Indian Army Commences Acquisition of AK-630 Air Defence Systems for Enhanced Border Security
The Indian Army has undertaken an urgent initiative to bolster its short-range air defense capabilities by acquiring six mobile AK-630 multi-barrel air defense gun systems. This move is aimed at addressing potential threats from drones, loiter munitions, rockets, and mortars along its border with Pakistan.
The tender for these 30mm gun systems, which have an effective range of 4 to 6 kilometers, has been released to the defense public sector entity, Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL).
“The contract will be inked under the fast-track emergency procurement mechanism approved after Operation Sindoor. More such guns, which act as close-in weapon systems because of their high rate of fire, will be ordered at a later stage,” an Army officer said.
The AK-630 gun systems, mounted on trailers and towed by high-mobility vehicles, are designed for rapid deployment and versatile positioning. Each system can fire up to 3,000 rounds per minute, effectively forming a dense barrier to intercept aerial threats at close range.
These systems are equipped with an all-weather fire control capability, allowing them to operate efficiently in varying conditions, including day, night, and adverse weather. They will be integrated into the Army's Akashteer air defense command-and-control network, enhancing coordination and response across its systems.
This emergency purchase follows the recent initiation by the Army Air Defence (AAD) of acquiring three highly mobile regiments of the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) systems, valued at approximately ₹30,000 crore. These regiments will have the capacity to detect and eliminate enemy aircraft, attack helicopters, drones, rockets, and missiles over distances exceeding 30 kilometers.
India's layered air defense system, which includes both domestic and imported technologies, was crucial in countering Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missiles deployed by Pakistan during the conflict in May 2025.
Furthermore, the AAD plans to integrate smart and programmable ammunition for its L-70 and ZU-23mm guns, and introduce new counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and counter-RAM (rocket, artillery, and mortar) weapons, as part of its efforts to enhance low-altitude defense capabilities.
