Monthly Archives: August 2018

Vice-Admiral Ravneet Singh (L) assumes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Admiral relieves Vice Admiral MS Pawar (R) who retired on May 31, 2021. PTI photo

New Delhi, June 1

Vice-Admiral Ravneet Singh, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Nausena Medal (NM) holder, assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on Tuesday.

According to the Defence Ministry, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1983, and specialised in aviation. The Flag Officer is a qualified flying instructor with Master Green instrument rating.

He has flown HT-2, Kiran HJT 16, TS 11 Iskra, Hunter, Harrier Gr 3, Jet Provost, Chetak, Gazelle, Hawk, and Mig 29 KUB aircraft during his illustrious career.

The Admiral has held various challenging Staff, Command, and Diplomatic assignments during his distinguished naval career, and has had wide-ranging experience onboard diverse platforms.

He has commanded various frontline ships and Naval Air Squadrons including INS Himgiri, INS Ranvijay, INS Ranvir, INAS 551B, INAS 300 as well as the premier Air Base, INS Hansa. Additionally, he was also appointed as the Indian Defence Advisor for Kenya, Tanzania, and Seychelles, from 2005 to 2008.

On promotion to Flag rank, he has held key assignments of Assistant Controller Carrier Project and Assistant Controller Warship Production and Acquisition at IHQ MoD(N), Flag Officer Goa Area/Flag Officer Naval Aviation at Goa, and Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet at Mumbai, the ministry informed.

In the rank of Vice-Admiral, the Flag Officer has tenanted the appointments of Chief of Staff at Headquarters Western Naval Command, Mumbai, Director General Project Seabird, and Chief of Personnel at IHQ MoD (N).

The Admiral has undergone various courses in India and abroad, including the flying instructor courses at Tambaram, Staff Courses at DSSC Wellington, Harrier Conversion Courses at Royal Air Force Base, Withering UK and Project management Programme at IIM Ahmedabad”.

He was awarded commendation by the Chief of the Naval Staff in 2000 and has been decorated with the Nausena Medal (Gallantry) in 2004 and AVSM in 2017.

He relieves Vice Admiral MS Pawar, a Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), AVSM, Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) holder, who superannuated on May 31. — ANI

Bags third position, six other cadets from the tricity also commissioned into the Indian Army

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 29

A newly commissioned woman lieutenant from Mohali has stood third in the overall order of merit in her course which passed out from the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, today.

Lieutenant Mani Mehtab Dhaliwal was awarded the bronze medal at the passing out parade that was reviewed by Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command.

She has been commissioned into the Corps of Signals. According to OTA sources, Mani had excelled in marksmanship, cross-country and sports during the training period. In the academy, she held the appointment of Battalion Cadet Adjutant.

Earlier, she had stood second in the order of merit among women candidates in the Combined Defence Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for entrance in the OTA.

She has studied in Chandigarh and represented her school as well as Panjab University in a number of state and national-level swimming championships, winning several medals.

She is among the seven cadets from the tricity who became Army officers today. The others are Mantash Singh, Amarbir Singh Bajwa, Sahiljeet Mann, Pooja, Aneesha Mann and Saloni Kasana.

A total of 167 gentleman cadets of the 111th Short Service Commission Course and 31 woman cadets of the 25th Short Service Commission (Women) Course were commissioned into the Indian Amy today in addition to five gentleman cadets and seven woman cadets from Bhutan.

The Sword of Honour and Gold Medal for standing overall first in the order of merit was bagged by Lt Abdesh Katoch from Palampur in Himachal, who has been commissioned into the Armoured Corps. The Silver Medal for standing second went to Adarsh Pratap Singh from Allahabad who has been commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles.

The parents of the cadets were not able to attend the event because of restrictions imposed due to the pandemic and the ceremony was live streamed on the social media.

Lt Gen. Manoj Pande, the head of Andaman and Nicobar Command, will be the new Eastern Commander. Lt Gen. Ajai Singh will take the charge of ANC.

