New Delhi. To further strengthen India’s air defense system, Bharat Dynamics Limited has signed a new deal with Russia. This deal has been made with Rosoboronexport, a Russian government-controlled arms export company, for the advanced Pantsir air defense missile gun system. The Pantsir Air Defense System is a versatile mobile platform designed to protect Army bases and other infrastructure from air attacks, including aircraft, drones and precision guided munitions. It has advanced radar and tracking system. Which is capable of detecting and attacking targets up to 36 km away and at a height of 15 km. This agreement for this defense system between the two countries was signed during the 5th India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission Subgroup Meeting held in Goa.
Deal part of Make in India Initiative
BDL and ROE aim to explore new avenues for manufacturing, technology transfer and joint development of Pantir variants. This is included in India’s target to be self-dependent in defense production under the Make in India initiative.
India had signed a deal worth 5 billion dollars
India had signed a deal to buy S-400 air defense system from Russia in 2018. Under this deal, India was to get all these air defense systems in the next 5 years. Till now Russia has given only 3 air defense systems to India. India is still yet to receive 2 S-400s. Ukraine war is believed to be a major reason behind this, due to which the delivery of air defense system is getting delayed.