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 Akash-NG

Flight trial of new generation Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) Akash-NG was conducted against a Banshee target from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. It is meant for use by Indian Air Force (IAF) with the aim of intercepting high manoeuvring low RCS aerial threats. The system has been developed with better deployability compared to other similar systems with canisterised launcher and much smaller ground system footprint.

ITCM Missile

Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) is a new generation ‘Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile’ being developed for land and sea platforms. Flight trial was conducted on 21 Feb 2023 form the ITR Balasore, Odisha.

Maiden test of ASTRA BVRAAM Missile

ASTRA is a state-of-the-art Beyond Visual Range ‘Air-to-Air missile’ to engage and destroy highly manoeuvring supersonic aerial targets. Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, successfully fired the ASTRA indigenous BVR air-to-air missile.

Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile

MPATGM is a 3rd generation ATGM with ‘Fire & Forget’ and ‘Top Attack’ capabilities with day and night operational capability. Flight trials of MPATGM was conducted for a range of 2.5 Km at NOAR, Kurnool.

ALSO READ: Laser-guided anti-tank missile successfully tested from Arjun tank

Very Short Range Air Defence System

VSHORADS is a 4th generation Man Portable Air Defence Research & Development system. It employs state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker. The missile was flight-tested against high speed unmanned aerial targets, simulating approaching and receding aircraft from ITR Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.

Medium Range Surface to Air Missile for Indian Navy

MRSAM for the Indian Navy is a joint development programme of DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel. The weapon system provides a point and area defence for P15A ships of the Indian Navy against a vast variety of aerial threats including fighter aircrafts, subsonic and supersonic missiles, etc. The Indian Navy successfully flight-tested MRSAM from Visakhapatnam.

Heavy Weight Torpedo

Indigenously Designed and Developed (IDD) Heavy Weight Torpedo ‘Varunastra’ was successfully test-fired with a live warhead against an undersea target by Indian Navy. ‘Varunastra’ is a ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo having low drift navigational systems, acoustic homing, advanced acoustic counter measure features, autonomous guidance algorithms, insensitive munitions warhead and a GPS-based recovery aid for practice torpedo.

Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile

VL-SRSAM is a vertical launch short range surface to air missile having a strike range upto 80 km for Fighters aircraft, helicopter, UAVs, etc. The missile has been developed for the Indian Navy for neutralizing various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. The missile was flight tested from ITR Chandipur.

BrahMos

BrahMos is a two stage precision strike supersonic cruise missile, operating on fire and forget principle, which can be launched from multiple platforms (at air, sea and ground) against land and sea targets. Indian Army test-fired land attack version of extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. Indian Navy with DRDO test-fired two consecutive sea attack version of extended range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet Technology

The state-of-the-art air-to-air missile powered with ‘SFDR’ propulsion for Air Launched Tactical Missiles (ALTM) enables the missiles to intercept aerial threats at very long range at supersonic speeds and is configured with nozzle-less booster, thrust modulation system and sustainer to deliver specific impulse in ramjet mode. The missile was flight tested in 2023.

ALSO READ: India tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology missile

Long Range – Anti Ship Missile

DRDO is engaged in development of technologies required for Long Range Anti-Ship Missile weapon systems capable of engaging a warship with a long range. The missile was flight-tested from ITR.

Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator

DRDO has successfully carried out a flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga. With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has joined the elite club of countries to have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology. he aircraft prototype, with a complex arrowhead wing platform, is designed and manufactured with light-weight carbon composite material developed indigenously.

Integrated Life Support System

Indigenously designed and developed ILSS for pilot of LCA Tejas was flight-tested twice in February. The successful testing is an initial step to mark the country’s presence in elite club of four nations possessing the complex ILSS technology.

Military Combat Parachute System

A successful live parachute jump trial was conducted in April and September from 10,000 ft was successfully conducted at Drop Zone  Malpura, on indigenously-designed Military Combat Parachute System ‘HANS’ (High Altitude parachute with Navigation & advanced Sub-assemblies)’ to meet the military operational requirements of Indian Armed Forces. HANS enables Special Forces to undertake para jump along with all necessary combat sub-assemblies and will replace all existing systems for free fall operations.

