Top 10 Weapon Systems Developed by DRDO

The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is responsible for the development of technology for use by the Indian armed forces. In recent years it has been criticized for the delayed projects and cost over runs. Because of DRDO’s poor performance in successfully delivering weapon systems and meeting timelines country fulfill its 70% of defense needs by imports from various countries.

Apart from these criticism most of which are irrational and unfair to the part of DRDO, there are many weapon systems which were largely managed by DRDO have seen considerable success with many of the systems seeing rapid deployment as well as yielding significant technological benefits. DRDO has achieved many successes since its establishment in developing other major systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW Systems, tanks and armored vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems.

It is very difficult to short down top 10 weapon system developed by DRDO as it has developed so many weapon systems. Based on the technological challenges, strategic importance, defense needs and level of completion of the systems these are top 10 weapon systems developed by DRDO.

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Top 10 Weapon Systems Developed by DRDO

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1. AGNI-V - Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)

Agni-V is a inter-continental Ballistic Missile with a range more than 5000 km. Agni-V is part of the Agni series of missiles. It is a solid fuelled and can be launched from a canister Tatra Truck. So It can be launched within five minutes of threat received. It can carry a nuclear war head of 1.5 tons.

This missile is the biggest achievement of DRDO and it is very important for the nuclear deterrent and strategic posturing. Agni-V would also carry MIRV (multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles) payloads being concurrently developed.

With this missile in armory India can Strike any part of China and Pakistan from its territory. This missile was a result of more than 30 years research in missile technology. This missile has put India in the elite club of nations who possess Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles. This missile can be used for India’s ballistic missile defense shield.

Project Status: Under Trials

2. Light Combat Aircraft - TEJAS

This is the costliest and longest going programme of DRDO. It is a 4+ generation fighter plane developed by Aeronautical Development Agency. Tejas is a lightweight multi-role jet fighter. It is a tailless, compound delta wing design powered by a single engine. It came from the LCA programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s aging MiG-21 fighters.

It integrates technologies such as relaxed static stability, fly-by-wire flight control system, multi-mode radar, integrated digital avionics system, composite material structures, and a flat rated engine. It is supersonic and highly maneuverable, and is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary combat aircraft. Navy and trainer variant of the plane has also been developed and they have received initial operational clearance.

To keep is mind the future requirements of the country, ADA is currently working on Mark-II and Mark-III of Tejas aircraft. These versions will have 5th generation features such as stealth, upgraded avionics, modified aerodynamic designs and AESA radar.

Project Status: Initial Operational Clearance is given (IOC) for production

3. INS ARIHANT - Nuclear Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine

The Arihant class is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines being built for the Indian Navy. The lead vessel of the class, INS Arihant, was first launched in 2009 and began sea trials in December 2014. Four vessels are planned and are expected to be in commission by 2023.

The Arihant-class vessels are India’s first indigenously designed and built nuclear submarine. There are only 4-5 countries have technical capabilities to developing a nuclear powered submarines. So it’s a big technical breakthrough for the development of larger submarines in the future.

Arihant has four vertical launch tubes, which can carry twelve (three per launch tube) smaller K-15 missiles or four larger K-4 missiles. The K-4 is a longer range missile (3,500 km) and it is undergoing trials. Submarine will be fitted with USHUS sonar, developed by DRDO lab, for detecting and tracking enemy submarines, surface vessels, and torpedoes and can be used for underwater communication and avoiding obstacles.

Project Status: Under See Trials

4. RUSTOM - II - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Rustom is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) being developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bangalore for the three services of the Indian Armed Forces. Rustom-II is developed by India on the lines of the American Predator drones.

I will be equipped with air to surface medium range missiles to destroy enemy targets. For target acquisition and ranging it has sophisticated Medium & Long Range Electro-Optical Payloads, Laser Ranger Finders with high resolution and precision stabilized platforms.

Rustom-II is equipped with various advanced technologies and systems which includes Digital Flight Control and Navigation System, Automatic Take off and Landing, Digital communication technologies for revealing data links to control and operate the mission and relay UAVs.

Project Status: Under Trials

5. ARJUN - Main Battle Tank

The MBT Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), a DRDO lab in Chennai, for the Indian Army.

The Arjun features a 120 mm main rifled gun with indigenously developed Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot ammunition, one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm machine gun. It has a four-man crew. Automatic fire detection and suppression and NBC protection systems are included. Arjun Tank is equipped with high resolution day and night vision devices which is supported by laser range finder.

The Mark-2 of Arjun has been developed which is an advanced third generation main battle tank and an upgraded version of the Arjun main battle tank with several improvements. Its development was completed in 2 years owing to experience gained from developing the first version. The top speed of the tank would be at 60 km/hr compared to 40 km/hr in Arjun mark 1. It had outclassed the T-90 during the trials. The new variant possesses superior missile firing capabilities and can fire missiles accurately up to a range of 2 km.

Project Status: Under Production

6. BRAHMOS -  Super Sonic Cruise Missile

The BrahMos has been developed as a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organization of India and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise of Russia under BrahMos Aerospace. The missile is named after two rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Moskva.

It is the world’s fastest cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. The land-launched and ship-launched versions are already in service, with the air and submarine-launched versions currently in the testing phase. An air-launched variant of BrahMos( Fitted with Su-30 MKI) is planned which is expected to come out in 2016 and will make India the only country with supersonic cruise missiles in their army, navy, and air force.

A hypersonic version of the missile namely BrahMos-II is also presently under development with speed of Mach 7 to boost aerial fast strike capability. It is expected to be ready for testing by 2017.

Like the BrahMos, the range of BrahMos II has also been limited to 290 km to comply with the MTCR. With a speed of Mach 7, it will have double the speed of the current BrahMos missile, and it will be the fastest hypersonic missile in the world.

