QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile)
India's mobile short-range air defence system designed to protect mobile assets including armoured and mechanised formations from low-flying aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. QRSAM features an all-weather, all-terrain capability with shoot-on-the-move potential, canister-launched missiles on a highly mobile 6x6 truck platform, 360-degree coverage, and reaction time under 5 seconds. The missile uses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor for range of 25-30 km and altitude coverage from 15 metres to 9 km, active radar seeker for autonomous terminal guidance, and two-way datalink for mid-course updates. Each battery includes a surveillance radar, tracking radar, mobile launcher vehicles with 6 ready-to-fire missiles each, and a command post — all mounted on high-mobility vehicles. QRSAM is designed to accompany fast-moving mechanised columns, providing air defence umbrella during offensive operations. Successfully tested in various scenarios including salvo firing. Indian Army inducted the first regiment in 2022 with additional orders to equip multiple formations.
- Indigenous quick-reaction SAM fills critical SHORAD gap in Indian Army
- Active radar seeker provides true fire-and-forget capability
- All-weather day/night engagement against modern air threats
- Mobile launcher supports rapid deployment and shoot-and-scoot operations
- Designed to replace aging Strela-10 and OSA-AK systems
- New system with very limited operational track record
- Range modest compared to MRSAM or S-400
- Production scale-up timeline uncertain given Indian industrial constraints
- Integration with IACCS (Indian Air Command and Control System) still being tested
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