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In ThIs Issue >> Lead Story

IlluSTrATIoN: Anoop Kamath Page 5 assault weapons and assault

Assault weapons are guns/fire arms that fire one round each time the trigger is pulled. They are not assault rifles or . lt General V.K. Kapoor (retd)

Page 6 Infantry modernisation neglected The modernisation of infantry has lagged behind due to complete neglect and apathy on part of military, bureaucratic and political leadership to speed up the process of modernisation of the . lt General V.K. Kapoor (retd)

Page 7 Trijicon — pioneer in aiming solutions defence Budget: Personal weapons of the soldiers must have the latest technologies inbuilt for counter terrorist and counter insurgency missions including day/night vision solutions. assured allocations rohit srivastava

Page 8 special forces – more focus required to achieve the Goals Delays in replacing the legacy weapons system with the more modern systems have hampered the operational readiness of armed forces. It is time to look for measures to mitigate the shortfall.

 L t GeneraL V.K. Kapoor (retd) that in any future conflict, india would “stores”. in last ten years, the percentage Special Forces are being used strategically and rohit SriVaStaVa be using three to four decades old weapon of pay and allowance in the revenue bud- world over to further national interests of systems. This is a disturbing scenario for get of army, the most manpower intensive their countries. Their employment is actually ndian defence is in need of sub- our armed forces. service, has increased from 54 per cent in an extension of their foreign policy. stantial investment to replace its leg- 2007-08 to 75 per cent in 2017. similarly acy systems, which are facing obso- Budget Trend the other two services have also seen their lt General p.c. Katoch (retd) lescence. Most of the systems can’t be as the data suggests (see tables), the avail- pay and allowances increasing from nearly further upgraded, and thus require ability of money for capital acquisition, in 30 per cent to over 50 per cent of their allo- Page 10 Ireplacement with more modern systems to real terms, has shrunk. The modernisation cations. This obviously has an effect on the India enters wassenaar arrangement confront rapidly modernising adversaries budget during the 2007-17 shows that other heads under the Revenue Budget. Membership to the Wassenaar Arrangement like china. in last few years, number of in 2007 the modernisation budget was defence expenditure as a percentage and Australia Group would give India a acquisition programmes that have been $7.5 billion which became $10.75 billion of central government expenditure, in last chance for a closer interaction with member postponed or cancelled thus adversely in 2017-18. This was not enough even decade, has remained unchanged and hov- states and also hold up its credentials, affecting the modernisation of the armed to mitigate the inflation over a ten year ers around 12 per cent. But in terms of per despite not being a signatory to the Non- forces. in addition, many programmes are period. defence inflation is always higher cent of GdP, from 2009-10 when it peaked Proliferation Treaty. running years behind their schedule, lead- than the general inflation. Unlike equip- to 2.1 per cent, it has seen a downward lt General p.c. Katoch (retd) ing to substantial cost escalation. This has ment, ammunition is procured from the trend and was 1.5 per cent in last finan- a negative impact on modernisation and revenue budget and the critical shortages cial year. in the current financial year, PlUsPl availability of funds for other programmes. reported in the media from time to time are `2.95 lakh crore have been earmarked newsn in Brief 11 it would not be out of place to mention due partly to reduction in the budget for for defence which accounts for 12.10 per

1/2018 sp’s land forces 1 >> Lead Story

Chief Minister in March 2017, it in an atrocious state, surveillance at a cost of `12,280 crore for the in time, it is a clear case of neglect became business as usual. Arun assets such as unarmed aerial three services. This clearance by the government. Jaitley who was dual- hatted, and vehicles (UAVs) and their combat also included light machine guns A similar case was regarding brought back to defence ministry variant, and various categories of & sniper rifles. the cancellation of the negotiated once again, could not be expect- , night fighting capability A major doubt arises is re- USD $500 million deal with Israel ed to handle two vital ministries for our tanks and infantry weap- garding the various proposals. for the Spike Anti-Tank Guided both of which required fulltime at- ons, and various categories of Are the proposals of January 13, (ATGM). As per reports, tention of its Minister. ammunition to build up the stocks 2018 and February 13, 2018 go- the deal was to be inked soon Nirmala Sitharaman, took over of war wastage reserves to fight ing to be merged or will two differ- and in anticipation the Israeli com- as India’s first full-time woman a war of a given duration in the ent procurements be made and if pany, Rafael Advanced Defence defence minister on Thursday, 7 future. This is the state at a time that be so then the army will have Systems, had even set up a mis- September 2017. Her dynamism when we are possibly facing a three types of rifles namely the sile sub-systems manufacturing to get things done was seen as a two front scenario with of January 16, proposal, the unit near Hyderabad in partner- During the UPA regime (UPA I positive development by the Ser- in the west and China in the north rifle of February 13, proposal and ship with the Kalyani group. After and II) the situation with regards vices she was seen actively pursu- and east. the current INSAS rifle to be re- Putin s visit the fate of this deal to modernisation and replacement ing her goals, however nearly two On January 16, 2018, we placed by the improved version of hangs in balance. of old equipment had deteriorated decades of neglect will not be easy were informed by the media that the INSAS by the DRDO! Has any Why are our governments, po-

EDITORIAL considerably and it was widely ac- to overcome in a short period. the Defence Acquisition Council thought been given to the logistic litical leaders, bureaucrats and the claimed that the new Narendra The army has been the great- (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri problems of repair, maintenance senior military hierarchy so indeci- Modi Government which took over est sufferer with regard to mod- Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, met and and the ammunition? Will the am- sive? We leave the judgment for the reins of the country in May ernisation because it needs re- cleared procurement of 72,400 as- munition be common to all three? our readers. 2014 would rectify the situation. placement of nearly all its weapon sault rifles and 93,895 on The announcement of Febru- While the then technology systems starting with the assault fast track basis for `3,547 crore. ary 13, 2018, follows the terror at- savy Defence Minister, Mano- rifles, carbines, air defence weap- On Tuesday, February 13, tack on the army family quarters at har Parrikar, who took over in ons, towed, mounted and self 2018, the Defence Acquisition Sanjuwan, Jammu, on February November 2014, did bring dyna- propelled howitzers for the moun- Council cleared `15,935 crore 10, 2018, after which it seems the mism into the bureaucratic func- tains, plains and desert terrain worth of proposals including the poor state of weapons in the infan- tioning of the Defence Ministry, respectively, reconnaissance and one to procure 7.40 lakh Buy try has suddenly dawned upon the but with his departure to Goa as observation helicopters which are and Make (Indian)’ assault rifles hierarchy where as if we go back Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd)

cent of the government expenditure and is around the lowest figure as a ratio to overall defence expenditure as a % of Gdp government expenditure since 1950. One third of the total allocation approximately 2.300 has been earmarked for the capital expendi- 2.189 ture of the Ministry of defence (Mod). The 2.200 capital allocation for Ministry of defence under Be 2018-19 is 33.1 per cent of the 2.100 2.029 total central Government expenditure on 1.980 capital account, which is `3,00,441 crore. 2.000 1.956 The total allocation for defence for 2018-19 represents a growth of 7.8 per 1.900 1.838 1.828 cent if Be figures are taken and 5.9 per cent 1.812 if Re figures are taken. it is not enough to 1.800 1.757 even cater for the likely inflation. Thus bearing in mind the requirement 1.700 1.651 of the services and the economic woes of the 1.633 1.578 country, it would be advisable to hold a holis- 1.600 tic review of the defence budget to decide on the future course of . The respective 1.500 strengths and weaknesses of each service should be taken into account to decide upon 1.400 the capabilities required and focal areas of expenditure of the overall capital budget 1.300 allocated to the three services and priorities 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 Re 17-18 Be should be fixed accordingly. Source: Group Captain Vinay Kaushal (Retd), IDSA Threat Scenario india is likely to face four types of threats and challenges in the future including tra- than one sector. This creates an uncer- nibble away territory to acquire tactical/ tional training. This is vital for ensuring ditional threats from china and Pakistan; tainty in operational planning, in force strategic advantage in various sectors. overall economy, and judicious expenditure contemporary threats in the form of ter- levels required and in capability enhance- doklam is only a manifestation of this strat- of defence Budget to preserve india’s sover- rorism; internal challenges; and out of area ment because confronting two adversaries egy. Thus we will have to keep such situa- eignty and furthering its national interests. contingencies. This implies that india faces a simultaneously on two widely separated tions in mind against a rapidly modernising following the establishment of the Modi two front threat as far as conventional con- fronts is a daunting challenge which has a adversary with a larger force in the north Government with the strongest mandate flicts are concerned and these may be large direct impact on the above issues and our and east with a capability to muster larger ever, a lot was expected by the armed forces scale conflicts or even border wars under the budgets have to be aligned accordingly. forces at short notice in the future. His regarding the hastening of the modernisa- nuclear shadow. The other challenges are in Thus we could state that should there be infrastructure developments point towards tion process. However, the expected change the form of international terrorism, home another war it will be of ‘Hybrid’ nature such capabilities. has so far not manifested itself on the grown terrorism and insurgencies aided and and it may involve fighting two enemies in the Western sector, we are witness- ground and the army is the worst off as far abetted by some of our neighbours, and the simultaneously on two widely separted ing increase in the cross border firing both as the modernisation is concerned because out of area challenges whose contours are fronts, in varying terrain, at the borders, on the international border and along the it needs replacements for nearly every hazy at present. This is what is referred as while simultaneously countering terrorism Line of control in Jammu and Kashmir. weapon and equipment that it currently has the two and a half front war. and/ or insurgency in the hinterland. This could be a prelude to some adventur- in its inventory starting with assault rifles Most analysts feel that conventional This two and a half front ‘Hybrid’ war ism on part of Pakistan if they come to the and carbines to heavier infantry weapons conflicts in the present circumstances will require the internal security apparatus, conclusion that we are indecisive politically such as light and medium machine guns, when the region has become nuclearised including the central armed police, intel- and weak militarily as was the case during sniper rifles, anti material rifles, antitank are unlikely, however Kargil type border ligence agencies of centre and state and Kargil. The fact that Pakistan is closely sup- guided missiles, long range artillery and air wars cannot be precluded, considering that also the technical institutions safe guarding ported by china makes us more vulnerable defence weapons, including night fighting we have unresolved borders in the form of our cyber and communication networks to unless we prepare for this scenario. equipment, surveillance devices, and a new 740 km of Line of control (Loc and 110 operate closely and in an integrated fashion. The time has come for the government helicopter fleet comprising various catego- km of aGPL) with Pakistan and 4052 km This coordination at the national level has to seriously consider the transformation of ries of helicopters, just to name a few. of Line of actual control (Lac), unresolved never been practiced. the indian military for the future, through in last one decade, because of the imple- border, with china. The fact is that there is doklam like situations are likely to arise technological improvements coupled with mentation of the 7th Pay commission and no assurance that the border wars will not in the eastern theatre along the Lac where new joint operational doctrines and innova- One Rank One Pension, the salary compo-

