THE JOURNEY OF BUILDING DEFENCE TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY
Dr G. Satheesh Reddy Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development and Chairman, DRDO
ROGRESS in science and Today, DRDO has grown into a Materials, Life Sciences, Advanced technology is the very foundation leader in the domain of strategic systems Computing, Warfare Simulation and Pof enhancing the comprehensive and other defence technologies. Starting Training. national power of the country and from the design of simple equipment to strengthening national security in every the development of the most advanced Missiles, Armament and domain. The technological backbone of systems DRDO has continued its Ammunition any armed force of a nation is indigenous quest for indigenous defence systems Starting from the mid-eighties of the defence research and development. development. From the first grant of previous century, the technology In India, the Defence Research and Rs 15 Lakh in 1950 and a yearly budget demonstration of ballistic missiles Development Organisation (DRDO) allocation of Rs 3.17 Crore in 1961-62, has culminated into India’s missile has played a pivotal role in developing DRDO now has a budget allocation of deterrence programme consisting of defence systems encompassing about Rs 20,000 Crore for the fiscal Prithvi and Agni series of ballistic advanced technologies and providing year 2021-22. In spite of the denials missiles meeting different ranges and critical fighting capabilities to the and embargos from various control requirements. India is the seventh armed forces. regimes, DRDO has been persistently country in the world to have long-range The genesis of DRDO can be moving in the direction of defence ballistic missiles. linked to the creation of the Directorate technology growth. India is also the fifth country of Technical Development (DTD) In the process of developing in the world to have developed an in 1945 – post World War II. Two contemporary and advanced systems indigenous ballistic missile defence years later, India became independent for defence, DRDO has acquired programme. Ballistic Missile Defence leading to the appointment of the a large number of inherent diverse systems to intercept targets in exo- Scientific Advisor to the Prime technical capabilities. These include and endo-atmospheres are designed Minister. Establishment of the Defence design, development and integration and developed by DRDO. Mission Science Organisation (DSO) happened of highly complex systems using Shakti, the anti-satellite technology is a in 1948 and under this first laboratory cutting-edge technologies. DRDO milestone towards building the Nation’s was created in 1950. In 1958, the has across various domains of strength to defend its space assets. India Defence Research and Development defence applications – Aeronautics, is the fourth nation in the world to have Organisation (DRDO) was formed by Combat Vehicles, Naval Systems, demonstrated this capability based on merging DSO and DTD, with Scientific Missiles, Armaments, Electronics, indigenous technology. Adviser to Raksha Mantri as its Head. Engineering Systems, Instrumentation, The development of Air-to-Air, DRDO had 10 laboratories at that time. Information Systems, Special Surface-to-Air, Anti-Tank Missiles,
August 2021 | Science Reporter | 57 ‘‘DRDO has delivered multiple bridging systems to the Indian Army which are deployed at strategic locations.’’