Project Status: Under Production for all the three services

7. NIRBHAY - Medium Range Subsonic Cruise Missile

Nirbhay is a long range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s premier laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bangalore. Nirbhay is an all-weather low-cost long-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy. The missile has a range of more than 1000 km and It can be launched from a mobile launcher. It starts flying off as a rocket and then turns into an aircraft. For that it has foldable wings.

It is capable of being launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and air and shall be inducted into Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force. In particular, Nirbhay is being adapted for the Su-30MKI. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The missile supplements Brahmos by delivering warheads farther than the 290 km range of Brahmos. This missile can fly at the height of a tree so its difficult to catch it by enemy radar.

The development of this missile is a breakthrugh for India as this missile is comparable to Pakistan’s Babur and USAs Tomhawk. It will be mounted on Su-30 MKI which will make the fighter planes more lethal.

Project Status: Under Trials

8. DHRUV - Advanced Light Helicopter

The Dhruv Helicopters have evolved from The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) program for an indigenous 5-ton multirole helicopter was initiated in May 1979 by the Indian Air Force and Indian Naval Air Arm. HAL were given a contract by the Indian government in 1984 to develop the helicopter.

The Dhruv has become the first major Indian weapons system to have secured large foreign sales. In 2004 HAL stated that it hoped to sell 120 Dhruvs over the next eight years, and has been displaying the Dhruv at airshows.

With a unit price at least 15 percent less than its rivals, the Dhruv has elicited interest in many countries, mostly from Latin America, Africa, West Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific Rim nations. Air forces from around 35 countries have made inquiries, along with requests for demonstrations. Flight certification for Europe and North America is also been planned in order to tap the large civilian market there.

Project Status: Under Trials

9. Ballistic Missile Defence System

Prithvi Advanced Air Defence System is for engaging the targets in the exo-atmosphere region

The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect from ballistic missile attacks. It is a very ambitious and technology intensive project as this kind of capabilities are with only 2-3 countries in the world.

Introduced in light of the ballistic missile threat from Pakistan and China, it is a double-tiered system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile for lower altitude interception. The two-tiered shield should be able to intercept any incoming missile launched 5,000 kilometres away.

Advanced Air Defence System is for engaging the targets in the endo-atmosphere region

The two-tiered BMD System consists of the PAD, which will intercept missiles at exo-atmospheric altitudes of 50–80 km and the AAD missile for interception at endo-atmospheric altitudes of up to 30 km. The deployed system would consist of many launch vehicles, radars, Launch Control Centres and the Mission Control Centre. All these are geographically distributed and connected by a secure communication network.

Project Status: Under Trials

10. INSAS - Indian Small Arms System

INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) is a family of infantry arms consisting of an assault rifle and a light machine gun. It is designed by Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune. It is manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board at Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, Small Arms Factory Kanpur and Ichapore Arsenal.

Development of this rifle was a big achievement for the country as it replaced all the outdated rifles and their export was also stopped. INSAS has been included in the top 10 weapon systems developed by DRDO because of its mass induction in the services and export to various countries.

The assault rifle and LMG variants have been adopted by the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, Indian Paramilitary Forces and police forces. On the international level India has exported a certain number of these rifles to Nepal, Bhutan and Oman. About, 300,000 units are in currently use by the Indian armed forces.

Project Status: Services are Using the rifle

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SHOCK WAVES IN DRDO: Perform or Perish is the New Mantra

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Former DRDO Chief Dr. Avinash Chander

The government's decision to sack Chief Controller of DRDO Dr. Avinash Chander has shaken the defence establishment and sent shock waves through the Defence Public Sector units (DPSU's), it even caught Dr. Chander offguard. The all important DPSU's which is in a way the secondary line of defence of the nation following the armed forces, have been literally hijacking the development and manufacture of defence related equipment in the country. There is a severe lack accountability in these organisations and DPSU's have never been put through a stringent science audit. Over the past several decades there has been virtually nothing noteworthy the DPSU's have contributed to strengthen the nations security against two potent adversaries on either side of our borders. Our safety & security can only be attributed to the resolve and bravery of our armed forces who have been stacked against all odds over the years in the defense of the nation.

Lt Gen Harwant Singh (retd), in a scathing report said "DRDO in stand-alone mode has achieved little and will not be able to meet the future needs of the armed forces. It has shown little skill and capability in the field of even reverse engineering of comparatively simple equipment. This is legacy of the Nehruvian policies of entrusting all this to the public sector (DRDO in this case). Since then vested interests have opposed any change in this moribund policy".

So why did the government sack Dr. Avinash Chander?

• Was he inefficient as an administrator
• Did he indulgence in corruption? 
• Was he advocating cronyism or nepotism in his administrative capacities? 

It is an emphatic no? On the other hand, it is a perceptible and overt message to all concerned that this government means business when it comes to critical results and does not brook any compromises or delays! Besides, such an earth shattering event has never occurred in the history of any defense public sector units in the country. There is a unvarying notion that government run agencies are holy cows which cannot be touched by any departmental agency or for that matter execution of extemporary government termination of personnel is an inconceivable notion, has been shattered by this singular action. Simple, this dispensation is unlike any other the country has seen, it is marked by a strong intent and purpose and principally it gives great emphasis on national security and national interest. It is notable to mention that this decision was not executed by any powerful bureaucrat or under-secretary in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) but by the nation's Defence Minister himself, of course the green signal must have come from the PM who must have authorized the exit of the chief controller. In short, the sacking of the DRDO chief had a strong corporate typecast flavor to it, perform or perish.

LCA Tejas Naval Prototype NP-1

The death knell was sounded in August 2014, the PM had sent a strong feeler to the DRDO, attacking its “chalta hai” (laid-back or lackadaisical) culture, asking it to complete projects before or on time to put India ahead in the world. The Prime Minister also added “The world will not wait for us. We have to run ahead of time. That is why whatever we do, we should try hard to do it before time. It should not be so that a project is conceived in 1992 and in 2014 (we say) it will take some more time. The world will go ahead.”

