https://sputniknews.in/20250304/how-russias-viking-and-tor-m2-systems-could-bolster-indias-air-ambitions-8830181.html
How Russia's Viking and Tor-M2 Systems Could Bolster India's Air Ambitions
How Russia's Viking and Tor-M2 Systems Could Bolster India's Air Ambitions
Sputnik India
The Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the need to have robust, state-of-the-art mobile air defence systems to protect military formations on the ground and... 04.03.2025, Sputnik India
2025-03-04T20:00+0530
2025-03-04T20:00+0530
2025-03-04T20:00+0530
indo-russian relations
s-400 air defense systems
sukhoi su-30mki
india
russia
ukraine
indian air force (iaf)
ministry of defence (mod)
drone
reconnaissance drone
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e9/03/04/8832070_0:237:3073:1966_1920x0_80_0_0_6c68eaf74a1fbb42f92d1971a2870b7c.jpg
Russia's Viking medium-range and short-range air defence systems, such as the Tor-M2, could provide immense strategic value to India as it looks to speed up the induction of various types of air defence systems to thwart all kinds of aerial threats, an expert has said.The risks and threats from airborne attack systems are growing worldwide, Igor Korotchenko, a military analyst, the editor-in-chief of Russia's National Defence Magazine, and the Director of the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade told Sputnik India.India is primarily focusing on Russian developments such as the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, which are capable of hitting all types of airborne targets and intercepting and destroying operational-tactical missiles, Korotchenko underlined.India's geopolitical situation is complex, with neighbouring countries like China and Pakistan actively enhancing their military capabilities, including missile systems, drones, and aviation. Moreover, other countries in regions with an arms race are also acquiring cutting-edge systems, including strike drones and all kinds of air-delivered weapons, the military commentator observed.Therefore, strengthening of defences in the aerospace sector is a priority. The leadership of India's armed forces, with the support of Prime Minister Modi, is successfully and adequately building measures to defend against current and, most importantly, future risks and threats in the air and space domains, he stated.Korotchenko believes that the first and foremost lesson that India can learn from the war in Ukraine, is to enhance the protection of military groupings, and that these air defence systems must be mobile. It appears to him that India should consider Russian mobile air defence systems mounted on tracked chassis to provide better resilience for military groupings as these are elements of troop-level air defence.The experience of previous conflicts involving the Indian Armed Forces shows that mobility and the ability of air defence systems to cover and protect military columns are key to achieving military victory. Therefore, Russian air defence systems like the Viking and Tor-M2 could be of significant interest to the Indian military in terms of strengthening the protection of military formations, Korotchenko elaborated.The war in Ukraine has shown the widespread use of drones and cruise missiles, exposing vulnerabilities in military forces, the expert said. India must adapt these lessons to protect critical infrastructure—energy facilities, ammunition depots, military assets, populated areas, and high-ranking officials—while also safeguarding military units, he underlined.He noted that the technological partnership between Russia and India has a long history. The key requirement for India's leadership is Make in India, meaning that India is not just interested in purchasing weapon systems; it seeks technology transfer, know-how, and, in the future, the ability to produce these systems domestically under licence, Korotchenko asserted.Examples of such cooperation include the transfer of the licence for T-90S tank production in India, which has led to the manufacturing of several hundred units. Similarly, India obtained the licence to localise the Su-30MKI, with over 200 fighter aircraft produced.Regarding drones, this is a significant opportunity for Russian-Indian technological collaboration in the joint development and production of a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles, he stressed.He emphasised that, unlike Western suppliers, Russia offers complete technology transfer, not just finished weapons. Western companies make India dependent on their supply chains, which can be disrupted if relations sour, leaving India vulnerable, he expressed.In contrast, Russia provides the entire technology package, enabling India to independently develop and produce weapon systems. This is a significant advantage of Russia's offer in joint drone development, both for strike and reconnaissance purposes, the author remarked.Anti-drone complexes based on new physical principles are moving in a promising direction, but it's important to understand that while air defence systems can operate in all weather conditions and round the clock, laser complexes have limitations, such as poor performance in rain, fog, or other adverse weather. Therefore, the most promising developments between India and Russia are likely to be in air defence technologies, Korotchenko underscored.Another area of interest is electronic warfare systems, which can effectively target and disrupt the flight paths of certain drone classes. However, newer drones are often controlled not via radio signals but through fibre-optic cables, meaning that electronic warfare systems are ineffective against such drones. Thus, air defence systems remain the most effective means of detection and engagement, he highlighted.
https://sputniknews.in/20250225/indian-army-boosts-air-defence-network-8809413.html
india
russia
ukraine
Sputnik India
feedback.hindi@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2025
Pawan Atri
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e6/0c/13/139630_147:0:831:684_100x100_80_0_0_8fa2b25903e7787fe6a2698552c167df.png
Pawan Atri
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e6/0c/13/139630_147:0:831:684_100x100_80_0_0_8fa2b25903e7787fe6a2698552c167df.png
News
en_IN
Sputnik India
feedback.hindi@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik India
feedback.hindi@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Pawan Atri
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.in/img/07e6/0c/13/139630_147:0:831:684_100x100_80_0_0_8fa2b25903e7787fe6a2698552c167df.png
s-400 air defense systems, sukhoi su-30mki, india, russia, ukraine, indian air force (iaf), ministry of defence (mod), drone, reconnaissance drone, unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs)
s-400 air defense systems, sukhoi su-30mki, india, russia, ukraine, indian air force (iaf), ministry of defence (mod), drone, reconnaissance drone, unmanned aerial vehicles (uavs)
How Russia's Viking and Tor-M2 Systems Could Bolster India's Air Ambitions
The Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the need to have robust, state-of-the-art mobile air defence systems to protect military formations on the ground and elsewhere.
