Defence Research and Development OrganisationFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Sanskrit: बलस्य मू�ल� विज्ञा�नमू

"Strength's Origin is in Science"[1]

Agency overview

Formed 1958

Headquarters DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi

Employees 30,000 (7,000 scientists)

Annual budget 10,253.17 crore (US$1.9 billion)(2011-12)[2]

Minister

responsible

A.K. Antony, Defence Minister of India

Agency executive Dr.V.K.Saraswat, Director General, DRDO and Scientific

Adviser(SA) to Defence Minister

Website

www.drdo.gov.in

DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, The Headquarters of DRDO

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an agency of the Republic of India,

responsible for the development of technology for use by the military, headquartered in New Delhi, India. It was

formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical

Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.

DRDO has a network of 52 laboratories which are deeply engaged in developing defence technologies

covering various fields, like aeronautics, armaments, electronic and computer sciences, human resource

development, life sciences, materials, missiles, combat vehicles development and naval research and

development. The organization includes more than 5,000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific,

technical and supporting personnel.

Contents

  [hide] 

1   History

2   Projects

o 2.1   Aeronautics

2.1.1   Avionics

2.1.2   Other Hindustan Aeronautics programs

2.1.3   Unmanned aerial vehicles

2.1.4   Indigenisation efforts

o 2.2   Armaments

2.2.1   Small arms

2.2.2   Explosives

2.2.3   Artillery systems and ammunition

2.2.4   Tank armament

o 2.3   Electronics and computer sciences

2.3.1   Electronic warfare

2.3.1.1   EW systems for the Army

2.3.1.2   EW systems for the Air Force

2.3.2   Radars

2.3.3   Command and control software and decision-making tools

2.3.4   Computing technologies

2.3.5   Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC)

o 2.4   Combat vehicles & engineering

2.4.1   Tanks and armoured vehicles

2.4.2   Modification of BMP-2 series

2.4.3   Other engineering vehicles

2.4.4   In development

o 2.5   Naval research and development

2.5.1   Sonars

2.5.2   Torpedoes

2.5.2.1   Under development

2.5.3   Other projects

2.5.3.1   Information command and control systems

2.5.3.2   Mines and targets

2.5.3.3   In development

o 2.6   Missile systems

2.6.1   Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)

2.6.1.1   Prithvi ballistic missiles

2.6.1.2   Agni ballistic missiles

2.6.1.3   Akash SAM

2.6.1.4   Trishul SAM

2.6.1.5   Nag anti-tank missile

2.6.2   Brahmos missile

2.6.3   Shaurya

2.6.4   Sagarika

2.6.5   Sudarshan

2.6.6   Prahaar Missile

o 2.7   Plans

2.7.1   Long-range SAM

2.7.2   Astra BVRAAM

2.7.3   Anti-Ballistic Missile Defence Project

2.7.4   GATET engine

2.7.5   Anti-satellite weapon

2.7.6   Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite (CCI-Sat)

3   See also

4   References

5   External links

6   Videos

[edit]History

105mm light field gun prototype being shown by Gen Jetley to then Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 by amalgamating the

Defence Science Organisation and some of the technical development establishments. A separate Department

of Defence Research and Development was formed in 1980 which later on administered DRDO and its 50

laboratories/establishments. Most of the time the Defence Research Development Organisation was treated as

if it was a vendor and the Army Headquarters or the Air Headquarters were the customers. Because the Army

and the Air Force themselves did not have any design or construction responsibility, they tended to treat the

designer or Indian industry at par with their corresponding designer in the world market. If they could get a MiG

21 from the world market, they wanted a MiG 21 from DRDO.[3]DRDO started its first major project in surface-

to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo in 1960s. Indigo was discontinued in later years without

achieving full success. Project Indigo led to Project Devil, along with Project Valiant, to develop short-range

SAM and ICBM in the 1970s. Project Devil itself led to the later development of thePrithvi missile under

the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) in the 1980s. IGMDP was an Indian Ministry of

Defence program between the early 1980s and 2007 for the development of a comprehensive range of

missiles, including the Agni missile, Prithvi ballistic missile, Akash missile, Trishul missile and Nag Missile. In

2010,then defence minister A.K. Antony ordered the restructing of the Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO) to give 'a major boost to defence research in the country and to ensure effective

participation of the private sector in defence technology'. The key measures to make DRDO effective in its

functioning include the establishment of a Defence Technology Commission with the defence minister as its

chairman.[4][5] The programs which were largely managed by DRDO has seen considerable success with many

of the systems seeing rapid deployment as well as yielding significant technological benefits.[6] DRDO has

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 armoured vehicles, sonar

systems, command and control systems and missile systems.

[edit]Projects

[edit]Aeronautics

The DRDO is responsible for the ongoing Light Combat Aircraft. The LCA is intended to provide

the Indian Air Force with a modern, fly by wire, multi-role fighter, as well as develop the aviation industry in

India. The LCA program has allowed DRDO to progress substantially in the fields of avionics, flight control

systems, aircraft propulsion and composite structures, along with aircraft design and development.[7]

The DRDO provided key avionics for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI program under the "Vetrivel" program.

Systems developed by DRDO include radar warning receivers, radar and display computers. DRDO's

radar computers, manufactured by HAL are also being fitted into Malaysian Su-30s.

The DRDO is part of the Indian Air Force's upgrade programs for its MiG-27 and Sepecat

Jaguar combat aircraft, along with the manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. DRDO and HAL have

been responsible for the system design and integration of these upgrades, which combine indigenously

developed systems along with imported ones. DRDO contributed subsystems like the Tarang radar

warning receiver, Tempest jammer, core avionics computers, brake parachutes, cockpit instrumentation

and displays.

[edit]Avionics

The DRDO's avionics program has been a success story with its mission computers, radar warning receivers,

high accuracy direction finding pods, airborne jammers and flight instrumentation in use across a wide variety

of Indian Air Force aircraft. The organization began developing these various items for its upgrades, and for the

LCA project. Variants were then developed for other aircraft. The lead designer in several of these efforts has

been DARE, or the Defence Avionics Research Establishment, DRDO's designated mission avionics

laboratory. Other laboratories have also chipped in, from the radar specialist LRDE, to electronic warfare

focused DEAL to the ADE, which develops UAVs and flight control systems.

LCA uses DRDO-developed avionics

The DRDO is also co-developing more advanced avionics for the Light Combat Aircraft and the IAF's combat

fleet. These include a range of powerful Open Architecture computers, better defensive avionics including

modern RWR's, self-protection jammers, missile approach warning systems and integrated defensive suites,

optronics systems (such as infrared search and track systems) and navigational systems such as Ring Laser

Gyro based Inertial navigational systems. Other items under development include digital map generators,

helmet mounted displays and smart multifunctional displays.

[edit]Other Hindustan Aeronautics programs

Apart from the aforementioned upgrades, DRDO has also assisted Hindustan Aeronautics with its programs.

These include the HAL Dhruv helicopter and the HAL HJT-36. Over a hundred LRU (Line Replaceable Unit)'s

in the HJT-36 have come directly from the LCA program. Other duties have included assisting the Indian Air

Force with indigenization of spares and equipment. These include both mandatory as well as other items.

[edit]Unmanned aerial vehicles

A scaled down model of the Rustom-1 MALE UAV

The DRDO has also developed two unmanned aerial vehicles- the Nishant (Midnight) tactical UAV and

the Lakshya (Target) Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA).[8] The Lakshya PTA has been ordered by all three services

for their gunnery target training requirements. Efforts are on to develop the PTA further, with an improved all

digital flight control system, and a better turbojet engine.[9] The Nishant is a hydraulically launched short-ranged

UAV for the tactical battle area. It is currently being evaluated by the Indian Navy and the Indian Paramilitary

forces as well.

The DRDO is also going ahead with its plans to develop a new class of UAVs. These draw upon the

experience gained via the Nishant program, and will be substantially more capable. Referred to by the HALE

(High Altitude Long Endurance) and MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) designations.The MALE UAV

has been tentatively named theRustom,[10] and will feature canards and carry a range of payloads, including

optronic, radar, laser designators and ESM. The UAV will have conventional landing and take off capability.

The HALE UAV will have features such as SATCOM links, allowing it to be commanded beyond line of sight.

Other tentative plans speak of converting the LCA into a UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle), and

weaponizing UAVs.

