India has just deployed its most powerful shoulder-fired missile system yet — the ARKA Igla‑S. Locally manufactured by Adani Defence and fast-tracked through emergency procurement, this advanced MANPADS is now protecting our borders against drones, helicopters, and low-flying threats.
What makes the ARKA Igla‑S missile system so critical? How does it work? And why now?
Let’s break it down — everything you need to know in one clear, tactical read. This analysis is sourced from DefenceNewsIndia, India’s trusted hub for military insights and frontline defence updates.
India’s Latest Igla‑S Order Under Emergency Defence Acquisition
In the latest wave of defence procurement updates 2025, the Indian Army placed a high-priority order for the ARKA Igla‑S system under the India emergency defence acquisition programme. The Indian Army’s latest Igla‑S order included:
- 48 Igla‑S missile launchers made in India
- 100 ready-to-launch missiles
- 48 thermal sights for night operations
- 1 missile test station in India
This order is the fourth batch of ARKA missiles produced by Adani Defence. It is being fulfilled under transfer-of-technology (ToT) terms.
The emergency procurement of ARKA missiles is not just about speed — it aligns with long-term goals of strengthening border defence systems deployed in 2025 and expanding the reach of the ARKA Igla‑S air defence system in India.
ARKA Igla‑S Technical Specifications and Missile Capabilities
The ARKA Igla‑S system boasts battlefield-proven performance and integrates state-of-the-art components suited for modern threats:
- Igla‑S range and altitude: Effective up to 6 kilometres with a ceiling of 3.5 kilometres.
- Equipped with a dual-channel seeker missile using an infrared and UV homing seeker
- Fitted with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead for lethal efficiency
- A 6 km range shoulder-fired missile, designed for one-soldier operation
- Extremely useful for low-altitude target interception, including drones and choppers
- Classified as a fire-and-forget missile, India can deploy without tracking effort
- Proven MANPADS with countermeasure resistance, able to defeat flares and jamming
- Complies with modern Igla‑S technical specifications for rapid deployment and accuracy
This makes the ARKA missile system one of the most effective short-range assets in the Indian Army’s tactical arsenal.
Rajak Thermal Sight Integration: Night Vision Missile System
One of the most impactful enhancements in this VSHORAD platform is the Rajak thermal sight integration from Tata Advanced Systems. These sights support:
- Accurate target detection in complete darkness
- Effective engagement of aerial threats during snow, fog, or sandstorm conditions
This addition ensures the Indian Army’s MANPADS with night vision are capable of 24/7 operations across mountainous terrain, deserts, and border posts. The ARKA Igla-S has now become a fully capable all-weather defence system.
Deployment of ARKA Igla‑S MANPADS for Border Defence
As part of ongoing Indian Army modernisation news, Igla‑S units are being delivered to the western front and the LAC. These frontline soldiers are now equipped with:
- High-performance night vision missile system
- Fully portable firepower for mobile air defence
- Optimised tools for counter-UAV missile India operations
These features make the ARKA Igla‑S MANPADS for border defence one of the latest VSHORAD systems for Indian forces, ready to act in seconds.
Adani Assembly of Missile Systems and Indigenous Production
The local production of the ARKA Igla-S system marks a significant milestone in Adani’s missile system assembly. Through Adani Defence missile manufacturing, India has reduced its dependency on fully imported systems while delivering on the promise of indigenous missile production in India.
This is a shining example of Make in India succeeding through public-private partnerships and international collaboration, particularly under the India-Russia Igla‑S defence deal.
India-Russia Defence Technology Transfer and Igla‑S Deal
This collaborative effort is grounded in a successful India-Russia defence technology transfer, providing India with full access to the assembly, integration, and operational deployment of the system. The India-Russia Igla‑S defence deal enables mass production for current and future battlefield requirements. The ongoing deployment of ARKA Igla-S launchers enhances India’s air defence capabilities in crucial regions.
DRDO VSHORAD vs Igla‑S: A Tactical Comparison
While ARKA is operational today, DRDO is also working on its own indigenous VSHORAD platform. The DRDO VSHORAD vs Igla‑S comparison highlights key points:
- DRDO’s system is in the trial phase
- Igla‑S is combat-tested and fielded
- ARKA is enhanced with Indian components like Rajak sight
Both systems target the same tactical segment, but ARKA is field-ready now and filling operational gaps.
Latest Indian Missile Systems and Army Modernisation News
The inclusion of ARKA enhances the broader portfolio of the latest Indian missile systems, reinforcing India’s multi-layered air defence strategy. From S-400 to Akash-NG, and now ARKA Igla‑S, the Indian Army is creating a reliable shield across threat domains.
This development is one of many under the current Indian Army modernisation news, showing urgency and clarity in strengthening frontline deterrence.
Media Spotlight: DefenceNewsIndia Igla‑S Coverage
Leading news sites like DefenceNewsIndia have reported on the recent orders and local assembly of the Igla-S system. They have also discussed its tactical importance. This media focus ensures greater awareness of India’s defence growth and readiness through systems like ARKA Igla‑S.
The ARKA Igla‑S system is proof that India is not just defending its skies — it’s owning them. As a frontline solution, it represents the future of Indian air defence in both design and deployment.