Source : Indian Defence Analysis
Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army
On 7th July 2023, MoD has released an RFI for the procurement of Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun. The procurement is intended to provide close AD protection to mechanized formations against evolving and dynamic air threat. The system should have matching mobility with mechanized elements in all terrains. The weapon system should be a mix of both gun and missile mounted on a single/dual platform of either tracked/wheeled vehicle (HMV 6×6/HMV 8×8). The system should include a low RCS 3-D Acquisition cum Fire Control Radar, Electro Optical Fire Control System (EOFCS) and a Fire Control Computer (FCC). The Gun should be able to engage aerial targets both with the Fire Control Radar and through the EOFCS both during day and night. While the missile should be able to engage targets through the EOFCS both by day and night. The system should be able to carry out Acquisition and Tracking of the targets on the move and engage aerial targets effectively with gun on the move and with missile on short halts. The system should have the capability to engage fighter aircrafts, helicopters (including hovering helicopters), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) and Cruise Missiles at a range of not less than 6500 m. The system will be deployed in all terrains like plains, deserts, high altitude & mountainous area (upto 5000m). The system should have range of 320km and speed between 40-60 kmph. It should have protection against small arms fire (7.62 mm) and shell splinters equivalent to STANAG level 2/3 (or better) (ballistic protection) for top frontal arc, rear, sides including fuel tank and other external fittings such as APU and ECU. The last date to respond to RFI is 21st August 2023.
3-D Acquisition cum Fire Control Radar
The low RCS Radar should be based on 3-D Active Electronically Scanned Array with digital beam forming and should have multifunction capability to include Track While Scan(TWS) and work through jamming. It should be capable of 360 deg surveillance, target detection and tracking. The Search radar should be capable of detecting a low altitude target of RCS < 1 m2 up to 20 km at 300 elevation(Fighter Aircraft), RCS < 0.05m2 up to 10 km (Attack Helicopter), RCS < 0.01 m2 up to 05 km (UAS/CM). Its minimum range should be 300m.
EOFCS
In addition to radar tracking, Electro Optical Fire Control System should be incorporated for angular tracking of air targets during day and night, snow, rain, dust and poor visibility conditions. The EO device should consist of Thermal Imaging (TI) sight and optical sight for tracking during day and night having minimum range of 8km. The range details will be provided by the Laser Range Finder (LRF) which have range of 8km. Radar/EOFCS controlled Gun should be capable of firing Programmable Proximity Fuze/Proximity Fuze/HE Ammunition.
Missile System
The missile system should have either IR homing to laser beam riding missile with minimum range not less than 6.5km. It should have maximum 6 ready to fire missile. The reaction time of the missile should be less than 3seconds form the time of issuing the command.
Gun System
The gun and radar should be mounted on the same vehicle in case of multi vehicle configuration. The missile with additional sight will be mounted on another vehicle. The gun should have caliber of 30mm or more with range greater than 3.5km and not less than 2.5km. If the gun is a single barrel it should be of 35mm caliber or more and minimum ROF of 300 rpm. The multi barrel gun can have caliber less than 35mm but minimum ROF of 600 rpm.
DRDO’s light tank platform for SPAD
DRDO has already built the radar and required electronics to guide an Air Defence Gun. DRDO’s lab LRDE has developed an Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR) mounted on a 4X4 truck which works in conjunction with Anti-Aircraft Guns forming a Ground Based Air Defence system whose main purpose is effective point defence against air threats at short and very short ranges during day and night under all weather conditions. The system comprises of a X-Band Active Array Antenna based 3D-Search Radar, Ka-Band Tracking Radar, Electro-Optical Sensors for passive 2D-tracking & LRF for Radar independent ranging, Gun Control Unit, Power Generator, and a suitably equipped Commander’s cabin mounted on a single High Mobility Vehicle. This system is capable of controlling more than two Guns simultaneously.
As per some reports, the light tank platform being developed by DRDO & L&T will be offered for the SPAD-GMS program, however there is no official confirmation from DRDO or CVRDE on this. However, the possibilities of the same cannot be denied as the joint venture of DRDO & L&T is also working on the prototype of light tank of 25T category and same tracked platform can be modified to develop air defence gun. Since this development has gone indigenous route, there are not many options here. The last date for submitting bid to RFP was Jan 6 2022, so the possible contenders for this project would already submit their detailed specifications. At the same time the prototype of DRDO’s light tank will be ready by next year which must be used as an opportunity by CVRDE to commence the work on the SPAD-GMS prototype. Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army Ministry of Defence issues RFI for Self-Propelled Air Defense Gun for Indian Army IgMp