DRDO Abhyas

DRDO AURA

DRDO Fluffy

DRDO Imperial Eagle

DRDO Kapothaka

DRDO Lakshya

DRDO Netra

DRDO Nishant

Pawan UAV

DRDO Rustom

DRDO Ulka

[edit]Indigenisation efforts

DRDO has been responsible for the indigenization of key defence stores and equipment.[11] DRDO has

assisted Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and the IAF with the indigenization of spares and assemblies for several

aircraft. DRDO laboratories have worked in coordination with academic institutes, the CSIR and

even ISRO over projects required for the Indian Air Force and its sister services. DRDO's infrastructure is also

utilized by other research organizations in India.

[edit]Armaments

DRDO often cooperates with the state owned Ordnance Factories Board for producing its items. These have

led to issues of marginal quality control for some items, and time consuming rectification. Whilst these are

common to the introduction of most new weapons systems, the OFB has had issues with maintaining the

requisite schedule and quality of manufacture owing to their own structural problems and lack of modernisation.

Criticism directed at the OFB is invariably used for the DRDO, since the users often make little distinction

between the developer and the manufacturer.[citation needed] OFB has got more access to funding in recent times,

and this is believed to have helped the organization meet modern day requirements.

Even so, India's state owned military apparatus provides the bulk of its ammunition. The DRDO has played a

vital role in the development of this ability since the role of private organizations in the development of small

arms and similar items has been limited. A significant point in case is the INSAS rifle which has been adopted

by the Indian Army as its standard battle rifle and is in extensive service. There have been issues with rifle

quality in usage under extreme conditions in the heat, with the OFB stating that it will rectify these troubles with

higher grade material and strengthening the unit. Prior troubles were also dealt with in a similar manner.[12] In

the meantime, the rifle has found favour throughout the army and has been ordered in number by other

paramilitary units and police forces.[13][14]

In recent years, India's booming economy has allowed the OFB to modernise with more state funding coming

its way, to the tune of US$400 million invested during 2002-07.[15] The organization hopes that this will allow it

to modernise it's infrastructure; it has also begun introducing new items, including a variant of the AK-47 and

reverse engineered versions of the Denel 14/20 mm anti-material rifles.[16]

In the meantime, the DRDO has also forged partnerships with several private sector industrial partners, which

have allowed it to leverage their strengths. Successful examples of this include the Pinaka MBRL, which has

been assisted significantly by two private developers, Larsen and Toubro Ltd. as well as TATA, apart from

several other small scale industrial manufacturers.

The DRDO's various projects are as follows:

[edit]Small arms

Insas Assault Rifle

The INSAS weapon system has become the standard battle rifle for the Indian Army and paramilitary

units.[17] Bulk production of a LMG variant commenced in 1998.[18] It has since been selected as the

standard assault rifle of the Royal Army of Oman.

In 2010, DRDO completed the development of Oleo-resin plastic hand grenades (partly derived from

the potent Bhut Jholokia chilli found in north-east India), as aless lethal way to control rioters, better tear

gas shells and short-range laser dazzlers.[19]

[edit]Explosives

Chemical Kit for Detection of Explosives (CKDE)

A compact, low-cost and handy explosive detection kit has been designed and perfected for field detection of

traces of explosives. The kit yields a colour reaction, based on which explosives can be detected in minutes. It

is used for identification of all common military, civil and home-made explosive compositions, and is being used

by Police and BSF for the detection of explosives.

Indian CL-20 Explosive

A new high explosive is in the making at a DRDO lab that could replace other standard explosives of the armed

forces such as RDX, HMX, FOX-7 and Amorphous Boron. Scientists at the Pune-based High Energy Materials

Research Laboratory (HEMRL) have already synthesised an adequate quantity of CL-20, the new explosive, in

their laboratory.

The powerful explosive can substantially reduce the weight and size of the warhead while packing much more

punch. The compound, 'Indian CL-20' or 'ICL-20', was indigenously developed in HEMRL using inverse

technology. CL-20, so named after the China Lake facility of the Naval Air Weapons Station in California, US,

was first synthesised by Dr Arnold Nielson in 1987.

CL-20 or Octa-Nitro-Cubane is a Nitramine class of explosive 15 times as powerful as HMX. HMX itself is more

than four times as potent as RDX.

CL-20-based Shaped Charges significantly improve the penetration of armor and could potentially be used in

the bomb for the 120-mm main gun mounted on the MBT Arjun tanks. The CL-20, due to its reduced sensitivity

enables easy handling and transportation and reduces the chances of mishap and loss to men, money,

materials and machines.[20]

[edit]Artillery systems and ammunition

Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher : This system has seen significant success. This system saw the

DRDO cooperate extensively with the privately owned industrial sector in India.[21]

A new long-range tactical rocket system, not yet publicly named. The DRDO has commenced a project

to field a long-range tactical strike system, moving on from the successful Pinaka project. The aim is to

develop a long-range system able to strike at a range of 100–120 km, with each rocket in the system,

having a payload of up to 250 kg. The new MBRS's rocket will have a maximum speed of 4.7 mach and

will rise to an altitude of 40 km, before hitting its target at 1.8 mach. There is also a move to put a guidance

system on the rockets whilst keeping cost constraints in mind. The DRDO has acquired the IMI-Elisra

developed trajectory control system and its technology, for use with the Pinaka, and a further development

of the system could presumably be used with the new MBRL as well.[22]

DRDO's ARDE developed 81 mm and the,[23] 120 mm illuminating bombs [24] and 105 mm illuminating

shells [25] for the Indian Army's infantry and Artillery.

A 51 mm Lightweight Infantry Platoon Mortar for the Indian Army. A man portable weapon, the 51 mm

mortar achieves double the range of 2-inch (51 mm) mortar without any increase in weight. Its new HE

bomb uses pre-fragmentation technology to achieve vastly improved lethality vis a vis a conventional

bomb. Besides HE, a family of ammunition consisting of smoke, illuminating and practice bombs has also

been developed.[26] The weapon system is under production at Ordnance Factories.[27]

Proximity fuses for missiles and artillery shells. Proximity fuses are used with artillery shells for "air

bursts" against entrenched troops and in anti-aircraft and anti-missile roles as well.[26]

Training devices: These include a mortar training device for the 81 mm mortar used by the infantry,

a mortar training device for the 120 mm mortar used by the artillery, and a 0.50-inch (13 mm) subcalibre

training device for 105 mm Vijayanta tank gun.[26]

The Indian Field Gun, a 105 mm field gun was developed for the Indian Army and is in production.

[28] This was a significant challenge for the OFB, and various issues were faced with its manufacture

including reliability issues and metallurgical problems. These were rectified over time.

Submerged Signal Ejector cartridges (SSE), limpet mines, short-range anti-submarine rockets (with

HE and practice warheads), the Indian Sea Mine which can be deployed against both ships and

submarines. The DRDO also designed short- and medium-range ECM rockets which deploy chaff to decoy

away anti-ship homing missiles. In a similar vein, they also developed a 3 in (76.2 mm) PFHE shell,

prefragmented and with a proximity fuse,[29] for use against anti-ship missiles and other targets, by the

Navy. All these items are in production.[26][30]

For the Indian Air Force, DRDO has developed Retarder Tail Units and fuze systems for the 450 kg

bomb used by strike aircraft, 68 mm "Arrow" rockets (HE, Practice and HEAT) for rocket pods used in air

to ground and even air to air (if need be), a 450 kg high speed low drag (HSLD) bomb and practice bombs

(which mimic different projectiles with the addition of suitable drag plates) and escape aid cartridges for Air

Force aircraft. All these items are in production.[26][30]

[edit]Tank armament

DRDO's ARDE also developed other critical systems, such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank's 120 mm rifled main

gun and is presently engaged in the development of the armament for the Future IFV, the "Abhay". The DRDO

is also a member of the trials teams for the T-72 upgrade and its fire control systems. Earlier on, the DRDO

also upgraded the Vijayanta medium tank with new fire control computers.

[edit]Electronics and computer sciences

[edit]Electronic warfare

[edit]EW systems for the Army

It is India's largest electronic warfare system. It is a land based EW project, consisting of 145 vehicles.

The Samyukta consists of ESM and ECM stations for both communication and non-com (radar etc.)

systems. The Indian Army has ordered its Signal Corps to be a prime contributor in the design and

development stage, along with the DRDO's DLRL. The scale of this venture is substantial - it

comprisesCOMINT and ELINT stations which can monitor and jam different bands for both voice/data as

well as radar transmissions. In contrast to other such systems, Samyukta is an integrated system, which

can perform the most critical battlefield EW tasks in both COM and Non-COM roles. The system will be the

first of its type in terms of its magnitude and capability in the Army. Its individual modules can also be

operated independently.[31] A follow on system known as Sauhard is under development.[32]

The Safari IED suppression system for the army and paramilitary forces and the Sujav ESM system

meant for high accuracy direction finding and jamming of communication transceivers.[33]

[edit]EW systems for the Air Force

Radar warning receivers  for the Indian Air Force of the Tarang series. These have been selected to

upgrade most of the Indian Air Force's aircraft such as for the MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, MiG- 27 and

Jaguar as well as self-protection upgrades for the transport fleet.