variant of BrahMos became operational on Su-30MKI fighters of Indian Air Force. Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) is deployed with the Indian Air Force and Indian Army to defend the air space of the country. quick reaction SAM has been developed for mobile air defence applications, which will enter into production shortly. DRDO in partnership with Israeli Aerospace Industries has developed medium range surface to air missile with a longer kill Agni ASAT Interceptor range for the tri-services application. Smart Bombs, Guided Rockets, Air Akash-NG SAM is being designed helicopter-launched short range naval launched Missiles and Anti-Radiation and developed for providing air anti-ship missile and aircraft launched missiles for different segments of defence cover against fighter aircrafts, medium range anti ship missile. Only defence operations has not only helicopters, UAVs, sub-sonic cruise USA, Russia and China have the enhanced our defence capability but missiles and low radar signatures capability to launch anti-ship missiles. given a big boost to our international targets. Long Range Surface-to-Air The long range anti-ship missile image and also saved a large share of Missile is being taken up by DRDO is a land launched medium-range anti- foreign exchange. to increase the air defence against air ship missile, which will be able to ‘Astra’, the first indigenous threats emanating from longer ranges. target naval surface targets. Extended beyond visual range air-to-air missile DRDO has also developed the range anti-submarine rocket is a ship- has enabled India to join the select smart anti-airfield weapon, which is a launched rocket being developed by group of nations that possess a weapon state-of-the-art deep-penetration and DRDO for anti-submarine warfare. of this capability and performance. high explosive glide bomb designed Long Range long range land attack After integration with Su-30MKI to target runways of an airfield from cruise missile is being developed with aircraft, it is planned to be integrated on stand-off distance with great precision. launching capability from ship and land the indigenous Tejas, upgraded Mirage New generation anti-radiation platforms against land targets. 2000 and MiG-29 fighter aircrafts. missile called Rudram series, air-to- Third generation fire and forget Astra Mk-2 with two-pulse ground, long-range, precision, stand- anti-tank missile Nag and Helina propulsion is being developed to off supersonic weapons are being helicopter launched anti-tank missile further enhance the kill zone of Astra developed for varying ranges for are equipped with an infra red imaging Mk-1 missile. Astra Mk-2 will achieve launching from the aircrafts of IAF. seeker with ‘Lock-on Before Launch’ a longer kill range, one of the highest Multiple missiles for Navy are capability. Man-Portable Anti-Tank amongst all air-to-air beyond visual being developed. These include Guided Missile (MPATGM) is in range missiles available across the advanced stage of development. In world thus far. To further increase addition, the laser guided anti tank the ‘kill range’ to nearly double of the missile for MBT is in final stages of Mk-2 and ensure the wider ‘no escape development. zone’, DRDO has successfully tested Stand-off Anti-Tank (SANT) and validated the solid fuel ducted Missile is a helicopter launched anti- ramjet propulsion technology. tank missile equipped with an active BrahMos is the fastest supersonic radar seeker with ‘Lock-on Before cruise missile of its kind in the Launch’ capability. world that can be launched from the India has been building many ground, aircraft and ship. The latest systems for the Indian Army. The Main development is that an air-launched Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun has been Astra
58 | Science Reporter | August 2021 “India is the 7th country in the world to have long-range ballistic missiles; 5th in the world to have developed an indigenous ballistic missile defence programme and 4th nation in the world to have demonstrated anti-satellite technology.” Abhyas tracking & localisation, and artillery developed by DRDO for the Army fire correction. A sophisticated image keeping in view Indian conditions. processing system is used for analysing The tank has been in service with the the images transmitted from the UAV. Indian Army since 2004 and Arjun Rustom-I is an all composite, 800 MK-1(A) is being inducted with many kg class remotely piloted aircraft system improvements over Arjun MK-1. Brahmos having capabilities of Intelligence, The New Generation Main Battle Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Target Tank (NG-MBT) is envisaged as the which has the capability to launch a Acquisition/Tracking and Image futuristic MBT of the Indian Army. salvo of rockets. DRDO has developed Exploitation. Rustom-I is the first It will be a medium tank powered by the extended range Pinaka-ER with Indian remotely piloted system to 1500 HP engine and armed with a improved propulsion and new warhead have conventional take-off and landing 125 mm smoothbore gun. Allelectric configurations. capability. It has autonomous flight turret drive, explosive reactive armour ATAGS 155 mm gun has been mode and Get-to-Home features. and active protection system are being developed with the longest firing Rustom-II is a platform developed for the new generation of range in the world. 