QKD is primarily a mechanism to undertake secure communication which utilises a cryptographic protocol involving various components of quantum mechanics. The technology enables two communicating sides to come up with random secret keys shared by both of them and known exclusively to them, so only they can use it to encrypt and decrypt messages, thus achieving a very highly-secure communication.

In December 2020, the technology was tested for communication between two DRDO facilities in Hyderabad—the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI)—over a distance of 12 km.

A press statement from the Ministry of Defence said on the latest test, “This technological breakthrough was achieved over a commercial-grade optical fibre already available in the field. With this success, the country has demonstrated indigenous technology of secure key transfer for bootstrapping military-grade communication security key hierarchy. The performance parameters have been measured and have been found to be repetitively within the reported international standards at sifted key rates of up to 10 kHz. This technology will enable security agencies to plan a suitable quantum communication network with indigenous technology backbone.”

Secure communications are vital for defence and strategic agencies across the globe and the distribution of encryption keys is the crucial factor for it. Sharing of keys over the air or wired links requires encryption, which in turn requires encryption keys to be pre-shared. Quantum-based communication offers a robust solution to sharing the keys securely. DRDO has undertaken multiple projects for the development of this technology.

The technology is expected to help define standards and formulate crypto technology-related policies that can use the QKD system in a unified Cipher Policy Committee (CPC) framework in the country for more secure “key management” for current and future military cryptographic systems.

In the last week of December 2020, DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory for Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT), a DRDO facility based in Mumbai, developed a Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG), which has the ability to detect random quantum events and convert those into a stream of binary digits. The QRNG system developed by DYSL-QT passed the global randomness testing standards of NIST and Die-harder Statistical Test Suites at the speed of around 150 kbps after post-processing. The generated random numbers were also evaluated and verified using DRDO’s indigenously developed Randomness Testing Statistical Test Suite of Scientific Analysis Group. With this development, India had entered the club of countries that have the technology to achieve the generation of random numbers based on the Quantum Phenomenon.

Most of the large economies and defence powers across the world have in the recent past formulated dedicated plans for the development of quantum technologies. These countries include the US, Canada, several European countries, China, Japan and South Korea. India has seen significant policy decisions and budget allocation for the sector.

However, senior DRDO scientists and defence officials say that developments in India need to be seen especially in the context of several claims made by China. China has said that it has achieved multiple breakthroughs in the quantum technology domain that included the world’s first quantum satellite, the world’s first optical quantum computing machine prototype and also a 2000 km long quantum communication link between Beijing and Shanghai.

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The Indian Army is making steady, yet significant strides in the field of emerging technology domains.

Quantum Lab

The Army, has established the Quantum Lab at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to spearhead research and training in this key developing field. Research undertaken by the Indian Army in the field of Quantum Technology will help leapfrog into next-generation communication and transform the current system of cryptography in the Indian Armed Forces to Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Key thrust areas are Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing and Post Quantum Cryptography.

In October 2021, the ideation of Indian Army’s involvement in Electromagnetic (EM) Spectrum Operations had emerged at a seminar organised on EM Spectrum and National Security. Since then, Indian Army’s technology institutions have been encouraged to invest in AI, quantum and cyber domains.

Quantum key distribution, quantum computing, post quantum cryptography and quantum communication will be the key focus areas in the research. This research work is expected to transform the existing system of cryptography in the Indian armed forces to post quantum cryptography.

Artificial Intelligence Centre

The Army has several schemes underway on contemporary and emerging AI technologies. Apart from civil industry partnerships, an AI centre of excellence has been established at the Military College for Telecommunication Engineering in Mhow.

Application-oriented research in AI is also being conducted at two dedicated DRDO labs, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) and DRDO Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL)-AI, both at Bengaluru. Moreover, all DRDO system labs have started AI technology groups to introduce AI features in all products.

But with countries like the US and China galloping towards AI-driven warfare, there is widespread acceptance that much more needs to be done on this “disruptive technology” front to boost the combat capability and survivability of Indian forces.

“Improved situational awareness, fusion of sensors, faster decision-making, use of autonomous weapons, and integration of AI into every facet of warfare, will necessitate changes to war fighting doctrines, organisations and structures, training methodology and leadership. For militaries across the world as well as for us, this remains an ongoing challenge, and a work in progress,” Army chief Gen MM Naravane said at a seminar.

