I s s u e 6 • 2 0 0 8 V o l 5 N o 6 See us at Aero India 2009, Bangalore, Hall C, Booth 14 SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION To order your 2007 Special Issue: AERO INDIA ’09 copy mail us at: ������������������� [email protected] 2008 OR call (+91 11) 24644763 24644693 24620130 ��������������� ��������������� LandWWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET ForcesROUNDUP In This Issue T h e ONLY journal in Asia dedicated to Land Forces

Special Forces need Guns, missiles and radars Time India maintains to be structured are the crucial elements of small forces with rapid comprehensively for a Army Air Defence, critical response military full spectrum capability, to the army’s overall intervention capabilities trained and ready for capability. The idea of air to participate in victory, or in other defence emerged during international coalitions words—a total force WWI when small arms sanctioned by the UN. of quality officers and and canons were used to The aim would be to soldiers. engage enemy aircraft. further national security interests. LT GENERAL (RETD) LT GENERAL (RETD) 6 VIJAY OBEROI? 10 NARESH CHAND? 9 GURMEET? KANWAL

EditorialEditorial Exclusive Interview

The preceding two months have witnessed momen- tous changes both within the country, and outside. Terrorist attacks in Mumbai on November 26 and India’s poor and uncoordinated response put paid to all claims of being a regional power readying itself to occupy the high table in the UN Security Council. A country which boasts of one of the highest rates of sustained eco- nomic growth and possesses one of the larg- est military establishments in the world was caught unawares, as usual, and took more than 60 hours to eliminate a few terrorists holed up at three locations in the city, that too, after they had massacred all hostages in sight. The botch up was evident to any layman observing the sloppy operation live on televi- sion. Now, ineffectiveness has been rewarded with bravery and distinguished service awards conferred on Mumbai Police and the NSG in an exercise aimed at vindicating the guilt on part of our political leaders who are to blame for not training or arming the country’s secu- equipped rity forces adequately. Similarly, a few weeks ‘AAC later, the army too did not cover itself with glory when after a nine-day gun battle in the Bhatidar forest of Jammu and Kashmir, having sacrificed two soldiers and a policeman, the units of the 16 Corps returned empty-handed. for tactical & It is hoped that all concerned will seriously introspect their shortcomings and take appro- priate measures, including induction of new weapons and technologies to enable greater operational efficiency. In the global arena, Barack Hussein Obama took the oath as the 44th President of the US on January 20, shattering American operational racial barriers as the first African-American leader of the nation. He has onerous responsi- bilities resting on his shoulders. India among a host of other nations has many expectations from the new President and is looking forward to a growing engagement with Washington. roles’ We at SP’s Land Forces wish President Obama Photographs: SP Guide Pubns a triumphant innings at the helm of the world’s oldest democracy. Additional Director General Army Aviation Corps Major General Ajit Hari The Aero India 2009 Special Issue incor- Gadre was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery on December porates articles on India’s Rapid Response Capability; Interview of Additional Director 24, 1972. A keen flier and a qualified Flying Instructor, he has clocked General Army Aviation; Modernisation of over 5,000 hours of flying. Talking to SP’s Land Forces, the Major Indian Army; Precision Guided Munitions; Need for Restructuring Special Forces; Latest General outlines the various functions of the AAC which, he insists, is an Developments in UAVs; and Electronic Warfare. With the onset of 2009, we wish our read- extension of the land forces rather than an independent aviation arm. ers a Happy New Year.

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): What is the role of AAC is to provide reconnaissance, surveil- SP’s: Is the AAC completely independent the Army Aviation Corps (AAC)? lance, utility and combat aviation support of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in terms of Additional Director General Army for full spectrum operations of the Indian infrastructure, like helicopter bases, over- LT GENERAL (RETD) PRAN PAHWA Aviation Corps (ADGAAC): The role of Army (IA). haul and maintenance? EDITOR Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

6/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 1 entire range of servicing except base over- “AAC is to expand haul. Hence, maintenance of the Cheetah/ exponentially with an Chetak fleet over the long term is not envis- increase in pilot and aged to pose any problems. ground staff training SP’s: Is your training infrastructure ade- requirements... Number quate, including simulators? ADGAAC: AAC is to expand exponentially of pilots being trained with an increase in pilot and ground staff has almost doubled.” training requirements. We have addressed these areas well in time. Number of pilots being trained has almost doubled. We ADGAAC: Over the past two decades, ever are also conducting ab initio training of since its inception on November 1, 1986, pilots at HAL, Bangalore and in combat the AAC has grown exponentially to cater squadrons. A helicopter simulator has for divergent requirements of the IA in the been installed at Combat Army Aviation Tactical Battle Area. Along this path of Training School at Nasik. A separate growth, we have established our own bases, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering has our own infrastructure and training facili- been established at the Military College ties for both aircrew and ground crew, with of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers, a sound techno logistic support system. Secunderabad, to train technical officers With these developments and support sys- and technicians thereby supplementing tems, our operational capabilities have been various technical training activities. With greatly enhanced. AAC has also established all training activities having been timely its own aviation school to train pilots as well planned, we envisage smooth induction of as provide specialised training for instruc- pilots and desired standard of training of tors. Thus, AAC has emerged as an inde- ground staff. pendent entity fully integrated with the IA’s philosophies and doctrine. SP’s: What has been AAC’s role in the recent With SP’s Land Forces Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal floods in Bihar and Orissa? SP’s: Does the AAC’s operational philoso- ADGAAC: AAC had deployed the integral phy include integration with other ser- dedicated and integral resources available resources of the Central Command. In addi- vices? “To fully exploit the to them to influence battles favourably. The tion, a detachment of two ALHs and four ADGAAC: AAC is a specialised arm suitably non-linear battlefield, it following acquisitions are in the pipeline Cheetah/Chetaks were deployed in support of equipped with capability to operate across regarding various assets for the IA: flood relief. Additional helicopters were kept the entire conflict spectrum. It has the capa- is essential that attack • Reconnaissance and Surveillance on standby. The detachments undertook mis- bility to operate at the tactical level and also helicopter resources be Helicopters: These helicopters will sions like casualty evacuation, search and in conjunction with other services at the replace the existing fleet of Cheetah/ rescue, aerial survey, supply dropping and operational level. Integration of AAC into all an integral component Chetak helicopters. While some helicop- transportation of relief material and relief facets of operational and tactical scenarios with the field force ters will be procured as ‘Buy’ category, workers. We also undertook communication is a major factor in achieving overall success others will be ‘Designed and Developed’ by duties for civilian and military officials con- in modern combat. The operational philoso- commander.” the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) nected with relief operations. phy hinges around this fact during joint and as ‘Make’ category. RFP for the former has combined operations as well as sub-conven- been issued and the procurement is likely SP’s: Are you facing any shortage of pilots tional operations. which will form an important part of the to commence soon. due to greener pastures in civil aviation? rapid reaction capability. Dhruv helicopters • Utility Helicopters: Three squadrons of ADGAAC: Civil aviation prospects for pilots SP’s: What role is the AAC performing in the will form an integral part of such an effort, indigenously developed state-of-the-art from the helicopter stream have grown expo- ongoing low intensity conflict in Jammu as and when required. Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) are nentially in the past few years. Majority of and Kashmir and the Northeast? Will this already in service (one under raising). officers who leave service are in the service role expand in the future? SP’s: Have you acquired attack helicopters? Additional squadrons are planned and bracket of 20 years and above. At this level ADGAAC: Low intensity conflict has been If so, are your pilots fully capable of oper- will form an important an integral part of seniority, the officer is past the stage for going on in Jammu and Kashmir and ating them? of Field Formation Commander’s Order of utilisation in active flying units and, there- Northeast for some time now. AAC is an ADGAAC: AAC has not acquired attack heli- Battle. fore, an exit at this stage does not make any extension of the land forces rather than an copters. As of now, IAF provides the attack • Armed Helicopters: ALHs (weapon difference. Hence, the strength of pilots in independent aviation arm. We regularly helicopters support as per our requirement. system integrated) are being developed by active flying units are unaffected by what undertake missions in support of ground However, modern warfare philosophy envis- HAL. Integration of weapon systems on you call the ‘greener pastures’.

forces and also in aiding civil authorities as ages integration of attack helicopters with the ALHs is already under way, including SP’s: What do you think is the future of and when required. Transportation of stores, mechanised formations and employment in test firing of weapons. The helicopter is civilian helicopter industry in India? Any troops and surveillance are part of our consonance with operations carried out by likely to be ready by 2009. suggestions to improve its prospects? employment philosophy. the ground forces. To fully exploit the non- • Tactical Battle Support Helicopter: ADGAAC: Future of the civilian helicopter linear battlefield, it is essential that attack This is being developed as a tri-services industry at present looks bright. The indus- SP’s: If India were to acquire rapid reaction helicopter resources be an integral compo- project by HAL. The helicopter will be try has tremendous potential for growth capability for the plains and the moun- nent with the field force commander. Our called Indian Multi Role Helicopter. and absorption. Helicopter, being a versatile tains, what would be the role of AAC and pilots are posted with the IAF in attack heli- Necessary procurement procedure for the machine, can be employed in tasks limited how does Dhruv fit in, given its capability copter squadrons and we also have a nucleus same has already commenced. only by imagination. Helicopters can form to carry 12 to 14 personnel? of suitably trained aviators. Therefore, tran- a vital cog in the national disaster man- ADGAAC: The dynamics of modern day sition will not be a difficult process, as and SP’s: The Chetak and Cheetah fleet is obso- agement scheme. Helicopters can also be battlefield demand that in order to exploit when it is approved. lete and considering the long gestation peri- exploited for varied other tasks, such as the opportunity in time and space, speed od of new acquisitions, how do you plan to policing, surveillance, air ambulances and and flexibility must characterise the field SP’s: What are your modernisation plans maintain them in the interim? heli-tourism. However, adequate infrastruc- commander’s response. Timely application and how are they progressing? ADGAAC: HAL has been entrusted with the ture to include additional heliports and of resources in the tactical battlefield area ADGAAC: All our modernisation plans are major repairs and base overhauls of aviation creation of a separate control agency akin to in a faster time frame is possible with avia- based on the simple fact that future con- fleet and there are no plans to stop this at the Airport Authority of India will go a long tion support. Integral tactical lift capability flicts are likely to be short, swift and violent. present. Adequate spares exist with units and way in promoting the development of heli-

WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET is planned to be provided to field formations Hence, the field force commanders must have depots for repairs at unit levels including the copter industry in India. SP

2 SP’S LAND FORCES 6/2008

Technology objectives in a reasonable timeframe. helicopters with Fourth Generation missiles, When force has to be used selectively, in cannon-launched guided projectiles and mis- the backdrop of possible international inter- siles of various types, including air defence vention, then it is imperative that force be missiles and even multi-barrel rocket launch- wielded in a manner so as to achieve political ers with PGMs, would enhance the joint and aims through short, swift and precise mili- integrated effort required for attaining goals tary operations. This is the general premise in short and intense conflict. of political, strategic and international ambi- In the Second Gulf War, by adding inex- ence which is likely to prevail in the sub- pensive cheap strap on kits for GPS guidance, continent in the near future. In the Indian the US armed forces’ weapons and weapon context, a larger inventory of PGMs along platforms achieved precision capabilities. The with associated infrastructure becomes more US Air Force used a wide variety of PGMs; relevant for the execution of the country’s over 6,000 of JDAMs, 1,000 Wind Corrected ‘Cold Start’ doctrine and Joint Doctrine. Munitions Dispenser (including Sensor Fused According to a Rand Corporation study, Munitions) and a variety of laser guided the PGM-enabled calculus has changed and bombs. The army used Sense and Destroy air power’s ability to contribute to the joint Armor along with long range acquisition battle has increased. Not only can modern system and Hellfire missiles, besides many air power arrive quickly where needed, it other kinds of PGMs. The navy used cruise has become far more lethal in conventional missiles, besides a number of other PGMs. operations. Equipped with advanced muni- In India, some of the smart munitions, like tions either in service or about to become the laser guided bombs, were used by the IAF Precision operational and directed by modern C3I sys- in the Kargil conflict with a telling effect. tems, air power has the potential to destroy The use of PGMs, by their very nature, may enemy ground forces either on the move or involve joint planning and joint targeting in in defensive positions at a high rate while most of the cases, especially so in the tactical concurrently destroying vital elements of battle arena. There would also be a need for Photograph: www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr Pays the enemy’s war fighting infrastructure. In formulation of joint procedures for enabling Vehicle with ATGM launcher short, the mobility, lethality and survivability cross-services sensors and target designators of air power makes it well suited to the needs to effectively utilise the precision platforms Advent of sensors affording accurate target of rapidly developing regional conflicts. and weapon systems of the other services. For the IAF, a larger inventory of PGMs Employment of precision weapons also intelligence, coupled with Precision Guided would enhance its strategic agility, reduce the leads us to look for precise information. Munitions, has led to “effect-based operations” sizes of aircraft packages and decrease the Therefore, one of the main requirements for logistics requirements. This in return would application of precise force is developing an gaining predominance in speedy conflict release additional air effort which would intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance resolution, with minimum collateral damage become available to be exploited for other network dovetailed with shooters and decision strategic, operational and tactical tasks. For makers’ grid with real time response capabili- BRIGADIER (RETD) VINOD ANAND instance, in OIF, F-16, F-18, B-1, B-2 and ties. Intelligence, sensor development and tar- In the Indian context, a B-52 aircraft were armed with multiple Joint geting have always been key issues in warfare, larger inventory of PGMs Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), enabling but are becoming increasingly important. uman warfare, as is widely these to strike multiple targets during a single Continued introduction of advanced acknowledged by military plan- along with associated sortie. This economy of effort provided the weapon platforms and the integration of ners, is metamorphosing into infrastructure becomes joint forces an opportunity to engage a wider critical force multipliers will augment the information warfare. Driven by more relevant for the spectrum of target systems and an increased capabilities of India’s forces against China. Hrevolution in information technology in the capability to fight close, rear and battle in Timely intelligence and adequate precision- field of warfare, weapons and equipment execution of the country’s depth simultaneously. guided munitions would enable the forces have become more intelligent, wherein preci- ‘Cold Start’ doctrine and It would also be possible to engage mul- improve combat edge over Pakistan as never sion guided long distance attacks are increas- tiple targets with new variety of PGMs before. It must be noted that China has ingly playing a critical role in operations Joint Doctrine from stand off distances. Precision attacks achieved capabilities in producing numer- and emerging the main form of attack. The from stand off distances would enable the ous type of PGMs. Some of the PGMs, like use of precision munitions, for instance, has air support to be provided in close vicinity precision guided mortar bombs, have so far been following an upward trajectory since PGMs would have an important bearing on of land forces. Therefore, close air support not even been produced by the US. Further, Operation Desert Storm. The percentage of planning at strategic, operational and tacti- missions, hitherto not preferred by the IAF, Islamabad is in the process of acquiring the precision guided munitions (PGMs) used in cal levels. These can be quickly transported can now find more acceptability among its most effective JDAMs and other assorted Gulf War I was nine, thereafter the figure to the battlefield for generating force levels planners. With a suitable percentage of PGM munitions from the US as part of the F- leapfrogged to 35 in Kosovo and Afghanistan. equal to or more than a force equipped with in the IAF inventory, it may be possible to 16 package. Timely targeting intelligence, A relentless quest is underway to improve dumb bombs. Thus, these would be key commence counter air and counter surface adequate precision-guided munitions and the accuracy of weapon systems and ammu- components of force projection capabilities campaigns almost simultaneously, thus emphasis on joint operations are the missing nition, with dramatic strides in the arena which, of late, the Indian armed forces have accommodating the needs of land forces in ingredients from India’s forces. since World War II. In World War II, the been focusing on. the likely battlefield scenarios of the Indian Further, it is generally believed that PGMs Circular Error of Probability (CEP) for an air- PGMs are essential tools for engineering sub-continent. are very expensive. A cost benefit analysis, delivered bomb was 1,000 m; in the Korean Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). Without however, may prove that PGMs are more cost War, this was improved to 300 m, and by the adequate numbers of PGMs in the inven- Focus on land forces effective because these help reduce the large time of the Vietnam War, it had progressed tory, a force cannot be said to have moved up Similarly, increased inventory with land infrastructure associated with dumb bombs to slightly over 100 m. In Operation Iraqi the RMA scale. Further, since these enable forces of integrated battle groups would and an industrial age force. Yet, PGMs can Freedom (OIF), the CEP was only a few metres reduction in number of ordnance or plat- add additional punch to arsenal and may not be a panacea for all the problems associ- or, as claimed by the US forces, it was around forms required, PGMs also contribute towards reduce requirement of air support. Armed ated with persecution of war and conflict. SP one ‘bomb length’. Further, in OIF the use of reduction in manpower. One of the key ben- PGMs climbed to 68 per cent versus 32 per efits visualised by militaries across the world cent of dumb bombs. of ongoing RMA has been its contribution towards reducing manpower without los- Effects-based operations ing the combat edge. It is a different matter Precision weapons substitute mass with that India’s military force has been unable effects. The advent of sensors affording to reduce manpower because of involvement accurate target intelligence, coupled with in low intensity conflict operations/counter- PGMs, has led to “effect-based operations” insurgency operations. In 2007, then Indian gaining predominance in speedy conflict Army chief General J.J. Singh had observed: resolution, with minimum collateral dam- “My focus has also been in making full use of age. The use of PGMs also satisfies one of precision guided ammunition and firepower the fundamental principles of war: economy rather than manpower.” of effort. Further, these enable concentra- tion of effects from geographically widely Boost to inventory dispersed forces. Since a lower number of In air-land operations or tri-service opera- ordnance or weapon platforms is required tions, the benefits of PGMs can be jointly to achieve the same effects at the target end, exploited to reinforce and complement these enable reduced signature of own forc- the unique characteristics of each service. es for adversary’s sensors to detect. Increasing inventory of precision weapons in Considering that less number of ordnance the Indian Air Force (IAF) and surface forces and munitions are required, PGMs also would enhance the force multiplier effect of contribute to reduced logistics tail thereby the existing weapon platforms. This would be increasing the agility of a force. 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IDS039_Hawk_SPsLF.indd 1 1/29/09 5:16:06 PM Special Forces Revamp & Restructure The SF needs to be structured comprehensively for a full spectrum capability, trained and ready for victory, or in other words—a total force of quality officers and soldiers

