ARMY

In keeping with the 21st century vision of the Corps of Signals 'to achieve electronic and information superiority for effective functioning of the Indian Army', the Corps has embarked upon a multidimensional and challenging task of establishing a converged, robust, broad band and secure IT infrastructure, at peace and operational locations of the Indian Army.
A holistic approach has been adopted to develop the Communication and IT infrastructure in all its dimensions. ASCON Phase III, fully redundant and secure backbone network already implemented and presently project ASCON Phase IV is under implementation to cover voids. Also state of the art Zonal/Metro access networks have been established at a number of stations and at other locations these networks are under implementation. Simultaneously, access networks down to formation/unit level, especially in Northern, Eastern and Southern Commands, are being established based on OFC and UHF systems. Exclusive, satellite-based networks shall provide converged data and voice networks for different users which include use during aid to civil administration, especially during natural calamities.
Signals are essentially the NERVES of the Army. The nerves in our body connect the brain to the sensory organs and also to the limbs. It is through the nerves that the brain receives inputs from the various sensory organs. The processing of these inputs results in a set of commands being issued to the various limbs which execute them to provide the response that our body makes to the external stimulus. In the same manner, the Generals, being the brains of the Army, receive inputs from the troops in contact and from other sources through the Signals. These inputs are processed at the Headquarters and converted into action plans. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Signals to convey these operational plans to the troops who execute them. Therefore, it is obvious that the Signals are intimately intertwined in all aspects of the functioning of the Army both in war and in peace. Signals are present at all levels and at all places, just as we have nerves in all parts of our body.
The vision of Signals Corps is to attain and maintain informatic ascendancy by developing infostructure to cater for Network Centric Warfare in a digitized battlefield of tomorrow. The aim and objective of Signals Corps is to make the Indian Army Network Enabled Force by 2012 and Network Centric Force by 2017. This will entail consolidation of all networks so as to provide the Indian Army with an optimal, secure, reliable and robust infostructure that can meet both operational and peacetime requirements and one that is capable of withstanding technical and physical degradation. The Corps remains the lead agency and nodal centre for information and cyber security both within the Defence Services and at the National level.
The offrs at all levels are aware of the strategic, operational and tactical dimensions to enable a pragmatic application of technology in support of combat ops. Training centres are developing directives and processes that can prepare all ranks to acquire a high level of multiple skills needed in the diverse terrain, technological and op environment of our army in gen and Signals in particular. The training centres are designed to facilitate the pursuit of a continuous trg philosophy at unit level through on-the-job trg and by harnessing e-learning, thereby reducing the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots".
The momentous strides made by the Corps in the last few decades have truly been stupendous and without parallel. It has transited to a network enabled force, propelled by the intellect, sustained hard work and the inherent urge to excel which have been so vividly displayed by all officers and men. The domain of enhancing communication in the Tactical Battle Area and the facilitation of synergy of C4I2 elements are going to be the major thrust areas for the future. The Corps is forward looking, with finely honed procedures and exacting standards for execution of tasks. The Corps has always had an abiding and strong ethical foundation. With character comes reputation, and the esteem that the Corps enjoys today stems from the value system and ethos which need to be continually preserved and nurtured. The Corps has also evolved drills and procedures that ensure the provision of reliable and responsive communications to the Army under harsh terrain and tough battle field conditions and is living up to the motto of the Corps - "TEEVRA CHAUKAS" or "Swift and Secure".
In keeping with the 21st century vision of the Corps of Signals 'to achieve electronic and information superiority for effective functioning of the Indian Army', the Corps has embarked upon a multidimensional and challenging task of establishing a converged, robust, broad band and secure IT infrastructure, at peace and operational locations of the Indian Army.
A holistic approach has been adopted to develop the Communication and IT infrastructure in all its dimensions. ASCON Phase III, fully redundant and secure backbone network already implemented and presently project ASCON Phase IV is under implementation to cover voids. Also state of the art Zonal/Metro access networks have been established at a number of stations and at other locations these networks are under implementation. Simultaneously, access networks down to formation/unit level, especially in Northern, Eastern and Southern Commands, are being established based on OFC and UHF systems. Exclusive, satellite-based networks shall provide converged data and voice networks for different users which include use during aid to civil administration, especially during natural calamities.
Signals are essentially the NERVES of the Army. The nerves in our body connect the brain to the sensory organs and also to the limbs. It is through the nerves that the brain receives inputs from the various sensory organs. The processing of these inputs results in a set of commands being issued to the various limbs which execute them to provide the response that our body makes to the external stimulus. In the same manner, the Generals, being the brains of the Army, receive inputs from the troops in contact and from other sources through the Signals. These inputs are processed at the Headquarters and converted into action plans. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Signals to convey these operational plans to the troops who execute them. Therefore, it is obvious that the Signals are intimately intertwined in all aspects of the functioning of the Army both in war and in peace. Signals are present at all levels and at all places, just as we have nerves in all parts of our body.
The vision of Signals Corps is to attain and maintain informatic ascendancy by developing infostructure to cater for Network Centric Warfare in a digitized battlefield of tomorrow. The aim and objective of Signals Corps is to make the Indian Army Network Enabled Force by 2012 and Network Centric Force by 2017. This will entail consolidation of all networks so as to provide the Indian Army with an optimal, secure, reliable and robust infostructure that can meet both operational and peacetime requirements and one that is capable of withstanding technical and physical degradation. The Corps remains the lead agency and nodal centre for information and cyber security both within the Defence Services and at the National level.
The offrs at all levels are aware of the strategic, operational and tactical dimensions to enable a pragmatic application of technology in support of combat ops. Training centres are developing directives and processes that can prepare all ranks to acquire a high level of multiple skills needed in the diverse terrain, technological and op environment of our army in gen and Signals in particular. The training centres are designed to facilitate the pursuit of a continuous trg philosophy at unit level through on-the-job trg and by harnessing e-learning, thereby reducing the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots".
The momentous strides made by the Corps in the last few decades have truly been stupendous and without parallel. It has transited to a network enabled force, propelled by the intellect, sustained hard work and the inherent urge to excel which have been so vividly displayed by all officers and men. The domain of enhancing communication in the Tactical Battle Area and the facilitation of synergy of C4I2 elements are going to be the major thrust areas for the future. The Corps is forward looking, with finely honed procedures and exacting standards for execution of tasks. The Corps has always had an abiding and strong ethical foundation. With character comes reputation, and the esteem that the Corps enjoys today stems from the value system and ethos which need to be continually preserved and nurtured. The Corps has also evolved drills and procedures that ensure the provision of reliable and responsive communications to the Army under harsh terrain and tough battle field conditions and is living up to the motto of the Corps - "TEEVRA CHAUKAS" or "Swift and Secure".
The crest of the Regiment of Artillery is largely a legacy of the Royal Artillery. Their crest depicted a gun with a crown above it, separated by the world UBIQUE (Latin for everywhere). Below the gun was emblazoned the motto; Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducant; "where right and glory lead". In the Royal Indian Artillery, the crown was replaced by a star-
representing the Star of India and instead of UBIQUE the crest carried the world India to distinguish the Royal Indian Artillery from the Royal Artillery. The motto below was also changed to IZZAT-O-IQBAL. After independence, the word INDIA was dropped from the regimental crest and replaced with SARVATRA.



