See page 16 August-September 2015 Volume 12 No. 4 `100.00 (India-Based Buyer Only) SP’s AN SP GUIDE P UBLICATION

since 1965 43rd issue

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Ear panel 2015-16.indd 1 07/09/15 10:35 AMThe ONlY magaziNe iN asia-Pacific DeDicaTeD TO laND fORces

In ThIs Issue >> Cover story PHoTogrAPH: InDIAn Army Page 5 capturec of Haji Pir – crowning Glory of 1965 War

The capture of Haji Pir by 1 Para (now Special Forces) during the 1965 Indo-Pak War was a great setback to Pakistan’s morale, particularly her army. Lt General P.c. Katoch (retd)

Page 6 equippinge Infantry and SF Units – current Weaknesses For our policy planners, an essential basic that must be kept in mind is the level of sophistication that the terrorists and insurgents have achieved and likely to advance to in times to come. Lt General P.c. Katoch (retd)

Page 8 drone Terrorism Today’s conflict situations are more and more at the sub-conventional level witnessing more and more employment of irregular forces, and consequent use of drones against such forces. Lt General P.c. Katoch (retd)

Page 9 china’sc White Paper on national Military Strategy Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri flanked by Lt General Dunn and Major General Sparrow on a tank in the Sialkot sector At the global level China is concerned about the US which is carrying on its ‘rebalancing’ strategy and is enhancing its military presence and its military alliances in this region. Lt General V.K. Kapoor (retd) an overview of 1965 Page 10 dSeId 2015 – continued Focus on air, Land, naval and Security DSEI is acknowledged internationally as the market leading exhibition for land, sea and air applications of defence and security Indo-Pak conflict products, technology and services. r. chandrakanth

Plus oneo rank one Pension Imbroglio Strategic and 11 Lt General V.K. Kapoor (retd)( The Manipur ambush – and Beyond 14 Lt General P.c. Katoch (retd) news in Brief 15 operational Insights Indian Prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri wanted to ensure that the world understood that the conflict was started by Pakistan and wanted a ceasefire without conditions Applied for

4/2015 SP’s Land ForceS 1 >> Cover story

understand their national mili- growing strength as leverage tary concepts and intentions. An by the government recently, will tary strategy one has to look at to increase dependency on the article explaining the essentials be undertaken under the Buy their economic development part of potential rivals and neu- of their White Paper on National & Make (Indian) category with from the global economic per- trals, present China s arrival on Military Strategy is included in transfer of technology (ToT). spective. From this perspective the global stage as a develop- this issue of SP’s Land Forces. However while some positives China s rise has brought both ing great power to forge friendly The past two months have are discernible, action is pend- opportunities and challenges. relations with far-flung states, also been full of activity in the ing in virtually every arm of the But from the military perspective secure stable access to natural defence procurement/moderni- army for replacements of out- China s rise is seen by Asian na- resources critical to its uninter- sation field, though a very late dated and obsolescent weapons tions as well as major powers of rupted growth, export Chinese response to an area which was and equipment. the world as potential challenge culture to show its legitimacy so badly neglected by the UPA Coinciding with the Golden / threat. This has resulted in and soft power , and express I and II regimes that it will take Jubilee of 1965 war, the cover Till recently there was no public conceptualising China s Threat willingness to appease the many years to undo the harm story of this issue is An Over- document which articulated Chi- which has led the Chinese lead- reigning hegemony, the United done by the previous regime. view of 1965 Indo-Pak Conflict’ na s Grand Strategy or national ership to re-evaluate its strategy States, until she can cope with Some of the issues which have providing an overview of the strategy though China s military and modify its geopolitical ap- American power independently. picked up pace include the fitting strategic and operational objec- strategists define grand/national proach to achieving its aim of The doctrine of Peaceful of integrated fire control systems tives of India during the war.

EDITORIAL strategy as the overall strategy comprehensive national power Rise advanced by China since in the T-72 tanks, the accep- We also have a special feature of a nation or an alliance of na- in order to recover its longed for 2003 asserts that as compared tance of the procurement of 145 on the Capture of Haji Pir Pass, tions in which they use overall geopolitical pre-eminence. to the warlike behaviour of pre- ultra light howitzers 155mm from considered to be the crowning national strength to achieve na- The new objective of its na- vious rising powers, China s as- US BAE Systems, in a govern- glory of 1965 war. tional political goals, especially tional strategy would be to en- cendancy will be entirely peace- ment-to-government deal; prog- those related to national security sure the continued growth of ful. It is an antidote to the fears ress by the Ordnance Factories and development . its power by affirming their per- of a China threat . Board to produce a 45-calibre For the first time China has manently peaceful intentions, We must read their well ar- 155mm howitzer called Dha- articulated its national military emphasise on good neighbourly ticulated white paper on national nush; the acquisition of 814 strategy in the White Paper pub- policies designed to wean states military strategy in this backdrop truck-mounted 155mm howit- lished in May 2015. However, to away from coalitions, use their to understand their overall mili- zers, which has been approved Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

PHoTogrAPHS: InDIAn Army  Lt GeneraL tejinder sinGh new equipment was far superior to indian sherGiLL (retd) artillery both in range and firepower.t he fire- power with Pakistani infantry was also much ndia’s defeat in 1962 encour- greater than that in the indian infantry unit. aged the Pakistani troika comprising in the air, the Pakistani f-104 starfighter field Marshal ayub Khan, President and f-86 sabre Jet outclassed indian combat of Pakistan, Zulfikar ali Bhutto, the aircraft. Pakistan by modernising its armed foreign Minister and General Muham- forces had achieved technical and organisa- Imad Musa the Commander in Chief, to tional superiority and surprise. perceive that indians were not fighters. Pakistan knew indian military weak- field Marshal ayub Khan had stated that nesses and Bhutto who had visited China one Pakistani soldier was equal to three assured the President of Pakistan and its indian soldiers. the troika were convinced Commander in Chief that in the event of a that once the new military hardware conflict in the subcontinent, China would was received from the United states as ensure that india would be unable to move members of seatO and CentO, and was forces from the eastern theatre. However, absorbed by its armed forces, Jammu and there was still a need to test the mettle of Kashmir could be wrested from india. they indian army and india’s will before moving also appreciated that in addition if an on to Kashmir and a wider contest of arms. important city like amritsar were captured by the Pakistani ar my, india would have Pakistan Launches Operation Desert to agree to the accession of Jammu and Hawk in Kutch Kashmir to Pakistan. Moreover Pakistan On april 9, 1965, Pakistani 51 infantry Bri- saw China as an ally who could be counted gade with 24 Cavalry (Patton tanks), crossed upon for their devious plans against india. the international border in the Kutch area by from 1954 to 1963, Pakistan received a arrogantly claiming that india was in occu- variety of armament from the Us for its army, pation of Pakistani territory! to the Pakistani navy and air force. the army received 650 higher command, the indian reaction by its Patton, M 36B2 tank Busters, Chaffee and Kilo sector to the intrusion in Kutch seemed Walker Bulldog tanks, 200 M113 armoured to prove that india was on the defensive. air Protected Carriers (aPCs), 105mm and (Clockwise from Top Left) Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan with jawans, Lt Col A.B. Tarapore, PVC, Chief Marshal asghar Khan of Pakistan sur- 155mm artillery guns, anti-tank recoilless captured weapons in Lahore Sector, Patton tanks destroyed in battle of Asal Uttar prisingly called his counterpart in india, air rifles (RCLs) and Cobra anti-tank missiles and Chief Marshal arjan singh and suggested a large quantity of small arms and machine guns of various types. the air force was account of itself in Ladakh and along the that air forces of the two countries should equipped with two B-57 bomber squadrons, indo-tibet border. the major weapon sys- not contribute to the escalation of the situa- The Pakistani troika one f-104 supersonic squadron, nine f-86 tems of india were mainly those that had tion. Prime Minister Lal Bahadur shastri was sabre jet squadrons, one C-130 transport been employed during World War ii. for the informed about the message from Pakistan were aware that with squadron, six other squadrons of various land battle the Pakistani M 47 and M 48 Pat- and on asking arjan singh his views, was aircraft, 30 helicopters, falcon sidewinder ton tanks completely outclassed our main told by the Chief of air staff that air forces modernised armed forces missiles and many types of bombs and rock- battle tank, the Centurion Mk Vii, in mobility, of both countries should not be employed. ets. the navy was modernised with one firepower and protection, at least in theory. General J.n. Chaudhuri, Chief of army staff, Pakistan was in a militarily cruiser, five destroyers, eight minesweepers, Pakistan army (GHQ) taking a calculated suggested that the Kutch area was not suit- one water tanker, one submarine and three risk by not keeping any tanks as war wastage able for large scale employment of forces and strong position to defeat tugs. all these weapon systems were front reserves, raised eight pure Patton regiments it would suit india not to escalate the conflict line equipment of natO forces and to ensure and three mixed regiments in which there there. if required, india could escalate war at India particularly since interoperability, the Pakistani armed forces was one squadron out of three of M 36B2 a place of own choosing. India was in a precarious were suitably trained. tank destroyers. the M 36B2 had the same following its defeat in indo-China conflict gun as the Patton tank and cleverly, the GHQ, Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar – position on the sub- of 1962, india expanded its defence budget had installed the Patton gun on their sher- Infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir from `300 crore in 1962 to over `800 crore man Mk ii fleet creating four armoured regi- the Kutch operation was actually the first continent with a chinese in 1965. Most of this defence expenditure ments called tank delivery Units that were phase of Pakistani strategy while the second went towards raising additional mountain essentially armour available to its infantry phase had already started in tandem. Paki- threat to the north and divisions to face a threat from China. it needs divisions. Pakistani Patton tanks, M 36B2 and stan believed that there was considerable to be remembered that the defeat in nefa in sherman ii upgunned tanks could destroy unrest against india amongst the population Pakistani threats from 1962 involved only 4 infantry division in the any known indian tank whereas india had in Kashmir and all that was required was a east and west Kameng division of nefa and one infantry only four Centurion Mk Vii regiments that spark to set off a conflagration and Kashmir brigade further east at Walong in the Lohit could compete against Pakistani armoured would fall to Pakistan. a ‘Gibraltar force’

www.spslandforces.com division. the indian army had given a good regiments. the Pakistani artillery with its was raised by Pakistan for infiltration into

2 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015 Cover story >>

PHoTogrAPHS: InDIAn Army Pakistan by modernising by the government. it is only on May 15, 1965, that General J.n. Chaudhuri stated the its armed forces had objectives of Xi Corps. these were: to protect indian territory from Pakistani aggression achieved technical and and occupation, to pose a threat to Lahore by securing the ichogil Canal and destruction of organisational superiority enemy forces, particularly his newly acquired and surprise armour. no part of these objectives called for the capture of Lahore however the destruc- tion of enemy forces was an imperative. the objectives of the new i Corps involved cross- Kashmir and Major General akhtar Hus- ing the international Border between the sain Malik, General Officer Commanding 12 Road Jammu-sialkot and Basantar River infantry division, a follower of the ahmadiya and secure a bridgehead in area Pagowal Muslim sect, was named commander of this (Bhagowal)-Phillora-Cross Roads with a force. On May 26, 1965, four centres were view to advancing towards Marala Ravi Link opened in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Canal and eventually to the line of dhale- to train the force in guerrilla operations. the wali-Wuhilam-daska-Mandhali. However entire force of 30,000 was organised into the destruction of enemy forces remained a eight sub-forces with five companies each constant. the Western army Commander’s that had 110 men in a company. Pakistani plan for a launch of the i Corps across Ravi army brigadiers commanded each sub-force River into Pakistan was not accepted and nei- while its officers commanded companies and ther was he called for a conference to army Junior Commissioned Officers and non Com- Headquarters when the Chief of army staff missioned officers provided the stiffening in (COas) decided the objectives for i Corps. this lower commands. On august 1, 1965, Major created a breach between the COas and the General Malik received the ‘go-ahead’ from Western army Commander. this wound con- the GHQ and on august 5, armed infiltra- tinued to fester to the disadvantage of i Corps tors crossed the ceasefire line (CfL) between throughout the war. Jammu and Kargil into Jammu and Kashmir. (Clockwise from Top Left) Destroyed Patton tank in battle of Phillora, Indian troops on Ichogil Canal, Pakistan’s Operation Grand Slam and Counter Offensives Planned by the Lt General Harbaksh Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command in 1965 War, INS Vikrant Indian Reactions Indian Army On launching Operation Gibraltar on august at the start of the conflict in Kutch, the indian 1965 the indian army created a new forma- capable of carrying out mobile operations 5, Pakistan had hoped for the benefit of sur- army had moved to the western border tion, i Corps, that was to be a strike corps to whereas india’s infantry divisions that were prise but a shepherd in Gulmarg reported against Pakistan under Operation ablaze. the operate in the plains, a concept new to the to be part of this Corps did not have matching strange people in the area and very soon an army remained in place even after the indo- subcontinent. i Corps was to carry out swift, mobility. at this stage there were no higher indian army response was set in motion. to Pak agreement of Kutch and plans were made flexible and devastating operations into Paki- directions of war issued by the government to the astonishment of Pakistan the peoples for the different contingencies that might arise stan however the means to do so were limited. its armed forces. thus army and theatre plans of Kashmir did not welcome the infiltrators if there were a conflict with Pakistan. in april 1 armoured division was the only formation emerged as the war objectives were defined and rather gave them up to the indian ar my.

