Page 24 - ADT SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2022 Online Magazine

IAF TO CREATE

NEW WEAPON

SYSTEMS BRANCH  SHOW PREVIEW DEFEXPO

DRDO TESTS

VSHORAD SYSTEM

India is developing a new Very Short Range
Air Defence System (VSHORADS) under
the auspices of the Defence Research &
Development Organisation (DRDO). The
design and development of the indigenous
VSHORADS is being undertaken by DRDO’s
Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
in collaboration with other DRDO labora-
tories and Indian industry partners. Two
successful tests of the missile for the Man
Portable Air Defence (MANPAD) system
were announced in late September. The
missiles were fired from a ground based
In October, on occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Indian Air portable launcher at the Integrated Test
Force (IAF), the Government of India announced the creation of Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
a new branch, called the Weapon Systems (WS) branch. This is According to the DRDO, the indigenously
the first time since India’s independence, that a new operational developed VSHORADS missile incorporates
branch is being created within the IAF. The branch would encompass many novel technologies including a min-
operators in four specialised streams of Surface-to-Surface mis- iaturized reaction control system (RCS) and
siles, Surface-to-Air missiles, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Weapon integrated avionics. “These technologies
System Operators in twin/multi-crew aircraft. Operators of ground- were successfully proven during the recent
based & specialist airborne weapon systems within the IAF are to tests,” a DRDO official said. The missile
be unified under one umbrella. “The creation of WS branch would which is meant for neutralizing low altitude
entail unification of all weapon system operators under one entity aerial threats at short ranges is propelled by
dedicated to the operational employment of all ground-based and a dual thrust solid motor. The design of the
specialist airborne weapon systems,” an official from the Indian missile including launcher has been highly
Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The creation of the new WS branch optimized to ensure easy portability, the
is expected to generate savings of Rs34 billion annually due to official said.
reduced expenditure for flying training.

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