A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the armed forces for opting for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday handed over indigenously-developed equipment and systems to the Indian Army here.
State-of-the art high mobility Infantry Protected Vehicles and Assault Boats were virtually handed over by Rajnath enabling the troops deployed along the Ladakh border to respond to any challenge in a befitting manner.
The Landing Craft Assault(LCA)can carry 30 troopers and is now deployed at the Pangong Tso(lake)in Ladakh. The lake saw the first face-off in 2020 between India and China snowballing into tension at several points on the Line of Actual Control(LAC). At present, the boats operating in the lake have limited capabilities. The LCA is much more versatile and has overcome the limitations of launch, speed and capacity. It has enhanced the capability to operate across the water obstacles in Eastern Ladakh. LCA has been indigenously developed by Aquarius Shipyard Limited, Goa.
The other systems handed over to the army include Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS)like AK-203 assault rifles, new generation anti-personnel mine ‘Nipun’, rugged and automatic communication system with enhanced capabilities, upgraded sights system for tanks and advanced thermal imagers. The equipment and systems have been jointly developed by Indian Army in collaboration with Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the industry, in line with the Prime Minister vision to modernise the Armed Forces, under the ‘Aatmanirbharta Bharat Abhiyan’. Rajnath exuded confidence that the equipment and systems will enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Army and increase their efficiency.
The weapons given to the Army include modern state of art AK-203 assault rifle along with day and night holographic and reflex sights. The sights are mounted on the weapon and also on helmet to enable a 360-degree visibility and accuracy in operational conditions.
In addition to the primary weapon system, the soldiers will also be kitted with multi-mode hand grenade which has also been procured indigenously along with multi-purpose knife. The second sub system is protection system. This gives protection through a specially designed helmet and a bullet proof jacket. The third sub system consists of communication and surveillance system. This F-INSAS system is capable of further upgradation by incorporating real time data connectivity.
As regards anti-personnel mine Nipun, for a long time, the Indian Army has been using vintage NMM 14 mines. With the efforts of Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune and the Indian industry, a new Indian mine named ‘Nipun’ has been developed. It will enhance the protection provided to the troops on borders. The mine is more potent and effective than existing anti-personnel mine.
Handheld Thermal Imager (uncooled) is for surveillance and detection. It gives visibility in both day and night and in adverse weather conditions to the soldiers to detect enemy movement and activities.
Commander Thermal Imaging Sight for T-90 tank gives enhanced visibility and range to the commanders of armoured columns. Earlier, in T-90 tanks had image intensification systems which had its own limitations and constraints. The limitations have been overcome by use of thermal imaging sight produced by India Optel Limited.
Downlink Equipment with Recording Facility helps the helicopters in carrying out constant reconnaissance and surveillance of the borders and operational areas. While on missions, reconnaissance data observed is recorded in the system and can be accessed only when the helicopter returns to the base. The equipment, produced indigenously by Exicom Private Limited, is fitted on the Advanced Light Helicopter.
In addition, Semi Ruggedised Automatic Exchange System Mk-II and Upgraded Radio Relay (Frequency Hopping) were also handed over to the army.
Minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and IAF Chief V R Chaudhari, DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy and other senior military and civil officials were present on the occasion.