I have scored out the news because I am surprised with what Pentagon (Defence HQs of USA) says. They appear as helpless against the Houthis as is Iran against Israel.
MV Sounion is carrying more than 150,000 tonnes – or one million barrels – of crude oil ……… OMG …….. and a major spill hasthe potential to be among the largest from a ship in recorded history!!!!
The 274-meter-long (As big as a 400 M Internation Standard Athletics Stadium) oil tanker MV Sounion, was targeted by Houthi militants while near the mouth of the Red Sea On 21 Aug ….. Nine days back. It has been drifting since and the world’s Navies have been watching the spectacle. The crew had abandoned the ship but there were no reports of spillage so far.
The ‘mighty’ Houthis felt that the spectacle without a bigger fire and spillage was not good enough. So, eight hours ago, the Houthi placed explosives on board the drifting environmental catastrophe. They filmed themselves placing and detonating the explosives. There were six simultaneous explosions, and the tanker is now ablaze.
What use are the ‘five star’ international environmental organizations and movements? What use are the world navies boasting of patrolling the Red Sea? What were they all doing for the last Nine days ………. waiting for the Houthis to cremate the ailing tanker at sea?
It may be prudent for the worldwide Merchant Vessel Corporations to seek protection from the Houthis.
And,for the citizens to seek answers from their governments on their environmental protection agendas and expenditures on ‘Blue Water Navies’.And,
For the Houthis to sell Live Red Sea War tourism. Which could first hand show case world navies in a ‘Watch from a Distance’ mode. The Houthis could also set up an ‘Asymmetric Warfare Academy’ to carry out realistic training on Asymmetric Warfare.
Meanwhile in a big setback to Israel, Namibia refused to allow a Portuguese-flagged ship to dock in its water. Namibia said the decision was taken after investigations found that the vessel was carrying explosive material to be used by Israel in war torn Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile the Iranians continue to fire from their proxies’ shoulders while they nurse their sour throats from shouting, shouting and shouting at Israel over the social media.
An interesting quote on the Red Sea: The recent history of the Red Sea reads like a macabre thriller, from industrial-scale hostage-taking by pirates to tit-for-tat naval attacks between Israel and Iran in international waters to unchecked drug and arms smuggling, Nicholas W. Stephenson Smith (a researcher and writer on African history and politics) wrote in 2021, two and a half years before the current Red Sea crisis.
Finally, a question comes to mind – on whose assurance and what insurance are the Merchant Vessels still venturing into the Red Sea?
The Indian Army today launched project ‘Naman’ designed to provide dedicated support and services to defence pensioners, veterans and their families.
It aims to provide accessible facilitation points or ‘common service centres’ for veterans and next of kin across the country. In first phase, 14 common service centres (CSCs) have been established in Delhi, Jalandhar, Leh, Dehradun, Lucknow, Jodhpur, Bengdubi, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Secunderabad, Saugor, Guntur, Ahmedabad and Bangalore.
The project is set to expand significantly, with plans to establish approximately 200 centres nationwide over the next three years.
CONSTITUTION OF 8TH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION (CPC)BY Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
CONSTITUTION OF 8TH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION (CPC) Dear Veterans, Letter to Hon’ble Prime Minister, copy to Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Chiefs & Secy (ESW) dt 27 Aug 2024 regarding “Constitution of 8th Central Pay Commission” (CPC) is enclosed herewith for your information and widest circulation please. With Regards, Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd) Advisor United Front of Ex Servicemen & Chairman Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) Mobile: 9312404269, 0124-4110570 Email:satbirsm@gmail.com
Another Delhi Congress leader Sajjan Kumar is serving life sentence for the ‘remainder of his natural life’
New Delhi, August 30
Holding that there was sufficient evidence against him to put him on trial, a Delhi court on Friday ordered framing of charges, including that of murder, against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to murder of three people in north Delhi’s Pul Bangash area during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“Sufficient ground is there to proceed against the accused person,” Special CBI judge Rakesh Siyal said, posting the matter for September 13 for formally framing the charges when the accused would be asked if he would like to plead guilty or face trial.
