IKB-DEF-APR 06, 15 - Indicia Research & Advisory
Transcription
IKB-DEF-APR 06, 15 - Indicia Research & Advisory
Indicia Knowledge Brief A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security April 06, 2015. Primary aims of Indicia Daily Brief are two-fold. First, it distills infinite information into a capsule form, thus saving precious time of its clients. Second, it tries to link micro-events to larger strategic canvas through its analyses, thus providing support knowledge for better understanding and decision-making. Indicia Analysis of the Day As part of the review programme Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will be present in Mumbai for the official ‘floating out' of the first Project-75 (Scorpene) submarine on pontoon. His briefing by the naval officers of Western Naval Command (WNC) on the status of various ongoing projects at MDL is considered crucial. After over six-month delay, two new advanced military choppers have landed in India to be inducted into the elite air wing of the Border Security Force. The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 choppers will boost the flying capability of central paramilitary forces that are deployed for a variety of internal security tasks in some of the most arduous and inhospitable conditions at numerous locations. The Intelligence Bureau’s alert to Delhi Police about a possible terror attack in the national capital should be taken seriously as reports suggest that militant outfits are planning to carry out a Samba-like 'Fidayeen' attack in the city. I. National Defence and Security: Parrikar to attend official floating out of 1st Scorpene submarine: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will be present in Mumbai tomorrow (April 6) for the official ‘floating out' of the first Project-75 (Scorpene) submarine on pontoon. Naval sources told OneIndia that the event will be held at Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) during Parrikar's visit to its facilities. "This is part of Raksha Mantri's review programme. He will be briefed by the naval officers of Western Naval Command (WNC) on the status of various ongoing projects at MDL," a defence official said. Admiral R K Dhowan, Chief of Naval Staff, will be leading a high-level naval delegation on the occasion. Vice Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema had recently taken over the reins of WNC as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C). In addition to reviewing the progress of the Project 75, Parrikar is also expected to get an update on the progress of P-15 B class stealth destroyers being built at MDL. As reported in these columns earlier, six Scorpene-class submarines are currently being built at BDL in collaboration with DCNS, a French company. As per the modified schedules, the first homegrown Scorpene submarine is scheduled to join the Indian naval ranks next year. This after a delay of over was four years. Interestingly, the then defence minister Arun Jaitley had reviewed Project 75 in August 2014, three months after he took charge. During his visit, Jaitley had inaugurated the Mazdock Modernisation Project (MMP), which was aimed at propelling the ship-building capabilities. Source: http://www.oneindia.com/india/manohar-parrikar-to-attend-official-floating-out-of-scorpenesubmarine-on-april6-1706382.html * DRDO exploring possibility of increasing range of Pinaka MBRL: The Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster wing of DRDO, Pune is exploring the possibility of increasing the range of Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launch System ( MBRL) from 40 km to 60 km, a top official said. "The trials are in the process at the cluster, which will be followed by field based trials," Anil M Datar, the distinguished scientist and ACE Director General told reporters on the sidelines of a graduation day function at the Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College. On ongoing projects, Datar said that ACE is engaged in making weapons for the next six to 10 years, considering the technological advancements. He said ACE was working to get more accuracy to target in guided rockets, even as manual labour is reduced and automation increased. ACE was also in the process of developing a quick launcher portable bridge that can move along with the equipment, Datar said. Earlier addressing the graduates, Datar said there was a huge gap between defence technology in India and that found worldwide and called for steps to bridge it. Further research was essential for improving existing systems and developing new ones, he said.... Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/drdo-exploring-possibility-ofincreasing-range-of-pinaka-mbrl/articleshow/46808952.cms * Arms and Men Make in India or Make for India? India is planning to push up domestic defence production by roping in the private sector, especially multinational corporations. Though this seems a laudable aim at fi rst sight, the wisdom of letting in private players inspired by profi ts and a reluctance to be regulated into the strategically signifi cant defence sector is suspect. The argument that the public sector has shown itself to be incapable of meeting the country’s defence needs rests on fl imsy ground. Above all, the government has so far shown that its dogmatism is its own worst enemy. The Narendra Modi-led government plans to manufacture—“Make in India”— military hardware in India in “partnership” with the private sector. At February’s Aero-India 2015 in Bengaluru, the Prime Minister pointed out that 2,00,000 people were employed in the public defence sector. He asserted that 1,00,000– 1,20,000 skilled jobs could be created by reducing imports by 25% to 40% and also that no less than 2,00,000 workers would be required in the aerospace industry (Singh 2015). Modi invited defence multinational corporations (MNC) to join hands with India’s private and public sector to manufacture in the country. On the face of it, manufacturing in India, which imports 60% of its military items, is a laudable