www.spslandforces.com escalate into larger conflicts involving more china’s strategy seems to be to claim and tive Operational art along with joint opera- nent in the three services revenue budget has

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1/12/18 11:46 AM >> Lead Story

increased as is the case in all departments of the government. This has caused an overall defence expenditure as a % of central Govt. expenditure distortion of revenue to capital budget and thus a short fall in capital Budget for mod- 13.84 ernisation and procurement. The expendi- 14.00 12.92 13.15 12.77 12.87 13.10 12.89 13.05 12.61 ture on maintenance of the current force 12.31 12.22 levels including procurement of ammuni- 12.00 tion which is bought from the revenue bud- get is also impacted. This shortage is well 10.00 known and until more allocation is made 8.85 the situation is not going to improve and will 8.29 8.22 8.15 8.37 8.19 7.51 7.69 7.90 7.89 7.98 continue to affect operational readiness of 8.00 the services especially the army which is a manpower oriented force. Our procurement 6.00 5.26 5.18 5.21 5.00 5.07 procedures despite dPP 2016 continue to be 4.63 4.99 4.92 4.46 cumbersome. Thus no worthwhile upgrade 3.94 4.03 4.00 of weapons and equipment has taken place in the last two decades or more. as regards to ‘Make in india’, the Gov- 2.00 ernment has notified the strategic part- nership policy (sPP) focusing on selecting 0.00 an indian strategic partner for all major 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 Re 17-18 Be defence procurements by the Government in key segments like helicopters, submarines, armoured fighting vehicles etc. This policy is Rev exp as a % of cGe cap exp as a % of cGe def exp as a % of cGe an integral step towards indigenization and Source: Group Captain Vinay Kaushal (Retd), IDSA capability development. it would not be an exaggeration to say that, if properly imple- mented, the policy may result in revolution- ary changes in domestic defence production modernisation in Billion Usd and the creation of an ecosystem for defence manufacturing. However, the progress on

the ground is excruciatingly slow. 11.72 11.77 11.02 10.74 10.75 10.78 Way Forward

in last two decades, indian army has raised 9.49 9.39

a few new divisions of infantry and artillery 8.82 using the war wastage reserves. now, it is

imperative for the government to not only 7.51 replenish the war wastage reserves but also 7.02 to cater for the long delayed modernisation. at present, army is equipped with legacy systems in all branches of the army and there is an urgent need for replacement of 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 Re 17-18 Be all its these systems. in last one year, army has procured a large quantity of various Source: Group Captain Vinay Kaushal (Retd), IDSA category of ammunition to increase its reserves to the levels required for future con- flicts. However the modernisation of army requirements of the annual acquisition l non achievers must be sent out of the all expert committees constituted to requires a consistent and an ongoing mod- plan (aaP) which is a subset of the five project management teams to ensure suggest reforms have also limited them- ernization plan spread well over the next 15 years services capital acquisition Plan that they do not suffer for lack of enthu- selves to minor procedural changes. They years with assured allocations in the capital (scaP) which in turn is a part of the 15 siasm of the members. have lacked courage to suggest radical budget of the army to overcome the cur- year Long Term integrated Perspective Procurement of new weaponry and overhaul of the system, fearing its out- rent situation. This needs to be addressed at Plan (LTiPP) which covers three scaPs equipment in all countries is a long, com- right rejection by the decision makers. in the earliest if we are serious about the long of five years each, is achieved and bud- plex, arduous and time-consuming process. the absence of a strong will to transform, delayed modernisation of the ar my. getary support is not an obstacle to Multiple agencies have to perform vital func- india continues to flounder in the laby- Our recommendations are: achieve the modernisation goals set tions, both concurrently and sequentially. rinths of bureaucratic indecision while l assured allocations to the army (as forth in the plan. despite the fact that india’s acquisition the national security suffers – the armed indeed the other two services as well) to l Officers connected to a modernisation regime has been subjected to numerous forces are not getting the required equip- fulfill its modernisation commitments projects are, technically qualified or are reviews, it has still not matured. no major ment in time and the indigenous defence as per the Long Term Plan drawn up from technological background, and are deal is getting concluded in an open com- production is languishing. by the army , coordinated by the inte- given viable tenures to ensure continu- petitive environment under the provisions of Mere promises and tall claims are not grated defence staff and approved by ity and success of the projects. the procurement procedure (dPP of 2016). going to help the nation build a worth- Government. l an oversight committee within the invariably, the government has resorted while military capability. Let us be serious l carry over the unspent portions of the army to monitor the progress of all proj- resort to government to government deals to about building capabilities to deter our capital Budget so as to ensure that the ects of the ar my. procure urgently required equipment. opponents. SP

salary component of revenue Budget (2007-2018) Total Rev exp of Army Navy Air Force ar my, navy & air Rev exp as a per cent P&a* as a per cent of Rev exp as a per cent P&a as a per cent of Rev exp as a per cent P&a as a per cent of force as a per cent of share of column 1 column 2 share of column 1 column 4 share of column 1 column 6 total def Rev exp 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 07-08 87.86 65.24 54.01 13.55 27.64 21.21 28.01 08-09 85.89 68.63 62.54 11.24 38.35 20.13 36.94 09-10 86.18 71.06 72.11 10.72 47.41 18.22 48.95 10-11 87.63 70.94 67.26 11.02 41.95 18.04 47.12 11-12 88.09 69.74 68.50 11.78 42.17 18.48 44.90 12-13 88.12 71.38 64.78 10.75 44.57 17.88 47.79 13-14 86.94 71.61 70.58 10.73 43.82 17.66 49.57 14-15 87.32 73.39 70.30 10.08 48.07 16.53 53.35 15-16 87.66 73.27 69.72 10.30 46.96 16.43 53.69 16-17 (Re) 87.03 73.19 72.89 10.58 51.59 16.23 57.16 17-18 (Be) 86.92 73.24 74.79 10.53 53.24 16.23 58.94 average over the above period 87.24 71.72 10.82 17.46 Source: Union budget document and DSE Vol I Source: Group Captain Vinay Kaushal (Retd), IDSA

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4 sp’s land forces 1/2018 >> infantry WeaponS assault weapons and assault rifles

Assault weapons are guns/fire arms that fire one round each time the trigger is pulled. They are not assault rifles or machine guns.

