In a decisive move to strengthen India’s short-range air defence capabilities, the Indian Army has initiated an emergency acquisition of six mobile AK-630 multi-barrel air defence gun systems, aimed at countering threats from drones, loiter munitions, rockets, and mortars along the border with Pakistan.
The procurement tender for the 30mm systems, which have an effective range of 4 to 6 kilometres, has been issued to the defence public sector undertaking 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.
Mounted on trailers and towed by high-mobility vehicles, the AK-630 gun systems are capable of rapid deployment and flexible positioning. Each gun can achieve a cyclic rate of fire of up to 3,000 rounds per minute, creating a dense wall of fire to intercept incoming aerial targets at close ranges.
Equipped with an all-weather fire control system, the AK-630 can operate effectively in day, night, and adverse weather conditions. The system will also be integrated into the Army’s Akashteer air defence command-and-control architecture, enhancing coordination and responsiveness across the network.
This emergency procurement follows the Army Air Defence’s (AAD) recent initiation of the acquisition process for three highly mobile regiments of the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) systems, worth around ₹30,000 crore. These regiments will be capable of detecting and destroying enemy aircraft, attack helicopters, drones, rockets, and missiles at ranges beyond 30 km.
India’s multi-layered air defence network—comprising a mix of indigenous and imported systems—played a pivotal role in thwarting Turkish-origin drones and Chinese missiles launched by Pakistan during the four-day conflict in May 2025.
Additionally, the AAD is planning to induct smart and programmable ammunition for its L-70 and ZU-23mm guns, alongside new counter-UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and counter-RAM (rocket, artillery, and mortar) weapons, as part of its modernisation drive to strengthen low-altitude defence.
