Fortifying India's Skies: Igla-S MANPADS Arrival and Progress towards Indigenous Production
Indian Army enhances air defense with new Igla-S MANPADS. First batch from Russia, rest to be domestically produced. Boosting VSHORAD capabilities.
DEFENSE | SECURITY
02 April 2024
The Indian Army has received its first batch of 24 Russian-made Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), along with 100 missiles that will improve its Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
It is part of a bigger agreement that includes domestic production in India. While the Army has received the first batch from Russia, the rest of these systems will be manufactured in the country through the transfer of technology (ToT) from Russia by an Indian company.
According to sources in the defence establishment, this purchase is more substantial than the smaller emergency purchase made in 2021.
These systems are designed for the country's new air defence units in high-mountainous terrain near the northern border. According to the sources, these systems have already been sent to one regiment, and more will be delivered as the deal progresses.
With cutting-edge laser-beam riding and infrared VSHORADS, the Indian Army intends to replace the older Igla systems. Recent flight tests of the domestic VSHORADS missiles by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) indicate progress in this direction.
Image Source: rosoboronexport | sputnik India