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Page 3  EXCLUSIVE India’s China Policy – Statement of Defence Minister in Parliament photograph: PRO SP’s Correspondent Page 4 China’s Saber-Rattling on Indo-Pacific is Alarming

The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a key theater of engagement with the return of great power competition. China’s increas- ingly assertive behavior in the region based on their growing capability and influence across the Indo-Pacific raises pressing questions for Indian and the US strategy in the region and how they can best respond. Shekhar Sinha (Retd) SLt. Riti Singh (left) and SLt. Kumudini Tyagi (right) will be the first women airborne combatants who would be operating from warships Page 5 Aircraft Carriers – Conquerors of the Air and Sea gets its First Women Airborne Combatants to be The usefulness of an aircraft carrier in responding to a growing array of global challenges is without doubt. They also preclude the acquiring of a foreign air base. Deployed on Warships The majesty of a carrier strike force is really daunting with the effect of shock and awe; most suitable for force projection. Sub Lieutenant (SLt.) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt. Riti Singh will join as “Observers” in the Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) helicopter stream. In an exclusive interview with Ayushee Chaudhary of SP’s Naval Page 6 Forces, the two dynamic navy officers offered a first-hand experience of their personal Network Centric Warfare – as well as professional encounters and the development of their roles going further. A Waypoint Check Network Centric Warfare (NCW) is an approach to warfare, which uses synergies n Ayushee Chaudhary to the fixed wing aircraft that took off Admiral George complemented the gradu- that can be created by linking geographically and landed ashore. Prior to this women ating officers and highlighted the fact that it separated forces into one engagement grid arking a landmark have been employed in different ranks in is a landmark occasion wherein for the first- using computers, high speed data links, and moment in the history Indian Navy but never before have they time women are going to be trained in heli- networking software to link military person- of the Indian naval avia- been posted on warships. copter operations which would ultimately nel, platforms and formations in the bat- tion, two women officers pave way for the deployment of women in tlespace, into highly integrated networks. have been selected to join Observers’ Wings frontline warships of Indian Navy. Mas “Observers” in the helicopter stream. Tyagi and Singh were awarded “Wings” on SLt. Tyagi feels short of words to Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) Sub Lieutenant (SLt.) Kumudini Tyagi and graduating as “Observers” at a ceremony describe how it felt to finally see this Plus SLt. Riti Singh would in effect be the held on September 21, 2020 at INS Garuda, dream come true. “We have both worked first set of women airborne combatants . Rear Admiral Antony George, Chief hard in our training period to have these 7 Special Reports who would be operating from warships. Staff Officer (Training) presided over the wings on our chest. Seeing everyone’s Appointments 7 Previously, entry of women was confined ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, Rear response has made us further realise the

4/2020 1  EXCLUSIVE

In yet another first in the his- SLt. Riti Singh on creating history speech of the Defence Minister. of use of technology in war tory of Indian naval aviation, and being the role model for other The Indo-Pacific has gained is “Network-Centric Warfare” two women officers have been women to follow suit. We bring currency in recent times. The (NCW) which derives its power selected to join as “Observers” you this exclusive chat as the interconnectedness and the from networking of the war fight- (Airborne Tacticians) in the heli- lead story of this issue. interdependence of the Indian ing enterprise and is character- copter stream. They would in Recently, during the mon- Ocean and the Pacific Ocean ised by the ability of geographi- effect, be the first set of women soon session of the Parliament, is a product of growing forces cally dispersed forces to create airborne combatants who would the Defence Minister addressed of globalisation, trade and new a high level of shared battle be operating from warships. both houses on the current state avenues and have helped for- space awareness. In an article, Earlier, entry of women was of affairs at the LAC and clearly mulate an integrated approach Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) restricted to the fixed wing air- enumerating India’s policy with in the world’s most crucial sea gives the essentials of NCW for craft that took off and landed respect to China and the Chinese routes for the world’s most popu- its effective implementation. ashore. These officers, Sub incursion across the LAC. While lous nations. The Indo-Pacific is All this and much more... the Lieutenant (SLt.) Kumudini emphasizing that India remains the center of the globe in terms issue is wrapped up with Special

EDITORIAL Tyagi and SLt. Riti Singh, are committed to resolving the cur- of politics and economics. By Reports and Appointments. a part of a group of 17 officers rent issues in our border areas naming it Indo-Pacific, the US Happy Reading! of the Indian Navy who were through peaceful dialogue and has rattled the Chinese political awarded “Wings” on graduating consultations, he made it abun- and security establishment. In as “Observers” at a ceremony dantly clear that China was, by this issue of SP’s Naval Forces, held on September 21, 2020. such actions, attempting to uni- Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha SP’s Naval Forces congratu- laterally alter the status quo and (Retd) analyse how China views lates these women officers it was categorically conveyed to this initiative by the US. and also the Indian Navy for them that this was unacceptable. It is now well understood and such a big and bold step! He also asked both the houses accepted that all future wars will In an EXCLUSIVE, Ayushee and the country to come together be asymmetric in which technol- Chaudhary of SP’s Naval Forces and support the Armed Forces. ogy will play a very important Jayant BaranwaL spoke to SLt. Kumudini Tyagi and We bring you excerpts from the role. A very prominent example Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

