• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Anant Shastra Air Defence Missile Systems: The Indian Army is set to acquire 'Anant Shastra' air defence missile systems from the state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), in a major boost to indigenisation in the armed forces. 'Anant Shastra', a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed air defence missile system was earlier known as the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile system, will be commissioned to the Army. The tender has been issued by the Indian Army to BEL to buy the Anant Shastra.

The defence officials told news agency, ANI, "The Indian Army has issued a tender to buy five to six regiments of 'Anant Shastra' surface-to-air missile weapon systems to strengthen the air defence along the borders with Pakistan and China." Currently, the Indian Army AAD operates the MR-SAM, Akash and other smaller air defence systems and works in an integrated manner with the Indian Air Force to guard against any aerial threats.

ALSO READ: 'Farewell MiG-21': India Bids Adieu To Its 'Beloved Warhorse' After Six Decades; IAF Chief Takes Final Flight | Watch 

Here Are The Other Key Highlights Of The Defence Deal

- The project, estimated to cost around Rs 30,000 crore, would strengthen the Army Air Defence, which played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks during Operation Sindoor.

- The Defence Acquisition Council had cleared the project for buying the indigenous air defence systems soon after the Operation Sindoor action took place in May.

ALSO READ: Trump Imposes 100% Tariffs On Pharma Imports, Delivering Crushing Blow To India's Drug Sector

- Once approved, the highly mobile and agile system would be deployed along both western and northern borders. Anant Shastra air defence systems are highly mobile as they have the capability to search and track targets on the move and can fire at short halts, they said.

- With a range of around 30 km, the system would be complementing the existing systems in the forces like the MRSAM and Akash in short to medium ranges.

- Anant Shastra air defence systems' performance has been extensively evaluated under both day and night operational scenarios during the trials.

- The Army Air Defence is also getting a number of new radars, very short-range air defence systems, along with jammers and laser-based systems to deal with drones of Turkish and Chinese origin in the Pakistan Army.

(With ANI inputs)