India and Russia are poised to discuss the procurement of Russia’s advanced 9K333 Verba very short-range air defence system (VSHORADS) during the ongoing India-Russia Annual Summit, as highlighted by defense sources. The Verba, known for its superior performance compared to the older Igla-S systems, offers significant enhancements in range, altitude, and resistance to modern countermeasures, addressing urgent operational needs of the Indian Army and Air Force, particularly along the Line of Actual Control with China and the western border with Pakistan. With India’s indigenous VSHORADS program still in development, a fast-tracked acquisition of several hundred Verba systems, along with provisions for technology transfer and local production, is being considered to mitigate immediate threats from advanced aerial systems. This collaboration underscores the strengthening military-technical ties between India and Russia amid evolving security challenges.