Government Issues RFI for Development of 23-mm Anti-Drone Ammunition

The Indian government has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking domestic manufacturing of 23-mm anti-drone ammunition. The ammunition will be used with the Army's existing Zu 23mm and Schilka Weapon Systems to enhance air defence capabilities.

According to the RFI, dated January 1, the ammunition will feature proximity or timed fuses designed to detonate near drones or loitering munitions. The shells are expected to produce a sufficient number of fragments to damage or destroy targets effectively. The cartridge cases must be compatible with the Army's current weapon systems.

The RFI highlights the growing threat posed by commercially available unmanned aerial systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and drones, which are increasingly utilized in military conflicts for precision strikes and suppression of air defence. The document notes that these threats are challenging to counter with existing ammunition due to their low radar cross-section, small size, and high survivability.

Both Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private vendors are eligible to participate in the project, which aligns with the "Make in India" initiative. The RFI aims to identify potential manufacturers capable of producing the ammunition domestically.

The Zu 23mm and Schilka Weapon Systems, currently in service with the Army Air Defence, are high-rate-of-fire anti-aircraft systems designed to protect critical areas and assets. Existing ammunition for these systems, such as Armour Piercing Incendiary Tracer (APIT) and High Explosive Incendiary Tracer (HEIT), is manually controlled and activated upon impact, resulting in low hit probability. The proposed anti-drone ammunition seeks to address these limitations by increasing hit efficiency.

Interested vendors are invited to respond to the RFI with details of their capabilities to manufacture the specified ammunition. Further procurement processes will follow based on responses received.

This development underscores the Army’s focus on modernizing its defence capabilities to address emerging threats effectively.