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Ear panel 2016-17.indd 1 08/02/17 9:40 AMThe ONlY magaziNe iN asia-Pacific DeDicaTeD TO laND fORces

In ThIs Issue >> LEad story Page 4 PhOTOgraPh: PIB sikkims standoff — china’s dilemma?

China has resolved its borders with all its neighbours less India and Bhutan because of its expansionist aims towards the Indian Ocean lt General p.c. Katoch (retd)

Page 6 Theatre commands — long overdue “The functioning of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) has, to date, revealed serious weaknesses in its ability to provide single point military advice to the government, and resolve substantive inter-Service doctrinal, planning, policy and operational issues adequately. This institution needs to be appropriately revamped to discharge its responsibilities efficiently and effectively, including the facilitation of “jointness” and synergy among the Defence Services.” —GoM Report post Kargil Crisis of 1999 lt General p.c. Katoch (retd)

PlPlUs

full financial powers to Vice-chief Prime Minister paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate, on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day Parade 2017, in New of the army staff to maintain combat-readiness 5 nda’s achievements in defence sector in lt General V.K. Kapoor (retd)

Indian army Team with T90 Tanks participate in Tank Biathlon 2017 in russia 5 Three Years India adopted the current dispensation of defence acquisition organisation, structures and procedures in 2002

 Lt GEnEraL V.K. Kapoor (rEtd) ance’s (ndA) governance. this analysis won a landmark victory in the country’s aims to highlight some of the important general elections. But Prime Minister nar- news in Brief 7 he Modi GovernMent which steps taken by the government while not- endra Modi inherited from the outgoing completes three years on May 26, ing the challenges facing us in the defence United Progressive Alliance (UPA) govern- 2017, is planning to celebrate sector and is by no means a comprehensive ment a defence ministry besieged by scan- their achievements by putting coverage of the subject. dal and Armed Forces desperately short of out a report card giving out sta- critical assets. the situation was such that Ttistics of their achievements in the last Defence Sector Reforms: Backdrop as per media reports even ammunition three years of national democratic Alli- india’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party of tanks and artillery guns was in short Applied for

3/2017 sp’s land forces 1 >> LEad story

fication to hold public office pro- Indian security forces on July Eastern theatre, in the area of The only solution to the Chi- nounced by the Pakistan Supreme 8, 2016, started a new phase of tri-junction of Sikkim, Bhutan nese pressure tactics is that Court due to his alleged involve- restlessness of the youth in the and China another situation was Indian stands firm on the principle ment in Panama Papers case. Kashmir valley. Stone pelting developing. On June 20, 2017, that the only viable solution is The real power in Pakistan lies became a way of life in the val- Bhutan served a demarche to simultaneous withdrawal from the with the military and democracy ley where the youth took to pelt- China against the Chinese arbi- standoff region. is really a fa ade as the Kashmir ing stones at the security forces, trary action of constructing a road This issue of SP’s Land policy is dictated by the military. without any provocation and quite in the Doklam Plateau, which is Forces contains informative Pakistan has adopted the strategy often to provide an escape route property of the King of Bhutan. articles on NDAs achievements of bleeding India through a thou- for the terrorists being hunted by They have asked China to stop in the Defence Sector in three sand cuts ; waging a proxy war the security forces. The stone road constructions and refrain years, Sikkim Stand-off and The- which indeed takes a heavy toll on pelting by the youth in the val- from changing the status quo. atre Commands. a defensive India. ley became a new phenomenon The Chinese have long nib- As India strives to emerge as a From July 2015 to September which had to be countered by the bled at Bhutan s borders without Corrigendum strong regional power it faces for- 18, 2016, when the terrorists con- police and security forces without India doing too much about it in In the previous issue of SP’s midable security challenges. The ducted the Uri attack, five use of lethal force, which in itself the past. At the Dokalam plateau Land Forces (2/2017), the illus- most formidable of these stems terror attacks took place. These proved to be a unique challenge. the Chinese army has been mak- tration showing China Pakistan

EDITORIAL from terrorism, in both its external attacks prompted the govern- This resulted in a changed strat- ing motorable paths, and convert- Economic Corridor inadvertently and internal dimensions the ment to become more proactive egy by security forces. ing them into roads and slowly reflected incorrect international transnational and home-grown, and aggressive in their approach The government, in the mean- encroaching on the Bhutanese boundary between India and against which India has long to terrorism emanating from Paki- while, has tasked the National claim area. The Indian military are Pakistan. The error is deeply waged a relentless fight. Despite stan. On night September 27/28 Investigation Agency to probe the quite clear this plateau matters to regretted! efforts from the Indian side to the Army s Special Forces carried huge amounts of money trans- them. If China were to take it over, ensure peace and tranquility out surgical strikes across the ferred to various groups of sepa- the tri-junction of the India-China- through dialogue and negotiations, to eliminate seven ratists in Kashmir. Pakistani intelli- Bhutanese border would actually the democratically elected govern- terror launch pads and caused gence agency ISI has established move southward several kilome- ment of Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan considerable casualities to the a network of donors in foreign ters and thus be a threat to the has not been able to deliver. In terrorists and the Pakistan army countries who donate money for territory of India. Much of Beijing’s the meanwhile on July 28, 2017, personnel involved. Kashmir insurgency to feed the outrage is its surprise that, India Nawaz Sharif was asked to step Killing of the young militant unrest in the Valley. has unilaterally changed the rules down on the verdict of disquali- Burhan Wani in Kashmir by the In the meanwhile, in the of the game. Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd)

