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India to Upgrade Soviet-Era Anti-Aircraft Guns to Counter Drone Threats Along Borders.
As part of its defense modernization strategy and efforts to address the growing threats posed by drones, India has initiated the development of specialized ammunition for two Russian-origin anti-aircraft systems, the ZU-23 and Schilka. This initiative aims to enhance the Indian Army's capabilities against the increasing drone threat while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
These munitions, designed for use with the ZU-23 and Schilka systems, will incorporate proximity fuse technology, enabling them to detonate near enemy drones (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)
On January 2, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defense issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting local companies, both public and private, to submit proposals for the production of 23-mm anti-drone ammunition. These munitions, designed for use with the ZU-23 and Schilka systems, will incorporate proximity fuse technology, enabling them to detonate near enemy drones. This advancement seeks to address the limitations of existing munitions, which require a direct hit to neutralize targets.
The ZU-23-2 is a Soviet-designed towed anti-aircraft gun adopted by India in the 1960s to bolster its close-range air defense. This system features two 23-mm automatic cannons mounted on a mobile platform, providing a combined rate of fire of approximately 2,000 rounds per minute. It uses 23 x 152 mm ammunition, including high-explosive incendiary tracer (HEI-T) and armor-piercing incendiary tracer (API-T) rounds. Primarily, the ZU-23-2 is deployed against low-flying aircraft and helicopters, as well as light ground targets.
The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a self-propelled anti-aircraft system introduced into the Indian arsenal in the 1970s. Mounted on a tracked chassis, it is armed with four 23-mm AZP-23 "Amur" automatic cannons, delivering a total firing rate of 3,400 rounds per minute. The Shilka is equipped with the RPK-2 "Tobol" radar, which provides aerial target detection and tracking capabilities over a range of up to 20 km. Carrying approximately 2,000 rounds of 23 x 152 mm ammunition, similar to the ZU-23-2, the Shilka is intended to protect mechanized units against low-altitude air threats.
While the exact number of these systems in service with the Indian Army remains undisclosed, both platforms have been operational for several decades and have undergone modernization to address contemporary challenges.
The development of specialized anti-drone munitions is set against the backdrop of global conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Caucasus, where drones have been extensively used for reconnaissance and targeted strikes. These aerial systems pose unique battlefield threats, including the potential to drop explosives on troops, tanks, or artillery positions.
Currently, both the ZU-23 and Schilka systems, despite their high firing rates and armor-piercing ammunition, struggle to effectively engage drones due to their manual operation and low probability of direct hits. The introduction of proximity fuse technology is expected to significantly improve the effectiveness of these weapons, enhancing the Army's close-range air defense capabilities.
Additional measures are already in place along the India-Pakistan border. The Border Security Force (BSF) employs laser-guided jammers to neutralize drones carrying narcotics from Pakistan. In 2024, nearly 290 small drones were intercepted in Punjab, with some disabled mid-flight. However, these systems, designed for non-military drones, are insufficient against more sophisticated aerial threats.
In addition to this initiative, India has adopted other anti-drone solutions, including rifle-mounted systems and broader defense measures such as the Indrajaal counter-drone shield. Designed to protect areas of up to 2,000 square kilometers, Indrajaal demonstrates India's proactive approach to evolving warfare technologies.
This move to develop specialized anti-drone ammunition also reflects the challenges posed by increasing investments from India's border rivals, China and Pakistan, in unmanned aerial platforms. India's efforts to modernize its defensive capabilities aim to maintain strategic balance while adapting to the digitized and automated nature of modern battlefields.
In conclusion, this development underscores India's determination to enhance its defense autonomy and adopt innovative solutions to emerging threats. Together with other anti-drone initiatives, it marks a pivotal step in the evolution of Indian military strategies to secure its borders and protect its forces against advanced aerial technologies.