DRDO has faced criticism for the past several years for delays and cost over-runs in crucial projects for the armed forces. Though Dr. Chander was one of the most prominent scientists in the country and the developments indicate that the government was not happy with the performance of the DRDO and Avinash Chander as its chief. Mr. Chander is one of the key scientists behind the Agni missile project including the 5,500 km-range Agni-V ICBM that had given the country a credible nuclear-capable deterrent against China.

A report by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence presented in Parliament on December 22, 2014, had criticised DRDO for chronic inefficiency and delays in executing numerous programs. The committee said "projects are not executed according to their schedule, and inordinate delays in execution of almost all the projects [are] common phenomena".

Some of the critical projects that have been subject to endless delays include: (Please note that this is not an exhaustive list but an indicative one)

• Nearly 70% of our defense equipment is imported and this includes even low-technology items
• Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter, a much delayed project was conceived in 1990 and the LCA-Tejas has taken more than two decades to evolve as a credible fighting system and it is still limping toward its crucial Final Operational Clearance (FOC) which has been pushed for the umpteenth time to December 2015.
• In the same vein the Naval version of the fighter has seen inordinate delays owing to downright shortsightedness on the part of ADA in its design, development and implementation phases.
• The failure of the Kaveri engine is a great setback to DRDO, however developing an afterburning turbofan engine is a very sophisticated technology to master, even developed countries like France struggled to develop a new turbofan engine. Snecma a seasoned player and prominent engine developer with several decades of experience of various engine types, took more than 15 years to perfect its M88 engine for the Rafale. DRDO should have set realistic targets with regard to the Kaveri engine and because of this lack of foresight the program had to be eventually cancelled, though the engine is still being used for other applications.
• The failure of DRDO to provide reliable and effective modern guns to the armed forces
• Arjun Main Battle Tank program, the delay cannot be entirely blamed on DRDO, the Army has shown great animosity for the indigenous tank program and favored imports (there is so much money to be made in imports) more clamantly, the army due to its misplaced idiosyncrasies has been back pedaling on the induction of sizable volumes of the tank since it had set unrealistic targets for DRDO. However, DRDO has also delayed on the technologies that had to be developed in its development.
• Advanced Air Defence (AAD) & Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) ballistic missile defense system has gone into deep slumber mode. The last AAD test was conducted in November 2012 and the PDV in April 2014.
• Intermediate Jet Trainer IJT-SITARA delayed due to design blunders (HAL Stakeholder)
• Development, testing and induction of Arjun MK-2 & MK-3 
• K-4,K-5 & K-15 Series of Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) test and induction
• Delay in testing and induction of NAG anti tank guided missile (ATGM) for the Army, to compensate for the delay India is procuring Spike ATGM missiles from Israel
• Rustom-II UAV test and induction
• India's concept super secret AURA stealth Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (Stealth Bomber) prototyping to be completed
• Completion of Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) System
• 155mm Gun test and induction
• INS Arihant test and induction
• AMCA test and induction
• Astra MK-1 & MK-2 test and induction
• Induction of Long Range Surface to Air Missile BARAK-8 in collaboration with Israel yet to be inducted
• Multi-Caliber Gun test and induction
• Advanced Sub Machine Gun test and induction
• F-INSAS test and induction
• Future infantry fighting Vehicle for the Army test and induction
• HTT-40 Trainer test and induction (HAL Stakeholder)
• Light Combat Helicopter test and induction (HAL Stakeholder)
• 12 tone Class Utility Helicopter test and induction (HAL Stakeholder)
• Light Utility Helicopter development, testing and induction (HAL Stakeholder)

Unless the government takes concrete steps to resolve issues that exists in DRDO and the status quo broken, the Prime Minister’s expectations of India developing high-end defence equipment and becoming self reliant in this field will only remain a pipe dream.

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TATA MOTORS Defence Vehicles Explained

TATA motors has developed a combination of defence related vehicles over the years, they have showcased a new concept the Micro Bullet-Proof Vehicle (MBPV) at Defexpo 2012. It is a highly mobile combat vehicle for closed confined areas such as airports, railway stations and other such infrastructure. TATA has developed several categories of vehicles for different applications for the defense forces such as the TATA 12x12 Prahaar Missile Carrier, the Tata Light Armoured Vehicle, the Tata Mobile Bunker and the Tata 6x6 7kl Refueler and displayed a range of other concept vehicles. Let us look at them in detail.

TATA Micro Bullet-Proof Vehicle (MBPV)

Defining a new level of protected mobility during indoor combat, TATA Motors showcased its ‘Nano’ for the defence forces, the MBPV. While the design may not be captivating, it is quite functional. Besides being bulletproof, all sides including the floor have angles to deflect bullets and roll-off grenades. The electric-powered vehicle can last up to six hours in an intermittent operation with a top speed of 20km/h, making it silent yet agile. With maximum payload capacity of 200kg it can carry two personnel with their equipment. The pivot turning and gradeability of 20 degrees enables it to go over slopes and climb stairs as well.

The MBPV has been designed keeping indoor combat in mind, with special features like bullet resistant panels for protection, compact dimensions, with 4-wheel assisted turning for easy movement within indoor confines and high power-to-weight ratio for fast & agile movement, during combat. Firing ports have also been incorporated for retaliatory action. Moreover, it has an added capability of climbing stairs as well.

With a gross weight of 1,100kg, it has good all-round visibility and firing ports all around. It will be tested by the elite commando forces before it’s put into operation. It has been jointly developed by Tata and VRDE-DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).

Undoubtedly, the MBPV is one of the most practical yet effective anti-terrorist vehicles and Tata Motors plans to add to its array of vehicles for the defence services.

