NSG’s ‘future soldier’ programme to be revived with Make-in-India twist

[Zarvan]

• The Future Soldier' programme, was shelved in 2013 due to logistics issues
• The renewed project comes with a Make-in-India twist, as the elite force has roped in DRDO and IIT Mumbai to give a final shape to the soldier prototype
• See more news from India at www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu

PUBLISHED: 23:25 GMT, 8 January 2017 | UPDATED: 23:25 GMT, 8 January 2017



The National Security Guard, India's special forces unit, plans to revive its 'future soldier' programme, which was shelved in 2013 due to logistics issues.

The renewed project comes with a Make-in-India twist, as the elite force has roped in DRDO and IIT Mumbai to give a final shape to the soldier prototype.

About 40 countries are working on similar programmes, including US, UK, France, Germany, Russia and Israel, that entails future ground warfare and survive-ability in diverse terrains.

+2
Originally mooted in 2011, as a rsponse to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008, the Future Soldier programme was shelved in 2013 due to logistics issues

While the West has a clear head start on such projects, India is aiming to achieve the mission by 2025.

'Yes, we are working on reviving the future soldier project,' NSG director general Sudhir Pratap Singh told Mail Today.

We have the best soldiers in the world, and if they are provided with the best technology, it will act as a force multiplier.
Former NSG DG Arvind Ranjan
However, Singh refused to divulge more details of the project. Originally mooted in 2011, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008, the project was assigned to Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL) but lost steam midway as costs of making of one unit of armour escalated.

Sources said the BEL did come up with a prototype, with a whopping cost of Rs 12-13 crore for 30 soldiers.

However, a renewed commitment of the current dispensation with Make-in-India factor has given the 'future soldier' project a fresh thrust.

A senior officer in the NSG described the project as 'more promising and result oriented'.

+2
Lauding the indigenous push, former NSG DG Arvind Ranjan, who was part of the programme during his tenure in 2012, said it is important to develop indigenous programme as no country will share top secret project of this kind.

'I travelled to many countries (to study such projects), but they were willing to share only rudimentary technology,' Ranjan said.

'We have the best soldiers in the world, and if they are provided with the best technology, it will act as a force multiplier.'

Comparing the project with US Navy Seals raiding party in 2011, R K Medhekar, also a former DG of the force, said once the commandos get advanced devices fitted to their body, NSG operations could be viewed real time by commanding officers as was in the case during the raid on Osama.

The world watched in bated breath as US Navy Seals swooped down on Abbottabad in a stealth helicopter killing the 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden, with live pictures being simultaneously broadcast to a control room in White House.

Medhekar said a lot of progress has been made since NSG's first project was shelved.

'Now we have non-reflective goggles, night-vision glasses and communication on encrypted codes.'



He said the idea of camera on top is to ensure that the soldier is not distracted by reporting back.

'It had other advantages to know location of self and team mates. In the last project too, DRDO was working on a lighter uniform with GPS devices. But cost overruns took a toll.'

Experts said the project aims to equip our soldier with high-tech weapons to undertake specialised operations through land, air and water.

'We need mobility, lethality, survive-ability in our forces on par with world's best forces,' major general (retired) P K Sehgal told Mail Today.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahom...rs-world-s-best-technology.html#ixzz4VFhj7eLw
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[kaykay]

They look like this now...
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/NSG_Commandos_Republic_day_2015..jpg

 

[Goenitz]

They look like this now...
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/NSG_Commandos_Republic_day_2015..jpg

Its not the same.. Current mig 21(bison) is well equipped now than mig 21f, though they look same

 

[Gessler]

They look like this now...
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/NSG_Commandos_Republic_day_2015..jpg

Well, I guess they'd want to be like this once this modernization program is dealt with -

Areas to improve upon, IMO -

• Better Night/Thermal Optics (both helmet & weapon-mounted)

• Lighter helmets (Ops-Core FAST type would be great) which would also offer great integration options for other equipment on the head

• Adaptive Vest System or an analogue (should be quick & easy to add/lose equipment as per need through extensive use of molle).

• An Adaptive assault rifle complex. The SG 550-series are good, but they are nowhere as customizable & versatile as, say, an advanced AR-15 rifle, HK416 or Bushmaster ACR. But this not a pressing need just yet, I'd like the NSG to have a PDW, a full-length assault rifle and a DMR based around the same action.

• Replacement for the 9mm SMGs with something more modern& effective. Like a 4.6x30mm MP7A1.

• Replace the current underlying BDU with a Gen3 combat dress from someone like Crye Precision (preferably in black, ofcourse) The slide-in, slide-out knee and elbow-pad inserts offer great protection plus they don't cut off blood supply like traditional kneepads over long periods.