The Tranquil RWR for MiG -23s (superseded by the Tarang project) and the Tempest jamming system

for the Air Force's MiG's. The latest variant of the Tempest jamming system is capable of noise, barrage,

as well as deception jamming as it makes use of DRFM. The DRDO has also developed a High Accuracy

Direction Finding system (HADF) for the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKIs which are fitted in the modular

"Siva" pod capable of supersonic carriage.[34] This HADF pod is meant to cue Kh-31 Anti radiation missiles

used by the Su-30 MKI for SEAD.

DRDO stated in 2009 that its latest Radar Warning Receiver for the Indian Air Force, the R118, had

gone into production. The R118 can also fuse data from different sensors such as the aircraft radar,

missile/laser warning systems and present the unified data on a multi-function display. The DRDO also

noted that its new Radar Warner Jammer systems (RWJ) were at an advanced stage of development and

would be submitted for trials. The RWJ is capable of detecting all foreseen threats and jamming multiple

targets simultaneously.

Other EW projects revealed by the DRDO include the MAWS project (a joint venture by the DRDO and

EADS) which leverages EADS hardware and DRDO software to develop MAWS systems for transport,

helicopter and fighter fleets. DRDO also has laser warning systems available.

A DIRCM (Directed Infra Red Countermeasures) project to field a worldclass DIRCM system intended

to protect aircraft from infrared guided weapons.

The DRDO is also developing an all new ESM project in cooperation with the Indian Air Force's

Signals Intelligence Directorate, under the name of "Divya Drishti" (Divine Sight). Divya Drishti will field a

range of static as well as mobile ESM stations that can "fingerprint" and track multiple airborne targets for

mission analysis purposes. The system will be able to intercept a range of radio frequency emissions like

radar, navigational, communication or electronic countermeasure signals. The various components of the

project will be networked via SATCOM links.

Additional DRDO EW projects delivered to the Indian Air Force have included the COIN A and COIN B

SIGINT stations. DRDO and BEL developed ELINT equipment for the Indian Air Force, installed on the

service's Boeing 737s and Hawker Siddeley Avro aircraft. DRDO has also developed a Radar

Fingerprinting System for the IAF and the Navy.

Another high accuracy ESM system is being developed by the DRDO for the AEW&C project. The

Indian Air Force's AEW&C systems will also include a comprehensive ESM suite, capable of picking up

both radars as well as conducting Communications Intelligence.

[edit]Radars

The DRDO has steadily increased its radar development. The result has been substantial progress in India's

ability to design and manufacture high power radar systems with locally sourced components and systems.

This began with the development of short-range 2D systems (Indra-1) and has now extended to high power 3D

systems like LRTR intended for strategic purposes. Several other projects span the gamut of radar

applications, from airborne surveillance (AEW&C) to firecontrol radars (land based and airborne). The DRDO's

productionised as well as production-ready radar systems include:

INDRA  series of 2D radars meant for Army and Air Force use. This was the first high power radar

developed by the DRDO, with the Indra-I radar for the Indian Army, followed by Indra Pulse Compression

(PC) version for the Indian Air Force, also known as the Indra-II, which is a low level radar to search and

track low flying cruise missiles, helicopters and aircraft. These are 2D radars which provide range and

azimuth information and are meant to be used as gap fillers. The Indra 2 PC has pulse compression

providing improved range resolution. The series are used both by the Indian Air Force and the Indian

Army [35]

Rajendra fire control radar  for the Akash SAM: The Rajendra is stated to be ready. However, it can be

expected that further iterative improvements will be made. The Rajendra is a high power Passive

electronically scanned array radar (PESA), with the ability able to guide up to 12 Akash SAMs against

aircraft flying at low to medium altitudes. The Rajendra has a detection range of 80 km with 18 km height

coverage against small fighter sized targets and is able to track 64 targets, engaging 4 simultaneously,

with up to 3 missiles per target. The Rajendra features a fully digital high speed signal processing system

with adaptive moving target indicator, coherent signal processing, FFTs and variable pulse repetition

frequency. The entire PESA antenna array can swivel 360 degrees on a rotating platform. This allows the

radar antenna to be rapidly repositioned and even conduct all round surveillance.[36]

Central Acquisition Radar , a state of the art planar array S-Band radar operating on the stacked beam

principle. With a range of 180 km, it can track while scan 200 fighter sized targets. Its systems are

integrated on high mobility, locally built TATRA trucks for the Army and Air Force; however it is meant to

be used by all three services. Initially developed for the long-running Akash SAM system, seven were

ordered by the Indian Air Force for their radar modernization program and two of another variant were

ordered by the Indian Navy for their P-28 Corvettes. The CAR has been a significant success for radar

development in India, with its state of the art signal processing hardware.[37][38] The ROHINI is the IAF

specific variant while the REVATHI is the Indian Navy specific variant. The ROHINI has a more advanced

Indian developed antenna in terms of power handling and beamforming technology while the REVATHI

adds two axis stabilisation for operation in naval conditions, as well as extra naval modes.

BFSR-SR

BFSR-SR , a 2D short-range Battle Field Surveillance Radar, meant to be manportable. Designed and

developed by LRDE, the project was a systematic example of concurrent engineering, with the production

agency involved through the design and development stage. This enabled the design to be brought into

production quickly.[39][40] The radar continues to progress further in terms of integration, with newer variants

being integrated with thermal imagers for visually tracking targets detected by the radar. Up to 10 BFSR-

SR can be networked together for network centric operation. It is in use with the Indian Army and

the BSF as well as export customers.

Super Vision-2000, an airborne 3D naval surveillance radar, meant for helicopters and light transport

aircraft. The SV-2000 is a lightweight, high performance, slotted array radar operating in the X Band. It can

detect sea-surface targets such as a periscope or a vessel against heavy clutter and can also be used for

navigation, weather mapping and beacon detection. The radar can detect a large vessel at over 100

nautical miles (370 km). It is currently under modification to be fitted to the Advanced Light Helicopter and

the Navy's Do-228's. Variants can be fitted to the Navy's Ka-25's as well.[41] The radar has been inducted

by the Indian Navy and a more advanced variant of the Super Vision, known as the XV-2004 is also

operational, and features an ISAR, SAR Capability.

Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar , a 3D AESA was developed with assistance

from Elta of Israel and is similar to Elta's proven GreenPine long-range Active Array radar. The DRDO

developed the signal processing and software for tracking high speed ballistic missile targets as well as

introduced more ruggedization. The radar uses mostly Indian designed and manufactured components

such as its critical high power, L Band Transmit-Receive modules and other enabling technologies

necessary for active phased array radars. The LRTR can track 200 targets and has a range of above

500 km. It can detect Intermediate-range ballistic missile. The LRTR would be amongst the key elements

of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program. DRDO would provide the technology to private and public

manufacturers to make these high power systems.[42]

3D Multi Function Control Radar (MFCR) was developed as part of the Indian anti-ballistic missile

program in cooperation with THALES of France. The MFCR is an active phased array radar and

complements the Swordfish Long Range Tracking Radar, for intercepting ballistic missiles. The MFCR will

also serve as the fire control radar for the AAD second tier missile system of the ABM program. The AAD

has a supplementary role against aircraft as well and can engage missiles and aircraft up to an altitude of

30 km. The MFCR fills out the final part of the DRDO's radar development spectrum, and allows India to

manufacture long-range 3D radars that can act as the nodes of an Air Defence Ground Environment

system.

2D Low Level Lightweight Radar (LLLR) for the Indian Army, which requires many of these units for

gapfilling in mountainous terrain. The Indian Air Force will also acquire then for key airbases. The LLLR is

a 2D radar with a range of 40 km against a 2 square meter target, intended as a gapfiller to plug detection

gaps versus low level aircraft in an integrated Air Defence Ground network. The LLLR makes use of Indra-

2 technology, namely a similar antenna array, but has roughly half the range and is much smaller and a far

more portable unit. The LLLR can track while scan 100 targets and provide details about their speed,

azimuth and range to the operator. The LLLR makes use of the BFSR-SR experience and many of the

subsystem providers are the same. Multiple LLLRs can be networked together. The LLLR is meant to

detect low level intruders, and will alert Army Air Defence fire control units to cue their weapon systems.[43]

3D Short Range Radar for the Indian Air Force - ASLESHA: The ASLESHA radars have a range of

approximately 50 km against small fighter-sized targets and will be able to determine their range, speed,

azimuth and height. This radar will enable the Indian Air Force Air Defence units to accurately track low

level intruders. The radar is a semi-active phased array with a 1 meter square aperture. The DRDO was in

discussions with the Indian Navy to mount these systems on small ships.

