Context: The President of Serbia has denied that his police forces deployed a banned ‘sonic weapon’ to disperse protestors in the capital city, Belgrade. Serbia is currently witnessing mass anti-government protests against widespread corruption and nepotism.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Sonic Weapons.
Acoustic or Sonic Weapons:
Acoustic or sonic weapons are devices that produce very loud sounds over long distances. They can be designed to emit painful audible or inaudible sound waves.
Working: Such weapons typically comprise hundreds of transducers — electrical devices that convert energy from one form to another — to create highly concentrated and amplified sound.
Utility:
Crowd dispersal weapon. In 2004, for the first time, the US military used speciality equipment capable of projecting loud sounds over vast distances in Iraq.
Can be used as voice amplifiers to transmit voice messages or other sounds.
Damage: These weapons can cause significant harm to the eardrums and delicate organs of the ears and cause tinnitus (ringing sensation in ears) and hearing loss.
Different types of Sonic Weapons:
Long-range acoustic devices (LRADs): It has a range of 8,900 metres for intelligible speech, and produces a highly directional beam of extremely loud sound which can reach up to 160 decibels (dB).
Sounds over 120 dB can cause permanent hearing damage from even short periods of exposure. Sounds over 140 dB are extremely painful.
Infrasonic weapon: It delivers very low-frequency sounds that would be inaudible but could cause pain and disorientation. Experts are still investigating its capabilities.
Mosquito: This device produces very high-pitched sounds that are audible and painful to only younger people — usually teenagers and those in their twenties. It does not affect older people (30 and above). It is not audible to adults because hearing fades as one gets older.
Context: The next-generation BrahMos missile or BrahMos NG is approaching its first flight test, slated for 2026. The missile system is at an advanced stage of development with production set to commence in 2027-28.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Brahmos Missile and its Variants.
Brahmos Missile and its Variants
1. Brahmos Missile:
World's fastest supersonic cruise missile.
Jointly developed by: DRDO (India) and NPO Mashinostroyenia (Russia), which have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.
Key Features:
It weighs 3 tonnes (3000 kg) and measures 9 meters long.
The airforce variant is lighter (2.5 tonnes/ 2500 kg)
Top speed: 2.8 Mach
Range: 290 kilometers
Propulsion: Two-stage missile (solid propellant engine in first stage and liquid ramjet in second stage).
Launched from multiple platforms, including land, air, and sea with pinpoint accuracy during day and night, irrespective of weather conditions.
Fire and Forget principle of operation, difficult to intercept.
Stealth technology and guidance system.
Export Potential:
India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in 2024.
Indonesia and Vietnam are soon set to ink a deal for the BrahMos missile.
2. BrahMos NG (Next Generation):
BrahMos NG is a supersonic cruise missile. It is significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor (original Brahmos missile).
Key Features:
It weighs 1.6 tonnes and measures 6 meters in length.
Top speed: 3.5 Mach
Range: 290 kilometers
Launched from multiple platforms, including land, air, and sea
BrahMos NG has a reduced radar cross-section, AESA radar that enhances its precision and stealth capabilities.
Launch platform: Can be fitted in Tejas, Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, AMCA etc.
Expected induction: 2027-28.
3. BrahMos-II Missile:
BrahMos-II is a hypersonic cruise missile.
Hypersonic Weapon Systems are advanced military technologies capable of travelling at extremely high speeds (typically Mach 5 or higher).
Under joint development: DRDO (India) and NPO Mashinostroyenia (Russia).
Key Features:
Expected speeds: over Mach 7 (possibly reaching Mach 8)
Expected range: around 620 miles (1000 kms).
Launched from multiple platforms, including land, air, and sea
Likely to have the same characteristics as Russia's Tsircon missile.
Expected induction: Around 2028.
Key Facts:
India is a party to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
MTCR allows the country to develop a missile with a range of >300 km and weight >500 kg, but not to export it to other countries.
The export version of BrahMos is capped at 290 kms to comply with the MTCR restrictions of 300 kms.
Context: Russia has offered to partner with India for the joint production of Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-57E for the Indian Air Force.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Su-57E fighter aircraft and India’s aircraft requirements.
