The defence ministry signed three contracts worth ₹19,600 crore with domestic shipyards for 11 next-generation offshore patrol vessels and six next-generation missile vessels, and another one worth ₹1,700 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for a fire control system to boost the navy’s capabilities.

It also signed a ₹8,160-crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for improved Akash surface-to-air missiles for the army, and another one worth ₹990 crore with BEL for Swathi weapon locating radars, also for the army.

The sixth contract of the day was signed with BrahMos Aerospace for next-generation maritime mobile coastal batteries (long range) and BrahMos missiles for ₹1,700 crore.

The offshore patrol vessels are being bought from Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, for ₹9,781 crore, while the missile vessels will be supplied by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for ₹9,805 crore.

The latest deals come a day after the ministry signed three contracts worth ₹5,400 crore for an advanced communication satellite, GSAT 7B, for the army, an automated air defence control and reporting system for the army’s air defence units, and Sarang electronic support measure systems for navy helicopters.

The ministry has signed contracts worth almost ₹52,000 crore (including the deals signed on Thursday) in the last four weeks for indigenous military hardware, including basic trainer aircraft, cadet training ships, medium-power radars, radar warning receivers and Dornier aircraft.

“Of the 11 offshore patrol vessels, seven will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL and four by GRSE. The delivery of the ships is scheduled to commence from September 2026…and the missile vessels from March 2027,” the ministry said in a statement.

It elaborated on the capabilities the platforms ships will bring to the navy.

The offshore patrol vessels will enable the navy to maintain its combat capability and meet various operational requirements including anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, non-combatant evacuation operations, and search and rescue.

The construction of these ships will generate an employment of 110 lakh man-days over seven-and-a-half years, the ministry said.

The heavily-armed missile vessels will come with stealth, high speed and offensive capability, and their primary role will be to provide offensive capability against enemy warships and land targets.

“These ships will be capable of conducting maritime strike operations, anti-surface warfare operations and would be a potent instrument of sea denial for enemy ships especially at choke points,” the ministry said. The construction of these ships will generate an employment of 45 lakh man-days over nine years.

The contract with BDL for improved Akash weapon system (AWS) is for the army’s Army Air Defence’s third and fourth regiments. “In order to meet aerial threats, two additional regiments of AWS with upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the northern borders (with China),” the ministry said in another statement.

“The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. It has an overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.”

On the weapon locating radars, the ministry said the system is capable of locating hostile guns, mortars and rockets, and facilitating their destruction through counter bombardment. “This will enable troops to carry out their operational tasks without any interference from the enemy and also provide them safety against enemy fire. Induction is planned to be completed in 24 months.”

The Lynx-U2 system fire control system ordered for the navy is capable of accurately tracking and engaging targets amid sea clutter as well as air/surface targets, the ministry said in a separate statement.

It will be installed on offshore patrol vessels to be built at GRSE, and GSL. This latest order for BEL will generate an employment of 200,000 man-days over the next four years, the statement added.

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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.

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