Through a thorough modernization effort, the Indian Army is making tremendous progress in improving its air defense capabilities in order to combat the increasing threats presented by drones and other aerial systems. Among other improvements, this program calls for the acquisition of 220 successor guns, the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), and the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS).
The Army intends to install cutting-edge domestic systems in place of its antiquated L70 and ZU-23mm gun platforms. Trials for these new firearms are planned for July 2025, following the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) in 2021. It is anticipated that fragmentation ammunition will be used by the new systems to increase their efficacy against aerial threats.
The new L70 replacement guns are intended to greatly advance India’s air defense capability.
The upgraded firearms will have integrated firing control systems that make use of sophisticated optronic sights, such as ballistic computers, laser range finders, and day and night vision capabilities. Under a variety of circumstances, this technology enables precise target acquisition and engagement.
The new guns will be able to fire fragmentation ammunition, which is effective against aerial threats like drones. This capability is especially relevant given the growing use of drones in modern warfare. The switch from hydraulic to all-electric drives for traverse and elevation improves the responsiveness and reliability of the gun’s movement, allowing for quicker adjustments during operations. The addition of muzzle velocity radar allows real-time tracking of projectile speed, improving the accuracy of fire adjustments and target engagement.
Without constant operator human input, the successor systems will be able to lock onto and follow targets thanks to their autonomous target tracking capabilities. This capability is essential for successfully combating swift aerial threats.
Future updates and system integration are made possible by the architecture, which improves deployment flexibility and operational efficacy. Adapting to changing combat conditions requires this modularity.
Electronic warfare suites that can identify and neutralize drones will be incorporated into the new systems, offering a “soft-kill” alternative to conventional munitions. Automated tracking and targeting systems that can successfully engage UAVs are part of this characteristic.
The QRSAM is set to replace the ageing Osa-AK missile system. The Army anticipates placing a contract for this system within the next few months, following successful flight tests conducted by the DRDO in 2022. Designed for quick deployment, the QRSAM can be mobilised alongside armoured formations, allowing it to provide immediate air defence support in dynamic battlefield scenarios. This agility is crucial for countering fast-moving aerial threats, including drones and missiles. The QRSAM system features a fully automated command and control system with two four-walled radars that provide 360-degree coverage. This enables the system to detect and track multiple targets simultaneously, enhancing situational awareness and response time against incoming threats.
The QRSAM is effective against a spectrum of airborne threats, including low radar cross-section targets like drones and cruise missiles, thanks to its 30 km maximum engagement range and 10 km maximum intercepting altitude. Its sophisticated radar seeker technology increases target engagement precision.
The S-400 long-range air defense system and other current systems are meant to be supplemented by the QRSAM. It helps shield vital assets from saturation attacks that would overwhelm higher-tier systems by offering a defense layer with a limited range. The overall resilience of air defense is improved by this tiered strategy.
This man-portable air defence system, developed indigenously, is designed to address low-altitude threats, particularly from drones. Recent tests have demonstrated its capability against high-speed targets flying at low altitudes, making it a critical component of the Army’s air defence strategy.
VSHORADS has been indigenously created by the Research Centre Imarat in conjunction with several DRDO laboratories and Indian industrial partners. It aims to meet the operational needs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The efficiency of VSHORADS against fast targets flying at low altitudes was recently shown in flight experiments at Chandipur, Odisha. The system successfully intercepted and destroyed simulated low-flying drones under various conditions.
VsHORADS is positioned as a critical component of India’s air defense strategy, especially in light of the growing threat of drones worldwide. It is designed to replace older systems like the Russian Igla-S MANPADS, which have become obsolete due to advancements in aerial warfare technology. The development of VSHORADS is in line with India’s broader defense initiatives aimed at self-reliance and indigenous production capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The system can be launched from the shoulder or mounted on a tripod, making it appropriate for a variety of combat scenarios.
Fragmentation ammunition is particularly effective for engaging small, fast-moving aerial threats like drones. The high-velocity fragments produced upon detonation can create a lethal area effect, increasing the likelihood of neutralising multiple targets within a given radius, which is essential in scenarios where drones may swarm or operate in groups.
Utilising fragmentation rounds can be more economical compared to high-cost missile systems. As noted by military officials, employing fragmentation ammunition allows for a greater volume of fire against aerial threats without the prohibitive costs associated with using missiles for every engagement35. This is especially relevant when assessing cost-benefit ratios in air defence strategies.
New innovations in fragmentation ammunition include programmable characteristics that allow for customizable detonation parameters based on specific operational requirements. This capacity boosts the
The L70’s descendant guns and other contemporary air defense equipment can be successfully equipped with fragmentation ammunition. This integration improves overall operational preparedness by guaranteeing that current artillery systems can be modified to counter modern threats without requiring total system overhauls.
Fragmentation ammunition adds to a multi-layered defense strategy when used in conjunction with other air defense systems such as missiles and directed energy weapons. It ensures thorough coverage against a variety of aerial threats by offering a responsive and adaptable solution for attacking threats at various altitudes and ranges.
The Army is procuring Low-Level Light Weight Radars (LLLR) to improve detection capabilities. Given the prevalence of such threats in contemporary battlefield scenarios, these radars’ ability to detect small drones with extremely low radar cross-sections is crucial.
Since smaller UAVs are commonly used for reconnaissance or attacks, LLLRs’ increased sensitivity enables them to detect small, slow-moving drones that conventional radar systems may miss. These radars frequently use micro-Doppler signature analysis to distinguish between different types of aerial targets, and by analyzing the distinct motion patterns of drones, LLLRs can achieve high classification accuracy, making it easier to distinguish drones from other objects in the airspace. LLLRs function well in a variety of weather conditions, including low visibility scenarios like fog or rain. This capability ensures continuous surveillance and detection, which is essential for preserving security in sensitive areas.
Numerous LLLRs offer 360-degree azimuth coverage and thorough surveillance. They can efficiently monitor a specific airspace thanks to this capability, which guarantees that possible threats from any direction can be quickly identified.
Small drones and other targets with low radar cross-sections are specifically designed to be detected by LLLRs. They can more accurately detect these smaller objects than conventional radar systems because of their high processing gain and range resolution.
Modern LLLR systems don’t need a lot of human input to follow drones that are spotted in real time. In counter-drone operations, this automation improves response times and facilitates speedier decision-making.
This modernization effort acknowledges the revolutionary role that drones play in modern combat and represents a larger change in military strategy. Recent international conflicts have emphasized the necessity of strong air defense systems that can adjust to quickly changing aerial threats, as military authorities have pointed out. The emphasis on domestic manufacturing is in line with India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” program, which aims to increase operational preparedness by accelerating procurement procedures and achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
In order to be strategically capable in a security environment that is becoming more complicated, the Indian Army is actively responding to new challenges in modern warfare by pushing for the modernization of its air defense systems.]