Cyber Warfare

Training on cyber warfare is being imparted through a state of art cyber range, and cyber security labs.

By undertaking a multi-stakeholder approach incorporating Academia (such as IITs), DRDO organisations, Research Institutes, Corporate firms, Startups and Industry players, this initiative is an apt example of Civil-Military fusion with ”Atmanirbhar Bharat” a key driving factor. Requisite timelines based objectives with adequate funding have been worked out for projects and progressive fielding of solutions in the Indian Army is expected on a fast track basis. .

”Hackathon’ on Emerging Technologies

The Indian Army conducted a first-of-its-kind ‘Hackathon’, on 1 October 2021 to 31 December 2021, giving a shot in the arm for proficiency and expertise in the use of emerging technologies, and to delineate the technological side of the armed force. The hackathon was conducted in the MCTE, Mhow under the overall guidance of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).

The event was conducted from under the name of “Sainya Ranakshetram”, in collaboration with the Rashtriya Raksha University. The virtual event witnessed the participation of over 15,000 participants and comprised a number of challenges based on secure coding, software defined radio exploitation and cyber offensive skills.

Further, the main highlights of the event included participants competing with each other in cyberspace against simulated threats. Additionally, the event also hosted a plethora of training sessions and sessions by experts for the participants. Cyber enthusiasts from across India were the cynosure in the entire event.

Messaging Application

The Indian Army, on 23 December, launched a new messaging application called Army Secure IndiGeneous Messaging Application (ASIGMA) for in-house communication. ASIGMA has been developed entirely in-house by a team of officers of the Corps of Signals.

The new application is being deployed on the Army’s internal network as a replacement of Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) messaging application which has been in service for the past 15 years. ASIGMA has been fielded on Army-owned hardware and lends itself to lifetime support with future upgrades, it said.

The bespoke messaging application meets all futuristic user requirements and boasts of an enhanced user experience. It has a variety of contemporary features, including multi-level security, message prioritisation and tracking, dynamic global address book and various options to meet the Army’s requirements.

This future ready messaging application will meet real time data transfer and messaging requirements of the Army, especially in the backdrop of current geo political security environment and is in line with the government of India’s Make in India initiative.

The Indian Army has braced automation in a major way, especially after the COVID-19 outbreak, and is taking substantial steps towards paperless functioning.

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India, on 18 December, successfully India successfully tested nuclear-capable ballistic missile ‘Agni P’, a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile with dual redundant navigation and guidance system.

The test was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. “Various telemetry, radar, electro-optical stations and downrange ships positioned along the eastern coast tracked and monitored the missile trajectory and parameters. The missile followed textbook trajectory, meeting all mission objectives with a high level of accuracy,” the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said in a statement.

This second flight-test has proven the reliable performance of all the advanced technologies integrated into the system, it said.

The surface-to-surface ballistic missile has a range of 1,000 to 2,000 km.

DRDO Tests Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile

The DRDO, on 11 January, successfully flight tested the final deliverable configuration of the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). The indigenously developed anti-tank missile is a low weight, ‘fire and forget’ missile and is launched from a man portable launcher, integrated with thermal sight.

During the test, which was conducted at a range in Southern India, the missile impacted the designated target with precision and destroyed it. The final impact event was captured on camera. The purpose of this particular test was to prove the consistent performance for the missile system at its minimum range.

Because of the strategic importance of tanks and armoured vehicles in modern day battlefields since World War I, the development of ammunition that can beat the armour of tanks and the development of armour that would withstand anti-armour ammo has been an ongoing race since then.

While the Indian Army has been mainly using various imported anti-tank guided missiles in the past, the DRDO has been working on ATGMs to be launched from different platforms as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

The indigenously developed MPATGM, ATGM Nag and Helicopter launched ATGM Nag or Helina have been successfully tested in the recent past under various conditions. In a related development, the Indian government, in December 2019, procured Anti Tank Spike missiles from Israel along with the allied systems to meet operational requirements of the Indian Army.

Helicopter-launched stand-off anti-tank missile Tested

India, on 11 December, successfully flight-tested indigenously developed helicopter-launched stand-off anti-tank (SANT) missile in Rajasthan’s Pokhran firing ranges. The weapon, developed for the IAF, can neutralise targets in a range up to 10 km.

