India issues RFI for C-UAV ammunition

The Indian MoD is seeking to procure 23 mm ammunition to support the Indian Army's ZSU-23-4 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun's C-UAV operations. (Janes/Peter Felstead)

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a request for information (RFI) to support its procurement of 23 mm counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) ammunition for the Indian Army.

The RFI, issued on 1 January, said the procured ammunition is intended to be fired from the ZU-23-2 semi-mobile anti-aircraft cannon system and the ZSU-23-4 ‘Schilka' self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) in service with the army's Corps of Army Air Defence.

The RFI is intended for Indian manufacturers, with at least 50% of the munitions' components to be sourced locally. RFI submissions are expected by mid-February, but the RFI does not provide information on the number of rounds that will be procured.

According to the RFI, the procured ammunition should feature a timed fuze that is pre-programmable to detonate the projectiles at variable ranges including 1 km and 2.5 km. It added that the ammunition needs to conform to the “breech block, chamber, and barrel” of the ZU-23-2 and Schilka systems. The ammunition is required to be operable at temperatures ranging from -25°C to 45°C.

The ZU-23-2 and ZSU-23-4 are Soviet-era weapons systems that use 23×152 B cartridges. According to the RFI, India possesses the high-explosive incendiary tracer (HEI-T) and armour-piercing incendiary tracer (API-T) variations of the 23×152 B cartridge.

Both variations are capable of an effective range of 2,500 m horizontally and 1,500 m vertically, according to Janes Weapons: Ammunition. The variations weigh 190 g and have a maximum velocity of 970 m/s.

For more information, please seeIndia – Army .