New Delhi, India

A fresh batch of Russia-made Igla-S Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) has reached India, The Print reported citing defence sources. As per the report, the Indian Army received 24 Igla-S MANPADS, which were accompanied by 100 missiles. This delivery is said to be a part of a larger procurement deal, which will also include domestic production in India reportedly under a Russian licence. 

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The report mentioned that the recent delivery is a larger order, as compared to, the induction of a very small number, around 24 launchers and 216 missiles, of Igla-S as part of emergency procurement in 2021.  

Igla-S is a hand-held anti-aircraft missile, which can bolster Indian Army's combat capability in various sensitive locations. It can be fired by an individual or crew in order to bring down an enemy aircraft. 

The report also mentioned that the rest of these systems will be made in India through Transfer of Technology (ToT) from Russia. 

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Igla-S is expected to strengthen Indian Army’s Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) capabilities. The sources also told the media outlet that one regiment has received these systems, and a few more will get them soon. 

Last year in November, Russian state news agency TASS quoted a top arms export official to confirm that the contract was signed, according to which 120 launchers and 400 missiles were to be supplied to India.

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As quoted in November's report, Alexander Mikheyev, who is the head of the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, said, "We have already signed the corresponding document and now, together with an Indian private company, we are organising the production of Igla-S MANPADS in India." 

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In November, another Russian state news agency, RIA, quoted Mikheyev earlier as saying that "Rosoboronexport is working with Indian private and public enterprises to organise joint production of aviation weapons and integrate them into the existing aviation fleet in India". It didn't reveal the name of the Indian company. 

India enjoys friendly relations with Russia, including notable deals about arms and weapons among other bilateral agreements. In a report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) revealed that India's arms imports increased by 4.7 per cent between 2014–2018 and 2019–2023, with Russia retaining main-arms-supplier status, accounting for 36 per cent of its arms imports. However, some experts have said that an increase in imports is concerning amid the push for the "Make-in-India" initiative. 

(With inputs from agencies)