This article deals with ‘Surrogacy and Issues – UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’, which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Introduction
Surrogacy is the practice in which one woman carries the foetus in her womb in an arrangement where the child has to be handed over after the birth.
Surrogacy can be of two types.
Altruisticsurrogacy: The couple doesn’t pay any compensation to the surrogate mother except for medical expenses.
Commercial surrogacy: Couple pays compensation to the surrogate mother.
India has a well-developed surrogacy industry with more than $2.3 billion annual revenue.
India has emerged as a reproductive tourist industry capital of the world.
Anti-Surrogacy vs Pro-Surrogacy Debate (General)
Anti-Surrogacy Arguments
Physical stress, risk, and emotional trauma to surrogate mother on abrupt separation from baby carried in the womb for nine months.
Children face health concerns such as being breastfed for at least six months.
The use of surrogacy is cheapening the idea of having a child as a commodity.
Sex selection is the ‘dirty secret’ of commercial surrogacy (the discarded foetus is usually female).
Pro-Surrogacy Arguments
The surrogate mother has the right to assert her independent agency and make choices in her best interest.
In case government bans surrogacy, the market will go underground, leading to further exploitation of surrogate mothers. Hence, instead of banning the practice, it should be regulated.
Surrogacy (Regulation) Act
Need for the law of Surrogacy
Post-2000
Surrogacy became a crucial medical industry in India, with more than $ 2.3 billion in revenue.
2008
Baby Manji case happened, and the need was felt to have a comprehensive law on Assistive Reproductive Techniques (ART).
Bill was introduced by the NDA government banning commercial surrogacy and allowing just Altruistic Surrogacy.
2019
Bill was re-introduced due to inherent deficiencies.
2021
The Bill was passed and became an act
In the absence of law, many problems were coming
Medical problems wrt foetus, e.g., the surrogate child is disabled or has any genetic disease and parents refuse to accept the child.
Non-payment to surrogate mothers, especially when the child is born still or dead or born with a disability.
Baby Manji Case (2008): Baby Manji was commissioned by Japanese parents (through an unknown egg donor and husband’s sperm) and was born to a surrogate mother in Gujarat. The parents divorced before the baby was born. The genetic father wanted the child’s custody, but Indian law barred single men from it, and Japanese law didn’t recognize surrogacy. The baby was ultimately granted a visa, but the case underscored the need for a regulatory framework for surrogacy in India.
Law Commission of India has recommended prohibiting commercial surrogacy and allowing altruistic surrogacy by enacting appropriate legislation.
Provisions of the Surrogacy Act, 2021
Defines Surrogacy: The Act defines surrogacy as ‘a practice where a woman gives birth to a child for an intending couple to hand over the child after the birth to the intending couple.’
It bans commercial surrogacy and allows only allows Altruistic Surrogacy.
The following can opt for surrogacy.
Any heterosexual Indian couples or couples of Indian origin have a medical condition requiring gestational surrogacy.
only for altruistic surrogacy purposes
not for producing children for sale, prostitution or other forms of exploitation
Couples shouldn’t have any surviving child (either biological, adopted or surrogate)
The couple going for surrogacy should have a ‘certificate of essentiality’ and a ‘certificate of eligibility’ issued by the appropriate authority.
The couple can only approach a close relative for surrogacy.
The surrogate child should be considered the biological child of the intending couple.
Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory bodies to regulate surrogacy clinics will be established at national and state levels
National Assisted Reproductive Technology & Surrogacy Board at the central level
State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Boards in the states
The act has also laid down the criteria for surrogate mothers, which include
Married women aged between 25 to 35 years having their own children.
Can become a surrogate only once in her lifetime.
Posses certificate of fitness for surrogacy
Insurance cover: 36 months for the Surrogate Mother to take care of all her medical needs and emergency conditions/complications.
Penalty: The penalty for going against the provisions of the act includes up to 10 years of imprisonment and a 10 lakh fine.
Issues with the Act
An outright ban on surrogacy will push this industry underground, increasing the vulnerability of women even more. It was seen in Thailand.
Act borrows heavily from the UK’s altruistic surrogacy Bill but has changed the British provision to allow only blood relatives to “close relatives”. Close Relative is a vague term open to legal challenges. Even the Select Committee has recommended changing the term ‘Close Relative’ with ‘Willing Woman.’
Violates Right to Equality: Restricting surrogacy to married Indian couples and disqualifying others based on nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or age does not appear to qualify the test of equality.
Violate Article 21: Right to life includes the right to reproductive autonomy.
Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality. Unfortunately, the Bill scarcely bears an imprint of the verdict & continues to speak the discriminatory language of Section 377.
The Bill violates UNDHR. Article 16 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights gives the right to men and women of full age to found a family.
This article deals with ‘Telescopes‘. This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology, which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Important Telescopes
Important Telescopes for the
purpose of exam include
30 m Telescope ( Hawaii)
National Large Solar Telescope ( Ladakh)
Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)
MULTI-APPLICATION SOLAR TELESCOPE (MAST), Udaipur
GROWTH India Telescope
It has to be noted
that Light Pollution is a severe problem for Astronomers as artificial light
from buildings, street lights, and malls makes it challenging to observe and
study the stars in the sky. Hence,
Telescopes are set up in remote regions (far away from the cities).
After the E-ELT (European Extremely Large Telescope), it is the world’s highest and second largest telescope.
It is located at the Mauna Kea volcano summit in Hawaii (USA).
It is the joint project of India, Japan, the US, China, and Canada with $1.5 billion.
India has financed 10% of the cost and will get proportional time for use.
It observes between near UV to mid-infrared wavelengths and corrects the blur caused by the atmosphere by its adaptive optics system.
Controversy associated with Thirty-Meter Telescope
Three
controversies are related to this project:-
Mauna Kea is considered sacred by the local Hawaiian people.
It presents a danger to the habitat of the Rare Weiku Bug found there.
The land was given for use essentially rent-free.
2. National Large Solar Telescope
NLST is being built by the Dept. of Science of Technology in Ladakh.
It will be the world’s largest solar telescope.
It can work both day and night.
It will fill the longitude gap between Japan and Europe. Currently, there is no telescope between these regions.
It will help in understanding sunspots. Thus it will help protect satellite communication as sunspots pose a threat to their working.
Why is Ladakh chosen?
Placement at a higher altitude will fundamentally enhance the NLST capacity.
Prolong region of sunshine, clear sky (high visibility).
Low concentration of aerosol and dust particles in the atmosphere.
Lower wind speed.
3. Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA)
ALMA is the joint venture of the USA, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, South Korea, and Chile.
It is at 5000 meters. This place is most suitable as it is free from background noise, and the atmosphere is clean, dry and cool.
It consists of 66 high-precision antennas.
Aim: Explain very old and important astronomical anonymities and search for the origin of the Cosmos.
ALMA is the most powerful telescope used for observing the cold universe in which scientists study molecular gases and dust.
Using ALMA, astronomers have obtained high-resolution images of 20 nearby protoplanetary disks depicting the planet’s birth.
4. Multi-Application Solar Telescope (MAST), Udaipur Solar Observatory
Purpose and Significance
For a detailed study of the Solar activity, including its magnetic field.
The observatory is situated on an island in the middle of Fatehsagar lake.
It is Asia’s biggest telescope.
Why is an observatory made in the middle of the lake?
A large water body surrounding the telescopes decreases the amount of heating of the surface layers.
It reduces the turbulence in the air mass and improves image quality.
5. Growth India Telescope
It is part of a multi-country joint initiative termed the Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH).
The US, UK, India, Japan, Germany, Taiwan and Israel are part of this initiative.
Location: Hanle (Ladakh)
It is a fully robotic telescope and can be controlled remotely.
Aim: Study cosmic events happening over relatively small periods of the cosmological timescale.
Telescopes in the Space
1. Astrosat
Astrosat is India’s first dedicated astronomy satellite (like Hubble of West).
It was launched in September 2015.
Features
It can scan multi-wavelengths from ultraviolet to optical and low- and high-energy x-ray bands for studying distant stars, galaxies and other cosmic objects.
It is situated at the height of 650 Km.
It has been of immense benefit to our scientists, who have depended on inputs from other agencies and sources like the Hubble [US-European space telescope].
It has put India in an elite orbit with the US, Europe, Russia and Japan.
2. James Webb Space Telescope
It is the Joint Venture of NASA, ESA & the Canadian Space Agency.
It is the scientific successor of the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes.
The primary mirror of JWST consists of 18 hexagonal mirrors of 1.32 m diameter each (compared to Hubble Telescope with one mirror of 2.4 m diameter). Further, these mirrors are made up of beryllium as it is light and strong and coated with gold to increase the mirror’s reflection.
It will be placed at L2 (Lagrange Point), 930,000 miles from Earth’s surface.
It has become NASA’s flagship infrared observatory. JWST carries four instruments
Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam),
Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec),
Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI)
Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph
JWST will study the following
Search for the very first galaxies that were formed after Big Bang.
Evolution of the galaxies until now.
Study formation of stars and their evolution in different phases.
Potential to support life in these systems.
Study solar systems, their planets, along with comets, asteroids and minor planets.
3. Kepler
It was launched in 2009.