Major Highlights:
Russia’s state-owned defence export company, Rosoboronexport, has proposed the localised production of the Su-57E, the export version of Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet.
It has also offered technological assistance for India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. It includes technology transfers related to engines, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, optics, artificial intelligence, software, and advanced weapons.
This offer is aimed to revive the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme between India and Russia.
The FGFA programme was formalised in 2010. Till 2018, India spent $300 million on the project, working jointly with Russia.
In 2018, India withdrew from the programme after key differences — disagreeable terms of transfer of technology.
However, India is open to rejoining the programme in future.
Russia has been the main weapons supplier to India (the world's biggest arms importer), and Russian fighter jets are a part of India's military fleet.
India’s Aircraft Fleet
Indian Air Force (IAF) has 31 fighter squadrons as against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, significantly below the optimal readiness requirements.
Of the current 31 squadrons, the phase out of two MIG-21 squadrons has been extended due to the delayed deliveries of LCA-Mk1A.
LCA-Mk2 & AMCA are critical for IAF’s modernisation plans.
India'sfirst indigenous 5th-generation stealth fighter jet — Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will reach production stage in 2034-35. It is still in the design phase.
Light Combat Aircraft-Mk2 (LCA-Mk2 Tejas) — 4.5 generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft — is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2028-29.
Rosoboronexport (Russia) has offered Su-57E (5th-generation fighter jet)for joint production as early as in 2025.
Presently, India does not have any fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
India plans to meet IAF's requirements by exploring options at Russian Su-57 or the American F-35, until Tejas production is streamlined and AMCA is realised.
About Su-57E fighter aircraft
Sukhoi Su-57 is a twin-enginestealth multirole fifth-generation fighter aircraft developed by Sukhoi.
Key features:
It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8.
It can carry up to 7.4 tonnes of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
It has a maximum operating altitude of 54,100 feet and has a combat range of 1,864 miles (~ 3000 kms).
Su-57E has low radar and infrared signature and has advanced air weapons.
Context: The first prototype of the country’s fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is expected to be rolled out by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The first prototype of the Light Combat Aircraft-Mk2 (LCA-Mk2) is expected by the end of 2025.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Basic understanding of India’s aircraft technological development.
India’s Aircraft Fleet
Indian Air Force (IAF) has 31 fighter squadrons as against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, significantly below the optimal readiness requirements.
Of the current 31 squadrons, the phase out of two MIG-21 squadrons has been extended due to the delayed deliveries of LCA-Mk1A.
LCA-Mk2 & AMCA are critical for IAF’s modernisation plans.
IAF has acquired 36 Rafale (4.5 generation aircraft) from France through a government-to-government deal in 2016.
1. LCA-Mk2 (Tejas 2)
LCA Mark 2 is a 4.5 generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, an improved version of LCA Tejas fighter jet.
Indigenous development by: Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
IAF plans to have about six squadrons of Tejas Mk2. Estimated induction: 2028-29
Key specifications of LCA-Mk2 (Tejas 2):
Engine: Would be powered by GE-414 engine (a high-performance afterburning turbofan engine).
Combat Range: 1500 kms
Maximum Speed: 1.8 Mach
With a weight of 17.5 tonnes, it can carry 6.5 tonnes of weapons. It has all indigenous weapons and about 11 weapon stations.
Multirole aircraft: Designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface and precision-guided weapons.
It is capable of carrying 8 Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) missiles at once, in addition to incorporating modern armaments.
2. Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
AMCA is a 5th-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). It is currently the only 5th generation fighter under development in India.
Indigenous development:
Designed by: Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Full-stealth AMCA aircraft programme was sanctioned in 2024. Estimated induction: 2034
Key specifications of AMCA:
AMCA is a 25-tonnetwin-engine aircraft.
Max speed: Nearly 2,600 kilometres per hour (Mach 2.15)
Combat range: 1,620 km
Designed formulti-role missions, including air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare.
Stealth aircraft (capable of avoiding enemy radars and air defence mechanisms). The stealth fighter uses:
specialised paint coating and radar-absorbing material to reduce radar bounce-off
exhaust nozzles that reduce infrared radiation emitted by the engine
exhaust plume and fuselage technology that reduces the heat signature of the engine.