The court ordered framing of charges against the accused for several offences, including unlawful assembly, rioting, promoting enmity between different groups, house trespass and theft.
Welcoming the development, BJP national spokesperson RP Singh wrote on X, “Albeit delayed, it appears justice is being done.”
Another senior Delhi Congress leader and former MP Sajjan Kumar is already serving life imprisonment for the “remainder of his natural life” after being convicted by the Delhi High Court on December 17, 2018. The case in which Kumar was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment related to the killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar Part I area in Palam Colony in southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984, and the burning down of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part II. His appeal against conviction and sentence is pending in the Supreme Court which has refused to grant him bail on health grounds.
Around 3,000 people, mostly Sikhs, had died in the riots in the national capital in the aftermath of assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. Three people were killed and a gurdwara was torched in the Pul Bangash area here on November 1, 1984.
Why The K-4 SLBM Is A Crucial Element In India’s ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence‘ Policy
K-15 ‘Sagarika or ‘Oceanic’ undergoing qualification test from Nuke Submarine INS Arihant
India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arighat, was commissioned into service at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (August 29, 2024). It joins the first such submarine, the INS Arihant, which was commissioned into service in 2016.
The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor Arihant, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests, it added.
The K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) plays a crucial role in enhancing India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the K-4 has a range of approximately 3,500 kilometers, allowing it to target significant areas within adversarial nations, including parts of southern China and Pakistan.
The construction of INS Arighat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, the use of special materials, complex engineering, and highly skilled workmanship, the Ministry statement said. “It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel,” it said.
The completion of the nuclear triad was announced in November 2018, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on social media that INS Arihant had returned from its first deterrence patrol. The advanced technology project began in the 1980s and its first product, the Arihant vessel, was launched in 2009, and eventually commissioned in 2016.
The third of these submarines, which is at an advanced stage of construction, is set to be larger and more capable than the current two submarines in the same class.
K-15 SLBM
INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) on October 14, 2022. The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy. All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated according to a statement issued by the MoD.
Although the ministry did not make an official statement on which missile it fired, sources in the defence establishment indicated it was the 750-km range K-15, which is already in service.
“The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is significant to prove crew competency and validate the SSBN program, a key element of India’s nuclear deterrence capability. A robust, survivable and assured retaliatory capability is in keeping with India’s policy to have ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence‘ that underpins its ‘No First Use’ commitment,” the MoD report further added.
The K-4 SLBM For India’s Deterrence
The K-4 SLBM is integral to India’s second-strike capability, which is a cornerstone of its nuclear doctrine. This capability ensures that India can respond effectively to a nuclear attack, thereby deterring potential aggressors. The K-4’s deployment on the INS Arihant, India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine, enhances the survivability of India’s nuclear arsenal, as submarines can operate undetected underwater.
The K-4 is designed to be deployed from India’s Arihant-class submarines, which are part of the country’s nuclear triad. Each Arihant-class submarine can carry four K-4 missiles, while future submarines are expected to accommodate up to eight K-4s. This integration not only boosts the strike capacity of the Indian Navy but also enhances the survivability of India’s nuclear arsenal by allowing launches from underwater, reducing the likelihood of detection.
India’s nuclear strategy is based on the principle of credible minimum deterrence, which aims to maintain a sufficient nuclear arsenal to deter adversaries while adhering to a no first use policy. The K-4 SLBM contributes to this strategy by providing a reliable and potent means of retaliation.
The K-4 can be launched from submarines, which are inherently more difficult to detect and target compared to land-based missile systems. This stealth capability significantly enhances India’s deterrent posture, as it complicates the adversary’s ability to pre-emptively strike.
The deployment of the K-4 represents a strategic shift from civilian to military control over nuclear capabilities. This transition is significant as it enhances the operational readiness and responsiveness of India’s nuclear forces, allowing for a more robust and immediate deterrent posture.
