Monthly Archives: August 2018

The Army is working on a policy to balance the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) and the need to adapt and add technology. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi while speaking at an event yesterday said the DAP, which is the rule…

The Army is working on a policy to balance the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) and the need to adapt and add technology.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi while speaking at an event yesterday said the DAP, which is the rule book for acquisition of military items, was formulated long ago. It was drafted to ensure fair and transparent acquisition of imported equipment.

“The standard acquisition procedure and technology acquisition need to decouple and we’re working towards it,” General Dwivedi said.

“The Defence Secretary and the government are in agreement that we need to look into it. So we’re working towards it,” he said. “Technology is moving fast. Self-reliance has also become important in the recent wars. The Army has gone in for emergency procurement. And 100 per cent of it was from local sources. We’re also looking at accelerated procurement programme,” General Dwivedi said.

With the ongoing wars being of long duration, mass application of fire, innovative ideas and on-ground adaptation is being seen. “All these things are possible if we have own arms and ammunition. Only then can we have the capability to provide the surge in fire,” he said.

India is set to acquire 26 French Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) fighter jets for its navy. These jets will be stationed on India’s two aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and the newly commissioned INS Vikrant. Although the exact price of the deal hasn’t been revealed, officials indicate that it will align with the cost of the previous 2016 Rafale delivery to India, adjusted for inflation.

According to a unconfirmed media reports, the estimated cost in 2024 is projected to be USD 161 million (146 million euros) per jet. For reference, in 2016, India paid $101 million (91.7 million euros) per unit. This means the total expenditure for the 26 aircraft will be around $4.2 billion (3.8 billion euros).

This recent deal to acquire 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from France for $4.2 billion highlights India’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its naval aviation capabilities. This purchase is part of a broader strategy, reflecting a series of high-value defence acquisitions aimed at modernizing India’s military forces over the past decade.

Topping the list of significant acquisitions, India’s 2018 purchase of the S-400 Triumf missile system from Russia represents its most substantial arms deal, valued at $5.43 billion. The S-400, considered among the most advanced air defence systems globally, is expected to significantly enhance India’s defensive capabilities against various aerial threats, ranging from drones to ballistic missiles.

In another notable agreement, India made a significant procurement deal in 2015 with the United States for 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. This $3 billion contract, which included options for additional orders, underscores India’s commitment to upgrading its advanced rotorcraft capabilities. These helicopters are now operational, serving offensive and transport roles within the Indian armed forces.

The strategic partnership between India and the U.S. has also paved the way for the acquisition of various aircraft. In 2011, India signed a $4.1 billion agreement for 10 C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift aircraft, which are designed for long-distance troops and cargo transport. Additionally, in response to growing maritime needs, India signed a $3 billion deal for additional units of the P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft following earlier purchases.

In 2020, India took a significant step to boost its naval strength with a $2.6 billion purchase of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the United States. This deal is set to enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities dramatically. Additionally, ongoing negotiations for acquiring 30 MQ-9B Predator drones are underway, a transaction estimated at around $3 billion.

The Indian Navy is also set to receive a substantial operational boost with the addition of 26 Rafale M fighter jets. These advanced aircraft will be integrated with the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, bringing cutting-edge strike, air defence, and reconnaissance capabilities. Designed particularly for maritime missions, the Rafale M is a versatile jet that can handle multiple roles, from air-to-air combat to anti-ship operations and ground attacks.

A standout feature of the Rafale-M jets is their adaptability for carrier operations, including efficient take-offs and landings from the INS Vikrant in challenging conditions. This adaptability ensures the Indian Navy gains increased versatility and operational readiness, further strengthening its maritime force.

When it comes to technology, Rafale-M jets are fitted with AESA radar systems and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. This gives them an edge not just in combat against enemy aircraft but also in neutralizing radar and missile defences. One of the hallmarks of these jets is the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, known for its top-notch propulsion system, boosting India’s regional air superiority. Furthermore, the jets are set to be equipped with India’s indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar and Astra missiles, enhancing their combat power and supporting the nation’s move towards self-reliance in defence technology.

