India has a rich history of military inventions and innovations. This dates back to about thousands of years. Throughout her history, India has contributed to various military technologies and strategies. Even today, the inventions and innovations has not stopped. Inventions like the BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise missiles , LCA Tejas , Agni Series Ballistic Missiles , INS Vikrant Aircraft Carrier, VARUNASTRA and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) are globally acclaimed. And due to India’s commitment to self-reliance, the innovations have experienced massive push and boost.
Although many have caught the world’s attention, there are few military inventions that are lesser known. Still these are critical military technologies that have bolstered India’s defense capabilities. This article shows 5 of the underrated and often overlooked military inventions of India.
5. Prahaar-Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile
Named after Sanskrit word meaning “strike”, Prahaar embodies speed, precision and agility. These traits makes it an indispensable asset in India’s defense arsenal. Indigenously developed by DRDO , it is a surface to surface short range ballistic missile system. The development of Prahaar began in the early 2000s. This was part of India’s efforts to enhance her tactical strike capabilities.
Prahaar is a solid-fueled, road-mobile missile system with range of approximately 150kms. Designed for quick reaction, its payload can be improvised to carry conventional or tactical warheads. This make it flexible to response to varying scenarios. One of Prahaar’s key strength lies in its mobility. The system is mounted on a highly mobile Transporter-Erector-Launcher(TEL), enabling rapid movement and deployment to different locations. This allows for unpredictability in its effectiveness as a deterrent against aggression. Also it can hold six missiles per truck, each one being launched vertically in salvo mode for multiple azimuth attacks.
The system utilizes both Global Positioning Navigation (GPS) and Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) for targeting and guidance.
| Length | Body diameter | Weight | Range | Payload |
| 7.3 m | 0.42 m | 1,280 kg (at launch) | up to 150 km | 200 kg with nuclear, high-explosives, or submunitions options |
4.Tata Wheeled Armoured Platform 8×8 (WhAP)
Tata Wheeled Armoured Vehicle is India’s 1st indigenous 8×8 Wheeled Amphibious ICV jointly developed in collaboration with DRDO. It is a fully loaded vehicle with safety features such as Blast, Ballistic and NBC protection. Its Modularity and Scalability feature helps this vehicle to be easily modified to cater to various terrain condition and missions.
A low maintenance vehicle, with a seating capacity of 10+2 people, the WhAP 8×8 comes in various variants such as Armoured Fighting vehicles, CBRN vehicle, Recce & Support vehicle, Medical Evacuation vehicle, Engineer Squad vehicle, Mortar Carrier, Commander’s vehicle and Anti-Tank Guided Missile vehicle. WhAP is designed incorporating state-of-the-art critical technologies like Integrated power pack with Automatic transmission, Floatation and propulsion. It is designed to cater to various military requirements and can be configured for different roles, including armored personnel carrier (APC), infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), reconnaissance vehicle, and anti-tank guided missile carrier.
The vehicle has a considerable payload capacity, allowing it to carry a crew of up to 12 troops, depending on the variant and configuration.The WhAP is designed to provide protection to its occupants against various threats, including small arms fire, artillery shell splinters, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The level of protection can be tailored based on mission requirements. Tata WhAP is in-service with Indian Army.
Specifications:
- Mobility:
- Max Engine output : 600 HP @ 2000rpm
- Max Torque : 2400 Nm @ 1500-1700 rpm
- GVW : 22.5T (Amphibious) to 26T
- Protection
- Ballistic Protection : Modular from STANAG I to V
- Blast Protection : up to STANAG III
3. ABHEDYA – BORDER PROTECTION, COASTAL SECURITY & CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY SOLUTIONS
ABHEDYA offers state-of-the-art Border Protection, and Coastal/Critical Infrastructure Security. It delivers maximum Security by providing Security Forces with the capability to obtain, collate, correlate and evaluate inputs from various Sensors and Surveillance Systems in near real time. The Command and Control System provides a fast-response Decision Support System that provides a consolidated view of the Processed data to the higher echelons. This advanced Security Solution helps in safeguarding Assets, which are vital to the Nation’s economy and Strategic interests, by accurately detecting Threats and providing Actionable Intelligence to Security Agencies. The state-of-the-art Security apparatus includes the facility of Data Storage through the main Data Centre and redundant Data Centres for Disaster Recovery.
