Army wants new gun for air defence along Pak border

The Indian Army is looking at a new gun for its layered air defence system along the border with Pakistan. The gun can be especially used against enemy drones, loitering munitions and missiles.

The Army has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the procurement of six AK630 30-mm multi-barrel mobile air defence guns. An RFP is the second stage of tender process, it will be followed by price negotiation and contract signing.

The project, with participation from Advance Weapon and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL), is aimed at enhancing India’s layered air defence shield against evolving aerial threats. The AWEIL is a company owned by the Ministry of Defence.

The new systems are intended to secure the low-level airspace up to 10,000 metres directly above land. This zone is critical in warfare as it is used by the Army’s helicopters, missiles, rockets and artillery and directly impacts the success of ground operations.

In the border areas, towns, villages, schools, hospitals, colleges and religious places also fall within this airspace, making its protection essential.

The AK630 gun system is mounted on a trailer and towed by a high-mobility vehicle, providing flexibility and rapid deployment. The gun has a rate of fire up to 3,000 rounds per minute and destroys approaching hostile aerial objects. It has an effective range of 4-6 km. It also has an all-weather fire control system for target detection and engagement round the clock and adverse weather too.

The automated AK 630 gun is housed in a turret and controlled by a radar and fire control system, enabling its remote operation. The Navy uses the Naval variant of the same gun on its warship for providing immediate air defence.

The system will be integrated into the Army’s wider air defence command-and-control architecture, called the Akashteer, and will form an important component of the upcoming air defence shield being developed for the protection of population centres and critical nodes along the International Border and the Line of Control.

The requirement for such weapons has been reinforced by recent conflicts. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to damage civilian infrastructure and target towns near the border using rockets and drones. These were effectively countered by Army Air Defence units, but the experience highlighted the importance of inducting more potent and mobile systems for future contingencies.