Russian defense export corporation Rosoboronexport said on November 14 that Moscow and New Delhi have signed a contract to supply and license the production of Igla-S mobile air defense missile systems (MANPADS) in India.
A Russian soldier holds a 9K38 Igla-S infrared-guided surface-to-air missile. (Photo: RT)
India has decided to buy the latest version of the Igla-S MANPADS to replace the outdated Soviet Igla-M systems used by the army since the 1980s. The deal is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion.
The Indian Army had previously purchased “a small number” of Igla-S systems from Russia under an emergency procurement agreement signed in December 2020.
The transfer then included 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment, The Hindu reported.
The larger contract for the Igla-S system is being executed under New Delhi's Virtual Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) procurement program, launched in 2010 with the target of purchasing about 5,000 missiles, 258 single launchers and 258 multiple launchers.
Talks are underway with several Indian defense agencies to jointly produce aviation weapons as part of New Delhi's efforts to boost its domestically produced defense platforms and ammunition, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said.
“We have signed the relevant documents and will, together with an Indian private company, organize the production of Igla-S on the territory of this country,” Alexander Mikheyev announced at the Dubai Air Show 2023 taking place in the UAE.
The "Make in India" plan is being actively promoted by the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in sectors including defense, aiming to increase the rate of technology transfer and domestically produced weapons from foreign partners.
In 2020, the Indian government increased the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit to 74% for defence joint ventures from the previous limit of 49%, to encourage foreign manufacturers to set up defence manufacturing facilities in the country. Previously, investments above 49% were approved by the Indian government on a case-by-case basis.
According to Mr. Mikheyev, Rosoboronexport has been working with major Indian defense companies under similar conditions even before the 'Make in India' initiative was launched in 2014.
Russia has supplied the Indian military with Su-30MKI aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles and other missiles. Mr. Mikheyev noted that each of these weapons has a certain content produced by India.
The Indian Air Force currently operates around 260 fourth-generation Su-30 MKI fighters, over 220 of which are assembled by India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at its Nashik facility under a license agreement.
One of the latest defense joint ventures between Russia and India is the production of the Russian-designed Kalashnikov AK-203 rifle. Production is set to begin in January 2023 and the joint venture aims for 100% localization.
Rostec, a subsidiary of Rosoboronexport, said India is the first foreign country to be licensed to produce Kalashnikov 200 and above series.
Hoa Vu (Source: RT)
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