VSHORAD (India)

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VSHORAD
Maiden launch of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile (cropped).jpg
VSHORAD
Type
Place of originIndia
Service history
In serviceUnder development
Used byIndian Army
Production history
Designer Research Centre Imarat (DRDO)
Manufacturer Adani Defence and Aerospace
Specifications
Mass20.5 kg (45 lb)
Length2.00 metres (6 ft 7 in)
Diameter90 mm (3.5 in)
Wingspan32 cm (13 in)
Warhead2.0 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 altitude3,500 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]

Contents

Adani Defence and Aerospace is the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) for manufacturing of VSHORAD system. [3]

Development

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.

Maiden launch of Very Short Range Air Defence System Maiden launch of Very Short Range Air Defence System missile.jpg
Maiden launch of Very Short Range Air Defence System

On 11 January 2023, MoD accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile variant. [6]

Design

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

VSHORAD missile test from a ground-based portable launcher.

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" [7]

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. [8]

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. [9] [10]

Operators

Flag of India.svg India

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023". Press Information Bureau. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Successful Flight Tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Missile by DRDO". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  3. Vora, Rutam (2022-10-20). "Adani Defence to bring commercial version of VSHORADS missiles in a year". BusinessLine. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  4. Siddiqui, Huma (20 November 2018). "Indian Army to get Russian VSHORAD missile system for air defence". Financialexpress. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  5. Peri, Dinakar (2022-04-02). "Army inducts Russian MANPADS". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  6. Dutta, Amrita Nayak (2023-01-10). "DAC nod to VSHORAD missile systems being designed by DRDO". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  7. "DRDO conducts successful test flight of VSHORADS missile". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  8. "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.
  9. "DRDO successfully flight tests Very Short Range Air Defence System". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  10. PTI. "India successfully flight tests VSHORADS missile". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-01.