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SP military yearbook 110x181_11.indd 1 27/06/12 10.39 SP's MYB Cover 2013 - Final.indd 1 www.spslandforces.com27/12/12 4:07 PM 589_Rafale_Press Ad 221 276.indd 1 24/08/12 12:21 ROUNDUP In This Issue The ONLY magazine in Asia-Pacific dedicated to Land Forces INDIAN ARMY SPECIAL

Page 5 Indian Army through the Ages – A Bird’s-Eye View The transformation of the Indian military for the future, through technological improvements coupled with innovative operational art will give India a distinct advantage over its potential adversaries, Minister of Defence which is vital for preserving India’s Message India sovereignty and furthering its national interests. Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor It is a pleasure to learn that SP Guide Publications is coming out with a special issue to commemorate Army Day. Our Army has lived up to its tradition of valour, sacrifice and fortitude. The Army protects our land borders, both Page 7 during peace and in warlike situations. It takes pride in the spirit of brotherhood and comradeship without any dis- Revisiting Indian Army’s Modernisation crimination. This is amply reflected by the Army’s motto, “One for all and all for one”! Programmes “Operation Surya Hope” in the wake of the natural calamity in Uttrakhand reflects the bravery, sacrifice and The government, it seems, has now commitment of our Jawans. sanctioned the Twelfth Five Year Defence Plan as a result of the severe criticism over I wish SP Guide Publications all success and hope that SP’s Land Forces will be read and liked widely. delays in the past. However, for the Army, Jai Hind. it would be cosmetic paper exercise as even the Eleventh Plan procurements have not materialised. Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor A.K. Antony

Page 9 China’s ADIZ Despite the fact that the purported ‘peaceful rise’ of China was never peaceful >> Interview and conversely extremely violent, it would photograph: anoop kamath / Sp Guide Pubns be prudent for China to keep its territorial ambitions in check for the sake of peace and prosperity of the region including its own and the world at large. Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch

Page 10 China-Pakistan Anti-India Nexus Chances of conventional conflict are less compared to the unconventional but we must be prepared for both. The requirement for India to establish a deterrent against irregular/unconventional warfare was never more given the dim prospects of break-up of China-Pakistan anti-India nexus. Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch

Page 12 Digitisation of Battlefield: A Report Indigenisation is still a far cry and India has a long way to go in developing core battlefield technologies, opined experts at the seminar organised by SP Guide Publications in collaboration with CLAWS on October 31, 2013. Sucheta Das Mahopatra

Plus SP’s Exclusive 14 ‘The budgetary allocation to News in Brief 15 the Army in the recent years has been fairly consistent’ Applied for

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces 1 >> Interview

Minister of Defence Message India

I am happy to learn that SP Guide Publications is completing 50 years of existence. Since its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has played an unmatched and a vital role by serving our Armed Forces and their concerns. The publications’ efforts have been appreciated by all its readers. I hope that SP Guide Publications will continue to serve our Armed Forces and the nation in the years to come. I wish SP Guide Publications the very best in its endeavours. Jai Hind. A.K. Antony

we have not been able to fulfill Army, is causing a capability gap the promise of the land bound- We wish our readers a joyous and vis-à-vis our likely adversaries and ary pact which is in our interest. prosperous New Year. For us at this is becoming more pronounced This will surely hurt the Sheikh SP Guide Publications, 2014 is day by day. It is in this context that Hasina Government. In the case momentous as we move into our we should view the letter written by of Bhutan, just weeks before its Golden Jubilee celebrations with General (Retd) V.K. Singh, the for- July elections, India stopped pro- our heartfelt gratitude to our founder mer Chief of Army Staff (COAS), viding kerosene and cooking gas Shri Sukhdeo Prasad Baranwal. to the Prime Minister on March at subsidised rates. Everyone We reiterate our commitment to our 12, 2012, which was deliberately believes that we were punishing readers of our constant endeavour to leaked to the media. It highlighted Jigme Thinley for an “indepen- the lack of mission reliability of enrich and augment our publication. dent” foreign policy, particularly the equipment held along with Our Founder his outreach to China. This in- Shri Sukhdeo Prasad Baranwal the large deficiency of a variety of India’s Growth Story: With the sensitivity/incompetence should munitions. Thus it pointed out the onset of the New Year 2014, as have been avoided. lack of preparedness of the nation we look around us, there seems to Hamid Karzai has depended dependence. The Prime Minister ment of the country by our Centre to fight and win wars on the battle- be little to cheer. Political paralysis on India as a true friend. It is in (PM) while addressing the Chief and the states, once again India is fields of the 21st century. has been evident throughout the this context that in 2014 when Ministers at the Conference on being considered as a soft state. EDITORIAL tenure of UPA-II and the scenario Afghanistan is left alone to battle Internal Security in Delhi on June Political Landscape: The Aam on the growth front is dismal as the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists 5, 2013, elaborated on the chal- Defence: Security threats and Admi Party’s (AAP) success in pace of expansion is barely recov- without NATO, India could have lenges facing the country ranging challenges facing India have in- Delhi state elections on the plank ering from the low of 3.2 per cent been more empathetic and help- from Naxalism (left-wing extrem- creased enormously. While the of providing a corruption free gov- in 2012-13 to 2.4 per cent in the ful. We have not been able to as- ism), militancy and terrorism in the old adversarial threats due to ernment and fulfilling the basic first quarter and 5.6 per cent in the sure weapon supplies to Afghani- Northeast and in the hinterland, unresolved borders remain, new needs of the common man such second quarter of 2013-14. India’s stan. What is the government infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, threats and challenges like ter- as water, electricity and living ac- growth story is faltering because worried about? communal and sectarian violence, rorism and insurgencies have commodation, has hit the Indian foreign and domestic investors Finally, there is the sorry spec- crimes against women and chil- been added to the old inventory. political scene like a tsunami and remain wary of the business and tacle of India’s strategic partner, dren to border management and Thus India needs to prepare itself has virtually changed the politi- investment environment and the the all-powerful United States, al- coastal security. He then urged for the full-spectrum of warfare cal landscape of India overnight. paralysis in decision-making. This, lowing an inconsequential attorney states to fight them together with ranging from low-intensity con- The two national parties are feel- in turn, calls for economic reforms of Indian origin in New York to take the Central Government. But the flict involving counter-insurgency ing threatened. So we can look across a wide front. The people over the reins of government au- Centre has shown its weakness and counter-terrorist operations forward to interesting times ahead therefore feel that the outcome of thority while the US State Depart- by not being able to carry the to conventional conflicts under during the pre-summer months in the 2014 elections is crucial for the ment slept and tried to hide behind states along with them in their bid the nuclear shadow on two widely 2014 when the nation goes to polls India story. Let us wait to see how the technicalities in the Devyani to establish the National Counter- separated fronts on its western to elect the new parliamentarians. this plays out. Khobragade episode. Now that Terrorism Centre on the lines of and eastern flanks. Let us hope the “Kejriwal effect”, both sides have shown their rela- United States. The revised Defence Procure- as it has come to be known, will Foreign Policy: For foreign poli- tively low calibre in international We have a long tradition of be- ment Procedure (DPP) over the have a long-term positive impact cy, 2013 has been a painful year. diplomacy, it would be in the inter- ing politically divided by schisms years has done little to accelerate on the political landscape of India. We have lost a friend in Sri Lanka est of both nations to move ahead of caste, religion, region, language the pace of modernisation. A dis- by the Prime Minister refusing because more trying times await and even individual ego. When- passionate analysis would indicate to attend the Commonwealth both the nations in 2014. ever the central power weakened, that the voids in equipment and Heads of Government Meeting divisive elements have risen to trig- munitions in the Army to fight a (CHOGAM) and by persistently Internal Security: India’s internal ger disintegration of the realm. This modern war together with the lack voting against them at the UN. security remains an area of major was evident throughout our history. of modernisation of equipment In the context of Bangladesh, concern even 65 years after in- Today, thanks to the poor manage- in virtually all fighting arms of the Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

The Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh says that his single most important area of focus is to ensure the highest state of operational preparedness. In an exclusive interview with SP’s Land Forces, he assured that with high levels of motivation and morale, the Indian Army is fully prepared to take on the present and future challenges with elan and professionalism.

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): You have now been chart a course that prepares the Army to ing an Army that remains a ready, potent, ency and accountability in our policies and the Chief of Army Staff for more than a meet future threats and challenges effec- responsive and accountable instrument of procedures. Financial probity is integral year. Which are the areas within the Army tively and continues to live up to the faith national power—a vision that I have articu- to maintaining and preserving our core or in your relationship with the Ministry of and trust that the nation has reposed on its lated time and again. values, which form the basic edifice of our Defence (MoD) where you have been able soldiers and commanders. To ensure the highest state of opera- strength and structure. to positively influence matters and set into To start with, on taking over as the tional preparedness is my single most Our soldiers remain our most precious motion some long-term corrective mea- Chief of Army Staff, I had laid down cer- important area of focus. Another critical resource. A review of the human resource sures/reforms? tain ‘thrust areas’ to realign the focus of challenge remains that of force moderni- policy is already under way to meet individ- Chief of Army Staff (COAS): As the Army the Indian Army. These form the founda- sation and capability build-up. It has been ual aspirations and organisational needs. I

www.spslandforces.com Chief, it is my bounden responsibility to tion of a comprehensive approach to build- my endeavour to bring in greater transpar- have maintained that as an organisation

2 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 RBS_70_NG_Ad_276x418_Jan2014_AW.indd 1 07/01/2014 10:05 >> Interview

