Modernisation of Indian Army Infantry

[Kshithij]

Superb video...... I guess there are really no "Bullet Proof" helmets at all.... Patka don't give protection in the top

Unless prone, the top position is not as exposed. It is better to offer some protection than none. The problem with Patka is in communication systems. Helmets can fix communication systems but difficult in Patka.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Army in Counter insurgency prefer flexibility as well as protection, Covering everything with armor increase weight that is a drawback and cause pain and uncomfortable in long run reducing solider efficiency and distraction, Originally these helmets had been designed for the Indian Army’s Sikh troops. But as time goes by the helmet design became universal and most accepted by counter insurgency and special force involve in CT ops..

Patka provide most protection to parts of head which are directly exposed to incoming fire specifically from AK47 - 7.62m43 and G3 rifles - 7.62x51mm, Rest remain non-Armored to make it lighter and flexible for the solider involve in CT operations, Patka weights from 1-1.3kgs depending on protection level offered..

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Westerns come with their own alternative used by their special forces, The requirement are vastly different than ours, They prefer more electronics like bigger ear phones, NVG, Camera, spare batteries, Small pouches and space for patches, These do not cover complete head due to same reason as Patka`s but also not for heavy protection from AK and certainly not from rounds such as 7.62x51mm unlike Patka`s, Which is our requirement and priority ..

MKU make light helmets that provide protection from 9mm rounds,These are used by PARA SF and these helmets are quite expensive compare to Patka with inferior protection but provide all round Armour over head ..

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You can write an article over it, Specially after the IAFs commando casualties ..

People should understand more than just specs of weapon and gear ..

Superb video...... I guess there are really no "Bullet Proof" helmets at all.... Patka don't give protection in the top

 

[Kunal Biswas]

It depend what kind of communication gear in use, Ghatak as well as PARA SF use their own communication gears with Patka without much issues ..

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In last few years, We have noticed that Patka now have mounts for mounting NVG and cameras, Some use attachment kit and some come with built in attachment for mounting various accessorizes ..

Helmets can fix communication systems but difficult in Patka.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Patka helmet dissected for better understanding ..

Source : http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world-steel-helmets/indian-patka-helmet-safety-head-gear-659856/

 

[Bornubus]

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[Vinod DX9]

India may get ToT of S-400

 

[WolfPack86]

Russia is the only country in the world transfering critical technologies to India.

 

[Kshithij]

India may get ToT of S-400

That is unbelievable. Need confirmation. I am not sure if Russia will provide the source code for the technology of intercepting

 

[Chinmoy]

India may get ToT of S-400

India would sure get TOT for S-400 system, but not for the missile and the seeker. The TOT would cover the source code part only, as it is a condition of the deal that S-400 should seamlessly integrate with Indian air defence system for layered protection.

 

[Kshithij]

India would sure get TOT for S-400 system, but not for the missile and the seeker. The TOT would cover the source code part only, as it is a condition of the deal that S-400 should seamlessly integrate with Indian air defence system for layered protection.

Source code is everything in air defence. We don't need ToT for missile or seeker. Misisle can be reverse engineered, seekers are already in advanced development

 

[Vinod DX9]

Winter trial for ATAGS coming

 

[WolfPack86]

ARMY QRT armoured vechile.

 

[Prashant12]

Army's new bullet proof jackets clear trials, set to be finalised

Four Indian soldiers, including Major Moharkar Prafulla Ambadas, could have warded off splinter injuries, had they been wearing a fully protected bullet proof jacket while patrolling in the Chingus area of Rajauri, on the Line of Control. All four martyred, during an attack by the Border Action Team of Pakistan army on December 23.

Similary, Colonel M.M. Rai, Commanding Officer of the 42 Rasthriya Rifles, died fighting two militants in a hideout in Tral area of Pulwama district in the Kashmir Valley. Bullet hit him on his neck, an unprotected area of the bullet proof jacket that he was wearing during the operation.

But, now the Army's long wait for nearly a decade will come to an end as the new modular Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) clears trials, which is designed to ensure maximum body coverage of the soldier and similar to the ones being used globally. According to sources, the existing BPJs used by the army in operation can only secure a smaller body area, which is far below the standards used internationally.

Indian army's programme to acquire 1.86 lakh bullet proof jackets, to bridge the gap in its requirement of 3.53 lakh jackets, has been pending since 2009 is reaching its conclusive stage and is expected to be finalised by next month.

According to infantry directorate official, all three Indian players, who were in the fray have met requirements of the Indian Army and have cleared the evaluation trials. "Trials have been completed and the report has been accepted. Now, the commercial negotiations will start to select the vendor. We expect the selection process to get over by the end of next month, so that the production and then delivery of the BPJs can start quickly," said a defence source. But, it may take another few months before it reaches the soldiers.

Indian Army has approved Rs 900 crore for the purchase of 1.86 lakh bullet proof jackets. Each jacket costs between Rs 50,000-60,000, will be ultra light and easier to wear during combat situations, that will also provide protection to the neck, chest, and groins. "New modular BPJs can withstand 7.62mm bullet at a distance upto 10 meters," said an officer.

Last week, a parliamentary panel has come down heavily on the ministry of defence for not providing basic infantry weapons including the life-saving BPJs to the armed forces.

Standing Committee on defence, headed by Major General B.C. Khanduri (Retd), in its report tabled in the Lok Sabha last week noted that there was a serious deficiency of Bullet Proof Jackets. Even after the approval of Defence Acquisition Council was obtained on October 19, 2009 for purchase of the desired BPJs, the necessary purchases could not be made due to various reasons, the committee observed. The parliamentary panel also said that it regret that even after the approval in 2009, our soldiers continue to suffer due to the ‘insufficiency’ of BPJs.

