Aero India 2025: Russia Eyes New Contracts by Showcasing Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant's Air Defense Systems.

Russia continues to create new defense contract opportunities by showcasing its advanced air defense systems at Aero India 2025, reinforcing its long-standing defense partnership with India. India has been one of the largest buyers of Russian military equipment for decades, with cooperation spanning aircraft, tanks, submarines, and air defense systems.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Russia showcases the full range of Tor air defense missile systems at Aero India 2025, including the Tor-E2, Tor-M2KM. (Picture source: Russian Social Network)

As part of this ongoing collaboration, the Russian defense company Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, a subsidiary of Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation, is presenting its latest air defense solutions at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The company is participating in the joint Rosoboronexport exposition, highlighting a range of short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems, including the Tor-E2, Tor-M2KM, and Tor-A surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, the Typhoon-AD (E) combat vehicle for MANPADS anti-aircraft gunners, and the Adjutant versatile target training system.

The Tor-E2 short-range SAM system is designed to counter a variety of airborne threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles. One of its key advantages is its record-breaking short deployment time of just three minutes, allowing it to rapidly respond to sudden aerial attacks. The system also boasts a high-speed air surveillance capability of one antenna revolution per second, enabling rapid target acquisition and tracking. Each Tor-E2 combat vehicle carries 16 ready-to-launch missiles, significantly increasing its firepower compared to similar air defense systems. It can engage targets traveling at speeds exceeding 700 m/s, with detection capabilities for objects as small as 0.1 m² radar cross-section (RCS). The system has an effective engagement range of 16 km, an altitude coverage of 12 km, and a horizontal coverage of ±9.5 km, making it a highly capable SHORAD solution.

The company is also presenting the Tor-A and Tor-M2KM air defense systems, which offer additional flexibility in operational deployment. The Tor-A system is based on a two-link tracked chassis, enabling it to operate in extreme off-road conditions, including swamps, sand dunes, icy terrains, and deep snow. With an ultra-low ground pressure of just 0.3 kg/cm², it can maneuver in difficult environments where traditional wheeled platforms would struggle. The system is available in two configurations: a standard version with a crew life-support cabin, allowing extended operational endurance in harsh environments, and an enhanced ammunition version, increasing missile capacity with an additional 16 missiles stored within the chassis, effectively doubling its firepower.

The Tor-M2KM, in contrast, is a self-contained combat module that can be deployed on various platforms, reducing procurement and operational costs. Unlike traditional self-propelled SAMs, this version lacks an integrated chassis, allowing for installation on trucks, buildings, or naval vessels, making it an adaptable solution for both fixed-site and mobile air defense. The modular nature of the system enables it to be transported by helicopters for rapid deployment in remote locations, and it can also be integrated onto warships or even civilian vessels, providing air defense coverage in maritime environments.

In addition to these SAM systems, Kupol is showcasing the Typhoon-AD (E) combat vehicle, which is designed to enhance the mobility and survivability of MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense System) teams. Equipped with secure communication systems, the vehicle receives target designation from higher command posts, ensuring coordinated air defense operations. MANPADS operators can fire from within the vehicle or dismount for combat, providing flexible engagement options in both static and dynamic battlefield scenarios.

The company is also highlighting its Adjutant versatile target training system, a next-generation multi-target training platform for air defense forces. This system can simulate multiple aerial threats simultaneously, offering realistic training conditions for operators. It features reusable target drones capable of executing varied flight paths, improving air defense crew training efficiency.

Kupol’s air defense systems have been widely adopted by various military forces worldwide. Their proven effectiveness has been demonstrated in multiple operational environments, reinforcing their reputation for reliability and high performance. Aero India 2025 serves as a key platform for defense manufacturers to showcase advanced air defense technologies, with increasing demand for SHORAD solutions in modern warfare. The Tor-series systems, Typhoon-AD (E), and Adjutant training system reflect Kupol’s strategic focus on enhanced mobility, adaptability, and multi-domain deployment in the evolving global defense landscape.

With its presence at Aero India 2025, Kupol aims to strengthen its international partnerships and explore potential collaborations in the Indian and broader Asian defense markets. The increasing demand for modern SHORAD systems underscores the strategic importance of these air defense solutions in protecting military assets and critical infrastructure from aerial threats in contemporary combat scenarios.