Multi-mode radar, a 3D radar is a HAL project with DRDO's LRDE as a subsystem provider. This

project to develop an advanced, lightweight Multimode fire control radar for the LCA Tejas fighter had

faced challenges and was delayed. It has now been completed with Elta's (Israel) assistance. The

multimode radar has range (for detection of a small fighter target) greater than 100 km, can track 10

targets, can engage 2 targets and uses lightweight system. It has been revealed that an all new combined

signal and data processor had been developed, replacing the original separate units. The new unit is much

more powerful and makes use of contemporary ADSP processors. The radar's critical hardware has also

been developed and validated. The software for the air to air mode has been developed considerably

(including search and track while scan in both look up and look down modes) but air to ground modes are

still being worked upon. The radar development was shown to be considerably more mature than

previously thought. At Aero India 2009, it was revealed that the 3D MMR project has been superseded by

the new 3D AESA FCR project led by LRDE. The MMR has been completed with Elta Israel's assistance

and now involved Elta EL/M-2032 technology for Air to Ground mapping and targeting. This "hybrid" MMR

has been tested, validated and will be supplied for the initial LCA Tejas fighters.

DRDO has indigenised components and improved subsystems of various other license produced

radars manufactured at BEL with the help of BEL scientists and other researchers. These improvements

include new radar data processors for license produced signal radars as well as local radar assemblies

replacing the earlier imported ones.

Apart from the above, the DRDO has also several other radar systems currently under development or in trials,

these include:

BEL Weapon Locating Radar : 

A model of the BEL Weapon Locating Radar

A 3D radar successfully developed from the Rajendra fire control radar for the Akash system, this radar

uses a passive electronically scanned array to detect multiple targets for fire correction and weapon

location. The system has been developed and demonstrated to the Army and orders have been

placed[44] In terms of performance, the WLR is stated to be superior to the AN/TPQ-37, several of which

were imported by India as an interim system while the WLR got ready.

Active Phased Array radar: a 3D radar for fighters, a MMR follow on, the APAR project aims to field a

fully fledged operational AESA fire control radar for the expected Mark-2 version of the Light Combat

Aircraft. This will be the second airborne AESA program after the AEW&C project and intends to transfer

the success DRDO has achieved in the ground based radar segment to airborne systems. The overall

airborne APAR program aims to prevent this technology gap from developing, with a broad based program

to bring DRDO up to par with international developers in airborne systems, both fire control and

surveillance.

Synthetic aperture radar  & Inverse synthetic aperture radar: the DRDO's LRDE is currently working on

both SAR and ISAR radars for target detection and classification. These lightweight payloads are intended

for both conventional fixed wing as well as UAV applications.

Airborne Warning and Control: a new radar based on Active Electronically Scanned Array technology.

The aim of the project is to develop inhouse capability for high power AEW&C systems, with the system

covering the development of a S Band AESA array. The aircraft will also have datalinks to link fighters plus

communicate with the IAF's C3I infrastructure as well as a local SATCOM (satellite communication

system), along with other onboard ESM and COMINT systems.[45]

Medium Range Battlefield Surveillance Radar: in 2009, the LRDE (DRDO) noted that it was working on

a Long-range battlefield surveillance radar. It is possible that the BFSR-LR project has replaced this earlier

project and the Indian Army will utilize the BEL built ELTA designed BFSR-MR's for Medium Range

surveillance while using the LRDE designed systems for Long Range surveillance. The 2D radar will track

ground targets and provide key intelligence to the Indian Army's artillery units, with the resultant

information available on various tactical networks.

3D Medium Power Radar: a spinoff of the experience gained via the 3D MFCR project, the 3D Medium

Power Radar project is intended to field a radar with a range of approximately 300 km against small fighter

sized targets. Intended for the Indian Air Force, the radar is an active phased array, and will be

transportable. It will play a significant role being used as part of the nodes of the Indian Air Force's

enhanced Air Defence Ground Environment System.

3D Tactical Control Radar: a new program, the TCR is an approximately 150 km ranged system for

use by the Indian Army and Air Force. A highly mobile unit, it will also employ open architecture to provide

easy upgrades, and a variety of modes and capabilities depending on the software fit. The aim of the 3D

Medium Power Radar and TCR is to offer systems which can be deployed in a variety of roles, from fire

control to surveillance, and not be tied to one role alone.

[edit]Command and control software and decision-making tools

Tactical tools for wargaming: Shatranj and Sangram for the Army, Sagar for the Navy and air

war software for the Air Force. All these systems are operational with the respective services.

C3I systems: DRDO, in cooperation with BEL and private industry has developed several critical C3I

(command, control, communications and intelligence systems) for the armed services. Under the project

"Shakti", the Indian Army aims to spend US$300 million to network all its artillery guns using the ACCS

(Artillery Command and Control System). Developed by DRDO's Centre for Artificial Intelligence &

Robotics, the system comprises computers and intelligent terminals connected as a wide area network. Its

main subsystems are the artillery computer center, battery computer, remote access terminal and a gun

display unit. The ACCS is expected to improve the Army's artillery operations by a factor of 10 and

allowing for more rapid and accurate firepower. The ACCS will also improve the ability of commanders to

concentrate that firepower where it is most needed. The DRDO and BEL have also developed a Battle

Management system for the Indian Army for its tanks and tactical units.

Other programs in development for the Army include Corps level information and decision making software and

tools, intended to link all units together for effective C3I. These systems are in production at DRDO's

production partner, Bharat Electronics Limited. These projects are being driven by the Indian Army Corps of

Signals. The Indian Army is also moving towards extensive use of battlefield computers. DRDO has also

delivered projects such as the Combat Net Radio for enhancing the Army's communication hardware.[46]

Data management and command and control systems for the Navy have been provided by the DRDO.

The Navy is currently engaged in a naval networking project to network all its ships and shore

establishments plus maritime patrol aircraft and sensors.

Radar netting and multi-sensor fusion software for linking the Indian Air Force's network of radars and

airbases which have been successfully operationalised. Other systems include sophisticated and highly

complex mission planning and C3I systems for missiles, such as the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles and

the Brahmos cruise missile. These systems are common to all three services as all of them utilize different

variants of these missiles.

Simulators and training tools: DRDO and private industry have collaborated on manufacturing a range

of simulators and training devices for the three services, from entry level tests for prospective entrants to

the Indian Air Force, to sophisticated simulators for fighter aircraft, transports and helicopters, tanks and

gunnery devices.

[edit]Computing technologies

DRDO has worked extensively on high speed computing given its ramifications for most of its defence projects.

These include supercomputers for computational flow dynamics, to dedicated microprocessor designs

manufactured in India for flight controllers and the like, to high speed computing boards built around

Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components, similar to the latest trends in the defence industry.

Supercomputing: DRDO's ANURAG developed the PACE+ [47] Supercomputer for strategic purposes

for supporting its various programs. The initial version, as detailed in 1995, had the following

specifications: The system delivered a sustained performance of more than 960 Mflops (million floating

operations per second) for computational fluid dynamics programs. Pace-Plus included 32 advanced

computing nodes, each with 64 megabytes(MB) of memory that can be expanded up to 256MB and a

powerful front-end processor which is a hyperSPARC with a speed of 66/90/100 megahertz (MHz).

Besides fluid dynamics, these high-speed computer systems were used in areas such as vision, medical

imaging, signal processing, molecular modeling, neural networks and finite element analysis. The latest

variant of the PACE series is the PACE ++, a 128 node parallel processing system. With a front-end

processor, it has a distributed memory and message passing system. Under Project Chitra, the DRDO is

implementing a system with a computational speed of 2-3 Teraflops utilizing commercial off the shelf

components and the Open Source Linux Operating System.

Processors and other critical items: DRDO has developed a range of processors and application

specific integrated circuits for its critical projects. Many of these systems are modular, in the sense that

they can be reused across different projects. These include "Pythagoras processor" to convert cartesian to

polar coordinates, ANUCO, a floating point coprocessor and several others, including the ANUPAMA 32-

bit processor, which is being used in several DRDO projects.[48]

Electronic components: one of the endeavours undertaken by the DRDO has been to create a

substantial local design and development capability within India, both in the private and public sectors.