Air Droppable Container

DRDO has designed and developed Air Droppable Container (ADC-150) with a pay load capacity of 150kg to enhance the naval operational logistic capabilities. ADC-150 will provide quick response to meet the requirement of critical engineering stores of ships under distress & far away from the coast. DRDO & Indian navy conducted the successful maiden test of ADC-150 dropped from IL38DF aircraft.

Crew Module Parachute System for Gaganyaan Programme

CMPS was successfully demonstrated In-flight Abort Demonstration of Crew Escape System with the newly developed Test Vehicle followed by Crew Module Separation & safe recovery using parachute system developed by DRDO.

Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range

NASM-SR missile is powered by two stage solid propulsion system with an in-line ejectable booster and a long-burn sustainer. DRDO successfully flight tested the missile from ITR in November. The missile was tested for a range of 35 km, using an indigenous IR Seeker for its Terminal Guidance in ‘Lock-on after Launch’ mode.

Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion system

The system of DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory will soon be fitted onboard INS Kalvari. An agreement was signed between senior officials of NMRL and Naval Group France to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines. As part of the agreement, Naval Group France will certify the AIP design for integration in the submarines. The AIP has a force multiplier effect on lethality of a diesel electric submarine as it enhances the submerged endurance by several folds.

Technology Development Fund

The TDF scheme encourages participation of public/private industries especially MSMEs and start-ups, so as to create an eco-system for enhancing cutting edge technology capability for defence application. Further, the Scheme funds industries up to an amount of Rs 50 crore per project for innovation, R&D of defence technologies in the field of defence and Aerospace.

Transfer of Technology

DRDO has carried out more than 1,600 ToTs to Indian Industry including both Private and public. ToT is being carried out as per the policy and procedure approved by   RM. DcPP/PA/DP of DRDO are given Technology free of cost i.e at “Nil ToT Fee”.

DRDO Patents

DRDO has a Policy for Free Access of DRDO Patents by Indian industries. This is likely to increase the technological capabilities of industries and enhance their competitiveness in global supply chain. 1,700 IPRs have been opened to Indian Industries.

Dare to Dream Innovation Contest

It aims to promote innovators and start-ups are being conducted. Three versions of contests have been concluded. Dare to Dream 4.0 was also launched in January for individual and Start-ups to unearth disruptive ideas and concepts in emerging technologies identified by DRDO for enhancing defence capabilities. Development cum Production Partner/ Production Agency identified for more than 105 systems.

Partnership with industry

DRDO has been partnering with industry for the realization of its systems. Collaborating with DRDO in the development of major weapon systems, the Indian industry has matured to a stage where they can develop systems on their own. Indian industry has progressed from a ‘build to print’ partner to ‘build to specification’ partner. DRDO test facilities have been opened to the industries for utilisation. Segments like Missiles, Bombs etc. have been opened to private industries for development.

Academia

DRDO provides support to academia to carry out directed research in the identified research areas through DRDO Industry Academia – Centres of Excellence to undertake translational  projects by providing direction, technical interactions and project funding. So far, 15 DIA-CoEs have been established. They are at IITs (BHU, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, Kharagpur, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bombay, Madras), Gujarat University, IISC Bengaluru, Jammu University, Mizoram University, University of Hyderabad and  Bharathiar University.

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The IAF has decided to indigenously modernize the Su-30 MKI fighters with indigenously-designed weapons, electronic warfare systems, and so on.

Indigenous efforts will promote self-reliance in defence, circumvent possible US sanctions, and continue to nurture close defence cooperation with Russia. The 262-aircraft Su-30MKI fleet is and will likely remain the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for many decades. The technical parameters for the major Sukhoi upgrade are being refined.

The large size of the aircraft not only facilitates upgrades but also leaves room for metamorphoses to futuristic roles such as a weapons truck operating with a penetrating sensor & attack platform such as the AMCA, or a mothership controlling LO loyal wingman UCAVs in a system of system approach similar to the US Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).

The IAF is the largest operator of the Su-30 variant. Over the past 20 years, India has made significant IPR & infrastructure investments in assembling, operating, servicing (overhaul, spares manufacture), and spiral upgrading (Brahmos-A, Astra, Rudram) the Su-30MKI.

