*NEW DELHI -**India to buy 5,000 missiles in multi billions dollars dealfor deployment along Pakistani borders.*
India and Russia are aiming to seal a multi-billion-dollar missile deal.Russia’s IGLA-S system was chosen as the lowest bidder forIndia’s short-range air defence missile system (VSHORADS) programme.
The Army has an immediate requirement for 800 launchers and over 5,000missiles.
The deal had, however, run into trouble as two other competitors – SAAB ofSweden and the European firm MBDA – officially registered complaintslinkagainstthe trials that gave the Russians an edge.
These missiles are meant to counter low-flying aircraft as the last line ofdefence against flying objects in a multi-layered air defence system.
The procurement process for the VSHORADS began shortly after the Kargil Warin 1999.
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This was after two Indian aircraft — a MiG-21 and a MiG-27 — were shot downduring the war by a Pakistani close-in weapon called the Anza (probably thederivative of a Chinese system).
Defence sources told ThePrint that both India and Russia are aiming to inkthe deal ahead of Modi’s visit or during the trip itself.
“The issues with AK 203 will be resolved soon but not in time for Modi’svisit. The Kamov deal is still a work in progress. The only defence dealthat can be completed by May is the VISHORADS,” a defence official toldThePrint.
