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Rapid Strides in Indigenous Defence Industry
Ashwani Gupta
The high participation of private firms at the Defence Expo from 6 to 9 Feb 2014 at New Delhi is an indicator of the enlarging footprint of the Indian defence industry. A wide array of equipment, ranging from vehicles, radar systems, 155 mm guns, remotely controlled sensors, missiles to helicopters and aircraft highlights the growing interest of the private sector in defence production. A responsive and participative private defence industry base will ensure that quality equipment will be available to the armed forces in the required timeframe and at affordable cost. They will no longer be dependent on the “take what is available” syndrome dictated by the defence PSUs.It is common knowledge that much of the equipment has been in the development stage for decades at DRDO or the defence PSUs and is yet to reach production level. Tejas fighter aircraft and Arjun tank are two examples of timeless research and development. Also, on display are a large number of indigenous components which can form the backbone of a robust repair chain in future so that the armed forces will not be dependent totally on the foreign companies especially during the repair or overhaul stage.
The reconnaissance and surveillance segment has two major systems on display; the first is a vehicle mounted surveillance system by Mahindra Telephonics, which can detect a moving target upto a range of 12 km and a vehicle upto 30 km. Effective within 15 minutes of deployment, the system can have a useful employment along our porous borders. The second is a remote controlled, ground reconnaissance vehicle having an operational range of 50 km being developed by Kalyani Forge. Three 155 mm indigenous artillery guns, TRAJAN of L&T, BHARAT-52 of Kalyani Forge and Dhanush developed by OFB are a first step towards achieving in-house self-sufficiency. A capable indigenously manufactured 155 mm gun will be able to accelerate artillery’s modernisation programme and have a profound impact on own combat effectiveness. Also on display is a vehicle mounted 105 mm gun, GARUDA. Having a range of over 14 km and a fire and move capability, it may render the infantryman’s artillery, the 81 mm mortar, an outdated concept in the coming years. A battery of these guns as an integral part of an infantry battalion can alter the conduct of the contact phase of the battle.
Survivability enhancing systems on display like the TATAs APC, a mine protection vehicle (MPV) and Mahindra’s MPVI are already in service with units in Naxal-affected states. Improved small team protection platforms like the Scorpio based Marksman vehicle or the new RakshakPlus are available at affordable prices and comparable with any equivalent platform. The TATAs wheeled amphibious vehicle, Kestrel, developed jointly with DRDO may cater to the requirements of the armed forces in near future. The troop mobility platforms feature the new Ashok Leyland, GARUDA, equivalent to existing 2.5 tonvehicle and the improved Stallion 6x6 besides a 10x10 stallion vehicle capable of carrying upto 42 tons of palletised load. Personal protection gear features an improved helmet, manufactured by TATA Advanced Materials effective against a 9mm round unlike the present FRP helmet, besides, other protection equipment like lightweightbulletproof jackets.
Indigenous infantry simulators can vastly improve the firing standards of our soldiers. An indoor computer based small arms simulator marketed by Zen Technologies is capable of imparting basic firearms training as well as honing firing skills before a soldier carries out live firing practice. Unlike older rudimentary simulators, this simulator does not require any modifications to the personal weapon. A carbon dioxide gas filled magazine provides a realistic recoil effect and the firer can choose between types of target as well asrealistic computer generated scenarios like patrolling, ambushes and so on. One system at unit or formation level can revolutionise training methodology. Visualise a scenario wherein a soldier carries out zeroing of his personal weapon and checks his firing efficiency at different ranges before live firing. The live firing can then confirm the results. 24x7 availability can provide unlimited fire correction opportunities besides colossal savings of training ammunition.
An important press release from BrahMos has announced the development of a mini BrahMosmissile, which would be integrated with Sukhoi 30 MKI and MIG 29 aircraft. Capable of achieving attack speed of 3.5 mach, the missile is likely to be developedby 2015. The evolving regional and internal security environment requires high state of preparedness and readiness for a quick and decisive response. The operational effectiveness of the Indian armed forces cannot be constrained and held captive by limited inventory of the defence PSUs. India is likely to buy military equipment worth almost $100 billion in next decade. It is imperative that the armed forces get the best value for money, high quality equipment to counter any potential threat to national security. One of the salient features of the DPP 2013 has been the preference categorisation for Buy Indian, Buy and Make Indian and Make Indian. The private indigenous defence firms with active government encouragement can play a major role in providing a cost effective, modern and efficient defence production base.
The author is a Senior Fellow at CLAWS. The views expressed are personal.
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