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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This increase is due to a number of factors, including the Make in India initiative, which has encouraged the development of a domestic defence manufacturing industry. The government has also been providing financial incentives to defence exporters, and has been working to improve the ease of doing business in the defence sector.

Promotion of Defence Exports

The government has taken a number of steps to promote defence exports in recent years. These include:

• Streamlining export procedures: Export procedures have been simplified to make it easier for companies to export defence equipment and technologies. This includes reducing the number of approvals required, and making it easier to obtain export licenses.

• Providing financial incentives: A number of financial incentives have been introduced to encourage defence exports. These include the Scheme for Promotion of Defence Exports (SPDE), which provides financial support for attending international defence exhibitions, marketing, and publicity of Indian defence products abroad.

• Encouraging partnerships with overseas firms: Indian defence companies have been encouraged to form partnerships with overseas firms. This can help Indian companies to access new markets, and to gain access to foreign technology and expertise.

• Promoting India’s defence manufacturing capabilities: The Make in India initiative has promoted India’s defence manufacturing capabilities by attracting foreign investment in the defence sector, and encouraged the development of a domestic defence manufacturing industry.

The government is also working to improve the ease of doing business in the defence sector. This includes simplifying the regulatory environment, and providing better infrastructure and support services to defence companies. The government is also working to promote India’s defence exports to countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Streamlining Export Procedures

A number of steps have been taken to streamline export procedures for defence equipment. These include:

•  Establishing a single-window clearance mechanism: A single-window clearance mechanism has been established for defence exports. This means that all approvals required for export of defence equipment can be obtained from a single agency, the Department of Defence Production (DDP).

• Introducing an online export tracking system: An online export tracking system has been introduced for exporters to track the progress of their export applications, and to get updates on the status of their applications.

•  Simplifying the export documentation: The export documentation required for defence exports has been simplified to reduce the time and cost involved in obtaining export licenses.

• Providing online training on export procedures: The government provides online training on export procedures to defence exporters to help exporters understand the export procedures, and to comply with the export regulations.

Financial Incentives

A number of financial incentives have been introduced to encourage defence exports. These include:

• The Scheme for Promotion of Defence Exports (SPDE): The SPDE provides financial support for attending international defence exhibitions, marketing, and publicity of Indian defence products abroad. The scheme also provides financial assistance for the development of new defence products, and for the testing and certification of defence products.

• The Defence Export Promotion Capital Goods (DEPCG) Scheme: The DEPCG Scheme provides financial assistance for the purchase of capital goods by defence exporters. This can help exporters to upgrade their production facilities, and to improve the quality of their products.

• The Defence Export Promotion Rebate (DEPR) Scheme: The DEPR Scheme provides a rebate on customs duty for imported components used in the manufacture of defence exports. This can help to reduce the cost of production for defence exporters.

The SPDE is the main financial incentive for defence exports administered by the Department of Defence Production (DDP). It is a centrally-sponsored scheme, which means that the central government provides the funding.

The SPDE provides financial support for a variety of activities related to defence exports. These activities include:

• Attending international defence exhibitions

• Marketing and publicity of Indian defence products abroad

• Development of new defence products

• Testing and certification of defence products

The SPDE is a competitive scheme. Exporters must submit a proposal to the DDP, and the proposals are evaluated on a number of factors, including the commercial viability of the project, the export potential of the product, and the benefits to the Indian economy.

In addition to the SPDE, there are a number of other financial incentives available to defence exporters. These incentives are available from the central government, as well as from state governments and from financial institutions.

Defence Manufacturing

A number of steps have been taken by the government to promote India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. These include:

• The Make in India initiative: The Make in India initiative was launched in 2014 to attract foreign investment and to encourage the development of a domestic manufacturing industry. The initiative has been successful in attracting foreign investment in the defence sector, and has helped to boost the growth of the Indian defence manufacturing industry.

• The Defence Production Policy 2020: The Defence Production Policy 2020 was released in 2020. The policy aims to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing, and to increase the share of domestic production in the Indian defence market. The policy includes a number of measures to promote defence manufacturing, such as increasing the FDI limit in the defence sector, and providing financial incentives to defence manufacturers.