supply affecting training of personnel and An expert committee under dhirendra long-term strategic partnerships with oroP as ‘one rank one Pension’ (oroP) operational preparedness of units and for- Singh was constituted on May 1, 2015. qualified indian industry through implies that uniform pension be paid to mations for war. the committee was tasked to evolve a a transparent and competitive process the Armed Forces Personnel retiring in the A few years prior to the present ndA policy framework to facilitate ‘Make in wherein the indian industry partners would same rank with the same length of service regime taking over the reins of the govern- india’ in defence manufacturing and align tie up with global oeMs to seek technology irrespective of their date of retirement and ment, the country witnessed various scan- the policy evolved with dPP-2013; and to transfers and manufacturing know-how to any future enhancement in the rates of dals such as the ordnance Factory Board suggest the requisite amendments in dPP- set up domestic manufacturing infrastruc- pension to be automatically passed on to scam, tatra-BeML military vehicle procure- 2013. dPP-2016 was thus formulated ture and supply chains. the policy will give the past pensioners. hence disgruntlement ment, vviP choppers (Agustawestland with the experience gained by the govern- a boost to the ‘Make in india’ policy in the still remains and the government will have helicopters) and the the rolls-royce-hAL ment in the defence procurement process defence sector and set indian industry on to truthfully and sincerely look into the kickback scandal. As a result, nine oeMs and the recommendations of the dhiren- the path to acquiring cutting-edge capabili- issue of ‘uniform pensions’ between the old including four major international compa- dra Singh committee. it came into effect ties which will contribute to the building of and the new which has not been achieved nies were blacklisted by the government. from April 2016. self-reliance in the vital national security despite the fact that the ndA Government Since then through various procurements Most of the deals signed recently sector. the policy is expected to be imple- has done more in this field than any other including import of some categories of such as the 145, M777 155mm howit- mented in a few selected segments to begin government in the past. ammunition and missiles and streamlin- zers, Kamov Ka-226 helicopters, Apache with, namely, fighter aircraft, submarines ing the indigenous manufacture of certain (attack helicopters) Ah id, and Airbus and armoured vehicles. in future, addi- Chief of Defence Staff/Permanent categories of ammunition, the situation has c295 transport aircraft, are under the cat- tional segments may be added. Appropriate Chairman COSC been stabilised. egory ‘Buy and Make’ which means initial institutional mechanisms will be set in place the cdS is vital not only for providing As far back as June 2014 according to procurement of limited quantity in fully to implement the policy. single point military advise to the cabinet the Strategic defence intelligence report formed state, followed by indigenous pro- but also to usher in synergy vertically and the Future of the indian defence industry duction through transfer of technology One Rank One Pension (OROP) horizontally between the three Services – Market Attractiveness, competitive Land- (tot). however none of these deals have the government has fulfilled its promise to which is not satisfactory at the moment. scape and Forecasts to 2019, the market fructified on the ground so far and the implement the long-pending oroP scheme Moreover in an era of scarce resources he was expected to grow at a cAGr of 9.83 time frame for realisation of equipment for over 21 lakh veterans. the present will have to ensure judicious allocation per cent during the period 2015-19 with would vary from 5 to 10 years once the scheme, however, does not entirely fulfill and utilisation of defence budgets and pri- a cumulative spending of $241.2 billion. initial deliveries start. An example can be the recommendations of the Koshiyari Par- oritisation of procurements according to india was expected to present ample busi- taken of the M777 155mm howitzer. two liamentary committee which had defined threats and challenges facing the coun- ness opportunities for oeMs in the areas of guns have reached india which would be try. he would also ensure organisational multi-role aircraft, training aircraft, infan- used by the Army for making range tables reform to achieve closer jointmanship and try fighting vehicles (iFvs), frigates, ballis- with indigenous ammunition. the induc- The defence and security integration of the three services and to tic missiles, submarines, ammunition, air tion will commence from March 2019 transform the three Services into network- defence systems, military infrastructure onwards. induction schedule includes five requirements, in light of centric warfare (ncw) force capable of and military rotorcraft among many others. guns per month from March onwards till undertaking operations in the digitised one can say with certainty that while all 145 are inducted by June 2021. the current and future battlefield of the future.t his reform is there have been many ideas and plans that notwithstanding the delays that have threats and challenges, awaiting the political nod. have been mooted and deals put into the occurred during the UPA regime what is pipeline covering all three services, how- heartening is that the Ministry of defence need to be analysed Ammunition and Spares ever on the ground the situation remains (Mod) has started working and reacting to the beleaguered armed forces were empow- unchanged. while many new systems have the Services requirements ending the risk very carefully by the ered to procure emergency stocks of ammu- been earmarked for procurement in ‘Buy averse Antony era lethargy. the function- nition and spares to ensure that they could and Make’ category but by the time they are ing of the defence Ministry has been scam government taking the undertake at least 10 days of intense fight- inducted into the combat units another five free so far. ing if operations had to be undertaken with to 10 years time will elapse. help defence experts our potential adversaries at short notice Strategic Partnership with Indian in the field. The work though the existing policy lays down 30:30 Defence Procurement Procedure 2016 Industry concept which requires the nation to have india adopted the current dispensation of Breaking new ground, the defence Acqui- required to be undertaken ammunition stocks equivalent to 30 days defence acquisition organisation, structures sition council (dAc) under the chairman- intense rates and 30 days normal rates of and procedures in 2002. during the last 13 ship of the defence Minister Arun Jaitley, in this field is so enormous expenditure. years, india has not been able to sign a single on May 20, 2017, finalised the broad con- major defence contract in an open competi- tours of a policy aimed at engaging the that delays would be Critical Deficiencies in Modern tive environment under the provisions of the indian private sector in the manufacture of Equipment much trumpeted defence procurement pro- high-tech defence equipment in india. the disastrous for national each service has a rather long list of obso- cedure (dPP). despite the fact that dPP has policy, which was developed through exten- lescent weapon systems which need replace- been subjected to six major reviews/revi- sive stakeholder consultations with indian security. ment urgently to retain the ability to fight

www.spslandforces.com sions, no improvement has been discernible. industry, envisages the establishment of modern wars in the future, especially in our