155 mm shells being developed for long duration tanks. also have been developed for ATAGS surveillance and reconnaissance, target DRDO has delivered multiple indigenously so that there will not identification, target tracking and bridging systems to the Indian Army be any deficiency. The gun can fire battlefield damage assessment. It can which are deployed at strategic existing ammunition being used by carry a variety of various electro-optical locations. Recently, Mountain Foot erstwhile Bofors and other guns. and intelligence payloads. This will Over Bridge has been developed and An advanced version of the hand provide continuous wide area coverage will be shortly delivered for active use grenade, Multi-Mode Hand Grenade, and yet be able to identify small targets. in the field by production agency. with several security features has been Another multi-mission UAV is being Pinaka free flight rocket system developed and is being produced in developed to carry out Intelligence, has been the workhorse artillery large numbers by Ordnance Factory Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) weapon for the Indian Army for many and private industry. DRDO has also roles. years. Pinaka rockets are launched designed 5.56x30 mm Joint Venture Abhyas being developed is from a multi-barrel rocket launcher Protective Carbine (JVPC) which expendable, low cost, high speed has features like high reliability, low unmanned aerial target fitted with recoil, retractable butt, ergonomic sensors and is GPS enabled. It will design, single hand firing capability, have onboard actuators, a flight control and multiple Picatinny rails. computer and a miss distance indicator. In addition, supersonic aerial targetis Unmanned Aerial Vehicles also under development. (UAVs) DRDO developed UAV Lakshya has Fighter Aircrafts been proven and is being successfully Developing fighter aircrafts is an utilised by the Services. It is a cost- extremely complex process involving effective re-usable subsonic aerial cutting-edge technologies in numerous target system powered by a gas turbine fields. First Technology Demonstrator engine and launched either from land or of Tejas, flew its maiden flight on ship. 4 January 2001. Since then, Tejas Nishant is a multi-mission UAV with prototypes and limited series production day/night capability used for battlefield aircraft flew over 4,400 development Akash-NG surveillance and reconnaissance, target flight test sorties culminating in
August 2021 | Science Reporter | 59 ‘‘DRDO has started the design and development of the next- gen fighter aircraft design of LCA Tejas Mk-2, the 4.5+ generation multi-role fighter aircraft.’’
centric warfare operations and data fusion based enhanced situational awarenessfor the pilot.
Radars and Surveillance Systems The contribution of DRDO in improving the air defence ground environmental system of the Nation is immense. Many radars have been LCA- Tejas designed and developed by DRDO, its initial operational clearance in to reach the level of manufacturing which are network ready. December 2013 and final operational to meet the stringent quality Weapon locating radar called clearance in February 2019. Tejas assurance requirements specified for Swathi to identify the location of hostile development timelines achieved by aviation equipment. This is a major artillery, mortars and rocket launchers, India are comparable with those of contribution towards self-reliance in based on the projectile trajectory has many other contemporary aircraft the manufacturing of the product and been developed exclusively for army designed elsewhere in the world. its life-cycle support. LCA project has applications. This radar has got export Tejas Mk-1 is an all-weather made India ‘AtmaNirbhar’ in most orders also. Battle field surveillance multi-role fighter capable of carrying contemporary technologies related to radar has been developed for frontline close combat and beyond visual range fighter aircrafts. units of the Indian Army and hundreds air-to-air missiles coupled with multi- DRDO has started the design and of these radars are already being used mode air-interception radar for the air development of the next-gen fighter in the field. Low level tracking radar defence role. It is capable of delivering aircraft LCA Tejas Mk-2, the 4.5+ for applications in mountains has been all types of conventional bombs and generation multi-role fighter aircraft. developed and is being used by the Laser Guided Bombs in the ground Tejas Mk-2 will incorporate more Indian Army. attack role. Tejas Mk-1 is the smallest weapon stations capable of carrying Through wall imaging radar, a and lightest in its class of contemporary higher weapon load compared to Mk-1 sensor used for detection and location supersonic combat fighter aircrafts. and retractable air-to-air refuelling of static and moving targets, especially The aircraft is equipped with advanced probe. human beings behind walls, is under avionics systems and sensors for an Advanced Medium Combat development. foliage penetration radar excellent flying experience. Aircraft (AMCA) is India’s Fifth is under development for detection of Technologies for deck- Generation Stealth Fighter Aircraft personnel and vehicles hiding behind based landing and take-off have (FGFA) and is being developed camouflaged tree and forest cover for been successfully developed and indigenously by DRDO. Only USA, low-intensity conflict. Many of the demonstrated as part of the LCA- Russia and China have so far developed DRDO developed radars are integrated Navy programme. Two prototypes of FGFA. AMCA will include every to provide a composite air situation the Naval version of the LCA, Navy advanced stealth technology. The picture to display and control every Trainer and Navy Fighter, successfully aircraft will be equipped with state-of- airborne platform over the entire Indian undertook maiden arrested landing the-art indigenous radar, inbuilt feature airspace including the island territories. and ski-jump take-off onboard INS for passive detection of aircraft and The lower range ‘Aslesha’ low Vikramaditya in January 2020. Both internally mounted electronic warfare level light weight radar can be carried the aircrafts conducted a total of 18 suite. AMCA will be a twin-engine by two people. It can also be carried ski-jump take-offs and 18 arrested fighter primarily designed for stealth under slung below a helicopter. These landing onboard INS Vikramaditya to enable it to penetrate deep inside radars are deployed to plug gaps in the in five days. DRDO has nurtured enemy territory and attack heavily air defence surveillance especially in and hand held the Indian industry defended targets with the help of net mountainous and remote areas.
