May 13, 2019
ABHYAS is a high-speed expendable aerial target being built by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO for the Indian Forces
The flight test was tracked by radar and electro optic systems and proved its performance in fully autonomous waypoint navigation mode
Indian firms offer highly-advanced and cost-competitive defence and aerospace equipment and solutions that have found takers worldwide
India aims to achieve technical capabilities and economies of scale for its defence industry to reach a turnover of +US$25 billion by 2025
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), an Indian Government-controlled military research and development (R&D) agency, on May 13 held a successful test flight of ABHYAS – High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT). ABHYAS is a high-speed expendable aerial target being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO for the Indian Armed Forces. The test was tracked by radar and electro-optic systems and proved its performance in fully autonomous waypoint navigation mode, an official statement said. The configuration of ABHYAS is designed on an in-line small gas turbine engine and uses indigenously developed MEMS-based navigation system for its navigation and guidance.
India is a leading participant at the 12th edition of the biennial IMDEX Asia event, which is Asia Pacific’s premier international maritime defence show and exhibition. Apart from BrahMos Aerospace, a JV of DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, a rocket design agency, India’s L&T Defence & Aerospace will showcase at the event. The participation comes amid “increasing interests” for Indian defence solutions from Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf region. India is expected to start exporting its missile products as early as this year. Moreover, Indian developers have teamed up with entities from developed nations to best capture new and developing markets. India is eyeing a US$25 billion defence industry by 2025.
The Ministry of Defence said that the performance of the system was as per simulations carried out and demonstrated the capability of ABHYAS to meet the mission requirement for a cost-effective HEAT. India offers highly-advanced and cost-competitive defence and aerospace equipment and innovation that have found a growing number of takers worldwide. Additionally, India’s state-run space agency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has also emerged as one of the world’s most successful satellite launching agencies. Meanwhile, the Government’s “Make in India” programme has aimed to develop the nation as a manufacturing base for the world’s defence needs. This has led to several foiregn defence partnerships.