After S-400 and Akash, India gets this formidable air defence system, which will neutralise Pakistan and China’s attacks

This system will be deployed along the Pakistan and China borders.

New Delhi: The Indian Army has taken a major step to further strengthen its air defence capabilities. The Army has issued a tender to purchase five to six regiments of the “Ananta Shastra” surface-to-air missile system. This system will be deployed along the Pakistan and China borders. According to defence officials, the project will cost approximately Rs 30,000 crore. It has been awarded to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and the system is developed by the DRDO.

QRSAM

It was previously known as the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM). This missile system has a range of approximately 30 km and is capable of detecting and destroying moving enemy targets. The Army believes that it will work in conjunction with existing missiles like the Akash and MR-SAM, further strengthening the country’s air defences.

New radar technology, short-range

During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan carried out drone attacks using Chinese weapons. At that time, the Indian Army shot down most of the drones using systems like the L-70 and Zu-23 guns, Akash, and MR-SAMs. The Army is now incorporating new radar technology, short-range air defence systems, jammers, and laser-based weapons to intercept Turkish and Chinese drones coming from Pakistan. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is continuously emphasising indigenous weaponry. In the future, the Army will also induct the Zoravar light tank and several modern indigenous air defence systems.

Akash SAMs

The Indian Army has relied on the Soviet-made OSA-AK and the indigenous Akash SAM on the battlefield. However, given the new threats, a more agile and accurate system is needed. Defence experts say that Anant Shastra has been specifically designed for this purpose. Integrated into the Army’s Akashteer command and control network, it will not only protect troops and equipment but also enable mechanised units to move without any hindrance due to fear of air attacks.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Apart from BrahMos, India has other formidable air defence weapons.
• India’s air defence weapons will neutralise Pakistan and China’s attacks.
• The Indian Army has taken a major step to further strengthen its air defence capabilities.
• The Army has issued a tender to purchase five to six regiments of the “Ananta Shastra”.

This system will be deployed along the Pakistan and China borders. According to defence officials, the project will cost approximately Rs 30,000 crore. It has been awarded to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and the system is developed by the DRDO.