The Indian Army has recently floated a Request for Information (RFI) in connection with the Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Ammunition (CALM) System for its mechanised divisions. This comes after a similar RFI for Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles designed for deployment in Ladakh and Kutch.
Understanding the CALM System
Fundamentally, the CALM System is a pre-packaged canister containing loitering ammunition or a drone. Loiter ammunitions serve as a unique blend of a surface-to-surface missile and a drone.
Upon being fired, these munitions can stay in the air for an extended duration over the operation area. Upon sighting a target, they can be guided to destroy it using the explosive payload they carry. These missiles also come equipped with a nose-mounted camera, which allows the operator to survey the operational area and select targets.
Crucially, some variants of loiter ammunitions can be recovered and reused if they do not engage in any attack. The strength of these ammunitions lies in their top-down attack capability, which makes them highly effective against targets like tanks that have weak armour protection on top. Importantly, such ammunitions are cheaper, smaller, and less complex than combat drones or armed drones.
Usage of the CALM System Worldwide
This advanced weaponry system demonstrated its high effectiveness in the recent Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in 2021. Azerbaijani forces extensively used the Israeli systems, utilizing these munitions to inflict significant damage to Armenian tanks, military targets, radar systems, and communication centers.
Moreover, the Russian military has made use of their ZALA KYB loitering ammunition system in Ukraine. There are also reports that suggest the US has supplied Ukraine with Switchblade loiter munitions, which can target Russian armour from 10 km away.
Deploying the CALM System in India
The Indian Army is set to deploy the CALM Systems in the western plains and deserts as well as the northern high-altitude areas of up to 5000 meters. Mechanised Infantry units of the Army will use the system for real-time surveillance during both day and night. This will allow for beyond visual range engagement with enemy armoured vehicles and other ground-based weapon platforms over extended ranges.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Query
One of the questions in the Previous Year UPSC Civil Services Examination asked about “Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)”, a term sometimes seen in the news. THAAD is an American anti-missile system purposed for intercepting and destroying short and medium-range ballistic missiles during their “terminal” phase of flight when they are falling towards the target.
