Indian Army To Invest Rs 6,800 Crore In Indigenous Shoulder-Fired Missiles For Border Security: Here's All About It

The Indian Army is set to develop over 500 launchers and around 3,000 missiles domestically to address aerial threats from the Pakistan and China borders, as reported by Moneycontrol.

The army has also reportedly invested Rs 6,800 crore in developing very short range air defence (VSHORAD) systems domestically.

This move comes amid a shortage of inventory of shoulder-fired missiles for VSHORAD systems.

The current VSHORAD missiles in the Indian Army and Indian Air Force's arsenal are equipped with IR homing guidance systems.

The Igla 1M VSHORAD missile system, which was inducted in 1989, was planned for deinduction in 2013.

Additionally, there is a Rs 4,800 crore project underway involving a public sector unit based in Hyderabad and a private firm in Pune.

They are tasked with developing a laser beam riding VSHORAD system to protect borders from enemy drones, fighter aircraft and helicopters.

The project aims to develop 200 launchers and 1,200 missiles for supply to the army and air force. The Indian Army is expected to receive 700 missiles, while the remaining will go to the IAF.

The firms involved are required to produce a prototype of the system under the Indian Designed, Developed, and Manufactured clause of the Defence Acquisition Procedure.