Issue 1 • 2008 Vol 5 No 1

A SP GUIDE PUBLICATION

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In This Issue LandLaT h e ONLYn journald in ForcesAsia dedicated to Land Forces

Procuring Ultra Light Finance Minister Left-wing extremism, Howitzer heralds P. Chidambaram’s alternatively termed the beginning of assurance that as Maoist insurgency artillery modernisation needs of the Indian or Naxalite violence, plans for the Indian armed forces would has emerged as a Army. But efforts be provided for has grave threat to India’s at indigenous come under a cloud as internal security, manufacture remain defence allocation for undermining the shrouded in doubt. 2008-09 dipped below process of nation 2 per cent of the GDP. building.

4 LT GENERAL (RETD) 8 LT GENERAL (RETD) 7 RANJIT ?NAGRA V.K. KAPOOR? AMIT? KUMAR SINGH

EditorialEditorial PerspectiveProject Report Potentially destabilising Main Battle Tank developments in India’s immediate neighbourhood

demand a close scrutiny. Photographs: Sharad Saxena Assassination on December 27, 2007 of prime minis- terial candidate Benazir Bhutto, who had promised Hard Lessons to neutralise extremist elements in Pakistan, followed by large scale violence and postpone- ment of elections to February 18 convulsed the nation. Inconclusive election results, thereafter, have failed to win public confidence as it threw up a coalition of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party PML-N. The only ostensible reason for the unlikely camaraderie between the duo would be to oust President Pervez Musharraf. They might even restore the judiciary, thereby reinstating the functions of the Supreme Court. Among the priorities of the new government would be the onerous tasks of improving upon the economy, restora- tion of media’s freedom and negotiating peace with tribal leaders to restore a semblance of a stable democracy in a feudal nation. It would be pertinent to keep in mind that Islamabad has in the past encouraged growth of the radical variety of Islam and the terrorist groups holed up in the western provinces bor- dering Afghanistan and in the east in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Evidently, the strategy of T-90s out in full force at the Republic Day parade a calibrated proxy war against Afghanistan and India through sponsored non-state actors will not work any longer as the State stands Lack of coordination and understanding between the Army, the DRDO exposed internationally. India’s larger neighbour in the Northeast is and other agencies concerned continues to beset the Indian Army leading faced with an ironical situation over the violent to inefficient resource management uprising in Tibet Autonomous Region. Latest reports indicate the fighting has now spilled over from Tibet into neighbouring provinces, RAHUL BEDI with the Dalai Lama issuing a warning that the region is facing a cultural genocide and appeal- he Indian Army’s (IA) ambitious are questioning the army’s flawed equipment urgency that our armoured regiments, some ing to the world for help. The satire shines main battle tank (MBT) programme policies, which they claim are not only uneco- of which still operate retrofitted T 55’s and the through when viewed in the light of Beijing’s is in a state of flux. Military planners nomical and inefficient, but largely neglected older vintage T-72s are promptly replaced with oft repeated claims on the neighbouring Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. For China, the tim- believe this present state-of-affairs as well. T90S’s and upgraded T72M1’s. Besides, they Tto be impinging adversely on the country’s “Given the army’s emphasis on low intensity must also be equipped with full and partial ing couldn’t have been worse. Violence erupt- ed even as the nation has been gearing up for operational preparedness. All components of conflict, its long term armour induction policy solution fire control systems (FCS’) that would the start of Olympic celebrations due in two the MBT programme—be it the overall MBT and related modernisation programmes have give them the night fighting capability they weeks with the commencement of the torch acquisition, development and modernisation to been neglected at the highest levels and have sorely need. relay which is to pass through Tibet. China’s equip 59 armoured regiments—continues to be slipped badly” says Brigadier Arun Sahgal, a Currently, the army operates two types of communist government has been harbouring riven by indecision, insensitivity, bureaucratic former armoured corps officer who is pres- Russian-origin MBTs-the ‘Ajeya T72M1 built hopes of boosting its popularity at home and delays and inefficiencies. All it reveals is inferior ently Deputy Director, Research, in the United locally under licence by the Heavy Vehicles abroad by hosting the Olympics from August 8 strategic planning, poor coordination between Service Institutions Centre for Strategic Studies Factory (HVF) at Avadi near Chennai and the to 24. The turmoil in Tibet, however, has put a the Army, Defence Research Development in Delhi. India, he declared, had the ‘rare dis- ‘Bhishma’ T90S series of which 310 were cloud on its aspirations. Organisation (DRDO) and the Director General tinction’ of concurrently running three sepa- imported in 2001 for around $700 million (Rs Ordnance Factories (DGOF), apart from inef- rate MBT production lines but that an honest 2,830 crore). Of these, 124 T 90S ficient resource assessment of their efficacy augured ill for the MBTs-of which the Indian army was the management. fighting capability of the army’s armoured first overseas customer-were acquired in units. completed form and the remaining 186 were Flawed Policies Fact is, our army at present lacks the night assembled by the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) LT GENERALLt General(RETD) (Retd)PRAN V.K.PAHWA Kapoor Not surprisingly retired senior army officers fighting capability and so it’s a matter of great at Avadi, Chennai. EDITOR

1/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 1 Army personnel conducting a drill with T-90s in the Rajasthan desert

