Modern warfare is rewriting the logic of protection. Across recent conflicts, the battlefield has shown that survivability is no longer determined only by the ability to stop bullets. Fragments, blast effects, drones, top-attack profiles, electronic vulnerability, and the need for mobility have changed the protection equation for soldiers and armoured platforms alike. Advanced ceramics and composites have therefore moved from the laboratory to the centre of operational relevance. They are no longer niche materials; they are now among the most important enablers of future battlefield survivability.

The lessons are stark. The experience of high-intensity conflict, particularly in Ukraine, has underscored that a large proportion of casualties arise from fragments and blast rather than direct bullet impacts. This shifts the design emphasis away from just defeating rifle rounds toward achieving wider, smarter, and more adaptive coverage. In the Indian context, the aftermath of Operation Sindoor further highlighted the urgency of upgrading soldier protection and accelerating the domestic production of modern bulletproof systems.

The Threat Has Changed

The adversary faced by the modern soldier is no longer one-dimensional. Protection systems today must deal with a wide threat spectrum: drone-delivered fragments, mortar splinters, grenades, rifle armour-piercing rounds, heavy machine-gun fire, kinetic-energy penetrators for vehicles, and even the possibility of CBRN-related exposure. Each of these threats demands a different protective response. This is why armour can no longer be understood as a single plate or a single material. It is a layered system of materials, geometry, coverage, and integration.

At the soldier level, the challenge is not only to stop a rifle round but also to protect vulnerable body zones against fragments. Helmets, collars, yokes, deltoid protectors, groin protection, and shin guards all become part of the survivability architecture. At the platform level, the problem becomes even more complex, because vehicles must deal with APFSDS rounds, RPG threats, top-attack profiles, and electronic warfare vulnerabilities. The future of protection is therefore distributed, layered, and mission-specific.

Why Ceramics Matter

The case for advanced ceramics begins with physics. Ceramic strike faces such as boron carbide and silicon carbide are much harder than conventional armour steel, while being significantly lighter. When struck by a projectile, the ceramic does not simply absorb the hit. It erodes, blunts, and fractures the incoming penetrator, dispersing the impact energy. A backing layer — often based on polymers, composites, or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene — then catches the residual fragments and reduces blunt trauma to the body.

This combination is what makes ceramic-composite armour so effective. It delivers a level of ballistic resistance that would be far too heavy if achieved solely through steel. Weight is not a secondary factor in protection; it is central to combat effectiveness. If armour becomes too heavy, soldier endurance declines, mobility suffers, and battlefield performance deteriorates. That is why boron carbide, with its exceptional hardness and very low density, has become such an important material in modern protective systems.

Transparent ceramics also point to future possibilities. Materials such as aluminium oxynitride can provide ballistic protection in vehicle windows and aircraft canopies while preserving visibility. This illustrates a broader truth: ceramics are not merely replacements for steel plates. They are enablers of a broader design transformation in how protection is conceived.

Geometry Is as Important as Material

One of the most important insights in modern armour design is that performance depends not only on what a system is made of, but also on how it is arranged. Geometry can dramatically improve weight efficiency, flexibility, and multi-hit capability. The same ceramic material may perform very differently depending on whether it is configured as a monolithic plate, a mosaic tile array, a cylindrical honeycomb, or an overlapping fish-scale structure.

This is especially important in an era in which multiple impacts in a confined area are increasingly common. A monolithic plate may be compromised after one hit in a localised zone. A tiled mosaic, by contrast, can isolate damage and preserve protection in adjacent zones. Bio-inspired fish-scale structures offer another advantage: they can conform to curved body surfaces and provide flexible multi-hit coverage in places where flat plates are ineffective.

This means the future of armour lies not simply in stronger materials, but in architected protection systems that combine material science with design intelligence.

Soft Armour Still Matters

If ceramics defeat bullets, soft armour defeats fragments — and fragments matter enormously on the modern battlefield. High-performance fibres, layered intelligently, are indispensable for protecting areas where rigid plates cannot be worn comfortably or continuously. Here again, materials matter, but architecture matters just as much. Fibre orientation, layering pattern, resin or thermoplastic matrix, and hybridisation all influence ballistic performance.

