Modernization: Focus area of India army
By: Kanchan Basu
Indian Army has been actively involved in modernising its forces to enhance its capabilities and meet the challenges of contemporary security threats. Modernisation efforts encompass a wide range of areas, including personnel, equipment, technology, and infrastructure.
Modernisation of the Indian Army is essential for maintaining a credible Defence posture, adapting to contemporary security challenges, and ensuring the nation’s security and well-being. It aligns with the broader goal of building a robust and resilient Defence infrastructure to protect the interests of the country and its citizens.
Recent approval of capital acquisition proposals worth Rs. 2.23 lakh crore (INR) by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to enhance the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces is a testimonial of the fact that the process of modernisation is on track.
The DAC has accorded the acceptance of necessity (AoN) for procurement of two types of anti-tank munitions namely, area denial munitions (ADM) Type – 2 and Type – 3, which will give additional lethality to Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers to take down enemy tanks, armoured vehicles and personnel.
The ADM munitions are essentially rockets that can drop bomblets over an extended area, which can take down incoming armoured formations. The order will be split between the industrial development partners of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) – Munitions India Ltd (MIL) and Economic Explosive Ltd. (EEL). The two companies will in the near future present commercial bids and the order will be split 60:40 in favour of lower bidder.
To replace the Indian field gun (IFG), which has completed its service life, AoN for procurement of state-of-the-art towed gun system (TGS) has been granted which will become a mainstay of artillery forces of Indian Army.
The new towed gun system (TGS) will be lighter, more versatile, and feature-packed compared to current artillery guns. The Army aims to acquire 400 advanced 155mm/52calibre guns, with a total requirement estimated to be 1,200 guns.
The AoN for procurement and integration of automatic target tracking (ATT) and digital basaltic computer (DBC) for T-90 Tanks under Buy (India) category have also been accorded which will help in maintaining combative edge of T-90 tanks over adversary platforms.
ATT technology helps in precise engagement with moving targets. As of now, to hit a target accurately, the T-90 tanks are positioned manually. The DBC, which is used for the fire guidance system, calculates the trajectory of the round based on the atmospheric conditions.
A round of ammunition generally gets affected by atmospheric temperature conditions, temperature inside the tank, and wind conditions such as the speed and direction. The DBC makes calculations based on all these factors in order to hit a target accurately. The computer currently installed in the tanks is analogue in nature and systems are being digitised to remove the scope for human error and bias.
To boost indigenisation, most of these equipment of the Indian Army will procured under Buy (Indian – IDDM) category. However for self sufficiency in defence, it requires a comprehensive and sustained effort involving government support, industry collaboration, and a commitment to building indigenous capabilities over the long term.
The success of indigenisation efforts often hinges on multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, private sector, research institutions, and the Armed forces.
(The author is based in Kolkata)