84 Sukhois are likely to be modernised in the first tranche. Modernization will kick off after 4-5 years of design and development.

Besides the ability to carry advanced indigenously developed weapons, the finalized technical parameters would likely include an improved Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST), AESA radar & a more powerful engine.

Imaging Search and Track System. The DRDO is working on the design & development of a Long Range Dual Band IRST for Su-30 MKI aircraft under the ‘Make II’ sub-category. The DAC approved the project in May 2018. On April 26, 2022, HAL and BEL reportedly signed a contract for the co-development and co-production of Long Range Dual Band IRST. The proposed IRST system will be a high-end strategic technology product in the field of defense avionics and technically competitive to existing IRST system in the global market with features of Television Day Camera, Infrared & Laser sensors in a single window for air-to-air and air-to-ground target tracking and localization.

AESA Radar. The modernized Su-30MKI will likely feature an AESA radar to replace its N011M BARS Radar. DRDO, which has already developed the Uttam AESA for the LCA, is reportedly working with HAL & Russian OEM to develop an AESA for the Su-30MKI. Considering the size of the nose cross-section of the Sukhoi, the radar could be the most potent airborne AESA equipping a fighter aircraft.

Engine Upgrade. India will likely procure the engine for the modernized fighter from Russia. Russia is developing an AL-41F-1S (Product 117S) engine variant that could be fitted on Su-30MKI fighters without any airframe modification. Tests of Su-30SM with the AL-41F-1S engine were underway, with completion scheduled for December 2023. Compared to the existing power plant of the Su-30MKI, the AL-41F-1S has 16% more (14,500 kgf) thrust, better Specific Fuel Consumption, improved endurance, and an overhaul life of 4,000 flight hours.

Russian Help. Russia will help India with the modernization without directly participating in it but as part of the “Make in India” programme. They are likely to supply additional technical kits for the assembly of the Su-30MKI and joint work on the modernization, including the integration of the latest aviation weapons and avionics.

Lethality With BrahMos Increased

The IAF is set to increase the number of Sukhoi 30 (SU-30) MKI fighters integrated with BrahMos supersonic missile, which now has a range of over 500 kilometres. These are spread on the country’s western border with Pakistan and its eastern boundary with China.

The IAF currently has 40 SU-30 MKI with BrahMos, the only supersonic cruise missile in the world. While the range of the missile was 290 km earlier, it has been extended to over 500 km. The IAF had tested the extended range of the missile in May. There were certain software changes that had to be made for extending the missile’s range and this was done with the help of Russians.

The land-launched BrahMos has a range of about 400 kilometres and work is also to increase its range to 800 and 1,500-km.

The IAF had commissioned the 222 ‘Tiger Sharks’ squadron of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets equipped with the BrahMos in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, in August 2020. The decision to deploy the Su-30 MKIs at Thanjavur was also taken due to its strategic location. The Tiger Sharks squadron has 18 fighters, and about six of which are equipped with BrahMos.

Unlike the land-launched, the air version of BrahMos gives military planners more options to hit deeper targets which would otherwise be out of range. This is because the Sukhois have a range of 1,500 kilometres and hence can hit long distance targets with the cruise missile.

The missile has a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach (around 3,450 kmph or 2,148 mph), and is difficult to intercept by surface-to-air missiles currently deployed from warships across the world. It also has an immense ability to evade radars. The missile’s cruising altitude can be up to 15 km, and the lowest it can fly is 10 metres above the surface and is capable of carrying a conventional warhead (non-nuclear) weighing 200-300 kg.

Su-30MKI Indigenous Upgrade Proposed Equipment Fit (Alphabetical)

Advanced Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN )

Advanced Weapon Control System

Advanced Electronically Scanned Array radar

Aviation Clock

Blanking Unit

CIT

Digital Head Up Display (HUD)

Enhanced EW Suite

Enhanced FDR

Flight Data Transfer Unit clue

GPS Splitter

Higher Size Multi-Function Display System (MFDS)

Helmet Mounted Observation System (HMOS)

Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)

Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)

Indigenous Digital Map Generator (DMG)

Indigenous Solid State Digital Video Recording System (SSDVRS)

Indigenous VOR/ILS

Indigenous/Western Weapons

Imaging Search and Track System (IRTS)

Integrated Stand By Instrument Sys

Mission Computers

Modified INGPS

New Line of Position (LOP)

Software Defined Radio

Upgraded Radio Altimeter

Voice Activated Command System

India has already developed the following:

Mission Computer cum Display Processor

Radar Computer which is RC1 and Rc2

Mk2 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR).