photograph: neetu dhulia / Sp Guide Pubns we need to cut down on activities that do inter-ministerial consultations after which it not have a bearing on our operational pre- will be tabled in the Parliament. After the pas- paredness. I am also committed to creating sage of INDU Act, all other processes of ten- an environment that offers challenging dering, contracting and executing the project opportunities to our junior leadership. will commence including award of degree to There is greater synergy now, both with affiliated colleges. It is expected that the entire the MoD as well as with sister services and infrastructure will be ready and the University all other agencies, who are the stakeholders fully functional by end 2018. Headquarters in national security, something that I have Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) is closely upheld as a pre-requisite to achieving our working along with MoD and other consul- common aim and purpose. tants for early setting up of INDU as per the I have always maintained that our vet- timelines approved by the Defence Minister. erans, veer naris (brave women) and widows who have made tremendous sacrifices are SP’s: Have the plans to make the Army’s our strength and it is our duty to look after Special Forces and Infantry Ghatak Pla- their well-being. Special cells for ex-service- toons more potent and effective, been men have been set up at all headquarters. realised? What is the new equipment, if To usher all ranks into their second innings, any, that has been inducted to ensure this? placement nodes have also been created COAS: The modernisation plan of Special under Army Welfare Placement Organisa- Forces involves increased firepower, surviv- tion (AWPO). In addition, special discharge ability, situational awareness and command drills are being conducted at Delhi for offi- and a boost to defence related R&D. We are equipment. It would be reasonable to state and control to operate across the entire cers and at Regimental Centres for Junior quite hopeful that the positive impact of the that our soldier is well-equipped for any spectrum of conflict. In addition, moderni- Commissioned Officers and other ranks. efforts that have been put in this direction operational contingency. sation of aviation assets and increasing My efforts thus have been towards should be visible in the near future as it has Ammunition management is a dynamic airlift capability will further enhance their moulding the Army into a cohesive, confi- far-reaching implications on our self-reli- process wherein consumption and recoup- operational reach. With new technologies dent and effective force and bringing about ance in defence equipment and capabilities. ment of any deficiency is a function of pro- coming in, modernisation and capability a wellness that permeates across the rank duction capacities of ordnance factories development of our Special Forces would and file. Let me assure the nation that with SP’s: Of late, it seems China has been far and availability ex import. A comprehen- remain an ongoing process, one that is high levels of motivation and morale, the more aggressive on the line of actual control sive long-term Ammunition Roll on Plan for accorded high priority in our planning and Indian Army is fully prepared to take on the (LAC) than in earlier years and the conduct continued build up of ammunition reserves procurement processes. present and future challenges with elan and of PLA/Border Guards has been aggressive, in a phased manner is already being imple- The Special Forces have been equipped professionalism. to say the least. What is the Army’s appre- mented on approval by the MoD. with modern weapon systems along with ciation of China’s intentions of adopting the surveillance and target acquisition devices as SP’s: Which are the areas where you have current tactics and aggressive stance? SP’s: A Mountain Strike Corps stands sanc- part of their capability enhancement to con- not been able to make any headway despite COAS: I do not agree with your initial tioned by the government. Among the vet- duct mandated tasks both by day and night. a strong desire on your part to do so and statement. Few border incidents that took erans the view persists that mere raising of Besides this, action is at hand to ensure high what is preventing you from doing it? place have been unduly hyped up. These more manpower, without tactical and oper- mobility of our elite forces, be it on land, air COAS: There is no area where progress has isolated incidents must be viewed in the ational level aviation resources, long-range or sea. As regards the Ghatak Platoon of not been made. We have made headway on overall context. firepower, reconnaissance and surveillance Infantry Battalions, a composite package of all fronts, albeit the pace may be slightly Peace and tranquillity prevail along the resources and many other force multipliers additional equipment and devices for spe- slow in certain cases. LAC and border areas as a result of com- would be marginal value. May we have your cial operations, referred as ‘Ghatak Brick’, is Long-term processes need to be imparted mitment by both nations to abide by exist- observations on this important issue? also in the pipeline. This upgradation would with impetus to achieve our vision. Capabil- ing bilateral agreements and protocols. In COAS: The capability of an Army is an amal- facilitate the Ghatak Platoons to conduct ity building requires time, commitment and addition, mechanism of Border Post Meet- gamation of equipment and manpower, both their tasks with enhanced efficiency and resources. Most projects have long gestation ings (BPM)/Flag Meetings has been effec- of which are processed simultaneously for comparative ease in conventional as well as periods and are spread over many years. The tive in resolving most border issues. Fur- capability enhancement. Indian Army peri- sub-conventional operations. progress has to be viewed in this context. ther strengthening of confidence building odically carries out realistic threat assess- There are areas where the progress has been measures (CBM) has been achieved by the ments and formulates the capability required SP’s: Recently it was covered in the media slower than what is expected. Modernisation Border Defence Cooperation Agreement for undertaking its mandated charter. that Naxals are raising Battalion sized of the Indian Army requires to pick up pace. (BDCA) signed during the Prime Minister’s Accordingly, modernisation and force struc- units for future operations. Does that indi- In-house processes are already being refined visit to China on October 23, 2013. turing are formulated and approved by the cate a role for the Army undertaking anti- and the government’s continuous focus and government. Whenever accretions are sanc- Naxal operations in the future? support is critical. Defence infrastructure SP’s: The delays in modernisation of the tioned, the requisite combat support, recon- COAS: Anti-left-wing extremism (LWE) oper- development in view of the current and future Indian Army are well chronicled and the naissance, surveillance and logistic compo- ations are being coordinated and conducted threats would require focused commitment. reasoning has also been understood gen- nents are also sanctioned along with it. by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Another area that assumes importance erally by military analysts. However, that conjunction with the affected state govern- is indigenisation of defence industry, greater gives no satisfaction to soldiers and forma- SP’s: Considering the pull out of the North ments. Our Central Armed Police Force opportunities and role of private players tion commanders who face our adversaries Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and (CAPF) are fully geared and competent to and a boost to defence related research and at the borders where small skirmishes may the US forces from Afghanistan in 2014, take on the challenge. The Army is only in an development (R&D). We are quite hopeful well escalate into border conflicts. As the how does the Army assess the situation in advisory capacity and is providing training to that the positive impact of the efforts that COAS, are you satisfied with the current Afghanistan-Pakistan region and how will the state police/CAPFs as and when required. have been put in this direction should be vis- holdings and the status of equipment and it impact the Indian Army? ible in the near future as it has far-reaching munitions for war? COAS: The turmoil in Afghanistan-Pakistan SP’s: In a fairly large number of incidents implications on our self-reliance in defence COAS: Modernisation of the Indian Army is region and recent security developments in the past few months in Jammu and Kash- equipment and capabilities. a continuous process that ensures the Army are definitely an issue of concern. With mir (J&K), it seems that Army units and is fully capable of meeting any threat in the the stated pull out of troops by the United sub-units have suffered causalities due to SP’s: Which are the areas where you have operational environment prevailing on our States in 2014, the security dynamics in the their own laxity. While we have no doubts not been able to make any headway despite borders. Efforts are ongoing in conjunction region will undergo a change. Being part of that orders including standard operating a strong desire on your part to do so and with the Ministry of Defence to enhance the region, these changes are bound to have procedures do exist to prevent such hap- what is preventing you from doing it? the capability of indigenous weapons and certain implications for India as well. penings, why are they being flouted, espe- COAS: There is no area where progress has cially in areas where alertness and readi- not been made. We have made headway on all SP’s: There has been inordinate delay in ness are paramount for their own safety fronts, albeit the pace may be slightly slow in ‘Due to the special raising and establishing the Indian National and security? Are there any other reasons certain cases. Long-term processes need to be Defence University (INDU). When is the INDU for this obvious flaw? imparted with impetus to achieve our vision. emphasis laid on likely to be established and what are the for- COAS: The situation in J&K was improving as Capability building requires time, commit- malities that are still to be completed? was evident from all parameters which clearly ment and resources. Most projects have long indigenisation by the COAS: The process of setting up of INDU is pointed to an early return of relative nor- gestation periods and are spread over many on a fast track mode after acquisition of land malcy. This was obviously due to the relentless years. The progress has to be viewed in this Defence Minister, as at Binola and Bilaspur, Gurgaon and subse- efforts of the Indian Army ably supported by context. There are areas where the progress reflected in the foreword quent foundation stone laying ceremony by all elements of our security apparatus. has been slower than what was expected. the Prime Minister of India in May 2013. Viewed in retrospect the repeated calls Modernisation of the Indian Army of DPP 2013, I am Detailed project report along with the for revocation of the Armed Forces Spe- requires to pick up pace. In-house processes layout plans have been submitted by the Edu- cial Powers Act (AFSPA) were perhaps on are already being refined and the govern- confident that there cation Consultants of India Ltd (EdCIL), a account of the improved security situation. ment’s continued focus and support is criti- Ministry of Human Resource Development However, there was a need to further con- cal. Defence infrastructure development will be progressive (MHRD) enterprise and the Revised Cabinet solidate and stabilise the security situation, in view of the current and future threats Note is in the process of being sent for inter- lest any premature action neutralised the would require focused commitment. improvement in the ministerial consultations. Simultaneously, advantage gained by the relentless offensive Another area that assumes importance INDU Act is also being prepared by the con- action of our soldiers. is indigenisation of defence industry, greater coming years’ sultants and is likely to be submitted to MoD

www.spslandforces.com opportunities and role of private players at the earliest. This will also be put through Continued on page 6

4 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 military history >> Indian Army through the Ages – A Bird’s-Eye View The transformation of the Indian military for the future, through technological improvements coupled with innovative operational art will give India a distinct advantage over its potential adversaries, which is vital for preserving India’s sovereignty and furthering its national interests

photograph: IAF  Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor was the greatest test of the old Indian Army Exercise Vijayee Bhava which it passed with flying colours under in progress he British era of the Indian the most adverse circumstances. Army lasted for about 200 years. Major Stringer Lawrence was the Operation Gulmarg first Army officer appointed Com- Operation Gulmarg, which was a deliberately mander-in-Chief of all the East planned operation by Pakistan, aimed at the TIndia Company’s forces in 1752. He can annexation of Jammu and Kashmir. Accord- thus be deemed as the Father of the Indian ing to its leader Colonel Akbar Khan of Paki- Army. The forces then comprised Europeans stan Army, its planning was done in August recruited from England or locally and Indian 1947. Indian Army’s operations in J&K and auxiliaries. These Indians were armed with the achievement of the Indian Army under their own weapons, wore their own dress its own officers despite logistical constraints, and were commanded by their own officers. daunting terrain and severity of climate is The events of 1857 are too well known to a proud tribute to its leadership, fighting be recounted in any detail in this brief focus spirit and patriotic fervour of all ranks. They on the Indian Army. A Royal Commission undertook a task allotted to them as a sacred appointed in July 1858 suggested that the mission to be fulfilled, whatever the cost. Army in India be comprised mainly of Indian troops with a proportion of Indian to British Post-Independence Indian Army being 2:1. By 1863, the actual numbers were The strength of the Indian Army in August 3,15,500 Indian and 38,000 British troops. 1947 was 4,00,000, but the political lead- Step by step the three Presidency Armies were ership was keen to reduce the strength to amalgamated which was completed by 1895. save defence expenditure and hence it was With the overall control of the Indian decided to bring down the strength of the Empire being vested in the Crown, the impe- Army to 2,00,000 after the J&K operations rial strategy for the defence of India envis- which would involve the disbandment of aged a wide cordon sanitaire to give depth to many units. A new Territorial Army Act this jewel in the crown. Afghanistan, Tibet was passed in 1948 and infantry and artil- and Burma were the immediate buffers lery units with a nucleus of regular officers while the global dominance of the British a little more than the strength available at pose a serious problem due to their small were raised in 1949. Many other changes Navy of the time allowed them even further the start of World War I. The modernisation size. An Armed Forces Reconstitution Com- occurred during the period 1948-60. The outposts like Hong Kong, Singapore, Aden planned in 1938 had yet to start. The Indian mittee under Field Marshal Auchinleck was designation of Commander-in-Chief ceased and Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. Pax Army was not intended to fight overseas set to divide the units and stores in the ratio to be in use from 1955 and the three Chiefs Britannica was at its zenith and the core but only protect India’s borders and nearby of two to one between India and Pakistan (Army, Navy and the Air Force) were made was centred on India. areas. However, before the war ended, the respectively. Muslims from India and non- equal and independently responsible for Indian Army had expanded to strength of Muslims from Pakistan could elect which their respective service. Every function The Era of the World Wars over 20,00,000 men and engaged in opera- dominion they would serve. of the defence services was duplicated in The final shape and professional restruc- tions stretching from Hong Kong to Italy. The tragedy of partition is a story which the Ministry of Defence where civilian turing of the Indian Army was carried out In the re-conquest of Burma, it provided deserves separate coverage. The misery of bureaucrats not only ensured financial and prior to World War I under General Her- the bulk of forces and played important partition and Punjab migration could have administrative control but also gradually bert Kitchener, the Commander-in-Chief roles in the campaigns in North Africa and been lessened had Lord Mountbatten been took over the decision-making powers of in India from 1902. During this period, due Italy. Nearly 63,000 awards were earned by a wiser man and not rushed independence the defence services. The standing of the to a clash between him and Viceroy Lord the Indian Army in World War II. Awards and delayed the announcement of the military reached an all-time low during the George Curzon over the perceived organ- for gallantry alone totalled approximately boundary award. Out of about 14 million time of V.K. Krishna Menon as Defence Min- isational duality of control of the Military 4,800. They included 31 Victoria Crosses, people involved in migration, it is estimated ister when decisions concerning matters of in India, the Viceroy resigned. This issue four George Crosses, 252 Distinguished Ser- that more than half a million died in the major military importance were taken with- has had a significantly negative effect on vice Orders, 347 Indian Orders of Merit and violence that erupted on both sides. out consultation of the concerned service. the higher defence control mechanism 1,311 Military Crosses. The strain on the troops of the old Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s bias that evolved after independence and which Indian Army with the emotional stress of against the military was well known in the leaves the service chiefs outside the govern- Independence and Partition communal differences, personal tragedies services. The clearest example of this is when mental decision-making forums. To this day Among the factors that led to indepen- and daily exposure to heartrending scenes General K.M. Cariappa outlined his plan for this aspect remains an Indian weakness. dence, a major factor was the formation of of murders, rapes and other brutalities, the security of North East Frontier Agency In World War I, more than one mil- Indian National Army (INA) by the Indian brought their discipline to a breaking point, (NEFA), after China had occupied Tibet; lion Indian soldiers served overseas. The prisoners of war. About 20,000 officers but it survived because of its leadership. It Nehru flared up and thumping the table said, Army expanded from 2,39,511 in 1914 to and men joined the INA. The British were “It is not the business of the Commander-in- 14,40,428 personnel by 1919. While there stunned at the defection of officers. They Chief (C-in-C) to tell the Prime Minister who were no commissioned Indian officers in the realised that they could not rely on the Defence of a nation is going to attack us where. You mind only Army, the Indian Army fought in all major Indian Army to put down a movement for Kashmir and Pakistan.” Nehru continued to theatres including France Gallipoli, Meso- independence. This was reinforced by the and development are appease the Chinese and the untimely death potamia, Egypt and Palestine. mutinies in the Royal Indian Air Force in of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took away all When Poland was attacked by Germany January 1946 and an even more wide- complementary. If India opposition to Nehru’s views. The Sino-Indian on September 1, 1939, Britain declared war spread one in February 1946, in the Royal War of 1962 and the national humiliation against Germany on September 3, 1939. Indian Navy. It was acknowledged that aspires to be a regional/ was the result of this policy and the bias The Viceroy declared India at War on the India could not be held by force of arms global economic power, against the military. The military also failed same day. World War II had started. Con- and this was a major factor in the British by acquiescing to a policy they knew to be gress governments in power in eight prov- decision to grant independence. its military power must militarily and politically unsound. inces resigned as they had not been con- It was agreed that by August 15, 1947, sulted at all and declared that they would India and Pakistan should have effective reflect that desire through The Period 1961 to 1971 not cooperate with the government. This forces, mainly non-Muslims and Muslims The period 1961 to 1971 was one of the most was not due to any love for Nazi Germany under their respective control. A large part its ability to protect its traumatic periods of the Indian Army. The but as a matter of principle. At the start of of the Army had mixed classes and involved defeat in 1962 shook the foundation of the the World War II, the Indian Army had a a major reorganisation of practically all interests. nation and the armed forces. The Army began strength of 1,94,373 personnel which was units. The Navy and the Air Force did not to introspect to overcome its weaknesses. The

