February-March 2019 Volume 16 No. 1 `100.00 (India-Based Buyer Only) AERO INDIA Limited Copies Available 2019 AN SP GUIDE P UBLICATION SPECIAL SP’s MEET US AT HALL E, STALL NO: E1.5 Order Your Copy Now! Stock Running Out Fast [email protected] www.spsmilitaryyearbook.com WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.COM ROUNDUP Ear panel 2017-18.indd 1 17/01/19 2:11 PM THE ONLY MAGAZINE IN ASIA-PACIFIC DEDICATED to LAND FORCES IN THIS ISSUE >> EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW PhotographS: Indian Army PAGE 4 Calibrated Modernisation Strategy Model Lt General Kanwal Kumar, DG, Army for Indian Army Aviation with Light Combat Helicopter; (inset) DG in the cockpit of LCH. Lt General A.B. Shivane (Retd) PAGE 8 Control the Night with Thermal Imaging Scopes Thermal Imaging (TI) detects objects based on heat emitted by them. A variety of advanced thermal imaging riflescopes are being used in military roles like patrolling, engaging targets and for use with snipers. Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) PAGE 9 Big Contracts for Small Arms Stage is set for the modernisation of Infantry small arms. Army to get new assault and sniper rifles, carbines this year. Vishal Thapar & Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) PAGE 10 India, Israel Trust Jointly Developed Air Defence Solutions One of the largest air defence acquisition programmes in India is MRSAM, jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) which provides a networked, integrated naval and land-based air defence capability against maneuvering aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles. SP’s Correspondent PAGE 11 Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates India’s First Private Sector Armoured Complex Currently manufacturing K9 Vajra-T howitzers, L&T seeks to make tanks & combat vehicles at this facility. Vishal Thapar ‘LCH is likely to be PAGE 12 Personal Protection Technology Trijicon offers a vast range of proven sighting systems which can be used for inducted into the varying degree of security threats. Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) PAGE 14 Trijicon Combat Optics Army Aviation Corps in The ACOG is designed to be extremely durable and reliable. It combines traditional, precise distance marksmanship with Close Quarter Battle (CQB) speed. Many variants include a bullet drop compensated (BDC) reticle. the immediate future’ Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) PLUS Interaction of Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief of SP’s Land Forces with the News in Brief 15 Director General of Army Aviation Lt General Kanwal Kumar 1/2019 SP’s LAND FORCES 1 TopGun - Transforming Cannon Fire into Precision Strike IAI's TopGun: A revolutionary add-on fuze Meet us at that converts standard 155mm artillery AERO INDIA 2019 Hall B: B2.1, B2.2 ammunition into a high precision weapon • Accuracy - better than 20m CEP at any rage • Fire for effect from 1st round - preserving the element of surprise • Minimal collateral damage and uninvolved casualties www.iai.co.il • [email protected] >> EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW tegration of the third dimensional One of the largest air de- when the terrorists have access Forces. Private players in col- capability in future wars. Accord- fence acquisition programmes to best weapons and technology. laboration with foreign compa- ingly, the ongoing capability devel- in India is Medium Range SAM Modern technology has en- nies have also joined the fray to opment of Army Aviation is aimed (MRSAM), being developed abled the military to fight dur- cater to the Indian market. at providing integral reconnais- jointly by DRDO and Israel Aero- ing the night, almost as it was The issue wraps up with the sance and surveillance, intimate space Industries (IAI) which will day thus all modern armies are usual news digest. Happy read- tactical lift and direct application of meet the air defence require- equipped with night fighting ca- ing you discerning readers and fire power across the full spectrum ments of the army, navy and pability. Thus there are articles meet you all at the Aero India of operations. This is followed the air force thus a write up is on night vision devices and the Show - Hall E, Stall Number 1.5. by a conceptual article on force included in this issue. latest sighting systems, starting modernisation in which the author There has been a major trac- with Thermal image (TI) scopes suggests that it should include the tion towards filling up critical where the author briefly explains principles of retaining the capac- voids in infantry weapons thus the technology involved and re- The first issue of SP’s Land ity and readiness to accomplish there is an article on small arms views the systems available. Forces coincides with the Aero combat superiority, expand new in which the author reviews the The indigenous effort in this India Show 2019 thus the lead ar- capabilities to cope up with the causes of current voids and twist is led by