In News:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth approximately ?2,500 crore for procuring advanced anti-tank missile systems and light vehicles to enhance the Indian Army's operational capabilities.

Nag Anti-Tank Missile System (NAMIS)

• Development and Production:Developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• System Overview:NAMIS is a tracked, third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system mounted on a BMP-2 chassis (Nag Missile Carrier or NAMICA). It features a ‘fire-and-forget’ capability, employing an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker to lock on to heavily armored targets before launch.
• Key Features:
  • Range: 500 meters to 4 kilometers.
  • Attack Modes:
    • Top Attack Mode: Missile climbs and strikes the target from above to penetrate weaker top armor.
    • Direct Attack Mode: Missile flies directly to strike the target.
  • Night Capability: Operates effectively under low visibility.
  • Mobility: Based on the amphibious BMP-2, NAMIS can operate across varied terrains.
• Significance:The tracked NAMIS enhances the anti-tank capabilities of mechanized infantry, marking a crucial step in modernizing the Indian Army’s battlefield readiness.
• Other Nag Variants:The Helina is a helicopter-launched version designed for deployment on Rudra and Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), successfully tested in 2018.

Light Vehicles Procurement

• The MoD signed contracts with Force Motors Limited and Mahindra & Mahindra Limited for around 5,000 light vehicles.
• These vehicles are equipped with enhanced engine power and designed to carry payloads of up to 800 kg, ensuring mobility across diverse terrains and operational conditions.

Additional Defence Contract

• Zen Technologies Limited secured a contract worth approximately ?152 crore for supplying Integrated Air Defence Combat Simulators (IADCS) for the Army’s L70 air defence guns.
• The IADCS is a virtual training system developed under the Make-II category to provide realistic simulation-based training for air defence operations.