Aim: Survey the Milky Way galaxy region to discover planets in or around the habitable zone (Goldilocks Zone).
It was orbiting the Sun, nearly 156 million km from the Earth.
Kepler is described as the most prolific planet-hunting machine in history. By June 2017, it had discovered more than 4,000 planet candidates and 2,300 confirmed planets.
Nov 2018: NASA’s Kepler space telescope has been retired after running out of fuel.
Side Topic: Goldilocks Zone
Goldilocks region denotes the area at the proper distance from its home star that it is neither at too high temperature nor too cold.
Habitable exoplanets must have such a temperature in which water can exist in its liquid form.
4. Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Space Telescope was launched in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 1990 as a joint venture between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
It used to orbit 550 km above Earth.
Its main payloads include
Wide Field and Planetary Camera (WF/PC),
Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS)
High-Speed Photometer (HSP)
Faint Object Camera (FOC)
Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS).
These scientific payloads have helped uncover many secrets of the universe, including the theory of its expansion.
This article deals with the ‘UAVs.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Introduction
UAV is an aerial vehicle without a pilot on board.
UAVs can be remote-controlled aircraft (e.g. flown by a pilot on the ground) or fly autonomously based on the program.
Applications of UAVs
UAVs can be remotely controlled. Therefore, it saves any loss of soldiers.
In modern warfare, Armies use them in operations to have a view from above and coordinate the movement of Soldiers.
Police are using them during rioting and monitoring people’s assembly during Strikes. E.g., Chandigarh Police
Border Security: UAVs can be used for real-time surveillance of rugged terrain.
Companies like Facebook plan to use it for internet delivery (Aquila).
Logistic companies are making drones to deliver products. E.g., Zomato is working on a hybrid drone for food delivery. Earlier, Amazon too tested such drones.
Healthcare: Drones can be used for improving the delivery of medicines. E.g., the Telangana government’s ‘Medicine from the Sky’ project under which medicines (especially vaccines) will be transported from district headquarters to PHCs using a drone named Marut.
Agriculture: Drones have application in agro-management, especially in spraying pesticides, crop nutrients etc. In an experiment conducted in Brazil, the use of drones helped in reducing the use of pesticides.
Tool for ‘Psychological Warfare’: The constant presence of UAVs in conflict zones creates a sense of unease and helplessness among enemies, creating psychological pressure.
Challenges
Regulatory loopholes: There are policy and legal loopholes wrt the regulation of drones in India.
Quality Control: Most of the drones are imported in India.
Privacy Issues: Drones can collect images and data of common citizens infringing their right to privacy.
Use by Terrorists: These drones can be easily procured and used by terrorists for carrying out their nefarious activities. For example, drones are to drop weapons and drugs along the Punjab border.
Issue with Air Traffic Management: Drones cant be detected by conventional radars and puts conventional air traffic in danger.
UAVs as a threat to National Security
Drones have changed
the ways wars are fought and have posed new challenges to security agencies.
Recent developments in this regard include
Insurgents in North East India are using drones to drop explosives.
In 2021, Kashmiri terrorists dropped IEDs over Indian Airforce Base using UAVs.
Pakistan use drones to smuggle drugs to India.
In 2021, Azerbaijan defeated Armenia’s much more potent force using drones, which have completely changed the ways warfare is fought.
Iran supported Shia Houthi rebels attacked oil facilities of Saudi Aramco and oil refinery in UAE, bypassing sophisticated missile defence systems.
The US killed Iranian General Qasim Soleimani in a drone attack.
Ways to defend drone attacks
The best way to defend is the installation of Anti-Drone systems.
These includes
Foreign Anti-Drone systems such as Iron Dome (of Israel), S-400 (of Russia), DroneHunter (of USA) etc.
India is also making indigenous anti-drone systems. These include
D4 System (Drone, Detect, Deter and Destroy)
It is an Indian Anti-Drone system developed by DRDO.
It can detect, track and identify rogue drones within a 5 km range.
It can jam micro drones (soft kill) and use laser-based kill mechanism to destroy drones (hard kill)
DRDO’s ‘Anti-Drone System” can neutralize detecting the drones in the range of 3 km and destroy using laser technology.
Grene Robotics of Hyderabad has developed Anti-Drone System named ‘Indrajaal’.
Naval Anti Drone System (NADS): First indigenously developed comprehensive anti-drone system developed by DRDO. It has capabilities for both hard kill (attacking vital drone components) and soft kill (misguiding, signal jamming etc.).
Israel’s SMASH 2000 Plus System: Being used by Indian Navy, this system is installed mainly on assault rifles providing hard kill option.
Drone Rules, 2021
Guidelines by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for use of civil drones.
Places restrictions on operating drones in certain areas (Red Zones).
Provides for registration and licensing of drones and training of operators.
It follows the principle of No Permission – No Take-off (NPNT) and permission is required before every operation of a drone.
Drones of India
#1. Indian Drones
1.1. Rustom
Rustom is developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of Bangalore under DRDO.
It comes in two versions – Rustom 1 and Rustom 2.
Use: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
Features of Rustom
Rustom-1
Rustom-2
Weight
95 Kg
350 Kg
Endurance
12-15
hour
24 hour
Range
250 km
250 km
Speed
125-175
km/hr
125-175
km/hr
1.2 Nishant
It is developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of Bangalore under DRDO.
Primary use: Intelligence gathering, surveillance, target designation and damage assessment.
Features
Endurance: 4 hours and 30 minutes.
It has a range of 100 Km.
It can reach up to a speed of 216 km/h.
It is launched using a catapult and doesn’t need a runway.
It has day and night flying capability.
1.3 Panchi
It is the wheeled version of Nishant.
1.4 Lakshya-I
Lakshya-1 is pilotless target aircraft.
It is manufactured by HAL.
Primary use: Used to perform discrete aerial reconnaissance of battlefield and target acquisition.
Features
Maximum Speed: 0.7 Mach
Range: 150 km
Its launch is rocket-assisted, while recovery is made using a two-stage parachute.
Later, the Nirbhay missile was also made from its design.
1.5 NETRA
It is a Mini-UAV.
It is developed by DRDO.
Its use includes following
CRPF will use it to fight Naxals.
BSF in counter-insurgency.
It has the following specifications
Range of 4 to 5 km.
Endurance of 40 to 60 minutes.
It weighs around 6 kg.
#2. Foreign UAVs bought by India
2.1 Guardian Drone
India has bought Guardian Drones (naval & unarmed version of Predator UAVs).
It has provided enhanced Indian capabilities in maritime defence.
2.2 Predator Drones
In 2024, US has approved sale of 31 Predator drones to India.
Features
Can carry lethal and non-lethal payloads (armed version of Guardian)
Can fly continuously for 35 hours
Can fly 2,000 miles without refuelling
Can carry payload of 1,700 kg.
2.3 Heron TP
It is an Israeli Armed UAV.
India has bought this UAV.
It is India’s first armed drone, significantly expanding the aerial offensive capabilities of the military.
2.4 Harpy and Harop
These UAVs are bought from Israel.
Side Topic: Swarm Drones
The Indian Army has inducted swarm drones
Swarm drones are several UAVs operating in coordination. These are useful in combat operations for surveillance inputs and undertaking close reconnaissance.
This article deals with the ‘Indian Air Force.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Airforce
Indian Airforce with 1.27 active personnel defends the Indian airspace.
At present, the Indian Airforce (IAF) has 34 fighter squadrons. But to be effective against China and Pakistan, India needs at-least 45 squadrons.
Aircrafts of India
Combat Aircraft
Dassault
Rafale
26
Sukhoi
Su-30 MKI
272
HAL
Tejas
22
Mig-29
66
Mirage
2000
49
Jaguar
120
MiG-21
Bison
107
(retire in 2025)
Reconnaissance Aircraft
Boeing
707
1
Global
5000
2
Gulfstream
2
Tanker Aircraft
Il-78 : 6
Transport Aircraft
Ilyushin
IL-76
17
Boeing
C-17 Globemaster
11
C-130J
Super Hercules
12
Antonov
A-32
104
Dornier
228
50
Helicopters
HAL
Light Combat Helicopter
Attack
Helicopters
HAL
Rudra
Armed
HAL
Dhruv
Utility
Boeing
Apache
Attack
Helicopters
Mi-24
Attack
Helicopters
Chinook
Heavy
Transport
UAVs
Harop
Loitering
Munition
Heron
Surveillance
Searcher
Surveillance
DRDO
Lakshya
Target
Drone
Side Topic: Generations of Aircrafts
Period
Features
Examples
1st Gen Fighters
1940s-50s
– Turbojet Engines
Mig-15
and Mystere-IV
2nd Gen Fighters
1950s-60s
– Delta Wings – Guided and Beyond Visual Range Missiles
– Advanced Stealth – Highly sophisticated avionics – Thrust Vectoring – Supersonic cruise without the use of afterburners
F/A-22
Raptor, F-35 and Sukhoi T-50
Detail of Combat Aircrafts in news
1. Rafale & MMRCA
Rafale is 4.5 generation Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) aircraft made by Dassault Aviation of France.
Main features of Rafale
4.5 generation Multirole combat aircraft, i.e. can be used for ground support, in-depth strike, and anti-ship strike.
