Indian Army News and Discussion

[lalitghag]

Abhay Infantry fighting vehicle

The Abhay (or fearless) is a prototype of India's indigenously developed infantry fighting vehicle. It was developed as a technology demonstrator and incorporates a number of advanced systems.

Turret incorporates a mix of weapons and has an indigenous fire control system. It is fitted with a 40-mm high velocity cannon. It also has a limited capability against low-flying air targets. Abhay carries 210 rounds for the main gun, including APFSDS and HE rounds. It also has a Russian-made Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) anti-tank missile launcher located on top of the roof. The AT-5 Spandrel has an effective range of fire in 4 km.

It is believed that the Abhay has the same Kanchan composite armor, found on the Arjun main battle tanks. This armor is broadly similar to British Chobham and offers good protection against various types of weapons, especially high-explosive anti-tank rounds.

The Abhay infantry fighting vehicle has a crew of three and can accommodate seven fully-equipped soldiers in a spacious combat compartment.

This IFV is powered by a TD2V8 diesel engine, developing 550 horsepower. The Abhay has a state-of-the-art hydropneumatic suspension system.

Currently this infantry fighting vehicle undergoes various tests and in the near future it might become a replacement for the India's ageing BMP-1 IFVs.

 

[lalitghag]

Tarmour Heavy armored personnel carrier

The Tarmour heavy armored personnel carrier is a recent Indian development. It is a conversion of ageing Soviet T-55 medium tanks. India operates around 900 T-55 tanks, that are in process of being phased out. This heavy APC shows some Israel's influence in it's design.

Protection of the Tarmour heavy APC is similar to MBTs. It uses Kanchan heavy composite armor, which is broadly similar to the British Chobham. Explosive reactive armor blocks can be added for improved protection. It is claimed that Tarmour's armor provides all-round protection against RPG-7 rounds. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

The Tarmour is armed with a remotely controlled 12.7-mm machine gun. This weapon station is operated by vehicle's commander.

Vehicle has a crew of two and provides accommodation for 9 troops. Troops enter and leave the vehicle through the rear door.

The Tarmour heavy APC is based on a Soviet T-55 medium tank chassis, but has a raised superstructure. It is worth mentioning that India operates a number of ageing Soviet T-55 medium tanks, that pose little threat to modern main battle tanks. Original engine of the T-55 was replaced with more powerful Detroit Diesel 8V92TA diesel, developing 850 hp.

Vehicle can be tailored to suit specific operational requirements. It can be also used as ambulance, combat engineering vehicle, armored earth mover or mine plough.

 

[dragonfire]

Currently this infantry fighting vehicle undergoes various tests and in the near future it might become a replacement for the India's ageing BMP-1 IFVs.

I thought the Indian BMP-1s were already phased out

Also could you pl provide some links for this new IFV

 

[lalitghag]

Pl find another link for Abhay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhay_IFV

 

[lalitghag]

Samyukta mobile integrated electronic warfare system

Samyukta is a mobile integrated electronic warfare system. Touted to be the largest Electronic Warfare System in India, it was developed jointly by DRDO, Bharat Electronics Limited, Corps of Signals of Indian Army.[1][2] The System is fully mobile and is meant for tactical battlefield use. It covers wide range of frequencies and coverage of Electromagnetic spectrum is handled by the communication segment and the non-communication segment. Its functions include various ELINT, COMINT and Electronic Attack(ECM) activities [3]

Description

Each System operates on 145 ground mobile vehicles which has three communication and two non-communication segments and can cover an area of 150km by 70km. System has capability to surveillance, analysis, interception, Direction finding, and position fixing, listing, prioritising and jamming of all communication and radar signals from HF to MMW. [4] [2]

[edit] Development

According to V. K. Aatre, the then Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister[2]
“ this system will ensure dominance over electro-magnetic spectrum which basically means it will jam enemy surveillance signals and voice and radar signals while ensuring its own signals are not jammed by the enemy. It is described as a force multiplier ”