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New Delhi: Amid continued tensions with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the crucial Eastern Command is getting a new commander, with Lt Gen. Manoj Pande taking the charge Tuesday. The country’s only tri-service command, Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), which Lt Gen. Pande headed, will also get a new commander Tuesday when Lt Gen Ajai Singh will take over.

Lt Gen. Pande will take the charge from Lt Gen. Anil Chauhan who retires as the Eastern Commander Monday. He is also set to become the senior most officer in the force when Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane retires next year.

Lt Gen. Chauhan has led the Army’s response in the East against China’s overall aggression along the LAC.

Prior to taking over as the Eastern Army Commander in April 2020, he was the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and one of the main architects of ‘Operation Sunrise’ under which both Myanmar and Indian armies carried out coordinated action against insurgent groups operating near the border between two countries.

It is also the Command which is playing a strategic role in keeping an eye on Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean Region.

Also read: Israel’s ATHOS gun system or Atmanirbhar ATAGS? Defence negative list to finalise next week

Lt Gen. Pande will be senior most after COAS retires next year 

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Lt Gen. Pande was commissioned in December 1982 in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers).

He will be the senior most officer when Gen. M.M. Naravane superannuates in April 2022. According to tradition, the senior most officer becomes the chief of Army staff.

If appointed as the Army chief, Lt Gen. Pande will create history of sorts since there has never been a Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from the Corps of Engineers.

His younger brother has also served in the Army.

Lt Gen. Pande goes to the Eastern Command as a veteran of the region with experience of having worked there in various capacities, including as the commander of the Tezpur-based 4 Corps that looks after the LAC and counter-insurgency operations.

He has also served as brigade general staff (Operations) at the Eastern Command Headquarters.

He has also been brigade major of a Mountain Brigade in the North-East, besides being posted along the LAC and in counter-insurgency operations.

His other commands include the 117 Engineer Regiment during Operation Parakram in the Pallanwala Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, along the Line of Control.

A graduate of Staff College, Camberley (United Kingdom), who attended the Higher Command (HC) and National Defence College (NDC) courses, Lt Gen. Pande has also commanded an Engineer Brigade in the Western Theatre, as part of Strike Corps, 52 Infantry Brigade along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, and 8 Mountain Division in the High Altitude Area of Western Ladakh.

He has also served as chief engineer in the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea and also tenanted the appointments of additional director general in the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters and chief of Staff Headquarters, Southern Command.

Lt Gen. Ajai Singh a 5th generation Army officer

Lt Gen. Ajai Singh will be the 16th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) and takes over after Lt Gen. Pande.

He is a fifth generation Army as well as Cavalry/Armoured Corps officer, with family service of over 162 years since 13 September 1858.

Incidentally, he was commissioned into the 81 Armoured Regiment, a regiment raised by his late father.

Prior to his appointment as the CINCAN, Lt Gen. Singh was heading the Bathinda-based 10 Corps, one of the two Strike Corps aimed at Pakistan.

He is the author of the two recent studies — one for reorganisation of the Army HQ and another critical study on operations.

Incidentally, he has also served at various appointments across Army’s six geographical commands as well as at the Army Training Command.

Lt Gen. Singh, who has served as the military observer at Angola as part of the UN posting, has also undertaken volunteer tenures with the infantry for counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir valley and in the North-East.

He was posted to a battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, with whom he commanded a Rifle Company in Operations Vijay (Kargil) and Meghdoot (Siachen Glacier) and received the Army Chief’s Commendation for gallantry.

Lt Gen. Singh has also served as the additional DG at the Military Operations Directorate, and has been the director general (DG) of financial planning and also the director general of military training.

The officer’s civil educational qualifications include a BSc, an MBA with ORSA specialisation, an MSc in Defence Studies, an MPhil in Defence & Management Studies and an MA in International Security and Strategy from Kings College, London.

