Monthly Archives: August 2018

NEW DELHI: Signalling that the US is keen to strengthen ties with India, US President Joe Biden highlighted the progress in India’s procurement of 31 long-endurance MQ-9B armed drones from American defence major General Atomics and also referred to the setting up of a semiconductor plant in Kolkata, West Bengal.

During his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he held wide-ranging talks covering various key aspects of India-US ties including ways to further ramp up bilateral defence and military engagement.

It may be recalled that the US had approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B drones to Indian military for around $4 billion in February. Out of these, 16 are for the Indian Air Force and 15 for the Navy. The salient feature of the drones is that these can operate in pin-drop silence and fly as close as 250 metres from the ground. According to reports, some more small details are to be worked out and both sides are likely to formally conclude the deal by next month.

As for the semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata, both Modi and Biden hailed it as a watershed arrangement.

“The plant will be established with support from India Semiconductor Mission as well as strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech and US Space force,’’ the White House said in a statement.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

HFCL Limited (HFCL), a leading Indian technology enterprise renowned for its state-of-the-art telecommunication and defence solutions, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (GA-ASI). In a significant development that underscores HFCL’s technical prowess and commitment, the Company has been selected to develop and supply critical sub-systems for GA-ASI’s advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This partnership marks a milestone in HFCL’s journey, as it becomes a key contributor to one of the world’s most sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The collaboration envisions development of critical sub-systems for GA-ASI’s current and future UAV platforms reflecting India’s growing investment in advanced defence technologies. HFCL’s selection as a high-technology supplier by GA-ASI is a testament to its cutting-edge research and development capabilities, which meet the stringent design, development, and delivery timelines required for this critical project.

A critical radar sub-system is being developed by HFCL for UAVs showcases HFCL’s technical excellence. This key payload component is known for its compact and lightweight design and adheres to the highest environmental and MIL-STD specifications. HFCL’s products have consistently proven their durability and performance in the most challenging operational environments, solidifying the Company’s reputation as a leader in defence technology.

HFCL’s subsidiary namely Raddef, a front-runner in developing advanced radar and RF solutions, has been instrumental in driving innovation in the defence sector. The Company’s comprehensive range of surveillance radars, which are versatile, portable, and deployable across various terrains, is already well-regarded in the industry. Furthermore, HFCL is actively developing a state-of-the-art Drone Detection Radar, set to become a crucial element in modern drone detection systems. The Company’s ongoing R&D initiatives encompass a wide array of radar technologies, including Ground Surveillance Radars, Weather Radars, Threat Emulators, LTE-based Passive Radars, Fog and Foliage Penetration Radars, Coastal Surveillance Radars, Avalanche Detection Radars, Muzzle Velocity Radars and Altimeters.

Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL, commented on this significant achievement “We at HFCL have always been at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to enhancing national security through indigenous technology solutions. Our selection by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated to develop critical sub-systems for the UAVs is a proud moment for us and reflects our unwavering commitment to the Make in India initiative. These drones, with their versatile applications, symbolize our resolve to contribute to the defence forces with cutting-edge technology. Our partnership with General Atomics reinforces HFCL’s position as a trusted partner in the global defence landscape and underscores our dedication to supporting India’s defence modernization efforts.”

As India continues to rise as a global military power, accounting for 3.7% of worldwide military spending, HFCL is poised to lead innovation in the Indian defence technology space. Through its indigenous innovations and strategic collaborations, HFCL is committed to contributing to the modernization of India’s military capabilities, aligning with the Government’s Make in India policy and furthering the nation’s security and defence objectives.

This landmark alliance with General Atomics not only elevates HFCL’s standing in the global defence industry but also strengthens its commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that helps nations safeguarding and support their strategic goals.

Agencies

Undoubtedly, India’s strategic move to modernize its tank fleet is timely, especially given the current geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East. This decision brings into question the future of nearly 2,500 Indian-made T-72 tanks. It’s clear now that India is on track to retire its thousandth T-72, which was initially manufactured under a Soviet license.

Plans to export the retired T-72s are in place. A senior official stated, “The tanks will undergo modernization before being exported, allowing countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to benefit from these combat vehicles.” The overhaul of these tanks will be carried out at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, the same facility that produced them under license before shifting to the T-90s in the 2000s.

Despite fierce competition, India might find several opportunities to sell its tanks. A major selling point for the T-72 is its widespread use, which means there’s a broad market—from South Sudan to Venezuela—interested in augmenting their fleets with these well-supported vehicles.

The country with arguably the largest capacity to accommodate these vehicles is Russia itself. Over the years, Russia has reactivated hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles from storage that were side-lined post-Soviet era. While Russian reports boast of ramping up production of the T-90M tanks to over 100 units per month, conservative estimates suggest that Russia might continue showing strong interest in further T-72 acquisitions.

The uncertainty lingers on whether India will succumb to Western pressure to avoid direct arms transfers to Russia, opening doors for potential rerouting through third countries. This situation echoes the economic sanctions imposed on Russia by Western nations, particularly concerning Russian oil and gas trades.