The next leap may also come from hybrid and unconventional materials. Natural fibre-based ballistic composites, when combined with established materials such as Kevlar, show promise for indigenous, lower-cost armour concepts. These should not be dismissed as peripheral experiments. They represent a potentially valuable avenue for India’s own resource-based innovation ecosystem.

The Frontier: Nano, Multifunctionality, and Adaptive Protection

The most exciting developments in armour science are occurring at the frontier where protection, sensing, and multifunctionality begin to merge. Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene are important not only because of their extraordinary mechanical properties, but because they could enable armour to become structurally intelligent. The same material system could provide strength, electromagnetic shielding, and real-time health monitoring of structural damage.

Other advanced concepts, such as shear-thickening-fluid armour, point toward protection systems that remain flexible in normal use but harden instantaneously under impact. This has major implications for areas like the neck, groin, joints, and shoulders, where traditional rigid armour is difficult to apply. Likewise, radiation-shielding composites could become increasingly important for high-altitude operations and future CBRN contingencies. Protection in the future will not be single-function; it will be adaptive and multifunctional.

Additive Manufacturing and the Logistics Revolution

Advanced armour is not only about defeating threats; it is also about how quickly protection can be produced, repaired, and adapted. Traditional ceramic armour is centrally manufactured, transported forward, and difficult to replace once damaged. Additive manufacturing could alter that equation by enabling distributed production of armour components closer to the point of need.

This matters because survivability is as much a logistics problem as it is a materials problem. If replacement inserts, plates, and modular protection elements can be produced or restored faster, the battlefield value of armour increases dramatically. The significance of additive manufacturing therefore lies not merely in fabrication novelty, but in resilience, response time, and supply-chain independence.

India’s Progress: From Research to Reality

India’s armour story is not one of absence; it is one of rapid but still incomplete acceleration. Over the years, institutions such as DRDO, DMRL, IIT Delhi, MIDHANI, and a growing network of private industry have built important capabilities in steels, ceramics, composites, and armour integration.

A major recent example is ABHED — Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat — developed by DRDO and IIT Delhi. It uses indigenous boron carbide ceramic and polymer-based construction, has passed required trials, and offers modular 360-degree protection while remaining within demanding weight limits. Public reporting states that its variants weigh between 8.2 kg and 9.5 kg depending on the BIS threat level, making it a notable step forward in lightweight soldier protection.

At the vehicle level, Kanchan armour remains one of India’s most significant achievements in composite armour design. Advanced ceramic-based vehicle protection is also increasingly moving into production through technology transfers and industry partnerships, including work associated with wheeled armoured platforms and other future combat systems.

India also benefits from a maturing standards ecosystem. IS 17051:2018 has given the country its own performance framework for bullet-resistant jackets, which is important for both procurement clarity and industrial scaling.

The Gaps That Still Remain

Despite this progress, several gaps remain. The first is scale. Operational demand for protective systems still exceeds available supply by a significant margin. The second is multi-hit all-round protection, especially beyond the plate itself and across the full body. The third is validation across India’s harsh thermal envelope, from Siachen’s extreme cold to desert heat.

There is also a clear need to integrate CBRN resilience, smart sensing, and adaptive material systems into the next generation of armour. Finally, India must think ahead to exoskeleton-assisted soldiers and networked battlefield systems, because future armour will not exist in isolation from power, mobility, data, and load-bearing technologies.

The Way Ahead

The way ahead is clear. India needs a coordinated effort that links operational users, defence laboratories, academia, and industry into a sustained materials and protection ecosystem. The priorities are equally clear: multi-hit ceramic architectures, better soft-armour systems, adaptive materials, additive manufacturing closer to the field, smart structural monitoring, CBRN-capable protection, and future-soldier integration.

The material science exists. The institutions exist. The operational urgency certainly exists. What is required now is speed, scale, and coordinated investment.

In the final analysis, armour is not just about plates, fibres, ceramics, or composites. It is about ensuring that the soldier survives long enough to fight, adapt, and prevail. Advanced ceramics and composites are therefore not merely materials of protection; they are materials of combat power.