• The Strategic Partnership (SP) Model: The SP Model was introduced in 2017. The model allows Indian companies to partner with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to develop and manufacture defence products in India. The SP Model has helped to attract foreign investment in the Indian defence sector, and has helped to boost the growth of the Indian defence manufacturing industry.

• The Defence Innovation and Research (DIR) Fund: The DIR Fund was launched in 2018 to promote innovation and research in the defence sector. The fund provides financial support to start-ups and small businesses that are developing new defence technologies.

Defence R&D by Private Sector

A number of steps have been taken to enhance defence research & development (R&D) by Indian private sector companies. These steps include:

• The Defence Research and Development Policy 2018: The Policy was aims to promote private sector participation in defence R&D. It includes a number of measures to promote private sector participation, such as providing financial incentives, and setting up defence R&D parks.

• The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme: Launched in 2016, the iDEX scheme is designed to promote innovation and R&D in the defence sector. The scheme provides financial support to start-ups and small businesses that are developing new defence technologies.

• The Defence Technology Development Fund (TDF): The TDF was launched in 2016 to promote defence R&D by Indian companies. The fund provides financial support to companies that are developing new defence technologies.

• The Defence Innovation and Research (DIR) Fund: The DIR Fund was launched in 2018 to promote innovation and research in the defence sector. The fund provides financial support to start-ups and small businesses that are developing new defence technologies.

Some of the specific incentives and schemes that are available to Indian private sector companies for defence R&D are:

• Financial incentives: The government provides financial incentives in the form of grants, loans, or tax breaks to companies that are involved in defence R&D. These incentives can take the.

• Access to government facilities: The government provides access to its facilities like laboratories, test ranges, and other infrastructure to companies that are involved in defence R&D.

• Collaboration with government agencies: The government collaborates with companies that are involved in defence R&D. This collaboration can take the form of joint research projects, or the sharing of information.

• Access to foreign technology: The government provides access to foreign technology to companies that are involved in defence R&D. This can help companies to develop new technologies that are not available in India.

Comments

The increase in defence exports is also a reflection of India’s growing military power. India is now one of the world’s largest arms importers, and is increasingly looking to develop its own defence capabilities. This has led to an increased demand for Indian-made defence equipment, both from the Indian military and from foreign buyers.

The growth of India’s defence exports is  helping to boost the economy, create jobs, and enhance India’s global standing. It is also helping to reduce India’s dependence on foreign arms imports.

The steps taken to boost exports have helped to streamline export procedures for defence equipment, and have made it easier for companies to export defence equipment from India.

The government is also working to improve the infrastructure and support services available to defence manufacturers. This includes providing better training and education facilities, and improving the availability of raw materials and components. The government is also working to promote defence exports, and to create a more favourable environment for defence manufacturing in India.

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Based on data presented in parliament and published through the Press Information Bureau India’s defence exports record is as follows:

Year       Rs in crores

2013-14                686

2014-15                794

2015-16                1,056

2016-17                1,521

2017-18                4,682

2018-19                10,746

2019-20                9,116

2020-21                8,435

2021-22                12,815

2022-23               15,918 (est)

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The amendments will allow the Indian private sector to acquire a major stake in Defence R&D companies, which will be set up for development of major hardware platforms like drones, helicopters, aircrafts, and advanced submarines. This is a groundbreaking development as till now, only government DPSUs and laboratories were allowed defence R&D with only minor items being exposed to private R&D. This is in line with the defence budget, where it was announced that 25 per cent of defence R & D budget would be spent on these platform specific SPVs with the private sector.

Given the global turmoil sparked off by the Ukraine war and the Chinese belligerence in the Indo-Pacific, India has no options but to make defence R & D competitive as the public sector alone cannot cater to growing Indian defence platform requirements in the stipulated time. The global defence market is set to face new challenges as countries like Japan, Germany, Asean, South Korea, and east European countries will be seeking more weapons from the US to deter Russia and China, and the latter will be cutting down on exports to service their own requirements. India has no options but to develop and manufacture hardware platforms on its own as its major supplier Russia is focused on the Ukraine war and it is only a matter of time when scarcity of spare parts hits the Indian armed forces.