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PHoTogrAPH: InDIAn Army to stem the influx of infiltrators the indian Xi Corps Zone and repeated requests by GOC army felt free to also step over the CfL and 1 armoured division and GOC 1 Corps for plug the routes of infiltration. With the cap- move of additional armour to sialkot sector ture of the Haji Pir pass on august 29, a link failed to elicit a response by Western Com- up was effected between Uri and Poonch. mand. By september 23, 1 armoured divi- it was evident to Pakistan that Operation sion had destroyed 162 enemy tanks and Gibraltar was a failure and a large number i Corps had captured 200 square miles of of troops of Gibraltar force were trapped Pakistani territory. Had the Western Com- in Kashmir. Pakistani high command felt mand agreed to the move of 2 indepen- the only expedient available was to launch dent armoured Brigade to sialkot sector, an immediate attack into the Chhamb sec- the progress of indian offensive could have tor with the object of capturing akhnoor brought Pakistan to its knees. and then Jammu and hoping that since the attack was in Jammu and Kashmir, india Building World Opinion would react only in that state and not across While the battles were going on the Prime the international Boundary (iB) elsewhere. Minister was engaged in building world should india react across the iB, Pakistan opinion in the favour of india and accept- GHQ had plans for attacks by 6 armoured ing a ceasefire only if it suited the war division and 15 infantry division towards objectives of india. He sent a governmental Jammu, samba and sialkot; and 11 infantry team headed by M.C. Chagla to the United division and 1 armoured division to encircle nations in new York. simultaneously he the city of amritsar through Khem Karan by hosted the visit of U. thant, secretary Gen- capturing Harike and the Beas River Bridge. eral of the United nations, on september 7. this was named Operation Grand slam. the Prime Minister wanted to ensure that Major General akhtar Hussain Malik of the world understood that the conflict was 12 infantry division was given the task of started by Pakistan by launching first Oper- attack in Chhamb sector in addition to the ation Gibraltar and then Operation Grand actions of Gibraltar force. With troops hast- Army Chief J.N. Chaudhuri with Lt Col Desmond Hayde, MVC at Ichhogil Canal after its capture slam. He also wanted a ceasefire without ily given to him from 6 armoured division conditions that Pakistan wanted by includ- and 7 infantry division and some from his light on september 6. 4 Mountain division stani forces were defeated with a loss of 97 ing a resolution of the Kashmir issue. it was own division, he attacked across the CfL and was to move the longest distance, into sec- tanks of which most were Patton tanks. through his patience, intelligence and per- parts of the international Boundary, into tor predicted to be the sector of the launch of With a major victory by indian 1 armoured severance that dates to ceasefire kept shift- the Chhamb sector, on the morning of sep- Pakistani offensive but had only six battalions division at Phillora on september 11 in ing from september 14 to september 16 tember 1, 1965. the initiative having been and a mountain artillery brigade that did not the sialkot sector, Pakistan pulled out 1 and then finally, without pre-conditions, to seized by Pakistan, india could only react. have the punch of artillery in other sectors. armoured division from Khem Karan and 2200 hours GMt on september 22 corre- the COas was in srinagar when the attack 7 infantry division advanced steadily on sent it to sialkot sector. Henceforth there sponding to 0300 hours on september 23 was reported to him and he immediately the central axis and by 2030 hours on sep- was no armour threat to the Xi Corps Zone. in india and 0330 hours in Pakistan. informed the Prime Minister. On landing at tember 10, captured Barki on the ichhogil delhi the same afternoon, the COas went to Canal. 15 infantry division advanced on Indian Army’s 1 Corps India Administers a Defeat meet the Prime Minister and requested for the northern axis and after an initial success Counteroffensive in Sialkot Sector Historically the indo-Pak War of 1965 was the air force to intervene in Chhamb and by of reaching the ichhogil Canal with some i Corps began its advance into the Rachna started by Pakistan on april 9, 1965, Paki- 1719 hours the air force went into action troops across it on september 6, had to fall doab—the area between the Ravi and stan launched the attack in Kutch to test the there. On september 2, the Prime Minis- back and it was only on september 22 that Chenab Rivers—on september 8 by when mettle of indian forces. even while Kutch ter met the COas and it was decided that in dograi was captured and the east bank of the unknown to our formations, the Pakistani 6 agreement talks were in process, Pakistan order to defend Kashmir it was essential to ichhogil secured. On the southern axis, there armoured division had moved into the sec- was training 30,000 infiltrators led by per- make a diversionary attack on West Paki- was some success towards Kasur on the Rohi tor and placed a strong combat command sonnel from the Pakistani army to infiltrate stan which would force the Pakistanis to nallah short of the ichhogil Canal and at of two Patton regiments and one motorised into Jammu and Kashmir. On the failure give up their venture in Kashmir and defend theh Pannuan however a counterattack by battalion 45 minutes away from Phillora, of Operation Gibraltar, Pakistan launched their own territories. the same evening a 11 infantry division of Pakistan forced the the main objective of 1 armoured divi- Operation Grand slam to capture akhnoor conference was held at army Headquarters division back to the Chima-assal Uttar area sion. 26 infantry division of the corps that and Jammu. the Prime Minister took an chaired by the COas and attended by Lt Gen- where it went into defence. had been tasked to contain sialkot success- enormous decision fraught by risk, to open eral Harbaksh singh, VrC, the Western army Pakistan 11 infantry division and parts fully established bridgeheads on two axes a second front in West Pakistan that Lt Gen- Commander, Lt General P.O. dunn, General of 1 armoured division launched a series to sialkot by the morning of september 8. eral Harbaksh singh later termed, “the big- Officer Commanding i Corps, Major General of attacks on 4 division and 9 Horse at two brigades of 6 Mountain division estab- gest decision by the smallest man!” the plan Rajindar singh ‘sparrow,’ MVC and staff offi- Chima-assal Uttar between september 8 lished bridgeheads for 1 armoured division of Xi Corps to secure the line of ichhogil cers and a provisional date for the offensive and 10. indian 2 independent armoured that broke out from one of them at Charwa Canal relying only on surprise and without was set for september 4/5, 1965. Brigade arrived in sector by the evening of at first light on september 8. Post monsoon establishing adequate firm bases was faulty, On september 3, 1965, the Prime Min- september 8 and 3 Cavalry equipped with the area was thick with sugarcane, paddy as was the staggered launch of i Corps later ister called a meeting with Y.B. Chavan, the Centurion Mk Vii tanks changed the bal- and maize fields and the soil was soft mak- on september 8 after strategic surprise was Minister of defence, General J.n. Chaudhuri ance of forces in favour of india. in a bril- ing the ‘going’ for tanks tricky. 16 Cavalry lost. With 4 Mountain division digging in and air Chief Marshal arjan singh and the liant offensive-defensive battle by 2 inde- advanced too rapidly and came to a meet- its heels at Chima-assal Uttar and 2 inde- following war objectives formulated: to defend pendent armoured Brigade, 9 Horse and ing engagement with two Patton squad- pendent armoured Brigade with 3 Cavalry against Pakistan’s attempts to grab Kashmir the pivot of 4 Mountain division defences rons and suffered casualties. 17 (Poona) and 9 Horse executing an armour offensive- by force and to make it abundantly clear that at Chima-assal Uttar, all attacks by Paki- Horse also contacted a squadron of Patton defensive battle, 97 tanks of Pakistani 1 Pakistan would never be allowed to wrest tanks. the brigade commander decided not armoured division were destroyed. the very Kashmir from india; to destroy the offen- to continue frontal attacks that day and the next day, on september 11, 1 armoured sive power of Pakistan’s armed forces and to The Western army division commander, taking over the battle, division won a classic armour battle of occupy only minimum Pakistani territory, felt reconnaissance was essential to make manoeuvre at Phillora that changed the necessary to achieve these purposes which commander’s plan for a plan to get to the flank of the enemy and centre of gravity of the whole campaign. would be vacated after a satisfactory conclu- a launch of the I corps destroy him. Having made a plan, the divi- With no credible armour threat to Xi Corps sion of the war. the indian navy was not to sion commander decided to keep no reserves Zone, the Western Command should have take part in the conflict and keep within the across ravi river into and attack with three Centurion regiments shifted maximum of armour into the sialkot 200 mile limit from the indian coast. the war simultaneously from a flank on septem- sector to secure a strategic victory there. objectives were a reaction to Pakistani offen- Pakistan was not accepted ber 11, to destroy the enemy and capture Considering the war objectives given sive in Chhamb sector, and were designed Phillora. although there were two sher- by the Prime Minister and despite lack of to force the Pakistan army to pull out forces and neither was he called man tank regiments also in the division, modern weaponry as compared to Paki- from that sector to meet indian threats else- they could not be employed in an offensive stan, Jammu and Kashmir remained secure where. the Pakistani offensive in Chhamb for a conference to army against Patton tanks. the attack on Phillora and many sensitive areas captured across sector was halted along fatwal Ridge on was launched on september 11. By 1130 the CfL, Pakistani offensive capability was september 5, both by narrowing of terrain Headquarters when the hours 11 Cavalry Patton tanks were deci- crushed, and minimum territory was cap- between the hills and Chenab River; and the chief of army Staff (coaS) mated; there followed a counter attack by tured. thus all war objectives were met. dogged defence by 28 infantry brigade. 10 Cavalry (Guides) Patton tanks and this india and its armed forces had risen to decided the objectives was severely mauled. By 1530 hours Phil- unprovoked aggression by Pakistan and Indian Army’s 11 Corps lora was captured and 51 Patton and M administered a defeat to Pakistani arms. SP Counteroffensive in Punjab for I corps. This created a 36B2 tanks had been destroyed. the myth the strategy in Xi Corps Zone was to advance of the superiority of Patton tanks had been The author took part in 1965 war as after last light from ambala, ferozepur and breach between the coaS shattered by the courage and professional- a troop leader of 9 Horse (The Deccan amritsar, on axes amritsar-dograi-Lahore ism of tank crews of 1 armoured division. Horse) in the Khem Karan Sector. He with 15 infantry division, Bhikkiwind-Barki- and the Western army Pakistan now realised that the strategic cen- with Amarinder Singh, the former Chief Lahore with 7 infantry division and Khem commander. tre of gravity had shifted to the northern Minister of Punjab, have written a book Karan-Kasur-Lahore with 4 Mountain divi- plains of Pakistan with the threat to sialkot. on 1965 war which is to be released on

www.spslandforces.com sion, secure the line of ichhogil Canal by last at this stage there was no credible threat to September 20, 2015.