2 sp’s land forces 3/2017 >> LEad story

The new supreme commander of The IndIan armed forces

LAwyer, veterAn PoLiticAL rePreSentA- Kovind also served as Member of the Board of Man- tive and long-time advocate of egalitarianism agement of the dr B.r. Ambedkar University, Lucknow, a and integrity in indian public life and society, ram and Member of the Board of Governors of the indian insti- nath Kovind was born on october 1, 1945, in Paraunkh, tute of Management, Kolkata. he was part of the indian near Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. his parents were Maiku Lal delegation at the United nations and addressed the United and Kalawati. nations General Assembly in october 2002. Before assuming charge of the office of the 14th Presi- dent of india on July 25, 2017, Kovind served as the 36th Positions Held Governor of the state of Bihar from August 16, 2015, to • 2015-17: Governor of Bihar June 20, 2017. • 1994-2006: Member of the Rajya Sabha, representing the state of Uttar Pradesh Educational and Professional Background • 1971-75 and 1981: General Secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Kovind completed his school education in Kanpur and Koli Samaj obtained the degrees of B.com and L.L.B. from Kanpur • 1977-79: Union Government Advocate at the Delhi University. in 1971, he enrolled as an Advocate with the high court Bar council of delhi. • 1982-84: Union Government Junior Counsel in the Kovind was Union Government Advocate in the delhi Supreme court high court from 1977 to 1979 and Union Government Standing counsel in the Supreme court from 1980 to Personal Details 1993. he became Advocate-on-record of the Supreme Kovind married Savita Kovind on May 30, 1974. they court of india in 1978. he practised at the delhi high The new , have a son, Prashant Kumar, and a daughter, Swati. An court and Supreme court for 16 years till 1993. avid reader, the President has keen interest in reading committee on welfare of Scheduled castes/tribes; Par- books on politics and social change, law and history, and Parliamentary and Public Life liamentary committee on home Affairs; Parliamentary religion. during his long public career, Kovind has trav- Kovind was elected as a member of the rajya Sabha from committee on Petroleum and natural Gas; Parliamentary elled widely across the country. he has also visited thai- Uttar Pradesh in April 1994. he served for two consecu- committee on Social Justice and empowerment; and Parlia- land, nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, tive terms of six years each till March 2006. Kovind served mentary committee on Law and Justice. he was chairman France, the United Kingdom and the United States in his Allisson Creative 2.pdf 1 25/10/16 3:44 PM SP on various Parliamentary committees like Parliamentary of the rajya Sabha house committee. Allisson Creative 2.pdf capacity 1 25/10/16 as a Member 3:44 PM of Parliament.

case as we need to equip ourselves for fac- Former defence Minister Manohar Parri- organisations of each service to weed out potential. the tasks involved place an oner- ing two opponents on two widely separated kar, addressing media persons at the 11th the non essentials thus utilising the budget ous responsibility on the shoulders of the fronts against china in the north and east Aero india in February 2017, said: “talks to achieve the required combat edge over defence Minister and hence it is essential and Pakistan in the west. for single-engine and twin-engine fighter the adversaries, and ensuring jointness that a full time defence Minister is nomi- in the recent times the government jets are in advanced stages and we want to and integration to improve our war waging nated at the earliest. SP has to their credit hastened the process of get them done in during current calendar acquiring some of the critical deficiencies year (2017)”. he listed the needs as “300 to of the three services. however they will 400 fighters”. on ramping up production of fructify over the next 5 to 10 years. these the tejas, Parrikar said: “we are putting in a include government to government deals second line at a cost of `1,359 crore. work like the ones for 36 rafale fighters from will start in three months and production in France, 145 M777 ultra-light howitzers, two years.” and 22 Apache attack and 15 chinook heavy-lift helicopters from the US. con- Full-time Raksha Mantri tract negotiations are also on for procur- not having a full-time raksha Mantri at ing 56, Airbus c295 transport aircraft to a time when the nexus between china replace the Avro fleet.t he aircraft will be and Pakistan stands fully established and made in india by the tata group and the is impacting on india’s security scenario requirements may go up due the needs of within and at the borders does not augur the coast Guard and the drdo who are well for the country. Arun Jaitley, the cur- likely to configure the platform for multi rent defence Minister, has held dual charge mission maritime roles. for almost six months in 2014, whenC the C in the there is an urgent finance ministry was his first priority.M M need to induct new assault rifles with night Manohar Parrikar took over the chargeY for fighting capabilities, carbines, sniper rifles, a little over two years, and after fully underY - fourth generation anti-tank guided missiles, standing the functionality of the defenceCM CM air defence guns and missiles; night fight- Ministry, he put the procurement processMY on

MY ing capability for tanks and infantry com- rails. however with his returning to GoaCY as bat vehicles, about 3,000 assorted artillery chief Minister, the uncertainty continues.CY pieces of 155mm calibre; specialised equip- Arun Jaitley who is dual-hatted once againCMY CMY ment for Special Forces operations; and last cannot be expected to handle two vital minK - but not the least about 200 light helicopters istries both of which require fulltime attenK - for observation, reconnaissance and sur- tion of its Minister. veillance, and liaison missions. the indian navy urgently requires Conclusion additional submarines, anti-submarine the ndA government has certainly brought helicopters and helicopters for search and in more dynamism in the defence sector rescue, observation and reconnaissance with faster decision making, but this advan- and liaison. the navy also requires two tage will be lost if we allow the situation to more aircraft carriers for its operational drift as was the case during the UPA regime. capabilities on the western and eastern sea the defence and security requirements, board thus totaling the requirement of air- in light of the current and future threats craft carriers to three. and challenges, need to be analysed very the indian Air Force (iAF) requires to carefully by the government taking the Tel: +91 11 4120 0400 urgently build up its fighter strength.the help defence experts in the field.t he work Fax: +91 11 4120 0405 original requirement for rafale fighters required to be undertaken in this field is so Email: [email protected] was pegged at 126. however, the present enormous that delays would be disastrous government decided to induct 36 fighter for national security. aircraft at the earliest as the squadron Some of the tasks that need to be com- strength of the iAF was falling below the pleted expeditiously are: pragmatic and acceptable limits. the production of tejas adequate allocation of defence Budget to (light combat aircraft), which is to make- ensure the making up of critical deficien- up the fighter strength of the iAF, is still not cies in each Service at the earliest, mod- at the desired 16 planes-per-annum mark ernising the obsolete equipment of all three and it will take at least three to four years Services, establishing the post of the cdS/ for new foreign collaborated jets to fructify. Permanent chairman coSc, pruning the Allision creative revised.indd 1 25/10/16 4:10 PM

3/2017 sp’s land forces 3 >> Indo-ChIna rELatIons sikkim standoff — china’s dilemma? China has resolved its borders with all its neighbours less India and Bhutan because of its expansionist aims towards the Indian Ocean

