India Edges Closer to ₹30,000 Crore QR‑SAM Deal

India’s Ministry of Defence is preparing to greenlight a ₹30,000 crore proposal for the induction of three regiments of the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface‑to‑Air Missile (QR‑SAM) system. The proposal is expected to be tabled at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting scheduled for the fourth week of June, emphasizing a strategic strengthening of air defence along the western and northern borders.

India plans ₹30,000 crore push to strengthen Army's air defence with QR-SAMs. SDAL via ANI | Firstpost

Cutting‑Edge Air Defence for a Modern Battlefield

QR‑SAM represents a leap in India’s homegrown air defence capabilities. Developed jointly by DRDO, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the system is engineered to protect mobile army formations from hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones, and precision-guided munitions.

Mounted on 8x8 heavy-duty vehicles, QR‑SAM boasts the ability to search, track, and engage targets even while on the move—a critical feature in dynamic combat settings.

Its dual‑radar suite—a Battery Surveillance Radar with a 120 km range and a Multifunction Radar reaching 80 km—provides full 360° coverage. Each missile travels at nearly Mach 4.7, guided by inertial navigation and a terminal active radar seeker, with a high probability kill rate up to 30 km. Ruggedised with sophisticated counter–electronic‑jamming measures, the system is capable of engaging multiple simultaneous targets.

Filling the Air‑Defence Gap in India’s Layered Shield

India’s air‑defence architecture comprises several layers, each covering distinct ranges and roles. QR‑SAM fills the niche between very-short-range systems like Igla‑S and L‑70 guns, and medium to long-range systems such as Akash (~25 km), MRSAM (~70 km), Barak‑8 (~70 km), and the long-range S‑400 (~380 km).

This strategic layering supports a more integrated and resilient deterrent posture. Technologies like Akashteer, recently inducted as part of integrated air-defence control, and forthcoming systems like SAMAR, VSHORAD, and Project Kusha further enhance this multi-tiered defense shield.

Operational Readiness Strengthened by Recent Conflicts

The urgency to fast-track QR‑SAM followed lessons from “Operation Sindoor”, where India’s air‑defence framework, including QR‑SAM prototypes, thwarted multiple waves of drones, missiles, and aircraft. Army and IAF assets—such as L‑70 guns, Akash, MRSAM, and S‑400—demonstrated strong performance.

In earlier developmental and final user trials, QR‑SAM successfully intercepted high-speed, manoeuvring targets under various conditions, including low-altitude challenges—underscoring its operational maturity.

Boost for Defence Industry and Economy

News of the ₹30,000 crore QR‑SAM procurement sparked a sharp rally in defence stocks. Shares of Bharat Electronics (BEL), BEML, BDL, Data Patterns, Paras Defence, Mishra Dhatu Nigam, HAL, and others surged by 2–7%, reflecting heightened investor confidence.

This procurement will also have positive downstream effects, reinforcing India’s ‘Make in India’ agenda and advancing technological self-reliance across public and private sector partners.

Strategic Implications and Future Trajectory

The anticipated DAC approval marks a transformative moment in India’s air-defence modernization drive. With QR‑SAM regiments slated for deployment, frontline formations will gain a rapidly deployable shield, significantly reducing vulnerabilities to aerial threats.

Looking ahead, Project Kusha is poised to introduce a homegrown long-range defence layer (150–400 km), complementing QR‑SAM. Together, these systems will create an integrated air-defence ecosystem capable of addressing evolving threats across ranges.

Conclusion

India’s planned acquisition of ₹30,000 crore worth of QR‑SAM systems signifies a significant leap in battlefield air defence capability. The indigenous technology, backed by proven trials and layered alongside existing assets, bolsters ground-force protection substantially. As approvals move forward, this marks a strategic milestone in advancing India’s self-reliant defence roadmap and the modernization of its military’s air defence architecture.

(Sources: Economic Times, LiveMint, Firstpost)