Indian Army to Equip 30mm Cannons of BMP-2 with Air Burst Ammunition to Neutralize Drones and Aerial Targets

The Indian Army is taking a significant step towards modernizing its infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) by equipping the 30mm cannons of its BMP-2 and BMP-2K vehicles with air burst ammunition. This upgrade will provide the Army with a crucial edge in neutralizing aerial threats, particularly drones, which are increasingly being used by adversaries for combat and surveillance missions.

The Indian Army operates a substantial fleet of approximately 2,900 BMP-2/2Ks. This new ammunition is being procured with a focus on versatility, ensuring it functions effectively across the diverse terrains and climatic conditions where the Indian Army operates, from the hot deserts to the high-altitude cold regions.

The rise of drone warfare has created an urgent need for effective countermeasures. The traditional ammunition fired from the BMP-2's 30mm 2A42 cannon is primarily designed for ground targets. Drones, especially smaller and more agile models, present a different challenge. Air burst ammunition addresses this by exploding in mid-air at a pre-set distance, creating a lethal cloud of fragments that can effectively destroy these aerial threats.

This is how the air burst ammunition system works​

The target, typically a drone, is detected by the vehicle's fire control system or external sensors like radars. These systems calculate the drone's distance and speed. Before firing, the fire control system programs the air burst ammunition with this data, ensuring the shell detonates at the optimal point in its trajectory to maximize the chances of hitting the drone. As the round approaches the target, it explodes mid-air, creating a wide spread of fragments to increase the likelihood of hitting and neutralizing the drone, even if it's fast-moving or maneuvering.

This air burst ammunition is designed to be fired from the existing 30mm 2A42 cannon mounted on BMP-2/2K vehicles, allowing for easy integration. Importantly, the ammunition is designed to function reliably in extreme conditions, from the hot and dusty deserts to the freezing high altitudes, ensuring it meets the Army's operational requirements across diverse terrains.

To fulfill this urgent requirement, the Indian Army has invited original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and vendors to propose products that can be manufactured in India under the "Make in India" initiative. This approach aims to ensure a rapid and efficient integration of this critical capability while promoting domestic defence production.

 

[FIDA INDIA]

What is the range of available air burst ammunition from a 30 mm canon? Is it used in Russia Ukraine war.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Vertically dropping drone or small grenades are difficult to stop as gun and radar cannot detect or point to it. Drone is a real challenge to all vehicles roaming in modern war fields.

 

[Atharva Khalatkar]

BMP-2 needed to be replaced asap.. It can be cheap to operate and great mobility but lacks the crew protection.. which proves deadly for crew and occupants as it only provides protection from small arms fire..

 

[sandy 007]

What I see in future warfare is a multi-barrel gun system on BMPs connected with radar from inside if deployed in a war-type scenario, which will be used to kill not only drones but infantry battalions also.

One gun is not enough to kill multiple layers of drone attacks. We require multi-barrel guns mounted on BMPs that can down not only drones but missiles also, but guns required to move 180 & 360 degrees.

A few BMPs require this kind of enemy defense, which can save the lives of many soldiers. In the current Ukraine-Russia war, it has been seen that not only Ukrainian soldiers modified multiple AK-47s in single jigs to kill Russian drones, but Russian soldiers are also applying the same tactics. This way, you don't need any missiles, but bullets will do their work.