Do in India slogan and its impact on the development of the country's ground forces
Taking into account the development problems of the Arjun MBT, India recently ordered a new batch tanks T-90, some of which will be assembled in the country
For many years, a higher level of coordination has become a mantra in all first-order armies, but one of the largest armed forces (AF) in the world, Indian, until recently retained separate types of armed forces, which led to a lack of coordination between them. Each of the three types strove to build their own structure, obtain weapons and military equipment for themselves, planned and prepared for operations, relying practically only on their own forces. The Indian military has more than 1,4 million troops - second only to China and slightly more than the United States and North Korea - to which we must add over 1,1 million reservists. The Ground Forces are, of course, the largest of the three branches of the armed forces, with 1129900 serving regularly and 960000 in reserve.
By adopting the "Do in India" slogan, the country is also trying to achieve some independence in the field of artillery. Ordnance Factory Board has begun production of an improved version of the BAE Systems FH-77B howitzer
India with its historical Pakistan has a common border of almost 3200 km, and with the Asian superpower, China, almost 3400 km. Relations with Islamabad remain very tense, the conflicts that occurred in February 2019 and May 2020 are obvious confirmation of this. In June 2020, there was a shootout on the Indian-Chinese border with dozens of dead and wounded, although recently relations with China seemed to be improving. Border disputes have not yet disappeared from the current political agenda, since the northern section along the so-called Line of Control is not legally recognized as an international border, although it is de facto. Even local political analysts cannot say with certainty how the relationship between the three nuclear powers will develop. It is absolutely clear only that New Delhi needs effective armed forces to demonstrate its firm position in relation to its neighbors.
Currently, the Indian army operates the BMP-2 Sarath, but they want to get a new machine of local development in accordance with the principle "Make in India"
To this end, in August 2019, the Indian government announced the appointment of a Chief of General Staff, to whom the Chiefs of Staff of the Ground Forces will be subordinate. fleet и aviation; this step towards greater coordination of the Armed Forces has been expected for quite a long time. Most recently, the Indian government also announced major investments over the next 5-7 years to improve the readiness of the armed forces and their ability to conduct military operations on two different fronts, one in the west and one in the north, although analysts say the organizational structure of the armed forces is worst-case scenario may be wrong. Some also disapprove of the recent increase in personnel, saying it would be better to save money on it and invest in modern weapons. However, the recently announced investments in the amount of $ 130 billion are not split between the three types of armed forces, it was said only about the direction of part of the funds for nuclear deterrence. As for the army, this document provides for the modernization of infantry units, for which 2600 infantry fighting vehicles and I700 promising combat vehicles will be purchased, the latter will replace the current main battle tanks (MBT) T-72, of which 2400 are in operation.
Indian army uses rifle weapon the widest range. Major contracts were recently signed for a large batch of Caracal CAR 816 5,56mm assault rifles
Prime Minister Modi's Make in India initiative involves spending most of the funds domestically, although in the past, Indian government industries have often demonstrated their inability to handle complex systems development without significant risks, resulting in delays in the design and manufacture of many types of systems. this, many projects were closed.
Armored platform Whap 8x8, developed by the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization; this platform will be used as the base for a family of machines
One example is the Arjun MBT, whose development began in the mid-70s, a relatively small number of them entered the troops, just over 300 vehicles in variants 1A and II, since the armored units of the Indian army are equipped mainly with T-72 "Ajeya" tanks and T-90C "Bhishma". At the end of 2019, New Delhi signed a contract with the OFB HVF (Ordnance Factory Board Heavy Vehicles Factory) plant, this state company requested the production of 464 T-90S tanks, which are undoubtedly the next batch under the agreement signed in 2006. The Indian government also appears to have approved the purchase of 464 T-90MS tanks, with Uralvagonzavod supplying vehicle kits to OFB HVF for local assembly; however, the signing of the contract is still postponed. Slightly heavier from 46,5 tons to 48 tons, the T-90MS version is equipped with a more powerful 1130 hp engine. against 1000 hp coupled with an improved transmission. It has a new reactive armor system and a remotely controlled weapon module with a 7,62-mm machine gun, and not a machine gun on the turret like the T-90S tank.