Indian defence experts have lauded the deal, stressing the jets’ critical role in ensuring maritime dominance. Admiral Karambir Singh, former Chief of Naval Staff, noted that the Rafale-Ms would usher in a “new era of naval aviation,” with unparalleled precision and long-range strike capabilities.

Defence analyst Bharat Karnad remarked, “The Rafale-M’s range and weapons payload will provide India a decisive advantage in the Indian Ocean region, especially in scenarios demanding swift action.” This agreement bolsters India’s naval air power significantly, particularly as tensions escalate in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Rafale-M, the naval version of the Dassault Rafale, is tailor-made for carrier-based operations. It’s 15.27 meters (50.1 feet) long, has a wingspan of 10.9 meters (35.7 feet), and stands 5.34 meters (17.5 feet) tall. With an empty weight of about 10 tons and a maximum take-off weight of 24.5 tons, this aircraft is powered by two SNECMA M88-2 afterburning turbofan engines. These engines can produce 50 kN of thrust in dry conditions and up to 75 kN with afterburner, ensuring excellent agility and power, even in the challenging environment of aircraft carriers.

Equipped with advanced control systems, including digital fly-by-wire technology, the Rafale-M offers precise handling and safety during intense manoeuvres. The aircraft’s sophisticated avionics suite features the Thales RBE2 AESA radar, providing simultaneous air and ground tracking for enhanced situational awareness.

The Rafale-M also boasts the SPECTRA electronic warfare system, offering strong protection against enemy radar and missile threats. For navigation and targeting, it uses the OSF infrared search and track (IRST) system and the Thales TALIOS targeting pod, which boosts its precision in air-to-ground missions.

When it comes to armament, the Rafale-M truly stands out with its versatility. It can carry an impressive range of weapons, including Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM), MICA short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles, Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles, and SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles. For those concerned with nuclear deterrence, it also can deploy the ASMP-A missile.

Additionally, its internal 30mm GIAT 30 cannon ensures it is ready for close-range air combat and ground support roles. The aircraft boasts an operational range of around 1,850 kilometers without external fuel tanks, which can be greatly extended with in-flight refuelling.

Agencies

NEW DELHI: New Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Tuesday expressed his intent to further push the indigenous fighter aircraft projects as he said that the force has already ordered 200 plus TEJAS jets and now needs to focus on the TEJAS MK-2 and fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programs.

In his first media interaction after taking over his new appointment, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh told ANI that he has been associated with the TEJAS program from the flight testing and it is very close to his heart. He said the TEJAS is a little too small of an aircraft for the current situation, however “we have such a place for an aircraft and have ordered 200 plus aircraft of this type.”

“We need to move on now and focus more on TEJAS MK-2 aircrafts and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft program,” he said.

Singh recently ‘intercepted’ the German Air Force chief in an TEJAS aircraft in exercise Tarang Shakti and made history along with Navy and Army Vice Chiefs by flying together in the TEJAS aircraft over Jodhpur skies to push the indigenous program.

The new IAF chief stated that the motto we have given this year is ‘Sashakta Sudridh and Aatmanirbhar,””We have the capacity and capability within the country to achieve this. Everybody has to come together to make it a success. We are relying heavily on these two platforms,” he added.

On being asked about his key focus areas, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said, “The air force will continue to move forward towards self-reliance, operational capabilities and better training. These will be my focus areas and as time goes we will keep on realigning to the situation as it changes”.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and took blessings from his mother Pushwant Kaur who had come there with other family members.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

The Centre is all set to build a new airbase in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district. This new airbase has been named Deesa Airfield. Once comes into effect, it will help the Indian Air Force (IAF) in launching any kind of attack when needed.

