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PAGE 6 Pick Up the Pace

Minister of Defence The emerging threats and challenges man - India date that India should be prepared to fight hybrid wars in the future. I am glad to know that SP Guide Publications, New Delhi is bringing out special editions separately for , and Indian Army. Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor Since Shri Sukhdeo Prasad Baranwal founded SP Guide Publications in 1964, it has come a PAGE 9 long way in publishing monthly journals and magazines of repute on defence and strategic matters. In this context, its flagship publication SP’s Military Yearbook deserves a special mention. Raging Debate on AFSPA Act in J&K I send my best wishes for the successful publication of these special editions on .

A.K. Antony

>> INDO-PAK WAR 1971 PHOTOGRAPH : Indian Army General (Retd) V.P. Malik PAGE 11 Offensive in the Mountains The decision on the Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) is not only about the capability and the implications. It is also about the mes - sage that India is, by its raisings, sending to . The message is one of deterrence and resolve. It is not an aggressive one, but the second prong of India’s strategy. (Retd) Ali Ahmed PAGE 13 Exercise Sudarshan Shakti

The exercise aims to test and confirm fresh concepts, manoeuvres and structures that will finally allow one of the world’s largest land forces to fight its next war more nimbly, with drastically less response time and much greater lethality. Special Correspondent Lest We Forget

PLUS On the 40th anniversary of India’s victory in the Indo-Pak War 1971, First 10 Lt General (Retd) J.F.R. Jacob , the author, who was then the Chief of Staff Indo-Afghan Strategic Alliance 14 in the Indian Army’s , narrates how thorough planning, Harmony in Asia-Pacific Region 15 coordination and bold execution led to the surrender of the Pak Army. Geospatial Intelligence and C4I2 17 News in Brief 18

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 1 >> INDO-PAK WAR 1971

PHOTOGRAPHS : Indian Army N DeceMBer 16, the 40th the towns and territory. We therefore anniversary of the uncondi - adopted the following strategy: tional public surrender of Lt l , the centre of gravity of east Pak - General A.A.K. Niazi and istan, was to be the final objective. 93,000 military men of l Fortified towns to be bypassed. tOhe eastern command, let us pay l thrust lines were to be along subsidiary tribute to all those in and tracks. India who gave up their lives in the struggle l Subsidiary objectives were to be commu - for the liberation of Bangladesh. A special nication, command and control centres. tribute must be paid to the people of l the Pak Army was to be drawn to the Bangladesh who rose against the Pakistani border areas by operations of the Mukti oppressors and resisted them most gal - Bahini. lantly. Let us also not forget the tremendous We made our outline plans accordingly contributions of the freedom fighters of and sent them to the Army headquarters. Bangladesh and the Logistics was of paramount impor - battalions who fought along with the Indian tance. We developed the infrastructure and armed forces. built up logistical cover. About 30,000 On the midnight of March 26, 1971, Lt tonnes were moved to tripura for a corps. General ordered the Pakistan Large tonnages were moved to tura, North Army to crack down on Dhaka University Bengal and West Bengal. this we did during and other areas. Sheikh Mujibur the monsoon before the receipt of any orders. rehman, the hero of the freedom struggle When the war started, troops did not have and leader of the struggle for the liberation of to look back, as everything was in place. Bangladesh, was arrested. the brave people creating logistical backing was critical to of Bangladesh led by rehman, later AD gunners in action our success. deservedly recognised as the father of the regrettably, the bridges were only nation, rose up and resisted the Pakistan At the surrender ceremony released in mid-August and were old World Army. the east Bengal battalions moved into War II repairable pontoon bridges. We were India and the refugees streamed into India. able to repair these in time. the maps we had Prime Minister decided to were about 50 years old. courtesy Mukti help the freedom struggle and gave a verbal Bahini, we were able to get the latest Pak - order to the Indian Army to help the freedom istani maps which the Survey of India repro - fighters in . An official order duced. the reproduced maps were issued to came from her on April 29, 1971. our troops in November. Meanwhile in early April, many leaders In mid-August, Manekshaw and Major began arriving at Kolkata, prominent General K.K. Singh came to Fort William amongst them were tajuddin, Nazrul Islam, with their draft operation instructions. they Mansur Ali, Qamaruzzam, colonel Osmani spelt out the objectives to be the “entry and Group captain Khadkar. A government ports”of Khulna and chittagong. Dhaka was in exile was established in a bungalow at 8 not an objective. I pointed out that Dhaka theatre road, Kolkata. During my interaction was the centre of gravity and it was impera - with them, the leaders said that they wanted tive that we take Dhaka. Manekshaw sup - to have a meeting of the parliamenta- ported, but Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora rians at Baidyanath tala to declare their inde - disagreed. he was adamant that it was pendence. I suggested that they should issue not necessary to capture Dhaka. Air chief a declaration as was done by charles de Marshal P.c. Lall in his book, My Years with Gaulle in World War II. tajuddin asked for a the IAF , confirms that Dhaka was never an draft declaration. I gave him a short draft, objective. he states that there was no coordi - which was expanded by legal experts. the nation between service headquarters and declaration was issued on April 17, at that once the limited objectives were agreed Baidyanath tala within east Pakis- to, each service did what it thought was best. tan. We arranged the defection of personnel We did not take either Khulna or chit - of the Pakistan Deputy high commission in tagong but won the war. We had to find Kolkata and they integrated the government troops to take to Dhaka. In November, we at 8 theatre road. moved down three brigades from the chi - the asked us to nese border. When Manekshaw got the infor - assist the freedom fighters. After my recon - mation, he ordered them back. naissance, we initially set up eight camps in In October, we planned the air drop of a the border areas and each camp had the battalion group at tangail to take part in the capacity to train 1,000 recruits. capture of Dhaka. the drop was planned to the Army headquarters spelt out three take place on D plus 7 and the link up 24 tasks: hours later. the drop and link up took place l to advise and guide the provisional gov - as planned. the operation order for the drop, ernment. issued in October, was signed by Air Vice l to organise and equip a guerrilla force of Marshal charandas Gurudas Devasher who 20.000 to be expanded to 1,00,000. was the SASO, eastern Air command; l to plan and conduct guerrilla operations Matthew thomas of 50 Parachute in east Pakistan. Brigade and myself. We divided the area of operations for the In November, we sent captain Ghosh of freedom fighters into different sectors. Major Pakistani PoWs being 50 Parachute Brigade to tangail to mark the Ziaur rehman was to be responsible for the marched to captivity dropping zone and to inform Siddiqui that he chittagong sector. Major Khalid Musharraf was to advance with our troops to Dhaka, for comilla, Major Saifullah for Mymensingh, by lowering their morale. Operations. Manekshaw read out my brief which Siddiqui did not do. Wing commander Khademul Bashar for Due credit must be given to them for and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi accepted In a master stroke, Prime Minsiter Indira rangpur, Lt colonel Quazi Nooruzaman their decisive contribution in the liberation that we could move in after November 15. Gandhi had the Indo-Soviet friendship treaty for rajshahi, Major Abu Osman chowdhury of Bangladesh. signed. this ensured that the chinese dared for Kushtia, and Major M.A. Jalil for Khulna. In early April, Sam hor - Our Strategy not intervene. the Soviets moved 40 divi - “tiger” Siddiqui was to operate from tangail musji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw called me We assessed that General Amir Abdullah sions to the Sinjiang border and seven to as did Sqaudron Leader Nurul Kadar. up to say that the government wants eastern Khan Niazi of Pakistan Army, would defend the Manchurian border. throughout the Group captain Khadkar played a command to move in immediately into east operations for the liberation of Bangladesh, pivotal role in overseeing the operations of Pakistan. I explained that we had mountain Indira Gandhi stood firm and determined. the freedom fighters, as General Muhammad divisions with no bridges or motor transport. ‘I did not blackmail him. She took pragmatic decisions. She never Ataul Ghani Osmani was most of the time We needed time for training. the monsoon wavered. Due credit for her decisive contri - out at Sylhet with his east Bengal battalions. was about to break. he asked by when we Had I failed to get Niazi bution must be given to her. t e he formulated the tasks and guided the oper - should move in. I said not before Novem - On November 22, a decision was taken n . s ations of the freedom fighters. his contribu - ber 15, by when the terrain should be reason - to surrender, the UN to move up to some 15 km into east Pakistan e c

r tion to the successful operations of the ably firm. he asked for a brief, which I sent by to counter Pakistan’s artillery fire. We used o f freedom fighters was a crucial factor in the hand with Brigadier Adi Sethna. would have made us go this opportunity to create jumping off areas d n freedom struggle. A meeting was held in the operations for the coming operations. this drove Yayha a l back the next day. I did s the freedom fighters played a decisive room in Delhi which was attended by Prime Khan in desperation, to order the bombing of p s . role in the freedom struggle. they attacked Minister Indira Gandhi, the Minister of not fail.’ w the Pakistan Army and their infrastructure, Defence, external Affairs, Finance, home, the w

w created an environment of fear among the Defence Secretary and the Director Military Continued on page 4

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L India is in an unenviable position with two adver- especially the Army, is abysmal, as compared to for the infantry soldier, aerial and ground mobility at saries, Pakistan and China, on its north-wester - our principle adversary, China. unit and formation level, and precision munitions. nand north-eastern flank respectively. All the Based on India’s security parameters, we To top it all, our war wastage reserves in many A threenations are armed with nuclear weapons, need to prepare for a broad spectrum of threats critical items, are down to unacceptably low levels.

I andhence prudence and wisdom should pre - and challenges that may be thrust upon us and Years of accumulated neglect have created hollow - cludearmed conflict in this region. However, the our genius should reside in utilising the available ness in our capabilities and in the institutional and realityis quite different. The regional dynamics are budget in building a superior military capability organisational resilience of the Army. R suchthat limited conventional wars are seen as a through tri-service synergy and not through Courage and bravado of our soldiers and pos-sibility and a sense of uncertainty exists. exclusive, single service focus. This demands offi-cers notwithstanding, we need the political and O Moreover,nuclear weapons have not deterred apolitical-military-bureaucratic synergy which is bureaucratic leadership to be far more responsive Pakistan from waging a proxy war since 1989 and conspicuous by its absence. Apart from apathy to the needs of the second largest Army in the

T they are continuing to do so while professing inthe arena of weapons and equipment procure- world, if they have to acquit themselves with friendship at thepolitical levels. ment, we are lagging far behind China in infra- honour and glory in future conflicts. I China, on the other hand, is so shaping the structural development in the Northeast and With this issue SP’s Land Forces completes environment in the region that it could undertake thiscould prove disastrous in war as it would pre - eight years of publication. We take this opportunity

D military operations via land, sea and air at short cludespeedy movements of troops and logistics to wish our readers a happy and prosperous new notice and is going full steam ahead for creating and we would be denied flexibility in our year. Jai Hind!

E infrastructure on land and at sea to ensure such a responses to battlefield situations. capability. India, on the other hand, is so embroiled In our modernisation efforts and operational in domestic issues, which are a result ofits poor preparedness vis-à-vis China, the Indian Army administration and governance that it is unable to lacks long-range firepower, modern air defence appreciate the external and internal threats and capability, night fighting capability, surveillance challenges, which are looming large onthe horizon capability in the mountains, network-centricity and - in order to take corrective measures. Hence, the communication assets, cyber warfare capability, preparedness status of our armed forces and army aviation assets, modern weapons and gear Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

Continued from page 2

our airfields in the west, on December 3. the to land in a short time. the ceasefire was war had started. about to expire. We put our offensive plans in I went back after 30 minutes. the draft operation. the thrusts into east Pakistan was on the table. I asked Niazi three times went as per our plans. the para drop went off whether he accepted the draft instrument well and by December 13 our troops of surrender. he did not respond. I picked up reached the outskirts of Dhaka. the draft and said that I took it as On December 13, the Soviets vetoed a US accepted. there were tears in Niazi’s eyes. I resolution. they said there would be no told him he would have to surrender on the more vetoes; USS enterprise was in the straits race course in front of the people of Dhaka. of Malacca. there was consternation in he resisted surrendering in public but reluc - Delhi. We were on the outskirts of Dhaka. tantly agreed. I told him he would provide a Manekshaw sent us an order to go back and guard of honour. he said that there was no capture all the towns we had bypassed, but one to command it. I said his ADc would not Dhaka. he copied this order to our command it. We worked out the corps commanders. We told our corps com - modalities for local surrenders. After lunch, manders to ignore this order and to proceed we proceeded in Niazi’s car to the airport to with the offensive as planned. It reminded me meet Aurora and his entourage. they arrived of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson at the battle of at 1630 hours. We then went to the race copenhagen in 1801, who on being asked to course. the ceremony was basic and simple. withdraw a flag signal, he put his telescope We hardly had any troops in Dhaka. there to his blind eye and said, ‘’I see no signal to was neither the resources, nor the time for withdraw. Attack.’’ the rest is history. any frills. It was imperative to get the docu - We had not captured any town. I was ment signed at the earliest. being blamed for the strategy for not captur - A ceasefire was converted within a few ing towns. If a cease fire was ordered, we had hours into an unconditional public surren - no captured towns to show (Jessore and der, the only one in history. After the docu - comilla were abandoned by the Pakistan ments were signed, there were tears in Niazi’s Army). On December 14, we got an intercept eyes. the people of Dhaka rushed to regarding a meeting in government lynch Niazi. We had difficulty in getting house. the Air Force bombed the house. the him to safety. Governor resigned. that evening, Niazi and Later, the hamoodur ur rehman com - Farman Ali went to see the American consul mission of enquiry had questioned, ‘’General General, Spivack with the following cease- Niazi, you had 26,400 troops in Dhaka and fire proposal : the Indians were in a few thousands outside, l ceasefire under the UN you could have fought on for at least two l hand over the government to the UN more weeks. the UN was in session and had l Withdrawal of all personnel by the UN you fought on for even one more day, the l No reprisals Indians would have had to go back. Why there was no mention of India. then did you accept a shameful uncondi - the ceasefire proposal was given to Pakistan tional public surrender and provide a guard Prime Minister in New of honour commanded by your ADc?’’ York on December 15. It was rejected out- Niazi replied, ‘’I was compelled to do right by Bhutto. he stormed out of the UN so by General Jacob who blackmailed me into Security council meeting later that night surrendering.” this he had repeated in his swearing to fight on. hardly gone a few hundred yards when the all who surrendered as also that they would book, Betrayal of East Pakistan . I did not On the morning of December 16, Manek - fighters fired at the car. I jumped be treated with respect as per the Geneva con - blackmail him. had I failed to get Niazi to sur - shaw called up saying, “Jake go and get a sur - out. they recognised my olive green uniform vention. I told him if he surrendered, we render, the UN would have made us go back render.” I asked if I could negotiate on the draft and stopped firing. they wanted to kill the would ensure protection of all military per - the next day. I did not fail. instrument of surrender that I had earlier sent Brigadier. I persuaded them to let us continue sonnel, their families and ethnic minorities. If the Pakistan National Defence college him. he said ‘‘You know what to do, just go”. to Niazi’s headquarters. On reaching there, I he did not surrender, we obviously could study of the war stated, “the Indians planned t e the UN was in session. I took with me the had the draft instrument of surrender read not take any responsibility for their safety. I and executed their offensive in a text- n . s draft that I had sent which remained uncon - out. there were snarls from the Generals added that if he did not surrender, I would book manner. It was a classic example of e c

r firmed. I took a chopper to Dhaka. represen - there. Niazi said, ‘’Who said I was surrender - order the resumption of hostilities and the thorough planning, minute coordination o f tatives from the UN met me and wanted to ing, you have only come for a ceasefire.’’ Far - bombing of . I gave him and bold execution. the credit clearly goes to d n come with me to take over the government. I man Ali said that they did not recognise the 30 minutes to answer and walked out. General Jacob’s meticulous preparations in a l s thanked them and declined. Niazi had sent joint Indo-Bangladesh command. I took Niazi I was extremely worried. Niazi had the Indian eastern command and implemen - p s

. me a Pak Army car with a Brigadier. there aside and told him that I could not give him 26,400 troops in Dhaka and we had about tation by his corps commanders.’’ w was fighting going on between the freedom better terms as we had discussed this on the 3,000 stationed 50 km away. I had nothing thus was born a new nation, Bangladesh, w

w fighters and the Pakistan Army. We had wireless. We had included protection of in my hand. Aurora and his entourage were and India emerged as a regional superpower.

