Army to get new missiles, ‘night sights’ for rifles

Two separate contracts were signed today to enhance the operational readiness of the Army — one for procuring a new-type of missiles and other for adding ‘night firing’ capability to assault rifles.

The Army’s Corps of Army Air Defence today signed a contract with Thales UK for procurement of light weight modular missile (LMM) system that will add to the air defence systems. Procurement of these missiles for £350 million was announced on October 9 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer met in Mumbai for a bilateral meeting.

Adding firepower

The light weight modular missile (LMM) system is effective against all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAV’s to a range greater than 6 km in all-weather conditions

Advanced ‘night sights’ are being procured for 7.62 x 51mm assault rifles to enable soldiers to precisely aim and fire at targets at night. It is useful along the LoC

The LMM is a light weight and man-portable missile system which can be deployed in operational areas, including the high-altitude areas. The missile operates on laser beam riding principle and is resistant to evasive actions taken by modern day aerial platforms.

The missile is effective against all types of aircraft, helicopters and UAV’s to a range greater than 6 km in all-weather conditions. The missile has a high single-shot kill probability due to advanced sighting system, incorporation of proximity fuze and high explosive warhead.

The missile system has been procured post Operation Sindoor to detect and destroy high value drones and UAVs.

The second deal is a Rs 659.47-crore contract the Ministry of Defence signed for procurement of advanced ‘night sights’ for the Army’s 7.62 x 51mm assault rifles.

‘Night sights’ enable soldiers to precisely aim and fire at targets at night. It is useful along the Line of Control to stop infiltration.

The Ministry of Defence said the ‘night sight’ would enable soldiers to fully exploit the longer effective range of the ‘SIG 716 assault rifle’.

These sights are capable of engaging targets up to an effective range of 500 metres, even under starlit conditions and provide a significant improvement over the existing Passive Night Sights (PNS).

This procurement, has more than 51% indigenous content, is a major step towards aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing. The initiative will also benefit the MSMEs involved in manufacturing of components and supply of raw material.