LT GENERAL (RETD) VIJAY OBEROI

into a conquering army. Forces of the US were met with scepticism, if Unfortunately, the SF not downright hostility. of the Indian Army, as The major reason is the focus of the structured at present, are Indian Army on attrition-oriented opera- not capable of doing this. tions and linear thinking. Consequently, However, if restructuring Para Commandos of the past, or Para (SF), is carried out with vision as they are now termed, have largely been and all likely contingen- employed as super or elite-infantry, with cies are catered for, no a focus on attrition-dominated tasks. No reason why our SF cannot doubt they have performed well, but they meet such challenges. still are not trained for typical SF roles. On occasions, they have also been employed SF of India on mundane and wasteful tasks, such as The biggest component of VIP protection or protective tasks at higher SF is fielded by the Indian headquarters. Army, but other forces too have these forces of vary- Future dispensation ing capabilities. Currently, Fragmented, the structure of India’s SF is the SF component of the not conducive to efficient management and Indian Army comprises a needs reorganisation. As an immediate mea- number of Para (SF) bat- sure, the SF of the army, navy and air force NSG in action at Nariman House talions. While five such need to be placed under the command of a Photographs: NSG battalions have existed for over a decade, the others he November 26 terrorist attack forces, like the SF, as they are able to respond were converted by re-designating all para- in Mumbai and related events to a wider spectrum of crises. Terrorism, sub- chute battalions about three years ago. The Now that the strategic have brought into sharp focus version, insurgency and proxy war by neigh- other SF of India include a battalion of the focus of the nation is not the Special Forces (SF) of the bouring countries or by non-state actors from Rashtriya Rifles, the 31 RR (Commando); the confined only to South Tnation. India fields a variety of SF, of which their soil, will continue to be major security Navy’s MARCOS; two forces operating under two— the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) of challenges for India. The recent terrorist the Cabinet Secretariat—the NSG and the Asia, language capability the Indian Navy and the National Security strike at Mumbai is an appropriate example. Special Frontier Force (SFF); and the Garuda and regional and cultural Guards (NSG) of the Cabinet Secretariat— In this type of proxy war environment, the Commando Force of the Indian Air Force. operated against the terrorists at Mumbai. SF, given its low profile, may well be the force Some states have designated police units as orientation for the SF is While the personnel of both the forces dis- of choice for conducting operations, includ- commandos but these are of little value. All also important played exceptional bravery in tackling the ing across the border, without inviting the these forces have different tasks, ranging terrorists, lacunae in the deployment and political, economic and military risks of war. employment of these forces need early rec- SF can also assist in deterring, destroying or tification in order for the SF to respond with defending against attempts aimed at nuclear alacrity the next time a similar situation or radiological material or weapons of mass arises. Details of what needs to be done to destruction, especially from non-state actors. increase the efficiency of these forces must Several constraints impede employment of necessarily be preceded by an elucidation of conventional forces to resolve security issues. what the SF are all about. With asymmetric opponents such as terror- Most professional militaries field spe- ists, insurgents and rebel groups increasingly cial units, with specialised, highly focused holding the nation to ransom, dealing with capabilities. Known as SF, these are small, them in a conventional manner has many elite military units, with special training pitfalls. In such an environment, SF becomes and equipment, capable of conducting a even more important. SF are also necessary variety of operations. SF personnel undergo to meet transnational threats resulting from rigorous selection and lengthy, specialised the diminished authority and capacity of gov- training. SF are the nation’s penetration and ernments beleaguered by social, political and strike forces that respond to extraordinary cultural unrest and inadequate governance. contingencies across the conflict spectrum, Asymmetric opponents do not attack the with stealth, speed and precision. Their oper- strengths of the nation, but target its vulner- ations differ from conventional operations abilities, with unorthodox measures. Such NSG Commandos- Aware and Alert in the degree of physical and political risk, attacks can be best tackled by the SF. operational techniques, mode of employ- Preparing for the conflicts of the next ment, independence from friendly support decade and beyond, we need to invest heavily from counter-insurgency to anti-hijacking, separate tri-service command controlled by and dependence on detailed operational in the right kind of SF, which has the agility to guerrilla warfare and so on. The total the Chief of Defence Staff, once that appoint- intelligence of a very high order. SF may be to perform a task, disengage, regroup and strength of all the different forces combined, ment becomes a reality, and in the interim used against a wide range of adversaries, be ready for the next mission. SF to tackle not counting the so-called police commandos, under the Integrated Staff and the Chiefs of including terrorists, insurgents, guerrillas, low intensity conflicts of the future must be would be fairly substantial, and would com- Staff Committee. or regular combatants. SF can also be used purpose-filled organisations, possessing both pare favourably with the strengths of the SF In most countries, the SF is also tasked to support insurgents, guerrillas, or regular human intelligence and signals intelligence of the US and Russia. with anti-hijacking and hostage rescue. conventional operations. capabilities; scientific and analytical skills; Capable of carrying out only ‘direct However, in India, these tasks have been In our country, a proliferation of SF types and ability to use information technology action’ type of operations, like raids, direct assigned to an independent organisation, reduces focus on certain essential tasks, optimally. They must also possess language and indirect assaults, and other attrition- the NSG. Besides not being a cost-effective undermines cost-effectiveness and sullies skills and knowledge of the cultural, social oriented tasks, the various SF forces of India, option, these tasks are actually carried out accountability. Weaknesses and chinks in the and behaviour patterns of the adversary. however, are neither organised nor doctrin- by personnel of the army, who constitute system need to be identified and highlighted In future, SF will become more relevant ally prepared to carry tasks which their coun- the entire complement of the Special Action while deliberating on the changes needed to because they can respond to a wider spec- terparts in some other countries are capable Group (SAG) of the NSG, and are on deputa- evolve the nation’s SF structure of the future. trum of crises than conventional forces. of conducting. These include tasks like tion from the army. The other portion of the The 2002 operations in Afghanistan by the unconventional warfare, special deep recon- NSG, the Special Rangers Group, which is Changing nature of threats Coalition Forces, for instance, were brought naissance, psychological operations, counter manned by personnel from the central police Ambiguity and a marked divergence from to a dramatic and early conclusion because proliferation and sensitive special operations. forces, has over the years degenerated into traditional risks characterise security chal- the SF managed to bring in the forces of Unfortunately, earlier attempts in the army a force almost exclusively assigned to VIP lenges today and in the future. Consequently, the Northern Alliance for the dénoue- to form SF units in the genre of Special Air security. Proximity to politicians, who con-

WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET military contingencies require multi-faceted ment. They turned the Northern Alliance Service of UK, or the Special Operations stitute the bulk of the VIP’s, has an adverse

6 SP’S LAND FORCES 6/2008

NSG commandos are brave and well trained on account of being selected personnel of the army, but the leadership does not inspire confidence

impact on their primary function, as well as on their discipline, deportment and profes- sional efficiency. NSG: Training for Crises At this stage, let us take a deeper look at the actions of the NSG during the recent set the stage for the main body. when I was the Director General, Military ing missions. Many such missions will require Mumbai mayhem. Although the SAG did • There was no need to wait for a slow fly- Operations, and again when I was the Vice traditional SF capabilities, while others, such clear the three buildings that had been occu- ing aircraft to fetch up from Chandigarh, Chief of Army Staff. However, on both occa- as counter-proliferation and information war- pied by a total of eight Pakistani terrorists, when the NSG is empowered by law to sions, when I moved out of the scene, the fare are relatively new and are the subject of it took them three days and nights to do so. requisition any available aircraft, without army succumbed to the entreaties of the NSG developing SF doctrine. Earlier, the NSG took nearly 10 hours to waiting for any permission. Such on the and reverted to status quo. SF has to be ready to meet two major reach Mumbai. Now, four hubs are being cre- spot decisions are the forte on which SF is Coming to the second SF component in challenges. While it must integrate with ated to pre-position NSG commandos, so that organised, but policemen who head this the Cabinet secretariat, the SFF, the special conventional forces, government agencies, in future time can be saved in mobilising the elite force do not have the sense of urgen- role for which it was raised, has changed other forces and international agencies, when commandos of the NSG. However, no effort cy or the capacity to take such decisions. over the years. However, the force still has needed, it must also preserve its autonomy to is being made to rectify systemic problems of • As complete information will never value and needs to be retained, perhaps with protect and encourage the unconventional leadership, structures and decentralisation be available when the operations are some restructuring and a reorientation of its approach that is the soul of the SF. Now that of authority. Although the commandos are launched, plans must exist to get rein- manpower policies. Its grouping as a separate the strategic focus of the nation is not con- brave and well trained on account of being forcements. force under the cabinet secretariat, however, fined only to South Asia, language capability selected personnel of the army, the leadership First of all, a three star officer of the is now meaningless. It should become part of and regional and cultural orientation for the does not inspire confidence. army should be handed over command the SF of the army, albeit retaining its distinc- SF is also important. Leadership comes from professional expe- of the NSG. This should have been done tive structure and ethos, and assigning it a An SF which is merely better infantry rience and not by wearing the rank badges of long ago, but the lethargy of a status quo changed role, which is more relevant to cur- will not meet the requirement. The need is a three star General. Under a seasoned army bureaucracy and vested interests of the rent and future realities. for a SF, which is structured comprehen- leader, the task at Mumbai would have been Indian Police Service lobby have acted sively for a full spectrum capability, trained accomplished in 24 hours at the most. In as bottlenecks. Personally, I had tried to Need to evolve & improve and ready for victory, or in other words—a this context the following aspects need to be do so on three separate occasions while Most analysts agree that sub-conventional total force of quality officers and soldiers. highlighted: holding important appointments at Army operations are likely to be the norm in future, The future organisational structure must be • Although the main SAG group is located Headquarters, but was stymied every time. wherein SF is likely to play a major role. a value-based organisation, which is fully at Manesar, a small immediate response There is a strong case for withdrawing the Therefore, it is important that India evolves a joint, is equipped with the most modern team is always stationed at the Palam SAG complement from the NSG, and assign- suitable doctrine, concept of employment and weapons and equipment the nation can pro- airport to respond at short notice. This ing the anti-hijacking and hostage rescue organisational structures for the SF, which vide, and is able to respond to the nation’s should have been despatched immediately roles to the reorganised SF. The residual NSG are relevant and best suited to meet future needs. The nation’s SF must change to meet by commandeering an aircraft. They can be restructured for the exclusive role security challenges. In the coming years and the challenges of the 21st Century. SP would have acted as the advance party, of VIP security. This is not a new proposal. decades, SF is likely to be in great demand, as collected vital information and would have I have myself proposed this twice, once it will be particularly suited for many emerg- The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff.