notion. The annual output of India’s domestic defence production is estimated to be Rs 4.4 lakh crore or $7 billion. Which is to say that Rs 7 lakh crore worth of equipment is imported. But why is there a hurry to invite the private sector and MNCs into the defence sector? The secretary in the department of industrial policy and promotion is quoted as claiming that given equal opportunities, the private sector has the “potential to streak ahead in the Make in India race” (Singh 2015). Meanwhile, the Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) reminded us that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), HAL, and other public sector undertakings (PSU) “are the engine powering it (defence production), while private sector players are like bogies,” using a train as an analogy. The question is whether the private sector ought to be involved in this at all. And if so, how? First of all, what needs to be understood is that India has limited resources. This was brought out sharply when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently shifted Rs 13,000 crore allocated under the capital account to the revenue side to meet dayto-day expenses (Tribune 2015). The news report says that Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley spoke of Rs 6,000–Rs 8,000 crore being required for the One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme which has been approved, whereas the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) had said that it will be Rs 14,200 crore. The point is that when resources are limited, and humanpower augmentation and pension liabilities are nevertheless growing, there is little room for reckless growth in the name of Make in India. A common argument of proponents of the private sector is that it is the public sector that has been splurging and shown itself to be incapable of meeting the country’s defence needs. But wrongful use of scarce resources by the public sector should not hide the fact that there are PSUs that have been doing well (such as in the space and shipbuilding sectors). However, a bloated officer cadre and depleting workforce cannot be a good way to improve defence PSUs. Sweeping generalisations about PSUs hide more than they reveal. Defence is a sector where there is one buyer and several suppliers. While private suppliers will be keen to corner more and more funds, the goals of PSUs are qualitatively different in that it is indigenous development, not profit, that guides them.... Source: http://idrw.org/arms-and-men-make-in-india-or-make-for-india/ * Two new advanced military choppers for BSF air wing: After over six-month delay, two new advanced military choppers have landed in India to be inducted into the elite air wing of the Border Security Force, which is tasked to carry air support missions for troops along the borders and in the hinterland for anti-Naxal operations. The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 choppers will boost the flying capability of central paramilitary forces that are deployed for a variety of internal security tasks in some of the most arduous and inhospitable conditions at numerous locations. "Two new Mi-17 V5's are in India now. The choppers are flying for trials in various parts of the country and will be soon inducted in the BSF air wing," a senior official said. The official said the choppers have been initially based at the BSF hangar at Safdarjung airport and are expected to be formally inducted into the fleet by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on April 9. The new pair, sources said, are expected to be tasked for anti-Naxal operations and with their new bases in Chhattisgarh (Jagdalpur) and Odisha (Koraput). What makes the induction of these new choppers important, the sources said, is that these flying machines are armed with the latest avionics and night flying capabilities which has been a long-time requirement for security forces undertaking operations in Naxal violence affected zones. "The existing IAF and Dhruv fleet of BSF were not very much equipped to undertake casualty evacuation or troop insertion exercises during evening hours. These new choppers can now undertake night landings at designated bases," they said, adding they will be used to transport men and logistics. These improved versions of the Mi-17 helicopters were initially supposed to be handed over to BSF by Russians in September last year but due to some glitches the delivery could not take place. A team from Russia had come to meet senior Home Ministry officials in November last and after this, the delivery time was fixed in March 2015, they said. Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/two-new-advanced-military-choppers-for-bsf-airwing_1573562.html * 5 shipyards earmarked for Rs 53,000 crore sub project: Five Indian shipyards have been shortlisted by a high-level committee of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for bidding to build a new line of six conventional submarines under the long-pending Project 75 (India), which will cost an estimated Rs 53,000 crore. This is expected to set off the most intense contest in the global arms bazaar after the IAF's MMRCA fighter jet competition. The shortlisted shipyards include the public sector Mazagon Dock, Hindustan Shipyards, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). Private sector shipyards figuring on this list are L&T and Pipavav. This is for the first time that the MoD will consider private sector shipyards for a major Indian Navy shipbuilding project in a head-to-head competition with the public sector. The new line of submarines, along with the Scorpenes — six of which are currently under construction at Mumbai's Mazagon Dock — will comprise the future non-nuclear submarine fleet of the Indian Navy. The MoD committee under the supervision of Secretary, Defence Production, G. Mohan Kumar conducted a survey of public and private sector shipyards for arriving at the shortlist. These shipyards will be invited to submit bids in partnership with a foreign shipyard to meet the Navy's specifications. