MoD to Procure Over 12,000 Multi-Spectral Camouflage Nets for Army, Boosting Battlefield Protection and 'Make in India'

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to procure over 12,000 advanced camouflage nets for the Indian Army, enhancing battlefield protection and promoting domestic manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative.

This procurement of 12,056 Multi-Spectral Camouflage Nets (MSCNs) is a key step in the MoD's strategy to improve operational camouflage and reduce the detectability of military equipment across a wide range of electromagnetic (EM) spectrums.

The MSCN represents a cutting-edge camouflage solution designed to seamlessly blend with diverse terrains, including plains and jungles. Its capabilities extend beyond the visual spectrum, offering signature suppression across Infrared (IR), Thermal Infrared (TIR), and Radar frequencies.

This multi-spectral camouflage effectively minimizes the risk of detection by enemy surveillance systems, significantly enhancing the survivability of critical assets like tanks, radars, and other vital equipment.

To ensure effectiveness in various operational environments, the MSCNs will be tailored to specific wavelengths:

• Visual Range (380–780 nm): The camouflage pattern must conform to Indian Standard Colour (ISC) codes, ensuring it blends with the terrain characteristics of regions like Punjab and North-East India. Vendors have the flexibility to adjust colors and percentages to optimize camouflage effectiveness while adhering to operational requirements.

In line with the 'Make in India' initiative, the MoD mandates a minimum of 63% indigenous content for the MSCNs. This requirement encourages local production and supply chain involvement, boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. Bidders must provide detailed documentation to demonstrate compliance with this indigenous content stipulation.

The MSCNs play a crucial role in concealing vital military equipment from enemy surveillance, particularly in terrain prone to observation. They are specifically designed to enhance:

• Visual Camouflage: Utilizing color patterns optimized for blending with local landscapes.
• Infrared Suppression: Mitigating IR emissions to evade detection by thermal imaging devices.
• Radar Signature Reduction: Minimizing the equipment's radar cross-section to reduce its electromagnetic footprint.

The MoD has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify suitable vendors capable of meeting the stringent technical and indigenous content requirements. The successful bidder will secure a contract to supply these advanced camouflage nets and support their operational deployment, contributing to the Indian Army's battlefield survivability and promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.