Indian Defence System

India domestically produces only 45% to 50% of defence products it uses, and the rest are imported. To become technology research and production leader, reduce reliance on the imports and increase self-reliance, DRDO has called for more collaboration with the industry, private sector, research and education institutes including IITs and NITs.

  • Indian forces are using numerous successful indigenous technologies produced by the DRDO, including Varunastra (anti-submarine torpedo), Maareech (Advanced Torpedo Defence System), Ushus (Sonar System), Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL, anti submarine weapon) by the Indian Navy; Electronic Warfare Technologies, Radars, composite materials for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C), Anti Satellite Missile (ASAT), BrahMos, Nag Missile, Astra Missile, Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), Arjun Main Battle Tank (Arjun MBT MK1-A), 46 Metre Modular Bridge, Medium Power Radar (MPR) – Arudhra, Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) – Ashwini by the Army.
  • In September 2019, DRDO formulated the “DRDO Policy and Procedures for Transfer of Technology” and released information on “DRDO-Industry Partnership: Synergy and Growth and DRDO Products with Potential for Export”.
  • During the Vibrant Goa Global Expo and Summit 2019 in October, DRDO signed technology transfer contracts with 16 Indian companies, including 3 startups, to produce products for the use by Indian Armed Forces.
  • This included high self-life, high nutrition, ready-to-eat on-the-go food products to be consumed in the difficult terrain and bad weather.
  • DRDO and ISRO have agreed to collaborate in India’s crewed orbital spacecraft project called Gaganyaan during which DRDOs various laboratories will tailor their defence capabilities to suit the needs of ISRO’s human space mission.

Some of the New Developments Include

Brahmos Missile

In July 2018, India successfully test fired surface-to-surface (SSM) version of supersonic BrahMos cruise missile.

BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and NPOM of Russia.

The hypersonic version of the BrahMos missile is under development. It can travel at a speed of Mach 5 to Mach 7. It will be the fastest hypersonic missile in the world, when fully developed.

Tejas

In December 2018, the government has given nod to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture weaponised version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force.

The indigenously built Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter which features a tailless, compound delta wing and is designed with “relaxed static stability” for enhanced maneuverability.

Sukhoi SU-30MKI

In October 2018, the 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) of the Indian Air Force at Ojhar in Maharashtra handed over its first indigenously overhauled Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet to the Indian Air Force.

Sukhoi Su-30MKI is a multirole combat fighter aircraft jointly developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air
Force (IAF).

The Su-30MKI fleet of IAF will be fitted with air-launched version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

Tapas-BH-201

Tapas is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

It is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours.

INS Karanj

Karanj is the third of the six Scorpene-class submarines being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) under the Project 75 programme of Indian Navy.

The second, INS Khanderi, is undergoing sea trials. All submarines are due to be inducted gradually into the Indian Navy by 2020.

In all, there will be six such submarines being indigenously built. All six were designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, and are being built in Mumbai.

BARAK Missile System

Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) are jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India and M/s Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI).

LR-SAM is the Ship Launch Version and Project MR-SAM is the Land Launch Version of Barak-08 Missile system.

AGNI-V Missile

This surface-to-surface nuclear Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) has a long strike range of 5,000 km.

Agni-V is a three-stage solid propellant missile being developed by DRDO.

Unlike other missiles of Agni series, Agni-V is the most advanced having new technologies incorporated with it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.

Currently, five of the missiles – Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV, Agni-V have been successfully tried & tested, while the
sixth missile is still in the development phase.

Varunastra

Varunastra is the first indigenous heavy weight ship launched anti-submarine electric torpedo.

India is only 8th Country in the world to have its own Indigenous Torpedo program and successful induction of Varunastra and soon followed by Takshak which will be a game-changer in favor of Indian Navy which has been facing Torpedo shortages both for its surface and below surface fleet.

INS Arihant

INS Arihant, the indigenously-built nuclear-propelled submarine is capable of firing ballistic missiles and can stay under water for months.

INS Arihant will help India complete its nuclear triad. The air and land wing of the triad, with Mirage-2000s and Agni ballistic missile, which are already in place. With Arihant successfully completing its deterrence patrol, India has now completed the triad’s underwater leg.

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