MANPADS – UPSC Prelims

What are MANPADS?
  • Short-range, lightweight, and portable surface-to-air missiles that may be fired by individuals or small groups to kill aeroplanes or helicopters are known as Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems.
  • They aid in the protection of troops from aerial attacks and are particularly efficient against low-flying aircraft.
  • Man-Portable Anti-Tank Systems, or MANPATs, are identical but are used to destroy military tanks.
  • MANPADS can be fired from a helicopter or boat, or launched from atop a ground vehicle.
  • Why in news? The US and NATO allies are sending Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems (MANPADS) arms shipments to Ukraine.

Significant features of MANPADS:
  • Requires substantially less training
  • Maximum range of 8 km
  • Engage targets at altitudes of 4.5 km
  • ‘Fire and forget’ guidance systems
  • Fitted with infrared (IR) seekers
When were MANPADS used in the past?
  • In the 1960s, the United States and the Soviet Union introduced the first MANPADS.
  • MANPADS from Russia and the United States were also utilized in the Vietnam War.
  • In the 1980s, the United States provided Afghanistan with MANPADS.
  • India, Pakistan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Israel have all employed MANPADS in their defensive endeavours.
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