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SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move toward strengthening India’s air defense capabilities, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Russia’s Rosoboronexport (ROE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on variants of the Pantsir air defence missile-gun system. The MoU was signed by Commodore A. Madhavarao (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of BDL, and Mr. Kovalenko German, Deputy Director General of the Naval Department at ROE, on the sidelines of the 5th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) subgroup meeting held in Goa in 2023.

This strategic partnership aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its self-reliant defense capabilities while maintaining strong ties with trusted international partners.

The Indian Army has expressed a need for a modern self-propelled air-defense gun missile system (SPAD-GMS) to support its mechanized formations in mobile and high-threat environments. A Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Army in July outlines the requirements for these mobile terminal air-defense systems, emphasizing both mobility and versatility to protect assets against aerial threats in real time. The SPAD-GMS will incorporate both missile and gun systems mounted on either tracked or wheeled vehicles, ensuring high mobility and flexibility across various terrains.

The specifications in the RFI call for systems mounted on six-wheeled or eight-wheeled high-mobility vehicles (HMVs) with capabilities to deploy a mix of missile and gun defense. Key requirements include:

Gun System: Guns should have at least a 30 mm caliber, with an effective range of 3.5 km and an altitude capability of 2.5 km. The RFI specifies single-barrel guns for calibers 35 mm or greater, while calibers under 35 mm should use multi-barrel configurations for enhanced firepower.

Missile System: Capable of deploying up to six missiles with a minimum effective range of 6.5 km and an altitude ceiling of 3 km. The missiles should feature proximity fuzes (radio or laser), impact fuzes, fragmentation warheads, and robust counter-jamming technology.

The collaboration between BDL and ROE on Pantsir variants reflects India’s dual approach of boosting domestic defense manufacturing while continuing strategic collaborations with Russia, a long-standing defense partner. The Pantsir system, which integrates missile and gun capabilities on a single platform, is globally recognized for its mobility and effectiveness in intercepting aerial targets, making it well-suited for India’s evolving air defense needs.

With BDL’s manufacturing expertise and the technological prowess of Rosoboronexport, this partnership could enable India to locally produce and customize Pantsir systems, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiatives. The local production of such sophisticated defense systems can reduce India’s dependency on imports and foster indigenous innovation in critical defense technologies.

The Indian Army’s requirements for the SPAD-GMS emphasize not only technological sophistication but also operational flexibility to protect mechanized forces in dynamic combat environments. As India modernizes its armed forces to counter evolving aerial threats, mobile air-defense systems like the SPAD-GMS will play a vital role in ensuring frontline and rear-area security for mechanized formations.

BDL’s partnership with Rosoboronexport opens doors to acquiring advanced air-defense technology and adapting it to India’s operational needs. By focusing on local manufacturing and technology transfer, this collaboration positions India to become more self-reliant in critical defense systems and bolsters its capacity to contribute to global defense supply chains.