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Israel Aerospace Industries E-mail: [email protected] www.iai.co.il >> MODERNISATION Pick Up the Pace The emerging threats and challenges mandate that India should be prepared to fight hybrid wars in the future which may involve the armed forces in simultaneously fighting limited conventional conflicts on two fronts, out of area operations, counter-insurgency and counter-proxy war operations in the domestic arena, low intensity asymmetric wars, cyber wars, and United Nations peacekeeping and peacemaking operations

PHOTOGRAPH : BAE Systems trained for second and third generation Archer - 155mm FH77 B05 L52 industrial age; low and medium level technology and conflicts. In view of the developments in our neighbourhood and particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Pak-china collusion, have brought South Asia to the centre stage of conven - tional and subconventional conflict and instability. Additionally, , low-inten - sity conflict motivated by economic disparity, religious fundamentalism, narcotics trade, threat of nuclear weapons falling in wrong hands, etc remain issues of concern in our region. hence the emerging threats and chal - lenges mandate that India should be pre - pared to fight hybrid wars in the future which may involve the armed forces in simultane - ously fighting limited conventional conflicts on two fronts, out of area operations, counter-insurgency and counter-proxy war operations in the domestic arena, low inten - sity asymmetric wars, cyber wars, and United Nations peacekeeping and peacemak - ing operations. the Indian Army’s focus should be on a preparedness profile and status which has rapid Deployment Forces for defensive and offensive operations, smaller fully integrated Strike Forces (integrated with air power and air assault formations) for the initial stages of offensive operations followed by larger “follow up” formations if the war lasts longer than anticipated. Additionally, it should have forces for low-intensity conflict operations n LT GENERAL (RETD) V.K. KAPOOR facing India are varied and complex. India’s militate against full-scale all out wars. More - (LIcO), power projection and out-of-area response to these threats and challenges has over, technology which will play a pre-domi - contingencies. the Indian Army would also LOBAL AND reGIONAL SecU - always been restrained, measured and mod - nant role in designing the conduct of future need Special Forces for special operations rItY concerns along with the erate in keeping with its peaceful outlook wars does provide other options of waging dif - and a nuanced internal security/counter- growing internal security prob - and reputation as a responsible and peace- ferent types of wars. insurgency force for LIcO through reengi - lems define India’s security envi - loving country the costs involved and the complexities neering of its existing forces. ronment. the conventional Indian Army’s 600-odd modernisation of war waging may force nations to join Net-centric warfare (NcW) capable Gthreats from traditional adversaries collud - schemes amounting to over `70,000 crore allies/coalitions, and weaker states will use forces and c4ISr capabilities will become a ing with each other, continuing presence of in the eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) “asymmetric warfare” to fight more power - necessity with enhanced situational aware - terrorist and fundamentalist forces in its continue to be encumbered with elaborate ful opponents while the more powerful states ness, capability of identifying, monitoring western and eastern neighbourhood has bureaucratic procurement processes. the will use positive asymmetry through c4ISr and destroying targets in near real time with prompted India to carry out force accretion refined Defence Procurement Procedure capabilities to deliver significant lethal and enhanced ranges and lethality to achieve in order to maintain a high level of defence (DPP) over the years has done little to accel - non-lethal effects with precision, speed and ascendancy over the enemy. the aim would vigilance and preparedness to face any chal - erate the pace of modernisation. A dispas - crushing power. be to employ overwhelming firepower/force lenge to its security. the developments across sionate analysis would indicate that the gap Globalisation and interconnectedness at the point of decision. the backbone of India’s western border is alarming and dan - between the Indian Army and the People’s will make wars transparent, thus challeng - such a structure would be a well designed gerous as the drift in both Pakistan and Liberation Army (PLA) apparently is widen - ing the political utility of using armed forces. communication architecture at the national Afghanistan shows the lack of state control ing in favour of the latter. Moreover, faced hence military power is likely to be used level with integrated networks which are and break down of economy, law and order, with a two-front threat, India needs to accel - selectively in an integrated and synergetic integrated with the sensors which would be and governance. Both states are staying erate the pace of modernisation of the manner and with increasing discrimination required to speedily transmit fused and inte - afloat because of the aid from the interna - Indian Army, duly prioritised and executed in choosing means as well as ends as there grated data through command and control tional community. Moreover, there is also the within laid down timeframes. will invariably be an international pressure echelons enabling greater situational aware - ever present possibility of hostile radical fun - on warring parties. ness for commanders at all levels. damentalist elements gaining access to the Future Trends in Warfare In large standing armies, two or three weapons of mass destruction in Pakistan. Analysis of current and past conflicts in the generations of warfare will coexist as has Modernisation Plans the proxy war conducted by Pakistan world, the emerging technologies, geostrate - been the experience in all previous wars in the modernisation plans of the Indian and the various radical jehadi outfits pro - gic environment and the emerging chal - history. American led world order will con - Army in certain specific areas are as follows: moted by them through the instrumentality lenges; indicate various trends in preparation tinue to be challenged by Islamic terror net - of terrorism are continuing unabated. In the for and conduct of warfare. While the details works, sheltered by weak authoritarian Arty Firepower east, china’s challenge to India’s security is of evaluation and appraisal differ in their con - states e.g. Afghanistan-Pakistan region, and As part of its more than `20,000 crore looming large on the horizon. Its strategy of tent and quality, some shared conclusions funded by the richer nations of the Islamic artillery modernisation plan, the Army is encircling India through its neighbours and with regard to the future trends emerge quite world. the strategy of global leadership and looking at inducting several types of how - confining it within the subcontinent is clearly. Future warfare will be highly uncer - engagement by the United States, based on itzers through inter-governmental pacts and apparent and palpable apart from its out - tain because the boundary between war and the assumption that such a role is natural, global tenders. the last major acquisition of landish claims on Indian territory of peace is blurred and state boundaries too are will continue in the foreseeable future. towed gun-howitzers was that of 400 pieces t e Arunachal Pradesh. Internally, India faces a being made irrelevant by non-state actors. care will have to be taken to work within of 39-calibre 155mm Fh-77B howitzers n . s series of low-intensity conflicts charac - today, we are confronted with a fluid, non- the limits of international law, including its with a range of 30 km from Bofors of Swe - e c

r terised by tribal, ethnic and left-wing move - linear and adaptive battle space. It seems that precepts on the minimum use of force and den in 1987, which got embroiled in political o f ments and ideologies, and these conflicts full-scale conventional wars will be unlikely. proportionality of response. this rule however controversy. this gun proved its mettle in the d n have the capacity of deflecting the Indian the factors of globalisation and “nuclearisa - does not apply to superpowers like the US. Kargil conflict. After about 25 years of neg - a l s Government from their long-term social and tion” of the region, devastating effect of mod - lect during which the 100mm and 122mm p s Combat Status to be Achieved by . economic development plans. India is also ern weaponry, sensitivity to large number of field guns of russian origin and the indige - w affected by drug trafficking and proliferation casualties, collateral damage and the crip - Indian Army nously developed and manufactured 75/24 w

w of small arms. thus the security challenges pling effects of war on economy of a nation the Indian Army is organised, equipped and Indian Mountain Gun joined the long list of

6 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 MODERNISATION <<

Indian Army’s 600-odd modernisation schemes amounting to over `70,000 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) continue to be encumbered with elaborate bureaucratic procurement processes

obsolete equipment, the Army still awaits the procurement of about 1,500 howitzers of 155mm, 52 calibre. Out of these, 400 are to be procured outright and 1,100 manufac - tured indigenously with transfer of technol - ogy (tot). the request for proposal (rFP) for these guns was issued in the beginning of the year 2011 and it is expected that the evaluation process would be underway. Additionally, 145 ultra light howitzers were to be procured from the US through the for - eign military sales (FMS) route from BAe Systems. the fate of this procurement is also hanging in balance due to legal complica - tions. the Army also needs 120 tracked and 180 wheeled 155mm howitzers for its Artillery divisions for use in offensive opera - tions, the fate of which is unknown. One hundred and eighty pieces of 130mm M46 russian medium guns have been successfully “up-gunned” to 155mm calibre with ordnance supplied by Soltam of Israel. the new barrel length of 45-calibre has enhanced the range of the gun to about 40 km with extended range ammunition. however, the project for manufacture of ammunition which was to be done by the IAI of Israel, has been delayed as the firm has been blacklisted. It is now reliably learnt that when the Bofors 155mm howitzers were procured in 1987, transfer of technology was done and it has now been revealed that the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has been sitting on these designs for the past 25 years. On being coaxed by the Army, the OFB have now accepted to produce prototypes of 155mm/ 39 calibre, 45 calibre and 52 calibre guns for trials by the Army. counter-bombardment (US term counter-fire) capability is also being upgraded, but at a slow pace. At least about 40 to 50 weapon locating radars (WLrs) are required for effective counter-bombardment, especially in the plains; but only a dozen have been procured so far. In addition to the 12 AN-tPQ 37 Firefinder WLrs acquired from raytheon, USA, under a 2002 contract worth $200 million, Bharat electronics Lim - ited is reported to be assembling 28 WLrs. these radars will be based on both indige - nous and imported components and are likely to be approved for introduction into replacement for Schilka. One major weakness in the overall air from russia and 186 kits were imported for service after extensive trials that are ongo - In the missile systems, Kvadrat (medium- defence matrix is the lack of a battlefield man - assembly in India. the first indigenously ing. the radar is expected to match the capa - range) and OSA-AK (short-range) are also at agement system which is also linked with the assembled t-90S rolled out from the heavy bilities of the Firefinder system and will have the end of their life cycle. they were to be national air defence network. Bharat elec - Vehicles Factory (hVF) Avadi on January 7, a detection range of about 40 km. replaced by and surface-to-air tronics Limited (BeL) has now undertaken the 2004. these tanks have now been fully oper - (SAM) missiles but since these Defence development of such a system. ationalised. Additional 347 t-90S tanks Air Defence Artillery research and Development Organisation have been inducted into service which the corps of Army Air Defence holds a large (DrDO) projects have been inordinately Armour brings the total to 647 t-90S tanks. the variety of guns and missile systems. It has delayed, they will also require replacements the Army has already equipped two of its defects in the fire control systems of t-90S 40mm L/70, Zu-23-2 twin gun, ZSU-23-4 by foreign procurement. regiments with tanks out of the 124 tanks due to excessive heat in the turrets Schilka and tanguska in its inventory. the the process for acquiring a successor of Arjun main battle tanks (MBts) ordered by during the summers is being remedied 40mm L/70 which is about four decades old OSA-AK in the form of quick reaction Sam it earlier. As a result of the good performance through air-conditioning of the interior. needs immediate replacement. considering (Qr-SAM) is in progress. Similarly, the succes - of Arjun tanks with the units and satisfac - the programme launched to modernise the high costs of new weapon systems, the sor of Quadrat is to be a medium-range SAM tory feedback from the crews, an additional the t-72 M1, Ajeya, MBts is still unsatisfac - Army is going in for weapon upgrades for L- (Mr SAM). It is understood that a joint devel - 124 Arjun Mark II tanks have now been tory and has not progressed. Around 1,700 70, ZU-23-2 twin gun, and ZSU-23-4 opment programme of DrDO with Israel has ordered for another two regiments. these t-72 M1s have been manufactured under Schilka. Meanwhile, the Army is also look - been undertaken and when it fructifies, it will tanks will have substantially upgraded capa - licence at hVF, Avadi. the t-72 M1 moderni - ing for successors to L-70 and the ZU-23-2. meet the requirement of Mr SAM for all the bilities of firepower, mobility and protection. sation programme under Project rhino will Successor to Schilka (ZSU-23-4) already three services. two regiments of Akash SAMs these are likely to be given by 2013. As extend the service life of the MBt by 20 exists in the form of tangushka, but in lim - are now being inducted for static missions of regards the t-90 tanks, 310 had been years and enhance its accuracy with new ited numbers. A request for information protecting vulnerable areas (VAs) and vulner - ordered from russia earlier. Of these, 124 fire control system (FcS) whose trials are (rFI) has already been issued to find a able points (VPs). fully assembled tanks were directly imported under way. this will give night fighting capa -

