IKB-DEF-APR 18, 15 - Indicia Research & Advisory

Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
April 18, 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
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter’s likely to visit India next month is
expected to result in the nearly $ 2.5 billion deal for 22 Apache and 15
Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. A much awaited deal.
That Indian defence industry is likely to see $ 250 billion worth of
business over the next decade, rightly seems to be Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar’s mantra even as he invited South Korean firms to
make full use of 'Make-in-India' initiative.
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus’ announcement that said it is willing to setup final assembly lines and establish supply chain and related
infrastructure for military transport aircraft and helicopters in India,
apart from plans to develop and manufacture electronic sensors with a
partner in India, is a big investment and manufacturing boost for the
aviation sector.
I. National Defence and Security:
US Defence Secy likely to visit India next month to sign $2.5 bn copter deal:
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter is likely to visit India next month when the
two sides are expected to ink the nearly $ 2.5 billion deal for 22 Apache and 15
Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Though the final dates for Carter’s visit have not
been announced, defence sources said the visit will take place in May during
which the two sides will discuss ways to enhance defence ties, especially in
context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. The Apache
and Chinook helicopters deal is likely to be among the pacts that will be inked
during the visit, the sources said. The deal would be presented before the
Cabinet Committee on Security for approval soon, they added.
Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/us-defence-secy-likely-to-visit-india-next-month-tosign-2-5-bn-copter-deal/68947.html
*
Manohar Parrikar woos South Korean defence firms:
Indian defence industry is likely to see $ 250 billion worth of business over the
next decade, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said as he invited South Korean
firms to make full use of 'Make-in-India' initiative. Parrikar, who addressed an
India-Korea Defence Industry Forum in Seoul, outlined the policy changes being
brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to facilitate investment
in defence sector. He said the time had come for South Korean defence firms to
take advantage of the high brand value enjoyed by Korean-made products in
India and to enter the defence market as partners for the long-term. In the
presentations, it was also noted that the ongoing internal process of further
streamlining India's defence procurement policies would be completed in less
than three months, an official statement said indicating that the new
procurement policy will be delayed further.....
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/manohar-parrikar-woos-south-koreandefence-firms/articleshow/46960427.cms
*
Smaller but better: Here's why PM Modi should fast track
production of next-gen BrahMos missiles:
India needs to encourage and fast track the agreement to develop the ambitious
"BrahMos-Next Generation" (BrahMos-NG) missile project which has been
conceptualized by the Indo-Russian joint venture as being smaller in both weight
and dimension. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have an opportunity to do
this when he visits Russia to participate in the BRICS summit. The BrahMos-NG,
has been envisioned as a more versatile, highly precise, lethal, flexible, multiplatform, multi-target, lighter missile system. With the same specification of
range (290 km) and a speed of around 3 Mach, the smaller missile will fit in
submarine torpedo tubes and a large number of aerial platforms, including the
MIG-29, Rafael, FGFA and SU-30MKI in larger numbers. The smaller version will
have huge Indian market appeal, as well as export potential.
Its key features will be as follows:
*Reduced dimension and weight for widespread usage (1.6 tons as compared to
3 tons of weight and 6 meters length as compared to 9 meters of present
BrahMos).
*Advanced next generation stealth.
*Greater effectiveness against ECCM (Electronic counter-countermeasures).
*Launch readiness from Torpedo tube and vertical orientation.
BrahMos has proven itself as a role model for the Joint Venture Partnership and
a perfect example of “Make in India" with high emphasis on utilising Indian
industries. As many as 205 Large and small public-private industries are
involved in the production of its various sub-systems. Issues which are generally
faced by armed forces like user training, maintenance, spares and service will be
taken care of, in-house. One such potential platform to which the new version of
BrahMos could offer enormous firepower and flexibility in terms of strike
capability is the Indian Navy’s future P-75(I) class of attack submarines. The
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, considered one of the most potent and best
weapon systems in the arsenal of Indian armed forces, has charted a highly
successful trajectory since its inception in 1998.
