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PALM 400: India to get This Lethal Weapon too
The 44-Day War between Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020, as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, have showcased the effectiveness of armed remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), commonly known as armed drones, in modern warfare. In light of this, India's military has begun equipping itself with various types of armed drones that could provide an advantage in battles along the mountainous Sino-Indian frontier or in the deserts of Rajasthan where Indian armoured forces engage in conflict with Pakistani tanks.
To this end, the army will soon conduct tests in Pokhran of an aerial targeting system called PALM 400, which stands for ‘precision attack loitering munition’. This RPV is designed to fly over concentrations of armoured vehicles or other areas where such vehicles are expected. In mid-February, a PALM RPV successfully passed a series of rigorous trials in the extreme altitudes of Sikkim. The RPV was fired from an altitude of 18,000 feet, loitered at 19,500 feet, and then fired a thermobaric warhead that hit a target 8 km away.
The PALM 400 RPV can remain on station over a kill zone for up to 120 minutes, flying at an altitude of 3,000-4,000 feet above the ground, and at a speed of 50-140 knots (90-260 km per hour), providing a range of over 100 km. AVision Systems, a joint venture between Israeli firm UVision Air Ltd and Hyderabad-based Aditya Precitech Private Ltd, was selected by the army from among 21 companies in a global request for proposal.
The PALM RPVs are equipped with state-of-the-art, stabilised, dual electro-optical/infrared cameras that can identify and engage targets during both day and night. They also possess high-end homing capabilities, allowing for accurate tracking of static and moving targets. The RPVs employ sophisticated navigation methods that enable them to operate in environments where the Global Positioning System is unavailable. The PALM 400's design allows for exceptional manoeuvrability, and it also has a mid-air abort capability that enables it to automatically re-enter loitering mode, re-engage, or return to the recovery area using a parachute.
In trials, the system has demonstrated an ability to stealthily loiter above a target, gather intelligence, and strike instantly at time-sensitive threats. Additionally, the PALM 400's customisable warhead can effectively target a variety of strategic enemy targets. The Indian firm's long association with the Defence Research and Development Organisation in various missile projects gives the PALM 400 RPV a claim to being an Indian product. All that remains is for the system to pass its trials in Pokhran.