The Indian Army is set to enhance its air defence capabilities significantly with the anticipated acquisition of the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system, a procurement effort valued at around Rs 30,000 crore. The Defence Ministry is poised to approve the purchase of three regiments of this indigenous missile system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in an upcoming Defence Acquisition Council meeting scheduled for late June.
This strategic acquisition aims to bolster India’s defensive posture along its western and northern borders, reflecting growing security concerns in the region. Engineered for rapid deployment and mobile engagement, the QRSAM system possesses a strike range of up to 30 kilometres, designed specifically to address the gap in short-to-medium range air defence. It will complement existing missile systems, including the Akash and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM).
Recent field trials of the QRSAM have validated its operational readiness under both day and night conditions. The system features advanced technological capabilities such as an active array battery surveillance radar, laser proximity fuzes, and the capacity to engage multiple targets simultaneously. Notably, it can operate while in motion or during brief stops, a critical capability for deployment in forward operational areas. Initial challenges noted in 2022, particularly pertaining to mobility and radar detection, have been successfully addressed through a series of upgrades by the DRDO.
The approval and impending deployment of the QRSAM signal India’s commitment to a long-term vision of defence indigenisation, aligned with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. After decades of limitations imposed by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) that restricted India’s access to advanced radar technologies in the 1980s, the nation is now achieving a greater degree of self-sufficiency in key defence technologies. The induction of the QRSAM into the Indian military will considerably enhance the country’s layered air defence shield, offering prompt and reliable protection against aerial threats, particularly in high-risk zones.