Source: http://www.firstpost.com/world/smaller-better-heres-pm-modi-fast-track-production-next-genbrahmos-missiles-2200292.html
*
Must know facts about INS Visakhapatnam, India’s latest
Stealth Destroyer:
Indian Navy’s new destroyer, Visakhapatnam, with enhanced capability to
operate in nuclear, biological and chemical atmosphere, will be launched in
Mumbai on April 19. The ship is the first of the four follow follow-up order of the
Kolkata class warships and will give a major flip to India’s maritime capabilities
when it is inducted in 2018.
Ahead of its launch, here are a few facts about the stealth destroyer.
1) The ship, named Visakhapatnam (Project 15 B), a stealth destroyer, is 65 per
cent indigenous and has a number of weapon systems which have been made at
home.
2) At 7,300 tonnes, Visakhapatnam will be the largest destroyer commissioned
by the Indian Navy and will be equipped with the Israeli Multi Function
Surveillance Threat Alert Radar.
3) The ship will be carrying 8 BrahMos missiles.
4) Navy officials said the Visakhapatnam is likely to be inducted in the Indian
Navy by 2018.
5) The Visakhapatnam will be armed with a 127 mm main gun while the INS
Kolkata has a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.
6) She is equipped with a Ship Data Network, an Automatic Power Management
System and a Combat Management System....
Source: https://www.ibcworldnews.com/2015/04/18/must-know-facts-about-ins-visakhapatnam-indiaslatest-stealth-destroyer/
*
Airbus to set up final assembly lines for military aircraft,
helicopters in India:
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS of Toulouse said it is willing to set-up final
assembly lines and establish supply chain and related infrastructure for military
transport aircraft and helicopters in India. The defence and space unit of Airbus
has also plans to develop and manufacture electronic sensors with a partner in
India, and has advanced discussions to support state-run Hindustan Aeronautics
Ltd’s combat aircraft programmes. In a statement, Airbus said one of its units,
Airbus Helicopters is in discussion with Indian companies to finalise teaming
arrangements for various helicopter programmes, including the Naval Utility
Helicopter, the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter as well as the Naval
Multi-Role Helicopter competitions. This was announced during Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Airbus production facilities in Toulouse on
April 18. “India already takes a centre-stage role in our international activities
and we want to even increase its contribution to our products. We support Prime
Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ call and are ready to manufacture in India, for
India and the world,” said Airbus Group chief executive officer Tom Enders. It
was in April 1975, state-run Indian Airlines (now Air India Ltd) ordered three
A300B2s, the first contract secured by Airbus in a country previously dominated
by American aircraft manufacturers. Airbus had set up an Indian fully-owned
subsidiary, Airbus India Operations, in December 2013....
Source:
http://www.livemint.com/Companies/XINRYPRNXZeLXMrLZ3M3DI/Airbus-to-set-up-finalassembly-lines-for-military-aircraft.html
*
Shinmaywa US-2 can be force multiplier in rescue operations
for Indian navy:
Last month Dornier Do-228 belonging to Indian Navy Aviation Squadron 310,
took off from INS Hansa in Goa for a night operation but crashed 25 nautical
miles off the coast of Goa, Navy pressed 12 search and rescue ships and four
aircraft, but it was almost a day later that wreckage of the ill-fated Dornier could
be located along with bodies of co-pilot and observer officer. ” As we continue to
grow ( Naval Aviation ) and fly more over Sea we will require faster flow of
rescue operations at sea, every hour is critical ” Said Naval Source to idrw.org
from the very same base which lost Two of its finest in that crash . US-2 which is
Capable of taking off and landing on the ocean is exactly the amphibious aircraft
which Indian navy is keen to Induct. US-2 not only can travel faster then Fastest
Naval ships and Helicopters which are usually used in search and rescue it can
also go farther and can stay up longer to reach sites of maritime accidents, which
improves efficiency in transporting the wounded in emergencies. While
highlights of aircraft is not limited to keep a vigil in the Bay of Bengal and how
the aircraft will also play a crucial role in defense of forward naval bases in
Andaman and Nicobar islands, but aircraft’s operational utility is much more
then highlighted said same source. According to Japan Maritime Self-Defense
Force (JMSDF) who are lone operators of US-2 amphibious aircrafts they were
able to save over 960 lives of critically injured sailors and Passengers in
maritime accidents in Sea. For a Warship which is 1000km away from its Naval
base and is stranded due to mechanical failure or any crew member has suffered
serious injuries, aircraft like US-2 not only able to land in water but also reach
the spot in less than 2.5 hours compared to more than 24 hours for a Naval ships
to reach . While India and Japan are considering manufacturing of this aircraft
locally in India. Civilian variant too can be used for a much wider role in
Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Management. US-2 can also be used as
firefighting amphibians and can carry 15 tons of water, aircraft can refill in
nearest waterbody and it takes less than 20 second to fill up it tanks....