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 7 >> MODERNISATION

PHOTOGRAPHS : SP Guide Pubns Information Systems l competent Special Forces cannot be cre - At the forefront of capacity building in net - ated after emergencies arise. work-centric warfare (NcW) is the tactical It would be prudent to first consolidate the command, control, communications and existing seven Special Forces battalions and information (tac c3I) system under develop - fully equip them before adding any more. ment with various subsystems catering to aspects of automated command and control, Army Aviation Corps decision support, control of artillery fire, air Army Aviation, being a young arm of the defence, air space management, battlefield Army, has been under modernisation, since surveillance, battlefield management, etc. its raising in 1986, and the pace has been in the tac c3I is expected to be fully opera - sync with the overall growth of the Army. tional in the latter half of this decade. Besides, the ‘Lancer’ helicopter, advanced light helicopter (ALh) Dhruv has been in Communications service with the Army Aviation for more the tri-service defence communication net - than 10 years. the Army has four squadrons work (DcN) is some years away. the tactical of Dhruv helicopters currently, which will communication system (tcS) has been increase to eight in due course. there are a inordinately delayed and rFP is yet to be few more modernisation projects in the issued. the latter is also a setback to the pipeline, ALh weapon system integrated required corps level test beds for the tac c3I (WSI) and battlefield support helicopters Vehicle subsystems. the Plan AreN system is which need to be inducted as soon as possi - mostly outdated. the AScON currently has ble to give the necessary operational capabil - limited capability to provide data links. the ities to the Army. Army intranet is not wholly secure and the chetaks (Aerospatiale SA316 Alouette Army wide area network (AWAN) caters III) and cheetahs (Se316B Alouette II) heli - only to text messaging albeit later versions copters have been in service of the nation for are planned to also have voice and video a long time. the vintage of the helicopters capability. however is posing increasing challenges for maintenance of these machines. the rFP for Special Forces 197 reconnaissance and surveillance heli - Special Forces are force multipliers in times copters was given about two years back. Out of both war and peace. Special Forces of these, 66 helicopters are planned for the should primarily look beyond the borders to IAF and 131 for the Army. It is believed that nip asymmetric threats in the bud and con - the trials and evaluation of these helicopters trol the fault lines of our adversaries. their having been completed, the deal would be tasking should include asymmetric war - finalised in the near future. fare, unconventional/fourth generation warfare, special operations, reconnais - Restructure & Revitalise sance, psychological operations, counter- Douhet had stated way back in 1921, “Vic - proliferation and the like. equipping of Spe - tory will smile upon those who anticipate cial Forces is lagging woefully. “Packaged changes in the character of war, not upon equipping” of sub-units has not taken off those who wait to adapt themselves after and critical equipment like laser target des - changes occur.” Our challenge is to find the ignators are yet to be provisioned. the appropriate balance between the old methods Army’s emphasis has been on expansion, of conducting war and the new ways. there ignoring the universally acknowledged four is no option but to restructure our organisa - Special Forces global truths: tions, our force levels, introduce new tech - l humans are more important than hard - nologies and doctrines, and more importantly Tunguska-M Gun/Missile Air Defence System. ware change our mindset in order to address the l Quality is better than quantity changing nature of threats and challenges bility through a thermal imager integrated and 7.62 from Israel, Arsenal AK-74 (Bul - l Special Forces cannot be mass produced which confront India in the future. with the tank’s FcS. three hundred t-72 garia), herstal F-2000 (Belgium), and SIG tanks of the Army have been fitted with SG 551(Switzerland) among others. New thermal imaging standalone sights (tISAS) bullet proof jackets, ballistic helmets, and while 300 more are in the pipeline bringing boots anti-mine are also being procured. the the total to 600 tISAS. however, the overall infantry is also looking for a man portable Conceptual Changes night fighting capability of India’s armour is third generation anti-tank guided missile currently inadequate and operationally under barreled grenade launchers, 60mm and Accretions unacceptable. the modernisation of the mortars, enhanced range 81mm mortars, t-72 is way behind schedule due to compli - and thermal imaging night sights for assault Western Theatre Eastern Theatre cated procurement procedures exacerbated rifles. Bullet proof vehicles and shot guns are In any offensive operations planned on the eastern theatre (eastern Army and Air by delayed decision-making and in-house being procured for counter-insurgency oper - subcontinent, the aims would either be to commands) has always had serious voids disagreements. ations. Incidents like 26/11 have underlined capture the territory or destroy the enemy in terms of offensive and defensive capabil - the t-90, the improved t-72 M1 tanks the need to equip all infantry battalions suit - forces or a combination of both. Any ter - ity, firepower, aerial strike and transporta - and Arjun tanks will constitute India’s ably for rapid reaction. this is being achieved ritory captured across international tion capability and mobility, light armour armour might in the future till a new MBt is by procuring specialised items for the Ghatak boundary would invariably have to be for high altitude areas, cyber and elec - chosen or designed indigenously. Platoons (commando Platoons) of Infantry returned though it could temporarily be tronic warfare capability, and air defence Battalions. Multimode grenades have been used for post-conflict bargaining. the ter - capability. It seems that some of these Mechanised Infantry indented with the Ordnance Factory Board ritory captured across disputed border like voids are now being addressed. Mechanised Infantry has been equipped (OFB) while rFP has been issued for the the line of control, may be retained two divisions namely 56 and 71 have with the BMP-2 IcV and 81mm carrier mor - ammunition of the rocket Launcher Mark though in the present global environment already been raised with their headquar - tar tracked vehicle (cMtV). A command III. the infantry is also being provided with that would also not be realistic. hence ters at Zakhama in Nagaland and Mis - post, an ambulance, armoured dozer and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), light bullet destruction of forces would be a more samari in Assam. the media has reported engineer and reconnaissance vehicles have proof vehicles (Lt BPVs), light strike vehicles important objective which would have a an accretion of 1,260 officers and 35,011 also been developed based on the BMP chas - (LSVs) and additional snow mobiles. long-term economic impact on the adver - soldiers on account of these two forma - sis. the research and development of future sary. For destruction of large armoured tions. Additionally, a Strike corps compris - IcV is currently being done and it is expected F-INSAS and mechanised forces, battles will have to ing two divisions costing about `60,000 that it will be manufactured indigenously. the future infantry soldier as a system be planned and orchestrated according to crore is planned to be raised in the future the SS-11 B1 AtGM system has been (F-INSAS) is being initiated to make the an integrated theatre plan so that larger to impart offensive capability to the Indian replaced in missile battalions by MILAN infantryman a weapon platform with situa - forces comprising more than one strike Army in the Northeast. shoulder-fired anti-tank guided missiles tional awareness, increased lethality and corps can be employed synchronously It is also reported that India will spend (AtGMs). sustainability in the digitised battlefield. from one theatre or from two different the - more than `60,000 crore over the next five F-INSAS is to be effected in three phases: atres to cause maximum destruction of years on developing military infrastructure Infantry Phase I includes weapons, body armour, t enemy forces. to achieve this capability, and capabilities for the western and eastern e the Defence Acquisition council (DAc) has clothing and individual equipment; Phase II n

. the jointmanship between the Indian fronts. If we take a conservative estimate of s approved of a new assault rifle, 5.56mm cal - is the target acquisition system and Phase III e Army and IAF will have to be of a far supe - the defence capital outlay in the 2012-17 c

r ibre and a new generation carbine. the comprises the computer subsystem, radio

o rior order and will involve joint planning timeframe crossing `4,00,000 crore, then f assault rifles under consideration are the sub system, software and software integra - d from the conception stage and joint execu - along with the infrastructure and the cost n heckler and Koch G 36 modular 5.56mm, tion. the infantry is planning to develop a

l tion of operational plans. the transforma - of raising the Strike corps for the North - s assault rifle (German), the Beretta 70/90 Phase III of F-INSAS by themselves rather p tion being attempted by the Indian Army east, it adds up to a staggering figure of s

. (Italy), SAr 21 of technologies, than being part of the battlefield manage - will focus on these issues. `5,20,000 crore. w heckler & Koch, XM8 (USA), Steyer A3 ment system (BMS) of the Army. this will w

w (Austria), tavor tAr 21, and IMI Galil 5.56 amount to re-inventing the wheel.

8 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 AFSPA << Raging Debate on AFSPA in J&K The debate on the removal of the ‘disturbed area’ tag, and thus revocation of AFSPA from parts of J&K, should be viewed in that light and not as a confrontation between state political leadership and the Army. A public debate on such a sensitive security issue is best avoided.

PHOTOGRAPH : PIB n GENERAL (RETD) V.P. MALIK, FORMER may use suitable force, if necessary to do CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF so. enter any premises without a war - rant to arrest a terrorist/suspect, or to LOt hAS BeeN written about the recover a wrongfully confined person, Armed Forces Special Powers Act stolen property, or arms/explosives (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir wrongfully kept. (J&K). Should we start its gradual l Fire upon/use force, even causing death, revocation, or wait till overt and against any person contravening law cAovert security threats in the state are fur - and order or carrying weapons, ammu - ther weakened or eliminated? the raging nition or explosives, if in his opinion it is debate through social and regular media necessary for maintenance of law and has not only politicised a sensitive security order and after giving due warning. issue and made it more difficult to decide, it l Destroy an armed dump or fortified posi - has also created an undesirable confronta - tion or a shelter from which armed tion like situation between political leaders attacks can be made or can be used for of the state (some outside also!) and the training by hostiles, if necessary to do so. Army, and further demonised the AFSPA the Act lays down that the arrested per - and maligned the Army in public percep - sons will be handed over to the nearest police tion. this would also make it difficult for the station ‘with the least possible delay’, and no central Government to promulgate AFSPA prosecution, suit or other legal proceeding anywhere in future and thus restrict its abil - Chief Minister of Jammu and can be instituted against any person in ity to call for Army assistance for counter- Kashmir Omar Abdullah respect of anything done under this Act militancy operations. except with the previous sanction of the counter-militancy operations are con - the chief Minister that it was OK with me. I Under the AFSPA, in a ‘disturbed area’, a central Government. ducted in three stages. In the first stage, will pull out troops from the 60-odd posts, commissioned officer, warrant officer, non- the AFSPA may have been described as when secessionists’ activities and militants’ concentrate them outside Manipur and train commissioned officer or any other person of a ‘special power’. But those of us who have violence are at their peak –as was faced in them for their primary role of fighting a con - equivalent rank in the armed forces can: commanded troops in such situations have Kashmir Valley in 1990 and the law and ventional war. “But you cannot do that! l Arrest without warrant any person who always looked upon it as a legal protection to order situation does not permit adequate What will happen to the law and order situ - has committed a cognizable offence and conduct effective operations. On the flip side, governance –the affected area is declared a ation?” he said. I told him politely but firmly ‘Disturbed Area’ by the state and the centre. that I couldn’t help him to maintain that this legality paves the way for application of without a proper legal cover for my troops. the AFSPA in the affected area to enable the Despite several elections in Manipur since Army to conduct effective anti-militancy then, the state, unfortunately, continues to operations. In the second stage, military have a ‘disturbed area’ tag on it and contin - pressure on the violence perpetrators ues to have Army deployment on counter- enables return of administration and military missions. resumption of constitutional processes. the In late 1993, when I was commanding a third stage sees full-fledged functioning of corps in Punjab, we assessed that the law governance and civil administration and and order situation was adequately under return of the Army to barracks. control and we could pull out a brigade from there are no clearly defined dividing an area for conventional training and rede - lines in these stages due to frequent setbacks ployment. the chief Minister and the Direc - in counter-militancy operations and the law tor General of Police expressed serious and order situation. these stages, therefore, concern but went along with me when I told tend to merge into each other and require them that Army would be made available at informed and perceptive decision-making at short notice if required. Fortunately, there strategic and operational levels. During tran - was no such requirement. sition, particularly between the second and In late 1997, then chief Minister of J&K third stages, it is not uncommon to see a hot asked 15 corps to remove Army deploy - politico-military debate on the employment ments within Anantnag, Badgam, Baramula of the Army or the application of AFSPA in and Sopore towns. We agreed and re- affected areas. deployed troops outside these towns. there So, the first point I wish to make is that was near normalcy in Kashmir Valley in the current debate on the removal of the 1998. Next year, however, despite the ‘disturbed area’ tag, and thus revocation of Lahore Declaration, Pakistan Army intruded AFSPA from parts of J&K, should be viewed into Kargil sector and forced us to go to war. in that light and not as a confrontation After a resounding defeat and loss of face in between state political leadership and the Kargil, Pakistan pushed foreign militants Army. A public debate on such a sensitive into the Valley and managed to intensify mil - security issue is best avoided. itancy. Sopore became a militants’ strong - In this context, let me narrate some per - hold. It took a division size operation to get sonal experiences. rid of them from this town and three more In early 1990, I was commanding a divi - years to bring back militancy in the Valley to sion that had troops deployed for counter- the 1998 level. insurgency operations in Nagaland and Manipur. A political party leader, in order to AFSPA garner students’ support and votes, made the AFSPA has been much demonised by the removal of the AFSPA a major electoral civil society groups and the media in recent issue. After he won the elections and became years. two aspects need to be noted. Firstly, the chief Minister, I called on him and asked the AFSPA can be applied only after an area what he planned to do about the AFSPA. he is declared a ‘disturbed area’ by the said that in view of the popular demand, he state/centre. Secondly, it provides a legal would write to the home Ministry and cover for Army personnel in carrying out demand its revocation from the state. I told ‘effective’ counter-militancy operations.