Technological Significance of The K-4 SLBM
The K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) represents a significant technological advancement for India’s defence capabilities. Here are the key aspects that highlight its importance:
The K-4 has achieved a remarkable reduction in size compared to its predecessor, the Agni-III. While the Agni-III measures 17 meters, the K-4 has been compacted to 12 meters. This reduction is crucial for fitting the missile into the limited hull space of submarines like the INS Arihant-class boats, enhancing the operational viability of India’s underwater nuclear deterrent.
The K-4 is powered by a solid rocket propellant and features a sophisticated propulsion system developed by DRDO. This includes three motors responsible for its propulsion, which are designed to ensure high accuracy and reliability during launch.
The missile is engineered to achieve high accuracy, which is vital for effective deterrence. Additionally, it incorporates advanced countermeasures against ballistic missile defence systems, allowing it to evade interception and ensuring that it can successfully deliver its payload to the designated target with deadly accuracy.
Summary
The K-4 (and the K-5) is part of a broader family of missiles, with future submarines expected to carry even more advanced systems, such as the K-5, which will have an extended range. This ongoing development reflects India’s commitment to maintaining a robust and modern nuclear deterrent.
INS Arihant is presently armed with a 750 km range K-15 SLBM while a 3,500 km range SLBM K-4 is under development, having been tested for the first time in 2020. The K-4 will become the mainstay of India’s undersea nuclear deterrence, as it gives the stand-off capability to launch nuclear weapons while submerged in Indian waters.
India is also working on a nearly 5,000-kilometre range missile called the K-5.
A robust, survivable and assured retaliatory capability is in line with India’s policy to have a credible minimum deterrence capacity to underpin its ‘no first use’ commitment. In 1998, India conducted nuclear tests under Pokhran-II and in 2003, India declared its nuclear doctrine, even while reserving the right of massive retaliation if it is struck with nuclear weapons
SAD sends legal notice to CBFC; seeks blocking of ‘Emergency’ release
It alleges the trailer of the film depicts ‘erroneous historical facts that not only misrepresent the Sikh community but also promote hatred and social discord’
SAD claimed the movie portrays the Sikh community in an “unjust and negative light”.
New Delhi, August 30
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) here has sent a legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking to prevent the release of Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film ‘Emergency’, claiming it may “incite communal tensions” and “spread misinformation”.
It alleged the trailer of the film depicted “erroneous historical facts that not only misrepresent the Sikh community but also promote hatred and social discord”.
“Such depictions are not only misleading but also deeply offensive and damaging to the social fabric of Punjab and the entire nation. It is apparent that Ranaut has chosen the subject of the Emergency not to make a genuine political or historical statement against Congress, but rather to target the Sikh community,” the notice sent on August 27 claimed.
It claimed the movie portrays the Sikh community in an “unjust and negative light”.
The notice sought to “immediately revoke the certification given to the movie and thereby blocking its release”.
“Further, given the potential of this film to incite communal tensions and spread misinformation, I, on behalf of my client hereby call upon CBFC to exercise its authority to prevent its release. A thick line must be drawn between the right to freedom of speech and the propagation of hateful content that threatens the harmony of our society,” advocate Manjeet Singh Chugh said.
The Twists And Turns In India’s Quest For Small Arms Acquisition
India’s quest for small arms continues, with some twists and turns and heartburn along the way. This comes even as domestic arms manufacturers have now started exporting snipers and assault rifles
In a rare public outcry, Vivek Krishnan, CEO of Bangalore-based small arms manufacturer SSS Defence, went public saying he wished “the government had not acquired more of these”.
He was referring to the SIG Sauer order, which is a follow-on of an earlier order made in 2019 under a fast tracked process through which the Army had bought 72,000 of these American rifles.
Krishnan said that a private solicitation and insistence on Indian design and content would have easily thrown up a contender, or many in fact. Testing the same against the in service system would have been rather easy, he added.
In 2020, it was reported that Indian small arms manufacturers were unhappy with the Army’s plan to re-order SIG Sauer rifles.
While there were no Indian products to be considered in 2018, multiple private companies had entered the small arms industry by 2020 and set up factories and plants either on their own, or through tie-ups with foreign firms.
