PSLV-C19 successfully launches RISAT-1 from Sriharikota (April 26, 2012).

PSLV-C18 successfully launches MeghaTropiques, Jugnu, SRMSat andVesselSat-1 from Sriharikota (October 12,

2011).
PSLV-C17 successfully launches GSAT-12 from Sriharikota (July 15, 2011).

Successful launch of GSAT-8 by Ariane-5 VA-202 from Kourou French Guiana, (May 21, 2011).
PSLV-C16 successfully launches Three Satellites - RESOURCESAT2,YOUTHSAT, X-SAT from Sriharikota (April 20, 2011).

GSLV-F06 launched from Shriharikota (Dec 25, 2010). GSAT-5P could not be

placed into orbit as the GSLV-F06 mission was not successful. Successful launch of advanced communication satellite HYLAS (Highly Adaptable Satellite), built by ISRO on a commercial basis in partnership with EADS-Astrium of Europe, by Ariane-5 V198 from Kourou French Guiana (November 27, 2010).
PSLV-C15 successfully launches Five Satellites - CARTOSAT-2B, ALSAT2A, two nanosatellites-NLS-6.1 & 6.2 and a pico-satellite- STUDSAT from

Sriharikota (July 12, 2010).

GSLV-D3 launched from Sriharikota (Apr 15, 2010). GSAT-4 satellite could

not be placed in orbit as flight testing of the Indigenous Cryogenic Stage in GSLV-D3 Mission was not successful.

PSLV-C14 successfully launches Seven Satellites - OCEANSAT-2, FourCUBESAT Satellites and Two RUBIN-9 from Sriharikota (Sept. 23,

2009).

PSLV-C12 successfully launches RISAT-2 and ANUSAT from Sriharikota

(April 20, 2009).

PSLV-C11 successfully launches CHANDRAYAAN-1 from Sriharikota

(October 22, 2008).

PSLV-C9 successfully launches CARTOSAT-2A, IMS-1 and 8 foreign nano

satellites from Sriharikota (April 28,2008).

PSLV-C10 successfully launches TECSAR satellite under a commercial

contract with Antrix Corporation (January 21, 2008).

Successful launch of GSLV (GSLV-F04) with INSAT-4CR on board from SDSC SHAR (September 2, 2007). ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C8, successfully launched Italian astronomical satellite, AGILE from Sriharikota (April 23, 2007). Successful launch of INSAT-4B by Ariane-5 from Kourou French Guyana, (March 12, 2007). Successful recovery of SRE-1 after manoeuvring it to reenter the earths atmosphere and descend over the Bay of Bengal about 140 km east of Sriharikota (January 22, 2007). ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C7 successfully launches four satellites - Indias CARTOSAT-2 and Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SRE-1) and Indonesias LAPAN-TUBSAT and Argentinas PEHUENSAT1(January 10, 2007).

Second operational flight of GSLV (GSLV-F02) from SDSC SHAR with INSAT-4C on board. (July 10, 2006). Satellite could not be placed in orbit.

Successful launch of INSAT-4A by Ariane from Kourou French Guyana,

(December 22, 2005).

ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C6, successfully launchedCARTOSAT-1 and HAMSAT satellites from Sriharikota(May 5, 2005).

The first operational flight of GSLV (GSLV-F01) successfully launchedEDUSAT from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota (September 20, 2004)

ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C5, successfully launchedRESOURCESAT-1(IRS-P6) satellite from Sriharikota(October 17, 2003). Successful launch of INSAT-3E by Ariane from Kourou French Guyana, (September 28, 2003). The Second developmental launch of GSLV-D2 with GSAT-2on board from Sriharikota (May 8, 2003). Successful launch of INSAT-3A by Ariane from Kourou French Guyana, (April 10, 2003).

ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C4, successfully launchedKALPANA-1 satellite from Sriharikota(September 12, 2002). Successful launch of INSAT-3C by Ariane from Kourou French Guyana, (January 24, 2002).

ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C3,successfully launched three satellites -- Technology Experiment Satellite (TES) of ISRO, BIRDof Germany and PROBA of Belgium - into their intended orbits (October 22, 2001). The first developmental launch of GSLV-D1 with GSAT-1 on board from Sriharikota (April 18, 2001).

INSAT-3B, the first satellite in the third generation INSAT-3 series, launched

by Ariane from Kourou French Guyana, (March 22, 2000).

Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS-P4 (OCEANSAT), launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C2) along with Korean KITSAT-3 and German DLR-TUBSAT from Sriharikota (May 26, 1999).
INSAT-2E, the last satellite in the multipurpose INSAT-2 series, launched by

Ariane from Kourou French Guyana, (April 3, 1999).

INSAT system capacity augmented with the readiness of INSAT-2DTacquired from ARABSAT (January 1998).

INSAT-2D, fourth satellite in the INSAT series, launched (June 4, 1997).

Becomes inoperable on October 4, 1997. (An in-orbit satellite, ARABSAT-1C, since renamed INSAT-2DT, was acquired in November 1997 to partly augment the INSAT system). First operational launch of PSLV with IRS-1D on board (September 29, 1997). Satellite placed in orbit.

Third developmental launch of PSLV with IRS-P3, on board (March 21, 1996). Satellite placed in polar sunsynchronous orbit.

Launch of third operational Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS1C(December 28, 1995).
INSAT-2C, the third satellite in the INSAT-2 series, launched (December 7,

1995).

Second developmental launch of PSLV with IRS-P2, on board (October 15, 1994). Satellite successfully placed in Polar Sunsynchronous Orbit. Fourth developmental launch of ASLV with SROSS-C2, on board (May 4, 1994). Satellite placed in orbit.

First developmental launch of PSLV with IRS-1E on board (September 20, 1993). Satellite could not be placed in orbit.
INSAT-2B, the second satellite in the INSAT-2 series, launched (July 23,

1993).

INSAT-2A, the first satellite of the indigenously-built second-generation

INSAT series, launched (July 10, 1992). Third developmental launch of ASLV with SROSS-Con board (May 20, 1992). Satellite placed in orbit.

Second operational Remote Sensing satellite, IRS-1B, launched (August 29, 1991).

INSAT-1D launched (June 12, 1990).

INSAT-1C launched (July 21,1988). Abandoned in November 1989.

Second developmental launch of ASLV with SROSS-2 on board (July 13, 1988). Satellite could not be placed in orbit. Launch of first operational Indian Remote Sensing Satellite, IRS-1A (March 17, 1988).

First developmental launch of ASLV with SROSS-1 satellite on board (March 24, 1987). Satellite could not be placed in orbit.

Indo-Soviet manned space mission (April 1984).

INSAT-1B, launched (August 30, 1983).

Second developmental launch of SLV-3. RS-D2 placed in orbit (April 17, 1983).

INSAT-1A launched (April 10, 1982).

Deactivated on September 6, 1982.

Bhaskara-II launched (November 20, 1981). APPLE, an experimental geo-stationary communication satellite successfully

launched (June 19, 1981).

RS-D1 placed in orbit (May 31, 1981)

First developmental launch of SLV-3.

Second Experimental launch of SLV-3, Rohini satellite successfully placed in orbit. (July 18, 1980).

First Experimental launch of SLV-3 with Rohini Technology Payload on board (August 10, 1979). Satellite could not be placed in orbit.

Bhaskara-I, an experimental satellite for earth observations, launched (June

7, 1979).

Satellite Telecommunication Experiments Project (STEP) carried out.

Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) conducted.

ISRO First Indian Satellite, Aryabhata, launched (April 19, 1975). Becomes Government Organisation (April 1, 1975).

Air-borne remote sensing experiments.

Space Commission and Department of Space set up (June 1, 1972). ISRO brought under DOS.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) formed under Department of Atomic Energy (August 15, 1969).

TERLS dedicated to the United Nations (February 2, 1968).

Satellite Telecommunication Earth Station set up at Ahmedabad.

Space Science & Technology Centre (SSTC) established in Thumba.

First sounding rocket launched from TERLS (November 21, 1963).

Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) formed by the Department of Atomic Energy and work on establishing Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) started The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle,usually known by its abbreviation PSLV is the first operational launch vehicle of ISRO. PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites in 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit. In the standard configuration, it measures 44.4 m tall, with a lift off weight of 295 tonnes. PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage is one of the largest solid propellant boosters in the world and carries 139 tonnes of propellant. A cluster of six strap-ons attached to the first stage motor, four of which are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit.

The reliability rate of PSLV has been superb. There had been 19 continuously successful flights of PSLV, till October 2011 . With its variant configurations, PSLV has proved its multi-payload, multi-mission capability in a single launch and its geosynchronous launch capability. In the Chandrayaan-mission, another variant of PSLV with an extended version of strapon motors, PSOM-XL, the payload haul was enhanced to 1750 kg in 620 km SSPO. PSLV has rightfully earned the status of workhorse launch vehicle of ISRO.

Typical Parameters of PSLV

Lift-off weight 295 tonne
1600 kg in to 620 km Polar Orbit, 1060 kg in to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) 44 metre

Pay Load

Height

PSLV Milestones

PSLV-C19 launched RISAT-1 on April 26, 2012 (Successful) PSLV-C18 launched Megha-Tropiques, SRMSat, VesselSat-1 and Jugnu on October 12, 2011 (Successful) PSLV-C17 launched GSAT - 12 on July 15, 2011 (Successful) PSLV-C16 launched RESOURCESAT - 2, YOUTHSAT and X-SAT on April 20, 2011 (Successful) PSLV-C15 launched CARTOSAT-2B, ALSAT-2A, NLS 6.1 & 6.2 and STUDSAT on July 12, 2010 (Successful) PSLV-C14 launched Oceansat - 2 and Six Nanosatellites on September 23, 2009 (Successful) PSLV-C12 launched RISAT-2 and ANUSAT on April 20, 2009 (Successfully) PSLV-C11 launched CHANDRAYAAN-I, on October 22, 2008 (Successful) PSLV-C9 launched CARTOSAT-2A, IMS-1 and Eight nano-satellites on April 28, 2008 (Successful) PSLV-C10 launched TECSAR on January 23, 2008 (Successful) PSLV-C8 launched AGILE on April 23, 2007 (Successful) PSLV-C7 launched CARTOSAT-2, SRE-1, LAPAN-TUBSAT and PEHUENSAT-1 on January 10, 2007 (Successful) PSLV-C6 launched CARTOSAT-1 and HAMSAT on May 5, 2005 (Successful) PSLV-C5 launched RESOURCESAT-1(IRS-P6) on October 17, 2003 (Successful) PSLV-C4 launched KALPANA-1(METSAT) on September 12, 2002 (Successful) PSLV-C3 launched TES on October 22, 2001 (Successful) PSLV-C2 launched OCEANSAT(IRS-P4), KITSAT-3 and DLR-TUBSAT on May 26, 1999 (Successful)

PSLV-C1 launched IRS-1D on September 29, 1997 (Successful) PSLV-D3 launched IRS-P3 on March 21, 1996 (Successful) PSLV-D2 launched IRS-P2 on October 15, 1994 (Successful) PSLV-D1 launched IRS-1E on September 20, 1993 (Unsuccessful)

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle(GSLV)-Mark I&II ,is capable of placing INSATII class of satellites (2000 2,500 kg) into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). GSLV is a three stage vehicle GSLV is 49 m tall, with 414 t lift off weight. It has a maximum diameter of 3.4 m at the payload fairing. First stage comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-ons. Second stage (GS2) is liquid engine and the third stage (GS3) is a cryo stage. The vehicle develops a lift off thrust of 6573 kn. The first flight of GSLV took place from SHAR on April 18, 2001 by launching 1540 kg GSAT-1. It was followed by six more launches , GSLV-D2 on May 8, 2003 (GSAT-2 1825 kg), GSLV-F01 on September 20, 2004 (EDUSAT 1950 kg), GSLV-F02 on July 10, 2006, GSLV-F04 on September 2, 2007 (INSAT-4CR 2130 kg), GSLV-D3 on April 15, 2010 and GSLV-F06 on December 25, 2010.

Typical Parameters of GSLV

Lift-off weight 414 tonne Pay Load Height
2 to 2.5 Tonne in to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) 49 metre

GSLV Milestones

GSLV-F06 launched GSAT-5P on December 25, 2010 (Unsuccessful) GSLV-D3 launched GSAT-4 on April 15, 2010 (Unsuccessful) GSLV-F04 launched INSAT-4CR on September 2, 2007 (Successful) GSLV-F02 launched INSAT-4C on July 10, 2006 (Unsuccessful) GSLV-F01 launched EDUSAT(GSAT-3) on September 20, 2004 (Successful) GSLV-D2 launched GSAT-2 on May 8, 2003 (Successful) GSLV-D1 launched GSAT-1 on April 18, 2001 (Successful)

Formative years

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian Space Program.

Modern space research in India is most visibly traced to the activities of scientist S. K. Mitra who conducted a series of experiments leading to the sounding of the ionosphere by application of ground based radio methods in 1920's Calcutta.[2] Later, Indian scientists like C.V. Raman and Meghnad Saha contributed to scientific principles applicable in space sciences.[2] However, it was the period after 1945 which saw important developments being made in coordinated space research in India.[2] Organized space research in India was spearheaded by two scientists: Vikram Sarabhaifounder of the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabadand Homi Bhabha, who had played a role in the establishment of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1945.[2] Initial experiments in space sciences included the study of cosmic radiation, high altitude and airborne testing of instruments, deep underground experimentation at the Kolar minesone of the deepest mining sites in the world and studies of the upper atmosphere.[3] Studies were carried out at research laboratories, universities, and independent locations.[3][4]

Government support became visible by 1950 when the Department of Atomic Energy was founded with Homi Bhabha as secretary.[4] The Department of Atomic Energy provided funding for space research throughout India.[5] Tests on the Earth's magnetic fieldstudied in India since the establishment of the observatory at Colaba in 1823 and aspects of meteorology continued to yield valuable information and in 1954, Uttar Pradesh state observatory was established at the foothills of the Himalayas.[4] The Rangpur Observatory was set up in 1957 at Osmania University, Hyderabad.[4] Both these facilities enjoyed the technical support and scientific cooperation of the United States of America.[4] Space research was further encouraged by the technically inclinedprime minister of IndiaJawaharlal Nehru.[5] In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched the Sputnik and opened up possibilities for the rest of the world to conduct a space launch.[5] The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was found in 1962 with Vikram Sarabhai as its chairman.[5] Beginning in the 1960s, close ties with the Soviet Union enabled ISRO rapidly to develop the Indian space program and advance nuclear power in India even after the first nuclear test explosion by India on 18 May 1974 at Pokhran.[6] The death of Homi Bhabha in an air crash on 24 January 1966 came as a blow to the Indian space program.[7] Following Bhabha's passing, Sarabhai was sent to assume Bhabha's place as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy.[7] The 1960s also saw the founding of the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC), Experimental Satellite Communication Earth Station (ESCES, 1967), the Sriharikota base, and the Indian Satellite System Project (ISSP).[7] The Indian Space Research Organization in its modern form was created by Vikram Sarabhai in 1969.[7] This body was to take control of all space activities in the Republic of India.[7]
[

edit]Goals and objectives

The prime objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks.[8] The Indian space program was driven by the vision of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, considered the father of Indian Space Programme.[9] As stated by him:

There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of [8] man and society.

As also pointed out by Dr APJ Kalam:

Many individuals with myopic vision questioned the relevance of space activities in a newly independent nation, which was finding it difficult to feed its population. Their vision was clear if Indians were to play meaningful role in the community of nations, they must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to their real-life problems. They had no intention of [10] using it as a mean to display our might.

India's economic progress has made its space program more visible and active as the country aims for greater self-reliance in space technology.[11] Hennock etc. hold that India also connects space exploration to national prestige, further stating: "This year India has launched 11 satellites, including nine from other countriesand it became the first nation to launch satellites on one rocket."[11]Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.
[

edit]Launch vehicle fleet

Comparison of Indian carrier rockets. Left to right: SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, GSLV III.

Geopolitical and economic considerations during the 1960s and 1970s compelled India to initiate its own launch vehicle program. During the first phase (1960s-1970s) the country successfully developed a sounding rockets program, and by the 1980s, research had yielded the Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 and the more advanced Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), complete with operational supporting infrastructure.[12] ISRO further applied its energies to the advancement of launch vehicle technology resulting in the creation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) technologies.
[edit]Satellite

Launch Vehicle (SLV)

Main article: Satellite Launch Vehicle Status: Decommissioned The Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation SLV or SLV-3 was a 4-stage solid-fuel light launcher. It was intended to reach a height of 500 km and carry a payload of 40 kg.[13] Its first launch took place in 1979 with 2 more in each subsequent year, and the final launch in 1983. Only two of its four test flights were successful.[14]
[edit]Augmented

Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV)

Main article: ASLV Status: Decommissioned The Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation ASLV was a 5-stage solid propellant rocket with the capability of placing a 150 kg satellite into LEO. This project was started by the ISRO during the early 1980s to develop technologies needed for a payload to be placed into a geostationary orbit. Its design was based on Satellite Launch Vehicle.[15] The first launch test was held in 1987, and after that 3 others followed in 1988, 1992 and 1994, out of which only 2 were successful, before it was decommissioned.[14]
[edit]Polar

Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

Main article: PSLV Status: Active

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that was, until the advent of the PSLV, commercially viable only from Russia. PSLV can also launch small satellites into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The reliability and versatility of the PSLV is proven by the fact that it has launched 30 spacecraft (14 Indian and 16 from other countries) into a variety of orbits so far.[16] In April 2008, it successfully launched 10 satellites at once, breaking a world record held by Russia.[17]
[edit]Geosynchronous

Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV)

Main article: GSLV Status: Active The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, usually known by its abbreviation GSLV, is an expendable launch system developed to enable India to launch its INSAT-type satellites into geostationary orbit and to make India less dependent on foreign rockets. At present, it is ISRO's heaviest satellite launch vehicle and is capable of putting a total payload of up to 5 tons to Low Earth Orbit. The vehicle is built by India with the cryogenic engine purchased from Russia while the ISRO develops its own engine program. In a setback for ISRO, the latest attempt to launch the GSLV, GSLV-F06 carrying GSAT-5P, failed on 25 December 2010. The initial evaluation implies that loss of control for the strap-on boosters caused the rocket to veer from its intended flight path, forcing a programmed detonation. Sixty-four seconds into the first stage of flight, the rocket began to break up due to the acute angle of attack. The body housing the 3rd stage, the cryogenic stage, incurred structural damage, forcing the range safety team to initiate a programmed detonation of the rocket.[18]

[edit]Geosynchronous

Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III

(GSLV III)

Main article: GSLV III Status: Development The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III is a launch vehicle currently under development by the Indian Space Research Organization. It is intended to launch heavy satellites intogeostationary orbit, and will allow India to become less dependent on foreign rockets for heavy lifting. The rocket is the technological successor to the GSLV, however is not derived from its predecessor. The maiden flight is scheduled to take place in 2012.[19]
[

edit]Earth observation and communication

satellites

INSAT-1B.