Regiment of Artillery History

Regimental Crest

Regimental Motto

Regimental Flag

Honours and Awards

Unit Citation



Regimental Motto
The motto, Izzat-o-Iqbal, was retained but not without controversy. In 1954, as part of the process of Indianisation of the armed forces, the government ordered that regimental mottos be changed to Hindi or Sanskrit. The final decision was, however, left with the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Rajendra Sinhji. The Regiment of Artillery made a forceful case for retaining its motto as it was felt the most suitable in content and meaning. It was finally decided to retain the motto though it was in Persian.
Regimental Flag
A distinctive red and navy blue background the official colours of the Artillery flag forms an ideal setting for the golden gun (the Gunner crest) which forms the centerpiece of the flag. Gunner folklore had it, that the red and blue represents the flash and the smoke of the gun, though this is not quite true. Red has been traditionally common to all combat arms - Infantry, Armour and Artillery. The blue in the Artillery flag was taken from the ribbon of the 'Star of India' which had been incorporated into the Artillery crest. The original colour was light blue but since a similar shade was adopted by the Crops of Signals, it was changed to navy blue to avoid confusion.
Gallantry Awards During OP Vijay
Vir Chakra
• IC-48654 Maj Amrinder Singh Kasana, 41 Fd Regt.
• SS-37033 Capt R Jery Prem Raj, 158 Med Regt (Posthumous) .
• 15119305 Gnr Sanjeev Gopala Pillai, 4 Fd Regt (Posthumous).
Yudh Seva Medal.
• IC-19063 Brig Lakhwinder Singh, Cdr 8 Mtn Arty Bde.
Sena Medal (Gallantry)
• IC-34423 Col Alok Deb, 197 Fd Regt.
• IC-36955 Col Prabhat Ranjan, 108 Med Regt.
• IC-37050 Lt Col Girish Kumar Mediratta, 1889 Lt Regt.
• IC-41803 Maj Ambrose Xavier Amalaraj, 108 Med Regt.
• IC-51498 Maj Amitabh Roy, 108 Med Regt.
• IC-50475 Capt Ganesh Bhat, 1889 Lt Regt.
• IC-50609 Capt Kamath Prashant Narayan, 1889 Lt Regt.
• IC-54099 Capt Mridul Kumar Singh, 197 Fd Regt.
• IC-54362 Capt PV Vikram, 141 Fd Regt (Posthumous).
• SS-36929 Capt Saju Cherian, 307 Med Regt.
• SS-36937 Capt Amit Sharma, 197 Fd Regt.
• IC-57422 Lt Sanjay Barshilia, 286 Med Regt.
• 14404805 Gnr Jagdish Prasad Gupta, 286 Med Regt.
Awards other than OP Vijay

