Made-in-India Weapons Systems Displayed At R-Day Parade: A Peek Into Indian Armed Forces' Might
On Thursday, India kicked off its 74th Republic Day celebrations and Kartavya Path in Delhi got a glimpse of the armed forces’ might with its hi-tech, indigenously made equipment displayed during the parade.
Reuters
In the presence of the chief guest, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, alongside Indian president Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a contingent of Armed Forces from Egypt kicked off the Republic Parade 2023 with their march.
AP
The Indian Armed Forces have been providing selfless service to the nation and its citizens by guarding the frontiers along the Line of Control (LoC), the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and worldwide through UN Peacekeeping missions.
Indian Army has seen a giant leap with the acquisition of platforms like the Akash Missile System, satellites, Modular Bridges, towed guns, utility helicopters, electronic warfare system, and surface-to-air missiles.
This year, India only showcased its major Made-in-India weapon systems, highlighting India’s indigenisation power.
India’s pompous show of its defence included 21 Gun Salute through ‘Made in India’ 105 mm Indian Field Guns, recently inducted LCH Prachand, the K-9 Vajra howitzers, MBT Arjun, Nag anti-tank guided missiles, Akash air defence missiles, and the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles.
Here’s a look at the weapons systems that were flaunted at the 74th Republic Day Parade:
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MBT Arjun
Captain Amanjeet Singh led ARJUN of the 75 Armoured Regiment. MBT ARJUN’, is third generation main battle tank developed indigenously by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
BCCL
Arjun features a 120 mm main rifled gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. It is powered by a 1400 HP Diesel engine and can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). The newly developed Kanchan armour provides all-around anti-tank warhead protection, much higher than in comparable third-generation tanks. Its motto is motto ‘Sahasam Vijayate’.
Nag Missile System (NAMIS)
The subsequent detachment was of the NAG Missile System of the 17 Mechanised Infantry Regiment led by Lt Siddhartha Tyagi.
ANI
The System, popularly called NAMIS, is a tank destroyer indigenously designed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory Hyderabad, a lab of DRDO.
It consists of a tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicle with a crew-less turret capable of firing six ‘Nag’ Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. NAMIS has been developed for the Recce and Support units of the Mechanised infantry to reinforce and enhance anti-tank capability along our borders during offensive and defensive operations.
The Nag missile is a Fire & Forget ATGM with an effective range of 5 km. The tandem warhead, with the capability to lock on- before launch and top attack, accurately hits the targets that are moving or trying to escape.
NAMIS is a game-changer and the successful development of this modern weapon system for the Indian Army has propelled India into the select club of countries which have developed their own fire-and-forget top-attack tactical ATGMs integrated on AFVs. Its motto is ‘Satrah Mech – Har Maidan Fateh’.
BMP2/2 K
Next came to the saluting dais was the mechanised column of Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-2 of Mechanised Infantry Regimental centre led by Captain Arjun Sidhu of 6 Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
ICV BMP-2, named SARATH, is a high mobility Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) with lethal weapons and night fighting capability.
It can operate effectively in all battlefield terrains of desert, mountainous regions or high-altitude areas. Its motto is ‘Valour and Faith’ (Veerta our Vishwas’).
Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle (QRFV)
The next detachment was of Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle led by Captain Naveen Dhatterwal of the 3 Ladakh Scouts Regiment.
ANI
TATA Advance System and Bharat Forge Limited for the Indian Army manufacture these vehicles under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme. They are a shining example of the Indian Army’s quest for self-reliance.
This 4×4 wheeled Armoured Platform has complete Armour Protection with a 360 Degree Turret which mounts a 7.62mm Medium Machine Gun, can carry 10 Fully Armed Troops. The vehicle is ideally designed for Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh troops.
The vehicle is also Mine and Bullet Proof, which suits it as an Escort vehicle and special response for CI OPS.
It has a maximum speed of 80 km/h with an OP range of up to 600 km and can negotiate a gradient of up to 25 degrees. The War Cry is “Ki Ki So So Lahargyalo”, which means ‘Victory to God.
K-9 Vajra-T (SP)
The next detachment was of K9 Vajra-T of 224 Medium Regiment (Self Propelled) led by Lt Prakhar Tiwari. K9 Vajra-T 155mm/52 Calibre Tracked Self-Propelled has a firing range of 40 Kms.
The Tracked Self-Propelled Gun System can move at a maximum speed of 60 km/hr over arid desert terrain.
It has been provided with all welded steel armour protection & the design incorporates Modular Azimuth Position System (MAPS) and Automatic Fire Control System. Its motto is Sarvada Sarva Pratham, ‘ which means ‘Always the First’.
