Indian Army to Acquire ‘Anant Shastra’ Air Defence System in Rs 30,000 Crore Deal

In a significant move towards enhancing its air defense capabilities, the Indian Army is procuring the ‘Anant Shastra’ missile system. The Army has initiated a tender to procure five to six regiments of this surface-to-air missile system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The tender is addressed to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This project, valued at around Rs 30,000 crore, intends to strengthen the Army Air Defence, specifically along the borders with Pakistan and China. The ‘Anant Shastra’ system, which was previously known as the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile system, is designed for high mobility, allowing it to search, track, and engage targets while in motion or after short stops. With a range of approximately 30 km, the system will work alongside existing air defense assets, like the MRSAM and Akash. The system’s effectiveness has been verified through extensive testing in varied operational environments. The Army Air Defence played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, and current upgrades include new radars, very short-range air defense systems, jammers, and laser-based drone countermeasures. The Army Chief, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, is focused on increasing the use of indigenous defense systems. Future planned acquisitions include the Zorawar light tank and other air defense systems.