India is set to enhance its air defence capabilities by procuring six AK-630 air defence gun systems. The Indian Army has issued a tender to the state-owned Advanced Weapon and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) for this procurement. The decision comes in response to recent threats from Pakistan, particularly during Operation Sindoor, where Pakistani forces targeted civilian areas and religious sites in Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

The AK-630 is a 30mm multi-barrel mobile gun system capable of firing approximately 3,000 rounds per minute, with an effective range of up to 4 kilometres. It will be mounted on a trailer and towed by a high-mobility vehicle. This system is designed to intercept aerial threats, including drones, rockets, and mortars, and features an all-weather electro-optical fire control system for target detection.

This procurement is part of Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day. The mission aims to establish a comprehensive, multi-layered security shield by 2035, integrating various defence capabilities, including surveillance and cyber security, to protect key installations from enemy attacks.

The Army conducted internal trials of the AK-630 systems in May, demonstrating their effectiveness against practice aerial targets. The need for such systems has become increasingly apparent due to ongoing tensions with Pakistan, which have included direct attacks on civilian infrastructure.

In addition to the AK-630, India has been developing other air defence systems, such as the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) and the Akashteer Command and Control System, which have proven effective in intercepting aerial threats. The procurement of the AK-630 guns is expected to bolster India's defensive capabilities along the Pakistan border and at sensitive sites across the country.