Shaurya Chakra
• IC-40413 Maj Kishan Bahadur Thapa, 14 RR Bn.
Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)
• IC-53809 Capt Rajesh Singh Jasrotia, SM** , 167 Fd Regt.
Sena Medal (Gallantry)
• IC-49654 Maj Satyabir Shorot, 311 Fd Regt.
• IC-51034 Capt Mohan Ponna, 15 RR.
• IC-53694 Lt Anubhav Raj, 11 Fd Regt.
• IC-57497 Lt Manoj Kumar, 12 Fd Regt.
• 14491749 Nk Dalip Kumar, 168 Fd Regt.
• 14416147 Gnr T Vijay Bapu Rao, 1905 Lt Regt (Posthumous)

Unit Citation
Following units were awarded Unit Citation by the COAS for their performance in OP Vijay.
108 Med Regt. 108 Medium Regiment was raised on 01 March 81 at Bagrakot (West Bengal) by Lieutenant Colonel BJ Oberoi. In a short span of 18 years, the unit had had the distinction of serving in different areas like the East; Leh-Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir in the North along Line of Control; and, in Central India. The unit as a fledling was blooded into OPERATION MEGHDOOT in 1984. The Chief of Army Staff has made a special instant award of 'Unit Citation' to 108 Medium Regiment, for their valour and indomitable resolve during OPERATION VIJAY.

141 Field Regiment. 141 Field Regiment was raised on 01 Jul 1979 at Talbehat. The first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Vinay Shankar. The unit has mixed class composition of troops. The unit had been awarded the COAS's 'Unit Citation' for their splendid performance during OPERATION VIJAY. Late Captain PV Vikram has been awarded Sena Medal in recognition to his gallant action during OPERATION VIJAY.
197 Field Regiment. 197 Field Regiment was raised on 01 Jun 1968 at Bangalore as a mixed unit. The first Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel CS Murthy. The unit has held varying equipments like 76 mm (YUGO), 105 mm IFG, 100 mm Guns and 122 mm HOW. Besides participation in Bangladesh operations under 23 Mountain Division, the unit has served in the Eastern, Western and Northern Sectors including being a part of the strike Corps. The unit has been awarded COAS's 'Unit Citation' for their splendid performance during OP VIJAY.

Crew
3
Combat Weight
46.5t
Ground Pressure
0.87kg/cm²
Engine
4-stroke V-84ms diesel engine, 618kw (840hp)
Fuel Tanks Capacity
1,600l
Range
Paved road - 650km
Unpaved - 500km
Communications
UHF R-163-504 radio set
UHF R-163-UP radio receiver
Full specifications
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The T-90S is the latest development in the T-series of Russian tanks and represents an increase in firepower, mobility and protection. It is manufactured by Uralvagonzavod in Nizhnyi Tagil, Russia.
The T-90S entered service with the Russian Army in 1992. In February 2001, the Indian Army signed a contract for 310 T-90S tanks. 124 were completed in Russia and the rest are being delivered in 'knocked down / semi-knocked down' form for final assembly in India.
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The first of these was delivered in January 2004. The locally assembled tanks are christened 'Bhishma'. The tanks are fitted with the Shtora self-protection system and Catherine thermal imagers from Thales of France and Peleng of Belarus.
"The T-90S Russian tank represents an increase in firepower, mobility and protection."
In January 2005, it was announced that a further 91 T-90S tanks would be procured for the Russian Army, although this number was later reduced. Deliveries are underway.
By November 2007, it has been estimated that the Russian Army has around 200 T-90 tanks. In August 2007, Thales was awarded a contract to supply 100 of these with the Catherine FC thermal imager. In March 2006, Algeria signed a contract for the supply of 180 T-90S tanks from Uralvagonzavod, to be delivered by 2011.
In November 2006, India ordered a further 300 T-90 tanks, to be licence-built by heavy vehicle factory (HVF), Avadi. Production has been delayed due to technology transfer problems but is expected to begin by the end of 2008.
Armament
The T-90S armament includes one 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, stabilised in two axes and fitted with a thermal sleeve. The gun tube can be replaced without dismantling inside the turret. The gun can fire a variety of ammunition including APDS (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot), HEAT (high-explosive anti-tank), HE-FRAG (high-explosive fragmentation) as well as shrapnel projectiles with time fuses.
The T-90S gun can also fire the 9M119 Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 Sniper) anti-tank guided missile system. The range of the missile is 100m to 4,000m and takes 11.7 sec to reach maximum range. The system is intended to engage tanks fitted with ERA (explosive reactive armour) as well as low-flying air targets such as helicopters, at a range of up to 5km. The missile system fires either the 9M119 or 9M119M missiles which have semi-automatic laser beamriding guidance and a hollow charge warhead. Missile weight is 23.4kg. The guns automatic loader will feed both ordnance and missiles.
Also fitted is a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun. A 5.45mm AKS-74 assault rifle is carried on a storage rack.
Self protection
The T-90 tank is protected by both conventional armour-plating and explosive reactive armour.
The T-90 is fitted with the Shtora-1 defensive aids suite which is produced by Electronintorg of Russia. This system includes infrared jammer, laser warning system with four laser warning receivers, grenade discharging system which produces an aerosol screen and a computerised control system.
It is also fitted with NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection equipment.
Fire control and observation
"The T-90S has the 1A4GT integrated fire control system (IFCS) which is automatic but with manual override."
The T-90S has the 1A4GT integrated fire control system (IFCS) which is automatic but with manual override for the commander. The IFCS contains the gunner's 1A43 day fire control system, gunner's TO1-KO1 thermal imaging sight which has a target identification range of 1.2km to 1.5km and commander's PNK-S sight.
The gunner's 1A43 day FCS comprises: 1G46 day sight / rangefinder with missile guidance channel, 2E42-4 armament stabiliser, 1V528 ballistic computer and DVE-BS wind gauge.
The commander's PNK-4S sight includes a TKN-4S (Agat-S) day / night sight which has identification ranges of 800m (day) and 700m (night).
The driver is equipped with a TVN-5 infrared night viewer.
Propulsion
The T-90S has a liquid-cooled V-84MS 618kW (840 hp) four-stroke V-12 piston engine. This engine can be fuelled by T-2 or TS-1 kerosene and A-72 benzine, in addition to diesel. The tank can carry up to 1,600 litres of fuel in the main fuel tanks and fuel drums. The fuel tanks are reinforced with armour plating.
The tank is provided with a snorkel for deep fording and can ford 5m of water with equipment which can be deployed in 20 minutes.
The mechanical transmission includes primary reduction gear, two planetary final gearboxes and two planetary final drives. The running gear features torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers at one, two and six road wheel stations and tracks with rubber-metallic pin hinges.