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces 5 >> military history

photograph: Indian army 1965 war helped the Army redeem itself 13, 2001, terrorist attack on the Parlia- but revealed embarrassing weaknesses in its ment House. This 10-month-long mobilisa- equipment and its training and even leader- tion from January to October 2002, along ship at various levels. These two wars spurred the border with Pakistan generated high the political leadership to modernise and levels of tension in the relations between the expand the services. As 1970 came to a close, two South Asian neighbours, and raised the the Indian Army was now ready to face new prospects of a major war. The operation was challenges emerging on the horizon. a major effort in coercive diplomacy by New The 1971 war resulted in creation of Delhi, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on a new nation, Bangladesh, and a decisive the Indian Parliament, and while the gov- military victory in which 93,000 prison- ernment claims that their strategic objec- ers of war were taken. While many books tives were met by mere posturing which have been written to describe each battle avoided a war, military analysts are of the in detail, it is the spirit of the soldiery dur- view that gains were not commensurate to ing this campaign that deserves mention. In the mammoth exercise in coercive diplo- the words of Sydney Schanberg of the New macy by India. However, it led to some posi- York Times, who accompanied Indian troops tive changes in India’s military doctrine and in two sectors: “I don’t like sitting around it hastened military modernisation together praising armies. I don’t like armies because with organisational changes. armies mean wars – and I don’t like wars. Special Forces in a mock drill But this [the Indian] Army was something… The Way Ahead They were great all the way. There was never Indian Army as it moves through the first a black mark… I lived with the officers and Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh guards. The sector was vast with the line of control quarter of the 21st century, is likely to I walked, rode with the jawans – and they The period July 1987-March 1990 saw running along the watershed along heights face four types of challenges and threats were all great.… And they were the most the Indian Army fight Tamil militants in Sri 4,000-5,000 metres high. The frontage and including traditional threats, contempo- perfect gentlemen—I have never seen them Lanka with one hand tied behind their back. the nature of terrain ensured large gaps rary threats in the form of terrorism, inter- do a wrong thing—not even when they just The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) between defended areas. The deployment nal challenges and contingency threats. In saw how bestial the enemy had been.” moved to Sri Lanka to carry out peacekeep- included one infantry battalion at Dras; two essence, India faces a far greater threat than ing duties as generally assigned during the infantry battalions and a Border Security any other country in the world because of The Period from 1971 to 1998 UN operations and to separate the war- Force (BSF) battalion covering Kargil and a highly volatile strategic neighbourhood. The period after 1971 war saw the steady ring factions i.e. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Chorbat La was held by Ladakh Scouts. As Moreover, with India’s vibrant economic modernisation of the Indian Army with Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan armed forces indications of Pakistani intrusion came growth, it would naturally have to assume new equipment for modern wars. The but ended up enforcing peace and conduct- in on May 3, 1999, it became clear that additional responsibility as a stabilising Experts Committee under the Chairman- ing military operations against LTTE. What armed intruders had occupied heights in force in the region. It is encouraging to note ship of Lt General K.V. Krishna Rao submit- the Indian Army achieved is best described the gaps between all defended areas in the that India’s security concerns have, for the ted its report in 1976. Some of its major rec- in the words of Rajan Wijeratrie, at one sector. It became apparent that India was first time, converged with international ommendations started getting implemented time the Minister of State for Defence in Sri facing an attempt by Pakistan to change security concerns which makes global com- in the 1980s. The expansion of mechanised Lankan Government. He is reported to have the LoC using its regular troops. The com- munity understand the need for India to forces was achieved as a result of this report. said, “The IPKF had virtually finished them placency of the local Army formations in develop and modernise its military capabili- On April 13, 1984, 34 soldiers of the off. They were gasping for breath in the not conducting even routine surveillance ties. Defence of a nation and development Indian Army were landed by 17 sorties of jungles. It was we who provided that oxygen in the winter months, stood out. Having are complementary. If India aspires to be helicopters at a point three kilometers short to them.” This summed up what IPKF had been surprised, the initial reactions were a regional/global economic power, its mili- of Bilafond La, a pass on the Soltaro ridge, achieved before de-induction. unsatisfactory leading to poorly planned tary power must reflect that desire through west of Siachen glacier. The soldiers occu- During the 1980s, the Indian Army also patrols and attacks. While these did fix the its ability to protect its interests. In this pied the pass. This was the opening move in conducted the operation in Maldives to pre- enemy, success came their way only when context, the transformation of the Indian what is referred to as the Siachen conflict vent mercenaries from overthrowing the the whole act was put together. Air and military for the future, through technologi- between India and Pakistan which contin- Government of Maldives and while it did not artillery (155mm Howitzers) was employed cal improvements coupled with innovative ues till date. This period also saw the Army involve much fighting, it demonstrated to the with devastating effect to allow the Indian operational art will give India a distinct assault on the Golden Temple on the night world the speed and efficiency with which soldier, the infantryman to live up to his advantage over its potential adversaries, of June 5-6, 1984, at Amritsar, to clear the the Indian armed forces could react. This reputation of fortitude under adversity and which is vital for preserving India’s sover- complex of the militants who had based period (1989 onwards) also saw the start courage and determination in the attack. eignty and furthering its national interests. themselves in the temple. The operation was of the terrorism and insurgency in Kashmir However, it is most unfortunate that the code named ‘Blue Star’. By the first light of and deployment of additional troops in J&K. Operation Parakram present United Progressive Alliance Gov- June 7, 1984, the Golden Temple complex Operation Parakram, which means valour, ernment has been neglectful of its responsi- had been cleared of militants but it left in Kargil War (May-July 1999) was a momentous event which could have bilities regarding the modernisation of the its aftermath a wave of anguish and anger The Kargil sector is 168 km along the line unleashed a major war on the subcontinent. armed forces and our adversaries are likely among the Sikh community and the nation of control (LOC), stretching from Kaobal It involved a massive build-up the Indian to take full advantage of our weaknesses. faced the assassination of the then Prime Gali in the west to Chorbat La in the east. Army ordered in the wake of the December National security stands imperilled. SP

‘The budgetary allocation to the Army’...continued from page 4

There have been isolated violations of The above notwithstanding, I expect decisions, will the Indian Army be able to the recent years has been fairly consistent. standard operating procedures (SOPs), how- the Indian Army to be network-centric in equip, upgrade and modernise in confor- The Army has carried out a holistic review ever, remedial recourse has been effected. line with our laid down objectives in the mity with existing plans? Very little has and re-prioritisation to accelerate capabil- These aberrations notwithstanding, we must days ahead. been achieved in the Twelfth Five Year ity development. I have also constituted a never trivialise the sacrifices of our brave sol- Plan, therefore given the above environ- Higher Forum on Operational Preparedness diers. As the COAS, I salute all my soldiers, SP’s: We are exercising with various ment, what makes us confident that it will and Modernisation under the Vice Chief, who in the line of duty and best traditions of friendly foreign countries. Have these exer- be achieved in the future? which is closely monitoring all modernisa- our Army have made the supreme sacrifice. cises in any way impacted the operational/ COAS: Defence acquisition is a complex pro- tion efforts. The Army remains committed to equipment philosophy of the Army? cess that needs to balance the competing accelerate procurement and maximise oper- SP’s: How long will it take the Indian Army COAS: The combined exercises are aimed at requirements of expeditious procurement, ational readiness. We have set achievable to be ready for network-centric operations? achieving desired capability during opera- development by indigenous defence sector targets and are making steady progress. The What is holding it back? tions that may be undertaken in the after- and conformity to the highest standards of numerous initiatives have already started COAS: Network-centric operations involve math of a disaster situation or for opera- transparency, probity and public account- showing results. In the current financial development of information and communica- tions against terrorists under the aegis of the ability. High levels of public probity and year, we have far surpassed the results of tion technology (ICT) infrastructure and suit- United Nations. Such exercises also enable media scrutiny impose a degree of caution, previous years. able applications. While our networks at stra- the development of minimum inescapable making the process more deliberate, as tenets Streamlining and refinement of the tegic and operational level are well developed, interoperability, which is essential for achiev- of the Defence Procurement Procedure procurement procedure is a continuous we need mobile and flexible tactical commu- ing the synergy between two Armies. (DPP) have to be followed conscientiously. process. Experience gained has adequately nication system (TCS) to be fielded at the earli- The Indian Army has benefitted While there have been some time over- been subsumed in successive versions of est. At the same time, while some applications immensely from this exposure, both opera- runs, it would be incorrect to state that the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). have been fielded successfully, others are at tionally as also with respect to technology very little has been achieved in the Twelfth MoD as well the three services have taken different stages of development through indig- related issues. Five Year Plan. Thirty-nine contracts have great care to minimise systemic deficien- enous production by the Defence Research already been concluded in the Twelfth Plan. cies of all nature and are working in unison and Development Organisation (DRDO) and SP’s: At the current level of budgetary A significant number of schemes linked to to ensure timely and unhindered procure- defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), allocation for defence, the procedural the modernisation of Artillery, Army Air ment. Due to the special emphasis laid on in keeping with security considerations. I complexity that effectively precludes the Defence and Mechanised Forces are in fairly indigenisation by the Defence Minister, as would also like to highlight that in the field full utilisation of allocated funds within advanced stages of procurement and ought reflected in the foreword of DPP 2013, I of ICT, the development cycle has to be tele- the financial year and the hesitancy of to fructify within the Twelfth Plan. am confident that there will be progressive

SP www.spslandforces.com scoped to beat technological obsolescence. people in charge in taking procurement The budgetary allocation to the Army in improvement in the coming years.

6 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 modernisation >> Revisiting Indian Army’s Modernisation Programmes The government, it seems, has now sanctioned the Twelfth Five Year Defence Plan as a result of the severe criticism over delays in the past. However, for the Army, it would be cosmetic paper exercise as even the Eleventh Plan procurements have not materialised.

photograph: SP Guide pubns  Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor 236 additional T-90 tanks for the Indian Army. The order, worth over `6,000 crore ndian Army’s 600 odd moderni- ($940 million), will be executed by the sation schemes amounting to over Avadi HVF that already has a license from `70,000 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Russia to manufacture T-90 tanks from kits Plan (2007-12) alone have not fructi- purchased from Russia. Another contract, fied. The revised Defence Procurement worth about $470 million, has been signed IProcedure (DPP) over the years has done lit- for the deliveries of the Invar missiles, which tle to accelerate the pace of modernisation. will be installed on Russian-built T-90 tanks. A dispassionate analysis would indicate that This has to be completed within the next five the voids in equipment and munitions in the years. Invar is a laser-guided anti-tank mis- Army to fight a modern war together with sile with a range of five kilometres and the the lack of modernisation of equipment capability to penetrate explosive reactive in virtually all fighting arms of the Army, armour (ERA). According to local media is creating a capability gap vis-à-vis our reports, India plans to purchase 25,000 likely adversaries and this is becoming more Invar missiles for its T-90 tanks, including pronounced day by day. It is in this context 10,000 to be procured directly from Rus- that we should view the letter written by sia and 15,000 more to be manufactured General (Retd) V.K. Singh, the former Chief domestically under a Russian license. of Army Staff (COAS), to the Prime Minister The programme launched to modernise on March 12, 2012, which was deliber- T-90 battle tank the T-72 M1 Ajeya MBTs is still unsatisfac- ately leaked to the media. It highlighted tory and has not progressed much. About that the mission reliability of mechanised 1,700 T-72 M1s have been manufactured vehicles was poor, the artillery was obsolete nine per cent. But with inflation averag- T-90S tanks due to excessive heat in the tur- under licence at HVF, Avadi. The T-72 M1 and inadequate, air defence was antiquated, ing more than five per cent since February rets during the summers is being remedied modernisation programme under Project armour was unreliable due to regular bar- and the rupee depreciating by 14 per cent through air-conditioning of the interior. Rhino will extend the service life of the MBT rel accidents caused by mismatch between against the dollar over the same period, that On September 13, 2013, a major deal by 20 years; enhance their accuracy with indigenous barrels and ammunition, night- modest nominal budget increase is actu- was cleared by the Defence Acquisition new fire control system (FCS) whose trials fighting devices were insufficient, aviation ally a real budget decrease for defence and Council (DAC) for the manufacturing of are under way. This will give night-fighting corps helicopters needed urgent replace- considering the austerity measures required ments; and holdings of all types of missiles, to be undertaken with a slowing economy, anti-tank and specialised ammunition was the Army will have to prioritise its require- critically low. This is pointing at lack of ments. It does however indicate the accu- preparedness to fight and win wars on the mulating voids in our capabilities in various battlefields of the 21st century. arms which will adversely affect the Army’s Following this it seems that the Defence fighting capabilities in future wars. Ministry had asked Army Headquarters to The notable features of arm wise mod- fast-track acquisitions and the list of essen- ernisation and the steps been taken in tials was prepared and sent. However, the acquisition of equipment are as follows: situation has not improved but in fact has worsened in the last one year. On the one Armour hand, nothing has come so far, while on the The Army had equipped two regiments other hand, missiles and specialised ammu- with Arjun tanks out of the 124 Arjun nition holdings which have a shelf-life, have main battle tanks (MBT) ordered by it ear- dipped further. The government, it seems, lier. As a result of the satisfactory feedback has now sanctioned the Twelfth Five Year by the units and from the tank crews, an Defence Plan as a result of the severe criti- additional 124 Arjun Mark II tanks have cism over delays in the past. However, for the been ordered subject to satisfactory devel- Army, it would be cosmetic paper exercise as opment of the upgraded Mark II version even the Eleventh Plan procurements have of the tank for equipping two more regi- not materialised. Thus considering the lack ments. These tanks will have substantially of implementation of the Eleventh Plan, the upgraded capabilities of firepower, mobility Army’s modernisation plans, both Eleventh and protection. The development of Arjun and Twelfth Plans, need to be implemented. Mark I tank with 43 improvements has The defence budget for 2013-14 grew by commenced and limited technical trials five per cent over the previous year, with incorporating the improvements have been defence capital acquisitions growing by carried out in Rajasthan. The first batch of MBT Arjun Mark II is likely to go in for pro- duction by 2014-15 at the Heavy Vehicles Like the F-INSAS Factory (HVF) in Avadi. As regards the T-90 project, many other tanks, 310 T-90S tanks had been ordered from Russia in the first instance. Of these, Army modernisation 124 fully-assembled tanks were directly imported from Russia and 186 kits were programmes are hardly imported for assembly in India. The first indigenously assembled T-90S rolled out progressing, thus from the HVF Avadi on January 7, 2004. These tanks have now been fully operation- negatively affecting the alised. Additional 347 T-90S tanks have been inducted into service which brings the operational preparedness total to 657 T-90s tanks. As per reports, the of the Army Army has till now inducted around 780 of the 1,657 T-90S tanks it eventually wants. The defects in the fire control systems of Untitled-3 1 17/08/12 5:31 PM