photographs: PRO Southern Naval Command, SP Guide Pubns kind of responsibility that is coming with they attribute a large part of it to the team this batch,” said SLt. Singh. spirit that is deeply rooted in the armed Observers, also referred to as Airborne forces. “Fauj” is a platform where you learn Tacticians, act as airborne coordinators brotherhood; sometimes you feel things of maritime warfare and operate various are not going the way you want so course state-of-the-art equipment including son- mates are the first to whom you approach, ics, radars, sonars and communication believes SLt. Tyagi. equipment. SLt. Singh agrees that the biggest moti- vation are the people around because “we Echo of a determined dream are all going through the same things. Good The excitement is echoing through the days and bad days would happen to all of us families of both the officers even though but we were there for each other and that is they could only get together virtually. a big reason that we are sitting here today.” SLt. Tyagi, who hails from , They remark that armed forces make decided to join the Indian Navy in 2015 you understand that anyone’s mistake can when Lt. Kiran Shekhawat martyred dur- impact the entire team so there is respon- ing a naval aircraft crash. “She was also on sibility towards each other and everyone Observer. That incident actually inspired understands that each member is equally me to join the armed forces. After that I important. started preparing for SSB (Services Selec- tion Board) and CDS (Combined Defence The Way Forward Services).” Both the officers would serve on-board SLt. Singh belonging to Hyderabad is Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Sub- the fourth generation from her family marine Warfare aircraft of the Indian to serve in the armed forces. “I realised Navy. “What we are going to do, no Indian at a very young age that men in uniform Navy women officer has done before. Our are indeed very different and have a very dream at the moment is just that we don’t ­different life. Seeing the people around let loose now so that eventually when we me was in itself an everyday inspiration become operational, we are successful in that I need to wear the white uniform carrying out all our missions. As long as someday.” we are able to do that, our goals will be The two officers are part of a group of met,” said SLt. Singh. 17 officers of the Indian Navy that com- The task, they know, is not yet over. prised four women officers and three offi- “The helicopter stream is one of the cers of the Indian Coast Guard, 13 officers toughest streams so we have to pull our of regular batch and four woman officers socks. We are looking at being trained on of Short Service Commission (SSC) batch. the helicopters, learning anti-submarine Both of them passed out of Indian Navy’s war missions, the anti-ship missions and Observer Course, at Southern Naval Com- Creating History: Both the women pilots had dared to dream big and worked very hard to achieve it then be deployed on our mission,” added mand, Kochi and are engineering graduates SLt. Tyagi. in computer science who were commis- The toil of training “From engineer graduates we had to turn sioned into the Navy in 2018. “We have only completed our basic training into professional aviators. The journey was to be qualified as Observers in the Indian challenging but anybody and everybody Navy. We have flown for 60 hours on the who has the determination to do it can get “Our dream at the moment is For the first-time women Dornier aircraft which is a fixed wing air- through it,” said SLt. Singh. that we don’t let loose now craft. Only after completing the course will SLt. Tyagi further affirmed that chal- are going to be trained in we come to know which aircraft the Indian lenges were there, “from the day we were so that eventually when we Navy will be giving us, so further we will there in the Indian Naval Academy. We helicopter operations which be studying 8-9 months more to qualify for used to prepare through Google Maps, become operational, we are our helicopter,” added SLt. Singh. Google Earth to know the area where we would ultimately pave way Recollecting their first fixed-wing sortie are going and to understand the basic ter- successful in carrying out all experience, they share how it was all about rain. For one sortie itself, it took 8-9 hours for the deployment of women realising that they need to buck up and pull from ground preparations to revising pro- our missions. As long as we up their socks in case they want to do well cedures to practicing the procedures.” in frontline warships of in aviation. are able to do that, our goals Indian Navy. They were trained in air navigation, The togetherness of armed forces will be met,” said SLt. Singh. flying procedures, tactics employed in The training in the Indian Armed Forces air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and is not easy but these young women are a

www.spsnavalforces.com exploitation of airborne avionic systems. reminder of hard work and belief, while

