From drones to fighter jets: India’s Rs 30,000 crore Anant Shastra missile defence system takes shape

The project, estimated to cost around Rs 30,000 crore, would strengthen the Indian Army's Army Air Defence, which played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks during Operation Sindoor

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26 Aug, 2025 12:21

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In a major boost to indigenisation in the defence sector, the Indian Army has issued a tender to acquire five to six regiments of the ‘Anant Shastra’ surface-to-air missile weapon systems to strengthen air defence along the borders with Pakistan and China.

According to defence officials, the tender has been issued to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed Anant Shastra air defence missile system, earlier known as the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system. “The project, estimated to cost around Rs 30,000 crore, would strengthen the Indian Army's Air Defence, which played a crucial role in thwarting Pakistani drone attacks during Operation Sindoor,” they told ANI.

The Army Air Defence (AAD) currently operates the MR-SAM, Akash and other smaller systems, and works in an integrated manner with the Indian Air Force to guard against aerial threats. The Defence Acquisition Council had cleared the project soon after the Operation Sindoor action took place in May, officials said.

Once approved, the highly mobile and agile system will be deployed along both western and northern borders. “Anant Shastra air defence systems are highly mobile as they have the capability to search and track targets on the move and can fire at short halts,” they said. With a range of around 30 km, the system will complement existing platforms such as the MR-SAM and Akash in the short to medium range category.

Defence officials told ANI that the missile system’s performance has been extensively evaluated under both day and night operational scenarios during trials. During the four-day conflict with Pakistan, which used Chinese weaponry, the Army’s Air Defence units destroyed the majority of drones using L-70 and Zu-23 guns, while the Akash and MR-SAM played a crucial role alongside the Indian Air Force’s Spyder and Sudarshan S-400 air defence systems.

The Army Air Defence is also inducting new radars, very short-range air defence systems, as well as jammers and laser-based technologies to counter drones of Turkish and Chinese origin used by the Pakistan Army.

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi has been pushing for greater indigenisation in the force. Future indigenous systems likely to join the Army include the Zorawar light tank and several advanced air defence systems, officials said.

With ANI Inputs