2 1 TheYEAR that WAS 9 1. Defence2008 Minister A.K. Antony at a demonstration conducted by Indian Army near Jaisalmer to commemorate the battle of Longewala in 1971 2.BAE Systems unveiled its latest Unmanned Autonomous System Fury on June 11 in San Diego 3. SP’s Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal and CII delegation met French Major General L. Valler, Deputy Chief of Staff-Global Initiatives (second from left) on June 18 dur - ing Eurosatory 2008 held in Paris. 4. Consent for transfer of technology for indig - enous production of T-90 tanks was received from Russia where Russia promised to 3 share the specifications of the gun barrel and will transfer all relevant documents by the end of the year. 5. DRDO successfully tested the anti-tank NAG missile on August 5 at Pokhran Range in Rajasthan 6. Defence Minister A.K. Antony inaugu - rated Defexpo 2008 in Delhi on February 16 7. SP’s Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal flanked by dignitaries at the launch of SP’s Airbuz in New Delhi 8. Sri Lankan 4 8 Army Chief Lt General G.S.C. Fonseka on a visit to Jammu & Kashmir on March 3 with Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor for a briefing on the Indian Army’s anti-militancy operations. 9. US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates with India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony in Delhi during his two-day visit to India in February

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8 SP’S LAND FORCES 6/2008 Operations

Beyond Home Shores Time India readies and maintains small forces with rapid response military intervention capabilities to participate in international coalitions sanctioned by the UN Security Council

Photograph:Boeing GURMEET KANWAL The Globemaster transport aircraft

omali pirates seized an Indian mer- framework will eventually emerge from the reality. Besides being necessary for out-of-area the necessary transportation assets being chant ship off the Horn of Africa and ashes of Gulf War II. The concept of coopera- contingencies, air assault capability is a signifi- acquired and held by the Indian Navy, includ- were reportedly paid a huge ransom tive security also requires collective interven- cant force multiplier in conventional conflict ing landing and logistics ships. The brigade to obtain the release of the Captain tion when it is inescapable. as well. Despite what the peaceniks may say, group in Southern Command, designated Sand the crew in October 2008. A month later, External threats and challenges are gradu- substantial air assault capability is not merely as an amphibious brigade but devoid of INS Tabar, an Indian Navy ship patrolling the ally increasing. When the Taliban first came to essential for furthering India’s national inter- adequate amphibious capabilities, could be pirate-prone area in keeping with India’s grow- power in Afghanistan, a perplexing question ests, it is now inescapable. suitably upgraded. The amphibious brigade ing stature as a regional military power, sunk a was what India would do if it ever became nec- For intervention operations, the immedi- should be self-contained for 30 days of sus- pirate mother ship in the same area. These two essary to launch a military operation to rescue ate requirement is for an air assault brigade tained intervention operations. The third incidents highlight the need for tri-service mili- the Indian ambassador or members of his staff group with integral heli-lift capability. This brigade of the RRD should be lightly equipped tary intervention capability to meet the emerg- from Kabul. Would India ask for American or capability should be in place by the end of for offensive and defensive employment in the ing needs for contingency planning. Given the Russian help? What would the response be? the ongoing 11th Defence Plan, that is, April plains and mountains as well as jungle and experience in the Congo and earlier in Sierra Or would India have no option but to leave the 2012. The first air assault brigade should desert terrain. All the brigade groups and Leone, such capabilities will also be required in embassy staff to the mercy of jihadi terrorists? be capable of short-notice deployment in their ancillary support elements should be support of Indian forces deployed for UN peace- That contingency, fortunately, did not arise, India’s extended neighbourhood by air and capable of transportation by land, sea and air. keeping duties and for limited power projection. but another one did. Indian Airlines’ flight IC- sea. Comprising three specially trained and With the exception of the amphibious bri- 814 was hijacked to and parked at Kandahar equipped air assault battalions, integral gade, the division should be logistically self- Contingency planning airfield for several days in December and the firepower component, combat service sup- contained for an initial deployment period of Time India readies and maintains small forces nation looked on with helpless rage as virtually port and logistics support units, the brigade 15 to 20 days with limited daily replenish- with rapid response military intervention no military options worth considering were group should be based on transport helicop- ment. The infrastructure for such a division, capabilities to participate in international available. Hopefully, the ignominious surren- ters equivalent to MI-17s. It should have the especially strategic air lift, attack helicopters, coalitions sanctioned by the UN Security der to the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists has guaranteed firepower and support of two to heli-lift and landing ship capability, will entail Council. The aim of intervention operations prompted some soul searching and the govern- three flights of attack and reconnaissance heavy capital expenditure and fairly large helicopters. The air assault brigade group recurring maintenance costs. However, funds should be armed, equipped and trained to will need to be garnered by innovative man- secure threatened islands, seize an air head in agement of the defence budget and additional enemy territory and capture a value objective budgetary support. The second RRD should such as a bridge that is critical to furthering be raised over the 13th and 14th Defence operations in depth. Plans by about 2027. For ready deployment as part of interna- The only airborne force projection capa- tional coalition forces responding to speedy bility that India has at present is that of one military interventions, it will have to be pro- independent Parachute Brigade with three vided with sufficient air and sealift capability parachute battalions. Since the organisa- and a high volume of close air support till tional structure of this brigade is more suit- Aboard the IN aircraft carrier INS Viraat (left); An Amphibious Assault its deployment area comes within reach of able for conventional operations, this brigade Photograph: www.miami.about.com Photograph: www.defencetalk.com the artillery component of ground forces. should be retained as an Army HQ reserve Since the raising of such a potent brigade for strategic employment behind enemy lines. will be to further India’s national security ment will no longer neglect its responsibility to group will be a highly expensive proposition, However, when necessary, the brigade could interests and foreign policy objectives, sup- create the required air assault capabilities. its components will need to be very carefully be allotted to the RRD for short durations to port international non-proliferation efforts Contrary to populist notions of the nation structured to get value for money. Such a carry out specific tasks. and join the global community to act deci- being imbued with a pacifist strategic culture, brigade will afford immense strategic reach India cannot aspire to achieve great power sively against banned insurgent outfits, like the the Indian government has not hesitated to ask and flexibility to military planners and the status without getting politically and militar- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. its armed forces to intervene militarily several Cabinet Committee on Security in the prevail- ily ready to bear the inherent responsibilities. International non-proliferation initiatives, such times since Independence, both internally and ing era of strategic uncertainty. Unless the country becomes the undisputed as the Proliferation Security Initiative and the beyond India’s shores, when such interven- Simultaneously, efforts should commence master of its own backyard in Southern Asia, Container Security Initiative, in particular, can- tion was considered necessary. The army was to raise a division-size rapid reaction force, including the northern Indian Ocean Region, not succeed in the Southern Asian and Indian ordered to forcibly integrate Goa, Hyderabad of which the first air assault brigade group it will not be recognised even as the numero Ocean regions without Indian participation as a and Junagadh into the Indian Union as part of should be a part, by the end of the 12th Plan uno regional military power, leave aside a member or as a partner providing outside sup- the nation building process. The Indian armed by 2012-17. The second brigade group of power to reckon with on the world stage. SP port. As a regional power, India will also need to forces created the new nation of Bangladesh the Rapid Reaction Division (RRD) should consider its responsibilities towards undertak- after the Pakistan army conducted genocide also have amphibious assault capability with The author is Director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies, New Delhi. ing humanitarian military interventions when in East Pakistan in 1971. India intervened in these are morally justified and will need to the Maldives and Sri Lanka at the behest of the prepare for large-scale disaster relief operations governments of these countries and was ready such as those undertaken in the wake of the to do so in Mauritius when the threat to the Southeast Asian Tsunami. The expeditionary government there passed. forces required to discharge these responsibili- ties will have to be maintained in a permanent Operational capabilities the key state of quick-reaction readiness. Military planners acknowledge that the need A resurgent India that is already a domi- to join future international coalitions, with or nant power in South Asia, may also need without UN Security Council sanction, cannot to join other friendly countries to intervene be wished away. The late General K. Sundarji, militarily in its area of strategic interest. former Chief of the Army Staff, had often spo- While India would prefer to do so under the ken of converting an existing infantry division UN flag, it may in future even join ‘coalitions to an air assault division by the year 2000. of the willing’ when its national interests are Though the idea was certainly not ahead of its threatened and consensus in the UN Security time, the shoestring budgets of the 1990s did Council proves hard to achieve. Though it will not allow the army to proceed in that direction be a gradual and long drawn process, it is quite and it could not implement the concept. Now The Akula Class submarine likely that a cooperative international security the time has come to translate his vision into Photograph: wikimedia

6/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 9 Air Defence Protective Shield Army Air Defence is a critical element of the army’s overall capability with the crucial components: guns, missiles and radars The Skyshield gun system LT GENERAL (RETD) NARESH CHAND Photograph: Rheinmetall

ir defence (AD) is essentially mon. The ammunition and shells fired by these ity in detection and tracking of targets which weather conditions for firing. Many scientists tasked to deter or destroy aerial weapons were normally fitted with different could be applied equally to guns and missiles. and engineers have contributed to the devel- air breathing platforms attack- types of fuses to spread the shrapnel over a India inherited L60 and 3.7in guns after opment of radar but Christian Hülsmeyer ing ground targets or deny them larger area. For shorter ranges, guns between partition and the 40mm L60 destroyed was the first one to use radio waves to detect Apassage through a specific air space. The 20 mm to 40 mm calibre were being widely many Pakistani aircraft during 1965 and metallic objects. In 1904, he demonstrated idea of AD emerged with the advent of air used. Apart from L60, other examples of large 1971 operations. The 3.7 inch HAA was the possibility of detecting a ship in dense power during World War I (WWI) when calibre guns are the Bofors 8,8 cm FlaK 18, 36 used in lieu of a medium gun as an interim fog. He patented it and further improved it to small arms and canons were used to engage gun and the American 90mm AA Gun. solution till replaced by 130mm guns. The add ranging which was also patented. During enemy aircraft. Aircraft could also be used to AD came to its maturity during World guns, by and large, have reached a plateau 1917, Nikola Tesla established the fundamen- counter enemy aircraft but it was not practi- War II (WWII) when use of air power became in development where the effective range tals for frequency and power output. cal to employ these for around-the-clock AD. more extensive and mature. Bofors 40mm and rate of fire is at its upper limit. Only Before WW II, the US, Germany, France, Aircraft were better employed in the offensive L60 and 3.7 inch Heavy AA (HAA) guns improvements possible are in fire control Russia and UK contributed to the development role. At that time, AD was called anti-aircraft became the mainstay of ground based air radar and ammunition. In service in India of radar as we see it today. The year 1934 saw artillery, or AAA, by the British and Flak by defence of the Allies with the Axes having for four decades, the 40mm L70 has had some momentous developments like when the Germans taken from Flugabwehrkanone, their own versions. The 40mm L60 gun its fire control radar upgraded periodically Émile Girardeau of France stated that he was denoting aircraft defence cannon. and ammunition improved by adding radio building a radar system based on the principles Other countries, except Germany, did not fuse but is in urgent need of replacement. of Tesla and obtained a patent. Part of the appreciate the potential of airpower till a India inherited L60 and Skyshield of Rheinmetall Defence is a modern system was installed on the Normandie liner German spotter aircraft brought accurate 3.7in guns after partition example of a gun system which has Advance in 1935. The same year, US Dr Robert M. Page artillery fire. Quick solutions were found by and the 40mm L60 Hit Efficiency And Destruction technology tested the first monopulse radar and the Soviet using or adapting smaller calibre artillery ammunition. It contains 152 heavy tung- military engineer P.K. Oschepkov, in collabora- guns for this role. Subsequently guns were destroyed many Pakistani sten metal, spin stabilised sub-projectiles and tion with Leningrad Electrophysical Institute, specially designed for anti-aircraft (AA) role. aircraft during 1965 and ejected by a time fuse which are very effective produced an experimental apparatus RAPID By the end of WWI, role of military aircraft against small targets. This gun can be consid- capable of detecting an aircraft in an area emerged more clearly in the battlefield, thus 1971 operations ered a suitable replacement for L70. within a radius of 3 km. Hungarian Zoltán Bay warranting a serious response to counter produced a similar working model by 1936. them. During the period, between the wars, it Missiles: Fast forward However, the British were the first to was Germany which developed a number of became so vital to the British war effort that The use of rocket-powered missiles for shoot- new AA guns, at times in collaboration with they even produced a movie, The Gun, to ing down aircraft began during WWII. The Swiss and Swedish companies. Other coun- motivate factory workers to work harder. The Germans took great interest in this field and tries like UK and Sweden followed but some US also started manufacture of these guns. It developed a missile like the Wasserfall based countries still thought that the aircraft were was adopted by 17 countries and is still in use on a scaled-down V-2, but none of these was too fast and beyond the reach of guns thus it in some navies and coast guards. An effort ready for service before the war ended. The was pointless to develop them. was made to develop a system which should British started with an unguided rocket, the 2 have single shot kill probability. A 55 mm gun inch RP which was fired in large numbers. By Guns: Rapid evolution used a centralised control system, including the end of the war, the British had developed The US (Union Army) used balloons dur- both search and targeting radar, which cal- a surface-to-air missile, Stooge, which would ing the American Civil War which forced culated the future aiming point and then sent have been launched from Royal Navy ships the Confederates to employ artillery, small this data electrically to the guns which used against the Japanese Kamikaze attacks. The arms and even saboteurs to counter them. hydraulic system to point the gun towards US Navy also started missile research to deal The earliest known use of an AA gun was a the target. This was the first attempt to really with the Kamikaze threat which fructified modified Krupp’s one pounder gun drawn by modernise AD gun systems. during 1950 with systems like the US Army’s a horse drawn carriage to destroy balloons in It was not possible to engage fast moving Nike Ajax, the navy’s “3T’s” (Talos, Terrier, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Germany aerial targets manually, thus a mechanical Tartar), and soon followed by the Soviet S-25 continued with the development with Krupp computer, the Kerrison Predictor, was devel- Berkut and S-75 Dvina and other French and leading in their design, some examples of oped. The operation was simple and required British systems. The research and develop- which are 75 mm, 12-pounder and 105 mm the crew had to point the Predictor at the target ment for surface-to-air missiles continued gun. During WWI, 75 mm had become the which then calculated the aim off automatical- with missiles being developed for firing from standard German weapon. ly and displayed it on the gun as a pointer. The the shoulder to ballistic missile defence. Nike

