Indian Defence Review

Air is increasingly the medium for launch of offensive operations as it offers the advantage of inter-continental range, short-notice employment, high speed of delivery, high accuracy of weapons with low collateral damage and concentration of fire power. Ground based AD weapons have to take on satellite-based weapons, Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), long-range stealth bombers, fighter aircraft dropped stand-off weapons, unmanned systems, surface-skimming cruise missiles, long range artillery and small high speed projectiles. Air threats need to be detected well in time, tracked and then destroyed well before they can cause any damage. Surface radars, Aerostats and Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AEW&C) are deployed to detect these threats.

The Doklam incident and stand-off between the two major military and economic powers China and India, may have de-escalated after an extended face-off, but it led the Indian military establishment to quickly review its military capability to take on Chinese military onslaught across the Himalayas. Meanwhile, the world is alarmed with North Korea’s aggressive missile-testing regimen and nuclear threats to the civilised world. In a Sino-Indian conflict, China is likely to take the initiative of first strike to neutralise major airbases in India’s North East region for a possible localised war. Her strategy will be to attack with a mix of combat aircraft armed with Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) and surface launched missiles. All elements of passive and active air defence are therefore required to be activated.

A key element of the air-defence of any nation is the Surface Air Defence Missiles (SAM). The future will have short wars. The Chinese thinker and strategist General Sun Tzu stated in the military treatise Art of War, “The military values victories; it does not value prolonged warfare.” There is a full chapter in the treatise devoted to weapons and attack. Quick reaction accurate weapons are germane to military victory.

As for defence against attack by aircraft and missiles, a new threat is an aerial attack by a bomb-laden Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). These easy-to-procure civil replicas could land up in the hands of terrorists. Space is also gradually getting weaponised. The day is not far when there will be space-based strike weapons. The Air Defence (AD) systems had been designed for coping with threat mainly from combat aircraft. Major military powers are now looking at newly emerging threats and evolving weapon systems to counter these. For their own defence, weapon systems have to have Shoot-and-Scoot mobility. The modern AD systems deploy a combination of kinetic weapons, Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) and electro-magnetic techniques.

Armaments have a finite shelf life and also, obsolescence sets in quickly. Acquisitions and replacements need advance planning. Reports of acute shortage of weapons with the Indian armed forces surfaced again and the Government had to quickly announce higher financial powers to the Vice-Chiefs of the three services for procurement of urgently needed ammunition. There is a need to assess the state of surface AD missile systems.

The Air Threat

Air is increasingly the medium for launch of offensive operations as it offers the advantage of inter-continental range, short-notice deployment, high speed of delivery, high accuracy of weapons with low collateral damage and concentration of fire power. Ground-based AD weapons have to take on satellite-based weapons, Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), long-range stealth-bombers, air-launched stand-off weapons, unmanned systems, surface-skimming cruise missiles, long-range artillery and small high-speed projectiles. Air threat needs to be detected well in time, tracked and then destroyed well before it can cause any damage. Surface radars, Aerostats and Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AEW&C) are deployed to detect these threats.

Multi-Layered Air Defence

Air is a complex medium. The very large scope and dimension requires that air defence is handled through an integrated approach. Seamless integration of the sensors and effectors requires command and control capabilities – Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Interoperability (C4I2) solutions are the key to the all-encompassing AD approach. With several active players, the density of air operations especially in the Tactical Battle Area has increased phenomenally. Any AD system must be capable of quick response, be lethal as also permit freedom of operations to own forces and prevent fratricide. The air defence of a vital asset or an area is normally built around a system of concentric layers. The outer layer will usually be handled by fighter aircraft with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and combination of AD missiles supported by AEW&C. If an attacker is able to penetrate this layer, then the next layer would be of SAMs. The area-defence missiles could have range up to 400 km. Point-defence missiles would have a range of around 30 to 50 km. Finally, there will be the Close in Weapon System (CIWS), the Very Short Range AD System (VSHORADS) missiles, the man-portable missiles and the radar controlled anti-aircraft guns firing several thousand rounds per minute.