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T-90S during demonstrations.
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The T-90S main armament is a 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun.
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The T-90S a derivative of the T-72.
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The constituent parts of the 9M119M laser-guided missile of the Refleks guided weapon system.
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T-90S on exercise.
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T-90S on mobility demonstrations.
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The turret of the T-90S showing Shtora-1 countermeasures system.
________________________________________

Modern Equipment
[edit] Handguns
• FN Browning GP35 9mmx19 mm
• SAF (Small Arms Factory) Pistol 1A 9mmx19 mm, This is more or less a copy of the Canadian Inglis 9 mm
• Glock 17 9mmx19 mm, The Glock 19 along with the 17 is in use with the Special Protection Group (Prime Minister's Security)
[edit] Sub-machine guns and carbines
• Heckler & Koch MP5A3 9mmx19 mm SMG
• Heckler & Koch MP5K 9mmx19 mm SMG
• SAF Carbine 1A 9mmx19 mm, Indian made Sterling L2A1 SMG
• SAF Carbine 2A1 9mmx19 mm, Silenced Carbine
• UZI 9mmx19 mm SMG
[edit] Assault rifles


Soldier training with the INSAS rifle, the standard issue infantry weapon of the Indian Army

• AK-7, clone of the AK-47
• INSAS 5.56mmx45 mm Assault Rifle
• Zittara Indian version of the IMI Tavor TAR-21 Israeli Micro-Tavor
• TAVOR TAR-21 5.56mmx45 mm, for special forces currently 3070 have been purchased from Israel [1]
• IMI Galil
• AK-101
• AK-103
• AK47M1 7.62mmx39 mm, all black Bulgarian AK. Most of these have been imported for police and paramilitary forces
• East German MPi-KM MPi-KMS72 7.62mmx39 mm (Second hand)
• Czech Vz.58 and Vz.58P 7.62mmx39 mm
• Colt M16A2 rifle for special forces
• T91 assault rifle for special forces
• M4 for special forces
[edit] Grenades
• Multi Mode Grenade Shivalik
[edit] Sniper rifles
• Dragunov SVD59 7.62mmx54mmR Sniper Rifle
• Mauser SP66 7.62mmx51 mm Sniper Rifle
• Heckler & Koch MSG-90 7.62mmx51 mm Sniping Rifle. The H&K PSG-1 sniping rifle serves with the NSG anti-terrorist units while small numbers of the Steyr Mannlicher SSG69 serve with the para-military Border Security Force(BSF)
[edit] Machine guns
• MG 1B 7.62mmx51 mm, Indian made Bren- This is currently being retired. But may remain a while longer because of teething problems with its successor, the INSAS LMG
• MG 2A1 7.62mmx51 mm, Indian made MAG 58
• MG 5A 7.62mmx51 mm This is the Indian manufactured Co-axial MAG 58
• MG 6A 7.62mmx51 mm Another Indian version of the MAG58 specifically designed as a tank commanders gun.
• INSAS 5.56mmx45 mm LMG
• FN-Browning M1919 .30Cal, in very limited quantities
• Browning M2 machine gun .50cal, heavy machine gun in very limited numbers
• M60 7.62mm LMG
• IMI Negev 5.56mm LMG
[edit] Projectile launchers
• Milkor MGL under licenced production
• AGS-17 Plamya 30 mm automatic grenade launcher
• M40 RCL 106 mm
• Carl Gustav 84 mm recoilless rifles
• NTW-20 20 mm Rifle
• Vidhwansak Anti-Material Rifle [2]
[edit] Anti-Tank Guided Missiles