Any firearm with adequate range and a crew had just to follow the pointer to aim the Ajax replaced the 75 mm Skysweeper system, BDA reasonable calibre could be used against the gun (dubbed ‘follow the pointer’). Mechanical an almost fully-automated system which earlier aircraft but matching capability was computer was replaced by the analogue com- included the radar, computers, power lay and

required when they became more advance. puter which preceded the modern digital com- auto-loading gun on a single platform. The Aster Photograph: M In the evolutionary phase of AD weaponry, puter for calculating ballistic data. The major Similarly, SA-2 Guideline systems were adaptations of the standard automatic can- breakthrough for AD weaponry came with the deployed by Russia for AD of its assets and nons and heavier artillery systems were com- advent of the radar, affording superior capabil- later used by the Indian Air Force. There have understand and fully exploit its potential been developments in the guidance systems, for AD which got added impetus due to the warhead, propellant, surveillance and fire fear that Germany was developing death ray. State of un-preparedness control radars making the missile capable of However, after a detailed study by the British engaging fighter aircraft, helicopters, UAV’s scientists it was concluded that death ray Recent media coverage of the state of preparedness of the armed forces clearly brought out the and short range ballistic missiles. Missiles was not feasible but detection of aircraft was glaring voids existing in the army, navy and air force. The status of Army Air Defence which has inadvertently been overlooked is even more startling and depressing. The current state of equip- can also be mounted on mobile platforms possible. Robert Watson-Watt demonstrated ment is as under: like tanks and other AFV’s. The Indian Army the capabilities of a working prototype radar • 40mmL70 gun entered service during 1963 and although operationally obsolete, after 45 years, holds primarily Russian missile systems, like and patented the device in 1935. This system its replacement is yet not in sight. OSA-AK and Kvadrat, which are long due for formed the basis of the famous Chain Home • 23mm twin gun is also about 25 years old with a high accident rate but replacement not in sight. replacement. Some of the latest missile sys- system of radars for the defence of Britain. • Kvadrat missile system (medium range) has been in service for 25 years and more but the process tems are SLAMRAAM, HawkXXI and PAC-3 of The war triggered research in many fields of choosing a successor is yet to start. the US; Spyder of Israel; Tor M-1 and Buk –M- and radars are now widely used in diverse • OSA-AK (short range) missile system is on its last leg. 1 of Russia; and Aster series of Europe which fields for surveillance, fire control, air traffic • Tank mounted AD system Schilka is 35 years old with no successor in sight. could be could be considered as successors. control, weather monitoring, astrometry and • Battle management system is not even on the horizon. road speed control, besides other functions. The above covers almost all the AD equipment of the army. There are just no spares for equip- ment of Russian origin. The threat from air now includes Fourth Generation fighters, UAVs and Radar: New milestones Army Air Defence has very good fire control Short Range Ballistic Missiles. Night capability is a mandatory. A terrorist attack from air cannot The radar uses electromagnetic emissions to radars of European origin like the Flycatcher be ruled out for which Army Air Defence forms an integral part. It is already providing AD in the detect an airborne object. This capability has series and Reporter for surveillance. The capital for all important functions for many years. It is sad to see the utter state of neglect of this got translated into innumerable functional Russian systems have their integral surveil- critical element of the army’s overall capability. SP uses, like detection, identification, tracking, lance and fire control radars. Flycatcher radar

WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET threat assessment, navigation and forecasting is due for replacement in the near future. SP

10 SP’S LAND FORCES 6/2008 Technology

The Power of E-Waves USAF A quick reckoner of the vital components that enable comprehensive and effective control

Photographs: of the electromagnetic spectrum to facilitate electronic warfare

LT GENERAL (RETD) NARESH CHAND

“The electronic warfare system is a force multiplier system which needs high level of secrecy for maintaining surprise against adversary actions. In such a situation, it is essen- tial that the system design, architecture and deployment knowledge is generated within the country and maintained as a closely guarded information by the services. This is essential to ensuring tactical and strategic advantage for our armed forces during an operation.” —Dr Abdul Kalam, former President of India

lectronic warfare (EW) is essentially ride the British jamming, which by necessity use of the electromagnetic spectrum of the jammer being airborne or further away to effectively deny it to an adversary, produced weaker signals. Super Fledermaus while optimising its utilisation by fire control radar, in service with the Indian Ehome forces. The ultimate goal of EW is to Army till recently, literally had brute transmit- control the electromagnetic spectrum. It has ted power thus was difficult to jam. This is still three main components: Electronic Support one of the primary methods of ECCM even Measures (ESM), also called Electronic today. ECCM can be active as well as passive: Support; Electronic Counter Measures (ECM), • Active ECCM includes such activities as also called Electronic Attack; and Electronic having radio sets with frequency-hopping Counter Counter Measures (ECCM), also spread spectrum. called Electronic Protection. • Passive ECCM includes education of opera- tors for enforcing strict electronic disci- ESM: Passive detection pline and modified battlefield tactics or ESM provides the necessary intelligence and operations. threat recognition in order to carry out ECM Some ECCM techniques used are: and ECCM. It is the passive detection of signals ECM detection: Sensor logic may be pro- in order to intercept, identify, locate, record, grammed to be able to recognise attempts at and/or analyze sources of radiated electro- ECM like an aircraft dropping chaff during magnetic energy for the purposes of immedi- terminal homing phase and ignore them. ate threat identification (such as warning that Another application of ECCM could be to a fire control radar has locked on a fighter air- Samyukta Electronic Warfare System recognise the type of ECM being used and be craft). ESM includes signal intelligence (Sigint), Samyukta is a mobile integrated electronic warfare system developed for the Indian Army able to cancel it. which has two components, communications and considered to be the largest of its kind. It was developed by India’s Defence Research and Pulse compression by “chirping”, or intelligence (Comint) and electronic intel- Development Organisation and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited and ECIL. Many other linear frequency modulation: One of the ligence (Elint). ESM equipment should be able private companies, like CMC and Tata Power Company Limited, contributed by jointly develop- effects of the pulse compression technique to cover a wide range of frequency bands, good ing command and control software having 10 million lines of code and manufacture. Another 40 is boosting the apparent signal strength as dynamic rang, narrow band -pass to discrimi- companies produced components indigenously. The system is fully mobile and is meant for tactical perceived by the radar receiver. The outgoing nate the signal of interest and a good angle-of battlefield use. It has a wide range of frequencies to cover the communication and the non-com- radar pulses are varied within the pulse. When arrival measurement for direction finding. munication segment. Its functions include Elint and Comint ECM activities. the pulse reflects off a target and returns to the Each system operates on a large number of mobile vehicles which has communication and Comint: It deals with all forms of communi- receiver, the signal is processed to add a delay non-communication segments. The system has the capability to carry out electronic surveillance, cations, including voice, messages and traffic analysis, interception, direction finding and position fixing, listing, prioritising and jamming of all as a function of the frequency. This has the data. Primary means of military communica- communication and radar signals from HF to MMW. Samyukta system will ensure dominance over effect of stacking the pulse so it seems stron- tions was by physical dispatch till 1860, when electro-magnetic spectrum which basically means it will jam enemy surveillance signals and voice ger, but shorter in duration, to further proces- telegraph took over until 1915, and then by and radar signals while ensuring its own signals are not jammed by the enemy. SP sors. The effect can increase the received signal the telephone until recently. A common Comint strength to above that of noise jamming. technique is to listen to voice communications, Frequency hopping: Frequency hopping or usually over radio but also possibly “leaking” However, except for submarines, the key sen- • Active ECM includes jamming, deception, agility may be used to rapidly switch the fre- from telephones or from wiretaps. If the voice sor is radar. Although radar was invented by active cancellation and electronic mag- quency of the transmitted energy and receiv- communications are encrypted, the encryption Christian Hülsmeyer in 1904 as a maritime netic pulse use. ing only that frequency during the receiving must be deciphered. A typical command and anti-collision device, but its true potential man- • Passive ECM includes such activities as time window. control structure is made up of various tactical ifested only during World War II. Laser is also the use of chaff, balloons, radar reflectors, Polarisation: Polarisation can be used to fil- and strategic radio networks that support data, now part of any electro-optronic aiming device. Faraday cages, winged decoys and stealth. ter out unwanted signals, such as jamming. voice and images, and operate over point-to- Radiation homing: The other main aspect point links and broadcast. Without intelligence ECM: Employing deception ECCM: Protection shield of ECCM, is to program sensors or seekers to the commander is blind as he has no informa- ECM is the active or passive use of the elec- Employing measures taken to reduce or elimi- detect attempts at ECM and possible even to tion to base his decisions upon. tromagnetic spectrum to deny its use to an nate the effect of ECM on electronic sensors take advantage of it. For example, some mod- Elint: It deals with all non-communications adversary. It includes any type of electrical or on vehicles, ships, aircraft and weapon sys- ern fire-and-forget missiles like the Vympel signals intelligence by trying to identify hostile electronic device designed to deceive radar, tems, ECCM makes the adversaries’ ECM less R-77 and the AMRAAM are able to home in radars and other non-communicating sources sonar or other detection systems like infrared successful by protecting friendly personnel, directly on sources of radar jamming if the of electromagnetic energy. The main methods and Laser. Basic radar ECM techniques incor- facilities, equipment or objectives. ECCM can jamming is too powerful to allow them to find used to detect hostile targets and guide weap- porate jamming, deception, target modifica- also prevent friendly forces from being affected and track the target normally. This mode, called ons to them are sonar, radar, and infrared tion by transponders to, for instance, increase by their own ECM. What could possibly be ‘home-on-jam’, actually makes the missile’s job although a few do use passive systems. The their return echo strength to make a small considered as the first example of ECCM, the easier. Some missile seekers actually target the first of these to be developed was sonar, which decoy appear to be a large target. ECM can be Germans increased their radio transmitter enemy’s radiation sources and are, therefore, was invented and deployed in World War I. active or passive: power in an attempt to ‘burn through’ or over- called “anti-radiation missiles”. SP

