Happy New (s) Year 2016 For Indian Armed Forces: New Lethal Weapons Will Add Razor’s Edge In Defence Capabilities!

Heron UAV (Photo Source: IAI) 

Shailesh Kumar,

New Delhi

What New Year 2016 will unveil for Indian Armed Forces? Which new weapons Indian soldiers would wield in year 2016? Well, new year-2016 may bring smile on soldiers’ face. Thanks to Prime Minister Modi’s “Make In India” initiative and defence minister Parrikar’s proactive approach towards clearing defence deals. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in year 2015 cleared defence procurement proposals worth Rs. 2 lakh crores. According to reliable sources Indian defence forces would add new lethal weapons and platforms in their inventory in 2016. Elevated inventory would add razor’s edge in defence capabilities of Indian Armed Forces. Let’s have a look force to force:  

Indian Army

MBT Arjun Mk-II-is being developed by Defence Research And Development Organisation (DRDO). Total 124 Arjun Mk-II, ordered by Indian Army in August 2010 are likely to be delivered in 2016. The new version will have advanced laser warning control system (ALWCS) and reduced signature to improve survivability in battle ground. Mobile Camouflaging System (MCS) technology with a new improved 1500 hp engine and anti-helicopter round would add invincible killing capabilities.  

Akash Missile System- Indian Army is to induct second regiment of surface to air missile Akash in 2016. Akash can hit enemy Aircraft, helicopters, UAV from a range of 25 kilometers.

M 777 Ultralight Howitzer- As part of its Artillery modernization programme, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the Army’s proposal to buy 145 BAE’s M777 Ultra-Light howitzers at a cost of Rs 2,900 crore. This deal would be through Foreign Military sales but the spares, maintenance and ammunition will be procured through Indian Systems. Indian Army is likely to acquire howitzers in year 2016.  

Heron UAV- Indian Government in September 2015 cleared acquisition of 10 missile-armed Heron UAVs from Israel. Adding drones in its inventory would raise Indian Army’s precision strike capability across border to dismantle terror camps with little or no collateral damage.  

Besides, Indian Army would get new Tetra Vehicle System, modified INSAS Rifle and Mounted Gun System in the year 2016.

Indian Navy

INS Kiltan: Indian Navy, which is holding International Fleet Review in 2016 to showcase its blue water capabilities would induct Anti Submarine Warfare corvette INS Kiltan in Indian Navy in 2016. INS Kiltan, third of Kamorta class corvettes is being built by GRSE, Kolkata giving a fillip to Make In India as 90 per cent of its content are sourced from India.

INS Kalvari is first of the Indian Navy’s six Kalvari class submarines being built by MDL, Mumbai likely to be commissioned into Indian Navy by the end of year 2016.   

INS Chennai: is the third ship of the Kolkata class destroyers being built by MDL under the code name of Project 15 Alpha.

Landing Craft Utility: Last of the eight Mk-IV LCU will be delivered to Indian Navy in year 2016. LCU would add amphibious capabilities to Indian Navy particularly to transport vehicles and personnel of Indian Army.

Waterjet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), INS Tarmugli, INS Tillanchang and INS Tihayu named after three different islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago are to be included in Indian Navy’s fleet arsenal in the first half of year 2016. The 4 warships are meant for attack missions as well as patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue operations. Two of them are also expected to participate in the international fleet review to be held in Visakhapatnam in February, 2016.  

Dhanush Missile: India’s nuclear ballistic missile capable of hitting both land and sea based targets at a range of 350 kilometer would be inducted into Indian Navy in 2016.

INS Arihant: Indian’s indigenously built nuclear submarine INS Arihant will be commissioned into Indian Navy adding huge deterrence capability as India would complete nuclear triad after its induction.

Indian Navy is likely to get remaining 15 Mig 29K out of 45 it had ordered besides 6 new P8I, reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft.

Indian Air Force

Indian Air Force would get 36 Rafale in 2016 and a deal would be finalized during the President Hollande’s India visit in January 2016. Besides, IAF would get delivery of 22 multirole attack helicopter Apache AH-64 and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers from Boeing. Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MR SAM), Air Defence Radar would add to the firepower of IAF. Creation of additional Air Field Infrastructure and Communication network will be priority of IAF, informs a source. Hypersonic Brahmos-II missile with a speed of 7 mach with 290 kilometers range is likely to be ready by 2016. It will be the fasted hypersonic missile in the world. Sources say that the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System with phase-II would be ready for deployment by the end of year 2016.