India's first satellite, the Aryabhata, was launched by the Soviets in 1975. This was followed by the Rohini series of experimental satellites which were built and launched indigenously. At present, ISRO operates a large number of earth observation satellites.
[edit]The

INSAT series

Main article: Indian National Satellite System

INSAT (Indian National Satellite System) is a series of multipurpose geostationary satellites launched by ISRO to satisfy the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology and search-and-rescue needs of India. Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is the largest domestic communication system in the Asia-Pacific Region. It is a joint venture of the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, India Meteorological Department, All India Radio andDoordarshan. The overall coordination and management of INSAT system rests with the Secretary-level INSAT Coordination Committee.
[edit]The

IRS series

Main article: Indian Remote Sensing satellite Indian Remote Sensing satellites (IRS) are a series of earth observation satellites, built, launched and maintained by ISRO. The IRS series provides remote sensing services to the country. The Indian Remote Sensing Satellite system is the largest constellation of remote sensing satellites for civilian use in operation today in the world. All the satellites are placed in polar sun-synchronous orbit and provide data in a variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions to enable several programs to be undertaken relevant to national development. Another Indian Remote Sensing series satellites called the Oceansat are developed primarily to study the ocean. IRS-P4 also known as the Oceansat-1, was launched on 27 May 1999. On 23 September 2009 Oceansat-2 was launched.
[edit]Other

satellites

ISRO has also launched a set of experimental geostationary satellites known as the GSAT series. Kalpana-1, ISRO's first dedicated meteorological satellite,[20] was launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 12

September 2002.[21] The satellite was originally known as MetSat-1.[22] In February 2003 it was renamed to Kalpana-1 by the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in memory of Kalpana Chawla a NASA astronaut of Indian origin who perished in Space Shuttle Columbia.
[

edit]Extraterrestrial exploration

India's first mission beyond Earth's orbit was Chandrayaan-1, a lunar spacecraft which successfully entered the lunar orbit on 8 November 2008. ISRO plans to follow up Chandrayaan-1 withChandrayaan-2 and unmanned missions to Mars and Near-Earth objects such as asteroids and comets.
[edit]Lunar

exploration

Main article: Chandrayaan-1 Chandrayaan-1 (Sanskrit: -) is India's first

mission to the moon. The unmanned lunar exploration mission includes a lunar orbiter and an impactor called the Moon Impact Probe. India launched the spacecraft using a modified version of the PSLV is C11 on 22 October 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The vehicle was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008. It carries high-resolution remote sensing equipment for visible, near infrared, and soft and hard X-ray frequencies. Over its two-year operational period, it is intended to survey the lunar surface to produce a complete map of its chemical characteristics and 3-dimensional topography. The polar regions are of special interest, as they might contain ice. The lunar mission carries five ISRO payloads and six payloads from other international space agencies including NASA, ESA, and the Bulgarian Aerospace Agency, which were carried free of cost. The Chandrayaan-1 along with

NASA's LRO played a major role in discovering the existence of water on the moon.[23]
[edit]Planetary

exploration

The Indian Space Research Organisation had begun preparations for a mission to Mars and had received seed money of 10 crore from the government.The space agency was looking at launch opportunities between 2013 and 2015.[24] The space agency would use its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) to put the satellite in orbit and was considering using ion-thrusters, liquid engines or nuclear power to propel it further towards Mars.[25] The Mars mission studies had already been completed and that space scientists were trying to collect scientific proposals and scientific objectives.[26]
[

edit]Human spaceflight program

Indian Navy Frogmen recovering the SRE-1

Main article: Indian human spaceflight program The Indian Space Research Organization has been sanctioned a budget of 12,400 crore (US$2.75

billion) for its human spaceflight program.[27] According to the Space Commission which passed the budget, an unmanned flight will be launched in 2013[28] and manned mission will launch in 2016.[29] If realized in the stated timeframe, India will become only the fourth nation, after the USSR, USA and China, to successfully carry out manned missions indigenously.
[edit]Technology

demonstration

The Space Capsule Recovery Experiment (SCRE or more commonly SRE or SRE-1)[30] is an experimental Indian spacecraft which was launched using thePSLV C7 rocket, along with three other satellites. It remained in orbit for 12 days before reentering the Earth's atmosphere and splashing down into the Bay of Bengal.[31] The SRE-1 was designed to demonstrate the capability to recover an orbiting space capsule, and the technology for performing experiments in the microgravity conditions of an orbiting platform. It was also intended to test thermal protection, navigation, guidance, control, deceleration and flotation systems, as well as study hypersonic aerothermodynamics, management of communication blackouts, and recovery operations. ISRO also plans to launch SRE-2 and SRE-3 in the near future to test advanced re-entry technology for future manned missions.[32]
[edit]Astronaut

training and other facilities

ISRO will set up an astronaut training centre in Bangalore by 2012 to prepare personnel for flights on board the crewed vehicle. The centre will use water simulation to train the selected astronauts in rescue and recovery operations and survival in zero gravity, and will undertake studies of the radiation environment of space.

ISRO will build centrifuges to prepare astronauts for the acceleration phase of the mission. It also plans to build a new Launch pad to meet the target of launching a manned space mission by 2015. This would be the third launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
[edit]Development

of crew vehicle

Main article: ISRO Orbital Vehicle The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working towards a maiden manned Indian space mission vehicle that can carry three astronauts for seven days in a near earth orbit. The Indian manned spacecraft temporarily named as Orbital Vehicle intend to be the basis of indigenous Indian human spaceflight program. The capsule will be designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with a rendezvous and docking capability. In its maiden manned mission, ISRO's largely autonomous 3-ton capsule will orbit the Earth at 248 miles (400 km) in altitude for up to seven days with a two-person crew on board. The crew vehicle would launch atop of ISRO's GSLV Mk II, currently under development. The GSLV Mk II features an indigenously developed cryogenic upper-stage engine.[33] The first test of the cryogenic engine, held on 15 April 2010, failed as the cryogenic phase did not perform as expected and rocket deviated from the planned trajectory.[34] A future launch has been scheduled for 2011. If successful then ISRO will become the sixth entity, after United States, Russia, China, Japan and Europe, to develop this technology.
[

edit]Planetary sciences and astronomy

Indian space era dawned when the first two-stage sounding rocket was launched from Thumba in

1963. Even before this, noteworthy contributions were made by the Indian scientists in the following areas of space science research:

Cosmic rays and high energy astronomy using both ground based as well as balloon borne experiments/studies such as neutron/meson monitors, Geiger Muller particle detectors/counters etc. Ionospheric research using ground based radio propagation techniques such as ionosonde, VLF/HF/VHF radio probing, a chain of magnetometer stations etc. Upper atmospheric research using ground based optical techniques such as Dobson spectrometers for measurement of total ozone content, air glow photometers etc. Indian astronomers have been carrying out major investigations using a number of ground based optical and radio telescopes with varying sophistication.

With the advent of the Indian space program, emphasis was laid on indigenous, self-reliant and state-of-the-art development of technology for immediate practical applications in the fields of space science research activities in the country. There is a national balloon launching facility at Hyderabad jointly supported by TIFR and ISRO. This facility has been extensively used for carrying out research in high energy (i.e., X- and gamma ray) astronomy, IR astronomy, middle atmospheric trace constituents including CFCs & aerosols, ionisation, electric conductivity and electric fields. The flux of secondary particles and X-ray and gamma-rays of atmospheric origin produced by the interaction of the cosmic rays is very low. This low background, in the presence of which one has to

detect the feeble signal from cosmic sources is a major advantage in conducting hard X-ray observations from India. The second advantage is that many bright sources like Cyg X-1, Crab Nebula,Scorpius X-1 and Galactic Centre sources are observable from Hyderabad due to their favourable declination. With these considerations, an X-ray astronomy group was formed at TIFR in 1967 and development of an instrument with an orientable X-ray telescope for hard X-ray observations was undertaken. The first balloon flight with the new instrument was made on 28 April 1968 in which observations of Scorpius X-1 were successfully carried out. In a succession of balloon flights made with this instrument between 1968 and 1974 a number of binary X-ray sources including Scorpius X-1,Cyg X-1, Her X-1 etc. and the diffuse cosmic X-ray background were studied. Many new and astrophysically important results were obtained from these observations.[35] One of most important achievements of ISRO in this field was the discovery of three species of bacteria in the upper stratosphere at an altitude of between 2040 km. The bacteria, highly resistant toultra-violet radiation, are not found elsewhere on Earth, leading to speculation on whether they are extraterrestrial in origin. These three bacteria can be considered to be extremophiles. Until then, the upper stratosphere was believed to be inhospitable because of the high doses of ultra-violet radiation. The bacteria were named as Bacillus isronensis in recognition of ISRO's contribution in the balloon experiments, which led to its discovery, Bacillus aryabhata after India's celebrated ancient astronomer Aryabhata and Janibacter Hoylei after the distinguished astrophysicist Fred Hoyle.[36]
[

edit]Facilities

ISRO's headquarters is located at Antariksh Bhavan in Bangalore.

[edit]Research Facility

facilities
Description

Location

Physical Research Laboratory

Solar planetary physics, infrared astronomy, geocosmo physics, plasma physics, astrophysics, archaeology,

Ahmedabad and hydrology are some of the branches of study

at this institute. institution.
[37] [37]

An observatory

at Udaipur also falls under the control of this

SemiConductor Laboratory

Research & Development in the field of semiconductor technology, microChandigarh electromechanical systems and process technologies relating to semiconductor processing.

National Atmospheric Chittoor Research Laboratory

The NARL carries out fundamental and applied research in Atmospheric and Space Sciences.

Raman Research Institute (RRI)

Bangalore

RRI carries out research in selected areas of physics, such as astrophysics and astronomy.

The SAC deals with the various aspects of practical [37] use of space technology. Among the fields of research at the SAC aregeodesy, satellite based Space Applications Ahmedabad telecommunications, surveying, remote sensing, meteorology, environment monitoring Centre etc.
[37]

The SEC additionally operates the Delhi

[38]

Earth Station.

North EasternSpace Shillong Applications Center [edit]Test Facility

Providing developmental support to North East by undertaking specific application projects using remote sensing, GIS, satellite communication and conducting space science research.

facilities
Location Description

Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre

Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, andNagercoil

The LPSC handles testing and implementation of liquid propulsion control packages and helps develop engines for launch vehicles and [37] satellites. The testing is largely conducted at Mahendragiri.
[37]

The LPSC
[39]

also constructs precision transducers. [edit]Construction Facility

and launch facilities

Description

Location

ISRO Satellite Centre

Bangalore

The venue of eight successful spacecraft projects is also one of the main satellite technology bases of ISRO. The facility serves as a venue for implementing [37] indigenous spacecrafts in India. The satellites Ayrabhata, Bhaskara, APPLE, and IRS-1A were constructed at this site, and the IRS and INSAT satellite series are [39] presently under development here.

Satish Dhawan Space Centre

Andhra Pradesh

With multiple sub-sites the Sriharikota island facility acts as a launching site for [37] India's satellites. The Sriharikota facility is also the main launch base for India's [39] sounding rockets. The centre is also home to India's largest Solid Propellant Space Booster Plant (SPROB) and houses the Static Test and Evaluation Complex [39] (STEX).

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

The largest ISRO base is also the main technical centre and the venue of development of the SLV-3, ASLV,

Thiruvananthapuram

and PSLV series.

[37]

The base supports

India's Thumba Equatorial Rocket

Launching Station and the Rohini Sounding Rocket program.[37] This facility [37] is also developing the GSLV series.

Thumba Equatorial Rocket Thumba Launching Station

[edit]Tracking Facility

TERLS is used to launch sounding rockets.

and control facilities

Location Description

Indian Deep Space Network Bangalore (IDSN)

This network receives, processes, archives and distributes the spacecraft health data and payload data in real time. It can track and monitor satellites up to very large distances, even beyond the Moon.

National Remote Hyderabad Sensing Centre

The NRSC applies remote sensing to manage natural resources and study [37] aerial surveying. With centres at Balanagar andShadnagar it also has training facilities at Dehradun in form of the Indian Institute of Remote

Sensing.[37]

Indian Space Research Organisation Telemetry, Tracking and Command

Bangalore (headquarters) and a number of ground stations throughout India [38] and World.

Software development, ground

operations, Tracking Telemetry and Command (TTC), and support is provided [37] by this institution. ISTRAC has Tracking stations throughout the country and all over the world in Port Louis (Mauritius), Bearslake (Russia), Biak(Indonesia)

Network

and Brunei.

Master Control Hassan; Bhopal Facility

Geostationary satellite orbit raising, payload testing, and in-orbit operations [40] are performed at this facility. The MCF has earth stations and Satellite Control Centre (SCC) for controlling [40] satellites. A second MCF-like facility named 'MCF-B' is being constructed at [40] Bhopal.

[edit]Human Facility

resource development
Location Description

Indian Institute of Remote Dehradun Sensing(IIRS)

Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) under National Remote Sensing Centre, Department of Space, Govt. of India is a premier training and educational institute set up for developing trained professional in the field of Remote Sensing, Geoinformatics and GPS Technology for Natural Resources, Environmental and Disaster Management.

Indian Institute The institute offers undergraduate of Space and graduate courses in Aerospace Science and Thiruvananthapuram engineering, Avionics and Physical Technology Sciences. (IIST)

Indian Institute of Astrophysics Bangalore (IIA)

IIA is a premier institute devoted to research in astronomy, astrophysics and related physics.

Development and Educational Ahmedabad Communication Unit

The centre works for education, research, and training, mainly in conjunction with [37] the INSAT program. The main activities carried out at DECU include

GRAMSAT [39] and EDUSAT projects. The Training and Development Communication Channel (TDCC) also falls under the [38] operational control of the DECU. [edit]Commercial Facility

wing
Description

Location

Antrix Corporation

Bangalore

The marketing agency under government control markets ISRO's hardware, manpower, [40] and software.

Other facilities include: Balasore Rocket Launching Station (BRLS) Orissa INSAT Master Control Facility (IMCF) Bhopal ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU) Thiruvananthapuram Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) Aerospace Command of India (ACI) Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) Indian Department of Space (IDS) Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC) Spacecraft Control Centre (SCC) Regional Remote Sensing Service Centres (RRSSC) Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) [edit]Vision for the future

A model of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle III.

A model of the RLV-TD

ISRO plans to launch a number of new-generation Earth Observation Satellites in the near future. It will also undertake the development of new launch vehicles and spacecraft. ISRO has stated that it will send unmanned missions to Mars and Near-Earth Objects.

Forthcoming Satellites
Satellite Name Details

Resourcesat-2 is a follow on mission to Resourcesat-1 to provide data continuity and planned to be launched by PSLV-C16 during RESOURCESAT- January 2011. Compared to Resourcesat-1, LISS-4 multispectral 2 swath has been enhanced from 23 km to 70 km based on user needs. Suitable changes including miniaturisation in payload electronics have been incorporated in Resourcesat-2.

Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) is a microwave remote sensing satellite carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) RISAT - 1 The satellite weighing around 1850 kg is in the final stages of development for a launch in 2011 into a 536 km orbit with 25 days repetitivity with an added advantage of 12 days inner cycle for Coarse Resolution ScanSAR mode. ISRO and French National Space Centre (CNES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2004-05 for the development and implementation of Megha-Tropiques (Megha meaning cloud in Sanskrit and Tropiques meaning tropics in French). The launch of Megha-Tropiques is planned during mid 2011.Megha-Tropiques is aimed at understanding the life cycle of convective systems and to their role in the associated energy and moisture budget of the atmosphere in the tropical regions. The satellite will carry an Imaging Radiometer Microwave Analysis and Detection of Rain and Atmospheric Structures (MADRAS), a six channel Humidity Sounder (SAPHIR), a four channel Scanner for Radiation Budget Measurement (SCARAB) and GPS Radio Occultation System (GPS-ROS). INSAT-3D is a meteorological satellite, planned to be launched on-board GSLV in 2011. The satellite has many new technology elements like star sensor, micro stepping Solar Array Drive Assembly (SADA) to reduce the spacecraft disturbances and Bus Management Unit (BMU) for control and telecomm and/telemetry function. It also incorporates new features of biannual rotation and Image and Mirror motion compensations for improved performance of the meteorological payloads. The Satellite for ARGOS and ALTIKA (SARAL) is a joint ISRO-CNES mission and planned to be launched during 2011. The Ka band altimeter, ALTIKA, provided by CNES payload consists of a Ka-

MeghaTropiques

INSAT - 3D

SARAL

band radar altimeter, operating at 35.75 GHz. A dual frequency total power type microwave radiometer (23.8 and 37 GHz) is embedded in the altimeter to correct tropospheric effects on the altimeter measurement. Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) on board enables precise determination of the orbit. A Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) helps to calibrate the precise orbit determination system and the altimeter system several times throughout the mission. ASTROSAT is a first dedicated Indian Astronomy satellite mission, which will enable multi-wavelength observations of the celestial bodies and cosmic sources in X-ray and UV spectral bands simultaneously. The scientific payloads cover the Visible (3500-6000 ), UV (1300-3000 ), soft and hard X-ray regimes (0.5-8 keV; 3-80 keV). The uniqueness of ASTROSAT lies in its wide spectral coverage extending over visible, UV, soft and hard X-ray regions. Configured as an exclusive C-band communication satellite, GSAT-5P/INSAT-4D will carry 24 normal C-band transponders and 12 extended C-band transponders with wider coverage in uplink and downlink over Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe as well as zonal coverage with a minimum of 35 dBW EIRP. The spacecraft has a mission life of 12 years and planned to be launched on board GSLV-F06. The primary goal of GSAT-6/INSAT-4E, which is a Multimedia broadcast satellite, is to cater to the consumer requirements of providing entertainment and information services to vehicles through Digital Multimedia consoles and to the Multimedia mobile Phones. The satellite carries a 5 spot beam BSS and 5 spot beam MSS. It will be positioned at 83 East longitude with a mission life of 12 years. The launch is planned on-board GSLV during 2011. GSAT-7/INSAT-4F is a multi-band satellite carrying payloads in UHF, S-band, C-band and Ku-band. It is planned to be launched during 2011 on board GSLV and positioned at 74 East. The satellite weighs 2330 kg with a payload power of 2000W and mission life of 9 years. GSAT-8/INSAT-4G is a Ku-band satellite carrying 18 Ku band transponders. It will also carry a GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload and planned to be launched during 2011 with a mission life of 12 years and positioned at 55 E longitude. This I-3K satellite with a lift-off mass of 3150 kg and a payload power of 5300W will be launched on board ARIANE-5.

ASTROSAT

GSAT-5P

GSAT-6 / INSAT-4E

GSAT-7 / INSAT-4F

GSAT-8 / INSAT-4G

GSAT-12

GSAT-12 is being realised as replacement INSAT-3B. The satellite will carry 12 Extended C-band transponders and will be positioned at 83 East longitude with a mission life of 7 years. The bus system is based on I-1K platform with ASIC based BMU and 64 Ah Li-ion batteries. The satellite weighs 1375 kg with a payload power of 550W and launch is planned on board PSLV during 2011. GSAT-9 will carry 6 C band and 24 Ku band transponders with India coverage beam. The satellite is planned to be launched during 2011-12 with a mission life of 12 years and positioned at 48 East longitude. This I-2K satellite has a liftoff mass of 2330 kg and payload power of 2300 W. GSAT-I0 will carry 12 Normal C-band, 12 Extended C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders. It will also carry GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload. The satellite is planned to be launched during 2011 with a mission life of 15 years and positioned at 83 East longitude. This I-3K satellite with liftoff mass of 3435 kg and payload power of 4500 W will be launched on board ARIANE-5. Realisation of subsystem for the next flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F06) carrying GSAT5P is in advanced stage. Due to technical snag in the first stage of GSLV-F06, launch failed.

GSAT-9

GSAT-10

GSLV-F06

[edit]Future

launches

PSLV-C16 Preparation for the next flight of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C16) carrying RESOURCESAT-2 is in advanced stage.[citation needed] The PSLV-C16 is expected be launched in First quarter of 2011.[who?]
[edit]Future

Launch Vehicle

GSLV-Mk III GSLV-Mk III is envisaged to launch four tonne satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit. GSLVMk III is a three-stage vehicle with a 110 tonne core liquid propellant stage (L-110) and a strap-on stage with two solid propellant motors, each with 200 tonne propellant (S-200). The upper stage will be cryogenic with a propellant loading of 25 tonne (C-

25). GSLV Mk-III will have a lift-off weight of about 626 tonne and will be 43.43 m tall. The payload fairing will have a diameter of 5 metre and a payload volume of 100 cubic metre. GSLV Mk III is planned to be launched during 2011-12. Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) As a first step towards realizing a Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) fully re-usable launch vehicle, a series of technology demonstration missions have been conceived. For this purpose a Winged Reusable Launch Vehicle technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) has been configured. The RLV-TD will act as a flying test bed to evaluate various technologies viz., hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, powered cruise flight and hypersonic flight using air breathing propulsion. First in the series of demonstration trials is the hypersonic flight experiment (HEX). Human Space Flight Mission Programme Proposal for a management plan for Human Spaceflight Programme (HSP) was prepared and pre-project activities were approved. The program envisages development of a fully autonomous orbital vehicle carrying two or three crew members to about 300 km low earth orbit and their safe return. It is planned to realise the programme in 2015-16 time frame.
[edit]Space

Science Missions

Space Capsule Recovery Experiment II The main objective of SRE II is to realize a fully recoverable capsule and provide a platform to conduct microgravity experiments on Micro-biology, Agriculture, Powder Metallurgy, etc. SRE-2 is proposed to be launched on board PSLV-C19 in of 2010 - 11.

