Part #1 : Air Defence
Another strategic benefit of limited conflicts like this is that it allows us to test our systems. Will try to take a stab at what was tested, what went well etc. in a series of 4-5 posts.
The following AD systems we have have proven themselves beyond doubt now:
1. AD Guns - Post Gulf War, there was a pattern of dissing the gun and going for SAMs. That trend has effectively reversed with Nagano Karabakh conflict and then Ukraine -Russia conflict. Looks like we did analyse and learn from these.
Our AD Guns (1) Bofors L70, (2) Twin barrel ZSU 23 (3) Self propelled Schilka and (4) Self propelled Tunguska have proven themselves now.
Note that I am not quoting L&T Sudarshan here as I don't know how many have been delivered(if any).
2. Our OptoElectronics detection systems - Most of the AD Guns have been upgraded with Indian Opto-Electronics systems. These proved themselves beyond doubt over the last 2 days and nights in detecting small size-low flying drones and cruise missiles.
3. Short range radars - proved beyond doubt that Radars to which the AD Guns are slaved have impeccable detection and guidance capabilities
4. Akash - Our boy has proven itself. From all the news coming in, it has slam-dunked the whole enemy barrage of drones, missiles and fighters. Note that Akash was supposed to have limited BMD capabilities as well which were debated in the forums long time back. What will warm my coffee even more is if it has indeed intercepted one in this round of hostilities.
5. SpyDer - Assuming J&K cities and establishments were attached, SpyDer has possibly worked the way we expected Israeli stuff to work.
6. SAMAR - IAF BRDs will get a good fillup as their jugaad also rose to the occasion.
7. MRSAM - little news but given that it was deployed for area defence in the sector, it has possibly played a role in long range intercepts or mission-kill.
8. S400 - the much maligned Russian giant has redeemed itself in Indian hands. No doubt it performed and there are already talks of it killing a HVT.
9. IACCS - Again our baby the By God, it has worked the way I never expected it to ( more due to lack of knowledge about what and how it works). The datalinking from multiple sources, handoff between guns and missiles, the target designation etc were possibly battle tested for the first time.
Seeing IACCS in action was like watching Matrix movie the first time and getting your mind bent. I am now expecting v2.0 of IACCS basis learnings which will be more deadly.
10. The human in the loop - our AD soldiers : stellar conduct and superhero type performance. The training they are having is world class. Whatever they are eating, I want some of that man!
