DRDO Hands Over New 30mm HEPF Shell to Indian Navy
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over the production document of the 30mm High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation (HEPF) Shell to the Director General of Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI) during a ceremony at the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune.
This new shell, developed by ARDE, will enhance the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities against drones. The HEPF shell can be fired from the existing AK-630 Naval gun and offers better fragmentation lethality compared to the current HE/I shell, making it effective against drone swarms.
The shell was manufactured by three Indian firms according to ARDE specifications and passed gun firing-proof tests with the Naval Armament Inspectorate in Jabalpur. The successful tests confirmed its suitability for use with the AK-630 gun, leading to its induction approval by the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy)/DGNAI.
Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, congratulated ARDE on the successful handover. Senior DRDO scientists and officials from Naval Headquarters attended the ceremony.
In related news, on August 4, the Indian Air Force approved the production of 200 Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missiles by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), developed by DRDO. The approval was given during a visit by Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad.
Doubts Revealed
DRDO -: DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is an Indian government agency responsible for developing technology for the military.
30mm HEPF Shell -: A 30mm HEPF Shell is a type of ammunition. ‘HEPF’ stands for High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation, which means it explodes and breaks into many small pieces to cause damage.
Indian Navy -: The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. It protects India’s maritime borders and interests.
Director General of Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI) -: The DGNAI is a senior official in the Indian Navy responsible for inspecting and ensuring the quality of naval weapons and equipment.
Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) -: ARDE is a laboratory in Pune, India, that develops weapons and ammunition for the Indian military.
Pune -: Pune is a city in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is known for its educational institutions and research centers.
AK-630 Naval gun -: The AK-630 is a type of automatic naval gun used on ships. It can fire many rounds quickly to defend against threats like drones.
Naval Headquarters -: Naval Headquarters is the main office of the Indian Navy where top officials work and make important decisions.
