In the aftermath of India’s successful air defence during Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Defence is preparing to approve a ₹30,000 crore proposal to procure three regiments of the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM) systems for the Indian Army. According to The Times of India, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is likely to clear the “Acceptance of Necessity” later this month.
Indigenous System to Strengthen Tactical Defence
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the QR-SAM is capable of intercepting enemy aircraft, helicopters, and drones within a 25–30 km range. The system has been rigorously tested for both day and night operations and will be produced jointly by Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics.
A defence source told TOI, “The QR-SAM systems can operate while on the move, with search and track capability, and fire during short halts. They are tailor-made to move alongside tanks and infantry combat vehicles to provide them with air defence in the tactical battlefield.”
Follow-Up to Operation Sindoor’s Success
The move comes in the wake of India’s defence systems effectively neutralising Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missiles used by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor (May 7–10). The Army Air Defence (AAD), which played a pivotal role in the operation, is projected to need 11 QR-SAM regiments.
This procurement is expected to augment India’s layered air defence network, which already includes:
-
Russian-made S-400 ‘Triumf’ missiles (range: 380 km)
-
Indo-Israeli Barak-8 systems (range: 70 km)
-
Akash surface-to-air missiles (range: 25 km)
-
Russian Igla-S shoulder-fired missiles (range: 6 km)
-
Upgraded L-70 anti-aircraft guns (range: 3.5 km)
-
Indian drone detection and interdiction systems (range: 1–2 km)
The QR-SAMs will fill a crucial operational gap and are designed to accompany mechanised forces in forward areas, offering rapid and mobile protection against aerial threats.
