The Pantsir-S1M SAM system shown at the Armiya 2019 exhibition. (Mark Cazalet)
India's Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed an agreement with Russian defence export agency Rosoboronexport to collaborate on the Pantsir self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile (SPAAGM) system.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) – signed by the companies on 8 November in Goa, India – the companies said they will co-operate on Pantsir variants but did not elaborate.
The collaboration is likely aimed at meeting Indian Army requirements. In July 2023 the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a tender to support the procurement of new self-propelled air-defence gun missile systems (SPAD-GMSs).
The request for information (RFI) said the procured systems will be operated as ‘Mobile Terminal Air-Defence Systems' and provide close air-defence protection for the Indian Army's mechanised formations.
In service with the Indian Army the procured SPAD-GMSs will likely replace the service's 1,360 in-service obsolete Bofors L 70 40 mm single barrel and Soviet-era ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAGs).
According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery and Air Defence , the Pantsir consists of a wheeled platform based on the KAMAZ-6560 8×8 vehicle and is equipped with two 30 mm 2A38M cannons and a range of surface-to-air missiles.
BDL had not responded to Janes at the time of publication.
For more information, please see Pantsir .
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