@Abingdonboy @Unknowncommando

 

[Unknowncommando]

Well, I guess they'd want to be like this once this modernization program is dealt with -

Areas to improve upon, IMO -

• Better Night/Thermal Optics (both helmet & weapon-mounted)

• Lighter helmets (Ops-Core FAST type would be great) which would also offer great integration options for other equipment on the head

• Adaptive Vest System or an analogue (should be quick & easy to add/lose equipment as per need through extensive use of molle).

• An Adaptive assault rifle complex. The SG 550-series are good, but they are nowhere as customizable & versatile as, say, an advanced AR-15 rifle, HK416 or Bushmaster ACR. But this not a pressing need just yet, I'd like the NSG to have a PDW, a full-length assault rifle and a DMR based around the same action.

• Replacement for the 9mm SMGs with something more modern& effective. Like a 4.6x30mm MP7A1.

• Replace the current underlying BDU with a Gen3 combat dress from someone like Crye Precision (preferably in black, ofcourse) The slide-in, slide-out knee and elbow-pad inserts offer great protection plus they don't cut off blood supply like traditional kneepads over long periods.

@Abingdonboy @Unknowncommando

(1)Fast Helmets. Uptill upgrade current standard ACH with rails is good.
(2)New standard SMG/Carbine is must
Mp7 or X95
Currently They have pretty good Rifles & other small arms. SIG 551 & 553 variants.
BARRETT M98B
Corner shots
SPAS 15 Shotgun
(3) They have got new lightweight BPJs few years back which are better than old ones.

 

[$@rJen]

Well, I guess they'd want to be like this once this modernization program is dealt with -

Areas to improve upon, IMO -

• Better Night/Thermal Optics (both helmet & weapon-mounted)

• Lighter helmets (Ops-Core FAST type would be great) which would also offer great integration options for other equipment on the head

• Adaptive Vest System or an analogue (should be quick & easy to add/lose equipment as per need through extensive use of molle).

• An Adaptive assault rifle complex. The SG 550-series are good, but they are nowhere as customizable & versatile as, say, an advanced AR-15 rifle, HK416 or Bushmaster ACR. But this not a pressing need just yet, I'd like the NSG to have a PDW, a full-length assault rifle and a DMR based around the same action.

• Replacement for the 9mm SMGs with something more modern& effective. Like a 4.6x30mm MP7A1.

• Replace the current underlying BDU with a Gen3 combat dress from someone like Crye Precision (preferably in black, ofcourse) The slide-in, slide-out knee and elbow-pad inserts offer great protection plus they don't cut off blood supply like traditional kneepads over long periods.

@Abingdonboy @Unknowncommando

Why dont we buy these and equip our forces instead of waiting for drdo to do the job... anyway they're going to delay and come up with low end product.

 

[Gessler]

Why dont we buy these and equip our forces instead of waiting for drdo to do the job... anyway they're going to delay and come up with low end product.

PROCUREMENT REFORMS.

Need of the goddamn hour.

 

[Gessler]

(1)Fast Helmets. Uptill upgrade current standard ACH with rails is good.

Yeah. However FAST will bring major weight-reduction (crucial especially for CQB as you have to be as agile as possible). I think the numbers are of large-head variants, but ACH/MICH 2000 type helmet weighs in around 1.47kg...

...ACH/MICH-2001 type (high-cut) come in at around 1.31kg...

...while an Ops-Core FAST (picture in my previous post) weighs about 1.23kg. I've seen charts saying FAST Super-High cut variants have a shell weight of less than 1kg.

Of course the weights vary greatly depending on materials used, head-size and number/presence of integration spots (NV mount, side-rails etc.) and while in the field, attachments add a lot more weight (radio headset, optics, lights & cams etc.), but everything is relative. So the differences still stand.

(2)New standard SMG/Carbine is must
Mp7 or X95

A short bullpup like X95/MTAR would be great for CQB (I've seen the Yamam, Israel's special police using these from time to time although M4 is still standard), but I feel a bullpup does not offer the level of customization options as an AR-15/ACR-based design. An operator should be able to take out and install a new stock if he feels he's more comfortable with it. Just like how a Batsman adds/removes rubber bands around his bat handle as per his comfort.

BARRETT M98B

Which IMO is an excellent acquisition. I hope all the older 7.62 PSG-1s are completely replaced by the new .338 M98Bs. The IA has also sent out RFIs to a range of sniper rifle-makers and the Barrett MRAD (a further refined M98B) is likely among the competition.

SPAS 15 Shotgun

Does NSG use SPAS-15 for door-breaching? I have some reservations about why they use this. I'd think we should replace this with two new shotguns.

• A short, pump-action (sawed off) fitted with a saw-tooth muzzle attachment (most doors in India are wooden so no problem) for door-breaching.