TATA 12x12 Prahaar Missile Carrier

The TATA 12 X 12 Prahaar Missile Carrier is an indigenously developed high mobility, all-terrain and all-wheel drive vehicle. The Tata LPTA 5252-12 X12 vehicle has been jointly designed with R&DE–DRDO, particularly for missile launcher-cum-carrier applications, including integration of Prahar, BrahMos and Nirbhay missiles.

It has state-of-the-art electronic controlled heavy duty engine and automatic transmission along with high mobility features. Although it is normally operable in 12x8 mode, the vehicle can operate in 12x10 and 12x12 modes too, depending upon the requirements of the terrain. 

Some of the highlights of the vehicle are:

• Anti-Locking Braking System (ABS)
• Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS)
• Auxiliary Gear box with high and low speed mode
• Differential locks system

Vehicle specification of the Tata 12x12 Prahaar Missile Carrier:

Application

• Prahaar Missile System Carrier and Launcher Platform

• Brahmos Missile carrier

Mobility

• Power to weight ratio of 10.1 Hp/Ton

• 525 Hp @ 1800 rpm BSIII

• 2000 Nm @ 1200 RPM

• Automatic Transmission system with 7 forward and one reverse gear

• Gradability of 30 deg under full payload

• Max Speed of 80 kmph in top gear

• Ditch crossing ability of 2000 mm

• Vertical Step climbing ability of 600 mm

• Fordability of 1200 mm with stop and 1400 mm with pass

• Ground clearance of 400 mm

• Payload of 33 Tons

Utility

• One Platform, Many variants: Prahaar Missile system Carrier

• Launcher vehicle and command and control unit for various missile systems

Crew Capacity and comfort level

• Driver and co driver plus 3 person in drivers Cabin

• HVAC Climate controlled tiltable cabin

TATA Light Armoured Vehicle

The Internal Homeland Security Forces and the State Police Forces, being endowed with the prime responsibility of securing the State, consistently move in and out of territories which are extremist hotbeds. It is imperative that these security forces must be able to not only defend themselves against sudden guerrilla attacks by the enemy, but must also be capable to retaliate fiercely. 

The Tata Light Armoured Vehicle is intended to aid the troops in Counter Insurgency Operations as well as for patrolling the hinterland. The vehicle would be certified by CMVR regulations post armouring, which is a mandatory requirement to ply legally on Indian roads.

Vehicle specification of the Tata Light Armoured Vehicle:

Application

• Troop Carrier / Escort vehicle

• Mobile Communication system.

• Patrolling Vehicle.

Mobility

• Tata 3 L Direct injection common rail Turbocharged Intercooled Diesel Engine

• Max Engine output: 115 Bhp at 3050 rpm

• Max Torque: 300 Nm at 1600-2200 rpm

• Power to weight Ratio: 31.5 Hp/ton

• Max Speed: 85 kmph

• Fording Depth: 300 mm

• Max Gradeability : 32 deg

• Min. turning circle diameter: 12.5 m

• Payload: 500 kg

• Gross Vehicle Weight: 3600 kg

• Power Steering

Protection

• All Sides ;- Direct hit at 90° from 10m for 7.62x51mm FMJ, 7.62x39mm Steel Core and 5.56x45mm SS109

• Roof ;- Direct hit at 45° from 10m for 7.62x51mm FMJ, 7.62x39mm Steel Core and 5.56x45mm SS109

• Floor Blast:- Blast of 02 Hand Grenades HE36 / DM51 or equivalent

• Side Blast:- 15 Kg TNT @ 3M from vehicle side

• Run flat Tyres

Crew Capacity

• Driver + 5 Configuration

• Front & middle seats – Sliding type with adjustable back and head rest

• Middle seat for 02 persons

• Rear Bench seats - Side facing 02 persons

Tata Mobile Bunker

TATA Mobile Bunker has been designed on the LPA 713, 4-wheel drive platform, to ensure fast & safe movement of troops in naxal infested states and to act as a platform for retaliatory action. The vehicle is protected against gunfire, corresponding to ballistic protection of NIJ Level III. It is a highly mobile platform and can be used as a base for various protected applications like troop carriers, ambulances and buses. 

The vehicle is equipped with the following features - NIJ Level III ballistic protection on all sides and for the roof, firing ports and roof hatch for retaliatory action, excellent gradeability and high ground clearance for all terrain usage, AC unit provided for better ventilation inside the vehicle and is CMVR certified.

Vehicle specification of the Tata Mobile Bunker:

Application

• Protected Troop Carrier

• Command Post Vehicle

• Protected Ambulance

Mobility

• "B5.9 155 30 Turbocharged, air to air after cooled Diesel Engine."

• Max Engine output: 155 HP at 2500 rpm

• Max Torque: 590 Nm at 1500 rpm

• Max Speed: 80 kmph

• Max Gradeability: 31 Degrees

• Min Turning Circle Diameter: 14.3 m

• Payload: 1 T

• Hydraulic assisted power steering

Protection

• "Ballistic Protection: NIJ level III protection against 7.62 SLR, ball ammunition and AK-47 fired from 10 m distance at 90 degree angle of attack"

• Underbelly Protection against 2 HE Hand Grenades

• Glass Protection corresponding to NIJ Level III

• Crew Capacity

• Driver + 9 Configuration

• Driver and Co Driver seats front facing

TATA 6 X 6 Refueler

The Tata LPTA 2038 6x6 Refueller has been developed for the Indian Armed forces, Paramilitary, State police, DPSUs, State Government & Municipal Agencies and the Aviation industry. The vehicle has already been trial evaluated by the Indian Armed forces for various applications like Common Gun Tower, HMV with Material Handling crane, Multi Barrel Rocket launcher GRAD BM 21, etc. 

