MANPADS is abbreviation of (Man portable air defense systems). The concept of MANPAD system was first evolved in 1950.Due to high number of success rate and kill ratio MANPAD technology soon became popular among different militaries around the world. Today many countries in world produce and export different varieties of MANPAD systems. Some notable MANPADS are US made FIM 92 Stinger, French made Mistral and Pakistani Anza Mk-III MANPADS .
MANPAD system is generally used against variety of aerial targets.It is also known as shoulder- fire –anti aircraft missile because the missile from MANPAD system can be launch from shoulder of a man through a launcher.MANPAD systems are regarded as deadly and lethal weapon against fixed and rotor aircrafts. Since their introduction majority of MANPAD systems are also used against civilian aircrafts resulted in killing of civilians.
Many insurgent and terrorist organizations used MANPADS against civilian aircrafts which recorded high number of civilian causalities In order to protect commercial airlines United States with help of other countries developed a mechanism for the non-proliferation of MANPAD system. During Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, Mujahedeen now (Taliban) used American made FIM 92 Stinger against Soviet forces by shooting down many soviet aircrafts. According to US statistics total number of 270 aircrafts of Soviet Union were shot down by FIM 92 Stinger. Most defense analysts considered FIM 92 as game changer and turning point in Soviet Afghan war.
Main component of MANPADS:
MANPADS (Man portable air defense systems) usually consists of three main parts. The first one is launching tube or launcher that protect the missile before firing. The second one is grip stock which is launching mechanism and third one is battery.MANPADS are easy to use and carry as their average weight is in between 13 kg to 25 kg.Because of their easy use and light weight MANPAD weapons are most attractive weapon for non-state actors and terrorist organizations.
Main types of MANPADS (Man portable air defense systems)
There are three different types of MANPADS the first one is IR Infra-red MANPAD usually these types of MANPADS use and seek heat signatures of aerial targets. The second one is CLOS integrated MANPAD. CLOS is command line- of- sight. The operator has visuals of targets through optical sight and can guide missiles through radio control. Third one is laser guided MANPADS which uses laser beam and guide the missile on laser beam .The sensor installed in missile usually follow laser beam
Anza Mk-III MANPADS
Anza Mk-III is the Pakistan’s latest MANPADS surface to air missile system developed by GIDS (Global industrial defense solution). Anza Mk-III is the third generation shoulder-fire-missile and has ability to shoot down aerial targets over the range of 6 km. The Anza Mk-III is integrated with latest digital electronics and laser proximity fuse. The very first variant of Anza was Anza Mk-I based on Chinese made HN-5.KRL (Kahuta Research laborites) developed first series of Anza MANPADS.Pakistan military successfully used Anza MANPADS against Indian forces in Kargil war.First two kills of Anza were Indian air force MIG 21 and MIG 27.The pilot of MIG 27 Kambampati Nachiketa Rao was captured by Pakistan Army. Total number of 1000 Anza Mk-I were produced by Pakistan.
Next variant of Anza was Anza Mk-II which is integrated with Infrared homing technology and has ability to counter decoy flares. The Anza Mk-II has ability to carry total payload of 550 gram warhead and has ability to engage aerial targets over 5 km.
Launcher system of Anza Mk-III MANPADS
Anza Mk-III MANPADS is using same launching system like its previous variant Anza Mk-II with slightly modifications in gripstock. The launcher of Anza Mk-III is more similar to Russian made 9K310 IGLA-1 NATO code name (SA-16 Gimlet).
Missile of Anza Mk-III:
Anza Mk-III MANPADS has missile with maximum range of 5 km with enhanced detection, launch and firing capabilities. Anza Mk-III has infrared homing system and missile based on rocket motor of previous version Anza Mk-II.The missile has ability to carry warhead of almost 1.42 kg.The maximum cruise speed of Anza Mk-III missile is above 600 m/s.The missile has upgraded and improved sensors for better identification and tracking of targets. The Anza Mk-III is lifted in air by solid fuel and with help of heat guidance system it tracks and strike on its target.
Combat use of Anza Mk-III MANPADS:
The Anza Mk-III man-portable air defense missile has ability to engage low flying aerial vehicles like UAV, helicopters and cruise missiles and aircrafts and the missile can be fired by one soldier. It can be launched in automatic mode as well as in manual mode. The Anza Mk-III missile can also be fired by shoulder or mobile launcher.
ECCM capability of Anza Mk-III
Anza Mk-III MANPADS is integrated with state of art electronic counter -countermeasures technology. The missile has ability to identify and reject flares decoy deployed by aircrafts. Anza Mk-III is integrated with highly modernized infrared seekers which have tendency of multi-spectral sensitivity which closely monitors and track heat emissions of airplanes, and are also integrated with advanced microprocessor and imaging technology.
Export of Anza Mk-III MANPADS to other countries
Pakistani officials in IDEAS defense expo have indicated that new version Anza Mk-III man portable air defense air system will be available for export to other nations. Pakistan has already exported second variant of Anza (Anza Mk-II) to Malaysia. Total number of 500 Anza MK.II systems were exported to Malaysia as part of a RM446 million arms deal. According to some reports Ukraine have also acquired Anza Mk-III from Pakistan. Many Ukrainian media reported that Ukraine has used Anza MANPADS against Russian low flying cruise missiles and UCAVS.
Salient features of Anza Mk-III (Man portable air defense systems).
Length 1.59 m
Weight (launcher and missile) Total 18 kg
Propulsion Solid fuel rocket motor (solid fuel booster rocket on launch)
Guidance Dual band Infrared Homing seeker
Warhead HE fragmentation with total payload of 1.42 kg
Cruising speed Above 600 m/s
Weapon reaction time 3.5 sec
Battery life 50 seconds
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