Article 3: Indigenous Anti-Tank Missiles and Transparency in Defence Procurement
Why in news: BDL cited urgency to procure 300 optical sights for missiles within seven months. It awarded a single tender to the former chairman’s family-linked firm after sample testing, raising concerns over transparency and conflict of interest.
Key Details
- Organisation: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a defence PSU.
- Tender: BDL issued a single tender for 300 optical sights used in missiles.
- Reason: The company cited urgency and required delivery within seven months.
- Supplier: Aindri Defence Advisory Pvt. Ltd. received the tender after five sample units passed acceptance and validation tests.
- Conflict of Interest: The company was established by former BDL CMD Siddharth Mishra and his wife, Shambhavi Mishra, who owns 95% of the company.
Purpose
- Anti-tank missiles are weapons designed to destroy or disable tanks and other armoured vehicles.
- They are used by infantry, mechanised units and specialised combat platforms.
- They help counter enemy armoured formations on the battlefield.
- They can target tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other protected military vehicles.
Types and Guidance Systems
- Guided anti-tank missiles (ATGMs) use guidance systems to improve accuracy.
- Wire-guided missiles receive guidance commands through a wire link.
- Laser-guided missiles use laser designation to engage targets.
- Infrared-guided missiles detect heat signatures from targets.
- Fire-and-forget missiles guide themselves towards a target after launch, reducing the operator's need to guide them continuously.
Warhead Technology and Armour Penetration
- High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warheads use a shaped explosive charge to penetrate armour.
- Some advanced missiles use tandem warheads designed to counter explosive reactive armour.
- Missile effectiveness depends on warhead design, target protection and engagement conditions.
- Modern tanks use composite armour, reactive armour and active protection systems to counter missile threats.
India's Indigenous Anti-Tank Missiles
- Nag: An indigenous anti-tank guided missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- HELINA: A helicopter-launched variant of the Nag missile family.
- MPATGM: A man-portable anti-tank guided missile developed by DRDO for infantry use.
- Amogha: An indigenous anti-tank guided missile developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
- Indigenous missile development supports India's defence manufacturing capabilities and technological self-reliance.
Strategic Significance and Challenges
- Battlefield effectiveness: Strengthens the ability of ground forces to counter armoured threats.
- Force protection: Enables infantry to engage armoured vehicles from a distance.
- Defence indigenisation: Reduces dependence on imported weapons and supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Technological challenges: Advanced armour and active protection systems can reduce missile effectiveness.
- Cost and maintenance: Development, testing, production and maintenance require significant investment.
- Future developments: Improvements in guidance, target recognition, electronic countermeasures and network integration can enhance operational effectiveness.
Conclusion
Anti-tank missiles strengthen India's defence preparedness and support indigenous defence manufacturing. However, efficient procurement is essential to ensure timely delivery, value for public money and operational readiness. Transparent tendering, robust quality checks and clear conflict-of-interest safeguards can strengthen accountability in defence PSUs and advance the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and self-reliance in defence.
Descriptive question:
“Anti-tank missiles are vital for modern warfare, while transparent procurement is essential for defence preparedness.” Discuss the significance of indigenous anti-tank missile systems in India and examine the challenges associated with defence procurement. (150 words, 10 marks)
Source: The Indian Express