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 9 >> AFSPA / FIRST

whenever law and order situation improves chief Minister is justified in considering the training and communication networks in in a ‘disturbed area’ and we have elected rep - It is incorrect and unfair issue although it is apparent that under the POK despite its pre-occupation on the resentatives governing the state, they find it on the part of political cover of this demand, there is also an ele - Afghan border. the Army believes that there difficult to continue with this Act. the rea - ment of political expediency to hijack the is no change in Pakistan Army’s strategic sons are: authorities to put AFSPA agenda from opposition parties and agenda. continuing military-terrorists l Democratic societies all over the world separatists. nexus in Pakistan has been confirmed in the abhor large scale and extended deploy - pressure on the Army Unfortunately, there is considerable con - latest ‘Memogate’ exposure. ment of troops in their midst. fused thinking about the AFSPA. A member l human rightists and the media over the through social and of the centre appointed interlocutors on J&K Conclusion years have dubbed the AFSPA as a ‘dra - has stated publically that “in a free India, I have no doubt that every Indian would like conian’ power given to the military regular media which attained freedom by practising non- to see the end of terrorism and militants’ vio - against the civilians. It has become a violence, laws like the AFSPA, which jeopar - lence in J&K. More so the security forces, convenient tool for the secessionist ele - dise democratic and human rights, have no who have lost 6,013 personnel since 1988 ments, and those in opposition, to human rights and avoid collateral damage. A relevance”. One wonders if the Union home due to such violence in the state. this is pos - embarrass the government and demand ‘code of conduct’ (appreciated by the Minister would agree with such an argu - sible only through a synergetic effort of the withdrawal of troops. Supreme court) is issued to every individual. ment! the interlocutor stated further that political leadership, state administration and l Despite strict discipline and training, the ‘rules of engagement’ have been modi - “despite various suggestions made from time the security forces including the Army, on there are aberrations of human rights fied. Wherever possible, operations are con - to time to the State Government, there is no the ground. the synergetic effort has to be violations by troops. these aberrations ducted jointly with the civil police and made worthwhile monitoring mechanism to focused on public; to restore its confidence in can be reduced but seldom eliminated in accessible to the media. In the last year and a ensure effective implementation of recom - the polity and administration; to ensure that the kind of operational duties which half, beside preventing infiltration and con - mendations for ameliorating the condition it denies support to militants and enables have to be performed. ducting only intelligence based joint opera - of the people.” And yet, the same inter- their isolation. the militants will then either tions, the Army in Kashmir Valley under Lt locutor opines that “programmes like Oper - fall in line or get eliminated. AFSPA, Human Rights and the Army General Ata hasnain, has taken some extraor - ation Sadbhavna, designed, managed and While it is desirable to give more and more Keeping in view the incidents of human dinary people-friendly initiatives. these financed by the security forces for providing political space to the State leadership, the rights (hr) violations by some personnel include reducing visibility of personnel and education and health-care facilities, should AFSPA is necessary till we are fully confident when AFSPA is applicable, the Army, over the convoys on roads during the day, ‘Jee Janab’ be ideally left to the local bodies, as has been of checking infiltration from across the border years, has taken several preventive measures. (cultural sensitivity) and ‘Awam aur Jawan, the practice in other states.” In the current and the overt and covert support to the mili - these include setting up of human rights cells Aman hai Mukam’ (the soldiers and populace governance environment in J&K, it is difficult tancy in the State is reduced considerably. the at Army, command and corps headquarters want peace as their objective) and the Kashmir to see any linkage between implementation need for legal cover to soldiers conducting to monitor, seek factual details and take follow Premier League matches to engage the youth. of State development programmes and counter-militancy operations is unquestion - up action on all hr-related cases (received these initiatives have made substantial con - the AFSPA. able. Due to changed circumstances, it is from any source) and to maintain records. tribution in improving civil military relations the Army, opposed to selective revoca - essential to review the conduct of operations these cells, after investigations, prepare a and ensuring peaceful summer. tion of the AFSPA, believes that Pakistan in the areas suggested for revocation of the ‘Detailed Investigation reports’ (investigation Notwithstanding the above-mentioned Army has not given up its efforts to support AFSPA. My suggestions would be to (a) fur - is conducted jointly with civil authorities civilised measures, there is still a need for the militancy and terrorism in the State. the ther reduce army footprints in all civil areas. sometimes) for submission to higher head - Army to become more transparent on human current run of peace is, at best, fragile. the Let the civil police take over operations in the quarters and preparation of affidavits to the rights violation cases and where necessary, secessionist elements in the State have not areas recommended by the State chief Min - National human rights commission. expedite sanction from the central govern - been adequately neutralised. they continue ister and call for military only when the oper - According to statistics made available to ment to prosecute personnel guilty of delib - to provide logistic support to anti-national ation is beyond its capability (b) military me in July 2011, 1,485 cases of human erate human rights violations. that would be elements and have used, or created, oppor - convoys passing through these areas should rights violations were reported in Kashmir in the interest of Army discipline as well as for tunities during many summers in the past— continue to be protected (c) the Army should Valley from 1990 to July 2011. Out of these, creating confidence in public. except last summer—to raise ‘azadi’ flags be more transparent in its dealing with 1,439 cases (96.9 per cent) were proved and slogans. Selective revocation of AFSPA human rights aberrations, and (d) the central false. In 43 cases proved true, 96 personnel AFSPA in J&K will make its assets (including Srinagar Air - Government should explain reasons when - were punished. As punishment, four officers the chief Minister of J&K, supported by his field) and convoys vulnerable. Selective rev - ever permission to prosecute a person accused were cashiered/awarded rigorous imprison - political heavyweight father in the UPA’s ocation of AFSPA may also revive overt and in human rights violations is not given. ment (rI), 33 personnel dismissed from serv - Union cabinet, the Left Front and some covert militancy in these areas, as has been I believe that it is incorrect and unfair on ice, 17 personnel reduced in ranks/awarded other party leaders have made a strong pitch experienced in Imphal in the past. the Army the part of political authorities to put pres - imprisonment in military custody, one per - for revocation of AFSPA from selected dis - feels that more time and effort is required to sure on the Army through social and regular son forfeited seniority for promotion, and 14 tricts in the state. the political view point is bring about normalcy in the State. media. this is not in the interest of objective personnel were awarded ‘Severe repri - that these districts are no longer considered Pakistan Army and the ISI have always decision-making or cordial civil military mand’. I doubt if any civil court would have ‘disturbed’, our relations with Pakistan are been a major factor in the militancy swings relations. Political leaders in ‘disturbed acted faster or stricter on this issue. improving, and the AFSPA-considered as ‘an of J&K. they treat and nurture Jehadi terror - areas’ need to assess the security situation there has also been a strong drive on con - oppressive military regime’ needs to be selec - ist groups as a strategic asset and a hedge on and resolve such issues through a consensus tinuous training and briefing of troops tively revoked to provide the requisite atmos - Pakistan’s eastern and Western borders. the in Unified command instead of making sen - employed in such operations to respect pherics of bringing peace to the state. the ISI continues to support these groups, their sitive security issues a public agenda.

FIRST PHOTOGRAPH : SP Guide Pubns Army’s First Mobile Robot The remotely operated vehicle Daksh will come handy for anti-terror - ist operations in addition to the battlefield exigencies, and will be an asset for the bomb disposal units of the Army

he Indian Army has acquired its first detachable x-ray equipment that can be mobile robot, the remotely operated used to confirm the presence of the explo - Tvehicle (rOV) ‘Daksh’, which will sives, he said. equip the force to handle and clear impro - Daksh which can also come handy for vised explosives devices and other haz - anti-terrorist operations in addition to the ardous objects. battlefield exigencies, will be an “invalu - the first batch of six units of a total able asset” for the bomb disposal units of consignment of 20 was handed over to the Army, according to Major General the Army in the premises of the research rakesh Bassi, Director General (combat and Development establishment (engi - engineers), who accepted the rOV on neers) (r&De(e), part of the Defence behalf of the Army. research and Development Organisation S. Guruprasad, Director r&De(e) said, t e (DrDO) that has developed the indigenous “Daksh is capable of climbing stairs as n . s system at Dighi near Pune. well as negotiating cross country terrain e c

r the rOV which underwent extensive and has an on board shotgun for blasting o f user trials in Jammu and Kashmir prior to through door locks and breaking the chief controller r&D of DrDO, said, robotics. d n limited series production has “a robust windshield to handle likely car bombs.” “It “Daksh has been developed indigenously he said that the state-of-the-art a l s manipulator arm having six degrees of is also capable of towing a suspected vehi - with the involvement of private sector design of ‘Daksh’ offered good export p s

. freedom” which can be extended to cle away from a crowded area.” and has strengthened an industrial potential with possible international w remotely extract IeDs, in addition to a S. Sundaresh, Defence Secretary and base in the country for development of collaborations. w w

10 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 MOUNTAIN STRIKE CORPS << Offensive in the Mountains The decision on the Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) is not only about the capability and the implications. It is also about the message that India is, by its raisings, sending to China. The message is one of deterrence and resolve. It is not an aggressive one, but the second prong of India’s strategy

PHOTOGRAPH : Indian Army n COLONEL (RETD) ALI AHMED ongoing conflict may be such that it may not be employed as an integrated fighting forma - he cABINet cOMMIttee ON tion, but employed piecemeal. If the Kargil Security has recently approved the War is taken as precedence, in case there is raising of a Mountain Strike corps territory that has been lost to enemy action (MSc) along with two independent and there is an over riding strategic need for mountain brigades. the MSc is to limiting the area of conflict, then the MSc bTe located in the eastern theatre with its may find action only in part. headquarters at Panagarh and the two inde - the ability for recreation of reserves pendent mountain brigades would be at must exist so that even if partially employed, Ladakh and Garhwal himalayas. the MSc has the ability to recoup its capa - It will take time to set up the MSc as it bility by absorbing either forces inducted involves an expansion by 86,000 troops, into the theatre or preexisting reserves reportedly the largest since mechanisation located therein. the corps must be capable in the 1980s. even as the organisation of taking under command additional forces. busies itself with the personnel, acquisi - the MSc must be versatile enough for tions, budgeting, logistics and infrastructure moving out of the theatre for tasks elsewhere. details; there is a necessity to also concen - the possibility of diplomatic action keeping trate on the very purpose of the MSc, in the A patrol in the mountains one of the possible two fronts quiet cannot be interim. What will it be deployed for and ruled out in light of the precedence. In such a employed to do? how will it deliver on its alise, such as may be the case when a hege - areas in which enemy forces have made sig - circumstance, the MSc is unlikely to sit out a objectives? What are the implications in monic war is forced on it. china is after all nificant headway. the aim would be to take war. the familiarity with the ‘other’ front terms of the ‘two front’ rubric? the nuclear the only challenger to the offshore balancer, at least an equivalently valuable territory so must be equally high, given that the likeli - backdrop cannot be lost sight of either. this the US. India, due to its own power trajec - as to arrive at a trade off on the negotiating hood of outbreak of conflict to the west is article attempts to set the stage for discus - tory, has become a player and may on that table. It will help in political face saving by higher in the middle-term. sions by attempting an outline of the impli - account need to be ‘fixed’. the capability for presenting the enemy with a military quid the MSc will, in such circumstance, be cations of the capability from a public fighting back needs to be on hand from pro quo. committed to an operationally happening information point of view. It first discusses before. the MSc therefore helps decrease the the more significant capability that the situation. the employment therefore could the reason why an MSc is to come about possibility of the ‘more likely’, even while MSc confers is the ability for proactive offen - well be directly in operations with telescoped and then on what operational task it would enabling coping with the ‘less likely’, but in sive. this enables wresting of the initiative preparatory procedures due to time pressure be required to undertake. the ‘worst case’ scenario. at the very outset, thereby keeping the or for posturing. In the latter role, its very From the approval of the MSc, it enemy reactive. the prerequisite for this is a movement would be of significance, imply - The Necessity appears that a switchover to deterrence by timely political go-ahead, predicated on ing that a certain transparency may accom - the logic behind the proposal is that there punishment has been deemed desirable. the political will. this is not infeasible in light of pany the move. therefore, demands on needs to be an offensive component to deter - raisings of the two divisions currently under the national interests in a given strategic cir - situational awareness, flexibility, resilience rence. currently, India’s is a defensive deter - way in Nagaland and Assam will ensure cumstance. Proactive offensives may also be and leadership at all levels will be exponen - rent posture with respect to china. the that deterrence by denial is not neglected. in the context of an ongoing conflict in tial. Of considerable importance would be philosophy subscribed to is deterrence by Supplementing this with deterrence by pun - another theatre requiring response in the the manner it is able to retrieve, reel in, denial. the idea is to make any ingress so ishment will only reinforce deterrence. theatre of location of the MSc. the latter is reform and re-launch. the transit will costly that the attacker would have to pay therefore, the raising of the MSc is as much more likely to be the case since India’s involve multiple modes of transport over costs out of proportion to the gains made, the creation of a capability, as also an exer - strategic doctrine is not compliance but great distances. even while making any such gains a ques - cise in deterrence in demonstrating resolve. deterrence. even as the MSc is It enabled, it would be tionable proposition. however, in relation to It shifts India’s posture from defensive deter - A pre-emptive offensive, based on situa - fighting in underdeveloped terrain. this will the nature of the adversary and its strength, rence to offensive deterrence. tional awareness of imminent enemy entail being Spartan, self-reliant and have the it is assessed that such deterrence lends attack, is a possible variant. Since retaking ability to work with traditional movement itself to being tested by the adversary. In Anticipated Missions territory is a difficult exercise, preventing methods such as with porter, pony and man- light of china’s military modernisation, it the Kargil War has proven that it takes con - loss of territory may prove alluring. how - pack. high fitness levels, especially to transit requires reinforcing. siderable force levels to retake the lost terri - ever, this would entail prior preparedness, to high altitude warfare in early timeframe, china has been creating the requisite tory. this owes to higher force ratios for attack the levels of which are difficult to sustain would be sine qua non. As a costly national infrastructure and rapidly increasing its in mountains of the order of 9:1. Multi-direc - over a long duration. Preemption strategies resource, the MSc would require having an deployment of force capacity. the resources tional attacks, attacks in echelons, holding of can also lead to misperceptions, resulting in elite ethos. Its psychological conditioning for operations will require placement over firm base, infiltration manoeuvres, securing a competitive ‘cold start’ scenario. this must be of an equivalent order as its material the preceding summer seasons and subject lines of communications, recreating reserves, undercuts crisis stability with its unwelcome preparation. All things being equal, the MSc to perma-frost, etc over the duration. etc are all tasks that consume troops. this strategic implications. may have little else to rely on. Besides, the figures that find mention in the implies that offensive capability even of the the MSc need not necessarily be media is of the need for half a million troops order of an MSc will be fairly meagre in employed as a whole. It must be capable of Politically Right to be placed in perspective. the operations mountains. the operational ambition must induction and employment in its constituent the decision on the MSc is not only about the will be at the very end of a long line of com - be tailored accordingly. An offensive capabil - force levels, be it in its divisions and brigade capability and the implications. It is also about munications, where the terrain will dictate ity gives the theatre commander an ability to sized forces. Mountains make firepower pro - the message that India is, by its raisings, send - deployment levels. respond as also to be proactive, but the objec - vision and sustenance of large forces diffi - ing to china. the message is one of deter - If ‘teaching a lesson’ is intended, then it tives must be ‘doable’. cult. therefore, the MSc must be exercised rence and resolve. It is not an aggressive one, would suffice for India to give a ‘bloody A template for thinking on strike corps for employment not only as a whole but also but the second prong of India’s strategy. the nose’ in emulating . For this, defen - valid for strike corps in the plains sector can in its constituent parts. the nature of the strategy of engagement is well-known. the sive deterrence is adequate and is being fur - be adapted for the MSc. In terms of response announcement prior to the Defence Secretary ther strengthened by the two divisions options, there is the counter attack mode in level talks between the two countries early under raising. these will not only thicken which the territory taken is to be recaptured this month, suggests that India wishes it to be defences, but also provide sectoral reserves through a corps counter attack. this would The MSC need not neces - made known, that it is not negotiating from a for counter attack and hold lines in depth in be reactive and would be dependent on the position of weakness but of equivalence. this case adverse situations develop. nature and location of the enemy attack. sarily be employed as a is not only a message for china, but also for however, given the chinese depth it has the aim would be to retrieve the territory India. Since the negotiations will eventually in military resources, both manpower and and restore the status quo ante. Since Kargil whole. It must be capa - entail a ‘give and take’, India would be unwill - material, it would be able to pay a formida - has proven that retaking territory can prove ing to be dictated on this. If it has the requisite ble price for the gains it seeks. territorial costly in terms of casualties, there is a case ble of induction and military power, then it would be making con - gains will be tangible, but political ends are for a counter stroke or a corps level ‘riposte’. employment in its con - cessions if any, as the sovereign’s decision and the more consequential. Learning from the this must aim at slicing off the territory lost not as something forced upon. therefore, the 1979 lessons, china may be prepared to pay by targeting the launch pad or base area, stituent force levels, be it MSc raising has to be seen as fulfilling the a higher price. this means that even if there thereby enabling retaking of the territory in political purposes too. But in so far as the mil - are formidable defences, effective defence the long haul. in its divisions and itary is concerned, India would require giving will be difficult, all things being equal. the second option is in launching a the military such a fine shape that china With the MSc, India is catering for counter offensive. this could be at a place brigade sized forces. knows that half century on since 1962, it expansive war aims not impossible to visu - and choice of own choosing, other than in faces an India with a difference.

