6 Igla MANPADS upgraded for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

16 September, 2023 Soldier of the Defense Forces of Ukraine with Igla MANPADS, September 2023. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation The Come Back Alive Foundation has funded the modernization of six Igla MANPADS.

They are in service with the units that cover important facilities of Ukrainian infrastructure. The total cost of modernization is 6,143,524.80 UAH. The man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) were reassembled, checked and had some of the components replaced with more modern and high-tech ones.

As a result, the reliability of these MANPADS has significantly increased, experts from the army's competent assistance fund who coordinate the implementation of this project emphasize.

Igla MANPADS in service with the Defense Forces of Ukraine, September 2023. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

The Come Back Alive Foundation notes that now six mobile fire teams in critical areas will even better cover the Ukrainian sky from Russian strikes. Modernization of MANPADS is only one of the moments of the system work of the charitable foundation.

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Come Back Alive Foundation at the expense of donors has helped air defense forces totaling 106,022,686.64 UAH. Igla MANPADS is a Soviet man-portable anti-aircraft missile system designed to engage low-flying targets on oncoming and parallel courses. The system can be used by one soldier.

It is capable of hitting aerial targets at a distance of up to 5,000 meters at an altitude of up to 3500 meters.

NGU soldiers with Igla MANPADS, November 2022. Kharkiv region. Photo credits: National Guard of Ukraine

Last year, the Come Back Alive Foundation provided the Defense Forces of Ukraine with 6 Igla MANPADS trainers for a total of UAH 7.2 million.

The simulators with virtual reality elements allow the soldier to practice out 200-400 simulated firing during a several-day training course. Consequently, they help to learn how to shoot down various enemy aerial targets.

Also, Come Back Alive Foundation together with Nova Poshta are now collecting UAH 330 million as part of the "Pack the Sky - Boost Air Defense" project to strengthen air defense and provide the Air Command Center with modern communications and mobile control posts.

The initiative has already managed to raise more than UAH 157 million.