BDL signs MoU with Russia's Rosoboronexport for collaboration on Pantsir air defence systems

The agreement was signed by BDL's Chairman and Managing Director, A Madhavarao (Retd), and Kovalenko German, Deputy Director General of the Naval Department at ROE, during the 5th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) subgroup meeting in Goa.

BDL, via a post on X, said," Bharat Dynamics Limited and Rosoboronexport (ROE), Russia entered into MoU for cooperation on Pantsir variants, air defence missile-gun system. The MoU was signed by Cmde A Madhavarao,(Retd), CMD, BDL and Mr Kovalenko German, DDG, Naval Dept, ROE on the sidelines of the 5th IRIGC Subgroup at Goa."

The Pantsir-S1 system is a mobile, short-range air defence system equipped with both missile and gun capabilities. Describing the system, Rosoboronexport in a prior statement said, "Pantsir-S1 Air Defence Missile and Gun System: Perfect protection for any object."

Further, Rosoboronexport states on its official website that the system has been designed for the air defence of small military, industrial, and administrative facilities and can defend against a wide range of air threats, including fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, cruise missiles, and high-precision weapons.

The Pantsir-S1's capabilities include engaging targets within a range of 1,200 to 20,000 meters using missiles, and 200 to 4,000 meters with gun weapons. The altitude range for missiles is from 15 to 15,000 meters, while guns can engage targets between 0 to 3,000 meters.

It can also handle up to four targets simultaneously and engage objects moving at speeds of up to 1,000 meters per second.

BDL's collaboration with Rosoboronexport follows India's ongoing defence partnership with Russia, including the high-profile acquisition of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems.

The S-400 agreement with India, managed by Rostec State Corporation, is one of the largest defence contracts in Russia's history and a milestone in Indo-Russian defence relations. At the time of signing, Rostec's Head Sergey Chemezov had said, "The S-400 supply agreement with India is a new landmark in the history of military-technical cooperation between our countries. The deal demonstrates the highest level of trust and understanding between India and Russia."

India's S-400 acquisition deal is the "biggest-ever deal" in the company's history according to Rosoboronexport.

In a related development, the Indian Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) in August for carrier air defence tracked (CADET) vehicles. (ANI)