The Army is all set to begin receiving another set of Russian Igla-S very short range air defence systems (VSHORAD) by the end of May or early next month, filling a critical void in the its air defence requirements which has been repeatedly delayed. In another development, multiple sources confirmed that the payments issue between India and Russia that has held up critical payments for defence deals as well as payments has been resolved.

The Army is also set to receive the first of two Israeli Hermes-900 Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) assembled by ADSTL in Hyderabad next month.

The Igla-S systems were contracted last year under the fourth tranche of Emergency Procurements (EP) and are being assembled by Adani Defence Systems And Technologies Limited (ADSTL) in India under technology transfer from Rosoboronexport, multiple official sources confirmed. Under this, the Army contracted 48 Igla-S launchers, 100 missiles, 48 night sights and one missile testing station under a ₹260 crore contract and deliveries are set to begin by end-May 2024, an official source said. The order was placed to ADSTL, officials stated.

The missile will be imported and some parts like sights, launcher, and battery will be assembled/manufactured here by Adani defence, another source in the know said.

Points to Take:

• The Indian Army is set to receive Russian Igla-S air defence systems, partially assembled by Adani Defence Systems in India, by the end of May 2024.
• This follows the resolution of payment issues between India and Russia, facilitating the use of national currencies.
• Additionally, the Army will receive Israeli Hermes-900 UAVs assembled in Hyderabad next month. The Igla-S systems were contracted under a ₹260 crore deal, addressing a critical air defence need, with components like sights and launchers manufactured locally.