The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has been the most effective against Russian targets. HIMARS is a mobile, self-propelled artillery system that can fire a salvo of six rockets up to 80 kilometers away. The rockets are guided, meaning they can hit their targets with a high degree of accuracy. This makes HIMARS ideal for targeting Russian command centers, supply depots, and other critical infrastructure behind the front lines.

Since the arrival of HIMARS in Ukraine, the Ukrainian military has been able to inflict significant damage on the Russian military. In June 2023, for example, Ukrainian forces used HIMARS to destroy a Russian ammunition depot in the Donbas region.

HIMARS has also been credited with helping to turn the tide of the war in Ukraine. In the early stages of the war, the Russian military was able to make significant gains. However, the arrival of HIMARS has given the Ukrainian military the ability to strike back at the Russians from a distance forcing them to focus on defending their own positions.

Characteristics of HIMARS System

The HIMARS is a light multiple rocket launcher developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army. It is mounted on a standard United States Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truck frame. The HIMARS carries one pod with either six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile. It is capable of launching all rockets specified in the Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions (MFOM).

Mobility: The HIMARS is mounted on a wheeled vehicle, which gives it a high degree of mobility. It can be transported by C-130 aircraft, which allows it to be rapidly deployed to any theater of operations.

Accuracy: The HIMARS can fire guided rockets with a high degree of accuracy against command centers, supply depots, and other critical infrastructure.

Range: The HIMARS can fire its rockets up to 80 kilometers away. This gives it the ability to strike enemy targets from a distance, which reduces the risk of its own forces being exposed to enemy fire.

Survivability: The HIMARS is a relatively small and lightly armored vehicle. However, it is equipped with a fire suppression system and other features that help to protect its crew from enemy fire.

The HIMARS system has been used in combat by the United States Army and Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ukrainian Tanks

The most effective tank used by the Ukrainians against the Russians has been the T-72. The T-72 is a Soviet-era main battle tank that has been in service with the Ukrainian military since the 1970s. It is a relatively simple and reliable tank, and it is well-suited for the conditions in Ukraine.

The T-72 has been upgraded by the Ukrainians with a number of features, including improved armor, a new fire control system, and a more powerful gun. These upgrades have made the T-72 a more effective tank against the Russian T-72s and T-80s.

In addition to the T-72, the Ukrainians have also used other tanks, such as the T-64 and the T-80, against the Russians. However, the T-72 has been the most effective tank used by the Ukrainians.

Here are some of the reasons why the T-72 has been so effective against the Russians:

Numbers: The Ukrainians have a large number of T-72s in their inventory. This means that they have a lot of tanks to throw at the Russians.

Reliance on old technology: The Russians have relied on older technology in their tanks, such as the T-72. This has made them vulnerable to the newer Ukrainian tanks, such as the T-72M1R.

Tactics: The Ukrainians have been using the T-72s effectively in combined arms operations. This means that they have been using the tanks in conjunction with other weapons systems, such as artillery and infantry, to achieve success.

Characteristics of T-72 Tank

The T-72 has been upgraded by the Ukrainians with a number of features, including improved armor, a new fire control system, and a more powerful gun. These upgrades have made the T-72 a more effective tank against the Russian T-72s and T-80s.

Armor: The T-72 has a well-sloped armor that provides good protection against enemy fire. The armor is made up of steel and composite materials, and it is designed to defeat HEAT, APFSDS, and HE rounds.

Armament: The T-72 is armed with a 125mm smoothbore gun that can fire a variety of ammunition, including HEAT, APFSDS, and HE rounds. The gun is mounted in a turret that can rotate 360 degrees.

Fire control system: The T-72 is equipped with a fire control system that includes a laser range finder, a thermal sight, and a ballistic computer. This system allows the tank to engage targets accurately at long range.

Engine: The T-72 is powered by a V-12 diesel engine that produces 780 horsepower. This engine gives the tank a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 450 kilometers.

Crew: The T-72 is crewed by three people: a commander, a gunner, and a driver. The commander is responsible for commanding the tank and directing the fire of the gun. The gunner is responsible for firing the gun and operating the fire control system. The driver is responsible for driving the tank and operating the engine.

Ukrainian Anti tank Weapons

The most effective Ukrainian anti-tank weapon against Russians has been the Javelin. The Javelin is a portable, fire-and-forget anti-tank missile system that can be used by a single soldier. It is guided by infrared, meaning that it can lock onto and pursue a moving target up to 4 kilometers away. The Javelin has a tandem warhead that can penetrate even the most heavily armored tanks.