Also read: No de-escalation without complete disengagement with China in Ladakh: Gen MM Naravane

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 29

Two alumni of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI), Mohali, were commissioned as officers in the armed forces today while 16 cadets passed out from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakvasla, Pune.

Sub-Lieutenant Vishvajit Singh, who happens to be the grandson of Lt Gen Gurinder Singh, a former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, has been commissioned into the Navy from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, where the passing out parade was reviewed by Vice-Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

He had joined the fifth batch at the AFPI in 2015 and was thereafter selected for joining the NDA as part of 138th course, from where he proceeded to the Naval Academy for the final one year of training. His father, Vikram Singh, is a hotelier and mother, Man Mohinder, is a house wife.

Lieutenant Barjot Singh Dhillon passed out from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, on the completion of his training with the 111 Short Service Commission Course and has been commissioned into the Jat Regiment. The passing out parade was reviewed by Lt Gen YK Joshi, GOC-in-C, Northern Command.

He had joined the AFPI in 2011 as part of the first AFPI course and hails from Patiala. His father, Kuldeep Singh, is a technician and mother, Gurpreet Kaur, is a teacher in a government school. He also has two sisters.

Maj Gen BS grewal (retd), Director, AFPI, said with this, the total number of AFPI cadets commissioned as officers has gone up to 71. This number is expected to further increase on June 12, when the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, is scheduled to be held.

At the NDA, as many as 16 cadets from the AFPI passed out on completion of their three-year training as part of the 140th Course. They will undergo another year of training at respective service academies that they have opted for before being commissioned as officers in the armed forces. The parade was reviewed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh.

So far, 162 alumni from the AFPI, which had commenced the two-year training of cadets in April 2011, have joined the NDA and other service academies from the first eight batches. Of these, 71 have already become officers and the rest are undergoing training.

Currently, there are three batches at the AFPI. Cadets of the 9th batch are waiting to take their final Class XII board examinations for which dates are expected to be announced by the government soon.

The latest GSAT-7A satellite is dedicated to the air force but shared by the army
Satellites offer numerous ISR advantages, ones that the Indian military needs more than ever.
As the need for maritime domain awareness grows, and as border tensions with China and Pakistan increase, vulnerabilities in Indian space security have caused Delhi to look to build up its minuscule number of military satellites.
Presently, India has around 15 military-application satellites, with the latest GSAT-7A dedicated to the air force but shared by the army.
In 2022, the $225 million GSAT-7R — an Indian Navy (IN) communications satellite — will replace GSAT-7 Rukmini launched eight years ago. It is the last of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s seven fourth-generation satellites with a 2,000nmi coverage range over the Indian Ocean.
An official told Shephard that GSAT-7R would have better transponders, use the Ka-band ‘and may go for the V band’.
Ex-IN spokesman DK Sharma said that GSAT-7R ‘is very important. There are thousands of Chinese vessels that need to be surveyed, and we do not want a Philippines-type incident’. He was referring to Chinese encroachments in the Philippine EEZ at Whitsun Reef in March.
GISAT-1, India’s first Earth observation satellite in geostationary orbit, will benefit the military by facilitating near real-time observation of the Indian subcontinent under cloud-free conditions at frequent intervals. The launch, delayed by over one year, is expected in 2021.
Military space missions require both defensive and offensive capabilities. For example, the Defence Research and Development Organisation is working on laser-based directed-energy weapons (DEW) for tactical air defence, anti-ballistic missile defence and anti-satellite (ASAT) applications. An official said offensive DEW capabilities require priority.
S Chandrashekhar of the National Institute of Advanced Studies Bangalore said: ‘Identifying areas to develop and strengthen technological capabilities to establish effective deterrence is the logical next step.’
Meanwhile, Anil Kumar Singh, country manager at DataPath India, told Shephard: ‘India needs early-warning satellites to monitor intercontinental ballistic missile launches [ICBM] and even tactical airspace as an important military asset, and ground-/space-based lasers to disable enemy satellites or destroy/degrade attacking ICBMs as part of an ASAT [anti-satellite] capability.’
The Defence Space Agency recently invited proposals for space situational awareness solutions that can ‘detect, identify and track enemy assets while also warning about any impending attacks’. The technology required must predict threats from ASAT weapons, space debris, DEW and RF interference.
DataPath supplies military-grade ground-portable antennas to the air force via Bharat Electronics. Chopra said 500-600 antennas were in the procurement pipeline, with 1.2m Ku band the most popular.
He remarked: ‘Some are looking at the Ka-band that gives better bandwidth and speed… but procurement processes need to be speeded up.’

