Russian defense export giant Rosoboronexport announced on November 14 that Moscow and New Delhi have signed a contract for the supply and authorization of the production of the Igla-S mobile air defense missile system (MANPADS) in India.
A Russian soldier holds a 9K38 Igla-S infrared-guided surface-to-air missile. (Photo: RT)
India has decided to purchase the latest version of the Igla-S MANPADS to replace the outdated Soviet-made Igla-M systems that the army has been using since the 1980s. The deal is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion.
The Indian Army previously purchased “a small number” of Igla-S systems from Russia under an emergency procurement agreement signed in December 2020.
The Hindu newspaper reported that the transfer at the time included 24 launchers, 216 missiles, and testing equipment.
The larger contract for the Igla-S system is being implemented under New Delhi's Vietnam Short-Range Air Defense System (VSHORAD) procurement program, launched in 2010 with the goal of acquiring approximately 5,000 missiles, 258 single launchers, and 258 multi-launchers.
Alexander Mikheyev, CEO of Rosoboronexport, said talks are underway with several Indian defense agencies to jointly produce aviation weapons as part of New Delhi's efforts to bolster its domestic defense and ammunition production base.
"We have signed the relevant documents and will jointly manufacture the Igla-S in India with a private Indian company," Alexander Mikheyev announced at the Dubai Airshow 2023 currently taking place in the UAE.
The "Make in India" initiative is being actively promoted by the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi across various sectors, including defense, with the aim of increasing the transfer of technology and domestically produced weapons from foreign partners.
In 2020, the Indian government increased the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit for defense joint ventures to 74% from the previous 49% limit, to encourage foreign manufacturers to establish defense production facilities in the country. Previously, investments exceeding 49% were approved by the Indian government on a case-by-case basis.
According to Mr. Mikheyev, Rosoboronexport had 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 army with Su-30MKI aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, and other missiles. Mikheyev noted that each of these pieces of equipment has a certain component manufactured in India.
The Indian Air Force currently operates approximately 260 fourth-generation Su-30 MKI fighter jets, over 220 of which were assembled by India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited at its Nashik facility under a licensing agreement.
One of the newest defense joint ventures between Russia and India is the production of the Russian-designed Kalashnikov AK-203 rifle. Production began 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 manufacture Kalashnikov 200 series and above.
Hoa Vu (Source: RT)
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