The defence ministry said the flight-testing, carried out by the DRDO and the Indian Air Force, was “successful” in meeting all the mission objectives of the missile.

“The flight-test was successful in meeting all its mission objectives. The release mechanism, advanced guidance and tracking algorithms, all avionics with integrated software, performed satisfactorily and tracking systems monitored all mission events,” it said.

The ministry said the missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art MMW seeker which provides high precision strike capability from a safe distance.

The SANT missile has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad. in coordination with other DRDO labs and participation from industries.

“This is the third in the series of indigenous stand-off weapons to be tested in recent times after long-range bomb and smart anti airfield weapon for strengthening the arsenal of IAF,” the ministry said in a statement.

Indigenous Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile Tested 

India, on 11 January, successfully test-fired the indigenously designed and manufactured Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.  It was a validation test of the naval variant of the missile jointly manufactured by Russia and India. The missile was fired from a stealth guided-missile destroyer.  The DRDO said the missile hit the designated target “precisely”.

BrahMos Aerospace, the first India-Russian joint venture, produces the supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound. The Army and Navy have already inducted the highly versatile missile.

Given the effectiveness of the missile capable of hitting targets at a range of more than 350 kms, operational commanders have deployed the Brahmos at various critical points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) facing China.

Flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System

The DRDO has conducted a flight demonstration of its controlled aerial delivery system having the capability to deliver 500 kilograms of payload. The demonstration was carried out by the DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) in Agra on 18 December.

The Controlled Aerial Delivery System of 500-kilogram capacity (CADS-500) is used for precise delivery of payloads up to 500 kilograms at a predetermined location by making use of manoeuvrable capabilities of Ram Air Parachute (RAP).

The CADS, with its onboard electronics unit, autonomously steers its flight path using waypoint navigation towards target location by operating controls, it said in a statement.

Survival Kit For Troops in Extreme Cold Areas

The DRDO, on December 27, handed over technology for making extreme cold weather clothing to five Indian companies. The Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) is meant for troops operating at the limits of human endurance in high altitude areas and provides thermal protection against temperatures as low as Minus 50 degrees Celsius.

The DRDO designed ECWCS is an ergonomically designed modular technical clothing with improved thermal insulation and physiological comfort based on the insulation required at various ambient climatic conditions in Himalayan regions during different levels of physical activity.

“The ECWCS embodies physiological concepts related to reduction in respiratory heat and water loss, unhindered range of motions and rapid absorption of sweat while providing water proof, wind proof features with adequate breathability and enhanced insulation as well as strength features required for high altitude operations,” a Ministry of Defence statement said.

“The three layered ECWCS is designed to suitably provide thermal insulation over a temperature range of +15 to -50° Celsius with different combinations of the layers and intensity of physical work,” it elaborated. The layered clothing reduces the requirement for different combinations to provide for widely fluctuating weather conditions on the Himalayan peaks.

Electronics and Communication Systems Transferred to Industry

Secretary DD R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy, handed over three products developed by MED & CoS Cluster of DRDO to user laboratories on 16 December. He also handed over four Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements to public and private sector companies.

The GaN process development kit has been released for MMIC designers to enable them to design indigenous GaN MMICs for various frequencies upto X-band. The devices can be manufactured at GAETEC.

Secretary DD R&D handed over High-g MEMS Switch, UHF 1kW High Power Amplifier  and X band Power Amplifier to user laboratories. He also handed over SSPL developed technology of 0.5W Stirling Cryo-cooler for Integrated Detector Dewar Cooler Assembly (IDDCA) to Bharat Electronics Limited.

Technology document of 10W laser diode chip fabrication technology and X-band GaN HEMT MMIC  was handed over to GAETEC. Technology document for HgCdTe based DDCA was handed over to STAR-C.

The technology of Acoustic Emission (AE) Sensors, AE Data Acquisition & Analysis System was handed over to industry. The sensors and the system will be used for site specific snow avalanche monitoring/prediction.

Building upon the existing security matrix, Secretary, DD R&D handed over CAIR developed INDIGIS, a Geographical Information System to industry. Secure mobile handset to facilitate secure transmission of voice and instant messaging over 4G cellular networks for usage in sensitive environment was launched.

Reliable and secure key transfer Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) at a distance over 100 km using commercial telecom optical fiber link was announced.

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