All about F-INSAS, Nipun mines, LCA — the new systems handed over to the Army

• Recently, for the first time, an indigenously developed howitzer gun, ATAG, became part of the 21-gun salute during the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also handed over several new defence systems, including the F-INSAS, the Nipun mines, the Landing Craft Assault (LCA), to the Army.

What is F-INSAS

• F-INSAS: Future Infantry Soldier As A System
• Indigenously developed system that will help modernise the Indian Army units.
• Aimed at improving the operational capabilities of the infantry units of the Indian Army.

ATAG

• An indigenous 155 mm x 52 caliber howitzer gun.
• Developed by: DRDO
• Nodal agency: Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment.
• Howitzers: Umbrella term for a category of long-range artillery guns.
• This is the longest-range cannon in the world.
• Capability: Hitting targets from 45 to 48 km.

What are Nipun mines?

• Nipun mines are indigenously designed and developed anti-personnel mines, termed by the DRDO as ‘soft target blast munition’.
• These mines are meant to act as the first line of defence against infiltrators and enemy infantry
• They have been developed with the efforts of Armament Research and Development Establishment, a Pune-based DRDO facility, and Indian industry
• Anti-personnel mines are meant to be used against humans as against anti-tank mines that are aimed at heavy vehicles. They are smaller in size and can be deployed in large numbers.
• These mine will provide protection to the troops on the borders and is more potent and effective than the existing anti-personnel mine in its arsenal.

What is the Landing Craft Assault?

• The Landing Craft Assault (LCA) is meant to serve as a replacement for the boats with limited capabilities currently in use in the Pangong Tso lake.
• The LCA, which has been indigenously developed by Goa-based Aquarius ShipYard Limited
• It will provide better launch, speed and capacity to operate across water obstacles in eastern Ladakh

Some other defence systems

• Other than these systems and equipment, the Defence Minister also formally handed over to the Army a thermal imaging sight for T-90 tanks; hand held thermal imager; and frequency-hopping radio relay for tactical communication across much longer ranges.
• Further, Downlink Equipment with Recording Facility to help helicopters in surveillance missions was also handed over. Using this system, reconnaissance data is recorded and can be accessed only when the helicopter returns to the base.
• Some other defence systems included, Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicles; Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicles and Mini Remotely Piloted Aerial System surveillance, detection and reconnaissance at the infantry battalion and mechanised unit’s level

Conclusion

• These are the significant achievements of India in the field of defence which shows India’s capability in developing state of art defence technology which will also pave the way for the AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
• It will also help in reducing the defence import bill of India and on the other hand, it will strengthen India's position in export of defence equipment.