PhoToGrAPh: uS Army  Lt GeneraL V.K. Kapoor (retd) arms. it is a political term, developed by anti-gun publicists to expand the category He TeRM “assaULT WeaPOns” of “assault rifles.” as such is not defined in the dic- if an assault weapon is not an assault tionary and each word of the term rifle, what is an ? is defined seperately. The cam- it is like the M4A1 , a Us mili- bridge dictionary defines the word tary service rifle. it is also an assault rifle. T“assault” as a violent attack and “weapon” The M4a1 is fully automatic. This means as an object used in fighting or war such as it fires multiple rounds each time the trig- gun, bomb and knife, etc. so if we combine ger is pulled. The M4a1 can fire up to 950 the two the sense that we get is that an rounds per minute. “assault weapon” is a weapon for unleash- Like the majority of firearms sold in the ing a violent attack. , the aR-15 is semi-automatic. dictionary.com defines assault weapon This means it fires one round each time the Allisson Creative 2.pdf 1 25/10/16 3:44 PM as – “various automatic and semiautomatic Allisson Creative 2.pdf 1 25/10/16 3:44trigger PM is pulled. The aR-15 can fire between military firearms utilizing an intermediate- 45 and 60 rounds per minute depending on power , designed for individual the skill of the operator. This is use.” This definition is also misleading comparable to other semi-automatic fire- because as we will see later in the article arms, but pales in comparison to fully auto- automatic and semiautomatic weapons are matic assault rifles, some of which can fire grouped in separate categories. more than 1,000 rounds per minute. Oxford dictionary also does not define the term “assault weapon” but it does define M4A1 Carbine Continued on page 9... an assault rifle which it defines as - A light- weight rifle developed from the sub-machine l . gun, which may be set to fire automatically or l Barrel shroud, which prevents burn- semi-automatically. ing of shooter’s arm or hand as a safety in the United states, an assault weapon device. is a term used to define some types of fire- The firearms industry itself introduced arms. The definition varies among regu- the term “assault weapon” to build interest lating jurisdictions, but usually includes in new product lines. Phillip Peterson, the semi-automatic firearms with a detachable author of Gun Digest Buyer’s Guide to Assault magazine and a pistol grip, and sometimes Weapons (2008) wrote: other features such as a flash suppressor or The popularly held idea that the term barrel shroud. some firearms are specified ‘assault weapon’ originated with anti- by name. at the time that the now-defunct gun activists is wrong. The term was first Federal Assault Weapons Ban was passed in adopted by manufacturers, wholesalers, 1994, the Us Justice department said, “in importers and dealers in the american fire- general, assault weapons are semiauto- arms industry to stimulate sales of certain matic firearms with a large magazine of firearms that did not have an appearance ammunition that were designed and con- that was familiar to many firearms owners.C C figured for rapid fire and combat use.” The The manufacturers and gun writers ofM the M origin of the term has been attributed to day needed a catchy name to identify Ythis legislators, gun control groups, the media, new type of gun. Y and the firearms industry itself. it is some- The term “assault weapon” is someCM - CM times equated with the term “assault rifle”, times conflated with the term “assaultMY

MY which refers to selective-fire military rifles rifle”. according to the associated PressCY that can fire in automatic and/or burst stylebook, the media should differentiateCY mode but this equation is incorrect. Thus between “assault rifles,” which are capableCMY CMY drawing from Us federal and state law defi- of fully automatic firing, and “assault weapK - nitions, the term “assault weapon” refers ons,” which are semiautomatic and “notK primarily to semi-automatic rifles, pis- synonymous with assault rifle.” civilian tols, and that are able to accept ownership of machine guns (and assault detachable magazines and possess one rifles) has been tightly regulated since 1934 or more other features. some jurisdic- under the Us, national firearms act and tions define revolving cylinder shotguns since 1986 under the firearm Owners Pro- as assault weapons. Legislative definitions tection act. do not include fully automatic weapons, which are regulated separately as Title ii Differences Between Assault Weapons weapons under Us federal law. and Assault Rifles common attributes used in legislative The AR-15 rifle, is the most popular rifle definitions of assault weapons in the Us sold in the United states today. Millions have include: been sold to american citizens since 1963. Tel: +91 11 4120 0400 l semi-automatic firearm capable of The aR-15 is the most common Fax: +91 11 4120 0405 accepting a detachable magazine. example of what are sometimes called Email: [email protected] l folding or telescoping (collapsible) assault weapons. But what does this term , which reduces the overall length actually mean? of the firearm. first, it is important to understand what l a pistol grip that protrudes conspicu- an assault weapon is not. The terms “assault ously beneath the action of the weapon weapon” and “assault rifle” are often con- l lug, which allows the mount- fused. according to Bruce H. Kobayashi and ing of a bayonet Joseph e. Olson, writing in the Stanford Law l Threaded barrel, which can accept and Policy Review: devices such as a flash suppressor, sup- Prior to 1989, the term “assault pressor, compensator or muzzle brake weapon” did not exist in the lexicon of fire- Allision creative revised.indd 1 25/10/16 4:10 PM

1/2018 sp’s land forces 5 >> ModerniSation Infantry modernisation neglected

The modernisation of infantry has lagged behind due to complete neglect and apathy on part of military, bureaucratic and political leadership to speed up the process of modernisation of the Indian Army