First look, first kill: AMCA will be based on the ‘first look, first kill’ concept, where an AMCA pilot would see an enemy plane first, fire a missile and destroy it before the latter can react.
Fuel and Weapons: AMCA will have a concealed internal fuel tank of 6.5-tonne capacity, and an internal weapons bay for a range of weapons, including indigenous weapons.
Engine:
AMCA Mk1 variant will have the US-built GE414 engine of the 90 kilonewton (kN) class.
The more advanced AMCA Mk2 will have a more powerful 110kN engine, to be developed indigenously by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment in collaboration with a foreign defence major.
AMCA can carry armament weighing 6,500 kg (1.5 tonnesinternal payload capacity).
Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.
During all the three flight-tests, the missiles intercepted and completely destroyed the high-speed targets flying at very low altitude.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Very Short-Range Air Defence System; MANPADS
About VSHORADS Missile System:
VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System) is a fourth generation technically-advanced miniaturised Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD).
Indigenously developed by: DRDO’s Hyderabad-based premier facility Research Centre Imarat (RCI), in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories.
Key Features
Range:
Interception Range: up to 6 kms
Limiting altitude of effective target destruction: 3.5 km
Maximum speed: Mach 1.5
The missile is propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor that incorporates many technologies including:
dual-band Imaging Infra-Red Seeker
miniaturised Reaction Control System (to increase mid-air manoeuvrability)
integrated avionics.
The design focuses on portability and ease of control.
Utility
Can neutralise low altitude aerial threats like drones and high-speed targets at short range.
Hit-to-kill capability in various target engagement scenarios covering approaching, receding and crossing modes.
Significance
Being man-portable and lightweight compared to the other missile systems, it can be deployed quickly in rugged and hilly terrain and maritime domain.
The Air Defence weapon system has the capability to meet the needs of all the three branches of the armed forces — Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
It marks a pivotal shift in India's air defence strategy, aimed at replacing aging systems like the Igla missile system acquired in 1980s, which is not well suited for evolving modern threats.
Underscores India's commitment to self-reliance in defence technology and manufacturing.
What are MANPADS?
Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles.
They can be fired by individuals or small groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters.
They are fitted with infrared (IR) seekers that identify and target the airborne vehicle through heat radiation being emitted by the latter.
They have ‘fire and forget’ guidance systems i.e., the operator is not required to guide the missile to its target, enabling them to run and relocate immediately after firing.
They shield troops from aerial attacks and are most effective in targeting low-flying aircraft.
Context: The bid by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, and Germany’s TKMS (Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems) has cleared the technical evaluation conducted by the Defence Ministry. The commercial negotiations will now commence. The benchmarked price of ₹43,000 crore for the deal is expected to see a major upward revision.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about Project 75 and Project 75-I.
Project 75
Under Project 75, six Scorpene-class submarines (Kalvari class) have been constructed indigenously (at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Mumbai) with Transfer of Technology from French defence major Naval Group.
Budget size: Rs 23,000 crore.
The project was initiated in 1997, and all six submarines have been commissioned. Submarines under Project 75 (Kalvari-class):
INS Kalvari: Inducted in 2017
INS Kandheri: Inducted in 2019
INS Karanj: Inducted in 2021
INS Vela: Inducted 2021
INS Vagir: Inducted 2023
INS Vagsheer: Inducted January 2025.
Key Features:
The submarines have Diesel Electric transmission systems.
They are attack submarines or the ‘hunter-killer’ type, designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels.
armed with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.
allows for future upgrades such as integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.
Have the capability of operating in a wide range of Naval combat including:
anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare
intelligence gathering and surveillance
underwater mining operations and naval mine laying.
Project 75-I (India)
Project 75-I is a follow-up to Project 75. Indian Navy aims to acquire six conventional, diesel-electric attackadvanced submarines for its fleet.
