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For a long time India has been relying on
Russian technology for its air defense systems. The Indian Army
currently uses locally produced SA-6 missiles, designated Akash,
as well as Russian made
Tungushka self propelled air defense systems, for its air defense.
The Indian Navy also relies heavily on Russian technology with units
deployed primarily on its larger vessels. Defexpo 06 provided insight
into some of the air defense modernization trends, and showed India's
interest in western technology, including US systems.
Two US companies, Raytheon and Lockheed
Martin, provided offerings including a new
Patriot PAC-3
version, for which Raytheon can provide
"Guided Enhanced Missile
Plus" (GEM+) improvements that give it improved acquisition and
tracking performance in clutter, and against lower cross-section
targets. These improvements enable the Patriot to defeat air breathing
targets, cruise missiles and ballistic missile threats when used in
combination with standard Patriot PAC-3 missiles.
Another missile promoted here by Raytheon is
SLAMRAAM, but they
decided not to bid on the Indian Air Force Quick Reaction Missile Air
Defense System, a short-range air defense missile competition. The two
contenders for this system are RAFAEL's
Spyder SR and MBDA's
Mica VL. Unofficially,
it has been reported that the selection process concluded just after
the show, in favor of the Israeli Spyder SR. The Indian program
initiated much interest in both France and Israel. Since the beginning
of the Indian competition the French MoD has issued a request for
proposal for both ground and naval Mica VL variants. The Israeli MoD
has also become involved in evaluations of the Spyder for use against
low level threats and UAVs, and is considering the system as a future
replacement for Chaparral and M163 Vulcan. The Spyder system has also
evolved since its original presentation to the Indian client, as
RAFAEL is now offering a boosted MR version, which is designed to
defeat targets at medium ranges.
For the protection of its naval vessels, India has already chosen to
proceed with procurement of the Israeli Barak missile, which is
already deployed on some of its ships. In February, India and Israel
signed an agreement to jointly develop an advanced version of the
Barak.
Other naval air defense systems promoted at Defexpo included the
Phalanx Close In Weapon System(CIWS), which is now offered in the
Block 1B version equipped with radar and thermal imager for target
identification and rapid tactical engagement in cluttered littoral
environments. Phalanx Block 1B can also be integrated with Raytheon's
Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), which is already deployed aboard more
than 60 ships worldwide. The missile is offered in its SeaRAM
configuration, which allows up to 11 missile launchers to be used with
the Phalanx system’s sensors. For larger ships, Raytheon is promoting
the Standard missile, which is already in use with 16 navies worldwide
for the protection of missile cruisers, destroyers and frigates. The
missile currently in production is the enhanced SM-2 version, which is
being produced in Block IIIA and B versions that are designed to
defeat advanced anti-ship threats. The SM-3 is currently under
development as the "Navy Theater Wide" (NTW) Tactical Ballistic
Missile Defense system. It will be capable of engaging medium and
long-range ballistic missile threats. SM-3 will utilize the SM-2 Block
IV airframe and propulsion components coupled with a third stage
rocket motor, GPS/INS guidance section, and a LEAP kinetic warhead.
Russia’s Almaz is offering a comparable system based on the long range
SN-300F "Fort" system, (The export version designation is RIF-M) NATO
designation Gargoyle (SA-N-20). A shorter ranged system is the 9K30
M-22 Uragan Air Defense Missile Systems (ADMS). (The export version is
the "Shtil-1" (SA-N-7)). The Klinok radar assembly, and Ghibka
launchers for firing Igla short-range missile, are also proposed for
export.
Among the larger systems being considered by India are the Lockheed
Martin/Raytheon Patriot PAC-3, French SAAM (produced by MBDA), Russian
S-300 (Antey) and
Israeli Arrow, jointly produced by IAI/MLM and Boeing. While India
seems to prefer the Israeli system, (New Delhi has already procured
the system's "Green
Pine" early warning and fire control radar) the Arrow system is
subject to US export approval and no quick decision is expected.
Moscow is stepping into this void with by promoting the Almaz S-300
air and missile defense system. The S-300 system is offered for export
in two variants, the S-300PMU2 (known as Favorit) and the Antey
2500. India has been interested in developing its missile defense
capability for many years, and is especially keen to cooperate or
locally produce this capability. |
