Indian Army Enhances Sniper Capabilities with Advanced Night Vision Upgrade

The Indian Army takes a significant leap in modernizing its sniper forces by signing a contract with Bengaluru-based Tonbo Imaging. The agreement will see Dragunov Sniper Rifles (DSRs) equipped with advanced night vision sights, granting snipers superior capabilities in low-light and nighttime operations.

The key to this upgrade is Tonbo Imaging's EK-Gen2, a Smart Thermal Weapon Sight (STWS) that goes far beyond traditional night vision technology. Its advanced thermal imaging core offers unmatched detection and engagement capabilities, even in complete darkness, and outperforms older image intensifier systems used in the past.

Beyond its core night vision function, the EK-Gen2 integrates a suite of features designed to boost sniper accuracy and efficiency:

• Integrated Fire Control System: Improves aiming and firing accuracy through real-time ballistic calculations.
• Laser Range Finder: Provides precise target distance measurements.
• Meteorological Sensors: Measure wind speed, temperature, and other factors affecting bullet trajectory.
• Integrated Ballistic Computer: Automates calculations and adjusts aiming to increase the chance of a first-round hit.

This technological upgrade signifies a major development in the Indian Army's drive to equip its snipers with the latest tools and advancements in night vision technology. With the EK-Gen2 equipped Dragunov Sniper Rifles, India's snipers will gain a distinct tactical advantage in a variety of operational scenarios.

 

[Mr.Evil]

Fun Fact the super duper ak 203 is still in major delays the one we saw in testing with soldiers didn’t have any kind of optic on it we are using three different bullet sizes 5.56,7,62(39mm & 51mm)which is a beautiful example of logistical nightmare the sigs we procured from US are being used mostly without any optics and if there are some they are using HOLOS ON A BATTLE RIFLE 🤦🏻‍♂️.While sphaving indigenous option of SSSDEFENCE M72 rifle(which they rejected for being AR STYLE)they ended up purchasing sig 716 and giving orders for more which is also an AR STYLE RIFLE.

 

[GMR]

What they were thinking earlier? War stops on sunset?

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Get rid of these cr@ppy Dragunov's already. Sako or TAC 50 should become our standard sniper rifles until we have something comparable or better of our own.

 

[Prashu Sam]

Get rid of these cr@ppy Dragunov's already. Sako or TAC 50 should become our standard sniper rifles until we have something comparable or better of our own.

Dragunov is outdated; instead of pursuing micro-upgrades, there ought to be a plan to phase it out. India's approach to intelligence assets move between two extremes: a desire for sophisticated instruments and an obsession with hoarding. Neither approach is strategically good. Older technology yields limited impact, while pursuing cutting-edge solutions all the time proves costly. India, as a nation, needs to strike a balance. Unfortunately, our planners, government, and institutions have consistently lacked the foresight needed for this.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Dragunov is outdated; instead of pursuing micro-upgrades, there ought to be a plan to phase it out. India's approach to intelligence assets move between two extremes: a desire for sophisticated instruments and an obsession with hoarding. Neither approach is strategically good. Older technology yields limited impact, while pursuing cutting-edge solutions all the time proves costly. India, as a nation, needs to strike a balance. Unfortunately, our planners, government, and institutions have consistently lacked the foresight needed for this.

They won't get phased out until kingdom come or we're found out during a skirmish with an enemy. We have a tendency to sit on our behinds twiddling our thumbs till something goes sideways and we come up short. There's way too many instances to even bother counting. Those that don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them and therefore doomed we are. There have recently been some new procurements but they're piecemeal and don't give us a solid deterrence capability. We need to get rid of this outdated junk asap and get a modern, up to date, upgradable rifle as a standard issue till we can create a better one.

 

[kumar]

IA could have easily phased the dragunov out and could use sss defence DMRs, but then they will use only outdated ones.

 

[Sandeep]

Get rid of these cr@ppy Dragunov's already. Sako or TAC 50 should become our standard sniper rifles until we have something comparable or better of our own.

India placed a emergency order of some Sako sniper guns with scopes so on the border they can counter snipe the enemy or gain early warning of any incoming attack or infiltration

 

[Aayush Pratap]

India placed a emergency order of some Sako sniper guns with scopes so on the border they can counter snipe the enemy or gain early warning of any incoming attack or infiltration

I'm aware of it, bud.. You might wanna read the message again. It was a piecemeal order just like everything else, we need to make those our standard issue sniper rifles and get rid of those rusty Dragunov's for good.

 

[Sandeep]

India still has a large quantity of these sniper rifles and they are still useful even though it's range is lower than modern sniper rifles so its best to keep these in service until it passes its life expiry date. The main important point is that we have developed this advanced scope and it can easily be installed on other sniper guns or even with a regular gun so there is a lot of potential for our indigenous orders but it will make more sales by exporting it.

It's good that we have started installing such a modern and smart scope which will make it more accurate and deadly with the modern technology and software installed which will predict the targets predicted position by the time the bullet reaches that position along with the weather type and conditions it faces.

 

[Prashu Sam]

They won't get phased out until kingdom come or we're found out during a skirmish with an enemy. We have a tendency to sit on our behinds twiddling our thumbs till something goes sideways and we come up short. There's way too many instances to even bother counting. Those that don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them and therefore doomed we are. There have recently been some new procurements but they're piecemeal and don't give us a solid deterrence capability. We need to get rid of this outdated junk asap and get a modern, up to date, upgradable rifle as a standard issue till we can create a better one.

Very true my friend.
The only thing within our control is to consistently critique, remain vigilant about defense requirements, raise red flags, and prevent the illusion of false superiority, all while acknowledging the reality of our circumstances.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Well the problem is that they are very expensive. Every battalion will have a few snipers imbedded along the border they guard and they usually just keep those guns there even when the troops rotate. So the number of sniper guns remains low and aren’t inducted for every battalion as it should be. The military should order a larger amount of indigenous sniper guns to make it more affordable.

Expensive cannot be an excuse to have inferiority in weapon systems that can make the difference between life and death. It's pure short-sightedness or neglect by previous Govt's, take your pick. Even as far back as mid 2000's our friendly neighbours were using Remington sniper rifles and basically had us completely outgunned and hilariously outranged. That was the time when you would read about sniping incidents every other day. We need to mass procure critical infantry weapon systems. Our men deserve the best. Jai Hind

 

[Sandeep]

I'm aware of it, bud.. You might wanna read the message again. It was a piecemeal order just like everything else, we need to make those our standard issue sniper rifles and get rid of those rusty Dragunov's for good.

Well the problem is that they are very expensive. Every battalion will have a few snipers imbedded along the border they guard and they usually just keep those guns there even when the troops rotate. So the number of sniper guns remains low and aren’t inducted for every battalion as it should be. The military should order a larger amount of indigenous sniper guns to make it more affordable.