A wide range of niche technologies are being inducted to enhance long range precision attack capabilities. Loitering munitions in land and sea-based versions are being inducted to enhance the targeting capabilities. Additionally, containerised missile systems are being inducted to enhance the operational capability and to augment flexibility in operations.

The Navy has transformed from a ‘Buyers Navy’ into a ‘Builders Navy’, with aircraft carrier, destroyers, stealth frigates, corvettes, submarines and other war vessels being constructed in our country. Today, of the 66 ships under construction 64 are being built in India. Further, approvals have been given for 24 ships and submarines that are all planned to be constructed in Indian Shipyards. At present, IN has achieved approximately 90% indigenisation in the float segment, 60% in the move segment, and 50% in the fight segment. Indian Navy is committed to becoming a fully Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047.

A number of ships and submarines have been commissioned in 2023.

INS Vagir, fifth Submarine of Kalvari class, was commissioned on January 23, 2023.

INS Tarmugli returned by the Govt of Maldives was re-commissioned after refit on December 14, 2023.

INS Imphal, the third stealth ship of Project-15B was commissioned on 26 December 2023.

Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of the four Survey Vessel (Large) ships was delivered to Indian Navy by GRSE on December 4, 2023.

The third GRSE ship of Project P17A Frigates, Vindhyagiri (Yard 3024), was launched on Aug 17, 2023 at GRSE.

The fourth ship of Survey Vessel Large, i.e. Sanshodhak (Yard 3028) was launched on June 13, 2023 at L&T Shipyard.

Two ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) namely Androth (Yard 3035) and Anjadip (Yard 3030) were launched on March 21 and June 13, 2023 respectively at GRSE.

Three more ASW SWC namely Mahe (Yard 523), Malvan (Yard 524) and Magrol (Yard 525) were concurrently launched on November 30, 2023 at CSL, Kochi.

The last of the seven P17A ships, i.e. Mahendragiri (Yard 12654) was launched on September 1, 2023 at MDL, Mumbai.

1st Diving Support Craft A-20 (Yard-325) was launched on August 31, 2023 at Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Kolkata.

INS Vikrant completed Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) on May 31, 2023. With the IOC, the ship has proven the Aviation Facilities Complex, achieved day and night landing of MiG-29K, completed landing trials of all helicopters in the Naval inventory.

Atmanirbharta in Defence is having a profound affect on the operational efficiency of the Indian Navy. During 2023 alone, a number of approvals were given by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). These included:

Medium-Range Anti-Ship Missiles for surface platforms in November 2023.

Next Generation Survey Vessels and avionic upgradation of Dornier aircraft in September 2023.

26 Rafale-Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support in July 2023.

15 MQ-9B Sea Guardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAs) in June 2023.

Ship-launched BrahMos missiles and Utility Helicopters-Maritime in March 2023

Brahmos Launcher and Fire Control System for the Shivalik class of ships and Next Generation Missile Vessels in January 2023.

The Ministry of Defence signed contracts with a number of companies to strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Navy. Among them were:

13 Lynx-U2 Fire Control Systems from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

Three Cadet Training Ships from Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T).

11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and six Next Generation Missile Vessels from different Indian shipyards.

Five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) from Hindustan Shipyard Limited.

16 Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) anti-missile/anti-aircraft point defence weapon system from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

Medium Refit with Life Certification of Sub-Surface Killer Class of Submarine ‘INS Shankush’ with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.

The post EDITORIAL – A Stronger Navy Emerging Through Atmanirbharta appeared first on IMR.

Make II projects are essentially industry-funded projects involving design, development and innovative solutions by Indian vendors for development of prototypes, it said.

“Indian Army is spearheading actions to provide impetus to ‘Make Projects’ as the prime drivers of infusion of niche technologies through indigenous development,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

To give a further boost to the ongoing projects, the Indian Army has now approved project sanction orders (PSOs) of five Make II projects, it said. An assurance of order is given after successful prototype development, the statement said.

These projects whose PSOs have been approved, included high frequency man packed software defined radio, drone kill system, infantry training weapon simulator (IWTS), 155 mm terminally guided munition (TGM) and medium range precision kill system (MRPKS), the ministry said.

PSO for development of prototype of High Frequency Man Packed Software Defined Radio (HFSDR) under Make II scheme has been issued to 14 Developing Agencies (DAs). And, 300 HFSDRs are planned to be procured by the Indian Army, on successful development of the prototype, it said.

As part of efforts to further encourage the indigenous anti-drone ecosystem, the Indian Army has approved PSO to 18 DAs for procurement of 35 sets of drone kill systems under the Make II scheme, post successful development of a prototype. The project is reserved for MSMEs/start-ups, the statement said.

PSO has been issued to four DAs to develop the prototype for subsequent procurement of 125 sets of IWTS under the Make II procedure. The IWTS is the first tri-service Make II project with the Indian Army as the lead service, it added.

