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India moves to develop its first indigenous aviation gun for Prachand, Rudra helicopters

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

India has shortlisted domestic firms SSS Defence and Kalyani Group for developing an indigenous 20mm aviation gun and turret system for Prachand and Rudra helicopters, aiming to increase indigenous content in the helicopters and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The project is part of efforts to indigenise other weapon systems, including anti-tank guided missiles. The development phase is expected to take two years, after which production orders will be placed based on cost calculations. The gun is intended for India's Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV, known as Rudra, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. The project is part of efforts to indigenise the helicopters' other wea…

Key points

  • India has shortlisted domestic firms SSS Defence and Kalyani Group for developing an indi…: India has shortlisted domestic firms SSS Defence and Kalyani Group for developing an indigenous 20mm aviation gun and turret system for Prachand and Rudra helicopters.
  • The project aims to increase indigenous content in the helicopters and reduce dependence…: The project aims to increase indigenous content in the helicopters and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
  • The development phase is expected to take two years, after which production orders will b…: The development phase is expected to take two years, after which production orders will be placed based on cost calculations.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

India moves to develop its first indigenous aviation gun for Prachand, Rudra combat helicopters

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation has shortlisted two domestic firms for developing an indigenous 20mm aviation gun. This initiative aims to increase indigenous content in the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and Rudra helicopters. The development is expected to take around two years before production orders are distributed based on cost calculations. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to indigenise the helicopters' other weapon systems, including anti-tank guided missiles.

In an effort that will increase indigenous content in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand and , the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) have shortlisted domestic firms SSS Defence and Kalyani Group to develop an indigenous 20mm aviation gun and turret system for the Army and Air Force's Rudra and Prachand combat helicopters, in a move to reduce dependence on foreign weapon suppliers. This will mark India's first effort to design and develop an aviation medium-caliber aviation gun domestically.The development phase is expected to take around two years, after which production orders will be placed following acceptance procedures. The order will be divided between the two companies based on cost calculations, with the lowest bidder set to receive 60% of the order and the other company 40%. ARDE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had signed a memorandum of understanding last year to collaborate on the project.The gun is intended for HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV, known as Rudra, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. Both platforms are designed to engage ground targets and support troops using a combination of guns, rockets and missiles. The Rudra can carry a 20mm turret gun, 70mm rocket pods and missiles, while the Prachand's weapon suite includes a 20mm gun, rockets and anti-tank guided missiles. The Indian Army has previously conducted day and night firing trials of the LCH's turret gun.

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Original source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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