Rafale is capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Equipped with precision air to air and air to surface missiles.
Range: 3,700 Km
Max Speed: 1,389 Km/hr
Load Carrying Capacity: 9,500 Kg
Rafale Acquisition: Chronology of Events
2007
Tender for MMRCA was invited, and various bidders such as Eurofighter (of British Aerospace), F-16 (of Lockheed Martin), MiG-35 (of Russia) and Rafale (of Dassault (France)) applied for the bids.
2011
Rafale was shortlisted. It was decided that India would buy 126 Rafale. In this, 18 were to be purchased in fly-away condition, and the rest 108 were to be made by HAL under Transfer of Technology.
2015
But the issue was Dassault was not prepared to guarantee the performance of aircraft manufactured in India. The plan was changed, and the government decided to buy 36 Rafale in the ready-to-fly condition given to India in two years.
2018-19
The case went to Supreme Court to increase the cost per aircraft and give offset contract to Reliance instead of HAL.
2020
Delivery of Rafales started. The first batch of 5 aircraft was delivered to India.
Issues
The stealth system of Rafale is outdated compared to other competitors in the same class.
Rafale doesn’t have STOVL (Short take-off and vertical landing) capability, present in other competitors.
Brazilian Airforce was earlier interested in buying Rafale but later changed to Swedish Gripen jet.
2. Tejas / HAL’s LCA
HAL Tejas or Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is a 4th Generation fighter aircraft made by India.
It is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL).
The program to build indigenous Indian combat aircraft started way back in the 1980s. After long delays, the first Tejas was delivered to the Indian Airforce in 2015. In 2021, the Indian government announced to procure 83 Tejas.
Tejas is going to replace India’s ageing MiG 21 aircraft.
Features of HAL Tejas
It has ~60% indigenous content.
Maximum Speed: 1,350 Kmph.
Its radius of action is 400 Km without refuelling.
It can carry a weight of up to 12 tonnes.
Delta wing configuration
Numerous integrated technologies like Fly by wire flight control system, advanced digital cockpit, digital avionics, advanced composite material structure etc.
It is equipped with operational capabilities like Beyond Visual Range Missile and Air to Air Refueling.
It has STOBAR (Short Takeoff But Arrested Recovery) capability.
Side Topic: (LCA) Kaveri
Kaveri is the name of Tejas’s engine that was to be used, but India couldn’t make it on time to be used in the plane.
It would have been India’s first indigenous gas turbine engine.
3. Sukhoi T-50 (Fifth Generation)
Sukhoi T-50 is an Indo-Russian collaborative project to make 5th generation fighter aircraft. It is a joint venture of Russia’s Sukhoi and India’s HAL.
It will have the following characteristics
Stealth features like specially designed airframes, engines intakes, and radar absorbing material
Thrust vectoring nozzles
One or two seated
30 mm cannon
Eight weapon internal points and eight external points.
Max speed of 2 Mach.
Fuel capacity of 10,300 kg.
But in 2018, India has conveyed its unwillingness to Russia to go ahead with this project due to
the high costs involved.
Detail of Transport Aircrafts in news
1. C-17 Globemaster
It is a large military transport aircraft of US origin developed by Boeing.
Indian Airforce has 11 Globemasters.
It can be used for
Transporting troops.
Maintaining supplies and carrying equipment to small airfields in remote and harsh terrain (E.g., Ladakh)
Its main features include
Ability to take off from very high altitudes
Land on paved as well as unpaved airfields during day and night.
Helicopters
Important Made in India Helicopters
1. Dhruv (ALH)
Dhruv features of this helicopter
Dhruv was designed for the military as well as civilian purposes.
It is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
It can play multiple roles: logistics, rescue and attack for Army, Navy, Airforce and Coast Guard.
History
The project was first announced in 1984 & was designed in assistance with MBB of Germany.
First flew in 1992 but developments prolonged due to budget restrictions and various restrictions placed on India after Pokhran 2 in 1998.
Entered into service in 2002.
First exported to Nepal & Israel & is on order by several other countries.
2. LCH Prachand
LCH Prachand is indigenously developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
It is a multi-role combat helicopter. With this, India has become the seventh country to make attack helicopters.
Features of LCH Prachand
Range: 550 Km
Endurance: 3 hours
Maximum height at which it can fly: 6.5 Km
It is the only combat helicopter in the world which can land and takeoff at an altitude of 5,000 m.
Equipped with a ‘COUNTERMEASURE DISPENSE SYSTEM‘ to protect it from enemy radars and missiles.
Foreign Helicopters bought by India
1. Chinook
Chinooks are the heavy-lift helicopters used by the US Army.
India decided to buy 15 Chinook helicopters from the USA in 2016, and the first batch was delivered in 2019.
Features of Chinook Helicopters
Twin Engine with Tandem Rotor.
Can carry up to 35 troops or 24 stretchers with 3 attendants or 10,500 kg payload.
Advanced Avionics.
Advanced M240 Machine Gun
2. Apache
Apache is USA’s most advanced ‘attack helicopter’.
India has bought 22 Apache Helicopters.
Features of Apache Helicopters
Twin Turboshaft Engines
Armed with missiles like Hellfire, Spike and Stinger missiles
Armed with advanced M230 Chain Guns
Night vision systems
Advanced avionics
3. Mi-17
Mi-17 is a Russian origin transport helicopter manufactured by Kazan Helicopters.
It is one of the most advanced transport helicopters equipped with advanced features such as
Advanced self-defence system equipped with 23 mm cannon and heat-seeking missiles
Twin-engine single rotor
Highly sophisticated navigation and avionics system
Maximum speed of 250 km/hr
Range of 675 Km
Payload capacity of 4,000Kg
Capacity to transport up to 36 troops.
It is used for the transportation of VVIPs, including PM and army chiefs.
This article deals with the ‘Indian Navy.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Structure of Indian Navy
Indian Navy protects the territorial waters, coast and Indian geopolitical interests.
It has 58,000 active personnel.
It has 3 operational commands
Eastern Command – Vishakhapatnam
Western Command – Mumbai
Southern Command – Kochi
Side Topic: Blue Water navy
It is a mighty navy that can operate across the deep waters in open oceans. E.g. US Navy.
Indian Navy also wants to be a Bluewater navy. The purchase/induction of Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines, fifth-generation air crafts etc., are part of that strategy.
Why Indian Navy needs to be modernized?
India has a vast and long coastline of 7,500 km that needs to be defended by a strong and modernized navy.
The majority of India’s international trade is carried through the Indian ocean. Hence, a strong and modernized navy is necessary to protect Indian interests.
A modernized navy is the need of the hour to counter the Chinese String of Pearls strategy against India.
Naval Ships
How are Naval Ships named?
Different countries follow different conventions
Corvettes
Corvette is the smallest class of ships that can be considered a proper warship.
Their main use includes
Coastal Patrol
Fast Attack
In India, Corvettes are named after personal arms. Eg : INS Khukri, INS Kirpan and INS Khanjar.
Frigates
Frigates are warships with mixed armaments.
In India, they are named after mountains or rivers or weapons. E.g., INS Sahaydri, INS Shivalik, INS Satpura, INS Talwar, INS Teg etc.
Cruise or Destroyer
Destroyer is a fast, highly manoeuvrable ship with long -endurance. Generally, it escorts a fleet of vessels intending to protect them.
In India, they are named after a state capital, a large city, or a great king or warrior from India’s history. E.g., INS Delhi, INS Kolkata, INS Mysore, INS Mumbai, INS Rana and INS Ranjit.
Submarines
In India, Submarines are named after a predatory fish or an abstract name associated with the ocean.
INS Arihant and INS Chakra are nuclear submarines; the conventional ones have had names from INS Sindhughosh and INS Sindhukirti to INS Shalki and INS Shankul.
Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft Carrier is the highest class of warships whose presence can provide strategic advantage. They are used to carry aircraft to carry operations away from home shores.
These are very expensive and generally escorted by destroyers, frigates, submarines etc.
There is a special procedure to name such special ships. A committee is formed that invites the name and decides to name it. For Example,
INS Vikramaditya: It is named after Vikramaditya meaning Sun of Prowess, a name taken after many Indian sovereigns.
INS Vikrant: It is named after India’s first Aircraft Carrier, which India bought from the UK in 1957.
Importance of Aircraft Carriers for India
It enhances the Navy’s capabilities to carry operations away from its shores.
It is essential to convert the Indian Navy to Blue Water Navy.
Side Topic: Nations and Number of their Aircraft Carriers
USA
11 Operational
China
2 Operational (2 will be commissioned soon)
India
1 Operational (1 will be commissioned soon)
Indian Aircraft Carriers
1. INS Vikramaditya
It is an Indian
Aircraft carrier. It is of Soviet origin and was known as Admiral Gorshkov.
India bought this from Russia in 2004, and it was finally delivered to India in
2013.
2. INS Vikrant or IAC-1
INS Vikrant is the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. India has joined the elite club that can manufacture its aircraft carriers (others include the US, Russia, France, the UK and China). It was delivered to the Indian Navy and commissioned on 15 August 2022, marking 75 years of Indian independence.