(This article is based on a talk given by Col Jitender Kaushik, of the Faculty of Studies, College of Military Engineering, Pune, on 7 April 2026 at the Advanced Materials & Additive Manufacturing seminar in New Delhi)

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In continuous pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to minimise imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’, Dept of Defence Production (DDP) notified 4th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) of 928 items on May 12, 2023, which includes LRUs/ sub-systems/ assemblies/ sub-assemblies, raw material, low value critical spares and components of DPSUs for time-bound indigenisation. These items are to be indigenised within the timelines of December 2023 to December 2029. As compared to previous year, 4500+ items of Srijan Portal including 173 PIL items, have been indigenised in 2023.

To give fillip to the ongoing indigenisation, a portal – www.srijandefence.gov.in – was launched in August 2020 for DPSUs/Services with an industry interface to provide development support to MSMEs/ Startups/ Industry for import substitution.

The MoD has successfully indigenised 10,451 items during the period of 3 years since the launch of Srijan Portal. More than 34,000 items were uploaded by the DPSUs and Service Headquarters on Srijan Portal for indigenisation by Industry. This includes the 4,666 items under PILs being notified by DDP.

Standardisation of defence equipment/ inventory is undertaken through 13 Standardisation Sub-Committees dealing with specialized equipment/ technologies. During 2023, a new Standardisation Sub-Committee namely, Marine Equipment Standardisation Sub-Committee, was formed to formulate Standards for Marine Equipment.

During 2023, training on standardisation and codification was imparted to 333 personnel of Tri-Services, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSPs), Ordnance Factories and civil industries, through two Training Institutes located at Pune and Badarpur (New Delhi).

The 14th edition of Aero India-2023 was held from 13th–17th February at Bengaluru, Karnataka and has been the largest ever edition since its inception in 1996 with more than 100 countries, 809 exhibitors, first ever Fly past with 53 aircrafts showcasing our airpower to global attendees and a total footfall of 7+ lakh visitors over five days.

Start-ups promotion was a focus area at Aero India-2023 with Indian Start-ups being showcased at an exclusive iDEX pavilion, and at the Chiefs of Air Staff Conclave. The Annual Start-up event ‘Manthan’ was also conducted. The maiden iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) was conducted with over Rs 200 crore pledged during iIH.

A concerted effort was made towards forging B2B partnerships at the ‘Bandhan’ ceremony and more than 250 such partnerships with a total value of more than Rs 75,000 crore have been finalized. The partnerships are a step towards increasing traction for business, ToT and Joint development between the companies.

Defence Exports

Export leads received from various stakeholders are being disseminated to the registered Indian Defence Exporters through online portal. This facility helps the Indian defence exporters to quickly respond to export opportunities arising in other countries. The online portal has been upgraded with a feedback mechanism from Indian Industry for online monitoring/ follow-up of the disseminated export leads. Total 245 leads have been disseminated through the portal since Jan 2023.

In order to boost defence exports, webinars were organized with Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) under the aegis of DDP, MoD through Industry Associations. Total 26 webinars have been organised since Jan 2023.

A scheme for financial assistance to Defence Attaches (DAs) for promotion of “Brand India” in defence was approved by the RM in Nov’ 2023. Under this scheme DAs have been mandated for export promotion of Indigenous defence products of both public and private sector through enhanced financial grants to the Indian missions. For FY 2023-24, DAs of 64 countries were allocated a total of Rs. 3.76 crores.

An institutional support mechanism has been created for facilitation and hand-holding of Indian defence companies for promoting the export of UN Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) to troop contributing countries.

In line with India’s Defence Export Strategy to enhance defence exports, 1310 Export Authorisations were issued by Dept of Defence Production to 73 countries during 2023, having value of Rs. 13345 crore.

Defence Innovations

During 2023, 101 winners of iDEX challenges were declared, 131 contracts were signed and 15 prototypes were developed. Three versions of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC) i.e., DISC 8, DISC 9 & DISC X were launched. Three versions of Open Challenges, i.e., OC 7, OC 8 & OC 9 were launched.

iDEX in partnership with US DoD conducted the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUX-X) event in Washington DC, USA on 20-21 June 2023. The initiative will expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the start-up eco-system, businesses, and academic institutions.

iDEX Investor Hub (iIH) brought additional funding of Rs 50 cr through ITI Growth Opportunities Fund (a venture capital fund of the Investment Trust of India group), raising the total iIH amount to Rs 260 cr.

Swavlamban 2023. During Swavlamban 2023 event on 4 Oct 2023, Raksha Mantri launched a number of initiatives.

