Next month, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is anticipated to evaluate a critical proposal to equip the Indian Army with a new arsenal of short-range air defence weapons.
The plan involves acquiring roughly 250 Verba Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) launchers alongside 5,000 matching missiles, marking a substantial upgrade to the military's ability to protect its airspace at close range.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to preside over the upcoming session, which will assess several high-priority military purchases.
Insiders suggest that the Verba MANPADS deal is valued at approximately ₹1,200 crore. The primary goal of this investment is to fortify the Army against modern, low-altitude aerial dangers on the front lines.
The fourth-generation Verba, of Russian origin and known by the NATO reporting name SA-29 "Gizmo," is a shoulder-launched missile system tailored to take down low-flying aeroplanes, attack helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Unlike bulky, vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft batteries, these highly portable systems allow infantrymen and forward-operating units to independently neutralise incoming airborne threats.
Open-source data highlights that the Verba boasts a strike range of up to 6.5 kilometres and can reach altitudes of 4.5 kilometres.
A key technological advantage over its predecessors is its advanced tri-band optical seeker—utilising ultraviolet, near-infrared, and mid-infrared sensors—which makes it exceptionally difficult for enemy aircraft to spoof the missile using thermal flares or decoys.
This planned purchase highlights the military's urgent focus on frontline air defence, driven by the changing nature of modern warfare.
Recent global conflicts have shown a massive surge in the deployment of combat drones, loitering munitions, and other low-flying strike platforms.
Having a lightweight, immediate-response weapon like the Verba ensures that ground troops can defend themselves swiftly against sudden ambushes from the sky.
In line with the national push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, sources report that private sector firm Bharat Forge might step in as the domestic manufacturing partner.
By producing the launchers locally, the project would strongly support the government's "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" campaigns, ensuring that foreign procurement still actively benefits the domestic defence sector and builds local technical expertise.
Once inducted, the Verba will serve as a crucial layer in India’s comprehensive air defence network, operating alongside the older Igla-S systems and the indigenous Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) currently being developed by the DRDO.
Because it is easily carried by soldiers, the Verba is perfectly suited for quick deployment across challenging landscapes, including the high-altitude mountainous borders and forward combat outposts where heavy machinery cannot easily travel.