This policy has led to several hard to obtain or otherwise denied items, being designed and manufactured

in India. These include components such as radar subsystems (product specific travelling wave tubes) to

components necessary for electronic warfare and other cutting edge projects. Today, there are a range of

firms across India, which design and manufacture key components for DRDO, allowing it to source locally

for quite a substantial chunk of its procurement. The DRDO has also endeavoured to use COTS

(Commercial off the shelf) processors and technology, and follow Open Architecture standards, wherever

possible, in order to pre-empt obsolescence issues and follow industry practise. One significant example is

the development of an Open Architecture computer for the Light Combat Aircraft, based on the PowerPC

architecture and VME64 standard. The earlier Mission computer utilizing Intel 486 DX chips has already

seen success, with variants being present on the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar and MiG-27 Upgrades for the Indian

Air Force.[49]

[edit]Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC)

DRDO is working on a slew of directed energy weapons (DEWs). LASTEC has identified DEWs, along with

space security, cyber-security and hypersonic vehicles as focus areas in the next 15 years.[50]

The aim is to develop laser-based weapons, deployed on airborne as well as seaborne platforms, which can

intercept missiles soon after they are launched towards India in the boost phase itself. These will be part of the

ballistic missile defence system being currently developed by DRDO. LASTEC is developing a 25-kilowatt laser

system to hit a missile during its terminal phase at a distance of 5–7 km.

LASTEC is also working on a vehicle-mounted gas dynamic laser-based DEW system, under project Aditya,

which should be ready in three years. Project Aditya is a technology demonstrator to prove beam control

technology. Ultimately, solid-state lasers would be used.

LASTEC projects include:

Hand-held laser dazzler.

Non-Lethal systems:

Hand-held laser dazzler to disorient adversaries, without collateral damage. 50-metre

range. Status: Ready.

Crowd-control dazzlers mounted on vehicles to dispel rioting mobs. 250-metre range. Status: Will take

2 more years.

Laser-based ordnance disposal system, which can be used to neutralise IEDs and other explosives

from a distance. Status: Trials begin in 18 months.

Lethal Systems:

Air defence dazzlers to take on enemy aircraft and helicopters at range of 10 km. Status: Will take 2

more years.

25-kilowatt laser systems to destroy missiles during their terminal phase at range of 5 to

7 km. Status: Will take 5 more years.

At least 100-kilowatt solid-state laser systems, mounted on aircraft and ships, to destroy missiles in

their boost phase itself. Status: Will take a decade.

[edit]Combat vehicles & engineering

[edit]Tanks and armoured vehicles

T-72 Ajeya of the Indian Army

Ajeya upgrade (Sanskrit: Invincible): upgrade for the T-72 fleet, incorporating a mix of locally made

and imported subsystems. 250 have been ordered. Local systems include the DRDO-developed ERA, a

DRDO-developed laser warning system and combat net radio, the Bharat Electronics Limited advanced

land navigation system consisting of fibre optic gyros and GPS, NBC protection and DRDO's fire detection

and suppression system amongst other items. Imported systems include a compactthermal imager and fire

control system and a new 1000 hp engine.

Anti-tank ammunition: DRDO developed the FSAPDS for the 125 mm calibre, meant for India's T-72

tanks, the 120 mm FSAPDS and HESH rounds for the Arjun tankand 105 mm FSAPDS rounds for the

Army's Vijayanta and T-55 tanks.[51] Significant amounts of 125 mm anti-tank rounds manufactured by the

Ordnance Factory Board were rejected. The problems were traced to improper packaging of the charges

by the OFB, leading to propellant leakage during storage at high temperatures. The locally developed

rounds were rectified and requalified. Production of these local rounds was then restarted. Since 2001,

over 1,30,000 rounds have been manufactured by the OFB. The DRDO said in 2005 that it had developed

a Mk2 version of the 125 mm round, with higher power propellant for greater penetration. In parallel, the

OFB announced in 2006 that it was also manufacturing 125 mm IMI (Israel Military Industries) rounds. It is

believed that this might assist in improving the OFB's APFSDS manufacturing capability. These rounds

and presumably the Mk2 round and will be used by both the T-72 and T-90 formations in the Indian Army.

[52][53]

Various armour technologies and associated subsystems from composite armour and explosive

reactive armour to Radios (Combat Net Radio with frequency hopping and encryption) and Battle

Management systems. Fire-control systems are currently in production at BEL for the Arjun tanks. The first

batch in production have a hybrid Sagem-DRDO system, with Sagem sights and local fire control

computer.[54]

Arjun  tank: The penultimate design was accepted by the Indian Army and is now in series production

at HVF Avadi. 

Arjun MBT

The Arjun follows a template similar to the tanks developed by western nations, with

containerised ammunition storage, with blast off panels, heavy Composite armour, a 120 mm gun (rifled as

compared to smoothbore on most other tanks), a modern FCS with high hit probability and a 1,400

horsepower (1,000 kW) engine and a four man crew.

Originally designed in response to a possible Pakistani acquisition of the M1 Abrams, the project fell into

disfavour once it became clear that Pakistan was instead standardising on cheaper (and less capable) T

type tanks[citation needed]. In such a milieu, acquiring the Arjun in huge numbers is simply unnecessary for

the Indian Army, given the additional logistic costs of standardising on an entirely new type.The Indian

Army ordered 124 units in 2000 and an additional 124 units in 2010[55][56]and work on Mark-II version of the

tank has commenced.[57]

[edit]Modification of BMP-2 series

India license manufactures the BMP-2 with local components. The vehicle has been used as the basis for

several locally designed modifications, ranging from missile launchers to engineering support vehicles. The

DRDO and its various labs have been instrumental in developing these mission specific variants for the Indian

Army.

Armoured Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle  for enabling the combat engineers to acquire and

record terrain survey data. The instruments mounted on the amphibious vehicle are capable of measuring

width of obstacle, bed profile, water depth and bearing capacity of soil of the obstacle in real time which

are helpful in taking decisions regarding laying of tracks or building of bridges.[58]

Armoured Amphibious Dozer with amphibious capability for earth moving operations in different terrain

for preparation of bridging sites, clearing obstacles and debris and to fill craters. Self-recovery of the

vehicle is also a built-in feature using a rocket-propelled anchor.[59]

Carrier Mortar Tracked : designed to mount and fire an 81 mm mortar from within vehicle. Capacity to

fire from 40° to 85° and traverse 24° on either side; 108 rounds of mortar ammunition stowed.[60]

Armoured Ambulance based on the BMP-2 vehicle.

NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle: this variant has instrumentation for determining NBC contamination, as

well as bringing back samples. The vehicle includes a plow for scooping up soil samples, to

instrumentation such as a radiation dosimeter amongst other key items.

[edit]Other engineering vehicles

Bridge Layer Tank: claimed by DRDO to be the amongst the best bridging systems available on a

medium class tank. It has an option to carry a 20 metre or 22 metre class 70 MLC bridge, which can be

negotiated by all tanks in service with Indian Army.

Amphibious Floating Bridge and Ferry System intended for transporting heavy armour, troops and

engineering equipment across large and deep water obstacles. The vehicle can convert to a fully decked

bridge configuration of 28.4 metres in length in 9 minutes. Two more vehicles can be joined in tandem to

form a floating bridge of 105 metres in length in 30 minutes. The bridge superstructure is integrated with

floats to provide stability and additional buoyancy. The vehicle is also capable of retracting its wheels for

use as a grounded bridge/ramp for high banks.[61]

Arjun Bridge Layer Tank: the BLT-Arjun is an all-new design with a scissor type bridge laying method,

which helps it avoid detection from afar. It uses the chassis of the Arjun tank and can take higher weights

than the BLT-72.[62]

Sarvatra Bridge layer: the bridge can be deployed over water and land obstacles to provide 75 metres

of bridge-length for battle tanks, supply convoys and troops. The system consists of a light aluminum alloy

scissors bridge and was approved for production in March 2000 trials. One complete set of the multi span

mobile bridging system includes five truck-mounted units with a bridge-span of 15 metres each. The

system is designed to take the weight of the Arjun MBT, by far the heaviest vehicle in the Army’s inventory.

