Thales and BDL began working on the Laser Beam Riding (LBRM) Man-Portable Air Defense (MANPAD) Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) system
Indian Air Defence: In a major development that promises to boost India’s defense capabilities, the Indian Army is set to receive the first batch of man-portable air defense systems soon. According to the reports, the United Kingdom’s defense company Thales and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited have agreed on its supply. This is a very short-range air defense system capable of targeting enemy missiles and fighter jets that have approached at high speed and close range. Experts believe that with this new weapon, India’s skies will become much more secure.
Thales and BDL began working on the Laser Beam Riding (LBRM) Man-Portable Air Defense (MANPAD) Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) system after approval from the governments of India and the United Kingdom. An agreement was signed between the companies of both countries in 2021 to develop such defense weapons.
What is this system?
- Known as the Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS), the Army personnel can easily carry this weapon from one place to another
- It targets enemy aircraft using a laser beam.
- This weapon is primarily designed as a short-range air defense system
- The weapon is designed in such a way that if an enemy missile or aircraft bypasses long-range air defense systems and comes closer, it can be targeted using this weapon.
- As per the agreement between the Indian and UK governments, 60% of this weapon will be manufactured in India.
With this weapon, the Indian Army will be able to easily target fighter ground attack aircraft, late-masking attack helicopters, and drones. It is worth mentioning that continuous testing of this weapon took place in India last year, and these tests have also proven to be successful.