Stressing the need of indigenous development in the field of electronic warfare systems , Dr. Abdul Kalam said[5]
“ The electronic warfare system is a force multiplier system which needs high level of secrecy for maintaining surprise against adversary actions. In such a situation, it is essential that the system design, architecture and deployment knowledge is generated within the country and maintained as a closely guarded information by the services. This is essential to ensuring tactical and strategic advantage for our armed forces during an operation ”

The development of the system was lead by Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Bharat Electronics Limited, Corps of Signals of Indian Army and private companies like CMC and Tata Power Company Ltd. Around 40 companies also contributed by producing various components indigenously. Dr Aatre said that the challenge was to tackle the Sanctions imposed by United States after 1998 nuclear tests conducted by India which banned the import of advanced electronic components. CMC and Tata power jointly developed Command and Control Software having 10 million lines of code even though project was not attractive commercially. [2][3]

 

[lalitghag]

EW systems for the Air Force

* State of the art radar warning receivers for the Indian Air Force- the Tarang (wave in Hindi) series. These have been selected for most of the Indian Air Force's aircraft- MiG-21 Upgrade ( designation: Bison), MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, MiG- 27 Upgrade, Jaguar Upgrade as well as self protection upgrades for the transport fleet (Il-76, An-32). The Tranquil RWR for MiG -23s (superseded by the Tarang project). Tempest jamming system for the Air Force's MiG's. The latest variant of the Tempest jamming system is capable of noise, barrage, as well as deception jamming as it makes use of DRFM (Digital radio frequency memory). The DRDO has also developed a High Accuracy Direction Finding system (HADF) for the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKIs which are fitted in the modular "Siva" pod capable of supersonic carriage.[17] This HADF pod is meant to cue Kh-31 Anti radiation missiles used by the Su-30 MKI for SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences).

 

[lalitghag]

Supercomputing:

DRDO's ANURAG developed the PACE+ Supercomputer for strategic purposes for supporting its various programs. The initial version, as detailed in 1995, had the following specifications: The system delivered a sustained performance of more than 960 Mflops (million floating operations per second) for computational fluid dynamics programs for use in aircraft projects such as the Light Combat Aircraft. Pace-Plus included 32 advanced computing nodes, each with 64 megabytes(MB) of memory that can be expanded up to 256MB and a powerful front-end processor which is a hyperSPARC with a speed of 66/90/100 megahertz (MHz). Besides fluid dynamics, these high-speed computer systems were used in areas such as vision, medical imaging, signal processing, molecular modeling, neural networks and finite element analysis. Pace-Plus was stated to be available in three versions: eight nodes with 240 Mflops sustained speed; 16 nodes with 480 Mflops sustained speed; and 32 nodes with 960 Mflops sustained speed. The product comes with a number of tools for software development. Eleven PACE systems have been installed in various institutions throughout the country, apart from the ones with the DRDO. The latest variant of the PACE series was the PACE ++, a 128 node parallel processing system. With a front-end processor, it has a distributed memory and message passing system. It runs on the Linux operating system with the programming environment called ANUPAM (ANURAGs parallel applications manager). By 2004, under Project Chitra, the DRDO was implementing a system with a computational speed of 2-3 Teraflops utilizing Commercial off the shelf components and the Open Source Linux Operating System.[31]

 

[lalitghag]

Anti-Ballistic Missile Defence Project

Unveiled in 2006, the ABM project was a surprise to many observers. While DRDO had revealed some details about the project over the years, its progress had been marked by strict secrecy, and the project itself was unlisted, and not visible among DRDO's other programs. The ABM project has benefited from all the incremental improvements achieved by the DRDO and its associated industrial partners via the long running and often contentious Akash and Trishul programs. However, it is a completely new program, with much larger scope and with predominantly new subsystems.