PSO has been issued to 15 DAs for “developing a prototype of MRPKS under the Make-II category of DAP 2020. Post successful development of this prototype, the IA will procure 10 Sets of MRPKS,” it added.

“The Indian Army is already progressing 43 ongoing projects under the Make II procedure of capital acquisition. 17 out of 43 projects have been initiated through suo moto proposals received from the industry, which has generated enthusiasm and confidence in the Indian defence industry for participation in the ‘Make procedure’,” the statement said.

Make II procurement scheme has given an impetus to increase the design and development in the defence industry to achieve indigenisation of high end technology systems in various types of weapon systems, ammunition and modern training systems, which are currently not available in the country, the ministry said.

“Multiple measures to expedite the ongoing Make II projects have resulted in tangible outcomes. Twenty-two out of 43 Make II projects are now in prototype development stage, which is 66 per cent of projects by cost (Rs 18,000 crore out of Rs 27,000 crore),” it said.

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According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in a landmark decision, the projects received Approval – in – Principle (AIP) which was decided by the Collegiate Committee of MoD. Under this, the industry will be provided financial support for prototype development of these projects.

For the Indian Air Force (IAF): approval has been given for Communication Equipment with Indian Security Protocols. This includes the Switches, Routers, VoIP Phones and their software and Encryptors. Also, airborne stand-off jammer, Airborne Electro Optical pod with Ground Based System, for the IAF.

For the Indian Army: approval has been given to the long awaited Indian Light Tank. In 2021, the MoD had released Request for Information (RfI) for 350 light tanks. The decision to have these tanks was taken in view of the 22 months standoff between the Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Chinese side has deployed a light tank, the Type 15 or ZTQ 15.

According to the Ministry of Defence, this is the first time that the Indian industry has now been involved in the development of big ticket platforms like Communication Equipment with Indian Security Protocols as well as Light Tanks. Larsen and Toubro and a South Korean company are already talking about these tanks.

Five projects which will be funded by the industry under the Make-II procedure received AIP.

The IAF Full Motion Simulator for Apache Helicopter; Wearable Robotic Equipment for Aircraft Maintenance; and the Full Motion Simulator for Chinook Helicopter have received AIP.

For the Indian Army one of the biggest projects that received the AIP is Autonomous Combat Vehicle; and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System for Mechanised Forces

Under the Make-II category, the government does not provide any funding for the development of the prototype. The industry has to fund the whole prototype development of the equipment/system and their platform. Under this the expenses have to be met by the industry for their upgrades or their sub-systems/ sub-assembly/ assemblies/ components. These are mainly going to help as import substitution and innovative solutions.

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Make-I

• Hypersonic Glide Vehicle
• Directed Energy Weapons (300 KW and more) [High Powered Electromagnetic Devices and High Powered Laser Devices]
• Naval Ship Borne Unmanned Aerial System (NSUAS)
• Light Weight Tank
• Self-Healing Mine Fields
• Unmanned Autonomous AI Based Land Robot
• 127 mm Naval Gun
• 127 mm Guided Projectile
• Electric Propulsion (Engines) for Ships
• Standoff Airborne Jammer
• Li-ion Cells/ Li-Sulphur Cells [Portable High Capacity Energy Systems replacing the Conventional Hydrocarbons
• Communication System (AFNET System Switches, routers, Encryptors& VOIP phones)
• Electro Optical (EO) Pod (with subsequent upgrade to EO/IR) with high resolution sensing
• ‘Plug and Play’ Housing/ Infrastructure for soldiers posted at extreme altitudes.

Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, ‘Make’ Category aims to achieve self-reliance by involving greater participation of Indian industry.  Projects involving design and development of equipment, systems, major platforms or upgrades thereof by the industry can be taken up under this category. For Projects under Make-I sub-category, Ministry of Defence will provide financial support up to 70% of total cost of prototype development.

Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Model

Under SPV model, private industry will be encouraged to take up design and development of military platforms and equipment in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other organizations.  Following two platforms have been identified under this category.

• Long Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) [High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE)]
• Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH)

iDEX

Projects of Start-ups, MSMEs etc. involving high-end innovation would be pursued under the iDEX category and the following platform has been selected under this category.

• Low Orbit Pseudo Satellites

Make-II

Under Make-II, which is funded by industry with assured procurement, following platform has been listed.

• Anti-jamming Systems for Multiple Platforms

Out of 18 major platforms mentioned above, following four platforms have been already accorded Approval-In-Principle (AIP) under Make-I category on 03 March 2022:

• Communication System (AFNET System Switches, routers, Encryptors& VOIP phones)
• EO Pod (with subsequent upgrade to EO/IR) with high resolution sensing
• Standoff Airborne Jammer
• Light Weight Tanks

The indigenous development of these projects will help harness the design capabilities of domestic defence industry and position India as a design leader in these technologies.

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