Indian Army Enhances Defence with Lightweight Modular Missiles and Advanced Night Sights
The Indian Army has entered into two significant agreements intended to bolster its air defence and night combat capabilities, with an emphasis on swift drone response and enhanced rifle efficiency in low-light conditions.
The Army's Corps of Army Air Defence has finalized a contract with UK-based Thales to obtain Lightweight Modular Missiles (LMM). The Army reports that the man-portable LMM system can effectively target all classes of aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and UCAVs, including aerial threats with minimal infrared signatures, and is capable of striking at ranges exceeding 6 km under all weather conditions.
According to the Army, the LMM's operation is based on the laser beam riding principle, making it resistant to advanced aerial platform maneuvers. Its sophisticated sighting system, along with a proximity fuze and high-explosive warhead, ensures a high probability of a single-shot kill. This procurement follows Operation Sindoor, highlighting the requirement for effective detection and neutralization of high-value UAVs and drones.
Another agreement has been established by the Ministry of Defence, involving a contract valued at Rs 659.47 crore with a consortium led by MKU Ltd and Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd. This deal concerns night sights for the 7.62 × 51 mm SIG 716 assault rifle, which enables soldiers to effectively engage targets up to 500 meters away, even under starlit conditions, offering a significant advancement over the existing Passive Night Sights (PNS).
Classified as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) procurement with more than 51% indigenous content, this initiative supports Atma Nirbharta in defence manufacturing and benefits MSMEs involved in the production of components and raw materials.
These procurements represent a strategic enhancement of the Indian Army’s operational readiness, integrating precise air defence capabilities with improved effectiveness in night-time combat scenarios.
