India’s Army Advances with New Missiles and Modern Training, Says Lt Gen A Kumar
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on developing hypersonic missiles for the country’s defence forces. The Indian Army is preparing to induct long-range cruise and ballistic missiles, including the 2,000 km range Nirbhay and 400 km range Pralay missiles.
Missile Development and Induction
Lt Gen A Kumar, Director General of the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery, announced that the Defence Acquisition Council has approved the acquisition of Pralay and Nirbhay missiles. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to extend the range of the indigenous Pinaka rockets up to 300 km.
Lt Gen Kumar stated, “Development work is also in progress by DRDO for Hypersonic Missiles…Our missile programme is progressing well at the desired pace, wherein research and development is being carried out by DRDO to enhance range, accuracy and lethality of both ballistic and cruise missiles.”
Enhancing Artillery and Ammunition
The Pinaka rocket system has been a significant success in India’s drive for self-reliance. More regiments of Pinaka are being inducted, and improvements are being made to enhance the accuracy and lethality of ammunition. The Army is working with private and public sector industries and academia to develop Sensor Fuzed Munition (SFM), Extended Range Ammunition using Ramjet, and Course Correctable Fuze (CCF).
Modernizing Training and Integrating Technology
To improve precision capabilities, the Army is procuring Loiter Munitions, Swarm Drones, and Runway Independent RPAS. Emphasis is also being placed on strengthening intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to enhance battlefield transparency.
Training for Agniveers is being modernized with state-of-the-art physical training facilities and audio-visual training aids. The training curriculum is being updated to incorporate operational realities, especially along the Northern borders.
Women Officers and Operational Preparedness
Lt Gen Kumar noted that 19 women officers have been commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery and are serving in various units with different equipment profiles and terrain conditions. He expressed confidence in their abilities and future success.
Lessons from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war are being applied to enhance operational preparedness. The focus remains on integrating combined arms operations and continual innovations in technical, tactical, and employment philosophies to stay ahead of challenges and threats.
Doubts Revealed
DRDO -: DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is an Indian government agency responsible for developing technology for the military.
hypersonic missiles -: Hypersonic missiles are very fast missiles that can travel at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound. They are difficult to detect and intercept.
Nirbhay and Pralay missiles -: Nirbhay and Pralay are types of long-range missiles developed by India. They can travel long distances to hit targets far away.
Lt Gen A Kumar -: Lt Gen A Kumar is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army. ‘Lt Gen’ stands for Lieutenant General, which is a senior position.
Pinaka rockets -: Pinaka rockets are a type of artillery used by the Indian Army. They are designed to hit targets at a long range.
Agniveers -: Agniveers are young soldiers who are part of a new recruitment scheme in the Indian Army. They receive modern training to prepare for military service.
Russia-Ukraine war -: The Russia-Ukraine war is a conflict between Russia and Ukraine that started in 2022. The Indian Army is learning from this war to improve its own strategies and preparedness.