New Delhi: Indian small arms manufacturer SSS Defence and defence major Kalyani Group have been shortlisted as the Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) for an Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) project to develop an indigenous 20 mm aviation gun and turret system, ThePrint has learnt.
The guns are intended for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk-IV, also known as Rudra, and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) platforms. ARDE, a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is responsible for designing and developing conventional armaments, ammunition and related systems. It works with public- and private-sector production agencies to translate weapon designs into systems deployable by the armed forces.
Sources said ARDE and HAL signed an MoU for collaboration last year, following which bidding was called. The bid was won by SSS Defence and Kalyani. The order will be split between them after the development stage, depending on the cost calculations.
It is expected that the development phase will take about two years and order will be given post the acceptance phase. The order will be split between them depending on cost calculations with the L1 getting 60 percent of the order and the other getting 40 percent.
This is the very first design and development of an aviation medium caliber gun to date in India.
The project is part of India’s broader push to indigenous critical weapon systems and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
The 20 mm turret gun is an important component of the weapon suite of armed helicopters, enabling them to engage ground targets in support of troops and during combat operations. The ALH Mk-IV, the weaponised version of HAL’s Dhruv helicopter, is designed to carry a range of weapons, including a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rocket pods and missiles.
The LCH Prachand, India’s indigenous attack helicopter, is also equipped with a 20 mm turret gun and 70 mm rockets, besides anti-tank guided missiles. The Indian Army has previously conducted firing trials of the LCH’s 20 mm turret gun, including during day and night operations.
The current turret gun integrated with the LCH is from the European defence company KNDS.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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