Modernisation of Army Air Defence

ByLt Gen Ram Pratap

05 Jan , 2015

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Akash missile being test fired from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha

As threats from the air play a decisive role in war, there will always be a need to protect the vital static assets as well as retain the freedom to manoeuvre mobile combat forces with no or minimum interference from the skies. The onus lies on the Army Air Defence to overcome the increasing challenges from the air with the enemy using sound strategic/tactical concept and efficient AD weapon systems. An effective AD system is thus a force multiplier for all the combat forces giving them the freedom to carry out operational tasks optimally.

Modernisation of AD weapons has been losing out to more common weapons such as artillery guns, tanks and infantry weapons…

The maintenance of an effective Air Defence (AD) system both in peace and war is a national imperative. Air Defence is a protective reaction against active enemy air threat. There has been an exponential development in the quality and magnitude of air threat due to technological innovations such as stealth, long range precision strike capability and beyond visual range stand-off weapons. Use of smart/intelligent ammunition makes the air threat more potent and lethal. Over the years, air operations have graduated from conventional aircraft to a variety of aerial platforms such as the low silhouettes, low signal Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Surface to Surface Missiles (SSMs), Cruise Missiles, Anti Radiation Missiles and Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs).

As threats from the air play a decisive role in war, there will always be a need to protect the vital static assets as well as retain the freedom to manoeuvre mobile combat forces with no or minimum interference from the skies. The onus lies on the Army Air Defence to overcome the increasing challenges from the air with the enemy using sound strategic/tactical concept and efficient AD weapon systems. An effective AD system is thus a force multiplier for all the combat forces giving them the freedom to carry out operational tasks optimally.

A foolproof AD requires closely coordinated, joint and combined forces efforts incorporating the latest technology and concepts. The Air Defence of the country is a joint responsibility of all the defence forces. The Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) is tasked for AD of the Indian Army (IA) as well as national/strategic/earmarked other forces’ assets.

The Indian Air Force has always been objecting to all AD weapons acquisition proposals by the Army…

Present State of Army Air Defence 

A letter to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the former Chief of Army Staff, General V.K Singh before his retirement about the critical state of the Army, had highlighted the alarming state of the vintage weapon systems held by AAD. It was mentioned that 97 per cent of the inventory of AAD was obsolete. This statement that raised the concerns of the citizens of the country was technically correct as there has been no major induction of any AD weapon system in the IA after receipt of Tunguska Gun/Missile System in 1997.

All other existing Ground-Based AD Weapon Systems (GBADWS) are over 25 to 30 years old. Some of them are of 1960s and 1970s vintage. The main weapon held by the corps of AAD, the 40 mm L/70 AD gun, is of late sixties vintage. Kvadrat Surface to Air Missile and Schilka Self-Propelled AD gun systems were used during the Yom- Kippur War of 1973. As on date, there is no equipment available to raise AD units for the new Mountain Strike Corps. Holding of AD missiles and gun ammunitions is also low resulting in restriction on peacetime training firing practices. The average shelf-life of any missile system is seven years. With this stipulation, most of the SAMs held have finished their shelf-life. A sample test of these missiles is carried out and their life is extended every year. Any old missile or gun ammunition can go rogue during any training firing resulting in serious damage to men and material.

Why this State of AAD? 

Intra-Service Reasons 

Modernisation of AD weapons has been losing out to more common weapons such as artillery guns, tanks and infantry weapons due to biased priorities of the decision makers of the Army. Also GBADWS are expensive and need a higher percentage of capital budgets. There is also a tendency to compare own weapons holding to that of our adversaries. This is applicable for tanks and artillery guns but not for AD.

The AD is meant to provide protection from enemy air attack. So rather than comparing AD weapon holdings with adversaries’ AD, there is a need to look into their air strength. As discussed above air threat has increased substantially. 

Inter-Service Issues 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has always been objecting to proposals for acquisition of AD weapons by the Indian Army. The IAF is of the view that AD of the nation is its responsibility. There is no doubt that during peacetime, surveillance and defence of air space is the responsibility of the IAF but during war, all services are specifically responsible for AD of their own assets and operations.

Some of the army’s GBADWS are also employed for protection of IAF assets such as airfields. These unwanted objections by the IAF have also contributed to the delay in acquisition of the new weapon systems by the Army.

A foolproof AD requires closely coordinated, joint and combined forces efforts incorporating the latest technology and concepts… 

Indigenisation 

A major hurdle in the modernisation of AAD has been the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The DRDO invariably objects to any proposal at Acceptance of Necessity (AON) stage stating that it would be able to make the subject weapon system indigenously thereby blocking the acquisition from abroad. But DRDO has not been able to meet the requirement of GSQR-compliant weapon systems resulting in obsolescence of AAD. The DRDO embarked on a project to manufacture the Gatling gun to replace the 40mm L/70. However, the project was abandoned in the late nineties due to lack of worthwhile progress.