• A full-length semi-auto shotgun for target engagement. We can stick with the SPAS-15 (which I think is too bulky) or go for a nice Benelli M4. I'd prefer we replace the SPAS with M4 because to start with, the M4 is slightly lighter, and of course it again has a much bigger array of rail integration, attachments and aftermarket parts to choose from. SPAS-15 is a BRICK in comparison.

• And of course, I haven't really seen NSG put the SPAS to much use anyway, so another option might be to just go for the M26 MASS as an attachment and slap it on whichever adaptive rifle is brought in to replace the SIGs in future.

(3) They have got new lightweight BPJs few years back which are better than old ones.

The BPJs in use during 26/11 were a joke. I'd rather hang my car's hood on my body and go to war. The ones in use now are nothing special, but OK for current needs. An AVS-type vest complex would be great in future, going hand-in-hand with the individual/operator class-level customization that I have a hard-on for.

@Abingdonboy @COLDHEARTED AVIATOR

 

[EAK]

Sorry to burst your bubbles but "future soldier program" for india is a far fetched idea..They can't even provide food for their soldiers.. but certainly good at cooking spicy news for their brainwashed people..LOL future soldier

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

Sorry to burst your bubbles but "future soldier program" for india is a far fetched idea..They can't even provide food for their soldiers.. but certainly good at cooking spicy news for their brainwashed people..LOL future soldier

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

I was studying in a school when I visited IIT-Madras for some science fair with competitions and events. Guess it was 2008. There I saw new weapons, Arjun tank, and a soldier dressed with gadgets that would make up future infantry programme. DRDO- BEL were showcasing the product. I even held the gun in my hands for few moments. And now graduated from 2 colleges, switched a job to another but still....

And now its 2017. We are still waiting for Future Infantry programme, now NSG make over. Shabbaa....

 

[Abingdonboy]

Well, I guess they'd want to be like this once this modernization program is dealt with -

Areas to improve upon, IMO -

• Better Night/Thermal Optics (both helmet & weapon-mounted)

• Lighter helmets (Ops-Core FAST type would be great) which would also offer great integration options for other equipment on the head

• Adaptive Vest System or an analogue (should be quick & easy to add/lose equipment as per need through extensive use of molle).

• An Adaptive assault rifle complex. The SG 550-series are good, but they are nowhere as customizable & versatile as, say, an advanced AR-15 rifle, HK416 or Bushmaster ACR. But this not a pressing need just yet, I'd like the NSG to have a PDW, a full-length assault rifle and a DMR based around the same action.

• Replacement for the 9mm SMGs with something more modern& effective. Like a 4.6x30mm MP7A1.

• Replace the current underlying BDU with a Gen3 combat dress from someone like Crye Precision (preferably in black, ofcourse) The slide-in, slide-out knee and elbow-pad inserts offer great protection plus they don't cut off blood supply like traditional kneepads over long periods.

@Abingdonboy @Unknowncommando

This is all personal equipment that can be (and is) bought off the shelf for the NSG. What this program is about is force multipliers ie expanding the situational awareness and lethality of each induvidual NSG operator through the use of technology and new systems. Things like interegrated helmet mounted displays, wearable computers, intergrated medical diagnostics systems etc etc


The NSG has a long way to go but at least they are planning this far into the future and not stagnating (as they once did).

That pic was taken outside modi's residence after the election results in 2014 May

Not quite, this pic is of a NSG sniper unit deployed at the hotel Obama was staying at during his visit in Jan 2015.

 

[lonelyman]

I was studying in a school when I visited IIT-Madras for some science fair with competitions and events. Guess it was 2008. There I saw new weapons, Arjun tank, and a soldier dressed with gadgets that would make up future infantry programme. DRDO- BEL were showcasing the product. I even held the gun in my hands for few moments. And now graduated from 2 colleges, switched a job to another but still....

And now its 2017. We are still waiting for Future Infantry programme, now NSG make over. Shabbaa....

Because u guys talk too much, talk at least when half way done

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Because u guys talk too much, talk at least when half way done

Only person I seeing talking too much is you. If it irritates you so much, use your own advice and stop talking.

This is a defence forum, there will be topics of defence related things, please get over it.

 

[$@rJen]

I was studying in a school when I visited IIT-Madras for some science fair with competitions and events. Guess it was 2008. There I saw new weapons, Arjun tank, and a soldier dressed with gadgets that would make up future infantry programme. DRDO- BEL were showcasing the product. I even held the gun in my hands for few moments. And now graduated from 2 colleges, switched a job to another but still....

And now its 2017. We are still waiting for Future Infantry programme, now NSG make over. Shabbaa....

This is why I'm say8ng ditch drdo and tie up with private companies who can involve with foreign vendors. DRDO guys are just there for salaries