It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). Hence, it is a ‘Made in India’ ship. With this, India has joined the group of six nations which have this capability.
Its features include
Weight = 19,500 Kg
Displacement of 40,000 tonnes.
Speed of 28 knots
It will carry 24 Russian MiG-29 aircraft and Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).
Two runways.
It has STOBAR capability (i.e. Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery)
Long-range surface to air missiles.
It has crew capacity of 1600
Cost to built = Rs. 20,000 crore
Note:
It is named after decommissioned INS Vikrant, India’s first Aircraft carrier,
and was bought from Britain in 1961. It played an essential role in the Indian
victory over Pakistan in 1971.
3. INS Vishal
INS Vishal is the proposed name of India’s third aircraft carrier.
It will be a 65,000-ton vessel, bigger than both INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant.
It is not yet approved by the Government of India. However, it will be India’s second indigenous aircraft carrier when approved.
Other Warships
1. Kolkata Class (Project 15-A)
Kolkata class is a group of destroyers made under Project 15A. These are a class of guided-missile destroyers constructed for the Indian Navy.
There are three ships built under the Kolkata class.
INS Kolkata
INS Kochi
INS Chennai
These are built at Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) in India and are the largest destroyers to be operated by the Indian Navy.
2. Vishakhapatnam Class (Project 15-B)
The destroyers of this class are more advanced than the Kolkata class and have stealth capabilities.
There are four ships built under this Vishakhapatnam Class
INS Vishakhapatnam
INS Mormugao
INS Imphal
INS Surat
INS Surat, which was commissioned in January 2025, is an AI-enabled warship. It can use AI to enhance its operational efficiency.
3. Nilgiri Class (Project 17-A)
Nilgiri Class is a group of frigates made under Project 17A.
There are seven frigates made under Nilgiri Class (all named after hills)
INS Nilgiri
INS Himgiri
INS Udaygiri
INS Dunagiri
INS Taragiri
INS Vindhyagiri
INS Mahendragiri
These are built at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in India.
These are follow-on vessels of the Shivalik Class (Project 17).
4. Talwar or Krivak Class
It is a class of Indian Stealth Frigates being built in Russia.
Total four frigates are to be built under the project, two of which have already been built
INS Tushil
INS Tamala
2 more are under construction.
Features of this class include
Stealth features with low radar and underwater noise signatures
Installed with Surface to Surface Missiles
Equipped with Surface Surveillance Radar and Sonars
5. Kamorta Class (Project 28)
Kamorta class is a group of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes built under Project 28 by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
There are four corvettes built under Kamorta Class.
INS Kamorta
INS Kadmatt
INS Kiltan
INS Kavaratti
6. INS Astradharini
India’s first indigenously designed (95%) and built torpedo launch and recovery vessel (TLRV).
It is an advanced replacement for Astravahini.
Side Topic: Decommissioned Ships
INS Vikrant
The warship was decommissioned in 2014.
Initially known as HMS Hercules, India purchased it from Britain in 1961. It played a strategic role in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Now Bajaj is using its steel in making motorcycles.
Submarines
Submarines are of three types & India need the correct mix of all three
1. Conventional Submarines (SSK)
They use the diesel-electric engine as their source of power & have to surface daily to get oxygen for fuel combustion.
India needs atleast 18 SSKs and with the induction of INS Arighaat, it has 18 Submarines now
7 Sindhughosh Class (Russian Kilo Class)
4 Shishumar Class (German Type 209)
5 Scorpene Class Submarines inducted from Project 75
2 SSBN Submarines
India had plans under Project 75 & Project 75(I), under which the intention is to build two production lines in collaboration with two foreign submarine builders to build 6 submarines each. In the meantime, the Navy would come up with indigenous designs to produce 6 submarines immediately, each on these production lines producing a total of 24 subs by 2030. Although the project is behind schedule, we have made 5 subs under Project 75.
5 Subs (out of 6) under Project 75 has been made (Scorpene-Class Submarines made by French Maker DCNS )
1. INS Kalvari
It was inducted in 2017 (5 years behind schedule).
It is the first submarine constructed under Project 75.
The literal meaning of “Kalvari” is ‘ Sea Tiger.’
2. INS Khanderi
It was inducted in 2018.
Khanderi is the name of Maratha Island Fort.
3. INS Karanj
It was inducted in 2019.
The name ‘Karanj’ is derived from Karanja island, a town in the Raigad district.
4. INS Vela
It was inducted in 2021.
The name ‘Vela’ is derived from the name of a predatory fish. It was also the name of one of India’s decommissioned submarines of Soviet origin.
5. INS Vagir
It was inducted in 2023
Vagir is the name of sandfish (a predatory variety of fish).
6. INS Vagsheer
It was inducted in January 2025.
It is the sixth and final submarine developed under Project 75.
In 2023, India decided it would build 3 additional Scorpene Class Submarines.
2. Nuclear Submarines (SSN)
These are powered by nuclear reactors (but they can’t launch Ballistic Missiles).As a result, they can remain submerged for months.
Given the security needs of India, the Indian Navy needs 6 SSNs.
MoU was signed with Russia to provide 2 Akula Class SSNs on lease for 10 years. India got one in 2012 (INS Chakra) & the other one has still not reached India.
3. Nuclear Submarines with Ballistic Missiles (SSBN)
They are nuclear-powered submarines along with the capability to launch Ballistic Missiles with nuclear warheads.
These Submarines act as the third leg of the nuclear triad.
India needs 3 to 5 SSBN but has 2 (with latest addition of INS Arighaat in 2024).
India is the 5th country after the US, Russia, China and France to have such capability.
INS Arihant
INS Arihant is India’s first nuclear submarine which was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2016, thus establishing India’s Nuclear Triad.
Other Features
6000 tonne submarine powered by Pressurized Light Water Reactors
Armed with K-15 and K-4 nuclear missiles
INS Arighaat
INS Arighaat is India’s second nuclear submarine. It was commissioned into Indian Navy in 2024.
It is nuclear powered with the capability to launch ballistic missiles, thus strengthening India’s nuclear triad.
Other Features
6000 tonne submarine powered by Pressurized Light Water Reactors
Armed with K-15 missiles with range of 700 Km.
It has 60% indigenous content (improvement from INS Arihant which has 30%)
INS Aridhman (S4)
It is currently going sea trials.
Other Features
75% indigenous content.
Equipped with K4 missiles.
Side Topic: Nuclear Triad
Nuclear
Triad means the 3-pronged capability to launch a nuclear strike
Land-launched nuclear missiles (e.g., Agni Missiles of India).
Nuclear-missile-armed submarines (INS Arihant and INS Arighaat are SSBN).
Strategic aircraft with nuclear bombs and missiles (Su 30 MKI can be integrated with Brahmos).
Torpedo
Torpedoes are
underwater weapons fitted in warships and submarines with the aim to destroy
enemy ships.
How Torpedoes Work?
List of Indian Torpedoes
Varunastra
Anti-Submarine
Torpedo (India’s first indigenous torpedo)
Shyena
Anti-Submarine
Torpedo
SMART
Long
Range Torpedo
Navy Aircrafts
Indian Navy has aircraft for reconnaissance and attack purposes.
List of Naval Aircrafts
1. Reconnaissance Naval Aircrafts
P-8I
US
Aircraft manufactured by Boeing
Dornier 228
German
origin reconnaissance aircraft
IL 38
Russian
origin reconnaissance aircraft
2. Attack Naval Aircrafts
MiG 29: Russian origin attack planes posted on INS Vikramaditya
Side Topic: P-8I
P-8I is the maritime surveillance, coastline defence, search and rescue and anti-submarine aircraft.
Manufacturer: Boeing
India has been using these since the delivery of the first aircraft in 2013. Presently, India has two squadrons of P-8I.
Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Tanks, Artillery and Guns)
Tanks, Artillery and Guns
This article deals with the ‘Tanks, Artillery and Guns.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Tanks and Artillery
1. Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1)
Arjun or MK-1A is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured tank.
Manufacturers: DRDO & CVRDE (Combat vehicle research & development establishment).
The latest batch of Arjun tanks, delivered to the Indian Army in 2021, has ~55% indigenous content.
Timeline
1972
Arjun Main Battle Tank Project initiated by DRDO
1996
Mass production began
2004
The first batch of
16 Arjun tanks was delivered to the Indian Army.
2009
Arjun Regiment consisting of 45 tanks was made.
2011
The number of in-service Arjuns crossed 100.
2021
118
more Arjuns inducted into the Indian Army.
Features of Arjun Tank
All-terrain mobility.
120 mm calibre gun.
Computer-controlled integrated fire control system with 360 degrees and day and night view.
Machine gun and an anti-aircraft gun.
Missile firing capability.
2. Bhishma (T-90)
T-90 is the ‘third generation’ Russian main battle tank. Bhishma is the Indian version of Soviet T-90 tanks.
India has 310 Bhishma tanks, of which almost half are Russian made, and half were manufactured in India.
They are the improved version of T-72 and have been used by the Indian Army since 2001.
Features of Bhishma tank
125 mm gun
Range of 6 km
Automatic loader
Day and night sighting system
Thermal imaging device.
3. Ajeya (T-72)
Ajeya or T-72 are the Soviet main battle tanks.