It improves upon the design and technology of its predecessor (P-75) to meet evolving maritime challenges and technological advancements. The advanced capabilities include:
Air-independent propulsion (AIP)
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems (ISR)
Indigenous content requirement: The first submarine should have indigenous content (IC) of 45% which should be up to 60% for the sixth and last submarine.
These submarines may be larger in size compared to the ones under Project 75.
Budget size: Rs 43,000 crore. The project may take a few years to start, post bidding.
Note:
-Conventional submarinesneed to surface every 48 hours to charge their batteries, because the generator that recharges them is powered by an internal-combustion engine that requires air. This poses a significant risk of their detection.
-Air Independent Propulsion(AIP) system allows submarines to remain submerged for longer durations (up to 15 days) without the need to surface. This significantly enhances their operational endurance and stealth capabilities.
Context: Recently, three naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer were commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, INS Vaghsheer, Project 75.
About INS Nilgiri
INS Nilgiri is thelead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class.
The Nilgiri-class stealth frigate is built under the codename Project 17A.
It is a follow-on vessel of Shivalik class or Project 17 frigates currently in service.
INS Nilgiri is the first of seven frigates in Project 17A being built indigenously by:
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
The multi-mission frigates are capable of dealing with both conventional and non-conventional threats.
The ships are fitted with:
supersonic surface-to-surface missile system
Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) system
76 millimetre upgraded gun
combination of rapid-fire close-in weapon systems.
Significance: With their versatile weapons and capabilities, these ships can play a crucial role in anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
Note: Other six ships of this class — Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, and Vindhyagiri — are at various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE.
About INS Surat
INS Surat is the fourth and final stealth guided missile destroyer under Project 15B.
INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Imphal have been commissioned over the past three years.
Key Features:
INS Surat is a guided missile destroyer with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and overall length of 164 metres.
INS Surat:
is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.
is powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion set comprising four gas turbines, it has achieved speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/h) during sea trials.
has modern sensors and communication facilities making them a key asset in network-centric warfare.
is Indian Navy’s first Al (artificial intelligence) enabled warship, which will utilise indigenously developed Al solutions to enhance its operational efficiency manifold.
Indigeneously built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
Significance: The warships have high speed and manoeuvrability, greater strike capability, and longer endurance, making them key assets in naval operations (mainly offensive).
Note:
Project 15A: Theguided missile destroyers of the Kolkata class built under the project codenamed 15A — INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, and INS Chennai — have been commissioned into the Navy.
Project 15B: To build an advanced variant of the Kolkata class, a contract for the construction of four more guided missile destroyers under the project codenamed 15B was signed in 2011.
About INS Vaghsheer
The sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project or Kalvari class submarine built under Project 75.
Vaghsheer is named after a type of sandfish found in the Indian Ocean.
Design is based on the Scorpene class submarines developed by the French defence major Naval Group, and the Spanish state-owned entity Navantia.
Key Features:
The submarines have Diesel Electric transmission systems.
One of the world’s most silent and versatile diesel-electric class of submarines.
They are attack submarines or the ‘hunter-killer’ type which are designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels.
armed with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.
allows for future upgrades such as integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.
Have the capability of operating in a wide range of Naval combat including:
anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare
intelligence gathering and surveillance
underwater mining operations and naval mine laying.
Project 75
Under Project 75, six Scorpene-class submarines (Kalvari class) are being constructed indigenously (at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Mumbai) with Transfer of Technology from France.
The project was initiated in 1997, and five submarines are currently commissioned. Submarines under Project 75 (Kalvari-class):
INS Kalvari: Inducted in 2017
INS Kandheri: Inducted in 2019
INS Karanj: Inducted in 2021
INS Vela: Inducted 2021
INS Vagir: Inducted 2023
INS Vagsheer: Commissioned in Jan 2025.
Budget size: Rs 23,000 crore.
Conclusion: Addition of these three vessels was a step towards achieving the force level required for the Navy to be a formidable deterrent against any regional threats, and to bolster India’s strategic maritime influence in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Context: India has successfully conducted field evaluation trials of indigenously-developed third-generation anti-tank guided missile Nag Mark-2. The trials were conducted at the Pokhran field range in Rajasthan, where the missile showcased exceptional precision and reliability.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Nag Mk-2.