Russia's Viking medium-range and short-range air defence systems, such as the Tor-M2, could provide immense strategic value to India as it looks to speed up the induction of various types of air defence systems to thwart all kinds of aerial threats, an expert has said.
The risks and threats from airborne attack systems are growing worldwide, Igor Korotchenko, a military analyst, the editor-in-chief of Russia's National Defence Magazine, and the Director of the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade told Sputnik India.
"As for the situation around Ukraine, it is quite obvious to many countries that risks in this area could also be exacerbated by terrorist attacks, which could be carried out by both state and non-state actors. I believe that both the Indian Ministry of Defence [MoD] and the General Staff of the Indian Armed Forces are adequately assessing the global situation and taking the necessary steps to strengthen the national air defence and aerospace defence systems," he stated.
India is primarily focusing on Russian developments such as the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, which are capable of hitting all types of airborne targets and intercepting and destroying operational-tactical missiles, Korotchenko underlined.
India's geopolitical situation is complex, with neighbouring countries like China and Pakistan actively enhancing their military capabilities, including missile systems, drones, and aviation. Moreover, other countries in regions with an arms race are also acquiring cutting-edge systems, including strike drones and all kinds of
air-delivered weapons, the military commentator observed.
Therefore, strengthening of defences in the aerospace sector is a priority. The leadership of India's armed forces, with the support of Prime Minister Modi, is successfully and adequately building measures to defend against current and, most importantly, future risks and threats in the air and space domains, he stated.
Korotchenko believes that the first and foremost lesson that India can learn from the war in Ukraine, is to enhance the protection of military groupings, and that these air defence systems must be mobile. It appears to him that India should consider Russian mobile air defence systems mounted on tracked chassis to provide better resilience for military groupings as these are elements of troop-level air defence.
"Russia offers export versions of systems like the Viking medium-range air defence system and short-range air defence systems Tor-M2. The Viking is capable of destroying operational-tactical missiles and cruise missiles, which has been confirmed in combat operations during the conflict around Ukraine. The Tor-M2 can target airborne threats even while on the move, protecting military columns," the defence pundit underscored.
The experience of previous conflicts involving the Indian Armed Forces shows that mobility and the ability of air defence systems to cover and protect military columns are key to achieving military victory. Therefore, Russian air defence systems like the Viking and Tor-M2 could be of significant interest to the Indian military in terms of strengthening the protection of military formations, Korotchenko elaborated.
The war in Ukraine has shown the widespread use of drones and cruise missiles, exposing vulnerabilities in military forces, the expert said. India must adapt these lessons to protect critical infrastructure—energy facilities, ammunition depots, military assets, populated areas, and high-ranking officials—while also safeguarding military units, he underlined.
Therefore, systems like the Viking and Tor-M2, capable of addressing both troop-level and infrastructure protection, could be highly beneficial for India, Korotchenko said. These systems can integrate seamlessly with already delivered S-400 systems to create a unified fire control network, sharing information, redistributing targets, and providing target designation. Integration would significantly increase combat effectiveness in modern military operations, the analyst pointed out.
He noted that the technological partnership between Russia and India has a long history. The key requirement for India's leadership is Make in India, meaning that India is not just interested in purchasing weapon systems; it seeks technology transfer, know-how, and, in the future, the ability to produce these systems domestically under licence, Korotchenko asserted.
Examples of such cooperation include the transfer of the licence for T-90S tank production in India, which has led to the manufacturing of several hundred units. Similarly, India obtained the licence to localise the Su-30MKI, with over 200 fighter aircraft produced.
Regarding drones, this is a significant opportunity for Russian-Indian technological collaboration in the joint development and production of a wide range of unmanned aerial vehicles, he stressed.
"The key advantage here is that India will not only receive Russian drones but will also engage in technological development based on real combat experience in high-intensity warfare, including countering modern air defence systems. Russia will provide India with drones that have been tested in high-tech warfare and undergone several upgrades, ensuring that India receives the most advanced technology available through this partnership," Korotchenko said.
He emphasised that, unlike Western suppliers, Russia offers complete technology transfer, not just finished weapons. Western companies make India dependent on their supply chains, which can be disrupted if relations sour, leaving India vulnerable, he expressed.
In contrast, Russia provides the entire technology package, enabling India to independently develop and produce weapon systems. This is a significant advantage of Russia's offer in joint drone development, both
for strike and reconnaissance purposes, the author remarked.
Anti-drone complexes based on new physical principles are moving in a promising direction, but it's important to understand that while air defence systems can operate in all weather conditions and round the clock, laser complexes have limitations, such as poor performance in rain, fog, or other adverse weather. Therefore, the most promising developments between India and Russia are likely to be in air defence technologies, Korotchenko underscored.
Another area of interest is electronic warfare systems, which can effectively target and disrupt the flight paths of certain drone classes. However, newer drones are often controlled not via radio signals but through fibre-optic cables, meaning that electronic warfare systems are ineffective against such drones. Thus, air defence systems remain the most effective means of detection and engagement, he highlighted.
"For smaller drones, alternative technological solutions may be required, such as upgrading older anti-aircraft systems like the ZU-23. By upgrading these systems with opto-electronic detection and guidance systems, the gun can be programmed to shoot optimally, maximising the chances of hitting small targets like drones," Korotchenko concluded.