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces 7 >> Modernisation

photographS: SP Guide pubns capability through a thermal imager inte- ment Organisation (DRDO) and Israel for grated with the tank‘s FCS. Three hundred MRSAM for all the three services. Successor T-72 tanks of the Army had been fitted with to Igla have been shortlisted and trials have thermal imaging stand-alone sights (TISAS). been held. However, the results have not Later 300 more TISAS were added bringing been finalised. Shortlisted systems include the total to 600 TISAS. Thus the remaining SAAB RBS-7O, MBDA, Mistral, a Russian about 1,000 T-72 tanks will be fitted with SAM system and South Korea’s LIG Nex1. more modern integrated fire control systems. A major weakness in the overall air However, the overall night fighting capability defence matrix is the lack of a battlefield of India’s armour is currently inadequate management system which is also linked and operationally unacceptable. with the national air defence network. The T-90, the improved T-72 M1 tanks The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has and Arjun tanks, will constitute India’s now undertaken the development of such armour might in the future till a new MBT a system. is chosen or designed indigenously. Mean- while, light tanks for the Eastern theatre are Infantry still being debated. The future infantry soldier as a system (F-INSAS) has been initiated to make the Mechanised Infantry infantryman a weapon platform with situ- The mechanised infantry is currently ational awareness, increased lethality and equipped with the BMP-2 infantry combat sustainability in the digitised battlefield. vehicle (ICV) named Sarath. The ICVs are F-INSAS is to be effected in three phases: being equipped with thermal imaging night Phase I includes weapons, body armour, sights and image intensifiers. The Army had Pinaka MBRL clothing and individual equipment; Phase ordered 198 carrier mortar tracked, which II is the target acquisition system and Phase have since been delivered. The ICV BMP-2/2K III comprises the computer sub-system, is being modernised by upgrading its existing ICV BMP-II K radio sub-system, software and software NBC System, fire detection and suppression integration. F-INSAS will be a part of the system, ERA panels to provide extra protec- battlefield management system (BMS) of tion and a new power-pack. The scheme to the Army. fit environmental control for ICV BMP-2 is The Defence Acquisition Council in an advanced stage of procurement. Addi- (DAC) had approved of a new assault rifle, tional battlefield surveillance radar (medium- 5.56mm calibre and a new generation range) mounted on high mobility wheeled carbine to replace the 9mm carbine which vehicles are also being procured. had been weeded out of the Army without The Indian Army has planned for a getting a replacement. The progress in the futuristic infantry combat vehicle (FICV) field of carbines is that in August 2012 the to replace the BMP-2 with key opera- process of procuring 44,618 5.56mm close tional and performance parameters envis- quarter battle (CQB) carbines to replace aged in the Indian context. A project to the outdated 9mm model and 33.6 mil- build 2,600 FICVs costing approximately lion rounds of ammunition in a contract `60,000 crore has been approved by the worth over `2,000 crore was set in motion. government. This project is a pioneer in The manufacturers in the race were Israel ‘Make High-Tech’ category where for the Weapon Industries (IWI) Galil Ace carbine, first time the defence industry has invited Italy’s Baretta with its ARX-160 and United participation by private established agen- States’ Colt and Sig Sauer’s offering the M4 cies. The project is in an advanced stage for and 516 Patrol models. These weapons have development of a prototype. undergone field trials at the Infantry School at Mhow, in Central India, the Thar Desert Arty Firepower in Rajasthan and high altitude locations in As part of its artillery modernisation plan, India’s Northern and Northeast region. the Army is looking at inducting several types The 145 ultralight howitzers (M777) 1,000 m x 800 m. Production of rockets is Army is also on the lookout for assault of howitzers through inter-governmental are being procured from the US through in full swing. Manufacture of 40 launch- rifles (AR) to replace the INSAS 5.56mm pacts and global tenders. The last major the foreign military sales (FMS) route from ers, 16 battery command posts, 40 L and rifles with technologically superior weap- acquisition of towed gun-howitzers was that BAE Systems. This deal has been cleared by 20 replenishment vehicles have been com- ons and in the race are ARs of the Czech of 400 pieces of 39-calibre 155mm FH-77B India’s Cabinet Committee on Security and pleted and systems have been handed over Republic’s Czeca, IWI, Baretta and Colt and howitzers with a range of 30 km from Bofors trials have also been conducted but the deal to the Army. Five lots of restricted high Sig Sauer, all weighing around 3.6 kg. The of Sweden in 1987, which got embroiled in has still not fructified. On September 13, the explosive rockets and 23 lots of pre-formed other requirements include the ability to controversy. This gun proved its mettle in the Defence Acquisition Council headed by the fragmented warhead rockets have been convert from 5.56 x 45mm to 7.62 x 39mm Kargil conflict. After about 25 years of neglect Defence Minister cleared the deal four days delivered to the Army. calibres by merely switching the barrel and during which the 100mm and 122mm field before the arrival of the US Deputy Secre- magazine for employment in counterin- guns of Russian origin and the indigenously tary of Defence, Ashton B. Carter. Air Defence Artillery surgency and/or conventional offensive/ developed and manufactured 75/24 Howit- The Army has inducted the Prithvi and The Corps of Army Air Defence holds a large defensive operations. They also need to be zer joined the long list of obsolete equipment, the Agni series of missiles, and the BrahMos variety of guns and missile systems. It has fitted with detachable under barrel grenade the Army still awaits the procurement of missiles in their operational formations. 40mm L/70, Zu-23-2 Twin gun, ZSU-23-4 launchers and be capable of firing OFB-pro- about 1,580 Howitzers of 155mm 52 cali- The Prithvi and the Agni series of missiles Schilka, Tanguska, Kvadrat (medium-range duced 5.56mm x w45 (SS109) ammuni- bre. Out of these, 400 are to be procured out- are nuclear capable missiles also capable of missile system), OSA-AK (short-range missile tion rounds. It will also involve transfer of right and 1,180 manufactured indigenously firing conventional warheads. Block III ver- system) and Igla shoulder fired missile sys- technology to the OFB to licence build the with transfer of technology (ToT). sion of the BrahMos missile with the Army tem in its inventory. The 40mm L/70 which ARs. Army’s immediate requirement is for Trials of a modified Nexter TRAJAN is capable of trajectory manoeuvres and is about four decades old, needs immediate around 2,18,320 rifles where as India’s AR 155mm/52-calibre TGS and Elbit’s refur- steep dive with multiple way points using replacement. Considering the high costs of requirement is estimated at 2-3 million to bished lighter ATHOS 2052 howitzer were advance guidance system and software. new weapon systems, the Army is going in arm the large Central Paramilitary Forces to be held during May 2013 as a part of Multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) for weapon upgrades for L-70, ZU-23-2 Twin and the state police. At this scale, India’s summer trials in the western Rajasthan Pinaka has a range of 37.5 km, can be gun and ZSU-23-4 Schilka. Meanwhile, the AR acquisitions could be one of the world’s desert using Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) brought into action within three minutes Army is looking for successors to L-70 and largest small arms contracts in recent times manufactured ordnance. These tests will be and can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 sec- the ZU-23-2. Successor to Schilka (ZSU-23- worth over $5 billion in due course. followed by winter firings and the selection onds. Pinaka can neutralise a target area of 4) already exists in the form of Tangushka, Request for proposals (RFPs) for some of one system by the Artillery Directorate to but in limited numbers. A request for infor- 1,70,000 modular bulletproof vests weigh- proceed to cost negotiations (the estimated mation (RFI) has already been issued to find ing around 10.5 kg and an equal number budget being $2 billion). These trials con- As part of its Artillery a replacement for Schilka. of ballistic helmets have been placed with stitute the fifth attempt to select a suitable Modernisation Plan, In the missile systems, Kvadrat (medium- domestic manufacturers in June and Decem- 155mm howitzer for the Indian Army. range) and OSA-AK (short-range) are also ber 2012 respectively. These are also four Nexter is now collaborating with Indian the Army is looking at at the end of their life cycle. They were to be years behind schedule. Tenders for knee and private defence contractor Larsen and Tou- replaced by Akash and Trishul surface-to-air elbow protection pads await finalisation. bro (L&T) while Elbit has partnered with inducting several types of (SAM) missiles. Trishul has been foreclosed Like the F-INSAS project, many other the Kalyani Group, the world’s largest forg- and Akash is being inducted for semi-mobile Army modernisation programmes are ings manufacturer headquartered in Pune. howitzers through inter- roles. For air defence of mechanised units, it hardly making any progress, thus nega- The Kalyani Group, better known as Bharat has been planned to acquire medium-range tively affecting the operational prepared- Forge, after one of its more successful sub- governmental pacts and SAM (MRSAM) and quick reaction SAM ness of the Army. It’s a massive task and at sidiaries has acquired RUAG’s entire artil- global tenders (QRSAM) systems. RFP for QRSAM is being the current rate of progress when not even lery manufacturing unit in Switzerland and issued and there is a joint development ven- Phase 1 has been completed, it seems it will

SP www.spslandforces.com has set it up in Pune in 2012. ture of the Defence Research and Develop- take exceptionally long to be completed.