The vehicle is available with both manual and automatic transmission. The vehicle has Anti-locking Braking System (ABS), Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS), Auxiliary Gear box with high and low speed mode and differential locks system. 

Tata Motors has developed a demountable fuel bowser on the LPTA 2038 6x6 HMV, in collaboration with M/s WEW (Germany), specifically for all terrain applications and usage by various aviation sector agencies. This application is also apt for defence purposes, as this demountable concept is specially made for fuel storage & dispensing, in varied terrains.

Vehicle specification of the Tata 6x6 Refueler:

Application

• 7 KL Refueller System

• CGT 6x6

• HMV with MHC 6x6

• GRAD BM 21 Rocket Launcher

• Tactical communication system

Mobility

• Power to weight ratio of 17.4 Hp / Ton

• 375 Hp @ 2100 RPM

• Automatic Transmission system with 7 forward and 01 reverse gears

• Manual Transmission system with 9 forward and 1 Reverse gear (Automatic transmission system optional)

• Gradeability of 25 Deg under full load

• Max Speed of 80 kmph in top gear

• Trench crossing ability of 900 mm

• Vertical step climbing ability of 500 mm

• Fordability of 500 mm

• Ground clearance of 360 mm

• Payload of 10.5 Tons

• Range of 500 km at GVW

Utility

• One platform, Many Variants : 7 KL Refueler System

• CGT 6x6

• HMV with MHC 6x6

• GRAD BM 21 Rocket Launcher

• Tactical communication system

Crew Capacity and comfort level

• Driver and co Driver plus 3 Person on Drivers Cabin

• HVAC Climate controlled tiltable cabin.

TATA LSV – QDMCT (Quick Deployment Mobile Communication Terminal)

The Tata LSV – QDMCT is a shelter based, self-contained vehicle mounted communication system that provides wide area IP network. It provides reliable and secured IP connectivity for data, voice & video, between various nodes. Multiple communication media have been provided for both data and voice connectivity. The Tata QDMCT is designed and developed in collaboration with RCI – DRDO.

Vehicle specification of the Tata LSV

Application

• Mobile Communication Terminal

• Mobile Radar

• Mobile ATC

Mobility

• Tata 3.0 L Direct injection common rail Turbocharged Intercooled Diesel Engine

• Max Engine output: 115 Hp at 2500 rpm

• Max Torque: 320 Nm @ 1400-2200 rpm

• Power to wt ratio: 23 Hp/ton

• Max Speed: 70 kmph

• Max Gradeability: 20 Degrees

• Min Turning Circle Diameter: 14.9m

• Payload: 1.2 T

• GVW: 4.8 T

• Power Steering

Utility

• HVAC for Driver Cabin

• Provision for mounting an in-service Machine gun on bonnet.

• Fire fighting Equipment.

• Brackets/Arrangements for fitting & charging the approved GPS

• Demisting & Defrosting Device

• Provision for Personal weapons and on weapons scales of ammunition for driver & co-driver in the drivers cabin and other persons in the body of the vehicle

Crew Capacity

• Driver+1 Configuration in the Cabin

• Driver & Co Driver seats front facing

TATA 8 X 8 Water Purification System

The Mobile Water decontamination system on the LPTA 3138 8x8 has been developed in collaboration with M/s WEW (Germany). The aim to provide a solution for the drinking water contamination problem, faced by Armed Forces & Paramilitary forces, at disaster struck areas. This application is also apt for State Governments and various Municipal agencies, to tackle the issue of supplying drinking water to remote villages. This water decontamination system is capable of purifying the most impure forms of water and make it portable through Reverse Osmosis (RO) process.

Vehicle specification of the Tata 8x8 Water Purification System:

Application

• 7 KL Water Decontamination System

• Reverse Osmosis Purification Technology

• Capable of Purifying any form of impure water including one with Arsenic poisoning

Mobility

• Power to weight ratio of 13.4 Hp/Ton

• 375 Hp @ 2100 RPM

• 1548 Nm @ 1200 to 1400 RPM

• Manual Transmission system with 10 Forward and 2 reverse gears

• Gradeability of 25 Deg under full load

• Max Speed of 80 kmph in top gear

• trench crossing ability of 2000 mm

• Vertical Step climbing ability of 600 mm

• Fordability of 1200 mm with stop and 1400 mm with pass

• Ground clearance of 350 mm

• Payload of 17 Ton

• Range of 600 km at GVW

Utility

• One Platform Many Variants : 7 KL WEW Water decontamination system

• HMV 8x8 with MHC

• Command and control Unit and Launcher vehicle for Rockets

Crew Capacity and comfort level

• Driver and co Driver plus 3 persons on Drivers Cabin

• World Class HVAC Climate controlled tiltable cabin

TATA 8 X 8 Container (Missile Carrier)

The Tata LPTA 3138 8x8 is a multi-purpose vehicle for various all terrain applications like Command & control unit, Missile carrier, MHC Radar Station, Missile firing platform, etc. The vehicle is equipped with Anti-locking Braking System (ABS), Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), Auxiliary Gear box, with high & low speed mode and differential locks system. 

Tata Motors has prepared the EW Command post on LPTA 3138 8x8, in collaboration with its group company Tata Power – SED. The EW Command post is a EMP Hardened MIL Grade shelter for mobile application designed as per MIL-STD-907, MIL-STD-285 intended for Electronic Warfare application.

Vehicle specification of the Tata 8x8 Pinaka Container:

Application

• Pinaka missile system Carrier

Mobility

• Power to weight Ratio of 13.4 Hp/Ton

• 375 Hp @ 2100 RPM

• 1550 Nm @ 1300 to 1400 Rpm

• Manual transmission system with 10 forward and 3 reverse gears

• Gradeability of 30 Deg under full load

• Max Speed of 80 KMPH in top gear

• trench crossing ability of 2000 mm

• Vertical Step climbing ability of 500 mm

• Fordability of 1200 mm with stop and 1400 mm with pass

• Ground clearance of 400 mm

• Payload of 18 Tons

Utility

• One Platform Many Variants: Pinaka Missile Carrier container

• HMV 8x8 with MHC

• Command and control Unit and Launcher vehicle for Rockets

Crew Capacity and comfort level

• Driver and co Driver plus 3 Person on Drivers Cabin

• HVAC Climate controlled tiltable cabin.