Chandrayaan-2 Chandrayaan-2 mission is planned to have an orbiter/lander/rover configuration. The mission is expected to be realised by 2012 - 13. The science goals of the mission is to further improve our understanding of origin and evolution of the Moon using instruments on board Orbiter and in-situ analysis of lunar samples and studies of lunar regolith properties (remote & direct analysis) using Robots/Rovers. Aditya (spacecraft) The First Indian space based Solar Coronagraph to study solar Corona in visible and near IR bands. Launch of the Aditya mission is planned during the next high solar activity period ~ 2012. The main objectives is to study the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and consequently the crucial physical parameters for space weather such as the coronal magnetic field structures, evolution of the coronal magnetic field etc. This will provide completely new information on the velocity fields and their variability in the inner corona having an important bearing on the unsolved problem of heating of the corona would be obtained.
[edit]Youthsat

Youthsat is a participatory scientific mission with payloads from both Russia and India. It would be carrying three scientific payloads one from Russia and two from India.[41] It is a micro satellite carrying scientific payloads with participation from universities at graduate, postgraduate and research scholar level and would participate from testing of the payloads in laboratory to the utilisation of the data from payloads. Participation of young scientists will inculcate interest in space related activities and provide opportunities for realisation of future scientific payloads at the university level. YOUTHSAT is scheduled to be launched as

auxiliary satellite along with Indian remote sensing satellite during 2010 with an orbital altitude of 630 km at an inclination of 97.9.
[edit]Satellite

Navigation

GAGAN The Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to implement an indigenous Satellite-Based Regional GPS Augmentation System also known as SpaceBased Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of the Satellite-Based Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)/Air Traffic Management (ATM) plan for civil aviation. The Indian SBAS system has been given an acronym GAGAN - GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation. A national plan for satellite navigation including implementation of Technology Demonstration System (TDS) over the Indian air space as a proof of concept has been prepared jointly by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and ISRO. TDS was successfully completed during 2007 by installing eight Indian Reference Stations (INRESs) at eight Indian airports and linked to the Master Control Center (MCC) located near Bangalore. The first GAGAN navigation payload has been fabricated and it was proposed to be flown on GSAT-4 during Apr 2010. However, GSAT-4 was not placed in orbit as GSLV-D3 could not complete the mission. Two more GAGAN payloads will be subsequently flown, one each on two geostationary satellites, GSAT-8 and GSAT-10.
[edit]Lunar

exploration program

Following the success of Chandrayaan-1, the country's first moon mission, ISRO is planning a series of further lunar missions in the next decade, including a manned mission which is stated to take place in 2020 approximately the

same time as the China National Space Administration (CNSA) manned lunar mission and NASA's Project Constellation plans to return to the moon with its Orion-Altair project.[citation
needed]

Chandrayaan-2 (Sanskrit:

-) is the

second unmanned lunar exploration mission proposed by ISRO at a projected cost of 425 crore (US$ 90 million). The mission includes a lunar orbiter as well as a lander/rover. The wheeled rover will move on the lunar surface and pick up soil or rock samples for on-site chemical analysis. The data will be sent to Earth via the orbiter[citation needed]
[edit]Space

exploration

ISRO plans to carry out an unmanned mission to Mars in this decade. According to ISRO, the Mars mission remains at a conceptual stage but is expected to be finalised shortly. The current version of India's geo-synchronous satellite launch vehicle will be used to loft the new craft into space.[42] ISRO is designing a solar probe named Aditya. This is a mini-satellite designed to study the coupling between the sun and the earth. It is planned to be launched in 2012.[citation needed]

[edit]IRNSS

Main article: IRNSS The Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system being developed by Indian Space Research Organisation which would be under total control of Indian government. The requirement of such a navigation system is driven by the fact that access to Global Navigation Satellite Systems like GPS are not guaranteed in

hostile situations. ISRO plans to launch the constellation of satellites between 2010 and 2012.
[

edit]Applications

India uses its satellites communication network one of the largest in the world for applications such as land management, water resources management, natural disaster forecasting, radio networking, weather forecasting, meteorological imaging and computer communication.[43] Business, administrative services, and schemes such as the National Informatics Centre (NICNET) are direct beneficiaries of applied satellite technology.[43] Dinshaw Mistryon the subject of practical applications of the Indian space programwrites: The INSAT-2 satellites also provide telephone links to remote areas; data transmission for organizations such as the National Stock Exchange; mobile satellite service communications for private operators, railways, and road transport; and broadcast satellite services, used by Indias state-owned television agency as well as commercial television channels. Indias EDUSAT (Educational Satellite), launched aboard the GSLV in 2004, was intended for adult literacy and distance learning applications in rural areas. It augmented and would eventually replace such capabilities already provided by INSAT-3B. The IRS satellites have found applications with the Indian Natural Resource Management program, with regional Remote Sensing Service Centers in five Indian cities, and with Remote Sensing Application Centers in twenty Indian states that use IRS images for economic development applications. These include environmental monitoring, analyzing soil erosion and the impact of

soil conservation measures, forestry management, determining land cover for wildlife sanctuaries, delineating groundwater potential zones, flood inundation mapping, drought monitoring, estimating crop acreage and deriving agricultural production estimates, fisheries monitoring, mining and geological applications such as surveying metal and mineral deposits, and urban planning. Indias satellites and satellite launch vehicles have had military spin-offs. While Indias 93124 mile (150250 km) range Prithvi missile is not derived from the Indian space program, the intermediate range Agni missile is drawn from the Indian space programs SLV-3. In its early years, when headed by Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan, ISRO opposed military applications for its dual-use projects such as the SLV-3. Eventually, however, the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) based missile program borrowed human resources and technology from ISRO. Missile scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (elected president of India in 2002), who had headed the SLV-3 project at ISRO, moved to DRDO to direct Indias missile program. About a dozen scientists accompanied Abdul Kalam from ISRO to DRDO, where Abdul Kalam designed the Agni missile using the SLV-3s solidfuel first stage and a liquid-fuel (Prithvi-missile-derived) second stage. The IRS and INSAT satellites were primarily intended and used for civilian-economic applications, but they also offered military spin-offs. In 1996 New Delhis Ministry of Defence temporarily blocked the use of IRS-1C by Indias environmental and agricultural ministries in order to monitor ballistic missiles near Indias borders. In 1997 the Indian air forces Airpower Doctrine aspired to use space assets for surveillance and battle management.[44]

Institutions like the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the Indian Institute of Technology use satellites for scholarly applications.[45] Between 1975 and 1976, India conducted its largest sociological program using space technology, reaching 2400 villages through video programming in local languages aimed at educational development via ATS-6 technology developed by NASA.[46] This experiment named Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE)conducted large scale video broadcasts resulting in significant improvement in rural education.[46] ISRO has applied its technology to "telemedicine", directly connecting patients in rural areas to medical professionals in urban locations via satellites.[45] Since high-quality healthcare is not universally available in some of the remote areas of India, the patients in remote areas are diagnosed and analyzed by doctors in urban centres in real time via video conferencing.[45] The patient is then advised medicine and treatment.[45] The patient is then treated by the staff at one of the 'superspecialty hospitals' under instructions from the doctor.[45] Mobile telemedicine vans are also deployed to visit locations in far-flung areas and provide diagnosis and support to patients.[45] ISRO has also helped implement India's Biodiversity Information System, completed in October 2002.[47] Nirupa Sen details the program: "Based on intensive field sampling and mapping using satellite remote sensing and geospatial modelling tools, maps have been made of vegetation cover on a 1 : 250,000 scale. This has been put together in a web-enabled database which links gene-level information of plant species with spatial information in a BIOSPEC database of the ecological hot spot regions,

namely northeastern India, Western Ghats, Western Himalayas and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This has been made possible with collaboration between the Department of Biotechnology and ISRO."[47] The Indian IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was equipped with high-resolution panchromatic equipment to enable it for cartographic purposes.[9] IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was followed by a more advanced model named IRS-P6 developed also for agricultural applications.[9] The CARTOSAT2 project, equipped with single panchromatic camera which supported scene-specific on-spot images, succeed the CARTOSAT-1 project.[48]
[

edit]Global cooperation

ISRO has had the benefit of International cooperation since inception.

Establishment of TERLS, conduct of SITE & STEP, launches of Aryabhata, Bhaskara, APPLE, IRS-IA and IRS-IB/ satellites, manned space mission, etc. involved international cooperation. ISRO operates LUT/MCC under the international COSPAS/SARSAT Programme for Search and Rescue. India has established a Center for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP) that is sponsored by the United Nations. India hosted the Second UN-ESCAP Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific in November 1999. India is a member of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Cospas-Sarsat, International

Astronautical Federation, Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), International Space University, and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellite (CEOS).[49] Chandrayaan-1 carried scientific payloads from NASA, ESA and the Bulgarian Space Agency. The Russian Space Agency is cooperating with India in developing the rover for Chandrayaan2 and also in the Indian manned mission. The United States on 24 January 2011, removed several Indian government defense-related companies, including ISRO, from the so-called Entity List, in an effort to drive hi-tech trade and forge closer strategic ties with India.[50]

ISRO and the Department of Space have signed formal Memorandum of Understanding agreements with a number of foreign political entities, including:

Australia Brazil China Canada Egypt France Germany Hungary Israel

Italy Japan Kazakhstan Netherlands Norway Russia Sweden Ukraine United Kingdom United States

European Union

India carries out joint operations with foreign space agencies, such as the Indo-French MeghaTropiques Mission.[49] On 25 June 2002 India and the European Union agreed to bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology.[51] A joint EUIndia group of scholars was formed on 23

November 2001 to further promote joint research and development.[51] India holds observer status at CERNwhile a joint India-EU Software Education and Development Center is due at Bangalore.[51]
[edit]

History

105mm light field gun prototype being shown by Gen Jetley to then Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 by amalagamating Defence Science Organisation and some of the technical development establishments. A separate Department of Defence Research and Development was formed in 1980 which later on administered DRDO and its 50 laboratories/establishments. Most of the time the Defence Research Development Organisation was treated as if it was a vendor and the Army Headquarters or the Air Headquarters were the customers. Because the Army and the Air Force themselves did not have any design or construction responsibility, they tended to treat the designer or Indian industry at par with their corresponding designer in the world market. If they could get a MiG 21 from the world market, they wanted a MiG 21 from DRDO.
[3]

DRDO started its first major project

in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo in 1960s. Indigo was discontinued in later years without achieving full success. Project Indigo led to Project Devil, along with Project Valiant, to develop short-range SAM and ICBM in the 1970s. Project Devil itself led to the later development of the Prithvi missile under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program(IGMDP) in the 1980s. IGMDP was an Indian Ministry of Defence program between the early 1980s and 2007 for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles, including the Agni missile, Prithvi ballistic missile, Akash missile, Trishul missile and Nag Missile. In 2010,then defence minister A.K. Antonyordered the restructing of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to give 'a major boost to defence research in the country and to ensure effective participation of the private sector in defence technology'.The key measures to make DRDO effective in its functioning include the establishment of a Defence Technology Commission with the defence minister as its chairman.
[4][5]

The programs which were largely managed by DRDO has seen considerable success

with many of the systems seeing rapid deployment as well as yielding significant technological benefits.
[6]

DRDO has many success since its establishment in developing other major systems and

critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW Systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems, missile systems. [edit]Projects

[edit]Aeronautics The DRDO is responsible for the ongoing Light Combat Aircraft. The LCA is intended to provide the Indian Air Force with a modern, fly by wire, multi-role fighter, as well as develop the aviation industry in India. The LCA program has allowed DRDO to progress substantially in field of avionics , flight control systems, aircraft propulsion and composite structures, along with aircraft design and development.
[7]

The DRDO provided key avionics for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI program under the "Vetrivel" program. Systems developed by DRDO include Radar warning receivers, radar and display Computers. DRDO's radar computers, manufactured by HAL are also being fitted into Malaysian Su-30s.

The DRDO is part of the Indian Air Force's upgrade programs for its MiG-27 and Sepecat Jaguar combat aircraft upgrades, along with the manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. DRDO and HAL have been responsible for the system design and integration of these upgrades, which combine indigenously developed systems along with imported ones. DRDO contributed

subsystems like Tarang Radar warning receiver, Tempest Jammer, Core Avionics Computers, Brake prachutes, Cockpit instrumentation and displays. [edit]Avionics The DRDO's avionics program has been a success story with its mission computers, radar warning receivers, high accuracy direction finding pods, airborne jammers, flight instrumentation, in use across a wide variety of Indian Air Force aircraft. The organization began developing these various items for its upgrades, and for the LCA project. Variants were then developed for other aircraft. The lead designer in several of these efforts has been DARE, or the Defence Avionics Research Establishment, DRDO's designated mission avionics laboratory. Other laboratories have also chipped in, from the radar specialist LRDE, to Electronic warfare focused DEAL to the ADE, which develops UAVs and flight control systems.

LCA uses DRDO developed avionics

The DRDO is also co-developing more advanced avionics for the Light Combat Aircraft and the IAF's combat fleet. These include a range of powerful Open Architecture computers, better Defensive avionics including modern RWR's, Self protection jammers, Missile approach warning systems and integrated defensive suites, Optronics systems (such as Infrared search and track systems) and navigational systems such as Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial navigational systems. Other items under development include digital Map generators, Helmet mounted displays and Smart multifunctional displays. [edit]Other Hindustan Aeronautics programs Apart from the aforementioned upgrades, DRDO has also assisted Hindustan Aeronautics with its programs. These include the HAL Dhruv helicopter and theHAL HJT-36. Over a hundred LRU (Line Replaceable Unit)'s in the HJT-36 have come directly from the LCA program. Other duties have included assisting the Indian Air Force with indigenization of spares and equipment. These include both mandatory as well as other items. [edit]Unmanned aerial vehicles

A scaled down model of the Rustom-1 MALE UAV

The DRDO has also developed two unmanned aerial vehicles- the Nishant (Midnight) tactical UAV and the Lakshya (Target) Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA).
[8]

The Lakshya PTA has been ordered by all

[9]

three services for their gunnery target training requirements. Efforts are on to develop the PTA further, with an improved all digital flight control system, and a better turbojet engine. The Nishant is a

hydraulically launched short ranged UAV for the tactical battle area. It is currently being evaluated by the Indian Navy and the Indian Paramilitary forces as well. The DRDO is also going ahead with its plans to develop a new class of UAVs. These draw upon the experience gained via the Nishant program, and will be substantially more capable. Referred to by the HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) and MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) designations.The MALE UAV has been tentatively named the Rustom,
[10]

and will feature canards and

carry a range of payloads, including optronic, radar, laser designators and ESM. The UAV will have conventional landing and take off capability. The HALE UAV will have features such as SATCOM links, allowing it to be commanded beyond line of sight. Other tentative plans speak of converting the LCA into a UCAV (unmanned combat aerial vehicle), and weaponizing UAVs. [edit]Indigenisation efforts DRDO has been responsible for the indigenization of key defence stores and equipment.
[11]

DRDO

has assisted Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and the IAF with the indigenization of spares and assemblies for several aircraft. DRDO laboratories have worked in coordination with academic institutes, the CSIR and even ISRO over projects required for the Indian Air Force and its sister services. DRDO's infrastructure is also utilized by other research organizations in India. [edit]Armaments DRDO often cooperates with the state owned Ordnance Factory Board for producing its items. These have led to issues of marginal quality control for some items, and time consuming rectification. Whilst these are common to the introduction of most new weapons systems, the OFB has had issues with maintaining the requisite schedule and quality of manufacture owing to their own structural problems and lack of modernisation. Criticism directed at the OFB is invariably used for the DRDO, since the users often make little distinction between the developer and the manufacturer.
[citation needed]

OFB has

got more access to funding in recent days, and this is believed to have helped the organization meet modern day requirements. Even so, India's state owned military apparatus meets the bulk of its ammunition. The DRDO has played a vital role in the development of this ability since the role of private organizations in the development of small arms and similar items has been limited. A significant point in case is the INSAS rifle which has been adopted by the Indian Army as its standard battle rifle and is in extensive service. There have been issues with rifle quality in usage under extreme conditions in the cold, the OFB has stated that it will rectify these troubles with higher grade material and strengthening the unit for extreme conditions. Prior troubles were also dealt with in a similar manner.
[13][14] [12]

In the meanwhile, the

rifle has found favour throughout the army formations and has been ordered in number by other paramilitary units and police forces.

In recent years, India's booming economy has allowed the OFB to modernise with more state funding coming its way, to the tune of US$400 million to be invested during 2002-07.
[15]

The organization

hopes that this will allow it to modernise it's infrastructure; it has also begun introducing new items, including a variant of the Ak-47 and reverse engineered versions of the Denel 14/20 mm anti-material rifles.
[16]

In the meanwhile, the DRDO has also forged partnerships with several private sector industrial partners, which have allowed it to leverage their strengths. Successful examples of this include the Pinaka MBRL, which has been assisted significantly by two private developers, Larsen and Toubro Ltd. as well as TATA, apart from several other small scale industrial manufacturers. The DRDO's various projects are as follows: [edit]Small arms

Insas Assault Rifle

The INSAS weapon system has become the standard battle rifle for the Indian Army and paramilitary units.
[17]

Bulk production of a LMG variant commenced in 1998.

[18]

It has since been

selected as the standard assault rifle of the Royal Army of Oman

In 2010, DRDO completed the development of Oleo-resin plastic hand grenades (partly derived from the potent Bhut Jholokia chilli found in north-east India), as a less lethal way to control rioters, better tear gas shells and short-range laser dazzlers.
[19]

[edit]Artillery systems and ammunition Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher: This system has seen significant success.This system saw the DRDO cooperate extensively with the privately owned industrial sector in India.
[20]

A new Long Range Tactical Rocket System, not yet publicly named. The DRDO has commenced a project to field a long range Tactical strike system, moving on from the successful Pinaka project. The aim is to develop a long range system able to strike at a range of 100120 km, with each rocket in the system, having a payload of up to 250 kg. The new MBRS's rocket will have a maximum speed of 4.7 mach and will rise to an altitude of 40 km, before hitting its target at 1.8 mach. There is also a move to put a guidance system on the rockets whilst keeping cost constraints in mind. The DRDO has acquired the IMI-Elisra developed trajectory control system and its technology, for use with the Pinaka, and a further development of the system could presumably be used with the new MBRL as well.
[21]

DRDO's ARDE developed 81 mm and the, illuminating shells

[24]

[22]

120 mm illuminating bombs

[23]

and 105 mm

for the Indian Army's infantry and Artillery.

A 51 mm Light Weight Infantry Platoon Mortar for the Indian Army. A man portable weapon, the 51 mm mortar achieves double the range of 2-inch (51 mm) mortar without any increase in weight. Its new HE bomb uses pre-fragmentation technology to achieve vastly improved lethality vis a vis a conventional bomb. Besides HE, a family of ammunition consisting of smoke, illuminating and practice bombs has also been developed. production at Ordnance Factories.
[26] [25]

The weapon system is under

Proximity fuses for missiles and artillery shells. Proximity fuses are used with artillery shells for "air bursts" against entrenched troops and in anti-aircraft and anti-missile roles as well.
[25]

Training devices: These include a mortar training device for the 81 mm mortar used by the infantry, a mortar training device for the 120 mm mortar used by the artillery, and a 0.50-inch (13 mm) subcalibre training device for 105 mm Vijayanta tank gun.
[25]

The Indian Field Gun, a 105 mm field gun was developed for the Indian Army and is in production.
[27]

This was a significant challenge for the OFB, and various issues were faced with its

manufacture including reliability issues and metallurgical problems. These were rectified over time.

Submerged Signal Ejector cartridges (SSE), limpet mines, short range anti-submarine rockets (with HE and practice warheads), the Indian Sea Mine which can be deployed against ships and submarines both. The DRDO also designed short and medium range ECM rockets which deploy chaff to decoy away anti-ship homing missiles. In a similar vein, they also developed a 3 in (76.2 mm) PFHE shell, prefragmented and with a proximity fuse,
[28]

for use against anti-ship

[25][29]

missiles and other targets, by the Navy. All these items are in production.