Source: http://idrw.org/shinmaywa-us-2-can-be-force-multiplier-in-rescue-operations-for-indian-navy/
*
Last Chance For India to Buy More IAF C-17s:
With Australian Air Force ordering two more C-17s, the number of white-tail
platforms (fully built but unsold) drops to five, giving the Indian government one
final opportunity to augment its 10-strong fleet of the heavy transport jet.
Boeing’s massive C-17 facility at Long Beach, California is expected to be
converted into an engineering centre with the end of aircraft manufacturing
operations there. While the Indian government has made no official commitment
to purchasing more C-17s, the U.S. government hopes that the recent Yemen
rescue operations could spur interest in using this final opportunity to get some
of the last airframes available in the world market. Budgetary issues and other
procurement priorities may nix any interest, though it is well known that the IAF
has been informally keen for a while now to top up its Skylords squadron. Boeing
recently said in a statement, “As Australia, India and customers around the world
have experienced first-hand, the C-17 remains unmatched in its ability to
transport troops and heavy cargo, support airdrops and aeromedical
evacuations, and land and takeoff in remote airfields. Recently, the Indian Air
Force’s C-17s have been extensively utilized for Human Assistance Disaster
Relief (HADR) operations by bringing home over almost 2000 Indians evacuated
from Yemen and clocking over 150 hours.”
Source: http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.aspx?id=7asUv1dfqPU=
*
HAL Powers On LUH Ahead Of First Flight:
HAL is powering on with the LUH ahead of a potential first flight in July or
August this year. HAL, which has responded to the Indian Army RFI for
reconnaissance & surveillance helicopters (RSH) has decided to play its hand
aggressively in the ‘Make in India’ environment sweeping the country’s defence
procurement. The LUH, displayed in complete form for the first time at Aero
India this year, is all set to lift off shortly. At HAL, are currently in the process of
identifying crucial on board systems and equipment to speed up the process. For
instance, HAL has called for information to supply an electrically operated
Rescue Hoist System for lowering or raising personnel from an airborne
helicopter using a rescue seat, rescue basket or a rescue stretcher. “The Rescue
Hoist System will be an off the shelf fully qualified equipment with necessary
minor adaptations incorporated to cater for installation interface of the
helicopter & to meet the technical requirements of this specification,” says HAL.
Source: http://idrw.org/hal-powers-on-luh-ahead-of-first-flight/
*
Army wants govt to swiftly clear attractive package for shortservice officers:
The Army top brass will once again ask the government next week to swiftly
clear the long-pending package to make short-service commission (SSC) more
attractive to ensure enough bright youngsters with "officer-like qualities (OLQs)
join the force. The week-long Army commanders' conference, with General
Dalbir Singh Suhag and chiefs of the six regional commands and one training
command, will kick off on April 20. While operational matters like the
government proposed move to downsize the new mountain strike corps will be
taken up, the 1.17-million force also wants to tackle the huge shortage in the
"fighting ranks" of its officer cadre, said sources. Though military salaries have
substantially gone up after the 6th Pay Commission, youngsters still find them
poor compared to the corporate sector, especially for a life which is tough and
risky. Poor promotional avenues in the Army's steeply-pyramidal structure as
well as frequent transfers that disrupt family life and children's education are
the other reasons that dissuade youngsters from queuing up. Lack of adequate
officer training capacity in the armed forces is, of course, another big factor. As
part of their force-restructuring to attract youngsters, stem the greying profile
and improve career prospects for permanent commission (PC) officers, the Army
also recommended that the package for SSC officers -- who serve a maximum of
14 years in uniform - be made much more attractive. Gen Suhag admits the
existing 4.7 (PC):1 (SSC) ratio of officers in his force is "skewed" since the SSC
officers do not get a good deal. Holding that there is a shortage of people
volunteering for SSC, he says the Army wants to move to "a desired ratio" of
1.1:1....