Sources in the defence establishment explained that while companies claim that they have an indigenous product, it is not so. They added that companies are not able to deliver the quantity that is required since their rate of production capability is less.
The sources explained that in trials being done for other small arms, the companies have sought repeated extensions to submit rifles for consideration.
As the controversy brews, let us take a look at various programs being run by the Army for small arms, and the twists and turns with them.
India’s Quest For Rifles
Way back in 2007, the Indian Army’s Infantry Directorate decided to move away from the 5.56X45 mm INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) rifle based on feedback from the ground troops and experiences from the 1999 Kargil War.
The global and the Indian arms companies have largely been frustrated with the Indian Army’s small arms programs under which it keeps changing requirements, including the calibre (the diameter of the bullet or the barrel).
As mentioned earlier, the Army has failed to standardise on a single calibre for its rifles that has resulted in at least three different calibres (7.62×51 mm, 7.62×39 mm, and 5.56X45 mm) and multiple weapons.
Globally, militaries have largely stuck to one or at most two calibre as a standard. For example, the US military, which has seen the most number of conflicts since World War-II, has changed its rifle calibre and standard-issue rifle just twice since then.
The standard issue shoulder weapon to the American military is the M16A4, which is a modern version of the rifle that was introduced in the 1960s.
As for India, the Army did its own study and eventually came out with a tender in 2011. This tender confused small arms manufacturers across the world because the Army wanted a dual-calibre rifle chambered for two types of ammunition—7.62×39 mm and 5.56×45 mm.
This tender was eventually withdrawn in 2015, but this meant 8 years of planning went down the drain.
Another attempt was made in 2015, to buy modified INSAS 1C rifles. However, this was scrapped in August 2016 when the Army decided to go for a battle rifle chambered for the heavier 7.62×51 mm round.
In the meanwhile, India and Russia initiated talks at government-level to jointly manufacture the AK 103 rifle with 7.62×39 mm calibre. This rifle is the modernised version of the iconic Russian AK 47 rifle developed by General Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1947.
This deal was being pursued when the Ordnance Factory Board was already manufacturing cheaper AK-47 clones—the Trichy Assault Rifle (TAR), and the Ghatak.
Then in 2018 under the then defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a decision was taken to jointly manufacture the AK 203, a small upgrade of the AK 103. It is only this year that the India-Russia joint venture has delivered the first initial lot of AK 203 with bare minimum indigenous content to the Indian Army.
In 2018, the Army decided to pursue its original plan to go in for the battle rifle with the heavier 7.62×51 mm round. Incidentally, the INSAS was introduced to replace the 5.1 kg Ishapore 7.62×51 mm rifle which was used by soldiers in the Siachen battle and against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka.
SIG Sauer In Indian Army
When the Army started the process to acquire a 7.62×51 mm rifle starting in 2018, it decided to pursue the deal under fast tracked procurement (FTP) process. It capped the number of this rifle at 1.4 lakh to equip its frontline soldiers, while the rest were to get the AK 203s.
Accordingly, an empowered committee was formed by the Army which went to multiple countries to check out weapons. Since this was an FTP, no trials were done.
Several rifles were examined by the committee, which eventually chose the SIG 716, according to the sources.
One of the main reasons for the selection of the American rifle was the price, they said. It is understood that the American company had a large number of these rifles in their inventory and had offered a cheaper price than what other companies were asking for.
Accordingly, a deal was inked in 2019 for 72,400 SIG 716 rifles—66,400 for the Army, 4,000 for the Air Force and 2,000 for the Navy. The Army decided that it would go for a follow-on order for an additional 73,000 rifles. But, the follow-on order got delayed with the government’s push against imports.
The defence sources explained that the follow-on order for the American rifles was already decided and that it just took some extra time.
The original plan was to induct 1.4 lakh SIG 716 rifles and the rest of the Army’s requirement was to met by the AK-203s being produced in India.
“So, it is wrong to say that the Indian Army is going in for imports. All other programs like that for light machine guns, snipers, and carbines are for Indian companies,” one of the defence sources said.