6/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 11 Modernisation

The Forward wikimedia Leap The first indigenously assembled T-90S rolled out from the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi on January 7, 2004 Photograph: Manifold increase in threats and the diverse nature of new age combat necessitates urgent revamp and re-equipment efforts to transform the Indian Army into a modern fighting force

LT GENERAL (RETD) V.K. KAPOOR

ndia’s one million-plus army, second larg- the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi on on. However, fact is modernisation of the T-72 already raised. Agni-II intermediate range est after China, is one of the most experi- January 7, 2004. These tanks have now been is behind schedule due to complicated pro- ballistic missile has been successfully test-fired enced and professional forces in the world. operationalised. Defects in the fire control curement procedures exacerbated by delayed and is undergoing further trials. These mis- However, its requirements and financial systems of T-90S tanks due to excessive heat decision making. The T-90 and the improved siles may be placed under the Strategic Forces Ioutlays to transform the army into a modern in the turrets during the summers is being T-72 M1 tanks will constitute India’s armoured Command for command and control purposes. fighting force are huge, thus enlarging the remedied through air-conditioning the inte- might in the future till a new MBT is chosen or The army version of BrahMos cruise missile, induction period and extending the procure- rior. An additional 347 T-90S tanks have designed indigenously. developed jointly by India and Russia, has been ment process at a time when the challenges to been negotiated for induction into the service, Mechanised Infantry: The mechanised successfully tested and inducted into service. the military are increasing manifold. In that bringing the total to 647. In all probability, infantry is currently equipped with the BMP-2 From the US, 12 AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radars light, it would be pertinent to analyse the direc- the strike formations of the Indian Army will Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) “Sarath.” Over have been received; additional radars of the tion taken by the Indian Army for its moderni- be equipped with these tanks. 1,000 of these have been manufactured since same class are planned to be acquired through sation needs. Simultaneously, a programme has been 1987. A new variant is the 81 mm Carrier indigenous development. launched to modernise the T-72 M1, Ajeya, Mortar Tracked based on the chassis of the In January 2008, the Ministry of Defence Army’s equipment MBTs. Around 1,700 T-72 M1s have been Sarath ICV and indigenously developed to (MoD) floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) The army’s modernisation plans have created a manufactured under licence at HVF, Avadi. enhance the integral firepower available to for 140 pieces of ultra-light 39 calibre 155 $20 billion (Rs 98,360 crore) opportunity, pro- The T-72 M1 modernisation programme under mechanised infantry battalions. Other vari- mm towed howitzers for use by the Indian pelling India to the centrestage of all big arms Project Rhino will extend the service life of the ants include a command post, an ambulance, Army’s mountain formations. Presumably, manufacturing establishments. Key features MBT by 20 years, enhance their accuracy with armoured dozer, and engineer and reconnais- these will also be employed by its rapid reaction of the plan have been chalked out and several the new Drawa-T fire control system (FCS), sance vehicles. The ICVs are being equipped divisions—as and when these are raised—as steps taken for acquiring equipment. and give a night fighting capability through with thermal imaging sights and image intensi- these howitzers will be easy to transport by air. Armour: The army has received 14 of the a thermal imager integrated with the tank’s fiers. The army had ordered 198 Carrier Mortar To equip seven medium artillery regiments, 124 Arjun Main Battle Tanks (MBT) ordered FCS. The tanks are additionally being equipped Tracked, which have since been delivered. 140 howitzers will be adequate and will cost by it. These are undergoing sub unit trials with explosive reactive armour (ERA) for better Reconnaissance and support battalions approximately Rs 3,000 crore. The RFP has before further induction of the entire lot. protection, along with a laser warning system need better surveillance radars, fire-and-forget been reportedly issued to UK’s BAE Systems From Russia, 310 T-90S tanks had been and new, frequency hopping, tank radios sets anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and effective (which now owns Bofors) for the ordered. Of these, 124 fully assembled tanks from Tadiran for more secure communications. night fighting capability. Upgradation of these is M777 howitzer, claimed to be the were directly imported from Russia and 186 A new power pack is also under consideration also on the anvil. lightest in the world at under kits imported for assembly in India. The first to further enhance mobility, especially with the Artillery: In keeping with the policy that 155 4,220 kg, indigenously assembled T-90S rolled out from heavy ERA packages that are being strapped mm will be the standard calibre for the artillery, and to Israeli firm Soltam was given the contract for upgunning 180 M-46 130 mm guns acquired from Russia. After some initial hitches, all 180 guns have been successfully upgraded and operationalised. This will extend the range of the erstwhile 130 mm guns from 28 to 40 km with extended range ammunition. Two regiments of Smerch Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL) have been procured from Russia through Rosboronexport. This will enhance the reach of the artillery considerably, thus giving commanders multiple options for offensive operations in enemy’s depth. Extended range rockets are also expected to boost the range of Grad BM-21 rockets from 22 km to about 40 km. The indigenously developed Pinaka MBRL has been accepted for induction into service. Two private sector companies are taking part in the production of Pinaka. Two missile groups of Prithvi sur- face-to-surface short range ballistic mis- Skyshield Gun System WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET Photograph: Rheinmetall sile and one of Agni have reportedly been

12 SP’S LAND FORCES 6/2008 Singapore Technologies for the Pegasus SLWH. surveillance capability of the army. The LORROS, Meanwhile, the army is also looking for suc- Communications in the army India has floated a global tender for the or Long-Range Reconnaissance and Observation cessors to L-70 and the ZU-23-2. Successor A countrywide, secured, value-added backbone purchase of 400 155 mm towed artillery System, provides day and night surveillance to Schilka (ZSU-23-4) already exists in the for data and voice transmission in a networked guns for the army, to be followed by indig- capability up to a range of about 11 to 13 form of Tunguska, but in limited numbers. architecture is being established to connect enous manufacture of another 1,100 how- km. It is performing well, especially in In the missile systems, Kvadrat (medium the army’s important formation headquarters. itzers, in a project worth Rs 8,000 crore. counter-infiltration operations range) and OSA–AK (short range) are also Strategic broadband satellite network, the first The RFP was issued to eight prospective in Jammu and Kashmir. at the end of their life cycle. These were to of its kind connecting 22 locations, has recently bidders, including BAE, General Dynamics, Most of these sen- be replaced by Akash and Trishool surface- been commissioned, with the project christened Nexter (France), Rhinemetall (Germany) sors are to-air missiles but since these DRDO projects “Mercury Flash”. On February 24, 2006, erst- and Samsung (South Korea). An RFP has currently have been inordinately delayed, they will while President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also been issued for 180 wheeled self-pro- functioning in also require replacements from abroad. One dedicated the Army Wide Area Network (AWAN) pelled guns for around Rs 4,700 crore for a stand-alone mode major weakness in the overall air defence to the nation. AWAN is designed to connect all employment by mechanised forces in as there are no arrange- matrix is the lack of a battle management field and peace-time formations, training estab- the plains and semi-desert sectors. ments to link them together on system which is also linked with the national lishments and logistics installations in the coun- Surveillance: The Heron UAV a networked surveillance grid. air defence network. try. It is a major step forward in preparing the (medium-altitude, long Development of Nishant remotely Infantry: The combat potential of the infan- army for the information age and for the future endurance) from piloted vehicle, designed by the Defence try, particularly in the areas of firepower high technology battlefield. As regards electronic Israel has been Research and Development Organisation and surveillance for counter-insurgency and warfare, it has been reported that the defence acquired in (DRDO), to undertake battlefield surveillance, conventional operations, is being significantly Acquisition Council of the MoD has approved reconnaissance, real time engagement of enhanced. The 20 mm and 14.5 mm Anti- the acquisition of electronic warfare equipment addition to targets by artillery fire and laser designation Material Rifle, Automatic Grenade Launcher- worth $333.3 million (Rs 1,600 crore). the Searcher I has been successfully completed. It has been 30, Multiple Grenade Launcher, 84 mm Rocket Information Systems: A new organisation, and II. Medium range approved for induction through limited series Launcher Mk II and Kornet-E ATGM with ther- the Director General Information Systems, battlefield surveillance production. The Artillery Combat Command mal imaging night sights are some of the new has been established in the army under the radars have been introduced into and Control System has been successfully systems introduced. Surveillance equipment Deputy Chief (Policy and Systems). The objec- the inventory of the army’s developed and is under production. Trial evalu- include Battlefield Surveillance Radars, Hand tive is to vigorously pursue the establishment surveillance and target ation of Terminal Guided Munitions, Trajectory Held Thermal Imagers and various types of of the Command Information Decision Support acquisition units for Guided Munitions, Velocity Enhanced Long Unattended Ground Sensors. System for the army to link together all other enhancing the medium Range Artillery Projectiles and Anti-Radiation automated communication and information range ground Ammunition is also in progress. Army’s Engineers systems such as the Battlefield Surveillance Air Defence Artillery: The Corps of Army Equipment has been procured to assist in de- System, the Artillery Combat Command and Air Defence holds a large variety of mining operations. Equipment is also being Control System, the Air Defence Control and guns and missile systems. It has procured to improve the capability of engi- Reporting System, and Battle Management 40 mm L/70, Zu-23-2 Twin neers for disaster management. Protective System in an effort to present a holistic picture gun, ZSU-23-4 Schilka and equipment, to enhance the fighting capabil- to a commander and his senior staff officers to Tunguska in its inventory. The ity of the army in the nuclear, biological ease the decision making process. This will also 40 mm L/70, which is about and chemical scenario has been procured. link the communication system at strategic, four decades old, needs immedi- Protection against improvised explosive devic- operational and tactical levels and enable the ate replacement. Considering es (IED) in counter insurgency and counter army to fight network enabled warfare in the the high costs of new weapon terrorist operations is also being enhanced future. Developments in these fields are slow but systems, the army is going in for through procurement of a sophisticated range steady, and it seems the army expects to achieve weapon upgrades for L-70, ZU-23- of counter IED equipment. New assault bridg- the first stage of network enabled capability in T-90- Main Armament: 125 mm 2 Twin gun, and ZSU-23-4 Schilka. ing equipment has also been procured. about a decade or so. smoothbore with ATGM capability SP

