Page 14 - The Indian EYE 020422

OpINION
Unlike the US’ homogenous
swarms like Perdix Swarm and DAR-
PA’s Gremlins Swarm, India’s drone
swarm seems to be an efficient solu-
tion that gives a viable option to
the military to construct its variable
strategic defense mechanisms as per
its requirements. India is also de-
veloping drone swarms that can be
deployed from fast jets. The drones
called Air Launched Flexible As-
set–Swarm (ALFA–S), developed
by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) and Newspace Research &
Technologies (NRT) Private Limit-
ed, are fully networked through elec-
tronic data links and are capable of
detecting surface to air missile units,
enemy radars and aircraft on the
ground.10 This project was pushed
considering China’s deployment of
surface to air missiles at the Ladakh
border.
Another demonstration of a ful-
ly operational decentralized swarm
of 25 drones was carried out by the
Defense Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) at a three-
day defense function in Jhansi in No-
vember 2021 to mark the 75th year
of Indian Independence. Defense
Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted
the government’s focus on achieving
self-reliant, indigenous solutions in
the defense sector. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, on 19 November
2021, handed over the indigenous-
ly developed military hardware, in-
cluding the light combat helicopter,
drones and electronic warfare sys-
tems to the armed forces.
Though India is a relatively new
entrant into this field, compared to
Western powers, it appears set to
make rapid progress in developing
indigenous drone capabilities. How-
ever, the first procurement of drones
by the Indian Army dates to the
1990s when it acquired UAVs from
Israel. It was first used during the
Kargil War in 1999 for photo-recon-
naissance.
The DRDO has also been ac-
tively working in the development of
drones, and the first fully functional
unmanned drone system, Rustom-1,
took flight in 2009. Recently, India
has further extended its drone ca-
pabilities in collaboration with the The Made in India drones show the country’s growing prowess in the high-tech
US via the Defense Technology and
Trade Initiative (DTTI), and in 2021,
it signed a $3 billion deal for procure-
ment of 30 Predator/ MQ 9 drones and Bengaluru-based Alpha De- capable of carrying out covert oper- This is the abridged version of the
that have the ability to carry out long- sign-led joint venture. These Sky
range precision airstrikes. Striker Drones are loitering muni- armed forces have procured these
In addition, India has signed a
pact of 100 explosive-laden drones 100 km range loaded with 5 kg war- operational capabilities, making it a
with Israel’s Elbit Security Systems
FEBRUARY 04, 2022 |
A laser show during the rehearsal for the Beating the Retreat ceremony,
in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI)
defense field (ANI Photo)
tion with long-range capabilities of
head. They are GPS enabled and
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The Indian Eye 14
Indian start-ups are expected to
play a significant role towards devel-
oping indigenous solutions for drone
swarms. Many Indian start-ups like
Botlab Dynamics and Alpha Design
are developing smart indigenous
solutions driven by the latest tech-
nologies like AI and edge comput-
ing. In the commercial sector, India
has already come up with a drone
policy. The Ministry of Civil Aviation
(MoCA) published the Unmanned
Aircraft Systems Rules (UAS) in
2021 and updated rules were pub-
lished on 13 January 2022.
Union Civil Aviation Minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that by
2030, India has the potential to be
a global drone hub through its pol-
icy structure, funding incentive and
demand structure.16 The drone pol-
icy rules do not apply to the armed
forces at this point. However, there
have been discussions in the mili-
tary circles about the need for policy
implementations to regulate drone
use in the defense sector. In consid-
eration of these advancements, the
DRDO, the Indian defense industry,
and the Indian government need to
constructively strengthen the Indian
start-up ecosystem in the drone sec-
tor by establishing policy implemen-
tations, creating funding initiatives,
and building a demand structure.
Globally, the demonstration of
military capabilities through cere-
monial parades and drills signifies
the strategic positioning of countries
and their military strength and read-
iness. In the past, India has avoided
displaying its nuclear strength due to
geopolitical reasons. However, with
the changing dynamics of the battle-
field and the nature of warfare, India
has realized the imperative of stra-
tegic positioning in the global mili-
tary space and therefore the need to
demonstrate power. It also indicates
the country’s readiness to use these
technology-driven warfare mecha-
nisms when required.
Dr. Sanur Sharma is Associate Fellow
at the Strategic Technologies, Manohar
Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies
and Analyses.
Views expressed are of the author and
do not necessarily reflect the views of
the Manohar Parrikar IDSA or of the
Government of India.
ations at low altitudes. The Indian article which appeared first in the
Comment section of the website (www.
drones to permanently enhance their idsa.in) of Manohar Parrikar Institute
for Defense Studies and Analyses, New
force multiplier in futuristic warfare. Delhi on January 15, 2022