The revolutionary pistol ASMI is the brainchild of Col Prasad Bansod from the Infantry School, Mhow and supported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune.

Developed in a record time of just four months, ASMI is an impressive feat of engineering prowess, firing the in-service 9 mm ammunition. ASMI boasts an upper receiver crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium and a lower receiver made from carbon fiber, utilising cutting-edge 3D printing technology for components like the trigger.

ADMI sports an 8-inch barrel and a high-capacity 33-round magazine, weighs under 2 kgs when empty, offering versatility with its full-length integral Picatinny rail and M-Lok slots for accessories.

The potential applications of ASMI within the Armed Forces are vast, catering to various roles including personnel weapon for vehicle detachments, commanders, tank and aircraft crews, drivers, dispatch riders, radio/radar operators, close-quarters combat (CQB), counter-insurgency (CI), counter-terrorism (CT) operations, VIP protection, and policing duties.

The name “ASMI,” symbolising pride, self-respect, and the diligent efforts behind its creation, resonates the significance of indigenous production. With an estimated production cost of under Rs 50,000 per unit, ASMI holds promise not only for domestic security forces but also for potential export markets, reflecting India’s strides towards self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing.

Similarly, the JD Taurus joint venture formed by Brazilian company Taurus Armas SA in collaboration with Jindal Defence, is set to supply 550 T9 submachine guns to the Indian Army for the first time. The deal valued at approximately Rs 4.26 crore, marks a substantial advancement in bilateral relations, particularly within the defence sector.

The contract to supply T9 submachine gun will ensure timely and best of the technology being available to the Indian armed forces and the paramilitary forces. In the joint venture company JD Taurus, Taurus Armas SA holds a 49 percent stake and this partnership underscores the growing cooperation between India and Brazil in defence.

The Indian Army’s acquisition of 550 advanced submachine guns signifies its commitment to modernising its arsenal and enhancing operational capabilities. At the same time, the intense competition from vendors like PLR Systems, Jindal Defence, and Lokesh Machine Limited, this procurement showcases India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Jindal Defence’s Taurus T-9 submachine gun has emerged as a formidable contender in India’s defence market. Recently, Jindal Defence Systems Private Limited (JDSPL) inaugurated its state-of-the-art firearms manufacturing facility in Hisar marking a significant stride towards revolutionising India’s domestic weapons production and reducing reliance on imports. The sprawling two-acre facility amalgamates global expertise with cutting-edge technology.

JD Taurus is strategically positioned to address the escalating demand within India with an annual production capacity of 250,000 weapons. In the upcoming fiscal year, the company targets a production output of 25,000 to 30,000 firearms, facilitated by rapid scalability and product diversification.

JD Taurus’ facility boasts certifications for a diverse range of products, with substantial value addition in India for rifles, carbines, submachine guns, machine pistols, and revolvers.

While logistical challenges may arise, including maintenance and spare parts management, the decision to procure submachine guns from multiple suppliers underscores India’s pressing defence needs and the strategy to diversify procurement channels. Moreover, this approach ensures timely delivery of critical firearms to bolster national security efforts.

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The proposal, worth over Rs 8,000 crore, has been floated by the Indian Army and is expected to be cleared soon, top government officials told India Today.

The Indian Army has conducted trials of the gun in different altitudes and terrains and the weapon has been upgraded as per the suggestions made by the users, said officials.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has shared the technological know-how of the howitzer with Tata and Bharat Forge. The two private firms will be supplying the system to the Army, including over 320 high mobility-vehicles. The trials of the 155mm/52 calibre ATAGS howitzers were completed at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR) between April 26 and May 2 last year.

The ATAGS is an indigenous towed artillery gun system project undertaken in mission mode by the DRDO as a part of the artillery modernisation programme of the Indian Army, said the statement of the Indian Army.

The Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune is the nodal laboratory of the DRDO for the design and development of ATAGS, along with other DRDO laboratories.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) will have a major role in defence technology and all defence platforms to be developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the future will make use of AI, said DRDO chairman and secretary of department of defence research and development (DD R&D), G Satheesh Reddy, addressing media persons on 15 April.

