SOURCE: AFI
In a significant development for India’s defense sector, Chennai-based TridenTech Engineering Pvt Ltd, in collaboration with a consortium that includes IIT Madras, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Research and Analysis Laboratory (RAL), and BILVA Technologies, has successfully conducted the test firing of an indigenously developed 80mm unguided rocket. This milestone marks a major step forward in indigenous rocket development and sets the stage for further trials and performance validation of this critical defense asset.
TridenTech Engineering Pvt Ltd played an integral role in the project, contributing expertise from the concept and preliminary design stages through detailed manufacturing and final testing. This achievement reflects the strength of a collaborative approach in India’s defense research and development, with each consortium partner bringing specialized knowledge to the table:
IIT Madras: Under the guidance of Prof. Ramakrishna, IIT Madras contributed valuable academic insight, providing research capabilities and expertise in rocketry and propulsion systems.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): Represented by Abhishek Hegde, BEL added its robust electronics and defense systems background, helping develop components vital to the rocket’s performance and reliability.
Research and Analysis Laboratory (RAL) and BILVA Technologies: These partners contributed to the materials research, control systems, and propulsion mechanics essential for the rocket’s development.
The successful test firing demonstrates the consortium’s capability to produce high-quality, indigenous rocket systems tailored for India’s defense requirements. The test validated the basic design, stability, and performance metrics of the rocket, paving the way for subsequent, more rigorous testing to fine-tune and optimize its capabilities.
The 80mm unguided rocket is designed to meet the Indian military’s demand for efficient, scalable, and low-cost rocket systems that can be rapidly deployed in various combat scenarios. Although unguided, these rockets can provide effective area suppression, especially in battlefield conditions where saturation fire is advantageous. The successful test results serve as a foundation for further enhancement in payload capacity, range, and accuracy, especially as future models may incorporate guidance systems.
The next phase will focus on refining performance metrics and expanding testing to validate the rocket’s operational parameters fully. Additional tests will likely assess accuracy, payload flexibility, and deployment speed to ensure the system’s reliability in combat conditions. The successful deployment of this system could lead to further development opportunities and the eventual production of advanced variants capable of guided precision.