3 min readNew DelhiJan 11, 2023 01:41 AM IST
First published on: Jan 10, 2023 at 07:13 PM IST
Amid the ongoing military standoff with China at the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, India is planning to procure the Very Short Range Air Defence System or VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system, which is being designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to critical procurements for the defence forces, including that of the VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile system.
The DAC also approved procurement of the HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment for the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) with the Army and the Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for the Navy.
The AoN is the first step in the long and complex defence procurement process. Not all AoNs accorded necessarily materialise into a final order.
The three capital acquisition proposals—two of the Army and one of the Navy—totals Rs 4,276 crore and will be procured under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
“In view of the recent developments along the northern borders there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that procurement of VSHORAD, as a robust and quickly deployable system, will strengthen India’s air defence capabilities.
Last year, there were several instances where China threatened violations along the LAC in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
While some instances involved Chinese fighter jets, there were instances of Chinese drones flying very close to the LAC in the Northeast in the later half of last year, prompting the IAF to scramble their fighter jets in response.
India has been in talks with Russia since 2018 to procure the Igla-S air defence missiles at a cost of $1.5 billion under the VSHORAD programme in a bid to replace the Russian Igla-M systems which have been in use with the Army. However, with a strong pitch for ‘Atmanirbharta’ in defence, there has been little progress on this front in the last two years, with sources indicating that the deal has been put on hold for now.
Aside from the VSHORAD missile systems, the DAC also gave its approval to procure the HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment for their integration to the Army’s ALHs as part of their weaponization process.
“This missile is an essential part of weaponisation of ALH for countering enemy threats. Its induction will strengthen the offensive capability of the Indian Army,” the ministry said.
The DAC further gave its nod for procuring the Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships and the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) with the Indian Navy.
With their induction, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and merchant vessels, the defence ministry said.
The three capital acquisition proposals—two of the Army and one of the Navy—totals Rs 4,276 crore and will be procured under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. In photos: An official shows the working of a RBS 70 NG VSHORAD during the Defexpo 2014. (Express photo) 
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