Larsen & Toubro manufactures the KB Varja self-propelled howitzer - a variant of the South Korean K-9 Thunder developed by Hanwha Techwin
Currently, the Indian army's basic BMP is a licensed and currently upgraded platform, designated BMP-2 "Sarath". However, India wants to get its own tracked infantry fighting vehicles in the future, in connection with which DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) in the late 1990s - early 2000s began developing a demonstration technology sample, which was first shown in 2005. The ICV advanced infantry fighting vehicle program was launched in 2009, but it seems that nothing has budged since then. The 2025 adoption date is definitely shifting to the right, while New Delhi appears to have rejected the Russian proposal to purchase the BMP-3.
In order to enhance the capabilities of the Pinaka 214-mm MLRS, the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization is developing new missiles, including the guided Pinaka, whose production should begin in 2020.
In terms of wheeled platforms, DRDO has developed the Wheeled Armored Platform 8x8, or WhAP 8x8 for short. The program provides for the production of a family of vehicles ranging from armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles to light tanks, WMD reconnaissance, etc. The declared total mass of the amphibious vehicle is 24 tons, which can be increased if amphibious characteristics are not required. The models shown at various exhibitions were a variant of the BMP with a turret from the BMP-2, armed with a 30-mm 2A42 automatic cannon, which will ensure unification with its tracked counterparts. While protection details are not provided, the double V-body and energy-absorbing leg-to-floor seats with footrests clearly show that the WhAP 8x8 is engineered to provide reliable mine protection. According to DRDO, the engine can be adjusted to three different power outputs, allowing it to be matched to the total weight of different machine variants so that they have the same power density. The vehicle has passed factory tests, including explosive and ballistic tests, and is ready for consideration by the Indian army, which is soon to begin a program for the purchase of a family of wheeled armored vehicles.
The Indian army began to receive the first M777 howitzers from BAE Systems at the end of 2018
Artillery is a key weapon, especially when it comes to the border with Pakistan, where shelling along the border is quite frequent. In order not to be inferior to the new weapons of the opponent, the Indian army needs to modernize its indirect fire weapons, which are mainly outdated howitzers of 105 and 122 mm calibers. At the end of 2018, the army received the first M777 howitzers from BAE Systems and the first K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer of 155 mm caliber. The K9 Vajra howitzer is a variant of the South Korean K9 Thunder platform developed and manufactured by Hanwha Techwin. The 9-caliber K52 Vajra howitzer is manufactured by the local company Larsen & Toubro. In total, 100 such howitzers were ordered, while the Indian company Mahindra is actively involved in the production of the ordered 145 M777 howitzers with a barrel of 39 calibers. For these howitzers, India requested, under the Law on the Sale of Weapons and Military Equipment to Foreign States, guided M982 Excalibur projectiles manufactured by the American concern Raytheon. However, India is striving for some independence in the field of artillery, in connection with which the Ordnance Factory Board began production of an improved version of the FH-77B 155/39 mm towed howitzer, known locally as Dhanush. The first six of the 114 ordered howitzers were delivered in April 2019, this contract is due to be completed by 2022, later an order for another 300 systems may follow.
The 214mm Pinaka MLRS used by the Indian Army was developed by DRDO and is manufactured by Ordnance Factories Board, Larsen & Toubro and Tata.
In terms of multiple launch rocket systems, the DRDO has developed the 214mm Pinaka system, which is manufactured by local Ordnance Factories Board and Larsen & Toubro, with Tata supplying an 8x8 base chassis. The Indian Army is currently deploying the Pinaka with the Mk-I missile, which has a minimum and maximum range of 12,6 and 37,5 km. The rocket has already been developed in the Mk-II variant, its production should begin in 2020. The missile's flight range is 16 and 60 km, respectively; it is equipped with the same cluster warheads with ready-made striking elements weighing about 100 kg. The Mk-II rocket, although longer than the Mk-I variant, can be launched from the same launcher and, according to DRDO, it is mainly designed for sales abroad. The Mk-II was taken as a basis for the development of a guided missile for the Pinaka MLRS, which is equipped with nose aerodynamic rudders and a GPS / INS guidance unit. According to DRDO, due to some lifting aerodynamic force provided by the nose rudders, its maximum range is 75 km, and the warhead is equipped with ready-made striking elements. Based on the results of tests carried out in December 2019 at the Chandipur test site, the production of this rocket should also begin in 2020.
