Russia is ready to mass-produce anti-aircraft Tigers. Yesterday, on December 1, the TASS news agency reported that the Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (KBM) has prepared for serial production the first Russian air defense system (air defense) of short/ultra-short range type VSHORAD (Very Short-Range Air Defense) "Flexible-S".
According to Bekhan Ozdoev, a representative of Rostec State Corporation, which includes KBM, the export-oriented modification of the Flex-S air defense system is fully ready for mass production. The export modification of the first Russian complex of the VSHORAD type will be presented these days at the Egyptian arms exhibition EDEX 2021.
State tests of the Gibka-S air defense system
It is known that the Gibka-S passed state tests as an air defense complex of the Russian Ground Forces in 2019. At that time, the supply of this air defense system to the Russian army was not reported.
The Flexible-C installation on the chassis of the Tiger armored car provides remote launch of guided missiles from man-portable air defense missile systems (MANPADS). "Gibka-S" is developed on the basis of the 3M-47 "Gibka" marine complex and uses up to 4 missiles from the Igla or Willow MANPADS. The launcher is equipped with a multi-channel optoelectronic detection and tracking system, high-speed guidance drives and remote missile launching devices. The launch of missiles can be carried out not only from the spot, but also in motion, which allows you to cover the troops on the march. The anti-aircraft missile system can include up to 6 launchers, as well as a reconnaissance and control vehicle.