While the DRDO has been developing hardware platforms over the decades, the entry of private sector into defence R&D will give India more options for developing stand-off weapon systems like long endurance armed drones, anti-drone systems, 12-ton multi-purpose helicopters, next generation of fighter aircraft and perhaps nuclear powered and conventionally armed submarines.

The matter has acquired urgency as China has been able to develop armed high altitude long endurance drones like Wing Loong 10, which is powered by turbofan engines like state-of-the-art US armed drones. India, on the other hand, is still relying on getting its medium altitude long endurance drones being upgraded by Israel and has no answer to the long strides that China or for that matter Iran and Turkey have taken in development of unmanned aircraft systems.

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The amendments will allow the Indian private sector to acquire a major stake in Defence R&D companies, which will be set up for development of major hardware platforms like drones, helicopters, aircrafts, and advanced submarines. This is a groundbreaking development as till now, only government DPSUs and laboratories were allowed defence R&D with only minor items being exposed to private R&D. This is in line with the defence budget, where it was announced that 25 per cent of defence R & D budget would be spent on these platform specific SPVs with the private sector.

Given the global turmoil sparked off by the Ukraine war and the Chinese belligerence in the Indo-Pacific, India has no options but to make defence R & D competitive as the public sector alone cannot cater to growing Indian defence platform requirements in the stipulated time.

While DRDO has been developing hardware platforms over the decades, the entry of private sector into defence R&D will give India more options for developing stand-off weapon systems like long endurance armed drones, anti-drone systems, 12-ton multi-purpose helicopters, next generation of fighter aircraft and perhaps nuclear powered and conventionally armed submarines.

The matter has acquired urgency as China has been able to develop armed high altitude long endurance drones like Wing Loong 10, which is powered by turbofan engines like state-of-the-art US armed drones. India, on the other hand, is still relying on getting its medium altitude long endurance drones being upgraded by Israel and has no answer to the long strides that China or for that matter Iran and Turkey have taken in development of unmanned aircraft systems.

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According to officials aware of the developments, the amendments will allow the Indian private sector to acquire a major stake in Defence R&D companies, which will be set up for development of major hardware platforms like drones, helicopters, aircrafts, and advanced submarines. This is a groundbreaking development as till now, only government DPSUs and laboratories were allowed defence R&D with only minor items being exposed to private R&D. This is in line with the defence budget, where it was announced that 25 per cent of defence R & D budget would be spent on these platform specific SPVs with the private sector.

Given the global turmoil sparked off by the Ukraine war and the Chinese belligerence in the Indo-Pacific, India has no options but to make defence R & D competitive as the public sector alone cannot cater to growing Indian defence platform requirements in the stipulated time. The global defence market is set to face new challenges as countries like Japan, Germany, Asean, South Korea, and east European countries will be seeking more weapons from the US to deter Russia and China, and the latter will be cutting down on exports to service their own requirements. India has no options but to develop and manufacture hardware platforms on its own as its major supplier Russia is focused on the Ukraine war and it is only a matter of time when scarcity of spare parts hits the Indian armed forces.

While the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has been developing hardware platforms over the decades, the entry of private sector into defence R&D will give India more options for developing stand-off weapon systems like long endurance armed drones, anti-drone systems, 12-ton multi-purpose helicopters, next generation of fighter aircraft and perhaps nuclear powered and conventionally armed submarines.

The matter has acquired urgency as China has been able to develop armed high altitude long endurance drones like Wing Loong 10, which is powered by turbofan engines like state-of-the-art US armed drones. India, on the other hand, is still relying on getting its medium altitude long endurance drones being upgraded by Israel and has no answer to the long strides that China or for that matter Iran and Turkey have taken in development of unmanned aircraft systems.

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