An alternative suggested was modification of the ship-based naval AD gun, the AK610, for ground-based AD role. Even after two years of efforts, the project did not succeed. Similarly, as replacements for OSA-AK and Strella-10M, DRDO started developing the Trishul SAM, but had to close down the project due to poor progress. However, giving credit where due, DRDO has been successful in making Akash SAM system, for which the IAF and the IA have placed orders. Though based on 1984 GSQR, it is an advanced weapons system capable of engaging aerial targets effectively up to 25 km of range. 

Complex Procurement Procedures 

The Defence Procurement Procedure is very complex and negotiating it is a herculean task. It can fail at any of the seven major stages (AON, TEC, Trial, General Staff Evaluation, CNC/PNC, Contract and Delivery) and the whole process must begin again. Also, the MOD always supports DRDO/PSU. It takes a large number of meetings to convince them to get the case moving. When a case is moving smoothly, the MOD gets a letter from any politician/MP or any vendor objecting to the procedure or capability of the equipment under consideration there by halting or delaying the process. These letters are generally sponsored by the unsuccessful vendors.

Some of the existing weapon systems in AAD are at various stages of upgrade…

The effect of voids in AAD has not been appreciated by the MOD, as they feel the IAF alone can protect the skies without knowing that the IAF itself depends on AAD guns for AD of her critical assets. 

Limited Number of Vendors 

GBADWS are complex, state-of-the-art, technologically advanced and expensive. They generally include surveillance/fire control radars fully synchronised with missiles/guns using a number of advanced computers for working out the future position of the high speed aerial target and are mounted on high mobility/tracked chassis. The weapon systems of Western origin have different technical characteristics than those of the Eastern world, so both of them do not meet any common GSQR resulting in poor response. Globally there are not very many OEMs/Vendors, whose equipment meets our requirement. Some of these vendors have been blacklisted by the MOD following allegations of corruption.

Concepts and Doctrines

Despite the difficulties described above, Corps of AAD has been trying its best to meet the futuristic air threat. The hierarchies in the Army and the MOD have been convinced about the alarming voids of AAD. Through consistent effort and the policy of reconciliation, all inter-service issues with the IAF and Indian Navy have been resolved. The effect is evident in the finalisation and approval of the Joint Services Study Groups (JSSG) on GBADWS and Air Space Management. A perspective plan has been made, which is now the master reference document for all future AAD procurement. This document needs to be subjected to a pragmatic mid-course correction to meet the dynamic futuristic air threat.

The concept of effective air defence as finalised is to provide continuous area AD cover by aircraft and long range missiles and specific point critical assets in the Tactical Battle Area. Air defence should be layered and tiered to provide defence in depth. The layered defence means that the air space is covered at all times by a minimum of two or more effective weapon systems with overlapping coverage.

There is a need of an integrated family of GBADWS to permit successive engagements of airborne targets as no air space can be banned or denied to anyone. History shows that the determined pilots have taken the aircraft to the World Trade Centre in New York, White House in Washington and Red Square in Moscow. Multiple means of target detection and tracking in a net centric control and reporting environment through fully automated communication system are also inescapable requirements.

Akash SAM on T-72

Upgrade of Existing Weapon Systems

The challenges to AAD can be met by a twin approach; the first and the cost-effective approach is sustaining and maintaining the existing weapon systems and revamping them by qualitative upgrade to cater for existing air threat. Some of the existing weapon systems in AAD are at various stages of upgradation that is being done by incorporating the latest in technology and enhancing all-weather capability. A contract for Schilka upgrade was signed in the FY 2010-2011. Upgrades of L/70 guns and ZU-23mm (Twin) guns are also being carried out by BEL. The efforts to remove night blindness in the AAD equipment are in progress. The deficiency of ammunition is being addressed. Qualitative improvements have taken place in various training systems with the induction of simulators, FRP models, Class Room Variants (CRV), 3D ACR training aids and Jammers.

The proliferation of ballistic missiles in India’s neighborhood merits the possession of BMD…

Modernisation Plan

The second approach is modernisation by induction of successor, state-of-the-art weapons to counter futuristic air threat. A well-thought out transition plan to transfer the AAD from current state to higher level force structure and from balanced in guns and missiles systems to leaning towards the missiles systems has been put in place. The weapons would shift from gun-centric to missile-centric defence. Gun regiments are planned to be reorganised to Gun-Missile (GM) regiments. The philosophy of GM mix is to make optimum use of the characteristic of both guns and missiles. However, the progress of this plan is not very satisfactory though a beginning has been made.

Phasing out of current missile inventory and bringing in the hierarchy of modern missile systems is in progress. The contract for Akash SAM was signed during the FY 2010-2011. Induction is likely to start shortly. Akash is capable of multi-target and multi-direction engagements. Trials for VSHORADS have been completed. Trials for SRSAMS are likely to start shortly. The Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) is being developed by the DRDO in collaboration with Israel. The development is at an advanced stage. Contracts for Low Level Light-Weight Radars (LLLR) and Three Dimensional Tactical Control Radars (3D TCR) were signed during the FY 2010-2011. Delivery is in progress. Response to RFP for GM (SP) System is being technically evaluated. The target systems for training firing by GBADWS in the form of better air models, basic and advanced PTA are being inducted/procured.

