With increasing threats from neighbours and keeping the need and modernisation of armed forces in mind, India is growing its tentacles in weapons and war machines construction. Several indications have made India to take steps ahead in bolstering its security and defense services. Foreign procurement and make in India has made India self-reliant. Some of the projects that are almost completed and undergoing trails are here.
Nirbhay cruise missile
Nuclear capable cruise missile, Nirbhay is set for third test fire. The missile has undergone 2 test fire in March 2013 and October 2014.The missile is said to be equivalent to America’s famous missile tomahawk. DRDO will conduct the test fire of the missile. As per the sources, the missile is made for land warfare, but it will be made for naval and air tasks also in future. The two stage missile works as a rocket in first stage and then turns to 90 degrees to run horizontally, getting into cruise mode. The missile uses auto pilot and navigation technology that is used in India’s UAV Nishant. The missile is subsonic and can attain a speed of up to 900-1,000 km per hour and a range of 1,000 kms, which will help it to target its prey accurately.
Brahmos missile
On the other hand, air-launched Brahmos cruise missile, weighing 2.5 tonnes and world’s fastest cruise missile, will go through its maiden trials through specially modified Sukhoi -30 fighter planes from November. The missile will be ready for use in mid of 2016. Land and navy version of Brahmos are already in service which are 500 Kgs heavier than air vision. The missile has a range of 290 Kms and can attain a speed of 2-3 times the speed of sound.
INS Arihant
INS Arihant, is all set to hold its missile fire tests. India’s first indigenously developed nuclear submarine has completed its sea trails and heading to its missile trails. As per the expectations, the submarine will be handed over to Indian navy by February 2016 after completing trails. The nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine built at Vishakhapatnam under Indian navy’s advanced technology vessel project. Its engine is powered with uranium fuel. It was publicly introduced in 2009 on the 10th anniversary of Kargil diwas.
Dhanush and Tejas
Dhanush howitzer, also known as Desi Bofors will overcome the thirst of Indian army. 155mm gun with 45 calibers will be handed over to Indian army by November of this year. The gun made by ordinance factory board, Kolkata is has a range of 38 kms. Meanwhile, everybody is aware of induction of India’s Tejas into Indian air force. Recent announcements have been made to increase the number of aircraft to be inducted from 40 to 120. DRDO hopefully said that minimum 5 jets will be there in the sky during the next Indian air force day celebration. According to DRDO, Tejas’s trainer version has completed weather trials and will undergo more we opens trials in next six months.
All these will make forces more strong with a wide range of weapons against enemies. Induction of new weapons along with the modification is going on high pace. New entrants in armed forces will surely take India to a new level.