New Delhi: To further strengthen the country’s defence mechanism, the Centre is all set to build a new airbase in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district. The new airbase has been named Deesa Airfield. Once comes into effect will help the Indian Air Force (IAF) to launch any kind of attack when required. It is just 130 km away from Pakistan. Coming up in the western part of the country, this will be the 52nd station of the IAF in the country.

This airbase will be a very strategic airbase of the South-West Command of the Air Force. This airbase will not only help in boosting India’s security but will also help in the development of the region. The Centre has handed over the construction of the airbase to a private company based in Singapore. For this purpose, a small aircraft of DA-62 type reached Ahmedabad recently. The report of the survey will be handed over to the Defence Ministry after which the map of the entire airbase will be prepared.

Airbase To Be Built At Cost of ₹1,000 Crore

The Centre has allotted nearly 4,519 acres of land to build the airbase. It will be built at a total cost of around ₹1,000 crore. Of the total cost, the runway alone will be built for ₹394 crores. After the construction of this airbase, forces will be carried out to attack even through land or sea whenever needed. It will also help in providing more air security on India’s western frontier. It will also help in protecting important cities like Ahmedabad and Vadodara from enemy attacks. This airfield is located close to Kandla Port and Jamnagar Refinery.

Airbase To Boost Neighbouring IAF Bases

Also, with the construction of this airbase, other neighbouring IAF bases like Bhuj and Nalia will benefit. Currently, there is only one runway at Deesa Airfield, which is used for civilian purposes.

(With Inputs From Agencies)

Major Gen Ranjit Singh, who belongs to Hamirpur town, was promoted as Lieutenant General in the Indian Army today. He had assumed charge as Major General in January 2022. Lt Gen Ranjit Singh is a resident of Hira Nagar and…

Major Gen Ranjit Singh, who belongs to Hamirpur town, was promoted as Lieutenant General in the Indian Army today. He had assumed charge as Major General in January 2022.

Lt Gen Ranjit Singh is a resident of Hira Nagar and son of late Lt Col Kishan Chand. His grandfather had retired from the British army in 1932. He was commissioned in the Army in December 1989. He has served as an attache of the Indian Army in Russia.

The brave woman stood her ground and taught a lesson to three thieves, who came to rob her house in a broad daylight

One video shows the robbers climbed the wall and they tried to force open the main door, but the woman foiled their attempt.The video, which has been split into two parts, shows how in an extraordinary act of bravery, she fought hard not allowing the three burglars to enter the house.In the insanely viral video, the woman can be seen using all her strength to keep the burglars away and protect herself and her little daughter from robbers.

She then rushed to close the main door, and used all her might to prevent thieves from entering. She latched it both at the top and bottom and placed a sofa in front. Towards the end, she is heard screaming for help.

Two former Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots and an engineer were killed after a helicopter belonging to a Delhi-based private company, Heritage Aviation, crashed and caught fire near Pune city this morning. The chopper took off from Oxford County Golf…

wo former Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots and an engineer were killed after a helicopter belonging to a Delhi-based private company, Heritage Aviation, crashed and caught fire near Pune city this morning.

The chopper took off from Oxford County Golf Course helipad near Pune and was heading to Juhu in Mumbai when it crashed at 7.40 am. The crash took place near a hilly terrain in Bavdhan area.

The deceased were identified as pilot Paramjeet Singh (62), co-pilot GK Pillai (57), both retired from the IAF; and aircraft maintenance engineer Pritam Kumar Bhardwaj (53), the police said.

An official from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the it was an Agusta 109 helicopter. After the crash, the chopper caught fire, the police said, adding that fire tenders and water tankers were rushed to the spot.

Pimpri Chinchwad Joint Commissioner of Police Shashikant Mahavarkar said primary information suggested fog led to the accident but a detailed investigation will ascertain the exact cause.

The NCP, which had hired the chopper, said its Maharashtra unit chief Sunil Tatkare had flown in the helicopter only a day before, and was supposed to travel by it again on Wednesday.

Lt Gen KJ Singh retd.