4 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015 sPeCiaL Feature >> capture of Haji Pir – crowning Glory of 1965 War

The capture of Haji Pir by 1 Para (now Special Forces) during the 1965 Indo-Pak War was a great setback to Pakistan’s morale, particularly her army

PHoTogrAPH: InDIAn Army  Lt GeneraL P.C. KatoCh (retd) the left and right prongs were entrusted to 1 Para and 19 Punjab respectively. the entire HOUGH ManY HeROiC BattLes operation was planned in three phases with were fought by indian troops dur- H Hour as 2200 hours on august 24. in ing 1947-48 indo-Pak War hastily Phase 1, 19 Punjab was to capture Ring Con- inducted into Jammu & Kashmir, tour and Pathra by 0100 hours on august no other action by Pakistan hurt 25, while 1 Para was to capture sank Ridge Tindia so much strategically and economical- upto Ledwali Gali and sawan Pathri by 0500 ly than the capture of the Haji Pir. the fact hours on august 25. in Phase 2, 19 Punjab that Pakistan was able to hold on to 78,114 was to capture Bedori and Kuthnar di Gali sq km of the state of J&K with her sub- by 0600 hours on august 25, while securing conventional experiment set the course for the ring contours and capturing Haji Pir Pass future blueprint against india. in 1964 Chi- was to be undertaken by 4 Rajput by 1200 nese Premier Zhou enlai, visited Pakistan hours on august 25. Phase 3 required mop- and suggest to President ayub Khan that ping up of the area by 19 Punjab with under Pakistan should prepare for prolonged con- command one company of 4 Rajput. 4 sikh flict with india instead of short-term wars, Li and 6 Jak Rif were to provide troops for the and raise a militia force to act behind enemy fire bases for the operation and 6 Jak Rif was indian lines. in such backdrop, the capture also tasked to hold captured territory. of the Haji Pir by 1 PaRa (now 1 PaRa the time schedule for Op ‘Bakshi’ was (special forces)) during the 1965 indo-Pak delayed by 24 hours due to bad weather and War was great setback to Pakistan’s morale, relief of attacking troops. tasking 4 Rajput particularly her army. the Golden Jubilee of was changed to move behind 19 Punjab capture of Haji Pir was on august 28, 2015. along the right prong instead of the original plan to move behind 1 Para in the left prong. Strategic Importance of Haji Pir 1 Para under Lt Colonel Prabhjinder singh, Haji Pir Pass, at a height of 2,637 metres, is Haji Pir Pass was to attack along the left prong to capture located on the western fringe of the Pir Pan- three intermediate features namely sank (also jal Range, which divides the srinagar Val- Jammu and a group of valleys lying south Valley and tithwal sector. simultaneously, known as Point 9591), sar and Ledwali Gali, ley from Jammu region. through this Pass of the Pir Panjal Range and West of Chenab Point 13620 was captured in Kargil sector. while 19 Punjab was to advance along the a wide, metalled highway connected sri- River, the bridge being the lifeline of indian next was the capture of Haji Pir Pass. left flank and capture Bedori, the prominent nagar to Jammu via Uri-Ponch–Rajouri, over forces defending Ponch, Rajouri, Jhangar, feature east of Haji Pir Pass. Once the latter which bulk of passenger and trade traffic naushera and Chhamb-dewa. Battle of Haji Pir was taken, 4 Rajput was to pass through and used to ply to and fro. this road is of strategic Haji Pir Pass was dominated by three neigh- make for the final objective, of Haji Pir Pass importance as it connects Uri with Ponch but War Breaks Out bouring hill features; on the east by Bedori while 6 Jak Rif was to hold captured territory. since major portion of road is in Pakistan- Gibraltor force commenced infiltration in (3,760 m), on the West by sank (2,895 the operation commenced at 2150 hours on occupied Kashmir (PoK), it cannot be used. early august 1965 with five subdivisions metres) and Ledwali Gali (3,140 m) to the august 25 on schedule as per the new plan trained Pakistani militants have been sneak- tasked for specific areas; srinagar Valley; south-West. it was considered essential to preceded by shelling enemy positions. 1 Para ing into Kashmir Valley, Ponch and Rajouri Mendhar-Rajouri area; dras-Kargil area; seize these posts before proceeding to the launched the pre-dawn attack on sank Ridge districts through this avenue. One of the naushera-sundarbani and; Bandipura- Haji Pir Pass (2,673 m). Bedori was situ- with two company strength reaching the base most pressing operational objectives of the sonarwain. the salahuddin force for ated 14 km south-east of the CfL and Haji of sank but the approach to the ridge was very northern Command, if india were to enter Kashmir Valley had separate task forces Pir Pass 10 km south-west of Bedori. it was difficult and the heavy rains of the previous into a conventional battle with Pakistan, specifically tasked for Qazinag-naugam, apparent that capture of the Haji Pir Pass night had made it very slippery. the progress would be the strategic pass of Haji Pir which tithwal-tangdhar, Gurais and Kel-Mini- would necessitate large-scale pincer move- became very slow because of which the attack severes the Ponch-Uri route and can provide marg. each of these task forces was com- ment capturing these features without giv- got daylighted. sank stood on the enemy’s axis access to much of PoK. manded by Captain level officers of the ssG ing time to the enemy to regroup and bring of communications from Bagh to Bedori and or Pakistani army. Chhamb, naushera and reinforcements; one thrust along general was held by a Company of Rangers supported Pakistan’s Gibraltar Force and Op Rajouri were subjected to artillery fire to sup- axis Uri-Haji Pir Pass, in combination with by mortars. the enemy held fire till the lead- ‘Grand Slam’ port infiltration. On august 19, Pakistani second thrust from the south via the Ponch- ing troops reached within 45 metres of the History repeated itself in J&K in 1965 when guns moved close to the ceasefire line (CfL) Kahuta approach. it was appreciated that perimeter fencing and then opened up with all Pakistani regulars along with Lashkars and and began shelling indian positions near the link-up between these forces would cut his weapons. the battle continued close to the Mujahids again infiltrated into the state. tithwal, Uri and Ponch. india’s response was off all routes of approach into the crucial fenced trenches of the enemy till 0930 hours ayub Khan had created a climate of over- quick capturing areas up to Kishenganga area of the Haji Pir Bulge. the responsibility when the effort was called off. confidence that india could be dislodged from River in tithwal sector; Rishmar Ridge, Pir for the northern thrust along axis Uri-Haji the second attack by 1 Para was pressed J&K through guerrilla operations. Zulfikar ali sahiba feature, sunjoi feature, Ring Contour Pir Pass was given to 19 infantry division home at 2230 hours on august 26. ‘B’ Com- Bhutto, foreign Minister, assessed that once overlooking Mirpur bridge and then Point with 68 infantry Brigade under command pany led by Major (later Lt General) Ranjit trained Pakistani soldiers entered Kashmir, 9013 giving our troops complete domina- for this task, latter built up to five infantry singh dyal charged up the slopes of sank fol- people of the Valley would rise in revolt while tion of the Mirpur area right up to the bridge battalions; 1 Para, 19 Punjab, 4 Rajput, 6 lowed by ‘d’ Company, supported by artillery fear of China would prevent india from pro- at Jura on River Kishenganga cuting off the Jak Rif and 4 sikh Li. the Brigade had five fire. enemy troops rushed forward from their voking all out war. so the plan was drawn up routes for further infiltration into the Gurez artillery fire units. 68 infantry Brigade oper- trenches and opened fire with MMGs, LMGs for Operation ‘Gibraltar’. interestingly, ayub ation was codenamed Op ‘Bakshi’ after the and other small arms but effective fire from Khan while approving Op ‘Gibraltar’ wrote, name of the Brigade Commander, Brig (later the attackers forced the enemy to fall back to “as a general rule Hindu morale would not The task assigned to Lt General) Z.C. Bakshi. the southern thrust his trenches. By 0430 hours on august 27, stand more than a couple of blows delivered at Gibraltar force was warfare along axis Ponch-Kahuta approach was ‘B’ Company had reached within 450 metres the right time and place. such opportunities assigned to 25 infantry division with 93 of the enemy positions, where they formed up should, therefore, be sought and exploited.” in enemy’s rear with a view infantry Brigade to undertake the operation in front of the enemy positions at sank and the task assigned to Gibraltar force was under codename Op ‘faulad’. charged frontally. in a daring platoon attack, warfare in enemy’s rear with a view to cre- to create conditions of Brigadier Bakshi assessed enemy opposi- enemy MMGs and LMGs were silenced as clos- ate conditions of armed insurrection leading tion totalling some three-and-a-half battal- ing up troops showered enemy emplacements to liberation of Kashmir or at least parts of armed insurrection leading ions in well prepared defences having coor- with grenades and bullets. the enemy with- it. additionally, ayub wanted 12 division to dinated MMGs and LMGs. He decided on a drew to sar and Ledwali Gali features leav- capture akhnur under codename Op ‘Grand to liberation of Kashmir or two-pronged simultaneous attack; left prong ing 16 dead but managed to evacuate about slam’ because akhnur had a single Class 18 along Uri-sank-Ledwali Gali-Haji Pir Pass bridge on the fast flowing Chenab River which at least parts of it and right prong along Uri-Bedori-Kuthnar was the key to indian communications from di Gali-Kiran-Haji Pir Pass. the operations of Continued on page 11...

4/2015 SP’s Land ForceS 5 >> Modernisation equipping Infantry and SF Units – current Weaknesses For our policy planners, an essential basic that must be kept in mind is the level of sophistication that the terrorists and insurgents have achieved and likely to advance to in times to come

 Lt GeneraL P.C. KatoCh (retd) tion rifle was to weigh around 3.5 kg with small arms, even the PMf, CaPf (Bsf, CRPf, ment was held with the special Group of the advanced night-vision, holographic reflex itBP), sPG and even special units like force sff for past few years. surveillance, commu- ndia Has Been sUBJeCted to proxy sights, laser designators, detachable under- 1 and Greyhounds resorted to imports. an nications and night vision equipment though war for past three decades by Pakistan. barrel grenade launchers and the like. aK-47 with a night sight would be an ideal authorised can be improved both in quality China has actively supported not only the foot soldier generally is forgotten in assault rifle for the infantry but whether this and quantity. of Pakistan’s anti-india activities, but the race of big-ticket weapon systems; fighter would happen with the ‘improved insas’ Presently, equipping voids exist from actively supports insurgencies in our aircraft, helicopters, ships, tanks, missiles, under development by the dRdO past sev- the very basic to bigger operational require- Inorth east, as well as helps the Maoists. the artillery and the like. though the direct eral years is a question mark. ments. the basic rucksack provided officially foot soldier has been bearing the brunt of procurement of 65,000 new generation is as inferior as the basic web equipment that this sub-conventional conflict, countering assault rifles has been scrapped, it is not the Shock and Awe was supplied to the army with much fanfare. insurgencies and terrorism with infantry in first time that the infantry will be suffering Watching the infantry alighting from huge the material was so inferior and the stitch- the forefront. despite this, the modernization such setback. in 1980, 17 x 5.56mm assault vehicles during the recent terrorist attack ing thread so inferior that first time a soldier of the infantry has been grossly neglected. rifles from 11 countries were imported by in dinanagar, a veteran General Officer went through the obstacle course, it ripped that we have not even been able to give the Mod, aim being to equip 3 x parachute observed they did not create the feeling of open in places. special forces units are pres- the infantry soldiers with appropriate small commando battalions and 3 x parachute ‘shock and awe’. supposing one saw sol- ently using their own funds to buy good arms, protection against small arms fire, battalions (latter part of the Parachute Bri- diers alighting from few aPCs, it would quality rucksacks. similarly, no worthwhile night vision etc is indeed a matter of shame. gade), funds for which had been reserved in create a different impression altogether. rappelling gloves and rappelling ropes are the sixth army Plan. the army completed He observed that as a school-going child in officially supplied, both in quality and quan- Infantry comprehensive trials in 1980 in accordance Lahore in 1946, he saw three aPCs plying tity. a major void exists in the provision of for our policy planners, an essential basic with the trial directive issued by army Head- the road during violent riots and felt the a battlefield information system that would that must be kept in mind is the level of quarters. However, the case went into cold shock and awe. Post-independence, our enable multiple special forces detachments sophistication that the terrorists and insur- storage. it emerged that an anonymous let- infantry Battalions too on Modification ‘P’ operating wide spread over long distance gents have achieved and likely to advance ter was received by the then defence Minis- had tracked vehicles called Bren Carriers. and deep inside enemy territory communi- to in times to come. this aspect is obviously ter alleging $10,000 had been paid to place there is no denying the fact that centralised cating with a special operations command skipped, one example being that while infil- a particular rifle at the top.t hen, in 1985, Mechanised infantry is needed for operat- post at the parent battalion headquarters, trating Pakistani terrorists are equipped the Mod floated a query as to why the aK-74 ing with the armour. However, the bulk of Corps level fMCP and directly to the air force with GPs devices but in our case even spe- assault rifles had not been tried out.t he army infantry is foot bound, has no cross coun- for calling airstrikes including armed UaVs. cial forces units are deficient of GPs. a lack- replied that these 17 weapons were imported try mobility and shock and awe! this has existing equipment voids and shortages adaisical approach to equip the infantryman by Mod without reference to the army and adversely affected the operational function- the worst hit is the holding of tavor assault has a direct bearing on overall combat effi- the aK-74 in any case was of 5.45mm bore ing and above all tactical thinking of bulk Rifles and the ammunition as replacements ciency in coping with threats to our national whereas the entire indian army was planned of our officer corps. Given a few aPCs to are not forthcoming. so each special forces security, and in terms of avoidable loss of to be switched to 5.56 mm assault rifles. in infantry battalions in plains and in deserts unit has shortages of tavor assault rifles, lives. irregular forces having emerged with this war of red tape, the sixth army Plan can bring in a sea change in combat capa- made up with aK-47s in some case. But the greater strategic value over the past decade lapsed and so did the funds for the six battal- bility. infantry is the backbone of indian worst problem is severe shortages in supply plus, our infantry must be prepared to cope ions that were to be equipped. army and it must have integral cross coun- of training. due to ammunition for this rifle with expanding terrorism, asymmetric and so, seven years after the above trials try mobility as well as ‘shock and awe’ when which is entirely dependent on import and fourth generation wars simultaneous to of these imported rifles were completed in deployed in the plains. in the mountains, not even 50 per cent of the annual require- short, intense, high-tech wars. 1980, the parachute commando and para- the infantry can continue hitherto fore. ment is being met. there is also a total void for the foot soldier, the most impor- chute units went to sri Lanka under the against authorised quantities of hardware, tant object is his personal weapon. in this iPKf carrying the unwieldy 7.62 sLR rifles Miscellaneous major ones being: heavy machine guns; context, the quest of the indian army for to battle the Ltte armed with aK-47 assault the infantry also is woefully short of bul- underwater rifles; 60 mm mortars, dispos- a state-of-the-art assault rifle has been rifles.i t is later that the ia would import one let proof jackets, surveillance equipment able anti-tank rocket launchers; disposable long and continuing. the four-year hunt lakh aK-47 rifles (then costing only $300 for day and night, GPs, even updated maps flame throwers; satellite phones; airborne for a new generation assault rifle has got apiece) and give some 100 per infantry bat- and communication equipment. army’s saR systems; VHf repeaters; solar pan- extended as the global tender floated in talion in the iPKf. Meanwhile the abovemen- tactical Communication system, Battlefield els for charging; light strike vehicles; GP 2011 for new generation assault rifles with tioned 17 x 5.56 mm imported rifles were surveillance system and Battlefield Man- delivery system (GPads) 2-tonne category; interchangeable barrels for conventional handed over to the dRdO-OfB to develop an agement system are all years away without GPads 4-tonne category; underwater cam- warfare and counter-insurgency opera- indigenous version, and after 15 excruciat- which the infantryman cannot receive real eras; underwater driver propulsion vehicles; tions has been scrapped. Provision of a new ing years emerged the 5.56 insas which time / near real time information so neces- digital compasses; GPss; laser target desig- generation assault rifles for the 382 infan- was nowhere close to the top 10 assault sary in modern conflict situations. nators; video cameras for HX transmission; try battalions had been termed ‘Priority i’ rifles of the same category available globally. still cameras for HX transmission; night project to address the festering neglect of frankly, the dRdO-OfB should have gone in Special Forces scope with adapter; remote detonator trans- the infantry and the void of a state-of-the- for an aK-47 with a matching night sight, Planners need to understand that special mitters; remote detonator receivers, and; art assault rifle. foreign firms like Colt (Us), which with double strapped filled magazines forces equipping must be ‘packaged’. the radio controlled detonators. in addition, Beretta (italy), sig sauer (europe), Ceska gives enough firepower to the soldier. even concept of ‘packaged equipping’ simply major deficiencies exist in: assault rifles (Czech) and israel Weapon industries (iWi) today, soldiers guarding the frontline on implies that equipping cannot be piecemeal. with night sights; GPMG with night sights; had participated in the trials for the double- siachen Glacier keep a loaded aK-47 next to for example, if an assault squad is authorized aGL with night sights; 40mm UBGL; pistols; barrel rifles; 5.56 x 45mm primary barrel the personal issue insas because there is no ‘X’ weapons and ‘Y’ equipment, all of them atGM with ti; saM with night sight: car- for conventional warfare and 7.62 x 39mm guarantee that the latter would not jam at have to be provisioned together if the expected bines with night sight; tactical computers; secondary barrel for counter-terror opera- the critical fleeting moment. mission outcome and combat capability is to ground to air LUP; radio transmitter bea- tions. at the time of floating the tender in since we failed to indigenously produce be achieved. for example, hand-held laser cons; combat military free-fall parachutes 2011, much was said about why an assault a state-of-the-art assault rifle and other target designators have been authorized to and compatible oxygen equipment; high rifle with interchangeable barrels was being army’s special forces since last 10 years but resolution binoculars; passive night vision sought but this obviously was a conscience have not been provisioned yet. the army has binoculars; night vision binoculars with decision taken by the army, which had The basic rucksack also had the problem of re-supply / replace- communication and range finder; HHtis, approval of the Ministry of defence (Mod). ment of imported special equipment since and; passive night vision goggles. the plan was to go for direct acquisition of provided officially is concurrent action of ‘introducing’ the 65,000 of these new generation assault equipment into service has not been taking Conclusion rifles at an estimated cost of around `4,850 as inferior as the basic place. there is apparent lack of forethought there is much talk of establishment of spe- crore, to equip the 120 infantry battalions and standardisation of equipment as well, cial forces Command but have we looked at deployed on the western and eastern fronts. web equipment that was leave aside measures like centralised special the equipping of our special forces? in this the Ordnance factory Board (OfB) was equipment procurement for the military and age of sub-conventional and irregular war- to then subsequently manufacture over supplied to the army with similarly for the non-military special forces. fare, the foot soldier must not be neglected 1,13,000 such rifles after getting transfer the absence of corner shots with the nsG either. it has often been said that for the price of technology (tot) from the foreign vendor much fanfare employed during the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist of a mere squadron of tanks, the entire infan-