IlluSTraTIOn: anoop Kamath  Lt GEnEraL p.C. KatoCh (rEtd) added that intent of china is unclear. Sub- chIna chIna sequently, speaking in Parliament, exter- he SiKKiM StAndoFF Between Jakarlung Pasamlung nal Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was PLA and the india Army is persist- firm in stating that it was china which ing. china has tried every trick in had triggered the crisis, adding, “our con- psychological warfare, using its Doklam cerns emanate from chinese action on the official spokespersons and media, Plateau ground which have implications for the Twhich is all state-owned, to cajole, bully determination of the tri-junction bound- IndIa and threaten india with “dire consequenc- Thimphu ary point between india, china and Bhu- es” in case india does not withdraw but tan and the alignment of the india-china india has stood fast. even after the visit Paro BhuTan boundary in the Sikkim sector.” of national Security Adviser Ajit doval while china had been shouting that to Beijing, chinese media spread the fake no meaningful dialogue is possible unless news that india has reduced its presence indian troops unilaterally and uncondition- in the standoff area but external Affairs ally withdraw, which india has refused, it Minister Sushma Swaraj has refuted this lie has now issued a 15-page statement clari- in Parliament. fying its position. though the language is vitriolic, china perhaps wants a resolution Background IndIa to the dispute, even de-escalate. the docu- china has resolved its borders with all its ment lies that india has started withdraw-

neighbours less india and Bhutan because BanGladesh Disputed areas between Bhutan and China ing troops from a high over 400 to about of its expansionist aims towards the indian 40 (india maintains its troop strength is ocean. in successive border talks with Bhu- constant at 350). it further alleges that over tan, china has successively expanded its the agreements between two countries. we learnt a lesson themselves. Xi Jinping was 270 indian troops, carrying weapons and claim lines, akin to what it has been doing have asked china to stop road constructions then Secretary in the chinese Ministry of driving two bulldozers, crossed the bound- with india, never handing over a map and refrain from changing the status quo. defence under deng Xiaoping. Again dur- ary in the Sikkim sector and advanced more marked with what its ultimate claims are. doklam area is near the tri-junction is part ing the 1986 Sumdorong chu incident, than 100 metre into the “chinese terri- For past several years, PLA (People’s Lib- of the boundary talks between Bhutan and deng Xiaoping threatened to “teach india tory” to obstruct the road building of the eration Army) troops have forcibly intruded china.” this belied china’s claim that by a lesson” but eventually had to retreat. All “chinese” side. these are again blatant lies. into the post of the royal Bhutan Army stopping PLA troops from the blatant con- that india needs to do is remain resolute. it was chinese who were using bulldozers. (rBA) in doklam Plateau, staying put for an struction, indian troops were violating sov- As far as china’s threat that india “needs india rejected these false chinese claims, hour or so, and telling rBA troops to vacate ereignty of Bhutan. to be taught the rules”, there sure is scope. the Ministry of external Affairs statement the plateau, claiming it as chinese terri- china timed this deliberate intru- india cannot stop chinese goods coming reading, “india’s position on this issue and tory. the mere fact that a big country like sion and road construction activity in the into india, but the indian public certainly related facts have been articulated in our china is indulging in such antics against doklam Plateau with Prime Minister Modi’s has the choice to shun chinese products. press statement of June 30. india consid- a peaceful country like Bhutan that gives visit to the US knowing full well that indian the $60 billion bilateral trade imbalance in ers that peace and tranquility in the india- prominence to the happiness index of its troops will be forced to react, giving excuse favour of china must be eliminated. Bully china border areas is an important pre- citizens, shows to what extent china can to china to snub india by closing the pil- or rogue, china must understand she can’t requisite for smooth development of our stoop to illegally occupy territory, slicing it grimage route to Kailash-Mansarovar via keep clapping with one hand. bilateral relations with china.” off salami-style, as she has been doing with nathu La. considering the strategic impor- india. china wants to capture the doklam tance of the doklam Plateau, unarmed China’s Dilemma, Bullying and The Future Plateau because it overlooks chinese Posts indian troops blocked the advance of PLA Subterfuge there are many possibilities that the future in chumbi valley of china occupied tibet troops, witnessed world over. what china china’s dilemma is the fake aura of invin- holds. the state of the chinese economy (cot). But for india, the strategic impor- claims the tri-Junction is not the one recog- cibility that the chinese communist Party should not logically favour war and china tance of doklam Plateau lies in the fact that nized by india — china has mischievously has built around itself, putting china in a knows very well that india is no push- this high ground not only overlooks the shifted it southwards by couple of kms in tight corner. to top this, having usurped over, especially with the advantage india sensitive Siliguri corridor, its occupation by order to expand her claims. china claims total power unto him, President Xi Jinping enjoys in the indian ocean. Moreover, the china will turn the flanks of india defences the tri-junction at Mount Gipmochi but the is in tearing hurry to realize his pet project, world opinion over the doklam Standoff in Sikkim, making them vulnerable. ridge line on himalayan terrain supports the ‘china dream’ in order to put himself is in india’s favour, the mask of china’s india’s claims that it lies on Batang La. in on the same pedestal as Mao Zhedong. india “peaceful rise” torn-off already. worse, Deliberate Chinese Intrusion fact, tibetan history specialist claude Arpi has suggested mutual meltdown from the china’s instigation and support behind over the years, china managed to construct states that “According to Sikkimese records, standoff area, as was done during the Sum- north Korea’s antics and chinese support a class 9 un-metalled road leading to the Gipmochi is Batang La, 5 km north of doka dorong chu incident, which is the only via- to Pakistani terrorist leaders has become doklam Plateau but trouble began when La.” this is what india claims. in addition, ble and respectable option but so far china more than apparent. china has upped its chinese troops started advancing through india has categorically told china that has not agreed. china wants india to with- excursions in Barahoti area of Uttrakhand, the doklam region towards doka La. on india has military agreement with Bhutan draw first but india has bluntly told china including helicopters intruding into indian June 20, 2017, Bhutan served a demarche and that altering status quo is not accept- this is not acceptable; withdrawal from the territory. these again could be pressure to china against the chinese arbitrary able to india. to china’s sly reference to area has to be simultaneous. tactics, intimidating india into withdraw- action of constructing a road in the doklam 1962, defence Minister Arun Jaitley bluntly Amid some signs of thaw at the doklam ing from the doklam standoff. Such intru- Plateau, which is property of the King of reminded china that today is not 1962. Plateau, china suddenly escalated its rhet- sions in other areas including Arunachal Bhutan. the demarche, a formal statement, china is mad that india has refused to oric over the standoff, warning india of Pradesh could well be undertaken, even at was served through the chinese embassy in join the china-Pakistan economic cor- “serious consequences” if it did not pull larger scale, given the unpredictability of delhi on June 20 since Bhutan and china ridor (cPec), which possibly was taken as back its troops. Liu Jinsong, china’s deputy the chinese and the corner they have got do not have diplomatic relations. Major granted by the communist Party of china. chief of mission at stated, “the themselves in. As mentioned above, the only General vetsop namgyel, Ambassador of without india joining, the economic viabil- crossing of the boundary line by indian viable solution is simultaneous withdrawal Bhutan to india, told the media, “the PLA ity of the cPec is under cloud. But then troops into the territory of china using from the standoff region. this can be fol- started motorable road construction in the china went ahead with its cPec project the pretext of security concern for a third lowed by a trilateral india-Bhutan-china doklam area towards Bhutanese Army completely bypassing strategic, security party (Bhutan) is illegal. the troops should discussion about the correct location of the camp at Zomphlri. we are in boundary res- and territorial sensitivities of india, espe- be withdrawn immediately, otherwise tri-junction to sort out the deliberate con- olution talks with china and have written cially when cPec is running through PoK, there will be serious consequences.” ear- fusion created by china. the fact remains agreements that pending final boundary which is indian territory. the indo-US rela- lier reports in indian media quoting gov- that the tri-junction has be along the ridge- settlement, peace and tranquility be main- tionship also apparently scares china. the ernment sources talked of indications that line, which is Batang La – as claimed by tained along the boundary and both sides state-owned chinese media says that india the chinese could be winding down their india. Meanwhile, india obviously should refrain from unilaterally altering the status “needs to be taught the rules”. china under offensive posture on the plateau where they be geared up for similar deliberate intru- on ground. Bhutan has conveyed to china deng Xiaoping invaded vietnam in 1979 had brought troops and heavy machinery sions anywhere along the LAc, especially