About Nag Mark-2 Missile
Nag Mk-2 is an indigenously made all-weather, fire-and-forget, lock-on after launch, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Nag Mk-2 missile is launched from the NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier).
NAMICA is an anti-tank armored vehicle or tank destroyer vehicle used by the Indian Army to launch anti-tank missiles.
NAMICA is based on SARATH BMP-II. SARATH BMP-II is an amphibious infantry combat vehicle (ICV) used by the Indian Army.
Estimated Range of Nag Mk-2 missile: 7 to 10 kilometres.
It is a significant improvement over Nag Mark 1, which has a 4-kilometre range.
Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Detailed question on scope, and challenges regarding AI use in the Defence sector.
AI and Defence Integration in India
India is at the nascent stage of integration of AI with military technology. One such example is the Indrajal drone defence system.
Institutional framework: India has launched an institutional framework for inducting AI with the military in 2022.
Defence Artificial Intelligence council chaired by the Defence Minister of India to to provide necessary guidance and structural support.
Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has been created under the Chairmanship of Secretary Department of Defence Production (DDP) for enabling AI based processes in defence Organisations.
Listing priorities: In 2022, the government published a list of 75 priority projects related to using AI for defence; these focused on data processing and analysis, cyber security, simulation and autonomous systems, particularly drones.
AI embedded centers in armed forces: AI-application centres embedded in each of the three armed-service branches – at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow (Army), the INS Valsura (Navy) and Air Force Station Rajokri (Air Force).
Scope of AI in Defence sector
Autonomous systems:
Defence: AI driven autonomous systems can aid armed forces in difficult operations and prevent casualties. E.g., Indrajaal system on drone defence is based on an autonomous AI system; AI-enabled Robot Sentries.
Offence: Can be used to conduct precision strikes and support armed forces in offence. E.g., AI-powered killer robots and Armed UAVs; AI-embedded guided missiles (determines target’s range and adjust flight patterns without human intervention).
Surveillance: AI-embedded radars, satellites, software-identification systems can aid in geospatial analysis, detection of illegal or suspicious activities and alerting authorities. E.g., Indian Army uses facial recognition system ‘Project Seeker’ for monitoring, surveillance, and garrison security.
Cyber-security: AI can be utilised to timely detect and launch a counter attack on cyber attack.
Data Analysis: Defence data is complex like intelligence data, enemy movement, previous trends and strategy analysis can be done effectively with use of AI.
Predictive maintenance: AI can be utilized for predicting the maintenance needs to prevent failure during crucial operations.
Simulations and training: AI can generate multiple and complex hypothetical situations to train soldiers and operatives for unpredictable threats.
Risks and Challenges Associated:
Security risks: AI based defence technologies are susceptible to hacking and cyber attacks leading to catastrophic results.
Ethical questions: AI based decision making in defence can cause collateral damage creating questions of accountability in case of unintended harm.
Interoperability issue: Integrating AI across diverse military platforms (aircraft, naval ships, ground vehicles) is complex. Existing systems might not be compatible, limiting its effectiveness.
Bias and poor data quality: AI systems rely on data for training, and if the data is biased or incomplete, AI models can produce flawed decisions. E.g., biased training data could lead AI inappropriately identifying enemy targets based on incomplete intelligence.
Legal issue: AI based operations lack the global consensus, as AI is not subjected to the Geneva convention, unlike traditional wars and conflicts.
Conclusion: AI in the military offers significant potential for enhancing capabilities, including autonomous systems and cybersecurity. However, it also faces challenges such as security risks, ethical concerns, and technical limitations. A balanced approach involving robust research, international cooperation, and ethical considerations will ensure that AI serves as a strategic asset for defense.
Context: In a significant development, India and the U.S. announced cooperation on co-production of U.S. Sonobuoysfor the Indian Navy, a high-end technology that allows tracking submarines in the deep seas and oceans, to enhance undersea domain awareness (UDA).
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Sonobuoys, P-8I Maritime Aircraft.
Recent Development
India and the U.S. will manufacture sonobuoys for the Indian Navy to US Navy standards in accordance with ‘Make in India’ principles.