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-wants-govt-to-swiftly-clear-attractive-packagefor-short-service-officers/articleshow/46965108.cms
*
Apache Exercise With ‘Asian’ Setting Interests IAF:
The Indian Air Force has keenly kept track of a slew of exercises and operations
led by U.S. Apache squadrons in the U.S. and outside in the recent past as it
prepares for a conclusion to a contract for 22 AH-64E Apache Block III
helicopters. The most recent is U.S. exercise Gunfighter Flag 15-2 at Saylor Creek
Range, Idaho, starting April 15, a wargame focused on integrating air and ground
forces in a realistic training environment similar to Southwest Asia. The other is
Exercise Saber Junction 15 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness
Center in Hohenfels, Germany, that began on April 13, 2015, which prepares
NATO and partner nation forces for offensive, defensive and stability operations,
and promotes interoperability among participants, involves 4,700 participants
from 17 countries, to include: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Great
Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland,
Romania, Sweden, Turkey and the U.S. The IAF has also kept tabs on the recent
‘Dragoon Ride’ which involved Apache and other U.S. platforms escorting Stryker
armored vehicles from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment as they complete their 1,800
km journey from Estonia, Lithuania and Poland on April 1. Finally, the IAF
observed Exercise Iron Focus in March in which AH-64 Apaches provided
overwatch on El Jabar Village during an air assault raid at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Source: http://idrw.org/apache-exercise-with-asian-setting-interests-iaf/
*
Perform or perish is the new mantra in the Defence Ministry:
Cut your coat according to your cloth. That’s the loud and clear message Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar has sent out to the three armed forces. In less than six
months after taking over, Parrikar has studied various complex issues dogging
the Defence Ministry and has come to his own conclusions on what needs to be
done. By his own admission, Parrikar spent the first four months as defence
minister taking inputs from a range of experts both within and outside the MoD
before making up his mind. The first thing he said he realised, was the mismatch
that existed between various acquisition plans of the three armed forces and the
availability of funds. “Many grand plans were made without taking the budget
into consideration,” he told me. During a couple of on-camera and off-camera
(but on record) conversations, Parrikar talked to me about how the planning for
the much-touted Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) was faulty. “The need for
acquiring an offensive capability against the Chinese was projected (and
sanctioned) but not the funds. I will not go into who is responsible for this faulty
planning and projection but the fact is, they (the army) was using war reserves
to equip the Mountain Strike Corps. Fortunately, we realised the mistake early
and I can assure you that the reserves have not depleted to a level where it can
be termed alarming. After a review, we have realised that the MSC will have to be
frozen at a point where it is now..” Later, in another interview to Hindustan
Times, he confirmed the actual figures. “I have frozen the cost at Rs 38,000 crore
over the next eight years. It will consist of 35,000 men,” the Defence Minister
said. So from 70,000 men and Rs 88,000 crore, Parrikar has made the Army cut
the size of the MSC down to almost 50 percent. And rightly so, since funds are not
infinite....
