Indian Army planning to induct long-range suicide drones, rockets

Building on the lessons from the Ukraine war and the offensive in Gaza by Israel, the Indian Army is planning to induct long-range suicide drones. In addition, the DRDO is also working on extending the range of the Pinaka rockets.

In Short

• DRDO developing hypersonic, long-range missiles, says Lt Gen Adosh Kumar
• 19 women officers commissioned in Regiment of Artillery
• Indian Army to induct long-range suicide drones, rockets

The Indian Army is planning to induct long-range suicide drones and rockets to augment its firepower, Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, said in a statement on Friday.

"We are looking at acquiring loitering munitions of long range for which trials of equipment are under the Mark 3 process", Lt Gen Kumar said.

The Army is also working to extend the range of the Pinaka rockets to 300 km, the senior Indian Army official said. While the Pinaka Mark-I has a maximum range of 40 kilometres, the Pinaka Mark-II is known to have a range of 90 kilometres.

Lt Gen Kumar also said that DRDO has been tasked to develop hypersonic missiles for the defence forces of the country, which are now looking to induct long-range cruise and ballistic missiles like the 2,000 km range Nirbhay and 400 km range Pralay missiles.

The officer said that the Army had got clearance from the Defence Acquisition Council to get Pralay ballistic missiles and Nirbhay missiles.

Giving details of the missile programme at a press gathering, he said, "Development work is also in progress by DRDO for Hypersonic Missiles ... Our missile programme is progressing well at the desired pace, wherein Research & Development is being carried out by DRDO to enhance range, accuracy & lethality of both Ballistic and Cruise Missiles.

"Pinaka has been the success story of Atmanirbharta drive. The equipment has been extensively exploited and has added more punch and lethality to artillery’s arsenal. More Regiments of Pinaka are being inducted," he said.

Speaking on the ammunition of the Indian Army, Lt Gen Kumar added that a lot of improvements are being undertaken to enhance the accuracy and lethality.

"We are continuously engaged with private and public sector industries and academia for the development of Sensor Fuzed Munition (SFM), Extended Range Ammunition using Ramjet and Course Correctable Fuze (CCF)," he said.

Lt Gen Kumar said to give teeth to our precision capability, "We are procuring Loiter Munitions, Swarm Drones, Runway Independent RPAS and the like.

He said that due emphasis is also being laid on strengthening our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance architecture to enhance battlefield transparency, to have effective sensor-to-shooter linkages, also called 'Kill Chains'.

On the training of Agniveers, we have taken several steps to modernise our training and administrative infrastructure. State-of-the-art physical training facilities have been established, and classrooms have been equipped with audio-visual training aids.

The ongoing operational situation along our northern borders warrants reorientation of training, and accordingly, primacy has been accorded to incorporating operational realities in the training curriculum, he said.

Due emphasis is being given on training on Niche Technology Equipment to include Runway Independent RPAS, Loiter Munitions and Swarm Drones.

Kumar said that a total of 19 women officers have been commissioned in the Regiment of Artillery till date.

"All these women officers have been posted to units with different equipment profiles and terrain conditions. We have full faith in their abilities and are sure that they will excel in their service career," he said.

On the lessons from the Russia and Ukraine war that has entered its third year with no signs of abating, Kumar said that "a number of lessons have emerged, and these are being given due attention."