PhoToGrAPh: SPSC  Lt GeneraL V.K. Kapoor (retd) early-2017. nG7 became the frontrunner. The proposed LMG’s were aimed at replac- He PasT decade and a half or ing the defence Research and development so has severely degraded the war Organisation (dRdO)-designed 5.56x45 mm fighting capabilities of the cutting LMG that was inducted into ia service in the edge of indian army, namely the 1990’s, but found to be inefficient. infantry due to complete neglect On february 13, the defence acqui- Tand apathy on part of the of the, politi- sition council, presided over by the Rak- cal, bureaucratic and military leadership, to sha Mantri nirmala sitharaman, cleared speed up the process of modernisation and `15,935 crore worth of proposals. This procurement of vital equipment and muni- clearance also included `1,819 crore worth tions in the army. The sorry state of affairs as of Light Machine Guns which will also be far as procurements of “small arms” for the procured through the fast-track procedure infantry which includes assault rifles, car- to meet the operational requirement of the bines, light machine guns, sniper rifles, anti troops deployed at the border. – material rifles and other infantry weapons for the army, will be clarified as we go along Conclusion in this article. Let us first deal with the overall india’s defence Procurement Procedure issue of modernisation of the infantry. has been revised on various occasions. The defence Procurement Procedure 2016 (dPP F-INSAS 2016) was unveiled by the former Union The future infantry soldier as a system Indian Army soldiers in action defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the (f-insas) project was mooted in 2005 and sidelines of the defexpo-2016 which was held it aimed at deploying a fully networked, mm rifle that could incapacitate the enemy quarter battle (cQB) carbines and 33.6 mil- in Goa. The dPP 2016 replaced the defence all-weather, and all-terrain infantry, with soldiers and the decision was in favour of lion rounds of ammunition on 29 septem- Procurement Procedure 2013 (dPP 2013) enhanced firepower and the mobility to oper- the former caliber. The army commanders ber 2016. Official sources said the Mod now and has come into force on april 1, 2016. ate in the digitalized battlefield. This involved unanimously opted to import the more pow- aims to ‘fast track’ the long-delayed cQB in a major departure from the earlier a mix of imported and locally developed sys- erful 7.62x51 mm rifle for its infantry battal- procurement for the indian ar my. dPPs, dPP-2016 has allowed the pro- tems, to equip all battalions of infantry and ions and its100 odd counter-insurgency units The original procurement, for which curement process to continue in certain Rashtriya Rifles with a modular, multi-cali- (both Rashtriya Rifles and assam Rifles). israel Weapon industries (iWi) ace carbine situations where only one bid is received in bre suite of weapons and body armour. On January 16, 2018, the defence was shortlisted along with the rival italian response to an RfP. The continuation of the The entire capability desired includes tar- acquisition council (dac), chaired by Rak- ’s aRX-160 model following the process is, however, subject to the approval get acquisition means, communications, and sha Mantri nirmala sitharaman, met and 2011-14 trials, was terminated following of the dac, which must certify that there is portable surveillance equipment – including cleared procurement of 72,400 assault differences over the weapon systems sights no scope for change of the RfP conditions. third-generation night-vision devices, as well rifles and 93,895 carbines on fast track and irregularities in the evaluation process. notwithstanding the proposals now as computers capable of transmitting and basis for `3,547 crore to enable the defence The Mod’s directorate General of Quality sanctioned by the dac on January 16 and uploading voice, data, and video clips on wrist forces to meet their immediate requirement assurance (dGQa) had certain objections february 13, the cancellation of the global displays for soldiers and clipboards for com- for the troops deployed on the borders. which scuttled the procurement process. tenders to procure LMGs, assault rifles and manders. additionally, integrated ballistic On Tuesday, february 13, 2018, the On January 16, 2018, the dac has close-quarter battle carbines after comple- helmets with head-up displays (HUds), min- defence acquisition council, presided over cleared the procurement of 93,895 car- tion of trials showed that the government iature radios, global positioning systems, and by the Raksha Mantri nirmala sitharaman, bines on fast track basis along with the was not serious about its own proposals. portable power packs complete the f-insas cleared `15,935 crore worth of proposals above stated 72,400 assault rifles. such decisions would certainly not send posi- makeover. The concern is that not even a sin- including the one to procure 7.40 lakh ‘Buy tive signals to the soldiery of frontline infan- gle part of the project has made any progress. and Make (indian)’ assault rifles at a cost of Light Machine Guns try units and global equipment manufac- `12,280 crore for the three services. On august 9, 2017, Mod terminated its three- turers who bring their weapons for trials on Assault Rifles in the meanwhile the dRdO has pro- year old global tender to procure 9,462 light their own expense. Moreover the elaborate army was on the lookout for assault rifles duced excalibur as an upgraded version machine guns (LMGs) of caliber 7.62x51 process which mandates firing and mainte- (aR) to replace the insas 5.56 mm rifles of the indian small arms system (insas) mm for the indian ar my. it was reported that nance trials in all types of terrain existing in with technologically superior weapons. The 5.56x45 mm assault rifle. The insas was the tender was cancelled after israel Weapon our country involving extensive movements Ministry of defence (Mod) issued the tender rejected by the army in 2010 for being “oper- industries (iWi) emerged as the ‘sole vendor’ and arrangements across various theatres for 66,000, 5.56 mm multi-calibre assault ationally inadequate”. excalibur, the gas- with its negev nG7 model of the LMG. There of operations and involving a large amount rifles (with interchangeable barrels of 5.56 operated, fully automatic rifle has a foldable were two contenders in the field namely the of manpower, and over a long period of time mm and 7.62 mm calibers) out of a total butt, a for sights, sensors, and nG7 of iWi and the LMG fielded by Bulgar- and therefore scrapping tenders after the tri- requirement of assault rifles in november bipods, and its polycarbonate magazine is ia’s arsenal in user trials between 2015 and als only wastes precious time, energy and 2011 to 43 overseas vendors. five ven- superior to that of the , known to money of the vendor and the government. dors responded positively. However all five frequently crack in extreme hot and cold cli- We wonder why the single vendor issue could vendors comprising italian manufacturer mates. The excalibur’s barrel is 4 mm shorter on January 16, 2018, the not be tackled under the dispensation of the Beretta’s aRX160, the - than the insas model and its hand guard is above clause of the dPP-2016. based cZ’s 805 BRen, israel Weapon indus- smaller. The dRdO is also designing a second dac cleared procurement infantry is indeed the most vital com- tries’ (iWi’s) ace, and Us-based colt’s com- version of the excalibur, the aR-2 that fires bat arm of indian army whose roles range bat Rifle were rejected by the army following 7.62x39 mm rounds used by aK-47. The of 72,400 assault-rifles from countering terrorism and insurgencies field trials in the western Rajasthan desert aR-2 will be offered as an alternative to the in peace and in war, conducting defensive and in high-altitude regions. aK 47, Russian origin, assault rifle. Till the and 93,895 carbines for and offensive operations in the mountains, The above request for proposal (RfP) for new assault rifle becomes a standard weapon `3,547 crore for the army. plains, and deserts and when required be an the assault rifles was scrapped in May 2015 it was rumoured that the excalibur may be important part of an out of area contingency because of the army’s overambitious exper- used in the interim to replenish stocks. on february 13, the dac force. and last but not the least, it aids civil iment to induct rifles with interchangeable authorities which includes tackling natural barrels, with a 5.56x45 mm primary bar- Carbines cleared ‘Buy and make’ and manmade disasters for which the civil rel for conventional warfare and a 7.62x39 for over seven years the indian army has authorities are certainly not shy in seeking mm secondary one for counter-terrorism operated without a cQB carbine, a basic procurement of 7.40 lakh this assistance if only to hide their own weak- proved to be impractical. infantry weapon, essential to a force which nesses and incompetence. Hence, depriving The issue that was discussed in april claims to be among the best in the world, assault rifles for `12,280 this indispensable arm of the army from its 2016 during the army commanders’ confer- ever ready to take on any challenge. basic weapons which it needs to fulfill its ence was whether the force required a 7.62 india’s Mod cancelled the december crore for three services. missions is not only shocking but may prove

SP www.spslandforces.com mm rifle that could kill the enemy or a 5.56 2010 tender for 44,618, 5.56 mm close disastrous for the nation in the future.

6 sp’s land forces 1/2018 >> technoLoGy Trijicon — pioneer in aiming solutions

Personal weapons of the soldiers must have the latest technologies inbuilt for counter terrorist and counter insurgency missions including day/night vision solutions

PhoToGrAPhS: Trijicon  rohit SriVaStaVa tions forces and Marine corps for medium distance engagement, Trijicon acOG® ORLd OveR eveRy MiLi- (advanced combat Optical Gunsight) enables TaRy is investing heavily in the user to shoot with both eyes open by using acquiring aiming solutions the the Bindon aiming concept. it comes in to enhance the fighting capa- seven different magnifications from 1.5x to bilities of its soldiers. Most of 6x. Till date over one million acOG have been thew wars being fought across the world are produced by the company. it comes with war- sub-conventional wars. The nature of the ranty of 15 years for Tritium lamp on fiber sub-conventional conflicts is such that it optics scope and 10 years on non-fiber optic requires the military to have a capability to scopes. it also features a multi-coated lens fight in all kinds of terrain existing in their which provides superior clarity and light- operational environment. This may include gathering capabilities with zero distortion and dense urban centres, semi-mountainous/ the whole system is ruggedized for all kind of mountainous terrain, jungle terrain, semi operational conditions. desert and desert terrain. This capabil- ity also requires an ability to operate in all Trijicon VCOG®: The vcOG® (variable com- weather conditions both by day as well as by bat Optical Gunsight) is a rugged variable- night. . This poses serious challenges for the powered riflescope designed for extreme military who not only have to eliminate the durability with magnification range to adversary but also have to simultaneously accommodate both close and long distance ensure minimum collateral damage which target acquisition. The vcOG has military in turn precludes the use of heavy weapons specification grade optic with an Led-illu- including area weapons thus laying more minated first focal plane reticle suitable for emphasis on individual/personal weapons any application. and the individuals skill at arms. They have undergone series of Us since, the sub-conventional conflicts department of defence approved tests involve non-state actors who adopt guerilla achieving MiL sTd-810G. vcOG allows tactics to achieve their missions, the numbers user to rapidly acquire target across magni- involved are invariably small. They use the fication range. population centres to scatter and hide them- selves while remaining concealed and undis- TARS ®: for the long range shooting closed in the area of operations thus providing demands of the infantry, Trijicon offers no target for the military to engage with con- TaRs (Tactical advanced Rifle scope) – a ventional weapons. Thus counter insurgency rugged, variable-power riflescope, with 10 and counter terrorism operations which are illumination settings, adjustable for long- a part of sub conventional conflicts require range shooting demands. This allows the basic soldierly skills plus additional skills of user to zero on a target at any distance. personal nature for countering the insur- TaRs can survive water level upto 20 gent/terrorist and hence a greater emphasis meters and comes with a warranty of five on the use of individual/personal weapons. years from the date of the manufacturing. These personal weapons must have the lat- est technologies inbuilt for counter terrorist Reflex Sights and counter insurgency missions including day/night vision solutions for operating in all RMR®: The Trijicon RMR® (Ruggedized weather conditions by day as well as by night. Miniature Reflex), a rugged miniturised red (Top) Trijicon AccuPower; (above) Trijicon ACOG. dot sight, made from 7075-T6 aluminum to Trijicon military standards, durable, comes in Led, established in 1981, the Michigan based Tri- uses only a fraction of the brightness of other day sight and gives a clear imagery even in adjustable Led, or dual-illuminated (fiber jicon offers cutting edge state-of-the-art ther- modes so that eyes are not as prone to night pitch-black darkness. The Trijicon sniPe-iR optic/tritium) versions and can illuminate mal imaging and aiming solutions for infan- blindness from the screen. is optimized for use with a 4x day optic. it in any light condition. try soldiers. The company manufactures provides with enhanced situational aware- variety of optical sights like thermal imaging REAP-IR®: specially designed for demand- ness for detection and target acquisition. it MRO®: The Trijicon MRO® (Miniature Rifle sights, magnified optics, reflex sights, iron ing shooting where speed and accuracy comes in clip-on and hybrid versions and Optic), designed for mounting on all kinds of sights, spotting scope and significant mili- are equally required, ReaP-Ri is a small, gives flexibility to choose the system as per small arms ranging from rifles, carbines to tary equipments like image intensifiers. each light, ruggedized, weatherproof thermal the operational requirement. shotguns and helps in rapid target acquisi- product line has range of products for specifi- riflescope with multidirectional thumbstick tion. for a better situational awareness, the cally designed for different types of hand guns control which can engages targets in any Magnified Optics MRO, considered as the next level in mini and for various operational contingencies. light. it has a smart built in sighting system Trijicon compliments its thermal sights reflex design, comes with large aperture which gives 8x zoom with digital contrast with range of magnified optics. and tapered light path which maximises the Thermal Products enhancement and digital focus control. viewing area. it is fully sealed, waterproof in Trijicon offers four types of thermal optics Trijicon AccuPower: The Trijicon accu- hardanodised forged housing. products for four different uses. IR-Patrol: during any night operation, Power® is a versatile, variable-powered rifle- searching for a suspect or securing any mili- scope with an electronic-illuminated reticle. MGRS™: The Machine Gun Reflex sight Thermal Riflescope tary position needs situational awareness featuring a high-quality lens system with (MGRs™) is a non-magnified optic that IR-Hunter: designed for hunting, it is consid- and iR-Patrol is a perfect solution for such full multi-layer coatings, the accuPower mounts to both the M2 and M240 machine ered as one of the most advanced thermal situations. it is a light and ruggedised multi- provides an incredibly clear sight picture. guns. The Trijicon MGRs is intended to aid the hunting scope. The user-friendly design and purpose thermal imaging monocular which it comes with eleven brightness settings machine gunner in rapid target acquisition advanced infrared technology of the Trijicon gives a sharp image through its MicroiR™ with an “off” feature between each bright- and engagement that will allow keeping “both iR-HUnTeR® comes with two different speci- 640 x 480 12 sensor and 640 x 480 digital ness setting. The lens system of accuPower eyes open” from a natural shooting position. fication of MK2 with 20x digital magnifica- OLed display. it is available in handheld, hel- comes with full multi-layer coatings and it accuracy is enhanced by use of the machine- tion and MK3 with 36x digital magnification. met-mounted and rifle-mounted versions. can survive in 10 feet of water. gun-specific, interchangeable range dials, and it also features ‘edge detect Mode’ where only performance is assured with a strong 7075- the edge of the target is marked out in iR. This Snipe-IR: it is designed to work with optical Trijicon ACOG®: Used by the Us special Opera- T6 forged-aluminum housing. SP

