Indian Army - Future Developments

Future Developments

• Futuristic Infantry Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) is the Indian Army's principal modernisation program from 2012 to 2020. In the first phase, to be completed by 2012, the infantry soldiers will be equipped with modular weapon systems that will have multi-functions. The Indian Army intends to modernise all of its 465 infantry and paramilitary battalions by 2020 with this program.

• India is currently re-organising its mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory. India proposes to progressively induct as many as 248 Arjun MBT and develop and induct the Arjun MKII variant, 1,657 Russian-origin T-90S main-battle tanks (MBTs), apart from the ongoing upgrade of its T-72 fleet. The Army recently placed an order for 4,100 French-origin Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). Defence ministry sources said the Rs 592-crore (approximately US$120 million) order was cleared after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with the government finally fast-tracking several military procurement plans.

• The Army gained the Cabinet Committee on Security's approval to raise two new infantry mountain divisions (with around 15,000 combat soldiers each), and an artillery brigade in 2008. These divisions were likely to be armed with ultralight howitzers. In July 2009, it was reported that the Army was advocating a new artillery division, said defence ministry sources. The proposed artillery division, under the Kolkata-based Eastern Command, was to have three brigades—two of 155mm howitzers and one of the Russian "Smerch" and indigenous "Pinaka" multiple-launch rocket systems.

• The Indian Army plans to develop and induct a 155mm indigenous artillery gun within the next three and a half years.

Tanks and Armoured vehicles

• Arjun MBT Mk. 2 – Trials started 2011. Production By 2014.
• FMBT – The FMBT will be a lighter tank of 50 tons. At conceptual stage.
• FICV – Future Infantry Combat Vehicle program of DRDO. It is supposed to replace Indian Army's current regiment of BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle.
• Kroton – Possible sale of 80 mine laying vehicles from Poland.
• Light Tank – 300 tanks (200 tracked 100 wheeled) to be deployed on china border.

Missiles

• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Agni-V – 5,000 km-6,000 km, Successfully Tested by DRDO On 19 April 2012 at 08.05 am IST.
  • Agni-VI - 6000-10,000 km range with MIRVed warheads. Currently in planning stage.
• Cruise Missiles
  • Nirbhay Missile
  • BrahMos Mk 2 missiles

• Tactical Ballistic Missiles
  • Prahaar (missile) – With a range of 150 km.
  • Shaurya (missile) – It has a range of between 750 to 1900 km.

• Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
  • Nag Anti-tank guided missile
  • HELINA – Air launched variant of nag Anti-tank missile

• Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program – The Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program is an initiative to develop and deploy a multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect India from ballistic missile attacks.

Vehicles

• Mahindra Axe – Light utility vehicle to be purchased.
• 3,000 Light Support Vehicles at a cost of Rs. 1,500 crore.

Artillery

• Under the Field Artillery Rationalization Plan, Indian Army plans to procure 3000 to 4000 155 mm Towed, Mounted, Wheeled and Tracked Artillery Systems. The requirement for artillery guns to be met with indigenous development and production.

Small Arms

• Modern Sub Machine Carbine – The Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) is the latest combined venture of ARDE & OFB, developed for the Indian Army on a platform of experiences from the INSAS rifle.
• RFI's issued for assault rifles, carbines, pump-action shotguns, sniper rifles, anti-material rifles, general purpose machine guns and heavy machine guns.

Army Aviation

• Procurement process for 197 light utility helicopters (LUH) is ongoing of which 64 will be inducted in the Army Aviation to replace the Cheetak and Cheetah Helicopters.
• HAL Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) or Light Utility helicopter (LUH) – Requirement for 384 helicopters including for army and air force.
• HAL has obtained a firm order to deliver 114 HAL Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Army.
• Rustom-1 UAV