It’s no unknown fact that India is in a tough neighbourhood. To the north, a country with expanding military ambitions; to the west, an irrational state whose sole focus is enmity with India. And in the middle of it all, an independent nation that never initiates a conflict unless provoked.
But in the world where might is right and powerful muscle their way through, it was important to building deterrence, and it was not just about having weapons, but having the capability to build them yourself, without depending on others. This is driving force for many of defence projects pursued when no one gave them to us.
We decided to start from scratch and build sophisticated hardware in a secretive way. These were national missions, often done in complete secrecy. In this article will look at some of those projects that are crucial for our nation’s security. And here’s the important part: all information presented here is taken from whatever is in the public domain.
Project 77: The Cryogenic Engine & Solid Booster
Indigenous development of cryogenic rocket engines and solid booster technology for India’s missile and space programmes. Some of India’s most advanced missile technologies were derived from the space programme. In the 1980s and 90s, as India developed its space launch vehicles, it was simultaneously working on using space tech for its ballistic missile capabilities.
The Cryogenic Challenge:
Cryogenic engines are those that use super-cooled liquid fuels like liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, which are among the most complex rocket technologies. In the 1990s, India tried to acquire this technology from Russia for its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) programme. But the United States, under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), pressured Russia not to transfer the technology.
This was a blessing in disguise. Being denied the technology forced us to develop our own indigenous cryogenic engine—a feat that only a handful of countries have achieved. Today, India’s GSLV Mk II uses an indigenous cryogenic upper stage, and the GSLV Mk III (LVM3) has an even more powerful cryogenic engine.
While cryogenic engines are primarily for space launch vehicles, the solid booster technology developed for these rockets had direct applications for India’s ballistic missile programme. The solid fuel stage technologies of the PSLV and GSLV have been used to develop propulsion for the Agni series of missiles.
The programme was known, but the full extent of India’s indigenous achievements became clear only in the 2000s as successful GSLV flights demonstrated the cryogenic capability. Currently, India has a range of ballistic missiles with ranges extending up to 6,000 km (Agni5), with further work being done on future variants in the pipeline.
The Special Frontier Force (Establishment 22)
India’s most secretive special operations force, created for unconventional warfare. After the 1962 Sino-Indian War, it was realised that they needed a capability to fight unconventional wars. If China could use guerrilla tactics, India needed its own irregular forces.
The Birth of Establishment 22:
On November 14, 1962—just as the war with China was ending- Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru ordered the creation of a special force. It was to be a covert force that could operate behind enemy lines. The force was codenamed “Establishment 22” (pronounced “two-two”), a reference to its location in Chakrata, Uttarakhand. But it’s better known today as the Special Frontier Force (SFF), though the government has never officially acknowledged this name. The unit reports directly to the Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office.
The force was built around Tibetan refugees who had fled the Chinese occupation of Tibet. These were hardened fighters, many with experience in the harsh Himalayan terrain, and they also had a personal score to settle with China. The CIA played a crucial role in the early days, providing arms and training. In fact, there was a tripartite agreement between the Indian Army, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), and the CIA. The Americans provided weapons and equipment until 1972, when the agreement was terminated.
The SFF has been involved in some of India’s most sensitive operations:
- 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War: SFF operatives conducted deep penetration missions behind Pakistani lines.
- Operation Blue Star (1984): The controversial operation to clear the Golden Temple of militants.
- Operation Meghdoot (1984): The capture of the Siachen Glacier, where SFF troops played a crucial role.
- Kargil War (1999): SFF units were among the first to identify Pakistani intrusions.
Galwan Crisis: Operation Snow Leopard, a unit of SFF commandos, executed a stealthy, high-altitude operation to occupy strategic unoccupied heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso, including crucial features like Black Top, Helmet Top, and Magar Hill
While the existence of the SFF was an open secret for decades, but its full capabilities and operations remain classified. Official acknowledgment has been minimal.
Project Vishnu: The Hypersonic Missile Initiative
A top-secret DRDO programme to develop hypersonic missile technologies. In the era of hypersonic warfare, where missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5+), traditional air defence systems become nearly useless. Considering this, India launched Project Vishnu, a classified initiative to develop hypersonic missiles.
The Extended Trajectory-Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) is reported to be the system under Project Vishnu. With a strike range of 1,500 km and the ability to carry 1,000-2,000 kg of conventional or nuclear warheads, this missile would be nearly impossible to intercept with current defence systems. It supports the doctrine of “credible minimum deterrence” by ensuring that India’s strategic forces can penetrate even the most advanced air defence systems.
The programme remains classified. Information has emerged through defence analysis reports and expert commentary, but official details are scarce.
Project Kali: The Particle Beam Weapon Research
Development of a directed-energy weapon using particle accelerator technology. In 1985, Dr P.H. Ron and Dr R. Chidambaram (then Director of BARC) started an ambitious project to develop a particle accelerator that could have directed-energy weapon applications. This was the birth of KALI – the Kilo Ampere Linear Injector.
KALI is a linear electron accelerator that emits powerful pulses of electrons. These pulses can be converted into electromagnetic radiation, adjustable to X-ray or microwave frequencies. This means KALI could one day be used as a high-power microwave gun.
It can be used to destroy incoming missiles and aircraft by frying their electronic circuitry. DRDO uses it for ultrahigh-speed photography and testing, and for protecting aircraft, missiles, and satellites from electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks. The electron beam power has increased from ~0.4 GW to much higher levels in later versions.
The programme has evolved through several versions:
- KALI 80
- KALI 200
- KALI 1000
- KALI 5000 (commissioned in late 2004)
DRDO Ocean Surveillance Ship (VC-11184)
A program to develop a dedicated ocean surveillance and intelligence-gathering vessel. In the world of naval warfare, knowing where the enemy’s submarines and ships are is half the battle. To maintain a watch on the Indian Ocean, a region of growing strategic importance for India, the need for dedicated surveillance capabilities was realised.
VC-11184 is a DRDO-developed ocean surveillance ship. It was commissioned into the Navy as INS Dhruv. While details are scarce (as is typical for intelligence vessels), these ships are equipped with advanced sensors and monitoring equipment to track submarine movements, missile tests, and electronic signals and are an integral part of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence.
Ocean surveillance ships like VC-11184 are essentially floating intelligence platforms. They can loiter in international waters for extended periods, using their sophisticated electronic suites to gather information on potential adversaries’ naval activities. As China expands its naval presence in the Indian Ocean and Pakistan’s submarine fleet grows, maintaining maritime domain awareness is crucial to India’s security.
These projects reflect India’s determination to build the capabilities it needs, even when the world refused to share them. The objectives of such projects are clear: strategic autonomy, credible deterrence, and the ability to protect our interests on our own terms.