SP www.spslandforces.com or go for joint venture (JV). the new genera- attack was conspicuous although this equip- try can be armed to the teeth. Let us do it.

6 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015

>> teChnoLoGy drone Terrorism Today’s conflict situations are more and more at the sub-conventional level witnessing more and more employment of irregular forces, and consequent use of drones against such forces

PHoTogrAPH: US AIr ForCE  Lt GeneraL P.C. KatoCh (retd)

OW OLd aRe dROnes? that may be difficult to answer. But then epics like Ramayan mention the use of ‘Udan Khatolas’ and Ramayan was hardly a fairy tale Hwith ample ground proofs it was no fic- tion, to include undersea photos of the Ram setu. Whether these ‘Udan Khatolas’ were all powered or some were drones may be a matter of debate. as per records, the australians had attacked the italian city of Venice in 1849 with unmanned balloons loaded with explosives, launched from a ship. But the first pilotless aircraft were built during and shortly after World War i, some used as flying bombs. But coming to later times, the raid to liberate Mussolini during World War ii was conducted by the raiding force using gliders. that may be perhaps the first use of drones in actual combat.

Drones in Countering Terrorism today’s conflict situations are more and more at the sub-conventional level witness- ing more and more employment of irregular MQ-1 Predator in flight forces, and consequent use of drones against such forces. in 2014, 25 x Us drone strikes that someone could use them to carry out Japanese Prime Minister’s office, it is obvi- drones it may take years. so, while dGCa in Pakistan reportedly killed between 114 an air assault using chemical weapons and ous that a review would be underway. indicates that rules and regulations are and 183 individuals (including two civil- firearms. so, nYPd wants to develop tech- being formulated in this regard, we can ians and two children) while 44 to 67 were nology which will allow them to take con- Indian Scene expect a long gestation period. But the for- reported injured. interestingly in the decade trol of drones as well as scan the skies for as per media reports, india is the world’s top mulation of rules and regulations is one 2004-14, Wikipedia describes 357 x Obama them before major events, and stop poten- drone importer after UK and france; 22.5 part and promulgating them the real issue. strikes and 408 x total Us strikes since 2004 tial attacks. the spurt in nYPd’s concern per cent world’s UaVs were imported by india the problem is more complex if cam-copters killing between 2,410 and 3,902 individu- about drones has come about because: one, from 1985 to 2014. drones are being used in are used at night with iR cameras, detec- als (including 416 to 959 civilians and increase of drone incidents in new York City the country for shooting concerts and movies, tion being difficult in hours of darkness. a between 168 and 204 children) while injur- by 40 per cent in one year; two, in Germany filming private parties, by police organisations terrorist organisation could use drone (s) ing between 1,133 and 1,706 individuals. during 2014, a drone hovered over a crowd for surveillance and monitoring traffic, and by night to deliver chemical or radioactive this shows the intensity and effectiveness of of people when German Chancellor angela for surveillance and intelligence gathering by payloads. even by day, the problem can be use of drones in irregular conflict situations. Merkel was delivering a speech – the drone armed forces. Last year, media reported that viewed in backdrop of the weapons at Puru- But while Us bloggers have been talking of flying towards the podium and landed in an eatery in Mumbai had delivered food items lia which were discovered only after the air- use of drones to knock out terrorists within front of her, three, this summer, an nYPd to consumers using a drone. interestingly, drop had been executed, and drones come Us homeland, an american (Us development night patrol helicopter flying at an altitude while amazon has successfully conducted in all sizes. then, we have multiple manu- expert Warren Weinstein) and an italian aid of 800 feet above ground level was sud- test bed for delivery of items at the customer’s factures in india marketing drones, even as worker (Giovanni Lo Porto) hostage got acci- denly confronted by a drone and; four, most doorsteps, it cannot make it operational in the remote controlled toys for children, cam- dentally killed in January this year when a significantly the ambiguity in deducing the Us unless the regulations for use of drones copters for surveillance and private clubs Us drone attacked an al Qaeda compound in payload and intention of a flying drone.the are revamped and promulgated. in October indulging in drone flying adventure, like Pakistan where they were being held captive nYPd is presently consulting with the mili- 2014, the directorate General of Civil avia- elsewhere in the world. Monitoring such for past several years. this has sparked a lot tary and has members of its counterterror- tion (dGCa) had announced that till proper equipment in a populous country like ours of questions about drones being used in this ism, bomb squad, emergency services and rules and regulations are formulated, use of is a herculean task, and yet it must be done. type of conflict situations, especially when the aviation units working on a plan to counter drones in the country is “illegal”. But a mere it amounts to tracking the manufactured intelligence that underpinned the said drone weaponised drones. announcement may not be enough. Last equipment, its sale and locations by incor- strike was incomplete. But just as drones are in January this year, a drone crashed year, four individuals were caught filming the porating the population into reporting pos- being used for countering terror, these are on the White House grounds, raising ques- Ganga arti in Varanasi using drone cameras sible misuse; institutionalizing the ‘billion also available to the terrorists. for example, tions over how commercial and consumer without permission. they admitted they had eyes on ground’ concept in concert with the where israel is using drone strikes effectively drones can be used safely in the Us. But already done similar filming using cam-copter intelligence agencies. Compared to larger to eliminate radicals, Hamas too reportedly there were bigger concerns in Japan in april for a travel channel at allahabad, Varanasi, UaVs, small drones are much more difficult has access to iranian origin drones. 2015 when a drone with traces of radio- shimla, Manali and agra, and that the film- to detect as they need little space to take off. active material, a bottle with unspecified ing team included four foreigners. the cam- Over and above detection, would also be the Drones in Terrorism contents and mounted with a camera was copter at Varanasi was observed and so the problem of intercepting and bringing down during 2009, an attempt was made to found on the roof of Prime Minister shinzo persons could be apprehended, but at other a terror drone including the method of deliver drugs to prisoners using a drone in abe’s office int okyo on april 22. the 50-cm places such filming was unhindered. bringing down without activation its lethal a UK prison guarded by a 50 feet high elec- diameter drone was decorated with a symbol during Republic day Parade of 2015 load. Hamas has been known to be using tric fence. in 2011, Rezwan ferdaus, an that warned of radioactive material. Japan’s where President Barak Obama was to be the armed drones. al Qaeda affiliate, planned to launch an Chief Cabinet secretary, Yoshihide suga, Chief Guest, intelligence agencies had warned attack on the Pentagon and Capitol build- said the incident was a wake up call to the that terrorists may attempt drone strikes, even Conclusion ings using a remote-controlled drone laden potential dangers of drones including pos- using a glider. More rently post the drone india has been subjected to terrorism for with explosives but the plot was intercepted sible terror attacks. it may be recalled that landing atop ofiice of Prime Minister abe, almost three decades now. Global radical by the fBi. in 2012, criminals piloted a during 1995, post the sarin gas bombing delhi Police was alerted by intelligence agen- organisations like al Qaeda are focusing $600 remote-controlled quad-copter over a of tokyo subway it was found that the aum cies of possibility of terrorist organisations towards south asia. We also have both Brazilian prison to deliver cell phones to the shinrikyo cult responsible for the attack planning a similar action in the capital; intelli- Pakistan and China engaged in proxy and prisoners. for the past one year, the new had two remote controlled helicopters that gence inputs that groups like Let and Jaish-e- irregular warfare against us. india being York Police department (nYPd) had been had luckily crashed during trials. the cult Mohammed (JeM) have been planning drone an open democracy with the second largest increasingly concerned about a potential otherwise had enough sarin gas to kill one attacks. interestingly, the ndRf used drones population in the world is more susceptible terror attack from the air by a drone armed million people. significantly, Japanese avia- during the recent earthquake relief in nepal. to mischief by our adversaries. terrorists, with a deadly weapon. But now nYPd has tion laws have no restrictions for unmanned especially the state sponsored ones, are openly expressed concern that drones could drones flying at or below 250 metres above The Issue looking at new methods assisted by technol- become tools for terrorists as potential weap- ground except along flight routes. But now it is reported that for the Us to come out ogy to strike us. We need to focus on drone

SP www.spslandforces.com ons; technology having advanced enough with a drone landing on the rooftop of the with comprehensive regulations for use of terrorism, which is already a reality.

