Why in the News?

Recently, Russia has announced that it will supply the Igla-S man-portable air defense missile system to the Indian armed forces through licensed production by an Indian private company.

About Igla-S Missile System:

• The Igla-S is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.
• It is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system which is also known as SA-24 Grinch in the West.
• The Igla-S entered service in 2004 and is currently in service with over 30 countries, including Russia.
• It is a highly effective and versatile weapon system that can be used to engage a wide variety of targets, including fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles.
• The Igla-S has a range of 5 km and an altitude of 3,500 meters including a speed of Mach 2.5.
• It is a "fire-and-forget" weapon, meaning that the operator does not need to track the target after launch.
• The missile's infrared homing seeker automatically guides it to the target.
• It is a very compact and lightweight weapon system, making it ideal for use by infantry troops.
• It can be easily transported and deployed in a matter of minutes.
• The Igla-S is used by a number of countries, including Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Libya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North Korea, Peru, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Venezuela, and Vietnam.