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Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Army to get ₹2,000 crore hardware through emergency route
NEW DELHI: The defence ministry has signed a raft of contracts worth almost ₹ 2,000 crore through the emergency procurement route to boost the Indian Army's readiness in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, with some of these deals concluded after the recent four-day military confrontation with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor, officials aware of the matter said on Tuesday. An Indian army soldier stands guard at the Line of Control (LoC) between Pakistan and India on May 20 (AFP FILE) The weapons and systems ordered include integrated drone detection and interdiction systems, low-level lightweight radars, very short-range air defence systems and remotely piloted aerial vehicles. Thirteen contracts under the emergency procurement mechanism have been concluded, the defence ministry said on Tuesday. 'These contracts, amounting to ₹ 1,981.90 crore, have been finalised against an (earlier) overall sanctioned outlay of ₹ 2,000 crore for the Indian Army,' it said in a statement. The hardware on order includes loitering munitions, different types of drones, bullet-proof jackets, ballistic helmets, quick reaction fighting vehicles (both heavy and medium) and night sights for rifles. 'Executed through fast-track procedures under the emergency procurement mandate, the procurement aims to enhance situational awareness, lethality, mobility, and protection for troops deployed in counter-terrorism environments,' the ministry added. The 450 locally produced loitering munitions, or kamikaze drones, ordered from a Nagpur-based defence firm, Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, to boost the army's precision targeting capabilities – as reported by HT on Tuesday -- are part of the emergency procurement. These procurements reflect the ministry's commitment to equipping the Indian Army with modern, mission-critical, and completely indigenous systems to meet emerging security challenges, and the emergency procurement route continues to be a key enabler in bridging urgent capability gaps and ensuring timely induction of vital operational equipment, the statement added. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were shot dead. It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Days after the ceasefire, the government granted powers to the armed forces to make emergency purchases worth around ₹ 40,000 crore.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
450 loitering munitions ordered to help boost army's capabilities
The ministry of defence has ordered 450 locally produced loitering munitions, or kamikaze drones, from a Nagpur-based defence firm, Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, to boost the army's precision targeting capabilities, weeks after Indian forces deployed these weapons to hit targets in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, people aware of the matter said on Monday. Such munitions hover over the battle zone, locate the target and crash into it (AP) The ₹ 158-crore order for the Nagastra-1R loitering munitions is a follow-on contract to the 480 Nagastra-1 drones ordered for the army last year through the emergency procurement route, the people said, asking not to be named. The firm, a subsidiary of Solar Industries and earlier known as Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), will execute the new order in one year to meet the army's urgent needs. Such munitions hover over the battle zone, locate the target and crash into it. The Nagastra-1R is equipped with a 360-degree gimbal camera, with the option of using a thermal one for night operations, has a proprietary encryption for video and telemetry communication, and its launcher system is reusable, HT learnt. It has an indigenous content of around 80%. Loitering munitions --- including Nagastra-1, and Harop bought from Israel --- were deployed during Operation Sindoor. Nagastra-1 carries a one-kg warhead, has a maximum range of 30 km, and an endurance of 60 minutes. The exact specifications of the newer variant Nagastra-1R weren't immediately available. Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd has expanded its footprint in the country's defence manufacturing sector in recent years. In February, the defence ministry signed two contracts worth ₹ 10,147-crore to buy ammunition for the army's indigenous Pinaka multi-launcher rocket system — one of them was with Solar and the other with Pune-based Munitions India Limited. The Nagpur-based firm (then called EEL) has also supplied one million hand grenades to the army under a 2020 contract worth ₹ 409 crore. These replaced a World War-II vintage hand grenade design that was being used by the army. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were shot dead. It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Days after the ceasefire, the government granted powers to the armed forces to make emergency purchases worth around ₹ 40,000 crore. On June 21, defence minister Rajnath Singh said India paused Operation Sindoor after Pakistan asked for a ceasefire. 'Operation Sindoor is not over yet. India is fully prepared to take all kinds of action against terrorism,' he said at the time, addressing troops in Udhampur. Private sector drone maker ideaForge Technology on Monday said it has secured an order worth ₹ 137 crore --- through the emergency procurement route --- for supplying mini UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) systems to the army, adding that these are battle-tested and inducted into the army's inventory for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) operations. 