60 | Science Reporter | August 2021 AEW&C (Netra) Anti-Drone System ‘Arudhra’ medium powered and optical sensor’s actions with disability periscope, radar and communication ‘Ashwini’ low level tracking radars are glare in case of non-compliance to antennae are also being developed. in final stages of testing and will be used orders. It also dazzles and distracts DRDO is developing a universal for providing air defence surveillance aircraft/UAVs. vertical launcher capable of launching in three dimensions at different ranges. all the indigenous missiles onboard These will be configured specifically Electronic Warfare Systems Indian Naval Ships. for use in mountain regions to ensure Electronic Warfare (EW) plays a crucial Sonars developed by DRDO are maximum coverage. role in modern day air combat. Several in use in various ships and submarines Active electronically scanned elements of EW self-protection suite of the Indian Navy. The Sonar suites array based indigenously developed developed by DRDO are installed on are being productionised by M/s BEL. ‘Uttam’ radar for fighter aircraft has IAF fighter and transport aircraft and Sonar domes and sonobuoys developed been flight tested on the LCA aircraft. helicopters. These are radar warning by DRDO are also being used by the The performance of the radar is receivers, countermeasures dispensing Indian Navy. very promising. Uttam radar will be system, missile approach warning equipped in Tejas and AMCA fighters. system, jammers etc. DRDO has Underwater Weapons and Two indigenously developed developed software defined radios in 5 Countermeasure Systems ‘Netra’ Airborne Early Warning form-factors to provide wireless secure DRDO has developed multi-purpose & Control (AEW&C) aircrafts are communication capability to both torpedoes along with Torpedo fire operating with IAF. ‘Netra’ AEW&C mobile and fixed forces as required by control systems for the Indian Navy. aircraft are equipped with indigenously the Indian Navy. Advanced light weight torpedo is an developed mission systems for air anti-submarine, electrically propelled, situation picture of the battlefield. Naval Systems and Applications self-homing torpedo which can be DRDO developed ground based DRDO has worked on the development launched from ship and rotary-wing mobile electronic systems having of materials for the construction of aircraft. Varunastra is ship launched, electronic surveillance measures and naval platforms. High strength steels heavy weight, electrically-propelled, communication surveillance measures for the construction of submarine hulls anti-submarine torpedo capable of have been deployed. have been developed. Henceforth, all targeting quiet submarines, both in Tripod mounted compact Anti- Indian submarines will be made with deep and shallow waters in an intense Drone system integrated with jammer, Indian steel. Besides, for shipbuilding countermeasure environment. electro-optical tracking system, and DRDO has developed steel plates that Electrical heavy weight torpedo, radar was successfully demonstrated are about one fourth to one eighth the a new generation torpedo that can during August 2020. Detection, cost of imported plates. be launched from both ships and jamming, and destruction of Drones Some other technologies submarines for anti-submarine warfare, were successfully demonstrated. The developed by DRDO include titanium is under development. Jalastra, a system was deployed for security sponge produced indigenously from the during Republic Day celebrations 2021. sands of Kerala; rubber tiles to reduce “An Anti-Drone system The laser dazzler developed by transmitted noise for submarines; epoxy integrated with jammer, DRDO is used as a non-lethal method putty for fixing the tiles; air independent electro-optical tracking for warning and stopping suspicious propulsion system that enhances the system and radar was deployed for security during vehicles/boats/aircraft/UAVs from submerged endurance of the submarine. the 2021 Republic Day approaching secured areas during both DRDO is in advanced stage of celebrations.” day and night. It is capable of dazzle development of submarine periscope. and thereby suppresses the person’s/ Submarine hoistable masts for