For the Indian Air Force, DRDO has developed Retarder Tail Units and fuze systems for the 450 kg bomb used by strike aircraft, 68 mm "Arrow" rockets (HE, Practice and HEAT) for rocket pods used in an air to ground and even air to air (if need be), a 450 kg high speed low drag (HSLD) bomb and practice bombs (which mimic different projectiles with the addition of suitable drag plates) and escape aid cartridges for Air Force aircraft. All these items are in production.
[25][29]

[edit]Tank armament DRDO's ARDE also developed other critical systems, such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank's 120 mm rifled main gun and is presently engaged inxx the development of the armament for the Future IFV, the "Abhay". The DRDO is also a member of the trials teams for the T-72 upgrade and its Fire control systems. Earlier on, the DRDO also upgraded the Vijayanta medium tank with new fire control computers. [edit]Electronics

and computer sciences & Laser Science & Technology

Centre
[edit]Electronic warfare [edit]EW systems for the Army is India's largest electronic warfare system. It is a land based EW project, consisting of 145 vehicles. The Samyukta consists of ESM and ECM stations for both communication and non-com (radar etc.) systems. The Indian Army has ordered that it's Signal Corps being a prime contributor in the design and development stage, along with the DRDO's DLRL. The scale of this venture is substantial- it comprises COMINT and ELINT stations which monitor different bands for both voice/ data as well as radar transmissions, as well as jam them. In contrast to other systems, many of which perform some of the functions of the Samyukta, the latter is an integrated system, which can perform the most critical battlefield EW tasks in both COM and Non-COM roles. The system will be the first of its type in terms of its magnitude and capability, in the Army. Its individual modules can also be operated independently. as Sauhard is under development.
[31] [30]

A follow on system known

The Safari IED suppression system for the army and paramilitary forces, plus the Sujav ESM system meant for high accuracy direction finding and jamming of communication transceivers.
[32]

[edit]EW systems for the Air Force

Radar warning receivers for the Indian Air Force of the Tarang (wave) series. These have been selected for most of the Indian Air Force's aircraft such as for the MiG-21 Upgrade (Bison Upgrade), MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, MiG- 27 Upgrade, Jaguar Upgrade as well as self protection upgrades for the transport fleet. The Tranquil RWR for MiG -23s (superseded by the Tarang project) and the Tempestjamming system for the Air Force's MiG's. The latest variant of the Tempest jamming system is capable of noise, barrage, as well as deception jamming as it makes use of DRFM. The DRDO has also developed a High Accuracy Direction Finding system (HADF) for the Indian Air Force's Su-30 MKIs which are fitted in the modular "Siva" pod capable of supersonic carriage.
[33]

This HADF pod is meant to cue Kh-31 Anti radiation missiles used by

the Su-30 MKI for SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences). DRDO stated in 2009 that its latest Radar Warning Receiver for the Indian Air Force, the R118, had gone into production. The R118 can also sensor fuse data from different sensors such as the aircraft radar, missile/laser warning systems and present the unified data on the multi-function display. The DRDO also noted that its new Radar Warner Jammer systems (RWJ) were at an advanced stage of development, and would be submitted for trials.The RWJ is capable of detecting all foreseen threats, and jamming multiple targets simultaneously. At the same time, another high accuracy ESM system is being developed by the DRDO for the AEW&C project. Other EW projects revealed by the DRDO include the MAWS project (a joint venture by the DRDO and EADS) which leverages EADS hardware and DRDO software to develop MAWS systems for transport, helicopter and fighter fleets. DRDO also has laser warning systems available. A DIRCM (Directed Infra Red Countermeasures) project to field a worldclass DIRCM system intended to protect aircraft from infra Red guided weapons. The DRDO is also developing an all new ESM project in cooperation with the Indian Air Force's Signals Intelligence Directorate, under the name of "Divya Drishti" (Divine Sight). Divya Drishti will field a range of static as well as mobile ESM stations that can "fingerprint" and track multiple airborne targets for mission analysis purposes. The system will be able to intercept a range of radio frequency emissions, whether radar, navigational, communication or electronic countermeasure signals. The various components of the project will be networked via SATCOM links. Additional DRDO EW projects delivered to the Indian Air Force have include the COIN A and COIN B SIGINT stations. DRDO and BEL developed ELINT equipment for the Indian Air Force, installed on the service's Boeing 737s and Hawker Siddeley Avro aircraft. DRDO has also developed a Radar Fingerprinting System for the IAF and the Navy. The Indian Air Force's

AEW&C systems currently being developed by the DRDO will also include a comprehensive ESM suite, capable of picking up both radars as well as conduct COMINT (Communications Intelligence). [edit]Radars The DRDO has steadily increased its radar development footprint across a range of systems. The result has been substantial progress in India's ability to design and manufacture high power radar systems of its own design and with locally manufactured components and systems. The path began with the development of short range 2D systems (Indra-1) and has now extended to high power 3D systems intended for strategic purposes (LRTR). Several other projects span the gamut of radar applications, from airborne surveillance (AEW & C) to firecontrol radars (land based, and airborne). The DRDO's productionised as well as production ready radar systems include: INDRA series of 2D radars meant for Army and Air Force use. This was the first high power radar developed by the DRDO, with the Indra -I radar for the Indian Army, followed by Indra Pulse Compression (PC) version for the Indian Air Force, also known as the Indra-II, which is a low level radar to search and track low flying cruise missiles, helicopters and aircraft. These are basically 2D radars which provide range, and azimuth information, and are meant to be used as gapfillers. The Indra 2 PC has pulse compression providing improved range resolution. The series are used both by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army
[34]

Rajendra fire control radar for the Akash SAM: The Rajendra is stated to be ready. However, it can be expected that further iterative improvements will nonetheless be made. The Rajendra is a high power, Passive electronically scanned array radar (PESA), with the ability able to guide up to 12 Akash SAMs against aircraft flying at low to medium altitudes. The Rajendra has a detection range of 8o km with 18 km height coverage against small fighter sized targets and is able to track 64 targets, engaging 4 simultaneously, with up to 3 missiles per target. The Rajendra features a fully digital high speed signal processing system with adaptive moving target indicator, coherent signal processing, FFTs, and variable pulse repetition frequency.The entire PESA antenna array can swivel 360 degrees on a rotating platform. This allows the radar antenna to be rapidly repositioned, and even conduct all round surveillance.
[35]

Central Acquisition Radar, a state of the art planar array, S Band radar operating on the stacked beam principle. With a range of 180 km against fighter sized targets, it can track while scan 200 of them. Its systems are integrated on high mobility, locally built TATRA trucks for the Army and Air Force; however it is meant to be used by all three services. The Planar array was codeveloped by DRDO with a European firm with both the DRDO and the firm sharing design rights, whereas the rest of the hardware and signal processing were done locally. Initially developed for the long running Akash SAM system, seven were ordered by the Indian Air Force for their radar modernization program, and two of another variant were ordered by the Indian Navy for their P-28

Corvettes. The CAR has been a significant success for radar development in India, with its state of the art signal processing hardware.
[36][37]

The ROHINI is the IAF specific variant while the

REVATHI is the Indian Navy specific variant. The ROHINI has a more advanced Indian developed antenna in terms of power handling and beamforming technology while the IREVATH adds two axis stabilisation for operation in naval conditions, as well as extra naval modes.

BFSR-SR

BFSR-SR, a 2D short range Battle Field Surveillance Radar, meant to be manportable.Designed and developed by LRDE, the project was a systematic example of concurrent engineering, with the production agency involved through the design and development stage. This enabled the design to be brought into production quickly.
[38][39]

The radar continues to progress further in terms

of integration, with newer variants being integrated with thermal imagers for visually tracking targets detected by the radar. Up to 10 BFSR-SR can be networked together for network centric operation.It is in use with the Indian Armyand the BSF as well as export customers. Super Vision-2000, an airborne 3D naval surveillance radar, meant for helicopters and light transport aircraft. The SV-2000 is a lightweight, yet high performance, slotted array radar operating in the X Band. It can detect sea-surface targets such as a periscope or a vessel, against heavy clutter, and can also be used for navigation, weather mapping and beacon detection. The radar can detect a large vessel at over 100 nautical miles (370 km).It is currently under modification to be fitted to the Advanced Light Helicopter, and the Navy's Do-228's. Variants can be fitted to the Navy's Ka-25's as well.
[40]

The radar has been inducted by the Indian

Navy and a more advanced variant of the Super Vision, known as the XV-2004 is now in production. The XV-2004 is also operational, and features an ISAR, SAR Capability.

Long Range Tracking Radar: The LRTR a 3D AESA was developed with assistance from Elta of Israel, and is similar to Elta's proven GreenPine long range Active Array radar. The DRDO developed the signal processing and software for tracking high speed ballistic missile targets as well as introduced more ruggedization. The radar uses mostly Indian designed and manufactured components such as its critical high power, L Band Transmit-Receive modules plus the other enabling technologies necessary for active phased array radars.The LRTR can track 200 targets and had a range of above 500 km and can detect Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles, and that India now had the capability to manufacture these radars on its own.The LRTR would be amongst the key elements of the Indian ABM system; DRDO would provide the technology to private and public manufacturers to make these high power systems.
[41]

3D Multi Function Control Radar: A substantial project by itself, the MFCR was developed as part of the Indian anti-ballistic missile program in cooperation with THALES of France. The MFCR is an active phased array radar and complements the Long Range Tracking Radar, for intercepting ballistic missiles. The MFCR will also serve as the fire control radar for the AAD second tier missile system of the ABM program. The AAD has a supplementary role against aircraft as well, and is to engage missiles and aircraft up to an altitude of 30 km. The MFCR fills out the final part of the DRDO's radar development spectrum, and allows India to manufacture long range 3D radars that can act as the nodes of an Air Defence Ground Environment system. As with the LRTR, the MFCR was used successfully in BMD interception effort.

2D Low Level Lightweight Radar (LLLR) for the Army, which require many of these units for gapfilling in mountainous terrain. The Indian Air Force will also acquire the same for key airbases. The LLLR is a 2D radar with a range of 40 km against a 2Sq Mtr target, intended as a gapfiller to plug detection gaps versus low level aircraft in an integrated Air Defence Ground network. The LLLR makes use of Indra-2 technology, namely a similar antenna array, but has roughly half the range and is much smaller and a far more portable unit. The LLLR can track while scan 100 targets and provide details about their speed, azimuth and range to the operator. The LLLR makes use of the BFSR-SR experience and many of the subsystem providers are the same. Multiple LLLRs can be networked together. The LLLR is meant to detect low level intruders, and will alert Army Air Defence fire control units to cue their weapon systems. revealed in 2008, with the designation "Aslesha".
[42]

A 3D LLLR was also

3D Short Range Radar for the Indian Air Force - ASLESHA: The ASLESHA radars have a range of approximately 50 km against small fighter-sized targets and will be able to determine their range, speed, azimuth and height. This radar will enable the Indian Air Force Air Defence units to accurately track low level intruders. The radar is a semi-active phased array with a 1 meter square aperture. The DRDO was in discussions with the Indian Navy to mount these systems on small ships.

Multi-mode radar,a 3D radar is a HAL project of which DRDO's LRDE is a subsystem provider, this project to develop an advanced, lightweight Multimode fire control radar for the LCA Tejas fighter, has faced stiff challenges and been struck by delay. It has now been completed with Elta's (Israel) assistance. The multimode radar is a greater than 100 km range (detection of a small fighter target), 10 target track, two target engage, lightweight system. It has been revealed that an all new combined signal and data processor had been developed, replacing the original separate units. The new unit is much more powerful and makes use of contemporary ADSP processors. The other radar critical hardware has also been developed and validated, however work remains on the software front. The software for the air to air mode has been developed considerably (including search and track while scan in both look up and look down modes) but air to ground modes are being still worked upon. The radar development was shown to be considerably more mature than previously thought. At Aero India 2009, it was revealed that the 3D MMR project has been superseded by the new 3D AESA FCR project led by LRDE. The MMR has been completed with Elta Israel's assistance and now involved Elta EL/M-2032 technology for Air to Ground mapping and targeting. This "hybrid" MMR has been trialled, validated and will be supplied for the initial LCA Tejas fighters of which 2 Squadrons have been ordered.

DRDO has indigenised components and improved subsystems of various other license produced radars manufactured at BEL, India, with the help of BEL scientists and other researchers. These improvements include new radar data processors for license produced Signaal radars as well as local radar assemblies replacing the earlier imported ones. Several of these items have better performance than the original systems that they replaced.

Apart from the above, the DRDO has also several other radar systems currently under development or in trials, these include: BEL Weapon Locating Radar:

A model of the BEL Weapon Locating Radar

A 3D radar successfully developed from the Rajendra fire control radar for the Akash system, this radar uses a passive electronically scanned array to detect multiple targets for fire correction and weapon location. The system has been developed and demonstrated to the Army and orders have been placed
[43]

In terms of performance, the WLR is stated to be superior to the AN/TPQ-37,

several of which were imported by India as an interim system while the WLR got ready. Active Phased Array radar: a 3D radar for fighters, a MMR follow on, the APAR project aims to field a fully fledged operational AESA fire control radar for the expected Mark-2 version of the Light Combat Aircraft. This will be the second airborne AESA program after the AEW&C project and intends to transfer the success DRDO has achieved in the Ground based radar segment to airborne systems.The overall airborne APAR program aims to prevent this technology gap from developing, with a broad based program to bring DRDO up to par with international developers in airborne systems:both fire control and surveillance. Synthetic Aperture & Inverse Synthetic Aperture radars: the DRDO's LRDE is currently working on both SAR and ISAR radars for target detection and classification. These lightweight payloads are intended for both conventional fixed wing, as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle applications. Airborne Warning and Control: a new radar based on Active Electronically Scanned Array technology.The aim of the project is to develop inhouse capability for high power AEW&C systems, with the system covering the development of a S Band AESA array. The aircraft will also have datalinks to link fighters plus communicate with the IAF's C3I infrastructure, as well as a local SATCOM (satellite communication system), along with other onboard ESM and COMINT systems.
[44]

Medium Range Battlefield Surveillance Radar: in 2009, the LRDE (DRDO) noted that it was working on a Long range Battlefield surveillance radar. It is possible that the BFSR-LR project has replaced the earlier this project and the Indian Army will utilize the BEL built ELTA designed BFSR-MR's for Medium Range surveillance while using the LRDE designed systems for Long Range surveillance. The 2D radar will track ground targets and provide key intelligence to the Indian Army's artillery units, with the resultant information available on various tactical networks.

3D Medium Power Radar: a spinoff of the experience gained via the 3D MFCR project, the 3D Medium Power Radar project is intended to field a radar with a range of approximately 300 km against small fighter sized targets. Intended for the Indian Air Force, the radar is an active phased array, and will be transportable. It will play a significant role being used as part of the nodes of the Indian Air Force's enhanced Air Defence Ground Environment System.

3D Tactical Control Radar: a new program, the TCR is an approximately 150 km ranged system for use by the Indian Army and Air Force. A highly mobile unit, it will also employ open

architecture to provide easy upgrades, and a variety of modes and capabilities depending on the software fit. The aim of the 3D Medium Power Radar and TCR is to offer systems which can be deployed in a variety of roles, from fire control to surveillance, and not be tied to one role alone. [edit]Command and control software and decision-making tools Tactical tools for wargaming: Shatranj (Chess) and Sangram for the Army, Sagar for the Navy and air war software for the Air Force. All these systems are operational with the respective services. C3I systems: DRDO, in cooperation with BEL and private industry has developed several critical C3I (command, control, communications and intelligence systems) for the services.Under the project "Shakti", the Indian Army aims to spend US$300 million to network all its artillery guns together using the ACCS (Artillery Command and Control System). Developed by DRDO's Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics, the system comprises computers and intelligent terminals connected as a wide area network. Its main subsystems are the artillery computer center, battery computer, remote access terminal and a gun display unit. The ACCS is expected to improve the Army's artillery operations by a factor of 10 and by efficiently networking the artillery units, allowing for more rapid and accurate firepower. The ACCS will also improve the ability of commanders to concentrate that firepower where it is most needed.The DRDO and BEL have also developed a Battle Management system for the Indian Army for its tanks and tactical units. Other programs in development for the Army include Corps level information and decision making software and tools, intended to link all units together for effective C3I. These systems are in production at DRDO's production partner, Bharat Electronics Limited. These projects are being driven by the Army's Corps of Signals. The Indian Army is also moving towards extensive use of battlefield computers. DRDO has also delivered projects such as the Combat Net Radio for enhancing the Army's communication hardware.
[45]

'Data management and command and control systems for the Navy have been provided by the DRDO. The Navy is currently engaged in a Naval networking project to network all its ships and shore establishments plus Maritime patrol aircraft and sensors.

Radar netting and multi-sensor fusion software for linking the Indian Air Force's network of radars and airbases which have been successfully operationalised. Other systems include sophisticated and highly complex mission planning and C3I systems for Missiles, such as the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles, to the Brahmos cruise missile. These systems are common to all three services as all of them utilize different variants of these missiles.

Simulators and training tools: DRDO and private industry have collaborated on manufacturing a range of simulators and training devices for the three services, from entry level tests for

prospective entrants to the Indian Air Force, to sophisticated simulators for fighter aircraft, transports and helicopters, tanks to gunnery devices. [edit]Computing technologies DRDO has worked extensively high speed computing given its ramifications for most of its defence projects. These include supercomputers for computational flow dynamics, to dedicated microprocessor designs manufactured in India for flight controllers and the like, to high speed computing boards built around Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components, similar to the latest trends in the defence industry. Supercomputing: DRDO's ANURAG developed the PACE+
[46]

Supercomputer for strategic

purposes for supporting its various programs. The initial version, as detailed in 1995, had the following specifications: The system delivered a sustained performance of more than 960 Mflops (million floating operations per second) for computational fluid dynamics programs. Pace-Plus included 32 advanced computing nodes, each with 64 megabytes(MB) of memory that can be expanded up to 256MB and a powerful front-end processor which is a hyperSPARC with a speed of 66/90/100 megahertz (MHz). Besides fluid dynamics, these high-speed computer systems were used in areas such as vision, medical imaging, signal processing, molecular modeling, neural networks and finite element analysis. The latest variant of the PACE series is the PACE ++, a 128 node parallel processing system. With a front-end processor, it has a distributed memory and message passing system. Under Project Chitra, the DRDO is implementing a system with a computational speed of 2-3 Teraflops utilizing commercial off the shelf components and the Open Source Linux Operating System. Processors and other critical items: DRDO has developed a range of processors and application specific integrated circuits for its critical projects. Many of these systems are modular, in the sense that they can be reused across different projects. These include "Pythagoras processor" to convert cartesian to polar coordinates, ANUCO, a floating point coprocessor and several others, including the ANUPAMA 32-bit processor, which is being used in several DRDO projects.
[47]

Electronic components: one of the endeavours undertaken by the DRDO has been to create a substantial local design and development capability within India, both in the private and public sectors. This policy has led to several hard to obtain or otherwise denied items, being designed and manufactured in India. These include components such as radar subsystems (product specific travelling wave tubes) to components necessary for electronic warfare and other cutting edge projects. Today, there are a range of firms across India, which design and manufacture key components for DRDO, allowing it to source locally for quite a substantial chunk of its procurement. The DRDO has also endeavoured to use COTS (Commercial off the shelf) processors and technology, and follow Open Architecture standards, wherever possible, in order to pre-empt obsolescence issues and follow industry practise. One significant example is the

development of an Open Architecture computer for the Light Combat Aircraft, based on the PowerPC architecture and VME64 standard. The earlier Mission computer utilizing Intel 486 DX chips has already seen success, with variants being present on the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar and MiG27 Upgrades for the Indian Air Force. [edit]Laser
[48]

Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC)

NEW DELHI: Move aside Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, DRDO is trying to develop its own set of Star Wars-like weapons. From laser dazzlers to control rioting crowds to high-powered lasers to destroy incoming missiles, DRDO is working on a slew of directed energy weapons (DEWs). "Lasers are weapons of the future. We can, for instance, use laser beams to shoot down an enemy missile in its boost or terminal phase, said DRDO's Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC) director Anil Kumar Maini, talking to TOI on Monday. Incidentally, DRDO chief V K Saraswat himself has identified DEWs, along with space security, cybersecurity and hypersonic vehicles, as focus areas in the years ahead. "LASTEC has the mandate to develop DEWs for armed forces, said DRDO's chief controller (electronics & computer sciences) R Sreehari Rao. While conventional weapons use kinetic or chemical energy of missiles or other projectiles to destroy targets, DEWs decimate them by bombarding with subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves at the speed of light. Apart from the speed-of-light delivery, laser DEWs cause minimal collateral damage. The defence ministry's recent "technology perspective and capability roadmap identifies DEWs and ASAT (anti-satellite) weapons as thrust areas over the next 15 years, as was first reported by TOI. The aim is to develop laser-based weapons, deployed on airborne as well as seaborne platforms, which can intercept missiles soon after they are launched towards India in the boost phase itself. These will be part of the fledgling ballistic missile defence system being currently developed by DRDO. The US, incidentally, is already conducting tests of high-powered laser weapons on a modified 747 jumbo jet, the ALTB (airborne laser testbed), which direct lethal amounts of directed energy to destroy ballistic missiles during their boost phase. It will, of course, take India several years to even conduct such tests. For now, LASTEC is developing "a 25-kilowatt laser system to hit a missile during its terminal phase at a distance of 5-7 km. "All you need is to heat the missile skin to 200-300 degree and the warhead inside will detonate, said Maini. LASTEC is also working on a vehicle-mounted "gas dynamic laser-based DEW system, under project Aditya, which should be ready in three years. "But Aditya is just a technology demonstrator to prove beam control technology. Ultimately, we have to develop solid-state lasers, said Maini.

Even countries like US have now shifted their focus to the more efficient, smaller and lighter solidstate laser DEWs since chemical (dye and gas) lasers are dogged by size, weight and logistical problems. LASER POWER Non-Lethal systems: -- Hand-held laser dazzler to disorient adversaries, without collateral damage. 50-metre range. Status: Ready. -- Crowd-control dazzlers mounted on vehicles to dispel rioting mobs. 250-metre range. Status: take 2 years more. -- Laser-based ordnance disposal system, which can be used to neutralise IEDs and other explosives from a distance. Status: trials begin in 18 months.

Lethal Systems: -- Air defence dazzlers to take on enemy aircraft and helicopters. 10-km range. Status: take 2 years more. -- 25-kilowatt laser systems to destroy missiles during their terminal phase. 5 to 7-km range. Status: take five years more. -- At least 100-kilowatt solid-state laser systems, mounted on aircraft and ships, to destroy missiles in their boost phase itself. Status: will take a decade.