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 11 >> TECHNOLOGY Modern Trends in Artillery & Navigation Systems The Indian Army has entered into a period of massive 155mm gun acquisition either through global tendering or through indigenous efforts. It should be ambitious in its requirements in order to have the most modern 155mm guns with accurate navigation, elevation and azimuth system in order to defend the nation efficiently.

PHOTOGRAPHS : KMW, BAE Systems, Nexter

DONAR; (below left) DONAR front view; (below middle) CAESER; (below right) FH77B05

rtILLerY GUNS AND rOcKet due to accurate navigation capabilities which l An orientation accuracy enabling firing l An alignment on the move without the launcher systems have recently are onboard modern 155mm guns. errors contribution limited to 35 m at 40 aid of GPS or Glonass. witnessed a quantum enhance - Artillery philosophy lays emphasis on km firing range, therefore better than 0.9 Direct firing capabilities and night firing ment of their capability of accu - destruction rather than neutralisation, and miles. capabilities are now possible with the intro - rate firing. this has been made hence the importance of accuracy of delivery l A fixation accuracy after a tactical trav - duction of modern thermal image based Apossible by accurate navigation systems on means. With improved pointing systems, elled distance of 40 km of 20 m ceP sighting systems. these sights are directly the modern 155mm guns, which allows guns are able to align on the targets and bring (0.05 per cent of tD) in X,Y and five mounted on the gun and can have a detec - artillery to manoeuvre from forward con - down accurate and consistent fire quickly. metre ceP in Z (0.02 per cent of tD). tion range of two km and engage a target at centration areas/hides to pre-determined Such navigation and pointing/ alignment sys - l A fast alignment time of five minutes and night at more than one km. gun positions without the conventional ‘gun tems also have the ability to align on the move less than five minutes in case of “align - the most recent artillery programmes in convoys’. Accurate navigation and laying of in a shoot and scoot mode. When it comes to ment on the move”. the world like for instance the truck mounted guns is also possible on dark nights and dur - the firing session, the gun shall be aligned “on cAeSAr of Nexter and Archer of BAe, the ing the most adverse weather condition of the move” to reduce the delay to manoeuvre, towed guns Fh77B05 of BAe and Fh2000 of fog or low visibility, and at the same speed be laid on the designated target as quick as Modern technology has StK or the German DONAr, are all equipped and accuracy as in daylight. possible, shoot directly to the target without with the most accurate navigation, heading Gun/rocket batteries would no longer needs of fire adjustment and scoot to the next so revolutionised and pointing system, sighting systems which require survey. Modern technology has so firing position. enable them to have unsurpassed firing, and t e revolutionised artillery manoeuvre that each contemporary gun systems have a range artillery manoeuvre that manoeuvring capabilities. n . s gun has the ability to be independent and in excess of 40 km, while multi-rocket the Indian Army has entered into a e each gun has the ability c

r deployed in an autonomous mode. this is launches can fire up to a distance of 80 to period of massive 155mm gun acquisition o f extremely important especially in a high 150 km. With their enhanced ranges, high either through global tendering or through d to be independent and n intensity air or counter fire threat by surface accuracy of positioning and azimuth are of indigenous efforts. It should be ambitious in a l s means. the move and deployment is also pos - critical importance. deployed in an its requirements in order to have the most p s

. sible without the global positioning system today’s navigation systems enable mod - modern 155mm guns with accurate naviga - w (GPS), which may be frequently jammed in ern artillery guns to have the following com - autonomous mode tion, elevation and azimuth system in order w

w battle. All the above capabilities are possible bined performances: to defend the nation efficiently.

12 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 ARMY’S VALOUR << Exercise Sudarshan Shakti The exercise aims to test and confirm fresh concepts, manoeuvres and structures that will finally allow one of the world’s largest land forces to fight its next war more nimbly, with drastically less response time and much greater lethality

PHOTOGRAPHS : Special Correspondent

Armoured Assault using BMP-II Sarath

Armoured Assault using T-90s, Arjun MBTs and BMP-II Saraths

Infantry in action

9K58 Smerch & Pinaka MBRL Armoured Assault using T-90 systems providing fire support

n SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT an integrated, seamless air-land battle.” tlefield where surveillance, reconnaisance, ones. All of these are pieces of the overall net - A decade since Operation Parakram— communications intelligence, support meas - work centric standard that we are attempting eScrIBeD AS ONe OF the largest the touchstone confrontation in 2002 that ures, jamming and early warning take on a to build. It is a long process, but we are work - and most ambitious war games compelled the enormous introspection that deeply important role, one that could turn ing towards it,” said Lt General Langer. India has ever conducted, exer - the Army went into to improve logistics and the tide of the fight at hand. While India did inform Pakistan about cise Sudarshan Shakti which responsiveness—the Army is confident that While the Indian military is regularly crit - the exercise well in advance, the November played out over the last six weeks it is a fleeter force. icised for war gaming in isolation without any 26 attack by NAtO in the Mohmand Din India’s desert sector, was part of a huge “there is a transformation at play, which meaningful jointmanship between the Serv - province that killed as many as 24 Pakistani effort to validate the integrated theatre we are testing and validating. At the end of ices, Lt General Langer said, “With air support troops, gave the Indian exercise a new com - offensive concept. contrary to stubborn per - Sudarshan Shakti, we will have a clear pic - playing a major role in future battles, plexion. certain sections of the Pakistani ceptions that the Army is a bloated and lum - ture of whether the decisions we have taken increased air assets of the IAF and Indian media interpreted Sudarshan Shakti to be a bering force, Sudarshan Shakti aims to test work, and how well they work when com - Army have been employed in an integrated provocative pressure tactic on Pakistan by and confirm fresh concepts, manoeuvres pared to past practices,” said Lt General San - manner. employment of attack helicopters, the Indian Army. In India, however, the and structures that will finally allow one of jeev Langer, GOc 21 corps, India’s most airborne special forces, air maintenance were Army dismissed all notions of the exercise the world’s largest land forces to fight its next potent strike formation. practised during the exercise.” being Pakistan-centric. war more nimbly, with drastically less While the Army still refuses to acknowl - the concepts on transforming the Army, “the exercise has certain objectives, and response time and much greater lethality. edge any “cold Start” doctrine, the overarch - that have been put through the motions at is not pointed at any country. We are testing that, at least, is the aim. ing purpose of Sudarshan Shakti is quite Sudarshan Shakti, were authored by the certain concepts which we need for any the force level commitments for exercise clear— test the deployment of more compact Army’s Southern commander Lt General future war, but this is not country-specific. Sudarshan Shakti have been unprecedented. fighting units and formations without wait - A.K. Singh, an armoured corps officer, and We have certain objectives. But historically, the Army committed 50,000 troops, 500 ing for massing of forces. essentially, the inte - chief of the Army Staff, Lt General V.K. our Army has always played only the defen - armoured vehicles including improved t- 72 grated use of fighting elements including Singh, an infantryman. sive role,” said Lt General Langer. Ajeya, t- 90S Bhishma, Arjun battle tanks and mechanised infantry, main battle tanks with Like the previous war games, including exercise Sudarshan Shakti played out a BMP-II armoured personnel carriers to lead close air support, forward air control and Vijayee Bhava, Vayu Shakti and Brazen time when the Army is steeped in efforts to the swift assault across simulated enemy lines, maintenance operations provided by IAF chariots, the Army and the IAF also made modernise precisely the strike elements at with back-up support from the Army’s artillery assault helicopters. the Army’s rocket and full use of space assets during Sudarshan play. Parallel efforts to procure new field and rocket regiments and the Indian Air Force field artillery regiments provide the required Shakti. For instance, the classified joint oper - artillery, stalled for more than a quarter cen - (IAF) assault helicopters providing cover. softening of targets at stand-off range as for - ations centre in Barmer sector of rajasthan, tury, are finally expected to take off in the next Officially, the government has described ward units mount a blistering offensive. that oversaw the intelligence and communi - months, the Army is looking forward to Sudarshan Shakti as a trendsetter for the “Inte - the integrated battlespace concept is not cations feeds during the exercise, had real- speedier deliveries of the licence-built t-90S grated theatre concept”, adding that, “the new to the military. It has conducted several time satellite feeds and information from tank and the Arjun Mk.II will move into a transformation of the force is at making the exercises in the last few years to war game other sources. phase of crucial trials in the desert sector next Army a more agile, versatile, lethal and net - fights in an environment drenched in net - “the use of space-based elements in the month. Separately, the Army is also looking worked force. In this exercise, we will be trying work-centric signals and sensors. In other future battle will be a standard. We have cer - to procure new battlefield communication out new structures, strategies, and test beds of words, a dramatically more transparent bat - tain technologies, and are testing some new equipment and sensors of all kinds.

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 13 >> DIPLOMACY Indo-Afghan Strategic Alliance While a trade agreement between India and Afghanistan makes sense, more so if Pakistan too is taken on board; it is the term “strategic alliance”, covering many areas of cooperation between the two countries, which is irritating Pakistan

PHOTOGRAPH : PIB n LT GENERAL (RETD) HARWANT SINGH will leave Afghanistan; and Pakistan’s inten - tions known, he has tried to latch on to the NDIA’S PrOPeNSItY tO ShOOt at its only country he could find willing to help feet is indeed phenomenal. Be it the him. On India’s part, the contours of this giveaway of tibet, Shimla Agreement alliance and their likely fallout on Pakistan or , which resulted have simply not been fully thought through. in the killing of Prime Minister Indira Given the constraints of geography and IGandhi, or intervention in Sri Lanka India’s own limitations to go the whole hog through Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) with Kabul, the deal should have been purely which resulted in the killing of Prime Minis - trade oriented; conceding Pakistan’s legiti - ter rajiv Gandhi. the more recent case being mate interests in that country and should the handling of yoga guru ramdev and have taken the latter on board in this Anna hazare agitations; the flip-flop on Lok - arrangement. Karzai too needs to build bet - pal Bill; and foreign direct investment (FDI). ter relations with Pakistan and assuage the the list is endless. misgivings and apprehensions. Peace in this the replay of the ‘Great Game’ in region is in the best interests of Afghanistan, Afghanistan, at which the British had failed, Pakistan and India. For India to have trans- is the latest misadventure by India. russians border trade with central Asian republics too had to beat a hasty retreat and now and revival of something akin to the silk America and the UN will depart, without route can only be realised by fully involving leaving any trace of peace or stability. In the Pakistan in this grandiose scheme, the latter case of russian intervention, it was Amer - too stands to enormously gain from such ica and Pakistan which played the spoil trade. that is the reality we must come to sport and now it is Pakistan which is playing terms with and not give in to some fanciful the double game to negate American and scenarios. On the other hand, china is well UN efforts in Afghanistan. In the long run, on its way to building trade corridors with it is Pakistan and china which will rally Pakistan and the Middle east and finally a against the Indo-Afghan strategic alliance Dr Manmohan Singh with President of land bridge linking the Pacific coastline with Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in New Delhi and there is little that India will be able to do the Atlantic. in this case. the more recent development where It is Afghanistan that has been the most military’s view when he said, “In alliance with Afghanistan as an attempt to NAtO helicopters attacked a Pakistan Army difficult country for military campaigns and Afghanistan, there has been a kind of proxy squeeze it from both sides, china may appre - post on the Afghan border, killing two dozen equally difficult to govern. Both the nature conflict going on between Pakistan and hend its exploitation of Afghan mineral soldiers has resulted in a nationwide protests of terrain, climate and the warlike tribes that India. India is trying to create an anti-Pak wealth in jeopardy. china has already taken against America and brought the Pak-US inhabit the land create an amalgam of Afghanistan and has the vision to dominate contract of copper mines in Afghanistan and relations to a breaking point. While the pre - harshness and lawlessness. even Alexander the region and weaken Pakistan.” is currently extracting this valuable mineral, cise reasons for this attack on the Pakistan the Great experienced considerable difficul - President hamid Karzai’s writ does not as also exploring the possibility of more con - post are not clear, with both sides fielding dif - ties in traversing through this land on his run over greater parts of Afghanistan. he tracts. Moreover, china will be loathed at the ferent versions, General Ashfaq Parvez way to India. has failed to get taliban to join in a dialogue. prospect of the spread of Indian influence in Kayani had ordered his troops to retaliate While a trade agreement between India the recent killing of former President this important region. china’s relentless with fire any future attack by North Atlantic and Afghanistan makes sense, more so if Burhanuddin rabbani who was appointed quest for hydrocarbons and minerals in this treaty Organisation (NAtO)/US troops. Pak - Pakistan too is taken on board; it is the term by Karzai as an interlocutor with the taliban region would seek to negate Indian influence istan has since taken over Shamshi Air Base “strategic alliance”, covering many areas of is an indication that the latter is not willing in these countries so that its relentless quest in Balochistan, from where drone attacks cooperation between the two countries, to accommodate Karzai in any future politi - for hydrocarbons and minerals go unhin - were being launched by the US. Before leav - which is irritating Pakistan. cal dispensation. Pakistan’s own designs and dered. ing, the US troops destroyed stores that could this alliance covers a wide areas of trade its full backing of haqqani group is a factor On its part India does not have the capac - not be carried. china has lost no time to rise and infrastructure; creating facilities to that will inevitably play its full course after ity and will to carry through this strategic to Pakistan’s defence. the immediate fall out exploit minerals and hydrocarbons, educa - the American and United Nations (UN) alliance with Afghanistan, especially when of this incident is that Pakistan has stopped tion, etc. And more importantly, training troops leave Afghanistan. Pakistan’s obses - Pakistan in cohorts with china, militates passage of NAtO supplies through its terri - and equipping Afghan National Security sion with ‘strategic depth’, flawed as it may against it. For India there is no air or land tory. More recently, it is threatening to deny Forces. It also includes regular political con - be, is the raison d’être of its Afghan policy. It link with Afghanistan except through Iran. Pak space to US aircraft. Pakistan declined to tact and cooperation at the United Nations. would not like India to fish in, what Pakistan the geography itself is a major roadblock attend the Bonn conference in order to dis - this agreement has vastly enlarged the considers its backwaters. Pakistan has had against this alliance with Kabul. It will also cuss the future of Afghanistan after the US scope and span of cooperation with an inalienable relationship with the taliban bring to naught Manmohan Singh’s persist - troops withdraw. this conference is designed Afghanistan and has understandably raised and other terrorist organisations. It has trav - ent efforts of befriending Pakistan. Flip-flop to engage all interested parties with vested alarm signals in Pakistan. elled too far down the terrorist highway to in its policy on the issue of granting most interest in Afghanistan, the principal A consortium of Indian companies pull back. favoured nation (MFN) status to India is the amongst these being Pakistan. While Pak-US called AFIScO, which includes JSW Steel, American frustration with Pakistan’s result of uncertainty in the direction relations will not break, it is likely to remain JSW Ispat, Monnet Ispat, etc and public sec - continued support to the haqqani network Pakistan wants to take; though it realises strained and cooperation will decrease, at tor companies like the Steel Authority of finally came out in the open, when Admiral the tremendous economic advantage Pak - least in the immediate future. India Limited (SAIL) have cornered the Mike Mullen was forthright in his accusation istan will have from this trade agreement Indian diplomacy has so far not done rights to mine iron ore from hajigak group of Pakistan’s ‘double game’ of running with with India. In any case, India is well well with countries on its immediate periph - of mines (B, c and D blocks). But for trans - the hares and hunting with the hounds. the acquainted with the duality of Pak politics. ery. Given the ground reality, this hopping portation of this ore, a railway line is to be US President Barack Obama and former President Karzai has been making across Pakistan and working out a strategic built from a port on the Iranian coast (close President Bill clinton too have warned Pak - friendly overtures to Pakistan and calling it tie up with Kabul to the exclusion of Pak - to Pakistani port of Gwadar being built by istan against this duality in its stance. At Afghanistan’s “twin brother”, but he knows istan, has its own pitfalls. All Indian invest - the chinese) and from there across some point, America will distance itself from it well that amendment is not possible and ments in Afghanistan could come to naught. Afghanistan to hajigak. Once the talibans Pakistan. America cutting down aid will Pakistan has a different game plan in mind. this alliance with Kabul will bring added come back, the operation of these mines and impact rawalpindi, but will not dissuade it With the dateline of 2014 approaching fast, pressure from china on the border with the railway will be in serious jeopardy. to delink itself from taliban. On the other when the bulk of American and UN troops India, as detailed by the Institute for Defence Issues like India training the Afghan hand, it will drive Pakistan more and more Studies and Analyses (IDSA) and the terror - security forces, and the term “strategic into the arms of china. ist activity in Jammu and Kashmir could pos - t e alliance”, is what is conjuring up Pakistan’s establishing the taliban regime in Kabul sibly increase. Such are the dynamics of the n . s worst fears more than the other provisions gives Pakistan the added advantage. In that geopolitical realities of the region. Pakistan e Indian diplomacy has c