The Javelin has been used to great effect by the Ukrainians against the Russians. In the early stages of the war, the Javelin was credited with helping to slow the Russian advance. More recently, the Javelin has been used to destroy Russian tanks and other armored vehicles in the Donbas region.

Other effective Ukrainian anti-tank weapons include the Stugna-P and the NLAW. These weapons have also been used to great effect against Russian tanks and other armored vehicles.

Characteristics of Javelin ATGM System

The Javelin is a portable, fire-and-forget system that is easy to use and can be operated by a single soldier. The Javelin has a tandem warhead that can penetrate even the most heavily armored tanks. It weighs 22 kgs and has a max range of 4 kms. It has high accuracy with IR guidance.

Fighter Jets

The Ukrainian Air Force has two main fighter jets: the MiG-29 Fulcrum and the Su-27 Flanker. Both of these jets have performed well against the Russians, but the MiG-29 has been particularly effective.

The MiG-29 is a lightweight fighter jet that is well-suited for close-quarters combat. It is also relatively maneuverable, which makes it difficult for Russian jets to shoot down.

The Su-27 is a larger and more powerful fighter jet than the MiG-29. It is also more heavily armed, with a larger cannon and more missile hardpoints. However, the Su-27 is not as maneuverable as the MiG-29, which makes it more vulnerable to Russian air attacks.

Ukrainian Arsenal at the Start of the War

Some of the key Ukrainian land weapon systems at the start of the war included:

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): Ukraine operates several types of MBTs, including the T-84 and its variants.

Artillery: Self-propelled howitzers like the 2S3 Akatsiya and 2S1 Gvozdika, multiple rocket launchers like the BM-27 Uragan, and towed artillery pieces.

Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs): ATGMs like the Skif, Korsar, and Stugna-P to engage armored vehicles at longer ranges.

Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs): IFVs like the BMP-2 and BMP-1.

Fighters, Bombers, and Helicopters

The Ukrainian Armed Forces operate a variety of fighter aircraft, bombers, and helicopters. Here are some of the main platforms used by Ukraine at that time:

Fighter Aircraft:

Sukhoi Su-27: A twin-engine air superiority fighter.

Mikoyan MiG-29: A multirole fighter for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Sukhoi Su-24: A variable-sweep wing bomber with a secondary air-to-air capability.

Bombers:

Sukhoi Su-24: In addition to its role as a fighter, the Su-24 can also perform bombing missions.

Sukhoi Su-25: A close air support and ground attack aircraft primarily used for targeting enemy ground forces.

Helicopters:

Mil Mi-24 “Hind”: A heavily armed attack helicopter used for close air support, anti-armor operations, and troop transport.

Mil Mi-8 “Hip”: A versatile helicopter used for transport, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue operations.

Mil Mi-2: A light utility helicopter primarily used for training, transport, and surveillance.

Ukrainian Artillery

Here are some of the types of artillery employed by the Ukrainian forces:

Towed Howitzers:

2A36 Giatsint-B: A 152 mm towed howitzer with a range of approximately 30 kilometers.

D-30: A 122 mm towed howitzer with a range of around 15 kilometers.

D-20: A 152 mm towed howitzer with a range of about 17 kilometers.

Self-Propelled Howitzers:

2S3 Akatsiya: A 152 mm self-propelled howitzer with a range of up to 18 kilometers.

2S1 Gvozdika: A 122 mm self-propelled howitzer capable of engaging targets at a range of approximately 15 kilometers.

2S19 Msta-S: A 152 mm self-propelled howitzer with an extended range of up to 29 kilometers.

Self-Propelled Artillery:

2S1 Gvozdika: A 122 mm self-propelled howitzer used for indirect fire support.

2S3 Akatsiya: A 152 mm self-propelled howitzer capable of providing heavy artillery fire.

Rocket Artillery:

BM-21 Grad: A multiple rocket launcher system utilized for long-range indirect fire support.

BM-27 Uragan: A multiple rocket launcher system with a larger caliber and extended range compared to Grad.

Multiple Rocket Launchers (MRLs):

BM-27 Uragan: A 220 mm multiple rocket launcher system with a range of around 35 kilometers.

