5 minute read 4 May 2022
Aerospace

Growing relevance of India’s night vision and electro-optics

EY India
By EY India

Multidisciplinary professional services organization

5 minute read 4 May 2022
Related topics Aerospace and Defense Technology Emerging technology
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Rising need for national security and surveillance has led to increased demand for NVDs.

In brief

  • Night Vision Devices (NVDs), are used to intensify human sight under very low light conditions and are apparently simple system constructed from three main blocks: optical objective, picture intensifier tube and ocular eyepiece.
  • The NVDs perfected for wartime use amplify images picked up in minimal light, such as starlight, into visible images.

Reduced visibility affects the soldier's ability to observe troop movements, understand terrain, hampers command and control, movement, firing, maintenance of direction, reconnaissance, security, and mutual support. Therefore, armed forces across the world are equipped with state-of-the-art NVDs.

The growing need for national security and surveillance during both day and night, adverse weather, and limited visibility conditions has led to an increased demand for NVDs. NVD is an optoelectronic device that allows the production of images in lighting conditions that are approaching total darkness. NVDs are used to intensify human sight under very low light conditions and are simple systems constructed from three major blocks: optical objective, picture intensifier tube, and ocular eyepiece.

The global military electro-optical and infrared systems market is projected to register a CAGR of 2.51%, reaching US$9,314.13 million by 2026. By platform, the air-based segment held the largest market share (54.26%) in 2020. The sea-based segment is expected to show the highest CAGR (2.67%) during the forecast period.

NVDs are frequently used by the armed forces and land law enforcement agencies. They are also available for civilian usage. The number of military equipment and vehicles with vision systems has increased significantly over the past few years. Many countries are focusing on retrofitting the existing equipment and vehicles with advanced EO/IR systems due to their limited defense budget for the procurement of new platforms.

The Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 2018 of India highlights special optical payloads for the army, long-range electro-optical sensors for the navy, and helmet-mounted night vision devices for the air force. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), DPSUs such as Ordnance Factory Dehradun and Bharat Electronics (BEL) are some of the public sector entities involved in the development of NVDs in India. The private industry in India is also involved in the design and development of NVDs. Recently, in December 2021, the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) cleared the purchase of 29, 760 image intensifiers worth INR 1,410 crore to go with the Sig Sauers.

With rapid developments in the segment, the competition in this market is high. New entrants are also venturing into this segment owing to its profitability with latest technologies. Transfer of technology between players is enabling mutual growth. Simultaneously, various design challenges, technological constraints, supply chain risks, the evolving global crisis, and unprecedented factors, like the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, could affect the market negatively in the near future.

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Summary

With the focus on national security, most countries have provisions of several man portable, manned, and unmanned platforms in their defense budgets. Many of these require NVDs/EO/IR sensors for patrolling, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue operations. Therefore, growing military budgets of countries across the globe, R&D in advanced infrared imaging technologies, to develop sensors that can provide high-resolution images, need for better sensors to enhance situational awareness of the military personnel on the battlespace are some of the major driving factors of this market.

About this article

EY India
By EY India

Multidisciplinary professional services organization

Related topics Aerospace and Defense Technology Emerging technology
Upvote