The Indian Army’s (IA) special
operations forces, known as SF (Para), will at last begin acquiring the vital
force-multipliers that were promised to them as far back as 2004! Yesterday,
the MoD’s Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) cleared the decks
for the DPB to initiate sole-source contractual negotiations for a number of items
for not only the SF (Para) formations, but also for the IA’s newly-created XVII
Corps, which, essentially, is a warfighting formation that will specialise in
highland warfare and will also be air-mobile in nature.
To be ordered in the near
future will be 8,356 Spike-SR ATGMs (FROM Israel’s RAFAEL) and related 321
ultra-light ATGM launchers worth Rs 3,200 crore, plus ELTA Systems-built ELM-2138T ‘Green
Rock’ Tactical Counter Rockets, Artillery & Mortars (C-RAM) Systems, and
ELBIT Systems Electro-Optics’ Long View CR optronic sensors. On the other hand, for equipping the Indian Army’s existing 356 infantry
battalions (inclusive of 44 mechanised infantry battalions) of the 1.13
million-strong IA and the projected 30 new infantry battalions to be raised in
the 13th five-year defence plan (2018-2022) 1,914 FGM-148 Javelin
ATGM launchers and up 37,860 missile-rounds (including war wastage reserves)
and 12,000 SMAW-2NE launchers and up to 80,000 rounds of various types are
planned to be procured in future.
Presently, the IA is authorised by the
MoD to have a total of 81,206 ATGMs, with each infantry
battalion deployed in the plains being armed with four medium-range
(1.8km-range) and four long-range (4km-range) ATGM launchers (each with six
missiles), and those in the mountains have one of each type along with six
missiles for each launcher. In reality, however, the IA’s total existing
inventory of ATGMs now stands at only 44,000 that includes 10,000
second-generation MBDA-developed and BDL-built SACLOS wire-guided Milan-2 ATGMs
and 4,600 launchers; 4,100 second-generation MBDL-supplied Milan-2T ATGMs;
15,000 second-generation 4km-range 9M113M Konkurs-M SACLOS wire-guided ATGMs
licence-built by BDL, plus another 10,000 that are now being supplied
off-the-shelf by Russia’s JSC Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod. Also on order are 443
DRDO-developed third-generation Nag fire-and-forget ATGMs along with 13
DRDO-developed NAMICA tracked ATGM launchers.
The DAC, led by then
Defence Minister A K Antony, had taken up the procurement of the
fire-and-forget FGM-148 and SMAW-2NE for clearance on April 2, 2013, following
which the MoD’s approved the DRDO’s proposal for jointly developing the
high-altitude warfare-optimised warheads for the two anti-armour weapon systems.
By the first half of next year, therefore, the MoD and its wholly owned DPSUs
like Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) will be able to
ink military-industrial agreements with US-based Raytheon for both the joint development of thermobaric and HE/FRAG penetration-cum-blast warheads as well as the licenced-production of the
FIM-148 Javelin’s missile rounds (the launchers will be licence-assembled by
BDL) as well as the SMAW-2NE’s modified 83mm Mk80 rocket (containing a thermobaric HEDP warhead), while the re-usuable
launchers will be licence-assembled by OFB.
The IA had zeroed in on the FGM-148
Javelin as far back as 2008 after it had conducted in-country summer
user-evaluations of the RAFAEL of Israel-built Spike-ER ATGM. During these
evaluations, seven out of the 10 missiles fired missed their targets because
their on-board uncooled long-wave infra-red (LWIR) sensors failed to
distinguish their targets from their surroundings (an identical problem had
also beset the Nag ATGM’s uncooled LWIR sensors in 2012 during
user-evaluations). In contrast, the high-altitude warfare-optimised Javelin will
use a cooled mid-wave IR (MWIR) sensor that will be able to passively lock-on
to targets at up to 50% farther range than an uncooled sensor, thus allowing
the firing crew greater and safer standoff distance, and less likely to be
exposed to counter-fire. As far as weight is concerned, the cooling equipment
adds less than 2 lb per weapon. The uncooled sensor is not only less reliable, but
its long-LWIR spectrum is only compatible with a dome made of softer materials
that vulnerable to abrasion in harsh environments (e.g., deserts) and
consequently require replacement more often. The cooled seeker’s MWIR spectrum
allows a durable hardened dome, and it is better than LWIR in discerning
threats in certain geographic locations or environmental conditions. An
uncooled sensor thus brings increased repairs, decreased operational
availability, and dangerous vulnerabilities, while a cooled IIR sensor saves
lives, lessens fratricide, minimises collateral damage, lowers risk, and
protects its firing platforms/crew.
