India’s geographical position, its territory, rich natural resources and the status of a major military and political power dictate the urgent need to have a reliable and capable national air defense system.

Expanding the mutually beneficial strategic partnership, Rosoboronexport, Russia’s major exporter of the entire range of the final defense and dual-use products and services, offers its strategic partner the best models of advanced air defense systems.

Among the most capable weapons meeting the Indian Ministry of Defense’s needs is the newest Tor-M2KM short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. Its successful tests ended in Russia in 2012 and today it is one of the most advanced systems in the world market.

The Tor-M2KM latest-generation highly automated, multichannel SAM system was developed to counter massive air attacks by aircraft and helicopters and, which is especially relevant, to destroy PGW submunitions, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles flying at medium, low and extremely low altitudes. A battery comprising four Tor-M2KM combat vehicles is capable of simultaneously engaging up to 16 targets flying from different directions at ranges up to 15 km and at altitudes up to 10 km in any weather, day or night, even in a difficult air situation and when the enemy uses various countermeasures.

The Tor-M2KMs are delivered by Rosoboronexport on wheeled chassis and can be mounted on the Indian-made TATA truck chassis; they are also available in a modular version for the installation on semi-trailers, rail platforms, ships and barges, as well as on prepared ground sites. According to experts, no SAM system outside of Russia can match the Tor-M2KM in terms of operational effectiveness.

Automatic interaction between the combat vehicles operating in tandem is implemented at a new level. They share information and allocate targets between themselves. A high degree of automation has reduced the Tor-M2KM’s crew size to just two men (commander and operator), as well as facilitated crew training. It is of importance for countries where such SAM systems have not been previously in service.

The newest Pantsir-S1 air defense gun/missile system is another formidable barrier against air threats at short ranges.

With its capabilities, it can counter all types of modern manned and unmanned vehicles, including those carrying PGW. It can also be used to engage lightly armored ground and surface targets, enemy manpower. Its combined missile and gun armament can provide a continuous kill zone. This is one of the main distinguishing features of the Pantsir-S1. A battery consisting of six combat vehicles is capable of engaging up to 24 targets at ranges between 0.2 km and 20 km and at the altitudes of 0.005 km to 15 km. The system has a modular design and is available in self-propelled (wheeled or tracked) and container versions.

In addition, another Pantsir-S1 version, with guns removed and 18 SAMs instead of 12, is unmatched in the world today. The operational effectiveness of missiles has increased 1.5 times.