Additional induction of T-90s M1 MBT fleet- that forms the backbone of the the MBTs 125 mm smoothbore guns have yet been fitted. But army sources maintain that Last year, the Army gave contract for 347 addi- army’s armoured might. The army’s require- to be configured to fire locally manufactured even these equipment were reportedly malfunc- tional T 90S to Rosonboronexport for around ment is for 950 full solution thermal imag- AMK 340 rounds, in effect leaving them virtu- tioning because of overheating in the desert. $1.2 billion (Rs 4,853 crore). The delivery of ing FCS-250 of them as replacements for the ally ammunition-less. Production of 9M119 Efforts at replacing the T72M1’s 780hp V this contract is to be in completed and in kit Drawa-T FCS from PCO-Cenzin of Poland, the Refleks (NATO designation AT-11 ‘Sniper’) mis- 12 air cooled multi-fuel injection engine with form. This has been done to especially ensure contract for which was cancelled three years siles by the state-owned Bharat Dynamics at the T90S’s 1000hp V92S2 four-stroke V 12 that the contract suffers from none of the tech- ago-and 750-800 third generation partial Hyderabad scheduled to begin in early 2006 is diesel power pack fitted with a turbo-super- nical problems that initially plagued the efforts solution thermal imaging stand alone systems also behind schedule as several test firings have charger have not succeeded thereby contribut- made by Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) to (TISAS). In line to be TISAS-equipped are sev- been unsuccessful. Russian technicians are ing to the upgrade setbacks. build 1000 of these tanks locally at Avadi. Our eral hundred BMP-2 as well. being consulted to resolve the problem. inability to manufacture locally has been due Armoured corps officers also noted that the Faulty AMK 340 T-72 to the lack of the transfer of technology which Faulty Catherine thermal initial batch of T90S’s need major overhauling ammunition was a part of the initial deal. In fact, Russia imaging cameras as they had been ‘over exposed’ in exercises. The T 72M1 fleet also faces a depletion of 125 has refused to transfer technology related to Thales officials have denied allegations made by Each tank has a maximum life of 650 revs mm AMK 340 shells produced by the govern- metallurgy for T 90S gun barrels and armour the Indian army that around 80-90 Catherine on the onboard rev-counter (static running ment-run Ordnance Factory Board with not plates to the HVF. This had led the Army Chief, thermal imaging cameras of the 310 T 90S’s, equal’s one rev per hour whilst traversing a enough rounds for the army to even carry out General Deepak Kapoor to declare, “Transfer of whose regimental induction began in late distance of 17.5 km is one rev). However, in mandatory, bi-annual basic firing exercises technology is a complex process due to differ- 2003, had been rendered inoperable due to less than four years after the tanks entered regi- over the past three years. Army sources said ent perceptions on either side on what exactly recurring technical problems caused by exces- mental service most had completed 600 revs some 150,000-200,000 AMK 340 rounds this involves. There have been delays but, in the sive summer heat in the Rajasthan desert. and would be requiring major overhauls soon. worth around Rs 700 crore had since 2003 long run, the transfer will take place and indig- Temperatures in this region, where the MBTs Tank gun barrels-capable of firing 220 effective been destroyed due to a combination of defec- enous production of the tank will commence”. frequently exercise and would eventually be full charge (EFC) rounds-were also imperiled. tive manufacturing and negligence in storing. He justified the acquisition of the additional T deployed against nuclear rival Pakistan, exceed The T-90 can undergo a maximum of three Faulty ammunition had also “demoralized” 90S but declined to provide a schedule for their 50 degrees Celsius during summer while rising gun changes. T72M1 tank crews after a series of AMK 340 local manufacture. to 70 degrees Celsius inside the tanks. It is obvi- rounds burst inside tank barrels. In one such ous that the original Indian decision not to buy Paucity of training simulators accident, two soldiers are believed to have died Indigenous manufacture the air conditioners fitted inside was a mistake. A paucity of training simulators, of which some years ago at Babina. Armoured corps offi- Despite the obvious constraints and problems, Air conditioners are needed for balancing the there were only four–two driving and two for cers said nervous tank crews had even refused the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) claims that working temperature of the sighting and fire gunnery instruction-contributed to the MBT’s to fire the AMK 340 ordnance and when forced it would soon be able to achieve its target of control system and for the crew to avoid battle overuse. To compound matters, these simula- to do so, resorted to elaborate stratagems to annually building 100 T-90S tanks. According fatigue. This short sightedness has proved tors were divided between Babina, Patiala, detonate the shells from outside the tank. to the Director general (ordnance factories) and costly to the nation. Jhansi and Ahmednagar forcing tank crews to chairman of the OFB Sudipta Ghosh: “In 2008, “Only around 40 FCS (of 310) units were waste time racing to each location. The situa- Neglected T-72 overhaul the HVF would hand over five indigenously pro- non-functional but the rest were working tion was further complicated by the simulator The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) duced T-90S tanks to the army, followed by 50 well” a Thales official admitted, attributing the maintenance wing being headquartered at in its report on combat vehicles presented to next year and probably rising to 100 annually failure to routine equipment attrition. Military Jhansi, resulting in delays if problems occurred parliament in May 2006 observed that in keep- by 2010 onward.” sources alleged that the TI system had neither at any of the other three locations. ing with the army’s policy, imported T-72 tanks Meanwhile, Thales of France has received been adequately ‘tropicalized’ nor sufficiently are due for their first overhaul after 12 years a repeat order for around 320 Catherine ‘ruggedised’ to bear India’s excessive desert T-72 M1 ‘Ajeya’ upgradation or 10,000 km while the second is carried out thermal imagers (TI) that is at the heart of heat, a claim Thales refutes. Each camera was Unseemly setbacks in upgrading 1800-2000 after 22 years or 18,000 km. For indigenously the fire control system (FCS) of the Indian priced at around $444,000 (Rs 1.8 crore) or ‘Ajeya’ T72M1 tank and Arjun’s poor perfor- produced T-72s, the first overhaul is after 10 army’s T 90S’. Francois Dupont, Corporate around 20 per cent of each MBT’s overall cost mance resulting in the army’s reluctance to years or 5,000 km and the second after 20 Country Director of Thales India declared of Rs 11.75 crore. induct it into service despite over three decades years or 9,000 km. “The backlog of 1572 on the sidelines of Defexpo-2008 that “With The FCS components were ‘mated’ at the of development and trials, have also dealt a tanks to be overhauled as of 2005 had arisen this requisition for 320 TIs, the number of TI T90S Nizhny Tagil factory in the Russian Urals body blow to the army’s overall armour profile. primarily due to insufficient overhaul capacity devices provided by Thales for fitment onto and deliveries of the 124 completed MBT’s to The T72M1’s form the backbone of India’s created, failure of the factory to make available the country’s T 90S’s will go up to 1000.” India commenced in December 2002 and con- armoured strength and around 1108 of them the quality spares in time and inadequate sup- Thales’ agreement with the state-owned Opto cluded within 12-14 months. Thereafter, HVF had till March 2005, been built by HVF. But the ply of tanks due for overhaul by the Army,” the Electronics Factory (OLF) at Dehra Dun run handed over the first locally assembled T90S’s long-delayed ‘Project Rhino’, which envisaged CAG report said. Consequently by 2015, the by the OFB stipulates that it will provide the to the army in January 2004 with the remain- the upgrading of the T72M1 fleet in varying CAG warned, there would be a further accu- FCS’ for 320 of 1000 T 90S’s that will be con- ing numbers completed in early 2007. Initially, degrees by providing it with explosive reactive mulation of another 1983 tanks for their first structed locally by the HVF. Thales officials after the MBT’s TI camera’s malfunctioned, armour, fibre-optic gyro-based navigation and and second overhaul, a situation that would present at the recently concluded Defexpo they were replaced as the tanks were still under laser warning systems, frequency hopping ‘adversely effect’ operational readiness of the were of the opinion that the remaining 680 warranty till March 2004. But when the FCS radio sets, thermal imaging night sights with Indian Army. MBT’s would also be equipped with similar shortcomings persisted, senior army officers full solution fire control systems, and advanced FCS’s, leading to an add-on order later. including former army Chief, General Nirmal nuclear biological and chemical equipment ‘Arjun’ related woes The FCS-an amalgam of the Catherine TI Vij grudgingly conceded that ‘various solu- had failed to materialize fully. These additional Meanwhile, the saga of the DRDO-developed camera that incorporates a long-wave infrared tions’ like air conditioning the MBTs, to resolve systems, together with the stabilization of the Arjun MBT, sanctioned in 1974, shows no detector with the IG 46 gunners sight from persisting problems were under consideration. tanks gun control system by attaching a new sign of coming to an end. The army recently Belarus’s Beltech International-is already Thales officials, however, said attempts to air- thermal shroud on the MBT’s 125mm 2A46 reiterated its refusal to receive it in its present installed in 310 T 90S’s and has a range of 3-4 condition the T 90S’ had no bearing on the TI’s smooth bore gun to ensure greater accuracy state and privately declared it an ‘operational km. Thales anticipates the FCS order multiply- functioning; it was merely to make tolerable the and equip the tank with new integrated fire liability’. The HVF is presently constructing ing if the Indian army decides to install it onto unbearably high temperatures inside the tank detection and suppression system, would have 124 Arjun’s under a contract awarded in the the T 72M1 and to the infantry combat vehi- during summer. completed the staggered retrofit package to late 1990’s. The Army Chief, General Kapoor, cles (BMP-2s) as part of a proposed upgrade of keep the T72M1’s in service till 2015-20 and however delivered a body blow to the Arjun both platforms. Setbacks in T-90s even beyond. So far, the army has bought programme by declaring last November that Thales is competing with El-Op of Israel Initially, the T90S’s fired Russian-made AMK- merely 300 partial solution TISAS from Israel’s the Army was seeking a new generation MBT. to supply the army full and partial solution 338 and AMK-339 rounds. But these had ElOp for the T 72M1’s for around $120,000 “What we have today (Arjun) is mid-level tech- FCS’s for the long delayed upgrade of its T 72 more or less been exhausted in training and each (Rs 49 lakh), almost all of which have nology. What we need is a tank of international

2 SP’S LAND FORCES 1/2008 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Ironing out the Wrinkles India’s main battle tank programme is beset by difficulties which have emerged from chronic ailments afflicting the users (the Indian Army), the developers (DRDO), the manufacturers (HVF of DGOF) and the Directorate General of www.plasan.com Quality Assurance (DGQA). One of the most pressing problems is the lack of proper leadership in the DRDO. The scientists, despite their scientific acumen, can- not provide the managerial and leadership skills required to handle projects and to improve the work culture and ensure accountability in the establishments tasked to develop new equip- ment. Induction of senior service officers could effectively improve the current stalemate as done in the US and other western nations. The lack of cooperation and coordination between the users, developers and manufac- tures can also be radically improved by posi- tioning user representatives with the DRDO C

and the HVF so that regular and systematic o u monitoring of equipment under development r t e is done. Each major project could be placed s y under a suitably composed empowered com- o f mittee to oversee its implementation and to O S hold individuals or establishments responsible H K for delays and failures.The ordnance factories O Extending by and large have a very poor work culture. S H T This needs radical and drastic improvement r u ck through effective leadership and amendment C or of labour laws. The lack of quality control of p. sub-components needs to be addressed to our Global Reach - ensure reliability of equipment. All upgradation and modernisation of equipment could be done in complete packag- es such as the automotive package, the arma- ment package, battle management system and so on. The vendors should be made responsible Maintaining

to install these packages. SP C

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quality” the Army Chief stated at an interna- o f tional seminar on Armoured Fighting Vehicles. I n our Values

t He added, “I have no doubt that the DRDO e

r will be able to develop indigenous capabili- n a t i ties for coming up with a better answer and a o n more versatile armoured fighting vehicle (than a l Arjun) in the future.” Indirectly referring to ® M DRDO’s inefficient functioning, General Kapoor i li t a also called for greater synergy between defence r y scientists, users and producers to ensure the a n d delivery of a ‘cutting-edge-technology’ MBT. G o At a review meeting with the DRDO earlier ve rn m this year, Defence Minister A.K. Antony had e n t L L asked it to rectify Arjun’s defects failing which C DEFEXPO 2008, NEW DELHI the government would be forced to review the entire programme under which the HVF is 16-19 FEBRUARY 2008 building 124 units. The all-party parliamen- BOOTH 11G tary defence committee in two of its recent reports had also severely castigated the delayed Arjun programme for which the army drew up its qualitative requirements in 1972 with a view to designing a largely indigenous MBT. Its cost is also estimated at around $3.5 mil- lion (Rs 14 crore) per piece, far in excess of the T90S MBT’s. The DRDO has conceded that nearly 60 per C o cent of Arjun’s components like its German u r

t MTU 838, Ka-510 1,400 hp diesel engine con- e s nected to a German-built RENK semi-automat- y o f ic transmission system, FCS and gun-control O S system and numerous other components and H K sub-assemblies were imported. This is an irony O S considering that the project was launched in H 1974 as part of India’s drive for self-sufficiency Tr u c in defence equipment. k Co Arjun’s excessive width and weight also r p. compromised its operational efficiency as it would require special tank transporters and rail wagons to transport it while the majority of bridges in the northern Punjab plains, where the MBT could be deployed would also need reinforcing, all at a great cost. A CAG report declared that a Arjun regiment of 45 tanks configured around the MBT’s present design would require 16 additional three-ton vehicles “Not only were Army-DRDO interactions poor, at Defexpo 2002 in New Delhi and again went ahead with a rash and ill-judged scheme and 45 extra personnel to sustain operational the latter also overruled the service with its at the same venue in all three subsequent of making a new hybrid tank without even tak- mobility. Consequently, there is consensus ‘clout’”, the former armoured corps officer Expo’s including the most recent that ended ing the user (the Indian Army) into confidence amongst military planners that because of its added. on February 19. Tank X also featured in the but had no qualms in offering it to them. One inadequacies, Arjun would in all likelihood, be Republic Day Parade even though DRDO offi- wonders which country will buy this tank when used in a “purely defensive role”. “This (Arjun) Tank X: Who ordered it? cials admit that the Army has shown ‘no inter- it finds out that the Indian Army has dismissed was a classic case of bad project management. Surprisingly DRDO has gone ahead and pro- est’ in the product. However, at Defexpo 2008, its development as a non-event. SP There was no synergy with the army in the for- duced a hybrid 48-ton ‘Tank X’ that is an these officials claimed that ‘small countries’ had mative stages of the Arjun project,” said former amalgam of Arjun’s turret with a locally expressed interest in Tank X, but declined to The writer is a specialist in military matters and the Indian correspondent of army Chief General Shankar Roychowdhury. built T72M1 chassis. This was first displayed elaborate. What is surprising is that the DRDO Jane’s Defence Weekly

1/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 3 Acquisition

Ready to Boom The wait for Ultra Light Howitzer is over. But while the Indian Army may soon start procuring it, the question regarding its indigenous manufacture has still not been addressed.

