In a move to strengthen its air defense capabilities, India signed a significant contract with Russia in November 2023. The deal involves the acquisition of 120 launchers and 400 Igla-S missiles, bolstering India’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) systems.
The Indian Army has received its first batch of 24 Russia-made Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), accompanied by 100 missiles that will enhance its Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
The Igla-S, also known as the SA-25 Guardian by NATO, is a next-generation man-portable air-defense system (MANPAD). These missiles are designed for low-altitude defense against aerial threats like helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft. They are particularly crucial for safeguarding sensitive border areas, including those with challenging mountainous terrains.
The weight of Igla-S anti-aircraft missile is 10.8 kg., while the weight of the entire system is 18 kg. The length of the system is 5.16 feet, 72 mm diameter. 1.17 kg explosive is placed on the tip of this missile which ranges from 5 to 6 km. This missile can reach a maximum of 11 thousand feet at a speed of 2266 km/hr. The old Igla missile was inducted into the Army in the 1990s and now new Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missile inducted into Indian Army.
India wants to make these missiles domestically under the Make-in-India mission. Russia has been supplying arms to India for many years. Many agreements have been signed between the two countries regarding military weapons. Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport, said that an agreement has been reached between India and Russia for the license of Igla-S air defense system.
The contract significantly upgrades India’s air defense system. The Igla-S replaces the older Igla-1M systems, providing a technological leap in terms of range, precision, and target acquisition capabilities. This upgrade is particularly important considering the evolving security landscape in the region.
There’s another interesting aspect to this deal. While the initial batch of launchers and missiles arrived directly from Russia, the contract includes a crucial technology transfer element. An Indian company will manufacture the remaining Igla-S systems under a ToT (Transfer of Technology) agreement. This not only reduces reliance on foreign imports but also strengthens India’s indigenous defense capabilities in the long run.
The India-Russia Igla-S deal signifies a continued strategic partnership between the two nations. It strengthens India’s air defense preparedness and reflects its commitment to modernizing its military equipment. The focus on technology transfer paves the way for a more self-reliant Indian defense sector in the future.
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