8 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 Asia Pacific >> China’s ADIZ

Despite the fact that the purported ‘peaceful rise’ of China was never peaceful and conversely extremely violent, it would be prudent for China to keep its territorial ambitions in check for the sake of peace and prosperity of the region.

photograph: freewebs.com  Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch If China promulgates an ADIZ over the South China Sea, this could affect Viet- n November 23, 2013, the namese military air patrols over the People’s Liberation Army Air Spratly islands. Force (PLAAF) declared China’s  Since Japan insists that there is no dis- first ever air defence identifica- pute over Senkaku, China’s long-term tion zone (ADIZ) over a broad strategy appears to continue claiming Oarea in the East China Sea that overlapped the ADIZ and keep patrolling it, in order the airspace over the Senkaku group of to drive home the point that it indeed is islands. The Chinese action has thus added disputed. a new dimension of possible violence in an  Should there be a clash because of fur- already tense region after China arbitrarily ther Chinese action, China’s neighbours extended its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) would need to review defensive mea- completely disregarding its neighbours. sures to protect their sovereignty, which may lead to escalation of acquisition of Senkaku Islands arms and even going nuclear without a Senkaku group of Islands, also known as test and without announcements – akin the Diaoyu Islands in Mainland China or to Israel. Diaoyutai Islands in Taiwan is a group of  By provoking Japan, China is inadver- uninhabited islands controlled by Japan tently doing a strategic favour to Japan in the East China Sea. In 1969, the United by rousing Japanese nationalism to Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the next level. Already, Japan is in the Far East (ECAFE) identified potential oil and Diaoyu Island process of revising its defence policies. gas reserves in the vicinity of the Senkaku As per analysts, a pre-emptive strike Islands in 1969. The Chinese and Taiwan- strategy against potential aggressors ese Governments officially began to declare the US conducts military operations in the gauntlet across the waters. China’s declara- may well be on the cards. Japanese ownership of the islands in 1972. Chal- region. The US followed up this statement by tion of the above ADIZ apparently would media reports indicate that a study lenging Japan’s sovereignty over them has flying two unarmed B52 bombers into the have the following fallouts: to strengthen the ability to deter and been disputed by both the People’s Republic so-called Chinese ADIZ. If China was merely  China’s ADIZ encompasses the air space respond to ballistic missiles has been of China (PRC) and the Republic of China signalling, then the US returned the signal. above Japan’s Senkaku Islands and as concluded. Mao Tze Dong’s had said, (Taiwan) following the transfer of adminis- It is quite possible that China was hoping such overlaps with the Japanese ADIZ; “The Chinese people have stood up; they tration from the US to Japan in 1972. The that such a counter-action would be under- challenging Japanese sovereignty. will never again be humiliated.” But Chinese now claim the discovery and con- taken by Japan and not the United States.  Chinese attempt to unilaterally impose China must realise that Japanese people trol of the islands from the 14th century Not surprising, there was no movement by its ADIZ regulations on Japanese air- were standing much before Chinese took but Japan controlled the islands from 1895 PLAAF beyond a Chinese statement that it space, increases the risk of misadven- baby steps. So, China will have to bear until its surrender at the end of World War had monitored the flight of the B52 bomb- ture in the air rather than containing the consequences of trying to humiliate II. The US administered Senkaku from 1945 ers, which means little. If China wanted to such risks. the Japanese psyche. until 1972, when the islands reverted to test the US-Japan alliance, it got the answer.  Since the US administered Senkaku  Should Chinese assertiveness continue Japanese control under the Okinawa Rever- islands after World War II and later to disregard global commons, continue sion Agreement between the United States Rise of the Dragon transferred them back to Japanese con- to declare more ADIZ that would affect and Japan. On September 11, 2012, Japan Ever since 1993, when China became a net trol, the US recognises Japanese admin- more countries of Asia-Pacific and nationalised its control over the islands by importer of oil for the first time, it has been istration over Senkaku islands. orchestrate clashes at whatever small purchasing them from the Kurihara family publicly declaring its intentions of stepping  The US has demonstrated its defence level, the situation taking an upward of Japan for ¥2.05 billion but China objected beyond its traditional continental land-ori- treaty with Japan which covers the Sen- spiral can hardly be discounted, global to the deal, claiming that these islands are ented security paradigms. In January 2005, kaku islands—land feature, territorial reaction to which may include exploit- Chinese territory. Lt General Lin Yazhou, then Deputy Politi- sea and air space. ing the fault lines within China espe- cal Commissar of PLAAF, stated, “When a  Should PLAAF send military aircraft to cially since China itself has been wag- The Chinese Challenge nation grows strong enough, it practises challenge Japanese military aircraft over ing proxy wars on many fronts over The PLAAF declared that all non-commer- hegemony. The sole purpose of power is the Senkaku islands, it can provoke a the past several decades. Thomas Reed cial aircraft entering a broad zone over the to pursue power... Geography is destiny… clash that can escalate. in his recent book The Nuclear Express: East China Sea must first identify themselves When a country begins to rise; it shall first  The US action has reassured allies in the A Political History of the Bomb and its to Beijing at the risk of facing “defensive set itself in an invincible position.” With region who post the US economic draw Proliferation reveals post his talks with emergency measures” by PLAAF. The ADIZ the recent statement of the ADIZ from down and budgetary cuts were appre- Chinese scientists that China under covers the famous eight uninhabited islands, the PLAAF, there is some coincidence but hensive whether the US would physi- Deng Xiaoping, decided to proliferate implying Japanese aircraft flying around Lin Yazhou forgot that geography is not cally come to their assistance in case of nuclear technology to communists and those islands would need to submit their in favour of China as it has a limited oce- conflict. Muslims in the third world based on the flight plans to China and if ‘granted permis- anic front, and more importantly, chang-  China has indicated that it reserves the strategy that if the West started getting sion’ would still need to maintain radio com- ing geography akin to the erstwhile Brit- right to impose ADIZs over other mari- nuked by Muslim terrorists or another munication with Chinese authorities: ish Empire and blitzkrieg type of actions time regions including South China Sea. communist country without Chinese China apparently hoped to achieve are unlikely to succeed. But then Chinese fingerprints, it would be good for China. multiple objectives: first, challenge the actions in recent years have led a cross sec- Hence the nuclear help to Pakistan and sovereignty of Japan over the islands; sec- tion to conclude that this Chinese mindset is Ever since 1993, when North Korea. ond, bring international focus on Chinese rooted in its historical “Tian Xia” (under the claim over the area; third, provoke Japan Heaven) concept which traditionally views China became a net Conclusion to test its reaction; fourth, test the Japan- “all territories” under the sun belonging to The Chinese declaration of the ADIZ US alliance and fifth, test global reaction the Chinese, because of which they attach importer of oil for the encompassing the Senkaku Islands has the to declare more ADIZ in line with its arbi- no sense to territory. So possibly when Lin potential of escalation especially if Japanese trarily expanding EEZ claims—China hav- Yazhou stated: “Geography is destiny,” he first time, it has been military aircraft flying over them are physi- ing already announced that more Chinese was perhaps hallucinating the entire global publicly declaring its cally challenged. China needs to realise that ADIZ would follow. airspace being dominated by the PLAAF. dialogue may be better than following the intentions of stepping approach of the camel’s head slipping into Reactions Implications and Fallouts the tent. Despite the fact that the purported This Chinese action invited reactions on The fact that China has again launched beyond its traditional ‘peaceful rise’ of China was never peaceful expected lines. The US termed the Chinese fighter jets in the ADIZ ‘after’ the United and conversely extremely violent, it would action as a destabilising attempt to alter the States, Japan and South Korea had flown continental land-oriented be prudent for China to keep its territorial status quo in the region, increasing risk of military aircraft in defiance of China’s ambitions in check for the sake of peace and misunderstanding and miscalculations, claim, indicates that China intends to keep security paradigms prosperity of the region including its own and that it would in no way change how disturbing the status quo and throwing the and the world at large. SP

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces 9 >> strategy China-Pakistan Anti-India Nexus

Chances of conventional conflict are less compared to the unconventional but we must be prepared for both. The requirement for India to establish a deterrent against irregular/unconventional warfare was never more given the dim prospects of break-up of China-Pakistan anti-India nexus.

photograph: PIB  Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch tary; refusal to acknowledge continuation of the ‘Karachi Project’ and other Pakistani artaj Aziz, Nawaz Sharif’s complicity as disclosed by Abu Jundal; fund- special envoy during his recent ing anti-India terrorists openly –as done in visit to New Delhi, met separat- Pakistan’s Punjab, etc. ist Hurriyat leaders and assured India permitted Sartaj Aziz meet Hurriyat them that Pakistan will continue separatists in New Delhi despite the fact that Sto support separatists in Jammu and Kash- Aziz was Pakistan’s Foreign Minister when mir (J&K). Hurriiyat’s fox, Syed Ali Shah Pakistan undertook massive infiltrations Geelani asked Aziz that Pakistan should not in Kargil region during 1999. He travelled only support them politically and diplomati- to China to drum up support against India cally but also through ‘other means’—read during the conflict, sought support from through infiltration, terrorism, financially Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and arming. Ironically, China too is gaming also during Kargil conflict, labeled India of to somehow wrest J&K from India as part of having “overreacted” and later claimed in its strategic plan to march south along the the media that Pakistan had achieved its entire Himalayan region, right down to the aims in the Kargil conflict by “forcing Kash- Indian Ocean. mir dispute to the top of the global agenda”. More significantly, Pakistan has been ignor- Initiating the Nexus ing the systematic slaughter of Shias and How China dovetailed Pakistan into its stra- Ahmadiyas in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and tegic calculations is indicated by a book that Dr Manmohan Singh with the President of the opened the area to Chinese in a bid to put a was published in Karachi in the year 2000. People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, in Beijing lid on the unrest. In the petition dated July In this book, From a Head, through a Head, 11, 2011, addressed to the UN Secretary to Head, the author F.S. Aijazuddin writes, General by Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman “Chou-en Lai suggested to Ayub Khan that Pakistan’s Infirmities forces in PoK, it has deliberately altered the Balawaristan National Front (BNF) in Paki- Pakistan should prepare for prolonged con- No amount of denials can obfuscate Paki- demography of PoK. India did not pursue stan and China occupied Gilgit-Baltistan to flict with India instead of short-term wars. stan’s continuing quest for an identity. The delineation of ceasefire line (CFL) between ‘Save the Innocent People of Gilgit-Baltistan He advised Pakistan to raise a militia force powerful military and Inter-Services Intel- India-Pakistan under the Karachi Agree- from the Gallows of Pakistan’, written on to act behind enemy [read Indian] lines.” ligence (ISI) (both sides of the same coin) ment of 1949 beyond NJ 9842 – “north- behalf of some two million inhabitants of The period referred is early 1960s when have ruthlessly throttled any attempts to wards” to the Wakhan Corridor, bordering GB, Abdul Hamid Khan categorically stated, Chou-en Lai had visited Pakistan. The democratise the country and achieve an China and Afghanistan; India did not go to “Pakistan’s current role in Gilgit-Baltistan animosity China nurtured towards India identity of its own. Ayesha Siddiqa wrote UN when Pakistan transferred the Shaks- is a clear violation of UN… The people of even then despite all the Hindi-Chini Bhai in her book Military Inc published in 2007 gam Valley of J&K to China; is giving 80 per Gilgit Baltistan are the most sufferers and Bhai slogans is apparent. Based on China’s that the worth of the Pakistani military- cent of water to Pakistan under the Indus their fundamental, legal, ethnic, cultural, advice to raise a militia behind Indian lines, private industry-corporate complex was Water Treaty—far in excess to global norms economic and democratic rights are being which are the jihadis of today, Pakistan worth $20.7 billon then. This would have related with the size of the river basin; denied. India has included this region into started inducting armed modules pan India increased manifold and there is no way returned the captured strategic Haji Pir its Constitution… Pakistan has denied all in 1992-93, Students Islamic Movement of they would let go of this, which is being fur- Pass to Pakistan in 1965; treated 93,000 fundamental, legal, ethnic, cultural, eco- India (SIMI) started sending cadres to Paki- ther concretised through institutionalised Pakistani prisoners of the 1971 prisoners nomic and democratic rights for the last 63 stan for training with mujahedeen, Taliban radicalisation of Pakistan, breeding hatred with respect and returned them relying on years… Pakistan has multiplied its troops and Al Qaeda, plus established links with against India and Afghanistan, and playing verbal promise of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto during thousand times and civil, political and fun- radicals in Bangladesh. up ethnic violence. Not only is democracy the Shimla Accord to resolve the Kashmir damental rights have been snatched by its held hostage, any politician or bureaucrat issue—a promise Bhutto reneged later; with military, intelligence agencies and religious PRC’s Legacy falling out of line faces outright booting. a heart filled with friendship; Prime Min- fundamentalists. Pakistan has continuously China’s propaganda of ‘peaceful rise of ister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the bus to been hoodwinking international commu- China’ is not only false; the Chinese Com- Kashmir Lahore while Musharraf prepared to stab us nity by giving different names, designations munist Party’s (CCP’s) rule over People’s China views Kashmir as the springboard in Kargil; Indian Army gave formal religious and packages to its unlawful occupation... Republic of China (PRC) has been abject to the west and access to Indian Ocean burials to Pakistani soldiers unclaimed and The people of Gilgit Baltistan are not citizens opposite: ousting nationalists from Man- through Gwadar, Chabahar and Bandar abandoned by Pakistan during the Kargil of Pakistan as per the UN Resolutions of churia in 1948; crushing 4,000 Tibetans Abbas. Ironically, the United States while Conflict, while Pakistani Army brutally tor- August 13, 1948 and January 5, 1949, and with 30,000 battle hardened communist ‘nudging India’ is oblivious to what ‘con- tured, maimed and killed Captain Saurabh also as per the constitutions of Pakistan and troops; occupying Sinkiang and shelling cessions’ India has given and how has Paki- Kalia, five other Indian soldiers and Squad- India. Abdul Hamid Khan’s petition includes Taiwan; occupying 38,000 sq km of Indian stan responded. India has given numerous ron Leader Ajay Ahuja; India granted the an exhaustive list of scores of individuals territory of Aksai Chin; killing 25-30 mil- concessions to Pakistan, some of which most favoured nation (MFN) status to Paki- who have been given death sentences and lion Chinese during the Great Leap; invad- are: India declared a unilateral ceasefire in stan years ago; India has given investment life imprisonment (some already executed ing India in 1962 and back-stabbing USSR J&K in 1948 when Pakistani forces were on opportunities to Pakistanis in India. Paki- and some awaiting execution) without on Cuba; occupying Shaksgam in return the run and Pakistan still illegally held one stan’s response has been: breeding terror- giving them access to the High Court and to massive arms supply, nuclear technol- third of Kashmir. As per the UN resolution ism in India; infiltrating terrorists; creating Supreme Court, so that nobody opposes the ogy and ring magnets to kick-start Paki- of 1948, Pakistani security forces were to an armed terrorist architecture pan-India occupation of Gilgit Baltistan by Pakistan. stan’s nuclear programme in contravention clear out from Pakistan Occupied Kash- since early 1990s; engineering endless ter- The results of the first ever poll on both of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty mir (PoK). Not only did Pakistan counter rorist attacks/acts in Delhi, Pune, Mum- sides of the line of control in J&K conducted (NPT) and rules of National Security Guard the UN mandate by reinforcing its security bai, Gujarat, other parts of India including by Royal Institute of International Affairs (NSG); clashing with India at Nathu La in IC-814 hijack, attack on Parliament, 26/11 (Chatam House), UK, in conjunction with 1967 and firing on Russian ships on Amur Mumbai terrorist attack, etc; refusing to act King’s College during 2009-10 (conducted River; fighting USSR in 1969 and jingoism Today, China supports against Pakistani perpetrators of 26/11; on behest of former President of Pakistan with India in 1971; invading Vietnam in nurturing, patronising and masterminding Pervez Musharraf and financed by Muam- 1979 “to teach Vietnam a lesson”; violent Indian Maoists and their Lakshkar-e-Toiba (LeT) acts against India; mar Gaddafi’s son) bringing out that 98 suppression in Tiananmen Square in 1989. scripture “Strategy and using the Haqqani network to target Indi- per cent of people in J&K do not wish to be Since Mao’s time, China recruited and sup- ans and Indian interests in Afghanistan; part of Pakistan and 50 per cent of people ported extremist Maoist groups, such as in Tactics for the Indian pumping drugs and fake currency (minted in PoK do not wish to remain with Pakistan. Nepal and Burma, the New People’s Army in Pakistani Government facilities) into But the fact remains that Pakistan’s foreign of Philippines, the Khmer Rouge in Cambo- Revolution” of 2004 India; organising open rallies in Pakistan policy with its attenuated strategy of terror dia, Japanese Red Army and Shining Path in professing balkanisation of India, collecting is evolved and controlled by the Pakistani Peru. Today, China supports Indian Maoists has an indelible Beijing of funds and recruitment for jihad against Military over which Nawaz Sharif has abso- and their scripture “Strategy and Tactics India under the very nose of the adminis- lutely no lien. for the Indian Revolution” of 2004 has an flavour tration and with open support of military