HAL’s full LCD Modern Glass Cockpit.

High Accuracy Direction Finding Module (HADF)

IFF-1410A – Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)

Integrated Communication suite INCOM 1210A

Radar Altimeter – RAM-1701

Programmable Signal Processor (PSP)

Multi Function Displays (MFD) – Samtel/DARE

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The Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 missiles are likely to be tested next year and in 2024 respectively, and are among the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) key ongoing programmes, said one of the officials cited above.

The current Astra Mk-1 variant has a range of around 100km.

The defence ministry on May 31 signed a ₹2,971-crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) to equip the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy with Astra Mk-1 missiles and associated equipment, which was seen as a shot in the arm for “Atmanirbharta”, or self-reliance, in the defence manufacturing sector.

DRDO has transferred technology to BDL for the production of the Astra Mk-1 and associated systems.

“Future air combat will be about detecting and striking targets at the farthest possible range. It will be the outcome of increase in the detection ranges of radars and the advent of longer-range missiles. It is important for India to develop missiles like Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 to meet IAF’s requirements,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Airpower Studies.

China has developed the PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile that can hit targets at around 200km, while the Meteor with a range of around 160 km is considered the best in its class in the western world, and the new Astra variants will put India in the big league, he added.

The Astra Mk-1 missile has been fully integrated with the Sukhoi-30 fighters and will now add to the capabilities of other combat planes including the Tejas light combat aircraft, the officials said. Also, the navy’s MiG-29K fighters, which operate from India’s sole aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, will be equipped with the Astra Mk-1 missile.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis has exposed India’s overwhelming dependence on imported weaponry, especially from Russia, and underlined the urgent need for speeding up the indigenisation drive to become self-reliant.

Long-range missiles allow fighter jets to shoot down hostile aircraft from a significant standoff range, staying out of the adversary’s air defence envelope.

India has imposed a phased ban on the import of 310 different types of weapons and systems during the last two years to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector.

These include lightweight tanks, naval utility helicopters, artillery guns, missiles, destroyers, ship-borne cruise missiles, light combat aircraft, light transport aircraft, long-range land-attack cruise missiles, basic trainer aircraft, multi-barrel rocket launchers, assault rifles, sniper rifles, specified types of helicopters, next-generation corvettes and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems.

The 310 weapons and systems that have to be developed in the country were notified in three separate positive indigenisation lists published by the defence ministry in August 2020, May 2021 and April 2020.

Since the notification of the first and second lists, contracts for 31 projects worth ₹53,839 crore have been signed by the defence services as of April 2022, according to defence ministry data.

Also, acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 83 projects worth ₹1,77,258 crore was accorded by April 2022, and cases worth ₹2,93,741 crore will be taken up in the next five to seven years.

The domestic industry is likely to receive orders worth ₹2,10,000 crore in the next five years as a result of the third list, according to the defence ministry’s projections.

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ASTRA is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft.

The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvering supersonic aircraft. The missile has all weather day and night capability. The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System can be fitted to SU-30 Mk-I fighter aircraft.

In 2019, DRDO successfully flight tested ‘Astra’ from Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Chandipur.

Astra BVRAAM has range of more than 100 kms with modern guidance and navigation techniques. The missile has midcourse guidance and RF seeker based terminal guidance to achieve target destruction with pin point accuracy. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the ASTRA MK-I BVR AAM based on the requirements issued by the IAF catering for Beyond Visual Range as well as close combat engagement reducing the dependency on foreign sources.