India has ~2,000 Ajeya Tanks in the Indian Army, and they are the backbone of the armoured division of the Indian Army.
Initially, they were ordered from the Soviet Union, but since 1980, India has been manufacturing it at Avadi (Tamil Nadu).
4. Pinaka
Pinaka is India’s indigenous multiple rocket launcher.
It is developed by DRDO.
It has a maximum range of 40 km and can launch 12 rockets in 44 seconds.
It can be mounted on Tatra Truck for mobility.
Pinaka rockets played a vital role in the Kargil war, where they successfully neutralized enemy positions on the mountain tops.
Pinaka-Extended Range (Pinaka-ER), successfully tested in 2021, has a range of 70 km.
India has started to export Pinaka. Armenia has placed the first export order for Pinaka.
5. Pinaka Mark – II
The earlier version of Pinaka was an unguided rocket system. It has now been transformed into a guided version- Pinaka Mark-II, with a navigation, guidance and control kit.
Pinaka-II has a range of more than 70 km (compared with Pinaka-I, which has a range of 40 km).
It can fire 12 rockets within 40 seconds.
6. Bofors
It is a 155mmHowitzer gun.
India has bought it from Sweden.
Bofors has played an essential role in Indian victory during Kargil War.
Note: Howitzers are important in hilly terrain because Tanks can’t be used there.
7. Dhanush
It is an indigenous Howitzer of India with 81% local components. In 2019, Ordnance Factory Board made the first delivery of Dhanush to the Army.
It is an upgraded version of Bofors with a maximum range of 38 km.
It is also a 155 mm calibre gun.
It can fire 15 rounds in 3 minutes.
8. M-777
India has bought M-777 from the USA (Deal is for 145 guns. 25 will come from BAE Systems, and the rest will be assembled in India with Indian Partner).
It is an ultra-light howitzer (ULH).
Calibre = 155 mm
M-777 can be easily transported to any battlefield using a helicopter-like Chinook.
9. K9 Vajra T
It is a Korean made Howitzer.
It was inducted into the Indian army in November 2018.
Rifles in Service in India
Following rifles are used by the Indian forces
1. INSAS
INSAS=Indian Small Arm System.
It is a 5.56 mm Self Loading Rifle (SLR).
It is the main rifle used by the Indian Army.
It was designed and developed by DRDO.
It has been decided that INSAS Rifle will be decommissioned shortly.
2. Dragunov
Russian origin sniper rifle used by Indian forces.
3. AK-203
India is importing 70,000 AK 203 Assault Rifles from Russia. Later, these will also be manufactured indigenously at Korwa Defence Factory (UP) by a joint venture between India and Russia named Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited. The total requirement of the Indian Army is 7.7 lakh.
These are very advanced versions of famed AK-47 or Kalashnikovs.
This article deals with the ‘Anti-MissileSystem.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (IBMD) System / Anti Missile System / Air Defence System
IMBD is an Anti-Missile System or Missile Defence System.
It is an initiative to protect Indian cities from Ballistic Missile attacks.
It was proposed in the mid-1990s by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
The functioning of the Anti-Missile System is explained in the infographic below.
Side Topic: Iron Dome System of Israel
IBMD System is just like the Iron Dome of Israel. Israel faces a large number of short-range rocket attacks from Gaza. Hence, they have installed Anti Missile System to protect important cities like Tel Aviv from such attacks. It is the most effective system with a success rate of up to 90% (very high).
Apart from Iron Dome, Israel also has David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and 3, and the Iron Beam to protect it from missile attacks with varying capability.
Side Topic: THAAD System
US has installed THAAD System in South Korea after the threat of Missile attacks by North Korea.
THAAD is also an Anti-Missile / Ballistic Missile Defence System.
Side Topic: Golden Dome System
2025: The US has announced plans to develop the Golden Dome System, which will be the world’s most advanced missile defence system.
It will also have a space component, i.e., space-based sensors and interceptors will also be used, making it the first such system.
Indian System
India’s IBMD System is double-tiered, consisting of two interceptor systems.
1. Pradyumna or Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
It uses Prithvi Missile.
It is used for high altitude interception and can intercept missiles up to an altitude of 80 km.
It is the preferred option because the target would be engaged at a far distance.
2. Ashvin or Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
It uses Akash Surface to Air Missile.
It is used for low-altitude interception and can intercept missiles at 15-30 Km.
It is not a preferred option because the missile is already very close & in the case of a nuclear missile, immense destruction can happen.
Both are manufactured by DRDO.
For tracking & guidance, Swordfish Radar System is developed by India in conjugation with Israel.
The program began in 1999
Phase I: completed.
Phase II: It was expected to be completed by 2016 & first to be placed in Delhi & Mumbai
Present Status: DRDO was not able to complete it & it is still in the development stage.
The current system can intercept up to 1000 km class Ballistic missile at the speed of Mach 5.
After the USA, Israel and Russia, India is the 4th country to develop indigenous Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems.
S-400 Triumf
Russian Air Defence System, which India is in the process to buy.
It is considered the best Air Defence System (full defence and not just missile) and can protect air space against strategic bombers, stealth fighters, spy planes, missiles and drones.
It is a long-range surface-to-air missile with a range of 400 km. Hence, if deployed on the Indo-Pakistan border, it can track the movement of Pakistani aircraft from the instance they take off from the runway.
It can track 300 targets simultaneously with the help of its has a 3D phased array acquisition radar.
Turkey and Qatar are also interested in buying this. China has already received the first delivery of the system.
It will receive delivery by the end of 2021 and integrate with India’s indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence system developed by DRDO to create a multi-tier air defence.
Problem: USA can impose sanctions on India under CAATSA (i.e. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). Earlier, India got a waiver from the USA to buy this system, but the Ukraine crisis has put this deal in danger.
NASAMS – II
NASAMS = National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System
It was developed by Raytheon (US) in partnership with the Kongsberg Defence System of Norway.
India will use it to defend the VIP-89 Region (consisting of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament etc.)
It is equipped with the latest 3D sentinel radars and missile launchers which can rapidly identify and destroy enemy aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles.
The same system is used to protect Washington DC and numerous NATO countries.
VSHORAD Missile System
Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD) missile system is designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
It will replace the Russian Igla-M system.
It is meant to target low-altitude aerial threats at short range.
Being light and portable, it is a man-portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) and can be deployed in the mountainous region at short notice.
DRDO has conducted its 3 successful trials in Feb 2025, Feb 2024 and Sept 2022.
Pantsir Air Defence System (PADS)
Russian-origin mobile air defence system designed to protect against short-range missiles.
Use: Air defence for small military, industrial, and administrative facilities.
India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited has signed a MoU with Russian Rosoboronexport for its production (December 2024).
Project Akashteer
Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
It will automate air defense control by integrating radar and communication systems at all levels into a unified network, thus enabling swift engagement of hostile targets and ensuring the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace.
This article deals with the ‘Indian Missiles.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Classification of Missiles
Missiles can be classified in a number of ways
1. Type
Cruise Missile: It is an unmanned self-propelled (till the time of impact) guided vehicleand aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path.
Ballistic Missile: It is propelled for the initial stage and later works under the influence of gravity.
2. Launch Mode
Surface-to-Surface Missile
Surface-to-Air Missile
Surface (Coast)-to-Sea Missile
Air-to-Air Missile
Air-to-Surface Missile
Sea-to-Sea Missile
Sea-to-Surface (Coast) Missile
Anti-Tank Missile
3. Range
Tactical Missiles: 150 to 300 Km
Short Range Missile: 300 to 1000 km
Medium Range Missile: 1000-3500 km
Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile: 3500-5500 km
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile : >5500 km
4. Propulsion System
Missiles can have the following type of propulsion systems
Solid Propulsion: Uses solid fuel.
Liquid Propulsion: Uses liquid fuel.
Hybrid Propulsion: Uses a mixture of fuels.
Cryogenic: Uses gaseous fuels solidified at extremely low temperatures.
5. Warhead
5.1 Conventional Warhead
Conventional warheads are filled with chemical explosives.
It relies on the detonation of the explosive and the resulting metal casing fragmentation as kill mechanisms.
5.2 Strategic Warhead
Radioactive materials are present, and when triggered, they exhibit tremendous radioactivity that can wipe out cities.
They are generally designed for mass annihilation.
6. Guidance Systems
Guided Missile
Guided missiles can manoeuvre within a flight. They are guided by the sensors fitted in them. E.g., infrared sensor.
They are primarily designed to hit and destroy heavily-armoured tanks & other armoured fighting vehicles.
They can be launched from aircraft, helicopters, tanks, and shoulder-mounted launchers.
Type of guidance systems
Wire Guidance
Command Guidance
Terrain Comparison Guidance
Terrestrial Guidance
Inertial Guidance
Beam Rider Guidance
Laser Guidance
RF and GPS Reference
Note: India’s Missile testing facility is situated at Chandipur (Wheeler Island/Abdul Kalam Island), Odisha (Bay of Bengal)
It sustains flight through aerodynamic lift for most of its flight path.
Its primary mission is to place ordnance or special payload on a target.
Cruise missiles fly within the Earth’s atmosphere.
It sustains the flight using Jet Engine Technology.