While the DRDO insists ATAGS are better than the Israeli ATHOS, the army has voiced concern over its weight and inability to meet critical performance parameters
New Delhi: Confirmatory desert trials of the indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with private firms Bharat Forge and TATA Power SED, will begin in June.
Sources in the ATAGS development program said that after the summer trials this year, orders can be placed in the industry, following which the system will become operational in the armed forces. They added that the validation trials at high altitude areas, including mobility trials in hilly and mountainous terrain have been completed.
The ATAGS is part of the Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which had been drawn up in 1999. According to this plan, the Army is supposed to have a different kinds of artillery, including the towed system, which is meant to be a 155mm x 52 calibre.
With the global procurement plans for a towed gun faltering despite multiple attempts, the project for ATAGS was rolled out by the DRDO around 2010. The ATAGS, which is being developed by the DRDO with the two private firms, fired for the first time in a fully integrated model in 2016. This development came even as the Army has been pursuing a separate process for procurement of towed guns from abroad under the ‘Make In India’ initiative.
The gun that has finally emerged as the lowest bidder for this process was the ATHOS of the Israeli firm Elbit, in 2019. The deal was for the supply of 400 guns and indigenous production of another 1,180 guns by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), under a full Transfer of Technology (TOT) process.
However, the Army has changed its plans and is now eyeing to only procure 400 of the ATHOS, but the DRDO is objecting even to this and says the ATAGS is better and is the weapon of the future.
A final decision on ATHOS is still pending as reported on 28 May.
Army’s Concern And Comparison
Defence sources said that the development of ATAGS has been completed and is presently under PSQR (Weapons procurement and qualitative requirements) trials to finalise the final configuration of the gun system.
However, the Army has a “few issues of concern”.
Sources said that the first among these is the aspect of extra weight, which may impact on the operational performance of the gun system in mountainous and high altitude terrain.
The ATAGS is said to weigh around 18 tonnes. In comparison, the ATHOS weigh less than 15 tonnes.
Those advocating for the ATAGS say that if the weight is indeed an issue, other systems like the Dhanush gun can be used for the mountains besides the lightweight howitzers along with the indigenous towed system.
“Not all guns have to operate in the same way across all terrains. In tanks, we have the T-90 and T-72 which can operate easily in the mountains and can also be airlifted there. But we also have the Arjun, which cannot operate in the same way it would in desert areas,” a defence expert, who did not wish to be identified, said.
ATAGS program sources said the self-propelled mobility of this system is high and it is capable of crossing all Indian bridges and terrain. They also said that the in weight category it is comparable with other comparable gun systems in the world.
Industry sources said that the most significant achievement during the second phase of PSQR Winter Trials was moving the guns to the Northern-most point of operational area (Lukrep) in the Plateau areas of North Sikkim.
The movement was undertaken mostly during the hours of darkness to facilitate undisturbed movement of tourists and civilian vehicles and at the same time maintain confidentiality of the gun system with our adversaries.
They said that ATAGS (Bharat Forge) has demonstrated efficient towed movement in the treacherous terrain climbing altitudes up to 15,500 ft.
“Movement to Lukrep meant covering 341 kilometres and was tested over 10 days. ATAGS could negotiate the otherwise un-accessible mountainous terrain with steep gradient and narrow Hair-Pin Bends with ease, without needing to unhook the Gun from the Tower. In similar terrain, other systems need to be unhooked and moved in self-propelled mode, thereby increasing the overall travel time,” a source said.
He added that the total distance travelled by the ATAGS in mountains and high altitude was 526 kms as against 23 Km mobility test done for foreign guns.
“So there cannot be any doubt on the mobility component of the ATAGS. The foreign gun should also be tested at the same location if someone believes that it is better,” the source added.
He added that the the ease with which the Bharat Forge Gun could traverse the complete stretch, stands testimony to the ability of the Guns to move into the remotest of places, in any type of terrain.
Defence sources have also voiced other concerns about the ATAGS, however. A second concern they said is the “inability of the gun” system to meet the critical performance parameters, especially with regard to rates of fire.
ATAGS program sources said that the rate of fire includes the burst firing of five rounds in one minute, intense firing of 10 rounds in two-and-a-half minutes and a sustained rate of 60 rounds in sixty minutes. In comparison, the Elbit Systems claims ATHOS can fire three rounds in 30 seconds, 12 rounds in three minutes, and 42 rounds in sixty minutes.
The third concern expressed is the September 2020 accident during the internal validation trials of the ATAGS in a firing range. The barrel of the gun burst while firing a round. Incidentally the cost is also a factor. While the ATHOS will cost less than Rs 11 crore per piece, the ATAGS is said to be costing anywhere between Rs 16-18 crore.
One area where the ATAGS outguns other systems is the range. The ATAGS’s range with Extended Range Sub-Bore Boat Tail (ERFB BT) ammunition is 35 km and with ERFB BB (Base Bleed) ammunition is 45 km. The ATAGS has actually fired at a range of 47 KMS in 2017.
It is said that when the ATAGS will finally be ordered, both private firms will get orders, but the lowest bidder would get the largest share – 60 per cent or more.
Both guns – Bharat Forge and TATA – have the same performance parameters and the final contract will be awarded based on the cost cited.