r of the agreement. Pak military has always it would have neither the influence nor the is quite unmindful of its disastrous policies o f dreamt of exercising control over Kabul, power to aggressively assert Afghanistan’s in building Jehadi network and the d so far not done well n albeit through a substitute. the possibility of historical claims to territories seized from inevitable fallout of these on itself and the a l s this perceived enemy gaining influence in defeated Afghan rulers by the Imperial with countries on its consequent instability. p s

. Kabul is an anathema for Pakistan. Speaking British power. the British had termed the w to David Bradlay of Atlantic Media com - new boundary line as Durand Line. immediate periphery The author is a former Deputy Chief of Army w

w pany, General Musharraf reflected the Pak While Pakistan is likely to view Indian Staff (Policy and Systems), Indian Army.

14 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 DIPLOMACY << Harmony & Collaboration in Asia-Pacific Region South East Asia in tandem with East Asia is likely to be the arena of future US-China power tussle. If China indulges in strategic and military brinkmanship, localised armed conflicts may occur. The major powers need to intensify the cooperation efforts and stop revival of Cold War mentality that further destabilises the region. n LT GENERAL (RETD) P.C. KATOCH ASeA, established in 1967 as a geopoliti - tions to sustain growth, deepening in- region. It has helped to reduce tariffs and cal and economic organisation of 10 coun - ternational integration and managing other barriers to trade across Asia-Pacific, he ASIA-PAcIFIc eNcOMPASSeS tries of South east Asia, has expanded over accompanying risks of economic and politi - reducing business transaction costs by about numerous countries including Aus - the years, aiming for accelerated economic cal instability through global systems is a 10 per cent and creating an environment to tralia and New Zealand in the South growth, social progress, cultural develop - priority. Measured in purchasing power par - ensure safe and efficient movement of goods, and its locus in the Association of ment, protection of regional peace and stabil - ity terms, Asia’s share of global GDP will services and people across borders through South east Asian Nations (ASeAN). ity. Post the east Asian Financial crisis of amount to around 31 per cent in 2020, with policy decisions, and economic and techni - ITn a world where a bulk of the consumers in 1997, there has been better integration china accounting for over 14 per cent. cal cooperation. most countries reside outside the country’s between the economies of ASeAN as well as hence, china and India will substantially Free trade Areas (FtAs) enable free inter - border, Asia Pacific economic cooperation the ASeAN+3 countries (china, Japan and impact the world economy. the scale and nal trade while external tariffs against outside (APec) itself comprises 40 per cent of the ). the bloc has also focused on weight of income growth in Asia will have a countries differ among member nations. global population. Many of these economies peace and stability in the region, ratifying the huge impact on trade in goods and services these factors create the “trade creation effect” are growing faster than the world average South east Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone globally and within the region. the income and the “trade diversion effect” through and have together generated 56 per cent of treaty. the idea of east Asia Groupings, growth cannot be sustained without contin - respective actions of a shift in the geographic global GDP in 2010. While the ASeAN spon - mooted in 1995, resulted in a number of east uing to maintain the openness to interna - location of production from higher-cost to sored ASeAN Free trade Area (AFtA) is gain - Asia Summits (eAS) involving ASeAN, + 3 tional trade and private capital flows that lower-cost member nations as well as a shift in ing momentum, the east Asia Summit (eAS) countries and countries that have Full Dia - has already helped successful growth. trade the locus of production of formerly imported too has focused on issues of trade, energy and logue Partner status of ASeAN and signato - is an engine of driver in ASeAN and east goods from lower-cost non-member nations to security. Non-traditional security issues that ries to the treaty of Amity and cooperation Asia, but South Asia still has to cover more higher-cost member nations. affect the well-being, dignity and survival of (tAc). eAS focuses on multiple issues of distance. At present, every state has enor - humanity too need to be addressed. Future energy, finance, education, natural disaster mous autonomy over trade matters—from Security success of the region will depend upon PHOTOGRAPH : MEA During the cold War, South east Asian improved global integration with the world region witnessed power play between the US becoming flatter in every aspect. coopera - and the Soviet Union with both having naval tion in the region is overshadowed with strife bases in the region and their fleets patrolling in the South china Sea and lack of appropri - the high seas. With the rise of china, espe - ate regional security arrangements. With cially on the territorial and resources fronts, world seaborne trade pegged to reach china’s policy is giving rise to conflict with 41,800 billion tonne by 2014, half the its neighbours. economic prowess of china global super tanker traffic transiting this is supported by massive foreign direct invest - region and lack of a multilateral approach ment (about $106 billion (`5,30,000 crore) to combat maritime security challenges in 2010 alone) which is a catalyst to growth. holistically; strife and conflict are likely to Much that china may portray its peaceful heighten in the Asia Pacific region. intentions and say that its interests are purely economic, it’s territorial assertiveness Regional Groupings and past record does not instill much confi - Asia is a region with large standing armies, dence, which is likely to increase strife in the four declared nuclear weapon states, coun - region directly affecting regional coopera - tries engaged in production and export of tion, economic and political security. A PM with leaders at the missiles and seven of the 10 most populous 9th ASEAN-India Summit in Bali cross-section believes that the chinese mind - countries of the world. Its demography, civil - set is well-rooted in its historical “tian Xia” isation and political diversity, provide addi - (under the heaven) concept which views “all tional volatility. It is estimated that in the next mitigation, environment, climate change, taxes to procedures. through unilateral lib - territories” as belonging to the chinese and 25 years, Asia will account for 57 per cent of sustainable development and mutual appre - eralisation process many of the Asian due to which, the chinese, traditionally, world GDP even though recession in the West ciation of each other’s heritage and history economies achieved high growth. Due to the attach no sense to territory. Due to chinese affects the region. South east Asia derives its leading to initiatives like revival of Nalanda diverse nature of economies, integration aspirations to emerge as the second pole in a geostrategic significance by virtue of its loca - University in India, a track II study on a com - process through economic cooperation has new global strategic order, South east Asian tion of sitting astride the waters that connect prehensive economic Partnership in east Asia become complicated and slow. that does not region is increasingly emerging as the arena the Indian and the Pacific Oceans and strate - (cePeA) and establishment of an economic imply that Asian economies need to wait for for US-china strategic power play. By and gic chokepoints of the Malacca, Lombok and research Institute for ASeAN and east Asia further convergence. Initial conditions are large, countries in the region (perhaps less Sunda Straits. Sea lines traversing Asia- (erIA). Adoption of the “Singapore Declara - important but not decisive for integration. North Korea) want continued US presence Pacific carry 50 per cent of global trade and tion on climate change, energy and environ - APec has facilitated growth of partici - in the region even though economic and 33 per cent of global oil. More than 550 mil - ment” led to mobilising financial support, pants by optimising interdependence among trade dependence of some is on china. lion people inhabit South east Asia and capacity building, development of clean tech - Asia-Pacific economies and enhancing a there seems to be no sound mechanism regional economies total to more than $1 tril - nologies, exchange of scientific and technical sense of community, aimed at improving in South east Asia to deal with issues like lion ( `50,00,000 crore) . economies of the US expertise, joint studies, promotion of public regional trade, economic performance and thailand-cambodia border problem or and its allies in the region depend on security awareness and development of policy meas - linkages for prosperity of the people in the Malaysia-Indonesia sea boundary dispute. of the sea lanes and stability of the region. ures. china plays a significant role in South china’s claim to entire South china Sea, About 97 per cent of Indian trade is by sea east Asia with its development making eco - Spratley and Paracel group of islands has and the $60 billion ( `3,00,000 crore) annual nomic gains and strategic inroads in South aggravated tensions. In recent years, South India-china trade is predominantly by sea. Asia. the ASeAN-china free trade agreement The challenge is to east Asian countries have built up their naval, Major subregional groups are like ASeAN signed in 2010 is well-known, as is also its submarine and fighter jets assets to upgrade and South Asian Association for regional participation in a lot of subregional coopera - carefully consider the defensive capabilities for withstanding aggres - cooperation (SAArc) and cross-subregional tion arrangements. sive instincts and strategic coercion by china. blocs are ASeAN Free trade Area (APtA), India-ASeAN cooperation covers numer - direction, structure One may expect South east Asian region heat APec, Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi- ous fields like trade and investment, science up. there are fundamental positional differ - Sectoral technical and economic cooperation and technology (including It, biotechnology, and function of future ences between the US and china. the US says (BIMStec), etc. Bilateral trade pacts are being advanced materials, space sciences and their regional security that the disputed Senkaku Island comes pursued for deep integration. Subregions applications), tourism, human resource under the jurisdiction of the US-Japan Secu - are also building up network with other coun - development, education including language architecture through rity treaty which china hotly contests. Fur - tries and regions separately, for example, training, transport, infrastructure, health and ther, the US says the South china Sea Islands ASeAN+3, ASeAN+6, ASeAN-china, pharmaceuticals. renewed diplomatic and dispute should be solved multilaterally while ASeAN-India. though trade is the main vehi - china says the issue should be solved bilater - cle of collaboration, other areas are also Trade defence initiatives ally. china views South east Asia region as its included in the cooperation activities. Building regional architecture and institu - strategic backyard and wants the US to quit

