Anant Shastra, formerly better known as QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile), is India’s indigenous defence answer for keeping skies safer especially for mobile ground units and forward deployments. It is being developed by the DRDO in partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The system gives 360-degree coverage via two advanced radars: the Battery Surveillance Radar (BSR) and Battery Multifunction Radar (BMFR), able to detect, track, and engage multiple threats including drones, helicopters, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Its operational range is approximately 25-30 km and it can intercept targets up to about 10 km altitude. The missile system is mounted on high-mobility 8×8 trucks (Ashok Leyland or equivalent), allowing movement, short halts for firing, and rapid redeployment along sensitive border regions.

The Indian Army has floated tenders for five to six regiments of Anant Shastra (worth roughly ₹30,000 crore), illustrating both urgency and trust in indigenous production. The system is positioned to fill a gap between existing short-range arms (like guns) and medium/long-range missile systems (such as Akash, Barak-8, S-400). In dynamic terrain mountain passes, border forward posts or against fast, low-flying threats, this system promises to be a critical layer in India’s air defence architecture.