Source:
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-perform-or-perish-is-the-new-mantra-in-thedefence-ministry-2078241
*
Watch Out, China: India Is Launching New Stealth Destroyer:
India will launch the lead vessel of its new class of super advanced, stealth
destroyers on April 18, according to numerous local media reports. This week a
number of Indian publications reported that the Indian Navy plans to launch the
INS Visakhapatnam in Mumbai this weekend. The ship will be the first of four
Visakhapatnam-class stealth destroyers that India is building as part of Project
15B. These vessels will serve as the follow-ons to the three Kolkata-class guided
missile destroyers. As India’s largest destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam and its sister
ships will be a boon to India’s naval power projection capabilities. “At 7,300
tonnes, Visakhapatnam will be the largest destroyer commissioned in the
country and will be equipped with the Israeli Multi Function Surveillance Threat
Alert Radar (MF-STAR) which will provide targeting information to 32 Barak 8
long-range surface to air missiles onboard the warship,” NDTV reported. India is
co-developing the Barak 8 missile with Israel. The same outlet also noted that
each Visakhapatnam destroyer will boast 16 long range Brahmos anti-ship
missiles, the supersonic anti-ship missile that Delhi developed in cooperation
with Russia. Visakhapatnam-class destroyers have a number of other advantages
over their predecessors as well. For example, while both classes are equipped
with the AK-630 close-in anti-missile gun system the newer class will have a 127
mm main gun. By contrast, the INS Kolkata and its sister ships only have a 76mm
Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM)....
Source:
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/watch-out-china-india-launching-new-stealthdestroyer-12660
*
Focus Shifts to Tejas MK-2, Project all set to go Critical:
Mini Collapse of MMRCA deal has clearly shifted focus back to the development
of Tejas MK-2 now. Defence minister Mahonhar Parrikar and Indian air force are
closely monitoring the progress of Tejas MK-2 and have begun a monthly review
of the project. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is developing
Tejas MK-2 is feeling the heat but is confident that things will fall in place soon as
a major review of the project will be undertaken soon with all concerned parties.
Tejas MK-2 will get final Technical freeze by the end of this year. project
definition of Tejas MK-2 will be completed and the project will finally provide a
road map to complete all the tasks to be executed over a fixed period of time
before Aircraft is ready for Induction.
Avionics & Radar
idrw.org has learned from reliable sources that final Cockpit design layout for
Tejas MK-2 has been frozen, MK-2 will sport Touch based two 6×8 main display
with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode.
Indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar for Tejas MK-2 has completed
Software development for air-air sub-modes and have begun development of
software which will allow air-to-ground modes which are crucial for aircraft to
carry out high-resolution mapping, multiple grounds moving target detection
and track, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth
communications will be completed by year end and IAF and ADA along with
LRDE will carry out Project Review at the same time .
Engines
ADA along with GE have carried out Computer assessment of the F414-GE-INS6
engine with 98 kN of thrust in Tejas MK-2 aircraft and have concluded that no
major changes in Air intakes are required. GE too has confirmed that the
development of F414-GE-INS6 engines is progressing well and will be on
schedule and GE engineers will be in India Into carry out mating of the engine
with the aircraft when first aircraft is ready.....
Source: http://idrw.org/focus-shifts-to-tejas-mk-2-project-all-set-to-go-critical/
*
A Bold Political Decision for a Crucial Defence Need:
The saga for procurement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA)
for the Indian Air Force (IAF) actually began in 2001, gathered steam in 2007
and was stuck in price negotiations for the past three years. Meanwhile, the IAF's
combat fighter jet strength was depleting fast. Over the past couple of years, the
Air Force top brass was alarmed enough to tell the government that its
conventional combat edge even against Pakistan was in danger of being lost. So
last week, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his threenation tour, a political decision was taken to explore the option of buying Rafale
jets through a government-to-government (G-to-G) contract with France. The
breakthrough will now allow the IAF to induct Rafale fighter jets in a two year
time frame and at least partially make up for its depleting combat jet strength.
However, it is the next step in aircraft procurement that will be watched intently.