8 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015 MiLitary strateGy >> china’s White Paper on national Military Strategy At the global level China is concerned about the US which is carrying on its ‘rebalancing’ strategy and is enhancing its military presence and its military alliances in this region

 Lt GeneraL v.K. KaPoor (retd) equipment, outer space and cyber space of mobile operations and multi-dimen- military theories commensurate with the issues and the importance of information sional offense and defence, the PLa army requirement of winning future wars. He Rise Of CHina as an eco- technology in future wars and therefore (PLaa) is looking at trans-theater mobil- nomic superpower and its eco- refers to the restructuring of military forces ity. it will focus on building small, multi- Preparedness/Readiness for War nomic superiority over the West and the transformation required. functional and modular units, and will in keeping with the complex strategic has impacted upon the world in China has spelt out its national aim of adapt itself to tasks in different regions, requirement China’s armed forces are look- different ways. the whole world a moderately prosperous society by 2021 develop the capacity for different types of ing at innovative ways of preparing for and Tis wondering how China will leverage its and a modern socialist country that is warfare including joint operations. achieving readiness for future wars which it economic and political power in the future prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally l PLa navy (PLan) is shifting its focus calls PMs in both traditional (conventional) and this will be indeed one of the most advanced and harmonious by 2049 when from ‘offshore waters defence’ to the warfare and new in security domains (new important factors in determining the secu- the People’s Republic of China (PRC) marks combination of ‘offshore waters defense’ challenges such as terrorism, space and rity dynamics of asia in the 21st century. it its centenary. with ‘open seas protection,’ and build a cyber). Keeping these threats and chal- is in this context that the China’s first White combined, multi-functional and effi- lenges in mind, it is adapting itself to the Paper on national Military strategy in May Tasks for Armed Forces cient marine combat force structure. it upgrading of weapons and equipment as 2015 is relevant and vital for a broader towards the fulfilment of the aims given is looking at enhancing its capabilities well as changes in organisational structures understanding of their aims and aspira- above it sees the following strategic tasks for for strategic deterrence and counterat- and doctrines. tions, and the thrust and direction of their the armed forces: tack, maritime manoeuvres, joint opera- military modernisation. l to deal with a wide range of emergen- tions at sea, comprehensive defence and India’s Position cies and military threats, and effectively comprehensive support, thus acquiring While the stated position of China is of China’s Destiny safeguard the sovereignty and security blue water capability. peaceful development but many countries some western observers seem to suggest that of China’s territorial land, air and sea. l the PLa air force (PLaaf) is shift- are not prepared to accept this stated posi- the paper reflects a new Chinese aggressive- l to resolutely safeguard the unification ing focus from territorial air defence to tion. india is facing China’s increasing ness, especially in connection with tensions of the motherland. both defence and offense, and build an claims on its territory in which they now in the south China sea. a detailed perusal, l to safeguard China’s security and inter- aerospace force structure that can meet claim the entire indian state of arunachal however, suggests that the document is not ests in new domains. the requirements of informationised Pradesh as a part of southern tibet. While a response to current events, but rather it is a l to safeguard the security of China’s operations. China has resolved its boundary disputes strategic plan which defines their future thrust overseas interests. l the PLa second artillery force (PLa- (less maritime boundaries) with almost all areas for acquiring new military capabilities. l to maintain strategic deterrence and saf) will strengthen its capabilities for its neighbours, there is little progress in the a close reading of the paper reveals many carry out nuclear counterattack. strategic deterrence and nuclear coun- case of india, despite the upgradation of remarkable aspects. some of these aspects are l to participate in regional and interna- terattack, and medium- and long-range boundary talks to the political level. a dis- explained in the succeeding paragraphs. tional security cooperation and main- precision strikes. tinct hardening of the Chinese position and China readily accepts that its destiny is tain regional and world peace. l the Peoples armed Police force (PaPf) aggressiveness on the borders with india is tied to the destiny of the whole world. this is l to strengthen efforts in operations will enhance its capabilities for perform- discernible. in this context, the rapid inte- obvious because its economy depends upon against infiltration, separatism and ter- ing diversified tasks centering on guard gration of tibet with the mainland, and the markets all over the world moreover its rorism so as to maintain China’s politi- duty and contingency response in infor- upgrading of strategic infrastructure in the inordinately high requirement of oil and cal security and social stability. mationised conditions. region are a cause of concern. gas is also dependent upon the energy rich l to perform such tasks as emergency res- Maritime Force: it is emphasising on the in China, the current regime’s stability, nations of the world which requires a strong cue and disaster relief, rights and inter- need to develop a modern maritime mili- focused leadership, and sustained economic healthy political relationship with all con- ests protection, guard duties, and sup- tary force structure commensurate with its growth and a double digit growth in their cerned. Hence China feels that a prosperous and port for national economic and social national security and development interests defence budgets for the past two decades so stable world would provide China with opportu- development. including overseas interests, thus it attempt- far gives positive indicators for their military nities, while China’s peaceful development also ing to building itself into a maritime power. modernisation and leads us to believe that offers an opportunity for the whole world. Strategic Thought Outer Space: it is also keeping itself they will achieve what they have set out in at the global level China is concerned as far as its strategic thought is concerned, abreast of the dynamics of outer space, deal their White Paper. However, imponderables about the Us which is carrying on its ‘rebal- it continues to advocate the strategic con- with security threats and challenges in that like social and economic imbalances within ancing’ strategy and is enhancing its mili- cept of active defence which it states is domain, and secure its space assets to serve China, responses of global powers and play- tary presence and its military alliances in this the essence of the CPC’s military strate- its national economic and social develop- ers like Us, Japan, eU and others and Chi- region. it is also wary of Japan which is now gic thought. it explains that from the long ment, and maintain outer space security. na’s armed forces ability to absorb state-of- overhauling its military structure and poli- experience of the revolutionary wars the Cyber: it is expediting the development the-art technology will dictate the level of cies. it is critical of the countries which have people’s armed forces have developed a of a cyber force, and enhances its capa- success of such modernisation in future. maritime claims in south China sea. it con- complete set of strategic concepts of active bilities of cyberspace situation awareness, PRC is dependent on latest acquisitions tinues its claims on the reunification oft ai- defence, which essentially are: adherence to cyber defence to support the country’s mainly from Russia and israel and these wan and what it calls as national rejuvenation. the unity of strategic defence and operational endeavours in cyberspace. account for approximately 60 to 70 per cent at the regional level its possessive atti- and tactical offense; adherence to the principles Nuclear Force Structure: it is optimis- of modern weaponary as against 30 per cent tude and aggressiveness about the south of defence, self-defence and post-emptive strike; ing its nuclear force structure, improving indigenous production. in next two decades China sea is obvious from the statement: and adherence to the stance that “We will not strategic early warning, command and PRC would like to reverse this trend. China’s Some external countries are also busy meddling attack unless we are attacked, but we will surely control, missile penetration, rapid reac- continued dependence on foreign military in South China Sea affairs; a tiny few maintain counterattack if attacked.” tion, and survivability and protection, with technology does not provide the assurance constant close-in air and sea surveillance and in 2004, the strategic guideline for active a view to deterring other countries from that the PLa will be able to threaten the reconnaissance against China. defence enumerated in 1993 was modi- using or threatening to use nuclear weap- global or even asia-Pacific balance of power fied. PMs which means making preparation ons against China. in the next two decades or so. However the Security Challenges for military struggle was modified in 2004 Logistic System: it is also attempting to hardware that China is buying, or seeking China feels that with the growth of its to winning local wars under conditions of build a logistics system that can provide sup- to buy, allows us to discern potential capa- national security it is more vulnerable to informationisation (their term for this era of port for fighting and winning modern wars, bilities that cannot be ignored. international and regional turmoil, terrorism, information technology). China also seems serve the modernisation of the armed forces, While we can debate regarding the piracy, serious natural disasters and epidemics, to have accepted that the future wars will and transform towards informationisation. extent of China’s military capabilities in the and the security of overseas interests concern- demand use of integrated combat forces to Training: as far as training is concerned future, india’s capabilities are indeed at its ing energy and resources, strategic sea lines of prevail in system-versus-system operations China wants to improve institutional educa- lowest level currently. in every service and communication (SLOCs), as well as institu- featuring information dominance, precision tion, unit training and military professional indeed in every department/ arm of every tions, personnel and assets abroad, has become strikes and joint operations. education, so as to pool more talented people service there are glaring voids. Moreover an imminent issue. and cultivate more personnel who can meet most of the equipment held especially in the White Paper focuses on the new Capabilities that China Wants to Acquire the demands of informationised warfare. the army has seen better days. Our political revolution in military technology (RMa) the capabilities that it wants to acquire ser- Advanced Military Theories: it is also and bureaucratic leadership have failed to involving long-range, precise, smart, vice wise are given below: focusing on developing theories so as to equip our forces to meet the future threats stealthy and unmanned weapons and l in keeping with the strategic requirement bring into place a system of advanced and challenges. SP

4/2015 SP’s Land ForceS 9 >> show Preview dSeI 2015 – continued Focus on air, Land, naval and Security DSEI is acknowledged internationally as the market leading exhibition for land, sea and air applications of defence and security products, technology and services

PHoTogrAPHS: rHEInmETALL, BAE SySTEmS  r. ChandraKanth increased importance for dsei. a record number of first time exhibitors are included He WORLd’s LeadinG defenCe among an impressive list of companies and security exhibition – dsei showcasing their latest equipment and (defence and security equipment technology alongside a range of prime con- international) 2015 gets under- tractors. a particularly important topic will way from september 15 to 18 at be Cyber security, reflected in the security TexCel, London. it is the largest integrated & special forces theatre and Cyber Zone. defence and security exhibition, focusing this will include the latest on cyber defence on key sectors such as air, land, naval and strategies, the most recent types of attack security. it is acknowledged internationally and future threats, and recovering from as the market leading exhibition for land, cyber attacks. the zone itself will contain sea and air applications of defence and an array of innovative and ground-break- security products, technology and services. ing companies, including Raytheon; Palo Organised by Clarion events, dsei 2015 alto networks; smiths detection; Ceia; is expected to attract over 32,000 visitors, international armored Group; Bergans; including 150 programmed delegations H Henriksen Rebs and others. the special from over 60 countries, and over 2,800 forces seminar programme will have key- global ViPs. according to the organisers, note address by General sir Richard Bar- dsei is set to break records in the number rons, Commander, Joint forces Command. of exhibitors going to over 1,500 from a lit- tle over 50 countries. the United Kingdom Medical Innovation Zone armed forces is backing the show and all dsei’s medical component will provide pre- the four Ministry of defence (MOd) service sentations, capability demonstrations and Chiefs of staff are attending and will give debates that focus on the advances in clini- keynote speeches in the exhibition floor the- cal care from the point of injury or illness atres: admiral sir George Zambellas, first through the entire treatment to rehabili- sea Lord and Chief of the naval staff of the tation. there will be a forum for network- Royal navy; General sir nicholas Carter, ing and debating with international medi- Chief of the General staff, British army; air cal leaders and industry experts who have Chief Marshal sir andrew Pulford, Chief developed advances in the field.t he defence of the air staff, Royal air force and Gen- Medical services (dMs) will host a twice-daily eral sir Richard Barrons, Commander Joint demonstration programme on patient care forces Command, will speak on days that from the point of injury or illness through the are themed for their individual services. entire treatment pathway to rehabilitation. dsei will host around 300 seminar ses- sions and keynotes across seven theatres and Unmanned Zone four strategic conferences facilitating knowl- the unmanned zone has taken on greater edge sharing and networking around key top- importance as unmanned systems play an ics and technical areas. dsei’s seminars will ever-increasing role in contemporary mili- address the challenges, developments and tary strategy. Presentations will explore the future of the defence and security sectors’ latest capabilities, technologies and innova- ever-changing landscape providing the global tions, and there will be demonstrations of platform of choice for key government figures (Top) Rheinmetall’s Gladius Soldier System; (Above) Q-Warrior see-through display from BAE Systems ground-breaking unmanned systems taking and influential policymakers within the sec- place outside across the week. exhibitors con- tor. the seven theatres are: air, naval, Land, firmed in the unmanned zone include insitu; security and special forces, Medical innova- tions from major vehicle manufacturers. the air seminar programme will include a elbit systems’; Rafael; Uvision; sagem; Prox tion, Unmanned and Global Partnerships. an exciting new feature for 2015 is the keynote address by air Chief Marshal sir dynamics; dOK-inG and many others. future soldier showcase, where exhibitors andrew Pulford. Six Themed Zones will present state-of-the-art current and Riding on 2013 Success at dsei 2015, six themed zones will make future capabilities and solutions. it will be Naval Zone the 2013 event was a highly successful it easier for visitors to meet exhibiting com- an opportunity to discuss new technologies, dsei’s maritime element will include a event in the backdrop of the global economic panies and view their associated products, trends in combat clothing, tactical require- record number of visiting ships showcas- gloom and recession. from its previous edi- either on their stand, in a static display or ments for national soldier systems and other ing a greater range of capabilities than ever tion it posted growth ranging from 13 to 30 in a realistic demonstration scenario. focus key issues. about 700 confirmed exhibi- before. there will be specially conducted per cent on various counts. according to the areas include, but are not limited to: air tors will showcase Land capabilities includ- tours allowing key industry representa- show organisers, over 30,000 people from Zone; Land Zone; Medical innovation Zone; ing General dynamics; Rheinmetall; selex; tives to view the latest developments and 120 countries visited the show. this included naval Zone, to include water-borne demon- iveco; nexter; Patria and a host of others. in equipment in its natural environment. the 97 delegations. the number of exhibitors strations; security & special forces Zone; and the land seminar programme, there is a key- water-borne demonstration programme stood at 1,500 from 55 countries. inter- the Unmanned Zone. note address by General sir nicholas Carter. will include high-speed craft for tackling estingly, this edition also saw participation each zone will have a dedicated theatre piracy and terrorist threats, unmanned of dsei virgins like the Republic of south area where visitors can attend free educa- Air Zone underwater vehicles, and more. the naval Korea, which not only had a stand but had tional sessions that are designed to show- dsei 2015’s enlarged air zone will bring theatre remains the main meeting point for brought along two warships for static dis- case the latest technologies. Visitors to the together ViP delegations, procurement knowledge-sharing and networking directly play on the dockyard. india, which is a major exhibition can listen to panel and individual teams, and the Raf with the world’s leading on the exhibition floor. Confirmed maritime arms importer had its presence, led by the discussions on a wide range of subjects defence aerospace manufacturers. an out- exhibitors include Bae systems; thales; defence and Research Organisation (dRdO), including: best practices and innovations door display area will provide the aerospace dsMe; Babcock; thyssenKrupp; Kongsberg which had a huge stand. sharing the space within the medical field; future maritime and rotorcraft industry with an ideal forum and more. the naval seminar programme were public sector undertakings (PsUs) like mine warfare and anti-piracy; synergies in which to showcase their latest innova- will have a keynote address by admiral sir the Hindustan aeronautics Ltd, Mazagon and lessons learned between defence and tions to current and prospective customers, George Zambellas, first sea Lord and Chief dock Ltd (MdL), Bharat dynamics, Garden the civilian arena reflecting the increased with the variety of aircraft on display likely of the naval staff, Royal nav y. Reach shipbuilders and engineers Limited cooperation and partnership between large to surpass the 2013 edition. Confirmed and Mishra dhatu nigam and others. this security companies and defence primes. exhibitors showcasing aerospace capabili- Security and Special Forces Zone year too, indian presence is strong and keen ties include airbus defence and space; Boe- amid global uncertainty, the security and on looking at partnerships or joint ventures Land Zone ing; northrop Grumman; Lockheed Mar- special forces zone has more than doubled to propel the Prime Minister narendra Modi’s

