Eye Of The Seeker

Geopolitics looks at how Missile Seeker Technology has leapfrogged in recent years.

The Indian armed forces and defence research and manufacturing organisations are faced with a prospect of unprecedented technological advances in missile technology, which have dramatically advanced the onset of obsolescence in land, air and sea-based missile defences. The armed forces operate a wide and varied inventory of missile weaponry that is sourced primarily from Russia, Israel, France and the USA. In the quest to develop an increasingly homegrown defence base, a number of indigenous missile programmes such as Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM), BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (a joint development with Russia), Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile, Astra Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) and Nag (Prospina) Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) have provided good results.

Growing requirement

Despite the extensive experience of the Indian armed forces in operating a wide range of missiles, one area that is still a source of discomfort is the slow progress in developing missile seeker technology. This technology, along with guidance, propulsion and warhead technologies, is the core that any missile and foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is reluctant to share; at the best they are willing to provide access only to dated missile seeker technology.