Indian Navy will procure next generation aerial target drones to strengthen its anti-missile defence. These drones will help in live-fire exercises by imitating the enemy’s fast missiles. The Defense Ministry has issued an RFI for this, emphasizing on indigenization.
The Indian Navy is going to further strengthen its anti-missile defense capabilities in the sea. For this, the Defense Ministry has sought information (has issued RFI) for the next generation Expendable Aerial Target (EAT NG) drone. These drones will act like high-speed anti-ship missiles of the enemy, so that the Indian Navy can further strengthen its preparations. It is also important to remember here that DRDO’s aerial target drone named ‘Abhyas’ is already being manufactured on a large scale after several successful trials. These new drones are officially called EAT (NG) i.e. Next Generation Expendable Aerial Target. These will be shot down during live-fire practice. This will provide real training to the crews of warships to deal with threats like modern missiles flying close to the sea surface.
The conditions are quite strict
The Navy has set very stringent technical requirements for these drones…
- The speed of this target drone should be at least 300 meters per second (about Mach 0.87) at low altitude.
- It can fly for 60 minutes and can operate at a height of just five meters above sea level.
- Its climbing speed should not be less than 20 meters per second.
- It should also be capable of making 2G sustained turns, so that it will be as agile as today’s anti-ship missiles.
- Its radio control should work up to 100 kilometers from the ground station. Additionally, it should also have the ability to fly on its own on a pre-determined path, in which it can change its speed and altitude midway.
- The ground control station will have to control at least six targets simultaneously.
- If the data link fails, there should also be a provision to recover it as per the user’s program.
- The radar cross-section of this drone should be low, so that it is not easily caught by radar. But if needed, there should also be an option to increase its signature by installing a transponder or corner reflector.
- It is also necessary to install acoustic miss-distance indicator in it. This will tell how close the 20mm cannon and surface-to-air missiles passed within 10 meters of the target.
- It can be launched from anywhere on the ship or shore with the help of rockets. It should be capable of launching even in sea-state 3 (rough sea conditions) and strong winds of 30 knots.
- After falling into water, the drone must remain afloat long enough to be recovered by a boat or helicopter. Its estimated service life will be 15 years.
emphasis on indigenization
This RFI is part of India’s self-reliance campaign in the defense sector. The ministry has asked vendors whether they can supply these drones under the ‘Buy Indian-IDDM’ category, in which more than 50% indigenous content is required. The second option is the ‘Buy Indian’ category, which has a requirement of more than 60% indigenous goods. Both these categories come under the Defense Acquisition Process 2020.
Why is this important?
Many types of surface-to-air missile systems are deployed on warships of the Indian Navy, which also includes the Israeli Barak series. To test the capability of these missiles, live-firing on real targets is required from time to time. With both INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya operational and the Navy expanding rapidly, keeping the crew adept in anti-missile defense has become a major priority.