2 4/2020  INDIA-CHINA STAND-OFF / EXCLUSIVE India’s China Policy – Statement of Defence Minister in Parliament photograph: Rajya Sabha TV n SP’s Correspondent ers of the two sides in a meeting on June 6, 2020 agreed on a process of disengagement “ rise today to brief the esteemed that involved reciprocal actions. Both sides Members of this august House about also agreed to respect and abide by the LAC the developments on the Borders of and not undertake any activity to alter the Ladakh over the past few months. status quo. However in violation of this the As the House is aware, India Chinese side created a violent face off on andI China are yet to resolve their bound- June 15th at Galwan. Our brave soldiers ary question. The Chinese position is that laid down their lives and also inflicted costs the boundary between the two countries including casualties on the Chinese side. has not been formally delimited, that there While no one should doubt our deter- exists a traditional customary line formed mination to safeguard our borders, India by the extent of jurisdiction that they claim believes that mutual respect and mutual was exercised historically by each side, and sensitivity are the basis for peaceful rela- that the two sides have different interpre- tions with neighbours. As we want to tations of the position of the traditional resolve the current situation through dia- customary line. logue, we have maintained diplomatic and China continues to be in illegal occu- military engagement with the Chinese side. pation of approximately 38,000 sq kms in In these discussions, we have maintained the Union Territory of Ladakh. In addition, along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Chinese side in the border areas adjacent the three key principles that, determine under the so-called Sino-Pakistan ‘Bound- two countries have concluded a number to Eastern Ladakh. In early May, the Chi- our approach: (i) both sides should strictly ary Agreement’ of 1963, Pakistan illegally of agreements and protocols. Under these nese side had taken action to hinder the respect and observe the LAC; (ii) neither ceded 5,180 sq kms of Indian territory in agreements, the two sides have agreed to normal, traditional patrolling pattern of side should attempt to alter the status Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to China. China maintain peace and tranquility along the our troops. In mid-May the Chinese side quo unilaterally; and (iii) all agreements also claims approximately 90,000 sq kms of LAC without any effect to their respective made several attempts to transgress the and understandings between the two sides Indian territory in the Eastern Sector of the positions on the alignment of the LAC as LAC in other parts of the Western Sector. much be fully abided by in their entirety. India-China boundary in Arunachal Pradesh. well as on the boundary question. This included Kongka La, Gogra and North As of now, the Chinese side has mobil- I would like to mention here that as yet A key element of both the 1993 and Bank of Pangong Lake. ised a large number of troops and arma- there is no commonly delineated Line of the 1996 Agreements is that the two sides We made it clear to the Chinese side ments along the LAC as well as in the depth Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas will keep their military forces in the areas both through diplomatic and military areas. There are several friction areas in between India and China and there is no along the Line of Actual Control to a mini- channels that China was, by such actions, Eastern Ladakh including Gogra, Kongka common perception of the entire LAC. mum level. attempting to unilaterally alter the status La and North and South Banks of the Pan- Therefore, in order to ensure peace and Since April 2020, we had noticed a quo. It was categorically conveyed that this tranquility in the border areas, especially build-up of troops and armaments by the was unacceptable. The Senior Command- Continued on page 7...

photograph: SP Guide Pubns Women in Armed Forces It was in 1992 that the army, air force and navy began inducting women as SSC offi- cers to join the armed forces outside the medical stream. To begin with, they could serve for five years. A policy revision done in 2006 extended the service term for a maximum of 14 years. In 2015 government approved Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plan to induct women into the fighter stream. Last year, permanent commission was granted by the government to women in all ten branches where they are inducted for SSC — Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Army Air Defence, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ord- Exclusive Interview: (Left-Right) Sub Lieutenant (SLt.) Kumudini Tyagi and SLt. Riti Singh talking to Ayushee Chaudhary of SP’s Naval Forces

nance Corps and Intelligence. SLt. Afnan Sheikh and SLt. Kreeshma R. who Women who want to join Indian armed “There are many In 2019, IAF declared Flight Lieutenant also passed out on September 21, would forces should first remove all stigma, sug- Bhawana Kanth as its first female fighter operate the fixed wing aircraft of the Navy. gests SLt. Singh. “Anyone who is ready to opportunities that the armed pilot flying combat sorties and Flight Lieu- Indian Navy inducts women in ATC, join the Indian armed forces will witness forces are giving, especially tenant Mohana Singh became the first Observer, Law, logistics, Education, Naval how the armed forces define them as a per- woman fighter pilot to become fully oper- Architecture, Pilot (Maritime Reconnais- son and look after them.” in the Indian navy as it is ational by day on a Hawk aircraft. In July sance Stream only) and Naval Armament “Sometimes you might not get selected this year, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Inspectorate. Permanent Commission is but don’t give up. I myself got recom- a multi-dimensional force had issued a formal letter to grant perma- allowed in Education, Law and Naval Archi- mended in the third attempt. Introspect, nent commission to women officers in the tecture branches on completion of SSC ten- think that you are closer to your aim and where you get to serve on Indian Army. Recently Flight Lieutenant ure depending on merit and vacancy. Effec- start working. If you have the determination Shivangi Singh was announced to be the tively all branches of Indian Navy, except and passion you will definitely be a part of board aircraft, land, and first woman fighter pilot to fly the Rafale. Submariners and Divers, are open. the Indian armed forces,” added SLt. Tyagi. And now we have SLt. Singh and SLt. “There are many opportunities that the The young women officers acknowledge sea so here the horizon is Tyagi carrying the baton forward in the armed forces are giving especially in the that this will be the highlight of their lives, broader,” SLt. Tyagi shares. Navy. They are sure of the bright future Indian Navy as it is a multi-dimensional after all not everyone gets to make history of women in the armed forces and discard force where you get to serve on board air- and they are ready to keep putting in all the any assumptions of gender biases in the craft, land, and sea so here the horizon is more hard work to follow their responsibili- armed forces. Two other women officers, broader,” SLt. Tyagi shares. ties in the most accomplishing manner. SP

4/2020 3  INDO-PACIFIC China’s Saber-Rattling on Indo-Pacific is Alarming The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a key theater of engagement with the return of great power competition. China’s increasingly assertive behavior in the region based on their growing capability and influence across the Indo- Pacific raises pressing questions for Indian and the US strategy in the region and how they can best respond.