The ABHEDYA solution is designed to address the security challenges faced by nations in safeguarding their borders, coastal areas, and critical infrastructure installations. It offers a comprehensive suite of technologies, systems, and services to enhance situational awareness, surveillance, and response capabilities.
Specifications:
- Integration with a variety of advanced Sensors.
- Real time Common Operating Picture.
- Ruggedised Display Panel (Tablet) for Mobile Operations.
- Simultaneous Real-Time Live Monitoring of Cameras & 24 x 7 Recording.
- Intelligent Video Analytics.
- Intelligent Motion / Intrusion Detection.
- Display of Status and Health indication of all integrated Sensors.
- Multiple Regions of Interest (ROI) for each Fixed Camera.
- Audio Visual Alarms based on inputs from multiple integrated system peripheral.
- Multi-sensor Data Fusion.
- Integration of existing Border / Perimeter Flood-lights for Switching Off / On from C2 Centre.
- Easy and Intuitive User Interface for Security Personnel.
2. 3D LOW LEVEL LIGHT WEIGHT RADAR (ASLESHA)
ASLESHA is a multifaceted ground based S-Band 3D Low Level Light Weight Surveillance Radar for deployment in diverse terrains like plains, deserts, mountain tops and high altitude regions. ASLESHA
detects and tracks heterogeneous air targets, including helicopters, fighters and UAVs at low and medium altitudes. It can be easily transported by men, light vehicles and under slung by helicopter and is fast and easy to install and decamp. It can track while scanning up to 100 targets and has full 3D capability using multi-beam technology and is enabled for networking with Integrated Asterix protocol.
| Environmental | Height coverage | Elevation coverage | Power source | Power consumption | Resolution Range | Resolution Azimuth |
| JSS 55555 compliant | 30 m to 4500 m (AGL) | 0 degree to 30 degree | Generator with UPS and Battery | : < 1 kva | <200m | <70degree |
| Range | Azimuth | Height |
| < 50 m | <0.5 degree | ± 500 m |
1. Smart Anti – Air Field Weapon (SAAW)
Smart Anti – Air Field Weapon (SAAW) is long range, standoff, precision air-to-surface weapon. Capable of engaging ground targets when launched from fighter Aircraft. It is designed to be used by the Indian Air Force to neutralize enemy airfield assets, such as runways, taxiways, and aircraft parked on the ground. SAAW is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems, which enable it to precisely hit its intended target with a high degree of accuracy.
The weapon has a stand-off range, allowing the aircraft carrying it to release the weapon from a safe distance outside the range of enemy air defense systems. Once the weapon is launched and guided towards its target, it is capable of autonomously engaging the target, allowing the aircraft to return to safety. SAAW can be fitted with different types of warheads, including fragmentation, penetration, and blast/fragmentation, depending on the target and mission requirements. Some variants of SAAW may be equipped with a multi-mode seeker, which enables the weapon to identify and engage targets effectively, even in complex and cluttered environments.
| Mass | Length | Accuracy | Range |
| 125 Kg | 1.85 m | < 7m with (IN-GPS) & < 3m with Seeker | up to 90 – 100 km based on release conditions |
Also Read, Full List Of India’s Air Defence Systems
Conclusion
These modern military inventions demonstrate India’s technological advancements and its growing capabilities in defense production. The development of indigenous defense technologies and military inventions has enabled India to strengthen its national security, reduce dependency on imports, and enhance its status as a capable player in the global defense arena.
