SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reaffirmed the enduring relevance of its S-125 Neva/Pechora air defense system, powered by the 5V24 missile, following its successful engagement of Turkish-made drones operated by the Pakistani Army during recent border skirmishes. Originally a Soviet-era surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the S-125 has undergone significant upgrades, including full digitization and integration with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), ensuring its operational viability until 2030.
The system’s recent performance, highlighted by its ability to neutralize advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), underscores India’s ability to extend the life of legacy platforms through indigenous modernization, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.
A Legacy System with Modern Capabilities
Introduced to the IAF in the late 1970s, the S-125 Neva/Pechora is a medium-range SAM system designed to counter low- to medium-altitude threats, including aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles. The 5V24 missile, a variant of the V-600 series, has a range of approximately 25 km and an altitude ceiling of 18 km, making it effective against a wide range of aerial targets. While the system was considered ageing by the early 2000s, its affordability, reliability, and adaptability prompted the IAF to invest in a comprehensive upgrade program rather than phasing it out.
In 2016, the IAF, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), initiated a ?2,000 crore refurbishment project to modernize 60 S-125 firing units. The upgrades included:
- Full Digitization: Replacement of analogue components with digital systems, enhancing processing speed, target tracking, and resistance to electronic jamming.
- Advanced Radar Systems: Integration of modern 3D phased-array radars, improving detection of low radar cross-section (RCS) targets like drones and stealth aircraft.
- IACCS Integration: Seamless connectivity with the IAF’s IACCS, a networked command-and-control system that enables real-time data sharing across air defense assets, including radars, SAM systems, and fighter aircraft.
- Mobility Enhancements: Upgraded launchers and command posts mounted on Tatra vehicles, increasing mobility and reducing deployment time.
- Electro-Optical Tracking: Addition of day-and-night-capable electro-optical systems for passive target acquisition, enhancing performance in contested environments.
These upgrades extended the S-125’s service life to 2030, transforming it into a versatile, cost-effective platform capable of addressing modern threats. The system’s ability to engage Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, reportedly used by the Pakistani Army, demonstrates the success of this modernization effort.
During recent operations along the Line of Control (LoC), the S-125 Neva/Pechora system proved its operational effectiveness by intercepting multiple Turkish-made drones deployed by Pakistan. These drones, known for their success in conflicts like Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine, are equipped with advanced sensors and precision-guided munitions, posing a significant threat to ground forces and infrastructure. The S-125’s upgraded radar and tracking systems enabled it to detect and engage these low-RCS targets, with the 5V24 missile achieving precise intercepts at low altitudes.
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