The Indian army received a new batch of anti-aircraft missiles known as Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) along with 100 missiles, delivered by Russia at the time when the Russian army has been failing to provide any type of weapons since their ongoing war with Ukraine.
Due to this military equiments shortage, their last delivery of S-400 Triumf air defense system had fallen well behind schedule.
This is part of a huge agreement that will let India manufacture the rest of the systems here in India. It also aims to increase the capabilities of India’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD).
India and Russia’s Military Deal
In the year 2023, the Russian military signed a deal with the Indian army to supply Igla-S air defense missiles, in which the Indian army asked Russia to use the production of this air defense missile in India under their permission.
Alexander Mikheyev, the head of the Rosoboronexport who works in the import and export of the Russian Defence system stated that ‘We have already signed the corresponding document, and now, together with an Indian private company, we are organizing the production of Igla-S MANPADS in India.’
At that time, India and Russia also signed a deal which was worth over Rs 35,000 crore ($5B) to supply five squadrons of S-400 air defense missiles.
The delivery was expected around 2023-24 but was postponed due to the Russia-Ukraine war and now it is expected to be delievered in 2026.
Due to this incident, Russia faced a lot of criticism for its inability to meet deadlines for the delivery.
The Russian Air Defence which is cited to be the best air defense in the world stated that ‘the S-400 air defense missiles can destroy and detect targets flying as low as 100 feet and as high as 40,000 feet. The entire system can be readied to fire within a few minutes. The missiles and launchers are mounted on cross-country trucks.’
The Indian Air Force(IAF) has already kept three S-400 air defense missile operational along the China and Pakistan Border.
However, Russia kept its part of the deal and supplied Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) as a replacement for the S-400 Triumf air defense missiles in 2020.
Fresh batch of 🇷🇺 Russian Igla-S air defences (MANPADS) reach India 🇮🇳
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
— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) April 8, 2024
The Indian Military stated that ‘The contract for Igla-S missiles was signed in December 2020, and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This included 24 launchers, 216 missiles, and testing equipment.’
About The Igla-S Missiles
The Igla-S missiles is a hand held air defence systems which can be operated by any individual in military or crew.
The Igla-S is the modified version of the Russian/Soviet portable surface to air missiles 9K38K Igla which was first used in the year 1981 and till then used in many famous wars like the Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, Sri Lankan Civil War, Iraq War or the Invasion of Iraq and the latest Russian-Ukraine War.
The missile is designed in such a way that it can bring down low flying craft and also can destroy air targets such as drones and cruise or ballistic missiles.
The most interesting part about this missile is that it is also used by the Ukrainian military who destroyed a large number of Russian fighters, helicopters, and drones with its impressive strike rate capabilties.
In addition to the NLAWs (Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons) and Javelins (the Advanced Anti-Tank Weapon System-Medium) which are supplied by the NATO(North Atlantic Treaty Organization) to Ukraine.
It is also stated that the introduction of this missiles in India will help them to edge past their enemies.
What Can the Igla-S Missiles Provide To the Indian Military?
The Igla-S Missiles can help Indian military recongnize their targets like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and cruise missiles which can take off and land at any time of day, even in the presence of fake flares (also known as jammers and background clutter).
It can also help to take on un-identified helicopers and drones. But when it comes to firing cruise missiles or locating targets, the missile uses an innovative logic unit two channel optical sensors.
The Igla-S missile can travel around at a maximum altitude of three kilometers and range of six kilometers. The effectivity of Igla-S is further improved by its larger warhead, proximity fuse based on a laser, algorithm-based optimal moment of explosion, and unmatched precision.
The Igla-S system consists of equipments such as the 9M342 missile and the 9P522 launching mechanism, as well as night firing devices. It also includes repair tools and services like the 9F719-2 test kit and the 9V866-2 mobile test station.
Military Critics On Russia’s Failed Delivery
Many military critics stated that ‘the delay in delivery of the missiles is a major failure of the Russians and have even condemned India for trusting an unreliable ally.’
While others stated that ‘the delay in deliveries does not augur well for India’s security with tension brewing at the border with China.’
