VSHORAD (India)
VSHORAD | |
---|---|
![]() VSHORAD | |
Type | |
Place of origin | India |
Service history | |
In service | Under development |
Used by | Indian Army |
Production history | |
Designer | Research Centre Imarat (DRDO) |
Manufacturer | Adani Defence and Aerospace |
Specifications | |
Mass | 20.5 kg (45 lb) |
Length | 2.00 metres (6 ft 7 in) |
Diameter | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Wingspan | 32 cm (13 in) |
Warhead | 2.0 kg (4.4 lb) |
Detonation mechanism | Adaptive proximity fuze |
Engine | Dual-thrust rocket motor |
Propellant | Solid propellant |
Operational range | 250 m (820 ft) – 7 km (23,000 ft) |
Flight altitude | 3,500 m (11,500 ft) |
Maximum speed | Mach 1.5 |
Guidance system | Dual waveband infrared imaging |
Launch platform | Tripod, weapon platform |
The Very Short Range Air Defence System, or VSHORADS, is a fourth generation, man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI),a research lab under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), located in Hyderabad.[1] Multiple DRDO laboratories along with Indian Industry Partners are participating in the project. It is designed for anti-aircraft warfare and neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.[2]
Adani Defence and Aerospace is the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) for manufacturing of VSHORAD system.[3]
Development
[edit]The Indian Army has been using Igla-M since 1980s. The system today is not well suited for evolving modern threats. In the year 2018, Russia’s Rosoboronexport came out victorious and was believed to supply $1.3 billion Igla-S missile system to the Indian Army.[4]
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is now reviewing and delaying the 9K338 Igla-S (SA-24 Grinch) systems under the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) procurement in order to limit arm imports and support Make In India. Nevertheless, the Indian Army has deployed a limited quantity of Igla-S systems that were purchased under emergency procurement from Russia.[5]
DRDO grabbed this opportunity and started working on its own very short-range air defence or VSHORADS program. VSHORADS is designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Maiden_launch_of_Very_Short_Range_Air_Defence_System_missile.jpg/220px-Maiden_launch_of_Very_Short_Range_Air_Defence_System_missile.jpg)
On 11 January 2023, MoD accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile variant.[6]
As of May 2024, DRDO has developed a tripod based weapon system while the development miniaturised version as a shoulder launched variant is underway. The DRDO VSHORAD project is likely to receive an initial order of around 500 launchers and 3000 missiles from the Indian Army.[7][8]
According to sources, the DRDO VSHORAD is being developed in parallel to another Indian VSHORAD project as a joint venture between a Hyderabad-based public sector unit (likely, Bharat Dynamics Limited) and a Pune-based private sector unit. The latter missile shall be a laser beam riding VSHORAD system to be used against low flying drones, helicopters and fighter jets. This project, worth ₹4,800 crore (US$580 million), is likely to receive an order of 200 launchers and 1200 missiles. While Indian Army will procure 700 missiles the Air Force will procure the rest of it.[7][8][9]
Design
[edit]The missile is propelled by dual-thrust rocket motor and is made to take out low flying targets. Missile and launcher is designed for easy portability.[2]
VSHORAD missile incorporates integrated avionics and miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) to increase mid-air maneuverability.[2] The missile uses a state-of-art uncooled infrared imaging seeker.[1]
Testing
[edit]On 27 September 2022, DRDO conducted two successful test flights of VSHORAD missile from a ground-based portable launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. A Ministry of Defence statement read "VSHORAD missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests"[10]
On 14 March 2023, DRDO again conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of VSHORAD missile at the ITR, Chandipur. The flight tests were carried out against a high speed unmanned aerial targets, mimicking approaching and receding aircraft. The targets were successfully intercepted, meeting all mission objectives.[11]
On 28 and 29 February 2024, the third and fourth tests were successfully conducted from a ground-based portable launcher. The mission objective, which was to destroy high-speed unmanned targets under different scenarios, was achieved by the tests. The test was witnessed by officials from the Indian Army.[12][13]
In June 2024, ANI News reported that DRDO will carry out high-altitude trails of the missile system at a location like Ladakh or Sikkim. The issues about short-range interception has been sorted out. The high-altitude trails will be followed by user trials by Indian Armed Forces.[14]
Operators
[edit] India
- Indian Army: 500 launchers and 3000 missiles (planned)[7]
- Indian Air Force and Indian Navy: 300 launchers and 1800 missiles (planned)[7][9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023". Press Information Bureau. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ a b c "Successful Flight Tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Missile by DRDO". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ Vora, Rutam (2022-10-20). "Adani Defence to bring commercial version of VSHORADS missiles in a year". BusinessLine. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
- ^ Siddiqui, Huma (20 November 2018). "Indian Army to get Russian VSHORAD missile system for air defence". Financialexpress. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ Peri, Dinakar (2022-04-02). "Army inducts Russian MANPADS". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
- ^ Dutta, Amrita Nayak (2023-01-10). "DAC nod to VSHORAD missile systems being designed by DRDO". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ a b c d "Army progressing Rs 6800 cr desi shoulder-fired missile projects for China, Pakistan borders". ANI. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ a b Bisht, Inder Singh (2024-04-24). "Indian Army Greenlights Local VSHORAD Development Project". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
- ^ a b Peri, Dinakar (2024-05-15). "Army set to receive Igla-S air defence systems partly assembled in India". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "DRDO conducts successful test flight of VSHORADS missile". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
- ^ "DRDO conducts two consecutive successful flight tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System missile off Odisha coast". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ "DRDO successfully flight tests Very Short Range Air Defence System". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ PTI. "India successfully flight tests VSHORADS missile". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "India to carry out high altitude trials of indigenous short-range air defence missiles". ANI News. 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-16.