Thursday, 05 Dec, 2024
The Government of India has been taking a number of steps to develop new military technologies and increase their indigenous production in the last few years. Image Credit: IANS
An official press release states that the missile can deliver a variety of payloads for the Armed Forces at ranges longer than 1,500 kilometres.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested a long range hypersonic missile on Sunday, November 18, 2024 from the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. Commenting on the success of the missile launch, Raksha Mantri took to twitter saying, “India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies.”
An official press release states that the missile can deliver a variety of payloads for the Armed Forces at ranges longer than 1,500 kilometres. Along with several other DRDO labs and industrial partners, it was developed domestically by the laboratories of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad.
What are hypersonic missiles?
A speed that is at least five times the speed of sound (also known as Mach-5) is referred to as "hypersonic." This equates to around one mile per second. Manoeuvrability is another important characteristic of these missiles, which distinguishes them from ballistic missiles that have a predetermined trajectory or course. Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles are the two categories of hypersonic weapons. While HCMs are propelled by air-breathing high-speed engines, or "scramjets," once they have reached their target, HGVs are launched from a rocket and glide to their destination.
According to Lockheed Martin, hypersonic systems are a game changer for national security. When other troops are unavailable, denied access, or not desired, hypersonic weapons can provide responsive, long-range strike options against far-off, guarded, or time-critical threats (like road-mobile missiles), according to former US Strategic Command General John Hyten.
What are the disadvantages of hypersonic missiles?
According to the Lockheed Martin website, developing a system this quick requires solving a number of challenging physics and engineering problems. These consist of heat produced by air resistance and friction. Because of its rapid speed, it also requires "an incredible degree" of precision manoeuvrability to operate. During hypersonic flight, basic functions like communications also become extremely difficult. It further stated that a system "must maintain connectivity to operators and decision-makers through communications and sensor systems." Compared to ballistic missiles, they are also more expensive to produce.
The Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) was first tested in flight by DRDO on November 12 using a mobile articulated launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
The Government of India has been taking a number of steps to develop new military technologies and increase their indigenous production in the last few years. To achieve "Aatmanirbharta in Defence," the government has placed a focus on the indigenization of several defence products. The locally produced indigenous goods become globally cost competitive, and it also makes it easier for MSMEs to be integrated into the global supply chain. Regularly and without charge, the DRDO transfers new technologies to the industries. Industries have been provided free excess to DRDO patents. DRDO conducts Niche Technology Demonstrations by engaging industries. This provides a dual benefit by assisting industries with user inputs for product improvement and for self-testing and evaluation of their products in field conditions.
Source: Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
Recently, in Vadodara, Gujarat, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus opened the Final Assembly Line (FAL) complex for the Airbus C295 aircraft, marking a significant turning point for the country's aerospace and defence sector. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive 56 C295 aircraft from TASL and Airbus as part of the ground-breaking "Make in India" initiative. This is the first time the private sector has established an aeroplane FAL in India, which significantly supports the government's "AatmaNirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative.
India recorded the highest ever growth in the domestic defence production in value terms in the Financial Year 2023-24, with the figure crossing the mark of ₹1.27 lakh crore. In a press release, the Ministry of Defence has attributed the growth to the successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the Government directed towards maximising indigenous defence production and enabling participation of private companies like defence startups and MSMEs in the domestic defence production.
Approximately 79.2 percent of 2023–24's total value of production (VoP) came from DPSUs and other PSUs, with the private sector accounting for the remaining 20.8 percent. The data demonstrates that both the private sector and DPSUs/PSUs have seen a consistent increase in defence output in terms of absolute value. The industry, comprising DPSUs and other PSUs that produce defence items, as well as the private sector, were commended by Shri Rajnath Singh for bringing defence output to a record level.
By 2028–2029, the government wants to almost quadruple India's yearly defence output to ₹3 lakh crore. The goal for defence exports is more than doubled, from the current level of ₹21,083 crore to ₹50,000 crore. The overall annual defence output target for 2024–2025 is ₹1,75,000 crore, including exports valued at ₹35,000 crore.
India’s Defence Production
Source: Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
Talking about the defence exports, New Delhi’s defence exports crossed the ₹21,000 crore mark for the first time in 2023-24 and the defence ministry has set a target of increasing it to ₹50,000 crore in the next five years. Weapon Simulators, Torpedo Loading Mechanisms, Alarm Monitoring & Control, Night Vision Monocular & Binocular, Light Weight Torpedo & Fire Control Systems, Armored Protection Vehicles, Weapons Locating Radar, HF Radio, Coastal Surveillance Radar, etc. are some of the major defence equipment exported over the past five years. At present, the exports are being made to more than 90 countries all over the world. Names of the countries cannot be divulged due to strategic reasons. Over 100 firms are actively exporting defence products. Multiple sophisticated defence systems including 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Guns, Brahmos Missiles, etc, have been exported to other countries.
India’s Defence Exports
Source: Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
In order to promote indigenous defence production with special focus on participation of MSMEs and start-ups by bridging gaps in defence testing infrastructure in the country, Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme has been launched to boost domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing.
Historically, India relied heavily on foreign countries for its defence needs, with about 65-70% of defence equipment being imported. However, this landscape has dramatically shifted, with around 65% of defence equipment now manufactured within India. This transformation reflects the country's commitment to self-reliance in this critical sector and underscores the strength of its defence industrial base, which comprises 16 Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs), over 430 licensed companies, and approximately 16,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
As part of the Make in India initiative, major defence platforms such as the Dhanush Artillery Gun System, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, submarines, frigates, corvettes, and the recently commissioned INS Vikrant have been developed, reflecting the growing capabilities of India's defence sector.