SP www.spslandforces.com in the land zone there will be demonstra- tin; finmeccanica; Rolls Royce; tai; denel. in size compared to 2013, underlining its ‘Make in india’ initiative.

10 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015 PoLiCy / sPeCiaL Feature >> one rank one Pension Imbroglio

 Lt GeneraL v.K. KaPoor (retd) The OROP Sanctioned by the and acceptance/non acceptance by veter- mitted in 30 days and should be imple- Government ans is as under: mented in next 15 days. this also needs ne RanK One PensiOn the government on its part has fulfilled one l Veterans are happy that at last OROP to be resolved. (OROP) dates back to about of its major election promises in the run up has been accepted in principle after a l While OROP would be applicable for the four decades ago when in the to the Lok sabha elections of the BJP. the struggle lasting more than four decades disabled and war widows, those opting year 1973 in the third Pay defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on sep- and they have thanked the Prime Minis- for voluntary retirement and not com- Commission the soldier who tember 5, 2015, announced the implementa- ter and the defence Minister for this. plementing full service will be out of its owas in receipt of 70 per cent of his pay as tion of the long delayed One Rank One Pen- l the base year for OROP will be 2013- ambit. this has raised a new point of pension on attaining the service laid down sion for ex-servicemen. 14. all veterans will be upgraded in their disagreement between the veterans and as eligibility for pension was subjected to explaining the details on the cost of pension as on March 31, 2014, to their the government. Parrikar has said that new pay commission recommendations in OROP to the exchequer, Parrikar on sep- respective ranks. this has been accepted. the government would give details on which his pension was brought down to tember 5, stated that it would cost between l the point not accepted is that ex-service- the voluntary retirement in the govern- 50 per cent of the last pay drawn when the `8,000-10,000 crore at present which would men were to be granted top of the scale ment order. this matter has also been civilian employees who were only eligible increase in future. the expenditure on arrears of pension on March 31, 2014 in respec- discussed with the veterans and it seems for 33 per cent of the last pay drawn were alone would be `12,000 crore. Currently the tive ranks, while government is saying it that those who proceed on premature taken up to 50 per cent. this differential pension bill of the defence ministry stands at will be average of the max-min pension retirement and are in receipt of pension was kept earlier because the soldier retired `54,000 crore. there are about 2.45 million on that date. this has not been accepted will continue to be in the ambit of OROP. at an early age, at about 34 to 37 years of veterans and six lakh war widows who stand by the veterans and needs resolution. age as compared to their civilian counter- to benefit from the scheme. l the interval at which pension will be Further Action Envisaged by the parts. even the officers retired earlier based the aim of this announcement was osten- equalised has also not yet been resolved. Ex-Servicemen on their ranks. the soldier did not resent sibly to end the strike by veterans demanding the government had stated that it would further action envisaged by the ex service- the others getting an increase but he was OROP which had been hanging fire for nearly be done after every five years while the vet- men is as under: appalled at this biased decision which inci- three months. However while thanking the erans had accepted a two-year period. Vet- l fast unto death has been called off with dentally was taken after the 1971 War government on its decision to sanction the erans have agreed for this to be resolved immediate effect. the persons on fast when the indian armed forces had soundly OROP, the protesting veterans have rejected through a Committee but they have not unto death have very kindly agreed to defeated the Pakistan army, cut that coun- the ‘unilateral’ announcement as it ‘dilutes’ accepted the “One Man Committee” it. However the Relay Hunger strike try to half its size, and liberated a new several core issues from the accepted defini- announced by the government. Veterans shall continue at Jantar Mantar and all nation called Bangladesh. tion. Parrikar, who has earned the respect want a five member committee which other stations in india and will be called the soldiery (all ranks) is convinced that of the veterans for the manner in which he should have three ex-servicemen, one off only after all the pending issues are this deceit was especially foisted on the mili- has handled the issue of OROP, met the rep- member from the services HQ (a serving resolved by the Government. tary by the bureaucracy (ias officers) who resentatives of ex-servicemen later in the day, officer) and one to be nominated by the l as per the united ex-servicemen asso- has always been against the military estab- on september 5-and some understanding it defence Minister. they want the Commit- ciations, mass ex-servicemen rallies will lishment. Veterans feel that till the govern- seems has been reached. tee to be directly under the defence Minis- be held all over india on 12 sep 2015, ment letter clarifying all issues regarding ter. this issue is yet to be resolved. and as per current indications the num- the OROP is out in the public domain there Points of Difference l Government wants to give six months to ber of cities is likely to be 80. the Relay is a likelihood of dishonesty and trickery on the overall situation of the OROP announce- the Committee to give the report. Veter- Hunger strike will also continue till all part of the bureaucracy of Mod. ment made september 5 by the Government ans want that the report should be sub- issues have been mutually resolved. SP capture of Haji Pir continued from page 5

100 wounded. 1 PaRa soon captured sar and was surprised but opened up with MMG from advanced upon Ledwali Gali where the enemy the Western shoulder of the Pass and with made the last stand to facilitate withdrawal of LMG and rifle fire from the Pass itself. Major his troops from surrounding areas by 1100 dyal ordered two platoons to climb up the hours. ‘B’ Company meanwhile had secured spur, assault the enemy from the western side sawan Pathri and agiwas by 1400 hours in of the Pass and then roll down to the Pass. face of minor opposition. ‘C’ Company which the enemy could not withstand this daylight had in the meantime reached sank was daring attack and withdrew in confusion to ordered to clear area south of sank including a feature to the west of the Pass. By 1000 Point 10033, which it successfully did by last hours on august 28 the formidable Pass fell light. 1 PaRa had thus captured the objec- to the column and Major dyal radioed back tives allotted to it by 68 Mountain Brigade. capture of Haji Pir Pass. this remarkable the progress along the right prong (Uri- achievement was possible because of excel- Bedori-Kuthnar di Gali-Kiran-Haji Pir Pass) lent leadership, the element of surprise and had not kept pace with the left prong, so, CO ability of the Battalion to quickly regroup 1 PaRa requested the Brigade Commander and continue attacking. enemy did regroup that his battalion be permitted to go for Haji and launched several counter-attacks but Pir Pass. With right flank of the Pass still not 1 Para pressed on and captured more areas secured, the only chance of success to capture including nR 1092 and Point 8786. eventu- Haji Pir Pass lay in a frontal attack through a ally, 19 Punjab linked up on september 1. re-entrant that ran north of it. the risk was that the advance would be under observation Aftermath of the enemy but Brigadier Bakshi gave the the capture of the Haji Pir Pass restored green signal to 1 Para. a company column the Uri-Ponch road link and the strategic was quickly formed under Major Ranjit singh Jammu-Rajouri-srinagar road, which had dyal and tasked to capture the Haji Pir Pass. been in disuse since 1947, became func- the final approach involved a climb of over tional again. Unfortunately, under the Rus- 1,220 metres by night. the force starting sian brokered tashkent accord signed on from Ledwali Gali was to infiltrate through January 16, 1966, indian and Pakistani Hyderabad nullah on night august 27/28 forces withdrew to their respective positions and capture Ring Contours 1194 and 1094 as prior to august 5, 1965 and the Haji Pir to proceed further. Pass was returned to Pakistan. Prime Minis- descending into Hyderabad nullah at ter Lal Bahadur shastri signed the accord in 1530 hours the column came under direct good faith. He was scheduled to meet ayub enemy fire but silenced it with quick physi- Khan next day to extract latter’s promise cal platoon action. the troops had been in never to use force again, but he tragically continuous operations for over two days and passed away during the night, media hint- further move was in heavy rain and under ing possible conspiracy at international artillery shelling. By 1900 hours it was com- level. the hero of capture of Haji Pir, Lt pletely dark and Major dyal decided to climb General Ranjit singh dyal awarded Maha directly to the Pass, capturing 10 personnel Vir Chakra in 1965, said in an interview of azad Kashmir militia with weapons along during 2002, “the Pass would have given the way. at 0430 hours, the company hit the india a definite strategic advantage….it was old Uri-Ponch Road and reached 700 metres a mistake to hand it back….our people don’t short of the Pass at 0900 hours. the enemy read maps.” SP

4/2015 SP’s Land ForceS 11 >> MarKetinG Feature orders portfolio of rosoboronexport for the land forces weapon systems and military equipment exceeds $12 billion

At the International Exhibition of Arms, military Equipment and Ammunition RAE-2015 (September 9-12, nizhny Tagil, russia) russian weaponry special exporter rosoboronexport, which belongs to the State Corporation rostec, demonstrated latest russian weapon systems to the delegations from more than 20 countries.