TATA Safari Storme Armoured

With the strong resurgence of threat perceptions amongst high profile dignitaries, trade delegates, etc., the need arises for a mode of transport, which is very safe, but at the same time comfortable and stylish enough, for this segment of people. 

The Tata Armored Safari Storme is meant for catering to VVIP movements. The Armored Safari Storme has a strengthened chassis & suspension system and enhanced braking efficiency of the vehicle to take care of the additional armoring weight. It carries a CMVR certificate and is legal to run on road. The vehicle has internal Up-Armoring and to the untrained eye, the look is ‘innocent’.

The vehicle is equipped with the following features - NIJ Level III ballistic protection on all sides and for the roof, underbelly protection against 2 HE -36 Hand Grenades, available in 4x2 as well as 4x4 variants and has ABS.

Vehicle specification of the Tata Safari Storme Armoured:

Application

• VVIP Protection

Mobility

• Tata 2.2 L Direct injection common rail Turbocharged Intercooled Diesel

Engine

• Max Engine output: 140 HP at 4000 rpm"

• Max Torque: 320 Nm at 1700-2700 rpm

• Power to weight Ratio: 41.6 Hp/ton

• Max Speed: 150 kmph

• Max Gradeability: 26 Degrees

• Min Turning Circle Diameter: 12 m

• Payload: 375 Kg

• GVW: 3305 Kg

• Power Steering

Protection

• Ballistic Protection: NIJ level III protection against 7.62 SLR, ball ammunation and AK-47 fired from 10 m distance at 90 degree angle of attack

• Underbelly Protection against 2 HE Hand Grenades

• Glass Protection corresponding to NIJ Level III

Crew Capacity

• Driver + 4 Configuration

• Driver & Co Driver seats front facing

• 3 Seats in the rear

TATA Xenon Recce 4 X 4

The Xenon Recce 4x4 is meant for off road patrolling, as needed by the Armed Forces, both in India and abroad. For this purpose, it has developed separate engines, complying to both BS III, as well as Euro norms. The vehicle is equipped with the following features - Revolving LMG Turret, self recovery winch, provision for fitment of recce fitments like pick-axe, spades, Jerry Cans, etc.

Vehicle specification of the Tata Xenon Recce 4x4:

Application

• General Service vehicle for the Armed forces

• Troop Carrier

• Escort Vehicle

• Recce vehicle

Mobility

• Engine: TATA 2.2L DICOR BS III, Direct Injection Common Rail Turbo Charged Intercooled Diesel Engine.

• Max Engine output: 140 Hp at 4000 rpm.

• Power to weight Ratio: 40.2 Hp/ton

• Steering: Right hand drive with power steering

• Max speed: 120 Kmph

• Fording Depth: 200 mm

• Max gradeability: 32 deg

• Min Turning Radius: 13.5 m

• Operating Temp Range: -25 to + 50 deg Centigrade ambient

• Gross Vehicle weight: 2950 Kg

Fitments

• 360 deg revolving LMG turret with +60 deg/-20 deg elevation /depression,

• 20 liter four jerry cans, mounting outside roll cage structure, ,

• Self recovery winch at front,

• Pick axe and spade

• Tow hook at rear

• 2 kg hand held type fire extinguisher,

• Four ammunition boxes,

• Black out lamps,

• Convoy lamps,

• Map reading lamp

Crew Capacity

• Front seat – Bucket type with Seat Belts, having Front to Rear Adjustment & with Head Rests.

• Rear Bench seats - Two double seats in load body facing inwards with lap belts, foldable bottoms

TATA Mine Protected Vehicle

The Mine Protected Vehicle has been developed to protect its occupants from threats like ambushes and sudden violent attacks, using powerful explosive mines. Designed to protect against gunfire with ballistic protection of NIJ Level III, it provides essential protection to Military and Paramilitary forces. 

Vehicle specification of the Tata Mine Protected Vehicle:

Application

• Escort and Patrolling Operations in Mine prone Naxal-Infested areas

Mobility

• Cummins ISBe 245HP EURO III Water cooled Compression Ignition, Turbocharged, After-cooled Diesel engine

• Max Engine output: 242 Hp @ 2500rpm

• Max Torque: 925 Nm @ 1200-1700 rpm

• Power to weight Ratio: 16 Hp/ton

• Max Speed: 80 kmph

• Max Gradeability : 30 deg

• Min. turning circle diameter: 16 m

• Payload: 1400 kg

• Gross Vehicle Weight: 14300 kg

• Power Steering

Protection

• Ballistic Protection: NIJ level III protection against 7.62 SLR, ball ammunition and AK-47 fired from 10 m distance at 90 degree angle of attack

• Glass :NIJ level III

• Firing Ports: 10 firing ports, including one port at rear

• Blast Protection: Under Hull 14kg TNT, Under Wheel 21kg TNT

Crew Capacity

• Driver + 13 Configuration

• Driver & Co Driver seats front facing

• Rest all inwards facing side suspended seats

All these vehicles can be serviced at any TATA Authorised dealers/TATA Authorised service stations (TASS) across India.

