PARIS. June 19 (Interfax-AVN) - The first mass-produced batch of Igla-S (Igla-Super) portable surface-to-air missile systems will be manufactured in Russia in late 2002 or early 2003, Valery Kashin, first deputy chief constructor of the Machine-Building Design Bureau, said here on Wednesday.
"Development of the Igla-S alignment batch will be completed those systems will be made in late 2002 or early 2003," Kashin told Interfax-Military News Agency.
According to him, Igla-S has a high export potential.
"A contract has been signed on delivery of this system to a foreign nation. Talks with several more states that have applied for purchasing Igla-S are underway," Kashin said. He specified that the states were located in Southeastern Asia and the Middle East.
Igla-S is distinguished for an operation range of 6,000 meters and capability to hit small-size targets.
Kashin is a member of the Russian delegation to the Eurosatory 2002 international exhibition for land and land-air defense that is underway in Paris. In addition to Igla-S, the Machine-Building Design Bureau is exhibiting the Iskander-E tactical missile system, Khrizantema multipurpose missile system, Arena-E active tank protection system, Shturm-Ataka multipurpose system of missile armament, Dzhigit launcher combined with the Igla portable surface-to-air missile system and other products.