Indian Army gets Igla-S missiles to counter enemy jets, drones on the border

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan following the terror strike in Pahalgam which left 26 people dead, Indian Army received a new shipment of Russian Igla-S air defence missiles.

Igla-S is a man-portable, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, classified as Very Short Range Air Defense Systems (VSHORADS). These missiles are designed to target and destroy low-flying enemy aircraft, helicopters, and drones, by homing in on their infrared (heat) signatures.

An upgraded variant of the Igla missile system, the Igla-S missiles have been received as part of a contract signed under the emergency procurement powers granted by the government to the forces.

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News agency ANI quoted defence sources as saying that these missiles will be given to forward formations to counter the threat from enemy fighter jets, choppers and drones on the borders.

The compact Igla-S missiles are suitable for mobile ground units and can engage targets at an altitude of up to 3.5 km. This advanced variant of Igla missile system offers improved accuracy and can carry a warhead weighing 1.17 kg.

According to ANI, the Indian Army has also issued tenders for the procurement of 48 more launchers and nearly 90 missiles of VSHORADS (IR) under fast-track procedures.

Defence