Nag missile and the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA).
• Nag- Third Generation fire and forget IIR Guided ATGM developed Indigenously. Its undergoing user trials. 443 missiles ordered.
• Milan 2- License Produced
• 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel)
• 9M111 Fagot (AT-4 Spigot)
• 9M14 Malyutka (AT-3 Sagger)- Being Phased out
• 9M119 Svir (AT-11 Sniper)- for T-90S.
• Lahat- fired from Arjun MBT 120mm Cannon.
[edit] Remotely Operated Vehicles
Daksh IED handling robot [3]
[edit] Armoured vehicles


Arjun MBT.


A T-90 Bhishma tank on display.
[edit] Main Battle Tanks
• Arjun MBT Mk1 - main battle tanks (94+). The Army has ordered production of this tank and the first batch of 53 of the ordered 124 tanks has already rolled out of the Avadi factory and are currently being put through trials to check the quality control of the production process. The remaining tanks will follow thereafter. Indian Army had bought 12 of these tanks for testing.First batch of tank is delivered.Indian army rejected tank due to insufficient for army requirements.
• T-90S Bhishma - main battle tanks (610). Over 1000(including Russian made 350 T-90) more T-90S will be manufactured in India by 2020. India signed a new contract for 350 additional T-90 tanks from Russia, total of 1600+ within 2020.Indian T-90S tanks are not equipped with the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite. [4] [5].
• T-72 M1 AAmirtanks (2,480+). 968 T72M1 are upgraded by the Heavy vehicles factory (HVF). While requests for proposal for upgrading approximately 1000 other T-72's have been sent to various firms in Israel, Russia, Poland and France.
• T-55 (900): Some of the T-55 tanks will be attached to infantry brigades and battalions, as Tarmour AFV since despite their vintage, the 105 mm L7 gun has substantial firepower.[4]
• Vijayanta -(1800) Reserve
• PT-76 - 500 in service
[edit] Armoured fighting vehicles
• BMP-1 (700) and BMP-2 (1500+)Sarath -(AFV) mechanised infantry combat vehicles relegated the OT-62/64 to mortar carriers. The BMP-2 are now being modernized with TISAS (thermal imaging stand alone sights), better fire control, and more modern ATGM armament (Konkurs M). BMP-1 has been phased out and the upgraded BMP-2 is BMP-2 M with two thermobaric missiles and two tandem warhead Konkurs missiles. Its also has an integrated TI sight and an LRF. Has an AGL mounted on the turret which is also stablised in the horizontal plane.
• Casspir Mine Resistant Armoured Vehicles
• WZT-3 (200 out of order of 352 so far) Armored Recovery Vehicles from Poland
• BTR-80 APC
• SKOT APC
• BRDM-2 (255) amphibious reconnaissance vehicles. Armed with anti-tank missiles.
• FV432 APC
• Mahindra Axe Light support vehicle
• Swaraj Mazda armoured trucks
• FV101 Scorpion ARV
• BMD-3 IFV
[edit] Artillery
• Under Field Artillery Rationalization Plan, Indian Army plans to procure 3000 to 4000 155 mm Towed, Wheeled and Tracked Artillery Systems. [6][7]
[edit] Towed artillery
• 155 mm Bofors Haubits FH77/A
• 155mm Soltam M68
• M-46 130 mm field guns replacing the 105 mm IFG Mk1/2/3
• 122 mm D-30 towed howitzers (To be phased out)
• 105 mm Light Field Gun (To be phased out)
• 105 mm Indian Field Gun (To be phased out)
• Metamorphosis 155 mm GUN by upgrading present M46 130 mm with a maximum range of 39 k.m.
• 130 mm towed field gun M1954 (M-46)
[edit] Self propelled artillery
• FV433 Abbot SPG (105 mm) and M-46 Catapult (130 mm) to be replaced by 3600 new 155 mm self-propelled howitzers by 2025. On the short list is the Denel LIW T6 turreted Arjun and the Celsius (Bofors) FH-77AD[6][7] The Polish licensed version of the AS-90 self-propelled artillery is also considered.
• Bhim-Initial reports that the Arjun hull might be used with a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer by fitting the South African T6 turret which has the G5 howitzer fitted, proved to be misfounded. The SPH would be integrated at Bharat Earth Movers Ltd, which would manufacture additional Arjun chassis & hulls for the purpose. At present, the Bhim SPH program is in limbo, since Denel has been temporarily blacklisted by the Indian Ministry of Defence, while corruption charges are being investigated.
• 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm SPGH
• KRAB 155mm SPGH
[edit] Multiple rocket launchers
• Smerch 9K58 MBRL (38) - 300 mm multiple rocket launch system. Further order for 24 units will be completed by 2010.[8]
• Pinaka MBRL (80)- 214 mm multiple rocket launch system replacing the 122 mm BM-21. 80 launchers to be inducted by 2009.[9]
• BM-21 (150+) - Modernized rockets with range of 40 km was purchased from Russia. To be replaced by Pinaka.

