VSHORAD (India)
Context:
The Indian defense establishment has initiated a tender to purchase 30 units of the indigenous Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) missile system. Previously, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had conducted two successful test flight of the same at Chandipur.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Defense)
About Very Short-Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) Missile System:
- The VSHORAD missile system is a man portable air defense system (MANPAD).
- It is created to defend against low-altitude aerial threats over short distances.
- This new system with its advanced modern technology will provide with technological boost to the Armed forces.
- Its main purpose is to safeguard ground forces, vital assets, and military installations from low-flying threats like helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and low-flying aircraft.
- It has been designed and developed within India by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
- The Research Centre Imarat (RCI), situated in Hyderabad, played a key role in its development, collaborating with other DRDO labs and Indian industry partners.
- Primarily, it is the Indian Army that uses this system to bolster the Indian Army’s air defense capabilities across various operational scenarios.
Features:
- It uses Dual-thrust rocket motor to propel, and it also incorporates the miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) to increase mid-air maneuverability.
- It has Dual-band Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker that aids in effectively tracking and engaging targets.
- Advanced avionics systems is also part of the system to enhance the missile’s guidance and control capabilities.