www.spslandforces.com indelible Beijing flavour. veterans in connivance of the ISI and mili- Continued on page 14

10 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 SP's Defexpo Sole Media Partner for LF.indd 1 08/01/14 11:07 AM >> SEMINAR Digitisation of Battlefield: A Report Indigenisation is still a far cry and India has a long way to go in developing core battlefield technologies, opined experts at the seminar organised by SP Guide Publications in collaboration with CLAWS on October 31, 2013

photographs: SP Guide pubns

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1. Lt General Anil Bhalla giving the keynote address. 2. SP’s Editor-in-Chief & CMD Jayant Baranwal offering vote of thanks. 3. Lt General (Retd) Devinder Kumar, former Signals Officer-in-Chief of Indian Army, addressing the seminar. Also seen is Lt General Anil Bhalla. 4. Panel from left to right - Col (Retd) K.P.M. Das of Cisco, Lt General Anil Bhalla, Lt General (Retd) Davinder Kumar; Lt General K. Surendranath and Major General P.K. Srivastava. 5. Lt General K. Surendranath, COS, Headquarters Southern Command, addressing. 6. Lt General (Retd) S.P. Kochhar addressing during the second session.

 Sucheta Das Mohapatra the issue of constant need for upgradation.” nology and hence nations have to develop spoke on “Platforms: Make Technology the He said that the defence industry and pub- technological absorption capability and the Driver”. He said technology is the new game or the second consecutive lic-private partnership (PPP) model should enabling policy. changer and all elements of warfighting year, SP Guide Publications in col- be progressed rapidly and India is definitely, Major General P.K. Srivasatava, Addi- system can be controlled remotely with net- laboration with the Centre for Land though slowly and steadily growing into a tional Director General, Artillery, gave a centricity at its best. Space-based surveil- Warfare Studies (CLAWS) organised networked 21st century force. Giving the presentation on “Sensors: Utilisation and lance, advanced cruise missiles, precision a seminar on ‘Digitisation of Battle- vote of thanks, Jayant Baranwal, Chairman Trends.” He highlighted on the realities and guided weapons, UAVs, new technology Ffield’ which saw the user (Indian Army), and Managing Director, SP Guide Publica- problems faced at the ground level and said weapons are changing ground realities of CLAWS and the manufacturer (industry) tions thanked CLAWS, Honeywell, DRS and that “every soldier is a sensor”. The ground- conventional wars. While thanking Steve deliberating on requirements of the modern Cisco for their support in organising the based human intelligence resources include Jobs for inventing Apple and making hard- digitised battlefield and the developments of seminar, as the organisation gears up to cel- reconnaissance warriors, ghataks, com- ware an enabler of the software, he said in core technologies to support it. ebrate its 50-year journey in 2014. mando operations, intelligence sources, India it is the other way round as we procure reconnaissance troops of mechanised hardware first and then the software. On the Inaugural Session Session I armoured regiments, Special Forces and procurement and acquisition process, he The inaugural session was opened by Major The first session began with the release of unmanned ground systems. Likewise the said that technology comes with a price and General (Retd) Dhruv C. Katoch, Director, the book Pakistan’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons: ground-based electronic sensors include, is like ‘I scratch your back and you scratch CLAWS and was followed by keynote address Conflict Redux written by Brigadier (Retd) unattended ground sensors, battlefield sur- my back’ policy. This is with all transfer of by Lt General Anil Bhalla, Director General, Gurmeet Kanwal and Dr Monika Chanso- veillance radar-short-range, sound ranging, technology (ToT) cases with other countries. Perspective Planning and President Execu- ria by the Chairperson Lt General (Retd) etc. The aerial sensors include unmanned Lt General Anil Bhalla gave a presentation tive Council, CLAWS. “Indian battle space Davinder Kumar followed by a discussion on aerial vehicles (UAVs), aerostats, Army on the “Core Technologies Impacting Mod- is highly complex,” said Lt General Anil “Technology-Imperative for National Capa- Aviation helicopters, satellites/military and ern Warfare” and opined technology today Bhalla and added that on one hand we have bility”. The discussions began with the view civil. The sensors are utilised at all levels in is driven primarily by the demands of the high-end technology and on the other there that India has missed the industrial revolu- the Army he said and added that what we commercial sector. While science will drive are obsolete technologies. He opined that it tion, especially based on homegrown solu- need is a fully automated system. “What is technology, technology will drive warfare. is wrong to say that only the Mechanised tions and needs to catch up to achieve 70 required is a common operational picture He spoke on application of material science, Forces are suited for high-end technology. per cent indigenisation by 2020. The Chair (COP) which can be generated and flashed combat vehicle engineering, battlefield sur- “A simple thing like the direction finder will began by saying that technology changes to all commanders simultaneously, so that veillance (satellites, aerostats, airborne sen- help the soldier in the battlefield. We need warfare but does not determine warfare. all at all levels know all. There is the need sors, strategic UAVs, air defence radar); future a modern framework to provide high-end Technology shapes warfare and not war for proper visualisation software. This is the combat systems (DEW, UGV, CBRN), informa- technology to the soldier on the ground, but which is timeless. Technology and warfare requirement of digitisation in sensors and tion warfare, electronic warfare and cyber to absorb the technology for the soldier at have never been far afar. Possession of nec- we are grossly lacking here.” warfare. On the information communication the grassroots level is a difficult task. Mind- essary technology is a national imperative Lt General K. Surendranath, Chief of technology, he said that the biggest challenge

www.spslandforces.com set is the biggest challenge and add to it is and no nation will part with its critical tech- Staff, Headquarters Southern Command, is in interfacing this technology and where