New Delhi: Confirmatory desert trials of the indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with private firms Bharat Forge and TATA Power SED, will begin in June.
Sources in the ATAGS development programme told ThePrint that after the summer trials this year, orders can be placed in the industry, following which the system will become operational in the armed forces.

They added that the validation trials at high altitude areas, including mobility trials in hilly and mountainous terrain have been completed.

The ATAGS is part of the Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which had been drawn up in 1999. According to this plan, the Army is supposed to have a different kinds of artillery, including the towed system, which is meant to be a 155mm x 52 caliber.

With the global procurement plans for a towed gun faltering despite multiple attempts, the project for ATAGS was rolled out by the DRDO around 2010.

The ATAGS, which is being developed by the DRDO with the two private firms, fired for the first time in a fully integrated model in 2016.

This development came even as the Army has been pursuing a separate process for procurement of towed guns from abroad under the ‘Make In India’ initiative.

The gun that has finally emerged as the lowest bidder for this process was the ATHOS of the Israeli firm Elbit, in 2019.

The deal was for the supply of 400 guns and indigenous production of another 1,180 guns by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), under a full Transfer of Technology (TOT) process.

However, the Army has changed its plans and is now eyeing to only procure 400 of the ATHOS, but the DRDO is objecting even to this and says the ATAGS is better and is the weapon of the future.

A final decision on ATHOS is still pending as reported on 28 May.

Also read: How Army’s artillery modernisation plan, stuck in a rut after Bofors, is picking up pace

Army’s concern and comparison

Defence sources said that the development of ATAGS has been completed and is presently under PSQR (Weapons procurement and qualitative requirements) trials to finalise the final configuration of the gun system.

However, the Army has a “few issues of concern”.

Sources said that the first among these is the aspect of extra weight, which may impact on the operational performance of the gun system in mountainous and high altitude terrain.
The ATAGS is said to weigh around 18 tonnes. In comparison, the ATHOS weigh less than 15 tonnes.