Will this decision of going for G-to-G mean that all future purchases of this
magnitude will be handled in this manner? If so, what happens to the muchtouted Make in India programme? The roadmap is not clear but Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar gave enough hints about what the government is thinking in
an interview that this writer co-hosted for Doordarshan. Not surprisingly,
skeptics have hit out at the decision. The criticism has ranged from "it's too little
too late," to "it goes against the Make in India concept." But both Modi and
Parrikar were clear that they had to put the interest of the IAF above everything
else and which what they have done. Mind you, procuring 36 Rafales is just a
stop-gap arrangement to arrest the rapidly falling numbers in IAF's combat fleet.
Lauding the Prime Minister for taking a bold decision in breaking the Rafale
deadlock, Parrikar said future large procurements for the IAF and indeed for the
armed forces at large, will have to be G-2-G but Make in India will also get a look
in for other projects. For instance, IF more Rafales, were to be bought--over and
above 36 decided now--Dassault could be asked to manufacture them in India.
Even if any other lighter aircraft was to be selected, the pre-condition will be a
tie-up with an Indian company or consortium. It is to Parrikar's credit that he
decided to think differently on a knotty issue and suggested a way out to the
Prime Minister. In fact, in less than six months after taking over, Parrikar has
studied various complex issues dogging the defence ministry and has come to his
own conclusions on what needs to be done. By his own admission, Parrikar spent
the first four months as defence minister in taking inputs from a range of experts
both within and outside the MoD before making up his mind.....
Source: http://www.vifindia.org/article/2015/april/17/bold-political-decision-for-a-crucial-defence-need
*
In-A-Jam Solution:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France was not entirely negative for
sure. But many are looking at the two major deals announced—outright
purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, and the l&t-Areva agreement for constructing
the epr nuclear reactors at Jaitapur in Maha-rashtra—as unmitigated dis-as-ters.
The IAF has been thrown a juicy bone with the government-to-government
acquisition of 36 Rafale jets. But this will materialise only two years down the
line even if India is quick to sign the contract. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
much-vaunted ‘Make in India’ policy, however, suffers a major setback. For
Dassault Aviation, though, it’s a thumping victory. For over three years, the
contract for buying 126 Rafale jets had been foundering. In France, the
reputation of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is rock-bottom. French defence
majors who have worked with HAL describe it as “unprofessional and unreliable
in the extreme”. The original plan was to buy 18 aircraft in ready-to-fly
condition. HAL was to produce 108 more under licence in India. But Dassault
refused to take responsibility for planes manufactured by HAL. Besides, there
were disputes over pricing: an off-the-shelf purchase will cost India much more
per aircraft than if the original deal had gone through. The actual transfer of
technology will be limited and the outright purchase lets Dassault off the hook on
that score. French sources place the value of this purchase at over Euro 5.5
billion. Dassault CEO Eric Trappier and his colleagues will be laughing their way
to the bank. Modi’s much-vaunted ‘Make in India’ policy suffers a huge setback.
Dassault, however, strikes a Rs 50,000-crore deal. At one time, India had the
French aviation giant in a squeeze. The French defence ministry had curtailed its
order for Rafales from 11 aircraft per year to just 26 over the next six years.
Dassault badly needed the oxygen of foreign sales. India thought it could press
the company for an even better deal: but there comes a point beyond which
negotiations stall. The IAF badly needs the fighters: the government should have
been careful not to push to the brink. On February 12, France announced the sale
of 24 Rafales to Egypt, to be bankrolled by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Now, Dassault
was in a dramatically better bargaining position. No longer did it have to
accommodate New Delhi’s manoeuvring over prices or over manufacturing by
HAL. Dassault could afford to drag out the negotiations. In India, pressure was
building up. Paris told New Delhi that failure of the Rafale contract could
seriously dent Indo-French relations. The IAF, realising the deal could collapse,
raised the ante. And French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made three
trips to Delhi between December and March. In December, the India defence
minister had told Le Drian he would accelerate the process. By February, the tide
turned against India. In March, New Delhi told Paris that in the face of Dassault’s
newfound intransigence, another urgent solution had to be found—outright
purchase. On April 7, French President Francois Hollande and Le Drian discussed
and finalised their response to New Delhi. It was kept secret: even HAL chairman
and CEO T. Suvarna Raju learnt of the purchase from the newspapers while in
Paris.....
