The VSHORADS missile is meant for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
'There are only a few countries in the world that have deployed combat-ready laser systems.'
India has successfully conducted maiden flight tests of an integrated air defence weapon system (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. The system includes quick reaction surface-to-air missiles, very short range air defence system (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high power laser based directed energy weapons (DEW) system.
The new supplies of the Igla-S air defence missiles have been received by the Indian Army a couple of weeks ago and are being provided to the forward formations for taking care of the threat from enemy fighter aircraft, choppers and drones on the borders.
It said the tests were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception scenarios.
India is looking for a VSHORAD system to replace its ageing system from Russia and would be sourcing more than 5000 missiles and 1200 launchers.
Russia -- already India's biggest arms supplier from 2014-18, accounting for 58 per cent of India's defence imports -- eyes more, reports Ajai Shukla.
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