The IAF is looking to acquire sub machine carbines and light bulletproof vehicles for its commandos

[Abingdonboy]

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking to upgrade the capabilities of its Garud commandos by procuring 160-200 light bullet proof vehicles and 1500-1900 sub-machine carbines. The new acquisitions will increase the capability of the IAF’s elite force and also attract substantial interest from foreign and Indian companies.

The latest Request for Information (RFI) released by the ministry of defence (MOD) is for the procurement of 1500-1900 Sub Machine Carbines for IAF. The Sub Machine Carbine will be used by IAF ‘Garud’ Special Forces to meet their Operational requirements. Last date of acceptance of responses is 21 October 2014.

Only Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)/authorised vendors/government sponsored export agencies (applicable in the case of countries where domestic laws do not permit direct export by OEMs) can respond to the tender. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued to those compliant with the requirements at a later date. The RFI calls for the acquisition of 1500-1900 numbers of ‘a modern light weight Sub Machine Carbine (SMC) with effective handling, high accuracy and simple maintenance.’

The specifications released call for a 9 mm/4.6 mm/ 0.45 inch calibre weapon with a magazine capacity greater than or equal to 15 rounds and weight not exceeding 3.5 Kg. The weight target of 3.5 kg can be without any accessories or with an empty/filled magazine. The overall length of the weapon (with and without accessories) must not exceed 850 mm, with a barrel length of less than 400 mm. An effective range of greater than 400 metres has been called for with muzzle velocity in excess of 400 m/s and a rate of fire, greater than 700 rounds per minute has been specified. The sighting system can consist of Reflex/Day/ Night Sights and accessories such as sights, silencer, laser pointer, tactical torch and extra fitments must be specified.

An RFI was also issued earlier by the ministry of defence (MoD) for the procurement of 160 to 200, light bulletproof vehicles for use by the Garud ‘Quick Reaction Team (QRT) to counter sub-conventional threats to IAF in real time’. The last date of responses was mentioned as September 12, but this is likely to be extended. The specifications released as per the RFI call for the vehicle to have a turbocharged diesel engine, certified by the vendor to have an engine life of 100,00 km and capable of operating at high altitudes. The power-to-weight ratio must not be less than 25 kW/ton (fully laden with AC On). The right hand drive vehicle must have power steering and the ‘latest available automatic transmission system’ and provision for Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) as per Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) norms along with parking brakes. Independent suspension on all four wheels is also a must, though surprisingly the RFI does not mention four wheel drive (4WD) requirements. Length of the vehicle and height should not be more than 5 m and 2.25 m respectively and height has been fixed at ‘Not more than 2.25 m with the gunner’s hatch closed down excluding weapon mount, search lights, spare wheel and antenna.’



The IAF is looking to acquire sub machine carbines and light bulletproof vehicles for its commandos




Posed by @Unknowncommando in the SF thread.



@Koovie @sandy_3126 @Bombaywalla @levina @sancho @Dillinger @Oscar @jiki @Water Car Engineer @arp2041 @nair @Kinetic @seiko @kbd-raaf @Roybot @IndoCarib @Indo-guy @IndoUS

Thoughts on the vehicles that fit this criteria?

 

[Iggy]

I would love to have these in our military.. Is it come under light bullet proof vehicle??

 

[Koovie]

I would love to have these in our military.. Is it come under light bullet proof vehicle??

View attachment 130002

Aren`t those a little bit too heavy?

 

[Iggy]

Aren`t those a little bit too heavy?

Yea but still its kind of mean looking vehicle ... Kind of fit for our Garud force..

 

[Abingdonboy]

I would love to have these in our military.. Is it come under light bullet proof vehicle??

View attachment 130002

These things are HUUUGE and very heavy mate, no way would they fit into this category.

 

[The Huskar]

This JGSDF vehicle looks killer.

 

[Koovie]

"The specifications released call for a 9 mm/4.6 mm/ 0.45 inch calibre weapon with a magazine capacity greater than or equal to 15 rounds and weight not exceeding 3.5 Kg. The weight target of 3.5 kg can be without any accessories or with an empty/filled magazine. The overall length of the weapon (with and without accessories) must not exceed 850 mm, with a barrel length of less than 400 mm. An effective range of greater than 400 metres has been called for with muzzle velocity in excess of 400 m/s and a rate of fire, greater than 700 rounds per minute has been specified. The sighting system can consist of Reflex/Day/ Night Sights and accessories such as sights, silencer, laser pointer, tactical torch and extra fitments must be specified."


Which SMG`s come into question? Any idea?

 

[RKO]

garuda's are my favorite!!!
and I vote for @seiko
that car look so mean!!!

 

[Iggy]

These things are HUUUGE and very heavy mate, no way would they fit into this category.

Speaking of which, already there was a trial for army vehicle going in right?? I think TATA won that competiton.. Why cant they order additional vehicle with them rather than going through different RFI??

 

[Abingdonboy]

Speaking of which, already there was a trial for army vehicle going in right?? I think TATA won that competiton.. Why cant they order additional vehicle with them rather than going through different RFI??

Different roles mate. If you are referring to the news about the TATA LAMV being ordered by the IA 1) News isn't confirmed 2) that vehicle doesn't fit this requirement at all.

Also the IA's LSV bid to replace the Gypsy is still open....


Anyway what the Garuds are after are rapid response armoured vehicles, the fact they are meant for their QRTs shows that there is a need for quick acceleration and thus these heavy bulky armoured vehicles don't fit the bill.

 

[Abingdonboy]

"The specifications released call for a 9 mm/4.6 mm/ 0.45 inch calibre weapon with a magazine capacity greater than or equal to 15 rounds and weight not exceeding 3.5 Kg. The weight target of 3.5 kg can be without any accessories or with an empty/filled magazine. The overall length of the weapon (with and without accessories) must not exceed 850 mm, with a barrel length of less than 400 mm. An effective range of greater than 400 metres has been called for with muzzle velocity in excess of 400 m/s and a rate of fire, greater than 700 rounds per minute has been specified. The sighting system can consist of Reflex/Day/ Night Sights and accessories such as sights, silencer, laser pointer, tactical torch and extra fitments must be specified."


Which SMG`s come into question? Any idea?

MP-9? KRISS Vector?

@sandy_3126 is the expert on this stuff...

 

[MilSpec]

MP-9? KRISS Vector?

@sandy_3126 is the expert on this stuff...

MP5, CX storm, MP7, FNP 2000, might fit the bill... to me it doesn't make much sense in buying pistol caliber carbines unless and until they are going into close combat op in urban scenario... They should have instead opted for the micro tavor in 5.56, it is short enough to maneuver in enclosed spaces from a moving vehicle and will actually shoot 400m unlike pistol calibers whose effective range in practical terms is around 100m...although the bullet may travel 400m when you lob it at the target...BSF did the same stupidity with CX Storm and now looks like IAF is following suit...

 

[Abingdonboy]

MP5, CX storm, MP7, FNP 2000, might fit the bill... to me it doesn't make much sense in buying pistol caliber carbines unless and until they are going into close combat op in urban scenario... They should have instead opted for the micro tavor in 5.56, it is short enough to maneuver in enclosed spaces from a moving vehicle and will actually shoot 400m unlike pistol calibers whose effective range in practical terms is around 100m...although the bullet may travel 400m when you lob it at the target...BSF did the same stupidity with CX Storm and now looks like IAF is following suit...

The thing is the Garuds already use the TAR-21 and CTAR-21 (and the BSF uses the MTAR/X-95) so I guess this pistol calibre carbines are purely for CQB.