Johnson Cherian.
The Army on Thursday received an indigenous weapon locating radar (WLR), named Swati, from the DRDO. The organisation also handed over a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) recce vehicle and NBC treatment drugs to the Army.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the export potential (of the WLR) would be explored only after the Army’s requirement is fulfilled.
“You know Swati has done its job well when the LoC is devoid of any heavy artillery,” he observed.
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat called the system a success. “It is being used extensively along the LoC by us,” he stated.
Swati has a range of 50 km, which brings all artillery guns presently in service worldwide under coverage. Four systems are currently in operation and another 30 are on order for the Army.
Talking about the capability of the system, a senior Defence official said it was pressed into service along the LoC last year. The WLR played a major role in suppressing their [Pakistani] fire, he added.