“DRDO’s priority is to become a leader in developing advanced technologies. AI has been introduced in all DRDO labs and it will be part of every system that comes out of DRDO in future. India is one among the few nations that have successfully developed and demonstrated anti-drone technology. The armed forces and security agencies have started placing orders to get the systems installed for them. Lot of trials too are underway with regard to anti-drone technologies,” Reddy said.

Extended Range Brahmos tested from SU-30 MKI

India, successfully fired the Extended Range Version of BrahMos Air Launched missile from Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft on 12 May. It was the first launch of Extended Range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft. With this, the IAF has achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges. The extended range capability of the missile coupled with the high performance of the Su-30MKI aircraft gives the IAF a strategic reach and allows it to dominate the future battle fields.

DRDO to get Kilo Submarine for research

DRDO will get a Kilo-class submarine from the Indian Navy to test the Electric Propulsion motor, Li-ion battery, AIP, and other Technologies. This sub will be used as a research vessel for the development of next-generation systems and components for the development of 12 indigenous submarines. These submarines will go into manufacturing in 2030.

Formalities are being a workout for the transfer of a Kilo-class submarine that will be drydocked to be used as a test platform for the testing of the prototype Lithium-Ion battery system with a Battery Management system (BMS) to validate its energy output and various discharge rates.

DRDO’s AIP technology is based on a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell that already has been demonstrated on a land-based prototype and DRDO had proposed Navy to loan them a Kilo-class submarine to be used as a research vessel for the AIP system but now it might be fully converted into as a research vessel for many of the systems. Indigenous 5MW Electric Propulsion motor might be next in line to be used for further experimenting with the propulsion system.

ARDE & L&T working on Pinaka-based anti-submarine rocket

ARDE and L&T are working on a Pinaka based extended range anti submarine rocket. L&T will soon start the integration of Extended Range Anti-submarine Rocket on a new launch platform.

The Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) has developed an extended range anti-submarine rocket (ASR) with a maximum range of 8.5km for the Indian Navy. Both laboratories are under the DRDO.

ARDE had recently demonstrated a new rocket technology to the Navy, who have issued a set of qualitative requirements to be achieved during the agency’s internal trials.

Currently, the navy has vintage Russian rocket RGB-60 with a maximum range of 5.3km, which is an unguided area weapon for combating submarines. These rockets are fired from the RBU-6000 rocket launcher, which is fitted on-board certain Indian Naval Ships including the R-Class, Delhi Class and Talwar Class of Navy ships.

The Indian navy wants an extended range anti-submarine rocket which can engage an enemy’s submarine from a distance of 8km.

IAF, Navy tie up with DRDO to acquire CHAFF

The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy have tied up with the DRDO to get the CHAFF technology, which protects the warship from an anti-ship missile during hostilities. India is now the second country after the United States to develop this ability.

The developed assumes significance as the Indian navy is currently studying the sinking of Russian missile cruiser Moskva and focusing on how to protect our warships from anti-ship ballistic missiles like the Chinese DF-21.

In simple words, CHAFF is a critical defence technology used to protect fighter aircrafts or naval ships from enemy radar-guided missile during war. The significance of this technology lies in the fact that very less quantity of CHAFF material deployed in the air acts as a decoy to deflect enemy’s missiles to ensure safety of the fighter aircraft or naval ships.

The DRDO has developed this advanced CHAFF technology to defend naval ships and fighter aircrafts against modern day broadband (including high frequency) radar threat.

Developed by the DRDO, the technology includes all three variants of CHAFF rockets namely Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR), Medium Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR), and have been inducted in the Indian Navy after successful user trials.

The DRDO has also developed advanced CHAFF cartridge-118/I for the Indian Air Force.

LRDE working on active protection system for MBTs

LRDE has initiated work on Radar units of active protection system for Next Gen Tanks.

The present population of T90 tks is qty 1074 and will reach qty 1193 by Sep 2020. By the end of 14th plan the total population of tank T-90 will be 1,657 and this equipment will be the mainstay of the Mechanised Forces up to 2040-50. Tanks T-90s are presently devoid of an Active Protection System and only equipped with ERA panels which provide limited survivability in present battle field scenario.

A requirement has been felt to acquire a Active Protection System capable of not only detecting an ensuing attack but also defeating it, thereby enhancing own survivability.