August 2021 | Science Reporter | 61 medium weight torpedo capable of and fire. Advanced oxidation process “While close hand-holding of being launched from naval platforms, is technology is developed for the DRDO with Indian industry also under development. treatment of toxic and hazardous partners has helped spawn For launching light weight effluents. Stabilisation/solidification a robust defence industry torpedoes from onboard Indian technology is developed for the in the country, DRDO is also ships with anti-submarine warfare disposal of toxic heavy metals and other promoting innovation in role, DRDO has developed triple concentrated toxic/hazardous organic startups and students through tube launchers, which are being wastes. DRDO has also developed its various schemes.” productionised by the private industry precipitative, adsorptive and electro- and are deployed on many Indian Navy chemical techniques for the treatment Ships. of heavy metals and polyurea based Mareech advanced torpedo polymeric coatings for blast mitigation. defence system is a torpedo detection DRDO is also equipped with and countermeasure system capable many advanced test facilities for the of detecting, confusing, diverting and development of defence technologies. decoying incoming torpedoes. DRDO Hypersonic wind tunnel test facility, has also demonstrated missile assisted shore-based test facility, manoeuvring release of light weight anti-submarine basin, EMI/EMC setups, shock and torpedo system for underwater warfare vibration setups for various parameters, operations far beyond torpedo range. aeronautical test range and many other facilities are also being used by Other Systems Indian industry for making the defence Advanced support systems have been systems. developed by DRDO to enhance survivability, sustainability, mobility, Glorious History & Bright performance and habitability of soldiers Future in extreme & toxic environments, During the journey of 63 years after its high altitudes, deserts, underwater, inception, DRDO has been continuously aerospace, closed micro-environments developing defence systems for the of ships, aircrafts and areas of low Nation, often in collaboration with intensity conflicts. Some examples various R&D laboratories. are life support systems (i.e., Oxygen While a brief glimpse of some of Support System, Protective clothing the systems has been provided here, & equipment) and communication there are many other systems that have Systems. been developed and deployed in the Heavy drop parachutes, Combat service of the nation. Free Fall systems and a number of other DRDO is working on upcoming personnel parachutes are being used by technologies like Quantum, Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle the Parachute Regiment and Special Hypersonics, advanced materials for Forces for combat/special missions at defence applications, network enabled laboratories are working on a well about 30,000 ft. Pilot parachutes for defence systems and AI for defence. laid out plan for the next generation Mig-21, Mig-27, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, and Artificial Intelligence for Defence. of missiles, aircrafts, tanks, sensors, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 have also been Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator underwater systems and armaments. indigenised. Vehicle (HSDTV) has been successfully While close hand-holding of State-of-the-art food technologies tested last year, making India the DRDO with Indian industry partners including post-harvest technology; fourth country in the world to have has helped spawn a robust defence ready-to-eat food products; packaging demonstrated this technology. DRDO industry in the country, DRDO is systems and processing technologies promoting innovation in startups and for fresh and processed food for Armed students through its various schemes. Forces have been developed. Glacier DRDO of the 21st century is taking up caps, face masks, jackets, glacier challenging assignments with an eye on gaiters, gloves, ponchos for protection the future defence preparedness of the of head from cold in Glacier region are country. being used by Indian Army. Technologies have been developed related to protection against explosives Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
62 | Science Reporter | August 2021