Astra Missile is designed to be launched from fighter aircraft like SU-30, Mirage-2000, MIG-29, LCA-Tejas etc. Astra missile system is developed to neutralise aerial targets such as F-16 aircraft. Filled warheads have been successfully tested for static and dynamic performance.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system.”The Transfer of Technology from DRDO to BDL for production of ASTRA MK-I missile and all associated systems has been completed and production at BDL is in progress. This project will act as a catalyst for development of Infrastructure and Testing facilities at BDL. It will also create opportunities for several MSMEs in aerospace technology for a period of at least 25 years. The project essentially embodies the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and will help facilitate realising the country’s journey towards self-reliance in Air to Air Missiles,” the defence ministry said in its release.

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Siddharth Mishra, CMD of Bharat Dynamics, says, “Our present order book is around Rs 11,400 crore. “Our two major products, one is Akash weapon system and last year we have started manufacturing air to air missile Astra and both of these products we are expecting big order from Indian Defence Forces. For both Akash and Astra also we are also at an advanced stage. More than Rs 10,000 crore order we are expecting plus we are expecting few refurbishment orders from defence forces.”

He added, “We are looking at a stronger order book of around Rs 25,000 crore in next two to three years.”

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The LCA Tejas would be the first fleet to be equipped with American JDAMs, which is going to be one of the mainstays of the force in the future, ANI quoted the sources as saying. The IAF had recently signed a contract for the JDAM kits.

Tejas is a single-engined, lightweight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. It has been designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Not very long back, the IAF had equipped Tejas with Hammer, the French-origin air-to-ground stand-off missiles, and also with the indigenous Astra air-to-air missiles. By adding more and more capabilities to the Tejas aircraft, the IAF is showing its support in developing the indigenous fighter aircraft programme.

How will JDAM boost IAF capabilities?
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs”, into all-weather precision-guided munitions. JDAM kits will enable Tejas fighter jets to take out enemy bunkers and runways at distances of 80 km and beyond.

This will give the homegrown aircraft a further edge over the adversary fighter jets as they would be able to destroy targets from standoff distances.

How does joint direct attack munition (JDAM) work?
The JDAM “tail kit” includes adjustable tail fins, a control computer, an inertial guidance system, and a GPS receiver. This system works well even in bad weather because it gets all its information from satellite signals, which aren’t blocked by clouds or other obstacles.

In the air, the JDAM’s GPS receiver processes signals from the GPS satellites to keep track of its own position. As with other smart bombs, the control system adjusts the flight fins to “steer” the bomb in the right direction.

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The indigenously developed missile will be flight tested from a ground launcher being set up at launching complex III of Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Odisha coast.  The initial trials of the successor of Astra Mk I will be to test the weapon system’s ballistic performance. Once the safe release of the missile from the ground launcher and its propulsion and navigation are validated, it would be test fired from a fighter aircraft.

The go ahead for Astra Mk II was given nearly seven months after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of Astra Mk I for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy.

While the previous version of Astra missile has a range of about 110 km, its advanced variant can strike targets 160 km away. Equipped with improved jammer resistance and dual pulse motor having thrust vector control, the Astra Mk II is latest among the air-to-air missiles of its class. The DRDO has developed an indigenous seeker to improve the performance of the missile and replace the Russian radio frequency seeker used in the Astra Mk I. 

The missile will be powered by Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR), which will enhance its performance and increase the strike range. Procurement of Astra Mk I for the IAF was approved after it completed ground tests and air trial from a Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft. Process is on to integrate the missile with the Made in India Tejas fighter jet. 

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The Astra fills up the critical air-to-air missile gap vis-a-vis Pakistan, which was exposed during the post-Balakot aerial confrontation over the Line of Control on February 27 last year.

The 110-km range of the Astra neutralises Pakistan’s advantage over India in air-to-air weaponry. Against the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) AIM-120 AMRAAMs with a range of 110 km, the maximum air-to-air reach of the IAF was under 80 km with the R-77. As a result, IAF’s frontline Su-30 MKIs were forced into defensive manoeuvres when the AMRAAM-armed PAF F-16s attacked India in retaliation to India’s cross-border air strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist camp at Balakot in Pakistan on February 26.

The Astra is capable of engaging “both short-range targets at a distance of 20 km and long-range targets up to a distance of 80-110 km” at varying altitudes, an IAF spokesperson elaborated.

The Astra is India’s first indigenous air-to-air missile. The features of this all-weather BVR include mid-course inertial guidance with terminal active radar homing.

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