Russia to supply Tunguska systems

The source pointed out that this was not the first contract for the supply of Tunguska-M1 systems to India. According to sources, India employs over 60 Tunguska systems, including two batteries (12 units) of Tunguska-M1 missile systems.

Tunguska-M1 gun/missile system for low-level air defence was designed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau in Tula and is produced by the Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant in Ulyanovsk. It is capable of hitting both fixed-winged planes and helicopters as well as ground targets.

Tunguska-M1 vehicle carries eight 9M311-M1 surface-to-air missiles, with a range of 15 to 6,000 metres for ground targets and 15 to 10,000 metres for air target.

Meanwhile, the head of the strategic air command, Igor Khvorov said at a press conference that the sale of Tu-22M3 (NATO classification Backfire-C) long-range bombers to India had not been finalised yet.

‘‘Indian pilots and technical personnel have not been trained in Russia yet because the issue of the sales is still being discussed,’ Khvorov said.