Those advocating for the ATAGS say that if the weight is indeed an issue, other systems like the Dhanush gun can be used for the mountains besides the lightweight howitzers along with the indigenous towed system.

“Not all guns have to operate in the same way across all terrains. In tanks, we have the T-90 and T-72 which can operate easily in the mountains and can also be airlifted there. But we also have the Arjun, which cannot operate in the same way it would in desert areas,” a defence expert, who did not wish to be identified, said.

ATAGS programme sources said the self-propelled mobility of this system is high and it is capable of crossing all Indian bridges and terrain.

They also said that the in weight category it is comparable with other comparable gun systems in the world.

Industry sources said that the most significant achievement during the second phase of PSQR Winter Trials was moving the guns to the Northern-most point of operational area (Lukrep) in the Plateau areas of North Sikkim.

The movement was undertaken mostly during the hours of darkness to facilitate undisturbed movement of tourists and civilian vehicles and at the same time maintain confidentiality of the gun system with our adversaries.

They said that ATAGS (Bharat Forge) has demonstrated efficient towed movement in the treacherous terrain climbing altitudes up to 15,500 ft.

“Movement to Lukrep meant covering 341 kilometres and was tested over 10 days. ATAGS could negotiate the otherwise un-accessible mountainous terrain with steep gradient and narrow Hair-Pin Bends with ease, without needing to unhook the Gun from the Tower. In similar terrain, other systems need to be unhooked and moved in self-propelled mode, thereby increasing the overall travel time,” a source said.

He added that the total distance traveled by the ATAGS in mountains and high altitude was 526 kms as against 23 Kms mobility test done for foreign guns.

“So there cannot be any doubt on the mobility component of the ATAGS. The foreign gun should also be tested at the same location if someone believes that it is better,” the source added.

He added that the the ease with which the Bharat Forge Gun could traverse the complete stretch, stands testimony to the ability of the Guns to move into the remotest of places, in any type of terrain.

Defence sources have also voiced other concerns about the ATAGS, however. A second concern they said is the “inability of the gun” system to meet the critical performance parameters, especially with regard to rates of fire.

ATAGS programme sources said that the rate of fire includes the burst firing of five rounds in one minute, intense firing of 10 rounds in two-and-a-half minutes and a sustained rate of 60 rounds in sixty minutes.

In comparison, the Elbit Systems claims ATHOS can fire three rounds in 30 seconds, 12 rounds in three minutes, and 42 rounds in sixty minutes.

The third concern expressed is the September 2020 accident during the internal validation trials of the ATAGS in a firing range. The barrel of the gun burst while firing a round.

Incidentally the cost is also a factor. While the ATHOS will cost less than Rs 11 crore per piece, the ATAGS is said to be costing anywhere between Rs 16-18 crore.

One area where the ATAGS outguns other systems is the range. The ATAGS’s range with Extended Range Sub-Bore Boat Tail (ERFB BT) ammunition is 35 km and with ERFB BB (Base Bleed) ammunition is 45 km. The ATAGS has actually fired at a range of 47 KMS in 2017.

It is said that when the ATAGS will finally be ordered, both private firms will get orders, but the lowest bidder would get the largest share – 60 per cent or more.

Both guns – Bharat Forge and TATA – have the same performance parameters and the final contract will be awarded based on the cost cited.

(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)

When adrenaline is flowing, one forgets one’s safety, near and dear ones. The young Lt was so charged up seeing one of his men getting injured that he took it upon himself to eliminate the militants, no matter the risk

Brig SPS Dhaliwal (Retd

The Line of Control is intricately fenced with various day and night surveillance devices and sensors installed to keep a check on militants crossing over from Pakistan. Prior to 2004, it was largely porous and units laid ambushes along likely routes to check infiltration.

