At present, the eligibility criteria for prospective Agniveers are specified educational qualifications that allow them to take an online common entrance examination.
indianexpress.com
From framing a basic psychological assessment test for selection of Agniveers to the Armed Forces and developing directed energy weapon systems for killing rogue aerial objects to giving statutory status to certification bodies under it, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) hopes to complete a set of critical projects this year,
The Indian Express has learnt.
Officials said the basic assessment test being developed will aid the psychological evaluation of Agniveers selected by the Army, Navy and the Indian Air Force.
It is expected to be adopted by the Armed Forces this year itself as soon as the DRDO is ready with it.
At present, the eligibility criteria for prospective Agniveers are specified educational qualifications that allow them to take an online common entrance examination. Those who qualify subsequently undergo physical fitness and measurement tests, followed by medical tests before a final merit list is drawn.
No psychological assessment tests were conducted during recruitment, either for Agniveers or regular soldiers recruited prior to the launch of the Agnipath scheme. However, officers undergo a written examination and an interview by the Services Selection Board, where their psychological parameters are assessed.
The Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) under the DRDO carries out research in psychology for armed forces personnel. Last year, a DIPR-developed psychometric test was tested on a trial basis for Agniveer aspirants at a recruitment rally.
Defence forces personnel serve in difficult terrains for extended periods of time in isolation and work conditions that are highly stressful. A psychological assessment test helps assess the mental fitness and resilience of personnel to be able serve in such conditions.
Since the start of the Agnipath scheme in 2022, an Agniveer in the Army died of a self-inflicted injury. In the Navy, a woman Agniveer died by suicide last year and in July this year, an Agniveer with the IAF died by suicide while on sentry duty.
Aside from the test, granting the Final Operational Clearance of AEW&C- K I for the IAF is also among DRDO’s priority list this year, officials said.
Named Netra, the platforms are used to detect and track enemy aircraft or UAVs, while enabling operators onboard and on ground to identify, assess the threat and guide interceptors to take them out.
Currently, two AEW&C systems are being used by IAF for various operations after they were granted the Initial Operation Clearance (IOC).
The DRDO is also prioritising development of a 30 kW Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system to target and kill aerial objects. This is a niche technology being tested and employed by a handful of advanced militaries.
In the backdrop of small and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) emerging as a significant security threat, the system uses concentrated electromagnetic energy to combat enemy assets.
Last year, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari had said India’s defence industries need to push the development of such advanced weapons and integrate them into its airborne platforms to get the desired range and accuracy. He had said that DEWs, particularly lasers, provide significant advantages over traditional weapons such as precision engagement, low cost per shot, logistical benefits, and low detectability.
The Army has also identified 16 tech clusters comprising subject specialists, each on certain emerging technologies which are at a conceptual stage. One of them is DEW and counter-unmanned aerial systems. In July, IAF Vice Chief, Air Marshal AP Singh, had said that impetus is also being given in the fields of directed energy weapons, close-in weapon systems and modernising India’s aerial platforms and surface-to-air guided weapon systems.
Officials said the DRDO also plans to prioritise development of other key systems this year such as standalone 1-km range Anti-drone High Power Microwave System to take out enemy drones and the maiden launch of the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile for the IAF. There are plans to develop the system for all aerial, naval and land platforms.