SP www.spslandforces.com that road construction is not keeping with “to teach vietnam a lesson” but instead to build a road on Bhutanese territory but in areas illegally claimed by china.

4 sp’s land forces 3/2017 >> rEport full financial powers to Vice-chief of the army staff to maintain combat-readiness

Considering the prevailing threats across the line of Control (loC) against Pakistan and the line of actual Control (laC) against China, the government has finally woken up and extended full financial powers to the Vice Chief of army Staff (VCOaS) to maintain adequate stockpiles and combat readiness for “short and intense wars”

PhOTOgraPh: PIB  Lt GEnEraL V.K. Kapoor (rEtd) 19 contracts worth `12,000 crore, which includes 11 kinds of ammunition since n recent tiMeS AvAiLABiLity of then. out of 19 contracts, 10 contracts ammunition has been a matter of great are with russian companies for supply concern because the shortages take time of engines, anti-tank guided missiles and to be replenished and the procedure for Smerch rockets. Some reports suggest that the same is quite lengthy due to limited the armed forces are satisfied with these fast- Ifinancial powers given to the army for pro- track procedures to ensure availability and curements through revenue budget. this serviceability of existing weapon systems had led to a situation where the ammunition and platforms. it has been reported that the reserves of the army had dwindled alarm- comptroller Auditor General of india had ingly and even training ammunition had to also taken a note of this alarming state of be curtailed thus affecting soldiers training. affairs in a report tabled in Parliament. Such a situation if it continues for a longer this development of extending full duration then a backlog is built up due to financial powers to the vice chief of the which the annual revenue budget for pro- Army staff is a step in the right direction curement of munitions is not enough to because it will now give the army the much cater for the current years requirements as needed flexibility of being able to procure well as the deficiencies built up over a period the vitally needed ammunition through of time. it implies that a short fall in one revenue budget without waiting for clear- particular year has a multiplying effect in the past the Ministry of defence has never able over `20,000 crore — primarily with rus- ances through the normal chain of pro- next year and if the deficiencies persist year to meet the requirements of the army fully sia, israel and France to ensure that the curement. this will also put the onus on after year then the short fall affects the avail- and the defence budget could not make up forces (warships, fighter aircraft, tanks and the army for any shortfall in any category ability of war wastage reserves which impact the shortfall thus a catch-22 situation devel- artillery etc) could undertake at least 10 of critically deficient ammunition for want the fighting capability of the armed forces. oped. this is the reason that considering the days of “intense fighting” without worry- of which our operational capability is in india, since independence, the con- prevailing threats across the Line of con- ing about ammunition and other reserves. impaired. however these financial powers cept and availability of war wastage reserves, trol (Loc) against Pakistan and the Line of the present government had set up alone do not solve the overall problem of a called wwr, has always been calculated at Actual control (LAc) against china that the empowered procurement committees fighting force which is constantly deployed 30:30 i.e. thirty days intense rate and 30 Government has finally woken up to its own under the Army, navy and indian Air Force for operations. the defence budget must days normal rate of consumption during weaknesses and extended full financial pow- vice-chiefs with emergency revenue finan- be adequate so as to exercise these powers. war. however over a period of time this fig- ers to the vice chief of Army Staff (vcoAS) cial powers to “make up deficiencies and Moreover such powers of fast tracking the ure was reduced to 20:20 and now as per to maintain adequate stockpiles and combat operational voids” by inking deals over a procurement must exist with the army for media reports this figure has been reduced readiness for “short and intense wars”. three-month period at a time. As per media procurement of a variety of smaller weap- further. notwithstanding the figure (ratio), the cease fire violations on the Loc, the reports the Army, on its part, had identi- ons and equipment whose requirement is whatever it may be, every year a fair quan- terrorist challenge in the border areas, and fied 22 armaments, 46 different types of small in numbers such as night vision aids, tity of ammunition is also used up for train- the overall threats and challenges perceived ammunition, half a dozen types of mines as electronic surveillance and sighting devices, ing of this one million strong army which have been instrumental in bringing about well as spares for 10 weapons systems rang- specialist weapons such as sniper rifles and includes, tank ammunition, artillery, air this change. After the Uri attack in Septem- ing from tanks to artillery guns as “critical specialist vehicles for the special forces and defence artillery and small arms ammuni- ber 2016, where the army lost 20 soldiers, requirements”, which together would cost anti material rifles whose requirement is in tion and various categories of missiles both it was reported by the media, that the armed `35,000 to `40,000 crore. limited numbers. we need not wait for years ground to air and the anti tank variety. in forces had signed emergency deals worth the Armed Forces have already inked together to procure them. SP

