1. Missiles and Missile Defence Systems
There are 2 kinds of Missiles, Ballistic and Cruise.
| Ballistic Missiles | Cruise Missiles |
| It follows a ballistic trajectory with the objective of delivering one or more warheads to a predetermined target. | It is a guided missile that remains in the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed. |
| Target is predetermined. Fit for large targets. | Target can be mobile. More appropriate for small mobile targets. |
| Guided only during relatively brief periods of flight and the rest of its trajectory is unpowered and governed by gravity. | Are self-navigating |
| High altitude. Easy to track |
Able to fly in extremely low-altitude trajectory. Makes it difficult to track |
The speed of Missiles are measured in Mach Number.
Mach Number = Object Speed/Speed of Sound.
The following is a very comprehensive chart describing the various kinds of classifications that exist of missiles.
Integrated Guided Missile Development Program(IGMDP)
Timeline of India’s Missile Development Program
Ballistic Missile Defence
A 2-tier system, being developed by DRDO, that provides a multi-layered shield against ballistic missile attacks.
Surveillance Technologies
NETRA – It is a first indigenously developed airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C), mounted on a Brazilian Embraer-145, developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
• AEW&C is also called eye-in-the-sky which is capable of long-range surveillance and a force multiplier.
• India is only 4th such nation after United States, Russia and Israel that have such technology on their own.
Important features of NETRA are:
• Range of 200 kms (Capability to detect aerial threats from incoming aircraft and missiles).
• 240 degrees coverage (simultaneously scan the area on both sides of aircraft)
• State of the art active electronically scanned radar and Secondary surveillance radar.
• Electronic and communication counter measures.
• Line of sight and beyond line of sight data link.
• Voice communication system and self-protection suit.
Rustom-2 – Rustom-2 is medium-altitude long-endurance drone (MALE) designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics.
• It can fly up to an altitude of 22,000 feet and has endurance of over 20 hours.
• It can carry variety of payloads like Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP) for performing missions even during the night.
• It will be used by all three services of Indian armed forces, primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
• Rustom 2 can fly missions on manual as well as autonomous modes.
2. NAVY SHIPS
Submarines
Very good article on how ships are named
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indian-navy-ships-submarine-names-ins-chennai-4618680/
3. Aeronautical Mechanisms
4. Armaments
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Ministry of Defence
The primary responsibility is to counter insurgency and ensure external security of India.
- It comprises of 4 departments:
- Dept. of Defence: It deals with the three services(Army, Air Force, Navy & Coast Guard) and various Inter-Service Organisations
- Dept. of Defence Production: It deals with framing of policy directions on defence and security related matters and communicating them for implementation to Service Headquarters and other organisations
- Dept. of Defence Research and Development: It advises the Govt. on scientific aspects of military equipment and logistics
- Dept. of Ex-Servicemen Welfare: It deals with resettlement, welfare and pensionary matters of Ex-Servicemen
Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO)
- Design, develop and lead to production of state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for our Defence Services.
- Provide technological solutions to the Services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote well-being of the troops.
- Develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build strong indigenous technology base.
- It works under the Dept. of Defence Research and Development
Defence Production
1. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL)
- It is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircrafts, helicopters engines and their accessories
- It is responsible for the development of Dhruv, an Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH)
2. Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL)
- It is engaged in the design, development and manufacture of state-of-the-art electronics equipment components for the use of Defence Services
3. Mazagon Dock Limited(MDL)
- It is the premier defence shipyard in the country located in Mumbai.
- It is engaged in the production of warships, submarines, missile boats, destroyers etc.
- Scorpene-class Submarines are being developed here under the Project 75I. Other defence production units include Bharat Earth Movers Ltd., Goa Shipyard Ltd., Bharat Dynamics Ltd. etc.