Collaboration with US DoD. Along with 76 Challenges of DISC X, 5 problem statements under iDEX 4 Fauji and first 2 challenges under ‘INDUS-X Mutual Promotion of Advanced Collaborative Technologies’ (IMPACT were jointly launched by iDEX and United States Department of Defence (US, DoD).

iDEX-Navy Venture for Technology (iNVent): Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) and Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) entered into an MoU for jointly working on facilitating the infusion of Venture Capital into the defence ecosystem through the iDEX Investor Hub (iIH).

DAC Approvals. Indigenous Design & Development of Defence Systems has been undertaken through ‘Make Procedure’ provided under Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020. In 2023, 18 projects were accorded ‘Approval-in-principle’ bringing the total tally to 149 projects. Also, 11 projects have been accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in 2023, taking the number of AoN projects to 60.

Defence Industrial Corridors. Two Defence Industrial Corridors (DIC) have been established at Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to boost Defence Manufacturing ecosystem in the country with intent to attract investment of Rs. 10,000 Crore in each DIC. In Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the nodal agency, has signed 138 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industries, etc. Actual investment of Rs. 2656 core has been made in UPDIC. In Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), the nodal agency, has made arrangements through 57 MoUs, etc. Actual investment of Rs. 4085 Crore has been made in TNDIC.

Helicopter Factory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated HAL’s New Helicopter factory in Tumkuru to the nation on 6th Feb ’23. During the same event, Prime Minister unveiled HAL’s indigenously designed and developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

DPSU’s Successes

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated first overseas regional marketing office of HAL in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 11 July 2023.

HAL received the ‘State Export Excellence Award’ (for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 & 2019-20) from Department of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Karnataka under the category of ‘Govt. of India Undertaking Exporter’ on 22 Jul 2023.

HAL played key role in success of Chandrayaan-3 including on-time delivery of 30 types of rivetted structure, six types of welded structure and the satellite’s bus structure Rover, Lander and Castings & Forgings, appreciation received.

ASTRA indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, successfully fired from Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7, off the coast of Goa on 23 Aug 2023. All the objectives of the test were met. This was a joint effort by ADA and HAL.

HAL received DGCA approval under ‘CAR21 Subpart G’ for series production of Hindustan 228 aircraft, indigenously built, as Make-in-India project and ‘Maintenance Type Training Certificate’ under CAR147 under category B1 and B2 for imparting AME type rated licence on Hindustan-228 aircraft.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited HAL Bangalore on 25 Nov 2023 and undertook a sortie on the LCA Tejas Twin Seater Aircraft. PM is the first Prime Minister of the Country who undertook a sortie in our home grown technology marvel-Tejas.

Indigenous Air Traffic Management System (ATMAS), jointly developed & installed by BEL and Airports Authority of India (AAI), was inaugurated & commissioned at Bhubaneswar airport on 27 Oct 2023.

Combat trial of indigenously developed Varunastra, a ship-launched anti-submarine heavy-weight torpedo (HWT) was successfully conducted on 6 June 2023 by Indian Navy. The Torpedo was fired from a submarine and successfully hit an underwater target demonstrating the combat worthiness and capable of meeting the Navy’s operational requirements. BDL has manufactured and supplied the torpedo and associated in integration, torpedo preparation for sea trials and firing onboard ship.

BDL has launched three new products i.e., Vertically Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL SRSAM), SAL Seeker ATGM for BMP II and Drone Delivered Missile (JISHNU) during the Bandhan event at Aero India held in Feb 2023.

BDL carried out field firing of 3rd Generation Fire and Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile named Amogha-III on 26 Mar 2023.

The i-ATS (Indigenous- Automatic Train Supervision) system, developed by BEL, was formally launched on the Delhi Metro Red Line on 18 Feb 2023 from the Operations Control Centre (OCC), Shastri Park.

MIDHANI indigenously developed SNI C276 sheets, a premier corrosion-resistant material. Alloy C276, strengthened with nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and a touch of tungsten, excels in oxidizing and reducing environments used for flue gas purification. This achievement was appreciated at BHEL SAMVAAD 3.0 held at New Delhi on 9 Nov 2023.

MIDHANI developed 1000th heat in the indigenously developed Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) furnace within 6 years.

MIDHANI launched five newly developed products and signed 11 MoUs during the 14th edition of Aero India 2023, organised by BEL along with HAL, held at Yelahanka, Bengaluru on 13-17 Feb 2023.