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is likely to be issued soon to these companies. This will finally kick-off the long-delayed proposal initiated in 2007 for a second line of diesel-electrical submarines to stem the rapidly depleting submarine force levels. The likely foreign collaborators are French DCNS, German HDW (TKMS), Russian Rubin Design Bureau (Amur Shipyard), Spanish Navantia, Swedish Kockums. The surprise packet could be the Japanese consortium of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), which is likely to offer the Soryu class submarines, touted as the world's most advanced non-nuclear attack submarines. "We are very much interested in Japan's technologies," Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told Japanese media ahead of his visit to Tokyo last week. "We are looking at all kinds of defence cooperation with Japan in all fields," he said, when asked if India would consider the Soryu submarine. If this intent materialises, this will be the first time Japan will bid to supply military equipment to India. It'll be a transformative move laden with considerable geo-political significance.... Source: http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/5-shipyards-earmarked-for-rs-53000-crore-sub-project * Star Wars: India set to test missile defence shield: On April 05 or April 06, in Chandipur, Odisha, the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) will test-fire an interceptor missile, whose task is to hit an incoming ballistic missile target, in this case a Prithvi missile fired a few minutes earlier. The test is akin to striking a bullet with a bullet. This will be DRDO's latest test towards developing an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) shield, to protect Indian targets against nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles fired from Pakistan or China. In 2011, former DRDO chief Avinash Chander had told Business Standard that an ABM shield would protect the national capital within three years ('Delhi could have anti-missile shield by 2014', August 29, 2011). However, the shield's components are still being refined, and the government is not likely to sanction operational deployment of what will be a highly controversial measure until after the shield is fully tested. An ABM shield is controversial because it destabilises nuclear deterrence, encouraging a country to believe it can launch a nuclear strike while successfully defending itself against retaliation. At the height of the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union signed an Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty severely restricting defensive measures on both sides, to preclude this. Pakistan believes its arsenal of about 100-120 nuclear warheads, and the missiles, aircraft and other means to deliver them, are sufficient to deter India's military. Were India to protect cities such as Delhi and Mumbai with ABM shields, the Pakistan Army would almost certainly build more nukes and plan to fire a larger number at defended cities, to saturate and overwhelm their ABM defences. An ABM shield has three functional components: First, a radar network that detects enemy ballistic missiles soon after they are launched, and then tracks them along their flight path. The range of a ground-based radar is limited by the earth's curvature, while a satellite-based radar picks up a missile as soon as it is fired. The second component is a command and control system that plots and predicts the enemy missile's flight path, and assigns interceptor missiles to destroy the intruding missile. Third, the ABM shield has interceptor missiles that a "guidance radar" guides onto the incoming enemy missile, destroying it before its nuclear warhead can do any damage.... Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/star-wars-india-set-to-test-missiledefence-shield-115040400719_1.html * Defence PSUs Spoil PM’s ‘Make in India’ Dream: The Ministry of Defence, according to official estimates, is expected to spend around $130 billion on defence modernisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative in the next seven to eight years. But despite being given a major push towards self-reliance, indigenization in the defence sector is far from reality. The defence ministry’s annual review on the progress of selfreliance (accessed by The Sunday Standard) shows that the indigenous share in military hardware has been static for the past four years, and rather poised for a speedy nose-dive. The objectives of the Defence Production Policy (2011) were to achieve substantive self-reliance in design, development and production of weapon systems, to create conditions conducive for private industry to take an active role in this endeavour, to enhance potential of small and medium enterprises in indigenization, and to broaden defence research and development. An increase in home-made content for production of defence equipment by the Defence Public Sector Units (PSUs) and Ordnance Factory Boards (OFBs) was another goal. But even three years later, a review of this policy at the review committee meeting, held a few months ago, has exposed the dismal performance of defence PSUs. The meeting was attended by top officials of the defence ministry, including the defence minister, defence secretary, DRDO chief and other key officials responsible for acquisitions for the three forces. “As far as total defence capital procurement for armed forces is concerned, the indigenous content is almost static at about 40 per cent. And this may further go down,” the review committee observed. While referring to the performance of defence PSUs, the committee observed that majority of them were under-performing. “Though there is slight improvement in the indigenous content, but in most of the DPSUs, it is static in the last 3-4 years. In fact, in case of BEL, HAL, MDL, it is going down. This is a serious concern, which needs to be addressed,” it said. The committee also pointed out that stand-alone initiatives for