In yet another shot in the arm, the Ministry of Defence inked a contract of Rs 1,075 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for retro-modification of commander sight in 957 T-90 battle tanks.
A commander sight comprises a multi-sensor electro-optical system developed as a stabilized panoramic sight for numerous weapon stations for wheeled/tracked armored vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles (IFV).
It is noteworthy that Commander sight of T-90- India’s premier battle tank is currently equipped with an image converter (IC) tube-based sight for night viewing, and the retro-modification will enhance the capability of detecting targets at longer ranges.
As per the requirement projected by the Indian Army, the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and BEL have joined the hands to design and develop an advanced mid-wave thermal image (MWIR)-based sight as a replacement for the existing IC-based sight, it noted.
According to the Defence Ministry, “The new retro-modified commander sight employs a thermal imager capable of detecting the targets at 8 km during day and night and a laser ranger finder (LRF) to find the ranges accurately up to 5 km, thereby enhancing its capability to engage the target at longer ranges.”
Further, with the corrections from ballistic software and LRF, the Commander of T-90 can detect, engage and neutralize the targets with phenomenal accuracy. The Made-in-India Thermal Imager-based Commander Sight will provide a major fillip to indigenous research and development and defence manufacturing in the country.
Made-in-India ‘Amphibious Armoured Vehicle’ to bolster Indian Army’s reconnaissance ambit
Recently, the Indian Army has inducted the first set of Made-in-India next generation ‘Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle’ (AERV) in a solemn function presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General MM Naravane in Pune.
The state-of-art amphibious vehicle has been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with Bharat Electronics Limited and Ordnance Factory Medak.
Deciphering AERV
Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV) is a modified version of the amphibious ( can operate both on land and water) infantry fighting vehicle BMP-II.
Addressing the function, COAS General MM Naravane said, “The old reconnaissance vehicles we had were extensively used in various operations. In the changing battlefield, we are acquiring new capabilities and new equipment. It is a matter of pride if this equipment is indigenously manufactured. You can recall that we recently inducted a short-span bridging system developed by the DRDO. These new additions will certainly augment the Army’s capabilities, especially on the Western front.”
The amphibious infantry fighting vehicle is equipped with as many as 14 electronic and sensing equipment, which have been installed by the Bharat Electronics Limited.
Notably, instead of the turret, the revolving tower, which an armored vehicle usually has, AERV comprises a laser range finder and other electronic equipment.
AERV has been designed specially to fulfill the tactical and combat requirements of Indian Defence engineers involved in carrying out terrestrial and underwater surveys in hostile terrains, primarily for the construction of assault bridges in flat, desert, and even riverine areas for both offensive and defensive operations.
Further, the vehicle also has equipment measuring water currents, soil densities among others, required for engineering columns to construct the bridges that can sustain desired operational load.
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