India to deploy home-grown Stinger-style missiles at China border for air defence

Meant for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at close range, the missiles are similar to US-made FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-surface missiles

Tensions along the Asian nations’ disputed border have simmered since a June 2020 clash killed at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers

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Tawang, in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, near the disputed China border. Photo: AP

Published: 3:53pm, 11 Jan 2023Updated: 4:02pm, 11 Jan 2023

India will buy portable air defence missiles to deploy along the borders with China as militarisation in the region gathers speed and hostilities between the two countries enter a third year.

The Defence Acquisition Council – headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh – cleared the purchase of the very short-range missiles that can be carried by troops, according to a statement issued late on Tuesday.

“In view of the recent developments along the northern borders there is a need to focus on effective air defence weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain,” the ministry said.

Meant for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at close range, the missile is designed and developed by Indian research organisation DRDO and is similar to US-made FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-surface missiles.

A Stinger anti-aircraft missile. India’s new surface-to-surface missiles are similar, but designed and developed by Indian research organisation DRDO. Photo: Handout

Such defence missile systems have proved to be effective in recent conflicts and the Pentagon is providing at least 1,600 Stinger missile systems to Ukraine to fend off Russian air attacks.