The Indian

Air Force is seeking a new sniper rifle for its Garud Special Forces. The service has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a rifle chambered for the 12.7x99mm (.50 BMG) round. This would provide the elite Air Force unit with the ability to engage targets at extended ranges. The Garuds currently use the Galil sniper rifle, which has an effective range of around 800 metres. A rifle firing the 12.7x99mm round would nearly double that engagement distance.

The powerful .50 BMG round would also enable the Air Force's special forces unit to engage targets such as lightly armoured vehicles, radar arrays, and other unarmoured vehicles or equipment in what is known as the anti-material role.

The RFI also seeks additional equipment to accompany the rifle, including a sound suppressor, a day telescopic sight, and a thermal imaging scope. This equipment will help the Garuds conduct clandestine operations behind enemy lines and enable sniper teams to operate during the day, in low-light conditions, as well as in complete darkness. One advantage of thermal sights over conventional night vision devices is that they can detect heat signatures even when ambient light is too low for traditional night vision systems to function effectively.

Such conditions can arise during a moonless night, especially under heavy cloud cover.

Apart from standard ammunition, the Air Force wants the rifle to be capable of firing a variety of specialised rounds, including armour-piercing (AP), armour-piercing incendiary (API), armour-piercing incendiary tracer (APIT), armour-piercing explosive incendiary (APEI), and saboted light armour penetrator (SLAP) ammunition. This would significantly expand the weapon's operational roles. Rifles of this type are also used for the safe disposal of unexploded ordnance. Their high accuracy allows Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to neutralise bombs or other unexploded devices from a safe distance, reducing the risk to personnel.

The Air Force has also floated a separate Request for Information (RFI) for man-portable loitering munitions for its Garud Commandos. The system must be indigenous under the Make in India initiative, with a minimum range of 40 kilometres, an endurance of over two hours, and dual warhead options. This would provide the Garuds with an independent long-range precision strike capability.

The Garud Special Forces were raised in 2004 with the primary aim of protecting Air Force bases from terrorist attacks. Over the years, their role has expanded to include counter-insurgency operations, combat search and rescue, and reconnaissance missions. Like the Army, the Indian Air Force maintains its own dedicated special forces unit.