1/2018 sp’s land forces 7 >> SpeciaL forceS special forces – more focus required

Special Forces are being used strategically world over to further national interests of their countries. Their employment is actually an extension of their foreign policy.

PhoToGrAPh: Indian Army  Lt GeneraL p.c. Katoch (retd)

He RecenT TeRRORisT aTTacK on the sunjwan army camp on february 10 saw employment of special forces (sf) of the army from more than one unit. not only Twas this particular camp large, the terror- ists had managed to get inside the family quarters. it then required systematic clear- ing of these quarters numbering some 150, after the occupants were evacuated. The operation required multiple room interven- tions in backdrop of ambiguity of the exact number of terrorists and which quarters were occupied by them especially after fir- ing ceased. it is not that the infantry is not capable of undertaking room intervention, but the special forces are better trained and equipped. Logically, the infantry, espe- cially their Ghatak Platoons, should be fully trained and equipped for such tasks. How- ever, this focus is not to the required level because the special forces whose primary tasks should be across the borders are main- ly being employed own side of the border, and hence are available. in J&K, most of the incidents where terrorists managed to get inside buildings, the sf are in the vanguard in operations. This also suits Pakistan’s low- Special Forces in action cost proxy war, because if indian sf begin undertaking covert operations on sustained posing as his diG revealed that multiple sur- divisions. as for cyberspace, india and Paki- even automatically relate to physical attack, basis ‘inside’ Pakistan in conjunction with gical strikes by india had indeed taken place stan are still taking initial steps. But what physical attack being only the extreme and afghanistan to fan Pakistan’s fault-lines, and in his location alone five Pakistani army should be of serious concern to us is that potentially most dangerous expression of Pakistan may find the instability becoming men and number of terrorists had been while both china and Pakistan are employ- asymmetric warfare. The key lies in achiev- uncontrollable. killed, and while he did not know how many ing pro-active sub-conventional capabili- ing strategic objectives through application The surgical strikes by our special terrorists were killed and injured, some 12 ties, we are drastically lagging behind in of modest resources with the essential psy- forces in POK on september 28, 2016 bodies were taken away in vehicles. this sphere, and we cannot think of employ- chological component. These are issues that were effective but were unfortunately politi- ment of special forces beyond direct action the national hierarchy needs to examine, in cized. covert operations must be kept under Strategic Employment type of tasks like surgical strikes. in absence order to streamline employment of our spe- wraps in the interest of security of future special forces are being used strategically of such deterrence against irregular war- cial forces. operations. The Us disclosure of the raid by world over to further national interests of fare, simply telling Pakistan that talks and seal Team 6 to kill Osama bin Laden being their countries. Their employment is actu- terrorism cannot go together cannot suffice. Equipping publicized was a different issue because ally an extension of their foreign policy of Talks anyway to be optimized from a posi- special forces equipping must cater for Us don’t need to undertake a second strike the concerned country. Leading nations tion o strength. successive governments not only room intervention tasks but all abottabad, whereas our special forces may employing special forces proactively trans- have failed to not only not build effective weather, all terrain operability and survival have to repeat similar operations many frontiers are perhaps the Usa, Russia, UK, deterrence against Pakistan’s proxy war but capacity for strategic tasks including sur- times over. it is also significant to note how china and israel. Us special forces (Ussf) have compounded the strategic asymmetry veillance and target designation in areas many years the Us kept under wraps build- are operating in over 100 countries. This is by degrading even the conventional muscle. of strategic interest, shaping asymmet- ing intelligence for locating and planning in addition to almost all diplomatic missions it is also not understood that pro-active sub- ric and conventional battlefield to indian the killing of Osama bin-Laden, rehearsing in foreign countries having Ussf presence. conventional deterrence cannot be effective advantage, deterring opponents exploiting mechanics of the raid, suppression of Paki- china has already positioned PLa troops in with mere surgical strikes. our fault lines, controlling fault lines of stani air defences and the like. compare this her development projects globally included adversaries, undertaking information/psy- to our irresponsible media recently broad- Pakistan, POK, , Myanmar, Bangla- Our Special Forces chological operations and unconventional casting that india had put its special forces desh, sri Lanka, seychelles, Maldives in We have large number of special forces warfare, anti hijack, building partner capa- on alert for possible intervention in Maldives india’s neighbourhood, besides other coun- (army’s Para (sf) battalions, Marine com- bilities with friendly countries. — similar to what india did in 1988 under tries in garb of workers and technicians mandos (MaRcOs) of navy, Garud of air Military’s Vanguard. special forces Op ‘cactus’. There were televised debates of development projects. so, we can safely force, special action Groups (saGs) of nsG, of modern armies are the vanguard for on how to launch Op cactus 2.0 by india posit a sizeable section being chinese spe- and special Groups (sGs) of special frontier induction of futuristic weapons, equipment — with possible mechanics of intervention cial forces. Pakistan has employed the ssG force), almost the number of Us special and technologies into the rest of the armed being discussed threadbare. even in the case actively in afghanistan, Jammu and Kash- forces, and we did employ then three para- forces. They have inbuilt R&d facilities that of the ‘surgical strikes’, some enterprising mir, nepal and Bangladesh, and is forging chute (commando) units as part of iPKf in not only undertake research but are capable Tv anchors wanted to know details of all links with extremist/terrorist organisations sri Lanka. But beyond that, unfortunately of customizing available off the shelf weap- types of weaponry and equipment our spe- in india. significantly, ata Ullah, leader there is no thinking of their employment ons and equipment to special forces needs cial forces hold. some having heard special of the arakan Rohingya salvation army abroad other than in conventional war, Un and in some cases even for specifically indi- forces had been employed, talked of para- (aRsa) and asim Umar, leader of the al missions, and short distanced physical or vidual special forces mission — not differ- dropping, combat free-fall and even helicop- Qaeda’s south asia Branch (aQis) are both direct type of actions executed on a unit/sub ent from Q’s set up in James Bond movies. ters landing across the across the Loc albeit Pakistani nationals. unit basis. Their potential in asymmetric indian special forces do not have such con- these surgical strikes were just about few wars to further national security objectives cept. The concept of ‘support elements’ and km across the Loc and being on foot could Strategic Asymmetry is not understood by the hierarchy. special integral or dedicated insertion/extraction have been executed by regular infantry as The four broad divisions in the spectrum forces should be central to our asymmetric means is also missing. well. Pakistan denied any strikes had taken of conflict comprise the nuclear, conven- response, which does not necessarily imply Packaged Equipping. special forces place but the sP of Mirpur in POK when tional, sub-conventional and cyberspace. operating in units/sub units. in most case, must have is ‘packaged’ equipping; if an

www.spslandforces.com contacted by a media house on telephone china has advanced capabilities in all four such a special forces response does not assault squad is authorized ‘X’ weapons