The ABM project has two missiles—namely the AAD and PAD (Prithvi Air Defence) missiles. The former is an endo-atmospheric interceptor of new design, which can intercept targets to a height of 30 km. Whereas the latter is a modified Prithvi missile, dubbed the Axo-atmospheric interceptor (AXO) with a dedicated second stage Kill vehicle for ballistic missile interception, up to an altitude of 80 km. Both these missiles are cued by an active phased array Long Range Tracking Radar, similar to the Elta GreenPine but made with locally developed components, which include DRDO developed transmit/receive modules. The ABM system also makes use of a second radar, known as the Multi-Function Control Radar which assists the LRTR in classifying the target, and can also act as the fire control radar for the AAD missile. The key difference is that the MFCR, as the name suggests will be "multi-function", it can be used as a search radar against aircraft as well, in the sense that it will be able to rotate 360 degrees and will provide flexibility to the entire missile defence system. However, it too, is an active phased array system as is the LRTR (L-band, 600 km range).

The missile launchers are connected to a launch control center (LCC) and mission control center (MCC) which can be located up to a 1000 km away. The MCC processes the data provided by the radars and determines and clears the relevant LCC to launch the interceptors. There are multiple links between the centers and the launcher, to avoid jamming. Both wireless links (based on CDMA technology for anti-jamming purposes) and fibreoptic links are used.

The entire set up was tested in November 2006, under the Prithvi Air Defence Exercise, when a prototype AXO, with a designation of PAD01 successfully intercepted another Prithvi missile at a height of 50 km. The target missile (PAD02) was set to mimic the profile of a Tactical Ballistic missile with a 600 km range. The test was a complete success, with the hit to kill methodology successfully tested (Neither Missile had a warhead). The prototype had an active radar seeker integrated with its kill vehicle. This test was preceded by an "electronic test" in which an actual target missile was launched, but the entire interceptor system was tested electronically, albeit no actual interceptor was launched. This test was successful in its entirety, setting the pace for the actual full scale test thereafter. After the test, the program Director Dr. V.K. Saraswat noted that there were still more tests to be done (six in all) before the DRDO could certify the AXO as functional, and that it was too early to rule out cooperation with other countries. Even so, the flawless functioning of the entire setup (hardware and software) - much of which was custom developed for the project, was a big shot in the arm for the DRDO.

Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Missile was tested on 6th December 2007 which successfully intercepted a modified prithvi ballistic missile simulating M-9 and M-11 class of ballistic missiles. Interception happened at an altitude of 15 km. AAD is a single stage solid rocket missile with speed of Mach 4.5, 7.5m long and weighs 1.2 tonne.[85]

The project leader also noted that they had evaluated the S-300V in depth, and that its radars and missiles would not meet the specifications of the Indian made system

 

[dragonfire]

Currently this infantry fighting vehicle undergoes various tests and in the near future it might become a replacement for the India's ageing BMP-1 IFVs.

Pl find another link for Abhay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhay_IFV

The Abhay when successfully inducted would replace the BMP-IIs the BMP-I is already retired. Tnks for the link, i had already read it though, the interesting thing here is how indigenisation has lead to the continued usage of assets even past their retirement age like the T-55 being used here for further utilization as a IFV.

 

[lalitghag]

The Abhay when successfully inducted would replace the BMP-IIs the BMP-I is already retired. Tnks for the link, i had already read it though, the interesting thing here is how indigenisation has lead to the continued usage of assets even past their retirement age like the T-55 being used here for further utilization as a IFV.

T -55 are still in indian service. Some report suggest that they may remain in service till 2015.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-...tegory_id=341&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

 

[Crunchy]

Indian commandos in Vietnam

Sometimes ago I have read in a blog that Indian commandos have conducted joint exercises with Vietnam's SF/Dac Cong units. But I couldn't found further infos/pics in other forums/other websites. It would be nice if Indian members can verify it or not.

Thanks Crunchy

 

[dragonfire]

T -55 are still in indian service. Some report suggest that they may remain in service till 2015.

