Indian Army Issues ₹30,000 Crore Tender for Anant Shastra Air Defence Missile Systems
In a significant step towards indigenisation of defence technology, the Indian Army has issued a tender to procure five to six regiments of the ‘Anant Shastra’ surface-to-air missile system. This highly mobile system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), is set to strengthen India’s air defence capabilities along the sensitive borders with Pakistan and China.
Earlier known as the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Anant Shastra project is estimated to cost around ₹30,000 crore. Once inducted, it will provide a short-to-medium range shield against hostile drones, aircraft, and other aerial threats.
The move to accelerate procurement came shortly after Operation Sindoor in May, when the Army’s Air Defence (AAD) units played a decisive role against Pakistan’s drone attacks, many of which involved Chinese-made drones and weaponry. During the four-day conflict, Indian forces successfully destroyed most enemy drones using L-70 and Zu-23 guns, while systems like the Akash, MR-SAM, Spyder, and S-400 worked alongside the Indian Air Force to secure the skies.
The Anant Shastra missile system has been tested extensively under day and night conditions. Some of its standout features include:
Range of 30 km, complementing existing systems like Akash and MR-SAM.
High mobility, capable of tracking and firing on the move or at short halts.
All-weather capability, with advanced seekers and radar integration for quick reaction times.
Networked deployment, ensuring seamless coordination with other ground-based and aerial defence assets.
This will allow the Army to deploy the system effectively along both the western border with Pakistan and the northern border with China, areas that regularly witness aerial and drone intrusions.
The Army Air Defence Corps currently operates Akash, MR-SAM, and several short-range systems in coordination with the Air Force. With the arrival of Anant Shastra, the Army will gain an indigenous, next-generation weapon tailored for rapid response.
In addition, the Army is also inducting new radars, very short-range air defence systems (VSHORADS), jammers, and directed-energy weapons like laser-based systems to counter the growing threat of drones, particularly those of Turkish and Chinese origin being used by Pakistan.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has been vocal about the need for self-reliance in defence. Along with the Anant Shastra project, future indigenous systems on the horizon include the Zorawar light tank, advanced drone countermeasures, and other air defence technologies under development by Indian industry and DRDO.
With these advancements, the Indian Army is not only strengthening its border defence posture but also supporting the Make in India initiative to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
✍️ This article is written by the team of The Defense News.