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India's Quest for MIRV Technology - Analysis

Multiple Independent Targetable  Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)

US is a nation is preoccupied with its national interests and priorities more than any country on this planet, and this singular protocol seems to have inspired China, to robust emulation. As a mark of its new found power status the Chinese seem to be everywhere in and around the Asia-Pacific region. This crusade of belligerence and posturing is redefining standard foreign policies processes of many countries, specifically India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines and Vietnam who seem to have certain levels of niggling region. China's has been progressively increasing its defense budget vis-a-vis development of sophisticated weapons and defense related equipment over the last few decades. The result is China has introduced an appalling assortment of arms of sundry magnitude, China is also on the cusp of deploying Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) on their ballistic missiles, a development that is likely to have profound and pervasive outcome for the region and beyond.

What is a MIRV?

 

US Minuteman III MIRV ICBM launch sequence: 1. The missile launches out of its silo by firing its first-stage boost motor (A). 2. About 60 seconds after launch, the 1st stage drops off and the second-stage motor (B) ignites. The missile shroud (E) is ejected. 3. About 120 seconds after launch, the third-stage motor (C) ignites and separates from the 2nd stage. 4. About 180 seconds after launch, third-stage thrust terminates and the post-boost vehicle (D) separates from the rocket. 5. The post-boost vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares for reentry vehicle (RV) deployment. 6. While the post-boost vehicle backs away, the RVs, decoys, and chaff are deployed (this may occur during ascent). 7. The RVs and chaff reenter the atmosphere at high speeds and are armed in flight. 8. The nuclear warheads detonate, either as air bursts or ground bursts.

The US during the whetting era of cold war developed a uniquely dangerous weapon able to strike anywhere in the Soviet Union at wanton. The missile an MIRV also carried decoys and chaffs to evade air defense systems. This new technology undermined the entire balance of power between the two superpowers and struck fear into hard hearts of Soviet citizens.

The military purpose of a MIRV:

• Provides greater target damage for a given missile payload. 
• A multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warhead is a collection of nuclear weapons carried on a single intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Using a MIRV warhead, a single launch can strike several targets, or fewer targets redundantly. 
• With single warhead missiles, one missile must be launched for each target. By contrast with a MIRV warhead, the post-boost stage can dispense the warheads against multiple targets across a wider area. Theoretically at least, only a small portion of an adversary’s missile force would be necessary to completely eliminate one’s strategic deterrent.
• MIRV is destabilizing force primarily because they give nations greater confidence to destroy the enemy's critical missile sites in a first strike action by launching multiple, lower yield warheads.
• Reduces the effectiveness of an anti-ballistic missile system that relies on intercepting individual warheads. Thus, in both a military and economic sense, MIRVs render ABM systems less effective, as the costs of maintaining a workable defense against MIRVs would greatly increase, requiring multiple defensive missiles for each offensive one. 
• Decoy reentry vehicles can be used alongside actual warheads to minimize the chances of the actual warheads being intercepted before they reach their targets.

Why India needs MIRVs?

Agni-5 is capable of launching 4-5 multiple warheads, whose yield is unknown. Although it is not clear if the government has gone ahead and cleared the developed of MIRV system, former head of India’s DRDO, V.K. Saraswat, noted that several Agni variants could eventually be developed with this capability. Development of MIRV technology is vital to India's National Security because of potential threats from hostile adversaries, besides it will strengthen its aspirations of a complete nuclear triad and lastly it compliments India's minimum nuclear deterrence policy. Pakistan’s aggressive postures and China’s belligerence toward India in the recent past necessitates such an indispensable step. The deployment of MIRV technology will quantifying India's nuclear deterrence and enhance defence preparedness

Can India develop the Technologies involved?

The building blocks from boosters to radars, seekers and sophisticated mission control centers are currently available. DRDO had been able to develop key Radio Frequency seeker technologies for missiles, it has since indigenously perfected this technology, and digital processing during the missile's boost, mid-course and terminal phase is based on DRDO’s own software. The RF and Infra Red seekers are meant for proximity and precision engagement of targets, and both these technologies are required for the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) capability apart from other missiles as well. India is working on a new seeker technology with other countries also. Today, India is able to design and develop RF seekers, and in about a year or so, it will be independent in this key technology. Coming years would see greater Indian investment in micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS), nano-sensors, nano-materials and advanced information technology tools. Such advancements would be essential for creating reliable, robust and highly accurate systems like the MIRV. This technology would enhance India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. 

Cutting-Edge Techs

Weapon Dispersion

Analyzing a ballistic trajectory is a simple physics problem, but there is big difference betweem analysis and implementation. Recording the necessary data, rapidly analyzing it, combined with ever changing variables, to determine the precise moment to release a warhead so that it hits a specific target 8-10 thousand miles away, is not a simple task. Therefore, dispersing nuclear warheads is another major technological challenge.

China developed a method for deploying multiple satellites under a contract with Motorola. The deployment method utilized a "smart dispenser" to place Iridium class communication satellites into orbit and the know-how was transferred from Lockheed Martin Corporation. Another auxiliary technology required is the availability of expendable perigee/apogee kick motors, these are small booster motors set to lift satellites into higher orbits. 

However, India had developed both these technologies locally much before the Chinese cloned it. The PSLV-C20 launch in February 2013 is very significant because for the first time 7 satellites were inserted into their precise orbits using an embedded System-on-Chip (SOC) method, and the same SOC methodology is used for Agni-5 to assist its accuracy during its guidance and terminal phases. A notable point is that ISRO and DRDO have tested this key MIRV prerequisite by stealth which had clear military implications.

Miniaturization 

Miniaturization of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons as has been obtained to fit the nose cone spatial shape of Agni missiles. Weapons design and testing has to be simulated in a virtual environment using Super Computers since actual testing stands frozen after Pokhran-II. It must be assumed that BARC scientists have achieved the level of miniaturization deemed adequate and suitable 20 KT fission warhead.

