Piercing the Sky: India's Adoption of Igla-S Systems


By Girish Linganna

Apr 9: The Igla-S systems are designed for air defense purposes in mountainous regions with high altitudes. It's been reported that one unit has already been provided with these systems, and more units are expected to receive them in the future as deliveries continue.

The term "IGLA" translates to "needle" in the Russian language.

According to reports from Indian media, the Indian Army has recently received its initial consignment of 24 Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) from Russia, along with 100 missiles.

The recent delivery of 24 Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) and 100 missiles to the Indian Army is just the beginning of a larger agreement, which involves the manufacturing of the remaining systems within India.

The acquisition of these systems is intended to improve the Indian Army's capabilities in Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD), specifically in the challenging mountainous areas along the northern border.

In November last year, India entered into an agreement with Russia to procure the Igla-S system, comprising launchers and missiles. The contract encompasses a quantity of 120 launchers and 400 missiles. Initially, the initial batch of systems will be sourced from Russia. However, in the future, an Indian company, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), will domestically manufacture the systems using technology transferred from Russia.

The Igla-S systems are designed to be used in recently authorized air defense formations deployed in high mountainous regions. According to reports, one regiment has already received these systems, and additional units are expected to be equipped as deliveries progress.

In comparison, the Army had previously acquired a limited quantity of Igla-S systems (24 launchers and 216 missiles) through an emergency procurement in 2021. However, the current order signifies a substantial increase in the number of systems being procured.

The acquisition process for the Very Short Range Air Defence systems was initiated through the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) in 2010 during the tenure of the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

MANPADS, including the Igla-S system, are vital portable surface-to-air missile systems utilized by air defense units to engage low-altitude airborne threats like aircraft, drones, and missiles. These systems are especially crucial in challenging terrains.

According to reports, the Igla-S system has a maximum effective range of six kilometers. For optimal target destruction, it is most effective at altitudes up to 3.5 kilometers.The maximum Peak speed of the missile is about Mach 1.9.

The complete system has a weight of approximately 17.9 kilograms, with the missile itself weighing around 10.8 kilograms. The missile is propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor engine. The system has a length of 1.574 meters and a diameter of 72 millimeters.

The Indian Army presently utilizes Igla-1M systems, which need to be replaced urgently due to becoming outdated. The procurement of Igla-S is a response to this pressing need for replacement.

In February of this year, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out two successful flight tests of domestically developed VSHORADS missiles. These tests were conducted using a portable launcher stationed on the ground, showcasing advancements in indigenous development and the pursuit of self-reliance in defense technology.

Key Features:

The Igla missile system offers several key features. Firstly, it is a fire-and-forget system, allowing the operator to engage a second target while the first missile is still in flight. This means that the operator can maximize the system's effectiveness by engaging multiple targets simultaneously.

Additionally, the Igla system has a low signature due to its guidance system based on passive infrared technology. This reduces the system's electronic warfare signature, making it harder for enemy forces to detect and counteract it.

Passive infrared technology detects heat emitted from objects, usually from living beings, to sense movement or presence without emitting any energy itself; commonly used in security systems.

Furthermore, the Igla system is designed to require minimal manpower. It can be operated by a single operator, which is beneficial considering the limited availability of manpower resources. This feature allows for efficient utilization of personnel in the operation of the system.

Overall, these features contribute to the Igla missile system's effectiveness, stealth capabilities, and efficient use of manpower resources.

Arms Partnership

India and Russia maintain friendly relations, including significant agreements related to arms, weapons, and other bilateral matters. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India's arms imports have risen by 4.7 percent between the periods of 2014-2018 and 2019-2023. Russia continues to be a major supplier, accounting for 36 percent of India's arms imports. Nevertheless, some experts have expressed concerns about the increasing reliance on imports, considering the government's emphasis on the "Make-in-India" initiative.

 

 

 

 

(The author Girish Linganna of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)

 

 

  

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