Read more: DRDOs next: Star Wars-like weapons -The Times of India [edit]Combat

vehicles & engineering

[edit]Tanks and armoured vehicles

T-72 Ajeya of the Indian Army

Ajeya upgrade: upgrade for the T-72 fleet, incorporating a mix of locally made and imported subsystems.250 have been ordered. Local systems include the DRDO developed ERA, the DRDO developed, laser warning system, and the combat net radio, the Bharat Electronics Limited advanced land navigation system consisting of fibre optic gyros and GPS, NBC protection, DRDO's fire detection and suppression system amongst other items. Imported systems include a compact thermal imager and fire control system, as well as a new 1000 hp engine.

Anti-tank ammunition: DRDO develops the FSAPDS for the 125 mm calibre, meant for India's T72 tanks.The 120 mm FSAPDS and HESH rounds for theArjun tank, and 105 mm FSAPDS rounds for the Army's Vijayanta and T-55 tanks.
[49]

Significant amounts of

125 mm anti-tank rounds manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Board were rejected.The problems were traced to improper packaging of the charges by the OFB, leading to propellant leakage during storage at high temperatures.The locally developed rounds were rectified, and requalified. Production of these local rounds was then restarted. Since 2001, over 1,30,000 rounds have been manufactured by the OFB.The DRDO said in 2005 it had developed a Mk2 version of the 125 mm round, with higher power propellant for greater penetration. In parallel,the OFB announced in 2006 that it was also manufacturing 125 mm IMI (Israel Military Industries) rounds. It is believed that this might assist in improving the OFB's APFSDS manufacturing capability. These rounds and presumably the Mk2 round, will be used by both the T-72 and T90 formations in the Indian Army.
[50][51]

Various armour technologies and associated subsystems from composite armour and explosive reactive armour, to Radios (Combat Net Radio, frequency hopping, with encryption), to Battle Management systems. Fire-control systems, currently in production at BEL for the Arjun tanks. The first batch in production have a hybrid Sagem-DRDO system, with Sagem sights and local fire control computer.
[52]

Arjun tank: in production at HVF Avadi, the Arjuns penultimate design has been accepted by the Indian Army,The Arjun is now in series production.

Arjun MBT

The Arjun follows a template similar to the tanks developed by western nations, with containerised ammunition storage, with blast off panels, heavyComposite armour, a 120 mm gun (rifled as compared to smoothbore on most other tanks), a modern FCS with high hit probability, and a 1,400 horsepower (1,000 kW) engine and a 4 man crew. Originally designed in response to a possible Pakistani acquisition of the M1 Abrams, the project fell into disfavour once it became clear that Pakistan was instead standardising on cheaper (and less capable) T type tanks
[citation needed]

. In such a milieu, acquiring the Arjun in huge numbers is

simply unnecessary for the Indian Army,given the additional logistic costs of standardising on an entirely new type.The Indian Army ordered 124 units in 2000 and an additional 124 units in 2010
[53][54] [55]

and work on Mark-II version of the tank has commenced.

[edit]Modification of BMP-2 series India licenses manufactures the BMP-2 with local components. The vehicle has been used as the basis for several locally designed modifications, ranging from missile launchers to engineering support vehicles. The DRDO and it's various labs have been instrumental in developing these mission specific variants for the Indian Army. Armoured Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle for enabling the combat engineers to acquire and record terrain survey data. The instruments mounted on the amphibious vehicle viz. BMP-II are capable of measuring width of obstacle, bed profile, water depth and bearing capacity of soil of the obstacle in real time which are helpful in taking decisions regarding laying of tracks or building of bridges.
[56]

Armoured Amphibious Dozer with amphibious capability for earth moving operations in different terrain for preparation of bridging sites, clearing obstacles and debris and to fill craters. Selfrecovery of the vehicle is also a built-in feature using a rocket-propelled anchor.
[57]

Carrier Mortar Tracked: designed to mount and fire an 81 mm mortar from within vehicle. Capacity to fire from 40 to 85 and traverse 24 on either side; 108 rounds of mortar ammunition stowed.
[58]

Armoured Ambulance based on the BMP-2 vehicle. NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle: this variant has instrumentation for determining NBC contamination, as well as bringing back samples. The vehicle includes a plow for scooping up soil samples, to instrumentation such as a radiation dosimeter amongst other key items.

[edit]Other engineering vehicles

Bridge Layer Tank: claimed by DRDO to be the amongst the best bridging systems available on a medium class tank. It has an option to carry a 20 m or a 22 m class 70 MLC bridge, which can be negotiated by all tanks in service with Indian Army.

Amphibious Floating Bridge and Ferry System intended for transporting heavy armour, troops and engineering equipment across large and deep water obstacles.The vehicle can convert to a fully decked bridge configuration of length 28.4 metres, in 9 minutes. Two more vehicles can be joined in tandem to form a floating bridge of length 105 m, in 30 minutes. The bridge superstructure is integrated with floats (shown inflated) to provide stability and additional buoyancy.The vehicle is also capable of retracting its wheels for use as a grounded bridge/ramp for high banks.
[59]

Arjun Bridge Layer Tank: the BLT-Arjun is an all-new design with a scissor type bridge laying method, which helps it avoid detection from afar. It uses the chassis of the Arjun tank and can take higher weights than the BLT-72.
[60]

Sarvatra Bridge layer: the bridge can be deployed over water and land obstacles to provide 75 meters of bridge-length for battle tanks, supply convoys and troops. The system consists of a light aluminum alloy scissors bridge and was approved for production in March 2000 trials. One complete set of the multi span mobile bridging system includes five truck-mounted units with a bridge-span of 15 meters each. The system is designed to take the weight of the Arjun, by far the heaviest vehicle in the Armys inventory.Microprocessor based control system reduces the number of personnel required to deploy and operationalize the bridge. The bridging equipment is carried on a Tatra Kolos chassis and the system is built by Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML).
[61]

Mobile Decontamination System: with the NBC aspect of the battlefield in mind, the DRDO developed a Tatra vehicle based Mobile Decontamination system, for decontamination of personnel, clothing, equipment, vehicles & terrain during war. The main sub-systems of mobile decontamination system are: pre-wash, chemical wash and post wash systems respectively. The pre-wash system consists of a 3000 litre stainless steel water tank and a fast suction pump. A high-pressure jet with a capacity of 3400 l/hour and a low-pressure jet with a capacity of 900 l/hour and 1600 l/hour are included. The chemical wash system is capable of mixing two powders and two liquids with variable feed rates and has a five litre per minute slurry emulsion flow rate. The post wash system consists of a high-pressure hot water jet, a hot water shower for personnel and provision of steam for decontamination of clothing.The decontamination systems have been introduced into the services.
[62]

The system is under production for the Army at DRDO's partnering

[63]

firms, with the DRDO itself manufacturing the pilot batch. [edit]In development

Abhay IFV: an IFV design in prototype form. Named the "Abhay" (Fearless), this IFV will have a 40 mm gun based on the proven Bofors L70 (Armour piercing and explosive rounds), a firecontrol

system derived from the Arjun MBT project with a thermal imager, all-electric turret and gun stabilization, a locally designed FLAME launcher for locally manufactured Konkurs-M anti-tank missiles, and an Indian diesel engine. The armour will be lightweight composite. Tank-Ex: a project to mount Arjun's turret on a T-72 chassis to combine high firepower with a low silhouette.This is a DRDO initiative and not per a specific Army demand.Reports emerged in 2008 that the Indian Army has rejected the tank
[64]

with two prototypes built.

Armoured vehicle for Paramilitary forces: a wheeled armoured vehicle, the AVP was displayed at Defexpo-2006. The AVP has armoured glass windows and firing ports, as well as provision for heavier caliber small arms, and crowd control equipment.Currently a prototype stage.

Mining and De-mining equipment: the Self Propelled Mine Burier has been developed by the DRDO for a requirement projected by the Indian Army, its an automated mine laying system developed on a high mobility vehicle and is currently in trials. The Counter-Mine flail, is a vehicle built upon the T-72 chassis, and has a series of fast moving flails to destroy mines. A prototype has been displayed.

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV): DRDO Daksh tracked robotic vehicle with staircase climbing ability has been developed and is particularly intended for remote explosion of explosive devices. The ROV is carried in a specially designed carrier vehicle with additional armament and firing ports. The ROV itself is fairly sophisticated, with provision to carry various optronic payloads, an articulated gripper to pick up objects, an ability to traverse difficult terrain including staircases, as well as an integral waterjet projector to blow up explosive packages.After the ROV completed user trials, it would be inducted by the Indian Army for explosives handling and defusing.
[65]

[edit]Naval

research and development

[edit]Sonars DRDO, BEL and the Indian Navy have developed and productionized a range of Sonars and related systems for the Indian Navy's frontline combat ships.

The Shivalik class of frigates contain significant DRDO developed systems

These include the: APSOH (Advanced Panoramic SOnar Hull mounted), HUMVAD (Hull Mounted Variable Depth sonar), HUMSA (Follow on to the APSOH series; the acronym HUMSA stands for Hull Mounted Sonar Array), Nagan (Towed Array Sonar), Panchendriya (Submarine sonar and fire control system).

Other sonars such as the airborne sonar Mihir, are in trials, whilst work is proceeding apace on a new generation of sonars. Sonars may be considered one of DRDO's most successful achievements as the Indian Navy's most powerful ships rely on DRDO made sonars. The standard fit for a frontline Naval ship would include the HUMSA-NG hull mounted sonar, and the Nagan towed array sonar. The Mihir, is a dunking sonar meant for use by the Naval ALH, working in conjunction with its Tadpole sonobuoy. The Panchendriya is in production for the Kilo class submarine upgrades. [edit]Torpedoes DRDO is currently engaged in developing multiple torpedo designs. These include a lightweight torpedo that has been accepted by the Navy and cleared for production
[69] [66][67][68]

). Other projects include

the heavy weight wire-guided torpedo called the Varunastra and the Thakshak thermal torpedo suitable for use against both ships and submarines. The electrically powered Varunastra is now stated to be also in production. The DRDO also developed and productionised a microprocessor controlled triple tube torpedo launcher for the Indian Navy as well as a towed torpedo decoy.
[70][71]

Shyena is an advanced experimental torpedo developed by the Naval Scientific and Technological Laboratory, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) wing. Development was started in 1990. [edit]Other projects These have included indigenisation of various components (for instance, adsorbent material for submarines, radar components, naval ship signature reduction efforts and materials technology). DRDO has played a significant role in the development of warship grade steel in India and its productionisation. DRDO has also assisted private industry in developing EW trainers, ship simulators for training and health monitoring systems for onboard equipment. Other equipment for the Navy includes underwater telephone sets, and VLF communication equipment, for the Navy's submarines. DRDO's IRDE has also developed optronic fire control systems for the Navy's and the Coast Guard's ships.
[72]

[edit]Information command and control systems DRDO's labs have been part of projects to develop sophisticated command and control systems for the Navy, such as the EMCCA (Equipment Modular for Command and Control Application) which ties

together various sensors and data systems. The EMCCA system gives commanders on the ship a consolidated tactical picture and adds to the ships maritime combat power.
[73]

DRDO labs are also engaged in supporting the Navy's ambitious naval enterprise wide networking system, a program to link all naval assets together via datalinks, for sharing tactical information. [edit]Mines and targets Three kinds of mines, processor based mine, moored mine and processor based exercise mine are in production for the Navy . Targets developed for the Navy include a static target called the Versatile Acoustic target and a mobile target called the programmable deep mobile target (PDMT). [edit]In development A Submarine Escape set, used by crew to escape from abandoned submarines. The set consists of breathing apparatus and Hydro-suit. New generation Sonars and EW equipment. Heavyweight torpedoes, underwater remotely operated vehicles, improved signature reduction technology for naval applications. [edit]Missile

systems

[edit]Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) The IGMDP was launched by the Indian Government to develop a local missile design and development ability, and manufacture a range of missile systems for the three defence services. The IGMDP has seen significant success in its two most important constituents- the Agni missile and the Prithvi missile systems, while two other programs, the Akash SAM and the anti-tank Nag Missile have seen significant orders. The Trishul missile, a program to develop a tri-service short range SAM faced persistent problems throughout its development, and was shut down in 2007. [edit]IGMDP ballistic missiles Prithvi: The Prithvi missile are a range of SRBMs produced for the Indian Air Force and Army; a variant for the Navy has been deployed on Sukanya class patrol vessel. Another submarine launched variant known as the K-15 is under development. The Prithvi is an extremely accurate liquid fuelled missile with a range of up to 350 km. While relatively inexpensive and accurate, with a good payload, its logistics footprint is high, on account of it being liquid fuelled.
[74]

The Agni-II missile

Agni missiles: The Agni are a range of MRBMs , IRBMs, ICBM meant for long range deterrence. The Agni-III is the newest version and has the longest range of up to 5,500 km (3,418 mi). The Agni-I and II have been productionized, although exact numbers remain classified.

First trials of the Agni-III saw problems and the missile test did not meet its objectives. The second test was successful.Further tests of the Agni-III are planned to validate the missile and its subsystems, which include new propellant and guidance systems, a new re-entry vehicle and other improvements.
[75]

[edit]Akash SAM Main article: Akash missile The Akash ( Sky in English) is a medium range surface to air missile system consisting of the command guided ramjet powered Akash along with the dedicated service specific launchers, battery control radar (the Rajendra Block III), a Central Acquisition radar, battery and group control centers.[13].
[76]

The Akash project has yielded spinoffs like the Central Acquisition radar and Weapon

Locating radar.

Akash missile

The Akash system cleared its user trials with the Indian Air Force in 2007. The user trials had the Akash intercept flying targets at ITR, Chandipur. The Akash missile successfully hit its targets in all of

the tests.

[77]

The Indian Air force has since been satisfied with the performance of the missile and
[78][79][80]

ordered two squadrons of the Akash, with a squadron having eight launchers

The Indian Air Force placed an order for an additional six squadrons of the Akash SAM in 2010, with an order of 750 missiles (125 per squadron).This order makes a total of a 1000 Akash SAMs on order for the Indian Air Force for eight squadrons.
[81]

In June 2010, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) placed an order of the Akash missile system, valued at 12,500 crore (US$2.8 billion). Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will be the system integrator and nodal production agency for the Akash Army variant. [edit]Trishul SAM The Trishul (Trident in English) is a short range SAM meant for the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. The Trishul project relied on equipment already in service with the Indian services, to drive down logistics costs, and reduce program development costs and development time. The Army variant, relied on a locally modified variant of the Signaal (now Thales) Flycatcher radar, integrated into a single launcher with a four missile pack, along with separate electronics for missile guidance. The Air Force variant separated the missile launchers on Kolos Tatra trucks, locally manufactured by India's BEML. The Naval variant was the most ambitious, with a flight control system with an integrated radar altimeter to intercept sea skimming missiles. The Trishul's guidance was Command Line of Sight with a three beam guidance system, which proved to be the bane of the project and caused repeated failures during trials. Due to the Trishul's persistent development problems the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy began upgrading their existing short range SAM systems or purchasing replacements.The Indian Air Force has since procured batteries of the SPYDER SAM system the Indian Army is upgrading its OSA-AKM/ SA-8 systems with Polish assistance. has also moved on to the Barak SAM system.
[84] [83] [82]

and

The Indian Navy

The Trishul program was effectively closed down in 2006 It has been reported that key technologies developed in the program may be utilized in future systems.
[85]

It has been reported that the

[86]

experience gained from the Trishul program will be utilized for a brand new SAM known as the Maitri, which will be codeveloped with the European MBDA missile agency. [edit]Nag anti-tank missile The Nag Anti-tank guided missile (Cobra in English) is a guided missile system intended for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. The Army will deploy the Nag on ground based launchers and from helicopters, whereas the Air Force will rely on helicopter based units. The Nag has an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker and has a top and direct attack capability, with a tandem warhead. The Army's land missile carrier and launcher,known as the Namica carries several ready to use Nag missiles within, and four Nag missiles in an extendable launcher above the turret. The Namica has its own FLIR based sighting and fire control unit.
[87]

Nag missile

The Air Force and Army will also use their Advanced Light helicopters (HAL Dhruv) and the LCH (HAL Light Combat Helicopter) as Nag carriers. The ALH's will be equipped with IRDE (DRDO) developed HELITIS (Heliborne Imaging and Targeting systems) with a combination of a FLIR, Laser range finder, in a stabilized turret for target acquisition and designation. The thermal imager is likely to be imported, but the gimballed turret, stabilization, laser range finder and associated electronics have been designed in India and will be manufactured locally.
[88]

The Nag ATGM is regarded as a highly capable missile, even though its development has been protracted, mainly due to the technological challenges of developing a state of the art, IIR sensor equipped top attack missile The Nag is still cheaper than most imported missiles in its category and is earmarked for the Army and Air Force. The Nag anti-tank guided missile was cleared for production in July 2009 and there are uncorroborated reports since that it may be purchased by Tanzania,Botswana and Morocco.
[89]

The

Nag will complement the existing Russian 9M113 Konkurs Anti-tank guided missile and European missile MILAN,in Indian usage both of which are manufactured under license by Bharat Dynamics Limited. [edit]Brahmos missile Launched as a joint venture between India's DRDO and the Russian NPO, the BrahMos program aims at creating a range of missile systems derived from the Yakhont missile system. Named the "BrahMos" after the Brahmaputra and the Moskva rivers, the project has been highly successful.

BrahMos

The Indian Navy has ordered the BrahMos Naval version, both slant launched and vertically launched, for its ships, with the Indian Army ordering two regiments worth of Land launched missiles for long range strike, and an air launched version is in development for the Indian Air Force's Su30 MKI's and the Navy's Tu-142 long range aircraft. The DRDO has been responsible for the Navigational systems on the BrahMos, aspects of its propulsion, airframe and seeker, plus its Fire Control Systems, Mobile Command posts and Transporter Erector Launcher.
[90][91]

The hypersonic Brahmos 2 is to be developed as a follow on to the original Brahmos. The missile would still follow the guidelines of the MTCR but would fly at speeds of 5-7 Mach. development timeframe is anticipated. [edit]Shaurya The Shaurya missile is speculated to be the land version of the submarine launched K-15 Sagarika missile, although DRDO officials have reportedly denied its connection with the K-15 program. Similar to the BrahMos, Shaurya is stored in a composite canister, which makes it much easier to store for long periods without maintenance as well as to handle and transport. It also houses the gas generator to eject the missile from the canister before its solid propellant motors take over to hurl it at the intended target.
[93] [92]

A five year

Shaurya missile

Shaurya missiles can remain hidden or camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters.The Shaurya system will require some more tests before it becomes fully operational in two-three years. Moreover, defense scientists say the high-speed, two-stage Shaurya has high maneuverability which also makes it less vulnerable to existing anti-missile defence systems. It can be easily transported by road. The missile, encased in a canister, is mounted on a single vehicle, which has only a drivers cabin, and the vehicle itself is the launch platform. This single vehicle solution reduces its signature it cannot be easily detected by satellites and makes its deployment easy.The gas generator, located at the bottom of the canister produces high pressure gas, which expands and ejects the missile from the tube. The centerpiece of a host of new technologies incorporated in Shaurya is its ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer. The indigenous ring laser gyroscope, a sophisticated navigation and guidance system developed by the Research Center Imarat (RCI) based in Hyderabad, is a highly classified technology. In Shaurya test flights the RLG functioned exceptionally well. Its job is to monitor the missiles position in space when it is flying. The missiles on board computer will use this information on the missiles actual position to compare it with the desired position. Based on the difference between the missiles actual and desired positions, the computer will decide on the optimum path and actuators will command the missile to fly in its desired/targeted position. [edit]Sagarika The K-15 Sagarika(Sanskrit: , Sgarik "Oceanic") is a nuclear-capable submarine-launched

ballistic missile with a range of 750 kilometres (466 mi).Sagarika can carry a payload of up to 500 kilograms (1,102 lb). Sagarika was developed at the DRDOs missile complex in Hyderabad. This missile will form part of the triad in India's nuclear deterrence, and will provide retaliatory nuclear strike capability. The development of this missile (under the title Project K-15) started in 1991. The Indian government first confirmed Sagarika's development seven years later (1998), when the then Defence Minister, George Fernandes, announced it during a press conference. The development of the underwater missile launcher, known as Project 420 (P420), was completed in 2001 and handed over to the Indian Navy for trials. The missile was successfully test fired six times, and tested to its full range up to three times. The test of missile from a submerged pontoon was conducted in February 2008. Sagarika is being integrated with India's nuclear-powered Arihant class submarine that began sea trials on the 26th of July 2009. India also successfully developed a land based variant of Sagarika, known as Shaurya which can be stored in underground silos for longer time and can be launched using gas canisters as booster.

