Defence Ministry issues RFI to procure 23-mm anti-drone ammunition for Indian Army

New Delhi: Ministry of Defence has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the production of 23mm Anti-Drone Ammunition under the Make in India initiative.

This move is aimed at fortifying the Indian Army’s defence capabilities, particularly in combating the growing threat posed by drones.

As per the RFI, the 23-mm ammunition will be used with the existing ZU-23-mm and Schilka weapon systems for destruction of enemy drones, violating Indian space.

Zu-23-mm is a Soviet-era gun system, which have mostly been deployed to protect military installations in the forward areas.

After submitting the offer, the manufacturing companies will have to undergo for the technical and commercial clearances with “No Cost No Commitment” basis.

As per an official, the last date of submission of RFI is February 17 and prior to that a pre-submission meeting will be conducted on February 16.

Among the parameters, the vendors must be holding a valid defence industrial license or should have applied for the same before responding to the request for proposal (RFP). They should also have the valid explosive license or provide the details of that entity which is manufacturing explosives.

The ammunition must conform to breech block, chamber barrel of the existing Zu 23 and Schilka weapon system.

It must be operating In -25 degree and 45+ degree of temperature with storage temperature at +30 degree and 50+ degree of temperature. The shelf life of the ammunition should not be less than 10 years.

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