Light helicopter ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv Mk III is armed with air-to-air missiles Mistral of the European concern MBDA
To combat tanks at long distances, the Indian army acquires several missiles from various sources. The production of the third generation rocket under the local designation Nag is scheduled to begin in 3; a system weighing 2020 kg with a minimum and maximum range of 42 meters and 500 km, respectively, has a declared kill probability of 4. It is equipped with an infrared homing head and a tandem cumulative warhead that is capable of piercing 0,8 mm thick armor behind the ERA. She can attack in two modes: direct strike or attack from above into the upper hemisphere to break through the roof - the least armored part of the tank. Six ready-made Nag missiles will be part of the anti-tank complex based on the BMP-800, which will also be equipped with optical-electronic systems for day and night operations.
US Marines and Indian Army personnel patrol during the Tiger Triumph exercise, in which military personnel conducted limited patrols, transported injured people to medical posts, and produced and distributed drinking water
The Indian army is armed with a lot of anti-tank systems of both Western and Russian origin, for example, Milan, Russian 9M133 Kornet, 9K114 Shturm, 9M120 Attack-V, 9M119 Svir, 9M113 Konkurs, and also Israeli 120-mm LTUR LAHAT, included in the armament complex of the Arjun tank. Most of these missiles are produced under license in India, but the Indian army's arsenals are outdated and it wants new systems to equip its infantry and motorized infantry battalions. As a temporary measure, in early 2019, an undisclosed number of Konkurs missiles was ordered, which will be manufactured under license by the local company Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). In November 2019, after a long and difficult procurement process, India finally ordered 12 fourth-generation Spike LR (Long Range) launchers and about 20 missiles for each manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael in order to replace part of the outdated missile systems. Time will tell whether this will lead to a larger order for Israeli missiles, as the previous order for 275 launchers and 5500 missiles was canceled.
Armed with Mistral missiles in an air-to-air configuration, the Light Combat Helicopter is also equipped with 70-mm unguided missiles from Thales
India has already shown interest in the fifth generation anti-tank missile. Along with the Israeli Rafael, which has developed the latest Spike variants with fifth generation capabilities, another competitor, the European MBDA, offers its MMP complex. To this end, the company has strengthened its partnership with BDL, and also created a joint venture with Larsen & Toubro, calling it L&T MBDA Missile Systems Limited.
MBDA's interests are not limited to the ground sector, the company has integrated its Mistral air-to-air missile into the light Dhruv helicopter. The first three Mk III helicopters were delivered in February 2019, while Light Combat Helicopters are equipped with 70-mm missiles from the French Thales.
Ties with Russia remain strong. The main assault rifle of the Indian army is part of the AK family, and recently a contract was signed for the local production of 750 thousand AK-203 assault rifles.
Another competitive area is the area of small arms. India has opened a series of tenders in the past, most of which have not been completed, in part due to a desire for a national solution. India opted for the 5,56mm NATO caliber, although it retained the 7,62mm because of the large number of Soviet-era weapons. 5,56mm weapons are used by special forces and counter-terrorism units. These are such models as M16 and M4A1, Steyr AUG, FN SCAR, IMI Tavor TAR-21 and SIG SG 550, a significant number of Caracal CAR 816 rifles have also been ordered. The main machine gun of the Indian army is the 7,62 mm AKM, in turn paramilitary formations armed with an AK-103 assault rifle. A joint Russian-Indian venture was created, which in 2019 opened a new plant with a planned production volume of 70 thousand AK-203 assault rifles per year. A total of 750 thousand units will be manufactured, but at the initial stage, several thousand machines will be supplied directly from Russia.
US and Indian troops conduct joint patrols during the Tiger Triumph exercise in India in November 2019. They have demonstrated significant progress in Indian-American military relations
While the “Do in India” slogan is very popular in the country, the ties between India and other nations and companies remain strong and even stronger. In addition to its historical partner, Russia, New Delhi is forging ties with Israel, France, South Africa, as well as the United States. The first exercise in the history of Indian-American military relations "Tiger Triumph" was held in November 2019.
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