[edit]Critique The significant cost and more importantly, time overruns in the DRDO'sprojects such as the Akash, Trishul, Nag, Light Combat Aircraft and the Arjun MBT, are often the subject of virulent criticism of DRDO even as the organization is engaged in completing the programs. It can be said that productionizing these systems and significant orders for them, would be a big shot in the arm for the DRDO as the criticism over these long running programs often overshadows the organization's work in many other areas.
[94]

Earlier, no procurements from abroad could be carried out unless DRDO, which was a member of all sanctioning boards, accepted that the product could not be produced/developed in the country in the required time frame. However, now if the DRDO cannot provide the product within the designated time frame, it allows for imports. [edit]Plans [edit]Long range SAM India and Israel have worked out an agreement to develop and produce the long-range Barak air defence system for both the Indian and the Israeli militaries. The initial co-development funding is aboutUS$350 million, of which IAI will finance 50 per cent. The venture is a tripartite one, between the DRDO, the Indian Navy, and IAI. The missile is referred to as the LRSAM in Indian Government literature, and will have a range of 72 km (45 mi).
[95][96]

Israel Aircraft Industries refers to the system as

Barak-8. IAI states that the missile will have a dual pulse motor, is vertically launched and is able to engage both aircraft and sea skimming missiles. It has a fully active seeker, and the Barak-8 Weapons system is capable of multiple simultaneous engagements. It will have a two way datalink for midcourse update, as well as be able to integrate into larger C3I networks. The primary fire control sensor for the naval Barak-8/LRSAM will be the ELTA MF-STAR Naval AESA radar which Israel claims to be superior to many existing systems worldwide.
[97][98][99]

The dual pulse rocket motor for the

SAM was developed by DRDO, and the prototypes were supplied to IAI for integration with IAI systems to develop the complete missile. The other variant of the LRSAM will be fielded by the Indian Air Force.Along with the Akash SAM, the LRSAM fills a longer range requirement and both types will complement each other.Each unit of the MR-SAM, would consist of a command and control center, with an acquisition radar, a guidance radar, and 3 launchers with eight missiles each. A 4-year, US$300 million System Design & Development phase to develop unique system elements and an initial tranche of the land-based missiles is estimated. The radars, C2 centers, TEL's and missiles will be codeveloped by Israel and India. In turn, IAI and its Israeli partners have agreed to transfer all relevant technologies and manufacturing capabilities to India allowing India to manufacture the LRSAM systems locally as well as support them.
[100]

The Barak-8 next generation long range

surface to air missile (LR-SAM) had its first test-flight on 29 May 2010. [edit]Astra BVRAAM

Main article: Astra missile Astra is a 80 km (50 mi) class, active radar guided missile meant for beyond visual range air to air combat. Several tests of the missiles basic propulsion and guidance have taken place from land based launchers. Air launched trials will follow thereafter. Light weight launcher DRDO has developed an indigenous 7 kg lightweight rocket launcher for Indian army which will replace the 14 kg Carl Gustav Mark-II launcher which is much heavier than DRDO developed rocket launcher.The DRDO has made extensive use of composites in its construction, resulting in the reduced weight.
[102] [101]

[edit]Anti-Ballistic Missile Defence Project Main article: Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program Unveiled in 2006, the ABM project was a surprise to many observers. While DRDO had revealed some details about the project over the years, its progress had been marked by strict secrecy, and the project itself was unlisted, and not visible among DRDO's other programs. The ABM project has benefited from all the incremental improvements achieved by the DRDO and its associated industrial partners via the long running and often contentious Akash missile and Trishul missile programs. However, it is a completely new program, with much larger scope and with predominantly new subsystems.

Prithvi Air Defense

The ABM project has two missilesnamely the AAD (Advanced Air Defence) and PAD (Prithvi Air Defence) missiles. The former is an endo-atmospheric interceptor of new design, which can intercept targets to a height of 30 km (19 mi). Whereas the latter is a modified Prithvi missile, dubbed the Axoatmospheric interceptor (AXO) with a dedicated second stage kill vehicle for ballistic missile interception, up to an altitude of 80 km (50 mi). Both these missiles are cued by an active phased array Long Range Tracking Radar, similar to the Elta GreenPine but made with locally developed components, which include DRDO developed transmit/receive modules. The ABM system also makes use of a second radar, known as the Multi-

Function Control Radar which assists the LRTR in classifying the target, and can also act as the fire control radar for the AAD missile. The MFCR,like the LRTR is an active phased array system. The entire system was tested in November 2006, under the Prithvi Air Defence Exercise, when a prototype AXO missile,successfully intercepted anotherPrithvi missile at a height of 50 km (31 mi).This test was preceded by an "electronic test" in which an actual target missile was launched, but the entire interceptor system was tested electronically, albeit no actual interceptor was launched. This test was successful in its entirety. The AAD Missile was tested on December 2007 which successfully intercepted a modified Prithvi missile simulating the M-9 and M-11 class of ballistic missiles. Interception happened at an altitude of 15 km (9 mi).
[103]

[edit]GATET engine The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched a 100 crore (US$22.2 million) project in R&D in the area of gas turbines,a DRDO official said on April 2010.Under the initiative of DRDO's Aeronautics Research and Development Board, R&D projects, which need investment in the region of 50 lakh (US$111,000) to 5 crore (US$1.1 million), would be considered for funding.GTRE was the nodal agency to spearhead this venture,called GATET [edit]ICBM named "Agni-V" The Agni-V missile is a ICBM meant for long range deterrence. The Agni-V is the newest version and has the longest range of up to 50006000 km. Agni-V will be able to carry multiple warheads and will have countermeasures against Anti-ballistic missile systems.The design of the missile is completed and the first test is expected in the last quarter of 2011. The missile will utilize a canister and will be launched from it. Sixty percent of the missile will be similar to the Agni-III missile. Advanced technologies like ring laser gyroscope and accelerometer will be used in the new missile. [edit]Anti-satellite weapon India had identified development of ASAT weapons "for electronic or physical destruction of satellites in both LEO (2,000-km altitude above earth's surface) and the higher geosynchronous orbit" as a thrust area in its long-term integrated perspective plan (20122027) under the management of DRDO.
[108] [107] [104][105][106]

he Indian Armed Forces (IAF) (Devangar: , Bhratya Saastra Snn) are the military forces of the Republic of Indiaencompassing the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard and various other interservice institutions. The IAF is headed by its Commander-in-Chief,

the President Pratibha Patil and managed by Ministry of Defense A. K. Antony. The IAF is one of the world's largest military force, with roughly 1.32 million active standing army and 2.14 million reserve forces thus giving India the third-largest active troops in the world as of 2006[1][4] after the People's Liberation Army and US Armed Forces.[5] Auxiliary services include the Indian Coast Guard, the Central Paramilitary Forces (CPF) and the Strategic Forces Command. India's official defense budget stands atUS$36.03 billion for FY2011 (or 1.83% of GDP)[2] but the actual spending on the armed forces is estimated to be much higher than that.[6]Undergoing rapid expansion and modernization,[7] the Indian Armed Forces plans to have an active military space program[8] and is currently developing a missile defense shield[9] and nuclear triad capability. The Armed Forces of India possess nuclear weapons and operate short and intermediate-range ballistic missiles as well as nuclear-capable aircraft, and naval vessels. India is the world's largest arms importer accounting for 9% of all global imports and ranks among the top thirty in arms export.[10] Currently, India imports close to 70% of its weapons requirements, with Israel, Russia and the United States as its top military suppliers.[11][12][13] The countrys defence expenditure will be around US$112 billion by 2016.[14][15][16] The IAF served as India's armed forces in all the country's major military operations including the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1947, IndoPakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Sino-Indian War, 1987 Sino-Indian skirmish, Kargil War and others. India is currently moving to build a 9,970.16 crore (US$2.2 billion) dedicated, highly secure and state-of-the-art optical fiber cable (OFC) network for the Army, Navy and Air Force. This will be one of the world's largest, closed user group (CUG) networks for exclusive use by the millionplus personnel of the Indian armed forces.[17] Following 1962, the IAF has had close military relations with the Russia, including development cooperation, such as on the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA), and others as well.
Contents
[hide]

1 Military history of India

1.1 1857 to 1947 era

2 Structure

2.1 Command organisation

3 Doctrine 4 Personnel 5 Service branches

o o o o

5.1 Indian Army 5.2 Indian Navy 5.3 Indian Air Force 5.4 Indian Coast Guard

6 Nuclear Command Authority 7 Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program

7.1 Development

7.1.1 Phase 1 7.1.2 Phase 2

8 Security pacts and Overseas Bases 9 Budget 10 Gallantry awards 11 Ex Servicemen (ESM) 12 Future 13 Recruitment and training 14 Indian Peace Keeping And Anti-piracy Mission

o o o

14.1 Anti-piracy Mission 14.2 Relief Operation of IAF 14.3 IAF Efforts In Eclipse Study

15 See also 16 References 17 Further reading

o [

17.1 External links

edit]Military history of India

Main article: Military history of India

The Maurya Empire at its largest extent under Ashoka the Great

Chola territories during Rajendra Chola I, c. 1030

The Mughal Empire at its largest in terms of territorial extent, c.1700

Indian troops fighting with the British contingent is shown in this painting ofMysore.

India has one of the longest military history dating back several millennia. The first reference of armies is found in the Vedas as well as the epics Ramayana and Mahabaratha. There were many powerful dynasties in India: Maha Janapadas, Matsya Kingdom, Shishunaga Empire, Gangaridai Empire, Nanda Empire, Maurya Empire, Sunga Empire, Kharavela Empire, Kuninda Kingdom, Chola Empire, Chera Empire, Pandyan Empire, Satavahana Empire, Western Satrap Empire, Kushan Empire, Vakataka Empire, Kalabhras Kingdom, Gupta Empire, Pallava Empire, Kadamba Empire, Western Ganga Kingdom, Vishnukundina Empire, Chalukya Empire, Harsha Empire, Rajput, Shahi Kingdom, Eastern Chalukya Kingdom, Pratihara Empire, Pala Empire, Rashtrakuta Empire, Paramara Kingdom, Yadava Empire, Solanki Kingdom, Western Chalukya Empire, Hoysala Empire, Sena Empire, Eastern Ganga Empire, Kakatiya Kingdom, Kalachuri Empire, Delhi Sultanate, Deccan Sultanates, Ahom Kingdom,Vijayanagar Empire, Mysore Kingdom, Mughal Empire, Maratha Empire, Sikh Empire, etc. Classical Indian texts on archery in particular, and martial arts in general are known as Dhanurveda. India has a maritime history dating back to 5,000 years.[18][19][20][21] The first [22][23] tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Indus Valley Civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda written around 1500 BCE, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions. There is reference to the side wings of a vessel called Plava, which give stability to the ship under storm conditions. A compass, Matsya yantra was used for navigation in the fourth and fifth century AD. The earliest known reference to an organization devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan Empire from the 4th century BCE. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Prime Minister Kautilya'sArthashastra devotes a full chapter on the state department of waterways under navadhyaksha (Sanskritfor Superintendent of ships) [1]. The term, nava dvipantaragamanam (Sanskrit for sailing to other lands by ships, i.e. Exploration) appears in this book in addition to appearing in

the Buddhist text, Baudhayana Dharmasastra as the interpretation of the term, Samudrasamyanam. Sea lanes between India and neighboring lands were the usual form of trade for many centuries, and are responsible for the widespread influence of Indian Culture on other societies. Powerful navies included those of the Maurya, Satavahana, Chola, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Mughal and Maratha empires.[24] TheCholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and Southeast Asia. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Maratha and Kerala fleets were expanded, and became the most powerful Naval Forces in the subcontinent, defeating European Navies at various times (See the Battle of Colachel). The fleet review of the Maratha navy took place at the Ratnagiri fort in which the ships Pal and Qalbat participated.[25] The Maratha Kanhoji Angre and Kunjali Marakkar, the Naval chief of Saamoothiriwere two notable naval chiefs of the period.
[edit]1857

to 1947 era

Sailors of the Indian Navy breaching the Delhi gates during the Indian struggle of freedom 1857

Main article: Royal Indian Navy The British Royal Indian Navy was first established by the British while much of India was under the control of the East India Company. The first Indian to be granted a commission was Sub Lieutenant D. N. Mukherji, who joined the Royal Indian Marine as an engineer officer in 1928. Indian sailors started a rebellion known as the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946, on board ships and in shore establishments which

spread all over India. A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved in the rebellion. When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the navy became known as the Indian Navy, and its vessels as Indian Naval Ships (INS). On 22 April 1958 Vice Admiral R. D. Katari assumed office as the first Indian Chief of the Naval Staff.
[

edit]Structure

The headquarters of the Indian Armed Forces is in New Delhi, the capital city of India.The President acts as de jure Commander in chief of the Armed Forces.[26] while de facto control lies with the executive. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is the ministry charged with the responsibilities of countering insurgency and ensuring external security of India.
[edit]Command

organisation

Gen V K Singh is the head of army Chiefs panel, Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma is the head of navy Chiefs panel and Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik is the head of air forces Chiefs panel.[27] Air Chief Marshal Naik is currently also serving as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee for the Indian Armed Force. The Indian armed force are split into different groups based on their region of operation. The Indian Army is administratively divided into 7 tactical commands, each under the control of different Lieutenant Generals.The Indian Air Force is divided into five operational and two functional commands. Each Command is headed by an Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Air Marshal. The Indian Navy operates four Commands. Each Command is headed by a Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief in the rank of Vice Admiral.The Indian Coast Guard operations are split into 4 regions, each region is headed by an Inspector General or a Deputy Inspector General.
[

edit]Doctrine

The Armed Forces have six main tasks:[28] 1. To assert the territorial integrity of India. 2. To defend the country if attacked by a foreign nation.

3. To send own amphibious warfare equipment to take the battle to enemy shores.[29] 4. Cold Start which means Indian Armed Forces being able to quickly mobilise and take offensive actions without crossing the enemy's nuclear-use threshold. 5. To support the civil community in case of disasters (e.g. flooding). 6. Participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in consonance with Indias commitment to the United Nations Charter. There is a semi-official book called "Customs and Etiquette in the Services", written by retired Major General Ravi Arora, which details how Indian personnel are expected to conduct themselves generally.[30] Arora is an executive editor of the Indian Military Review.[31]
[

edit]Personnel

Soldiers of the Sikh Light Infantry

As of 2006
Component Active
[1]

Reserve

[1]

Indian Army

1,325,000 2,142,821

Indian Navy

55,000

Indian Air Force

170,000

Indian Coast Guard 19,741

[

edit]Service branches

124 Arjun MK1 tanks are in service with the Indian Army.

Para Commando of the Indian Army.

[edit]Indian

Army

Main article: Indian Army India maintains the third-largest military force in the world, which includes Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and auxiliary forces such as the Paramilitary Forces, the Coast Guard, and the Strategic Forces Command.[32] It is a completely voluntary service, the military draft having never been imposed in India. The army has rich combat experience in diverse terrains, due to India's diverse geography, and also has a distinguished history of serving in United Nationspeacekeeping operations. Initially, the army's main objective was to defend the nation's frontiers. However, over the years, the army has also taken up the responsibility of providing internal security, especially in insurgent-hit Kashmir and north-east.

The force is headed by the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, currently General V K Singh. The highest rank in the Indian Army is Field Marshal, but it is a largely ceremonial rank and appointments are made by the President of India, on the advice of the Union Cabinet of Ministers, only in exceptional circumstances. (See Field Marshal (India)). Late General S.H.F.J. Manekshaw and the late General K.M. Cariappa are the only two officers who have attained this rank. The Indian Army has seen military action during the First Kashmir War, Operation Polo, the Sino-Indian War, the Second Kashmir War, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Sri Lankan Civil War and the Kargil War. Currently, the Indian army has dedicated one brigade of troops to the UN's standby arrangements. Through its large, sustained troop commitments India has come in for much praise for taking part in difficult operations for prolonged periods. The Indian Army has participated in several UN peacekeeping operations, including the ones in Cyprus, Lebanon, Congo, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, Namibia, El Salvador,Liberia, Mozambique and Somalia. The army also provided a paramedical unit to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded in Korea. Currently, the Indian Army is seeking to massively modernize its equipment through various procurement programs. In addition, it has also embarked on an infantry modernization program known as Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS).
[edit]Indian

Navy

Main article: Indian Navy

INS Shivalik the first indigenous modern frigate of the Indian navy.

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 67,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and

2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world's third largest navy.[33] The Indian Navy currently operates around 170 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. In recent years, India has started many ambitious projects to bolster its maritime capabilities including efforts to acquire ships from foreign countries. In recent years, the Indian Navy has undergone extensive modernization and expansion with an intention to increase its capabilities as a recognized blue-water navy.[34][35] It is fairly advanced in terms of technology and is in control of one of two Asian aircraft carriers. Two more aircraft carriers are currently being produced. The ships of the Indian Navy are of Indian and foreign origin.[36] In addition, three ballistic missile submarine are to enter service by 2010 end. It is also only one of the six navies in the world that has nuclear capabilities. Others include US, Russia, China, France and the UK. In addition it is in command of the BrahMos which is the fastest cruise missile in the world with speeds of 2.8 Mach.

Indian Navy's marine commandos during a training exercise in the Philippine Sea.

In its maritime doctrine, the Indian Navy establishes its role in providing support to maritime neighbours during natural disasters. This was demonstrated during the Asian tsunami crisis during which the Indian Navy sent 35 ships to support relief efforts in neighbouring countries. The Indian navy has taken part in UN missions in the coast of Somalia and has provided security to an African Union summit held in Mozambique. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy; the Indian Navy's doctrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.

Indian Navy is expected to spend about US$40 billion on military modernization from 2008 to 2013.[37] The modernization program includes the Russian-built aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, indigenously built Vikrant class aircraft carriers, Lease of Akula-II class submarine, indigenously built Arihant class nuclear-powered submarines, Shivalik class frigate, Kolkata class destroyer, Scorpne class submarine, Improved Talwar class frigate and eight P-8 Poseidon .[38][39]
[edit]Indian

Air Force

Main article: Indian Air Force

IAF engineers conduct post-flight maintenance on Su-30 MKI fighters following a Red Flag mission in Nevada.

With a strength of approximately 170,000 personnel, and 1,500+ aircraft in active service, the Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air force in the world.[40][41]In recent years, the IAF has undertaken an ambitious expansion and modernization program and is increasingly used for India's power projection beyond South Asia. Historically, the IAF has generally relied on Soviet, British, Israeli and French military craft and technology to support its growth. In recent times however, India has manufactured its own aircraft, including the HAL Tejas, a 4th generation fighter, and the HAL Dhruv, a multirole helicopter, which has been exported to several countries, including Israel, Burma, Nepal and Ecuador. India also maintains UAV squadrons which can be used to carry out ground attacks and aerial surveillance. India is testing its own long range BVR air to air missile named Astra[42] and also building a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called Rustom.[43] India and Russia are building number of next generation aircraft like 5th generation

stealth aircraft called Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft[44] and mediumlift military transport aircraft called Multirole Transport Aircraft.[45]
[edit]Indian

Coast Guard

HAL Dhruv naval variant.

Main article: Indian Coast Guard The Indian Coast Guard is the maritime Military Force created to guard Republic of India's vast coastline. It was created on 18 August 1978 as an independent entity as per the Coast Guard Act. its primary objective is to guard India's vast coastline and operates under the effective control of the Ministry of Defense. The coast guard works closely with the Indian Navy and the Indian Customs Department, and is usually headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral. India's coast guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas and river mouths. The coast guard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel. It has also apprehended pirates on high seas and cleaned up oil spills. Heavy patrolling of sensitive areas such as Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in the nabbing of a large number of smugglers and illegal immigrants.
[

edit]Nuclear Command Authority

Main article: India and weapons of mass destruction

Agni missile range.

