Not Rafale Or F-35, Indian Army Wanted This Air Defence System For Rs 1.12 Lakh Crore

News18

3 days ago

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India is investing Rs 1.12 lakh crore in the QRSAM system, known as the "Baby S-400," developed by DRDO to counter drones and low-flying threats, enhancing air defence.
The push to turn India into an air-tight fortress is gaining momentum. After the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, the Centre has accelerated military modernisation with a mega project valued at over Rs 3 lakh crore. Among the headline approvals is a Rs 1.12 lakh crore push to bolster India's air defence capabilities with the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system.
Here's what's changing on the ground.
The Ministry of Defence has just greenlit military procurement proposals exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore. These include 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) worth Rs 44,000 crore, but the big-ticket item is the Rs 36,000 crore allocated for six regiments of QRSAMs. Out of these, three regiments will be delivered to the Army and Air Force.
The QRSAM isn't just any system. It's being called the 'Baby S-400", a nod to its smaller size but strategic importance. Developed by the DRDO, this air defence system can neutralise enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles within a 30 km radius.
While that range may seem modest compared to the 400 km reach of the Russian-origin S-400 and the 100–200 km envelope of the Akash system, QRSAM's quick reaction time and battlefield mobility give it a distinct tactical edge.
That's where QRSAM steps in.
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan, rattled by India's precision strikes, launched a barrage of drones, reportedly with Chinese and Turkish support. Hundreds were detected. India's Akash systems held the line. Still, experts say the absence of a mobile, quick-launch system like QRSAM was felt sharply.
Now, with six regiments approved, the game is shifting. But it's not enough.
According to defence officials, the Indian Army had originally asked for 11 QRSAM regiments. The Air Force reportedly had a similar requirement. Meeting both demands would require 22 regiments in total, pegged at a cost of roughly Rs 1.12 lakh crore. That's how the number came into play.
Each QRSAM regiment costs about Rs 6,000 crore. While six have been cleared, that leaves a shortfall, one that defence planners say could prove critical if not addressed.
Why does it matter?
Because India's adversaries, especially China and Pakistan, are investing heavily in stealth drones, cruise missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities. The battlefield is shifting toward high-speed, low-visibility threats. QRSAM fills the gap between long-range missile shields like S-400 and medium-range options like Akash.
If fully deployed, QRSAM would add another layer to India's multi-tier air defence strategy, creating a net that could detect and destroy nearly anything from UAVs to 5th-generation fighter jets. This isn't just about defence. It's about deterrence.
With three regiments apiece going to the Army and Air Force, the system is finally getting into deployment phase.
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