photographs: US Navy, Indian Navy n Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (Retd) Revival of Quad and passage he term ‘Indo-Pacific’ has rat- of Asia Reassurance Initiative tled the Chinese security estab- lishment ever since and also the Act (ARIA) into law by the state funded think tanks. Every discussion revolves around IPS US for developing long term T(as is the acronym for India Pacific Strategy in China). It would be interesting to under- strategic vision for Indo stand their views on this initiative of the US. Economic relevance and geopoliti- Pacific Region is really a cal significance have drawn attention of counter to the BRI the world towards Indian Ocean and the Pacific. US, Japan, India and Australia have increased their Naval Cooperation for securing the sea lanes of communication over these oceans. It is in this context that multilateral engagements. China fore- the Chinese have proposed China Pakistan sees two challenges in the Indo-Pacific: Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China Myan- zz US preventing China from obtaining mar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The Chi- A trilateral maritime exercise, Malabar is designed to enhance dynamic cooperation between the Indian Navy, absolute power in the Indo Pacific region nese believe that these two are pillars to JMSDF and US Navy in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. JMSDF, US Navy & Indian Navy ships along with USS Oklahoma including South China Sea and IOR. its expansion in these oceans and littorals City carrying out manoeuvres at sea during Malabar 2019. Permitting China would lead to China which has been furthered by Belt Road Ini- enjoying overwhelming advantages on tiative (BRI). Though, in the Chinese writ- maritime issues, domination on regional ings, it has often been stressed that BRI is economic development and any dis- an economic endeavor, the regional coun- course on regional security and rules of tries have viewed the development of ports, the road for economic activities (obvi- communication etc for logistics support ously it does not imagine that India has becoming power projection tools down the the might to prevent it from doing so). line. In the opinion of the Chinese, US push zz IPS permits US to maintain control of for IPS is primarily to offer more beneficial SLOCs and regional economic agenda. alternative to regional countries, in a sense US is heading to create quadrilateral it is counter to the BRI. Revival of Quad and security mechanism in order to deal passage of Asia Reassurance Initiative Act with possibility of China gaining over- (ARIA) into law by the US for developing whelming military advantage and long term strategic vision and comprehen- exclude US from regional economic and sive, multifaceted and principled US policy security order building. for Indo Pacific Region and for other pur- The second challenge in reality poses is really a counter to the BRI. expresses the Chinese desire to form a Beijing has also assessed that China’s regional economic and security archi- diplomatic outreach and political influence The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, consisting of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the Ticonderoga-class tecture in the Indo Pacific and more spe- in the region is being perceived by regional guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS cifically Indian Ocean Region when it per- countries like Japan, India and Australia Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), along with Indian Navy ships Rana, Sahyadri, Shivalik and ceives military superiority over US/India as power imbalance and therefore their Kamorta, steam in formation during a cooperative deployment in the Indian Ocean. combined. Chinese think tanks often refer coming together for IPS or Quad. However, to Military Strategy paper of 2015 which IPS being perceived differently by partner states that China will secure the trade countries has lead to its slow progress. routes internationally by deploying and Majority of think tanks in China are of basing PLAN. China’s economic interests the opinion that Indo Pacific Strategy will need to be protected overseas. adversely affect China’s economic, military This must ring alarm bells in US and and strategic interests particularly the BRI India particularly. While ASEAN would take and therefore Chinese countermeasures no sides, in effect it would be supportive are compulsory. of China. Sri Lanka may use its neutral- zz Chinese believe that India has not ity hedging and permit Chinese warships adjusted to China’s inroads into the transit on pretext of security of SLOCS. On Indian Ocean since it considers itself the west it has Pakistan and possibly some African peninsular countries which are by and large dependent on China. Beijing has assessed that Possibly time has come to put in place an architecture in the IOR and larger Indo- China’s diplomatic outreach Pacific to ensure free and open trade routes, overflights and rule based order as they exist. Any delay could make democra- and political influence in the Exercise PASSEX between Royal Australian Navy & Indian Navy in Eastern Indian Ocean Region. Air Warfare Destroyer HMAS Hobart, Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri & Missile Corvette INS Karmuk cies stare at fait accompli. SP region is being perceived by are engaged in complex maritime exercises. The Author is former Chief of Integrated regional countries like Japan, leader of the Indian Ocean. Though the doesn’t take into account the maritime Defence Staff. A naval aviator of fighter Chinese have refrained from the nomen- combat power that India has developed stream, he has flown over 2700 hours India and Australia as power clature “Strategic Autonomy” for India over years, possibly such statements are and steered naval aviation acquisition imbalance it regularly refers that India does not for its domestic audience. It also proj- as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff. like to be dictated by any other country ects ASEAN as benign conglomeration of He retired in 2014 as the Flag Officer in its backyard. China believes it is ‘Raj countries who tend to broker stable bal- Commanding-in-Chief of the Western

www.spsnavalforces.com Legacy’ left over by colonial British. It ance of power by means of bilateral and Naval Command.