Microprocessor based control system reduces the number of personnel required to deploy and

operationalize the bridge. The bridging equipment is carried on a Tatra Kolos chassis and the system is

built by Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML).[63]

Mobile Decontamination System: with the NBC aspect of the battlefield in mind, the DRDO developed

a Tatra vehicle based Mobile Decontamination system for decontamination of personnel, clothing,

equipment, vehicles & terrain during war. The main sub-systems of mobile decontamination system are:

pre-wash, chemical wash and post wash systems respectively. The pre-wash system consists of a 3000

litre stainless steel water tank and a fast suction pump. A high-pressure jet with a capacity of 3400 l/hour

and a low-pressure jet with a capacity of 900 l/hour and 1600 l/hour are included. The chemical wash

system is capable of mixing two powders and two liquids with variable feed rates and has a five litre per

minute slurry emulsion flow rate. The post wash system consists of a high-pressure hot water jet, a hot

water shower for personnel and provision of steam for decontamination of clothing. The decontamination

systems have been introduced into the services.[64] The system is under production for the Army at

DRDO's partnering firms, with the DRDO itself manufacturing the pilot batch.[65]

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)/DRDO Daksh: A tracked robotic vehicle with staircase climbing

ability has been developed and is particularly intended for remote explosion of explosive devices. The

ROV is carried in a specially designed carrier vehicle with additional armament and firing ports. The ROV

itself is fairly sophisticated, with provision to carry various optronic payloads, an articulated gripper to pick

up objects, an ability to traverse difficult terrain including staircases, as well as an integral waterjet

projector to blow up explosive packages. It was formally inducted into Indian army's corps of engineers on

19 December 2011. The Indian army placed a total order of 20 ROVs and 6 of them are now operational

with army. Each unit cost about Rs. 90 lakhs.[66][67]

DRDO is developing robotic soldiers and mules capable of carrying luggage up to 400 kg at high

altitudes.[68]

[edit]In development

Abhay IFV  (Sanskrit: Fearless): an IFV design in prototype form. This IFV will have a 40 mm gun

based on the proven Bofors L70 (Armour piercing and explosive rounds), a firecontrol system derived from

theArjun MBT project with a thermal imager, all-electric turret and gun stabilization, a locally designed

FLAME launcher for locally manufactured Konkurs-M anti-tank missiles and an Indian diesel engine. The

armour will be lightweight composite.

Tank-Ex : a project to mount Arjun's turret on a T-72 chassis to combine high firepower with a low

silhouette. This is a DRDO initiative and not a specific Army demand. Reports emerged in 2008 that the

Indian Army has rejected the tank[69] with two prototypes built.

Armoured vehicle for Paramilitary forces: a wheeled armoured vehicle, the AVP was displayed at

Defexpo-2006. The AVP has armoured glass windows and firing ports, as well as provision for heavier

caliber small arms, and crowd control equipment. Currently at prototype stage.

Mining and De-mining equipment: the Self Propelled Mine Burier has been developed by the DRDO for

a requirement projected by the Indian Army. It is an automated mine laying system developed on a high

mobility vehicle and is currently in trials. The Counter-Mine flail, is a vehicle built upon the T-72 chassis

and has a series of fast moving flails to destroy mines. A prototype has been displayed.

[edit]Naval research and development

[edit]Sonars

DRDO, BEL and the Indian Navy have developed and productionized a range of sonars and related systems

for the Indian Navy's frontline combat ships.

The Shivalik class of frigates contain significant DRDO-developed systems

These include:

APSOH (Advanced Panoramic SOnar Hull mounted),

HUMVAD (Hull Mounted Variable Depth sonar),

HUMSA (Follow on to the APSOH series; the acronym HUMSA stands for Hull Mounted Sonar Array),

Nagan (Towed Array Sonar),

Panchendriya (Submarine sonar and fire control system).

Other sonars such as the airborne sonar Mihir are in trials, whilst work is proceeding apace on a new

generation of sonars. Sonars may be considered one of DRDO's most successful achievements as the Indian

Navy's most powerful ships rely on DRDO made sonars. The standard fit for a front line naval ship would

include the HUMSA-NG hull mounted sonar and the Nagan towed array sonar. The Mihir is a dunking sonar

meant for use by the Naval ALH, working in conjunction with its Tadpole sonobuoy. The Panchendriya is in

production for the Kilo class submarine upgrades.[70][71][72]

[edit]Torpedoes

DRDO is currently engaged in developing multiple torpedo designs. These include a lightweight torpedo that

has been accepted by the Navy and cleared for production.[73]

[edit]Under development

Advanced Light Torpedo Shyena  is an advanced experimental torpedo developed by the Naval

Scientific and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a DRDO wing. Development was started in 1990.

NSTL Advanced Lightweight Torpedo[74]

NSTL Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo:[75] The heavy weight wire-guided torpedo called Varunastra

and Thakshak thermal torpedo are suitable for use against both ships and submarines. The electrically

powered Varunastra is stated to be in production.

The DRDO also developed and productionised a microprocessor controlled triple tube torpedo launcher for

the Indian Navy as well as a towed torpedo decoy.[76][77]

[edit]Other projects

These have included indigenisation of various components (for instance, adsorbent material for submarines,

radar components, naval ship signature reduction efforts and materials technology). DRDO has played a

significant role in the development of warship grade steel in India and its productionisation. DRDO has also

assisted private industry in developing EW trainers, ship simulators for training and health monitoring systems

for onboard equipment. Other equipment for the Navy includes underwater telephone sets, and VLF

communication equipment, for the Navy's submarines. DRDO's IRDE has also developed optronic fire control

systems for the Navy's and the Coast Guard's ships.[78]

[edit]Information command and control systems

DRDO's labs have been part of projects to develop sophisticated command and control systems for the Navy,

such as the EMCCA (Equipment Modular for Command and Control Application) which ties together various

sensors and data systems. The EMCCA system gives commanders on the ship a consolidated tactical picture

and adds to the ship’s maritime combat power.[79]

DRDO labs are also engaged in supporting the Navy's ambitious naval enterprise wide networking system, a

program to link all naval assets together via datalinks, for sharing tactical information.

[edit]Mines and targets

Three kinds of mines, processor based mine, moored mine and processor based exercise mine are in

production for the Navy. Targets developed for the Navy include a static target called the Versatile Acoustic

target and a mobile target called the programmable deep mobile target (PDMT).

[edit]In development

A Submarine Escape set, used by crew to escape from abandoned submarines. The set consists of

breathing apparatus and Hydro-suit.

New generation Sonars and EW equipment.

Heavyweight torpedoes, underwater remotely operated vehicles, improved signature reduction

technology for naval applications.

[edit]Missile systems

[edit]Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)

Main article: Integrated Guided Missile Development Program

The IGMDP was launched by the Indian Government to develop the ability to develop and design a missile

locally, and manufacture a range of missile systems for the three defence services.

The program has seen significant success in its two most important constituents - the Agni missiles and

the Prithvi missiles, while two other programs, the Akash SAM and the anti-tank Nag Missile have seen

significant orders. The Trishul missile, a program to develop a tri-service short-range SAM faced persistent

problems throughout its development, and was shut down in 2007.

[edit]Prithvi ballistic missiles

Main article: Prithvi (missile)

The Prithvi (Sanskrit: Earth) missiles are a range of SRBMs produced for the Indian Air Force and Army; a

variant for the Navy has been deployed on Sukanya class patrol vessel. Another submarine-launched variant

known as the K-15 is under development. The Prithvi is an extremely accurate liquid fuelled missile with a

range of up to 350 km. While relatively inexpensive and accurate, with a good payload, its logistics footprint is

high, on account of it being liquid fuelled.[80]

[edit]Agni ballistic missiles

Main article: Agni (missile)

The Agni-II missile

The Agni (Sanskrit: Fire) missiles are a range of MRBMs, IRBMs, ICBMs meant for long-range deterrence.

The Agni-III is the newest version which is getting inducted into the armed forces and has range of up to

5,500 km (3,418 mi). The Agni-I and Agni-II have been productionized, although exact numbers remain

classified.

First trials of the Agni-III saw problems and the missile test did not meet its objectives. The second test was

successful. Further tests of the Agni-III are planned to validate the missile and its subsystems, which include

new propellant and guidance systems, a new re-entry vehicle and other improvements.[81]

The Agni-V missile is an ICBM meant for long-range deterrence. The Agni-V is the newest version and has the

longest range of up to 5000–6000 km. Agni-V would also carry Multiple Independent Re-entry

Vehicles payloads and will have countermeasures against Anti-ballistic missile systems. It was successfully test

fired on 19 April 2012.[82] The missile will utilize a canister and will be launched from it. Sixty percent of the

missile will be similar to the Agni-III missile. Advanced technologies like ring laser gyroscope and

accelerometer will be used in the new missile.[83] DRDO plans to develop reusable missiles which will be a

combination of ballistic and cruise missile technology.[84]

[edit]Akash SAM

Main article: Akash missile

The Akash (Sanskrit: Sky or ether) is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system consisting of the command

guided ramjet powered Akash along with the dedicated service specific launchers, battery control radar (the

Rajendra Block III), a Central Acquisition radar, battery and group control centers.[12].[85] The Akash project has

yielded spinoffs like the Central Acquisition radar and Weapon Locating radar.