Bharat Electronics Lim- ticle is an exclusive interview with emerging threats, harnessing joint and turns taken to start the pro- ited (BEL) who have established EDITORIAL Director General Army Aviation Lt force capabilities and optimising cess of filling them up. Infantry BEL Optronic Devices Ltd. (BE- General Kanwal Kumar in which force mix through a combined should be given the best assault LOP) to manufacture and supply JAYANT BARANWAL he mentions the role and the in- arms force application. rifle and CQB carbine specially these systems to Indian Armed Publisher & Editor-in-Chief SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): What is the vision DGAA: The ‘Dhruv’ (ALH) is steadily emerging IAF to the Army? What are the timelines? for the development of the Army Aviation as the Aviation workhorse and force multiplier DGAA: It has been decided that all future Corps in line with the Long Term Perspec- of the Indian Army. The helicopter has proved attack helicopter inductions will be for the tive Planning? its mettle in all types of terrain obtained in the Army. Towards this, induction of AH-64E Director General of Army Aviation (DGAA): country ranging from the super high altitude Apache helicopters into the Army is in the In the future battle space, major asymmetry areas to the extremely hot and dusty environs final stages of approval. Meanwhile, the against enemy combat forces can be achieved of the Western sector. The helicopter has also existing attack helicopters and the already by integrated employment of third dimen- pitched in during natural calamities in India contracted 22 x Attack Helicopters will be sional capability. Accordingly, the ongoing and Nepal providing relief to the affected pop- held with the Airforce. capability development of Army Aviation is ulace. Dhruv has been successfully inducted aimed at providing integral reconnaissance into the field formations and is performing all SP’s: In terms of air operations, fleet main- and surveillance, intimate tactical lift and its envisaged operational roles. tenance and air maintenance what mea- direct application of fire power across the full sures have been put in place for greater spectrum of operations. However, while doing SP’s: How is the armed version of ALH jointmanship with the IAF? so, operational dynamics of the field forma- (Rudra) performing and what is the status DGAA: The aspect of greater jointmanship is tions have also been considered to ensure the- of its induction? being addressed by joint courses at training atre specific profiling of aviation assets. DGAA: Rudra helicopters are presently institutes, exchange of aviators, sharing of being exploited in various terrains and are best practices including flight safety courses SP’s: Doctrinally, is more space being cre- getting integrated into the operational role etc. Feasibility of having common operat- ated for integral air elements for futuristic of the Indian Army. The helicopter would ing procedures for maintenance of aviation war fighting by the Army? If yes, how? provide the much needed integral aerial assets is being studied. Air maintenance is DGAA: Army Aviation is not merely the air combat fire power. “It has been decided primarily the responsibility of the IAF. How- component of the Army but an integral part that all future attack ever, the shortfall in availability of IAF fly- of the Combined Arms Team. Its primary SP’s: What are the aggregate final num- ing effort is being made up by Army Chee- mission is to fight the land battle and sup- bers for the Dhruv in AAC plans? helicopter inductions will tah, Cheetal and ALH (Dhruv) helicopters. port ground operations as a manoeuvre arm DGAA: Army Aviation Corps is planned to of ground forces in the Tactical Battle Area have a dedicated utility helicopter fleet of be for the Army. Towards SP’s: What about induction of women pilots? (TBA). The only way to realise this intent is to more than 100 Dhruv helicopters to sup- DGAA: Army Aviation already has women have dedicated integral Aviation assets under port the operations of Indian Army and this, induction of AH-64E officers, who are being directly commis- the Field Force Commander. Towards this provide tactical lift capability to all the field sioned as Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) aim, there is a definite doctrinal shift in profil- formations. Apache helicopters into officers. Besides this, women engineering ing of dedicated utility and combat Aviation the Army is in the final officers are also being posted in Army Avia- assets with the induction of ALH, ALH-WSI SP’s: You had recently flown the HAL’s tion units for maintenance of the helicopter and the impending induction of LCH and Light Combat Helicopter. What are your stages of approval.” fleet. The proposal for inducting women offi- Apache AH-64E, which will be integral to views on its capability? cers as aviators is under examination and is the Army as against the erstwhile capabil- DGAA: The Light Combat Helicopter is a com- being viewed positively.