The 4th ship of Project-17A “Mahendragiri”, built by MDL, was launched on 1 Sep 2023.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Foundation for Science innovation and Development, IISC Bengaluru signed MoU on 29 July 2023 towards fostering joint development and implementation of AI technologies in the field of shipbuilding & defence applications.

GSL & Kenya Shipyards Limited signed MoU in Capacity Building & for collaboration in ship design & construction, during the bilateral meeting held between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Aden Bare Duale in New Delhi.

Yard ‘Infrastructure Augmentation Plan’ worth Rs. 1393.55 cr was executed in five phases and completed in all manners on 31 Mar 2023 by GSL.

Two Diving Support Vessels (DSV), indigenously designed by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), are being built for Indian Navy for the first time by an Indian yard.

HSL has received three Inmex Maritime Excellence Awards in categories of Best Ship Repair Company, Best Technology Innovation and Women Leadership Award.

IOL has signed 13 MOUs valuing approx Rs 6,100 crore for cooperation in designing, development, manufacture, upgradation etc. of new products/ technologies with different parties like BEML and others.

In pursuance of MoD’s policy to promote ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ Programmes, IOL has indigenised many ex-import components/sub-assemblies using Srijan portal. IOL has placed 101 project sanction orders on Indian manufacturers, under Make-II scheme of DAP-2020 and 8 RFPs/EOIs have also been published. IOL has 189 items in PIL1 and 47 items in PIL3 Lists, out of which 184 Items have already been indigenised. IOL has also sponsored five innovative technology projects under iDEX.

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Mishra Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) has developed 99.6 percent pure Nickel wire of dia 158 microns for ventilators use in a records time of 96 hours, the company announced on 4 May.

The wire will be used in oxygen sensors pertaining to critical care ventilator. Prior to this development, the Nickel wire of these purity standards used to be imported. Supposedly, this innovative move of the Defence PSU will strengthen India’s fight against Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The news came almost a month after Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) announced the production of ventilators with the help of local companies.

MIDHANI is specialized metals and metal alloys manufacturing facility in India, located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It is a public sector undertaking (PSU), under the administrative control of Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.

New Remote Weapon Station by OFB

India’s Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has developed a new remotely operated weapon station (ROWS) armed with the Russian-designed NSVT 12.7 mm heavy machine gun (HMG), in conjunction with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), according to the Ordnance Factory Board’s (OFB) portfolio.

The new ROWS, which is simply designated Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS), broke its cover at the DefExpo 2020 defense show held in Lucknow in early February. The unmanned combat station was specifically designed to carry a combat-ready NSVT HMG, which is mounted on a two-axis stabilizer.

The RCWS can be used to engage both ground and aerial targets, with keeping its operator safe from threats. Originally, the station was intended for the upgraded Arjun Mk. IA main battle tank (MBT). The module has also been configured for the Arjun armored recovery vehicle and the C-431 patrol ship of the Indian Coast Guard; however, it can be installed on a wide range of ground and surface carriers. The RCWS works in both day and night modes and is equipped with a laser rangefinder. An automatic target tracker and a remote arming device can be additionally mounted.

According to the OFB, the organic armament suite of the new unmanned station can be reinforced with an anti-tank missile, machine gun, or automatic grenade launcher. “The module can be employed during low-intensity conflicts,” says the portfolio, adding that the RCWS had already passed through firing tests at sea.

India is also reported to have imported marinized unmanned combat stations from Israel: since 2016, the Asian country has been negotiating the acquisition of 747 Elbit Systems’ RCWSs armed with 12.7 mm HMGs (probably M2HBs, but Elbit also offers its combat stations with the NSVT machine gun). India was planning to directly import 136 RCWSs and produce the remaining 611 modules in-house.

The OFB did not provide any detailed information about the new combat station.  However, it is believed to carry a traditional sensor suite with a daylight TV camera, thermal imager and laser rangefinder.

HAL working on Cheaper TejEx LCA For Export

After successfully reducing the price of the upgraded Tejas Mk1A by nearly half at less than $45 million a unit for soon to be concluded order for 83 jets, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is working on developing a low-cost version of the fighter jet designated as “TejEx” for Export Market from 2023 onwards.

