Air defence guns were seen as the dinosaurs in the jet age. They are experiencing a global renaissance thanks to the proliferation of low-cost Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), loitering munitions and saturation attacks that make expensive missiles less practical.

The AD gun made its debut in the 1870 Franco-Prussian war as the ‘balloon defence gun’ were produced in tens of thousands during the First and Second World Wars to shoot down aircraft. AD guns tapered off in the 1960s with the arrival of fast jets— surface to air missiles did a bulk of the heavy lifting with AD guns confined to use as close-in weapon systems.

Air-defence guns are experiencing a resurgence in India which fought an intense 88-hour war with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor where combat drones were used for the first time. India now has multiple SPAAGS (Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun Systems) in its arsenal and is adding several more. The Indian Army plans to procure South Korean Hanwha K-30 Biho systems to augment its Soviet-built Shilka AD systems. A DRDO-Larsen & Toubro team-up has proposed  an indigenous hybrid system built on the chassis of the newly developed Zorawar Light Tank to replace the L-70 and the Zu-23 anti-aircraft gun. 

While the DRDO SPAAG is under development, the Indian Army and the Air Force have started to look for SPAAG for immediate close-protection needs. On October 4, 2025 the Indian Army issued an RFP for the procurement of six AK-630 air defence guns by Advanced Weapon and Equipment India Ltd (AWEIL), to be mounted on a truck-towed trailer. The AK-630 is a naval Close In Weapon System (CIWS), built in India under license by AWEIL. The Indian Air Force is buying Russia’s Pantsir-S system to protect its S-400 air defence systems. 

On November 8, 2024, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia's state-owned arms exporter, Rosoboronexport (ROE), to facilitate cooperation for variants of the advanced Pantsir system. Earlier, Russia had offered a variant of Pantsir mounted on an 8 x 8 Tata High Mobility Vehicle (HMV).

The Indian Army acquired the Russian-built Tunguska SPAAG in the 1990s to complement its Soviet-era acquisition of the Shilka self-propelled AD. These guns were meant to provide mobile firepower to support armoured columns. The Army is upgrading its arsenal of nearly 1000 1950s-era Bofors L-70 AA (Anti-Aircraft, in service since the 1950s. Broader efforts by the Indian Army to replace its legacy, obsolete air defence guns dates back to 1986. 

We aren’t seeing a full return to World War 2 style massed flak, but a revival of gun-based Short Ranged Air Defence Systems (SHORAD) integrated into layered systems— guns for close-in, missiles for long range. These are the capabilities India’s SPAAG procurements aim to acquire. 

India’s SPAAG procurement saga formally started in 2013 when tenders were floated. Trials held from 2018 to 2020, saw Hanwha K-30 Biho, Russian Tunguska and Pantsir participating. The K-30 Biho emerged as the sole bidder. The contract was not signed due to a single vendor situation. Another reason — the K-30 Biho did not have fire control radar as required in the Request for Proposal (RFP). The company offered 2D Doppler radar which could track targets only during fair weather. 

Imports will form only a part of the huge requirements to replace India’s ageing AD inventory. India needs a SPAG-DMS to replace its L-70 and the Zu-23. The ZSU-23-4 Shilka SPAAG- currently being upgraded by Bharat Electronics Limited— will need replacements. SPAAGs will form a critical lower tier part of the Sudarshan Chakra air defence umbrella announced by Prime Minister Modi on August 15, 2025. The indigenous system that shows promise is the Larsen and Toubro h developed Sudarshan CIWS (Close in Support Weapon System). The Sudarshan uses a 40 mm round, emerged as the L1 bidder for the 240 guns requirement of the Indian Air Force. On 22nd February 2024, the CCS approved Rs 13,000 crore to acquire new high-power radars and close-in weapon systems from Larsen and Toubro. India needs to build on this system to replace all of its existing AD systems. 

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.