The XM-777 Gun weighs approximately 4,000 kg and can be transported by CH 47D Chinook Photographs: BAE Systems

LT GENERAL (RETD) RANJIT NAGRA

t was on January 14, 2008 that the tegic mobility wherein ultra-light guns can be a high-efficiency recoil system. The ordnance petitor to this gun in the world market and Indian Artillery got a New Year gift from transported to a battlefield much faster than is mounted on what is essentially a firing table that is ‘Pegasus Lightweight Howitzer’ from their ‘gunner chief’ General Deepak the conventional heavy artillery guns. Light resting on four stabilised legs, two of them Singapore Technologies Kinetics. The gun has Kapoor. This was in the shape of his weight guns also provide greater battlefield pointing forward. The M284 ordnance used almost similar features to the XM777, except Iannouncement that the invitation for Ultra survivability through much faster emplace- in the gun is the same as that used in the 39- for the following:- Light Howitzer has been sent out. This dis- ment and displacement timings. caliber M198 towed howitzer. • Heavier weight: After certain modifications closure, ‘that the invitation for Ultra Light The XM-777 Gun weighs approximately In comparison with M198, this gun in the gun, the weight achieved is approxi- Howitzer has been sent out’, came from the 4000 kg and can be transported by CH 47D has better survivability due to it being one mately 5500 kg compared to approximately General during the course of a press con- Chinook type of helicopter, besides C130 fourth the size of M198; its other advantages 4200 kg weight of XM777. ference he was holding a day ahead of the aircraft, Landing Ship Tank (LST), Fast Craft include having a five fold better counter bat- • Lacks barrel depression capability: This Army Day. Behind this pronouncement is a Utility (FCU), and Landing Craft Air Cushion tery capability; it can achieve 25% more kills is not a serious shortcoming in view of the significance not to be missed: it heralds the (LCAC). It has state-of-the-art digital fire con- and being light weight, it can traverse 20 per transparent battlefield where survivability is beginning of artillery modernization plan trol system, can receive fire missions directly cent more terrain, thus providing increased ensured by ‘shoot and scoot’ and not by firing estimated to cost approximately $2.5 billion from the observer thereby enhancing system tactical and strategic mobility. smoke canisters as done during the Second (Rs 1,099 crore). World War where guns were required to fire Ironically, no new guns have been induct- smoke ammunition at depressed elevation. ed since the procurement of 410 Bofors guns • ‘Pegasus’ has auxiliary power unit (APU) in 1987. Though a global tender for the providing the gun with limited self-propul- acquisition of 155mm/52 calibre guns was sion after helicopter landing or landing by floated in 2001, the acquisition could not other means; it’s a capability not available take place as none of the guns met the GSQR with XM777. parameters. At that time, the Indian Artillery The emergence of ‘Ultra Light Howitzer’ was contemplating introduction of 15-tonne is likely to revolutionise gun technology in 155mm/52 calibre fortress type guns, while the world. The credit for providing this gun the US Army and Marine Corps were keen on to the Indian Army must be given to our the development of Ultra Light Howitzers. two Chiefs—General J.J. Singh and General It was in 1986 that the first outline of Deepak Kapoor. The only regret one may requirement for a light-weight howitzer have is that the procurement of the Gun emerged. Three different competitors partici- should have been arranged under the ‘Buy pated in various phases of the tests. The tests and Make’ category and not only under involved the capability for showing 3200 km ‘Buy’ alone. That way, we could have learnt of movement over different types of terrain how to manufacture this gun which has and the firing of about 8000 artillery shells. the technology used in developing futuristic Apart from having to fulfill these conditions, gun systems. Technology for gun systems the Gun was also tested by soldiers of the US is undergoing revolutionary changes with Army and Marine Corps. After 7 months of every passing decade. As it is, the XM777 has tests, the contract for development of the Gun The XM-777 is now being offered to the Indian Army by BAE Systems of UK been developed to replace 39 calibre M198/ was finally awarded on March 17, 1996 to M114 towed guns. Perhaps, one day we may Textron Marine and Land Systems of US and also like to have these guns as towed guns RO Systems (originally Vickers Ship Building effectiveness, has inertial navigation with Following a protracted selection process with the same maximum firing range capabil- and Engineering Limited) of UK. Finally, after GPS update and has onboard system charg- that lasted over a decade, it is understood that ity as that of the 15 to 16-tonne 155mm/ 52 various amalgamations and mergers, the Gun ing facility. It can achieve a firing range of 40 the US is acquiring a total of 686 guns. The calibre guns. Even though one welcomes the called XM-777 is now being offered to the km with Raytheon and Bofors manufactured British Army has a requirement for 70 units, fact that these guns are likely to be under pro- Indian Army by BAE Systems of UK. M982 Excalibur projectile with 10 meter which will probably be similar to the M777 curement soon as announced by the Chief of Heralded as a gun of the 21st Century, the accuracy. Weight reduction has been achieved and act as their future Light Mobile Artillery Army Staff, one question to arise in the con- XM-777 Gun was conceptualised in 1986 by extensive use of titanium alloy. Some gun Weapon System (LIMAWS). Besides the text is: should we not restrict our import of in US. It was anticipated that the Gun would parts have been made using aluminium while Indian requirement for 140 guns, the Italian 52 calibre guns to only 400 and develop the help replace M198 Towed Howitzer of the US steel has been used only where necessary. Army is also keen to acquire these guns. The remaining 1200 odd guns indigenously based Army as well as serve the replacement for all The norm on meeting the requisite firing demand is likely to go up due to the successful on state-of-the-art technology as obtainable in existing cannon systems of the Marine Corps. stability has been achieved through a design performance of these guns in Afghanistan guns like XM777 or Pegasus. SP The programme was primarily driven by some that features a reduced trunnion height, a and Iraq as reported in the press. developed nations’ preference for gaining stra- geometric ‘out-of-balance’ configuration and It appears that there is only one com- The writer is a former DG Artillery.

4 SP’S LAND FORCES 1/2008 RWM Artillerie E 260x191.qxd 20.02.2008 17:17 Uhr Seite 1

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here is growing understanding among It can also be said that there has been vide accurate target intelligence coupled with impact on planning, it stands to reason that military planners that conventional continuous effort to improve the accuracy Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs) has led the PGMs would also have an important bear- warfare is entering the stage of infor- of weapon systems and ammunition. Since to “Effects Based Operations” gaining pre- ing on planning at strategic, operational and mation warfare following the indus- World War II there have been dramatic strides dominance in speedy conflict resolution with tactical levels. They can be quickly brought to Ttrial age mechanised warfare. The essence of in this area. For example, in World War II minimum collateral damage. The use of PGMs the battlefield for generating force levels equal this shift is powered by information technology the Circular Error of Probability (CEP) for an also satisfies one of the fundamental principles to or more than a force equipped with dumb revolution in warfare. Weapons and equip- air-delivered bomb was 1000 meters; in the of war that is “Economy of Effort”. Further, bombs. Thus they would be key components of ment have become more intelligence oriented, Korean War this was improved to 300 meters it enables concentration of effects from geo- force projection capabilities which, of late, the wherein precision guided long distance attacks and by the Vietnam War it had progressed to graphically widely dispersed forces. Since a Indian Armed Forces have been focusing on. are increasingly playing a critical role in slightly over 100 meters. In Operation Iraqi lower number of ordnance or weapon plat- PGMs are essential tools in an RMA enabled operations and are becoming the main form of Freedom (OIF), the CEP was only a few meters forms is required to achieve the same effect on force. Without adequate numbers of PGMs in attack. For example, the use of precision muni- or as claimed by the US forces it was around the target end, they enable reduced signature a nation’s inventory, it can not be said to have tions has been following an upward trajectory one ‘bomb length’. Further, in OIF the use of of own forces for enemy sensors to detect. moved up the RMA scale. Furthermore as since Operation Desert Storm. The percentage PGMs rose to 68 per cent versus 32 per cent As less number of ordnance and muni- they enable reduction in ordnance or number of Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) used of dumb bombs. tions are required PGMs contribute to reduced of platforms required, PGMs also contribute in Gulf War I was 9, thereafter its percentage Precision weapons substitute mass for logistics tail thereby increasing the agility to reduction in manpower without losing the increased to 35 in Kosovo and Afghanistan. effects. And the advent of sensors that pro- of a force. And since logistics have a great combat edge, which is one of the key benefits