4 4/2020  FORCE PROJECTION Aircraft Carriers – Conquerors of the Air and Sea The usefulness of an aircraft carrier in responding to a growing array of global challenges is without doubt. They also preclude the acquiring of a foreign air base. The majesty of a carrier strike force is really daunting with the effect of shock and awe; most suitable for force projection.

photograph: Indian Navy n Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) ates its only nuclear powered aircraft carrier. India has one and another one is likely to be he Indian navy’s military commissioned shortly and the third one is role involves the use of threat or on the anvil. The modernisation of aircraft force at and from the sea. This carrier includes Fifth Generation Aircraft includes application of maritime and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System power in both offensive opera- (EMALS), superior sensors and weapons. Ttions against enemy forces territory and trade; and defensive operations to protect Conclusion own forces, territory and trade. The Navy is The usefulness of an aircraft carrier in responsible from the east coast of Africa to responding to a growing array of global the Western Pacific. About 50 per cent of challenges is without doubt. They also pre- India’s trade passes through South China clude the acquiring of a foreign air base. Sea (SCS) which is being claimed by China. The majesty of a carrier strike force is really India does not conduct any freedom of daunting with the effect of shock and awe; navigation operations in the SCS but still most suitable for force projection. US has China protests the presence of the Indian been using Carrier Strike Force in the area of Navy. It is a trait with communist regimes crisis for decades. It even threatened India to be hypersensitive and exaggerate, and INS Vikramaditya at Sea during the 1971 war with Pakistan in the overstate their case. Bay of Bengal. US had deployed their carrier aerial platforms. If a comparative study is is building three new class of carriers. UK has strike force in the SCS during July 2020 and Indian Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Project -71 carried out between an aircraft carrier and commissioned two. China has two and plans now in Strait of Hormuz. Former US Defense Indian Aircraft Carrier (IAC) was India’s an air base holding the same number of aer- to operate at least six. Japan has announced Secretary William Cohen was fond of saying most ambitious indigenous aircraft carrier ial platforms then the cost benefit analysis to convert its two Izumo class of helicopter that without “flattops” (meaning Aircraft programme. Brief details are as follows:- may tilt towards an aircraft carrier as it can carriers into aircraft carriers. France oper- Carriers) the US has “less of a voice”. SP IAC-1. The keel of India’s first indige- move closer to the area of operations with- nously built IAC-1 christened as INS Vikrant out the need of mid-air refuelling. Gestation was laid on February 28, 2009 at Cochin period of an aircraft carrier from design to Shipyard Limited (CSL). With this Project being operational may take as much as a India joined the elite club of nations in the decade and a half thus the fiscal portion is world capable of designing and construct- spread over this period. The cost of aerial ing an Aircraft Carrier. INS Vikrant is a 260 platforms come towards the later part of the m long and 60 m wide vessel displacing gestation period thus the fiscal outlay is well 37,500-tonnes. Maximum speed of the ship spread over a decade and a half. The life of is 28 knots with a range of 7,500 nautical an aircraft carrier is about 40-50 years and miles (about 12,000 km) at a speed of 18 thus it is money well spent for national secu- knots and it will be able to accommodate rity. A carrier based fighter carrying a smart up to 30 fighters and helicopters, including bomb to destroy a target will cost $25,000 MiG-29K fighters jets and Ka-31 helicop- as compared to a cruise missile which would ters. It is expected to be in service by the cost $1.5 million for the same effect. end of this year or by 2021. Vulnerability. Another issue is the vul- IAC-2. India’s second indigenous air- nerability of an aircraft carrier from surface craft carrier (IAC-2), INS Vishal, is still (sea), subsurface and air. However the air- awaiting approval of the government. As craft carrier is well protected from all these per RFP, IAC-2 will have a displacement multiple threats with suitable sensors and of 65,000 tonnes and 300 m length and is matching weapons. The sensors are ship planned to have Catapult Take Off, Barrier based, as well as air based and so are the Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR). It may have weapons. Aircraft carrier is also escorted latest generation of fighters on board. by suitable surface ships for its defence like the USS Nimitz which is currently being Current Force Level escorted by two guided missile cruisers and At present India has only one aircraft car- one destroyer. The land based air bases are rier INS Vikramaditya operational. The permanent in nature, thus easy to detect and second aircraft carrier INS Viraat has been destroy but location of an aircraft carrier can decommissioned. With tension on the be easily changed at will and thus not easy to Ladakh Border, India is left with only one locate. Due to lack of aircraft carriers, China aircraft carrier. INS Vikrant is under trials had initiated the strategy of Anti Access/ and is expected to be in service in 2021. Area Denial (A2/AD) with long range weap- Thus there is a strong case for a third air- ons to restrict the reach of hostile navies. craft carrier so that two are always avail- To display their reach China fired its DF-26B able for operations. (conventional as well as thermonuclear with a range of 4,000 km) and a DF-21D anti-ship Mis-interpreted facts about Aircraft ballistic missiles (it is the first dedicated Carriers anti-ship ballistic missile in the world and is High Cost. The high cost of an aircraft car- conventional/nuclear with a range of 2,000 rier has long been debated. However they km) fired into the South China Sea in July are still in service with countries which need when US Navy’s carrier strike force was sail- them operationally and can also afford them. ing through it. Some counter will be found High cost cannot be denied as it is a float- against them in due course and such weap- ing fighter airbase which houses the airfield, ons in any case are fired in dire emergency. fighter and other aircraft, munitions, logistic Obsolete. Some think that aircraft car- support and personnel. India’s Vishal may riers are obsolete but many powerful coun- cost about $15 billion which will include the tries still hold them. The US operates ten and