Co-production of sonobuoys:
US-based Ultra Maritime and Indian defence PSU Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will co-produce sonobuoys.
Co-production will happen through transfer of technology from Ultra Maritime to BDL.
These will be produced at a facility in Visakhapatnam, which will go operational by 2027.
The Indian Navy operates 12 P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. These sonobuoys are dropped from the aircraft into the sea for anti-submarine warfare.
Significance: Help augment the Indian Navy’s capability to detect and track underwater objects, particularly the submarines and enhance undersea domain awareness.
What are Sonobuoys?
Sonobuoys are expendable, electro-mechanical acoustic sensors that relay underwater sounds emitted from ships and submarines.
They remain active for about 24 hours and help in detection, classification and prosecution of adversarial ships and submarines.
Working Mechanism:
A naval helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft generally drops sonobuoys in a pattern. They are dropped in canisters and are deployed automatically upon impact with water.
An inflatable system with a radio transmitterremains on the surface for communication with the ship or aircraft tracking it, while sensors descend below the surface to a pre-determined depth. It then relays acoustic information back to those monitoring them.
A group of sonobuoys deployed in a pattern can find out the exact location of the submarine which then can be tracked by other systems.
Types of Sonobuoys:
Active sonobuoys emit sound energy and receive the echo, based on which it transmits information back to the aircraft.
Passive sonobuoys only listen for sounds coming from ships or submarines. They then transmit the sound back to the aircraft.
About P-8I Maritime Aircraft
P-8 Poseidon is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft developed and produced by United States' Boeing Defense.
The P-8I is a variant of the P-8 Poseidon specially designed for the Indian Navy.
Utility: P-8I is responsible for coastal patrolling, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search-and-rescue, anti-piracy, and supporting operations of other arms of the military.
Context: Two large defence deals in the pipeline between India and France are being finalised, amid expectations that the Indian Prime Minister will visit Paris in February 2024 for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit to be hosted by the French President.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Rafale-M fighter jets; Scorpene-class conventional submarines.
Major Highlights:
The deals together worth over $10 billion will include:
Purchase of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets for the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant & INS Vikramaditya aircraft carriers.
At present, the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant operate with the Russian Mikoyan MiG-29K fighter aircraft.
Three additional Scorpene-class conventional submarines.
The deal is an integral part of India's ongoing efforts to modernise its naval forces, especially amid growing regional security concerns.
What are Rafale fighter jets?
IAF Rafale:
Indian Air Force (IAF) has already acquired 36 Rafale combat aircraft (4.5 generation aircraft) from France.
India had ordered the combat aircrafts in a Rs 59,000-crore government-to-government deal in September 2016.
France completed the delivery of all 36 Rafale jets to the IAF in December 2022.
Rafale-M:
Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole 4.5th generation fighter aircraft.
Designed and built by: Dassault Aviation
Rafale M is an omnirole aircraft, i.e., it can conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions simultaneously.
Rafale M is a single-seat aircraft capable of performing a wide range of missions, including deep strikes, air defence, and reconnaissance.
It is designed to operate from aircraft carriers.
It has various modifications, including a reinforced undercarriage, strengthened landing gears, and a longer and strengthened nose.
Due to modifications, the Rafale M is slightly heavier than the air force Rafale.
What are Scorpene-class conventional submarines?
About: They are diesel-attack submarines based on the Scorpène design developed by Naval Group (France).
Under Project 75,six Scorpene-class submarines have been constructed indigenously (at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Mumbai) with Transfer of Technology from France.
The project was initiated in 1997, and five submarines are currently commissioned.
Submarines under Project 75 (Kalvari-class):
INS Kalvari: Inducted in 2017
INS Kandheri: Inducted in 2019
INS Karanj: Inducted in 2021
INS Vela: Inducted 2021
INS Vagir: Inducted 2023
INS Vagsheer: To be commissioned in January 2025.
Diesel Electric submarines: This class of submarines have Diesel Electric transmission systems and are attack submarines or the ‘hunter-killer’ type which are designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels.