An active protection system is designed to prevent anti-tank missiles/projectiles from acquiring and/or destroying a target.

Electronic countermeasures that alter the electromagnetic, acoustic or other signature(s) of a target thereby altering the tracking and sensing behaviour of an incoming threat (e.g., guided missile) are designated soft-kill active protection measures (“SKAPS”).

Measures that physically counterattack an incoming threat thereby destroying/altering its payload/warhead in such a way that the intended effect on the target is severely impeded are designated hard-kill active protection measures (“HKAPS”).

DRDO issues guidelines on free access to patents 

Over two years after the DRDO modified its Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy to grant the Indian industry royalty-free access to patents held for technologies developed by it, detailed guidelines on the subject have been issued.

The new rules stipulate that a license for the patent will be given initially for a period of five years based upon the manufacturing capacity. The number of licenses issued to a single firm shall not be more than five and can be renewed after five years depending upon compliance of the license agreement and other defined factors.

DRDO has also expanded the eligibility scope for licensees by including a clause stating that the applicant shall be a manufacturing entity or a system integrator and not a trading company. None of the promoters and directors of the applicant entity should have been wilful defaulters.

Applicants would be required to provide all necessary documentation including details of projects and supply orders successfully executed in the last two years, details of shareholders, promoters, associated firms and joint venture companies if any, as well as details of any vigilance actions, on-going investigation or suspension or blacklisting of the entity or any of its associates.

To boost indigenous production and give a fillip to the ‘Make in India’ policy, DRDO had, in November 2019, decided to grant free access to patents held by it to an Indian company, startup or MSME incorporated as per law. A DRDO screening committee would review the requests for licenses by taking into account the applicant’s financial and technical capabilities as well as national security and strategic implications.

Under the policy, no licence fee or royalty will be applicable on the use of Indian patents held by the research agency and only a processing fee of Rs 1,000 would be levied. Earlier, licence fee for patents and royalty could range anywhere from several lakh rupees to over a crore depending upon the type of technology involved, the cost of the project, baseline price and post-production quantum of sales to non-defence sector.

There are about 450 patents covering missile technology, aeronautics, naval systems, life sciences, armaments, combat engineering, electronics and communication material, which can be used by the Indian industry for commercial production.

The license for the patent shall be given on non-exclusive basis with DRDO retaining complete title and ownership rights including unfettered rights to license the patents to additional parties. 

While the license recipients will be able to manufacture and sell products covered under the patent, they will also be required to submit details about the commercial working of the licensed patent on an annual basis to DRDO, which would be forwarded to the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, as mandated by Indian patent laws and rules.

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The ATAGS is an indigenous towed artillery gun system project undertaken in mission mode by the DRDO as a part of the artillery modernisation programme of the Indian Army, the statement added.

Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune is the nodal laboratory of the DRDO for the design & development of ATAGS, along with other DRDO laboratories.

The development has been done with two industry partners, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Bharat Forge Ltd, along with the active participation of other industries. The reliability of both the guns has been proven by firing multiple rounds in various zones, including burst, intense & sustained modes. High accuracy and consistency in range and line with maximum range have been established, the DRDO said.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Army, DPSUs and private industries on the successful conduction of trials of the ATAGS and called it a shining example of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.

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The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by ARDE, Pune supported by HEMRL, another Pune-based laboratory of DRDO.

The EPRS is the upgraded version of Pinaka variant which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been upgraded with advanced technologies enhancing the range to meet the emerging requirements. After establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka, the technology was transferred to the industries viz. Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited Nagpur. Rockets manufactured by MIL under Transfer of Technology from DRDO were flight tested during this campaign. Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully test evaluated in the Pokhran Field Firing Range.

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The CSWS is a special purpose weapon designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune. It can engage targets located around the corners as the system bends and captures video feed thus saving soldiers from any surprise counter attack and is best suited for urban, close quarter situations.

“The development was completed in March 2019 and has since cleared user trials with various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Procurement by CRPF and J&K police is under advanced stage,” a defence official said.

The development began about a decade back. In July 2020, the DRDO transferred the technology to the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Pune and the Zen Technologies Limited, Hyderabad, for production, the official said.