TejEx will be more expensive than the Tejas Mk1A but will be cheaper then Mk1 which HAL has currently in production. TejEx can be customizable as per customer requirements and can have systems and subsystems from both Mk1 and Mk1A configuration to make it slot right between both the aircraft in terms of technology on offer.

TejEx test plane will be HAL funded and will be used as a product demonstrator for the potential customers and the first aircraft will likely be ready by end of 2023 once the system and configuration are confirmed after considering the requirements of the export market.

TejEx will have the radar option of ELA-2032/MMR, ELA-2052 and even Uttam AESA in later stages with choice of weapons integration which includes India’s offering like Astra BVRAAM, SAAW and Inertial guided bomb. Weapons that have been cleared for Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A will also be on offer.

Procurement Rules Relaxed For Armed Forces

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has invoked emergency powers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak to expedite the procurement of supplies required to establish and run quarantine and isolation facilities for the Indian Armed Forces and as well other facilities requested by the civil administration across the country.

The emergency powers will provide three important exemptions in the existing procurement rules – exemption from long-drawn bidding procedure, dispensation of procurement from Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and making 100 percent advance payment to suppliers after due diligence – to procure necessary supply in the fastest possible manner.

The move will ensure swift and smooth purchase of stores, equipment, rations, chemicals, medicines and also their speedy transportation by the armed forces.

Since the armed forces have been asked to set up facilities for troops and also extending help to local authorities through quarantine facilities in Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Assam, the prevailing health emergency requires immediate procurement of certain items in quantities, which may not be available with a single supplier or within the time-frame in which they are needed.

As per the directive, army units too have been exempted from government financial rules which makes it mandatory for them to purchase provisions through GeM.

The ministry said that the rules related to GeM purchase will not be applicable to emergent purchases, medical and other supplies related to Covid-19 operations.

The army formations have also been exempted from lengthy bidding procedure by relaxing the existing rules. The normal bidding procedure for procurement is a long-drawn process but in this pandemic situation, the MoD has allowed to receive bids by email or fax instead of e-procurement portals. The army formations will verify the authenticity of the firms and bidding time will be reduced as per the emergent requirement.

Bharat Dynamics Wins IAF Missile Order

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) said, on 5 May, that  it had bagged a Rs. 293.33 crore ($40 million) order for supplying Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) sections for the Indian Air Force (IAF) deliverables.

The order will be executed by the company within the next 24 months. The company had (provisional and audited) an order book of Rs 7,413 crore ($977 million) till 1 April, including Akash missiles (seven squadron) contract for Rs 1,700 crore ($225 million) received during the quarter ended 31 March.

Soon after the stock exchange filing on the new order for MRSAM sections, Bharat Dynamics jumped five per cent to Rs. 224.85 ($2.95). The stock has gained 7.38 per cent in two trading sessions from its previous closing low of Rs 209.4 ($2.76) posted on May 4.

BDL’s standalone net profit fell 71.8 per cent to Rs 53.18 crore ($7 million) on a 49.6 per cent decline in net sales to Rs 495.42 crore ($65 million) in third quarters ending December 2019 over the corresponding quarters in December 2018.

Bharat Dynamics designs and manufactures guided weapon systems and its products include Milan-2T, Konkurs-M, Invar ATGM, Akash, advanced lightweight torpedo (TAL), torpedo counter measure system, counter measures dispensing system and infrared interference indicator.

Indian Navy Partners With Think3D

The Indian Navy has partnered with Indian 3D printing service bureau think3D to help produce spare parts on demand using additive manufacturing, for both on and off-shore scenarios.

The availability of spare parts has been a recurring problem for the Indian Navy due to the use of old, imported machinery. Collaborating with think3D, the Indian Navy has sought to solve this problem by instead 3D printing spare parts and replacing them on demand. think3D has supplied various 3D printed spare parts to Indian Navy, all of which have been successfully tested and incorporated into its machinery. One particular case study that the company has shared revolves around the replacement of centrifugal pump impellers, key components for a ship’s operation, using 3D printing.

Seeking an alternative manufacturing process where these impellers can be produced quickly and at a lower cost of ownership, the Indian Navy identified 3D printing as a possible solution, and contacted think3D.

