New Delhi
The new year will also bring new hopes for the indigenous defense industry. Efforts are being made to move towards self-reliance in the defense sector and many contracts have also been signed with indigenous industries to meet the needs of the Armed Forces. While the focus will be on technology transformation in the new year, there will also be a challenge to completely end the standoff with China on LAC.
Apache will arrive after a long wait
Indian Army is expected to get attack helicopter ‘Apache’ this year. A deal for 6 Apache attack helicopters was signed with America for the Army and the first Apache was to be delivered in February 2024. But the wait became very long. The AK-203 assault rifle being manufactured in the factory in Amethi, UP is also expected to be supplied to the Army from this year.
The Army will get more than 100 mechanized infantry vehicles, the contract for 155 mm caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) can be signed in the new year. Along with this, contracts for Towed Gun System and Pinaka Extended Range Rocket are also expected to be signed. The Army may also get a new Pinaka regiment in the new year. The first prototype of the new version of the short range surface to air missile Akash is expected to be received by March.
The wait for Tejas-Mark 1A will end
The Air Force is expected to start receiving Tejas Mark-1A this year. However, it has already been delayed significantly. The Air Force should have 42 fighter squadrons. But at present the Air Force has 31 squadrons of fighter aircraft. There are two squadrons of MiG-21 Bison. Both these squadrons of MiG-21 Bison will be phased out in 2025. The challenge is how to prepare for both fronts in a dwindling squadron. The Air Force is also expected to get the remaining two units of air defense system S-400 this year. This year the Air Force will also get Nyoma Airfield in Eastern Ladakh for its fighter jets.
Will get third nuclear submarine
The third nuclear submarine commission in the Navy is expected this year. The third nuclear submarine SSBN Aridhaman is currently undergoing sea trials. It is expected that in 2025 it will be commissioned in the Navy and become a part of the Strategic Forces Command. India currently has two operational Nuclear Submarines (SSBNs). The Navy will also get the fourth and last destroyer of Project-15B – ‘Surat’ in 2025. Also, another submarine of Kalvari class ‘Vagsheer’ will be available. The first guided missile frigate of Nilgiri class ‘Nilgiri’ will be delivered to the Navy in the year 2025. The way China is trying to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean region, the Navy will have to deal with that challenge in the new year also.
