Annual Report 2007-08 Ministry of Defence Government of India CONTENTS 1 The Security Environment 1 2 Organisation and Functions of The Ministry of Defence 7 3 Indian Army 15 4 Indian Navy 27 5 Indian Air Force 37 6 Coast Guard 45 7 Defence Production 51 8 Defence Research and Development 75 9 Inter-Service Organisations 101 10 Recruitment and Training 115 11 Resettlement and Welfare of Ex-Servicemen 139 12 Cooperation Between the Armed Forces and Civil Authorities 153 13 National Cadet Corps 159 14 Defence Cooperaton with Foreign Countries 171 15 Ceremonial and Other Activities 181 16 Activities of Vigilance Units 193 17. Empowerment and Welfare of Women 199 Appendices I Matters Dealt with by the Departments of the Ministry of Defence 205 II Ministers, Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries who were in position from April 1, 2007 onwards 209 III Summary of latest Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) Report on the working of Ministry of Defence 210 1 THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT Troops deployed along the Line of Control 1 s the world continues to shrink and get more and more A interdependent due to globalisation and advent of modern day technologies, peace and development remain the central agenda for India.i 1.1 India’s security environment the deteriorating situation in Pakistan and continued to be infl uenced by developments the continued unrest in Afghanistan and in our immediate neighbourhood where Sri Lanka. Stability and peace in West Asia rising instability remains a matter of deep and the Gulf, which host several million concern. Global attention is shifting to the sub-continent for a variety of reasons, people of Indian origin and which is the ranging from fast track economic growth, primary source of India’s energy supplies, growing population and markets, the is of continuing importance to India. The untapped socio-economic potential of the continuing threat posed by global terrorism region and the growing energy consumption underlines the importance of the need to levels. Alongside, some devise cooperative efforts at a countries in the region have India remains global level, between and among come to be the fountainhead committed to states. of terrorism, thus inviting peace and stability close attention of the world. in the region, which 1.3 There has been a The interests and presence of are fundamental major powers in this region, marked deterioration in the coupled with the relative for the continued internal situation of Pakistan, instability in our immediate economic which has serious implications neighbourhood are a matter of development and on overall stability and peace concern to India. India’s rapidly prosperity of its in the region. The assassination growing economy, relative size people. of former Prime Minister Ms. and strategic location in the region thus brings the country Benazir Bhutto was a setback into prominence in the world’s geopolitics. to the forces of political moderation. India, nevertheless, remains committed The growth of extremist violence and to peace and stability in the region, terrorism in Pakistan has serious security which are fundamental for the continued implications for India. India wishes to economic development and prosperity of its create an atmosphere of trust and people. confi dence, free from violence and terror, 1.2 The preceding year witnessed a series in our bilateral relations with Pakistan and of developments which impinge directly on is working on various confi dence building India’s security environment. These include measures with our close neighbour. 2 1.4 China is an important recent years and it is hoped player in global affairs and India wishes to create that the situation should is proceeding ahead with an atmosphere of stabilise soon as instability her well charted out goals trust and confi dence, in the region often has a in a focussed manner. free from violence spill over factor into our China has been improving and terror, in our country. Further, many bilateral relations with her bilateral relations citizens of Nepal serve in the with Pakistan and is neighbouring countries at Indian Army and have strong working on various diplomatic, economic and traditional people-to -people confi dence building military levels. In attempting ties with Nepal. India will measures with our to resolve the long provide assistance within her close neighbour. outstanding border disputes, means, required by Nepal we are following a policy of to rehabilitate the social, constructive engagement. economic and political fabric of Nepal. 1.5 Nepal is a natural ally of India 1.6 We have recently seen an increase in and we share many common values and violence, tension and confl ict in Sri Lanka. beliefs and also share an open border We strongly believe that there is no military with Nepal. The political situation in solution. What is required is a settlement Nepal has undergone a major change in of the political, constitutional and other IAF SU-30s in Action 3 issues within the framework of a united Sri front, since we share a 1640 km. long Lanka which addresses the concerns of all border with her. The political reform and communities, especially the ethnic minority. national reconciliation process initiated by the Myanmar government should be taken 1.7 The security situation in Afghanistan forward expeditiously in a broad-based and has deteriorated in the recent past with inclusive manner including Ms. Aung San Suu the continued resurgence of the Taliban Kyi and various ethnic groups. along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Terrorist attacks mounted by the Taliban 1.10 Amongst our other neighbours have consequently increased signifi cantly are two other countries viz. Bhutan and all over Afghanistan. We continue to Maldives, who are continuing on the path support the process to help Afghanistan to peace, development and stability. India is emerge as a stable democratic state. providing economic and technical assistance India has a vital stake in peace and to these countries in various fi elds. India’s stability in this region and has invested relations with these countries are based on the services of nearly 4000 Indians and a strong foundation of mutual understanding, US $ 750 million for the purpose of respect and trust. rebuilding Afghanistan. Inimical interests 1.11 Apart from a conventional war are, however, attempting to scuttle our scenario for which the role towards rebuilding armed forces are prepared, Afghanistan. The growing menace the increasing ongoing of terrorism continues 1.8 As a close and friendly internal security situation to be an area of great neighbour of Bangladesh, of a proxy war scenario we would like to see a concern, where we also has to be taken into peaceful, stable and a liberal are facing newer account. The security democratic Bangladesh. We challenges. Our armed environment and instability hope the roadmap announced forces are geared up in our neighbourhood could by the Bangladesh Election to the challenges to fuel disturbances for our Commission with regard to the meet this asymmetric internal security as well. next parliamentary elections threat. The growing menace of to be held between October terrorism continues to be an and December 2008, leads to area of great concern, where early restoration of democracy and relative we are facing newer challenges. Our armed stability in Bangladesh. India is concerned forces are geared up to the challenges to about Bangladesh as she shares a boundary meet this asymmetric threat. The succeeding with many of our North-Eastern States. paragraphs describe the factors that have a bearing on our internal security. 1.9 Myanmar is of strategic signifi cance to India. We need to ensure a peaceful 1.12 The current situation in J&K is periphery for India, especially on the security well under control. The violence has been 4 brought down considerably by effective region. While the Government is open to counter infi ltration operations along the talks within framework of the Constitution Line of Control and sustained counter with any groups which abjure violence, terrorist operations by the security forces in all efforts are being made to bring about the hinterland. This is a highly commendable further improvement in overall security achievement. But despite assurances, environment through holistic approach. terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir 1.14 The extremist activities of ‘Maoist/ and other parts of the country continued Naxalites’ have the potential for causing to be sponsored and supported from across internal security problems in some areas the country. of certain states. In this context, funding through illegal fl ows and possible links 1.13 There has been marked improvement indulging in arms and smuggling are also in the security situation in some States matters of concern. The Government of the North Eastern region. However, is following a holistic security-cum- continued violence by some insurgent development oriented approach to deal with groups and their reported cross border the problem. links in some States, such as Assam and Manipur is a matter of concern. The armed 1.15 The security situation in India’s forces therefore, continue to be deployed in extended neighbourhood of Mid-East aid to civil authorities in some area of the and South-East Asia is being monitored IAF Helicopter during slithering practice with Special Forces 5 as any deterioration in the region would agenda for India. With a steadily growing adversely affect India’s economic and economy, India has a vital stake in a safe energy security. Moreover, a large number and secure world. India and Indians have of Indians serve in the countries of the increasingly become drivers of global Middle East and South East Asia - both growth and prosperity. We understand a regions with whom we share ancient strong defence force is a necessary pre- civilisational ties.