After being contacted by the Indian Navy, the think3D team visited the ships to understand the problem in detail and to collect data on the impellers, including material properties required and boundary conditions. Its first step involved 3D scanning the impeller and reverse engineering its design. This was performed using an EinScan Pro+ 3D Scanner and CREO to create the CAD model based on the scanned data. Using ANSYS software, think3D then investigated which material and 3D printing process would benefit the application. Various materials like nylon composites, glass filled nylon, PA12, other regular plastics were tested for suitability.

With the successful completion of the 3D Printed impeller, think3D has now set its sights on building a digital repository of impellers for the Indian Navy. Once the repository is built, the company has committed to 3D printing the required impellers on demand to supply to the Navy.

Recently, the maritime industry has increased its adoption of 3D printing technology to combat similar issues experienced by the Indian Navy, mainly surrounding the supply of spare parts.

Israeli Defence Companies Adapt Sensors to Screen For Virus

Israel’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) was working with two Israeli defence companies to develop radar- and electro-optical-based sensors to monitor peoples’ vital signs and identify ones infected with Covid-19. The programme is led by the National Emergency Team of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) under the MoD.

The ministry made the announcement on 31 March, saying Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have adapted existing systems. “The data, including pulse, respiratory rate and temperature, are measured remotely using a combination of radar and electro-optical sensors, thus reducing the risk of infection to medical personnel. The next stage of development [is] screening and prioritising patient care based on the analysis of vital data.”

IAI-Elta took its 1 kg ELM-2114 perimeter surveillance radar as the basis for its medical system. The radar uses the very low frequency K-band so can be safely placed very close to people. Using the radar, the system can track a person’s movements as they breath as well as their pulse when placed 3 metres away, with medics in another room receiving readings in seconds.

IAI is currently producing its first system and expects to start producing several more for hospitals within two weeks.

BEL, HAL, BEML Get Back to Business

Defence production, which had come to a standstill for close to a month in the wake of the government enforcing a lockdown to combat the spread of the Covid-19, resumed on 28 April. More than 36,000 employees work with the three PSUs.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) – all headquartered in Bengaluru – had ordered the closing down of their manufacturing units from March 24 onwards.

HAL is the only aircraft manufacturer in the country. It produces the LCA, Su-30 MkI, Hawk, Dornier aircraft, Chetak, Cheetah, ALH Dhruv helicopters besides producing engines, avionics, aerospace systems and materials.

BEL makes products in the areas of radars, missile systems, military communications, naval systems, electronic warfare and avionics, among others.

BEML, which is involved in the manufacturing of trucks used by the military and also integral rail coaches and metro cars, has about 7,000 employees all over India with about 2,000 working in Bengaluru alone.

Thales Reliance Defence Systems Resumes Operations

Thales Reliance Defence Systems (TRDS) resumed operations in MIHAN special economic zone (SEZ) in Nagpur in Maharashtra  after the Centre eased restrictions for some sectors amid the lockdown for the coronavirus outbreak. In a release, on 21 April, the firm said it was providing a safe working environment and said it was operating at 30 per cent staff in the first phase now.

TRDS has finished assembly and testing of first AESA radar at its facility in MIHAN. It will also be undertaking the assembly of electronic warfare systems here, the only facility outside France to have this capability, the release said.

Dassault Reliance Aerospace Resumes Operations

Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) re-started operations, on 20 April, at its Mihan special economic zone (SEZ) in Nagpur, in line with the government’s plan to lift the nationwide lockdown in a phased manner, according to a company statement. The company will operate with 25-30% of its total strength in the first phase, and plans to scale up operations as per the directives of the district administration and local authorities.

Dassault Reliance Aerospace supplies aero structure assemblies for Falcon 2000 business jets and components for Rafale aircraft, as part of the global supply chain for Dassault Aviation.

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure Ltd holds 51% stake in DRAL, a joint venture with Rafale fighter jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation which owns the remaining.

The government had initially imposed a 21-day national lockdown, effective 25 March and till 14 April. With the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country, it decided to extend the lockdown until 3 May but allowed some sectors to resume operations.

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Bharat Electronics Ltd unveiled a Remote Controlled Weapon Station armed with a 12.7mm machine gun at Aero India in 2017. Seen here are the CMD of BEL, MW Gawtama and Maj Gen GD Bakshi, Editor IMR.

BDL has bagged a Rs 293 crore order from the IAF for MRSAM sections

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