IAF Pursues Cost-Effective Missile Defence Against Swarm Drone Threats

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively pursuing the development and acquisition of affordable air-to-air missile systems to counter the increasing prevalence of low-cost aerial threats, including drones, loitering munitions, subsonic cruise missiles, and rockets.

Recognizing the evolving tactics of modern warfare, the IAF acknowledges the financial and strategic limitations of using expensive surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) against these budget-friendly threats. Adversaries often utilize swarms of drones and loitering munitions to overwhelm air defence systems and deplete missile stockpiles, paving the way for deploying more advanced weaponry.

While the IAF is currently developing the VL-SRSAM and has the VSHORADS for mobile defence, these options are considered too expensive and time-consuming for mass production. DRDO is also working on an air-to-air variant of the VSHORADS for Attack helicopters.

The IAF's vision involves a cost-effective interceptor missile system deployable from various platforms, including trucks, helicopters, and fighter jets, for maximum operational flexibility. They are looking to private Indian companies to develop this new generation of low-cost interceptors, ideally air-launched with a range exceeding 20-25 kilometers.

This envisioned system should offer launching versatility, providing a multi-layered defence against diverse aerial threats. Solar Industries India Limited has already presented the Bhargavastra Weapons System for combating UAVs and loitering munitions. However, it remains to be seen if the IAF will opt for an air-launched solution with a longer range.

Before formally announcing a development program, the IAF plans to engage with all interested stakeholders and companies to establish clear technical requirements and identify the most suitable partners for this project. This collaborative approach emphasizes the IAF's commitment to developing a cost-effective and adaptable defence solution against the evolving landscape of aerial threats.

 

[sanket]

Good to hear it is From Indigenous way other wise most of the time it from Imported option from Israel.Just Like Rampage Missile.some whhere saying it takes time so it is better to procurr from foreign rather than domestically developed.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Guided shells should be developed for Naval guns with improved range. They can be cost effective for 2-15 KM. Also, project KALI should be expedited.

 

[Anant]

Guided shells should be developed for Naval guns with improved range. They can be cost effective for 2-15 KM. Also, project KALI should be expedited.

Eh, guided shells for short-ranges aren't particularly needed, as good radar and fire control systems can handle that part. That said, we really should be looking towards an indigenous 5" gun (we did reject the American and Italian 5" guns on cost grounds) for our larger ships. These can go for guided shells for long ranges, similar to the VULCANO ammunition used on the Otobreda 5".

Project KALI should be in the final stages of development by now (hopefully). It definitely has the potential to be a game-changer.

 

[NSR]

There is absolutely no low cost AAMs or VSHORADS to fight the drones if you really want to intercept them.
Performance of Single Shot Kill (SSK) must be at least 90+%.
Otherwise the Drones will create mayhem.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

The only low cost option today that fits the bill is the Israeli iron dome missile ie tamir interceptor. At least a modiied one to suit IAF. There is no other equal in service around the world. even if india tries to make an equal it is going to take a 7 years from scratch. Let alone the cost of the missile or assured performance . More importantly its battle proven with a record of over 90%. Israel has the benefit of economies of scale and they already said that they are ready to sell . even then the cost is going to be 100,000 $ + . what should be done is a TOT like the brahmos missile. Its always better to shell out more money and get the best western tech like mirage or the Rafale. Israel needs to make money due to the on going war and they will be more than happy.
But the real deal is the AI that has been incorporated into the seeker of the tamir as well as the elm-2084 AKA arudhra radar. MPR. This radar is an aesa radar that is fine tuned for the tamir interceptor by being able to track and engage 100s of target at one time and directing as many missiles as well. Will they part with the software ?. They did not give us the source codes for the barak missile seeker as well , its the icing on the cake , family jewels ie mathematical algorithms. If you watch the iron dome interception videos you will see the missile lets the Hamass rocketss pass and then turn and hit it with a tail chase inteception some times.

 

[Sandeep]

The best option for a cheap air-air missile defence system is to use the indigenous VSHORAD missile that’s currently under development but it will soon enter production as a MANPAD but the range of about 8km is too short compared to the 25km we need. The best option is to increase the range of the VSHORAD missile which will allow us to develop and use two VSHORAD missile with a 8km and 25km range.

The second option is to buy the already developed and certified low cost with a 5km range air to air missile. If it’s possible then we can buy this system if it’s better and cheaper but if they are capable to develop a 25km range VSHORAD then we can use the Bhargavastra defence shield as well if they make both types of missiles as soon as possible.

For any air to air missile or surface to air missiles with a even longer range than 25km then it’s best to use the Astra MK1 and the VL-SRSAM which are the key SAM defence shield once production gets started.

 

[Pramkumar]

Immediate way to counter the threats is make more lethal drones, and weapons, if required go for collective punishment of the enemy with offensive action

 

[sky-high]

laser guns are actually cheaper operationally.

 

[Pad UwU]

Guided shells should be developed for Naval guns with improved range. They can be cost effective for 2-15 KM. Also, project KALI should be expedited.

Looks more likely expensive than what you mean it

 

[Pad UwU]

Good we should also offer this to friendly countries to India.... For alternative air defense from western equipment

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Eh, guided shells for short-ranges aren't particularly needed, as good radar and fire control systems can handle that part. That said, we really should be looking towards an indigenous 5" gun (we did reject the American and Italian 5" guns on cost grounds) for our larger ships. These can go for guided shells for long ranges, similar to the VULCANO ammunition used on the Otobreda 5".

Project KALI should be in the final stages of development by now (hopefully). It definitely has the potential to be a game-changer.

A desi version of Otobreda 5 with VULCANO ammunition will be good.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Yep, low cost rounds with a decent proximity fuze and a high fragmentation warhead should be good enough to take out enemy drones.

 

[KVS]

I'm curious why the age-old shot gun modified for hitting low flying Swarm Drones, is not explored? If it's workable, it will be the most economical solution, especially if is portable!