The Indian Army has received the first batch of 24 Russia-made Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS), along with 100 missiles, as part of a larger deal which will see the rest being made in India.
- The system is being procured to shore up Indian Army’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
- The Igla-S system consists of a single launcher and a missile. India signed the contract with Russia in November 2023 for 120 launchers and 400 missiles.
- The Igla-S systems are under procurement for the new authorised air defence formations for high mountainous terrain along the northern border.