Cruise Missile can have the varying speed or ability to penetrate the enemy’s defences.
Parts of Cruise Missiles
Cruise
Missiles have the following components
Guidance system: This guides the missile during its flight.
Payload: Conventional or strategic warhead which missile intends to deliver.
Propulsion System: Engine (usually Jet Engine) which propels the missile.
Classification of Cruise Missiles
1. Subsonic Cruise Missile
Subsonic Cruise Missiles fly at a speed lesser than the speed of sound (around 0.8 Mach).
E.g., Nirbhay of India, Harpoon & Tomahawk of USA and Exocet of France.
2. Supersonic Cruise Missile
Supersonic Cruise Missiles travel at a speed of around 2-3 Mach, i.e. it travels a kilometre approximately in a second.
Its lethal capabilities are further improved due to the combined effect of supersonic speed and mass of warhead, which provides enormous kinetic energy.
BRAHMOS (a joint venture of India & Russia) is the only known versatile supersonic cruise missile system in service globally.
3. Hypersonic Cruise Missile
Hypersonic Cruise Missiles travel at speedshigher than 5 Mach.
Countries, including India, are working on manufacturing this class of missiles. Examples include Brahmos- II. In 2023, India tested its HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLE (HSTDV), which uses Scramjet Engine to reach Hypersonic Speeds.
China has recently tested Hypersonic Cruise Missiles.
2. Ballistic Missiles
What are Ballistic Missiles?
Ballistic Missiles have ballistic trajectories, i.e. they are guided only during the relatively brief period of the initially powered phase of flight & the rest of the course is determined by the law of orbital mechanics & ballistics.
They are categorized according to their range & carry a huge payload.
They can be launched from various platforms such as ships and land-based facilities.
For example, Prithvi I, Prithvi II, Agni I, Agni II and Dhanush ballistic missiles.
Side Topic: Anti Ballistic Missiles
They are used to neutralise ballistic missiles.
They are missiles for missile defence.
Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP)
Dr A P J Abdul Kalam conceived IGMDP to enable India to attain self-sufficiency in missile technology.
Keeping in mind the defence forces’ requirements, the team recommended developing five missile systems.
IGMDP finally got approval from the Government of India in 1983.
What was the need for IGMDP?
It has the advantage of delivering a higher payload beyond the range of the combat aircraft.
These are one-way devices. Hence, there is no danger of loss as associated with loss of combat aircraft & their crew.
These missiles travel at a very high speed that makes interception difficult.
DRDO ended IGMDP on 8 January 2008 after making India self-reliant in Missile Technology. Presently, the Agni Missile Development Program to develop new versions of Agni is running as a separate program.
It was the first missile developed under IGMP and was inducted into the Indian Army in 1994.
Prithvi is a surface to surface missile.
It has a short range of 150-350 km. (Range increases as number increases: Prithvi I=150, II=250 and III=350kms.)
Its naval version is known as Dhanush. Dhanush can be launched from Navy ships.
1.1 Prithvi 1
Name
SS150
Range
150km
Used by
Army
Payload
1000kg
Update: Prithvi 1 will be replaced by Prahar Missile, developed by DRDO. It has a range of 150 Km. It is extremely precise and is fitted with modern navigation, guidance and actuation systems.
1.2 Prithvi II
Name
SS250
Range
250 Km
Used by
Air
Force
Payload
300 Kg
1.3 Prithvi III
Name
SS 350
Range
350 Km
Used by
Navy
Payload
1000 Kg
1.4 Sagarika/ K-15
Name
K-15.
Speciality
Nuclear capable submarine variant of Prithvi missile.
Range
250-350 KM
Engine
It has 2 stage engine, and both the engines are solid fuelled 1. First Stage: Underwater booster that powers the missile to 5 Km above the surface of the ocean. 2. Second Stage: Propels the missile above the water.
1.5 Dhanush
Speciality
Ship launched version of Prithvi.
Range
Initially, 150 km but later increased to 350 km.
Payload
500-1000 kg
1.6 Pradyuman
Prithvi Air Defence Missile/Anti Ballistic Missile is named Pradyuman Ballistic Missile Interceptor.
It can intercept the ballistic missiles of 300 to 2000 km class up to the altitude of 80 Km.
DRDO is working to enhance it to intercepts till 5000+ km range & engaging them at an altitude of 150 km.
2. Agni
It is the intermediate & long range Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile built by DRDO.
These are capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
2.1 Agni-1
Range: 700 -900 Kms
Max speed: Mach 12
It was the first missile in the family of Agni Missiles.
It bridges the gap between Prithvi & Agni 2.
Agni Prime
It is the advanced version of Agni-1.
It was test-fired successfully in June 2021.
Range: 1000 to 1500 Km
Payload: 1,000 Kg
It has advanced features like
High Agility
Road Mobility
Cannisterisation i.e. can be transported in canisters
Lighter and sleeker than Agni-1
2.2 Agni-2
Range: 2000 km
Max speed: Mach 13
It can carry a nuclear warhead.
It is also provided with GPS to hit targets accurately.
2.3 Agni-3
Range: 3000 km
It is the most accurate missile in this class.
2.4 Agni-4
Twenty meters tall and has two stages solid-fuel engine.
It can carry nuclear weapons.
Range: 4000 km
It has heat shields. Hence, the missile can withstand above 4000°C temperature when it re-enters the earth’s atmosphere.
2.5 Agni-5
Agni-5 was inducted into the elite Strategic Forces Command in 2018.
It has a design similar to that of Agni-3 with an extra stage.
Range: Above 5000 (but Chinese experts say that Agni’s range is 8000 km and India is misguiding the world).
Max speed: Mach 24
It has MIRV capability (MIRV =Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle . MIRV means one missile can carry several warheads, each for different targets).
Newspapers say it to be Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile(ICBM) (but according to definition, ICBM has a range greater than 5500 Km).
It can be launched from canister & is road-mobile. Cannisterization makes this missile very agile and increases the shelf life of the missile by protecting it from the harsh climate.
Strategic Importance of Agni-5
It has brought areas as far as Beijing within the striking capability of New Delhi. Hence, it will act as a deterrent.
Possibility as Anti-Satellite Missile: It can be converted to Anti Satellite Missile with certain modifications.
2.6 Agni VI
It is an ICBM. But it is speculated to be in very rudimentary stages of development, albeit never formally acknowledged by DRDO.
It can be launched from submarine and land.
It has a range of (approx.) 6,000 Km along with MIRV capabilities.
There are some speculations that this missile has already been christened as Surya.
Side Topic – ICBM
ICBMs have a range of more than 5500 km.
It can carry both conventional & nuclear warheads.
Russia has the largest number of ICBMs (only five countries have them, i.e. 5 Permanent members of the Security Council).
3. Trishul
It is a ‘Short-range Surface to Air Missile’ (SAM).
It has a range of 9 Km.
It can be fitted with a 5.5 Kg warhead.
Trishul is Radar guided missile.
It is developed for two purposes.
To defend naval vessels against missiles.
As a short-range surface to air missile.
But Trishul missiles have faced persistent problems. Hence, the Trishul missile is planned to be replaced by the Maitri Missile, a blend of French Mica Missile and DRDO’s Trishul.
4. Nag
It is a ‘Third generation Anti Tank missile’.
Range = 3 to 7 km
Payload = 42 kg
It is an all-weather, top attack missile with fire and forgets capability.
It has various versions such as helicopter or rooftop or tank mounted.
HeliNa
Helicopter Version of Nag.
SANT
– SANT = Standoff Anti-Tank Missile – It is a ‘fourth generation’ upgraded version of the HeliNa missile with an advanced node-mounted seeker.
NAMICA
Nag Missile Carrier or NAMICA is an amphibious and armoured le carrier designed for Nag Missile.
5. Akash
It is a ‘Surface to Air Missile‘ (SAM).
It can target aircraft up to 25 km away (Medium Range), at altitudes up to 18Km.
Its launch weight is 720 kg.
It can achieve a speed of 2.5 Mach.
It has an integrated ramjet propulsion system.
A self-destruction device is also integrated into it.
It uses RAM jet propulsion while the booster stage is solid fuelled.
Akash flies at supersonic speed, reaching around Mach 2.5.
It can destroy many targets at once, using the Rajendra radar system. Since Rajendra Radar completely guides it without any active guidance system, it allows greater capability against jamming as aircraft self-protection jammer has to work against high power radar.
It can be launched from static platforms and mobile platforms such as tanks and armoured missile carriers.
It was inducted into Indian Armed Forces in 2014.
In 2020, the Indian Government decided that Akash Missile could be exported to friendly foreign countries.
Side Topic: Akash-NG
Akash-NG = Akash New Generation
It is a new generation of Surface to Air missiles.
It is meant for use by the Indian Air Force to intercept high manoeuvring low RCS (Radar Cross Section) aerial threats.
Guided Missiles outside IGMDP & in news
1. K Series
K series is explicitly developed for submarines.
These missiles are dedicated to Abdul Kalam (K stands for Kalam).
Missiles of the K series include
K-15
It is also known as Sagarika.
It is a submarine variant of the Prithvi Missile.
K-4
K-4 is a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM).
