The Indian Army is looking to buy 10,000 Hand Held Thermal Imager-Uncooled (HHTI-UC) devices.
According to information released on the official Request for Information (RFI) website, the Ministry of Defence is looking for suppliers of "HHTI-UC with latest technology parameters to enable soldiers to carry out surveillance up to 3,000 metres."
With a combination of digital (low light), thermal (uncooled), and high-resolution optical viewer- the surveillance device should allow both day and night-time surveillance.
The surveillance gadget should make it easier for users to use built-in satellite navigation systems, such as NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), to determine the distance to the area under surveillance using laser range finders, acquire magnetic bearings using DMC and determine their location.
The army's specifications states the devices should weigh less than three kilogrammes and be able to record and store at least three hours of video on detachable SD storage. They should also provide smooth wired or wireless connectivity to standard interfaces for at least 50 metres.
The tentative date of the Request for Proposal (RFP) issue is June 2024, following the suppliers' responses to the RFI. About 10,000 units are needed in total "in a phased manner... delivered within six months to twenty-four months from the day of advance payment."
Firms hoping to win the contract have until December 26 this year to submit a tender.