Indian army Team with T90 Tanks participate in Tank Biathlon 2017 in russia

PhOTOgraPh: Indian army he tAnK BiAthLon coM- skills and endurance on the tanks in this Menced with the opening cer- prestigious event this year. the competi- emony of international Army tion involves firing by tanks on the move Games at Alabino ranges, rus- by conventional machine guns and anti sia on July 29, 2017. nineteen tank projectiles at a range of 2 km, whilst Tnations with three crews each are compet- negotiating rugged obstacles. the competi- ing with each other in the Stage i individual tion simulates actual battle field conditions races to qualify for the Stage ii which will involving driving at high speed and entails be a relay race. top twelve teams will be switching from one mode of operation to selected for Stage ii relay race out of which another at a fast pace which requires men- top four teams will qualify for the final stage tal mobility and exceptional level of physi- relay race scheduled on August 12, 2017. cal fitness and training. Presently, one crew each of all nations has the team has been selected through a participated in the first two days of the compe- rigorous selection process on the basis of tition wherein the indian crew’s race was con- technical expertise, physical fitness, men- ducted on the July 30, 2017. the individual tal endurance and consistency in accuracy race of balance two indian crews is scheduled of firing the tank weapons while driving on August 4-6, 2017. the top twelve teams sia. international Army Games involve 28 tries which participated in the event in July the tanks through a replica of the origi- for stage ii will be selected on the basis of least events organised in five countries i.e. rus- 2016. this year, for the first time, the team nal circuit in russia, at Babina Field Firing aggregate time of all three crews. sia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and would be participating with their own t-90 ranges in central india. the tanks were the tank Biathlon competition is an china. the indian Army team has been tanks which have been shipped to russia. transported to russia by sea and the team international event conducted as part of participating in the competition for the past A total of 19 countries including china, moved to russia on July 20, 2017, for par- the international Army Games held every three years since 2014. the team stood 6th russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, israel and ticipation in the competition from July 29, year since 2013 at Alabino ranges, rus- in the previous year out of the 17 coun- South Africa will showcase their prowess, to August 12, 2017. SP

3/2017 sp’s land forces 5 >> VIEwpoInt Theatre commands — long overdue “The functioning of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) has, to date, revealed serious weaknesses in its ability to provide single point military advice to the government, and resolve substantive inter-Service doctrinal, planning, policy and operational issues adequately. This institution needs to be appropriately revamped to discharge its responsibilities efficiently and effectively, including the facilitation of “jointness” and synergy among the Defence Services.” —GoM Report post Kargil Crisis of 1999