8 sp’s land forces 1/2018 >> SpeciaL forceS / infantry WeaponS

and ‘y’ equipment, all of them have to be territory communicating with a special of politico-military nature in most coun- provisioned together if the expected mis- operations command post at the parent well manned, well tries are controlled and executed by politi- sion outcome and combat capability is to battalion headquarters, corps level fMcP cal authority without reference to military be achieved. for example, hand-held laser and directly to the air-force net for calling equipped, well trained and due to their sensitivity) for employment of target designators have been authorized to airstrikes, as also armed Uav’s. a separate psychologically motivated special forces at strategic level on politico- army’s special forces since last 16 years but case for exclusive system for army special military missions to continuously shape the have not been provisioned yet. The army forces was merged into the Battlefield Man- special forces capable environment in india’s favour, and; Two, has also had the problem of re-supply/ agement system (BMs) for the indian ar my. strategic Operations division (sOd) under replacement of imported special equipment ironically, the BMs project was recently of projecting a nation’s cds/chairman cOsc for supporting mili- since concurrent action of ‘introducing’ the foreclosed due to lack of funds despite tary operations through the spectrum of equipment into service has not been taking pursuing it for a decade plus, and despite power is one of the major conflict. strategic sense dictates sOd should place. The absence of corner shots with the china’s PLa going full speed for digitiza- also integrate relevant elements of nsG and nsG employed during the 26/11 Mumbai tion. army’s Battlefield surveillance system currencies of future sff. elements of nOd must be deployed in terrorist attack was conspicuous although (Bss) too is progressing at snail’s pace. com- all areas/regions of our strategic interests. this equipment was held with the special pare this to the Us Marine corps, which is power play. Hence, they The sOd must have theatre specialization Group of the sff for past few years. on the cusp of further integrating a touch must be well nurtured and include specific task-based irregular Weapons. army special forces are screen tablet and smart-phone technology complement, where required. it must have authorized Tavor assault rifles but due to that will aid Marines calling in accurate air for full conflict spectrum 100 per cent manning, separate budget, rapid expansion, units are left holding mix artillery strikes: provision of state-of-the-art ‘packaged’ of Tavor and aK series of assault rifles, Drones and UAVs. special forces must capability. equipment, integrated plan for advanced which is not good. special forces of modern experiment and optimizes backpack Uavs and joint training including iT and cyber, armies are holding ‘silence’ version of small and all types of commercial drones includ- integrated special operations squadron (s), arms, which includes pistols, carbines and ing for tasks like surveillance, monitoring, tions command but six years have gone by. cyber cell and R&d element to customize rifles, however, in the case of our special attacking, cyber, wall climbing and the like. during the Unified commanders’ confer- weapons and equipment. forces it is limited to imported carbines. The EW. Many special forces exploit the use ence during July 2017, the defence secre- Mod has recently approved import of new of hand-held eW guns in counter insur- tary announced special Operations division Conclusion 8.6mm sniper rifles, which will also replace gency as well as inside enemy territory. (sOd) will “soon” become reality. accord- Well manned, well equipped, well trained the 7.62 mm dragunov sniper rifles held by ing to media, sOd will collate special forces and psychologically motivated special army special forces. Organization of the ar my, navy and iaf, for supporting forces capable of projecting a nation’s Battlefield Information and Man- split between various organisations with offensive and defensive operations. power is one of the major currencies of agement. a major void exists in the pro- varied channels of command and control. Given our peculiar environment and future power play. Hence, they must be well vision of a battlefield information and The government-appointed naresh chan- structures, what india needs is special nurtured for full conflict spectrum capabil- management that would enable multiple dra committee in its recommendations forces optimization in two tiers: One, a ity. Their equipping certainly requires much special forces detachments operating wide submitted in august 2017 had recom- national Operations division (nOd) under greater focus. They should be the cutting spread over long distance deep inside enemy mended establishment of a special Opera- the Prime Minister (special forces missions edge for strategic force projection. SP

assault weapons... continued from page 5

PhoToGrAPh: Wikipedia So-called assault weapons are not increase in depth. it has different shaped machine guns or assault rifles. accord- bullets and has good range and accu- ing to david Kopel, writing in The Wall racy as compared to ordinary bullets. street Journal: l FN F2000 – This is an assault rifle by What some people call “assault weap- Belgium and used by a special Protec- ons” function like every other normal fire- tion Group of india. The rifle can fire at arm—they fire only one bullet each time a swift speed of 850 rounds per minute. the trigger is pressed. Unlike automatics The gun is fully automatic with naTO (machine guns), they do not fire continu- box magazines and is currently used by ously as long as the trigger is held. ...Today many countries. in america, most are semi-auto- l SG 551 – it is the assault rifle made in matics, as are many long guns, including switzerland and exclusively used by the best-selling rifle today, the aR-15, the national security guards, which has model used in the newtown shooting. some a major part of the indian army. it is of these guns look like machine guns. based on sG550 and has shorter length Therefore assault weapons are than sG 551 with firing speed of about guns/ fire arms that fire one round 650 rounds per minute. The rifle is being each time the trigger is pulled, however used by , canada Brazil, Germany due to the menacing looks of weapons like the and many other nations. AR-15, people often confuse them with all the above assault rifles being auto- automatic, assault rifles. matic weapons cannot strictly be termed as assault weapons which are semi automatic, Indian Assault Rifles single shot weapons. some of the assault rifles which are in use in are given below: Procurement of new Assault Rifles l INSAS – This is the mostly used assault and Carbines rifle in indian armed forces and was The defence acquisition council (dac), originated in india. it also has a light chaired by Raksha Mantri nirmala sithara- machine gun variant. it has its basic Indian Army Para Commandos with Tavor assault rifles man, met on January 16, 2018, and cleared design similar to aKM but has some procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and points of difference too. This rifle is being 93,895 carbines on fast track basis for used by nepal, Bhutan and Oman mili- ute and comes with semi-automatic and firing modes i.e. safe mode, semi-auto- `3,547 crore to enable the defence forces tary. But some issues of jamming, crack- fully automatic modes. named as avto- matic mode (1 bust), 3 and to meet their immediate requirement for the ing ofthe magazine and semi-automatic mat Kalashnikova, aK series is auto- fully automatic mode. troops deployed on the borders. mode were scars on it. But its variants matic rifles that were found a hit among l IMI Tavor TAR-21 – This rifle is also On Tuesday, february 13, 2018, have eradicated these drawbacks. soldiers after its invention. used by special forces of indian armed defence acquisition council, presided over l Multi calibre individual weapon l AK103 – apart from aKM, indian forces. This israeli made rifle having by the Raksha Mantri nirmala sitharaman, system (MCIWS) – it is also an indig- armed forces use aK 103 from aK fam- selective firing system (semi and fully cleared `15,935 crore worth of proposals enously developed rifle by india which ily. aK 103 is also a variant of aK 47 automatic modes). The rifle’s birth was including the one to procure 7.4 lakh ‘Buy is expected to replace the insas assault additionally having side folding stock. aimed to build a reliable and durable and Make (indian)’ assault rifles at a cost of rifle. it has got some special feature that it is also used by special forces of indian rifle, which needs low maintenance. This `12,280 crore for the three services. This deserves appreciation and its induction navy i.e. MaRcOs. makes it step ahead of carbine rifles. clearance also included `1,819 crore worth into the army will improve the fighting l T91 assault rifle – it is a Taiwan made l APS amphibian rifle – The aPs of Light Machine Guns which will also be skills of soldiers. rifle and is used by special forces of amphibian/underwater rifle is used by procured through the fast-track procedure l AKM – This assault rifle is used in indian army and Garud of indian air MaRcOs by indian navy. This under- to meet the operational requirement of the indian armed forces, which has a basic force. The rifle has got firing speed of water assault rifle originated in the troops deployed at the border. additionally design as that of aK-47 rifles. aKM is a about 800 rounds per minute. This rifle soviet Union and has firing speed of the clearance includes 5719 sniper rifles for modernised form of famous aK-47. it is based on T86 assault rifle with fea- 600 rounds per minute. The effective fir- the indian army and air force at an esti- has a firing rate of 600 rounds per min- tures of M16 and aR-18 rifles. it has 4 ing range of this rifle decreases with an mated outlay of `982 crore. SP

1/2018 sp’s land forces 9 >> non-proLiferation India enters wassenaar arrangement

Membership to the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group would give India a chance for a closer interaction with member states and also hold up its credentials, despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty

