Latest news with #VSHORADS-NG
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan plans to increase defence budget by 18%: How it compares with India
File photo: PTI Military spending Air and naval capabilities, new procurements Mock drills Nuclear capacity NEW DELHI: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has proposed to increase its defence budget by 18%. The proposal comes days after India has cornered Pakistan in the aftermath of Pahalgam terror attack in hich 22 civilians were killed,Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned of strict action against terrorism saying that the country will "identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers". He has also given complete freedom to the armed forces to decide on the "mode, targets and timing of response".Following the attack, the two nations have engaged in sporadic exchanges of gunfire along the Line of Control with Pakistan violating the ceasefire for the 12th consecutive time on Monday night drawing India's another neighbour, China, has expressed support for Pakistan, its "all-weather strategic cooperative partner", and categorically said that it understands the "legitimate security concerns and supports its efforts to uphold its sovereignty and security interests."With Pakistan increasing its defence budget to over Rs 2.5 trillion, let's have a look at where India stands:India, the world's fifth-largest military spender at $86 billion, spends nearly nine times more than Pakistan but remains far behind China, which spends almost four times as being a major military spender, it struggles to maximize its defence outlay, even as it faces a two-front challenge. In the 2025-26 defence budget of Rs 6.8 lakh crore ($80 billion), only about 22% is allocated for capital acquisitions of new weapons and systems, while the bulk is consumed by salaries, operating expenses for the 1.4-million-strong armed forces, and pensions for over 3.4 million ex-servicemen and defence spends just 1.9% of its GDP on defence—below the 2.5% seen as necessary to counter threats from China and Pakistan—while lacking a strong defence-industrial base and long-term military planning. As a result, the armed forces face critical shortages across key areas, including fighter jets, submarines, helicopters, air defence systems, anti-tank missiles, and night-fighting fields a fleet of around 730 combat-ready aircraft, including advanced fighters like the Rafale, compared to Pakistan's 452 military aircraft. The Indian Navy also holds a significant edge, operating 16 destroyers, 16 frigates, and two aircraft carriers, while Pakistan's naval forces comprise eight submarines and 10 the Army has issued a tender for 48 launchers, 48 night-vision sights, 85 missiles, and a test station for new-generation very short-range air defence systems (VSHORADS-NG), capable of targeting enemy aircraft, drones, and helicopters within 6 km. Bids are due by May central government has directed all states to conduct mock drills in response to the "new and complex threats" facing the 300 "civil defence districts" housing critical facilities such as nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams will be included in mock drills featuring air-raid siren tests, civilian preparedness training for "hostile attacks", and the clearing of bunkers and across all states will engage students, government and private sector employees, hospital staff, railway and metro officials, as well as police, paramilitary, and defence personnel in the mock and Pakistan both possess nuclear weapons, with India recently surpassing Pakistan in the number of warheads, now estimated at 180 compared to Pakistan's 170. This shift highlights India's nuclear modernization, including the deployment of MIRVs on its Agni-V missiles, which have a range of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers, extending their reach to targets across the region, including China's nuclear capabilities have been rapidly expanding, with its arsenal growing from 410 warheads in January 2023 to an estimated 500 by January 2024. This growth is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its nuclear deterrent, and projections indicate that China could match the US or Russia in intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by the decade's military action has become inevitable with Pakistan continuously violating the ceasefire and attracting proportionate response from Indian has announced punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari land border, and downgrading diplomatic ties, citing cross-border links to the attack. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, halted trade, and conducted two missile tests—launching the 120-kilometre-range 'Fatah series' missile on Monday, followed by the Abdali Weapon System with a 450-kilometre range on Saturday.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India fast-tracks VSHORADS-NG missile deal amid border security concerns
Amid rising tensions on the western front, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack , the Indian Army has moved to procure a fresh batch of man-portable air defence systems. These missiles are designed to intercept enemy aircraft, drones, helicopters, and fighter jets up to a range of 6 km. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India much better equipped to target cross-border terror since Balakot India conducts maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad The Ministry of Defence , in coordination with the Army, on Friday released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 48 launchers, 48 night-vision sights, 85 missiles, and a mobile missile testing station under the Very Short Range Air Defence System - New Generation ( VSHORADS-NG ) category. Bidders have been asked to submit their proposals by 20 May. The contract will be processed under the 'Buy (Indian)' route. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wife won't let go of dog, husband finds out why and calls police - watch! Happy in Shape Undo 'Urgent requirement for dynamic air threats' As reported by TOI, an Army officer explained the rationale behind the move, stating, '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.' These systems are expected to operate in extreme terrain—from snow-covered heights of 4,500 metres to deserts, plains, coastal, and maritime zones. The missile system must be deployable in all-weather scenarios, including snow-bound regions, and be para-droppable when needed. Live Events The RFP specifies: 'It should have the capability to engage fighter, transport aircraft and helicopters,' and adds, 'It should have a maximum range of 6000 m (6 km) hitting targets up to 3500 m (3.5 km) above ground levels.' DRDO's indigenous system still under trials While India has been developing its own version of VSHORADS through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the system is not yet ready for production. The latest round of trials was conducted in February this year. Given the delays, the armed forces have had to rely on alternate sources. Earlier, under emergency provisions triggered by the military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh, both the Army and Indian Air Force inducted a limited number of similar systems. Igla-S: Stopgap measure during defence gaps Among the emergency acquisitions were Russian-origin Igla-S man-portable air defence systems . These were assembled in India by Adani Defence. The Igla-S offers significant improvements over the older Igla-1M, which has been in service since 1989. The newer version comes with a longer interception range and better precision, still capped at 6 km. This isn't the first time India has looked into acquiring such systems. A tri-Service case to procure 5,175 VSHORADS units began back in June 2009. The Igla-S eventually won over competing French and Swedish systems. The larger plan was to first purchase off-the-shelf units and then locally manufacture them with technology transfer to Bharat Dynamics . However, the project did not progress. Government push for local production The new RFP reiterates the Centre's focus on indigenisation. It stipulates that vendors must meet 'minimum indigenous content (IC) required in case of indigenous design greater than 50 per cent, otherwise more than 60 per cent.' Additionally, the RFP mentions: 'There should be a facility of portable missile testing station which functions in all terrains and climatic conditions.' Back in January 2023, the Defence Acquisition Council led by Rajnath Singh gave the green light for procurement of DRDO's VSHORADS systems, at an estimated cost of ₹1,920 crore. This latest tender is seen as a continuation of that approval, with a more immediate focus on plugging critical gaps. This fresh procurement round arrives at a critical moment. Tensions along the western border with Pakistan have remained high, especially following the Pahalgam incident. Security analysts see this move as a response to both long-standing capability shortfalls and current operational risks. Though not unexpected, the urgency underlines a broader reality—the need for portable, responsive air defence is no longer theoretical. It's immediate.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
More man-portable air defence missile systems coming soon amid rising India-Pakistan tensions over Pahalgam attack
NEW DELHI: The Army is going in for the procurement of another lot of man-portable air defence missile systems , which can intercept and destroy hostile fighter jets, aircraft, drones and helicopters at ranges up to 6-km, amid the ongoing tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror massacre. The defence ministry-Army on Friday issued the tender or RFP (request for proposal) for 48 launchers, 48 night-vision sights, 85 missiles and a missile test station of the very short-range air defence system-new generation ( VSHORADS-NG ). Vendors have been told to submit their bids by May 20. "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," an officer said. The RFP said the all-weather air defence system, which should have anti-jamming characteristics and be capable of being para-dropped, will be employed across all kinds of terrain, ranging from plains and deserts to high-altitude areas of around 4,500-metres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson Shows Off Her Jaw-Dropping Figure - See Photos 33 Bridges Undo The indigenous VSHORADS being developed by DRDO is still not ready for production and induction, with the latest set of trials being conducted in Feb this year. Consequently, the Army and IAF had earlier also inducted a limited number of such systems under emergency provisions due to the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh with China. They included the Russian Igla-S man-portable air defence systems, assembled in India by Adani Defence. While the Army and IAF have the old Igla-1M systems since 1989, the shoulder-fired Igla-S is an improved variant with a longer interception range of up to 6-km. Now, the tense situation with Pakistan seems to have triggered a fresh round of procurements. A tri-Service case for acquisition of 5,175 VSHORADS and associated equipment was initiated way back in June 2009, which eventually led to the Igla-S system being selected over the French and Swedish systems in the fray. But the major project, which was to include an initial off-the-shelf purchase followed by technology transfer to Bharat Dynamics for subsequent production, did not take off. In Jan 2023, the Rajnath Singh-led defence acquisitions council had accorded "acceptance of necessity" for procurement of the infrared-homing VSHORADS missiles under design and development by DRDO at a cost of Rs 1,920 crore, as was then reported by TOI