Based on the present position regarding BPJs and the progress made in its procurement, the Committee was intimated that, 'based on the emerging threats', the requirement of BPJs is increasing. However, as on date, the total authorisation of BPJs in Army is to the tune of 3,53,765 pieces.

While analysing the information submitted by the ministry on comparison of BPJs currently available with Indian soldiers and other developed countries, the Committee noted the aspect of lesser body coverage area existing in Indian BPJs as compared to the BPJs of other developed nations. "The Committee hope that the new BPJs are designed and made keeping in mind the aspect of ensuring maximum body coverage," parliamentary panel stated.

In 2015, Army had to cancel its Request for Proposal (RFP) due to rejection of all samples in the trials, citing lack of technology and manufacturing expertise as main reasons for cancellation.Eventually, a year later, Army initiated a fresh process by RFP in April 2016.

The Committee observed that when the trial is rejected, all the expenditure incurred from sanction of procurement to trial stage goes in vain. "Therefore, there is a need to conduct extensive research before tendering for the BPJs. At the same time, the decision should be more specific and timely so that delays in procurement do not occur," the Committee observed.

Last year, with the increase in terrorists initiated incidents in the Kashmir valley, Army had to make an emergency procurement of 50,000 jackets to meet the urgent requirement of the forces. Ministry officials confirmed that the deliver of these 50,000 BPJs have been completed.

http://www.theweek.in/news/india/ar...jackets-clear-trials-set-to-be-finalised.html

 

[Vinod DX9]

We need rapid modernisation

 

[Prashant12]

Around one lakh soldiers may get new assault rifles this year

The army has now pinned its hopes on buying around 100,000 assault rifles through the fast track procedure prescribed in the Defence Procurement Procedure, 2016.

The army plans to equip around a lakh soldiers with new assault rifles this year, invoking a key clause in India’s arms buying rules that governs speeding up purchases to meet “urgent operational requirements,” said a senior officer familiar with the road map for infantry modernisation.

After a series of failed efforts to equip soldiers with the basic weapon, the army has now pinned its hopes on buying around 100,000 assault rifles through the fast track procedure (FTP) prescribed in the Defence Procurement Procedure, 2016.

In need of 7.7 lakh assault rifles, the army has mapped out a three-pronged approach to meet the requirement. The new assault rifles will replace the flaw-ridden 5.56mm INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifles inducted more than two decades ago, a weapon that has outlived its usefulness.

“Broadly speaking, we intend to meet up to 15% (1.15 lakh rifles) of our requirement through the FTP. The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and the private sector will be involved in two separate programmes to supply the remaining numbers,” said another officer tracking the project.

Up to 25% of the army’s requirement could be met by the OFB and the lion’s share of 60% is likely to go to the private sector, he said. The officer did not give exact numbers, choosing to speak only in percentage terms. The army moved a case to buy assault rifles more than a decade ago.

It was forced to retract a tender for the rifles in June 2015 as none of the weapons met the force’s requirements during trials. The army has revised and finalised the qualitative requirements for the new assault rifles and will seek the defence acquisition council’s (DAC) “acceptance of necessity” for the weapon under the fast track procedure.

The FTP route to meet urgent operational requirements has to be authorised by a special DAC meeting chaired by the defence minister based on a proposal approved by a service chief, paving the way for issuing a tender.

The army has revised the caliber of the new assault rifles to the more lethal 7.62mm instead of 5.56mm.

The FTP can be invoked in cases where “undue/unforeseen delay” in buying weapons is seen to be adversely impacting the military’s capacity and preparedness.

According to rules, weapons sought under the FTP should already be the military’s armoury, have been trial evaluated or be in service in foreign militaries so that the time required for evaluation is minimised.

Experts said the army’s casualties in counter-terror operations could be reduced by half if soldiers were provided better assault rifles.

The army is also making renewed efforts to buy more than 54,000 light machine guns and 44,618 carbines.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...s-this-year/story-QlCFBCoIXRmd5zEIRK9BYP.html

 

[Vinod DX9]

We may see new rifles for army this year

 

[Prashant12]

Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by @nsitharaman, takes up case for fast-track procurement of 72,000 assault rifles & 94,000 close-quarter battle carbines for around Rs 3,200 crore


Fast-track procurement of limited weapons after series of failed attempts

 

[Kshithij]

Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by @nsitharaman, takes up case for fast-track procurement of 72,000 assault rifles & 94,000 close-quarter battle carbines for around Rs 3,200 crore


Fast-track procurement of limited weapons after series of failed attempts

Why is one rifle costing 2 lakh rupees or 2k dollars? Even USA buys M16 for 700 dollars with magazines. Why is India paying so heavily? This is about 4-5 times the cost of USA. India should have been much cheaper place and the cost must have come down to 350 dollars normally

 

[Kshithij]

72,400 Assault rifles and 93,895 Close Quarter Battle Carbines (total of 166,295 rifles) have been cleared by DAC for 3,547 crores

Cost per rifle comes to 2.13lakh per rifle on average. About 10 times more than the expense for INSAS.

 

[abingdonboy]

72,400 Assault rifles and 93,895 Close Quarter Battle Carbines (total of 166,295 rifles) have been cleared by DAC for 3,547 crores

Cost per rifle comes to 2.13lakh per rifle on average. About 10 times more than the expense for INSAS.

Deal will include training, spares, accessories (lights, sights, tripods etc), warranties etc

Cannot simply divide total deal/units and expect to come up with a realistic unit price.

That said, this is going to be a huge waste of money, no doubt for this kind of money OFB and DRDO would produce a weapon to IA standards bUt IA only wants a foreign product- shame on DM for allowing this farce.