research and development and technology development undertaken by the Defence PSUs are “not sufficient to reach the desired level of indigenization”. With regard to total defence capital procurement and import content provided by the Controller General of Defence Accounts, an analysis by the committee says that the total indigenous content in defence capital procurement was only 40 per cent. The detailed analysis states that total import content, including direct and import content in procurement from Indian vendors, was 60.42 per cent from 59 per cent in 2012. Even the indigenous content in military hardware provided by our defence PSUs and OFBs was also nearly 60 per cent..... Source: http://idrw.org/defence-psus-spoil-pms-make-in-india-dream/ * FDI UP TO 74% CAN MAKE INDIAN DEFENCE SELF-RELIABLE: STUDY: The Government of India (GoI), needs to raise cap on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in order to achieve self-reliance in the defence sector. This was stated by the study titled ‘Self-reliance in defence production: The unfinished agenda,’ jointly done by the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a global advisory firm. The ASSOCHAM-PwC joint study says that the recent increase of FDI cap in defence to 49% may not succeed fully in drawing investments and advanced technology into the sector. In this regard, the study suggests ‘allowing 100% FDI in defence sector, if not, at least 74%, in order to facilitate the ways for capital inflows and setting up of entities of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and their suppliers with technology transfer’. The defence sector holds immense possibilities in attracting investments, setting up manufacturing facilities, obtaining technologies and generating high-skilled employment, the study added. The study further called upon the government policies to create synergies rather than contradictions, in order to leverage India’s combined potential in having liberalized offset policy, low-cost manufacturing and skilled man-power, as a part of its defence acquisition programme. The increase in FDI limit will also help in facilitating the better fulfillment of offset obligations, which arise in case a country demands offset agreements in order to gain economic benefits. Providing the multiplier (say of five) for FDI in the offset policy will help the OEMs to bring investments into the country, the study added. Releasing the study findings, S D Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, said the defence production needs long-term and large investment, cutting-edge technology with low economies of scale. For this purpose, he suggested the Indian government to support building a private industry base with pro-active policies in funding & research, creating a low-interest regime to bring down capital costs, encouraging exports, among others.... Source: http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2015/04/fdi-up-to-74-can-make-indian-defence.html * Two new advanced military choppers for BSF air wing: After over six-month delay, two new advanced military choppers have landed in India to be inducted into the elite air wing of the Border Security Force, which is tasked to carry air support missions for troops along the borders and in the hinterland for anti-Naxal operations. The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 choppers will boost the flying capability of central paramilitary forces that are deployed for a variety of internal security tasks in some of the most arduous and inhospitable conditions at numerous locations. "Two new Mi-17 V5's are in India now. The choppers are flying for trials in various parts of the country and will be soon inducted in the BSF air wing," a senior official said. The official said the choppers have been initially based at the BSF hangar at Safdarjung airport and are expected to be formally inducted into the fleet by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on April 9. The new pair, sources said, are expected to be tasked for anti-Naxal operations and with their new bases in Chhattisgarh (Jagdalpur) and Odisha (Koraput). What makes the induction of these new choppers important, the sources said, is that these flying machines are armed with the latest avionics and night flying capabilities which has been a long-time requirement for security forces undertaking operations in Naxal violence affected zones. "The existing IAF and Dhruv fleet of BSF were not very much equipped to undertake casualty evacuation or troop insertion exercises during evening hours. These new choppers can now undertake night landings at designated bases," they said, adding they will be used to transport men and logistics. These improved versions of the Mi-17 helicopters were initially supposed to be handed over to BSF by Russians in September last year but due to some glitches the delivery could not take place. A team from Russia had come to meet senior Home Ministry officials in November last and after this, the delivery time was fixed in March 2015, they said. Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/two-new-advanced-military-choppers-for-bsf-airwing_1573562.html * Why India should not Shy away from developing 10000km ICBM: India is capable of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) which can hit targets beyond the range of 10,000 km, Chairman of Armament Research Board, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr SK Salwan said is India’s worst kept secret. I still remember reading in newspapers how American Defense analytic were paranoid about rising Space capabilities of India and had said in a report that India will use a modified Pslv rocket to create India’s first ICBM and will gain capability to hit targets in North America thus Mythical ” Surya” missile with range of 10000 km ICBM was born in the same report. While India never went for such Juggad but it also never allowed its Space Departments to work on Long-range missiles which allowed DRDO to work on missiles one step at a time, gradually increasing missile