https://www.defencenews.in/2023/09/indian-army-and-indian-air-force-collaborate-on-multi-spectral-camouflage-nets-for-high-altitude-areas/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.defencenews.in%2F2023%2F09%2Findian-army-and-indian-air-force-collaborate-on-multi-spectral-camouflage-nets-for-high-altitude-areas%2F
In a significant development, the Indian Army has issued an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the acquisition of 6,425 units of Multi Spectral Camouflage Nets (MSCN) specially designed for deployment in High Altitude Areas (HAA). This collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) places a strong emphasis on indigenous production under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ classification.
Under this AoN, the Indian Army will receive 6,175 nets tailored for High Altitude areas, while the IAF will procure 250 units for various applications within their domain. Previously, the IAF had acquired 6,000 similar MSCNs, produced by an Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) – M/s Entremonde Polycoaters Ltd. These acquisitions are intended to provide camouflage for IAF installations.
The AoN document outlines critical specifications for the MSCN, particularly focusing on its suitability for high-altitude, rugged, mountainous, and snowbound terrains. It specifies that the netting must offer optimal camouflage for critical installations, effectively reducing the likelihood of detection by both aerial and ground-based electromagnetic sensors.
To achieve this, the MSCN is required to cover a wavelength range of 380 to 780 nm in the visual spectrum, resulting in an impressive 70 percent reduction in object recognition at distances of 750 meters in daytime conditions and 100 meters during nighttime with a full moon. In the ultraviolet (UV) range (300 to 380 nm), the net’s reflectivity index should not be less than 60 percent, ensuring effective concealment.
Additionally, the AoN mandates tests for thermal transmission, with a maximum allowable of 20 percent across specified bands. This ensures the net’s performance in varying thermal conditions, maintaining a permissible temperature difference of less than 10°C between the net and its ambient environment.
Furthermore, the MSCN is expected to reduce radar transmissions in centimeter and millimeter wavelength bands, with a minimum required transmission loss of 6 dB, providing an effective shield against radar detection.
One noteworthy feature of the MSCN specified in the AoN is reversibility. This allows for deployment in two distinct contiguous terrains, with one side optimized for High Altitude Mountain Terrain and the reverse side tailored for Snow Bound Areas. The color pattern adheres strictly to the Indian Standard Colour Code (ISC), ensuring seamless integration with the environment. This collaborative effort underscores India’s commitment to developing specialized equipment for its military forces while prioritizing domestic production and indigenous capabilities.
AFI