BM-21 Grad: A 122 mm multiple rocket launcher system with a range of up to 40 kilometers.

BM-30 Smerch: A 300 mm multiple rocket launcher system with a range of up to 90 kilometers.

Air Defense Weapon Systems

Some of the types of air defense systems used by Ukraine were:

Surface-to-Air Missile Systems:

S-300: Long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system capable of engaging targets at a range of up to 150 kilometers.

Buk-M1/M2: Medium-range SAM system with a range of approximately 40-50 kilometers.

Tor-M1/M2: Short-range SAM system designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, and precision-guided munitions at a range of up to 15 kilometers.

Osa-AKM: Short-range SAM system used for defense against aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense Systems):

Igla-S: Portable SAM system capable of engaging low-flying aircraft and helicopters at ranges of up to 6 kilometers.

Strela-10: MANPADS mounted on a tracked vehicle with a range of approximately 5 kilometers.

Anti-Aircraft Artillery:

ZU-23-2: A twin-barreled, 23 mm anti-aircraft autocannon used for low-level air defense.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka: Self-propelled anti-aircraft system armed with four 23 mm autocannons.

Armoured and Mechanized Forces

Some of the key armored and mechanized units within the Ukrainian Army were:

Main Battle Tanks (MBTs):

T-64: Ukrainian Army operated different variants of the T-64 MBT, including the T-64BV and T-64BM “Bulat.”

T-72: Some older T-72 MBTs were still in service with the Ukrainian forces.

Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs):

BMP-1 and BMP-2: These Soviet-designed IFVs were extensively used by the Ukrainian Army to transport infantry and provide fire support.

Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs):

BTR-80 and BTR-4: The Ukrainian Army utilized these wheeled APCs for troop transport and other support roles.

The post Effective Ukrainian Weapon Systems appeared first on IMR.

Recent Highlights

Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is currently working on drone-delivered short-range missiles which will have a range of 1 km to 1.5 km, designed for targets such as vehicles or a gathering of an enemy force or hostile entity. In May 2022, MoD signed a contract with BDL for supply of ASTRA MK-I Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy at a cost of INR 2,971 crore under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. In February 2022, BDL and the Indian Army signed a contract worth INR 3,131.82 crore for the manufacture and supply of Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles. The contract will be executed in three years13. HAL has successfully integrated and tested AASM Hammer from Tejas. The air-to-surface munition (AASM) Hammer is a precision-guided munition developed by Safran Electronics and Defence. IAF had ordered the Hammer for HAL Tejas in 2021.

Indian Army has placed orders for six units of Swathi Mark II Weapon Locating Radar with BEL at an approx. cost of INR 400 crores. Mark II is high altitude optimized variant of the Swathi Weapon Locating Radar that has been cleared after going through a fresh round of trials in the mountain terrain. Swathi Mark II Weapon Locating Radar has been developed by LRDE that is mounted on a BEML-manufactured 6×6 truck, instead of the baseline Swathi that is mounted on an 8×8 heavy-duty truck for easier operations in the mountain terrain. Mark II also has some performance improvements over its predecessor which likely will translate into more orders in near future coming from the Army for the new variant.

Indian Army has inducted Igla-S systems recently bought from Russia under emergency procurement. The contract was signed in December 2020 and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This includes 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment. Indian Army and IAF also began to induct advanced Spike anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with longer range and greater armour penetration capabilities. They were ordered under emergency procurements last year. The Israeli family of Spike ATGMs is equally lethal and versatile. The Army is inducting the Spike LR-2 launchers and missiles, which have a ground strike range of 5.5-km, while the IAF is integrating its Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 armed helicopters with Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles that can destroy ground targets around 30-km away.

TASL and L&T have jointly delivered the 100th Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) for IAF. AAFL is a multi-technology Weapon Launch Platform for AD Missiles, jointly developed under the IGMDP Program of DRDO by TASL and L&T and produced collaboratively. It comprises a self-powered and fully automated Electro- Mechanical Launching System mounted on a trailer and towed by a prime-mover and is a fully ruggedized all-weather day and night system capable of operating in harsh environmental and terrain conditions.

Adani Defence is setting up South Asia’s largest integrated ammunition complex (spread over 250+ acres and an investment of around INR 1,500 crore) in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. The ammunition complex will have state-of-the-art technology across small and medium calibre ammunition, along with short-range air defence missiles.

Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Indian industry is living up to the expectations of Make in India, Make for the world. The newly formed DPSUs are not just catering to the domestic needs but also exporting. For example, Advance Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) got its first export order from a European firm for major sub-assemblies of artillery guns. The sub-assemblies are worth INR 6 crore, and the deliveries are expected to be completed this year HAL signed an MoU with Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) in April that may lead to the export of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

The first launch of the Extended Range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft was conducted in May 2022. With this, the IAF achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges.

Recently, DRDO and Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile launched from a Naval Helicopter. The start-up – Gurutvaa has delivered Dronaam CUAS to the IAF earlier in May under a contract signed in August 2021. Gurutvaa will be fulfilling the remaining part of the order in the next 4-5 months. The system underwent design review in October 2021 and the first prototype trials were conducted in December 2021. A second trial of a production standard system, which incorporated suggestions from the first trial, was conducted by IAF in February 2022. The Dronaam system is developed completely indigenously and has proved effective at disrupting the GNSS (global navigation satellite system) navigation and jamming radio frequencies of UAVs.

Key air defence and missile technologies/products developed under this cluster include ASAT, Naval anti-ship missile, Pranash surface-to surface missile, Prahaar missile, Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, Nag missile, Prithvi missile, Agni missile, Beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM), Akash missile.

BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture (JV) between DRDO and NPO Mashniostroyenia (NPOM), Russia has developed and produced the fastest supersonic missile in the world. In January 2022, BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines for supply of Shore Based Anti- Ship Missile System to Philippines.

Rosoboronexport and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) have an agreement to work together for the development of Advanced Pyrotechnic Ignition Systems to meet futuristic requirements of high performance propulsion systems for rockets and missiles. This technology development will facilitate design and development of state-of-the-art solid rocket motors for upcoming products. These products will be based on compact and energy-efficient propulsion systems. Under the aeronautical systems cluster, DRDO developed Nirbhay, a long range sub-sonic Cruise Missile capable of deep penetration into adversary territory to strike high-value targets with precision. Currently, the missile is launched from a mobile articulated launcher. It is being adopted for launch from sea and air platforms.

Under the Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) program, DRDO has allowed the private sector to co-develop missile systems with it and then also produce them. Private sector firms have responded very enthusiastically for participation and bids have been received for the Vertically-launched Short-range Surface to Air Missile system (VL-SRSAM) project. The all-weather air defence missile system is being developed to provide point and area defence against various aerial targets like jets, fighter

aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The canister-based state of art weapon system would be able to identify, track, engage and destroy targets with a high kill probability. It has a strike range of about 40 km.

DRDO has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard naval ships against missile attack. Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur has indigenously developed three variants of this critical technology — Short Range Chaff Rocket, Medium Range Chaff Rocket and Long Range Chaff Rocket — meeting Indian Navy’s qualitative requirements. Recently, the Navy conducted trials of all three variants in the Arabian Sea on Indian Naval Ship and found the performance satisfactory. The technology is being given to the industry for production in large quantities. DRDO has developed ‘Kautilya’, a spaceborne ELINT payload for satellite platform to intercept ground-based radars across the globe. The system provides high accuracy in direction finding and location fixing of radar transmissions. Two-dimensional Base Line Interferometric (BLI) array consisting of spiral and pyramidal horn antennas as radiating elements has been realized for Kautilya. The spiral BLI array working in the C-D band, has 7 elements mounted in orthogonal axes, one being common for vertical and horizontal BLI arrays for DF in two orthogonal directions, i.e., elevation and azimuth.

CASDIC, an R&D Centre set up under DRDO is carrying out feasibility studies for the integration of an EW suite on the Su-30 aircraft that is considered the first step toward the development of the Airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft. AEA platforms are capable of disrupting, deceiving, or denying a broad range of military electronic systems including radars and communications. Su-30 aircraft will retain all the multi-mission capabilities with its validated design and the capability to perform a wide range of enemy defence suppression missions. Su-30 Airborne Electronic Attack aircraft will be carrying tactical jamming pods, communication countermeasures set, EW receiver suite, satellite communications, and a high-performance SIGINT sensor system. DRDO has commenced work on the development of Nag Mk II ATGM to be integrated into MBTs in a twin launcher configuration with each launcher holding one missile. Nag Mk II is an improved lightweight ATGM with performance improvement and a minor range bump. It will also adopt some of the technologies from the Helina program (Helicopter borne ATGM) like the new jet vane control system (JVC) into it.

