Russia will shortly begin the shipments of 38 "Smerch" multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to India under a $450 million deal signed two years ago. | |
| The first lot of Smerch reactive multi-launch rocket systems made by OAO Motovilikhinskiye Plants, will be dispatched to India in the coming days, business and political daily Kommersant reported. |
| |
| The total cost of the 'Smerch" MLRS deliveries will be $750 million, making it one of Russia's largest export orders for infantry weapons, the daily claimed. |
| |
| The first lot of weapons was to be sent to India in the spring of last year, but the Indians had some doubts about the reliability of the rocket engines. That issue has now been settled. The Smerch has a range of 90 km and barrage time of 38 seconds. |
| |
| According to the officials of the Tula "Splav" Design Bureau, which specialises on multiple launch rocket systems, the fire power and accuracy of "Smerch" MLRS can be compared with the short-range tactical nuclear missile. |
| |
| Delivery on the original contract with India is to be completed by next year, and by 2010 on the option contract. |
| |
| The talks on the purchase of 'Smerch' MLRS with smart interchangeable warheads including thermo-baric (vacuum) warheads to destroy enemy entrenched in deep bunkers, had begun much before the 2002 Kargil conflict and experts believe that Indian losses could have been much less if the Indian army had possessed them. |
| |
|
| |