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 15 >> DIPLOMACY / ARMY’S VALOUR

the region, declaring South china Sea her evidence that export orientation is one of the of industrial development and similar focuses on micro issues like sectoral “core concern”, implying that it is prepared to most important determinants of the FDI market sizes. cooperation apart from macro issues like go to war to ensure sovereignty. concurrently, flows. the current downturn in economic l Adopt measures avoiding resource alloca - trade agreements. the US along with other nations has declared activity throughout Asia highlights the vul - tion for socially undesirable projects— l Non-traditional security issues affecting that Global commons which are not limited nerability of the export-led economic growth encourage MNc participation on basis of the well-being, dignity and survival of to maritime waters but extends to aerospace model to external shocks. this situation has holistic growth. humans are beyond the confines of state are common heritage of everyone and no engendered widespread interest in rebalanc - l expand AFtA to a wider global economic sovereignty and territorial integrity. country can declare sovereignty over them. ing the economies in a way that would shift zone encompassing entire Asia-Pacific cooperative inter-state mechanism is A Vision Statement for ASeAN regional export-driven growth to domestic demand- region as a first step. AFtA within east needed as the response would not suffice. Forum (ArF) for 2020 was adopted at the led growth. Asian economies should not diminish the l Finally, the region has the potential of 16th ArF Ministerial Meeting in July 2009. trade is an engine in ASeAN and east independence of ASeAN countries, sub - conflict, as mentioned above. the ArF It recognised ArF as the central pillar in the Asia, but South Asia appears to be going ordinating them to stronger countries. has a major role to play in this regard, emerging regional security architecture, call - slow. even within ASeAN, there are diver - l ASeAN and AFtA must acknowledge including promoting peaceful discussions ing for strengthening ArF’s role in raising gent views for further integration. As things that strong member countries of the on territorial gains, maritime disputes and awareness on security challenges and inten - stand today, every state has enormous WtO do not desire total liberalisation, but protection of SLOcs. conflict, chances of sifying confidence building and cooperation. autonomy over trade matters right from only a liberalisation which favours indi - which are high, will retard progress in the the 18th ArF Ministerial held on July 23, taxes to procedures. through unilateral lib - vidual national interests. to that end, Asia Pacific region. the dialogue could 2011, adopted a Work Plan on Preventive eralisation process many of the Asian ASeAN-WtO relations need to be treated take a cue from the conference on Inter - Diplomacy as well as a Work Plan on Mar - economies achieved high growth. Due to with caution. Under FtA, which assures action and confidence Building Measures itime Security, which provides the framework diverse nature of economies, the integration a total liberalised area, no institutions in Asia (cIcA) aimed at enhancing coop - for taking forward cooperation activities in process through economic cooperation has can regulate the activities of the MNcs. eration through elaborating multilateral the respective areas. become complicated and slow. It does not FtA must not be considered an extension approach towards promoting peace, secu - imply that Asian economies need to wait for of the actual WtO, but should be seen as rity and stability. Present Scenario further convergence. Initial conditions are a strong step towards concretising the there is no denying the fact that the Asia- important but not decisive for integration. At MNcs dream. Cooperative Arrangements Pacific region is economically stronger than the same time, less developed countries that l track III dialogue in ASeAN and Asia- to maintain high, sustainable economic what it was more than a decade back and have large pools of unskilled labour and use Pacific region needs to be encouraged to growth in the Asia-Pacific region, nations has managed to get over the 1997 recession this force intensively for products that ensure public participation, holistic need to control their own strategies within an comfortably. however, the increase in indi - may be good for trade, have the danger of growth taking into account grassroots international context in the post-economic vidual gross domestic products (GDPs) locking themselves in a stagnant situation issues and empowering communities for crisis period. It is essential to strengthen coop - includes the profits made by the MNcs. the inhibiting the domestic growth of elements better development. eration at the regional level and define and rapidity with which Asia-europe Meeting of capital, entrepreneurship, technical skills l More focus is required on issues like undertake new initiatives in accordance with (ASeM) member countries have opened their and the like, which are indispensable for resource management, climate change, the changing dynamics. the Asia-Pacific economies in the last few years is impressive. future development. energy and environmental security, region has the capacity to be a global driver Although all of the South east Asian the role of multinational corporations nuclear and missile proliferation, disar - especially since Asia’s unbridled capacity for economies initially embarked on import- (MNcs) also needs to be examined dispas - mament, poverty alleviation, counter- growth has pushed it to the forefront. the substituting industrialisation, with time they sionately notwithstanding their contribu - terrorism and transnational crime. changing regional security environment will shifted to export-oriented industrialisation tion to development. MNcs, which are an l the current Asia-Pacific regional have an impact on how Asia-Pacific can lead policies. export-oriented industrialisation led omnipresent reality, need to be taken into arrangements also fail to effectively sep - the region. the trends of the last decade indi - to an opening of the economies for more account in analysing the impact of FtA on arate political, economic and security cate that this new century will be dominated markets and the promotion of foreign direct ASeAN development and the Asia-Pacific issues which lead to an organisation like by the power of technology and a globalised investment (FDI) as a means of upgrading region as a whole. APec to also tackle non-traditional economic system. the industrial structures through the trans - security issues, apart from economic South east Asia in tandem with east Asia fer and diffusion of advanced industrial tech - The Future cooperation. is likely to be the arena of future US-china nologies. As a result, the exposure of the though Asia-Pacific region countries have l ASeAN-India free trade pact does not power tussle. If china indulges in strategic economies to foreign trade became large. their own individual sovereignties, a future include the “services” sector. Also, India and military brinkmanship, localised armed While most Asian countries reduced their environment of closer cooperation should can offer assistance to east Asian nations conflicts may occur. the major powers need dependence on the US and eU, china has aim for the following: in building capabilities to protect sea lines to intensify the cooperation efforts and stop increased its share to these markets. Move - l help develop less developed countries in of communication (SLOc) and South revival of cold War mentality that further ments in both trade volumes and world mar - getting favourable trade concessions from east Asian nations in the non-traditional destabilises the region. the challenge is to ket prices for traded commodities have developed countries in terms of lowered security field. carefully consider the direction, structure impacted the foreign demand for ASeM barriers for the export of labour-intensive l Asian integration should be further and function of future regional security country exports in various degrees. the manufactured goods and permit creation improved through convergence mecha - architecture through renewed diplomatic importance of foreign firms in the export of “regional trading blocs” among devel - nism among various groups. the cue and defence initiatives. ArF has a major role sector is well-documented and there is ample oping countries at relatively equal stages can be taken from BIMStec which to play in this.

PHOTOGRAPHS : PIB President Creates History President Patil became the first Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to ride on a T-90 main battle tank, d uring Exercise Sudarshan Shakti

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil along with Defence Minis - ter A.K. Antony and Army Chief General V.K. Singh with a T-90 tank; (above) The President addressing troops during a Sainik Sammelan, after witnessing the Strike Corps Offensive Operation by GOC-in C Southern Command & GOC 21 Corps, at Pachpadra, Rajasthan on December 5, 2011 t e n . s e c r o f d n a l s p s . w w w

16 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 TECHNOLOGY << Geospatial Intelligence and C4I2 In times to come, as India emerges as a global player and also gets increasingly involved in the UN-backed conflict management activities, we will need to continuously review our policies and carry out organisational adaptations to operate seamlessly with other member countries of the UN, at least the major ones

PHOTOGRAPH : US Army n LT GENERAL (RETD) P.C. KATOCH community or for that matter the defence services, which is a major flaw. Moreover, eOGrAPhIc, GeOSPAtIAL Or only through common conventions and SPAtIAL data forms the founda - technical agreements, standards, metadata tion of all planned human activ - definitions, network and access protocols; it ity. Disaster management, will be easily possible for the NSDI to come management and conservation into existence. Within the Indian armed Gof natural resources, infrastructure planning forces, the DIA within hQ Integrated and development, and land use planning are Defence Staff (IDS) is the central repository just a few examples of areas in which deci - for all intelligence inputs pertaining to the sion-making is contingent on availability of three services including the imagery intelli - accurate and high quality spatial data. Devel - gence (IMINt) and eLINt. however, aspects opments in digital technologies, particularly of topography are yet to be integrated with the rapid advancements in geographic infor - the DIA, which again is a major flaw. Also, mation systems (GIS) and global positioning within the existing setup, adequate systems (GPS) have now made it possible to resources in terms of remote sensing, eLINt correlate and use diverse map information, in payloads and cartography are not available conjunction, at the click of a mouse. Intelli - to produce high quality fused data. gence plays a vital role in the decision-making Much more is required at the national process of any nation or organisation. With level in terms of integration of various gov - the end of the cold War, regrouping of tradi - ernment agencies. While certain isolated link - tional alliances and erstwhile blocks, and ages between certain government agencies emergence of threat of transnational terror - have come into being, such connectivity has ism has forced government’s world over in science. this definitely calls for inputs even Indian Scene to be extended to all necessary arms of the adopting organisational restructuring to deal from agencies other than those dealing with Both the Kargil review committee (Krc) government over a national security informa - with aspects of national security. Unlike con - topographic survey. and the Group of Ministers (GoP) had made tion grid for optimal exploitation of various ventional warfare, terrorism is not restricted numerous recommendations with respect to multilayered data sets. though the National to specific battle ground or geographic space. Infrastructure Needed issues related to streamlining the agencies in Information Grid (NAtGrID) stands sanc - It can manifest in attacks and threats in the to optimally exploit the available information the country. however, a lot of work is yet to tioned and is under establishment, ideally, a hinterland at any place and any time. thus, in a geographic context, the military will commence on the issues related to fusion of comprehensive geospatial intelligence data the geographic database for war fighting is no have to rely on other agencies of the govern - intelligence data. While within the armed set should be able to generate large-scale more restricted to areas adjoining interna - ment. Any effort in isolation will leave large forces, the Defence Intelligence Agency maps, surface models to include natural and tional boundaries, rather, the effort has to gaps in intelligence which would be crucial (DIA) has been established, and at the manmade structures, walk through critical include own territory as well. this also at the time of critical decision-making. It is, national level the National technical infrastructure and buildings, and computer increases the volume of information that therefore, essential that any agency research Organisation (NtrO) has come up, models to support aspects pertaining to needs to be processed to filter out meaningful entrusted with the task of producing geospa - these steps may still not be sufficient to deal nation building as well as national security. intelligence. tial intelligence will essentially have to be with aspects pertaining to geospatial intelli - the establishment of the Disaster Manage - the aim of any such system should, multifaceted with representation from all gence. establishment of the National Spatial ment Authority of India recognises the therefore, be to fuse data from multiple and agencies dealing with aspects of intelligence, Data Infrastructure (NSDI) has been a good importance of geospatial science in nation sometimes unrelated sources to enable pro - cartography, oceanography, civic infrastruc - step but it will be awhile before it achieves building. An organisation like this has to deal duction of a comprehensive intelligence pic - ture creation, public utility, safety services the required capability. the NSDI aspires to with varied amount of data pertaining to dis - ture encompassing all aspects of information. and the like. cartography in an urban envi - develop the nation’s ability to create large parate sources of information in order to per - ronment is a challenging task due to lack of volumes of different data sets in conjunction form the assigned tasks. NAtGrID will be a Geospatial Intelligence natural features that can be selected as con - with one another in a networked environ - basic prerequisite for the collection and assim - Geospatial Intelligence has been defined by trol points and the problem of line of sight for ment, add value to it, and make available ilation of data coming from various parts of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency surveying. information to society, government, indus - the country, dealing with different aspects of (NIMA), which was the predecessor to Some of the major nations are well on try, business, research, etc. however, in the national security. till the NAtGrID is estab - National Geospatial Intelligence Agency their way to establish agencies dealing with current dispensation, the NSDI deals with lished, our existing/interim communication (NGA) as “the exploitation and analysis of this important aspect of intelligence. Post- only ‘some’ aspects pertaining to creation of infrastructure is definitely not in a position to imagery and geospatial information to 9/11, the United States has carried out a metadata from available geospatial data and deal with information flow of a magnitude describe, assess and visually depict physical major restructuring of the government does not cater to inputs from the intelligence necessitated by large-scale disasters. features and geographically referenced activ - agencies and formation of the National ities on the earth”. this definition clearly Geospatial Intelligence Agency by merging depicts the magnitude of the effort required elements from the cIA (central Intelligence to build a database of geospatial intelligence Agency), Defense Intelligence Agency, so as to provide support to government agen - National reconnaissance Organisation 40th Issue cies entrusted with the task of national secu - (NrO), State Department, etc, in meeting a rity. the need for having access to maximum vital requirement of network-centric war - data pertaining to the topography and fare (NcW) and command, control, commu - demography of an area of interest by the nications, computers, intelligence and commanders of armies is well established interoperability (c4I2) systems in the mod - over the years. transparent overlays with ern era. NGA is undoubtedly a major arm of detailed supplementary information placed the United States Government assisting in over printed topography sheets are just one implementing the national goals of USA. For example of this necessity. With computers production and analysis of data required as and associated technology came the era of a base for geospatial intelligence, numerous digital mapping where such supplementary agencies are involved. this would include data could be displayed, queried and high resolution imagery products, elevation processed, based on the requirement and very data sourced through ground/air/space significantly without cluttering the base map. based survey, electronic intelligence (eLINt) the capability of any application based and human intelligence (hUMINt) assets, on a GIS is limited to the quantity and qual - cartographic data, inputs from agencies ity of data provided as inputs. A digitised dealing with internal security, urban and cartography map needs a huge amount of rural development agencies, forest manage - attribute data before it can become suitable ment agencies, intelligence community and as GIS input. While generally this data has the like. It is only when the seemingly unre - been assumed to pertain to terrain features lated events collected individually by these only, a true GIS ready map should logically agencies are merged a comprehensive intel - cover the complete spectrum of data ligence picture in the geographic domain www.spsmilitaryyearbook.com required by various disciplines of geodetic can emerge.

6/2011 SP’s LAND FORCES 17 News in Brief

BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

PHOTOGRAPH : Cornershot range of 1,000 metres. the Army would prefer parallel supply of telescopic sights by the OeM, but definitely wants standard Mil 1913 picatinny rails on the weapon to mount different types of sighting systems. As with the two current weapons in service, the Army will be looking to use the new GPMGs in multiple modes: as an infantry weapon in different profiles, vehicle mounted and heliborne operations. In March 2010, the Army said it was also interested in look - ing at a new 12.7x99mm heavy machine gun for use on a light strike vehicle/infantry fighting vehicle and in a ground role while mounted on vehicle and tripod respectively. A year later, the Indian Navy also announced its interest in purchase new hMGs specifically for the ship-mounted anti-piracy role.

INDIAN ARMY USES ARJUN IN LARGEST WARGAME

cornershot capability for use with in-service under-barrel grenade launchers (UBGLs). the US-Israeli firm cornerShot is understood to have demonstrated the capability to the Indian Army on at least two occasions. the Indian paramilitary forces, particularly those engaged in anti-Maoist operations have also evaluated the capability.

