With the success of the Daksh battery-powered remotely controlled robot used for locating, handling and destroying hazardous objects safely, the Defence Research and Development Organisation has ventured into converting an existing mechanized warfare vehicle into an unmanned platform for several different functions. They range from the now familiar nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) reconnaissance rover designated Muntra-N, a mine counter-measures platform known as Muntra-M, a Muntra-S for surveillance and a Muntra-B which, unlike its clones will… Read More »Unmanned vehicles

The disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 in the Indian Ocean ought to worry India more than it appears to. After all, the plane flew over or close to Indian air space over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after which it could only have gone down into the sea since it is assumed that it has not landed anywhere. It has been incommunicado except for the automatic ‘pings’ exchanged with some satellites after the… Read More »Integrated combat

There are no designated mine laying surface ships in the Indian Navy’s inventory but it has submarines that can lay naval mines with greater stealth and hence greater surprise element for the intended enemy. What it does have is a diminishing fleet of “mine counter-measure” (MCM) vessels which is a different way of describing minesweeping-as distinct from minelaying – capabilities. Innovation in this particular field of warfare is more the norm rather than the exception.… Read More »Floating threats

With the Defence Acquisition Council of the Defence Ministry sanctioning additional Rs 1125crores on Feb 24, 2014, the IAF will soon kickstart the work for the phase-2 of the Modernization of Air Field Infrastructure. After mutely observing the rapid upgradation of the military infrastructure in terms of roads and airstrips in the Tibetan side for movements of Chinese troops, the Indian security establishment took a belated but grand step to upgrade its own existing military… Read More »Augmenting strength

When the August-launched GSAT-7 satellite became operational in mid-September last year the Indian Navy became better able to keep under surveillance its area of concern which spans three huge water bodies-the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It will improve the network centricity between its airborne, surface and sub-surface weapons platforms. Already, with the arrival of the first of the Poseidon P-8I maritime reconnaissance and strike aircraft, the upgradation of the… Read More »Maritime surveillance

The Indian Army Armored Corps comprises 63 regiments and has massive modernization and upgradation program to match the rival forces across the border. However the tardy manner in which the Indian defence establishments works, it is doubtful if the Indian Army would be equipped with required armored vehicles within reasonable time frame to ensure the survivability of its armored regiments. Though the situation is not as bad as the artillery regiments in which no new… Read More »Army modernization

The Indian Air Force had last acquired six air refuelers from Russia almost a decade ago and the decision to add six more is hanging. The Indian Government has not taken any forward movement yet on the contract finalization of Airbus A330 MRTT as the next tanker fleet of IAF for fulfilling its on flight refueling requirements. Since this is now a norm being followed by the Air Forces world over, the IAF has planned… Read More »Mid air refueling

The Indian Army of over 1.1 million soldiers operating in variety of terrain, from high altitude jungles to snowy mountains of Ladakh and Kashmir and plains of Punjab to the hot deserts of Rajasthan is extremely poorly equipped in terms of its aviation equipments. The Indian Army Aviation Corps first set up in 1986 with a grand vision of providing the army with the wherewithal to reach the inaccessible remote areas with men, weapons and… Read More »Chopper needs

SLBM-India yet to stand on third leg The strategic significance of Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles can be understood from the fact that under the missile reduction treaties the US and Russia have decided to retain two thirds of the targeted storage comprising of Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles. The SLBMs are considered a significant arsenal forming the third leg of the nuclear triad of any country, which has the potentials of a second strike capabilities because… Read More »Undersea arsenal

China’s new South Pacific base to avoid Malacca Strait Since maritime issues have dominated China’s future war strategy, Beijing is currently reviewing its ‘String of Pearls’ doctrine to acquire a new base in South Pacific which will easily surpass Strait of Malacca to reach Indian Ocean. China’s grand maritime strategy depends on how effectively it can operate in both ocean surface with equal magnitude and show its military strength in the Pacific and Indian Ocean… Read More »Coveted pearl