Ongoing Programmes and Opportunities

In June 2022, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to INR 76,390 crore under ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ categories. These include AoN for Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) and Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) for the Indian Army amongst others.

In March 2022, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Capital Acquisition proposals of Armed Forces amounting to INR 8,357 crore. These include procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radar (Light) and GSAT 7B Satellite. There is substantial opportunity for the Indian industry once strategic missiles are approved for series production. MSMEs could participate in the supply chain for these missiles. Recent missile tests indicate validation of different missile systems. Some of the successful missile tests since January 2022 till date include Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-4, Short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II, Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM), ATGM HELINA, Akash-NG, Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM).

The proposal to buy two new regiments of the Akash Prime missile air defence missiles systems is at an advanced stage. The development is coming at a time when the Indian Army’s Western and South Western commands carried out around a dozen test firings of the existing version of the Akash missiles in the force. A major ongoing program of the Indian Army is the procurement of 220 Air Defence Guns. Further, in May 2022, MoD issued an RFI to procure approximately 250 Long Range Satellite navigation system Guided Missile (LRSGM).

Way Forward

Air defence plays a significant role in protecting the nation’s strategic assets, either static or mobile. India’s air defence requirements are huge. Efforts are underway to make up for critical deficiencies as discussed in the paper.

Going forward, along with need for strategic air defence systems and integrated air defence command, there is a requirement to meet the changing needs posed by the contemporary battlespace. Air defence battle management is a complex, system-of-systems integration with all radars, sensors, weapons, and personnel connected. Its advantages include saving manpower and efficient use of the whole fire chain – one person can operate and respond to the complete chain, support tools to optimize and increase combat effectiveness, technology-enabled warfare strategy and tactics. Netcentric Operations systems must be indigenous since no country will share their warfare tactics. India, as per its perceived enemy profile and the geo-political situation, needs to digitize its concept of operations accordingly.

Ongoing Air Defence Projects (Make 1)

AIP has been accorded for the following:

• Standoff Airborne Jammer
• Directed Energy Weapons (300 KW and more) [high powered electromagnetic devices and highpowered laser devices]
• Communication System (AFNET System Switches, routers, Encryptors and VOIP phones)
• Electro Optical (EO) Pod (with a subsequent upgrade to EO/IR) with highresolution sensing.

Ongoing Air Defence Projects (Make II)

Indian Army

• MEAT (Manoeuvrable Expendable Aerial Target)
• Asibal System (ATGM)
• Medium Range Precision Kill System
• Unit Level Target System – Air Defence
• Mobile Integrated Network Terminal (MINT)
• Integrated Air Defence Combat Simulator
• Mountain Fire Control Radar (Suo Moto)
• HF Software Define Radio (Suo Moto)
• V/UHF Software Define Radio (Suo Moto)
• Drone Kill System
• Laser Beam Riding MANPADS
• Integrated Drone Detection and Interdictions System
• Low Level Light Weight Radar
• Runway Independent Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
• Autonomous – Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarm (Desert)
• Autonomous – Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarm (HAA)

Indian Air Force

• Chaff & flares
• 80 MM Rocket

Indian Navy

• Supersonic Weapon Imitating Flying Target

Extracted from the EY-IMR Knowledge Paper 2022.

The post The Air & Missile Defence Scenario in India appeared first on IMR.

When launched, this will be the Army’s first exclusive communication satellite that will act as a force multiplier and fail-safe communication support to the force as it moves deeper into network-centric warfare scenario.

The GSAT 7B satellite, which has been a long pending demand of the Army, will be launched in the next two-three years and provide integrated communication, not just within the force but also the other two Services — Navy and Air Force.

The satellite will cost Rs 4,635 crore and there would be two units of it. One would be operationalised in space while the other would be on ground, sources said.

The Army is also looking at procuring satellite-linked drones and having a dedicated satellite will be key for operations.

In November last year, the DAC cleared an Indian Air Force (IAF) proposal for the GSAT-7C satellite.

Currently, the force uses GSAT-7A (also known as ‘Angry Bird’), which was launched in 2018. While this is a dedicated satellite for the IAF, the Army uses about 30 per cent of its capacity.

The satellite connects various IAF platforms like aircraft, choppers, drones, airborne early warning and control system and radars, among others. This was the second dedicated satellite for the Indian military after the GSAT-7, which was launched in 2013 for the Navy.

