New Delhi: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has started advance preparations for the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) programme, as India moves closer to a major indigenous air defence procurement worth an estimated ₹30,000 crore.
BEL has already initiated activities related to the First of Production Model (FOPM) and Qualification Testing (QT), even as the final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) remains pending. The move could help reduce production delays and speed up deliveries to the Indian Army once the contract is formally awarded.
BEL Starts Advance Preparations For QRSAM Defence Programme
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a major Indian defence public sector company, is taking early steps to prepare the QRSAM system for large-scale production.
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During its latest earnings call, BEL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain confirmed that the company had started preparatory activities related to Qualification Testing and First of Production Model realisation.
He explained that BEL wants to complete important preparatory work before receiving the final order. This approach could help the company save several months during the production process.
BEL has been closely involved in the QRSAM programme for more than a decade, working with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The company has also submitted its bid and is expecting the order to be placed with BEL, which has been identified as the nominated production agency.
₹30,000 Crore QRSAM Defence Programme Awaits Final Government Approval
The proposed QRSAM procurement is estimated to be worth approximately ₹30,000 crore.
According to BEL’s management, the proposal is moving through the government approval process, and the company is hopeful that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) may clear it in an upcoming meeting.
The CCS, chaired by the Prime Minister, is responsible for taking important decisions related to India’s national security and major defence procurements. However, the final approval and formal contract signing are still pending. Therefore, the estimated contract value should not be treated as an already awarded order.
BEL management has expressed confidence that the company will receive the order because of its role as the nominated production agency and its long-standing involvement in the programme.
The contract is expected to cover the Indian Army’s and Indian Air Force’s requirements, according to BEL’s earlier management statements.
First Of Production Model To Help Reduce Manufacturing Delays
The First of Production Model (FOPM) is an important stage between the development of a weapon system and its regular manufacturing.
During this phase, manufacturers prepare a production-ready model to check whether the design, components, assembly process and integrated technologies are ready for large-scale manufacturing.
Qualification Testing (QT) is also important because it helps verify whether the system and its components meet the required technical and performance standards.
By starting these activities before the formal contract award, BEL aims to reduce the time required to move towards serial production.
The company’s management indicated that early preparations could help save several months once the order is officially received.
This strategy is particularly important for a complex air defence programme involving missiles, mobile launchers, surveillance radars, multifunction radars and command-and-control systems.
What is QRSAM Defence Programme
The Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) is an indigenous air defence system developed by DRDO primarily to meet the Indian Army’s operational requirements.
Unlike conventional air defence systems that mainly operate from fixed positions, QRSAM is designed to accompany moving military formations.
Its major advantage is its ability to search for and track aerial targets while moving and engage them after making only a short halt.
According to official defence specifications, the QRSAM missile has an engagement range of approximately 5 to 30 kilometres and an altitude capability of up to 6 kilometres.
The system can engage up to six targets simultaneously, according to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Its main features include:
- Mobile Operations: Can perform surveillance and tracking while moving.
- Quick Engagement: Can launch missiles after short halts.
- Multiple Target Capability: Designed to engage several aerial threats simultaneously.
- Advanced Radar Systems: Uses surveillance and multifunction radars.
- Indigenous Technology: Developed with Indian-designed subsystems and technologies.
The system is designed to protect military formations against aerial threats such as fighter aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
How QRSAM Defence Programme Will Strengthen India’s Air Defence Network
The Indian Army requires highly mobile air defence systems to protect its mechanised and armoured formations during military operations.
Modern battlefields are increasingly exposed to threats from drones, low-flying aircraft, helicopters and precision-guided weapons.
QRSAM is designed to provide protection against such threats while allowing military formations to continue moving.
Its mobile launchers, surveillance radars and automated command-and-control systems can help soldiers identify approaching aerial threats and respond quickly.
The system will also contribute to India’s wider air defence network by providing an additional layer of protection alongside other surface-to-air missile systems.
DRDO and the Indian Army had earlier completed six successful QRSAM flight tests in September 2022. These trials evaluated the system against different aerial targets and demonstrated its ability to operate in day and night conditions.
Read also: How DRDO’s New 500-Watt Laser Technology That Could Make Indian Missiles More Deadly
FAQs
The proposed QRSAM procurement programme is estimated to be worth approximately ₹30,000 crore. The final government approval and formal contract signing are still pending.
QRSAM stands for Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile. It is an indigenous air defence system developed by DRDO for the Indian Army to protect military formations against aerial threats.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is the nominated production agency for the programme. The company is working on First of Production Model realisation and Qualification Testing preparations to reduce delays before large-scale manufacturing.
