SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a recent development, the Indian Army is progressing towards the selection of new Self-Propelled Air-Defense Gun Missile Systems (SPAD-GMSs) to enhance its air defence capabilities. The army had initiated the procurement process earlier this year, specifically seeking systems that could operate as “Mobile Terminal Air-Defense Systems” to bolster close air defence protection for its mechanized units.
South Korean defence conglomerate Hanwha has re-emerged as a strong contender to secure this vital contract. This comes after a similar bid by Hanwha in 2018, which nearly succeeded against competing Russian offers, including the Tunguska M1 and Pantsir missile systems. According to sources, the K30 Biho, a key product in Hanwha’s portfolio, aligns well with the requirements outlined in the Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army.
Notably, Hanwha has also demonstrated its commitment to meet additional criteria laid out in the latest RFI, particularly concerning the incorporation of an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) 3D Search Radar system, further enhancing its offering to the Indian Army.
The Indian Army’s procurement plan encompasses the acquisition of 104 Self-Propelled Air-Defense Systems, 97 ammunition carriers, and 39 command vehicles, along with 4,928 missiles and 172,260 rounds of ammunition. This comprehensive procurement effort is estimated to be valued between $1.8 billion and $2.2 billion.
It’s worth noting that the selection process for these air-defence systems has a history dating back to 2018 when the K30 Biho was initially declared the winner after extensive user trials. However, Moscow raised objections, alleging bias in the evaluation process and urging the Indian Defense Ministry to conduct a re-evaluation.
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