Required: ATGM-Armed UGVs & UAS, Not Light Tanks

It is now fairly established that the actions of China’s PLA Ground Forces (PLAGF) in eastern Ladakh in mid-2020 were part of its evolution of an “Active Defence” posture, defined as a focus on “rapid mobility and concentrating offensive capability to destroy an adversary’s retaliatory capacity”. And with the current infrastructure improvements in the region, China has ensured that it can move forces quickly to respond to any perceived threat posed by India. Added to this are the PLAGF’s ongoing efforts to deploy of family of wheeled armoured vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) armed with a variety of anti-tank guided-missiles (ATGM) that are now undergoing field-trials along eastern Ladakh. 

It may be recalled that with the completion of development of the Type 96 main battle tank (armed with 125mm smoothbore cannon) by 1998, the mechanised infantry regiments of the PLAGF’s Xinjiang Military Region (XMR) finally began replacing the older one Regiment of Type-59 MBTs and two Regiments of Type-88A MBTs (200 of them, equipped with L7 rifled-bore cannons). Together, they equipped the XMR’s four Divisions, which included the 4 Mechanised Infantry Division (located at Aksu), 6 Mechanised Infantry Division (at Hotan), 8 Mechanised Infantry Division (at Tacheng), the 11 Mechanised Infantry Division (at Urumqi), a Special Operations Brigade (at Kashgar), 2 Artillery Brigade (at Urumqi) and an Air-Defence Brigade (at Urumqi). Till mid-2020, the total mechanised force of the XMR against the Indian Army (IA) was about four armoured Regiments and two Light infantry regiments. The first-line force was about 372 MBTs and 248 infantry combat vehicles (ICV). In addition, reinforcements were available from the Western Theatre Command’s 76 Group Army (at Xining City, Qinghai Province), which included the 17 Heavy Combined-Arms Brigade (using ZTZ-99A MBTs); 56 Light Combined-Arms Brigade; 62 Heavy Combined-Arms Brigade (using ZTZ-99A MBTs); 149 Medium Combined-Arms Brigade (using ZTZ-96A MBTs); 182 Light Combined-Arms Brigade; 76 Special Operations Brigade; 76 Army Air Force Brigade; 76 Artillery Brigade; 76 Air-Defence Brigade; 76 Brigade of Engineering & Chemical Warfare; and the 76 Service Support Brigade. By late 2020, the XMR had established a three-tier MBT system: 39.5-tonne ZTQ-105 MBTs have since equipped two Aksu-based new light high-mobility infantry Brigades (acting as a fast reaction force), while the Hotan-based armoured Brigades have both 44.5-tonne ZTZ-96A and ZTZ-96B MBTs, and the 76 Group Army at the rear has been equipped with 58-tonne ZTZ-99As (see FORCE July 2021, pages 38-39)

However, the PLAGF, since February 2021, concluded that MBTs were not ideal solutions to its “Active Defence” posture, especially in the forbidding heights above 15,000 feet above sea-level, and consequently a considerable effort has been made in the development of high-mobility 4 x 4 armoured vehicles like the DongFeng Mengshi CTL-181A that can be armed with up to four 10km-range AFT-10 Red Arrow-10B ATGM, and 4 x 4 UGVs carrying up to four TL-4 ATGMs. This, in turn, has made the IA examine similar options, some of which are explained below.

In addition, the PLAGF has also deployed in estern Ladakh a family of fire-support weapons all mounted on the  6 x 6 DongFeng Mengshi CTL-181A LAMV chassis, with all these being employed for rapid deployment/quick reaction kinetic actions.

Back in December 2022 the IA had procured a limited number of Estonia-based Milrem Robotics’ Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) tracked UGVs for logistics support missions. THeMIS can be configured to be used for logistics, combat, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) or explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). The UGV has a payload capacity of 750kg with an open architecture. THeMIS is a small, tracked unmanned vehicle that is 7.8 feet long and 3.75 feet high. Hence, it can be fitted with a variety of payloads depending upon the demands of operations. It may be used for normal cargo, mortar or CASEVAC, a platform for rapid evacuation and in a combat role; the payload offerings include cannons, ATGMs, counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) systems and even loitering munitions. It has a maximum speed of 20kph and a maximum payload capacity of 1,250kg, and is equipped with advanced sensors that allow it to perform tasks with a high degree of autonomy and navigate challenging terrain. It is powered by a hybrid-electric drive system that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, providing a range of up to 15 hours on a single tank of fuel. THeMIS is also designed to be highly rugged and durable, with a reinforced steel and aluminium body that can withstand rough terrain and extreme weather conditions. The latest variant of this UGV comes armed with up to six MBDA-built SL-Brimstone ATGMs.

