India is expanding the role of MBDA’s ASRAAM within its fighter fleet, but the missile’s premium technology and cost could encourage the development of a second, lower-priced weapon for less demanding close-combat requirements.The IAF selected ASRAAM in 2013 following competition against several international short-range air-to-air missiles. Since entering the Indian inventory, its application has broadened to multiple aircraft types, including Tejas Mk1A, Jaguar upgrades, Su-30MKI, and MiG-29UPG fighters.ASRAAM provides capabilities that improve upon older R-73 missiles, including a more advanced infrared seeker, high off-boresight engagement, greater range, and improved manoeuvrability. These characteristics make it suitable for demanding within-visual-range combat.India is also gaining greater domestic involvement in the weapon’s production. Bharat Dynamics Limited is working with MBDA on local assembly, integration, and testing, helping establish domestic expertise in support and sustainment.However, local manufacturing does not eliminate the cost associated with an advanced air-to-air missile. With India’s fighter fleet continuing to grow, purchasing only premium short-range weapons for every aircraft could impose a significant financial burden.A cheaper companion missile could therefore have value. It could be used for training sorties, routine operations, or engagements where the more expensive ASRAAM’s full capabilities are not required.DRDO’s VSHORADS programme offers one possible technological foundation. Developed by Research Centre Imarat, VSHORADS is a compact short-range air-defence missile designed to attack low-flying aerial targets.The weapon already incorporates technologies that could be relevant to an air-launched missile, including an imaging infrared seeker, integrated guidance electronics, and a reaction-control system. Its flight-testing history provides a level of technological maturity that could potentially support future adaptation.At roughly 20.5 kilograms, VSHORADS is significantly smaller than conventional fighter-launched missiles. It uses a dual-thrust solid motor and can reach approximately Mach 1.5, with an effective engagement range of roughly 6-8 kilometres depending on configuration.Turning the ground-launched weapon into an air-to-air missile would not be a simple conversion. Engineers would need to redesign the structure and flight-control system for aircraft carriage and high-speed launch conditions. The launch mechanism and aerodynamic surfaces would also require modification.Even so, leveraging existing seeker and guidance technologies could potentially shorten the development pathway and reduce costs compared with an entirely new missile programme.The concept reflects a broader shift toward differentiated weapon inventories. Rather than using the most expensive weapon for every scenario, the IAF could employ a combination of premium and economical systems according to mission requirements.If pursued successfully, such a two-tier approach could help India provide advanced close-combat capability while keeping the overall cost of arming its expanding fighter fleet under control.
