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81 mm mortar, an outdated concept in the coming years.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.
http://www.claws.in/Rapid-Strides-in-Indigenous-Defence-Industry-Col-Ashwani-Gupta.html
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