New Defence Systems For Indian Army | 20 Aug 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Defense has handed over several new defence systems, including the F-INSAS, the Nipun mines, the Landing Craft Assault (LCA), to the Indian Army as a part of Army’s Modernization Plans.

What is the F-INSAS system?

• About:
  • F-INSAS stands for Future Infantry Soldier as a System.
  • It is a programme for infantry modernisation, which is aimed at increasing the operational capability of the soldier.
  • Under the project, soldiers are being equipped with modern systems that are lightweight, all-weather-all-terrain, cost-effective and low maintenance.
  • They have been indigenously designed by the Indian entities, including the DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) and the ordnance factories ecosystem.
• Items Under F-INSAS System:
  • AK-203 assault rifle:
    • It is a Russian-origin gas-operated, magazine-fed, select-fire assault rifle.
    • It has a range of 300 metre.
  • Multi-Mode Hand Grenade:
    • It can be used in defensive and offensive modes.
      • In defensive mode, the grenades are to be hurled when the thrower is in a shelter or has a cover.
      • In the offensive mode, the grenades do not fragment and the adversary is harmed by the blast or is stunned.
  • Ballistic Helmets and Ballistic Goggles:
    • It provides soldiers with ballistic helmets and ballistic goggles for protection against small projectiles and fragments, along with a bullet-proof vest.
    • The helmet and the bullet-proof jacket are capable of protecting the soldier against 9 mm bullets and ammunition fired from AK-47 rifles.
  • Other Items:
    • It also comes with hands-free, secured advanced communications set for real-time exchange of information with the command post and fellow soldiers for enhanced situational awareness.
• Related Systems with other Countries:
  • The US has Land Warrior, while the UK has FIST (Future Integrated Soldier Technology).
  • Over 20 armies around the world are following such programmes.

What are Nipun mines?

• Nipun mines are indigenously designed and developed anti-personnel mines, termed by the DRDO as ‘soft target blast munition’.
  • Anti-personnel mines are meant to be used against humans as against anti-tank mines that are aimed at heavy vehicles.
  • Russia’s PFM-1 and PFM-1S are commonly referred to as ‘Butterfly mines’ or ‘Green Parrots’. Butterfly mine is a very sensitive anti-personnel landmine.
• These mines are meant to act as the first line of defence against infiltrators and enemy infantry.
• They are smaller in size and can be deployed in large numbers.
• They provide protection to the troops on the borders and are more potent and effective than the existing anti-personnel mines in their arsenal.

What is the Landing Craft Assault?

• The Landing Craft Assault (LCA) is meant to serve as a replacement for the boats with limited capabilities currently in use in the Pangong Tso lake.
• It has better launch, speed and capacity to operate across water obstacles in eastern Ladakh.
• Similar vessels are already in operation in the Indian Navy.

What are the other Defence Systems?

• Solar Photovoltaic Energy Project: One of the most challenging terrain and operational sectors of the country is the Siachen Glacier.
  • The complete power requirement in the area to operate various equipment was met only through captive generator supply. A solar photo-voltaic plant has been installed to improve the overall energy requirements and also obviate dependence on fossil fuels.
• The Ministry of Defence also handed over to the Army a thermal imaging sight for T-90 tanks; hand held thermal imager; and frequency-hopping radio relay for tactical communication across much longer ranges.
• Further, Downlink Equipment with Recording Facility to help helicopters in surveillance missions was also handed over.
  • Using this system, reconnaissance data is recorded and can be accessed only when the helicopter returns to the base.
• Some other defence systems included, Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicles; Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles and Mini Remotely Piloted Aerial System surveillance, detection and reconnaissance at the infantry battalion and mechanised units level.

Source: IE