Indian Army issues RFI for self-propelled air-defence systems

The Indian Army has issued an RFI to procure new SPAD-GMSs. South Korean defence group Hanwha is expected to bid for the programme with its K30 Biho self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) system, pictured above, which is in service with the Republic of Korea Army. (Janes/Sunil Nair)

The Indian Army has released a tender to support its procurement of new self-propelled air-defence gun missile systems (SPAD-GMSs).

A request for information (RFI) issued in early July said the procured systems will be operated as ‘Mobile Terminal Air-Defence Systems' and provide close air defence protection for the Indian Army's mechanised formations.

The procured SPAD-GMSs should be a mix of both gun and missile capability mounted on either tracked or wheeled vehicles such as six-wheeled or eight-wheeled high-mobility vehicles (HMVs), according to the RFI.

The vehicles need to be equipped with a maximum of six missiles having an effective range and altitude of more than 6.5 km and 3 km, respectively. The missiles should be equipped with an impact and radio/laser proximity fuze, a multiple projectile/fragmentation warhead, and a mechanism to counter jamming, the RFI said.

The SPAD-GMS also needs to be equipped with a gun having at least 30 mm calibre. If the calibre is 35 mm or greater the gun needs to have a single barrel; if the calibre is less than 35 mm it should have a multibarrel. The effective range and altitude of the gun should be more than 3.5 km and 2.5 km, respectively.