Indian Army
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Maharatna defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), is making significant strides towards securing a contract for the supply of Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The contract is expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2025, marking a major step towards replacing the aging fleet of World War II-era Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
The LUH is designed and developed by HAL’s Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre, with the goal of addressing the operational requirements of the Indian Army Aviation Corps and the Indian Air Force. The helicopter has already received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in February 2021, a milestone that has paved the way for the ongoing finalization of its certification.
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BrahMos Aerospace is in discussions with the Indian Army to develop a ground-based variant of the upcoming BrahMos-NG cruise missile. This variant would feature a booster stage and could be mounted on 8×8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles (HMVs). The lighter and more agile configuration aims to address specific operational needs, particularly in high-altitude terrains.
The IAF has already expressed strong interest in the BrahMos-NG program, particularly for its air-launched configuration. The lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the NG missile make it compatible with a wider range of aircraft, including smaller platforms like the LCA Tejas Mk1A.
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In a significant boost to its artillery capabilities, the Indian Army is set to receive the first batches of the Guided Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system later in 2025. This development follows the successful completion of flight tests conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in November 2024, which were aimed at validating the system against the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR).
On November 14, 2024, DRDO announced that the flight tests of the Guided Pinaka were completed in three distinct phases across various field firing ranges, marking a crucial milestone in the system’s development. These trials not only confirmed the rocket’s enhanced range, extending it to over 75 kilometers, but also validated its accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for engaging multiple targets in salvo mode.
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Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has begun manufacturing the second prototype of the Zorawar Light Tank, marking a significant stride in India’s indigenous defense capabilities. This development comes as the Indian Army gears up to conduct extensive trials on the first prototype of this new light tank, designed specifically for high-altitude warfare.
The second prototype’s manufacturing signifies an acceleration in the development process, providing the army with an opportunity to compare and refine the tank’s design based on feedback from the ongoing trials. The Indian Army has expressed intentions to induct up to 354 units of this tank, highlighting its strategic importance in modernizing the country’s armored forces for operations in rugged and high-altitude areas where traditional heavy tanks struggle.
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The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), a premier lab under India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced plans to develop a new 700HP engine specifically tailored for the Zorawar Light Tank. This initiative comes as the Zorawar project moves towards full-scale production, aiming to enhance the tank’s performance on India’s rugged terrains.
The current prototype of the Zorawar Light Tank is powered by an American-made Cummins 750HP engine. This same engine is slated to equip the first batch of 59 units. However, looking ahead to the broader production phase, where 240 more units are expected to be manufactured, CVRDE has proposed an indigenous solution with its 700HP engine.
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The Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), being developed for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, is projected to cost approximately ?250 crores (29-30 million USD) per unit. This figure represents a 61% increase over the base price of the Russian Mi-17-5 helicopters that the IMRH will replace. Despite the higher cost, the IMRH promises to deliver advanced capabilities, enhanced safety, and superior technology, making it a worthwhile investment for India’s defense forces.
The IMRH project, a collaborative effort involving India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France’s Safran, aims to equip the Indian Armed Forces with a helicopter that surpasses its predecessors in performance, safety, and technology.
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Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a key player in India’s defence and heavy engineering sectors, is taking significant steps towards indigenizing high-performance engines with its DATRAN 1500HP project. The company has announced plans to send the third prototype of the DATRAN 1500HP engine to the UK for an extensive calibration and testing phase, marking a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The DATRAN 1500HP engine, currently under development, is set to undergo a rigorous process in the UK. It will see the engine fine-tuned for optimal performance, ensuring it meets the stringent requirements of military applications. Calibration in the UK leverages the advanced facilities and expertise available there for such specialized tasks.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to test an export variant of the Pralay tactical ballistic missile with a capped range of 290 km. This modification aligns with export regulations to ensure compliance with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) for non-member countries. The development is part of India’s strategy to expand its defence exports, with interest in the Pralay missile system already shown by countries such as Armenia.
The standard Pralay missile boasts a range of 150-500 km, making it a highly versatile weapon system for tactical battlefield applications. However, to meet international guidelines and facilitate exports to non-MTCR countries, the missile’s range will be capped at 290 km. This adjustment ensures adherence to global non-proliferation norms while retaining the missile’s operational effectiveness.
