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The Ministry of Defence has inked a Rs 659.47-crore contract with MKU Limited, a Kanpur-based defence manufacturer, for the supply of advanced night vision sights for the Indian Army’s 7.62x51mm SIG 716 assault rifles. The procurement, undertaken under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, also involves Medbit Technologies Pvt. Ltd. as part of a consortium led by MKU.
The deal marks a significant stride towards indigenising state-of-the-art electro-optical systems and enhancing the Army’s operational effectiveness in low-light and night-time environments. “This procurement, classified as a Buy (Indian-IDDM) case with over 51% indigenous content, is a major step towards Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing and will benefit MSMEs involved in the supply chain,” the Ministry stated.
Night Vision Tech to Redefine Infantry Warfare
The new Night Sight (Image Intensifier) devices will allow Indian soldiers to fully harness the longer effective range of the SIG 716 rifles, engaging targets up to 500 metres even under starlit conditions. These are a considerable upgrade over existing Passive Night Sights, with improved resolution, durability, and performance in extreme low-light environments.
This high-value procurement includes not just the sights, but also essential accessories like lens covers, eye guards, batteries, and cleaning kits. The devices are expected to have an in-service life of 10,000 hours or 10 years, whichever is earlier, and will come with comprehensive training and 10-year maintenance support.
MKU: From Kanpur to Combat Zones
Headquartered in Kanpur and based within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor, the company has steadily built a global reputation for delivering high-performance night vision and thermal imaging solutions. The company’s Electro-Optics Division, led by Vice President Prachi Gupta, has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing Generation-3 Image Intensification Night Vision Devices (NVDs) that meet international standards and are already being exported to several countries.
The company is working closely with Thales of France on joint development projects to stay ahead in electro-optical technologies.
How Generation-3 Night Vision Changes the Game
Generation-3 NVDs use Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) photocathodes and microchannel plates to deliver high sensitivity (up to 2000 µA/lm) and operate within a wide spectral range, up to 900nm. This allows soldiers to see in near-darkness without additional light sources, critical for covert or high-risk missions.
“We are investing heavily in R&D to make our devices lighter, more durable, and even more effective in the most challenging conditions,” Gupta added. “Gen-3 systems with a Figure of Merit (FOM) over 2000 provide a decisive edge.”
Night Vision Goggles for the Indian Air Force
The company, in 2024 supplied Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) to the Indian Air Force in 2024. These devices, now deployed on the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) platforms, have significantly improved the IAF’s night operation capabilities.
The NETRO NB-3101 NVGs, designed by MKU, use Generation-3 Image Intensifier technology to give pilots enhanced visibility in extremely low-light conditions. They offer stereoscopic vision for depth perception, a critical feature for safe flying, navigation, and landing during night-time missions.
As battlefield conditions grow more complex, especially in low-light and asymmetric warfare environments, night vision technology is no longer a tactical luxury, it is an operational necessity.
Huma Siddiqui
