New Delhi: Swedish defence major Saab said last week it was offering its RBS-70NG man-portable air defence system to the Indian Army to meet its requirements for shoulder fired missiles. "The RBS-70 NG is a contender for procurement of Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) man-portable air defence (MANPAD) missile for Indian Army," Saab said in a release in New Delhi.

The Indian Army currently has the Russian Igla missile systems, much like the Indian Navy.

The army had apparently issued a Request for Information (RFI) in this regard recently and is reported to be readying to soon issue a formal tender.

"We believe the RBS-70NG meets requirements of Indian Army for a system that has multiple target seeking and tracking capabilities, multi-launcher capability, ability to deploy from high mobility vehicles and ship and submarine naval vessels and aerial target detection capability", Saab India head Inderjit Sial said.

Saab said the RBS-70NG has been equipped with "a new sighting system, improved precision and increased all-target capability."

The company claims the RBS 70NG has an effective intercept range of 8 km, with altitude coverage in excess of 5 km.

The RBS-70 NG

The company says that the latest generation of missile – the BOLIDE – the RBS-70 NG is directed at the complete air and ground threat spectrum, from fixed and rotary wing aircraft and helicopters down to small targets such as cruise missiles, UAVs and armoured ground targets like APCs.

The RBS-70 NG has an effective intercept range of 8 km, with altitude coverage in excess of 5,000 m, making it a best-in-class air defence missile system. It is capable of operating in complex environments such as urban terrain and is well equipped for all environments, including tropical, desert and arctic conditions.

The RBS-70 NG can be vehicle integrated and used to support manoeuvring troops. The modularity of the system also allows it to be used in a remotely controlled configuration.

Specifically aimed at the long-term static air defence of strategic assets, these deployments can last several weeks or more in around the clock operations. The RBS-70 NG is also the optimal solution for event protection in peacetime, at high-profile sporting events, for example.