Army wants laser-based weapons on its futuristic tanks

New Delhi, May 23 (PTI) Looking to strengthen its
armoured capabilities, the Indian Army wants its futuristic
Main Battle Tank to be equipped with high-powered lasers for
taking on enemy rockets, aircraft and electro-optical sensors.
"High/medium-energy level laser is expected to be a
lethality option against rockets, air vehicles, light ground
vehicles, antennas of armoured vehicles and electro-optical
sensors," the Army stated in its long-term technology plans
submitted to the Defence Ministry.
Officials said concerned DRDO labs are already working in
this direction and developing the capability.
They added that these capabilities might be deployed on
the Arjun Mk-II project, which was recently cleared by the
Defence Ministry after the Army decided to place orders for
another 124 Arjun MBTs with the DRDO.
It also wants the futuristic Main Battle Tank (FMBT) to
have an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system to decrease
chances of own tanks firing at each other during battle.
The Army wants the new tank to have stealth technologies
in form of paints and materials to provide limited
invisibility and for scrambling and avoidance of detection by
enemy sensors.
It also seeks technologies which would enable officials
sitting in operational headquarters to have video conferences
with the tank commanders in field.
The Army wants the DRDO and the defence industry to
provide it with technologies which would help the new FMBT
protection against hard-kill weapons such as the Anti-tank
Guided missiles, missiles and artillery shells.
The Indian Army has a fleet of over 3,000 tanks in its
fleet, which includes a majority of Russian-origin T-72 and
T-55, which are likely to be replaced in the near future. PTI
AJD
MRD