Germany’s Rheinmetall has developed the Mission Master XT (Extreme Terrain) 4 × 4 UGV that demonstrated its sub-zero capabilities during Arctic mobility trials in Finland last March, navigating icy rivers and climbing slippery banks in -30° Celsius temperatures. Weighing in at 2,217kg, this powerful A-UGV can carry a 1,000kg payload, allowing troops to transport special equipment to hard-to-reach locations. The diesel-powered engine allows it to travel 750km without refuelling, while internal batteries enable up to 6 hours of silent watch operations. The Mission Master XT can be armed wit up to four SL-Brimstone ATGMs.

General Dynamics Land Systems–UK (GDLS–UK) has developed a TRX heavy tracked UGV with SL-Brimstone ATGM launchers, which was unveilled at the DSEI 2023 exhibition held in London between September 12 and 15. This UGV has two pods with four SL-Brimstone ATGMs each and two remotely-operated weapon stations, one with a MAG 7.62mm machine gun and the other with an M2 12.7mm machine gun. A GDLS–UK representative explained that his company is proposing a concept of operations to deploy a scout/recce tracked vehicle with one or more TRX wingmen with ATGMs on its flanks that could target threats identified by the former. GDLS-UK developed the TRX for the US Robotic Combat Vehicle-Medium competition, but GDLS–UK sees the integration of mission fits as dictated by any end-user. This includes intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), lethality, battlefield engineering, direct-fire and loitering munition mission packages, as well as autonomy, communications systems, and human-machine teaming applications to make an integrated system.

UK-based Hydra Drones Ltd has developed the Hydra-400 new generation of high-altitude heavy-lift drone using hybrid propulsion technology. Compact and portable, the drone can be transported in the back of a Toyota Hilux or similar and assembled ready for flight in six minutes. The drone is powered by single-spool jet turbines, producing 50kg thrust and providing a maximum lift of 400kg. A single-spool core means that all rotating components in the compressor and the gas generator are on one shaft and rotate at the same speed. In contrast, a dual-spool core splits the compressor into two independently spinning rotors that are each powered by a separate gas generator turbine on concentric shafts.

There are also ICV-based solutions available, from which inspiration can be drawn by the IA for developing similar innovative solutions by private industry.

For instance, the Kestrel 8 x 8 APC can be modified to carry packs of HELINA (anti-armour variant with tandem shaped-charge warhead) or Dhruvastra (IAF variant of HELINA but with thermobaric and PCB warheads) or the SANT millimetre-wave guided anti-armour missile. For target acquisition, an electro-hydraulic raisable mast containing the TATA-developed LORROS sensor and the active phased-array antenna now used by the DRDO-developed and BEL-built Counter-UAS system can well be used for target acquisition/engagement.

Such a solution will be far better than the sub-optimally engineered NAMSIS system.

Taiwan's Hai Kun (SS-711) SSK Explained

The Republic of China (Taiwan) attained a significant national security milestone o September 28 when its first of eight domestically built diesel-electric submarines, the Hai Kun (SS-711), was rolled out at the Chia Shipbuilding Corp’s (CSBC) shipyard in the southern port-city of Kaohsiung. Costing US$1.54 billion, the SSK was built under the Indigenous Defence Submarine (IDS) programme, codenamed Project 1168. Taiwan launched its IDS programme in 2014. Following which the RoC Navy (RoCN) and CSBC signed a construction contract in May 2016. Keel-laying took place on November 24, 2020. Admiral Huang Shu-kuang, Taiwan’s Chief of the General Staff and convener of the IDS programme, revealed that the harbour acceptance tests of this SSK will start on October 1 and should end on April 1, 2024. The next stage will be sea-acceptance trials, but said there is no fixed timeline for this phase as it is Taiwan's first locally-produced SSK. Present plans call for the SSK to be delivered to the RoCN in 2025.

Hai Kun SS-711 has a domestic material content of 40%. 25 technologies involved in manufacturing the SSK are divided into three categories: red zone, yellow zone, and green zone. Taiwan has only mastered 10 of them (the green area is equipment that can be produced by itself), 9 items have difficulties (yellow area, the technology is difficult to obtain, but there are parts with self-made potential), and the remaining 6 items are core technologies In the red zone, there is no self-research ability, and it was necessary to seek external assistance technology). The hull-design comes from The Netherlands’ DAMEN Shipyards.

