Defence Ministry invites RFI to acquire 10 counter drone system for IAF

New Delhi: Following the drone attack on Jammu air base on June 27, the Ministry of Defence has issued a Request For Information to acquire 10 Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (CUAS) for Indian Air Force (IAF) via indigenous route.

“The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, intends to acquire ten CUAS for IAF through indigenous route under Buy (Indian-IDDM)/ Buy (Indian)/ Buy and Make (Indian) category of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 (DAP-2020),” the RFI said.

According to the specification mentioned in the RFI, only the Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers can participate in it.

About delivery of the systems, the RFI added that “It is envisaged to commence delivery of CUAS at the earliest after signing of contract and to be completed preferably within 12 months.”

“The CUAS should provide a multi-sensor, multi-kill solution to enforce effective No-Fly zones for unmanned aircraft while inflicting minimal collateral damage to the surrounding environment. It should generate a composite air situational picture for the operator and generate alerts based on user defined parameters”, the RFI said.

The system should have a phased array radar (for detection of the UAV); radio frequency sensor (for detecting the UAV frequency); and an electro optical and infrared (EO/IR) system for detection and tracing a hostile UAV by way of visual and heat signatures.

It should have a soft kill option, which can include a Global Navigation Satellite Jammer System and RF Jammer, and a hard kill option (Laser-DEW).

The system should also have provision for dismounting of all sub systems including integral power solution from the vehicle and mounting on roof top or open ground, it added.

The interested vendors need to furnish the information within the month of July only. “The validity of commercial offers would be at least 18 months from the last date of submission of offers,” the RFI stated.

After clearance from all levels, a Contract Negotiations Committee will decide the lowest cost bidder (L1) and conclude the appropriate contract.

As far as maintenance aspects is concerned the vendors will have to supply necessary spares for five years, consumables for two years and tools and testers while the ministry can opt for annual maintenance contract for three years post completion of warranty period.

The vendors will have to furnish the information within this month only.“The equipment of all Technical Evaluation Committee cleared vendors would be put through a trial evaluation in India on a ‘No Cost No Commitment’ basis,” it said.

After clearance from all levels, a Contract Negotiations Committee will decide the lowest cost bidder (L1) and conclude the appropriate contract.(UNI)