[edit] Air defence
Surface to air missile Systems
• Akash- Under Trials. Due to delays in the Akash missile program the ZRK-SD Kvadrat / SA-6a Gainful air defence systems are being upgraded.
• SA-6 Gainful- The Indian Army has sought to upgrade its SA-6 Kvadrat and SA-8 Missile systems whilst the Akash gets ready. The Indian magazine "Strategic Affairs " (No. 0011/ Issue: December 16) noted: "Poland has won an order worth $200 m from India to upgrade 100 Kvadrat (SA6) and 50 OSA-AKM (SA8) mobile surface to air missiles. The contract made public in August, is to be completed by 2002. The upgrades include integration of new radars, communications and control systems, improvements to the launch vehicle including new power packs. The Kvadrat upgrade includes new electronics for better electronic counter measures, passive infra-red search and track sensors."
• SA-10 [10]
• Trishul- Under Trials. Due to delays in the Trishul missile program the OSA-AKM / SA-8b Gecko air defence systems are being upgraded. Cancelled due to cost of production. [11]
• SA-8 Gecko- In Service
• SA-13 Gopher- In Service
MANPADS
• SA-16 Gimlet- In Service
• SA-7 Grail- In Service, to be phased out
Air Defense Artillery
• Tunguska M1 (108) - low level air defense system [12]
• ZSU-23-4M 'Shilka' self-propelled air defence guns- 100 Systems upgraded
• Upgraded Bofors L40/70 40 mm AA guns replacing the L40/60
• ZSU-23-2 twin 23 mm AA guns - Total 800 purchased
[edit] Surface to surface missiles
• BrahMos Land Attack Cruise Missile-[13][14]
• Prithvi-I Short Range Ballistic Missile (500km) - In Service
• Agni-I Medium Range Ballistic Missile (700km)- In Service
• Agni-II Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (2500km)- In Service
• Agni-III Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (3500km)- In Service
[edit] Non-combat vehicles
[edit] Engineering Vehicles
• Bridge Layer Tank using a T-72 chassis and Kartik Armoured Bridgelayer on a Vijayanta chassis - armoured vehicle-launched bridges
• Multi-Hop and Extended Span Assault Bridges on T-72 chassis
• Sarvatra - 8x8 truck-mounted bridging system
• VT-72B ARV (200+) and WZT-3 ARV (124, 228 to be delivered by 2007) - armoured recovery vehicle replacing the Vijayanta ARV
• BMP-2 Armoured Amphibious Dozer and Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (ERV)
[edit] Mine protected vehicles
• Casspir - mine protected vehicles
[edit] Logistic vehicles
• Stallion 4x4 Truck for GS Role
• Ashok Leyland Truck Fire Fighting
• Ashok Leyland 5kl Water Bowser
• Ashok Leyland Light Recovery Vehicle 4x4
• Mahindra - light multi-role 4x4
• Rampar - amphibious 4x4
[edit] Aircraft
This is a list of aircraft of the Indian Army. For the list of aircraft of the Indian Air Force, see List of aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service[15]
Notes
HAL Dhruv
India
utility helicopter ~115 To acquire 120+ more Dhruv in next 5 years.
Aérospatiale Alouette III
India
utility helicopter SA 316B Chetak 60 built by HAL
Aérospatiale Lama
India
utility helicopter SA 315B Cheetah 120 built by HAL
Mil Mi-25
Soviet Union
Attack helicopter Mil Mi-25 Hind-F 12
Mil Mi-35
Soviet Union
Attack helicopter Mil Mi-35 Hind 32
IAI Searcher II
Israel
reconnaissance UAV 100+
IAI Heron
Israel
reconnaissance UAV 50+
DRDO Nishant
India
reconnaissance UAV 12 Delivery of 12 UAV's in 2007.
[edit] Future Procurements
Light Utility Helicopter: The Indian army has projected a requirement for up to 197 light helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs. The Indian Army chose the Eurocopter AS 550 under a US$550 million contract in summer of 2007. Under this contract 60 helicopters were to be supplied from Eurocopter in fly-away condition and the rest were to be assembled by HAL in India. This order was later scrapped due to allegations of unfair field trials from competing company Bell Helicopters. [16] [17]
Five global helicopter majors are in the fray to sell India 197 multi-role, light helicopters, in a deal worth Rs. 3,000 crore. Eurocopter AS550 Fennec; Bell Helicopters Bell 407; Kamov Ka-226, Agusta A109 Power or A119 Koala and McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems (MD 520N) have been given time till 19 December 2008 to submit proposals.
Weighing less than three tonnes when armed, these multi-role, light turbine helicopters will replace the 1970s vintage Chetak and Cheetah helicopters operated by the Army Aviation Corps and the Air Force. They will undertake tasks such as reconnaissance and observation, casualty evacuation, electronic warfare, escort duties, anti-insurgency operations and ferrying personnel to and from the battlefield.
Of the 197 helicopters, which are to be bought in a fly away condition and via knock down kits, 133 are for the Army, while 64 will be delivered to the Air Force. The helicopter deal is part of a mega modernisation programme which will see the Army eventually receiving 197 helicopters and the Indian Air Force getting 188. The deal also includes an offset clause, under which the successful vendor must source defence-related goods and services to the value of 50 per cent of the deal from Indian companies.
The process — including discussions on offset proposals, technical evaluation, short-listing by the Defence Ministry, hot weather and winter trails — is expected to be completed by the middle of 2010.[18]
India’s main battle tanks had one been relatively advanced by world standards, but long delays in fielding the indigenous “Arjun” MBT, combined with a successful Pakistani/Ukrainian program for its T-80UD “Al-Khalid” tanks, eroded India’s local advantage. The poor performance of T-72s in combat against modern main battle tanks could not have been comforting, either. In early October 2006, India Defence and Indian papers reported that the Indian Army intended to produce nearly 1,000 T90S ‘Bhishma’ main battle tanks in India by 2020. These would be bought in addition to the 310 T90 MBTs already under contract from Russia. Later that month, news reports noted a follow-on contract for another 330 T-90S tank kits from Russia that would assembled in India. Taken together those 2 firm production agreements reportedly exceed $1 billion.
The modernized T-72 now known as the T-90 has reportedly encountered serious problems in Indian service, from issues with its Thales thermal imaging systems, to difficulties in hot weather, to low readiness rates. Meanwhile, negotiations with Russia over technology transfer issues had shelved the 1,000 tank indigenous production goal, leaving only the 2 firm production agreements. The Arjun project has continued to fade, however, with the Indian Army announcing in July 2008 that production would be capped at just 124 tanks. As the final act in the battle for the core of India’s future tank force, recent reports indicate that the Russians have removed their technology transfer roadblocks, clearing the way for fully indigenous T-90S production in India…
• The T-90 in India: Directions and Delays
• Updates and Key Events
The T-90 in India: Directions and Delays