A few systems were used in the recent India–Japan bilateral army exercise Dharma Guardian–2022 which concluded on March 10 at Belagavi in Karnataka. Indian troops briefed the Japanese side on the system and both used it while practising room intervention to neutralise hostile elements.

The CSWS is equipped with weapon, camera, laser, infrared illuminator and torch in front portion, while display, electronics, battery and swivelling mechanism are located at rear portion, the official said. The body is made from high–grade aluminium alloy to make it lighter and durable.

Features like day night firing capability, colour display, digital zoom, zeroing facility, hot keys, high power battery along with status display and compliance with JSS 5855 makes it a very potent system for security forces engaged in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terror (CI/CT) operations, the official said.

Many superior features

This indigenously designed and developed system has many superior features compared to its contemporary international systems and available for 9 mm GLOCK 17/19 and 1A1 Auto Pistol variant, the official said.

The industry has been part of the development phase which enabled them to absorb the technology better, one of the officials said emphasising on the effort to involve the domestic industry as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar’ initiative.

The official said the prototypes during development and for the trials were produced by the two industries based on design given to them to ensure there are no gaps in manufacturing at a later stage. “The technical trials are done and the system is fully ready. It is also a good option for export,” the official said.

In the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, both the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Army had projected requirement for corner shot weapons to equip their troops for urban warfare where security personnel get exposed while trying to locate or flush out terrorists. Both had then floated tenders for procuring them.

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As many as 24 rockets were fired for different ranges and different warhead capabilities to meet the objectives of accuracy and consistency.

After the series of trials, the Pinaka-ER missile and its ancillary systems (Area Denial Munitions and indigenously developed fuzes) is now ready for series production by the industry partner, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The system has been designed by DRDO Laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) along with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, the technology has been transferred to the Indian industry.

The industry partner has manufactured Pinaka-ER with DRDO’s help during the production and quality assurance processes. In continuation of the Transfer of Technology, rockets developed by the industry have undergone performance evaluation and quality certification process.

Pinaka Mk-1, which has a range of 37.5 km, is currently in service of the Indian Army and multiple regiments of the system have been deployed in the past. Pinaka-ER, which is an upgraded version of the Pinaka Mk-1, has a range of 45 km and some additional features.

Pinaka – ER is the upgraded version of the earlier version of Pinaka which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade. The system has been designed in the light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies enhancing the range.

The trials of Area Denial Munition (ADM) designed by the ARDE for Pinaka and manufactured by the industry partners under technology transfer were part of performance evaluation under technology absorption. ADMs are a category of ammunition used to prohibit the adversary from occupying or passing through a particular area. At the same time, indigenously-developed proximity fuzes for Pinaka rockets have also been tested. The ARDE has developed different fuzes for Pinaka rockets for different types of applications. After design validation trials, performance of these fuzes has been evaluated with flight testing.

The DRDO said these indigenously developed fuzes will replace the imported fuzes. The ARDE has also designed miniaturised fuzes for ADMs. During the same set of trials, the performance of dual-purpose Direct-Action Self Destruction (DASD) and Anti-Tank Munition (ATM) fuzes were evaluated and the results were satisfactory.

In the battlefield, long-range artillery systems like Pinaka are used for attacking the adversary targets prior to close quarter battles which involve smaller range artillery, armoured elements and the infantry.

The development of the Pinaka was started by the DRDO in the late 1980s, as an alternative to the multi barrel rocket launching systems of Russian make called like the ‘Grad’, which are still in use. After successful tests of Pinaka, it was first used in the battlefield during the Kargil war of 1999 quite successfully. Subsequently, multiple regiments of the system came up over the 2000s.

Pinaka MBRL can fire a salvo of 12 rockets over a period of 44 seconds. One battery of Pinaka system consists of six launch vehicles, accompanied by the loader systems, radar and links with network based systems and a command post. One battery can neutralise an area one km by one km. While Pinaka Mk-1 has a range of 37.5 km and Pinaka-ER of 45 km, the Pinaka Mk-II has a range of 60 km. The guided version of the Pinaka has also been developed and tested multiple times and has a range of 75 km. An extended range version of the Pinaka Mk-II and Pinaka Mk-III are also said to be under development.

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