EXPORT POTENTIAL OF VIKING AND VITYAZ SAM SYSTEMS

The S-350E Vityaz and Viking SAM systems are attracting interest from global customers. These systems were demonstrated at a number of industry events, and are ready to cater to India’s air defence needs as well if the country opts for them

The results of the Second Karabakh War (Wikipedia: The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war) was an armed conflict in the disputed region of Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding territories. The main combatants were Azerbaijan, with support from Turkey and foreign mercenary groups, on one side, and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh and Armenia on the other) have made it necessary to build a layered air defence system. Despite the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various types, there is no doubt that they can be neutralised by air defence assets.

Active and sometimes large-scale use of UAVs has been a basic feature of recent local conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East. In addition, strike versions of UAVs and loitering munitions are becoming the major players on the battlefield.

Another trend is the advent of new suppliers of UAVs for various purposes. Whereas the United States and Israel have been the key players in this segment of the arms and military equipment market until recently, Turkey is pursuing an aggressive marketing policy by promoting its Bayraktar TV2 reconnaissance/strike UAV. China is also actively involved in the struggle for a share of the global UAV market. In turn, Iran is increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia through the supply of its indigenously-developed drones to the Yemeni Houthis.