The Indian Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 23-mm anti-drone ammunition aimed at enhancing the Indian Army’s air defence capabilities. This initiative is part of the “Make in India” campaign, encouraging local manufacturing of defence equipment. The ammunition is specifically intended for use with the existing Zu-23mm and Schilka weapon systems, which are high rate of fire anti-aircraft systems currently employed by the Army Air Defence for providing point air defence to critical areas.
The RFI specifies the need for ammunition with a proximity or timed fuse, which should be capable of being initiated in proximity to drones or loitering munitions to increase hit probability. This is necessitated by the challenges posed by drones, especially those of the Commercially Off the Shelf (COTS) variety, which have a low radar cross-section, small size, and higher survivability, making them difficult to counter with existing ammunition.
The new ammunition is designed to have adequate fragmentation to cause damage or destruction to drone targets, with specifications ensuring compatibility with the Zu-23mm and Schilka systems.
Both defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) and private vendors are eligible to respond to this RFI, with the goal of identifying capable manufacturers to undertake this production. The document underlines the strategic importance of countering unmanned aerial threats, referencing recent conflicts where drones have played a significant role in combat scenarios.
This move towards specialized anti-drone ammunition reflects a broader trend in modern warfare where counter-drone technologies are becoming increasingly critical.