1/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 5 return would release additional air effort used Cruise Missiles besides many other PGMs. which would become available to be exploited In our own case, some of the smart munitions for other strategic, operational and tacti- like laser guided bombs were used by the IAF cal tasks. For instance, in Operation Iraqi in the Kargil conflict with telling effect. The Freedom, the F-16, F-18, B-1, B-2 and B-52 use of PGMs, by their very nature, may involve aircraft were armed with multiple Joint Direct joint planning and joint targeting in most Attack Munitions (JDAM) which enabled cases and especially so in tactical battle area. these aircraft to strike multiple targets in a There would also be a need for formulation of single sortie. This economy of effort provided joint procedures for enabling cross-services the joint forces an opportunity to engage sensors and target designators to effectively a wider spectrum of target systems and utilise the precision platforms and weapon sys- increased the capability to fight close, rear tems of the three services. and battle in depth simultaneously. Employment of precision weapons also It would also be possible to engage mul- leads us to look for precise information. tiple targets with new variety of PGMs from Therefore one of the main requirements for stand-off distances. Precision attacks from application of precise force is developing an stand-off distances would enable the air sup- intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance port to be provided in the proximity of land network dovetailed with shooters and decision forces. Therefore, the Close Air Support mis- makers’ grid with real time response capabili- USAF sions, which were hitherto not preferred by ties. Intelligence, sensor development and tar- Air-delivered JDAM the IAF, can now find greater acceptability geting, which have always been key issues in among the IAF planners. With a suitable warfare, are becoming increasingly important. visualized by militaries all over the world of the political, strategic and international percentage of PGMs in the IAF inventory, it The continued introduction of advanced ongoing RMA. It is a different matter that our environment which is likely to prevail in the may be possible to commence counter air and weapon platforms and the integration of criti- military has been unable to reduce manpower subcontinent in the near future. In the Indian counter surface campaigns almost simultane- cal force multipliers will augment our forces’ because of involvement in Low Intensity context, a larger inventory of PGMs, along ously thus accommodating the needs of land capabilities against China. Coupled with timely Conflict (LIC) operations/ counter insurgency with associated infrastructure becomes more forces in the likely battlefield scenarios of the intelligence and adequate precision-guided operations. However, General JJ Singh, the relevant for the execution of our ‘Cold Start’ Indian sub-continent. munitions, capabilities would enable our previous Chief of Army Staff had stated in Doctrine and Joint Doctrine. Similarly increased inventory with land forces in enhancing India’s combat edge over September 2007, “My focus has also been in According to a Rand Corporation study, forces of integrated battle groups would add Pakistan as never before. It must be noted that making full use of Precision Guided Munitions the PGM-enabled calculus has changed and additional punch to their arsenal and may China has achieved capabilities in producing and firepower rather than manpower”. air power’s ability to contribute to the joint reduce requirement of air support. Armed numerous types of PGMs. Some of the PGMs In air-land operations or tri-service opera- battle has increased. Not only can modern helicopters with fourth generation missiles, like precision guided mortar bombs have so far tions, the benefits of PGMs can be jointly air power arrive quickly where needed, it has cannon launched guided projectiles and mis- not even been produced by the U.S. Pakistan is exploited to reinforce and complement the become far more lethal in conventional oper- siles of various types including air defence in the process of acquiring the most effective unique characteristics of each Service. ations. Equipped with advanced munitions missiles and even multi-barrel rocket launch- JDAMs and other assorted munitions from the Increased inventory of precision weapons either in service or about to become opera- ers with PGMs would enhance the joint and U.S. as part of F-16 package. Currently, the in air and surface forces would enhance the tional and directed by modern C3I systems, integrated effort required for attaining goals in Indian military lacks timely targeting intelli- force multiplier effect of the existing weapons air power has the potential to destroy enemy short and intense conflict. gence, adequate precision-guided munitions as platforms. This would be very relevant in the ground forces on the move or in defensive In the Second Gulf War, by adding inexpen- well as emphasis on joint operations. short duration conflicts where speed, shock positions at a high rate while concurrently sive cheap strap on kits for GPS guidance, the Further, it is generally believed that PGMS action and accurate long range fire become destroying vital elements of the enemy’s war US armed forces’ weapons and weapon plat- are very expensive but a cost benefit analysis essential to achieve worthwhile objectives in fighting infrastructure. In short, the mobility, forms achieved precision capabilities. The US may prove that they are more cost effective as a reasonable time frame. lethality and survivability of air power makes Air Force used a wide variety of PGMs - over they result in reducing the large infrastructure In the backdrop of possible international it well suited to the needs of rapidly develop- 6000 JDAM, 1000 Wind Corrected Munitions associated with dumb bombs and an industrial intervention, when force has to be utilised ing regional conflicts. Dispenser including Sensor Fused Munitions age force. Yet PGMs cannot be the panacea for selectively, it is imperative that it be wielded In case of the IAF, a larger inventory and a variety of laser guided bombs. The all the problems associated with prosecution of in a manner so as to achieve political aims of PGMs would enhance its strategic agil- Army used Sense and Destroy Armour war and conflict. SP through short, swift and precise military ity, reduce the size of aircraft packages and (SADARM) along with long range acquisition operations. This is the general premise of decrease the logistics requirements. This in system and Hellfire missiles while the Navy The writer is a Research Fellow at the USI of India.

Diplomacy US will help India develop a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel for the entire lifetime of the reac- tors. The US has also agreed to create condi- tions for giving India an assured and full access to the international fuel market. Breaking the 123 Logjam Indian Union Minister for Science and Technology and one of the prominent spokes- A spate of political and diplomatic developments has put the spotlight back men of the UPA Government Kapil Sibal has said the American constitution clearly states on the Indo-US nuclear deal but its outcome remains anybody’s guess that agreement between the US and any other country is above domestic American law. By LT GENERAL (RETD) V.K. KAPOOR this reckoning, the 123 agreement is not lim- ited by the Hyde act. Recently, Prime Minister’s special envoy Shyam Saran drew attention to flurry of visits by influential US civil nuclear energy cooperation in July 2005. given by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the technology denial regimes India has faced Congressmen to India coupled The Indo-US nuclear deal calls upon Delhi to the Senate Foreign relations Committee, in since 1974. The key point Saran made was with some not altogether unre- for separation of nuclear facilities into civil which she noted: “What this initiative does is that whatever reservations we may have with lated diplomatic developments has and military. It also enjoins India to bring its to elevate this relationship to a new strategic respect to our relations with the US, no other Aput the focus back on the Indo-US nuclear civil facilities under international safeguards height”. The US Congress approved the deal country in the world, including Russia and deal. First came the visits by three influen- in exchange for nuclear energy cooperation. in December 2006, by passing the Hyde Act, France, would end existing nuclear sanctions tial US Senators—Kerry, Joseph Biden and It allows India to carry out civil nuclear com- and in July2007, both India and the US agreed against India unless the US took the lead. Chuck Hagel—followed swiftly by US Defence merce with members of the Nuclear Suppliers on the text of the bilateral pact—the 123 In his statement to the Parliament on March Secretary, Robert Gates. Amid all the flutter, Group while allowing it to retain its nuclear Agreement. The deal found sharp critics as well. 3, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen and weapons programme. But the benefits accruing Critics blasted the US government for granting stressed on three aspects of the deal. One, talks India’s Permanent Representative to the UN to India from the nuclear deal outweighed its fuel assurances and reprocessing right to India on an India-specific safeguards agreement Nirupam Sen—both key players in crafting of impositions and corresponding obligations. The in violation of its non-proliferation obligations with the IAEA are about to be concluded and the Indo-US nuclear deal—were given one year deal would help nudge India into the interna- and the Hyde Act. a happy conclusion would enable the Nuclear extension on their jobs. Though the progress of tional nonproliferation mainstream and open All along the tortuous negotiations leading Suppliers Group to amend its guidelines and the nuclear deal is stymied by political opposi- new doors for a cleaner and more secure global to the deal, India consistently defended its right facilitate nuclear trade among member coun- tion in India, these developments, whether energy future. The pact has the power to trans- to reprocess nuclear fuel. While the US admin- tries and New Delhi. Two, Indo-US civil nuclear fortuitous or brought about by design and pur- form what has been one of the most divisive istration ultimately accepted Indian demands, commerce will be guided by the bilateral pose, certainly auger well for the future of the issues in Indo-US relations for the past 30 years it made a distinction between the right and agreement, not by the Hyde Act. Three, the Indo-US nuclear deal. into a new opportunity for cooperation. Quite an entitlement to US assistance with regard to government will try to achieve a broad political A little flashback to the days leading to the naturally, the deal has found eager supporters reprocessing activities. Action on reprocessing consensus on the issue. nuclear deal would not be out of order. In and votaries. IAEA, Director General, and the will depend on the conclusion of a subsequent Opponents of the deal fail to understand a sign of the growing strategic relationship 2005 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohamed El- agreement, as required by Section 131 of the that under no circumstances will India get a between India and the US, the two countries Baradei have welcomed this agreement, as have US Atomic Energy Act of 1954. India has com- better deal from any other American regime, had signed in June 2005, the ‘New Framework France, UK, Russia and other countries. mitted to set up a dedicated reprocessing facil- as has been hinted at from time to time by for the US–India Defence Relationship’. This How much significance the US attaches ity to ensure that American origin fuel is not prominent US personalities across the political was followed by the ‘Joint Statement’ on full to the deal can be had from the testimony diverted for weapons programme. In turn, the and intellectual spectrum. SP

6 SP’S LAND FORCES 1/2008 Anti-Terror Operation Stemming the Rot In India, Maoist extremists have fraternal ties among themselves that often extends to other groups in other parts of the world