Brahmos
The next detachment was Brahmos of the 861 Missile Regiment led by Lieutenant Prajjwal Kala. BRAHMOS is a supersonic, high-precision cruise missile with a range of 400 km capable of striking targets deep inside the enemy territory with precision and devastating effect.
ANI
Its motto is “Swamiye Sarnam Aiyyapa”.
10m Short Span Bridge
The 10m Short Span Bridge of 64 Assault Engineer Regiment led by Captain Shivashish Solanki is a mechanically launched Assault Bridge designed by DRDO to help Combat Engineers Crossing formidable obstacles like Canal or Nallahs in a matter of minutes.
The motto of 10 metres Short Span Bridge System was Agrani Ajay, ‘ which means ‘Always Leading and Unconquerable. Mechanised and armoured columns can utilise these Bridges to cross obstacles and destroy the enemy speedily.
These indigenous bridges signify that no obstacles remain impediments to the Mechanised Forces of the Indian Army and are a step forward to Atmanirbharta in defence. The Regiment will celebrate 50 years of glorious history on 30 Sept 2023.
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Mobile Microwave Node and Mobile Network Centre
Mobile Microwave Node and Mobile Network Centre of Corps of Signals was led by Major Mohd Asif Ahmed of 2 AHQ Signal Regiment with a motto of ‘Teevra Chaukas’, which means ‘Swift and Secure? The column consists of two vehicles, a ‘Mobile Microwave Node’ and ‘Mobile Network Centre Major Mahima Kataria of 2 AHQ Signal Regiment in charge of the Mobile Network Centre. The Mobile Microwave Node of the Indian Army can extend high-speed operational communications to Tactical Battle Areas.
ANI
The Node is mounted on a High Mobility Vehicle platform and housed in an NBC-proof ruggedised shelter to provide matching mobility and sustenance to mobile mechanised operations.
The vehicle can operate on optical, microwave and satellite media to provide triple play services, including voice, data and video, to field formations in active hostilities. The Mobile Network Centre is a next-generation network vehicle and enabler of network-centric operations.
It hosts three core functionalities of Network Operations, Security Operations and the Data Centre. It acts as a force multiplier by enhancing battlefield transparency and increasing situational awareness.
The vehicle has six crew led by an officer. It has an IMS core, aggregation routers access switches, large-screen displays and high-speed processing platforms. The mobile node is developed indigenously and upholds the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Mission.
The subsequent detachment is of AKASH weapon System of 27 Air Defence Missile Regiment — ‘the Amritsar Airfield’, led by Captain Sunil Dasharathe accompanied by Lt Chetana Sharma of 512 Light AD Missile Regiment (SP).
Akash Weapon System is the first indigenously developed Air Defence System capable of firing Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SR-SAM) against enemy aerial platforms. Its motto is “Akaash-e-Shtrun Jahi”.
Two Dhruv Helicopters and two Rudra Helicopters integrated with weapon systems demonstrated their power dominance in the sky.
The Advanced Light Helicopters, Rudra, are also referred to as flying tanks.
Colonel R S Jamwal led the Rudra formation, Sena Medal of 205 Army Aviation Squadron (UH) with National Flag, followed by Lt Col Sumit Kumar Uniyal and Lt Col Puneet in two Rudra helicopters and Lt Col Vijayat Goyat in the last Dhruv helicopter.
Wheeled Armoured Platform – WHAP 8×8 on 70-ton trailer
Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier, WhAP 8×8, carried on a specialist 70-ton Trailer are indigenously designed and developed by DRDO.
WhAP is a modular, 8×8-wheeled combat platform. WhAP is a state-of-the-art customisable platform for roles such as Infantry Vehicle, CBRN Vehicle, ATGM carrier etc.
The Armoured Personnel Carrier variant on display is integrated with a 30mm turret, composite armour and innovative blast protection. This amphibious vehicle can cross rivers and canals; its maximum on-road speed is 100 km/h.
The 70-ton trailer is equipped with state-of-the-art hydraulic suspension for better mobility, steerable axles and a hydraulic ramp for easy loading and unloading of heavy payloads. The trailer, capable of negotiating sharp turns and gradients, has undergone extensive trials with MBT Arjun as payload.
Notably, the Defence Services witnessed path-breaking reforms to transform the military into a modern, self-reliant, youthful and tech-savvy force.
The seamless modernisation plan focused on developing ‘Force Capabilities’, creating a Self Reliant Defence ecosystem with Make in India pursuit and a learner and agile Army is driven by technology.
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