The successful trial of the locally produced SAMHO missile is significant, considering it directly impacts India's combat potential, especially in frontier regions, an Indian Army veteran has said.
"SAMHO's development is significant for India's combat potential as this missile has an operational range of 1.5-5 km and it is a potent weapon for Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA)," Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd) J.S. Sodhi told Sputnik India on Sunday.
He underlined that SAMHO will be deployed in Arjun and T-90 tanks of the Indian Army which will make both these tanks lethal and give them a great edge in armored warfare.
Critical Milestone in India's Bid to Accomplish Self-Reliance in Defense Sector
In its statement, DRDO, the South Asian sovereign state's premier defense research body, emphasized that the development of SAMHO was a "critical milestone" in India's march towards becoming a producer of world-class military hardware.
Moreover, the DRDO noted that SAMHO would soon enter the stage of mass production for the Indian Armed Forces.
"The development of SAMHO will give a Fillip to India's self-reliance in the defense sector as in case of a war, India will not have to depend on any foreign country for this critical defense weapon system," Sodhi pointed out.
He reckoned that this development further showcases the success of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make In India, as within a decade India is exporting arms to 85 countries in the world and is ranked 23rd globally in producing weapon systems.
How SAMHO's Deployment Would Give Edge to India's Ground Forces
The retired military officer maintained that tanks are a critical part of modern warfare as they have great maneuverability and firepower and the awe and shock action that they can cause, tilts the battles in which they are effectively used.
As no modern military battle can be fought without tanks, Sodhi predicted that India would incorporate the SAMHO missiles in its tank battalions used by its forces in the plains of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Besides, similar inductions would be made in the tanks based in the mountainous regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and its Northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh, where the Asian giant shares a long and disputed border with China.