Arms used by the Maoists recovered from Nandigram www.naxalnaxalitemaoist.wordpress.com AMIT KUMAR SINGH

ecent incidents like the Nayagarh Ideology cal leaders, corrupt government officials, emphasis on the use of force. Intrusive and armory loot and the Dantewada The Maoist ideology propagated by Left-wing rich landlords and professionals, and from insensitive security forces action in the Naxal jail break bring out the gravity of groups provides an alternative system that anyone who they presume to have ill-gotten affected regions poses a threat to the socio- the threat India faces from left wing appears to accommodate diverse socio-cul- wealth. In areas under their control or target, political and economic structures of those Rextremism, alternatively termed as Maoist tural, political, economic and political aspira- all development work is a target for extor- regions. insurgency or Naxalite violence. The geo- tions. On the other hand, the present state tion. One key source of finance is the trade The Naxal problem is essentially a graphical spread and growing militarisation system is perceived to have gone against the in tendu leaves. Besides collecting extortion socio-economic problem. Therefore, the of Maoist cadres are the chief concerns with way of life of most of the people residing in money from contractors, the extremists also Government needs to focus on the under- reports suggesting these groups are active in inaccessible and underdeveloped regions. organise labourers employed in the collection lying causes of unrest which are poverty, 170 districts in 14 states across the country. According to the Maoist doctrine, peace- of tendu and wage fights for the amelioration unemployment, malnutrition and under- Arguably, it is the single largest armed ful methods of resistance cannot bring about of labourers’ wages in return for contribu- development as these provide sustenance group in the country with some 18,000 cad- necessary changes because vested inter- tions from them in the name of party funds. to the movement. The government needs to res who wield influence in regions that have ests control the levers of power. An armed A miniscule proportion, roughly an estimated seriously undertake land reforms and ensure become their bastions to those that are being struggle is the only way out. Mobilisation of 5 per cent, of the annual earnings goes into that the deprived sections of the society are targeted. The unification of the People’s War cadres along ideological lines is a symbol of financing development activities in their brought into the mainstream of development. Group and the Moist Communist Centre in the strength, commitment and deep-rooted- pockets of influence. These have to be complemented by a sus- 2004 has further strengthened the insur- ness of the Maoist movement. It is because Development activities pertaining to tained, patient and committed effort aimed gents many of whom are in possession of of its ideological underpinnings that Maoist health, education or infrastructure develop- at ensuring better governance and dignity modern weapons. movements have been receiving support and ment that normally come under the purview and adequate means of livelihood. Though a In India, these extremists have fraternal sustenance from various political parties and of the government are also taken up at times multi-pronged approach is being followed, the ties among themselves, which often extends civilian organisations. by these Naxalite groups, especially in areas military solution to the problem still remains to other groups across the world. Through a under their control where the state adminis- the dominant approach. SP range of informal understandings, various Objectives and approach tration’s efforts are met with stiff resistance. such groups have divided the turf among Extremist groups function in a very system- A Research Fellow with Centre for Land Warfare Studies, the writer is conduct- themselves. Nexus with the Northeast insur- atic and orderly manner. They feed upon the Government response ing research on “Maoist Terrorism: Implications for Indian security” at CLAWS. gents and international affiliations and grievances—real or perceived—that people The government has treated it as a law and SP’s Land Forces will publish a series of articles on the above subject starting fraternal ties with the Nepalese Maoists and have against the state. Under the pretext of order problem and there has been undue from the current issue. supposedly with even the LTTE further fuels addressing such grievances, Maoist groups the threat they pose to India. There is also enter into an area and gradually entrench a growing apprehension that the ISI might themselves. Their task is made all the more ������������������ incorporate these groups in its ‘grand strat- easy because of the lack of administrative egy’ of destabilising India. structures and the absence of civil gover- nance in remote areas of the country. On Failure of governance gaining a toehold, they eject whatever rudi- One oft stated factor for the Maoist threat mentary structures of civil governance exists growing to these dangerous proportions in these areas and subsequently rouse the is the failure of successive governments in peasantry in these “liberated” areas to wage addressing the aspirations of the common a guerilla war, unfold agrarian revolution, man in the most deprived areas of the coun- build a rural base, use the countryside to try. The socio-cultural, political and eco- encircle cities and finally capture the cities. nomic factors which gave rise to Naxalism in Seizing state power is the ultimate goal of the late 1960s and early 1970s are prevalent these extremists who refer to it contemptu- even to this day. ously as bourgeoisie democracy as opposed to In fact, the ground situation has become ‘Revolutionary Democracy’ that they claim is more pathetic as the brunt of the impact of much more participatory and empowering. 2007 globalisation and the disparity arising from Armed revolution remains central to their economic growth is borne by impoverished strategy. To realize their aim, they indulge in ������������������� masses. Invariably, the areas where Maoists attacks on police personnel and wreck infra- are most active are the most underdeveloped structure, break open jails and armoury, blow and neglected. This to a great extent explains up railway tracks, trigger blasts in public the success with which the Maoists recruit places, carry out selective individual assas- foot soldiers despite intense factionalisation sinations and abductions and take to bank 2008 and splits in their ranks. robberies, lootings and so forth. They indulge in wanton killings—of security force person- nel, political leaders and civilians, who they brand as police informers. They undertake abductions for ransom or for securing free- Ë���������������������� dom for their jailed colleagues. Ë������������������������� Further, they love to hold kangaroo Ë�������� courts, dispensing instant justice and threat- ���������������������������� ening corrupt government officials and rich landlords as well as political leaders, who are perceived to act against the interests of the people. Not the least, they are quick to orga- nize peasants and tribals against the traders and the government.

Financing their activity ��������������� Adhering to an organised method of financ- ing their activities, Left wing extremist ��������������� groups ‘accept contributions’ and also

www.pragoti.org extort vast amounts from businesses, politi-

1/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 7 Defence Budget the capital outlay has been pegged at Rs How and where does one foresee the 48,007 crore, while the revenue component defence share of the Budget flowing to? India’s (day-to-day costs and salaries) is Rs 57,593 planned military purchases include multi- crore. A major chunk of the capital outlay will, role combat aircraft; strategic lift transport of course, go into making installment pay- aircraft, 155 mm guns and howitzers; tanks, ments for the big-ticket deals signed in recent surveillance, attack and transport helicopters; years. These include the Rs 3,940 crore deal modern frigates, submarines and two aircraft for six C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ aircraft from carriers, and above all a battle management Shrinking Pie US and the Rs 4,900 crore contract for an system for combat in a digitized battlefield. additional 347 T-90S main-battle tanks from To provide for all this, the budget projection is There has been a steady erosion in the value of Russia. The payments for these deals are also more than $40 billion (Rs 1,50,000 crore) by likely to be made in installments. 2012, which later on climbs on to around $80 our defence budget even as military needs for One should also not forget that the Indian billion (Rs 3,00,000 crore) by 2022. However, modernisation and upgrades continue to mount armed forces are living in an era of military what is hampering the modernisation efforts is transformation. In a world where military the inability to spend the full budget allocation. affairs are undergoing a technological revolu- Our past experience in managing the defence LT GENERAL (RETD) V.K. KAPOOR tion, our armed forces need to emulate the allocation bears out a sorry tale of our inepti- advanced militaries of the world. With the tude and dilatoriness. For FY 2007-08, the ndia’s defence budget for the fiscal year electoral benefits, understanding the need to kind of budget allotted by Chidambaram, it MoD returned more than $1 billion (Rs 4,217 2008-09 has risen to $26.4 billion (Rs keep the country prepared militarily for future would perhaps just be possible for our mili- crore) unspent to the federal fund. Similarly, 1,05,600 crore), a 10 per cent rise over conflicts is seldom a political priority. tary to be able to maintain and sustain the a total of $4.6 billion (Rs 18,300 crore) was the previous year. But fact is, the defence Historically, defence allocations had aver- capability it already possesses. The fact that returned unspent between FY 2002-07. Iallocation has dropped to below 2 per cent of aged 1.80 per cent of the GDP in the first five the services lack the “jointness” to fight like To the dismay of our defence services, the the GDP. This marks the lowest percentage drop years after Independence. This has often been an integrated force is another wrinkle in our proposal to once again opt for a ‘roll over’ for defence allocation in any budget so far in cited as one of the main reasons for the debacle military capability. This deficiency also reflects defence fund, which could run into the next the past 45 years. The last time our defence in the Sino-Indian war. The war not only the government’s weakness for not nominating year has been outrightly dismissed by the spending hovered below this year’s GDP level emphasized the need for defence preparedness a Chief of Defence Staff and for not bringing UPA Government, despite this unique scheme was in 1962, the year of the conflict with but it also led to the operationalisation of a vast out a Parliamentary legislation to compel the having been once introduced by the NDA. China, when our defence budget figured only theatre in which the army and the air force had three services to come together operationally Increased budgetary support each year makes 1.59 per cent of the GDP. Needless to say, it was to be expanded and modernised. These com- through integrated regional commands as little or marginal difference to military capacity one reason why India had to suffer that setback pulsions saw defence expenditure rising to 3 opposed to the existing arrangement of having building, as procurement procedures continue at the hands of the PLA. per cent of the GDP for the next 25 years after single service commands. Think of the finan- to remain complex, riddled with bureaucratic Despite the miniscule share of defence 1962. Thanks to our access to Russian defence cial alleviation that could come about under red tape and official vacillation. Last year, our spending in relation to the GDP, Finance supplies and military hardware for long years, integrated commands! At present, having inte- defence allocation was 2.17 per cent of the Minister P. Chidambaram did not forget to India was able to acquire a fairly high degree grated commands could reduce the current 18 GDP. In a worrying trend, over the last four make the customary assurance that “any fur- of military capability at affordable costs. regional (geographic) commands of the three fiscal since 2004-05, defence expenditure as ther amount needed for the defence forces ... Unfortunately, our current circumstances Services (seven each of the army and the air a percentage of GDP has been continuously would be provided for” in his budget presenta- preclude such a capability building exercise as force and four of the navy) to half that num- declining. At the same time, this year, Defence tion to the Parliament on February 29. had been possible in the past. Present exigen- ber. As it is, there are at present only two inte- expenditure as a percentage of total Central But the Finance Minister knows fully well cies require the Government to go for a long grated commands, namely the Strategic Forces Government expenditure has come down to 11 that his statement is meaningless because the term defence budget allocation so as to cater Command and the Andaman and Nicobar per cent from 14.11 per cent in the previous convoluted bureaucratic decision making pro- to a long term integrated plan for our military. Command. Having integrated commands year. In fact, over the last four years, there has cess that afflicts defence deals in our country Incidentally, India spends much less on defence could lead to not just far greater operational been more than two percentage point decline renders all such noble wishes and intentions as a proportion of GDP than its neighbours efficiency but to greater economy as well. But on this front. The decline is in contrast to the ineffectual. The truth is that in a country Pakistan and China, who spent 4.5 and 4.3 most importantly, it will also ensure ‘jointness’ commitment made by the Prime Minister to where the political leadership finds its expedi- percent of their GDPs respectively last year. and integration that are so essential for win- push the defence budget towards 3 per cent ent to pass off populist budgets for obvious In the defence allocation for 2008-2009, ning future conflicts. GDP, given the strong economic growth. SP