Medium and Long Range Missile Systems

The ballistic missile defence requires very long range interceptor missiles such as Israeli Arrow-II co-developed with the US. Long range weapons include the Patriot and S-400 systems, which have effective range up to 400km and offer relatively good mobility. US AD systems include MIM-23 medium-range Hawk and the Terminal High Altitude Air Defence (THAAD). Israel has some of the most potent AD missile systems in the world. These include the Arrow missile system, SPYDER, Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot, Barak-8, David’s Sling, Iron Dome and Iron Beam. Several countries including the US, China, Israel and India are developing Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) and conventional SAM systems. The Arrow 3 system under development will be capable of exo-atmosphere interception of ballistic missiles. The Iron Dome and David’s Sling are designed to intercept tactical ballistic missiles as well as medium to long-range rockets and slower flying cruise missiles up to 300km way. India is developing its own Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile system.

Short Range Missiles

All modern armed forces have point-defence short-range missiles, generally mounted on trucks or light armour vehicles so that they could also move along with the armed forces they are required to protect. Russian SA-6, SA-8 OSA and Tunguska; Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk; British Rapier; Franco-German Roland and French Crotale can neutralise low flying high speed fighters. As technologies improved, it was possible to make Man-Portable AD Systems (MANPADS). These include General Dynamics FIM-43 Redeye, Russian SA-7 to SA-14 Grail (Stella and Igla family), Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger, RBS 70 NG, Blowpipe and Chinese FN-6. The MIM-104 Patriot can also take-on smaller artillery projectiles and SSMs. Pakistan replaced its Crotale and older Chinese HQ-2 and FT-2000 systems with ten batteries of MBDA Spada 2000 low-cum-medium altitude missile with 20-km range. Among the latest is the General Dynamics RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile which is smaller, faster and allows for mid-flight course correction (guidance) to ensure a hit.

Current Top-End Surface AD Systems

The S-400 ‘Triumph’ (NATO SA-21 Growler), a formidable and latest SAM system in the Russian arsenal has four interceptor missiles that can engage all types of aerial targets including aircraft, UAVs ballistic and cruise missiles within a range of 400km and an altitude of up to 60km. Russia currently has 25 battalions with ove r 200 launchers. On the other hand, the Iron-Dome, Israeli ground-based, truck-towable, short-range, AD system that is operational since 2011, has been developed to take on enemy rockets and cruise missiles fired at short range with low warning. Tested in Operation ‘Pillar of Strength’ and Operation ‘Protective Edge’ against Hamas, the Iron-Dome is designed and manufactured jointly by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), in close coordination with Israeli Defence Forces.

In 2011, US aerospace major Raytheon, the developer of Patriot system, had teamed up with Rafael to market the system in USA and to complement its own intercept weapon system. The Iron-Dome can integrate seamlessly with Raytheon C-RAM systems for layered defence. In January 2010, China carried out a land-based ABM test to demonstrate its intercepting ballistic missile with a kinetic kill vehicle and followed it up with another anti-ballistic missile test in January 2013. Italy and France have developed a missile family called Aster. Aster 30 is capable of ballistic-missile defence. Aster 30 Block II would destroy ballistic missiles at a maximum range of 3,000km.

Air Threat To India

China is India’s primary threat. By 2020, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aims to have at least 1,000 ‘modern’ combat aircraft. Currently, its fleet of combat aircraft include the Su-30 MKK, Su-27, J-16, J-11 and J-10 fighters. Stealth fighter J-20 has already entered service. Under-development J-31 is touted to be equivalent of the Lockheed Martin F-35. The Russian Su-35 aircraft is likely to enter service by 2018 and will enhance the PLAAF’s capability. Of greater concern also is the inventory of PGMs and SSMs. The PLAAF operates H-6 bombers. Newer bomber variant H-6K can carry six DH-10 cruise missiles. China has up to 500 DH-10 ground based land attack missiles with 1,500-km range. A few of these are air launched. China is reportedly working on a stealth bomber designated as H-18. China is also developing the capability of attacking satellites and cyber warfare. China also has an arsenal of the Dong Feng (East Wind) series of ICBMs covering up to 15,000-km range. Most are road-mobile. At the strategic and tactical levels, China’s air power can now achieve a variety of effects. China wants to exploit the advantage of using its tactical/strategic missile force which is easier to use for offensive operations than for defence. The PLAAF plans to move forward edge of the battle into Indian territory. It will try and use air offensive to keep the IAF grounded.