It was in 2003 that IA HQ had formulated
a General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) in 2003 for acquiring the
Milan-2T, armed with a tandem-warhead. The tandem warhead was to be
licence-built by BDL under ToT from MBDA. The GSQR of the in-service Milan-2
had provided for an essential range as 1,850 metres and a desirable range of
2,000 metres. The GSQR of 2003 for the Milan-2T had indicated the range as
2,000 metres. The RFP for procurement of 4,100 Milan-2Ts was issued to BDL in
January 2007. The MoD’s Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) did not find the
product offered by BDL compliant with the GSQR as the range of 2,000 metres
offered had only 1,850 metres under wire-guidance phase, while the last 150
metres was left unguided (along with the first 75 metres after missile launch).
The case for procurement was therefore closed in May 2007.
Subsequently, BDL
confirmed that the guidance-range of the Milan-2T would be 2,000 metres. The
case was re-opened and trials of the Milan-2T were conducted in February 2008.
Based on the firing trial results, Indian Army HQ did not recommend its
introduction into service in view of difficulties in engaging moving targets
during the last 150 metres. In addition, the requirement was not met in terms
of flight-time and overall weight. Furthermore, third-generation ATGMs were
already available in the global market by June 2006. Based on
representations from the staff union of BDL to the then Minister of
State for Defence Production & Supplies (since non-placement of orders for
Milan-2Ts would result in redeployment of BDL’s workforce and already procured
materials common to Milan-2/-2T would have to be junked), it was decided to
procure a minimum required quantity of Milan-2Ts in May 2008 by amending the
GSQR in August 2008 for the Milan-2T with 1,850 metres range and with the
waiver of in-country firing-trials, after considering the long
lead-times required for procuring third-generation ATGMs, and the fact that the
shelf-life of existing stocks of Milan-2 would expire by 2013. The revised RFP
was issued to BDL in September 2008 as per the amended GSQR. The MoD concluded
a procurement contract with BDL in December 2008 for the supply of 4,100
Milan-2T ATGMs at a cost of Rs.587.02 crore with a staggered delivery schedule
to be completed within 36 months from the effective date of contract.
The
RPO-A & C-90A LAW Procurement Sagas
The IA had, since the 1980s, never
really embraced the idea of procuring one-man
portable shoulder-fired, reusable anti-armour weapons (LAW) capable of
defeating armoured vehicles, enemy bunkers and other reinforced positions. It
was only in 1996 that LAWs were procured in small quantities and this was
followed in June 199 during OP Vijay, in an effort to meet its urgent
requirements, by the Army HQ proposing the procurement of 1,800 disposable
bunker-bursting LAWs (600 RPO-A Shmels from
Russia’s Rosoboronexport State Corp and 1,200 from Spain’s Instalaza SA). The
proposal also indicated that 600 more LAWs were required under the 9th
Army Plan. In response to the MoD’s enquiries, Russia’s KBP Tula offered to
supply its RPO-A Shmel at a unit price of US$3,600 for an order of 600 and at
the rate of US$3,500 for an order of 1,200 units. The MoD urgently concluded a
procurement contract in June 1999 for 1,200 RPO-As each priced at US$3,500 with
a delivery schedule in two lots of 600 pieces each, thereby aggregating US$4.2
million (Rs.18.22 crore), with deliveries commencing within two months from the
date of contract signature. A delegation of the IA had witnessed a live-firing
demonstration of the RPO-A as early as in September 1995. In its evaluation
report, the delegation had observed, among other things, that target engagement
could not be analysed beyond 350 metres vis a vis the 1,000-metre range claimed
by KBP Tula in its technical offer; the firing could be conducted only during
daylight as no night-sighting device was developed; and the thermobaric
warhead’s terminal effect could not also be assessed as there was no incendiary
effect. The then Chief Scientific Adviser to the MoD had also brought to the
notice of the MoD in November 1995 that the DRDO representative in the
delegation had reported that during the demonstration of September 1995, 14
RPO-As were fired at a range of 200 metres and none of the shots hit the
targets at that range. However, the delegation recommended procurement of the
weapon only as a one-time buy, suggesting that future requirements be met
indigenously by the DRDO and OFB. Accordingly, 300 RPO-As were procured in
September 1996 as a one-time buy. Against these recommendations of the
delegation, the MoD at the instance of Army HQ once again decided to go ahead
with follow-on procurements of another 300 RPO-As at a total cost of Rs.18.22
crore even though it did not meet the end-user’s operational requirements.
Deliveries commenced only after August 1999.
The MoD concluded a procurement contract on June
30, 1999 with Instalaza SA for the off-the-shelf supply of 1,200 C-90A LAWs
worth US$1.66 million (Rs.7.15 crore). As per the terms of the contract,
Instalaza SA had to offer the C-90As for inspections at its premises within six
weeks from the date of contract signature, and immediate delivery and
transportation by air-freight in one lot thereafter. Two days after signing the
contract, Instalaza SA indicated that the consignment could be despatched by
air and it would extend all co-operation to deliver the goods by air after
receipt of instructions from the MoD. Accordingly, the MoD amended the clause
regarding the mode of despatch from ‘Ship’ to ‘Air’ on July 8, 1999 Instalaza
SA intimated its readiness to despatch the consignment after it was duly
inspected by its authorities in August 1999. However, Instalaza SA expressed
apprehension on airlifting the goods as they fell under the ‘dangerous
category’. The freight agent also intimated the MoD by September 1999 about its
inability to obtain requisite airspace transit clearances from the country of
origin and the other countries involved. Consequently, the MoD amended the
contract clause relating to the mode of despatch on October 7, 1999, reverting
back to ‘Ship’. Eventually, the C-90As arrived on December 11, 1999, four
months after being ready for dispatch, while the MoD had in August 2000 claimed
that the delay occurred due to factors beyond its control.
