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]
| VSHORAD | |
|---|---|
_missile_(cropped).jpg) 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 |
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.
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 poject is likely to receive an initial order pf 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 againt low flying drones, helicopters and fighter jets. This project, worth ₹4,800 crore (US$600 million), is likely to recieve 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]
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 "VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests"[9]
On 14 March 2023, DRDO again conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of VSHORADS 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.[10]
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. [11][12]
Operators edit
India
- Indian Army: 500 launchers and 3000 missiles (planned)[7]
- Indian Air Force (planned)[7]
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.
- ^ "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.