Akash missile

The Akash system cleared its user trials with the Indian Air Force in 2007. The user trials had the Akash

intercept flying targets at ITR, Chandipur. The Akash missile successfully hit its targets in all of the tests.

[86] The Indian Air force has since been satisfied with the performance of the missile and ordered two squadrons

of the Akash, with a squadron having eight launchers[87][88][89]

The Indian Air Force placed an order for an additional six squadrons of the Akash SAM in 2010, with an order

of 750 missiles (125 per squadron).This order makes a total of a 1000 Akash SAMs on order for the Indian Air

Force for eight squadrons.[90]

In June 2010, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) placed an order of the Akash missile system, valued at 

12,500 crore (US$2.3 billion). Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will be the system integrator and nodal production

agency for the Akash Army variant.

[edit]Trishul SAM

The Trishul (Sanskrit: Trident, the weapon of Shiva) is a short-range SAM meant for the Indian Army, Air Force

and Navy. The Trishul project relied on equipment already in service with the Indian services, to drive down

logistics costs, and reduce program development costs and development time. The Army variant, relied on a

locally modified variant of the Signaal (now Thales) Flycatcher radar, integrated into a single launcher with a

four missile pack, along with separate electronics for missile guidance. The Air Force variant separated the

missile launchers on Kolos Tatra trucks, locally manufactured by India's BEML. The Naval variant was the most

ambitious, with a flight control system with an integrated radar altimeter to intercept sea skimming missiles. The

Trishul's guidance was Command Line of Sight with a three beam guidance system, which proved to be the

bane of the project and caused repeated failures during trials.

Due to the Trishul's persistent development problems the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and the Indian

Navy began upgrading their existing short-range SAM systems or purchasing replacements.The Indian Air

Force has since procured batteries of the SPYDER SAM system [91] and the Indian Army is upgrading its OSA-

AKM/ SA-8 systems with Polish assistance.[92] The Indian Navy has also moved on to the Barak 1system.[93]

The Trishul program was effectively closed down in 2006. It has been reported that key technologies developed

in the program may be utilized in future systems.[94] It has been reported that the experience gained from the

Trishul program will be utilized for a brand new SAM known as the Maitri, which will be codeveloped with the

European MBDA missile agency.[95]

[edit]Nag anti-tank missile

Main article: Nag (missile)

The Nag Anti-tank missile (Sanskrit: Cobra) is a guided missile system intended for the Indian Air Force and

the Indian Army. The Army will deploy the Nag on ground based launchers and from helicopters, whereas the

Air Force will rely on helicopter based units. The Nag has an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker and has a top and

direct attack capability, with a tandem warhead.

The Army's land missile carrier and launcher, known as the Namica, carries several ready to use Nag missiles

within and four Nag missiles in an extendable launcher above the turret. The Namica has its own FLIR based

sighting and fire control unit.[96]

Nag missile

The Air Force and Army will also use their Advanced Light helicopters (ALH) (HAL Dhruv) and the HAL Light

Combat Helicopter (LHC) as Nag carriers. The ALHs will be equipped with IRDE (DRDO) developed HELITIS

(Heliborne Imaging and Targeting systems) with a combination of a FLIR and laser range finder in a stabilized

turret for target acquisition and designation. The thermal imager is likely to be imported, but the gimballed

turret, stabilization, laser range finder and associated electronics have been designed in India and will be

manufactured locally.[97]

The Nag ATGM is regarded as a highly capable missile, even though its development has been protracted,

mainly due to the technological challenges of developing a state of the art IIR sensor equipped top attack

missile. The Nag is still cheaper than most imported missiles in its category and is earmarked for the Army and

Air Force.

The Nag anti-tank guided missile was cleared for production in July 2009 and there are uncorroborated reports

since that it may be purchased by Tanzania, Botswana andMorocco.[98] The Nag will complement the existing

Russian 9M113 Konkurs Anti-tank guided missile and European missile MILAN in Indian usage, both of which

are manufactured under license by Bharat Dynamics Limited.

[edit]Brahmos missile

Main article: BrahMos

Launched as a joint venture between India's DRDO and the Russian NPO, the BrahMos program aims at

creating a range of missile systems derived from the Yakhont missile system. Named the "BrahMos" after the

Brahmaputra and the Moskva rivers, the project has been highly successful.

BrahMos

The Indian Navy has ordered the BrahMos Naval version, both slant-launched and vertically launched, for its

ships; the Indian Army has ordered two regiments worth of land-launched missiles for long-range strike; and an

air-launched version is in development for the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKIs and the Navy's Tu-142 long-range

aircraft.

The DRDO has been responsible for the navigational systems on the BrahMos, aspects of its propulsion,

airframe and seeker, plus its Fire Control Systems, Mobile Command posts and Transporter Erector Launcher.

[99][100]

The hypersonic Brahmos 2 is to be developed as a follow on to the original Brahmos. The missile would still

follow the guidelines of the MTCR but would fly at speeds of 5-7 Mach.

BrahMos I Block-III

An upgraded version of the 290 km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired by

India on 2 December 2010 from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the Orissa coast.

"Block III version of BrahMos with advanced guidance and upgraded software, incorporating high manoeuvres

at multiple points and steep dive from high altitude was flight tested successfully from Launch Complex III of

ITR," its Director S P Dash said after the test fire from a mobile launcher at 1100 hours. The 8.4 metre missile

which can fly at 2.8 times the speed of sound is capable of carrying conventional warheads of up to 300 kg for

a range of 290 km.

It can effectively engage ground targets from an altitude as low as 10 metres for surgical strikes at terror

training camps across the border without causing collateral damage. BrahMos is capable of being launched

from multiple platforms like submarine, ship, aircraft and land based Mobile Autonomous Launchers (MAL).

The Block III BrahMos has the capability of scaling mountain terrain and can play a vital role in precision strike

in the northern territories. The advanced cruise missile can fly close to the rough geographies and kill the

target[101] A five-year development timeframe is anticipated.[102]

[edit]Shaurya

Main article: Shaurya (missile)

The Shaurya missile (Sanskrit: Valor) is a canister-launched hypersonic surface-to-

surface tactical missile developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for

use by the Indian Armed Forces. Similar to the BrahMos, Shaurya is stored in composite canisters, which

makes it much easier to store for long periods without maintenance as well as to handle and transport. It also

houses the gas generator to eject the missile from the canister before its solid propellant motors take over to

hurl it at the intended target.

Shaurya missiles can remain hidden or camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites

till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters.The Shaurya system will require some more

tests before it becomes fully operational in two-three years. Moreover, defense scientists say the high-speed,

two-stage Shaurya has high maneuverability which also makes it less vulnerable to existing anti-missile

defence systems.

It can be easily transported by road. The missile, encased in a canister, is mounted on a single vehicle, which

has only a driver’s cabin, and the vehicle itself is the launch platform. This “single vehicle solution” reduces its

signature – it cannot be easily detected by satellites – and makes its deployment easy. The gas generator,

located at the bottom of the canister produces high pressure gas, which expands and ejects the missile from

the tube.

The centerpiece of a host of new technologies incorporated in Shaurya is its ring laser gyroscope (RLG)

and accelerometer. The indigenous ring laser gyroscope, a sophisticated navigation and guidance system

developed by the Research Center Imarat (RCI) based in Hyderabad is a highly classified technology.

In test flights the RLG functioned exceptionally well. the RLG monitors the missile’s position in space when it is

flying. The missile’s on-board computer will use this information and compare it with the desired position.

Based on the difference between the missile’s actual and desired positions, the computer will decide the

optimum path and the actuators will command the missile to fly in its desired/targeted position. The third test of

the RLG was successful on 24 September 2011, reaching a speed of 7.5 mach. It is now ready for production.

[edit]Sagarika

Main article: Sagarika (missile)

The K-15 Sagarika is a nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile belonging to the K Missile

family with a range of 750 kilometres (466 mi). Sagarika can carry a payload of up to 500 kilograms (1,102 lb).