12 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 Seminar >>

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1. Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Dev Ganesh of Honeywell giving a presentation on Enablers for Space Sensors. 2. Lt General (Retd) Aditya Singh, former GO-in-C, Southern Command (right) and Michael O’Hara Kelley, Senior Program Manager, DRS Technologies. 3. Michael O’Hara Kelley, Senior Program Manager, DRS Technologies, addressing during the third session. 4. Major General R.P. Bhadran, Additional DG IS, addressing during the third session. the field commanders lack. “We need a strong Officer-in-Chief (SO-in-C), Indian Army. satellite turning/manoeuvring or stabilis- XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below industrial base, identify technical gaps, col- He spoke on “Cyber Warfare: Offensive and ing; beam forming networks; SkyConnect (FBCB2), future joint battle command plat- laborate, adopt technology and shorten the Defensive Aspects.” Cyber security accord- aircraft tracking system for tracking of all form (JBC-P), and warfighter information technological development cycle.” ing to him is security of everything that a airborne assets in all types of terrain; Sky- network-tactical (WIN-T) capabilities onto Lt General (Retd) Davinder Kumar spoke man posses today. It is end-to-end defence Connect as a comprehensive hardware and a transport-agnostic network architecture. on “Anti-technology: Shaping the Battlefield” of everything connected to an electronic data solutions and SkyConnect through Major General R.P. Bhadran, Addi- and gave details of the anti-tank technologies device, which includes software, engulfs the Iridium Constellation; and the Osprey tional Director General, Information Sys- ranging from night vision devices to anti- entire cycle of cyber all connected with a Wings as an effective communication tool tems, Indian Army, gave a presentation on tank munitions, e-bombs, anti-satellite weap- network. He said while the users point is for worldwide tracking, messaging and “Expectations from Net-Centricity in the ons (ASAT), directed energy weapons. The to get security, the vendors aim at selling. alerting, etc. He said the Osprey is being Battlefield”. Networking improves efficiency utility of a tank today would diminish in the Our endeavour should be indigenisation of used in Naxal-affected areas of the coun- both in market and management and gave warfare of tomorrow, he said and also added components first and cyber tools to be effec- try and the Osprey Wings through the details of how warfighting efficiency will that cyber warfare is nothing but anti-tech- tive, must be home grown as all systems and Inmarsat satellite network was first used in increase with networking. Net-centricity nology and at the heart of asymmetric war- tool imported would have malware and no India by former Chief Minister of Andhra in the battlefield gives real time operational fare is cyber warfare. He gave the examples of country will give everything. Hence policy Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu in local picture which helps in better comprehen- Israeli products like Iron Fist and Trophy as changes are required and not only in audit transport buses. sion of battlefield; real time intelligence anti-technology munitions. On the anti-satel- but in ownership too. He also spoke on ana- In the Q&A session that followed, the picture which lightens the fog of war; faster lite weapons, he said, China is investing a lot. lytics and said that if you have analytical SP Guide Publications CMD questioned Air decision-making which reduces the friction K.P.M. Das, Vice President, Global Defence tools, your predictability becomes easy. Vice Marshal (Retd) Ganesh how would he in war. He opined that the power of net- and National Security Solutions, Cisco, gave Major General A.B. Shivane, Additional respond to the concern that the equipment centricity is derived from the application a presentation on “Unified Battlespace”. Director General (ADG), Perspective Plan- and solution coming to India from abroad is software which includes geographical infor- He said battlespace includes all operational ning, gave a presentation on “Space: Force safe and secure. To this, the Honeywell offi- mation systems and geospatial data and aspects of air, land, sea and the electromag- Multiplier for Digital Battlefield” and said that cial said that indigenisation is the key but cyber security systems and not just from the netic spectrum that encompass the area of the line dividing war and peace is blurred we cannot lie behind. We cannot wait for computers and networks alone. The NCW influence and area of interest.” He defined today and hence the requirement for war pre- the light combat aircraft (LCA) to happen. systems on the anvil, he said, include com- a deployed environment as communica- vention strategies. Space, he said, is not a new In order to manufacture ourself, the safest mand information and decision support sys- tion on the halt and mobile environment as domain in India and gave examples of the way is to go through ToT and we must learn tem (CIDSS): the army strategic operational communication on the move. He described historical Pushpak and the Mysorean rocket how to acquire the technology. information dissemination system (ASTER- what are the challenges faced and gave sev- used during Tipu Sultan rule. However, space OIDS), battlefield surveillance system (BSS), eral examples of successful implementation capabilities have escalated and their utilisation Session III artillery command, control communica- in deployed environment. In NATO: DCIS – has grown manifold. From a force enhancer it The last session was on “Operations and tions system (ACCS), electronic warfare (fully converged mobile brigade) by Cassid- has become a force enabler, a medium from Training Aspects” and was chaired by Lt system (EWS), air defence command and ian; Netherlands: TITAAN (fully converged where you support the terrestrial warfare and General (Retd) Aditya Singh, former GOC- reporting system (ADC&RS) and battlefield mobile brigade) – RNLA; in USA: WINT – the ultimate high ground in a digitised battle- in-C, Southern Command, Indian Army. management system (BMS). (fully converged mobile brigade) – General field. “What is important for a nation is to Michael O’Hara Kelley, Senior Program The last speaker, Colonel Sameer Chau- Dynamics; Germany: MOBKOMSYS – MPLS ensure that the country enjoys space security Manager, DRS Technologies, gave a pre- han, Senior Fellow, CLAWS, gave a presen- deployed satellite system – Cassidian; UK: in all its varied domains which acts as a force sentation on the users perspective of the tation on “Making of a Digital Warfare.” Falcon – deployed IP wide area system – BAE; enhancer.” Major General Shivane informed “Battle Command Systems” along with Future conventional conflicts will have Austria: field communications refresh – TBD; that the Indian Space Research Organisation Jayesh Shah, Senior Principal Engineer, high-tech content, combatants will require in India TCS is yet to be fielded; Korea is TICN (ISRO) has already launched 71 satellites and DRS Technologies who gave the technology higher caliber, warfare will be more mental – under fielding by Samsung Thales. whole lot of exciting ventures is coming up perspective of the system. Kelley said the US than physical and would require higher edu- The question and answer session which not only to harness civil capability for military Army has selected DRS Technologies as the cational and technical skills amongst mili- witnesses several queries from Jayant Baran- use but also defensive space controlled capa- sole source provider for the mounted family tary personnel than what is present now. wal. To his question on why does India get bility. He said while space is essentially joined, of computing system (MFOCS) to support He highlighted on human resource man- hardware and then software, Lt General it is also a different domain with different tech- the next generation joint battle command agement, awareness and training. Human K. Surendranath said it is because of the nologies and different ultilisation for a nation platform (JBC-P). He said the DRS system resources, according to him, included the acquisition process. “Software is a different and hence it is important to have a Joint enables right information reach the right both the generalists and the specialists. ballgame and hence its acquisition takes Space Command to optimise these capabilities person at the right time in the right for- “Focus on specialists and bring the general- time.” Major General Srivastava fielded which will translate into ground capability. mat to make the right decision confidently. ist up to that level.” questions on the status of Artillery network “The fundamental security determinant for “Critical thinking is key to success and it is During the Q&A session that followed, Shakti. He said that Project Shakti,which is the country is the need to hone on deterrence important to empower critical thinking,” he Major General Bhadran informed that while an Artillery Combat Command and Con- and response capability to meet the national said and emphasised that “understanding the Indian Army has digital maps, it does not trol System (ACCCS), is a fully digitised, security objective.” the user is very relevant”. Jayesh Shah gave have digital data. Michael O’Hary replying integrated and networked system jointly Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Dev Ganesh details of the continuous performance of to a question asked by Jayant Baranwal said developed by the Bharat Electronics Limited of Honeywell Aerpospace gave a presenta- the DRS Network & Imaging Systems (NIS) that the systems offered by DRS Technologies (BEL), Bengaluru, Centre for Artificial Intel- tion on “Enablers for Space Sensors in the and the products and solutions. DRS he said can be configured according to user demand. ligence and Robotics (CAIR), Armament Digital Battlefield” and spoke on military has focused on providing the best integrated To yet another question by him, the panelists Research and Development Establishment applications of space. Surveillance by pan- C4ISR solutions to the Indian Army which answered as to why the Indian Navy person- (ARDE) and Project Management Organisa- chromatic, infrared, search and rescue, includes rugged computers and display sys- nel seem more technically sound than Indian tion (PMO) ACCCS of Directorate General of multi- and hyper-spectral imaging sensors; tems; network and communications gate- Army men. “The Indian Army is huge while Information Systems (DGIS) which has high electronic intelligence and analyses of voice ways; EO/IR sensors and thermal imaging Indian Navy is small and was compelled to go level of expectations at the ground level. He and data transmissions; communications: systems; dismounted warfighter systems; indigenous. When in a fighting ship, everyone said that the project has certain software data and voice; controlled transmissions mission command software suite; platform has a technical space. The Indian Army has glitches which will soon be sorted out. Lt through beam forming networks; air and C4ISR systems integration; environmen- also caught up in the last ten years. Aware- General (Retd) Davinder Singh concluded land vehicle management by sky connect, tal testing; exportable hardware and soft- ness is growing but due to sheer size it is slow.” by saying that the basic thing is we need to osprey wings, through satellite networks. ware; full ToT, MToT and IPR options to Major General (Retd) D.C. Katoch, in his think and plan as a system. “Our old plat- He gave out details of Honeywell’s minia- the Indian Army and best life cycle value in concluding remarks, said that we in India forms need upgradation,” said he. ture inertial measurement unit (MIMU), price, performance and support. Explaining have a long way to go and there is the need the Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyroscopes MFOCS technology he said it utilises com- for indigenisation of our systems. “There is Session II (IFOG) IMU; STARMU, the integrated stel- mon, modular computing elements based no free lunch except at the mouth of a mouse The post lunch session began with a ses- lar-inertial attitude determination system architecture to provide basic, intermediate trap.” The day ended with vote of thanks by Lt sion on “Cyber and Space” chaired by Lt for pointing and stabilisation in space appli- and advanced computing and network- General (Retd) Naresh Chand, Senior Techni- General (Retd) S.P. Kochhar, Former Signal cations; reaction wheel assembly (RWA) for ing solutions. It integrates existing Force cal Group Editor, SP Guide Publications. SP

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces 13 >> Sp’s Exclusives

Army strike formation validates ready to kickstart the acquisition process. pated a tough decision during the Novem- gun system, the ATMOS 155/52 mounted new assault concepts According to reports, the Customs field ber 11, 2013 meeting of the Defence gun system and the upgraded 130mm The Army’s 36 Reorganised Army Plains operators currently use about 1,500 differ- Acquisition Council (DAC), were left M46 Gun to a 155/45 Gun (KARAN). The Division (RAPID), part of the Bhopal- ent pistol types, 1,500 revolvers, 65 light disappointed with sensitivities, forcing JVC will also role out a range of products based 21 Strike Corps, has successfully machine guns on patrol vessels, and nearly Defence Minister A.K. Antony to err on like the advanced Indian gun system. validated a slew of new warfighting con- 600 self-loading rifles. Representatives the side of caution. The Army was expect- cepts in Exercise Shahbaaz Ajay in the from Indian Customs have spent the last ing approval for a deal for Israeli-built Contract for Army’s new MBRL Thar Desert. “The formation refined exist- few months reviewing available equipment SPIKE man-portable fire-and-forget anti- carriers soon ing battle procedures as prevalent in the from a list of vendors both in India and tank and anti-personnel guided missiles 21st century battlefield milieu,” the Army abroad, including the Ordnance Factory with a tandem-charged HEAT warheads said in a statement. Board, Italy’s Berretta, Austria’s Glock, for as many as 356 infantry battalions. In The high-level exercise saw 15,000 Israeli Weapon Industries, US firms Smith fact, the DAC meeting was also supposed troops and over 100 tanks and armoured & Wesson and Colt, Germany’s Sig Sauer to consider a follow-on purchase of over vehicles, including T-90 tanks. Artillery and others. 250 Barak-1 point defence missile sys- units and rocket regiments also took part. tems for warships including the Navy’s “A high degree of integration was achieved Indo-French ‘Maitri’ missile sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat. The Navy with the Indian Air Force while undertak- programme to take off has been concerned that the Barak system ing specialised operations which included The Maitri short-range surface to air mis- suffers from a shortage of munitions in an airborne assault and a special helicopter sile (SR-SAM) is ready to be become a for- the Indian fleet and that this could affect borne operation,” said the Army. mal bilateral programme, with India’s the the overall capability intended. A `100-crore contract for the Army’s new Defence Research and Development Organ- BM21 multi-barrel rocket launcher vehicles Indian Customs to float significant isation (DRDO) as lead partner and MBDA Bharat Forge-Elbit JV to focus on is likely to be awarded shortly to the Ashok small arms requirement as an equal partner and technology pro- gun, vehicle programmes Leyland-L&T consortium that was declared vider. Top DRDO sources indicate that the lowest bidder in the competition earlier this agreement will be signed this financial year year. Sources say the company is likely to and has received all requisite approvals. be contracted for the supply of about 100 Top sources have informed SP’s that the units, covering virtually the entire BM21 Indian MoD has accorded final approval to Grad rocket arsenal. The Indian Army has the SR-SAM deal, which now awaits final bolstered its rocket regiments with the Rus- clearance from the Finance Ministry and sian Smerch system and indigenous Pinaka, the Cabinet Committee on Security. The both of which have proved to be excellent workshare works out to roughly 60 per performers. However, with the Soviet-vin- cent French and 40 per cent Indian, with tage Grad systems still in functional form, an overall cost of about $6 billion. a decision was taken in 2009 to spruce up The Indian Customs has decided to replace The ownership of the Maitri pro- The newly cleared Bharat Forge and Elbit their carriers to extend the lives of the over 6,000 of its old and obsolete hand gramme is to be fully Indian. With baseline Systems joint venture—BF Elbit Advanced BM21 rocket regiments. The Ashok Ley- weapons deployed in anti-smuggling and technologies from the Trishul SAM pro- Systems Ltd—will initially focus on the land-L&T consortium is poised to bid for engagement operations. Following a deci- gramme, the Maitri programme basically Army’s artillery requirements before other vehicle requirements of the Army sion taken by the Director General Rev- envisages the sale of certain key technolo- expanding into more advanced equipment too, as is Tata Motors, to fill the void left enue Intelligence earlier this year on the gies by MBDA to DRDO (seeker, endgame for all three services. SP’s can confirm that by the Tatra controversy. As SP’s has state of the Indian Customs armoury of avionics, thrust vector control, propulsion the new company has received RFIs and reported before, the Indian Army is in the weapons, the service has decided to float modifications), though production will enquiries pertaining to several prospective market for the entire spectrum of special- a slew of tenders to replace its old .303 not be under a corporate joint venture on acquisitions including surface-to-air mis- ised vehicles from light infantry vehicles rifles, revolvers and handguns with mod- the lines of BrahMos, but would rather be sile systems and other advanced weapon to heavy specialty vehicles across the spec- ern new weapons. A committee compris- carried out entirely by the Bharat Dynam- platforms. However, the company has trum of missions and capabilities. SP ing Customs Preventive Commissioners ics Ltd in the country. taken a decision to initially focus on the had been mandated earlier this year with Army’s 155mm artillery modernisation —SP’s Special Correspondent defining usage and deployment norms for Army, Navy ‘disappointed’ as MoD intiative. The JV will offer solutions in the newly acquired norms. With the definition defers crucial missile buys artillery guns and mortars segment based For complete versions log on to: process completed, the Customs is now The Army and Navy, which had antici- on Elbit Systems’ ATHOS 155/52 towed www.spslandforces.com