 Lt GEnEraL p.C. KatoCh (rEtd) Inadequate Military Synergy laborate either with the adversary or with General S. Padmanabhan, former chief of The biggest challenge own country. it must also include adjoining n JAnUAry 2017, MediA reports again Army Staff had said, “there is no escaping the to jointness is to bring seas and space above that may be essential emerged of tri-Service commands and military logic of creating suitably constituted for manoeuvre of own forces to address the other measures like appointing a single- integrated theatre commands and Func- about an attitudinal shift threatening entity/adversary and its geo- point military adviser, without elaborat- tional commands for the Armed Forces as a graphically contiguous collaborator(s). For- ing about the latter whether it will be a whole.”years later post the Kargil conflict, by turning the sense of tunately, this has already been thoroughly Ichief of defence Staff (cdS) or a Permanent indian Army chief General v.P. Malik went addressed by hQ idS through five compre- chairman of chiefs of Staff committee (PP on record to say. “it is not my case that the insecurity and mutual hensive studies during year 2005. coSc). what powers the cdS/PP coSc is Service chiefs do not cooperate in war. were integrated theatre commands (itcs) to have also remains vague. if the govern- they not to do so, it would be churlish. But in suspicion into a sense of need to be established encompassing the ment was serious and recognised the urgency, war, cooperative synergies are simply not good belongingness amongst entire operational spectrum with two to three some measures at least would have been initi- enough.” the battlefield requires effect Based integrated Functional commands (iFcs) that ated in this respect to include this in the list operations (eBos). eBos can best be pro- the services as well as maybe Bi-Service or tri-Service under each of achievements up to May 26, 2017, – date gressed through application of all the instru- itc; existing 17 single Service commands of completion of three years rule of ndA ii. ments of the nation state. what this implies is the politico-bureaucratic need to be reorganised accordingly. Studies ironically, other than ‘Make in india’ defence that eBo can only succeed if all components prove all three Services will actually ben- continues to remain at low priority. of national power are brought to bear, which establishment. efit from such reorganization, also enhancing in turn means that defence Forces must have promotional avenues. re-alignment of opera- Strategic Security Formulation full spectrum joint operations capability and tional geographical boundaries will obviously it is common knowledge that india does not an integrated approach. it is also important to need to be undertaken. need of the hour is have a cohesive national Security Strategy understand that this synergistic application of for jointness and integration of the Services. that all single Service commands gradually (nSS). in fact, this was admitted in Parliament power is to be applied at all levels of warfare, Some sections of the polity perhaps fear that evolve into either itcs (akin to Anc) or iFcs in May 10, 1995 by the then Prime Minis- be it tactical, operational or strategic. a unified military may become too strong for (akin to SFc). command and staffing of all ter narasimha rao when he stated, “we do in the overall jointmanship paradigm the constitutional establishment and may itcs and iFcs should be tri or bi-Service. not have a document called india’s defence of our defence forces today, it would not be undermine its status. this factor perhaps Policy. But we have several guidelines which wrong to say that true jointmanship exists contributes the most to the failure to appoint Hackneyed Bureaucracy are followed, strictly followed and observed… mainly within hQ idS. the balance is at a cdS. Perhaps military rules/attempted Under the Allocation of Business & transac- this policy is not merely rigid in the sense an extremely nascent stage, with complete coups in neighbouring Pakistan, Myanmar tion of Business rules Act 1961 that follow that it has been written down, but these are absence at the cutting edge/tactical levels. and Bangladesh add to such fear. A second the British legacy of defence Secretary (not the guidelines, these are the objectives, these Lack of jointness in the organisational struc- reason perhaps is the intransigence and apa- defence Minister) charged with defence of are the matters which are always kept in tures leads to lack of joint training, joint exer- thy of the bureaucrats, some of whom revel india and the Services headquarters con- view while conducting our defence policy”. cises and common procedures at the tactical over inter-Service rivalry. the fact is that the tinue to officially remain “attached offices”, he did not amplify what these several guide- and operational levels. we have a very long coSc is no substitute for a cdS, which is very the Mod bureaucrats continue to enjoy lines were that were strictly being followed way to go considering that our so called exist- apparent from the extracts of the GoM report power without responsibility and account- and observed, but the fact is that the defence ing “patchy jointness” has to go through the given above. our political class needs to dem- ability. in order to maintain this status of india remained in dire neglect including stages of “de-conflicted operations” to “joint onstrate strategic sense and appoint a cdS quo, hackneyed suggestions are projected pathetic equipping of the military and its operations” and thereon achieve the desired without further delay. without a cdS, the through media, like: instead of rehauling operational components certainly proves that capability of “integrated operations”. military’s capacity building for network cen- Mod completely, some “middle-level” posts these so called guidelines and their follow up tric capabilities will continue to lag, as will the being looked at in Mod to be manned by was grossly inadequate to put it mildly. yet Chief of Defence Staff required revolution in military affairs. military officers; and, permanent chairman no government has ever bothered to bridge Appointment of a cdS is essential as catalyst of coSc without operational powers. the this vital void that adversely impacts india’s Theatre Commands bottom-line is that if we are not going in for national security at the strategic level. the creation of the Andaman & nicobar com- establishing a cdS with full operational pow- present government’s effort towards equip- mand (Anc) and the Strategic Forces ers and then establish itcs and iFcs in cohe- ping too is patchy and limited to some big- our greatest weakness command (SFc) undoubtedly are signifi- sive manner, it would be fruitless exercise. ticket projects only. cant milestones albeit the former has to But that is not all, concurrent to appointing our greatest weakness is that the govern- is that the government look over its shoulder to the mainland for a cdS, hQ idS must be fully merged with the ment has made no effort to reorganise the has made no effort to resources. hopefully, Future of the Aero- Mod. But then this last essential requires a higher defence organisations, particularly space command, cyber command and Spe- rare quality of political leadership. Ministry of defence (Mod) which has no mili- reorganise the higher cial operations command recommended tary professionals and institutional set up for by the naresh chandra committee remains Conclusion strategy security formulation, besides the mili- defence organisations, ambiguous with indications the only Mod Jointness and integration of the military is an tary is not part of such strategic deliberations. ‘directive’ reportedly to work on smaller inevitable requirement for the modern day hQ idS has emerged as another hQ above particularly ministry of organizations headed by two-star level offi- battle field.t he biggest challenge to jointness but akin to Services hQ with little authority. cers - typical bureaucratic idiocy of delay is to bring about an attitudinal shift by turning the GoM had recommended integration of defence (mod) which has tactics. Both Anc and SFc have proved the sense of insecurity and mutual suspicion Service hQ into Ministry of defence (Mod) no military professionals capable of integrated operational planning. into a sense of belongingness amongst the with progressive decentralisation of decision hQ Anc performed commendably during Services as well as the politico-bureaucratic making powers and delegation of financial and institutional set the tsunami relief operations. establishment. the change will need to be powers. this too has not been affected i- only the vast expanse of india requires iden- implemented top down for it to take root and renaming the Services hQ as ihQ of Mod up for strategy security tification of geographical theatres that are be effective. while there is urgent need to (Army/navy/Air Force). Service hQ, though of military security concern. conceptually, a appoint a cdS, we should get on with initiat- notionally integrated with the Mod, lack formulation, besides the theatre should include within its geographi- ing the process of establishing itcs and iFcs any executive authority. All operational and cal boundary the entire geographically con- in the larger interest of achieving jointness administrative authority rests with the Mod, military is not part of such tiguous territory of a competing entity or and integration. SP which unnecessarily extends the decision an adversary including geographically con- making process. strategic deliberations tiguous territories of those entities or states The writer is former Director General of

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6 sp’s land forces 3/2017 >> News iN Brief