4/2020 5  TECHNOLOGY Network Centric Warfare – A Waypoint Check Network Centric Warfare (NCW) is an approach to warfare, which uses synergies that can be created by linking geographically separated forces into one engagement grid using computers, high speed data links, and networking software to link military personnel, platforms and formations in the battlespace, into highly integrated networks.

Illustration: SP Guide Pubns n Commodore G. Prakash (Retd) There are many pitfalls. s the world sees a steady Interpretation of information decline in conventional wars as years go by, more and more is one. Faulty interpretation military jargon is being created. Seductive jargon, that promise can lead to over estimation toA be panacea for every (unseen, poorly known) problem. This is a natural phe- or under estimation of the nomenon. When empirical lessons dwindle, rationalist theory takes over. Network Cen- enemy, and this could lead tric Warfare (NCW) appears to be one area to either inaction from under where much jargon rules, making it difficult to extract the essentials required for real confidence or fatal over warfighting in the future, examining them carefully and auditing if one is marching confidence. up the right path. So, what is it about NCW?

The March of NCW Though ideas on combining the advantages USA thought up NCW and later learnt to of the advances in the field of communica- suspect it. After going into Afghanistan in tions, data transfer, data storage, and gath- 2001 and subsequently into Iraq again in ering information for aiding warfighting saw 2003, they disbanded the Saddam Hussein a new spurt from end 1990s, what came to regime and embarked onto a new war or be called NCW and NCO (Network Centric ‘restoring peace’ after ending exactly that. Operations) really started its formal march But by now, the enemy had adapted too. in USA from 2005. New theories took birth tant? Reliable and real-time information tion of information is one. Faulty interpreta- The enemy was not easy to spot, they oper- around what happened on the ground dur- is important to almost everything in this tion can lead to overestimation or underes- ated with the help of a great social network ing Op Iraqi Freedom. The essence of this world. But what is the degree of its impor- timation of the enemy, and this could lead and had developed skills in changing form. was, networked forces, enhanced situational tance? Is there anything superior to infor- to either inaction from under confidence The subsequent birth of ISIS and the cata- awareness, increased communication and co- mation? Even in early 1498, as Vasco da or fatal overconfidence respectively. Quan- strophic actions that followed, all provided operative engagement. That the enemy just Gama travelled up the East African coast tity of information is another. It tends to enough data, to suspect the great merits couldn’t have stood up to the massive mili- looking for India, information about his be linked to consumer demand and data technology driven NCW had promised. This tary strength that bore down on them, didn’t presence, cruelty, requirements etc were handling capability, and quantity will keep led to an institutional review, a rational fol- matter. Theories and jargon mushroomed. being relayed up the coast. But that did not increasing to meet the demand and capacity. low up action, and a rethink on allocation help the people he kept running into. They of precious resources. It also gave rise to NCW – Essentials kept getting into trouble, suffering Vasco’s Power to Execute War more awareness about the need to create For some time, we have been hearing that terror. There were too many impondera- David S. Alberts and Richard E. Hayes in and expand Social Networks, a network we are in an information intensive world, bles. Information can never be enough. The their book titled, Power to the Edge – ‘Com- of human minds, which hold information, where ascendency in gathering, manag- Clausewitzian fog of war will never lift. mand Control in the Information Age’, pub- which no man made sensor can pick up. ing and processing information would lished in 2003, advocated increased power give much edge over others. At the root of Information – Characteristics to the frontlines, termed as the Edge by NCW – No Model Fits All this ascendancy are enhanced situational Information handling is highly technology them. What they meant was, that with the Like in everything else, how NCW is devel- awareness and networked forces. The dependent today. This, other than imposing increased information available at the front- oped and embraced, is different for dif- script is that (a) a robustly networked force huge costs, also stands the danger of being lines, the frontlines could be authorised to ferent entities. It is dictated by strategic improves information sharing, (b) informa- overtaken by ever emerging newer technol- undertake more autonomous action. Tim- culture, technological skills, money avail- tion sharing and collaboration enhance the ogy. The result is disruption or even distor- ing was opportune in the publication of the able, geography, neighbours, approach quality of information and shared aware- tion, causing the recipient to never being above book too. Post 9/11, US forces had to conflict resolution etc. So in this case, ness, (c) shared situational awareness sure of the accuracy or credibility of the gone onto Afghanistan, in another bout of there is no model that fits all. While avail- enables self-synchronisation (whatever information. For instance, in the difficult motherless bombing of a vastly inferior able architectures, and experiences can be that means) and (d) these, in turn, dramati- world of war in the vast oceans, where most enemy. It all looked very simple. How wrong studied and may even be used as starting cally increase mission effectiveness. times a distant enemy is just a small blip on all this was, was proved over time. points, it is important to draw up specific a screen, put there by a network based on Who should have the power to execute models, that return the most gains for the Information various inputs, it is very possible that the war? Is it every entity who wields a weapon, resources spent. All too often have the But when has information not been impor- blip is just that. An empty blip, placed by is it the field commanders who command approach of putting all faith in an emerg- an interfering entity, with no enemy actu- the entities that control those who wield ing concept led to despair down history. ally in the water. An entire bunch of weap- weapons, or is it one or several higher NCW is just another seductive scheme in ons could end up rushing there from hun- authorities backed up by a great system of the modern era. It is not that information Information handling is highly dreds of miles and getting wasted, or entire situational awareness? The answer is, that sharing is not important. It is important. technology dependent today. formations could squander precious time it should be a combination of all these. But But good Doctrines and systems that draw manoeuvring in response to such phantom how much is to be the level and nature of primarily upon the human element, are This, other than imposing contacts. This is possible till eternity, if autonomy for each, is a difficult question more important. It is easy to jump on to technology is in the lead. to answer. The solution to this lies in good a bandwagon, but difficult to step off it, huge costs, also stands the Information can also be denied or Doctrine. Doctrine, born of experience, and especially in the absence of conventional delayed. Even if this doesn’t happen, delays ever adaptive to changing technological and conflict, which is the only source for realis- danger of being overtaken and denial can even be feared and falsely military environments, cannot be disrupted tic testing of efficacy for any military con- assumed. What is known as the Schwar- or influenced. Good Doctrine also enables cept. Good waypoint checks help. SP by ever emerging newer zkopf Syndrome, where decisions are freedom of thought and enables effective technology. delayed for a little bit more of time, await- action in the face of imponderables. Commodore G. Prakash retired in ing one more possible input, is an all too December, 2019. A specialist in Aviation common phenomenon. Iraq – Crucible of US NCW and Anti-Submarine Warfare, he has held

