Latest news with #VSHORADS
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
05-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
What is VSHORADS that the Indian Army is acquiring amid Pahalgam tensions?
The Centre has proposed acquiring the Very Short Range Air Defence System or VSHORADS (NG) amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. The Defence Ministry over the weekend issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for equipping the Indian Army with 48 launchers equipped with night vision sights, 85 missiles and one missile test station. But what do we know about this weapons system? read more The Defence Ministry over the weekend issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for equipping the Indian Army with 48 launchers equipped with night vision sights, 85 missiles and one missile test station. Image courtesy: @SpokespersonMoD via X India is moving to acquire the Very Short Range Air Defence System or VSHORADS (NG). The Centre has proposed acquiring this air defence system amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack. The Defence Ministry over the weekend issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for equipping the Indian Army with 48 launchers equipped with night vision sights, 85 missiles and one missile test station. But what are these VSHORADS, also commonly known as Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (Manpads)? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look What do we know? The VSHORADS is a manned air defence system. It works on infra-red homing (IR) technology. It is an extremely effective fire-and-forget type of weapons system. As per The Week, the VSHORADS comprise three parts —the projectile, the launch tube and the grip and a battery unit. A lone soldier carries the launcher and two missiles on his back. Each missile measures around 1.85 metres. Their minimum range is around half a kilometre. As per Economic Times, it can hit enemy aircrafts, drones, fighter jets and helicopters up to six kilometers away. Experts say there is arguably no weapon system better suited for short range attacks. Two missiles fired at a time have a kill rate of at least 85 per cent against fighter aircrafts, as per The Week. As per the outlet, the Taliban used these systems to great effect against the US forces during the invasion of Afghanistan. The system can hit enemy aircrafts, drones, fighter jets and helicopters up to six kilometers away. PTI 'To be based on infra-red homing technology which allows them to track the heat signatures of aircraft engines, once fired, these single-shot missiles have a 95 per cent kill probability. Known not to fail, they are most effective against low-flying aircraft, including helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and UAVs,' a serving official told The Week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Manpads also have the advantage of being extremely mobile as they can be fired from anywhere, be it from a hilltop, from vehicles, just about anywhere,' the official added. As per IDRW, these systems have also proved crucial against drones and helicopters in Ukraine. As per The Week, though 105 militaries across the world use this weapon, just a dozen countries including India manufacture it. The most famous such weapon systems are the US' 'Stinger' missile system and Russia's 9K32 Strela-2. China has also come up with its own 'FN-16.' As per IDRW, Russia has the IGLA-S, Sweden has the RBS70NG and France has the MBDA Mistral system. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also working on a VSHORADS. In February, the DRDO successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of a VSHORADS from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. These tests were carried out against high-speed targets flying at a very low altitude, the defence ministry had then said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, as per The Times of India, the system is still in the process of development. India previously ordered the IGLA-S system from Russia, which is assembled here by Adani Defence. Defence sources have said that the new supplies of the IGLA-S air defence missiles have been received by the Indian Army a couple of weeks ago and are being provided to the forward formations for taking care of the threat from enemy fighter aircraft, choppers and drones on the borders. Why is the Indian Army making the move? The Indian army is making the move amid the rising tensions with Pakistan in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack. An Indian Army officer told The Times of India, 'The fire-and-forget VSHORADS-NG, based on infra-red homing technology, are needed by Army to meet the evolving dynamic air threat. There are major shortages in such man-portable systems for terminal and point defence against all types of aerial threats.' The RFP document, under the 'operational characteristics and feature' head, states, 'To meet the evolving dynamic air threat, Army Air Defence requires Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORADS) manportable missile system for effective terminal and point defence.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The system should comprise of a IR homing missile coupled to a manportable launching mechanism and suitable sighting system to engage targets both by day and night,' it says. It should have the capability to engage fighter, transport aircraft, helicopters and UAS (unmanned aerial system), the document says. The procurement seeks to booster the Army's air-defence capabilities to deal with any adversarial aerial threat. Under the 'Proposed Service Employment' head of the RFP document, it has been said that the VSHORADS (NG) will be used by 'all three services as terminal and point defence system against all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAS'. The air defence system is proposed to be employed on land and ship-based platforms with these two configurations – 'manportable single launcher configuration' and 'para dropped operations'. The procurement seeks to booster the Army's air-defence capabilities to deal with any adversarial aerial threat. PTI The system is proposed to be employed across all terrains, including high-altitude areas, plains, deserts, coastal areas and the maritime domain. The VSHORADS (NG) system should be able to 'operate during day and night for engagement of aerial targets under all weather conditions, including snow-bound locations'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The range of the operating temperature is minus 30 degrees Celsius (minimum) to 50 degrees Celsius (maximum), according to the RFP. 'The missile should be effective against all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAS' and according to the requirements defined in the RFP, the maximum effective range is 6,000 metres or more, while the minimum range is not more than 500 metres. The system should have the ability to engage targets approaching at a speed of 400 metres per second or more, according to the requirements defined in the document. On the 'deployment time', the requirement says the 'system to be deployable from transportation to firing mode within three minutes'. On the transportability requirement, the RFP document says 'the system with single launcher should be manportable' and the equipment should have the capability to be transported in 'service vehicle, ships, trains and aircraft and being para dropped'. With inputs from agencies
India Gazette
05-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India gets Russian Igla-S missiles amid tensions with Pakistan
The short-range, shoulder-fired rockets have reportedly been received as part of an emergency procurement contract The Indian Army has received a new shipment of Russian Igla-S air defense missiles, valued at over $300 million, to boost its capabilities, according to media reports. This move comes amid increased tensions with Pakistan, following last month's terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir which resulted in the death of 26 people. The missiles are being deployed to forward formations to counter threats posed by aircraft, drones, and attack helicopters, a report by the news agency ANI said. The Igla-S is an upgraded variant of the Igla missile system, which has been in service with the Indian Army since the 1990s and forms a key component of the country's Very Short Range Air Defense Systems (VSHORADS). This delivery was made under the emergency procurement powers granted to the armed forces by the government, reports said. As part of the Indian Army's air defense network, these systems are vital in providing protection against aerial threats. In addition to the recent delivery, the Indian Army has also signed a deal for the procurement of 48 more launchers and approximately 90 VSHORADS; the process is being handled using fast-track procedures, according to a report by ANI. On Saturday, the Pakistani military successfully carried out a test launch of a surface-to-surface missile called the Abdali Weapon System that has a reported range of 280 miles, according to defense officials.