It will arm the Arihant-class submarines.
Range: 3,500 Km
Note: K-4 was developed to overcome the difficulty of fitting AGNI-III in equipping INS Arihant.
K-5
K-5 is equivalent to Agni-5 for Submarines.
It is in developing stages.
2. Barak -8 / LRSAM
It is a Surface to Air Missile. It is also known as LRSAM (Long Range Surface to Air Missile).
It is a Joint Venture of DRDO & Israel Aerospace Industries.
Speed: 2 Mach
Range: 90 KM (80-100 Km)
Flight Ceiling (max height achieved) = 16 Km
It will also be installed on INS Vikramaditya.
3. MRSAM
MRSAM = Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries have developed it.
It has naval and army versions.
It has a range of more than 50 km.
It can reach up to the speed of 2 Mach.
It can target multiple targets simultaneously.
4. QRSAM
QRSAM = Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles
It is being developed to replace Akash Missiles.
Range: 25-30 Km
It has the ability to strike low flying targets.
It can hit multiple targets.
5. VL-SRSM
VL-SRSM = Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile
It is designed specifically for Indian Naval warships.
It has been developed jointly by DRDO.
Range: 40 Km
It can hit multiple targets.
6. Astra
Astra is an ‘Air to Air missile’ to destroy enemy aircraft.
It is developed by DRDO.
It can be integrated into Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, LCA, MIG 29 etc.
It has Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air to air capability with a 25 to 40 km strike range.
Speed = up to 4 Mach.
7. Naval Anti-Ship Missile (Short Range) or NASM-SR
Manufactured by DRDO.
It has range of 55 km and can go up to the altitude of 3 km.
It can carry 100 kg and can travel at speed of 0.8 Mach.
8. Python-5
Python-5 is an Air-to-Air Missile of Israeli origin.
It has a range of 20 to 50 km and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capabilities.
It has been integrated into Tejas fighter aircraft.
9. Popeye
Popeye is an Air-to-Surface missile and can be easily integrated into fighter aircraft.
Range: 80 km
India has procured it from Israel.
It can carry nuclear warheads.
10. Rudram
Rudram is an Anti-Radiation Missile indigenously developed by DRDO.
It will be installed on Sukhoi aircraft and used to destroy enemy radars by detecting the radio signals coming from those radars.
Range: 500m to 15 km. Additionally, it can target radiation emitting targets within the range of 250 km.
With this, IAF can perform SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defence) operations deep into enemy territory to destroy enemy air defence setup.
11. Shaurya
Shaurya is a hypersonic missile with nuclear capabilities.
Range: 1,000 Km
Shaurya has a canister based system, giving it extra mobility.
Shaurya is a land-based parallel of the submarine-launched K-15 missile.
12. Pralay
Pralay is a Surface to Surface missile indigenously developed by DRDO.
It is India’s first quasi-ballistic missile.
Range: 150-500 km.
It can carry a warhead weighing between 350-700 kg.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation mechanisms.
13. Spike Missiles
Spike Missiles are Anti-Tank Missiles from Israel.
It is made in India in plant setup in Hyderabad with Kalyani Group holding 51% and Rafael Aerospace (of Israel) holding 49% stake.
14. Amogha -I
It is an indigenously developed ‘second generation‘ ‘anti-tank’ guided missile.
Range: 2.8 km
It is developed by Bharat Heavy Dynamics Limited (BDL).
15. Dhruvastra
Dhruvastra is an Anti-Tank Guided Missile indigenously developed by DRDO.
It comes in two variants i.e.
Helicopter launched: It will be integrated into helicopters.
Tank launched: It will be integrated into Arjun Tanks.
16. Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)
Developed indigenously by DRDO.
MPATGM is a low-weight anti-tank missile with fire & forget capability which can be launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with thermal sight.
16. SANT (Stand-Off Anti-Tank) Missile
Helicopter launched Anti-Tank Missile indigenously developed by DRDO.
Range: 10 km
Cruise Missiles of India
1. Brahmos
It is a joint venture of DRDO & Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia – BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd.
It is named after two rivers, i.e. Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
Brahmos is essentially an anti-ship missile.
Brahmos is unique because it is the only Supersonic cruise missile worldwide (with a speed close to 3 Mach).
It has a range of 290 km.
It can carry a payload of 300kg.
Advanced avionics with ‘fire and forget’ capability.
Other specifications include internal guidance, high speed, stealth properties, advanced jamming protection.
It can be installed on ships, submarines, aircraft and ground vehicles.
BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) is making BrahMos II with hypersonic capabilities speed up to Mach 8.
In 2022, the Philippines bought BrahMos missiles from India.
In 2016, India became a Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) member. Subsequently, India and Russia planned to jointly develop a new generation of Brahmos missiles with a 600 km-plus range. Earlier, its range was restricted to sub-300 km. (note: MTCR applies on missiles with a range of more than 300 km).
2. Nirbhay
It is a ‘Surface to Surfacecruise missile’.
Speed: 0.7 Mach.
Range = 800 km.
Nirbhay is India’s first long-range subsonic cruise missile.
It is almost similar to the American Tomahawk missile.
DRDO designed Nirbhaya from a pilotless Lakshya drone (0.68 Mach speed).
It is a loitering missile as Nirbhay can circle over an area for many minutes and pick out the target.
It can avoid detection by flying at a very low altitude.
80% of Nirbhay parts are built in India.
3. Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM)
LRLACM is the successor of Nirbhay Missile
Range: 1000 Km
Launch: Can be launched from Ground Mobile Launchers and Ships
Its maiden flight test was conducted in December 2024.
Last Updated: Jan 2025 (Governance of Indian Defence Sector)
Governance of Indian Defence Sector
This article deals with ‘Governance of Indian Defence Sector – UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles on Science and technology, you can click here
Indian Defence Apparatus
Legally, the President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Defence Forces.
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence controls the administration of the Indian Armed Forces.
It is headquartered at Cabinet Secretariat, Raisina Hill (in New Delhi).
Ministry of Defence has the following child agencies.
Department of Defence
Department of Defence Production
Defence Finance
Department of Defence Research and Development
Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare
Indian Armed Forces
Inter-Services Organisations
Three services of Indian Armed Forces
Indian Defence System has been divided into 3 services, i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force.
1. Army
Indian Army defends the territorial sovereignty of India.
India has the third-largest army with 13 lakh active personnel.
It has 7 commands (6 operational and 1 training)
Northern Command – Udhampur
Western Command – Chandigarh
Central Command – Lucknow
Eastern Command – Kolkata
South Command – Pune
South – Western Command – Jaipur
Training Command – Shimla
2. Air Force
Indian Air Force defends the Indian airspace.
There are 1.27 lakh active personnel in Indian Air Force.
It has 7 commands (5 operational + 1 training + 1 maintenance)
Eastern Command – Shillong
Western Command – New Delhi
Central Command – Allahabad
Southern Command – Thiruvananthapuram
South – Western Command – Gandhi Nagar
Training Command – Bangalore
Maintenance Command – Nagpur
3. Navy
Indian navy protects the territorial waters, coast and Indian geopolitical interests.
It has 58,000 active personnel.
It has 3 operational commands.
Eastern Command – Vishakhapatnam
Western Command – Mumbai
Southern Command – Kochi
4. Joint Commands
There are two joint commands of the Indian Armed Forces, and these include
Tri-Service Command is headquartered at Andaman and Nicobar
Strategic Force Command (It looks after India’s nuclear weapons)
Side Topic: DRDO
DRDO = Defence Research and Development Organisation.
It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Directorate of Technical Development and Production & Defence Science Organisation.
DRDO is headquartered in New Delhi, India.
It works under the administrative control of the Defence Ministry.
Its primary function includes developing defence technologies. Earlier, it has spearheaded important projects, including Integrated Guided Missile Program (IGMP).
But DRDO is often criticized for delayed projects and cost overruns.
Defence Acquisition Council
It was established in 2001 to tackle corruption and accelerate military weapon procurement.
It is headed by Defence Minister.
Defence Expenditure of India
Defence budget for 2023 is Rs.5.94 lakh crore constituting around 14% of total government expenditure and 3% of India’s GDP.
India is the 3rd largest spender on defence globally (behind USA and China).
India is the largest importer of arms globally, followed by Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Integrated Theatre Command
This term has its origin in ‘theatre warfare’, which means ‘the entire land, sea and air areas are involved directly in the war operations.
Theatre Command refers to the unified command under which all the Army, Navy and Air Force resources are pooled, depending upon the threat perception.
The present plan includes bringing all 17 service commands into 5 unified Theatre Commands.
Northern Land Theatre
Western Land Theatre
Eastern Land Theatre
Maritime Theatre Command
Air Defence Command
Need of Integrated Theatre Command
Various committees constituted in the wake of the Kargil War opined for the enhanced coordination between armed forces for a prompt and effective military response.
It will bring down the cost for procurement as the use of resources can be rationalized, and duplicity in resource procurement can be tackled.
It will help India fight any future war, especially with countries like China using a unified approach.
Challenges in the creation of Theatre Command
There is a lack of consensus over the basic structure of Theatre Command.
The Indian Air Force has already expressed reservation about the idea of the formation of Integrated Theatre Command because it is already short of assets. The formation of Integrated Theatre Command will spread its resources thinly over all the Theatre Commands.