TAVOR RIFLE WITH INDIAN ARMY -II FAILS After several stops and starts, including problems with stability PHOTOGRAPH : DRDO and the lack of certain features, the Israel-built IWI tavor tAr- 21 assault rifle is now comfortably in Indian use, inducted and operational in several agencies including the Army para com - mando units, marine commandos, rashtriya rifles, Special Frontier Force and certain paramilitary units. Fitted with an M203-class grenade launcher, the tAr-21 is likely to be ordered in larger numbers shortly. the Army has also begun fitting its tavors with telescopic the indigenous Arjun main battle tank (MBt) was an integral sights, accessory rails, dual magazine clips, self-luminous reflex part of the Army’s strike corps war game Sudarshan Shakti that sight for the under-barrel grenade launcher and single eye night played out over the last few weeks in rajasthan’s border sectors. vision with head band. the light-weight fast-point/shoot Israeli With 124 tanks in two regiments, the Army put the squadron weapon is being considered a mainstay design alongside the Bel - of Arjuns through the paces as part of its integrated theatre gian FN herstan F2000 bullpup assault rifle, the latter in use offensive validation effort. Performing alongside the mainstay with agencies that include the VVIP Special Protection Group’s t-90S Bhishma and t-72 Ajeya, the Arjun is slowly finding an counter-assault force that was raised in 2008. operational niche within the Army’s arsenal. the troubled pro - Apart from further inductions of both weapon types, the gramme, delayed for years by non-stop development and user Army is engaged in a slew of small arms procurement efforts. trials, will however see limited scope in its current avatar. For instance, the tAr-21 and F2000 are likely contenders in a the Army is now preparing to test the Arjun Mk.2 early next tender that the Army announced in December 2010—one that year, a heavier version of the original and with a host of it will float shortly for a new modular assault rifle as part of its improvements including a crucial night-fighting capability F-INSAS infantry modernisation programme. In May last year, (through a thermal imaging night sight for the driver), a capa - the Army also announced its interest in procuring an unspeci - bility to fire missiles from its primary 120mm gun tube, explosive fied number of 7.62mm amphibious assault rifles that could be reactive armour protection and advanced navigation features. used immediately after being brought out of water by special the Army has placed an in-principle indent for 124 Arjun forces personnel. Mk.IIs, though this order will only be formalised if the DrDO’s Also, to augment 17 and Fn-35 9mm pistols in service combat Vehicles r&D establishment (cVrDe) succeeds in car - with the Special Forces and para units, the Army has been scout - rying out recommended modifications to the Arjun and inte - ing over the last two years for a new 9mm semi-automatic grating a host of fresh capabilities, including new advanced sidearm. to round off its requirement, the Army is also looking electronic equipment. out for a new 5.56mm close-Quarter battle carbine and One of the dilemmas facing the programme currently is 7.62mm light machine gun (LMG). uncertainty over the number of Arjuns the Army will finally A crucial salvo test of the Prithvi-II tactical by procure. With the future main battle tank (FMBt) programme the country’s Strategic Forces command had to be aborted on INDIAN ARMY LOOKING FOR NEW MACHINE GUNS soon to begin taking up development resources, scientists fear December 21 following a system failure. According to an initial the Arjun programme may not recover the investments that estimate, propellant system glitches were detected in both sys - the government has made in the project since the 1970s. the tems very close to launch from the Integrated test range (Itr) Army on its part is clear that it wants the Arjun, but only with off Orissa’s coast. a stipulated and non-negotiable list of modifications and the test was to validate firing two separate Prithvi-II missiles improvements. approximately 20 minutes apart as part of a salvo assault. Unlike the solid-fuelled family of ballistic missiles, the ARMY LOOKING FOR CORNERSHOT CAPABILITY Prithvi series is liquid fuelled, and therefore has attendant work- the Indian Army is looking ahead to acquire a system that up, preparation and maintenance issues. the nuclear command allows it to mount in-service 9mm pistols enabling firing from and Army are both keen on a family of tactical surface-to- In the latest of a raft of small-arms acquisition efforts, the Indian around a corner—a capability widespread with tactical special surface missiles that are containerised and fully road-mobile, Army has announced that it is looking to purchase new general units in the US and Israel. the Army is understood to be seeking allowing operational and deployment flexibility. purpose machine guns for its Parachute (Special Forces) battal - the capability specifically for its rashtriya rifles units deployed Sources reveal that the Prithvi series do serve as potent bor - ions to augment and later replace the licence-built Belgian in Jammu & Kashmir, the units regularly involved in firefights der deterrents in the present scenario, but their technology is MAG-58 and Soviet-era PKM general purpose machine guns with militants holed up in residential areas. rapidly reaching obsolescence considering the effort required to (GPMGs) currently in use by the battalions. After expressing initial interest in such a capability in 2009, prepare and deploy the weapon system. In June this year, the t e the weapon needs to be fully interoperable with the current the Army is now understood to be interested in giving this capa - Army tested the Prithvi-II to a high degree of accuracy, reaffirm - n . s weapons in terms of ammunition compatibility (OFB bility to its standard-issue 9mm pistols, which include the Aus - ing the weapon’s guidance systems. In December 2010, the e c

r 7.62x51mm rounds, which will have to be demonstrated in tri - trian Glock 17, Italian Beretta 92 and German-Swiss SIG Sauer nuclear command tested two Prithvi-I ballistic missiles about an o f als), with a barrel life of at least 20,000 rounds. the Army has P226. the capability involves an enhancement kit integrated hour apart successfully. however, in April 2010, a Prithvi target d n stipulated that it requires a 7.62 x 51mm calibre weapon to with an existing weapon system with a certain degree of dis - missile malfunctioned on launch and pitched into the sea, spoil - a l s serve as both a light and medium machine gun. mantling. A video camera and monitor allows the user to point ing a test of the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile defence p s

. the Army is looking for a weapon with greater range than the weapon at a fulcrum around a corner and use the weapon system. the nuclear command plans to conduct a salvo test of w an LMG and lighter than an MMG, with a maximum effective to survey, target and fire accordingly. the Army also wants the the Prithvi-II in January. w w

18 SP’s LAND FORCES 6/2011 US TO PROVIDE SUPER COBRA Apache Block III multirole attack helicopter than 200 systems have already been fielded HELICOPTERS TO to the US Army. the Ah-64D Apache Block to deployed units till date. III helicopter has been designed to benefit Publisher and Editor-in-Chief soldiers and battlefield commanders during DRDO DEVELOPS ARTILLERY GUNS Jayant Baranwal peacekeeping missions worldwide. the heli - FOR INDIAN ARMY Editor copter incorporates 26 new technologies, the DrDO is developing an indigenous Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor including an improved drive system, new 155mm 52-calibre howitzer for the Indian Assistant Group Editor composite main rotor blade and enhanced Army. DrDO chief V.K. Saraswat said that the R. Chandrakanth digital electronic control unit. the new tech - laboratory is currently developing advanced Senior Technical Group Editor nologies will enhance the aircraft’s capabili - metallurgy for the barrels to increase the Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand ties in combat aviation with improved howitzer’s firepower. Production of the self- performance and increased payload. the US propelled howitzer is expected to be completed Contributing Editor Army has plans to acquire 690 Apache in the next four years. DrDO has begun the Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia Block III aircraft while Boeing will produce howitzer development work on a self-funding Sr. Copy Editor & Correspondent the US Defense Security cooperation 51 helicopters under a low rate initial pro - basis, but the project could not be accom - Sucheta Das Mohapatra Agency has notified congress of a potential duction contract. plished due to issues pertaining to Bofors Contributors sale of three Ah-1W Super cobra attack hel - guns. the Indian Defence Ministry recently India icopters to turkey. Under the estimated INDIAN ARMY RECEIVES SECOND cancelled the procurement tender of 180 General (Retd) V.P. Malik, Lt General (Retd) $111 million foreign military sale (FMS), BRAHMOS BLOCK II MISSILE wheeled 155mm 52-calibre howitzers. Vijay Oberoi, Lt General (Retd) R.S. Nagra, turkey also requested seven t700-Ge-401 the Indian Army has received the second Lt General (Retd) S.R.R. Aiyengar, Air engines, inspections and modifications, regiment of BrahMos Block II variant super - MDA TEST-FIRES THAAD MISSILE Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney, Major General spare and repair parts, personnel training sonic systems to bolster its SYSTEM WITH STSS (Retd) Ashok Mehta, Major General (Retd) and training equipment and other related combat capabilities. Lt General Vinod Naya - G.K. Nischol, Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, Brigadier (Retd) S. Mishra, logistics support. the proposed sale will fur - nar, Director General Artillery, said, “We Rohit Sharma ther enhance turkey’s ground defence capa - have guns for near range and Smerch rock - bilities as well as self-defence, modernisation, ets for ranges of 75 km. BrahMos is the sys - Chairman & Managing Director regional security, and interoperability with tem which has added tremendous firepower Jayant Baranwal US and other North Atlantic treaty Organi - capability to the Indian armed forces for tar - Executive Vice President sation (NAtO) members. the helicopters will gets as deep as 300 km.” the second Block II (Planning & Business Development) be sold from the US Marine corps’ (USMc) variant missile regiment consists of mobile Rohit Goel inventory and five contractor representatives launchers, command post, replenishment Administration & Coordination will be assigned to turkey for a period of up systems, fire control systems installed with Bharti Sharma, Survi Massey to 90 days. advanced electronic hardware and software Senior Art Director as well as several communication systems. the US Missile Defence Agency (MDA) has Anoop Kamath BOEING DELIVERS FIRST BLOCK III the 290-km range missile has a speed of completed an integrated flight test of the ter - Design APACHE HELICOPTER TO US ARMY Mach 2.8 and can be launched from land, minal high-altitude area defence (thAAD) Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht Boeing has delivered the first Ah-64D ship, submarines and air platforms. the radar weapon system at the Pacific Missile Sales & Marketing Army has already inducted a full Block-I reg - range Facility at Kauai, hawaii. A thAAD Director Sales & Marketing : Neetu Dhulia iment for precision attack. interceptor missile successfully intercepted a Head Vertical Sales : Rajeev Chugh >> SHOW CALENDAR medium-range target (Mrt) launched from a SP’s Website POLARIS INDUSTRIES RECEIVES FIRST c-17 cargo aircraft and a short-range target Sr. Web Developer : Shailendra P. Ashish 17-18 January, 2012 ORDER FOR INDIAN ARMY (Srt) launched from a mobile platform. Integrated Missile Defense Systems Web Developer : Ugrashen Vishwakarma US-based vehicle maker Polaris Industries During the flight test, the space tracking Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, Los has received its first order from the Indian and surveillance system (StSS) demonstra - Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on Angeles, cA, USA Army. Polaris military vehicles would tion satellites’ sensors tracked two different behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All www.integratedmissiledefense.com rights reserved. No part of this publication strengthen the security in border areas. “We missile targets, displaying the system’s pre - may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval have already received our first order from the cision, real-time missile-tracking capability. 17-18 January, 2012 system, or transmitted in any form or by any Airborne Early Warning and Battle Indian Army,” Polaris India Managing Direc - Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems means, photocopying, recording, electronic, Management tor Pankaj Dubey informed the media. missile defence and warning Vice President or otherwise without the prior written Sheraton Park Lane, Piccadilly, London, “Polaris light tactical vehicles would help Doug Young said that the StSS satellites permission of the publishers. UK achieve quick movement in anti-insurgency demonstrated hard-body detection and Printed in India www.airborneearlywarning.com and anti-terrorist operations.” INDIA TEST-FIRES AGNI-IV MISSILE by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd 23-25 January, 2012 INDIAN ARMY TO INDUCT RUDRA © SP Guide Publications, 2011 NCW 2012: Network Enabled Operations India has successfully tested its Agni-IV CHOPPERS Annual Subscription hilton Alexandria Mark center, VA, indigenous nuclear-capable advanced sur - the Indian Army will soon induct the rudra face-to-surface ballistic missile from Wheeler Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 USA Email: [email protected] www.iqpc.com/Event.aspx?id=618534 advanced light helicopter (ALh), armed with Island, off the Orissa coast. the missile was advanced air-to-air and anti-tank missiles, fired from a road mobile launcher and hit the Letters to Editor 24-27 January, 2012 along the Pakistan border and western front. pre-designated target in the Bay of Bengal, [email protected] Cyber Defence & Network Security the twin-engine chopper is a variant of meeting all desired mission objectives. the For Advertising Details, Contact: the radisson Blu Portman hotel, Lon - the ALh Dhruv helicopter and is armed with two-stage, 20 metre-long, 17t Agni-IV car - [email protected] don, UK an array of guns, rocket pods, and air-to-air ries a payload of 800 kg and has a range of [email protected] http://www.cdans.org/Event.aspx?id=59 and anti-tank guided missiles. the aerial 3,000 km. the missile has been equipped [email protected] 8092 platform will enable Army field commanders with state-of-the-art technologies, including SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD Corporate Office 30-31 January, 2012 to use decisive combat power anywhere in indigenously developed ring laser gryo and Border Security Asia Pacific 2012 the battlefield. the weaponised helicopter is composite rocket motor. A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, Grand copthorne Waterfront hotel, part of the modernisation and capability New Delhi 110 003, India Singapore development efforts and is expected to boost INDIAN ARMY TO BE EQUIPPED WITH Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, www.smi-online.co.uk/bordersecurity- the Army’s aerial firepower capabilities. the E-BOMB 24620130 asia28.asp Indian Army will also induct and deploy 114 the Indian Army would soon be equipped Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 light combat helicopters (Lch) along the with an “electromagnetic bomb” (e-bomb), Regd Office 20-23 February, 2012 mountainous terrain. terminal Ballistic and research Laboratory Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 International Armoured Vehicles (tBrL) Director Dr Manjit Singh said, “It Email: [email protected] FIVe, Farnborough, UK US ARMY TESTS NEW WATER, FUEL would be equally capable of damaging the Representative Offices www.internationalarmouredvehicles.com CONTAINER SYSTEM communication system and other technolo - BENGALURU , INDIA 24-25 February, 2012 the US Army paratroopers have recently gies ensuring maximum and sudden setback Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey International Conference On completed testing of a new water and to the enemy.” the bomb, developed by tBrL, 534, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kammanhalli Main Rd, Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles fuel container system for airdrops in would be based on explosive-driven, high- Bangalore 560043, India. (ICAUV 2012) Afghanistan. During two of the three test energy pulse power technology, which can Tel: +91 (80) 23682534 eagleton Golf resort, Bangalore, India drops, the Lifeliner container-unitised bulk produce a pulse current of 1.4MA from MOSCOW, RUSSIA http://icauv2012.org equipment (cUBe) safely delivered hundreds energy released by 2.8 kg of explosives. the LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin of gallons of water to the ground under weapon would be designed to neutralise an Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., 27 February, 2012 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. Smart Border Technology Forum dual, 100 ft-wide parachutes from over enemy’s command, control and communica - 1,000 ft. the new container can be trans - tion systems, as well as cause huge destruc - Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, Venue to be confirmed, Dubai, UAe Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 www.smartbordertech.com/Event.aspx?id ported by truck or sling loaded beneath a tion without harming humans. the research =654930 helicopter, is 40 per cent of the cost of exist - and development phase on the weapon is www.spguidepublications.com ing equipment and can be easily handled for expected to be completed within the 12th Five www.spslandforces.net 27-29 February, 2012 storage by one person. the 307th Brigade Year Plan period. the company is also pro - RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 Military Armor Protection Support Battalion commander Lt colonel ducing more than one million multi-mode Venue to be confirmed,Washington, Dc Paul Narowski said that the test validated grenades (MMG) for the Army to replace the Metro Area, USA the airdrop procedures for delivering 400 existing 36m grenades. tBrL is the ballistic www.militaryarmorprotection.com gallons of fuel, water or unitised supplies to laboratory of Defence research & Develop - forces anywhere on the battlefield. 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