One To One ‘Elettronica ready to transfer tech of high-end EW systems’ President of Elettronica S.p.A. Enzo Benigni in a conversation with SP’s outlines his company’s ambitious plans for the Indian defence market Elettronica

SP’s: What do you expect will be the key potential markets: Russia (a major platform promoting its military procurement policy. ships are basically contained in the radar EW changes and cornerstones of the future mar- manufacturer) and India (a leading democratic Elettronica is already active in this country and sector, in which the company has witnessed ket? country playing an important role in the East Defexpo 2008 will certainly represent a unique a renewed interest, gaining the fourth world Enzo Benigni (EB): Elettronica has gained Asian defence strategy). In both these coun- opportunity to promulgate the company’s position. However, following the increase in the its rightful position without resting on its tries, the European defence industry, especially trademark. volume of business in the sector and the need achievements, both in terms of product range the Electronic Warfare (EW) segment, has for product diversification, Elettronica has in and market acquisition. Looking ahead is an up to now, and for various reasons, bestowed SP’s: Your interest in India matches your recent years reviewed its interest in the Electro- intrinsic feature of our company’s DNA and, little attention. Adopting different strategies, teaming-up strategy at the international Optical and Communication EW sectors, also as a consequence of this attitude Elettronica Elettronica’s objective is to pursue successful level. Within this framework, do you believe prompted by the successful outcome of several is ever more alert to any sign of change. The business relations with both these countries. this could lead to future partnerships in the industrial collaborations. As a consequence, market is beginning to seek, at an increasing Asiatic region? Elettronica can now propose unique state-of- pace, products that find applications not just SP’s: Participation in international exhibi- EB: As already mentioned, the Asiatic market the-art solutions. for military purposes but also in homeland tions enables companies to establish direct is one of the most interesting areas from our security, primarily exploiting dual-technol- contact and confrontation with the market. point of view. Elettronica has already estab- SP’s: Considering your long standing experi- ogy developments. Our attention is essentially What prompted you to take part in Defexpo lished JVs with several Indian companies and is ence in the production of defence technolo- focused on developing industrial collaborations 2008? negotiating with some local leading concerns gies, there are certain to be key components in the target countries of the defence market, EB: Elettronica has always been convinced that to implement industrial cooperation models of which you are particularly proud of. without which business opportunities would participating in international exhibitions yields that have already been proven elsewhere. We Which is the most important one? drastically dwindle. benefits both in terms of company prestige and are ready to transfer technologies for the pro- EB: Undoubtedly, the fully solid-state jammer, contact opportunities due to the presence of duction of highly advanced EW systems. based on a Linear and Planar Phased Array SP’s: Which are the market segments that potential customers and other concerns. Antenna, featuring a retrodirective reciprocal attract your interest and which ones do you This issue has, in recent years, received SP’s: Elettronica is engaged in commercial architecture and latest generation DRFM driver expect will be forthcoming? foremost attention and a special department— relations all over the world with a sales to ensure a coherent response. Developed by EB: The most valuable markets are those rep- the Corporate Image and Communication record of 2,500 items. What are the products Elettronica, this type of architecture also allows resented by the Middle and Far East countries unit— has been setup to, among other duties you will be focusing on for the Asiatic market the implementation of very special and highly in which Elettronica is making a major effort manage Elettronica’s participation in inter- to extend your market hold? effective jamming programmes, such as Wave to ensure continuous presence. However, national fairs and exhibitions. India belongs EB: Elettronica’s winning products both for Front Distortion and Cross-Polarization. SP one should not overlook two of the largest to the new entries in which our company is military end users and industrial partner-

8 SP’S LAND FORCES 1/2008 Special Report Raising Dust in the Desert Vignettes of a demonstration conducted by the Indian Army in an undisclosed location near Jaisalmer to commemorate the Battle of Longewala in 1971

1 2

3 4 5

6 7 8

9 10 11 SP Guide Pubns

1. Defence Minister A.K. Antony arrives at 4. Preparing for the impending battle. 8. Tanks and infantry assaulting the objective. for a demonstration of the battle. 5. Geared for offensive. 9. Awaiting orders. 2. Antony astride a tank for a better view. 6. 106 mm RCL ready to fire enfilade. 10. Coloured smoke to indicate targets. 3. An alert defender 7. Artillery fire shaping the battlefield. 11. Executing the anti-tank plan.

1/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 9 Show Report Defexpo ’08

A Lavish Spread Ratan Sonal Spread across the expansive, sunlight lit venue, over 30 countries showcased the best in land and naval systems at Defexpo India 2008 which for the first time displayed products and services from the telecom and IT companies