Agni-II

India possesses an arsenal of nuclear weapons and maintains a nofirst use, non-use against non-nuclear nations and a credible nuclear deterrence policy against nuclear adversaries. India's nuclear missiles include the Prithvi, the Agni, the Shaurya, Sagarika, Dhanush, and others. India has long range strategic bombers like the Tupolev Tu-22 M3 and Tupolev Tu-142 as well as fighter jets like Sukhoi Su30MKI,[46] Dassault Mirage 2000,[47] MiG-29[48] and HAL Tejascapable of being armed with nuclear tipped bombs and missiles. Since India doesn't have a nuclear first use against an adversary, it becomes important to protect from a first strike. Presently, this protection is provided by the two layered Anti-ballistic missile defense system. The first test of Agni-V, which is a MIRVed ICBM is expected in the year 2011. India's Strategic Nuclear Command controls its land-based nuclear warheads, while the Navy controls the ship and in future submarine based missiles and the Air Force the air based warheads. India's nuclear warheads are deployed in four areas: 1. Ship based mobile, like Dhanush. (operational) 2. Land-based mobile, like Agni. (operational) 3. Submarine based, like Sagarika. (under deployment)

4. Air-based warheads of the Indian Air Forces' strategic bomber force (operational)
[show]v d e

Indian missiles

edit]Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program

Main article: Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered Ballistic missile defense system to protect India from missile attacks.[49][50]
[edit]Development [edit]Phase 1

Launching of Advanced Air Defense (AAD) missile

Development of ABM System began in 1999. Around 40 public and private Companies were involved in the development of ABM System. They include Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Astra Microwave, ASL, Larsen & Toubro, Vem Technologies Private Limited and KelTech. Development of LRTR (Long Range Tracking Radar)

and MFCR (Multi-function Fire Control Radar) was led by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (ERDE).[51][52] For the AAD Missile System, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) developed the mission control software. Research Centre, Imarat (RCI) developed navigation, electromechanical actuation systems and Active Radar Seeker. Advanced System Laboratory (ASL) provided the motors, jet vanes and structures for the two missiles. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) supplied the propellants for the missile.[52]
[edit]Phase 2

Two new anti-ballistic missiles that can intercept IRBM/ICBMs are being developed. These high speed missiles (AD-1 and AD-2) are being developed to intercept ballistic missiles with the range of 5000 km.[53] The test trials of these two systems is expected to take place in 2011.[54] The new missile will be similar the THAAD missile deployed by the U.S.A. These missiles will have to travel at hypersonic speeds and will require radars with scan capability of over 1500 kilometers to successfully intercept the target.[55] India is also planning to develop a laser based weapon system as part of its Ballistic Missile Defence to intercept and destroy missiles soon after they are launched towards the country. DRDO's Air Defence Programme Director V K Saraswat says its ideal to destroy a ballistic missile carrying nuclear or conventional warhead in its boost phase. Saraswat further added that it will take another 1015 years for the premier defence research institute to make it usable on the ground.[56] [edit]Security pacts and Overseas Bases

India and Russia share an extensive economic, defence and technologicalrelationship.[57] Shown here is PresidentPratibha Patil with President Dmitry Medvedev.

In 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, India made obligation to actively assist Nepal in national defence and military preparedness, and made both nations not to tolerate threats to each others security.[58][59] In 1958, the then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Bhutan and reiterated India's support for Bhutan's independence and later declared in the Indian Parliament that any aggression against Bhutan would be seen as aggression against India.[60] India also operates the Farkhor Air Base in Tajikistan. India started the process to bring the island country Maldives into India's security grid.[61] India can use Iranian bases for war with Pakistan.[62][63] India is also one of three countries with whom Japan has a security pact, the others being Australia and the United States.[64] India and Russia have a military cooperation pact until 2010 which is likely to be extended or renewed.[65] In 1951,India and Burma signed a Treaty of Friendship in New Delhi. Article II of the treaty stipulated that "There shall be everlasting peace and unalterable friendship between the two States who shall ever strive to strengthen and develop further the cordial relations existing between the peoples of the two countries".[66]India had signed a pact to develop ports in Myanmar and various bilateral issues, including economic cooperation, connectivity, security and energy.[67] India and Israel have increased cooperation in military and intelligence ventures since the establishment of diplomatic relations. While India and Israel were officially "rivals" during the Cold War, the fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of Islamic terrorism in both countries have generated a solid strategic alliance.[68] India has maritime security arrangement in place with Oman and Qatar.[69] In 2008, a landmark defense pact was signed, under which India committed its military assets to protect "Qatar from external threats".[70]
[

edit]Budget

Military spending of the world

India has the world's 10th largest defense budget. In 2009, India's official military budget stood at US$]32.7 billion.[71] In 2004, the GlobalSecurity.orgestimated India's budget to be around US$100 billion in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).[72] According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India's military budget (PPP) stood at US$72.7 billion in 2007.[73] A major portion of India's current defense budget is devoted to the ambitious modernization program of the country's armed forces. Between 2007 and 2012, India is expected to spend about US$50 billion on the procurement of new weapons.[74] India boosted defence spending by 21% in 2009.[75]
[

edit]Gallantry awards

The India Gate is the largest war memorial in India

The highest wartime gallantry award given by the Military of India is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), followed by the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and the Vir Chakra(VrC). Its peacetime equivalent is the Ashoka Chakra. The highest decoration for meritorious service is the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
[

edit]Ex Servicemen (ESM)

According to military sources, more than 55,000 armed forces personnel retire from the army every year, most of them at a relatively younger age.[citation needed] A total of 1,567,390 ex servicemen are registered with the Indian Army, majority of them hailing from UP (17.35%), Punjab (12.23%), Haryana (10.57%), Maharashtra (9.18%),

Kerala (8.16%), TN (6.58%), Rajastan (6.42%) and HP (5%). Many of them are re-employed in various Central government sectors.[76]
[

edit]Future

Analysis of the Central Intelligence Agency indicates that India is projected to possess the fourth most capable concentration of power by 2015.[77] According to a report published by the US Congress, India is the developing world's leading arms purchaser.[78] Ongoing efforts at modernization of the armed forces, however, unless accompanied by significant political reforms, may fail to change India's military-strategic position, particularly with Pakistan. Despite importing large numbers of conventional weaponry over the last three decades, if India wishes to effectively confront critical security challenges it must address a civil-military imbalance that hampers coordination and an illegitimate procurement process that threatens to further entrench government corruption.[79]
[

edit]Recruitment and training

Soldiers from the 4th Rajput Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army handling INSAS rifles during a training mission.

Recruitment is through four military related academies. These include the National Defence Academy, Pune, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy,Ezhimala, Air Force Academy, Hyderabad and Officers Training Academy, Chennai. For entrance, one must display that they are both physically and mentally fit to be in the military by written examinations, physicial endurance tests and passing medical fitness tests. After being

commissioned,these officers are posted and deputed. They are at the helm of affairs not only inside the nation but also at abroad. The officers are appointed and removed only by the President of India. These officers are accorded high status of the nature of the officers of the Indian Administrative Service. The complete list of institutions training Indian army were listed in Military academies in Indiasection.
[

edit]Indian Peace Keeping And Anti-piracy Mission

In November 2008, an Indian navy warship destroyed a suspected Somali pirate vessel after it came under attack in the Gulf of Aden. India is regular contributor to United Nations and other Peacekeeping missions. The troop-contributions to UN peacekeeping operations as of March 2007 were 9,471.[80] It also suffered 127 soldier deaths while serving on peacekeeping missions.[81] India also provided army contingent performing a peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990 as Indian Peace Keeping Force and in November 1988, India also helped restore government of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in Maldives under Operation Cactus.[82]
[edit]Anti-piracy

Mission

India sought to augment its naval force in the Gulf of Aden by deploying the larger INS Mysore to patrol the area. Somalia also added India to its list of states, including the U.S. and France, who are permitted to enter its territorial waters, extending up to 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) from the coastline, in an effort to check piracy.[83]An Indian naval official confirmed receipt of a letter acceding to India's prerogative to check such piracy. "We had put up a request before the Somali government to play a greater role in suppressing piracy in the Gulf of Aden in view of the United Nations resolution. The TFG government gave its nod recently."[84] India also expressed consideration to deploy up to four more warships in the region.[85][86] And in response increased activity of the INS Tabar. On 2010-09-06 A crack team of Indian marine commandos(MARCOS)from INS Delhi boarded the boat and overpowered the pirates - seven heavily-armed Somalians and one Yemeni national. A cache of arms, several drums of fuel and ship boarding equipment was also found.As part of the Indian response to

the piracy menace in the area, the Indian Navy has escorted over 1,200 ships so far.
[edit]Relief

Operation of IAF

Indian Air Force provides regular relief operation for food and medical facility around the World by its Cargo aircraft most notably Ilyushin Il76.The most recent relief operation of IAF was inKyrgyzstan.[87][88] During the Leh floods Two Ilyushin Il-76. and four Antonov-32 aircraft of the IAF carried 30 tonnes of load, which include 125 rescue and relief personnel, medicines, generators, tents, portable X-ray machines and emergency rescue kits.A MI-17 helicopter and cheetak helicopters had been pressed to increase the rescue operations.
[edit]IAF

Efforts In Eclipse Study

The Indian Air Force successfully undertook sorties to help Indian scientists study the total solar eclipse that took place on July 23. Two separate missions from Agra and Gwalior were flown along the path of the moon's shadow, a mission that was deemed hugely successful by scientists associated with the experiment. While one AN32 transport aircraft carrying scientific equipment, cameras and scientists that took off from Agra landed back after a three-hour flight, a Mirage-2000 trainer from Gwalior took spectacular images of the celestial spectacle from 40,000 feet. With weather being clear at the altitudes and coordinates planned by the IAF pilots, both AN-32 and Mirage-2000 pilots were able to accomplish the mission successfully.[89]
[edit]

ery least.

1 2

U.S.A.

11 12

Israel

China

South Korea

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Russia

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Italy

India

Indonesia

U.K.

Pakistan

France

Taiwan

Germany

Egypt

Brazil

Iran

Japan

Mexico

Turkey

North Korea

India possesses nuclear weapons and maintains short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, nuclear-capable aircraft, surface ships, and submarines under development as possible delivery systems and platforms. Although it lacks an operational ballistic missile submarine, India has ambitions of possessing a nuclear triad in the near future when INS Arihant the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered submarines formally joins the Indian Navy in 2011 after undergoing extensive sea-trials. Though India has not made any official statements about the size of its nuclear arsenal, recent estimates suggest that India has between 80 and 100 nuclear [2] weapons, consistent with earlier estimates that it had produced enough weapons-grade plutonium [3] for up to 75110 nuclear weapons. Production of weapons-grade plutonium is believed to be taking place at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, which is home to the CIRUS reactor, acquired from Canada and shut down in 2010, to the indigenous Dhruva reactor, and to aplutonium separation [4] facility. India is not a signatory to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which India argues entrenches the status quo of the existing nuclear weapons states whilst preventing general nuclear

disarmament. India tested a nuclear device in 1974 (code-named "Smiling Buddha"), which it called a "peaceful nuclear explosion." The test used plutonium produced in the Canadiansupplied CIRUS reactor, and raised concerns that nuclear technology supplied for peaceful purposes could be diverted to weapons purposes. This also stimulated the early work of the Nuclear Suppliers [6] Group. India performed further nuclear tests in 1998 (code-named "Operation Shakti"). India has signed and ratified both the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Contents
[hide]

[5]

1 Brief historical overview 2 Current arsenal and estimates of inventory 3 Doctrine 4 Command and control 5 International treaties 6 Delivery systems

6.1 Ballistic missiles

6.1.1 Prithvi 6.1.2 Dhanush 6.1.3 Agni 6.1.4 Surya 6.1.5 Shaurya 6.1.6 Sagarika

6.2 Cruise missiles

6.2.1 Nirbhay 6.2.2 3M-54 Klub 6.2.3 P-70 Ametist 6.2.4 Moskit 6.2.5 Brahmos

6.3 Surface to air missile

6.3.1 Akash

7 Delivery mechanisms

7.1 Nuclear submarines

7.1.1 Former Leasing of Soviet submarines 7.1.2 Arihant class submarine 7.1.3 Russian submarine K-152 Nerpa (INS Chakra) 7.1.4 INS Cruise Missile Submarines

 o o

7.1.5 Amur class submarines

7.2 Frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers 7.3 Nuclear-capable aircraft

8 Ballistic missile defense 9 Chemical weapons 10 Biological warfare 11 References 12 External links

[edit]Brief

historical overview

As early as 26 June 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru, soon to be India's first Prime Minister, announced:

As long as the world is constituted as it is, every country will have to devise and use the latest devices for its protection. I have no doubt India will develop her scientific researches and I hope Indian scientists will use the atomic force for constructive purposes. But if India is threatened, she will inevitably try to defend herself by all means [7] at her disposal.

India's first nuclear test occurred on 18 May 1974. Since then India has conducted another series of tests at the Pokhran test range in the state ofRajasthan in 1998. India has an extensive civil and military nuclear program, which includes at least 10 nuclear reactors, uranium mining and milling sites,heavy water production facilities, a uranium enrichment plant, fuel fabrication facilities, and extensive nuclear research capabilities. In 1998, as a response to the continuing tests, the United States and Japan imposed temporary economic sanctions on India. [edit]Current

[8]

arsenal and estimates of inventory

[9]

In 2005, it was estimated that India had between 40 and 50 warheads.

In November 2008, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimated that India has about 70 [10] assembled nuclear warheads, with about 50 of them fully operational. A report by David Albright, published by the Institute for Science and International Security in 2000, estimated that India at end of 1999 had 310 kilograms ofweapon grade plutonium, enough for 65 nuclear weapons. He also estimated that India had 4,200 kg of reactor grade plutonium [11][12] which is enough to build 1,000 nuclear weapons. By the end of 2004, he estimates India had 445 kilograms of weapon grade plutonium which is enough for around 85 nuclear weapons [13] considering 5 kg of plutonium required for each weapon. As of February 2011, the Federation of American Scientists estimated that India had a stockpile [14] of 80-100 weapons.

Former R&AW official J.K. Sinha, claimed that India is capable of producing 130 kilograms of weapon grade plutonium per year from six "unsafeguarded" reactors not included in the [15] nuclear deal between India and the United States.

[edit]Doctrine India has a declared nuclear no-first-use policy and is in the process of developing a nuclear doctrine based on "credible minimum deterrence." In August 1999, the Indian government released a draft of [16][dead link] the doctrine which asserts that nuclear weapons are solely for deterrence and that India will pursue a policy of "retaliation only". The document also maintains that India "will not be the first to initiate a nuclear first strike, but will respond with punitive retaliation should deterrence fail" and that decisions to authorize the use of nuclear weapons would be made by the Prime Minister or his [16] 'designated successor(s).'" According to the NRDC, despite the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan in 2001-2002, India remains committed to its nuclear no-first-use policy. Indian National Security Advisor Shri Shivshankar Menon signaled a significant shift from "No first use" to "no first use against non-nuclear weapon states" in a speech on the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebrations of National Defence College in New Delhi on October 21, 2010, a doctrine [17][18][dead link] Menon said reflected India's "strategic culture, with its emphasis on minimal deterrence." [edit]Command

and control

India's Strategic Nuclear Command was formally established in 2003, with an Air Force officer, Air Marshal Asthana, as the Commander-in-Chief. The joint services SNC is the custodian of all of India's nuclear weapons, missiles and assets. It is also responsible for executing all aspects of India's nuclear policy. However, the civil leadership, in the form of the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) is the only body authorized to order a nuclear strike against another offending strike: In effect, it is the Prime Minister who has his finger "on the button." [edit]International

treaties

India is not a signatory to either the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), but did accede to the Partial Test Ban Treaty in October 1963. India is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and four of its 17 nuclear reactors are subject to IAEA safeguards. India announced its lack of intention to accede to the NPT as late as 1997 by voting against the [19] paragraph of a General Assembly Resolution which urged all non-signatories of the treaty to [20] accede to it at the earliest possible date.

Thermonuclear device used in the Pokhran Test

India voted against the UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the CTBT, which was adopted on 10 September 1996. India objected to the lack of provision for universal nuclear disarmament "within a time-bound framework." India also demanded that the treaty ban laboratory simulations. In addition, India opposed the provision in Article XIV of the CTBT that requires India's ratification for the treaty to enter into force, which India argued was a violation of its sovereign right to choose whether it would sign the treaty. In early February 1997, Foreign Minister I.K.Gujral reiterated India's opposition to the treaty, saying that "India favors any step aimed at destroying nuclear weapons, but considers that the treaty in its current form is not comprehensive and bans only certain types of tests." In August 2008, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved safeguards agreement with [21] India under which the former will gradually gain access to India's civilian nuclear reactors. In September 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group granted India a waiver allowing it to access civilian [22] nuclear technology and fuel from other countries. The implementation of this waiver makes India the only known country with nuclear weapons which is not a party to the NPT but is still allowed to [23] carry out nuclear commerce with the rest of the world. Since the implementation of NSG waiver, India has signed nuclear deals with several countries [24] [25] [26] [27] including France, United States, Mongolia, Namibia, and Kazakhstan while the framework [28][29] for similar deals with Canada and United Kingdom are also being prepared. [edit]Delivery

systems

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensureverifiability.

Below is the list of missiles currently in India's inventory or under development that can carry Nuclear Warheads. Information on the missiles is given below.

Agni II was India's first long range missile

Agni missile range.

India's nuclear capable missiles

Name

Class

Range

Payload

Status

Agni-I

SRBM

700 km

1,000 kg

Operational

Agni-II

MRBM

2,000 km 3,000 km

500 kg 1,000 kg

Operational

Agni-III

IRBM

5,000 km

2,490 kg

Inducted

Agni-IV

MRBM

3,000 km 3,800 km

500 kg 1,500 kg

Induction by 2014-15

Agni-V

ICBM

5,000 km 6,000 km

3,000 kg+

Under development

Agni-VI

ICBM

5,200 km 10,000 km

700 kg 1,400 kg

Under development

[30]

Dhanush

SRBM

350 km

500 kg

Developed but not used

Nirbhay

Subsonic Cruise Missile

1,000 km

Under development

Brahmos I

Supersonic Cruise Missile

290 km

300 kg

Operational

Brahmos II

Hypersonic Cruise Missile

290 km

300 kg

Under development

P-70 Ametist

Anti-shipping Missile

65 km

530 kg

Operational

P-270 Moskit

Supersonic Cruise Missile

120 km

320 kg

Operational

Popeye

ASM

78 km

340 kg

Operational

Prithvi-I

SRBM

150 km

1000 kg

Operational

Prithvi-II

SRBM

250 km

500 kg

Operational

Prithvi-III

SRBM

350 km

500 kg

Operational

Sagarika (missile)

SLBM

700 km - 2,200 km

150 kg 1000 kg

Awaiting Arihant SSBN's

Shaurya

TBM

700 km - 2,200 km

150 kg 1,000 kg

Operational

[edit]Ballistic

missiles

Under former president Dr. Abdul Kalam India pursued the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) which was an Indian Ministry of Defense program for the development of a comprehensive range of missiles, including the intermediate range Agni missile (Surface to Surface), and short range missiles such as the Prithvi ballistic missile (Surface to Surface), Akash missile (Surface to Air), Trishul missile (Surface to Air) and Nag Missile (Anti Tank). Other projects such Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program have derived from the IGMDP. In 2005, India became only the fourth country to have Anti Ballistic capability when India tested two systems the AAD and [31] PAD.

Prithvi I

India has methodically built an indigenous missile production capability, using its commercial spacelaunch program to develop the skills and infrastructure needed to support an offensive ballistic missile program. For example, during the 1980s, India conducted a series of space launches using the solidfueled SLV-3 booster. Most of these launches put light satellites into near-earth orbit. Elements of the SLV-3 were subsequently incorporated into two new programs. In the first, the new polar-space launch vehicle (PSLV) was equipped with six SLV-3 motors strapped to the PSLV's first stage. The Agni IRBM technology demonstrator uses the SLV-3 booster as its first stage. [edit]Prithvi

The Prithvi (Sanskrit: "Earth") I is mobile liquid-fueled 150 kilometer tactical missile currently deployed with army units. It is claimed that this missile is equipped only with various conventional warheads (which stay attached to the missile over the entire flight path). The missile is of particular interest to the United States (and potential buyers) in that has the capability of maneuvering in flight so as to follow one of several different pre-programmed trajectories. Based on the same design, a modified Prithvi, the Prithvi II, is essentially a longer-ranged version of the Prithvi I except that it has a 250kilometer range and a lighter payload. It is suspected that any nuclear missions will be executed by the Prithvi II. Currently, the Prithvi II has completed development and is now in production. When fielded, it will be deployed with air force units for the purpose of deep target attacking maneuvers against objectives such as air fields. Prithvi I Army Version (150 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg) Prithvi II Air Force Version (250 km range with a payload of 500 kg) Prithvi III Naval Version (350 km range with a payload of 500 kg)

The Prithvi missile project encompassed developing 3 variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The initial project framework of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program outlines the variants in the following manner. in October 2009 India conducted 2 simultenous user trials of 350 km extended range Prithvi II to be used for strategic purposes. [edit]Dhanush Dhanush (Sanskrit: Bow) is a naval variant of the Prithvi missile. It can fire either the 250 km or the 350 km range missiles. Supposedly it is a customised version of the Prithvi and that the additional customizations in missile configuration are to certify it for seaworthiness. Dhanush has to be launched from a hydraulically stabilized launch pad. Its low range acts against it and thus it is seen a weapons either to be used to destroy an aircraft carrier or an enemy port. Indian Navy's K-15 [33] Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missile is reported to be a variant of the Dhanush missile. The ship launched Dhanush Ballistic Missile was tested from INS Subhadra of the Sukanya class patrol craft in 2000. INS Subhadra is a vessel which was modified and the missile was launched from the reinforced helicopter deck. The 250 km variant was tested but the tests were considered partially [34] successful. In 2004, the missile was again tested from the INS Subhadra and was this time [35] successful. Then the following year in December the missile's 350 km version was tested from the [36] INS Rajput and hit the land based target. [edit]Agni The Agni (Sanskrit: Fire) missile system comprises five missiles: Agni I Agni II Agni III Agni IV Agni V
[32]

There are some reports about one other variant of Agni missile: Agni VI
[37]

Agni-I uses the SLV-3 booster (from India's space program) for its first stage and a liquid-fueled [38] Prithvi for its second stage.