GEN Pervez Musharraf, in his Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) thesis, inferred that water would be the casus belli for future wars between India and Pakistan. After the 2019 Pulwama attack, PM Narendra Modi gave a new twist to this with the statement: “Water and terror cannot be allowed to flow together.”

The continued intransigence of Pakistan and the resurgence of proxy warfare, despite the Balakot strikes, have brought back the focus on leveraging water as a coercive strategy. India has formally asked Pakistan to review and renegotiate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which regulates water-sharing between the two co-riparian neighbours.

India has the lowest per capita freshwater availability globally and is facing looming water stress. It has 17% of the world’s population, but barely 4% of its freshwater reserves. Even by optimistic projections, India has only 90 days of water reserves, compared to many other countries that have two years’ worth of stored reserves.

More importantly, Indians often fail to treat water as a scarce resource. In my lectures on the IWT, I’ve been questioned about the legitimacy of using water as a weapon. My response is: Why did we allow Ravi waters to flow to Pakistan when Punjab doesn’t even allow the completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal to share water with Haryana? We are already experiencing domestic water wars over the Cauvery and Damodar rivers.

Invariably, the issue of the upper and lower riparian status and the potential blowback from China is raised. The relevant facts are: first, regarding the Brahmaputra (Tsangpo), 40-50% of the water originates from Tibet, and 70% flows to Bangladesh after accumulating in India. Therefore, the maximum impact would be on Bangladesh, especially during the lean season for flushing requirements.

Second, the Indus sources only 5-8% of its water from Tibet and India’s requirements from it are minimal. Most importantly, China does not concern itself with lower riparian states, as evidenced by its actions in the Mekong Delta. We have already experienced the Chinese-triggered Pare-chu (Sutlej) deluge in 2000 and the Brahmaputra floods in 2020. China is proceeding with the Yarlung-Zangbo dam on the Tsangpo to create a 1,100-km channel to divert water to the Taklamakan Desert.

The IWT, often touted as a resilient agreement between two warring nations, has survived three and a half wars, proxy terrorism and Pakistan’s obduracy for over six decades. The Treaty was signed on September 16, 1960, and, according to recently leaked documents, was a double-pincer effort by the US and the World Bank to keep India in check.

India was given full control of the eastern rivers (the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej) while Pakistan received the major share of the western rivers (the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). In effect, Pakistan got 135 MAF (80.2%), and India received just 33 MAF (19.8%). India also had to contribute £83 million to finance dams and replacement canals in Pakistan.

India was permitted to create limited storage on the western rivers for power generation, flood control and general usage amounting to 3.6 MAF. However, India has failed to fully utilise this capacity and is now trying to catch up, although such projects require decades of focused management. Of the assessed potential of 18,653 MW of power generation, projects with a capacity of only 3,264 MW (18%) have been commissioned so far. Additionally, while 1.34 million acres are permitted for irrigation, India is using only 0.792 million acres.

On the eastern rivers, India has built major dams like Ranjit Sagar/Thein on the Ravi, Pratap Sagar (Pong) on the Beas and Gobind Sagar (Bhakra-Nangal) on the Sutlej, ushering in the Green Revolution. This transformed India from a nation reliant on PL-480 grain shipments in 1960 to one of the world’s leading grain exporters today.

Similarly, Pakistan constructed dams like Tarbela, Mangla and Panjnad, which feed irrigation canals in its Punjab province. However, it has failed to utilise water efficiently, and is suffering frequent floods, high salinity and gross underutilisation of resources.

India recently constructed the Shahpur-Kandi balancing reservoir as an adjunct to the Ranjit Sagar Dam, which is essential to control the flow of the Ravi. In its absence, large amounts of water have flowed to Pakistan. The two-decade delay in the project was caused by inter-state bickering over power-sharing costs until the Central government took over the project.

