The Indian Army is undertaking a major strategic shift in its air defence operations, repurposing its Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) to specifically counter the rising threat of sub-sonic cruise missiles.
While these shoulder-fired missiles were originally designed to target helicopters and low-flying aircraft, military planners are now training ground crews to use them as an effective shield against cruise missiles that fly close to the ground to evade detection.
Countering the Low-Altitude Threat
Modern cruise missiles pose a unique challenge to conventional air defence networks. By "terrain-hugging"—flying at very low altitudes and skimming the ground—they can often slip underneath the coverage of long-range radar systems.However, this flight path makes them visible to ground troops. The Army has recognised that well-trained soldiers equipped with agile MANPADS can effectively spot and engage these missiles during their terminal phase.
A Layered Defence Architecture
This recalibration turns MANPADS into a crucial component of India's multi-layered air defence grid.- Flexible Engagement: Modern infrared-guided systems can lock onto the heat signatures of cruise missiles, allowing operators to fire at targets whether they are approaching or moving away.
- Gap Filling: These portable systems are particularly vital in frontline and remote border areas where heavy, static air defence batteries cannot be easily deployed. They effectively plug gaps in the defensive umbrella, ensuring no sector is left entirely vulnerable.
Enhanced Training and Technology
Sources indicate that the Army is not just relying on existing tactics but is actively upgrading its capabilities to meet this challenge:- Specialised Training: Crews are undergoing rigorous drills to identify the specific flight profiles of low-observable cruise missiles.
- Technical Upgrades: The Army is exploring the integration of advanced support systems for MANPADS units. This includes auxiliary sighting aids and tactical data links that can "cue" operators to incoming threats, significantly reducing reaction time against targets that appear with little warning.
Strategic Mobility and Future Procurement
In a battlefield where adversaries may launch attacks from sectors with sparse air defence coverage, mobility is India's greatest asset. By pairing portable battlefield radars with MANPADS teams, the Army creates a highly responsive "last line of defence."This doctrinal shift coincides with India's recent efforts to modernise its very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
- Russian Procurement: The Army recently inducted the Igla-S system under emergency procurement powers to meet immediate border requirements. The Igla-S features enhanced range and a more powerful warhead suitable for neutralising small, fast-moving targets like cruise missiles.
- Indigenous Development: Simultaneously, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing its indigenous VSHORADS programme. Recent trials have successfully demonstrated the system's ability to intercept high-speed, low-altitude aerial threats, paving the way for greater self-reliance in this critical sector.
