NEW DELHI: India has imported new air defence systems from Russia. The first batch of 24 Igla-S Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) missiles arrived in India. A hundred missiles were also imported along with this. The new defence system was imported as part of a larger deal involving domestic production in India.
The Igla-S is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) that can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft. Igla can also detect and neutralize cruise missiles and drones. According to the Ministry of Defence, the Igla system comprises 9M342 missile, 9P522 launching mechanism, 9V866-2 mobile test station and 9F719-2 test set.
Igla-S will mainly be used to form a new air defence system in the high mountainous regions of the northern border. Officials also said that Igla-S has been delivered to a regiment on the border. It will be deployed mainly along Pakistan and China borders.
In November 2024, India had signed a contract with Russia for 120 launchers and 400 missiles. While the Indian army has received the first batch of Igla-S systems, the rest of these systems will be manufactured in the country by an Indian company through Transfer of Technology (TOT) from Russia.
Fresh batch of 🇷🇺 Russian Igla-S air defences (MANPADS) reach India 🇮🇳
— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) April 8, 2024
The delivery came along with 100 missiles, as part of a larger deal which will see the rest being made in India, The Print reported. #Russia #India pic.twitter.com/TWDni2k9sa