There is a feeling that Theatre Command will lead to army superiority over the other forces.
There is concern regarding the method that will be used to integrate the other security forces such as BSF, ITBP, Assam Rifles and CRPF into Theatre Commands.
The Theatre Commands have been based on the idea of conventional security threats. However, in the age of cyber and nuclear warfare, the possibility of conventional attacks is very low. But, Theatre Command can’t tackle such challenges.
Defence Manufacturing
India is the world’s second-largest arms importer, accounting for about 12% of global arms imports. This external dependence on Defence Goods not only poses a security risk but is also a challenge to Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
Present status of Defence Production and Trade of India
Total Defence Manufacturing in India: Rs 80,000 crore (80% – Public and 20% – Private)
Import: India is the second-largest importer of defence goods after Saudi Arabia (SIPRI).
Indian Exports
Indian defence exports increased from 1500 crore in 2016 to 8500 crore in 2020.
HAL and Indian Ordnance Factory are included in the Top 100 Defence companies of the world.
Initiatives
Budget 2022: 68% of defence purchases would be made from local producers.
Positive Indigenization Lists: The government has issued a “positive indigenization list” comprising 209 items. These items can’t be imported, and the government has to procure items listed in it from domestic Industry.
De-reserve the Defence Manufacturing: Private participants are now eligible to work in defence manufacturing.
Liberalized FDI Regime: 74% FDI can be done through automatic route, and 100% FDI can be done through approval route.
Defence Offset Policy: If the deal is more than Rs. 2,000 crore, 30% of the deal’s value, has to be invested in the Indian economy.
Defence Procurement Procedure, 2020: The highest priority is given to the Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured in India.
Defence Corridors has been set up in India.
Defence Industrial Corridors
Two Defence Industrial Corridors are
being constructed in
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
Benefits of Defence Industrial
Corridors in India
It will boost the Make in India project.
It will provide employment opportunities.
It will help India become self-reliant (Atma Nirbhar) in defence manufacturing.
It will help save a large amount of foreign reserves and earn foreign currency by selling defence equipment to other countries.
It will also help in attracting FDI in India.
Significance of Defence Indigenization
Strategic Autonomy by reducing import dependency
Increased export potential as it can help to make India a reliable supplier in the international market.
Reduce defence budget as it is cheaper to procure domestically
Create jobs in the country
Foster technological innovation
In FY 2023-24, India’s Defence Exports reached to Rs. 21,083 crore and have grown ten times in previous 10 years.
Defence FDI Reform
Under the present rules, 100 % FDI in the defence sector is allowed.
FDI in defence is good?
Public sector companies have consistently failed to meet the requirements of the armed forces.
Superior management culture of the private sector will come in India.
It will help India in saving foreign reserves.
It will help Indian companies to set up a base in the defence sector. E.g., Boeing’s contract with Tata will help Tata to develop expertise in the defence sector.
It will help in the generation of jobs.
FDI in Defence is not a good model for India
Foreign subsidiaries will always put pressure on India for repeat orders.
Would dependence on a Lockheed Martin (India) or a Bharat Boeing differ from relying on U.S. principles?
FDI will not ensure that R&D will happen in India. It just means that the Indian subsidiary of that company will produce hardware in India. In strategic sectors like defence, it is important to achieve the ability to create our fighters & tanks.
It will increase the danger of creating a powerful lobby of the armament industry which will aim to protect its interest in future even by promoting insurgencies and terrorism in India.
A better option is to invest in HAL, DRDO etc. If ISRO can perform well with the provision of autonomy and financial resources, other PSUs can perform as well.
Last Update: Jan 2025 (Indian Private Sector in Space)
Indian Private Sector in Space
This article deals with ‘Indian Private Sector in Space‘. This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Introduction
Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, the Government has envisioned the private sector’s role in India’s space program, including satellites, launches, and space-based services.
The Government also announced Space Park in Bangalore in 100 Acres, where companies will set up their plants to synchronize their projects.
ISRO is also taking up various steps to promote the Indian private sector in space. These include
The private sector has been allowed to use ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities.
ISRO is helping a consortium of companies to build polar satellite launch vehicles.
In 2018, ISRO had signed a contract with three companies to build 27 satellites in three years.
In 2024, the Indian Government established a Rs. 1000 crore Venture Capital Fund to support 30-35 Space Startups over a five-year period.
Organizations
Antrix
Antrix is the private arm of ISRO & is helping ISRO to get commercial deals.
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)
It is headquartered in Ahmedabad.
It is an independent nodal agency.
IN-SPACE has its own directorates for technical, legal, safety and security, monitoring and activities promotion.
IN-SPACE acts as an interface between ISRO and Non-Government entities.
It aims to stimulate private investment and innovation in the space industry.
The government has also set up Rs. 1000 crore Venture Capital Fund under IN-SPACE to fund space start-ups.
New Space India Limited
NSIL is the commercial arm of ISRO.
It was incorporated in 2019 as a Government-owned enterprise.
It is responsible for commercializing space technologies and platforms created through public expenditure. E.g, Providing launch services for satellites.
The launch of a Brazilian satellite named ‘Amazonia-1’ in 2021 was the first commercial deal of NSIL.
Private Space Agencies
1. SpaceX
Owned by Elon Musk.
It is the leading player in the launch industry with its Flacon 9 Launch Vehicle.
2. Blue Origin
Owned by Jeff Bezos (of Amazon).
The primary rocket system of Blue Origin is called New Shephard, which will take tourists to space 100 km above Earth and start a new space tourism industry.
The company got a commercial space launch license in 2025. It will use the New Glenn Launch Vehicle for this.
3. Virgin Galactic
Owned by Richard Branson.
The company is working on space tourism.
Indian Space Association (ISpA)
ISpA is an industrial body which consists of various stakeholders in the Indian space industry.
It acts as a single-window agency for opening the Indian space sector for the private sector and building global linkages.
Other Initiatives
Indian Space Policy, 2023 (Click Here for details)
Venture Capital Fund: Government has announced the Venture Capital Fund of Rs. 1000 to promote Space StartUps in India.
Indian Space Startups
As of 2024, there are more than 250 space startups in India.
1. Pixxel India
Pixxel India is a Bengaluru-based startup.
It is working on a project to place a large number of Remote Sensing Satellites for continuous observation of every part of the Earth, and data thus generated will be used for combating climate change, agriculture and urban planning.
The first satellite of Pixxel India has been named called Anand.
2. Skyroot
Skyroot is a Hyderabad-based company that has made a Vikram-S launch vehicle to enter the launch market.
Properties of Vikram-S Launch Vehicle
It is a single-stage sub-orbital launch vehicle.
It is 3D printed.
The core structure is built using carbon composites.
It made its first successful flight in November 2022. It was launched with support from ISRO and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre).
It is part of Mission Prarambh, which involves the Indian private sector’s entry into the space launch market.
3. Dhruva Space
It is a Bangalore based start-up.
It is the first Indian start-up that will design and manufacture satellites with the capacity to manufacture 10-12 satellites annually.
4. Digantara
Digantara is an Indian space start-up of India that will set up a commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) observatory in the Garhwal region (Uttarakhand).
SSA refers to knowledge of the space environment, assessing any threats to space activities and implementing necessary mitigation measures to safeguard space assets.
5. Earth2Orbit
Earth2Orbit (India’s first space startup) has been set up to solve climate change from outer space.
Benefits of entry of Private Players
Reduces burden over ISRO: Increasing demand for satellites with the need to launch 18-20 satellites every year. With the existing ISRO workforce, it is challenging to meet this target, and the private sector can play a role here.
Getting latest innovations and trends: Public-Private Sector collaboration will boost the Indian space sector as the private sector can get access to ISRO’s cutting edge technology and innovations.
Reducing dependence on taxpayer’s money: Involvement of the private sector will help the government save government funds as private capital can be used to carry out expensive space projects.
Job creation: It will help in creating new jobs in the high skilled space industry.
Achieve our geopolitical objectives: Given the current geopolitical situation of the country and security threats, growth in the space sector can help the country gain leverage over others.
Shift from supply-driven model to demand-driven model: Almost every sector, from agriculture to transport, weather department and even urban development, now wants satellite data and space technology. The private sector can fill this gap.
Promote Make in India: With active private participation, India can aspire to become a satellite manufacturing hub and a launchpad for the world with a variety of rockets ranging from the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle to the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Concerns
Security and Strategic concerns as critical and sensitive information may fall into the wrong hands.
Conflicts of interest: As ISRO is both a regulator and an operator, this conflict of interest will likely manifest during dispute resolution between private players and ISRO entities.
It is a hazardous business involving negative returns and failures. Very few companies may have the appetite to bear the cost of such losses.
Social welfare may take a backseat: ISRO has always worked on applications like remote sensing, tracking of land use, resource mapping etc., enhancing social welfare. However, private companies will have more profitable interests than developing solutions.
Increase in Space Debris: Estimates say there are already 23,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 centimetres and over 500,000 pieces of smaller junk circling Earth.
Issue of Liability of Private Entities: Multilateral treaties of international law are outdated and do not correspond well with contemporary reality.
