In News
- THE DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Thursday conducted a successful trial of the indigenously developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) off the Odisha coast from the Hawk-I jet of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
About SAAW
SAAW is the first smart weapon fired from an Indian Hawk.
- SAAW is a long-range precision guided anti-airfield weapon. The weapon is capable of engaging ground targets with precision up to a range of hundred kilometres.
- Basically, SAAW is a bomb. It is designed to destroy targets such as bunkers, runways, reinforced structures and aircraft hangers.
- The SAAW project was approved by the Government of India in 2013.
- So far, eight successful tests of SAW have been conducted.
- In 2020, the Government of India approved the SAAW project for Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
Hawk aircraft
- It is a tandem seat aircraft developed by HAL.
- The aircraft has an integrated attack system and radio and inertial navigation system.
- It is spin resistant.
Indian Defence System
- The Government of India is currently planning to increase indigenous defence production of the country.
- Eventually the plan is to reduce the imports and increase the exports.
- The GoI has set a target of defence exports of Rs 35,000 crores. This is to be achieved by 2025. In order to achieve the target, the Union cabinet recently approved the exports of Akash missile system.
- The Akash surface to air missile has a range of twenty-five kilometres.
- It was inducted in the Indian Air Force in 2014. Besides Akash, the GoI is also planning to export radars, coastal surveillance systems and air platforms.
- In 2018-19, the defence exports of India was Rs 10,745 crores.
- India’s share in global arms exports is only 0.17%.
Current Scenario
- According to a SIPRI report published in 2020, India ranked 23rd in the list of major arms exporters. India ranked fourth in Defence Firepower Index, 2021.
DRDO
- DRDO works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- It is working to establish a world class science and technology base for India and provides our Defence Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.
Mission
- Design, develop and lead to production state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment for our Defence Services.
- Provide technological solutions to the Services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote well-being of the troops.
- Develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build strong indigenous technology base.
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)
- IGMDP was the brainchild of renowned scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
- It was intended to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
- After keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the defense forces, the program recognized the need to develop five missile systems.
- The IGMDP formally got the approval of Indian government on July 26, 1983.
- It brought together the country’s scientific community, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, industries and the three defence services in giving shape to the strategic, indigenous missile systems.
- The missiles developed under IGMDP are:
- Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Prithvi
- Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile – Agni
- Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile – Trishul
- Medium-range surface-to-air missile – Akash
- Third generation anti-tank missile – Nag
Source: Indian Express