UAVs have increased exponentially in the inventory of both our adversaries…

Control and Reporting (C&R) System

For quite some time, C&R system has been ignored at the cost of more visible hardware such as radars, guns and missiles. The importance and the force multiplying ability of C&R have now been understood and a concerted effort to get an efficient, effective, automated and real time AD C&R System are on. The system would use satellite communication and automated realtime data transmission. The system has been developed by BEL and is likely to be fielded shortly.

Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)

The proliferation of ballistic missiles in the neighborhood merits the possession of BMD by India. This is a complex system that involves high-level technology and is resource intensive. The DRDO has made significant progress in the BMD field in the form of Advance Air Defence (for interception at endo-atmospheric altitudes) and Prithvi Air Defence Missiles (for exo-atmospheric altitudes). This needs to be taken forward and made functional at the earliest.

Anti UAV Systems

UAVs have increased exponentially in the inventory of both our adversaries. UAVs are now capable of executing almost all tasks that were done by conventional aircraft. Miniaturisation, increased lethality and precision strike with stealth are the current developments in this field. Effective counters to this threat are still elusive; urgent steps are needed to counter this threat. A study of anti-UAV systems has been completed by the Army and recommendations of the same must be progressed on priority. Various soft and hard kill options must be explored.

In areas where the DRDO has not met with success, there is a need for joint collaboration or involvement of private firms…

Recommendations 

Simplify Procurement Procedures 

There is a need to simplify the procurement procedures and make them more pragmatic. At the cost of being safe and corruption free arms deal, the modernisation of the Army is suffering. This cannot be permitted for long. Also whenever the procedure is modified, it should not be applicable to the procurement processes, which have already reached advanced stages. Integration of the MOD and the Defence forces may help. 

Limited Vendors 

Blacklisting of firms reduces the choice of suitable vendors. The blacklisted vendors need to be permitted to participate in the procurement procedure and a final call can be taken at an appropriate stage. The vendors alleged to be defaulters can be imposed suitable penalty. 

Reduce Period of Trials 

Trials by multiple agencies, in different types of terrain and seasons make the process long and expensive resulting in reluctant participation by vendors. Trial must be permitted abroad for selected weapon systems especially where the shortlisted vendors are small. 

Suitable Waivers 

Need to focus on essential and important parameters of the weapons. If a weapon meets battle essential parameters such as range, SSKP, speed, effective target tracking/engagements, it can be given a waiver by the appropriate authority if the user feels that by suitable modifying tactical drills such deficiency can be overcome. The organisation must have faith in the integrity of the considered recommendations on the subject.

The AD of the country is an expensive necessity and will have to be catered for despite the high costs involved… 

Accountability of DRDO 

In areas where the DRDO has not met with success, there is a need for joint collaboration or involvement of private firms. DRDO and import route must be followed simultaneously i.e. a proportion of order can be placed on both. Whichever route succeeds, that can be exploited. DRDO must be made more accountable. To do so, the DRDO Chief must be an individual other than the Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister. 

Government to Government Contract 

When we are struck with single vendor situation and that vendor has the best of weapon system, which meets operational requirements, there should be a Government-to-Government negotiation/contract, as voids cannot be allowed to continue. Modernisation cannot be held to ransom by the long and complex procurement procedures. 

Plan for the Emerging Technologies 

New air threats such as Direct Energy Weapons, stealth, electro-magnetic bombs and airborne cyber threat need to be studied. DRDO should work in these specialised fields to develop suitable counter for these emerging technologies. Both hard/soft kill capabilities may be needed.

There is a need for continued sincere efforts, perseverance and pursuance by the concerned authorities… 

GBADWS with the IA 

All the GBADWS must be handled by the Army. This would ensure optimum utilisation of these weapons as well as economy of effort. The IAF must focus on their core strength, which are aircraft, surveillance and air space management. By being relieved from holding and manning GBADWS, the IAF can concentrate on offensive air tasks and effective management of air space. The coordination between the IAF and Corps of AAD manning GBADWS can be done using effective and common/matching C&R system.

Conclusion

Though technologically, a large number of AAD weapons are obsolete, they are NOT non-functional. With the best of efforts put in by all ranks of Corps of AAD, most of these weapons are functional and would be able to carry out their primary operational tasks effectively. All out efforts for upgrade/modernisation of these weapon systems are being made with excellent progress on multiple fronts. However, there may be a slip between the cup and the lip. At any stage, any of this procurement may be halted due to any unpredictable reasons and the present state may continue.

There is a need for continued sincere efforts, perseverance and pursuance by the concerned authorities on various issues. The AD of the country is an expensive necessity and will have to be catered for despite the high costs involved. There is no option but to match the ever evolving technological advancements of enemy’s aerial platforms. One hopes that the new government would be able to expedite the procurement of GBADWS by giving it due priority.