Following these sanctions, India has emerged as a pivotal intermediary in the export of Russian oil and gas. A prominent example is the large-scale import of Russian oil by India at discounted rates. Remarkably, in 2023, India positioned itself as the primary customer for Russian offshore crude oil, with imports skyrocketing to over half a billion barrels in the first half of the year alone.

Data from the Kpler analysis company shows a staggering increase in Russian supplies to India, soaring more than tenfold compared to pre-war levels. This surge has enabled India to resell processed products, such as diesel, to Europe, sidestepping direct sanctions against Russia.

Even with international sanctions, India manages to buy Russian oil at significant discounts—ranging from $20 to $35 per barrel below market prices. In 2023 alone, this strategy helped India save approximately $3.6 billion. Indian refineries leverage this discounted Russian oil to produce and export petroleum products, like diesel, primarily to the European market. This has sparked criticism from the EU, which calls for stricter measures to counter practices that undermine efforts to diminish Russian energy revenues.

Key Indian refineries, such as the one in Jamnagar, receive substantial quantities of Russian crude oil and transform it into a variety of products, including diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. In 2023, Europe hit a record by purchasing refined products from India, with volumes reaching 231,800 barrels per day—a remarkable 115% increase from the previous year.

European nations, particularly the Netherlands and France, are key purchasers of Indian fuels made from Russian raw materials. In 2023, the Netherlands acquired 24% of India’s total refined products, closely followed by France with 23%. Romania, Italy, and Spain are also significant importers of Indian-produced fuels.

Despite European Union sanctions banning direct imports of Russian crude oil and products, the sale of these refined fuels via countries like India highlights regulatory gaps. Russia manages to sustain its revenue by exporting to India, which then caters to the European market’s demand for fuels, especially diesel.

One of the tactics employed to dodge sanctions includes using the so-called “dark fleet” – vessels that deactivate their transmitters and conceal their routes to transport Russian oil to clients like India and China. Consequently, Russian supplies persist despite international sanctions, circumventing G7 oil price limits. Notably, around 36% of India’s oil imports in March 2023 originated directly from Russia.

In recent developments, Russia has grappled with currency restrictions. While India purchases Russian oil using rupees, these funds are challenging to convert on a broader scale, limiting Russia’s ability to utilize these capitals effectively. During a statement in September 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov admitted that Moscow was exploring options to invest the accumulated rupees in the Indian economy instead of using them for immediate military and budgetary needs.

At present, Russia holds Indian rupees that are of little use outside India. Meanwhile, India possesses thousands of tanks that it can export worldwide, including to Russia. Historical context shows that India, with its burgeoning market, remains largely undeterred by potential sanctions[Russian gas and oil; S-400 deal; Su-30SM production; AK assault rifles; Aircraft engines etc]. The New Delhi government is prepared to invest hundreds of billions of USD over the next decade in Western-manufactured weapons and defence systems.

Ultimately, securing contracts with Washington or Paris for advanced weapons and local production to serve the Asian market is more advantageous than dealing with 2,000 outdated tanks that the US is likely to help Ukraine dismantle.

Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 2024-

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged police brutality with an Army Major and his fiancee at Bhubaneswar’s Bharatpur Police station on September 15.

As per a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), CM Majhi took the decision after holding a high-level discussion with Deputy Chief Ministers K.V. Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, DGP Odisha Police, Y.B. Khurania and other senior officials at the Lok Seva Bhawan here late Sunday evening.

Earlier, Deputy CMs Singh Deo and Parida along with R&DM Minister Pujari and Law Minister Harichandan had met with the victim Army officer and his fiancee and discussed the matter at the state guest house. The woman’s father and other retired Army officials were present during the meeting at the state guest house.

According to the statement, CM Majhi ordered the judicial inquiry under Justice Chittaranjan Das and requested the probe team to submit the report within 60 days.

The government has also requested the Orissa High Court to expedite the court-monitored Crime Branch investigation into the matter.

CM Majhi emphasized the rule of law and said that the state government has high respect for the Indian Army. He further added that the state government is fully concerned towards the safety, dignity and rights of women.

He added that the erring cops involved in the case have been placed under suspension and a case has been registered against them too. Action has been taken against the youths accused of misbehaving with the Army officer and his fiancee on September 15.

The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to taking stringent action against all the persons and cops found guilty in the matter.

As per the reports, the Army officer, Gurvansh Singh Gosal, attached to the 22nd Sikh regiment in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal and his fiancee had gone to the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar to lodge a complaint against some miscreants over an incident of road rage during early hours on September 15. An argument ensued between the police and the Army officer and his fiancee at the police station.

The Army officer was allegedly beaten by the on-duty police officials while three female cops dragged his fiancee into a cell of the Police station. Some male cops, including the ex-Inspector in charge of the Bharatpur Police Station reportedly thrashed and molested her at the police station.

As many as five police officials have been placed under suspension by the state police following widespread furore over the incident. (Agency)