DRDO hands over technology for 30mm HEPF shell to Indian Navy
03 Sep 2024
The Indian Navy will soon start induction of High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation (HEPF) shells to its armoury, which will further enhance the Navy’s capability to combat drone attacks.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday handed over the production document of 30mm HEPF shell to the Director General of Naval Armament Inspection, allowing the Navy to start induction of the shells.
The production document for 30 mm HEPF Shell has been prepared by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune for production of the shells as per service requirements.
The 30mm HEPF shell, developed by DRDO laboratory, ARDE, will further enhance the combat capability of the Indian Navy against drones, says a defence ministry release.
HEPF shells are similar to the HE/I Shell that is already in service and it can be fired from existing AK-630 Naval gun. The HEPF shell, however, yields better fragmentation than HE/I shell, making it a more potent ammunition for neutralizing drone swarms.
The HEPF shell hardware, manufactured by three Indian firms as per ARDE specifications, has been subjected to gun firing proof tests by the Naval Armament Inspectorate, Jabalpur. The tests have confirmed that HEPF Shell can be used in AK 630 gun.
