Emerging Market Trend 2024
As per the Global “Armoured Vehicles Market” Report for 2024, the global armoured vehicles market is expected to increase from US$29.9 billion in 2023 to US$36.9 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 4.3%. This robust growth is mainly driven by global modernisation efforts, rapid technological advancements, the need to address future threats, and of course the increasing use of armoured vehicles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Future Trends and Operational Needs: AFVs
There is a need to shift from the erstwhile Iron Triangle of Firepower, Protection and Mobility to a more relevant and holistic model of Lethality, Survivability, Manoeuvrability, Sustainability, Connectivity, Multi-role Adaptability and Affordability based on the commonality of base platform and technology convergence.
The contemporary battle space also requires cyber defence against future threats and the need to integrate UAS and autonomous systems in future design and capabilities.
(a) Enhanced Survivability in a Hybrid Environment: Multi-layered systems comprising of lightweight passive armour, intelligent dynamic armour and active protection system (both soft kill and hard kill) to detect, deflect, jam / destroy, incoming projectiles and if hit survive. With 4GW taking centre stage in current and future battlefield scenarios, protection against UAVs, top attacks, and blast effects of IEDs/ mines by absorbing/deflecting blast energy, is becoming unavoidable. Signature management both with passive, and active camouflage systems and stealth technology is a reality.
(b) Enhanced Lethality with improved gun performance, advanced optronics, advanced first-round hit capability, and improved ammunition including thermobaric, smart ammunition, multipurpose ammunition, and third-generation missiles. Thermobaric (TB) and Penetration Cum Blast (PCB) ammunitions in place of HE ammunition will aid in firing for effect with enhanced lethality. Similarly, anti-helicopter ammunition fired from the gun barrel can pulverize the target end with fragments. Directed Energy Weapons such as lasers provide precise and rapid engagement capabilities against aerial and ground targets, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional munitions.
(c) Mobility and Agility with higher power-to-weight ratios, higher power density engines with fuel sufficiency and low heat rejection. Improved transmission to ensure improved engine efficiency, like hybrid electric propulsion. Semi-active and active suspension permits a stable platform and increases cross-country speed.
(d) Digitisation and Vetronics to generate higher situational awareness, network-enabled operations and higher interoperability. In reality, this network-centric approach in an AFV involves systems and sensors as given below:
- Battlefield management system (BMS)
- Software-defined radio (SDR)
- Automated target tracker (ATT)
- Commanders panoramic sight (CPS)
- Gunners main sight (GMS)
- Laser target designator (LTD)
- Laser range finder (LRF)
- Laser warning and countermeasure system (LWCS)
- Drivers sight with thermal imager (TI)
- Combat identification of friend or foe (CIFF)
(e) Versatility and Deployability by ensuring the desired tactical, operational and strategic lift capability and adaptability to designated operational roles.
(f) Mission Reliability and Logistic Ease with reduced logistic / maintenance requirements, modular form fit sub-systems, in-built diagnostics & redundancies (fault-management) and high mean time between failures.
(g) Intelligent Power Management to cater for a potential array of active electric armour, massively enhanced situational awareness sensors, high-speed electro-hybrid drive train and mounted laser emitters. Developments in light, high-capacity batteries and intelligent power management systems with adequate backup will play a major role in future AFV design.
(h) Autonomous Operation: Future MBTs are expected to incorporate autonomous capabilities for reconnaissance, surveillance, and even combat operations. This reduces crew risk and expands operational reach. Optionally manned or fully unmanned MBTs will allow commanders greater flexibility in deploying armoured units in high-risk environments.
(J) Managing Projects through Integrated Design Environment (IDE) and Product Life Cycle Management (PLM). The world over, increasingly all aspects of vehicle (including A vehicle) design, development, production and sustenance are being managed through customised IDE software. AI systems could play a positive role in this sphere. These will cut down not only the cost of product designing manifold but also tremendously cut down the timelines for the design and development of greenfield projects/platforms.
Emerging AFV Technology Perspective
Micro Electronics Technology. These are micron-scale devices integrating mechanical or structural elements, such as accelerometers and micro mirrors with electronic devices like microprocessors and radio frequency transmission. This technology will bring in miniaturisation and reduce the size and weight of present-day weapon platforms, communication and processing systems.
EMP/ Directed Energy Weapons Technology. Non-nuclear EMP weapons, laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) and Dazzle Guns are under various stages of development and need to be factored into any future development projects not only as a possible weapon but also as its countermeasure.
Stealth Technology. Evasion of detection is the chief characteristic of stealth weaponry. It encompasses the development of technology permitting optimal shaping of radar-absorbing materials designed to minimize thermal and acoustic signatures. The survival potential of AFVs can be enhanced exponentially by way of signature management.
Material Technology. Materials such as advanced alloys, ceramics, composite and hybrid materials are increasingly being used to protect AFVs. Combining these futuristic materials with technology such as explosive reactive armour and active armour significantly enhances its performance. Utilisation of nanotechnology in armour materials offers enhanced strength-to-weight ratios and improved resistance against kinetic and chemical energy threats.
Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI algorithms can optimize battlefield decision-making, sensor fusion, and predictive maintenance, improving overall operational efficiency. AI-driven predictive analytics can anticipate enemy tactics and enhance situational awareness, empowering MBT crews with real-time intelligence. AI improves the self-control, self-regulation, and self-actuation of combat systems due to its inherent computing and decision-making capabilities. Effective use of AI will improve the man-machine interface, battlefield management, and employment of autonomous weapons and other systems. AI has the potential to reduce annual maintenance costs of combat vehicles through effective scheduling of preventive maintenance, thus enhancing the overall reliability, availability, maintainability and dependability factor.
3D Printing Technology. Complementing the IDE/PLM-based design are new production technologies which go under various names viz. Direct Digital Manufacturing, Additive Layer Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping, Rapid manufacturing etc. and more colloquially called 3D Printing. These technologies have revolutionised the world of prototyping especially as these do away with the requirement of tooling, SMT/STEs and moulds. Cost and Time savings potential are tremendous and thus ideal for initial prototyping as well as upgrades of existing equipment.
Conclusion
The exponential advancements in military technology in the 21st century have rapidly transformed warfare. The infusion of military technology has radically impacted a nation’s warfighting capabilities aimed at gaining combat overmatch. The pursuit of niche military technology for AFVs is thus critical for the future operational needs and domination.