Source: http://www.outlookindia.com/article/InAJam-Solution/294077
*
INS Vikrant set to undock next month:
India is working on two separate projects to ramp up sea-borne aircraft carriers
capability. The under construction indigenous 40,000 tonne INS Vikrant is slated
to ‘undock’ from its building pontoon at Kochi next month, while India’s biggest
naval warship and aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, is under a minor ‘re-fit’
to complete its Close-In Warfare System (CIWS), a protection from incoming
enemy missiles. Vice Admiral Ashok Subedar, Controller, Warship Production
and Acquisition, told the media on April 18, “In May this we will undock the INS
Vikrant. As much as 95 per cent of its hull is complete as is 22,000 tonnes of steel
structure. The shafting and propeller work is in last stages”. Despite challenges,
all efforts are being made to meet the December 2018 deadline set by the
Cabinet Committee on Security for commission of the INS Vikrant. After the
undocking it will undergo harbour trials, sea trials followed by on-deck flight
trials, Vice Admiral Subedar said. He was speaking to the media to announce the
sea launch of the first of the set-of-four new warships. It is targeted for induction
in 2018 and the remaining three ships shall follow at the intervals of two years
each. Talking about INS Vikramaditya, inducted in November 2013, the Vice
Admiral said Israeli Barak missile is being installed on the ship at its home base
Karwar, south of Goa. Navy was originally looking at two options, either the
Israeli Barak or the Russian Shitil missiles. A Barak-missile launch will be taken
from one of warships that is being decommissioned. Sources said the INS
Godavari, which had been given a Barak launch system some 10 years ago, has a
fully functional system that is being put on the aircraft carrier. The Godavari is
32 years old and is set for decommissioning. “Fitting the Barak is a complex
procedure which entails cutting through the deck. A period of some four months
has been factored in for this”, sources said. The warship could carry up to 32 or
48 LR-SAMs. A CIWS is needed as the last protection layer against incoming
missiles as well as an aircraft. It is ship’s own air defence system. When
deployed, a carrier does not float alone but moves around with a small flotilla of
warships. The LR-SAMs is one part of the CIWS and it includes other guns on the
deck and an electronic warfare suite. On being asked about the next aircraft
carrier, dubbed as the indigenous aircraft carrier-2 (IAC-2), Vice Admiral
Subedar said the Naval design bureau would consider both the Electromagnetic
Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) which enables a fighter jet to take-off from the
deck of the carrier and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) which enables its
landing. India is trying to get the technology from the US.
Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/ins-vikrant-set-to-undock-next-month/68458.html
II
Homeland Security
*
Army can take out 26/11 Conspirators in Pak using deadly
Commando Style Operation:
Union Minister Gen (Retd) VK Singh on April 17 said the Indian Army is capable
of executing daring operations to avenge 26/11-like attacks by eliminating
offshore criminals but certain “considerations” preventing it from doing so. Singh
was supported by former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who said
that during his stint with the CBI, the agency had chalked a plan to get a “certain
gentleman” in Pakistan which was scuttled on the last day by the “political
bosses”. “Indian army is very capable. Given a task it will execute it in a much
better manner than the Americans did (referring to US operations to kill Osama
Bin Laden). As a country I think we have been giving much more elasticity to our
limits of tolerance. Somewhere I suppose there are factors which 99 per cent
people won’t understand as to why?” Singh said, speaking at a book release
function. Singh added that a country like Israel, which has got full backing from
the “only superpower” that exists, can do certain things without considering the
consequences. “India is not in that state. We have to take care of many things.
