Communication

THE article ‘Modernizing the Indian Army’ by Brig Gurmeet Kanwal in the issue on National Security (Seminar 599 July 2009) is well written and raises important issues of national relevance. However, a closer and more detailed look at DRDO’s indigenous efforts should help provide a clearer picture for readers.

MBT ARJUN: The Arjun project was successfully completed in March 1995. Extensive user evaluations were conducted during 1993-1998 followed by government approval in February 1999 for the series induction of Arjun tanks into service. The Indian Army has so far placed an indent for 124 Arjun tanks. The first Arjun regiment is undergoing conversion training. Comparative trials of MBT Arjun and tank T-90 are likely to be held in November-December 09. An independent audit of design and performance of the Arjun tank by IMI Israel, confirmed its excellent design, suspension and fire control systems. They have, however, suggested improvements in zeroing procedures and quality control during production.

Tracked Self Propelled Gun: DRDO had successfully developed the 155 mm/52 calibre Self Propelled Artillery Gun (Tracked), code-named Bhim in 1999 by integrating T-6 turret of M/s LIW, South Africa with an Arjun derivative chassis. Bhim was extensively trial evaluated and accepted for induction into service. GS (General Staff) evaluation was approved by Army HQ and CNC (Cost Negotiation Committee) concluded in September 03. However, the DRDO’s recommendation that BEML take in TOT for T-6 turret from the South African company was not agreed. Later, the indenting process was stopped by the government due to a vigilance case relating to another contract. Subsequently, DRDO actively pursued alternative options of integrating turrets developed by other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). While the army has issued RFP (request for proposal) for an integrated system that is yet to fructify, DRDO has offered a hybrid solution of integrating an imported turret on Arjun chassis by one of the lead industries.

Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL): The army has so far inducted 10,604 DRDO-developed UBGL for 5.56 mm INSAS rifles.

Grenades: DRDO-developed Multi-mode Grenade has been accepted by the army and has indicated total requirement of more than 45 lakh grenades.

Modern Sub-Machine Carbine (MSMC): DRDO-developed MSMC has undergone user trials in February 09. The observations are being rectified and will be offered for final user trials by end December 09.

Akash Surface to Air Missile System: Akash was developed based on the ‘GSQR’ (General Staff Qualitative Requirements) projected by the Indian Army. Development activities resulted in maturation of a sophisticated and state of art indigenous weapon system with several unique features customized for the army such as mobility, multi-target handling, ‘all the way thrusting’ for manoeuvrability, short flight time due to no coasting phase till intercept and C-4I implementation. Lifetime product support is an added advantage. Nine consecutive successful guided flight tests have proven the system’s reliability. The system, tailor-made for the army, has undergone rigorous electronic warfare evaluation at Gwalior, mobility trials at Pokharan desert and extensive functional trials at Kolar. It is comparable to the best systems of its class worldwide. The MOD had in March 2005 permitted the army to (i) import one group of MRSAM and (ii) to simultaneously process induction of Akash. Thus, the delay in procuring MRSAM (ex-import) cannot be attributed to DRDO. In March 05, DRDO had indicated that Akash prototype would be available for user trials by 2007, and this time-line has been fully met. The air force has placed an order for two squadrons of the Akash missile system. Production of such a technologically advanced medium range surface to air missile will provide a big boost to the Indian defence industry. Deliveries can be made within 24 months of an order by the army. It is considering placing an order for at least one group of Akash missiles. The air force is also likely to order additional squadrons of the improved Akash missile system.

NAG Anti Tank Missile: NAG, the third generation anti-tank missile has undergone exhaustive trials by the user and approval is awaited.

DRDO does not have overriding powers over import of weapon systems by the armed forces. In the decision-making process, views of all concerned agencies (DRDO being one of them) are considered in a collegiate manner and more often than not, the viewpoint of the services prevails. DRDO is sensitive to national security requirements and never comes in way of genuine import requirements of the services.

In conclusion, it is in the national interest to promote indigenous technologies and weapon systems designed for stringent Indian environmental conditions and anthropometric parameters of our defence personnel. This will also ensure uninterrupted supplies of indigenous systems and their spares, avoiding possible blackmail and arm-twisting by supplier countries. Besides being cheaper than the imported counterparts, they offer lower maintenance, lower lifecycle support cost and allow easier upgrading. No country allows their best weapon systems to be exported. Imported systems often come linked with clauses detrimental to our national interests. Encouraging indigenous systems supports growth of the country’s industrial base and the academia, resulting in employment generation.

Suranjan Pal

Director, Public Interface, DRDO

 

The DRDO has several spectacular achievements to its credit, particularly the Prithvi and Agni series ballistic missile programme and the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. It has achieved these distinctions despite the imposition of severe technology denial regimes for over three decades since Pokhran-I in 1974. However, many of the development programmes have been plagued by prolonged delays and time and cost overruns that have had adverse repercussions on India’s defence preparedness.

The clarifications issued by DRDO are well taken. The information about the army’s modernization programmes presented in my article has been gathered from open public sources and statements made in the public domain by senior army officers from time to time.

Periodic briefings by DRDO scientists and the issue of press releases will go a long way towards greater transparency in the state of defence R&D as it will then become easier for defence analysts to bridge the gap between the perceptions of the armed forces and the DRDO.

There can be no alternative for self-reliance in defence technology and the DRDO deserves the wholehearted support of the political leadership, the armed forces, the media and the public.

Gurmeet Kanwal

Director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)