Which ATGMs For Rudra &
LCH Helicopters?
Any Takers For SAMHO?
Further Force-Multiplier Accretions On
The Way
The ELM-2138T C-RAM is a mobile,
autonomous system designed to respond to evolving light artillery threats in
land operations, and support a variety of ground forces missions, including
force protection, fast-response to enemy-attack, and friendly-fire correction.
Installed on all-terrain vehicles (ATV), the system comprises a dual-band radar
to acquire and track trajectories of ballistic munitions such as rockets,
artillery and mortars. The ELM-2138T calculates the launching point and
predicts the point of impact. Whenever a threat to friendly forces is detected,
a warning is sent to the area’s control centre and to the interception systems
to respond to the threat and its source.
Elbit Systems Electro-Optics’ Long View
CR, weighing less than 12.5kg, combines a very long-range continuous optical
zoom FLIR, long-range day cameras, integral eye-safe laser rangefinder, GPS and
a magnetic compass all in one, compact configuration. For dismounted
operations, the Long View CR is operated on a miniature electronic
goniometer enabling high azimuth and elevation accuracy. It can be carried in a
backpack or mounted on a vehicle, making it especially suitable for long-range
intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR) missions performed by special operations
forces, or forward observers (FO) in stationary observation posts or reconnaissance
vehicles. With its proprietary
algorithms and technologies, the Long View CR has the unique ability to acquire
long-range targets or to observe small targets, such as enemy combatants, in
high spatial resolution under severe visual conditions day or night.
The XVII Corps will in future be
equipped with two force-multipliers: the TAC-4G broadband fourth-generation cellular
network, and the Real Time Intelligence Center (RICent) multi-sensor modular Intelligence,
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) system—both from ELTA Systems. TAC-4G is
based on a flat-IP network architecture which provides flexible and fast communications
between many users. This includes fast-and-secure communications between
different points and support of concurrent running of multiple applications,
many of which require high bandwidth. The high flexibility of TAC-4G along with
additional inherent capabilities such as information security, on-the-move
network infrastructure, and support of multiple applications, positions the
system as an optimal solution for addressing the complex military
communications requirements.
TAC-4G also supports a wide variety of multimedia
applications and allows quick and easy addition or removal of applications. It also
implements the ‘network-centric warfare’ principle; allows various-level
commanders the highest level of control and effective activation of various warfighting,
logistics and maintenance forces; allows, real-time battlefield management and
control; uses the cost-effective commercial cellular network providers’
infrastructure, which allows shorter implementation time and fewer risks in
comparison to other alternatives that are not based on COTS infrastructures.
RICent is designed to produce 24/7
all-weather geo-spatial imagery intelligence
(IMINT) through the real-time processing and integration of images generated by
a variety of space-based, airborne and land-based IMINT sensors. RICent’s
multi-sensor exploitation and intelligence dissemination processes employ a
variety of automatic and semi-automatic tools essential for quick detection,
acquisition and identification of time-critical targets, extracted from the
huge volumes of imagery data. Its field-proven capabilities for very high-throughput
automated geo-spatial image intelligence processing are also essential in
effective wide-area environmental monitoring and for responding quickly to natural
disasters.
For further improving command-and-control
connectivity for those IA and ITBP detachments responsible for both manning the
LAC and undertaking long-range reconnaissance patrols, the fast-track acquisition
of up to 80 lightweight ELK 1895 manpack tactical SATCOM terminals has been
approved. The IA presently has 280 briefcase-based SATCOM terminals built by
ECIL, but they are getting outdated technologically. The ELK 1895 manpack SATCOM
terminals with Ku-Band transmission/reception capability for almost unlimited
ranges will thus be welcomed as a vital force-multiplier. Each such terminal
will include two-three suitcases to hold an antenna, dish and other equipment.
The first 40 ELK 1895 terminals are meant for the IA’s Northern, Central and
Eastern Commands, which together cover the three sectors of LAC—western
(Ladakh), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal
Pradesh).
MoD-Owned Goa Shipyard Ltd Building Two Wholly India-Financed
75-Metre NOPVs For Sri Lanka Navy, Bags Contract For Supplying Four More To
Vietnam
China’s
Border Infrastructure Landmarks
ITBP At Chumar
NORINCO’s NLOS
Anti-Armour Missiles