On the night of September 25-26, 2001, an ambush party of 8 Bihar, comprising a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and seven other ranks, spotted a group of 15 armed militants. The dilemma in the mind of the JCO was whether to open fire or ask for additional assistance. In case of the former, the chances were that the ambush party could get outnumbered and in the latter, they could lose the group into the thick jungles from where it would have been very difficult to reestablish contact.

Not bothering about the numbers and personal safety, the JCO opened fire and so did the rest of the ambush party, and in the ensuing firefight brought down three militants and injured the guide. The rest of the militants scattered in small groups.

Fortunately, we had a battalion in one of the bases which had concentrated to de-induct after completion of tenure. The troops were moved to cordon off the area and prevent escape of the infiltrators.

As day broke, 8 Bihar organised three parties under an officer each from three directions to locate and eliminate the militants. One such party was led by the young Lieutenant Alexander (Alex), who had recently come back from leave after getting married. This party came under fire from a rocky outcrop atop a hill. The lead scout was injured and the militants would not permit any movement forward for extricating him. A rocket launcher was called for and a few rounds of that silenced the militants enough to extricate him. However, intermittent firing continued.

I was monitoring the action on the battalion radio net and heard Alex getting all exited and informing his Commanding Officer that he would “soon sort out these…” I didn’t want this young blood to take any rash action so I got onto the air and told him to take it easy as we had the whole day available, and additional troops were being sent to tackle this group. Alex responded with “Wilco Sir”, and was not heard thereafter.

I thought he had taken my advice seriously, but after an hour or so, he came on the air to announce, “Sir, I have eliminated all three of them.”

Apparently, this youngster was so charged up seeing one of his men getting injured that he, along with his buddy, decided to go around the hillock from a difficult approach to get behind the militants. He crawled up to them, lobbed a grenade and the two charged at the militants and shot them. When adrenaline is flowing, one forgets one’s safety, one’s near and dear ones, that you have recently got married and there is a young bride waiting for your return home while she prays for your safety.

This operation carried on till late in the evening, as the other two parties of the battalion made good progress, resulting in the elimination of 12 militants. The three who had managed to escape were eliminated by another battalion the next day. The injured guide, however, managed to escape.

The operation was named after Birsa Munda, a folk hero and a tribal freedom fighter hailing from the Munda tribe. Just 25 when he died in 1900, he is known to have mobilised the tribal community against the British in the Bihar and Jharkhand belt. This is the area from where the troops of this valiant battalion come from.

The operation brought out the raw courage of the men led by fearless young officers who showed their true grit, josh and paltan spirit. They, like Alex, are the backbone of the Army, leading operations under such difficult conditions.

108 items are on the second list, which include light helicopters with single engines, next generation Corvettes, mini UAV for surveillance and anti-material rifles among others. 

File photo of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh | PTIText Size: A- A+

New Delhi: India Monday notified the second defence negative import list, now called the ‘Positive Indigenisation List’ of 108 items, which included light helicopters with single engines, next generation Corvettes, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems, mini UAV for surveillance and anti-material rifles among others.

This is the second list issued after the government came out with a list of 101 negative import lists in August last year.

A negative import list is a boost for domestic industries as it details all the military equipment that the government won’t import in the future.  

Of the 108 items in the second list, the cut-off date for 49 of those is December 2021. 

The major ones on the list are light medium and heavy combat armoured vehicles for the infantry, helicopter launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for up to 7 km, mission systems for AEW&C, single engine land variant helicopter weighing less than 3.5 T among others. 

While the list is exhaustive, industry sources, while welcoming the initiative, pointed out that most of the items on the list are already manufactured in the country and many systems have not been imported in years, including the single-engine light helicopter and the corvettes besides others.

Jayant D Patil, President, society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), said “The second Positive Indigenisation List is another testament of the confidence placed by the Government and the Armed Forces on the Industry to deliver cutting-edge Defence Technology for India’s security requirements”.

The defence ministry in a statement said the second list lays special focus on weapons or systems that are currently under development/trials and are likely to translate into firm orders in the future. 