Nuclear-capable Agni-II missiles have a range of up to 3,000 km and can carry a payload of [39] [40] 1,000 kg. Unlike the Agni-I, the Agni-II has a solid-fueled second stage. In July 2006, India successfully test-fired Agni-III, a two-stage nuclear-capable ballistic missile with [42] a range of 3,000 km. Both stages of the Agni-III utilizes solid-fuel propellants and its range can be [43] extended to 4,000 km. The missile is capable of carrying a nuclear payload within the range of 600 [44] to 1,800 kg including decoys and other anti-ballistic counter-measures. India's DRDO is also working on a submarine-launched ballistic missile version of the Agni-III missile, known as the Agni-III SL. This missile is expected to provide India with a credible sea-based second [45] strike capability. According to Indian defense sources, Agni-III SL will have a range of 3,500 km. In [46] addition, the 5,000 km range Agni-V ICBM is expected to be tested by 2010-11. [edit]Surya The report of Surya ICBM (Sanskrit: Sun) has not been confirmed by officials of the Indian government and have repeatedly denied the existence of the project.The Surya ICBM is [47] an ICBM program that has been mentioned repeatedly in the Indian press . Surya (meaning Sun in Sanskrit and many other Indian languages) is the codename for the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that India is reported to be developing. The DRDO is believed to have begun the project in 1994. As the missile is yet to be developed, the specifications of the missile are not known and the entire [48] program continues to remain highly speculative. Estimates of the range of this missile vary from [49] [50] 5,000 km to 10,000 km. It is believed to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid propellants and the third-stage using liquid. In 2007, the Times of India reported that theDRDO is yet to reveal whether India's currently proposed ICBM will be called Agni-V (or Surya[49] [47] 1). As of 2009 it was reported that the government had not considered an 8,000-km range ICBM. Four decades of investments in a missile-related design, development, and manufacturing infrastructure have also made this sector less vulnerable to long-term disruption by technology denial regimes. More significantly, India's sophisticated civilian satellite launch capability makes it one of the [51] few developing states theoretically capable of building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). [edit]Shaurya The Shaurya missile (Sanskrit: Valour) is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by DRDO of India for use by the Indian Army. It has a range of 600 km and is capable of carrying a payload of one-tonne conventional or nuclear warhead. The Shaurya missile provides India with a [52] significant second strike capability. Shaurya Missile is considered a land version of the Sagarika. This missile is stored in a composite canister just like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The composite canister makes the missile much easier to store for long periods without maintenance as well as to handle and transport. It also houses the gas generator to eject the missile from the canister before its solid propellant motors take over to hurl it at the intended target. Shaurya missiles can remain hidden or camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters. DRDO Defence scientists admit that given Shaurya's limited range at present, either the silos will have to be constructed closer to India's borders or longer-range missiles will have to be developed. The Shaurya system will require some more tests before it becomes fully operational in two-three years. Moreover, defense scientists say the highspeed, two-stage Shaurya has high maneuverability which also makes it less vulnerable to existing [53] anti-missile defense systems. When Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems Advanced Air Defence (AAD) and Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) are to be tested again, the Shaurya invulnerability to anti-missile systems will be tested. The DRDO scientists also have said that if Shaurya is successful and
[41]

manages to avoid anti ballistic missile radars then the missile can even be used to improve the AAD and PAD systems. [edit]Sagarika Sagarika (Sanskrit: Wave / Born from the Ocean) is a nuclear capable submarine-launched ballistic missile with a range of 750 km. This missile has a length of 8.5 meters, weighs seven tonnes and can [54] carry a pay load of up to 500 kg. The development of this missile started in 1991. The first [55] confirmation about the missile came in 1998. The development of the underwater missile launcher known as the Project 78 (P78) was completed in 2001. This was handed over to the Indian Navy for trials. The missile was successfully test fired thrice. The Indian Navy plans to introduce the missile into service by the end of 2010. Sagarika missile is being integrated with the Arihant class [56] submarine that is expected to begin sea trials by 2009. Sagarika will form part of the triad in India's [57] nuclear deterrence and will provide with retaliatory nuclear strike capability. Sagarika has already been test-fired from an underwater pontoon, but now DRDO is planning a fullfledged test of the missile from a submarine and for this purpose may use the services of a Russian [58] sub-marine. Eventually it could be introduced into as many as 5 ballistic missile submarines. [edit]Cruise

missiles

India has a number of Moskit supersonic nuclear capable cruise missile

P-70 Ametist cruise missile

[edit]Nirbhay Nirbhay (Sanskrit "Fearless") is a long range, subsonic cruise missile being developed in India. The missile will have a range of 1,000 km and will arm three services, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and [59] the Indian Air Force. The Nirbhay will be able to be launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and air. The first test flight of the missile is expected in the year 2012. Nirbhay will be a terrain [60] hugging, stealth missile capable of delivering 24 different types of warheads depending on mission [61] requirements and will use inertial navigation system for guidance. There are plans to arm the IL[62] 76MDs with the aerial version of the missile.

[edit]3M-54 Klub India has acquired around 200 3M-54 Klub for arming Talwar class frigate, Shivalik class [63] frigate, Kolkata class destroyer and Sindhughosh class submarine. The Russian 3M-54 Klub is a multi-role missile system developed by the Novator Design Bureau (OKB-8) with a range of 250 km[64] 300 km and an average speed of .8 Mach with a maximum of 2.9 Mach. India has both the Klub-N [65] and Klub-S variant to be used for Ships and Submarines respectively. Both the Klub-N and Klub-S have been tested successfully. India currently has the 3M-54E, 3M-54E1, 91RE1 and 91RE2 variants. In addition the Navy has plans to arm the Tu-142 and Tu-22M with an air-launched version. Due to Klub's longer range than BrahMos it may also be used in the Mirage 2000 and Su-30 MKI too. The Navy has shown interest in buying more Klubs which would be incorporated on to the S1000 submarine if bought by India. India is also keen on other Former Soviet cruise missile such as the P-700 Granit and P-500 Bazalt. [edit]P-70 Ametist India has Soviet P-70 Ametist submarine-launched cruise missiles. The missile were mostly probably bought in the early 90s and may be used today as canistered launched land based cruise missiles instead of submarine launched cruise missiles. The missiles can carry nuclear warheads and have a range of 5065 km. Although they are extremely old and incompetent due to their low range and speed, there are still reports that they are kept in reserve and can still be used due to their [67] upgrades in the late 90s. [edit]Moskit India has a number of operational Moskits. The P-270 Moskit is a Russian supersonic ramjet powered cruise missile capable of being launched from land and ships. India has most probably bought both land and ship variants which have a range of 120 km. India bought around 200 Klub missiles and now it is believed that the Moskit have been kept in reserve but can still be used. [edit]Brahmos BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed the BrahMos Aerospace Private [68] Limited. The acronym BrahMos is perceived as the confluence of the two nations represented by two rivers, [69] the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. It travels at speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8 and is the world's fastest cruise missile. It is about three-and-a-half times faster than the U.S.A's subsonic Harpoon cruise missile. A hypersonic version of the missile is also presently under development (Lab Tested with 5.26 Mach Speed). BrahMos claims to have the capability of attacking surface targets as low as 10 meters in altitude. It can gain a speed of Mach 2.8, and has a maximum range of [70] 290 km. The ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg warhead, whereas the aircraft-launched variant (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead. It has a two-stage propulsion system, with a solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled ramjet responsible for sustained supersonic cruise. Air-breathing ramjet propulsion is much more fuel-efficient than rocket propulsion, giving the BrahMos a longer range than a pure rocket-powered missile would achieve. The high speed of the BrahMos likely gives it better target-penetration characteristics than lighter subsonic cruise-missiles such as the Tomahawk. Being twice as heavy and almost four times faster than the Tomahawk, the BrahMos has almost 32 times the initial kinetic energy of a Tomahawk
[66] [66]

missile (although it pays for this by having only 3/5 the payload and a fraction of the range despite weighing twice as much, suggesting a different tactical paradigm to achieve the objective). Although BrahMos is primarily an anti-ship missile, it can also engage land based targets. It can be launched either in a vertical or inclined position and is capable of covering targets over a 360 degree horizon. The BrahMos missile has an identical configuration for land, sea, and sub-sea platforms. The air-launched version has a smaller booster and additional tail fins for added stability during launch. The BrahMos is currently being configured for aerial deployment with the Su-30MKI as its carrier. India has produced more than 110 Brahmos by March 2011 as per SIPRI, inducted 1 regiment of Brahmos Type-I GLCM with 67 missiles. [edit]Surface

to air missile

Akash SAM

[edit]Akash Akash (Sanskrit: Sky) is India's medium range surface-to-air missile defense system The missile can [71] target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 m. Akash can be fired from both tracked [72] and wheeled platforms. Akash is said to be capable of both conventional and nuclear warheads, [73] with a reported payload of 60 kg. A nuclear warhead could potentially give the missile the capability to destroy both aircraft and warheads from ballistic missiles. The missile is described as being able to strike several targets simultaneously, which could mean either separate, independently targetable warheads, or a sufficient blast to destroy a number of them. Along with India, a limited number of other countries including the US and Russia have developed operational multi-target handling surface-to-air missile systems capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. [edit]Delivery

mechanisms

Former leased Charlie-Class submarine

6 Sindhughosh Class submarines can fire nuclear capable cruise missile, 3M-54 Klub.

The INS Tabar and other Talwar class frigates are armed with the Nuclear capable3M-54 Klub cruise missiles.

[edit]Nuclear

submarines

According to some accounts, India plans to have as many as 25 nuclear submarines capable of [citation needed] carrying missiles with nuclear warheads. Currently, India has built one and is building two more nuclear submarines under the Arihant class submarine plan. India currently maintains six submarines of the Sindhughosh Class that can launch the nuclear-capable 3M-54 Klub cruise missiles. [edit]Former Leasing of Soviet submarines

In 1988 INS Chakra (Sanskrit: Wheel), a Charlie-class submarine was leased by the Indian Navy for three years from the Soviet Union, until 1991. The submarine was leased to India between 1988 and 1991 mainly for India to gain experience in the operations of a nuclear submarine. It was later decommissioned in 1991. [edit]Arihant class submarine The Arihant class submarines (Sanskrit: Slayer of Enemies) are a class of nuclear-powered Ballistic Missile submarines being constructed for the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, India under the [74][75] Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project The ATV is an SSBN and will be armed with ballistic missiles. The first of these, INS Arihant was launched on 26 July 2009. The vessel, which will undergo sea[76] trials for up to two years, will then be equipped with an unknown number of K-15 Sagarika SLBMs. The second and third submarines of the class may incorporate the Nirbhay as well. As of July 2007, the Sagarika missile as well as Dhanush had undergone three successful tests each. [edit]Russian submarine K-152 Nerpa (INS Chakra) In 2000, negotiations between India and Russia were conducted into the leasing of two incomplete Akula class. The Akulas were to be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2008 on a lease of at least seven years and up to ten years, in which at the end of the lease, it has an option to buy them. The acquisition was to help the Indian Navy prepare for the introduction of the ATV. The cost to India of acquiring two Akula submarines and their support infrastructure along with training of the crews had [77] been estimated at $2 billion. The Indian version was reportedly armed with the 300 km range 3M[78] 54 Klub nuclear-capable missiles. Supposedly on 9 November 2008 one of the two submarines was conducting tests, when an accident on board killed 20 sailors but no damage occurred to the submarine. Though this deal fell apart for some time due to the Indians demanding an upgrade/improvement in some of its safety features, Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on his official trip to New Delhi said that the deal was back on track and that "The talk is not about selling [79] submarines into India's property, but about their rent by India's navy". However, unlike the earlier deal the modified deal states that India can only rent and not buy the subs, but defence experts state that the so-called lease agreement is only to divert international attention and that it would be eventually modified and India would inevitably keep the subs. The first submarine will be named INS [80] Chakra. . Home voyage under Indian control from the Russian port of Vladivostok to its Indian base [81] Visakhapatnam commenced January, 2012. INS Chakra was inducted into the Indian Navy on April 4, 2012. [edit]INS Cruise Missile Submarines The INS Sindhuraj (Sanskrit: King of the Ocean), INS Sindhuvir (Sanskrit: Warrior of the Ocean), INS Sindhuratna (Sanskrit: Gem of the Ocean), INS Sindhushastra (Sanskrit: Weapon of the Ocean), INS Sindhukesari (Sanskrit: Lion of the Ocean) and INS Sindhuvijay (Sanskrit: Conqueror of the Ocean) [78] are capable of launching 3M-54 Klub and BrahMos nuclear-capable cruise missiles. India bought 10 Kilo class (in India known as Sindhughosh Class) submarine of which 6 have been refitted by the Russian Navy so that the they can launch cruise missiles such as the nuclear capable 3M-54 Klub. [edit]Amur class submarines Russia has also offered the advanced Amur Class Submarine, known as the S1000. According to GlobalSecurity India is already building the S1000 cruise missile submarines in Mazagaon [84] Docks. The Amur will be most probably fitted with P-700 Granit or the Klub cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
[82][83]

[edit]Frigates,

destroyers and aircraft carriers

The Shivalik class frigates are armed with the 3M-54 Klub and may also incorporate the nuclear capable Nirbhay missile in the future. Seen here is the INS Shivalik when under sea trials.

Other than submarines, India also maintains ships such as destroyers, modified patrol crafts and frigates which can launch nuclear capable ballistic and cruise missiles. Talwar class frigate and Shivalik class frigate are frigates of the Indian Navy that can fire nuclear capable cruise missiles. INS Tabar and INS Trishul are Talwar class vessel armed with supersonic nuclear 3M-54 Klub cruise missiles while INS Shivalik was the first vessel of the Shivalik class to incorporate the 3M-54 Klub. Other vessels of the Shivalik Class and Talwar Class are to be armed with the BrahMos and 3M-54 Klub missiles by 2009 and 2010 respectively. All these frigates are also equipped with Barak 1 missiles or other SAMs and harbour helicopters such as the HAL Dhruv. In years to come, the Nirbhay missileis also to be incorporated into Talwar class frigates and Shivalik class frigates. Rajput Class, Kolkata Class and Delhi Class are Destroyers of the Indian Navy that may be armed with nuclear capable missile-Nirbhay. In addition Kolkata Class will also incorporate the Russian [63] nuclear 3M-54 Klub cruise missile. The ship launched Dhanush Ballistic Missile was tested from INS Subhadra of the Sukanya class patrol craft in 2000. INS Subhadra is a patrol vessel which was modified and the missile was launched from the reinforced helicopter deck. The 250 km variant was tested but the tests were [34] considered partially successful. In 2004, the missile was again tested from the INS Subhadra and [35] was this time successful. Then the following year in December the missile's 350 km version was [36] tested from the INS Rajput and hit the land based target. INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier (formerly known as Admiral Gorshkov) was fitted with P-500 [85] Bazalt nuclear capable cruise missiles of the range of 550 km. The Vikramaditya could still be armed with this after its refit. India is also a potential customer for a Slava class cruiser which also incorporates the P-500 Bazalt. [edit]Nuclear-capable

aircraft

Indian Air Force Mirage 2000H.

IAF Sukhoi Su-30 MKI

India currently has fourth generation jet fighters capable of launching nuclear weapons. Nuclearcapable aircraft are also seen as a less expensive way of dropping nuclear warheads as well as being as effective. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Mirage 2000, and MiG-29 serve in the Indian Air Force and are also seen as a means to deliver nuclear weapons. In addition India maintains SEPECAT [89] Jaguar and MiG-27M which can be used to drop gravity bombs. On the other hand, the Su-30MKI [86] is capable of carrying nuclear weapons and is tailor-made for Indian specifications. It is primarily an [90] air superiority fighter with air-to-ground attack capabilities. The MKI variant features several improvements over the basic K and MK variants and is classified as a 4.5 generation [91][92] fighter. Due to similar features and components, the MKI variant is often considered to be a customized Indian variant of the Sukhoi Su-35. The Mirage 2000Hs were heavily customised during the Kargil War and is the only other version, other than the French 2000N, to be able to be armed with nuclear weapons. Though the MiG-29 like the HAL Tejas after many test flights have not been tested to use nuclear weapons, they have the capacity to be armed with them. Both the HAL Tejas and Su-30MKI can travel excess of 3,000 km without refueling; this allows India to attack targets far away in an effective manner only using planes rather than delivery systems such as the Agni. The HAL Tejas is India's only indigenous plane to be armed with nuclear weapons, thus making India less dependent on Russia. India has leased four Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers, which could carry air-launched cruise missiles. India has reportedly upgraded its Russian-built Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft to carry air[93] launched cruise missiles. India is expected to buy up to 200 Sukhoi PAK-FA stealth fighter jets, [94] developed jointly by Russia and India. [edit]Ballistic
[86] [87] [88]

missile defense

India's Advanced Air Defense (AAD) interceptor missile

Main article: Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program India has an active ABM development effort using indigenously developed and integrated radars and [95] locally designed missiles. In November 2006, India successfully conducted the PADE (Prithvi Air Defence Exercise) in which an Anti-ballistic missile, called the Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) an Exoatmospheric(outside the atmosphere) interceptor system intercepted a Prithvi-II ballistic missile. The PAD missile has the secondary stage of the Prithvi missile and can reach altitude of [96] 80 km. During the test the target missile was intercepted at an 50 km altitude. India became the fourth nation in the world to acquire such a capability and the third nation to develop it through [97] indigenous effort. On 6 December 2007 the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile system was [98] tested successfully. This missile is an Endo atmospheric interceptor with an altitude of 30 km. According to scientist V K Saraswat of DRDO the missiles will work in tandem to ensure a hit [99] probability of 99.8 percent. Induction of the system into services is expected to be in 2010. Two new anti ballistic missiles that can intercept IRBM/ICBMs are being developed. These high speed missiles (AD-1 and AD-2) are being developed to intercept ballistic missiles with the range of [100] 5,000 km. India also has Russian S300 PMU-2 and it is used as an interceptor for ballistic missiles. An indigenous nuclear tipped surface to air missile, Akash Missileis used to destroy low range missiles and is capable of destroying various targets and is one of the few of its kind systems in the world. India has also shown interest in the Russian S-400, the most advanced anti-ballistic missile. [edit]Chemical

weapons

In 1992 India signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), stating that it did not have chemical weapons and the capacity or capability to manufacture chemical weapons. By doing this India [101] became one of the original signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention [CWC] in 1993, and ratified it on 2 September 1996. According to India's ex-Army Chief General Sunderji, a country having the capability of making nuclear weapons does not need to have chemical weapons, since the dread of chemical weapons could be created only in those countries that do not have nuclear weapons. Others suggested that the fact that India has found chemical weapons dispensable highlighted its confidence in the conventional weapons system at its command. In June 1997, India declared its stock of chemical weapons (stockpile of 1044 tonnes of sulphur [102][103] mustard). By the end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons/material stockpile and was granted extension for destroying (the remaining stocks by April [104] 2009) and was expected to achieve 100 percent destruction within that timeframe. India informed the United Nations in May, 2009 that it had destroyed its stockpile of chemical weapons in compliance with the international Chemical Weapons Convention. With this India has become third country after [105][106] South Korea and Albania to do so. This was cross-checked by inspectors of the United Nations. India has an advanced commercial chemical industry, and produces the bulk of its own chemicals for domestic consumption. It is also widely acknowledged that India has an extensive civilian chemical and pharmaceutical industry and annually exports considerable quantities of chemicals to countries [107] such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Taiwan. [edit]Biological

warfare

India has a well-developed biotechnology infrastructure that includes numerous pharmaceutical production facilities bio-containment laboratories (including BSL-3 and BSL-4) for working with lethalpathogens. It also has highly qualified scientists with expertise in infectious diseases. Some of Indias facilities are being used to support research and development for BW defense purposes. India has ratified the BWC and pledges to abide by its obligations. There is no clear evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, that directly points toward an offensive BW program. New Delhi does possess the scientific capability and infrastructure to launch an offensive BW program, but has chosen not to do so. In terms of delivery, India also possesses the capability to produce aerosols and has numerous potential delivery systems ranging from crop dusters to sophisticated ballistic [108] missiles. No information exists in the public domain suggesting interest by the Indian government in delivery of biological agents by these or any other means. To reiterate the latter point, in October 2002, Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam asserted that "we [India] will not make biological weapons. It is cruel to [108] human beings..."

Agni 3 Indian missile

Brahmos, Indo-Russian Missile

Popeye, Indo-Israel Missile

Shaurya missile

Soviet-built Indian Charlie I class cruise missile submarine INS Chakra underway

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