ANNUAL REPORT 2008-09 MINISTRY OF DEFENCE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Annual Report 2008-09 Ministry of Defence Government of India CONTENTS 1 The Security Environment 1 2 Organisation and Functions of The Ministry of Defence 11 3 Indian Army 21 4 Indian Navy 31 5 Indian Air Force 41 6 Coast Guard 49 7 Defence Production 55 8 Defence Research and Development 79 9 Inter-Service Organisations 105 10 Recruitment and Training 117 11 Resettlement and Welfare of Ex-Servicemen 139 12 Cooperation Between the Armed Forces and Civil Authorities 151 13 National Cadet Corps 159 14 Defence Cooperaton with Foreign Countries 169 15 Ceremonial and Other Activities 179 16 Activities of Vigilance Units 193 17. Empowerment and Welfare of Women 197 Appendices I Matters Dealt with by the Departments of the Ministry of Defence 203 II Ministers, Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries who were in position from January 1, 2008 onwards 207 III Summary of latest Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) Report on the working of Ministry of Defence 208 1 THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT Vigil at Siachen 1 Each of India’s neighbours is undergoing a transition, giving rise to varied political experiences and experiments. The menace of terrorism and the proliferation of arms, drugs and nuclear technology pose dangers that merit constant attention 1.1 The first decade of the 21st century policies are being watched as they are has made it increasingly evident that security expected to have a significant impact on threats are unconstrained by borders. India global and regional issues, as well as on lives in a difficult neighbourhood. Each of the security environment. The US-led global India’s neighbours is undergoing a transition, war on terrorism has shown mixed results. giving rise to varied political experiences The security situation in Iraq improved and experiments. Most of these transitions considerably. The security situation in are proceeding smoothly and have led to the Afghanistan deteriorated with the resurgence spread of democracy. However, the menace of the Taliban. In March 2009, after a policy of terrorism and proliferation of arms, drugs review, the US announced a comprehensive, and nuclear technology pose dangers that new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, merit constant attention. In the midst of this emphasizing a regional approach. In the region, India continues to be a centre of economic activity, a beacon of democracy, aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, a bastion of stability and a champion of the US goal is to disrupt, dismantle and defeat peaceful coexistence and non-violence. Al Qaeda and its safe havens in Pakistan and to prevent their return to Pakistan or THE GLOBAL SECURITY ENVIRONMENT Afghanistan. 1.2 The developments in 2008, particularly 1.4 The strategic partnership between the challenges confronting the global India and Russia was further strengthened in financial system, created unprecedented 2008. Cooperation in strategic areas such as strains in the global security environment. defence, space and nuclear energy received The global financial crisis led to the onset of further impetus in 2008. During the State economic recession. The instability in the US Visit of the President of Russian Federation, financial system, largely due to the failure of a regulatory system, spread to the world Mr. Dmitry Medvedev to India on December economy with economic growth slowing 4-5, 2008, an agreement for construction of down in several countries. additional nuclear units at Kudankulam and at other sites and an agreement on India- 1.3 After a new Administration assumed Russia joint human space flight programme charge in the USA, US foreign and security were signed. 2 1.5 India and EU are strategic partners. all uranium enrichment related and other Europe is a major trade and economic proliferation sensitive nuclear activities. The partner of India and the strengthening situation in West Asia took a turn for the of our economic and political ties is an worse with tensions increasing sharply as important policy imperative. The annual the Israeli Defence Forces launched massive India-EU Summit was held in Marseilles in military strikes in the Gaza Strip. India has September 2008 at which the Joint Action had historical links with West Asia and has Plan was reviewed. New India-EU activities vital interests in the region, including in were identified for promoting peace and the energy and food security areas. India comprehensive security. India has an annual therefore, seeks promotion of stability in security dialogue with the EU. the region. The Central Asian Region is also endowed with energy resources. India has 1.6 India and Japan have established historical and civilizational links with the a strategic and global partnership, based countries of Central Asia and pursues a non- on shared interests and values and on intrusive and collaborative approach to advancing bilateral, regional and multilateral promote stability in the region. cooperation in the interests of promoting peace, stability and development in Asia and 1.8 India’s ‘Look East’ policy envisages beyond. The two countries share a common progressive and multifaceted integration interest in the safety and security of the sea with South East Asia to create conditions lanes of communication, as well as in other for long-term economic growth, areas, including the fight against terrorism, interdependence and prosperity in Asia. peace-keeping and disaster management. This India’s role in the ASEAN Regional Forum vision is reflected in the Joint Declaration on and the East Asia Summit is aimed at Security Cooperation that was signed during building a new architecture of stability and the Prime Minister’s visit to Japan on October peace in the region. 