We have basically three type of VSHORAD missiles namely the
RBS70, Mistral and the Igla-1.
Even the our Rapier can be classified as a VSHORAD system but
certainly not man portable, therefore not in the list of
MANPADS.
Some facts abt them :
RBS
70:
Laser beam riding with effective blast and framentataion warhead
and a unjammable laser proximity fuze.
Warhead : n/a Range: 8km Weight :16.5Kg
Mistral
:
Cool Infrared seeker.
Warhead : 3Kg Range: 6km Weight :18.7Kg
Igla-1:
Cool Infrared seeker.
Warhead : 1.15Kg Range:5.2 km Weight :10.6Kg
Both RBS-70 & Mistral are not truly man portable becos they are
too heavy & thus need a tripod mount.
VSHORAD system like the Igla, Stinger, Starstreak or Chinese
equivalent are low weight enough to avoid using a mount, therefore
more portable.
Another advantages of Igla-1 is that it's very cheap as compare to
Mistral & RBS-70, which mean that SAF could have large number
of them.
Eventhough they might not be as effective but certainly good enough
against Helos which is the trend in modern warfare.
I heard tat the SAF is testing Igla based AFV for the future, I
hope that even infantry SP coy will have a small battery of them
against future threat of LOHs & AHs.