cSr by defence and aerospace Leader Bae Systems Publisher and editor-in-chief Jayant Baranwal editor TRENGTHENING ITS COM- to Education (RTE). Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd) MITMENT TO invest in the Nik Khanna, Managing Direc- Senior editorial contributor Scommunities in which it tor, BAE Systems India, said: “The Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) operates, BAE Systems will sup- education of girls has a profound Senior Technical Group editor port 300 girls to complete second- and long-lasting impact on com- Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) ary school through Room to Read’s munities. Room to Read’s Girl Edu- Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) Girls’ Education Programme. BAE cation Programme is transforma- assistant Group editor Systems is partnering with Room to tional in its focus on life skills as the R. Chandrakanth Read, a global non-profit organiza- key to secondary school comple- contributors tion focused on improving literacy tion and success beyond. We are India and gender equality in education delighted to join forces with Room General V.P. Malik (Retd), Lt General Vijay with its largest region of opera- to Read to launch this new phase Oberoi (Retd), Lt General R.S. Nagra (Retd), tions in India. BAE Systems’ invest- of community investment comple- Lt General S.R.R. Aiyengar (Retd), ment will provide material support, menting the national effort on Beti Major General Ashok Mehta (Retd), Major General G.K. Nischol (Retd), mentorship, life skills training, and Bachao, Beti Padhao.” Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd), family and community engagement activities with the goal of Sourav Banerjee, India Country Director, Room to Read, said Brigadier S. Mishra (Retd), Rohit Sharma encouraging young women, in grades 8-12, to complete their “Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of chil- chairman & Managing director secondary education. dren in low-income countries by focusing on literacy and gender Jayant Baranwal This partnership is aligned with Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao equality in education. Institutional support is critical to our suc- executive Vice President or Save the girl child, Educate the girl child, an initiative of the cess. BAE Systems’ inspired action under Beti Bachao, Beti Pad- (Planning & Business Development) Indian Government which specifically targets universal enrol- hao blends its organization’s goals with Room to Read’s objec- Rohit Goel ment of girl students in schools, decreased drop-out rates, girl tives and will ensure more girls have the power of choice and are administration child-friendly standards in schools, and implementation of Right ready for the doors of opportunity that follow.” SP Bharti Sharma asst-admin, Hr & Infra Pooja Tehlani creative director Unified Commanders’ ConferenCe spective in executing joint operations. Thailand Army and an equal number of Anoop Kamath deliberates on tri-serviCes synergy With the purpose of making the mili- Indian soldiers from the Northern Command design tary physical training even more scientific, will participate in the exercise. The aim of Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht a decision to incorporate sports medicine the exercise is to build and promote bilat- research assistant: Graphics in the methodology of training cadets, eral Army-to-Army relations and enhance Survi Massey recruits and combat soldiers was also interoperability between the two armies. taken. The audience was also informed The two week long exercise is scheduled Sales & Marketing Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia of the decision to introduce B Tech in the to be conducted in multiple modules in order General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh National Defence Academy which will to achieve complete integration between SP’s Website further the technological threshold of the two contingents at every stage. As part Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish future military leaders. of the exercise the two Armies will jointly Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma In his closing remarks, Chairman plan and execute a series of well developed Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal COSC and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral drills for neutralisation of likely threats that on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Sunil Lanba stressed on the significance of may be encountered in counter terrorism Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this The two day Unified Commanders’ Confer- synergised execution of operational plans environment. Conduct of Ex Maitree 2017 publication may be reproduced, stored in a ence was held on July 10-11, 2017, at New and encouraged all to ensure rigorous would go a long way in enhancing defence retrieval system, or transmitted in any form Delhi. The conference, which was attended cost benefit analysis while creating any cooperation between the two countries. or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without the prior by the RM, RRM, NSA, Service Chiefs and new structures. After a fruitful discussion The contingent from the Royal Thai- written permission of the publishers. senior dignitaries from Tri-Services Establish- on several other functional Tri-Services land Army landed at Gaggal Airport on ments and the Ministry of Defence discussed issues, Lt General Satish Dua, the Chief of July 2, 2017. The exercise is designated Printed in India by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd all relevant issues including functional and Integrated Staff, thanked the gathering for to enhance multiple evel cooperation © SP Guide Publications, 2017 operational synergy, enhancement of train- actively participating in the Joint Services between the two armies and improving Subscription/ circulation ing curriculum in Armed Forces Training deliberations. understanding of each other’s tactical Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 Institutes among others. drills and actions for countering insur- Email: [email protected] Earlier during the conference, the exerCise maitree 2017 — Joint gency and counter terrorism. [email protected] Defence Secretary apprised the audience indo-thailand military exerCise Maintenance of enhanced military to Letters to editor that the Defence Cyber & Space Agencies military contact will be mutually beneficial. [email protected] and Special Operations Division will soon Maitree series of bilateral exercises have For advertising details, contact: become a reality. been one of the major defence cooperation [email protected] On Day Two of the Conference, one of initiatives between India and Thailand. [email protected] the highlights was the presentation on ‘Big So far, since the start of the Exercises, SP GUIde PUBLIcaTIonS PVT LTd Data towards Insightful Decision Making’, they have held display of unarmed com- corporate office by the prestigious College of Defence Man- bat, and modus operandi of establish- A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, agement. This concept has already been ing mobile check posts, to neutralize the New Delhi 110003, India introduced in training curriculum of select terrorists escaping in a vehicle. After the Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 senior military officers. above demonstrations, troops from both Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 The Joint curriculum in the prestigious the armies rehearsed the drills jointly and Defence Services Staff College, one of the shared each other’s minor tactical drills. In regd office Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 oldest Tri-Services Institutions in the world, addition, the Royal Thailand Army troops Email: [email protected] has been increased to over 60 per cent, thus were also familiarized with the handling representative offices paving the way for an enhanced shared per- of INSAS Rifle before commencing the live Bengaluru, IndIa firing which is scheduled to be organised in Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) the coming days of the exercise. On July 4, 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar, 2017, in the evening evening, troops from Bengaluru 560043, India. >> Show Calendar Royal Thailand Army enjoyed learning Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 22-24 August Cricket from their Indian counterparts. SP MoScoW, rUSSIa Military radar LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. London, UK aPPoIntMentS Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, https://militaryradar.iqpc.co.uk Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 l Lt General , has been 30-31 August www.spguidepublications.com appointed the GOC-in-C Eastern www.spslandforces.com armoured Vehicles & Future Fires africa Indo-Thailand relations are multifaceted Command and has taken over from RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 Accra, Ghana and founded on historical linkages. Both https://armouredvehiclesafrica.iqpc.ae the outgoing incumbent Lt Gen countries have a history of extensive coop- Praveen Bakshi on August 1, 2017. 26-27 September eration. Taking it forward, Armies of India l Lt General Cherish Mathson has armoured Vehicles eastern europe and Thailand have been conducting the taken over as GOC-in-C of South Danubius Health Spa Resort Mar- yearly Joint Training Exercise named Ex Western Command (SWC) from out- gitsziget, Budapest, Hungary Maitree. This year the Exercise is being con- https://armouredvehicleseasterneurope. ducted from July 3 to 17, 2017, at Bakloh, going incumbent Lt General Abhay iqpc.co.uk/ Himachal Pradesh. Krishna on August 1, 2017. Approximately 50 troops from Royal

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