They have the capability of operating in a wide range of Naval combat including anti-warship and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering and surveillance, underwater mining operations and naval mine laying.
Context: Recently, China has unveiled two stealth fighter jets which shows the technological prowess of the country. In contrast, India’s aircraft modernisation efforts are at various stages of development and not up to the mark, highlighting a gap in India’s defence preparedness.
Relevance of the topic:
Prelims: Basic understanding of India’s aircraft technological development.
Mains: Challenges faced by India in military modernisation and defence sector.
Chinese Military Modernisation
Advanced Fighters:
China has fielded two fifth generation fighter jets:
J-35: medium fighter
J-20: heavy fighter. This makes China the only country other than the U.S. with more than one fifth generation fighter.
China unveiled two stealth fighter jets in tail-less configuration (speculated to be sixth gen-fighters)
One is a massive jet with delta-wing design & three engines, indicating long range capability.
Second is a smaller twin-engine design with swept wings.
China’s Air Force and Naval Aviation together constitute the largest aviation force in the Indo-Pacific region with over 1,300 fourth-generation fighters. They are equipped with technology comparable to the U.S. standards.
Collaboration: Pakistan has approved the procurement of 40 J-35s (fifth generation) from China.
India’s Aircraft Fleet:
Indian Air Force (IAF) has 31 fighter squadrons as against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, significantly below the optimal readiness requirements.
Of the current 31 squadrons, the phase out of two MIG-21 squadrons has been extended due to the delayed deliveries of LCA-Mk1A.
IAF has acquired 36 Rafale (4.5 generation aircraft) from France through a government-to-government deal in 2016.
India lacks a 5th generation fighter aircraft with no prospects of its induction, for at least a decade.
India’s Modernisation Plans
Ambitious Acquisitions:
India plans to acquire over 500 fighter jets, primarily indigenously designed and manufactured.
Key Projects:
LCA-MK1A (Tejas): Indian Air Force has placed an order of 83 units of LCA-MK1A with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). A deal for 97 additional Mk1As is under discussion.
Their delivery has been delayeddue to supply chain issues with the F-404 engines by General Electric (GE).
The HAL Tejas is an indigenous single-engine 4th-generation multirole light fighter aircraft, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and manufactured by HAL.
LCA-MK2 (Tejas 2): Production of the LCA Mark 2 combat aircraft is expected to start in 2029-2030.
LCA Mark 2 is a 4.5 generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, an improved version of LCA Tejas fighter jet.
It would be powered by GE-414 engine (a high-performance afterburning turbofan engine).
IAF plans to have about six squadrons of Tejas Mk2.
AMCA MK-2 (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft): The AMCA Mk2 is expected to go into mass production only after the year 2035.
AMCA-Mk2 is a 5th generation stealth fighter. It is currently the only 5th generation fighter under development in India.
Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TED-BF) for Navy:
The first prototype of TED-BF could make its maiden flight by 2026 and be ready for production by 2031.
TEDBF will serve as a replacement for the aging fleet of MiG-29Ks and is designed to meet the Navy's specific requirements.
Procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA):
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently revealed its intent to conduct an open tender for the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project, aiming to procure 114 jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Challenges in India’s Aircraft Modernisation:
Delay in Acquisitions:
Delayed deliveries of LCA-Mk1A and LCA-MK2 (Tejas 2).
AMCA Mk2 (5th gen aircraft) will take a decade to be operational.
Squadron Shortfalls:
The IAF is down to a mere 31 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.
This number will go down further when the last two remaining squadrons of the MiG-21s are phased out by the end of 2025.
Jaguars, Mirage-2000s and MIG-29s will begin to phase out between 2030-2035.
Even with the LCA-Mk1A, LCA-Mk2 and the MRFA, IAF will still be at 35-36 squadrons by 2035.
Dependence on Foreign Engines:
India is dependent on imported engines, directly or ‘co-manufactured’ to power all indigenous jets and helicopters. E.g., License manufacturing for the F-414 engine (from the US) or the new 110KN engine (from France) makes India dependent on these countries for the most critical parts.
India cannot claim tobe fully self-reliant till it can field an aero-engine that is completely designed and developed in the country.
