The Indian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the Russian JSC Rosoboronexport for the supply of a batch of 2K22 Tunguska self-propelled anti-aircraft missile and gun systems for the Indian Army. The agreement amounted to 445 crore rupees - about 47 million US dollars. The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi, at Kartavya Bhavan-2, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Defense of India, Rajesh Kumar Singh.
According to the Indian defense department, modern systems will increase the level of multi-level air defense of the country from air threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. The agreement, it is noted, will strengthen the strategic defense partnership between India and Russia.
Judging by the cost of the contract, we are talking about a small batch of systems. Today, India is the largest actual operator of the Tunguska air defense missile system: according to known data, between 1995 and 2012, the Army of the Republic received 24 2S6M (2K22M) Tunguska-M combat vehicles and 42 2S6M1 (2K22M1) Tunguska-M1 combat vehicles. The new purchase will allow to supplement and modernize the existing fleet of these systems.
Tunguska is a mobile anti-aircraft missile and gun system capable of effectively operating against low-flying aerial targets. The combination of missile and artillery weapons in a single self-propelled platform provides high flexibility of use in various combat situations.
Deliveries under the contract will begin after the completion of the necessary procedures. The timing of the agreement is not disclosed by the parties.
