India's Close-Combat Conundrum: Balancing High-Tech and High-Cost

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) choice of the British MBDA ASRAAM as its top close-combat air-to-air missile has sent shockwaves throughout the defense community. With its advanced infrared seeker, maneuverability, and off-boresight targeting ability, the ASRAAM is a game-changer in close combat. However, its high cost may limit its adoption, leading the IAF to consider a cheaper alternative based on DRDO's VSHORADS technology.

The ASRAAM's entry into service in India dates back over a decade, when it was chosen as the winner of the Air Force's New Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM) programme. Since then, its integration has expanded beyond its initial scope, with the missile being fitted on various platforms, including the Tejas Mk1A, Su-30MKIs, and MiG-29UPG fleets. The ASRAAM provides a significant improvement over the R-73, with a range of approximately 50 km compared to the R-73's 30 km range.

Despite its technical advantages, the ASRAAM's high cost is a major concern for the IAF. With a large and increasing fighter fleet, including the Tejas Mk1A and Mk2, Su-30MKI, Rafale, MiG-29UPG, and AMCA, it would not be economically viable to equip every single close-combat weapon loadout on every sortie with a missile costing as much as the ASRAAM. The IAF is therefore exploring the possibility of adopting a cheaper missile based on DRDO's VSHORADS technology.

The VSHORADS is a fourth-generation, man-portable air defence system developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat. It was originally designed to deal with low-altitude aerial threats such as drones, helicopters, and aircraft at short range. The system is based on a miniaturized reaction control system, integrated avionics, and a dual-waveband imaging infrared seeker, which have already been proven successful through a number of flight tests.

The VSHORADS missile is small, with a weight of about 20.5 kg, a length of 2 metres, and a 90 mm diameter. It is powered by a dual-thrust solid rocket motor, allowing it to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.5, with an effective range of approximately 6 to 8 km. The size and cost characteristics of the VSHORADS missile make it an attractive option for use on fighter jets.

The IAF's decision to adopt a cheaper missile based on VSHORADS technology would have significant implications for its fleet and its ability to engage in within-visual-range combat effectively. It would also demonstrate the IAF's commitment to self-reliance and indigenization, which is a key aspect of India's defense strategy.

In conclusion, the IAF's choice of the ASRAAM as its top close-combat air-to-air missile has raised questions about its high cost. The IAF is therefore exploring the possibility of adopting a cheaper missile based on DRDO's VSHORADS technology. This decision would have significant implications for the IAF's fleet and its ability to engage in within-visual-range combat effectively. It would also demonstrate the IAF's commitment to self-reliance and indigenization, which is a key aspect of India's defense strategy.