Sagarika was developed at the DRDO’s missile complex in Hyderabad.

This missile will form part of the triad in India's nuclear deterrence, and will provide retaliatory nuclear strike

capability. The development of this missile (under the title Project K-15) started in 1991. The Indian government

first confirmed Sagarika's development seven years later (1998), when the then Defence Minister, George

Fernandes, announced it during a press conference.

The development of the underwater missile launcher, known as Project 420 (P420), was completed in 2001

and handed over to the Indian Navy for trials. The missile was successfully test fired six times, and tested to its

full range up to three times. The test of missile from a submerged pontoon was conducted in February 2008.

Sagarika is being integrated with India's nuclear-powered Arihant class submarines that began sea trials on the

26th of July 2009.

[edit]Sudarshan

Main article: Sudarshan laser-guided bomb

India's first laser-guided bomb, Sudarshan is the latest weapon system developed indigenously to occupy the

niche of a precision delivery mechanism. It can be fitted to a 1000 pound gravity bomb and can guide it to the

target using lasers with a CEP (Circular Error Probability) of 10 metres.

[edit]Prahaar Missile

Main article: Prahaar (missile)

Prahaar is a solid-fueled surface-to-surface guided short-range tactical ballistic missile developed by DRDO of

India. It would be equipped with omni-directional warheads and could be used for hitting both tactical and

strategic targets. It has a range of about 150 km. It was test-fired successfully on 21 July 2011 from the

Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.[103]

[edit]Plans

[edit]Long-range SAM

Main article: Barak 8

India and Israel have worked out an agreement to develop and produce the long-range Barak 8 air defence

system for both the Indian and the Israeli militaries. The initial co-development funding is about US$350 million,

of which IAI will finance 50 per cent. The venture is a tripartite one, between the DRDO, the Indian Navy, and

IAI. The missile is referred to as the LRSAM in Indian Government literature, and will have a range of 72 km

(45 mi).[104][105] Israel Aircraft Industries refers to the system as Barak-8. IAI states that the missile will have a

dual pulse motor, is vertically launched and is able to engage both aircraft and sea skimming missiles. It has a

fully active seeker, and the Barak-8 Weapons system is capable of multiple simultaneous engagements. It will

have a two way datalink for midcourse update, as well as be able to integrate into larger C3I networks. The

primary fire control sensor for the naval Barak-8/LRSAM will be the ELTA MF-STAR Naval AESA radar which

Israel claims to be superior to many existing systems worldwide.[106][107][108]The dual pulse rocket motor for the

SAM was developed by DRDO, and the prototypes were supplied to IAI for integration with IAI systems to

develop the complete missile.

The other variant of the LRSAM will be fielded by the Indian Air Force. Along with the Akash SAM, the LRSAM

fills a longer range requirement and both types will complement each other. Each unit of the MR-SAM would

consist of a command and control center, with an acquisition radar, a guidance radar and 3 launchers with

eight missiles each.

A 4-year, US$300 million System Design & Development phase to develop unique system elements and an

initial tranche of the land-based missiles is estimated. The radars, C2 centers, TEL's and missiles will be

codeveloped by Israel and India. In turn, IAI and its Israeli partners have agreed to transfer all relevant

technologies and manufacturing capabilities to India allowing India to manufacture the LRSAM systems locally

as well as support them. [109] The Barak-8 next generation long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) had its

first test-flight on 29 May 2010.

[edit]Astra BVRAAM

Main article: Astra missile

Astra is a 80 km (50 mi) class, active radar guided missile meant for beyond visual range air to air combat.

Several tests of the missiles basic propulsion and guidance have taken place from land based launchers. Air-

launched trials will follow thereafter.[110]

Lightweight launcher

DRDO has developed an indigenous 7 kg lightweight rocket launcher for the Indian army which will replace the

14 kg Carl Gustav Mark-II launcher which is much heavier than the DRDO-developed rocket launcher. The

DRDO has made extensive use of composites in its construction, resulting in the reduced weight.[111]

[edit]Anti-Ballistic Missile Defence Project

Main article: Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program

Unveiled in 2006, the ABM project was a surprise to many observers. While DRDO had revealed some details

about the project over the years, its progress had been marked by strict secrecy, and the project itself was

unlisted, and not visible among DRDO's other programs. The ABM project has benefited from all the

incremental improvements achieved by the DRDO and its associated industrial partners via the long-running

and often contentious Akash missile and Trishul missile programs. However, it is a completely new program,

with much larger scope and with predominantly new subsystems.

Prithvi Air Defense

The ABM project has two missiles—namely the AAD (Advanced Air Defence) and PAD (Prithvi Air Defence)

missiles. The former is an endo-atmospheric interceptor of new design, which can intercept targets to a height

of 30 km (19 mi). Whereas the latter is a modified Prithvi missile, dubbed the Axo-atmospheric interceptor

(AXO) with a dedicated second stage kill vehicle for ballistic missile interception, up to an altitude of 80 km

(50 mi).

Both these missiles are cued by an active phased array Long Range Tracking Radar, similar to the Elta

GreenPine but made with locally developed components, which include DRDO-developed transmit/receive

modules. The ABM system also makes use of a second radar, known as the Multi-Function Control Radar

which assists the LRTR in classifying the target, and can also act as the fire control radar for the AAD missile.

The MFCR, like the LRTR is an active phased array system.

The entire system was tested in November 2006, under the Prithvi Air Defence Exercise, when a prototype

AXO missile,successfully intercepted another Prithvi missile at a height of 50 km (31 mi).This test was

preceded by an "electronic test" in which an actual target missile was launched, but the entire interceptor

system was tested electronically, albeit no actual interceptor was launched. This test was successful in its

entirety.

The AAD Missile was tested on December 2007 which successfully intercepted a modified Prithvi missile

simulating the M-9 and M-11 class of ballistic missiles. Interception happened at an altitude of 15 km (9 mi).[112]

[edit]GATET engine

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched a  100 crore (US$18.2

million) project in R&D in the area of gas turbines, a DRDO official said on April 2010. Under the initiative of

DRDO's Aeronautics Research and Development Board, R&D projects, which need investment in the region

of  50 lakh (US$91,000) to  5 crore (US$0.9 million), would be considered for funding. GTRE was the nodal

agency to spearhead this venture, called GATET[113][114][115]

[edit]Anti-satellite weapon

After testing the over 5,000 km Agni V missile, which went up to 600 km into space during its parabolic

trajectory, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) now feels it can fashion deadly anti-

satellite (ASAT) weapons in double-quick time. "An ASAT weapon would require to reach about 800km

altitude... Agni V gives you the boosting capability and the 'kill vehicle', with advanced seekers, will be able to

home into the target satellite, DRDO chief, VK Saraswat said.[116] The defence ministry in 2010 had even

drafted a 15-year "Technology Perspective and Roadmap", which held development of ASAT weapons "for

electronic or physical destruction of satellites in both LEO (2,000-km altitude above earth's surface) and the

higher geosynchronous orbit" as a thrust area in its long-term integrated perspective plan under the

management of DRDO.[117]

Consequently, defence scientists are focusing on "space security" to protect India's space assets from

electronic or physical destruction. Another spin-off from Agni V test is that the DRDO feels it can work towards

launching mini-satellites for battlefield use if an adversary attacks the country's main satellites.[116]

[edit]Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite (CCI-Sat)

Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite is an advanced reconnaissance spy satellite, being developed by

DRDO. It will be India's first officially declared spy satellite and according to ISRO it should be in the sky by

2014.[118] This satellite will help Indian intelligence agencies to significantly boost surveillance of terror camps in

neighboring countries

INSAS (an abbreviation of Indian Small Arms System) is a family of infantry arms consisting of an assault rifle, a light machine gun and a carbine. It is manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board at Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli, Small Arms Factory Kanpur and Ishapore Rifle Factory. The Insas Assault Rifle is the standard infantry weapon of the Indian Armed Forces.

Signals intelligence (often contracted to SIGINT) is intelligence-gathering by interception of signals,

whether between people ("communications intelligence"—COMINT), whether involving electronic signals

not directly used in communication ("electronic intelligence"—ELINT), or combinations of the two. As

sensitive information is oftenencrypted, signals intelligence often involves the use of cryptanalysis.

Also, traffic analysis—the study of who is signaling whom and in what quantity—can often produce

valuable information, even when the messages themselves cannot be decrypted.

As a means of collecting intelligence, signals intelligence is a subset of intelligence collection

management, which, in turn, is a subset of intelligence cycle management.