China-Pakistan Anti-India Nexus...continued from page 10

Thickening Nexus is being organised in northern Myanmar. nism for Consultation and Coordination on The biggest threat to India is the China- Not only do China and Pakistan pose a joint AK-47’s and Uzi’s are flowing in. The Chinese, India-China Border Affairs” signed on Janu- Pakistan anti-India nexus that will enlarge conventional threat to India, they want to according to a national television channel, ary 17, 2012. It would be no surprise if China further with China wanting to establish break up India internally too. When ULFA have also begun to supply sophisticated signal violates the recently signed BDCA agreement military bases in North Waziristan and Fed- camps were routed by the RBA from Bhutan, equipment with encryption capabilities to the too as China appears to be following the ‘car- erally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), training and arming of ULFA was organised Maoists. The recovery of 1.5 kg uranium IED rot and stick policy’ against India. Pakistan likely leasing Gilgit-Baltistan to on Chinese soil. China was linked to Al Qaeda in Assam earlier this year is ominous. There is China’s expanded claim to entire China for 50 years, the United States with- and Taliban even prior to 2006. China has every possibility of China pumping in shoul- Arunachal Pradesh (sprung as late as 2005) drawal from Afghanistan in 2014 and Balu- provided advisors and weapons to Pakistan der fired air defence missiles to the Maoists as South Tibet is highly preposterous. Coming chistan likely to become a Chinese admin- Taliban. The Indian Mujahedeen (IM) is the under the garb of deniability, similar to having to the claim of South Tibet, if China wants to istered province by 2030. Chinese state TV creation of ISI. China has been tacitly support- supplied them to Shia insurgents in Iraq, Tali- go back in history, then it cannot go back to has been showing J&K as part of Pakistan: ing Pakistan’s anti-India jihad, one reason ban and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) a period it desires and might as well go back being Pakistan’s promise to suppress Uighur in Myanmar. China has even supplied helicop- all the way. Indian territories were once right Conclusion separatist including some 320 East Turkistan ters fitted with air-to-air missiles to UWSA in up to the Hindukush Mountains, Sri Lanka We need to heed Chanakya, who in Artha- Islamic Movement (ETIM) cadres from China, February-March this year. and Bangladesh were part of India and por- shastra had said that your neighbour is your hiding in Pakistan. Colluding with terror- Not only is China in illegal occupation of tions of Tibet too were annexed by India. Brit- natural enemy but more importantly went ists in India’s Northeast and in accordance considerable Indian Territory (mainly Aksai ish Indian troops were holding Yatung but it on in great detail to describe how to deal the China-Pakistan plan of forming a Stra- Chin and Shaksgam Valley), more signifi- does not mean that we start claiming all this with neighbours. Chances of conventional tegic United Front Bangladesh and Nepal, is cantly Chinese claim lines have been expand- territory. In the seventh century, Tibet was conflict are less compared to the unconven- actively being pursued. Little external support ing over the years. To top this are the periodic an empire, spanning the high heartland and tional but we must be prepared for both. The to Maoists is a misnomer and being played intrusions getting deeper and in wilful defi- deserts of the north-west, reaching from the requirement for India to establish a deterrent down by the government. LeT (covert arm of ance of all the previous joint agreements: borders of Uzbekistan to Central China, from against irregular/unconventional warfare ISI) representatives have been attending Mao- “Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility Along halfway across Xinjiang, an area larger than was never more given the dim prospects of ists meetings and ISI is supplying arms. China the Line of Actual Control in the India-China the Chinese heartland. Indeed in 763, Tibetan breakup of China-Pakistan anti-India nexus, has reportedly gifted an AK-47 manufactur- Border Areas” signed on September 7, 1993, Army briefly captured the Chinese capital China giving up covertly marginalising India ing facility to Kachin rebels in North Myan- another “Agreement on Confidence Build- Chang-an (today’s Xian and much later it and the Pakistani Military-ISI allowing India- mar (United war army of Myanmar) and the ing Measures in the Military Field Along the was the Mongols who later ruled China then Pakistan peace. Additionally, there must be weapons are flowing to the People’s Liberation Line of Actual Control in the India-China Bor- occupied Tibet. So should Mongolia claim frank and open dialogue on the issue with Army in Manipur and Maoists. China is also der Areas, the Protocol on Modalities for the Tibet? Historically, until the early 13th cen- China including on Pakistan’s generation arming and training the United Liberation Implementation of Confidence Building Mea- tury, China had no claims on Tibet. Indeed the of global terrorism. With CCP continuing Front of Assam and Chinese nationals with sures in the Military Field Along the Line of opposite applied: Tibet ruled half of the pres- in power, continuation of erstwhile China fake Indian identities, having attempted con- Actual Control in India-China Border Areas” ent day China, but looked to India for its most policies may not easily change but the hope tacting the the National Socialist Council of signed on April 11, 2005, and the “Agree- significant influence—Buddhism. So on what is that there is realisation within China that

SP www.spslandforces.com Nagaland. Joint training of Indian insurgents ment on Establishment of a Working Mecha- basis does China claim authority over Tibet? Pakistan is fast becoming a liability.

14 SP’s Land Forces 6/2013 news in brief >>

Indian Army conducts new Agni-I Indian Army test launches BrahMos strike range of 2,500 km outside the earth’s user trial block III variant atmosphere, at an altitude of more than 150 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief The Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Com- The Indian Army has successfully test km. Carried out as part of India’s ballistic mis- Jayant Baranwal mand (SFC) has successfully carried out a launched an advanced variant of the sile defence (BMD) programme, the launch Editor new user trial of the nuclear-capable Agni-I BrahMos supersonic cruise missile at the will feature the interceptor and enemy mis- Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor ballistic missile from the launch complex-IV Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. Launched siles, programmed at separate locations in of the integrated test range (ITR) at Wheeler from a mobile autonomous launcher Chandipur and Wheeler Island, India. Pow- Assistant Group Editor R. Chandrakanth Island, off the Orissa coast. Carried out with (MAL), the BrahMos Block III variant fol- ered by solid propellants, the two-stage PDV logistic support from the Defence Research lowed the pre-specified trajectory and suc- interceptor is fitted to an innovative system Senior Technical Group Editor and Development Organisation (DRDO), the cessfully pierced the designated “concrete for controlling the vehicle at an altitude of Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey testing used a randomly selected a missile structure at bull’s-eye’’. The Block III vari- over 150 km and is anticipated to replace the from the production lot and was aimed at ant of BrahMos with deep penetration capa- programme air defence (PAD) interceptor. Assistant Editor reconfirming the technical parametres set bility is fitted with a new guidance system, Sucheta Das Mohapatra for the army. A senior DRDO official informed and the launch by the Army has success- Elbit Wins $228 million Australian Contributors the media that the solid propellant-powered fully validated the deep penetration capabil- Contract India missile was launched from a road mobile ity of the supersonic cruise missile system Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that General (Retd) V.P. Malik, Lt General (Retd) Vijay Oberoi, Lt General (Retd) R.S. Nagra, launcher and landed near the pre-designated against hardened targets. Two regiments the Australian Department of Defence has Lt General (Retd) S.R.R. Aiyengar, target in the Bay of Bengal with a double- of the Block III variant, which has demon- exercised options for additional quantities Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney, digit accuracy, following a 10-minute flight. strated its supersonic steep dive with preci- under an extant contract via a contract Major General (Retd) Ashok Mehta, An onboard computer and the inertial navi- sion strike capability in mountain opera- change, and also engaged Elbit Systems to Major General (Retd) G.K. Nischol, gation system (INS) guided the missile to its tions, have already been inducted by the conduct a Risk Reduction Activity via a sur- Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, target, while advanced radar and telemetry Army in its inventory, whereas induction of vey and quote under the terms of an extant Brigadier (Retd) S. Mishra, Rohit Sharma stations located along the coastline, along- the third regiment is currently under way. contract. The total value of both activities Chairman & Managing Director side a down-range ship stationed near the Developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint is approximately US$229 million (exclud- Jayant Baranwal target point, tracked the missile’s trajectory venture between India’s DRDO and Russian ing GST). The contract will be performed Executive Vice President during the terminal phase of the flight. Com- NPO Mashinostroyenia, BrahMos is a 290- over a three-year period. Elbit Systems is the (Planning & Business Development) menting on launch, ITR Director M.V.K.V. km range stealth supersonic cruise missile, prime contractor of the Australian Defence Rohit Goel Prasad said: “The test-fire of the ballistic mis- designed for launch from land, ship, subma- Forces’ Battle Management Systems. The Administration sile was fully successful.” rines and air platforms. project, to be performed primarily by Elbit Bharti Sharma Systems of Australia (ELSA), will support Creative Director UK Army conducts Exercise Fondouk Russian Helicopters delivers the Australian Army in achieving its digiti- Anoop Kamath Lancer 13 on Salisbury Plain additional Mi-171Es to China sation objectives. Design Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht Prithvi-II missile test launch Research Assistant: Graphics The Indian Army’s Strategic Force Com- Survi Massey mand (SFC) has successfully test launched the Prithvi-II nuclear capable missile from Sales & Marketing Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia launch complex III of the integrated test General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha SP’s Website coast, India, as part of a regular training Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish exercise. Sources said, “The missile trajec- Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma tory was tracked by DRDO radars, electro- Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal optical tracking systems and telemetry sta- on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt The UK Army soldiers from the Queen’s Oboronprom subsidiary Russian Helicop- tions located along the coast of Odisha. The Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this Royal Lancers (QRL) participated in the Exer- ters has handed over an additional batch downrange teams onboard a ship deployed publication may be reproduced, stored in a cise Fondouk Lancer 13, to test their ability of Mil Mi-17E multi-role military transport near the designated impact point in the Bay retrieval system, or transmitted in any form to conduct both mounted and dismounted helicopters under contract to Poly Technol- of Bengal monitored the terminal events or by any means, photocopying, recording, reconnaissance missions. Carried out at the ogies. Comprising four helicopters, the lat- and splashdown.” Commenting on the electronic, or otherwise without the prior Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) in est consignment brings the total number of launch, ITR Director M.V.K.V. Prasad said, written permission of the publishers. southern England, the month-long exercise helicopters delivered till date to by the com- “The mission was a hundred per cent suc- Printed in India confirmed the regiment’s firm foundations of pany to 32. Around 55 Mi-171E multi-pur- cess. It met all mission objectives.” by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd reconnaissance soldiering, prior to the forth- pose helicopters were ordered by Poly Tech- © SP Guide Publications, 2013 coming tour to British Army Training Unit nologies as part of a $660-million contract Lt Gen Raheel Sharif is new Chief of Subscription/ Circulation Suffield (BATUS) in Canada. Comprising both signed with Russian state-arm-exporter Pakistan Army Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 mounted and dismounted phases, the exer- Rosoboronexport in July 2012, to help Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promoted and Email: [email protected] [email protected] cise witnessed participation from more than enhance the Chinese People’s Liberation appointed Lt General Raheel Sharif as the 300 QRA personnel, around 40 Scimitar Army’s (PLA) tactical airlift capabilities. new Pakistan Army Chief. He was the third Letters to Editor and Spartan tracked reconnaissance vehicles Manufactured by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, in seniority in the pecking order in the Paki- [email protected] and trained participants on a range of sub- the Mi-171E is an advanced variant of the stan Army. He takes over from General Ash- For Advertising Details, Contact: jects, from route reconnaissance patrols to Mi-17 medium twin-turbine helicopter, and faque Parvez Kayani who spent six years as [email protected] [email protected] observation posts, with Netheravon Airfield is specially modified to deliver a high-class the Army Chief in Pakistan. SP as the target. The soldiers received innovative performance in mountainous terrain. SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD training that allowed them to understand Corporate Office the challenges. Raytheon conducts PAC-3 missile >> Appointments A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, New Delhi 110 003, India test launch Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, Raytheon has successfully conducted test 24620130 >> Show Calendar firing of two patriot advanced capability-3 Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 (PAC-3) missiles at the White Sands Mis- Regd Office 22-24 January, 2014 sile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico, US. Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 International Military Helicopter 2014 Comprising two single firings against single Email: [email protected] Hotel Russell, London, UK tactical ballistic missile (TBM) representa- Representative Offices www.militaryhelicopterevent.com tive targets, the test firings form part of the Bengaluru, INDIA 3-6 February, 2014 field surveillance programme (FSP). Ray- Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey International Armoured Vehicles theon Integrated Defense Systems Business 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar, FIVE, Farnborough, UK Integrated Air and Missile Defence Vice Bengaluru 560043, India. www.internationalarmouredvehicles.com President, Ralph Acaba, said the launch  Chief of Army Staff General Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 forms part of over 2,500 search track tests Bikram Singh has taken over as the MOSCOW, RUSSIA 6-9 February, 2014 and 1,000 Patriot missiles that have been Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin DEFEXPO 2014 (COSC) on retirement of Air Chief Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India flight tested under real world combat and test conditions. “Patriot’s successful track Marshal N.A.K. Browne. 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. www.defexpoindia.in Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, record is testament to its continual testing  Lt General Dalbir Singh has taken Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 26-27 February, 2014 and evolution,” Acaba said. Border Security Conference over as the Vice Chief of Army www.spguidepublications.com Staff in the Army Headquarters Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, Indian DRDO plans first Prithvi www.spslandforces.com Sofia, Bulgaria (Integrated Hq of MoD, Army). RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 www.smi-online.co.uk/security/europe/ defence vehicle launch conference/border-security The Indian Defence Research and Develop-  Lt General Arun Kumar Sahni has ment Organisation (DRDO) is considering taken over as GOC-in-C of South 14-17 April, 2014 the first test launch of the newly-developed Western Command at Jaipur. Defence Services Asia (DSA 2014) interceptor missile from a defence base off PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Lt General M.M.S. Rai has taken over the Odisha coast in January 2014. Called as www.dsaexhibition.com/index.php/travel- as GOC-in-C of Eastern Command at Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV), the interceptor accommodation/official-partner Kolkata. is capable of destroying enemy missile with a

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces 15 Founded by Shri S P Baranwal in 1964, Guide Publications began its humble journey. Today SP Guide Publications (SP’s) is the Asia’s Largest Publishing House for Aerospace & Defence Sectors. We at SP’s look forward to coming years and decades with even stronger conviction.

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