Especially effect on the economy,” the former Army Chief said. The duo was
speaking at the launch of journalist-author S Hussain Zaidi’s book “Mumbai
Avengers”, a fictional account of a covert operation by a retired Indian Army
officer to avenge the 26/11 attacks. Terming India as a “soft state”, Kumar said
that India was soft even when it came to “thinking” about avenging. “When I was
in the CBI for nine years at one time we had conceived a plan to get at a certain
gentleman in Pakistan. Everything was done. At the last day we thought we
would inform the political bosses or shall I say the boss but he said no, we are
not Pakistan, we are India,” he said. Kumar went on to say that the agency had
also planned of using “non-state” actors for the mission. “All the preparations
went down the drain. Lot of money was invested. We had also planned the use of
non-state actors as Pakistan has been doing continuously,” he said. Underlining
the importance of political “will”, Union Minister of State for External Affairs
Singh said India would probably have “gone to war” with Pakistan after the
Parliament attacks but for the delays from the part of the political leadership.....
Source: http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.aspx?id=YDbnsKz/4Fk=
*
JuD supports Pakistan Army's 'jihad' in Kashmir, says Hafiz Saeed:
Banned terror outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa's (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has admitted that
his organisation helps the Pakistan Army in supporting Kashmiris. Speaking
during an interview with Pakistan's Channel 24, Saeed said, “There are lakhs of
people in Kashmir who are demanding freedom. If the Indian government
resorts to firing then we will also retaliate in a strong manner.” “We support
Pakistan, Pakistan government and Pakistan Army in their effort to help the
people of Kashmir who don't have freedom. And we call it jihad,” he added. Saeed
said further, “Pakistan and its government have always maintained that people
of Kashmir should get their rights. Whatever the Pakistani government does to
achieve this is jihad for us and we support Pakistan, Pakistani government and
Pakistani forces.” Masarat Alam was arrested by the J&K Police for raising proPakistan slogans and hoisting Pakistan flags at a rally in Srinagar earlier this
week. He was arrested by the police and has been sent to seven-day police
custody by a Budgam court. Protests have broken out in the area since Alam's
arrest and one person has been killed.
Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/jud-supports-pakistan-armys-jihad-in-kashmir-says-hafizsaeed_1580798.html
*
Maoists launch tactical counter-offensive in Jharkhand:
The CPI (Maoist) are carrying out a tactical counter offensive campaign (TCOC),
one of the intense annual phases of war against the state, throughout Jharkhand
and the back-to-back Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh were part of the same
campaign, state police said on April 17. TCOC is a country-wide phenomenon
during which Maoists plan and launch tactical attacks on security forces between
April and early monsoon in July. Jharkhand police spokesperson S N Pradhan,
who is also ADG (operations), said the police were aware of TCOC and planned
its strategies accordingly. "Maoists use the campaign to boost the morale of their
cadres. It is like a celebration time for them during which they want to record
some achievements which are considered big feats," said a police officer. He
added that the offensive was planned at the level of Maoists' central military
commission, the principal armed body of the extremists. "Maoists usually target
movement parties. The officers in the field have been asked to focus on the
security of movement parties and equally keep the static party on high alert,"
Pradhan said. In April 2014 (when Maoists were carrying our TCOC), they had
killed eight persons, including polling officials, in Dumka district during the Lok
Sabha polls. Maoists have been on the back-foot in Jharkhand, especially after
they failed to carry out any attack during the assembly elections towards the end
of 2014. Several police stations are situated in the dense forests where Maoists
are known to have advantage over the security personnel. A police officer said
though it was not easy for the rebels to attack the police stations, but everyone
was on alert. CRPF IG Rakesh Kumar Mishra, who heads all paramilitary forces
in the state, said in the wake of TCOC all battalions of the paramilitary force have
been asked to carry out counter insurgency campaign and strictly follow the
standard operating procedures so that the forces do not become target of the
Maoists. "The CRPF commandants have been asked to hold consultations with
SPs and ensure that the police patrol from police stations, JAP teams and others
do not violate the operational guidelines. They can become soft targets if they
violate the SOPs. I have asked the commandants to immediately report
aberrations if they come across any," Mishra said. TCOC is a nationwide
phenomenon during which Maoists plan and launch tactical attacks on security
forces between April and early monsoon in July.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maoists-launch-tactical-counter-offensive-inJharkhand/articleshow/46967151.cms
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