The Indian Army has issued a tender to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of five to six regiments of the indigenously developed ‘Anant Shastra’ surface-to-air missile weapon systems.
Anant Shastra : India’s New Air Defence System
The Indian Army has issued a tender to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of five to six regiments of the indigenously developed ‘Anant Shastra’ surface-to-air missile weapon systems. The system, earlier known as the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), has been developed by the DRDO.
The project is estimated to cost about Rs 30,000 crore and is aimed at strengthening air defence capabilities along the borders with Pakistan and China. The Army’s Air Defence (AAD) played a significant role during Operation Sindoor in countering Pakistani drone attacks. At present, the AAD operates systems such as MRSAM and Akash in coordination with the Indian Air Force to counter aerial threats.
The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the procurement proposal shortly after Operation Sindoor in May. The mobile system can search, track and engage targets on the move, with a firing range of around 30 km, complementing existing MRSAM and Akash systems.
