Indian Army Initiates Procurement of AK-630 Air Defence Guns to Bolster Border Security
The Indian Army has taken a significant step in bolstering its border security with the initiation of procurement for six AK-630 30mm multi-barrel air defence guns. This move, under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, aims to enhance low-altitude air defence capabilities along the border with Pakistan.
This strategic acquisition is intended to protect civilian and religious sites in border areas, drawing insights from Operation Sindoor conducted earlier this year. The procurement is aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which focuses on promoting indigenous defence manufacturing and technological self-reliance.
The Army’s Air Defence Directorate has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure the six AK-630 systems from Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), a state-owned defence firm. These systems will be mounted on trailers and towed by high-mobility vehicles, facilitating rapid deployment across the challenging terrains of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
The AK-630 is a six-barrel, 30mm rapid-fire gun designed to counter threats from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), rockets, artillery shells, and mortar projectiles. It boasts a firing rate of 3,000 rounds per minute with an effective range reaching up to 4 km, providing a robust defence against aerial threats. Equipped with an electro-optical fire control system, it ensures operational readiness for all-weather target detection and tracking.
These systems will enhance the outer kinetic layer of the multi-tier Sudarshan Chakra defence shield. This shield integrates radar-based detection, laser jamming, and anti-drone solutions into a cohesive command structure. Launched on Independence Day 2025, Mission Sudarshan Chakra aspires to develop a comprehensive indigenous security network by 2035 to safeguard critical national assets and population centres.
The procurement decision follows increased border tensions after Operation Sindoor, during which civilian areas were reportedly targeted by Pakistan. In response, the Indian Army has fortified its forward defences, with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi cautioning about decisive retaliation under Operation Sindoor 2.0 if provocations persist.
During a recent visit to Army Air Defence units in Bhuj, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated the government's commitment to rapid modernisation and indigenous capability enhancement. These units had previously intercepted several Pakistani aerial threats, highlighting India’s advancing readiness in short-range air defence warfare.
The introduction of AK-630 systems represents a crucial advancement in India's efforts to construct an indigenous, layered air defence network, aimed at protecting both military and civilian areas from evolving cross-border aerial threats.