PhoToGrAPh: PIB  Lt GeneraL p.c. Katoch (retd) should be non-discriminatory solution applicable to all non-nuclear Prolifera- ndia Was adMiTTed TO the Was- tion Treaty (nPT) signatory countries. senaar arrangement on december 8, 2017. following completion of inter- Road Ahead nal procedures for joining the arrange- To start with, india wanted entry into all ment, the plenary meeting of the Wa the four non-proliferation regimes as a Iheld on december 6-7, 2017, decided to package, not incremental, but that was admit india, making india the 42nd Partici- not to be because of china, despite the Us pating state. The Wassenaar arrangement supporting entry of india in all four, as is one of the key export control regimes that also in the United nations security coun- deals with non-proliferation. cil (Unsc). The Wassenaar arrangement is important and an acknowledgement of The Wassenaar Arrangement india’s growing role in the world. While The Wassenaar arrangement was estab- continuing to bid for the nsG member- lished in december 1995 through an agree- ship, india should be getting the member- ment amongst 41 nations. The 41-member ship of the australia Group next. a team group was established in december 1995 of the australia Group had visited india in and has since become a measure to coor- the last week of april 2011 and interacted dinate and harmonize policies governing with indian officials and experts working exports of arms, dual-use equipment and on export controls. now india has fulfilled sensitive technologies. its regulations are all the criteria but putting additional items implemented following two lists: of the australia Group in its export controls The Wassenaar Arrangement is important and an acknowledgement of India’s growing role in the world l Munitions List. This list tracks conven- policy and approving scOMeT (special tional weapons. chemicals, Organisms, Materials, equip- l dual-Use Goods and Technologies List. narendra Modi of netherlands’ support for l Missile Technology Control Regime ment, and Technologies) items, manda- as the title suggests, this list tracks dual- india’s membership to the Wa agreement. (MTCR). This regime keeps a check tory under the Wassenaar arrangement in use goods and sensitive technologies pro- earlier in 2017, india approved scOMeT on transfer of missiles and unmanned early 2017. Membership to the Wassenaar ducers and to whom these are being sold. (special chemicals, Organisms, Materials, aerial vehicles (Uavs) capable of carry- arrangement and australia Group would There are specific criteria for admission equipment, and Technologies) items, man- ing a payload of at least 500 kg over a give india a chance for a closer interaction of new members to Wa. The criteria also datory under the Wassenaar arrangement. range of at least 300 km. india became with member states and also hold up its examines applicant countries which pro- Through the revised list of items, india also a member of the MTcR in 2016. The credentials, despite not being a signatory to duce/export arms or associated dual-use sought to send a message about its larger membership gives india access to high- the non-Proliferation Treaty (nPT). goods and technologies, their national poli- commitment to non-proliferation. end missile technology from across the However, getting membership of the cies that restrict sale of arms and sensitive a day before the Wa Plenary session world, allows india to purchase top-of- nsG will continue to be difficult for india technologies to countries of concern, and (december 6, 2017), sergey Ryabkov, Rus- the-line missile systems, and has paved because of the ‘dog in the manger’ attitude adherence to non-proliferation regimes. Wa sian deputy foreign Minister acknowledged the way for india to export its super- by china. china’s reference to india not member states meet periodically in vienna india’s strong candidature to Wa and Rus- sonic BrahMos cruise missiles developed being signatory to the nPT is just an excuse where the Wassenaar arrangement has sian support by saying, “if everything goes jointly with Russia. because despite being signatory to nPT, chi- established its headquarters and secretar- as expected, i keep my fingers crossed on l Wassenaar Arrangement (WA). na’s record of nuclear proliferation has been iat. all member states regularly exchange Thursday we may see a decision of accept- This export control regime has been atrocious. china also knows that despite information and report arms transfers/ ing india into the Wassenaar arrangement, explained above, to which india has her best efforts, in no way Pakistan can be denials on a six-monthly basis (shorter which is also very important export control gained entry. This would bolster india’s admitted to these regimes. Besides, china is time-frames are applicable in some cases) to regime.” Before the Plenary session began, non-proliferation credentials as well as also smarting under the fact that it does not ensure transfer risks are understood by all – Russia, france, Germany and the Us were access to high-technology in the fields have membership of the MTcR, Wassenaar a primary responsibility of Wa. a number considered to be strongly supporting india’s of space and defence. Members of the arrangement and the australia Group – of guidelines, elements and procedures have entry into the Wa. How the voting went group are not bound by any treaty, but denied to china with valid reasons. But the been put in place for decision making by the at the Plenary session is not known but it they exchange information on their real reason for china blockading india’s Wa even as the transfer or denial of trans- is unlikely any nation would have voted transfers of conventional weapons and entry into the nsG is because china views fer of any item remains sole responsibility against india, given india’s impeccable non- dual-use goods to countries that are not india as the only country that can stand up of individual state. The Plenary is the body proliferation record and china not being a part of the arrangement. to it in south asia and india’s entry into all that takes decisions on Wa connected issues member of the Wassenaar arrangement. l Australia Group. This group restricts four non-proliferation regimes would end including admission of new members. admitting india to the Wa at the ple- trade in materials used to make chemical decades of denial of high end technology to nary, the official statement read, “Wassenaar and biological weapons. it was formed in india, allow india to import high-level tech- Run-up to Plenary Session and India’s arrangement participating states reviewed 1985 prompted by iraq’s use of chemi- nology from the Us and other countries, Admission into WA the progress of a number of current member- cal weapons during the iran-iraq War enabling capability building and becoming in May 2017, Germany had already voiced ship applications and agreed at the plenary (1980-1988) for placing checks on apposite counter-weight to china. Hence, its support for india’s membership saying, meeting to admit india which will become development of chemical weapons; china has been actively lobbying with few “Germany welcomed india’s accession to the arrangement’s 42nd participating state international export controls on chemi- other countries to oppose indian entry into the Missile Technology control Regime. as soon as the necessary procedural arrange- cal weapons and precursor chemicals. nsG. Referring to india’s nsG member- Germany also welcomes india’s intensified ments for joining the Wa are completed.” its focus was subsequently expanded ship bid, sergey Ryabkov, Russian deputy engagement with the other export con- Welcoming the move, external affairs Min- to include chemical production equip- foreign Minister hit the nail on the head trol regimes (the nuclear suppliers Group ister sushma swaraj said that the Wa mem- ment/technologies and measures to pre- when he recently said the issue been ‘unfor- (nsG), australia Group and the Wassenaar bership was expected to “facilitate high tech- vent proliferation of biological weapons. tunately politicized’ (obvious reference to arrangement) and expresses its support for nology tie-ups with indian industry and ease l Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG). china) and that india’s application should india’s early accession to these regimes.” a access to high-tech items for our defence and This group controls export of nuclear viewed on merit. as for opposition to india’s month later, in June 2017, the Us expressed space programme.” french ambassador to material and technology by focusing on entry to Unsc by china, india is itself the its support for india saying, “as global non- india alexandre Ziegler noted that entry into stemming the proliferation of nuclear blame for having passed on Unsc mem- proliferation partners, the United states Wa was recognition of india’s growing role weapons. india’s attempts to join the bership to china on two earlier occasions. expresses strong support for india’s early in today’s world. nsG have been repeatedly stonewalled Which way india’s quest for nsG and Unsc membership in the nuclear suppliers Group, by china using terminologies like india’s will go in future is anybody’s guess, even as the Wassenaar arrangement, and the aus- Non-Proliferation Regimes membership bid to the nsG has become india’s stature is set to grow on the world tralia Group.” Prime Minister Mark Rutte of The four non-proliferation regimes are as “more complicated” under “new cir- stage while the world is likely to witness

SP www.spslandforces.com netherlands had also assured Prime Minister under: cumstances” and insisting that there increased aggressiveness by china.