BY SP’S TEAM

learly, the two traffic policemen in partner for Indian companies.” Thales signed a and radar intelligence systems. Visitors Service for Military-Technical Cooperation said. trademark grubby white were puzzled. joint venture pact worth over $75 million (Rs thronged to the S-300PMU2 long-range air Over 20 companies from the UK participat- “What is going on inside, sir? Is it 300 crore) for mine burial with BEML, one of defence missile system. Russian stands at the ed. In addition, a British Army Demonstration a meeting of police officers?” they India’s key defence public sector undertakings. show also provided expert insight into the Area displayed a range of equipments covering Cenquired of the retired Air Marshal making his BEML also signed another joint venture with technical characteristics of military helicopters, peacekeeping, border security and explosive way through the throng of visitors, delegates Bumar of Poland in the area of wheeled and including the Mi-35 Hind, Mi-35P and Mi-35M ordinance disposal. Tony Pawson, heading the and participants both Indian and foreign troop- tracked guns. This joint venture would bid for attack transport helicopters, the Mi-17-1B Hip UK delegation, said: “I am extremely pleased ing through Gate No. 7 of Pragati Maidan. India’s wheeled and artillery projects tender. attack transport helicopter, the Mi-28NE Night that UK companies have such a strong pres- “Not police, it is a military exhibition,” replied Indo-Israeli strategic partnership was Hunter attack helicopter, the Ka-29 Helix-B ence. British companies are at the forefront the gentleman, bemused. While the two law evident in the large Israeli presence at the deck-based helicopter, and the Ka-31 radar of technological innovation, offering highly enforcers may have been wide off the mark in Defexpo. From miniature UAVs, sophisticated picket naval helicopter fitted with the E-801M capable equipment at competitive prices.” their conjecture, their curiosity echoed the buzz radars, sniper rifles and command and control Oko (Eye) airborne electronic warfare radar. A series of seminars was a befitting build- Defexpo inevitably generates every year. systems to a bewildering array of missiles and Grabbing eyeballs was a wide range of up to the Defexpo 2008. During the exhibi- Spread across the expansive, sunlight lit anti-missile defence systems—the entire range highly efficient small arms and ammuni- tion itself 16 technology and product specific venue, over 30 countries showcased the best was on offer to the Indian armed forces. Major tion displayed at the Russian pavilion which presentations were made to target audiences in land and naval systems at Defexpo India General (Retd) Yosi Ben-Haman, Director of included the improved 5.56 mm AK-10 and from Indian defence establishments, R&D insti- 2008. The participant countries were Australia, SIBAT, the Israeli government’s defence export AK-102, the 7.62 mm AK-103 and AK-104 tutions, visiting official delegations, defence Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech and cooperation agency said: “India and Israel Kalashnikov assault rifles, the 5.45 mm AN-94 PSUs, ordnance factories and indian industry. Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, have decided to focus on more and more joint Abakan assault rifle, the 9 mm Bizon-2-01 sub- Chairing one such technology seminar on Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, R&D projects, ranging from ship-launched machine gun, the 12.7 mm OSV-96 sniper rifle, Surveillance Systems and Unmanned Aerial Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South rotary UAVs and electronic warfare systems to night and day optical sights for small arms, the Vehicles (UAVs), Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, advanced radars, anti-missile defence systems 30 mm AGS-30 automated grenade launcher, Marshal P.V. Naik said, “UAVs are more cost The Netherlands, UAE, UK, Ukraine and the US. and third-generation night-vision equipment.” RPG-7V2 handheld anti-tank grenade launch- effective as their imaging and photographing Also present were as many as 47 official delega- The Indian armed forces are also keen to er with an optical sight and UP-7V sighting are at a much cheaper cost.” Classifying UAVs tions, including six ministerial delegations from acquire new as well as augment quantities of device, as well as rounds, grenades, mines and as tactical as well as strategic weapons, Group Afghanistan, Belarus, Ghana, Mozambique, already-contracted missile systems. These range cartridges of different purpose and lethality. Captain E D’Couto, Commandant, Institute of Namibia and Nigeria. from Python and Derby air-to-air missiles and “India is the only country in the world that has Flight Safety, said, “The UAV should lend itself At the inauguration ceremony on February Crystal Maze PGMs to Delilah-II air-launched a programme of military-technical cooperation to be configured for surveillance and reconnais- 16, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony said, cruise missiles and Gabriel-III sea-skimming with Russia until 2010, encompassing virtually sance, target acquisition, attack role, support “Defexpo offers a single-window platform for anti-ship missiles. all spheres of interaction between the countries’ assistance, and sampling air in nuclear and bringing together diverse players in the defence Russia showcased many of its air defence defence industries,” a spokesman for the Federal electronic warfare.” sector to showcase products and technology, to Among the larger Indian companies, the build partnerships and collaboration, to boost Tata Group inked MoUs with Israeli firms to exports and promote the reach and growth of Agreements & MOUs manufacture missiles, UAVs, radars and elec- R&D, besides helping to forge closer interaction tronic warfare systems. Talking to the media, In the first three days of Defexpo 2008, as many as 20 major deals were estab- among the scientific community and other lished, confirmed Additional Secretary (Defence Production) Ajoy Acharya. Chairman Ratan Tata said his group was stakeholders.” Also present on the occasion was Some of these are: extremely enthusiastic about expanding its Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju. • The Tata Group signed an MoU with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for developing and defence business. “The coming together of the This year, too, saw national and internation- manufacturing a wide range of defence products, including missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, Tata Group and Israeli Aerospace Industries al manufacturers flaunting weapons and equip- radars, electronic warfare and security systems. will positively impact the growth of Indian ment even as the spotlight veered to emerging • European military systems integrator Thales had earlier bagged an order to fit fire control sys- defence industry and complement the efforts of and rapidly advancing areas of defence technol- tems and night vision devices on T-90 tanks. It is now hopeful of winning the contract for upgrad- our defence labs, Ordnance Factory Board and ogy. In all, 475 exhibitors, including 273 from ing the T-72 tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Thales took assistance from a Byelorussian defence public sector undertakings.” abroad, participated in Defexpo 2008 which for company to fit about 600 T-90 tanks. It was recently asked to work on over 300 more tanks. Mahindra Defense Systems (MDS), the coun- • Thales plans to set up an Indian company to look after maintenance and servicing issues for the first time displayed products and services try’s leading provider of high mobility and light thermal imagers. It had been facing problems in executing its offset obligations and expects the from the telecom and IT companies. Signifying initiative to ease bottlenecks. bullet-proof vehicles to the armed forces, para- India’s growing importance as a market for • European Naval Defence Systems organisation DCNS also announced its Indian chapter. DCNS military and police forces and a division of the defence, a large number of leading global arma- India would be based in Mumbai and become operational in mid-2008. Talking to the media, $6-billion (Rs 24,254 crore) Mahindra Group, ment companies led by the US, France, Russia senior DCNS official Xavier Marchal said the subsidiary would be oriented towards design, service announced it is in an advanced stage of discus- and Israel hogged the limelight with impressive to naval shipyards and sourcing of components and materials in Indian industry. The company sions for a strategic alliance with Whitehead exhibits and gigantic displays. Largest was the would cater to current projects such as Scorpene submarines as well as for future programmes. Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS), the maritime delegation from the US with 46 companies led Actively looking for partners in India for developing major equipments and subsystems, DCNS underwater systems subsidiary of the $20-bil- by former Defence Secretary William Cohen. recently signed agreements with Kirloskar Oil Engines and Walchandnagar Industries. lion (Rs 80,880 crore) Finmeccanica Group Close at their heels were the French, who par- • UK-based global defence and aerospace major BAE Systems and Mahindra Defence are mull- of Italy. MDS showcased its armoured military ing joining forces to build an Indian mine-protected vehicle. BAE Systems said in a statement on ticipated with 43 companies, the Russians with vehicles at the Defexpo 2008. February 12 that the new vehicle would be modeled on the “highly successful RG-31 mine pro- 24 and the Israelis and Germans with 19 each. tected vehicle. BAE Systems has already supplied 165 mine protected vehicles known as Casspir to In his valedictory address, Minister of State Indicative of Washington’s growing warmth the Indian Army since 1999”. for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh towards Delhi, US giants like Boeing, Raytheon, • With India emerging as a top buyer of military equipment, BAE Systems is finalising several joint said Defexpo 2008 was bigger and better and Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and ventures with Indian manufacturers to get a bigger share of the lucrative defence market. The “helped India to evaluate its position vis-à-vis Sikorsky besides the US defence department company is also eyeing a deal to grab an additional contract to supply 40 more Hawk advanced other countries in the field of technology”. He were out in full force. jet trainers for the Indian Air Force in addition to 66 already contracted under a Rs 8,000-crore added that the exhibition had also helped to In the French pavilion, the focus was eas- deal signed in March 2004. convince exhibitors that India was ready to ily on defence and electronics major Thales. • BAE Systems Managing Director Mike Mendoza said the company has recently signed an agree- absorb the quantum of offsets ensuing from “No, we are not here with a specific issue or a ment with software major Wipro to develop software for a range of avionics programmes. defence deals. • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed four MoUs with three Israeli defence companies. The first programme or something like that,” Jean-Marie Confirming footfall of over 40,000 business was with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Limited for missile technologies and guidance elec- Carnet, Director General of GICAN, an umbrel- tronics. Two MoUs were signed with Israeli Aerospace Limited, Malat for UAV Systems. The fourth visitors during the four days of the Defexpo, la grouping of 129 French companies engaged MoU was with Elisra for electronic warfare programmes. Additional Secretary (Defence Production) in the fabrication of naval ships and arma- • A joint venture between M&M’s defence subsidiary Mahindra Defense Systems with Italy’s Ajoy Acharya said, “There were as many as 20 ments, said in an interview. “There is a big list Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei, a subsidiary of the Finmeccanica Group, to develop under- prominent Memorandum of Understanding of programmes India wants to develop and we water weapon systems was in its final stage of deliberations. SP (MoU) signed during the Defexpo and as many are here to show that France is an interesting as 3,490 business queries were generated.” SP

10 SP’S LAND FORCES 1/2008 Diplomacy Hope & Caution Goodwill punctuated by optimism towards removing hurdles to consolidate long-term relations marked US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates’ maiden two-day visit to India in February Sharad Saxena

ndia’s expansive military modernisa- not only the quality of our equipment, but not influenced by India’s neighbour on the of increasing India’s contribution there did tion programme and the proposed civil- the quality of the service and maintenance eastern border. “I don’t see our improv- not come up in the meetings. Referring to ian nuclear deal with the US hogged the and follow-on activities that go with these ing military relationships in the region in missile defence, Gates said talks on the sub- limelight during US Defence Secretary sales. So we’re very encouraged, (but) we’re the context of any other country, includ- ject are in “very early stage” and that they IRobert M. Gates’ maiden two-day visit to at the beginning of this process,” Gates said. ing China,” Gates said. “These expanding focused on conducting a joint analysis of India in February. Issuing a reminder to The US, he stressed, is eager to bid for con- relationships don’t necessarily have to be what India’s missile defence needs are and India to accelerate efforts to seal the pro- tract for 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat directed to anybody. They are a set of bilater- how the US could cooperate. posed 123 agreement, Gates pointed out Aircraft for the country’s air force. The deal, al relationships that are aimed at improving During the visit, the secretary met with that “the clock is ticking in terms of how estimated at about $10 billion (Rs 40,000 our coordination and the closeness of our Defence Minister A.K. Antony and External much time is available to get all the different crore), is being touted as the world’s largest relationships for a variety of reasons, includ- Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Prime aspects of this agreement implemented”. single external defence procurement in his- ing those that I’ve just indicated.” Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and mem- Emphasising that the agreement serves tory. “I indicated that we obviously are inter- While the secretary did not discuss bers of Parliament. Later, Gates said the the best interests of both countries and ested and believe we are very competitive in any new joint exercises between the two discussions were positive and like-minded. that it “has positive global consequences, the selection of the new fighter.” India has country’s militaries, he did discuss details “I encountered only enthusiasm in all of the as well”, Gates said, “The real key is pro- several billion-dollar deals in the works, and of a logistics agreement that would allow leaders here I talked to,” he said. “I think viding time for our Senate to ratify the Gates said he would like to see defence trade expansion of military-to-military relation- they see it as we do—a long-term enterprise final arrangements. And with this being expand between the two countries. “We’re ship. The agreement is largely administrative by two sovereign states. We are mindful an election year, there is an open question not looking for quick results or big leaps for- in nature, detailing how the countries reim- of India’s long tradition of non-alignment about how long the senate will be in session ward, but rather a steady expansion of this burse each other for expenses, such as fuel, and are respectful of that, but I think there beyond this summer.” relationship that leaves everybody comfort- during training. are a lot of opportunities to expand on this The secretary expressed appreciation able.” Complimenting the government’s efforts relationship, and I think that was the feeling with India’s move to purchase six C-130J Questioned about Washington’s plans for in Afghanistan, Gates said India spends on the part of the Indian leaders that I met Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin. Asia at a time when China is also strength- around $800 million (Rs 3,230 crore) in with, as well.” SP “One of the virtues of the C-130 sale is that ening its ties in the region, the secretary economic and civic reconstruction efforts it gives us an opportunity to demonstrate said that the US relationship with India is there. He, however, clarified that the subject Courtesy: US Department of Defence

