Govt to procure next-generation Very Short Range Air Defence System
New Delhi, The government has started the process to procure a next-generation Very Short Range Air Defence System or VSHORADS , which should be able to engage aerial targets "both by day and night" and under all weather conditions, including in snow-bound locations.
The defence ministry has issued a request for proposal for the procurement, which was uploaded on the Indian Army's website on Saturday.
In the RFP, the ministry said it intends to procure "48 launchers, 48 night-vision sights, 85 missiles and one missile test station of Very Short Range Air Defence System or VSHORADS under Buy category" and seeks participation from prospective bidders in the procurement process, subject to requirements.
Under the "operational characteristics and feature" head, the RFP document says, "To meet the evolving dynamic air threat, Army Air Defence requires Very Short Range Air Defence manportable missile system for effective terminal and point defence."
"These VSHORADS, based on infra-red homing technology, are effective fire-and-forget type of missile systems and are being referred to as VSHORADS ," it says.
Manportable refers to an object capable of being carried by one person over a long distance.
The RFP defines the General Staff Qualitative Requirements for the planned VSHORADS .
"The system should comprise of a IR homing missile coupled to a manportable launching mechanism and suitable sighting system to engage targets both by day and night," it says.
It should have the capability to engage fighter, transport aircraft, helicopters and UAS , the document says.
The procurement seeks to booster the Army's air-defence capabilities to deal with any adversarial aerial threat.
Under the "Proposed Service Employment" head of the RFP document, it has been said that the VSHORADS will be used by "all three services as terminal and point defence system against all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAS".
The air defence system is proposed to be employed on land and ship-based platforms with these two configurations "manportable single launcher configuration" and "para dropped operations".
The system is proposed to be employed across all terrains, including high-altitude areas, plains, deserts, coastal areas and the maritime domain.
The VSHORADS system should be able to "operate during day and night for engagement of aerial targets under all weather conditions, including snow-bound locations".
The range of the operating temperature is minus 30 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius , according to the RFP.
"The missile should be effective against all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAS" and according to the requirements defined in the RFP, the maximum effective range is 6,000 metres or more, while the minimum range is not more than 500 metres.
The system should have the ability to engage targets approaching at a speed of 400 metres per second or more, according to the requirements defined in the document.
On the "deployment time", the requirement says the "system to be deployable from transportation to firing mode within three minutes".
On the transportability requirement, the RFP document says "the system with single launcher should be manportable" and the equipment should have the capability to be transported in "service vehicle, ships, trains and aircraft and being para dropped".
The Defence Research and Development Organisation is also working on a VSHORADS.
In February, the DRDO successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of a VSHORADS from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. These tests were carried out against high-speed targets flying at a very low altitude, the defence ministry had then said in a statement.
A VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and development-cum-production partners. The missile system has the capability to meet the needs of all the three branches of the armed forces the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, the ministry had said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- The Hindu
Thousands in China mark International Day of Yoga with mass participation
Thousands across China rolled out yoga mats on Saturday (June 21, 2025) to participate in events marking the International Day of Yoga, reflecting the rising popularity of the ancient Indian wellness tradition. In Beijing, Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat attended the celebration held at the old Indian Embassy complex, alongside several diplomats. The two-hour event, which included a yoga competition, drew hundreds of Chinese yoga practitioners. Owing to overwhelming interest, the Indian Embassy was compelled to close registrations after more than 1,500 people signed up. International Yoga Day highlights on June 21, 2025 Participants, guided by a growing community of Indian yoga instructors, took part in various exercises, showcasing the deepening cultural engagement despite recent tensions in bilateral ties. In Shanghai, Siddharth Chatterjee, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China and a long-time yoga practitioner, was the Chief Guest at the celebrations organised by the Indian Consulate. According to a press release issued by the consulate, Mr. Chatterjee, a former Indian Army officer, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in globalising yoga, noting its role in fostering 'a more connected world.' 'As a yoga practitioner, I deeply value its transformative power to foster resilience and peace. This event reflects the shared commitment of India and the United Nations to promote health and harmony, strengthening bonds between nations,' Mr. Chatterjee said. The Shanghai event was the culmination of a broader series of celebrations held across Eastern China—including in Hangzhou, Wuxi, and Suzhou—organised in partnership with Indian diaspora organisations, multinational corporations, and Buddhist monasteries. 'This flagship celebration is the culmination of a long series of events... a testament to the wide cross-sectional appeal of yoga and Indian civilisation,' said Consul General of India in Shanghai Pratik Mathur. He also underscored the relevance of yoga in promoting harmony, particularly in the context of the 75th year of diplomatic relations between India and China. India and China have begun to cautiously rebuild diplomatic engagement following last year's meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. Despite tensions over the ongoing border standoff in Eastern Ladakh, cultural outreach through yoga and Indian heritage continues to resonate with the Chinese public. Yoga was officially classified by China as a form of physical fitness sport after the United Nations, in 2014, adopted Prime Minister Modi's proposal to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga. Various public and private organisations across several Chinese cities also hosted yoga-themed events, underscoring the wide popularity and acceptance of the Indian practice.