'The platform has also been battle-tested during the recent Operation Sindoor, where it played a critical role in providing ISR to the armed forces. Its performance in live operations validated both its technological robustness and mission-critical value,' the company said in a statement. This emergency procurement for counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations will help safeguard national security, and 'reaffirms our commitment to building world-class, reliable UAVs in India', ideaForge Technology CEO Ankit Mehta said. 'It is a matter of pride that our platforms are not just made in India, but are also built to serve and protect India under the most demanding conditions, backed by a resilient and trusted supply chain,' he said. The execution timeline for this order is also set at 12 months, aligning with the army's immediate operational requirements. On June 19, the defence ministry said it has set up a high-powered committee, headed by the director general (acquisition), to steer a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 for speedy modernisation of the armed forces and boosting self-reliance in the critical sector. The aim of the review, the ministry said, is to meet the operational requirements and modernisation needs of the armed forces in a timely manner to ensure national security and achieve self-reliance goals by promoting technology infusion through indigenously designed and developed systems.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Indigenous ‘Bhargavastra' test-fired successfully
Bhargavastra NAGPUR: After its kamikaze drone Nagastra 1 wreaked havoc during Operation Sindoor, Nagpur's Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL) successfully conducted trials of its anti-drone system , 'Bhargavastra', at the Seaward Firing Range in Odisha's Gopalpur in the presence of the Army's air defence brass. The indigenously built 'Bhargavastra' can fire 64 micro rockets in a single salvo, bringing down a swarm of drones and jam UAVs. When it is eventually deployed, a dual-layer drone defence system will be in place, the first layer comprising unguided micro-rockets with high lethality followed, in the second layer, by micro-missiles for precision hits. The system's rockets have higher lethality with a kill radius of 20m. The 'Bhargavastra' trials conducted on Tuesday witnessed rockets fired in both single and salvo mode. All rockets achieved required launch parameters. This proves Bhargavastra's capability in mitigating large-scale drone attacks , as per information accessed by TOI.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- NDTV
Video: Homegrown 'Bhargavastra' System To Destroy Drone Swarm Test-Fired Successfully
Quick Reads Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd developed the low-cost Bhargavastra counter-drone system, capable of neutralizing drone swarms. It uses micro rockets and missiles, ensuring adaptability across terrains, and enhancing India's air defence. New Delhi: A new low-cost counter drone system in hard kill mode 'Bhargavastra' has been designed and developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd (SDAL), signifying a substantial leap in countering the escalating threat of drone swarms. The micro rockets used in this counter-drone system underwent rigorous testing at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, achieving all designated objectives. Three trials were conducted for the rocket at Gopalpur on May 13 in the presence of senior officials of Army Air Defence (AAD). Two trials were conducted by firing one rocket each. One trial was conducted by firing two rockets in salvo mode within two seconds. All four rockets performed as expected and achieved the required launch parameters underscoring its pioneering technology in mitigating large-scale drone attacks. Bhargavastra has advanced capabilities for detecting and eliminating small, incoming drones at distances of up to 2.5 km. It uses unguided micro rockets as the first layer of defence capable of neutralising drone swarms with a lethal radius of 20 metres, and guided micro-missile (already tested earlier) as the second layer for pinpoint accuracy, ensuring precise and impactful neutralisation. #WATCH | A new low-cost Counter Drone System in Hard Kill mode 'Bhargavastra', has been designed and developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), signifying a substantial leap in countering the escalating threat of drone swarms. The micro rockets used in this... — ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025 Designed for seamless deployment across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions of 5,000 metres and above from sea level, the system addresses the unique operational demands of India's armed forces. Highlighting Bhargavastra's adaptability and cost-effectiveness, SDAL emphasised its indigenous design and the development of dedicated rocket and micro-missiles to neutralise hostile UAVs. The system is modular and can have an additional soft-kill layer to include jamming and spoofing. The radar and other components can be configured as per user requirement and made to work in an integrated manner for layered and tiered AD (air defence) cover, enabling engagement of targets at longer ranges. Further, the system is also engineered for seamless integration with existing network-centric warfare infrastructure. The system's radar can detect minute aerial threats from 6 to 10 km away. Its electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor suite further ensures precise identification of low radar cross-section targets. This is another feather in the cap for the "Make in India" policy and a progressive step in further strengthening India's already robust air defence umbrella.