range with each successful project . While we have reached a situation where questions will be asked if India wants to further increase it missile range. Agni-V has proved that India now has capability to develop true ICBM. Agni-V has minimum target hitting capacity of more than 5000km and with light payload can hit target till 8000km. Question will now rise does India has the political will to develop missile which can hit targets up to 12000km which will bring the whole of North America in its range. Why should India develop such ICBM might be related to an Event which happened in 1971 war with Pakistan . while 1971 war was finest hour, in military terms. The clinical professionalism of the Indian army, navy and air force was displayed. It was also the same war where Super Power United States of America supported Pakistan and had kept three battalions of Marines on standby to deter India, and American aircraft carrier USS Enterprise had orders to target Indian Army facilities. Many could say that US President Richard Nixon was Pro-Pak which lead to such situation in 1971 war but can we assume that they will not be any Pro-Pak US President in future who might have different views on Kashmir then What India could like Us President to have? . Its better to be prepared then be Sorry . Source: http://idrw.org/why-india-should-not-shy-away-from-developing-10000km-icbm/ * VL Astra based Air Defence System will be offered: Source: Upbeat on the Continuous success of beyond visual range air-to-air Astra missile from fighter aircraft Sukhoi. Sources close to idrw.org have informed that a possible spin of the programme will be to develop Vertical Launch variant of Astra missiles as a short range, ground-based air defence system. DRDO will officially offer such system to Armed forces which can be used as low-level quick-reaction air defence system based on Astra missiles which will be similar to Rafael supplied Spyder LLQRM systems to Indian air force (IAF). Sources confirmed that Astra missiles fired from Ground-based launchers in the previous phase of testing had successfully hit Electronic target and it had also validated flight characters of the missile system which clears path to develop a groundbased air defence system. Ground-based Astra air defence system will provide 360° coverage (vertical launch) and will be Fire-and-Forget system with Interception range up to 20 km. It is still not clear how many missiles can be carried on one launcher, but Missile system can be used to provide defence against a wide range of targets, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and UAVs said source Source: http://idrw.org/vl-astra-based-air-defence-system-will-be-offered-source/ II Homeland Security * J&K Samba-like 'Fidayeen attack' possible in national capital: IB alerts Delhi Police: The Intelligence Bureau has issued an alert to Delhi Police about a possible terror attack in the national capital, reports claimed on April 05. According to reports, the IB has told Delhi Police that the militant outfits are planning to carry out a Samba-like 'Fidayeen' attack in the city. It has also asked the Delhi Police to beef up the security at all the border and sensitive areas. In March, two terrorists opened fire at an Army camp on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway in Samba district and were killed in the counter attack. The militants had opened fired and lobbed grenades at an Army camp in Meshwara area of Samba around 5:50 am, security officials had claimed. The Army said both the guerrillas involved in the attack were killed. The brigade commander of the area, Brigadier BS Rana, told mediapersons that two terrorists wearing paramilitary fatigues lobbed grenades and fired from automatic weapons at the camp of the 82 Field Armoured Regiment in Samba district. Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/jk-samba-like-fidayeen-attack-possible-in-national-capitalib-alerts-delhi-police_1573640.html * Attack India And Live Life King size in The Valley: If two boxes, India and Pakistan, are placed in front of me, I will vote for Pakistan,” Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat, a separatist leader, had told the media in 2008, while calling himself a die-hard supporter of Pakistan. He is not alone. ProPakistan separatists like Hashim Qureshi also openly support such an ideology. But, ironically people like Qureshi and Bhat, who have defied the government order and public sentiments to dine with Pakistani’s duplicitous diplomats, do not shy away from living life king-size on the taxpayers’ money. These ‘political activists’, in fact, are receiving a range of privileges from the state government— security cover, guards at home, vehicles, fuel and even secured hotel accommodation, for absolutely free. The government spent Rs 69 crore on salaries for guards to protect the anti-India political activists last year; Rs 40 crore towards paying PSOs; Rs 3.60 crore for hotel accommodation while another Rs 5.18 crore went for fuel to facilitate their travel. These shocking state payments are also extended to many ‘uncategorised’ political activists, whose names are kept in the domain of speculation by the government, citing the issue of sensitive threat perception. In 2013-14 too, the state government spent Rs 107 crore, including approximately Rs 4 crore as hotel bills and Rs 5 crore on petrol and diesel for the pro-separatist activists in the Kashmir Valley. Rajesh Gupta, a BJP MLA earlier this week, had sought details of the number of political activists as well as the money spent on them by the Omar Abdullah government in the last five years. The MLA from Jammu East constituency told The Sunday Standard that he was surprised to see the details, as huge amounts of money are being spent on them.... Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/Attack-India-And-Live-Life-King-size-inThe-Valley/2015/04/05/article2747720.ece Indicia solicits comments and advice from readers on any aspect of the report. 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