Hans India
11 hours ago
- Hans India
Vijay Shah advocates weekly yoga sessions in MP's Khandwa to restore social harmony
Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh): Amid ongoing controversy over his recent remarks on a senior Army officer, Madhya Pradesh Minister Vijay Shah sought to recast his public image on International Yoga Day by championing yoga as a unifying force for society. Speaking at a district-level event in Khandwa, Shah urged the city's mayor to organize 'weekly yoga sessions in every ward', emphasising that such gatherings could foster 'social harmony and goodwill' in an increasingly fragmented urban landscape. 'Yoga transcends caste, religion, and society. It uplifts the body, mind, and intellect,' Shah said, drawing a symbolic parallel between Swami Vivekananda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- both 'Narendras,' as he put it -- who have, in his words, 'shown the world the path of spiritual and cultural leadership.' The remarks come at a time when Shah is facing public and judicial scrutiny for his controversial comments about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had directed police to file an FIR (first information report) against him, and the Supreme Court has rebuked him for what it called 'unacceptable and insensitive' language. Later, a special investigation team was constituted to investigate the matter following orders from the Supreme Court. Yet on Saturday, Shah struck a markedly different tone. Addressing over 600 students from 20 schools gathered at a private school for the 11th International Yoga Day, he spoke of yoga as a tool to reconnect people in the digital age. 'We rarely visit each other's homes anymore. These yoga sessions will give us a reason to gather, to check in on one another, and to rebuild the bonds of community,' he said. The event, organised by the district administration, was attended by public representatives, officials, and educators. It echoed the national theme of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' reinforcing India's vision of yoga as a bridge between personal well-being and collective consciousness.
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- India Gazette
J-K: LoP Sunil Sharma says Yoga at Lal Chowk sends message of unity
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 21 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Saturday said the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations at Srinagar's iconic Lal Chowk sent a powerful message of unity and peace from a location once associated with tension and conflict. 'It gives me immense relief that at the Lal Chowk, where we have always seen tensions, today under the tricolour, Yoga, which is a part of our culture, is being performed... We have sent a message that the people of J&K are united,' Sharma told ANI at the event. Earlier in the day, Indian Army personnel from the Krishna Ghati Brigade's Balnoi Battalion also marked the occasion with a yoga session in Poonch, which saw enthusiastic participation from locals of nearby border villages including Balnoi, Dad Sagra, and Mankot. Mohamed Ashraf Chaudhary, a resident, told ANI, 'People from Banloi, Dad Sagra, Mankot came with great enthusiasm. This was the biggest event after Operation Sindoor. I thank the Army for organising it and for always supporting us.' Chaudhary added that the Army not only defends the borders but also works hand-in-hand with residents to raise awareness and build stronger ties. Moin Aftab Khan, a social activist from Mankot Panchayat, expressed pride in participating. 'Yoga training was held inside the Army base. Earlier, we only saw such events in Delhi or Punjab on TV. Watching and participating here made us proud,' he said, urging villagers, especially the elderly, to embrace yoga and spread its message. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations in Udhampur of Jammu and Kashmir. Singh met the army personnel here in Udhampur, praised their efforts in Operation Sindoor. 'Your bravery is widely admired across the nation. I salute the valour and courage of the Indian Army,' Rajnath Singh said while addressing. He further added, 'In today's world, where stress, anxiety, and unrest are widespread, yoga has emerged as a powerful solution. Yoga is not merely about sitting quietly with eyes closed--it's about mindfulness and inner control. The theme of this year's Yoga Day celebrations is 'Yoga for one Earth, one health,' aligning it with sustainability and global well-being. Speaking about the theme of this year's Yoga Day celebrations, the Defence Minister said, 'Every year, we celebrate Yoga Day with a unique theme. This year's theme, 'One Earth, One Health', reflects India's belief in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam--that the whole world is one family.' The Union Minister arrived in Udhampur on the evening of 20th June and took part in cultural celebrations and Bada khana with army personnel. (ANI)