He PORtfOLiO Of ORdeRs for the Russian weapon systems and military equipment of land forces exceeds $12 billion. for the 15 years since Rosoboronexport was Testablished export turnover in this area has increased tenfold. We steadily compete with the leading manufacturers in the key segments, and can offer integrated, compre- hensive solutions for the modernization of weapons and military hardware, as well as equipping the customers’ land forces based on a thorough analysis of the needs of our partners in the field of national security” – deputy director General of Rosoboronex- port Igor Sevastyanov, heading the com- pany’s delegation at the exhibition, said. during the static display and in the course of a large-scale demonstration program of the exhibition in nizhny tagil most of Russian export weapon systems and military equip- ment of the Land forces were demonstrated. all in all, in this segment Rosoboronexport is promoting more than 700 units of military products in the international market. together with manufacturers Rosobo- ronexport hold presentations and provide technical advice on a variety of weapons and equipment – the T-90MS tank, Tiger- M modernized armored car, Kornet-EM anti-tank missile system, T-72 upgraded tank, BMP-3 upgraded infantry fighting vehicle, BMPT-72 armored fighting vehicle, TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, a new 155-mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzer 155-mm MSTA-S self-propelled howitzer, Sprut-SDM light amphibious tank, the 1I37E check and test vehicle. “We are closely looking at the trends in the international arms market, compre- hensively analyze the needs and demands of our partners, the nature of modern con- flicts. so we have a clear vision of what our customers need today and will demand in the future. this serves us to make guidelines and recommendations for the developers and manufacturers. some of the latest mod- els of the land forces military equipment were developed upon the initiative of Roso- boronexport and with a participation of our experts,”– Igor Sevastyanov said. in particular, the exhibition unveiled the new modernization project of light armored vehicles by the example of the BTR-80 armored personnel carrier (in cooperation with the 81 armor Repair Plant “81 BtRZ” and CRi “Burevestnik”) and the 57-mm AU-220M automatic weapon (in coopera- tion with CRi “Burevestnik”). thus, a unified set of technical solutions for equipping light armored vehicles (BTR- 60/70/80, BMP-1, BRDM-2), which was implemented in the BTR-80 showcase model, can significantly increase firepower (new Sprut-SDM light amphibious tank remotely operated weapon station), protec- tion and survivability (additional protection demonstrated at the BMP-3 infantry foreign production. High performance to the modernization and maintenance of elements of the external structure and crew combat vehicle. this option to upgrade characteristics of the AU-220M allow previously supplied land forces equipment compartment), as well ergonomic, perfor- the military equipment is proposed by for combating a wide range of armored of the Russian and soviet production. Our mance, and controllability thanks to the Rosoboronexport to the countries, which vehicles and air targets on the battlefield. solutions are very effective and economi- advanced digital communications, satellite already have in service these Russian equipping the vehicles with this weap- cally viable. for many countries this is a real navigation, surveillance, and air conditioning. vehicles. the new weapon system can be onry can greatly increase firepower of the opportunity to significantly improve the at the exhibition, the 57-mm AU- installed on other armored vehicles and motorized and infantry units. combat capability of their armed forces” –

SP www.spslandforces.com 220M automatic weapon system was naval equipment of both Russian and “Rosoboronexport pays great attention igor sevastyanov said.

12 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015 MarKetinG Feature >> odU offers ruggedized connector Solutions for Military and Security Market

dU, a WORLdWide high density signal configurations system that allows for an easy-wipe flat recep- LeadeR in designing and and tailored versions for power tacle surface. this plug’s contacts can be eas- manufacturing high per- (up to 15a) and data transfer ily and quickly cleaned even in the harshest formance connector solu- (U(UssB 3.0 with 5a power) in environments. the connector solution ben- tions and cable assemblies, a very compact package. efits of a Break-away function, watertight – ooffers its range of advanced ruggedized the compact and light- protection class iP 68 and iP 69, 3 sizes, 7-19 circular miniature connector solu- weight complete con- positions, mechanical and color keying. tions designed especially for military nector solution offers the OdU aMC® system solutions include and security market. OdU aMC® is an high performance also protective caps that ensure fast and advanced and highly reliable connec- data trans¬mission, trouble-free handling of the connectors and tor solution with ‘Push-Pull’ locking or high reliability and of the overall system and also integrated ‘Break-away’ function for the next-gen- easy handling. cable assembly solutions and overmolding. eration soldier communication systems. ODU AMC® Push-Pull: OdU offers also options for “hot plugging” this extremely robust metal circular the design enables the or hybrid insert configurations. connector series is designed for a large num- mating and unmating of OdU provides the full suite of comple- ber of soldier modernization applications the connector with minimal mentary products and services including such as: group voice and data radio, navi- force. Beside the quick and simple innovative options for cable assembly as gation module, soldier control unit, rug- ture mating and unmating option, the well as receptacles with star flex termina- ged computers and handheld devices, GPs connec- connector solution offers an incredibly tion, overmolding and turn-key system solu- antennas, military night vision devices, tor designed rugged housing with non-reflective surface, tions. the shells are keyed and color-coded to unmanned systems and land vehicles. for harsh environ- mechanical and color keying, 5,000 mating ensure reliable and simple handling. Product Rugged, watertight and easy to clean, ment applications. it is used cycles durability , high-speed data technol- features include lightweight, compact and these lightweight, non-reflective connector extensively in soldier communications and ogy, watertight - protection class iP 68 and easy to use (blind mating is also available), systems have excellent eMi shielding within future soldier systems that require sig- iP 69 and versatile configurations: signal, watertight protection class iP 68, 5000 a compact housing. individual contact con- nificant weight and space reduction such power, high/low voltage transfer and coax mating cycles durability, maximum safety, figurations are available in one integrated as: field radios, portable computers, night possible within one connector. rugged & non-reflective surfaces, salt spray connector solution: signal, low/high volt- vision and digital scopes. the compact and The ODU AMC®Break-Away: it has resistance, high-speed data transfer capabil- age transmission, coax/triax, compressed lightweight connector offers high perfor- been designed for applications where con- ity and an operating temperature range of air inserts. mance data transmission, high reliability nectors need to be mated and unmated -51° C (-60° f) to +125° C (+257° f), con- the OdU aMC® series include 4 differ- and easy handling. the product portfolio fast during usage. One pull on the cable is tacts for solder and PCB terminations. SP ent types of connector solutions: includes advanced miniature UsB 3.0 high- enough to unmate the connection. the plug OdU aMC® High-density, OdU aMC® speed, UsB 2.0 connector solution and an incorporates a unique locking system with The Business Development Manager for Push-Pull, OdU aMC® Break-away, OdU HdMi option. in shell diameters as small mechanical and color keying options. India is Amit Mittal and can be reached aMC® easy-Clean. as 10mm up to 18.5mm and providing as ODU AMC® Easy-Clean: its design has via email [email protected] ODU AMC® High Density: it is a minia- many as 40 contacts, it includes numerous been created using a unique spring loaded pin website: www.odu.de

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73338-50_DSEI03B_SP Land Advert_256x191_2015_v1.indd 1 4/2015 SP’s Land ForceS28/05/2015 16:1913 >> oPerations The Manipur ambush – and Beyond Involvement of China and Pakistan in insurgencies and terrorism pan-India is not new. It has been enhanced and has become more proactive with strategic aim to destabilise India.

 Lt GeneraL P.C. KatoCh (retd) and indian Maoists, as also coordinating fire from multiple directions, they terrorists working with Myanmar Military for com- their joint training. significantly, China has left at least one dead body behind albeit the bating terrorism. Hen fOUR VeHiCLes created her deadliest proxy in the United injured managed to escape. the raid on the terrorist camps across Of an army convoy were Wa state army (UWsa), more lethal than the most significant failure was that the border indicates the Modi Government’s ambushed at 0830 hours on the Ltte, headquartered in shan state of of intelligence, which always happens in resolve to deal with cross border terrorism June 4 in Chandel district of Myanmar even arming them with mis- such instances. despite clear indication of effectively. it is the first time Goi has shown Manipur, it was the worst sile fitted helicopters, in addition to assault increasingly active involvement of Chinese willingness to conduct pre-emptive strikes Wterrorist ambush suffered by the army in rifles, machine guns, shoulder-fired air intelligence and Pakistan’s isi in the north to curtail operational capabilities of insur- past 33 years. 18 personnel of 6 dogra were defence missiles and armoured vehicles. east, were we adequately prepared and gent groups. some 1,000 of 1,500 nsCn martyred when the forward two vehicles the timing of the declaration of the troops forewarned beyond routine RaW and (K) cadres are reportedly based in Myanmar. were blasted by ieds and fired upon by RPG United national Liberation front of Wsea iB warnings? similar was the case in the the existing insurgent camps in Myanmar rockets and automatic fire. that the radical post the March 2015 abrogation of the Kargil intrusions too. at the higher level, reportedly number 61 as per latest tV news. dynamics of the north east have undergone 14-year-old ceasefire by nsCn (K) preced- lack of technical cross border intelligence the borders are also used for smuggling of rapid change in recent years is established ing Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China was also deliberately stymied by the previous arms and contraband by the militants. but the ambush certainly came as a sur- in May was perhaps a signal of uncon- Central Government, ostensibly under pres- prise. the government asked the army to ventional belligerency. the Chinese have sure from the arms and narcotics mafia, and Requirement adopt proactive measures as there was vol- reportedly promised to provide weapons even perhaps under pressure from the isi Unconventional warfare and proxy wars ley of comments as to what had gone wrong and logistics to the new grouping as they through blackmail to some political biggies having proved their strategic importance and what corrective actions were needed want to keep things boiling in the north having used hawala to siphon out money, as over other forms of conflict past decade, to be adopted. While the nsCn (K) and east in view of their claim on the state of indicated by some veteran RaW officials. it we must recognise that China and Pakistan KYKL owned responsibility, there was much arunachal Pradesh. if the nsCn (K) and is for this reason that the technical support have joined hands and resolved to destabi- more in the backdrop, to include the China- KYKL (read Chinese sponsored United Lib- division (tsd) of the army which was giv- lize india through terrorism and fanning Pakistan nexus in fanning the north east eration front of Wsea) were behind the ing excellent cross border intelligence was insurgencies as proactively as possible. the insurgency and isi sponsored jihadi outfits. Manipur ambush against the army con- disbanded when the Manmohan singh Gov- China-isi-taliban-Let nexus is targeting voy, involvement of the isi-Let sponsored ernment prematurely retired army Chief afghanistan, Maldives, north india and China-Pakistan Nexus islamic groups particularly the PULf (Peo- General V.K. singh under a mischievously south india, latter sitting on a dormant tin- involvement of China and Pakistan in ples United Liberation front) is also obvious contrived date of birth controversy, even as der box. north east india is a strategic objec- insurgencies and terrorism pan-india is not since the ambush was planned timing it the supreme Court judgement only left the tive for China to annex arunachal Pradesh new. it has been enhanced and has become with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bangla- decision to the Government of india (Goi) and reach out to the indian Ocean, in more proactive with strategic aim to desta- desh. in addition to the PULf, other islamic and never blamed the General to be in the conjunction Myanmar. Our special forces bilise india and in the case of China some- radical groups active in Manipur are the wrong. in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai raids on terrorist camps in Myanmar no how get to the indian Ocean through the islamic Revolutionary front (iRf), islamic terror attacks, another tsd was to be raised doubt have sent out salutary message on all land route via india and Myanmar to estab- national front (inf), United islamic Revo- with covert capabilities for counterstrike fronts. But then within Myanmar there are lish a second oceanic front. Hence, Chinese lutionary army (UiRa) and United islamic and effective deterrence, the firsttsd hav- 61 such camps and next time, the terrorists illegal claims to arunachal Pradesh as late Liberation army (UiLa). at the same time, ing been highly successful; terror attacks, organisations will be on better lookout. Chi- as year 2005. China was arming, financing involvement of the western arms mafia too rioting in the Kashmir valley, ambushes nese and Pakistani intelligence may even and training naga rebels as early as 1960s can hardly be ruled out taking into consid- in northeast, arms and narcotics through supply these outfits with shoulder fired air albeit her focus on the north east increased eration the Purulia arms drop. Myanmar were severely curtailed. tsd sud- defence missiles. to that extent, our tactics with the progression of years. simultane- denly became a pain for isi and western for raid would have to be adjusted. ously, Pakistan’s isi continued to recruit What Went Wrong arms dealers. therefore the enemy within While the surveillance, communication illegal Bangladeshi Muslims in the north the easiest part is to put all blame on the (poiltico-bureaucratic mafia) swung into interception and ied/mine detection and east, even as the isi’s india nexus enacted unit that got hit. However a deeper analy- action supported by the media presstitutes. countermeasure capabilities of units in the the infamous illegal Migrants (determina- sis is required and must have already been the tsd was shut down and plans for rais- area must be enhanced, the government tion of tribunal) act 1983 in assam, mak- done threadbare by the ar my. as per media ing the second tsd scrapped; actions that would do well to immediately raise minimum ing that state Muslim predominant. When reports, the unit had completed its two- actually amount to treason against the two tsds covering our land borders. One has the ULfa camps were routed from Bhutan, year tenure and while the second-in-Com- country. ironically, the witch-hunt against to actually walk along the india-Myanmar China gave ULfa shelter on Chinese soil. mand had proceeded to the new location the tsd officers is still on. Many articles to realise how rugged, thickly forested and some three years back four Chinese nation- with the advance party, the CO too was on have emerged asking for re-raising of the difficult the terrain is, and more importantly als were apprehended with fake indian leave. Both CO and second-in-Command tsd but the government is yet to act. there the gaps between the posts along the border documents, on mission to reach the nsCn. being away together in counter-insurgency is also speculation that it was the fear of loss too have dense undergrowth that facilitates there is every reason to believe that abro- area is unusual but since the CO’s leave is of business of the narcotics and arms mafia easy infiltration and smuggling especially in gation of the 14-year-old ceasefire by the sanctioned by the Brigade Commander, that General V.K. singh was made to hando- hours of darkness and inclement weather. nsCn (K) this year was on behest of China. there must have been valid reasons. the ver the independent charge of north east on the previous government was planning to according to recent media reports ambushed vehicles, as per media, were sup- some other pretext that may have been con- replace the aR with Bsf along the indo- quoting intelligence sources, nine militant posedly carrying personnel proceeding on veyed to an unsuspecting Prime Minister. Myanmar border which mercifully the pres- groups including the nsCn (K) and the leave. Yes, the ROP should have been effec- ent nsa has ruled out. But what Goi should ULfa faction led by Paresh Baruah, came tive but the operations in these areas as The Riposte consider is to deploy Bsf units to beef up the together to form the United national Lib- compared to in J&K need to be viewed in the india’s riposte through swift surgical strike border defence but they should be placed eration front of Wsea (West south east following context: quantum of troops avail- at two camps inside Myanmar made inter- under command the army like the aR, not asia) in a meeting held at taga in sagaing able for ROP in order to sanitise areas both national news. the raid was conducted repeating the mess created in depsang and (Myanmar) in april 2015 under active tute- sides of the road, who was responsible for by special forces supported by the iaf Chumar where the itBP is not under com- lage of Chinese intelligence. Chinese intel- the ROP; what time did the ROP come into pursuant to credible and specific intel- mand the army. ligence operatives are active in the sagaing place considering the ambush was sprung ligence about further attacks that were it is vital for the Modi Government to region and weapons are often shipped to the at 0830 hours; are mine protected vehicles being planned on indian soil by the same understand that while the recent special north-eastern groups through the China- (MPVs) moving with the ROP and convoys groups that had undertaken the ambush forces raids conducted against the two ter- Myanmar border. Khaplang, Chairman – appears not; are hand-held metal detec- in Manipur on June 4. the army statement rorist camps in Mynamar are a good begin- nsCn is to head the new grouping with tors and ied detection equipment available reads that significant casualties have been ning at the tactical level, we have to go all ULfa’s Paresh Baruah playing a major role to road opening parties; what is the sur- inflicted on the terrorists. While no specif- out at the strategic level to establish cred- as well. Other groups that participated in veillance and communication interception ics were given in the army statement, media ible deterrence against unconventional and the meeting were the Kangleipak Commu- capability available to the units deployed in reports quoting official sources talked of proxy wars unleashed by China and Paki- nist Party, Kanglei Yawol Kunna Lup, Peo- the north east, and the like. the weapons terrorists killed numbering ranging from stan. threat from across the Myanmar bor- ple’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, used by the terrorists, according to some 20 to 50. the army also confirmed they had der is just one part of the diabolical plan of People’s Liberation army, United national reports, had Us markings. so in all prob- been in communication with the Myanmar our enemies. the call of sub-conventional Liberation front and national democratic ability these were supplied by the China- authorities in this regard, there is history has already been trumpeted by these coun- front of Bodoland (songbijit faction). China Pakistan conduit. it is to the credit of the of close cooperation between the two mili- tries loud and clear. it will be a folly not to

