The DRDO on Thursday formally handed over an indigenously developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) system called ‘Swati’ to the Army. It has been extensively tested along the Line of Control.
The organisation also handed over a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) recce vehicle and NBC treatment drugs to the Army.
Export potential
Speaking at an event, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said it was an indigenous effort with an export potential. However, exports would take place after the Army’s requirements were fulfilled.
DRDO officials said Swati provides quick, automatic and accurate location of all enemy weapons like mortars, shells and rockets firing within its effective zone of coverage and simultaneously handles multiple projectiles fired from different weapons at different locations. Swati can also direct artillery response based on the incoming enemy fire.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat called the system a success.
The WLR has been a critical requirement of the Army, and in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict, it had to be imported from the U.S. in 2002 to fill critical needs.
Swati has a range of 50 km which brings all artillery guns presently in service worldwide under its coverage. Four systems are currently in operation and another 30 are on order for the Army.
Talking about the capability of the WLR, a senior defence official said it was pressed into service on the LoC last year during the flare-up in hostilities after the surgical strikes. It played a major role in suppressing the heavy artillery fire from Pakistan.
The NBC Recce Vehicle Mk-I is intended for carrying out post event recce of nuclear, biological and chemical contamination. The Army had placed an order for 16 of these vehicles in 2010.