The SSK is about 70 metres long, 8 metres wide, and has an underwater displacement of 2,500 tons. It uses a single-hull design that features an X-shaped tail rudder. The hull is made of HSLA-80 CRHS56 steel supplied by ArcelorMittal. The SSK is powered by MTU Series 12V 4000 diesel engines that drives a 7-blade propeller. MTU also supplied the electric generators. The lead-acid batteries were supplied by a Taiwanese company. The submarine can dive to a depth of 420 metres. The SSK has six Germany-supplied 533mm torpedo tubes that can launch Honeywell Mk.48 Mod 6AT heavyweight torpedoes, as well as UGM-84L Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles.

All the US-sourced hardware was ordered through TECRO, the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States”. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems–Undersea Systems is the prime systems integrator, while Northrop Grumman has supplied the bow-mounted active and passive cylindrical sonar array, wide-aperture passive arrays on the flanks, and high-frequency active arrays on the keel and fins. Raytheon has supplied a derivative of the CCS Mk.2 combat management system and a derivative of the AN/BYG-1 combat control system. L-3 MAPPS has supplied the integrated platform management system (IPMS), communications system and battle damage control system, while L-3 KEO has supplied all the masts and periscopes. A Sperry Marine AN/BPS-16(V)4 navigation radar, operating at I-band, is fitted as well. Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology developed a Torpedo Countermeasure System and integrating it into the SSK with two 6-shot cannisters mounted on each side of the submarine, enabling the SSK to counter active and passive homing torpedoes with soft kill capability.

Yes To Temporary Disengagement & De-Escalation, But Permanent De-Induction Ruled Out

Analysis of satellite imagery around the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh reveals that while the disengagement and de-escalation by the opposing military ground forces of China and India remains a possibility in future, de-induction of such forces will remain impossible, thanks to the PLA Ground Forces’ (PLAGF) unabated construction of permanent habitats and related ammunition storage facilities in areas close to southern, central/eastern and northern Ladakh.

To the south (see above slides), the PLAGF has erected permanent habitats and related ammunition storage facilities at Zhaxigangxiang (32.526563 N, 79.633600 E).

In the central/eastern areas (see above slides), permanent habitats and related ammunition storage facilities now exist at Rutog (33.396564 N, 79.786035), with a new heliport now coming up at 33.654 N, 80.449 E. In addition, a PLAGF synthetic combined-arms brigade is now located at Khurnak (33 45 25 N, 78 59 50 E).

To the north, in an area spread over 250 hectares and located 65km to the east of Burtse/Daulat Beg Oldie (35.275994 N, 78.760580 E), permanent habitats and related ammunition storage facilities are being at a hectic pace, along with a PLAGF heliport at Tianwendian (35.246275 N, 79.542584 E).

There at least 11 portals or shafts bored into the rockface on both banks of the river-valley. The images show massive construction activity over the last few months and are a likely attempt to protect heavy weaponry and soldiers from Indian air-strikes and extended-range artillery. By establishing underground facilities and developing subterranean infrastructure in such proximity to the border, PLAGF strategists seem to be aiming to counter-balance the current advantage held by the Indian Air Force in Aksai Chin. In the years since the Galwan clash of June 2020, the Indian Army has effectively scaled up its offensive fire vectors, especially long-range tube and rocket artillery. The PLAGF decision to carve into hillsides is directly linked to greater Indian offensive capability. The massive construction activity, including hardened shelters, bunkers, tunnels, and the widening of roads is being done to mitigate this clear and present danger which the Indian Army & Indian Air Force have imposed on the PLAGF deployment doctrine in Tibet. It is clear that China is hardening its military presence in Ladakh against possible artillery and air-strikes in the event of a full-scale military escalation. We can see what are likely reinforced command positions and underground equipment storage facilities. Such facilities greatly enhance the PLAGF’s ability to continue operations and limit attrition if an armed conflict were to break out in Ladakh. Multiple berms and revetments of the site in December 2021 indicate that the location had been identified as a key staging point during the height of the India-China faceoff in Ladakh when PLAGF forces had made multiple incursions into the Indian territory along the LAC. This same area has now been completely transformed with massive, ongoing construction activity. The new images, from August 18, indicate the presence of four reinforced personnel bunkers constructed along the valley face, along with three tunnel areas, with two and five portals or tunnels at each site, carved onto the hillside. Heavy earth-moving machinery can be seen in multiple locations. A primary road, which cuts across the valley, has been substantially widened. The images also show that the earth has been raised around the personnel bunkers to provide additional protection from direct attacks. Entry and exit areas have a distinctive fork design meant to dissipate the impact of pressure from bombardment and feature raised earth berms.

Updates On RCI-Developed RF Seekers For Missiles