www.spsnavalforces.com There are many more pitfalls. Interpreta- Iraq has been virtually the crucible where several Command and Staff appointments.

6 4/2020  special reports / Appointments

Flameproof Cable Testing Facility Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal hipbuilding requires special zz Toxicity Index Test Deputy Managing Editor Neetu Dhulia cables that are non-combustible zz Fire survival test facility of cable as Sand self-extinguishing. Marine cables per BS 8491 and BS EN 50200 Senior Technical Group Editor should specifically have the property of Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) resisting flame propagation. ERDA is well Major test facilities available at ERDA equipped for all types of fire behaviour Following test facilities are available at Group Executive Editor Vishal Thapar related testing for cable. It has one of the ERDA for evaluation of FR, FRLS, LSZH and prime laboratories which is facilitated to fire survival cables as per national and Principal Correspondent Ayushee Chaudhary evaluate all types of cables up to 245 kV international standards at ERDA’s state- voltage rating. of-the-art testing facilities. Contributors zz Oxygen Index & Temperature Index India Tests for Fire retardant cables test facilities Vice Adm K.N. Sushil (Retd), Vice Adm Anup Singh To evaluate the flammability characteris- zz Smoke Emission – 3 cubic meter (Retd), Vice Adm Satish Soni (Retd), Cmde Sujeet tic of cables and the insulating materials, chamber Samaddar (Retd), Cmde A.J. Singh (Retd) various tests are specified. The Bureau of zz Toxicity Index Europe Alan Peaford, Doug Richardson, Andrew Brookes Indian Standard (BIS) has also included zz Temperature Index Test zz Flammability Test as per IS, IEC, (UK) various flammability tests in cable speci- zz Flame Retardant Test (Swedish Chim- ASTM, SS-424/1475 USA & Canada fications. ney Test) zz Flammability test on Single Cable Lon Nordeen (USA), Anil R. Pustam (West Indies) zz Oxygen Index Test zz Smoke Density (3M3 Chamber) Test zz Flammability tests on bunched cables West Asia/Africa zz Flame Retardant Test on Single Cable zz Smoke Density Test as per IS, IEC, BS H.R. Heitman (S. Africa) zz Flame Retardant Test on Bunched zz Acid Gas Generation Test zz Fire Survival test facilities– Category C, Chairman & Managing Director Cable zz Fire Survival Test (For Category C, W & Z) W and Z SP Jayant Baranwal Executive Vice President (Planning & Business Development) Rohit Goel Appointments Manager – HR & Admin PASSEX between Royal Australian Navy Bharti Sharma and Indian Navy Vice Admiral Dinesh Assistant Manager – HR & Admin K. Tripathi assumed Pooja Tehlani charge as Director Gen- Deputy Manager – Circulation eral Naval Operations he Indian anti-air exercises Rimpy Nischal from August 13, 2020. Navy (IN) held including weapon [email protected] Passage Exercise firings, seamanship He has commanded T Group Research Associate (PASSEX) with Royal exercises, naval INS Vinash, INS Kirch and INS Trishul and has Survi Massey Australian Navy (RAN) manoeuvres and held various important operational and Design in the East Indian Cross Deck Flying staff appointments. Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht Ocean Region from Operations. Vice Admiral S.R. Group Director – Sales & Marketing September 23 to 24, The exercise, Neetu Dhulia 2020. The exercise which is in keeping Sarma assumed charge Deputy Director – Sales involved participation of HMAS Hobart with the strong bond shared by the two as the Chief of Mate- riel, Indian Navy from Rajeev Chugh from the Australian side and Indian Naval navies, is another step towards strength- September 1, 2020. SP’s Website Ships Sahyadri and Karmuk. In addition, ening Indo-Australia defence relations The Admiral is a post Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra Prakash Ashish an Indian MPA and helicopters from both and the continued efforts of both Govern- graduate in Computer Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma sides participated in the exercise. ments to work closely to enhance safety Science and Engineer- Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on The exercise, aimed at enhancing and security of the global commons in ing from IISc, Bengaluru. The Admiral behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All interoperability, improving understand- accordance with international regula- has served onboard Indian Naval ships rights reserved. No part of this publication may ing and imbibing best practices from each tions. The two navies have built a robust Vindhyagiri, Rana, Krishna and Mysore in be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, other, involved advanced surface and relationship through regular exercises. SP various capacities. photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers. Printed in India India’s China Policy...continued from page 3 by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd © SP Guide Publications, 2020 gong Lake. In response to China’s actions, suit of this objective that I met my Chinese I want to assure the people of our coun- Subscription/ Circulation our armed forces have also made appropri- counterpart on September 4, 2020 in Mos- try that the morale and motivation of our Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 ate counter deployments in these areas to cow and had a detailed discussion regard- Armed Forces is very high, and our soldiers E-mail: [email protected] ensure that India’s borders are fully pro- ing the current situation with him. I con- are committed to overcome any challenge [email protected] tected. This is still an ongoing situation and veyed in clear terms our concerns related that may come in their way. This time also, Letters to the Editor obviously involves sensitive operational to the actions of the Chinese side, includ- our soldiers have chosen patience and [email protected] issues. This rapid deployment by our armed ing amassing of large number of troops, courage over aggression. Our soldiers are For Advertising Details, Contact: forces including ITBP has taken place in a their aggressive behaviour and attempts to a living symbol of restraint, bravery and [email protected] challenging time of COVID-19. It has also unilaterally alter the status quo that were valor. Special warm clothes, special tent [email protected] been made possible by the high importance in violation of the bilateral agreements. I for their living and adequate arrangement SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD that the Government has placed for devel- also made it clear that even as we wanted of all their weapons and ammunition have POSTAL ADDRESS oping border infrastructure in the last few to peacefully resolve the issue and would been made for them suitable to the extreme Corporate Office years. The House is aware that over the last like the Chinese side to work with us, there weather conditions. The spirits of our sol- A 133 Arjun Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, many decades, China had undertaken sig- should also be no doubt about our deter- diers are high. They are capable of serving New Delhi 110003, India nificant infrastructure construction activity mination to protect India’s sovereignty and at forbidding altitudes with scarce oxygen Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 that enhanced their deployment capabilities territorial integrity. My colleague, S. Jais- and in extremely cold temperatures, some- Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 E-mail: [email protected] in the border areas. However, in response, hankar, the External Affairs Minister, has thing that they have effortlessly done over our Government too has stepped up the thereafter met the Chinese Foreign Minis- the last many years on Siachen, and Kargil. Representative Offices BENGALURU, INDIA budget for border infrastructure develop- ter in Moscow on September 10, 2020. The It is true that we are facing a chal- Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd), 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, ment to about double the previous levels. two have reached an agreement, which, if lenge in Ladakh, but I am confident that Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru 560043, India. As a result, more roads and bridges have implemented sincerely and faithfully by our country and our brave soldiers will be Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 been completed in the border areas. This the Chinese side, could lead to complete able to surmount every challenge. I urge MOSCOW, RUSSIA has not only provided much needed con- disengagement and restoration of peace this House of the Parliament to unani- LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin, Krasnokholmskaya, nectivity to the local population, but has and tranquility in the border areas. mously honour the courage and valour of Nab., also provided better logistical support for In the past too we have had situations our Armed Forces. A message of unity and 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. our armed forces, enabling them to be more of prolonged stand-offs in our border complete confidence of our brave soldiers Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 alert in the border areas and respond more areas with China which have been resolved will resonate not only across the country effectively where required. In the coming peacefully. Even though the situation this but also across the world and shall infuse a www.spguidepublications.com www.spsnavalforces.com years too, the Government remains com- year is very different both in terms of new confidence, new energy and unlimited RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25836 mitted to this objective. We will not back scale of troops involved and the number enthusiasm in our forces. SP down from taking any big and tough step in of friction points, we do remain commit- Jai Hind!” the interest of our country. ted to the peaceful resolution of the cur- I would like to emphasise, that India rent situation. I want to assure 130 crore Note: These are excerpts from the statement remains committed to resolving the current people of our country that we will not let made by the Raksha Mantri to Lok Sabha issues in our border areas through peaceful the country down. This is our firm resolve on September 15 and to Rajya Sabha on dialogue and consultations. It was in pur- towards our nation. September 17, 2020.

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