Context: Indian Army is all set to begin receiving another set of Russian Igla-S very short-range air defence systems (VSHORAD), filling a critical void in its air defence requirement.
About Igla-S system:
- In 2023, the Army contracted 48 Igla-S launchers, 100 missiles, 48 night sights, and one missile testing station under a ₹260 crore contract and deliveries are set to begin by end of this May, 2024.
- In April 2024, India received the first batch of 24 Igla-S launchers.
- Igla-S is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.
- It is being assembled by Adani Defence Systems And Technologies Limited (ADSTL) in India under technology transfer from Rosoboronexport (Russia).
- The hand-held defence system can be operated by an individual or crew.
- The anti-aircraft missile launcher can bring down low-flying aircrafts, helicopters and can also identify and neutralise air targets such as cruise missiles and drones to provide a comprehensive air defence solution.
- Range:
- Interception Range: upto 6 kms
- Limiting altitude of effective target destruction: 3.5 km
- Igla-S has a 2.5 kg high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead, contact and timed fuzes, and infrared homing guidance.
- It has the fire and forget guidance system i.e., the operator is not required to guide the missile to its target. They are fitted with infrared seeker that identify and target the airborne vehicle through heat radiation being emitted by the latter.
Significance:
- The Igla-S system would enhance the Indian Army’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
- The Igla-S acquisition addresses the Indian Army's need to replace the outdated Igla-1M systems, replacing the obsolescence of existing air defence systems.