Indian Air Force kicks off acquisition of anti-drone systems

Firms will submit proposals today to supply 10 sophisticated counter-drones

In the first-ever acquisition of indigenous weapon systems that can detect and shoot down enemy drones, Indian companies will submit proposals on Tuesday for supplying 10 sophisticated “counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS)” in response to an Indian Air Force (IAF) request for information (RFI).

“Formal procurement procedure in accordance with the Defence Acquisition Procedure of 2020 (DAP- 2020) is likely to commence in the third quarter of year 2021,” states the RFI.

In the wake of the drone attack on Jammu Air Base on June 27, multiple agencies — including the military and the Border Security Force — have done a preliminary