Acquisition Indo-Lankan Military Ties DRDO’s engineering Defining Moment equipment for army Vehicles Research and Development Establishment in Ahmednagar, one of DRDO’s premier laboratories, has developed a range of combat engineering equipment

ven as a number of indigenously designed to diagnose the existence of life developed engineering equipment is endangering nuclear, biological and chemi- currently in service with the Corps of cal contaminants in the atmosphere during Engineers of the Indian Army, new NBC warfare and cordon off such areas. All Ecombat engineering equipment developed by these are based on tracked BMP 2 amphibi- the DRDO are on the verge of entering ser- ous Infantry Combat Vehicle, which allows vice, which would further reduce dependence it to operate on land as well as on water. of the Army on cost-prohibitive imported The onboard equipment in each of these equipment. vehicles can be operated by the crew in Vehicles Research and Development hatch down condition from within the Establishment (VRDE) Ahmednagar, one of armour protected vehicle. DRDO’s premier laboratories, has developed The Ordnance Factory at Medak has a range of combat engineering equipment been assigned the responsibility of produc- which includes the Armoured Engineering tion of such vehicles in collaboration with Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV), Armoured Bharat Electronics Limited, Pune. The AERVs Amphibious Dozer (AAD) and the NBC are already under limited series production Reconnaissance Vehicle. The AERV and AAD and have entered service with the Corps of Sharad Saxena are designed to provide engineering support Engineers recently. New first off production Sri Lankan Army Chief Lieutenant General G.S.C. Fonseka visited Jammu and in offensive and defensive operations in the vehicles in the category of AAD and NBC Kashmir on March 3 for a briefing on the Indian Army’s anti-militancy operations. plains as well as desert and riverine terrain. Recce Vehicle have been realized. On March Even as his troops locked in a decisive battle with Tamil Tiger militants, Fonseka The AERV is designed to carry out terrestrial 03, 2008, a demonstration of the capabilities (seen here with Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor) arrived in Delhi on a six- and riverbed survey to facilitate construction of these vehicles to the users was organised day visit. He toured areas close to the Line of Control in north Kashmir, called on of assault bridges across water obstacles. The at VRDE, Ahmednagar in the presence of Defence Minister A.K. Antony, held discussions with Defence Secretary Vijay Singh AAD is capable of providing integral engi- visiting Engineer-in-Chief, Lt General R.R. and meet National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan. The visit comes in the wake neering support to battle groups in offensive Goswami. Flagging off the new AERV to be of the island nation increasingly looking at China and Pakistan for weapons supply operations for construction of assault bridges handed over to the army was also planned on in the face of India`s reluctance to provide it sophisticated arms as Delhi does not and tracks thereby improving the mobility of this occasion. SP want go get sucked into the ethnic crisis in that country. advancing armoured columns. The NBC Reconnaissance vehicle is Source: India Defence Research & Development Organisation

1/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 11 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief News in Brief Jayant Baranwal Editor Indian Army’s modernisation reply to S.S. Ahluwalia in Rajya Sabha, has Excalibur round debuts Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor efforts progressing full swing assured that the Integrated Guided Missile in Afghanistan Assistant Editor The army is focusing on areas like improved Development Programme (IGMDP) launched US gunners fired the first 155 mm GPS-guid- Arundhati Das night-fighting capability, better command in 1983 is not being abandoned. The follow- ed Excalibur artillery round in Afghanistan in and control and precision-guidance systems ing missiles and technology demonstration February this year. The GPS-guided Excalibur Senior Technical Group Editor for modernisation of the force, the results systems have been developed under it: round was given the correct grid coordinate Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand of which will be visible in the next two • Agni, a technology demonstration project to seek out and destroy a target using the years. “Improving missile capability and all- for re-entry technology; Enhanced Portable Inductive Artillery Fuse Contributing Editor Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia weather battlefield surveillance are other • Prithvi, surface-to-air missile with 150, Setter by placing the system on the tip of the thrust areas we are looking at. In the next 250 and 350 km range for army, air force round and sending a digital message contain- Sub-Editor two years, we may see the fructification of and navy; ing the coordinate for the round to find. The Bipasha Roy our efforts in modernisation,” Deputy Chief • Akash, surface-to-air missile with a range Excalibur was fired using the M-777A2 155 of Army Staff (Planning and Systems) Lt z of 25 km and multi-target handling system; mm howitzer. The M-777 is designed to be a Contributors Z.U. Shah said at an army-industry interac- • Nag, third generation “fire & forget” and digitally programmed weapon and is about India tion organised by the FICCI in New Delhi. “top attack” anti-tank missile; 9,800 pounds lighter than the more com- General (Retd) V.P. Malik Lt General (Retd) Vijay Oberoi Stressing on the importance of increased • Development of Trishul missile system has monly used M-198 Howitzer and is report- Lt General (Retd) R.S. Nagra self-reliance in defence production, he been completed as technology demonstration. edly more accurate. Lt General (Retd) S.R.R. Aiyengar assured the private sector of ensuring a Expenditure status up to January 16 for Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney “level-playing field”. The army is planning development of the above systems (in Rs): ■ Major General (Retd) Ashok Mehta to acquire artillery guns, air defence missiles Major General (Retd) G.K. Nischol and T-90 tanks, request for proposals (RFP) Lockheed Martin bags US Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal Prithvi 298.95 cr Brigadier (Retd) S. Mishra for which should be issued this year, he told science and technology contract Rohit Sharma reporters. “We are also looking for light heli- Trishul 282.68 cr Lockheed Martin has received a Science copters, may be in the range of 200. We may Akash 516.86 cr and Technology contract from the US Army Europe need to import some and HAL also may step Nag 212.27 cr Research and Development Command Andrew Brookes (UK) in at a later stage. The RFP may come in two Missiles and Aviation Research and months,” Shah said. Agni 74.34 cr (demonstrator only) Development Center to demonstrate a C- USA & Canada RAM interceptor system. Work on the con- Lon Nordeen (USA) Anil R. Pustam (West Indies) ■ There have been some offers for joint tract will be completed by November 2008. collaboration/cooperation in the field of Lockheed Martin’s concept features a com- South Africa 94 foreign observers to witness development of missile system from various pact, vertically launched missile that offers Helmoed R. Heitman joint manoeuvre countries. One joint development project the Warfighter significant operational and Military observers from 94 countries, includ- already exist for Long Range–Surface-to-Air tactical advantages against RAM threats. Chairman & Managing Director ing China, will witnessed a joint war game Missile with Israeli Aerospace Industry. The system encompasses the interceptor, fire Jayant Baranwal conducted by the Indian Army and the control sensor, launcher and battle manager, Design Indian Air Force in the deserts of Rajasthan ■ and will ultimately interface with the latest Associate Art Director: Ratan Sonal next week. Pakistan, however, was not been battlefield surveillance systems DTP Operators: Pradeep Kumar, Rajkumar invited. Exercise Brazen Chariots will be Northrop Grumman completes Sharma conducted at the Pokhran field firing range laser project’s second milestone ■ on March 19. Brazen Chariots has been Northrop Grumman Corporation has dem- Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on conceptualised for exercising combat groups onstrated exemplary performance capabil- Bae Systems awarded contract behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All consisting of tanks, infantry combat vehicles ity of a laser chain, the first major building for M88A2 Hercules rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval and infantry in high mobility vehicles, ably block of a solid state demonstrator laser BAE Systems has been awarded a contract system, or transmitted in any form or by any supported by air power, a military spokesman designed to reach a power level of 100kW. modification from the US Army TACOM Life means, photocopying, recording, electronic, said. The exercise will be conducted by an The JHPSSL Phase 3 programme exceeded Cycle Management Command to manufac- or otherwise without the prior written Indian Army desert formation that together all target requirements of its second major ture 90 Army-configured M88A2 Hercules permission of the publishers. with the IAF will put to test an array of their demonstration milestone, including excellent recovery vehicles, four Marine Corps-config- latest weapon systems like the state-of-the- beam quality. The JHPSSL system is designed ured M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles and Printed in India art missile firing T-90 tanks, all-weather air to accelerate solid-state laser technology for authorised spares list parts. Hercules by Rave India (www.raveindiapress.com) defence missile systems and unmanned aerial military uses. provides capability for recovering 70-tonne © SP Guide Publications, 2008 vehicles (UAV), as also other electronic sen- combat vehicles. sors and surveillance equipment. ■ Subscriptions & Advertising Details may be Appointments acquired from the contact information below: ■ New laser devices being tested at White Sands • Lt General V.K. Singh took over as the SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD A new series of laser aiming and illumina- GOC-in-C of Army’s Eastern Command at POSTAL ADDRESS Missile programme is not being Post Box No 2525, New Delhi 110 005, abandoned, says Antony tion devices are now being tested at White Kolkata on March 1. India Defence Minister A.K. Antony, in a written Sands Missile Range. The compact light- • Lt General P.C. Bhardwaj took over as the weight devices are designed to be carried on GOC-in-C of Army’s Northern Command Corporate Office a soldier’s weapon and provide multipurpose at Udhampur on March 1. A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, Rheinmetall buys Stork PWV functionality. The new sight systems could be • Lt General S.P.S. Dhillon took over as the New Delhi 110 003, India used to illuminate areas either to highlight new Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&T) on Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 them for tactical purposes, or to just enhance February 1. Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 the capabilities of night-vision devices. Regd Office Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 Email: [email protected]

Representative Offices BANGALORE, INDIA (Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey)

Rheinmetall 534, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kammanhalli Main Rd., The Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf has Bangalore 560043, India. taken over Stork PWV B.V. from its parent Tel: +91 (80) 23682534 company Stork N.V. of The Netherlands. The MOSCOW, RUSSIA takeover strengthens Rheinmetall’s position LAGUK Co., Ltd as Europe’s leading supplier of systems and (Yuri Laskin) equipment for ground forces. It also reinforc- Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., es Rheinmetall’s role in the Boxer programme, 11/15, app. 132, one of the largest armoured vehicle projects Moscow 115172, Russia. in Europe. The parties have agreed not to dis- Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, close the purchase price. The acquisition still Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 requires approval from the relevant competi- tion authorities. Rheinmetall currently holds www.spguidepublications.com a 14 per cent stake as a joint venture partner in Artec GmbH of Munich, the company that developed the Boxer armoured vehicle for the German and Dutch armed forces. The takeover, which includes PWV’s share in Artec, increases Rheinmetall’s interest in the com- pany to 64 per cent. SP www.spguidepublications.com SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS

12 SP’S LAND FORCES 1/2008