INS Nilgiri to Boast SRGM Super Rapid Gun with DART Guided Munitions, Neutralizing Fast-Moving Aerial Threats Accurately

The Indian Navy is set to significantly bolster its maritime defence capabilities with the commissioning of INS Nilgiri, a cutting-edge stealth frigate that marks a new era in indigenous warship development.

This vessel, the first of the Project 17A class, will be the inaugural Indian warship equipped with the advanced Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) system, further enhanced by the integration of DART (Driven Ammunition Reduced Time of flight) guided munitions.

The SRGM, a 76/62 mm naval gun system renowned for its high rate of fire and accuracy, is a common feature on warships globally. However, the system deployed on INS Nilgiri, manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at its Haridwar plant, represents a significant leap forward for India's domestic defence industry.

This indigenously produced SRGM not only provides impressive firepower but also incorporates cutting-edge technology for enhanced precision and versatility in naval combat.

What truly sets this system apart is the integration of DART guided munitions. These programmable rounds offer unprecedented accuracy and lethality against highly agile threats, such as anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones.

By significantly reducing the time of flight to target, DART ammunition enables the SRGM to engage threats at extended ranges, bolstering the ship's defence against modern aerial threats.

The deployment of INS Nilgiri with this advanced weaponry system offers several key strategic advantages:

• Enhanced Defence Against Modern Threats: In today's naval warfare environment, where technology and speed are paramount, the ability to neutralize swarm UAVs, subsonic cruise missiles, and other low-flying threats with pinpoint accuracy is crucial. The SRGM with DART ammunition provides INS Nilgiri with a formidable defence against these evolving threats.
• Indigenous Innovation and Capability: The development and integration of this advanced weapon system underscore India's growing prowess in defence manufacturing. This achievement aligns with the nation's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, which emphasizes self-reliance in defence technology. It demonstrates India's capability to not only produce complex systems domestically but also to adapt them to specific operational requirements.
• Setting New Standards: INS Nilgiri is more than just a warship; it symbolizes India's commitment to developing a world-class naval force. By incorporating cutting-edge systems typically found only on the most advanced warships globally, INS Nilgiri sets a new benchmark for indigenous warship development and signals India's growing stature in the global naval arena.

This development is a significant step towards modernizing the Indian Navy and enhancing its ability to safeguard the nation's maritime interests in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I thought that these large cannons were meant for anti-surface warfare, but I am reading that this can also be used against drones and missiles? Is this meant to play the role of a CIWS?

 

[Anant]

I thought that these large cannons were meant for anti-surface warfare, but I am reading that this can also be used against drones and missiles? Is this meant to play the role of a CIWS?

Not quite. The new SRGM system with DART ammunition is more capable against drones than the standard SRGM system that we have on a lot of warships. However, that doesn't mean the main cannon suddenly is your CIWS.

No, this essentially adds more punch to the gun's anti-air capabilities. It can fire standard ammunition just as well. The idea here is to have a cheap anti-drone system at extended ranges (where CIWS won't work) rather than having to expend an expensive SAM or spending more ammunition using a normal SRGM or an even older 3" gun with the cupola mounting.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

There is nothing indigenous about the gun; it's an Oto Melara Super Rapid gun from Italy made under license.

The DART projectile is similar in many aspects to other hyper-velocity systems, for example, the Starstreak SAM missile's multi-dart warhead, but is a guided gun projectile with radio controls and a proximity fuze for low-level engagement (up to 2 meters over the sea). DART is fired at 1,200 m/s (3,900 ft/s), can reach 5 km range in only 5 seconds, and can perform up to 40G maneuvers. The DART projectile is made of two parts: the forward is free to rotate and has two small canard wings for flight control. The aft part has the 2.5 kg warhead (with tungsten cubes and the 3A millimetric wave new fuse), six fixed wings, and the radio receivers.

 

[Dragon]

"License manufactured", not indegenous, also not known how much ToT BHEL recieved from the Italian company.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

I don't understand why the equipment (Arms) used in the Navy are being made farthest from the sea locations like Haridwar in Uttarakhand and funny thing is Tanks used in Pakistan and China border area being developed in Chennai. I really, don't understand this logic

 

[Alok Gupta]

The Navy should ask DRDO to develo laser weapons for the future naval combatants. These will be more precise and effective for defense against drones and missiles.