SOURCE: AFI
The Uttar Pradesh Police Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) has awarded a contract for 1,228 units of the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1 submachine gun (SMG) to Vinveli Automated Systems Private Limited. Valued at ?87,984,000, this deal comes with a unit price of ?78,000 per SMG. While the decision appears straightforward, it highlights a significant moment for India’s defense manufacturing sector, as the indigenous ASMI 9mm machine pistol developed by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) came in second during the tender process.
The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1, manufactured by ?eská Zbrojovka (CZ) of the Czech Republic, has garnered a global reputation for its reliability, compact design, and modularity. It is chambered for the widely used 9x19mm Parabellum round, making it suitable for various tactical roles, particularly in counterterrorism and urban warfare. The weapon’s lightweight construction, high accuracy, and adaptability to different operational requirements make it a preferred choice among several law enforcement and military forces worldwide.
The UP ATS, tasked with combating terrorism, organized crime, and extremist threats in India’s most populous state, requires advanced and reliable weaponry. The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1, having already proven itself in counter-terrorism and law enforcement operations globally, was the L1 (lowest bidder) in this tender, securing the contract over other competitors.
In this latest procurement, AWEIL’s ASMI was the L2 bidder, with a total price of ?88,942,800, slightly higher than Vinveli’s winning bid of ?87,984,000 for the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1. Despite its competitive pricing and having successfully cleared trials, the ASMI was not selected, primarily due to the pricing structure. The gap in pricing between L1 and L2 was relatively narrow, yet enough for the Czech-made Scorpion Evo 3 to take the lead.
Vinveli Automated Systems Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based defense company, played a crucial role in securing the contract for the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1. The company, known for its expertise in the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) sector, has now entered the small arms procurement space by acting as the intermediary for ?eská Zbrojovka. This diversification into defense procurement further strengthens Vinveli’s position as a key player in India’s growing defense ecosystem.