Known as Rukmini, the GSAT-7 is the primary communication link for all naval operations.

India uses its own satellites and those of friendly nations, besides commercial ones, to keep track of developments at its borders, especially the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

In February this year, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C52 successfully launched EOS-04 Satellite, an earth observation system, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

As warfare becomes increasingly tech-oriented, with seamless and secure networked communication being a key element, multiple satellites are required in the next two-three years.

This is not the first time that ISRO’s capabilities are being used by the government department for high-tech surveillance. Previously, in a bid to keep an eye out on the oil and coal theft from freight trains, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has come out with its latest technology to keep a check in this regard. The latest surveillance technology will also be used to monitor the movement of passenger trains giving another boost to their safety.

Before the freight monitoring satellite, ISRO had successfully launched earth observation satellite RISAT-2B. The satellite would be instrumental in enhancing India’s surveillance capabilities.

This satellite replaced RISAT-2 which was launched in 2009. RISAT-2B is going to be a big boost as far as India’s surveillance capabilities are concerned. The satellite is going to be equipped with synthetic aperture radar and is capable of taking pictures of the earth day and night.

It will also be able to take pictures during cloudy circumstances. This satellite will have a mission life of five years, ISRO sources have said that it would also be used for military surveillance. It must be noted that RISAT-2 had also been used extensively to monitor terror camps situated in Pakistan and to block infiltration bids. When RISAT-2 was launched, it was seen as a major achievement of India placing it in a group of limited nations possessing the capability to use satellite technology for passive military use. Ten years later, India has further improved its technological prowess and has launched an even more effective satellite greatly boosting its monitoring and surveillance capabilities.

The ISRO satellites have become the biggest tool for monitoring against anti-social elements and surveillance tools against enemy countries.

Russian MANPADS Inducted

The Army, which has for long been looking for new man portable air defence systems, has inducted a small number of Igla-S systems recently bought from Russia under emergency procurement, according to defence sources. However, a much larger contract for Igla-S systems under the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD) deal is still pending and under review by the Defence Ministry.

The contract was signed in December 2020 and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This includes 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment.

The procurement was done through the Vice Chiefs emergency financial powers given to the Services for the first time after the Balakot air strike in February 2019 and further extended after the standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh in May 2020. Under this, Services can procure weapons systems up to Rs 300 crores on an urgent basis without any further clearances.

In the backdrop of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine and the Western sanctions, India and Russia are working out modalities to utilise the Rupee-Rouble route in a large way for trade and payments. The Ministry is also assessing the impact it would have on the timely execution of deals as well as steady supplies of spares and support.

The larger VSHORAD deal which began in 2010 and saw several rounds of trials and re-trials is still pending. This deal which was close to conclusion is now under review as part of the overall relook at all direct import deals by the Defence Ministry. Deliberations are still continuing on the larger VSHORAD deal.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) for VSHORAD was issued in October 2010 for over 5,000 missiles, 258 single launchers and 258 multi-launchers. Five contenders responded and eventually three made it to the trials – MBDA of France, Rosoboronexport of Russia and SAAB of Sweden. Eventually all three companies were declared technically compliant in 2017 and Igla-S was declared the lowest bidder in November 2018.

While the benchmark price arrived at by the Army was just over $2 bn, Rosoboronexport’s bid was much lower at around $1.47 bn, SAAB at about $2.6 bn, and MBDA at about $3.68 bn. This led to much deliberation within the Ministry as the Russian bid was much lower compared to the benchmark price. The deal also saw several allegations of deviations in procedures with some of the vendors sending protest letters.

As per requirements, the VSHORAD should have a maximum range of 6 km, altitude of 3 km along with all-weather capability and will replace the existing Igla in service which is in urgent need of replacement. VSHORAD is the soldier’s last line of defence against enemy combat aircraft and helicopters in the multilayered air defence network.

In addition to the Igla-S, the Army variant of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) completed trials earlier this month and is now ready for induction. The maiden launch of MRSAM Army Version was conducted in December 2020.

Air Defence functions in three levels – gun/missile system, medium range, and high range. Within this the Air Defence guns are of two types, AD Gun Missile system, AD self propelled guns. The Army is looking for AD guns in both the categories. In the medium segment, it has the indigenous Akash SAM while MRSAM fits in the high range.