A major push came with the commissioning of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab in 2016, following a protracted arbitration process and a largely favourable verdict with river modifications. According to media reports, the filling of the reservoir resulted in 30% crop losses in Pakistan. Other projects on the Chenab — such as Pakkaldul, Lower Kalnai, Sawalkot, Rattle, and Bursar — are in the pipeline.

Even with these, India will only achieve around 62% of the potential 18,600 MW of power generation. Plans also exist for the Jhelum, including the Wullar Barrage for the Tulbul navigation project to ensure a minimum draft.

The IWT has become outdated as it never accounted for climate change, water stress or livelihood needs like navigation and salinity management in dams and reservoirs. As a result, the Salal Dam is choked with silt, posing a threat to the nearby town of Reasi. Efforts to desilt the dam have been met with resistance from Pakistan.

Every Indian initiative is opposed in IWT meetings, which have become irregular following the Uri and Balakot strikes. Indian projects, even those in the permissible run-of-the-river mode, are opposed by Pakistan and dragged into arbitration, causing delays and increased costs.

Pakistan has also resorted to using multiple redress mechanisms, such as neutral experts and the Court of Arbitration (COA), concurrently on the same issues. Since September 2023, India has boycotted the COA and responded only to neutral experts.

In light of Pakistan’s filibustering, it is appropriate to renegotiate the Treaty to reflect contemporary realities. Beyond the issue of terrorism, India needs water for its growing needs. And, it would be wise for Pakistan to recognise the emerging challenges and Indian leverage.

Fear of wider war mounts | India calls for restraint by all sides

Israel on Wednesday said eight of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon as troops battle Hezbollah militants on the ground after the start of an Israeli incursion into that country.

The region braced for further escalation as Israel vowed to retaliate for Iran’s missile attack a day earlier. Addressing the nation, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to the slain soldiers and said, “We are in the middle of a tough war against Iran’s axis of evil, which seeks to destroy us… but this will not happen. Together we will defeat the enemy.”

The soldiers were killed in two separate events, military officials said. In Gaza, where the yearlong war that triggered the widening conflict rages on with no end in sight, Israeli ground and air operations in a hard-hit city killed at least 51 persons, including women and children, Palestinian medical officials said.

Israel has continued to strike what it says are militant targets across Gaza a year after Hamas’ October 7 attack ignited the war. The escalation on multiple fronts has raised fears of a wider war in West Asia that could further draw in Iran — which backs Hezbollah and Hamas — as well as the US, which has rushed military assets to the region in support of Israel.

Hezbollah, widely seen as the most powerful armed group in the region, said its fighters clashed with Israeli troops in two places inside Lebanon near the border. The Israeli military said ground forces backed by airstrikes had killed militants in “close-range engagements” without saying where. The military also announced that a soldier — a 22-year-old captain in a commando brigade — was killed in combat in Lebanon, the first such death since the start of the latest operations. Israeli media reported infantry and tank units operating in southern Lebanon after the military sent thousands of additional troops and artillery to the border.

Hezbollah said its fighters wounded and killed a group of Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon after detonating an explosive device. The Lebanese army said Israeli forces had advanced some 400 m across the border and withdrew “after a short period,” its first confirmation of the incursion.

The Israeli military has warned people in around 50 villages and towns to evacuate north of the Awali river, some 60 km from the border and much farther than the northern edge of a UN-declared zone intended to serve as a buffer between Israel and Hezbollah after their 2006 war. Hundreds of thousands have already fled their homes as the conflict has intensified.

Israel has said it would continue to strike Hezbollah until it was safe for tens of thousands of its citizens displaced from homes near the Lebanon border to return. Hezbollah has vowed to keep firing rockets into Israel until there is a cease-fire in Gaza with Hamas. Israeli strikes have killed over 1,000 people in Lebanon over the past two weeks, nearly a quarter of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, amid growing tensions in West Asia, India on Wednesday called for restraint by all sides and said the conflict must not take a wider regional dimension. “We are deeply concerned at the escalation of the security situation in West Asia and reiterate our call for restraint by all concerned and protection of civilians,” the MEA said.