Arjun tank
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As of December 2006, the 310 T-90S tanks imported from Russia under a February 2001 Rs 3,625 crore (about $795 million) contract are divided between the first lot of 124 T-90S tanks bought off-the-shelf, and 186 imported in knocked-down condition for assembly at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi.
The goal was to begin progressive manufacture of the follow-on batch of 1,000 from 2007-2008 onward, working under the license production agreement associated with India’s 2001 order. The idea was to build upon and broaden India’s indigenous capabilities as the process moved forward.
The purchase of 330 more ready-for-assembly T-90 kits later in October 2006 would appear to be a deviation from this strategy, but as of August 2008, production of the fully localized Indian tanks has not even begun yet at the Avadi Heavy Vehicles Factory. Jane’s believed that the order for the 330 sets of T-90S components was driven by chronic delays in the production schedule of the domestic Arjun MBT, and multi-year delays in T-72 modernization due to bureaucratic vacillation. This turned out to be partly correct; as DID has reported before, those are chronic problems in India’s defense market. It seems that there was also a problem with full Russian technology transfer, however, which held up production at Avadi.

T-80UD “Al-Khalid”
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Confirmation of the T-90’s status as India’s future tank has also faced operational difficulties, including the in-service difficulties noted by an October 2007 MosNews’ report. These include repeated heat-related malfunctions of the fire-control system’s key Thales Catherine thermal imaging (TI) camera, lack of cooling systems leading to uninhabitable temperatures over 60C degrees (over 140F) inside the tank, and reports that at least one armored regiment had an in-service rate of just 25% for its T-90s.
The T-72s’ “Project Rhino” may eventually get started as well under the Army’s 2020 plans, adding reactive armor, electronics, sights, et. al. in collaboration with Israel, Poland and Russia. Persistent reports that many Indian T-72s lack effective IR-imagine equipment would appear to make such upgrades a priority item, but as Bharat-Rakshak notes, progress has been very slow.
Updates and Key Events