MRSAM System Completes Development Trials

Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Army weapon system has proved its effectiveness as two missiles, during the flight tests, achieved direct hits against high speed aerial targets at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on March 30, 2022.

On March 27, 2022, the missile system was successfully flight tested twice against high-speed aerial targets for different ranges as part of the live firing trials.

The launches were carried out establishing the accuracy and reliability of the weapon system against targets covering the sea skimming and high altitude functionality within the envelope. Performance of all weapon system components including missile, weapon system radar and command post have been validated during these trials. With the conclusion of flight trials for different ranges and scenarios, the system has completed its development trials.

Finnish Sako TRG-42 Rifles Inducted

The Indian Army has inducted the Sako .338 TRG-42 sniper rifles from Finland for troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Most of the special forces across the world use .338 Sako TRG 42 sniping rifle and Indian Army has procured it.

Sako .338 TRG-42 sniper rifles have a better range, firepower, and telescopic sights than those possessed by the adversary.

Amid a change in operational dynamics along the LoC, the move is to make the snipers more lethal.

The Sako rifles have reportedly replaced the .338 Lapua Magnum Scorpio TGT by Beretta, and the .50 Calibre M95 by Barrett, which were inducted in the Indian army in 2019 and 2020.

These rifles – made in Italy and America – had replaced the ageing Russian Dragunov, the mainstay of Indian troops.

First procured in the 1990s, the Dragunovs have slowly fallen behind contemporary sniper rifles which offer improved sights and mounts, increased accuracy, and a strike range of over 1 kilometre.

The Sako TRG-42 sniper rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed and developed by the Finnish gun maker SAKO.

The rifle is designed to fire powerful .338 Lapua Magnum-sized cartridges. and weighs at 6.55 kgs without ammunition. It has an effective range of 1,500 metres.

The rifle is considered one of the most accurate and trustworthy weapons gobally.

Sniping has been a bigger challenge for the soldiers patrolling forward areas along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Between 2018 and 2019, there was a sudden increase in the number of sniping incidents along the LoC and IB prompting armed forces to induct better sniper rifles and train its snipers against such attacks.

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“The contract was signed in December 2020 and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This includes 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment,” one of the sources said.

The procurement was done through the Vice Chiefs emergency financial powers given to the Services for the first time after the Balakot air strike in February 2019 and further extended after the standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh in May 2020. Under this, Services can procure weapons systems up to Rs 300 crores on an urgent basis without any further clearances.

In the backdrop of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine and the Western sanctions, India and Russia are working out modalities to utilise the Rupee-Rouble route in a large way for trade and payments. The Ministry is also assessing the impact it would have on the timely execution of deals as well as steady supplies of spares and support.

The larger VSHORAD deal which began in 2010 and saw several rounds of trials and re-trials is still pending.

This deal which was close to conclusion is now under review as part of the overall relook at all direct import deals by the Defence Ministry. Deliberations are still continuing on the larger VSHORAD deal, another defence source said.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) for VSHORAD was issued in October 2010 for over 5,000 missiles, 258 single launchers and 258 multi-launchers. Five contenders responded and eventually three made it to the trials – MBDA of France, Rosoboronexport of Russia and SAAB of Sweden. Eventually all three companies were declared technically compliant in 2017 and Igla-S was declared the lowest bidder in November 2018.

While the benchmark price arrived at by the Army was just over $2 bn, Rosoboronexport’s bid was much lower at around $1.47 bn, SAAB at about $2.6 bn, and MBDA at about $3.68 bn. This led to much deliberation within the Ministry as the Russian bid was much lower compared to the benchmark price. The deal also saw several allegations of deviations in procedures with some of the vendors sending protest letters.

As per requirements, the VSHORAD should have a maximum range of 6 km, altitude of 3 km along with all-weather capability and will replace the existing Igla in service which is in urgent need of replacement. VSHORAD is the soldier’s last line of defence against enemy combat aircraft and helicopters in the multilayered air defence network.

In addition to the Igla-S, the Army variant of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) being jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) completed trials earlier this month and is now ready for induction. The maiden launch of MRSAM Army Version was conducted in December 2020.

Air Defence functions in three levels – gun/missile system, medium range, and high range. Within this the Air Defence guns are of two types, AD Gun Missile system, AD self propelled guns. The Army is looking for AD guns in both the categories. In the medium segment, it has the indigenous Akash SAM while MRSAM fits in the high range.

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