SP www.spslandforces.com has been supplying arms to PLa of Manipur ambushed party that despite the ferocity of taries, and indian army looks forward to ignore the war drums.

14 SP’s Land ForceS 4/2015 news in brief >>

IndIa’s dRdO tests submunItIOn been confirmed as per media reports on July enough to the target. The kit successfully waRheads fOR PInaka I weaPOn 2, 2015. The firms that had participated in proved its capability to deliver precise fire Publisher and editor-in-chief system the extensive trials-Colt (US), Beretta (Italy), when it was used by the US Army and Marine Jayant Baranwal Ceska (Czech) and Israel Weapon Industries Corps artillery units for training and tactical editor (IWI)—have been told that the proposed operations in Afghanistan in March 2013. Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd) contract was being retracted. This is a yet another blow to the Indian Army’s urgently austRalIan-new Zealand task gROuP Senior editorial contributor Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) required weapons. The basic weapon of tRaIn IRaqI sOldIeRs tO fIght IsIl the infantryman which is the assault rifle The combined Australian-New Zealand Senior Technical Group editor Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) needs immediate replacement. Army has Task Group have completed training of Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) had a long-standing demand for new rifles more than 700 soldiers from the 16th Divi- to replace the 5.56mm indigenous INSAS sion’s 76th Iraqi Army Brigade to fight the assistant Group editor R. Chandrakanth guns, which have suffered from technical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) bugs since their induction in 1994-95. militants in the country. Undertaken at the contributors The Indian Defence Research and Develop- As per the now-cancelled project, Taji Military Complex, north-west of Bagh- India General V.P. Malik (Retd), Lt General Vijay ment Organisation’s (DRDO) Armament 65,000 rifles were to be directly acquired dad, the eight-week training programme Oberoi (Retd), Lt General R.S. Nagra (Retd), Research and Development Establishment from the selected foreign vendor to equip focused on the planning and conduct of Lt General S.R.R. Aiyengar (Retd), (ARDE) laboratory has evaluated submuni- the 120 infantry battalions deployed on operations, weapon handling, basic tactical Major General Ashok Mehta (Retd), tion warheads for the Pinaka I multi-barrel the western and eastern fronts. The Ord- manoeuvre, and integration of intelligence, Major General G.K. Nischol (Retd), rocket launcher (MBRL) system at Pokhran nance Factory Board (OFB) was to then as well as leadership and ethical behaviour Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd), field firing range in Rajasthan. ARDE Direc- subsequently manufacture over 1,13,000 in war. Camp Taji is one of the four US-led Brigadier S. Mishra (Retd), Rohit Sharma tor Dr K.M. Rajan said that the tests form a such rifles after getting transfer of tech- building partner capacity (BPC) mission chairman & Managing director part of the proof trials for the production nology from the foreign company. But the sites across Iraq. The graduation of 76th Jayant Baranwal lot of Pinaka I, which randomly picks up proposal for the new rifles—with a 5.56 Brigade soldiers takes the total number of executive Vice President Pinakas to evaluate the performance stan- x 45mm primary barrel for conventional Iraqi Security Forces personnel trained by (Planning & Business Development) dards of a specific lot at regular periods. warfare and a 7.62 x 39mm secondary one coalition forces across the BPC sites to fight Rohit Goel Rajan said: “Complete systems, subsystems for counter-terror operations—was found ISIL, also called Daesh, to 10,000. administration and efficiency for these submunition war- “impractical“ both in terms of high costs Bharti Sharma heads have been tested.” The successful tri- and technical requirements, said sources. baRRett wIns cOntRact tO suPPly hf creative director als are expected to allow for the use of these The plan now is to either get a foreign arms and Vhf systems tO nePalese aRmy Anoop Kamath submunition warheads in Mark-II version company to shift some of its manufactur- NVIS Communications LLC, the Barrett design of Pinaka, which will have a 20-km opera- ing facilities to India or task the OFB to Communications North American system Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht tional range. Designed to replace the Indian manufacture the new assault rifles with integrator, won a $1.4-million contract research assistant: Graphics Army’s ageing Russian-built BM-21 Grad foreign collaboration. FRP, the US Army Corps to provide 120 Survi Massey launchers, the Pinaka is capable of destroy- radio systems of various configurations to Sales & Marketing ing opposition communication centres, PROcuRement Of bullet PROOf the Nepalese Army. This contract was to be Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia air terminal complexes, and gun/rocket jackets fOR IndIan aRmy for both high frequency (HF) and very high General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh locations, as well as solid structures and Bullet proof jackets (BPJs) are scaled item. frequency (VHF) equipment that would SP’s Website bunkers. The system features six launcher They are procured and provided to the be utilised by the Nepal Army in disaster Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish vehicles of 12 rockets each, as well as two armed forces as per laid down policy. The response and recovery and was a gift from Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma command post vehicles, including a fire procurement case of 1,86,138 BPJs is at the US State Department to the Country of Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal control computer, Digicora MET radar, and trial stage and the case of 50,000 is at Nepal. The contract award included Bar- on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt six loader/replenishment vehicles with a Technical Evaluation Committee stage. This rett PRC-2090 HF Tactical Manpacks, PRC- Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this payload of 100 kg. information was given by Defence Minister 2091 HF Mobile Vehicle systems, PRC-2081 publication may be reproduced, stored in a An undisclosed DRDO official told The Manohar Parrikar. VHF Tactical Manpacks and PRC-2082 VHF retrieval system, or transmitted in any form Times of India: “We have seen Pinaka’s per- Tactical Mobile Vehicle systems, including or by any means, photocopying, recording, formance during the Kargil episode. Now ORbItal cOmPletes fIRst PROductIOn accessories and a 10-day comprehensive electronic, or otherwise without the prior this thermo-baric ammunition is able to lOt accePtance testIng Of PRecIsIOn training programme. The delivery sched- written permission of the publishers. operate from a mobile launcher at extreme guIdance kIt ule was planned for the end of April 2015, Printed in India temperature ranges of -10°C to 55°C with Orbital ATK has successfully completed the with training to be conducted with the Nep- by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd a quicker reaction time. It also has the capa- first production lot acceptance testing of alese Army in late summer 2015. On the © SP Guide Publications, 2015 bility to carry various kinds of warheads. It its 155mm Artillery Precision Guidance day this order was due to be shipped from Subscription/ circulation has now become more lethal.” Kit (PGK) at an undisclosed location. Dur- Barrett Communications factory in Perth, Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 Email: [email protected] ing testing, the kit demonstrated a median Australia, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit [email protected] IndIa’s assault RIfle PROject accuracy of less than 10 m, in addition to Nepal causing significant widespread dam- cancelled passing all safety and reliability require- age. On hearing of the earthquake, John Letters to editor [email protected] Media reported in late May 2015 that the ments. Orbital ATK Defense Systems Group Rosica, President of NVIS Communications proposed mega project for the assault rifles armament systems division Vice President LLC, contacted the US Army Corps to expe- For advertising details, contact: for its 1.18 million strong army, with inter- and General Manager Dan Olson said: dite the delivery into Nepal and to make [email protected] [email protected] changeable barrels for conventional war- “Extensive, rigorous testing continues to arrangements to travel to Nepal to provide fare and counter-insurgency operations, prove the maturity of PGK technology the 10-day training programme so the SP GUIde PUBLIcaTIonS PVT LTd was on the verge of being scrapped since in terms of reliability, performance and equipment could be utilised straight away. corporate office A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, it had run into major problems. It has now safety.” Orbital ATK Defense Systems Group The 10-day training programme began on New Delhi 110003, India President Mike Kahn said: “Our precision May 18, with the theory part of the train- Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, guidance expertise is making a difference ing, and when the shipment arrived, two 24620130 >> Show Calendar across multiple platforms for our custom- days later, they were able to complete the Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 ers. PGK is a guidance fuse designed to fit comprehensive ‘hands-on’ training, includ- 9-12 September regd office within the fuse well of 155mm high-explo- ing field instruction. russia arms expo (rae 2015) Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 Email: [email protected] Nizhny Tagil, Russia sive artillery projectiles and can transform www.rae2015.ru/en existing, conventional artillery projectiles RussIa adds laRge-calIbRe snIPeR representative offices into precision weapons that can signifi- RIfles tO RatnIk futuRe sOldIeR Bengaluru, IndIa 15-18 September cantly reduce dispersion to 30 m or less, system Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) dSeI enabling accurate targeting.” Russia has reportedly integrated a pair 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar, ExCeL London, UK The company will conduct two additional of large-calibre sniper rifles into Ratnik, Bengaluru 560043, India. Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 www.dsei.co.uk lot acceptance tests, which will confirm pro- the country’s domestically manufac- duction consistency while populating a reli- tured future high-tech soldier system. An MoScoW, rUSSIa 28-30 September ability database that provides information unnamed Central Research Institute of Pre- LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., Integrated air & Missile defense which leads to product improvements over cision Mechanics representative was quoted (IMad 2015) 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. the course of production. PGK is a guidance by Sputnik as saying: “The 6VM7-1 rifle is DoubleTree by Hilton, Crystal City, Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, fuse designed to fit within the fuse well of a more lightweight and shortened version Arlington, Virginia, USA Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 www.airmissiledefenseevent.com 155mm high-explosive artillery projectiles of the 6VM7.” Built by the Degtyarev plant www.spguidepublications.com and can transform existing, conventional in Kovrov, the 12.7mm 6VM7-1 and the www.spslandforces.com 27-29 October artillery projectiles into precision weapons 6VM7 sniper systems have been designed RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 Future Mortar Systems 2015 that can significantly reduce dispersion to in a bullpup configuration, with magazine Kensington Close Hotel, London, UK 30m or less, enabling accurate targeting. behind grip/trigger section. Equipped with www.future-mortars.co.uk Compatible with existing 155mm artillery a 1-P88-2 variable-range sight, the 11 kg stockpiles, the kit features a fixed-canard rifles have an effective range of 1,500 m 3-5 November guidance and control approach with gun- and can also be fitted with a 1PN139 ther- Global MilSatCom 2015 hardened electronics and a self-generated mal visor. According to the representative, Park Plaza Riverbank London, UK power supply, and also incorporates a ‘fail the two rifles have already been evaluated www.smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/ safe’ option, which prevents PGK-equipped and are set to enter service with the Russian global-milsatcom artillery from detonating if it fails to get close armed forces shortly. SP

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