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-...tegory_id=341&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

The same page in the very next line says tht the Army brass decided in 2000 to phase out the T-55s in 7 yrs, the T-55s are in reserve right now and are being used for things like the Abhay IFV, the tank was replaced by T-72 MI

 

[kay_man]

The same page in the very next line says tht the Army brass decided in 2000 to phase out the T-55s in 7 yrs, the T-55s are in reserve right now and are being used for things like the Abhay IFV, the tank was replaced by T-72 MI

yes exactly, the t-55 are not in the active armoured regiments but only serve as reserve. some of them will be scapped while the remaining will be handed to infantry brigades as IFV.
however i havent heard ofany recent armour modification on them . they are still the standard t-55s with whatever upgrades were made decades ago.

 

[dragonfire]

I read somewhere that India has the BTR-80 APC in the army, can anyone confirm this, also how many numbers if any ? - thanks

 

[kay_man]

I read somewhere that India has the BTR-80 APC in the army, can anyone confirm this, also how many numbers if any ? - thanks

dont know the number of btr-80 in service. but mostly they have been phased out. i believe some of them are used by Indian UN peace keeping force.
also bmp1 have been phased out completely and replaced by bmp-2 (sarath ) and bmp-2M (improved version )
the abhay ifv will replace the older bmp-2s and is currently under advanced stages of the trials.

 

[sindhu]

indian army new

hi,

New Delhi, Feb 19 - In a reversal of the Indian Army's stand on the indigenous main battle tank - Arjun, which has been 37 years in the making, army chief General Deepak Kapoor has written to the defence ministry appreciating the tank's performance.

The army chief's letter has come months before the MBT Arjun, which India has been trying to manufacture indigenously for more than three decades, is headed for head-to-head 'comparative trials' with the Russian T-90 tanks that the army currently operates.

'The army chief for the first time has appreciated Arjun tank for performing well. In a letter written earlier this year he said that the tank was subjected to the most strenuous of tests and it performed 'admirably well',' a defence ministry official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

The letter from the army chief came after last year's winter trials of the tank, which has already cost the exchequer Rs.3.5 billion -. The stand is a complete u-turn as the army had made it clear that it would buy no more than the 124 Arjuns it has contracted for because it is unhappy with the tank on various counts.


Army Wives
Wounded Soldiers

 

[kay_man]

hi,

New Delhi, Feb 19 - In a reversal of the Indian Army's stand on the indigenous main battle tank - Arjun, which has been 37 years in the making, army chief General Deepak Kapoor has written to the defence ministry appreciating the tank's performance.

The army chief's letter has come months before the MBT Arjun, which India has been trying to manufacture indigenously for more than three decades, is headed for head-to-head 'comparative trials' with the Russian T-90 tanks that the army currently operates.

'The army chief for the first time has appreciated Arjun tank for performing well. In a letter written earlier this year he said that the tank was subjected to the most strenuous of tests and it performed 'admirably well',' a defence ministry official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

The letter from the army chief came after last year's winter trials of the tank, which has already cost the exchequer Rs.3.5 billion -. The stand is a complete u-turn as the army had made it clear that it would buy no more than the 124 Arjuns it has contracted for because it is unhappy with the tank on various counts.


Army Wives
Wounded Soldiers

hahah,

now thatthe comparative trials will finally be help and the results will be out in the open we will see more and more " u-turn " on the army's statements.
I believe in the near future we will hear more and more critics saying " we always knew arjun was better and we were always for it...all the criticizm was only meant as encouragement ":

 

[eckherl]

Yep, always knew that something rotten was going on, I just do not see why the Indian Army just did not come out and say due to logistical concerns they did not want Arjun. For how much Russia has been stalling and failed with certain parts of the T-90S agreement India should punish them by cutting back on the orders and implementing additional Arjuns into the fold.

 

[nevidimka]

India's latest and final batch of T-90's will be of this config, using Kaktus Era + APS I think.

 

[kay_man]

India's latest and final batch of T-90's will be of this config, using Kaktus Era + APS I think.

I haven't read anything about this news and i cant tell the difference between kontact and kaktus by looking at it. could you provide a source buddy. it may just be test platform for russian army.
also i have a query....initially there was news that indian t-90s did not have Arena and that they were ordered separately . also there were rumours about an enhanced version of the arena was to be fitted on the t-90s.
could some one shed some light on this?