T-90, firing
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Aug 20/08: At the 8th meeting of the Indo-Russian working group on shipbuilding, aviation and land systems, Russia agreed to full product support for indigenous production of T-90S tanks, including the urgent requirement of specification of T-90 gun barrels Those specifications will reportedly be delivered by December 2008, clearing the way for full T-90S production in India.
The meeting also finalized indigenization requirements for the Russian AT-14 Konkur missile systems and a computerised advanced information system for India’s new range of P-17 warships, while discussing more contentious issues like the Gorshkov carrier contract and the FGFA “5th generation fighter aircraft” joint project. Yahoo! India | Outlook India | Zee News.
July 7/08: India’s army decides to cap production of the Arjun tank at just 124 vehicles. T-90 tanks will be the mainstay of India’s future tank force instead at 1,657 vehicles planned, despite ongoing issues with operations in hot weather. This overall plan changes the force structure proposed in 2006, from 3,780 tanks (1,302 T-90s and 2,480 T-72s) to 2,473 higher-end tanks (1,657 T-90 Bhishma, 124 Arjun tanks, and 692 upgraded T-72M1 Ajeya)
Read “India Plans to Cap Arjun Tank Production” for more.
Aug 29/07: India’s MoD issues a press release:
“Heavy Vehicles Factory has so far supplied 181 T-90 tanks to Army. No technical problems viz barrel bursting has been observed in T90 tanks. The problem of barrel bursting was noticed earlier in T-72 tank. The bursting of barrel in T-72 tanks occurred in barrels of Russian origin as well as of Indian origin. The problem was analysed in consultation with Russian experts and remedial action towards modifying the chemistry of material has been taken. This information was given by the Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri A Krishna Swamy and Shri Kuldeep Bishnoi in Lok Sabha today.”
May 16/07: Frontier India reports that India’s T-90S tanks continue to have problems with their torsion bar suspensions.
Note that the swastika was used in India for many centuries before the Germans ever got hold of it; it has a rather different meaning (“sun”) there.
Oct 27/06: A MosNews article “India Buys 330 Russian Tanks” reports that India is buying another 330 T-90s in kit condition, for final assembly in India. It adds that deliveries of the initial 124 T-90S tanks under the previous 310 vehicle order:
”...began in December 2002 and were completed within 12-14 months, while another 180 MBTs have since been assembled at Avadi and the first part of the order is nearing completion. The T-90S tanks have been inducted into six armored regiments in northern and central India.”
Oct 4/06: India Defence:
”...the Indian Army is to acquire nearly 1000 locally produced T90S Bhishma MBT’s by the year 2020, in addition to the 310 T90 MBT’s procured from Russia.
The Times of India Reports: The Army gameplan is to have 21 regiments of T-90S ‘Bhishma’ tanks and 40 regiments of upgraded T-72 M1 ‘Ajeya’ tanks by 2020 since the “speed and shock effect” of mechanised forces will continue to play a decisive role in future wars, say sources.
An armoured regiment typically has 45 tanks, along with another 17 for training purposes, war reserves and replacements. So, the 1.13-million Army intends to face future armoured battles with a mix of around 3,800 T-90S and T-72 tanks.”
Additional Readings & Sources
• The Armor Site – T90S main battle tank. In India, they are known as “Bhishma.”
• Bharat Rakshak – T-72M1 Main Battle Tank, aka. “Ajeya”
• Bharat Rakshak – Arjun MK.I Main Battle Tank
• Wikipedia – Arjun MBT. Pretty good article.
• Global Security – T-80UD (Pakistan’s “Al-Khalid” tank)
• Business Standard (Apr 22/08) – Ajai Shukla: Friendly fire damages the Arjun “Operating military equipment is fraught with danger and upgrading is a continuous process. But the army’s tolerance for Russian defects contrasts starkly with its impatience for the Arjun.”
• Rediff (April 19/08) – India’s battle tank of future & love for Russia. The article claims that India’s Army prefers the Russian tanks, and is being less than honest in reporting problems with the Arjun, while avoiding the head-to-head trials it has promised.
• NDTV (Dec 21/06) – Army plans for T-90s in jeopardy. ”...problems in setting up the assembly line at the Heavy Tank Factory Avadi in Tamil Nadu are crippling modernisation plans.” This may also help to explain the additional Russian orders….
• DID (Nov 17/06) – India’s DRDO Rethinking the Way it Does Business. Contains a very extensive set of links to articles covering India’s defense sector and its organizational/ program issues.
• The Indian Express (Nov 14/06) – Arjun, Main Battle Tanked. The paper is less than enthusiastic about the tank’s chances and the program’s readiness, despite existing contracts for 124 machines.
• MosNews (Oct 27/06) – India Buys 330 Russian Tanks
• The Hindu (Oct 12/06) – Full scale production of Arjun to begin soon: Rao
• StaretgyPage (May 30/06) – Arjun, the Big Tank That Couldn’t
• Defence Journal (September 2001) – India’s indigenous tank production – a stalled effort. By Lt Gen (Retd) Srdar FS Lodi