s private defense sector, has showcased an updated version of its Vismai Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPAD) and introduced a new variant, the Vismai-BR, featuring improved range capabilities. The unveiling highlights the company’s ongoing efforts to bolster indigenous air defense solutions, catering to the evolving needs of the Indian armed forces and potentially the global market.
The Vismai MANPAD, designed to counter low-flying aerial threats such as helicopters, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has been a flagship product for VEM Technologies. The updated Vismai-R and the newly launched Vismai-BR bring distinct advancements in guidance systems and operational flexibility, positioning them as versatile options for short-range air defense. Both missiles are engineered for portability and rapid deployment, critical for infantry and special forces units.
The Vismai-R operates as an autonomous launch system with a lock-before-launch mechanism, relying on Imaging Infrared (IIR) and Ultraviolet (UV) guidance. This enables precise targeting in diverse weather conditions and during day or night operations. In contrast, the Vismai-BR employs a Laser Beam Rider (SAL – Semi-Active Laser) guidance system, offering an alternative approach to target acquisition and engagement. Both variants share a maximum range of 6,500 meters, making them highly effective against distant aerial threats.
However, the two differ in their minimum engagement ranges. The Vismai-R can engage targets as close as 200 meters in direct mode, while the Vismai-BR’s minimum range is 500 meters, reflecting its design optimization for slightly longer standoff distances. Both missiles feature a compact 72 mm diameter and a lightweight profile, with the missile itself weighing 12 kg and the launch tube adding an additional 8 kg, resulting in a total system weight of 20 kg. This portability ensures ease of use by ground troops in dynamic battlefield scenarios.
Equipped with a High-Explosive (HE) Fragmentation warhead, both the Vismai-R and Vismai-BR are designed to deliver devastating effects against aerial targets, ensuring high lethality upon impact. The combination of advanced guidance systems and a robust warhead underscores VEM Technologies’ focus on delivering reliable, next-generation air defense solutions.
The introduction of the Vismai-BR alongside the upgraded Vismai-R demonstrates VEM Technologies’ commitment to diversifying its missile portfolio. The dual-guidance approach—IIR/UV for Vismai-R and SAL for Vismai-BR—offers operational flexibility, allowing military planners to select the variant best suited to specific mission profiles. The improved range and lightweight design further enhance their appeal for integration into India’s air defense architecture, particularly for protecting forward positions and critical assets.
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