6/2008 SP’S LAND FORCES 13 Equipment Unmanned Wonders Foremost Unmanned Aerial Vehicles that can fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems

LT GENERAL (RETD) V.K. KAPOOR

nmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are ordered by the US Navy in 2005 and 2007. The remotely piloted or self-piloted air- army and navy are exercising a joint acquisition craft that can carry cameras, sensors, strategy of the MQ-8B to maximise commonal- communications equipment or other ity between the two services. Upayloads. Used for reconnaissance, intelligence- gathering, real time imagery, surveillance of a Watchkeeper, UK designated area and attack, more challenging In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence roles envisioned include combat missions with announced that Thales UK had been selected as specialised platforms.These can fly autono- the preferred bidder for the Watchkeeper tacti- mously based on pre-programmed flight plans cal UAV system. Watchkeeper will provide the or more complex dynamic automation systems. UK armed forces with intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabili- The Watchkeeper tactical UAV system Little Bird Helicopter ty. In August 2005, Thales UK was awarded the Photograph: Thales Demonstrator, USA contract for the development, manufacture and The Boeing Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) dem- initial support phases of the Watchkeeper pro- India’s Quest for UAVs onstrator is a modification of the MD 530F gramme. The number of Watchkeeper systems single-turbine helicopter, designed for both has not yet been formally announced, but the India has acquired Searcher I, Searcher II, and Heron UAVs from Israel. These are being used by all manned and unmanned flight. The ULB can be figure is reported to be around 54. Watchkeeper three services in various modes and configurations. Indigenous production is briefly described in remotely operated or programmed for autono- is a tactical system that will be operated in the- the ensuing paragraphs. mous operations in any of its three operational atre by the British Army Royal Artillery. Thales India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed the Lakshya, a modes: dual pilot, single pilot or unmanned UK’s Watchkeeper proposal included a large pilotless target aircraft. It is used for training of land or ship based gun and missile crew and com- flight operations. The high payload capacity UAV and a smaller UAV, support equipment and bat pilots in weapon engagement. All weapon engagements are made on two targets that have allows missions to include long-endurance ground stations. The MoD has decided that a radar, IR or visual signature augmentation with a tow length of 1.5 km. They can be launched from ground or ship. The DRDO has also developed Nishant a field mobile system consisting of air intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance single UAV solution is more cost effective and vehicle, ground control station, antenna tracking system, launcher and mission support vehicles. missions using heavy, high-capability sensors. only the larger WK450 UAV will be developed. Each air vehicle carries a stabilised steerable platform (called Gimballed Payload Assembly) with The ULB helicopter demonstrator successfully The air vehicle will be capable of carrying a electro-optic payloads for surveillance, target acquisition and target tracking. It has five hours of completed its first flight in September 2004 and range of sensors, including day and night cam- endurance and 65 kg payload capability. the first autonomous take-off and landing was eras and surveillance radars. Two WK450 air Recently, Defence Minister A.K. Antony in a written reply in the Lok Sabha stated that the carried out in October 2004. During this phase vehicles will be able to operate in tandem, with Government of India has allowed the Aeronautical Development Establishment to co-opt a part- of testing an on-board test pilot monitored the the second acting as a communications relay. ner from the Indian industry to join in the development and production of the Rs 1,000-crore helicopter’s performance but did not actively indigenous medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV. In order to reduce the time for design, fly the aircraft. The first truly unmanned flight Barracuda Demonstrator, Europe development and subsequent transfer of technology to the industry for bulk production of MALE was completed in July 2006. Since its first flight The Barracuda demonstrator unmanned air UAV, DRDO has been authorised to associate with a Production And Development Partner (PADP) from eligible Indian industries on a competitive basis. The PADP would work with DRDO during in September 2004, the ULB demonstrator vehicle has been developed by EADS Military the design and development phase and absorb technologies. These would become the System aircraft has safely conducted more than 500 Air Systems in Germany and Spain, with an Integrator and provide product support after induction. DRDO has short listed four Industries hours of UAV technology flight testing and won industrial team of about 30 aerospace compa- Consortia through a transparent process and released Request for Proposal for PADP. SP the American Helicopter Society’s AHS 2005 nies and specialised suppliers. The air vehicle Grover E Bell award for the best advancement in has a radius of action of more than 200 km rotorcraft research. and a maximum speed over Mach 0.6. The fins and rudders. EADS Military Air Systems at and at a slant range of 3.5 km. Imagery and operating ceiling is 20,000 ft. The purpose of its Augsburg (Germany) site is responsible for telemetry data is transmitted in near-real time Fire Scout MQ-8B, USA the Barracuda demonstrator is to demonstrate manufacturing the fuselage and EADS Military from the Shadow ground control station to The MQ-8B Class IV vertical take-off and and test technologies for future agile, autono- Air Systems in Getafe (Spain) for the construc- joint stars common ground station, all-sources landing tactical UAV, developed by Northrop mous and network-capable UAV systems. The tion and manufacture of the swept wings. analysis system and to the army field artillery Grumman, is based on the highly successful first flight of the air vehicle took place in April targeting and direction system. Shadow is in RQ-8A developed for the US Navy, which is 2006 at the San Javier Military Air Base in Shadow 200 RQ-7, USA operational service in Afghanistan and in Iraq. currently in test and evaluation having suc- southern Spain. During one of the flight trials Shadow 200 is the smallest of the Shadow fam- By the end of December 2007, it had amassed cessfully completed over 245 test flights since in 2006, the Barracuda crashed into the sea. ily of tactical unmanned aircraft systems devel- more than 234,000 flight hours in over 55,000 May 2002. The US Army selected the MQ-8B in Incorporating swept wings, the demon- oped by AAI. It is in operational service with the missions. The Shadow family of unmanned August 2003 for its Class IV UAV, which is part strator air vehicle is entirely carbon-fibre US Army and US Marine Corps. Shadow 200 aircraft systems is produced at AAI’s facilities in of the US Army’s future combat systems (FCS) construction. The air vehicle, of length 8.25 is used to locate, recognise and identify targets Hunt Valley, Maryland. programme. The system provides the army with m and wingspan 7.22 m, has a maximum up to 125 km from a brigade tactical operations real-time imagery, data collection and dissemi- take-off weight of 3,250 kg. The vehicle has centre. The system recognises tactical vehicles IGNAT-ER, USA nation at brigade level. The MQ-8B was also a swept horizontal tail and outwardly canted by day and night from an altitude of 8,000 ft The US Army’s IGNAT-ER extended-range UAV has been deployed in Iraq since spring 2004 and has recently increased the operational UAV SPECIFICATIONS tempo from 12 to 20 hours a day, every day, on reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Specification IGNAT-ER Shadow Barracuda Watch Keeper Firescout Unmanned The system has successfully achieved a sus- Little Bird tained full mission capability rate of 95 per Wingspan 17.9 m 4.27 m 7.22 m (WK180) 6.00 m; - - cent. In March 2003, the US Army awarded (WK450) 10.51 m General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. in San Diego, California, a contract covering Length 8.70 m 3.4 m 8.25 m (WK180) 4.43 m; - 9.94 m three IGNAT-ER air vehicles, a modular ground (WK450) 6.10 m control station, portable ground data terminals Fuselage Length - - - (WK180) 3.47 m - 7.49 m and ground support equipment. The contract Height - 0.86 m - - 2.9 m 2.67 m was originally placed to provide the US Army with a UAV system. An urgent operational Empty weight 540 kg 90 kg 2,300 kg - - - requirement emerged resulting in an acceler- Max Payload - 25.3 kg 300 kg - - - ated manufacturing, testing and delivery sched- Max Take off 1,025 kg 127.3 kg 3,250 kg (WK180) 195 kg; - - ule. The first air vehicle trial was successfully Weight (WK450) 450 kg completed in March 2004. A contract for two more systems was placed in February 2005 Max Gross Weight - 170 kg - - - - and the three systems have completed over 850 Max PiN 204 kg - - - - - combat missions. In April 2008, two IGNAT-ER Max UWP 2 x 65 kg - - - - - air vehicles had completed 10,000 flight hours each, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Type/Engine Rotax 914 - Pratt & Whitney Canada - - Rolls-Royce 250- The system has a maximum endurance of 40 turbo engine JT15D-5C turbofan C30 turboshaft WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET hours at an altitude of 8,000 m. SP