Russia Today
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
India gets Russian Igla-S missiles amid tensions with Pakistan
The Indian Army has received a new shipment of Russian Igla-S air defense missiles, valued at over $300 million, to boost its capabilities, according to media reports. This move comes amid increased tensions with Pakistan, following last month's terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir which resulted in the death of 26 people. The missiles are being deployed to forward formations to counter threats posed by aircraft, drones, and attack helicopters, a report by the news agency ANI said. The Igla-S is an upgraded variant of the Igla missile system, which has been in service with the Indian Army since the 1990s and forms a key component of the country's Very Short Range Air Defense Systems (VSHORADS). This delivery was made under the emergency procurement powers granted to the armed forces by the government, reports said. As part of the Indian Army's air defense network, these systems are vital in providing protection against aerial threats. In addition to the recent delivery, the Indian Army has also signed a deal for the procurement of 48 more launchers and approximately 90 VSHORADS; the process is being handled using fast-track procedures, according to a report by ANI. On Saturday, the Pakistani military successfully carried out a test launch of a surface-to-surface missile called the Abdali Weapon System that has a reported range of 280 miles, according to defense officials.
India.com
04-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India Pakistan war: India receives Sky Guardian system from Russia, it can thwart..., DRDO develops long-range direct energy system that can...
New Delhi: Amidst the growing tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Indian Army has received a significant military boost. The army has recently received Russian-made Igla-S air defense missiles. These missiles are part of a very short-range air defense system and will further strengthen the army's capability to defend against aerial attacks. This deal was made under the emergency procurement rights given to the army by the government. The missiles procured under this contract, costing approximately Rs 260 crores, are being provided to forward posts deployed along the border to defend against enemy fighter jets, helicopters, and drones. According to sources, these missiles were received by the army a few weeks ago and are being deployed on the western borders. Both the Indian Air Force and the Army have received new air defense capabilities. Both the army and the air force have been strengthening their arsenals through emergency and fast-track procurement processes in recent years. Additionally, the army is planning to procure a laser beam-riding VSHORADS system soon. It is noteworthy that the Igla-S is an advanced version of the old Igla missile system, which has been in use by the Indian Army since the 1990s. The army has also upgraded and repaired its old missile stock. In view of the increasing use of drones by the Pakistan Army along the western border, the Indian Army requires better drone detection and destruction technology. In this regard, the army has deployed the indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) Mark-1, which can detect, jam, and destroy drones at distances of over 8 kilometers. This system also includes laser technology, which can burn down drones. Recently, the army shot down a Pakistani drone using this technology in Jammu. Along with this, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has also developed a new and long-range direct energy weapon that can destroy large drones, cruise missiles, and aircraft during wartime. The army will soon receive radar systems that can quickly detect enemy aircraft and drones flying at low altitudes.
Times of Oman
04-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Indian Army receives new supplies of Russian-origin Igla-S shoulder-fired air defence missiles
New Delhi: In a major boost for its capabilities amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Army has received new supplies of the Russian-origin Igla-S missiles. The Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS) are an important part of the air defence protection of the Indian Army, and the new supplies of the Igla-S missiles have been received as part of a contract inked under the emergency procurement powers given by the Centre to the forces. The new supplies of the Igla-S air defence missiles have been received by the Indian Army a couple of weeks ago and are being provided to the forward formations for taking care of the threat from enemy fighter aircraft, choppers and drones on the borders, defence sources told ANI. The contract worth around Rs 260 crore is expected to boost the strength of the air defence troops in the forward areas especially on the western sector, they said. The Indian Air Force has opted for a similar contract for the air defence missiles which are Infra Red sensor based VSHORADS. The Indian forces have been boosting their inventories through emergency and fast-track procurements over the last few years, where a major focus has been on the spares and other equipment to keep the fleets running through high tempo operations. Along with the fresh deliveries of the Igla-S missiles, Indian Army has also issued tender for buying 48 more launchers and around 90 missiles of the VSHORADS (IR) under fast track procedures. The forces are also looking at acquiring new versions of the laser beam-riding VSHORADS soon. The Igla-S is the advanced version of the Igla missiles, which have been in use since the 1990s. The existing inventory of older version missiles has also been refurbished by an Indian firm in the country itself. The Indian Army requires a large number of missiles as well as enhanced drone detection and destruction capabilities, given the threat from all types of unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Pakistan Army on the western front. The Army has deployed the Mark 1 of the indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System which can detect, jam, spoof and kill drones from a distance of over 8 kilometres. The systems are also fitted with lasers which can burn and bring down drones. The Army Air Defence units had recently brought down a Pakistan Army drone using the same systems opposite the 16 Corps area in the Jammu region. The Defence Research and Development Organisation has also developed a longer range and high powered direct energy weapon which can take down large size drones, cruise missiles and aircraft in times of conflicts. The Army also has to get the low-level transportable radars for a quicker detection and destruction of enemy drones and aircraft operating a lower levels.