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With 22 combat squadrons, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is no match for the IAF. It is heavily dependent on China for all hardware and support. F-16, JF-17 and FC-20 are the main fighter aircraft types. Pakistan has been in talks with China to acquire the JF-31 stealth fighters and with Russia for the Sukhoi Su-35 air-superiority multi-role fighter. Being an air defence-centric air force, the PAF has little offensive capability and will not be much of a threat to India. However, Pakistan has an evolving SSM force and India needs to cater for that. This includes the 60km range tactical nuclear missile ‘Nasr’. The other immediate concern is terrorists acquiring weapon-laden UAVs. Terrorists have the advantage of choosing the time and place of attack. While response to the threat would be conventional, better surveillance, policing and preventing weapons from falling into their hands are more important. The IAF will also have to cater for a two-front war and would have to assign adequate assets. While the IAF is responsible for the AD of the country, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy need to defend their integral assets from aerial attack as well.

Ground Air Defence Missile Assets

The IAF’s AD missile inventory is in transition. The several units of 1960’s vintage S-125 Pechora missile and the mobile, short-range tactical OSA-AK SAM-8 system are gradually being phased out. They are being replaced by indigenous Akash medium-range system. The ‘Akash’ has a missile airframe similar to the Soviet SA-6 with upgraded seeker-head and the Rajendra Fire-Control Radar (FCR) similar to that of the Russian S-300. It has a kill zone of up to 30km and maximum altitude of 18km. The phased-array FCR ‘Rajendra’ has a range of about 80km and is linked to a group command post having the 170km Rohini (3D CAR variant) acquisition radar.

The Mark-II variant will be faster and more accurate and will have intercept range of 30 – 35 km. Two of the eight squadrons ordered by the IAF are already deployed at Gwalior and Pune airbases. The remaining six will be deployed in India’s North-Eastern Region. Seven more are on order. The Indian Army is inducting two Akash regiments (Each regiment has five squadrons) and two more are on order. Also inducted are the jointly developed with Israel Spyder medium Low-Level Quick Reaction Missile (LLQRM) systems armed with Python and Derby missiles.

In August 2009, India signed a $2.5 billion deal with IAI and Rafael for the joint development of a new, advanced version of the Spyder SAMs. In March 2010, the two countries signed a $1.4 billion contract for the development and procurement of Barak 8 medium-range SAMS. Five Units of Russian S-400 systems costing around $6 billion are under acquisition. Russians claim that the S-400 will be able to neutralise even the most modern stealth aircraft F-35. The S-400 reportedly has a more powerful jamming-resistant radar. It also actually has a set of three missiles of varying ranges that provide overlapping layers of defence.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Europe’s MBDA are developing the Maitri LLQRM. A Long Range SAM (LRSAM) based on Barak 8 design is being developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). It will have range up to 70km. The indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system based on the Swordfish radar derived from the Israeli Green Pine radar and the Prithvi Advanced Air Defence (AAD) system with missile named as Pradyumna Ballistic Missile Interceptor is also evolving. It has a maximum interception altitude of 80km and is capable of engaging the 300 to 2,000km class of ballistic missiles at a speed of Mach 5.

The DRDO is developing a new Prithvi interceptor missile code-named PDV. The PDV is designed to take out a target missile at altitudes above 150km. The first PDV was successfully test fired on 27 April 2014. The two missiles are meant to work in tandem to ensure a hit probability of 99.8 per cent. The DRDO is also working on a missile for intercepting targets at 5,000-plus km range. Named Ashwin, the Ballistic Missile Interceptor would intercept in endo-atmosphere at altitudes of 20-40km. India is also developing anti-satellite weapons. The DRDO has also suggested joint development with Israel of an Indian version of the Iron Dome which could also be a good defence against ‘Nasr’. The system could also do well against low-velocity Babur cruise missile.

Indigenous AD Missile System Radars

The LRDE initially designed, developed and delivered the Indian Doppler Radar (INDRA) series to the Indian Army and the IAF. The INDRA was followed by the Rajendra high-power, Passive Electronically Scanned Array (PESA) radar, with the ability to guide up to 12 Akash SAMs against aircraft flying at low to medium altitudes and had a detection range of 80km with 18km height coverage. It was able to track 64 targets, engaging four simultaneously, with up to three missiles per target. The 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) is a planar array, S Band radar, with a range of 180km against fighter-sized targets and can track-while-scan 200 of them. It is mounted on locally built TATRA truck giving it high mobility. Initially developed for the long-running Akash SAM system, seven were ordered by the IAF for their radar modernisation programme, and two of another variant were ordered by the Indian Navy (IN) for their P-28 Corvettes. The ROHINI is the IAF-specific variant (better power handling and beam forming), while the REVATHI (better axis stabilisation for sea operations) is the IN-specific variant.

The Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR), a 3-D AESA radar was developed by DRDO with assistance of ELTA, Israel and is similar to ELTA’s proven Green-Pine long range Active Array Radar. The LRTR can track 200 targets, has a range of around 600km and can detect Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM). It is a key element of India’s ABM system. The 3D Multi-Function Control Radar (MFCR) was developed as part of the Indian ABM programme in cooperation with Thales of France. The MFCR is an AESA radar and complements the LRTR for intercepting ballistic missiles. The MFCR will also serve as the FCR for the AAD second tier missile system of the ABM programme. The MFCRs will also act as the nodes of an Air Defence Ground Environment system. Both the LRTR and the MFCR were used successfully in BMD interception tests. ‘Atulya’ Air Defence Fire Control Radar is 3D Air Defence FCR for the Indian Army to replace obsolete Super Fledermaus radars. It will be packaged on a high mobility truck. Long-range radar for the Navy’s Air Defence Ships and Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) is also under consideration. Range Tracking Radar Mk II will be a follow-on to the 3D AESA LRTR developed with assistance from Elta. It is meant to double the range (1200-1400km) for longer range BMD interceptors. The 4D, Low Level Transportable Radar (LLTR), ‘Ashwini’ is also under trials. The IAF requires 18 of these. This LLTR project is intended to have a range of 200km.

Air Defence of India’s Vital Areas and Vital Points

Till recently, the IAF had been Pakistan-centric and most AD missile systems were positioned in the Western region. China is now the major air threat. India has nearly 20 airfields against China stretching from Leh in Ladakh to Chabua in Assam. As all these airfields need to be defended, these need to have AD missile systems. Since there is high possibility of it being a limited-objective, short war, the focus will have to be in the Eastern region. All airfields in Assam and West Bengal will need to have strong air defences. Also, short range AD missile systems will be required at Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs). Ground-based systems are also deployed to defend Vital Areas (capital cities and industrial towns) or Vital Points (Parliament, airfields or nuclear sites). In 2010, the IAF launched a secure digital information grid called the Air Force Net (AFNET) as part of its network-centric warfare capability. It also links command and control centres with aircraft, sensor platforms and ground missile systems. The Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) has been evolved for automated Air Defence operations, and it rides the AFNET.

Future Developments

To counter aircraft stealth technology, multiple transmitter radars, low-frequency radars, side-looking radars, advanced thermo-graphic cameras, high-powered optical satellites and radio telescopes are under development. SAMs such as the S-400 have a claimed ability to detect and engage stealth targets with a 0.05-metre square RCS from 90km away. The next generation S-500 SAM is designed for intercepting and destroying ICBMs as well as hypersonic cruise-missiles and AEW&C aircraft. With a planned range of 600km for ABM and 400km for aircraft, the S-500 would be able to simultaneously engage up to ten ballistic supersonic targets.

The “Triple-Target Terminator Missile” under development by DARPA and missile-maker Raytheon is meant as a high-speed, long range missile that can engage cruise missiles and air defence targets. The tactical High Energy Laser weapons would be available for use for anti-aircraft and anti-missile roles. The future of projectile-based weapons may be found in the rail-gun that can fire a projectile at over 21,000km per hour muzzle velocity and be used at fraction of the cost. It is expected to be ready by early 2020s. Several means have been evolved for Anti-UAV defence. These include lasers, net-guns, air-to-air netting, signal jamming and hijacking by means of in-flight hacking. Such systems have been used against Islamic State drones during the battle of Mosul in Iraq. Shot guns have been used against UAVs at close range. Eagles have been trained to snatch small UAVs from the air.

In the coming years, the development of Directed Energy Weapons will give much a higher magnitude of precision and cross the realm of science fiction. Very narrow beams of lasers, microwave radiation and particle beams would destroy or damage guidance systems or trigger warheads. These could simultaneously attack many targets. The US and Russia are doing most of the research work and of late, the Chinese too have invested heavily in this.

The US military is investing heavily in the Advanced Tactical Laser(ATL) programme. They are also developing anti-satellite weapons “for electronic or physical destruction of satellites in both Low Earth Orbit (2,000km altitude above the earth’s surface) and the higher geo-synchronous orbit”. India is already developing an exo-atmospheric kill vehicle that can be integrated with the missile to engage satellites.

The DRDO is working on a slew of Directed Energy Weapons, along with space security, cyber-security and hypersonic vehicles/missiles as focus areas in the next 15 years. India faces a two-front threat from formidable enemies. Ground based AD is a critical capability to be developed. The time to act is NOW.