14 SP’S LAND FORCES 6/2008 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief News in Brief Jayant Baranwal Editor Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor Spider Light Strike Vehicle, US forces in Asia and the Pacific. A defence Arms makers predict slower Singapore official said the suspension occurred after the US defence growth Assistant Editor The changing face of warfare has spawned US announced the arms package, including The Pentagon’s top contractors expect US Arundhati Das new requirements for vehicles. While there is 30 Apache attack helicopters and 330 Patriot defence spending to grow more slowly in com- Senior Technical Group Editor still an overwhelming requirement to protect missiles. The sale angered Beijing, which has in ing years than at any time since the September Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand troops from mine and roadside bomb attack the past vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, 11, 2001 attacks. “I think the budget will likely Contributing Editor using highly armoured patrol vehicles there is by force if necessary. Keating said prospects of be sustained,” Robert Stevens, Chief Executive Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia also a need for much smaller, lighter, relatively China sending warships to the seas off Somalia of Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon’s top suppli- unarmoured vehicles to transport small bodies to help international efforts against piracy er, said at the Reuters Aerospace and Defence Sub-Editor of men over short range for strike and recon- could provide a ‘springboard’ for resuming ties. Summit this week. “I think the rate of growth Bipasha Roy naissance missions. The light strike vehicle “We are in dialogue in various agencies and will probably decline.” Boeing, the number two Contributors (LSV) was born for fast hit-and-run raids, commands in an attempt to provide informa- supplier, predicted some arms development India scouting missions, special forces support, and tion to the People’s Liberation Army Navy programmes may be delayed because of bud- General (Retd) V.P. Malik low-intensity guerrilla warfare. A number of should their country decide to deploy ships,” he get pressures. “While the defence budget may Lt General (Retd) Vijay Oberoi Lt General (Retd) R.S. Nagra versions of this ‘dune buggy’ type of vehicle said. “This augurs well for increased coopera- continue to go up, it’ll be incremental increases Lt General (Retd) S.R.R. Aiyengar have been produced, notably the Blackwater tion and collaboration between the Chinese rather than the dramatic increases we’ve seen,” Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney (US) and the Spider from ST Engineering military forces and US Pacific Command forces. said Jim Albaugh, Chief Executive of Boeing’s Major General (Retd) Ashok Mehta (ST Kinetics) of Singapore (adopted by the So I’m cautiously optimistic.” Integrated Defence Systems. Ron Sugar, Chief Major General (Retd) G.K. Nischol Singaporean armed forces). Other forces using Executive of third-ranked Northrop Grumman, Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal this type of light attack vehicle include the ■ said US defence spending would remain at a Brigadier (Retd) S. Mishra US Marines, US Army, Greek forces, Mexican high level in coming years, although the rate Rohit Sharma Army, and forces of Oman, Portugal and Spain. Lockheed Martin agrees to of growth would decline. “The environment is Europe acquire UNITECH a little more uncertain today as we look longer- Andrew Brookes (UK) Lockheed Martin Corporation has entered into term for the defence industry than it’s been in USA & Canada a definitive agreement to acquire Universal quite a number of years,” Sugar said. Lon Nordeen (USA) Systems & Technology, Inc. (UNITECH) which ■ Anil R. Pustam (West Indies) provides interactive training and simulation, South Africa homeland security, and technical solutions Helmoed R. Heitman to the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Hand in Hand 2008 Corps, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland culminates successfully Chairman & Managing Director Jayant Baranwal Security, and other US and international gov- The first ever Sino-Indian Exercise held in India ernment agencies. UNITECH’s core service “Hand in Hand 2008” has concluded suc- Admin & Coordination offerings include multimedia training and cessfully at Belgaum. The exercise was aimed Bharti Sharma performance support systems, three-dimen- at enhancing inter–operability in countering Design sional weapons simulations, security strategies terrorism. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Associate Art Director: Ratan Sonal and information technology services. Terms Lieutanent General Noble Thumburaj, GOC- Graphic Designer: Vimlesh Kumar Yadav One of the latest examples of the LSV is the of the transaction are not being disclosed. in-C Southern Command said: “The exercise Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on Spider, designed to be light, fast, powerful and The transaction is subject to government has nurtured strong bonds amongst the troops behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All easily transportable by helicopter (six Spiders approvals, including a review under the Hart- which will further augment bilateral relations rights reserved. No part of this publication can fit into one C-130 transport plane). The Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and between the two nations. Both the armies are may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval 4×4 vehicle has tubular space frame chassis satisfaction of other closing conditions. The part of universal forefront to eradicate anti system, or transmitted in any form or by any allowing a light weight of only 1,600 kg and transaction is expected to close by early 2009. social malice from the present world scenario means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without the prior written a maximum payload of 1,200 kg. This small through collective operational capabilities. permission of the publishers. vehicle (4,500mm long and 2,030mm wide) ■ This has been possible through the joint carries a crew of three to six men depending India-China military exercise wherein we have Printed in India upon the armament, and carries a foldable roll Thales Raytheon Systems to been able to hone out tactical abilities at grass by Rave India (www.raveindiapress.com) cage for protection (1,900mm). The Spider has upgrade US’ Firefinder radar root level.” Expressing similar sentiments © SP Guide Publications, 2008 been equipped with a range of refined tech- Thales Raytheon Systems has been awarded Lieutanant General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief Annual Subscription nology such as semi-automatic transmission, a $217 million (Rs 1,060 crore) US Army of General Staff, People’s Liberation Army said Inland: Rs. 600 • Overseas: US$180 double wishbone front suspension with a single firm-fixed-price contract to provide production that “as good neighbours and friends we will Email: [email protected] shock absorber, and trailing-arm rear suspen- modification kits and power amplifier mod- take the road to peace and harmony in the For Advertising Details, Contact: sion as well as hydraulic power-assisted steer- ules as part of the Reliability Maintainability region and the world”. [email protected] ing, all around power-assisted ABS brakes. Improvement programme for the AN/TPQ-37 [email protected] Firefinder weapon locating radar. This con- ■ [email protected] ■ tract follows the April 2008 initial produc- SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD tion award. Combined, the AN/TPQ-37 RMI Oerlikon Contraves rechristened POSTAL ADDRESS EADS wins Brazilian production contracts total more than $285 Rheinmetall Air Defence Post Box No 2525, New Delhi 110 005, helicopter deal million. The AN/TPQ-37 is the world’s premier India European aerospace group announced that long-range weapon locating radar, deployed Corporate Office its Eurocopter business had won an order for worldwide by the US Army and 11 internation- A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, 50 military helicopters from Brazil. EADS said al customers. It locates the position of hostile New Delhi 110 003, India Eurocopter and its Brazilian subsidiary Helibras artillery, rockets and mortars so friendly forces Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 would make the EC725 aircraft in Brazil and can quickly and accurately return fire. Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 would begin delivering them to Brazil’s armed Regd Office forces from 2010. EADS did not give a value ■ Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 for the deal, although a source close to the Email: [email protected] company said it was worth about €1.9 billion General Dynamics launches Representative Offices (Rs 12,168 crore). The contract will double the Oerlikon Contraves AG, headquartered in BANGALORE, INDIA production capacity and the number of staff India operations Zurich, is a global leader in short-ranged air Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey at Helibras’ plant in Itajuba, in the Brazilian Beginning January 1, the General Dynamics defence. It is also an essential component of 534, Jal Vayu Vihar, state of Minas Gerais, the group said. French presence in India has been formalised with Rheinmetall’s Air Defence unit, the division Kammanhalli Main Rd, President Nicolas Sarkozy and President Luiz Subimal Bhattacharjee appointed Country that unites the Group’s full spectrum of air Bangalore 560043, India. Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil announced the Head of General Dynamics International defence activities. Rheinmetall Air Defence AG Tel: +91 (80) 23682534 contract following a summit between Brazil Corporation-India Liaison office located in now offers the company’s global client base MOSCOW, RUSSIA and the EU. Suite 1907, Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi. a complete array of air defence assets rang- LAGUK Co., Ltd General Dynamics is a market leader in busi- ing from stationary cannon-based systems Yuri Laskin ness aviation; land and expeditionary com- ■ to mobile guided missile-supported solutions, Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., bat vehicles and systems, armaments, and 11/15, app. 132, munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; together with sensor technology and associated Moscow 115172, Russia. US defence officials keen to and mission-critical information systems and networking solutions. Armed with an expand- Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, resume military ties with China technologies. The company employs approxi- ed portfolio, Rheinmetall Air Defence will Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 The US hopes China, which suspended military mately 91,200 people worldwide. The compa- continue in future to be a robust and reliable www.spguidepublications.com ny’s major products include the Virginia Class contacts with Washington in October, will soon partner of the world’s armed forces. The glob- www.spslandforces.net nuclear-powered submarine, Arleigh Burke resume ties to work together against piracy in ally renowned Oerlikon brand name will live on RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 the Gulf of Aden, US defence officials have said. Class Aegis destroyer, Abrams M1A2 digitized in connection with a series of important prod- Beijing took the action to protest a $6.5 billion main battle tank, the Stryker eight-wheeled ucts: Oerlikon Skyshield, Oerlikon Skyranger (Rs 31,775 crore) US arms sale to Taiwan. “It assault vehicle, medium-caliber munitions and and Oerlikon Skyguard. A guided missile gun systems, tactical and strategic mission is a fact that the Chinese suspended ‘mil-to-mil’ systems, information technology and mission system previously marketed internationally dialogue with the Department of Defense in services and the Gulfstream® family of busi- under the name ASRAD-R—closely related to general and US Pacific Command,” said Navy ness jets. SP the Bundeswehr’s LeFlaSys—will in future be Admiral Timothy Keating, who commands all known as the Skyarcher ASRAD-R.

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