Re-entry Design

All missile launch planning begins with a set of requirements that has to be met to achieve mission objectives. The re-entry phase of a mission is no different. There is a very delicately balance of three, often competing, requirements:

• Deceleration
• Heating 
• Accuracy of landing or impact

Modern ballistic trajectory nuclear weapon system delivery vehicles typically utilize slender sphere-cone geometries with multiple warheads on a single delivery bus. For a given warhead and associated arming device, the designer selects the re-entry vehicle base diameter and vehicle length, which effectively determines the cone half-angle. The nose bluntness ratio is then selected based on drag and heat transfer considerations. The delivery vehicle has to sustain high high aerodynamic stress (deceleration) and heating, hence it must be made of advance materials. Although the agencies have worked extensively on aero-thermal structure and thermal protection system designs over the past decade for both its space and missile programs, its effective use on MIRV platform is yet to be ascertained.

Other prerequisites

• Robust guidance and control computers with adequate computational abilities to conduct complex maths
• Develop advanced and accurate inertial guidance systems such as gyroscope and accelerometers for precise and decisive targeting.

Conclusion

It is evident from history that there exists a close concurrence between space and missile programs as was the case with both the Soviet Union and America. China and India have also pursued the same path. The interchangeability of several technologies between the two entities suit there sustained development, but the more pronounced beneficiary is undeniably the missile program. Though the Indian missile program has matured to world-class levels, it is mastering some of the above technologies that will make MIRV integration as a holistic deterrent system.

by Admin

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India's own Anti-Hacking Program

by Indrajit Majumdar

Firstly, there is nothing called "Hacker Free Computer Environment" in the context of any Operating System (OS) in use today. This however, does not imply that it is totally inconceivable to make our defence servers and other services hacker free. With the growing number of such incidences of Cyberwarfare / Cyberterrorism and the increasing challenges posed by innovations in convergence, keeping the network alive can be possible only with very stringent security measures designed, implemented and deployed. Any specific requirement for limiting access to services should be deliverable as part of a security policy and should address till-date and forecasted attacks

We will discuss three methods of making a client computer or server hack free which also includes the currently work-in-progress C-DAC/DRDO anti-hacking program, the remaining two are purely concepts of the authors.

The C-DAC/DRDO Anti-Hacking Program:

C-DAC an affiliated lab of DRDO has initiated a plan to develop a fully indigenous Indian OS in mid 2010 involving government institutes, agencies and the academia. The construct was to develop a new operating system (both client and server variants) from scratch which would remain immune and free from malicious activities. The highly active international hacker community have been penetrating and infesting India’s state owned servers and other quasi-government systems rather frequently in the the past few years. The estimation was to keep the API, compilers, intranet protocols, algorithims and standards of the OS secret in the notion that the hackers will not be able to penetrate the OS and run encrypted viruses, polymorphic or metamorphic code or other Trojans/Worms since the environment will be on a proprietary domain. This would keep the government systems insusceptible to malicious attacks unlike in other popular operating systems like Windows, iOS/Mac OS, UNIX, Linux or other such OS variants. 

The new environment will also ward off typical approaches in attacks on connected system visible outside the intranet using network enumeration (discovering information about the intended target), vulnerability analysis (identifying potential ways of attack) and exploitation (attempting to compromise the system by employing the vulnerabilities found through vulnerability analysis). The new environment will be resistant to virus, exposure scanning, brute force attacks, password cracking, packet analysis, spoofing, root-kit infiltration, Trojans & worms and keystroke logging.

Development, testing and implementation is planned to be completed within the next two years. Testing phase will involve implementation of new network technologies and protocols. C-DAC drawing from its large pool of resources and skill sets has developed a full-duplex grid computing high speed, high bandwidth low latency network for the PARAM series of super computers called PARAMnet. The technology involves non-blocking crossbar based architecture at 2.5 Gbps full duplex bandwidth per port and distributed schedulers, the added advantage of this system enables to configure the existing protocol for any network topology. However, this exclusive technology can be scaled and modified to meet the specific security requirements. 

The First Concept:

This author’s first concept involves the development of an independent Internet Protocol architecture. Let’s call it the X-Net to avoid any confusion with the current INTERNET conformation which the world is currently using of now. 

The X-Net system should be a hierarchical network divided into three basic layers - Core (Level 1), Distribution (Level 2), and Target (End-User Level). Depending on the type of connectivity required by the users, geographical presence and location, connectivity should be provided across the country. It should use a consortium of bandwidth providers since no single vendor has the geographical spread necessary for creating a pan India network and connecting under served areas, the interface and feature set should be in conformance with the new design.

The design proposal is as follows:

• Develop a System Area Network that provides high bandwidth, low latency communication. This design is normally used to interconnect nodes within a distributed computer system, such as a cluster. These systems are members of a common administrative domain and are usually within close physical proximity. Development should also include seamless inter-connectivity and data transmission with connecting protocols and algorithms, drivers, applications, industry grade & open source components, high-performance interface cards and high-speed scalable hubs, switches and application services for clients. 
• It should have very low error rates and it must scale under load. 
• Compatible and maturational browsers and server software that recognizes the protocols and standards. 
• Hardware which can implement these protocols and standards. 
• Wireless connectivity technology on the X-Net system will need the allocation of separate bandwidth frequencies, accompanied with new wireless hardware and software standards. 
• Incorporate encryption technology with new military strength algorithms with future proofing. 
• Keep the technology away from prying eyes by making the configuration intentionally incompatible and not connectible to the Internet. 
• Segregating the domain into a dual model which enables private or privilege access of sensitive and public domain access for the general public who can access data which is not sensitive in nature. 

The Second Concept:

This is the most simple, most cost-effective, most easy and most secure idea of anti-hacking process which can be implemented. The solution: Abstain from connecting any storage of sensitive data on the public domain or any network. Store sensitive data in offline storage systems. The work computers used for the purpose of research and development purposes should be offline. 

(Indrajit Majumdar is an avid Defence and Space enthusiast and this piece was written by him exclusively for Defence Guru India)

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