The sources explained that way back in 2018, there was no Indian company making such rifles in the country. Though an indigenous weapon system is available now, they said that the Army cannot function with 72,000 of one system and 73,000 of another.
The Carbine Saga
The Army’s quest for close quarter battle (CQB) carbines—a project initiated in 2008 to replace the outdated and ageing British Sterling submachine gun—is still being pursued with field trials taking place at the moment.
As the Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the OFB failed to meet the Army’s requirements, a global tender for procurement of 44,618 CQB carbines was issued in 2011.
While Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), Italian Beretta, and American firms Colt and SIG Sauer participated in the tender, only IWI qualified as the other contenders could not meet the qualitative requirements with regard to the night vision mounting system.
However, the deal did not go through because of a single vendor case, which, according to the government’s procurement manual, is not allowed.
In 2017, a global Request for Information (RFI)—a process initiated to gather information on what is available in the market—was issued for the purchase of 2 lakh carbines, while a separate process was rolled out to procure 93,895 under FTP.
UAE’s Caracal had emerged as the lowest bidder in the FTP process, but the contract for its CAR 816 ran into rough weather over various issues, including costs and complaints from other bidders.
In 2020, the government had decided to scrap the project altogether.
The Army has now initiated a Make in India program under which 4.25 lakh carbines are to be procured for its personnel. The companies in contention include PLR of the Adani Group, Jindal, Kalyani Group and two others, including ICON, which has tied up with Caracal.
SSS Defence could not make it into the list because it could not meet the minimum financial markings that were needed, it is learnt.
The sources indicated that PLR, which now manufactures the Galil Ace in India, and Caracal are the strong contenders.
Sniper rifles
The other program that the Indian Army is pursuing is for the procurement of 4,500 sniper rifles. The companies in contention are SSS Defence, PLR and Kalyani Group. However, the trials are yet to start.
LMGs
The Army is also pursuing a program to procure 41,000 light machine guns (LMGs), under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. These would be the 7.62X51 mm belt-fed LMGs, to replace the 5.56x45mm INSAS LMG.
Adani Group’s PLR systems, which is a joint venture with the IWI, is the frontrunner with their Negev NG 7. The IWI had already won a fast-tracked procurement contract from the Army for about 16,000 Negev NG 7s and delivered them.
Incidentally, the Army contract was directly with IWI and not with the Indian joint venture, which now manufactures various Israeli weapons at its Gwalior plant.
India, China Hold 31st Border Affairs Meeting To Resolve Standoff At LAC
India, China agree to intensified contact to narrow down their differences and find early resolution to outstanding issues; India reiterates that respect for the LAC is essential for restoration of normalcy in bilateral ties
India and China had a “frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views” on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to “narrow down the differences” and find an “early resolution” of the outstanding issues, at the 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) in Beijing on Thursday (August 29, 2024), according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The meeting comes within a month of the 30th WMCC meeting held on July 31, though the Corps Commander-level military talks were not held in between the two meetings.
“In line with the guidance provided by two Foreign Ministers’ meetings in Astana and Vientiane in July 2024 to accelerate their discussion, and building on the WMCC meeting held last month, the two sides had a frank, constructive and forward-looking exchange of views on the situation along the LAC to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues. For this, they further agreed for intensified contact through diplomatic and military channels,” the statement said.
Respect For The LAC
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the MEA, while the Chinese delegation was led by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides decided to “jointly uphold” peace and tranquillity on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments. “It was reiterated that restoration of peace and tranquillity, and respect for the LAC are the essential basis for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations,” the MEA said.
Diplomatic Efforts
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi have met twice in the last two months, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan in July, and again last week at Vientiane in Laos. They highlighted the need to resolve the four-year-old military standoff at the LAC with “purpose and urgency”.
The two countries have been holding the Corps Commander-level and WMCC talks, at the military and diplomatic levels, as part of efforts to resolve the standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. The 21st round of Corps Commander talks were held in February, though the two sides did not reach a breakthrough towards disengagement in the two remaining friction areas.
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