In May 2025, the Indian Army (IA) has received fresh batch of the Russian-origin ‘Igla-S missiles’, are portable, shoulder-fired weapons, designed to neutralize low-flying threats such as helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and low-speed aircraft, especially in forward areas and mountainous terrain.
- These missiles have been procured as part of an Rs 260 crore contract signed by the Government of India (GoI) under the emergency procurement powers.
- Apart from these missiles, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in coordination with IA has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to buy 48 launchers, 48 night vision sights, 85 missiles, and one missile test station for the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)- Next Generation (NG).
Note: In April 2024, IA acquired the 1st batch of 24 Russian-made Igla-S missiles, as part of an agreement involving domestic production in India.
Background:
i.The Igla-S man-portable air defence systems were assembled in India by Ahmedabad(Gujarat) based Adani Defence Systems And Technologies Limited(ADSTL).
ii.The Igla-S assembly was undertaken following a Technology Transfer (ToT) agreement between ADSTL and Rosoboronexport, a Russian state corporation.
iii.The IA contracted ADSTL to assemble 48 Igla-S launchers, 100 missiles, night sights, and a testing station, with a total value of Rs.260 crore.
About Igla-S Missile:
i.It is also known by its North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) designation SA-24 ‘Grinch’. It is an upgraded version of the Igla missiles which have been in use in the Indian defence system since 1990s. This new version of Igla missile offers better resistance to countermeasures and enhanced seeker accuracy.
ii.It is a shoulder-launched Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system that uses Infrared (IR) homing to lock onto the heat signatures of targets in air.
iii.It is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) comprising 9M342 missile, 9P522 launching mechanism, 9V866-2 mobile test station, and 9F719-2 test set, it offers comprehensive air defence capabilities.
iv.It is capable of engaging targets maximum 6 kilometer (km) away and at altitudes of maximum 3.5 km.
v.The weight of this system (including launcher and missile) is 19 kilogram (kg), which makes it highly portable, thus can be rapidly deployed by infantry units.
About VSHORADS:
i.It is a indigenous 4th generation technically-advanced MANPAD, designed for quick deployment and engagement of aerial threats at short ranges.
ii.It is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in partnership with other DRDO laboratories and Development cum Production Partners (DcPPs).
iii.It has a strike range of nearly 6-8 km and are most effective when operated below altitudes of 4.5 km.
iv.The missile system has the capability to meet the requirements of all 3 branches of Indian Armed Forces i.e. IA, Indian Navy (IN) and Indian Air Force (IAF).
Recent Related News:
In April 2025, New Delhi (Delhi)-based (DRDO) has successfully conducted the field trial of land version of vehicle mounted Mk-II (A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- It is a 30 kilowatt (KW) laser-based system that has the capability to disable, degrade or destroy small remotely-piloted aircraft, swarm drones, missiles and sensors.
