India showcases QRSAM anti-aircraft missile system at Russian military event
17 Aug 2023 12:17:45
Defense exhibits in Russia, India's longstanding friend and strategic partner, have seen frequent participation by defense industries from the South Asian country for years. According to Russian media, India displayed its newest QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System) on Monday at the international military-technical symposium Army-2023, which is taking place in Russia.
The short-range anti-aircraft missile system includes a radar homing head manufactured domestically, a multi-functional observation radar, and a mobile launcher. The QRSAM air defense system was designed primarily to protect armored vehicles from enemy fighter planes, particularly when they are in motion, making them a soft target for air attacks.
The QRSAM, with a range of 25-30 kilometers, is unusual in that it can eliminate hostile aircraft while moving. It was designed primarily for rapid response to aerial threats. Multiple Indian sources stated last year that the QRSAM conducted a series of trials with the country's military services.
The showcase of India's defense equipment at an international business expo comes at a time when New Delhi has increased its attempts to export military equipment to foreign countries, shifting from the world's top weapons importer to a significant supplier of defense items.
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM) is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile system designed to protect moving armoured columns from aerial attacks. The entire weapon system is configured on highly mobile platforms and is capable of providing air defence on the move. QRSAM Weapon Systems is being inducted into the Indian Army (IA).
It is a small and transportable air defense system placed atop an Ashok Leyland Defence Systems 8x8 truck, designed to give 360-degree defense coverage. Larsen & Toubro built the system's transporter erector launcher (TEL), while Bharat Dynamics Limited manufactures the missiles. Each launcher contains six missiles that can hit six distinct targets.
To avoid jamming, the QRSAM incorporates electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities. The system's single-staged missile is propelled by solid propellants. The missile is outfitted with a midcourse inertial navigation system with a two-way data connection and a terminal active radar seeker developed by the DRDO. The missile uses a laser proximity fuze developed by Instruments Research and Development Establishment to improve accuracy and decrease jamming.
To avoid jamming, the QRSAM incorporates electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities. The system's single-staged missile is propelled by solid propellants. The missile is outfitted with a midcourse inertial navigation system with a two-way data connection and a terminal active radar seeker developed by the DRDO. The missile uses a laser proximity fuze developed by Instruments Research and Development Establishment to improve accuracy and decrease jamming.
It has a fully automated command and control system, target acquisition, and firing control. Bharat Electronics Limited's surveillance and fire control radars, the Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar and the Active Array Battery Multifunction Radar, are four-walled and designed to offer 360-degree coverage. The QRSAM has a maximum range of 30 km (19 mi) and can intercept targets flying at an altitude of 10 km (6.2 mi). According to DRDO, the QRSAM now includes 90% indigenous component, which is expected to expand to 99% progressively.