10 sp’s land forces 1/2018 >> News iN Brief

RM appoints panel to acceleRate Most of the Eurasian land mass falls within Like UAVs before them, RDVs offer a defence capital acquisition its 5,000 km range. bridge technology allowing all the ben- Publisher and editor-in-chief To expedite the capital acquisition for With this test, -5 has achieved vali- efits of cost-cutting and life-saving of driv- Jayant Baranwal Indian armed forces, Defence Minister dation and is ready for mass production and erless ‘Last Mile’ supply to be achieved, editor Nirmala Sitharaman on February 7, con- inclusion in Indian arsenal. with the human still kept in the loop, but Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd) stituted a 13-member advisory body to First tested on April 19, 2012, Agni-5, a safe distance away. The effectiveness of Senior editorial contributor undertake independent review and status in addition to launching nuclear weapons, this approach was demonstrated in Michi- Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) check of critical projects. The Raksha Man- is also capable of launching battle field satel- gan, using a remotely operated Polaris Senior Technical Group editor tri’s Advisory Committee on Ministry of lites which can provide real time information MRZR 4×4 all-terrain vehicle. Equipped Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) Defence (MoD) Capital Projects (RMCOMP), of the battle field from the lower earth orbit. with Light Detection and Range (LiDAR) Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) comprised of experts from military, bureau- The three propulsion stages and the technology, an advanced sensor system, assistant Features editor cracy and industry, will give its first report Composite Rocket Motors are indigenously cameras and GPS, the joint UK-US trials Arpita Kala by March 31, ministry said in a statement. developed by DRDO and signify India’s com- team were able to tele-drive it around the Principal correspondent RMCOMP will review “ongoing critical plete self-reliance in this complex propul- trial ground and successfully complete its Rohit Srivastava capital projects above 500 crore including sion technology. simulated mission tasks using an adapted contributors ‘Mission Mode’ projects, ‘Make’ projects, India employs both road and rail missile Xbox controller. India ‘Buy (Indian), ‘Buy (Indian – IDDM), ‘Buy launchers for its Agni series of missiles. However, it is not only governments General V.P. Malik (Retd), Lt General Vijay and Make’ and ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ Agni-5 in future is expected to have Mul- that are getting in on the act. With auton- Oberoi (Retd), Lt General R.S. Nagra (Retd), Lt General S.R.R. Aiyengar (Retd), projects as well as ‘Design and Develop- tiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehi- omous and tele-drive technologies shaping Major General Ashok Mehta (Retd), ment’ projects under the Ministry.” It will cle (MIRVs). It can then carry 2-10 warheads up to be an area of ever-growing military Major General G.K. Nischol (Retd), also assess the physical and financial prog- in each missile with different targets to hit. interest, the defence industry is gearing up Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (Retd), ress of these projects. to marry commercial innovation in vehi- Brigadier S. Mishra (Retd), Rohit Sharma bel showcases capabilities at cle autonomy with existing ground vehicle chairman & Managing director Modi invites isRaeli investMent in defence industRy developMent Meet systems. Jayant Baranwal defence sectoR Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics executive Vice President Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January Ltd (BEL) displayed its solidarity with the Russian aRMy to conduct tRials of (Planning & Business Development) 15, made a call to the Israeli defence firms Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and futuRe soldieR unifoRM Rohit Goel to get into partnership with Indian firms intent to partner with the private industry The Russian Army announced its intention administration to make defence product here. “In defence, to achieve the goal of self-reliance by par- to start trials of a future, high-tech soldier Bharti Sharma I have invited Israeli companies to take ticipating in the two-day Defence Industry system in April 2013. The military equip- asst-admin, Hr & Infra advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to Development Meet, which was inaugurated ment sets, dubbed Ratnik, completed prelim- Pooja Tehlani make more in India with our companies,” by Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Raksha inary testing at the Alabino Shooting Range creative director Modi said, while delivering his press address Mantri, at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai in Moscow, Russia, in September 2012. The Anoop Kamath during the visit of Prime Minister of Israel yesterday, January 18, 2018. infantry soldier system comprises of more design Benjamin Netanyahu to India. Addressing BEL also showcased its strengths and than 40 components, including firearms Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht the press with his Israeli counterpart, Modi capabilities in the area of strategic electron- and body armour, as well as optic, commu- research assistant: Graphics said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu and I ics at an exhibition which was organised on nication and navigation devices. The system Survi Massey promised each other and our people to build the sidelines of the meet, which aimed at is expected to be available in both summer Sales & Marketing a strategic partnership: of hope and trust “Forging New Partnership With Industry and winter variants, while also catering for Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia and progress of diverse and cutting-edge For Defence Production”. Raksha Mantri vis- regular infantry, rocket launcher opera- General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh cooperation, and of joint endeavours and ited the BEL stall at the exhibition on the first tors, machine gunners, drivers and scouts. SP’s Website shared successes.” Netanyahu, on January day and was briefed by Gowtama M.V., CMD, Russia’s Defence Ministry had initially Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish 14, arrived in New Delhi for a six-day visit BEL, about the components and sub systems negotiated sale of Sagem-built Felin future Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma to India and he is also to visit Gujarat and BEL has successfully indigenised through the infantry system with France for evalua- Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal Mumbai. Later during the day on January private industry. tion purposes in December 2011, but later on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt 15, the two leaders attended the India-Israel BEL has been striving to achieve its cher- decided to pursue domestic development, as Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this Business Summit. ished goals of self-reliance by supporting the part of the soldier military equipment (BES) publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form Government’s initiative on ‘Make in India’. programme. or by any means, photocopying, recording, india test fiRes nucleaR capable BEL recognises outsourcing as one of the electronic, or otherwise without the prior icbM agni-5 strategic tools to achieve cost benefits and Russian Mod plans to pRocuRe Mine written permission of the publishers. also complement the strengths of the private cleaRance Robots Printed in India sector to build a strong industrial base. The Russian Ministry of Defence revealed by Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd plans to deploy robotic systems for muni- © SP Guide Publications, 2018 austRalia appRoves $1.06bn tions disposal and mine clearance opera- Subscription/ circulation battlefield coMMand systeM pRoject tions in the battlefield, taking soldiers away Annual Inland: `600 • Overseas: US$180 The Government of Australia has approved from dangerous situations. The MoD issued Email: [email protected] [email protected] a A$1.4bn ($1.06bn) project to procure a an invitation to tender, requesting the pro- new battlefield command system for the duction of new types of weapons and mili- Letters to editor nation’s army. The system allows com- tary hardware, including robots. Currently [email protected] manders to plan, monitor, direct and review being considered is the procurement of For advertising details, contact: operations in real time, according to Aus- civilian robotic equipment, including snow [email protected] [email protected] India on January 18 successfully tested its tralia Minister for Defence Industry Chris- and swamp-traversing vehicles, Yel-10 and nuclear capable Intercontinental ballistic topher Pyne. Under the Land 200 Tranche Yel-4 firefighting complexes and LUF-60 SP GUIde PUBLIcaTIonS PVT LTd corporate office missile Agni-5 from a canister on a road 2 project, Elbit Systems of Australia will tracked firefighting support units. Robotisa- A 133 Nagar, Opp Defence Colony, mobile launcher. This is the fifth consecu- improve the battle management system tion of critical military missions is not only New Delhi 110003, India tive successful test of the missile and third software delivered under Land 200 Tranche expected to protect soldiers, but also results Tel: +91(11) 24644693, 24644763, from a canister. 1. Harris Communications Australia has in RUR75bn ($2.4bn) as cost savings to the 24620130 The three stage nuclear capable missile been selected to deliver the tactical com- ministry between 2012 and 2014. Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 was tested for its full range at around 10 munications network, including encrypted regd office a.m. from Dr Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. radios, as part of the project. un peace Keeping tRaining to MyanMaR Fax: +91 (11) 23622942 With this project, Harris’ Australian aRMed foRces by indian aRMy Email: [email protected] workforce is expected to increase by 70 A four member Indian Army Delega- representative offices >> Show Calendar to 120 positions in Brisbane and another tion arrived at Naypitaw in Myanmar to Bengaluru, IndIa Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) 15 new positions will be established by its imparting training on UN Peacekeeping 12–14 March 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar, major subcontractor, Boeing Defence Aus- Operations to Myanmar Army. The train- Bengaluru 560043, India. Future Soldier Technology tralia. Elbit’s Australian workforce to sup- ing will be conducted over two weeks Tel: +91 (80) 23682204 Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, port Land 200 will grow by 70 to 122, with from 05-16 Feb 2018. This is the fourth London, UK MoScoW, rUSSIa 67 in Brisbane and 55 in Melbourne. The edition of such training event. The two LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin www.smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/future- Australian industry is expected to invest weeks capsule aims at covering nuances Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., soldier-technology around $215m in the acquisition, which is of United Nations deployment and opera- 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, 11–14 April expected to nearly double to around $400m tions, with an objective to enhance Myan- Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 defexpo India 2018 during project sustainment. mar Army’s capacity towards undertak- ing United Nations assignments in near www.spguidepublications.com Arulmigu Nithyakalyana Perumal www.spslandforces.com Temple, Thiruvidanthai, Thiruporur ReMotely dRiven vehicles: the future. In the recent past, conduct of joint RNI Number: DELENG/2008/25818 Taluk, Kancheepuram, East Coast Road, huMan in the loop training has been a major event of initia- Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India While the technology behind fully autono- tives aimed at fostering better ties with www.defexpoindia.in mous vehicles capable of advanced deci- countries in India’s immediate neighbor- sion-making in genuinely uncontrolled, hood. The Indian Army’s rich experience 16–19April real-world environments remains in its as part of United Nations Force, spanning defence Services asia (dSa 2018) early days, remotely driven vehicles (RDVs) almost seven decades and its professional Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at the other end of the robotics spectrum approach in UN peacekeeping brings in www.dsaexhibition.com are increasingly proving their worth. quality and value to such training. SP

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