India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Russia’s Rosoboronexport (ROE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 8, 2024, to cooperate on developing advanced variants of the Pantsir air defense system. The MoU was signed during the fifth meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) subgroup held in Goa, reflecting an ongoing defense collaboration between the two countries.
The Pantsir-S1 system, originally developed by Russia’s KBP Design Bureau, is designed for mobile air defense. It combines missile launchers and automatic cannons to protect critical installations from aerial threats, such as drones, helicopters, and subsonic cruise missiles. The Pantsir-S1 includes twelve surface-to-air missiles with a range of 20 km, two 30mm automatic cannons effective up to 4 km, and a maximum engagement altitude of 15 km. The system operates on an 8×8 chassis, enabling high mobility across varied terrains. Its fire control uses radar and infrared technology, allowing it to perform under electronic countermeasure conditions.
The partnership seeks to align with India’s goal of expanding domestic air defense capabilities and reducing import dependence through technology transfers. Under the collaboration, BDL will contribute its manufacturing expertise, while ROE will provide technical knowledge. This move aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative, aimed at fostering domestic production of defense systems.
BDL’s Managing Director, Commodore A. Madhavarao (Retd), and ROE’s Deputy Director of the Naval Department, Kovalenko German, formalized the MoU. In July, the Indian Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a self-propelled air defense system, detailing requirements for a system equipped with 30mm caliber cannons and missile capabilities, mounted on wheeled vehicles for increased mobility. The Pantsir system is expected to meet these specifications, enhancing air defense support for India’s mechanized units in high-threat settings.
India continues to maintain its defense partnership with Russia, which remains a significant arms supplier. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russian equipment constituted a substantial portion of India’s arms imports from 2019 to 2023.