“Not only does the list recognise the potential of the local defence industry, it will also invigorate impetus to domestic Research & Development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities,” it said.

It added that this second list has been prepared by the defence ministry after several rounds of consultations with government and private manufacturing industry confederations to assess if future capabilities of the Indian industry will be able to meet requirements of the armed forces. 

Also read: DRDO will begin trials of Made-in-India towed artillery in June but Army still has ‘concerns’

Industry hopeful, foreign players skeptical 

Industry sources pointed out that they are expecting some of the projects in the pipeline to be included in the third list whenever it is out.

“Most of the items on the list are already manufactured in India. But the good thing is that more and more items are being added to the list. It is important because it is an assurance of orders,” a source who did not wish to be identified said.

He added that it will help the armed forces and the industry to build confidence in each other.

Another source agreed and said the list makes it binding for the armed forces to place even a second order on an Indian firm because in many cases foreign companies can bid lower and swing the contract, especially in the electronics segment. 

One of the sources cited above said the industry is really looking forward to an order list rather than just an import negative list.

“The biggest question is where is the order? The industry is really looking at knowing the proposed order list,” the source said. “If the MoD says it has reserved Rs 70,000 crore or Rs 75,000 crore to be spent on indigenous production this financial year, it will need a pipeline of Rs 5 lakh crore since payments are done in batches. The industry wants to know where this pipeline is so that they know what RFP is coming out and when orders will be issued.” 

A leading foreign defence player in the Indian market said that the list is “protectionist” and “not a good idea”.

“The way forward as we see it is to tie up with Indian firms. The negative list will only lead to India playing catch up with global firms whereas the focus should be on building technology for the future and emerge as a foreign OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for the world,” the source said. “I agree that Indian industry needs help, which should be provided, but make it a level playing field also.”

Below is the full list:

(Edited by Arun Prashanth)

The hospital would be equipped with ventilators, monitors, in-house pharmacy, diagnostic facility, X-Ray and CT Scan machines

Photo for representation only. — File photo

Jammu, May 29

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) 500-bedded Covid hospital in Jammu to ramp up the healthcare infrastructure to effectively deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

Of the total 500 beds here at Bhagwati Nagar Centre, 125 would be Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, while others would be a set of Covid beds with 24 hours oxygen facility.

The hospital would be equipped with ventilators, monitors, in-house pharmacy, diagnostic facility, X-Ray and CT Scan machines.

“I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for extending all possible assistance to Jammu and Kashmir,” the Lt governor said after inaugurating the hospital.

Speaking on the management of ongoing pandemic and future challenges, Sinha observed that the DRDO hospital, with efficient mechanisms, would play an important role in adding to the government’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic.

“I must congratulate and appreciate Chairman, DRDO, G Satheesh Reddy and his entire team working round-the-clock to build this well-equipped medical facility in record time,” Sinha said.

He said the health infrastructure in Jammu and other areas of the division continues to be the backbone of healthcare services.

“This hospital too is expected to become fully operational in 3-4 days, after trial run of all the facilities,” he said.

Underlining the importance of providing best healthcare services to the people, especially those living in remote areas, the Lt governor remarked that the robust health infrastructure in Jammu division with decentralised community health system in the form of panchayat covid care centres has an extensive outreach even in several far-flung locales. 

“We have also devised an effective and rapid response system to quickly mobilise the physical and human resources within the healthcare delivery apparatus,” he said.

Seeking support of the people in the fight against the pandemic, he said, “We all as a society must fight the pandemic together and recalibrate our priorities, giving utmost importance to Covid protocol and vaccination.” “So, I urge every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour for weeks and months to effectively tackle this health crisis,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sinha went around the various sections of the newly established hospital, including patient’s block, ICU ward, general wards, pharmacy, wherein, he inspected and enquired about the facilities available for the patients.

He directed the health functionaries to ensure strict compliance of  the hospital referral policy for effective patient care management. — PTI