Thirty-two years after the first lot of them were first inducted into service with the Army’s Air Defence Artillery (now the Corps of Army Air Defence), the Ministry of Defence is finally considering an upgrade for the Army’s (t)rusty Soviet era ZU-23-2 twin-barrel anti-aircraft autocannons. While a total of close to 1,000 guns were inducted, an unknown number remain in service. According to the request for information (RFI) that has been sent out to firms in Israel, Poland and Russia among others, the Army is essentially looking for a rugged electro-optical fire control system (EOFCS), electro-mechanical gun drives and a new rugged power supply for all the gun’s systems.Indian Army To Upgrade Vintage Ack-Ack Guns
Thirty-two years after the first lot of them were first inducted into service with the Army’s Air Defence Artillery (now the Corps of Army Air Defence), the Ministry of Defence is finally considering an upgrade for the Army’s (t)rusty Soviet era ZU-23-2 twin-barrel anti-aircraft autocannons. While a total of close to 1,000 guns were inducted, an unknown number remain in service. According to the request for information (RFI) that has been sent out to firms in Israel, Poland and Russia among others, the Army is essentially looking for a rugged electro-optical fire control system (EOFCS), electro-mechanical gun drives and a new rugged power supply for all the gun’s systems.
I remember seeing one of those clunkers at the Naval Dockyard in the 80's. In today's day and age, they would probably be able to bring down some Patangs.
That's the sad story of the Indian intellection. I've really come to accept the fact, that if India developed a precursor to the WHEEL, the wheel as we know of it today would never exist. We'd still be living with the precursor.
do we in the age stealth aircrafts and rolling supersonic missiles need anti aircraft guns
Good move,
High Time. This is not being the priority it deserves.
Please inform about the contenders for this requirement and details of each system.
Is C-RAM system from Germany being invited for this tender?
Shiv,
I am amazed at the number of equipment we need to upgrade. Basically, We look caught in a time warp. However no need to retire these guns, can be used in the eastern front for numbers.
Really sad at the state of affairs.
Annonymous @ 8:49 am
In the era of stealth aircraft, BVR missiles / Long Range SAMs would be relatively useless as our radars would not be able to detect the enemy stealth aircraft. Anti-aircraft guns would be invaluable to knock down the aircraft when it comes within visual range
@ anony and Mayuresh,
Not, everything flying in the sky is a Stealth aircraft, BVR missile or LR SAM's. In fact, far from it, most threats are not of that kind and are not going to be of that kind for atleast the next 30-40 years.
Their, are drones of all kinds and a lot of slow moving aircraft that wander into no fly zones all the time and need to be shot down, would you want to fire a multi-million dollar missile at a slow, low flying drone or aircraft?
I think not. Getting new and improved ack-ack should be part of our multi-tiered defence network and there is nothing wrong with that.
better go 4r new guns with TOT
Better sell off the 1000 guns to some war torn african state and use whatever lil money is generated to get some shoulder launched missle. The shoulder launched missles may still shoot down a few while these antiquated systems will only provide tracer effects for our news channels when bite comes to bullet