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Indian private sector companies are gearing up to participate in the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program, an ambitious initiative by the Indian Army to replace its ageing fleet of T-72 tanks with a modern, domestically-developed main battle tank (MBT). The project reflects a renewed emphasis on leveraging indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, ensuring that the challenges faced during the Arjun MBT program—including a limited order book of fewer than 250 units over three decades—are not repeated.
The Indian Army has assured potential bidders that the selected MBT under the FRCV program will have a guaranteed production run of 1,650 units, divided into three batches of 550 MBTs each. Industrial sources indicate that the Army has promised a robust procurement plan to ensure financial viability for participating private sector companies. By structuring the program this way, companies are expected to break even after the delivery of the first batch, thereby mitigating financial risks and encouraging significant investments in the development and production of the tanks.
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The Indian Army is set to procure 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) from Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). These state-of-the-art artillery guns are expected to significantly enhance the Army’s firepower, particularly in the Western sector, close to the Pakistan border. This deployment reflects a strategic focus on countering potential threats in the region while leveraging the ATAGS’ superior capabilities.
The ATAGS, a 155mm/52-caliber howitzer, is an indigenously developed system designed to meet the Army’s firepower needs under diverse operational conditions. With an impressive range of 48 km, it is considered one of the longest-range artillery systems in its class globally.
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Solar Industries, a leading manufacturer of defence ammunition, has successfully supplied 480 units of its Nagastra-I Loitering Ammunition to the Indian Army. This supply follows the successful completion of rigorous trials, and the ammunition has now been accepted for use in operational environments. As part of ongoing evaluations, the Indian Army is assessing the system’s performance in real-world conditions, and the company is preparing for large-scale orders in the future.
The Nagastra-I Loitering Ammunition is a significant achievement for India’s defence industry, with over 75% of its components being indigenously sourced and developed. This advanced loitering munition is designed to offer precise strike capabilities for the Indian Army, making it an essential tool for modern warfare. The system is light, man-portable, and can be deployed by troops to target high-value or stationary enemy assets with pinpoint accuracy.
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The Indian Army’s ambitious Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program is gearing up to revolutionize its armoured fleet with cutting-edge technology and indigenous propulsion systems. Central to this initiative is the DRDO-developed Datran 1500hp engine, poised to power the new generation of main battle tanks (MBTs). This engine represents a significant leap in India’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology.
The Datran 1500hp engine is a military-grade propulsion system designed to equip the FRCV MBTs with exceptional power and performance. With a 30.1 power-to-weight ratio for a 50-ton MBT, the engine ensures enhanced mobility and operational efficiency, vital for modern combat scenarios. The engine’s reliability and indigenous design align with the Indian Army’s emphasis on reducing dependency on foreign technologies.
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The Indian Army recently conducted rigorous testing of the Garuda 105 Go Anywhere Gun, a groundbreaking mobile artillery system developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL). The testing included an airdrop operation from an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster, showcasing the system’s capability to be deployed swiftly to any required location, thus underlining its strategic deployability and tactical mobility.
Designed as a lightweight, modular, and high-performance howitzer, the Garuda 105 aims to redefine the standards in light artillery with its advanced features. It stands out as a superior alternative to traditional systems like the 106mm Recoilless Rifle, 120mm Mortar, and other 105mm artillery due to its unique attributes, including low-cost precision strike capabilities.
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After receiving a lukewarm response to the proposed BrahMos-2K Hypersonic cruise missile, BrahMos Aerospace, in partnership with Russia, is revisiting the missile’s technical specifications and pricing structure. The initial response highlighted concerns over the missile’s high developmental and post-production unit costs. As a result, both countries are engaged in technical discussions to refine the missile’s design, ensuring it can offer enhanced capabilities while striving to balance costs.
The BrahMos-2K was intended to be an Indian variant of the Russian 3M22 Zircon, a scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missile. Initially, the missile was envisioned to reach speeds of Mach 6, with a range between 800-900 kilometres. However, the missile was not to carry nuclear warheads, positioning it as a conventional offensive weapon for the Indian Armed Forces.
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India is advancing its plans to develop a High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for its armed forces, with support from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). This collaboration is part of India’s broader deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B HALE UAVs for its military, with GA-ASI providing consulting and technical expertise for the indigenous HALE program.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) had previously proposed a HALE UAV platform, which would weigh approximately 4,000 kg.
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