Indian Start-Up developed Granade Launching UAV

An Indian Start Up Vinveli Aerospace developed grenade launching UAV.

While most companies are focused on making UAVs with cameras for surveillance, this Made in India UAV called Vero is remotely piloted, equipped with two 38mm grenades that are capable of being remotely fired mid-air.

Indian Start-Up Vinveli Aerospace developed grenade launching UAV

Specification

The UAV has two cameras that allow for the operator to conduct surveillance and locate the target. It can function in below zero degree to positive forty degrees. The UAV is designed to be used in extreme and high-altitude conditions.

Fire Power

An advance version of this UAV is packed with even more firepower with capacity of firing lethal 40mm grenades. Another variant is capable of carrying several kilograms of High Explosive IEDs, transporting supplies such as ammunition, food, etc.

Features of UAV

1. 1. 40MM High Explosive Grenade Launcher UAV
2. 2. 10km Secure Control Link
3. 3. Safe and Quick Remote Deployment
4. 4. 40 min Flight time
5. 5. Wind state 6 and Water resistant
6. 6. 40MM HE, HEDP, HEAP, etc. Grenades

Vero firing the granade during a test somewhere

It can also be used to carry and deliver lifesaving medicines or first aid kits. Several special forces units are equipped with these UAVs for use in operations.

Australia spending huge to boost its Artillary Power!

According to the Australian Defense Structure Plan 2020 released.  Australia will strengthen the capabilities of its armed forces with new artillery systems including self-propelled howitzers, and rocket launcher artillery systems.

M777-A2-Ultra-Light-Howitzer during field trial (Source: Internet)

Australian army plans to acquire tow regiments of self-propelled howitzers to complement existing land-based strike capabilities. This includes a future program of upgrades to hardware and software to ensure these systems retain their potency over time.

The plan also includes The enhancement or replacement of the M777 155mm lightweight towed howitzer with a rapidly-deployable and lightweight artillery to maximize the flexibility of the Australia Defence Forces (ADF) suite of artillery capabilities.

The procurement of a battery of long-range rocket artillery and missile systems, upgrades to the range of these systems to enable a land-based operational strike capability, and the purchase of additional units to enable the capability to be expanded into a full regiment of three batteries.

Australia will also launch A future program to develop a directed energy weapon system able to be integrated onto ADF Protected and Armored Vehicles, and capable of defeating armored vehicles up to and including main battle tanks. The eventual deployment of directed energy weapons may also improve land force resilience by reducing the force’s dependence an ammunition stocks and supply lines.

Currently, the artillery power of the Australian Defence Forces consists of 54 M777A2 155mm towed howitzers and 185 mortar of F2 81mm.

The F2 81mm mortar is the British L16 81mm mortar produced in Australia. The weapon can be man-packed by the mortar detachment, in which case the ammunition would be carried by other soldiers of the battalion. In addition to their normal equipment, each soldier would carry four bombs in a pair of two-bomb plastic containers. It has a maximum firing range of 5,650m.

M777-A2-Ultra-Light-Howitzer

The M777A2 is an improved version of the standard M777 lightweight 155mm towed howitzer designed and manufactured by the Company BAE Systems. The M777A2 is a towed 155 mm Howitzer jointly developed by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps to replace the M198 155mm towed howitzer.

The M777A2 lightweight 155mmm towed howitzer can fire the full ranges of U.S. 155mm ammunition including unassisted projectiles to a range of 24 km and assisted projectiles to 30 km. With the upgraded fire controls system, it can also fire Excalibur Precision 155 mm Projectiles, Global Positioning System (GPS)-guided, extended-range artillery projectile M982 and M982A1 at a maximum range of 40 km.

"Act east Policy", India should focus on transfer of technology (Brahmos Missile): Vietnam

It can be said that while Vietnam appreciates the Indian offers as Modi's 'Act East Policy’, Four Years After there is no rush to sell the BrahMos Missile and other weaponry systems to Vietnam.

Missile systems technology transfer to Vietnam as a move towards 'Act East Policy'

When Prime Minister Modi first offered the Indian defense credit line to Vietnam several years ago, there was a lot of speculation that it would be used on acquiring the Brahmos missile. They were ultimately used on new patrol boats for the Vietnam Border Guard.

The Indian government appears unwilling to further upset or rile the Chinese Dragon by making any untoward flanking moves towards Beijing’s adversaries. The late defense minister Manohar Parrikar held extensive consultations with his Vietnamese counterpart, General Ngo Xuan Lich, in Hanoi in June 2016 on transferring BrahMos to its long-standing ally in south-east Asia. These talks included the option of stationing a team of Indian technicians in Hanoi to provide the Vietnamese military instruction on the BrahMos whose transfer, official sources at the time in New Delhi four years ago maintained was imminent.

Air launched version of Brahmos Missile

Although talks for the Brahmos and other weapons such as the Akash hasn’t finalized, Vietnam's missile capabilities are still decent enough - the Vietnam People's Navy already has two batteries of K-300 Bastion-P with Yakhont missiles but with lack of new tech. As for other equipment the government has been looking to purchase from other sources while continuing to strengthen Vietnam's own defense industry.

On the other hand, the recent banning of 59 Chinese smartphone apps by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government is, at best, a feeble riposte to Beijing’s continuing military adventurism along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC). Senior military analysts in New Delhi said a more ‘robust’ response to the standoff between the Indian Army and the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh since in May. It could involve fast-tracking the long-promised transfer of indigenous BrahMos and Akash missile systems to Vietnam to safe-guard its borders with China and also to stand affirm with its ally (India).

Akash Missile defence system. Pic source: Indian Army

The Vietnamese counterpart said that ,”As part of his ‘Look East’ policy. It is believed to have discussed the ‘possibility’ of transferring ‘Prithvi missile along with BrahMos and Akash Missile systems’ to Vietnam, not only to further long-standing bilateral ties, but also as a counter to China that continued supplying assorted missile systems to its strategic, military and nuclear ally Pakistan for employment against India.

As for India, things should change. New Delhi should start its missile and military co-operation with Hanoi under the even greater stranglehold. The narrative is simple: If China can effectively use Pakistan as its surrogate to strategically immobilise India. What resist New Delhi to do the same with its ally (Hanoi) whose sovereignty has always suppressed by Beijing?