22, 2008. Both countries have agreed to 1.9 The African region is witnessing develop a specific Action Plan on the basis of changing influence patterns both in the the Joint Declaration. security and economic 1.7 The international India’s ‘Look East’ policy domains. The increase in community remains envisages progressive and piracy targeting merchant concerned about the Iranian multifaceted integration vessels off the coast of East nuclear programme. The UN with South East Asia to Africa poses dangers to Security Council Resolution create conditions for long- safety of the sea lanes. The 1835 adopted in September term economic growth, emergence of Somalia as 2008 urged the Iranian interdependence and a hub for terrorists having government to suspend prosperity in Asia. linkages with transnational 3 organized crime is a cause of 1.11 Stability in Afghanistan India has striven to major concern globally. The is in our strategic interest. give its neighbours Indian Navy has been actively India has therefore invested stakes in its own involved in combating maritime heavily in the reconstruction growth, through piracy in the region. of Afghanistan's war damaged trade, investment and infrastructure and in the INDIA’S REGIONAL SECURITY services. At the same development of its indigenous ENVIRONMENT time, India continues capacity in different fields. to take all measures The continued deterioration 1.10 For its further growth and for the security of the internal security prosperity, India needs a secure and safety of all its situation in Afghanistan and and peaceful periphery. Working citizens. the resurgence of Taliban, in that direction, India has striven Al Qaeda and other terrorist to give its neighbours stakes in its groups since 2006 constitute own growth, through trade, investment and a threat to stability of the entire South and services. At the same time, India continues to Central Asian region. The terrorist attack take all measures for the security and safety on the Indian Embassy in Kabul on July 7, of all its citizens. 2008, in which five Embassy personnel Raksha Mantri addressing Troops at Baramulla in Jammu & Kashmir 4 and a large number of Afghan nationals 1.13 The expanding footprint of extremist were killed, demonstrated that India’s and terrorist organisations in Pakistan and efforts at reconstruction and development the fact that many of them have a known were implacably opposed by these groups. record of terrorist attacks against India Security in southern and eastern Afghanistan amounts to a security challenge with serious is closely related to developments in implications for us. The continuing links the bordering regions of Pakistan where of these organisations with organs of the sanctuaries provide the bases from which Pakistan State adds greater complexities and dangers to the evolving situation confronting these terrorist groups operated. The us. Strengthening of our security apparatus convergence of extremist and terrorist both internally and on our frontiers is, groups in Afghanistan with those operating therefore, a national priority of the highest out of Pakistan, often with the patronage order. Pakistan’s history of military and of its State agencies, has consequently quasi-military adventurism underscores the contributed immensely to the deterioration seriousness of the threat we face. of India's external security environment. 1.14 India has a strategic and cooperative 1.12 Security related developments in partnership with the People’s Republic of Pakistan also continued to impact on our China, which has been further progressed regional security environment. Although as during high level visits in 2008-09. The two in previous years the FATA areas and the countries are seeking to build a relationship NWFP as a whole remained the principal of friendship and trust, based on equality, areas of extremist activity and violence, the in which each is sensitive to the concerns year also witnessed a marked rise in terrorist and aspirations of the other. The armed incidents all over Pakistan, including in the forces of the two countries are engaged in capital, Islamabad. The unimpeded growth building greater understanding through joint of extremist and terrorist organisations in military exercises, through a regular defence Pakistan was marked by an increase in dialogue since 2007 and through exchanges ceasefire violations, continued infiltrations of military delegations.