New Delhi: The Indian Army has selected Gurugram based startup AeroShul Technologies Pvt Ltd to develop its newly envisaged Multi-Barrel Loiter Munition (MBLM) system, which will comprise cutting edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with capability to loiter over targets to carry out surveillance, combat strikes and post-strike assessment.
These MBLM will be launched from existing Artillery Rocket Systems like the highly versatile Pinaka, as well as other in-service MLRS. These legacy systems were designed for tactical area saturation, but would now be enabled with new precision strike capabilities, while doubling their previous range (reach) and enhancing their lethality manifold.
The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme under MoD focuses on critical technological areas crucial for strengthening the defence ecosystem of the country. It is learnt that around 30 Indian companies had provided their designs for the keenly contested MBLM challenge, and a High Powered Selection Committee under the Chairmanship of Army Design Bureau finalised the winner in February this year.
Under this, the contract includes a minimum purchase quantity (MPQ) for an unspecified number of systems that the Indian Army is committed to procuring once the platform is ready.
The problem statement posted on the iDEX website says that the Army’s futuristic plans are to develop technology for MBLM to provide its in-service MLRS with extended ranges up to 500 km with satellite-based command, control and communication in a planned spiral development manner.
It is also learnt that the ordered MBLM would be salvo launched with swarming and other enhanced military capabilities, which would be powered by onboard AI enabled applications. The development of such cutting-edge Artillery Swarms will provide a significant capability enhancement boost for Indian land forces.
