ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Government of India Contents 1. Security Environment 1 2. Organisation and functions of Ministry of Defence 9 3. Indian Army 17 4. Indian Navy 31 5. Indian Air Force 41 6. Indian Coast Guard 49 7. Defence Production 57 8. Defence Research and Development 91 9. Inter Service Organisations 113 10. Recruitment and Training 135 11. Resettlement and Welfare of Ex-Servicemen 161 12. Cooperation Between Armed Forces and Civil Authorities 177 13. National Cadet Corps 187 14. Defence Cooperation with Foreign Countries 197 15. Ceremonial and Other Activities 205 16. Activities of Vigilance Units 219 17. Empowerment and Welfare of Women 229 18. Initiatives Towards Simplification, Decentralization and Enhancing the Ease of doing Business 239 APPENDIX Appendix-I Matters Dealt with by the Departments of the Ministry of Defence 249 Appendix-II Ministers, Chiefs of Staff and Secretaries Who were in position from January 1, 2018 onwards 253 Appendix-III Report No. 8 of 2018 Executive Summary 255 Appendix-IV Age-wise analysis of Pending Audit Paras 272 CHAPTER 1 SecUrity ENVIRONMENT 1 SECURITY ENVIRONMENT 1.1 It is increasingly evident that the world is contributed actively, with partners, to the success of undergoing rapid and unexpected changes, described Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process and continues by some as tectonic shifts. The world is in a transition, to engage with partners in the Nuclear Security Contact driven by rapidly evolving security and technological Group. challenges, causing stresses in international order and transforming the global hierarchies. The need to craft an Regional Security Environment appropriate response, aimed at shaping an international environment conducive to India’s development and 1.4 The Government has continued to accord security, is imperative. a high priority to relations with countries in Asia. In general, India’s approach of seeking closer ties, building 1.2 India’s foreign and defence policies seek stronger connectivity and expanding cooperation to provide a peaceful and enabling environment has been appreciated by our partners in the larger for achieving transformative national growth and neighbourhood. development. A complex and increasingly unpredictable interplay of regional and global developments 1.5 India has been committed to the policy characterize India’s security environment. Guided by the “neighbourhood first” aimed at expanding the close and principles of strategic autonomy and mutually beneficial friendly relations with India’s neighbours. It continued cooperation, India continues to address the wide with its policy during the year. India’s defence and spectrum of conventional and non conventional security security policy is a function of its principled commitment challenges by pursuing constructive engagement with to regional and international peace and prosperity. partner countries at the bilateral, regional and global levels. 1.6 The regional cooperation in the area of regional security has progressed significantly under BIMSTEC 1.3 Terrorism and radicalisation are the biggest [Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and threats to peace and security that the world is facing Economic Cooperation]. The 4th BIMSTEC Summit, held today. India has reiterated, at a number of bilateral in Kathmandu on August 30-31, 2018, was instrumental in and multilateral platforms, its resolve to combat giving regional cooperation under BIMSTEC a significant terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The global push. The summit was attended by all BIMSTEC leaders. concerns regarding proliferation of Weapons of Mass The Kathmandu Declaration, adopted at the Summit, Destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems, continue provides vision and Leaders’ directions for intensifying to pose serious threats to international security. WMD regional cooperation in key areas of security and counter terrorism will remain a potent threat as long as there are terrorism, disaster management, connectivity and trade, terrorists seeking to gain access to relevant materials agriculture and poverty alleviation, S&T, culture, tourism and technologies for malicious purposes. India had and people-to-people contacts, among others. The 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 4th BIMSTEC Summit also institutionalized Meeting of the deteriorating situation, as seen from the number of BIMSTEC Home Ministers which is likely to give further initiatives undertaken by world community. However, push to regional security cooperation. To promote the efforts of international community towards peace cooperation and mutual understanding among the and reconciliation efforts are yet to produce tangible armed forces of member States, a BIMSTEC Multilateral results. India continues to play a role in training and Military Exercise on the theme of counter terrorism and supporting capacity building of the Afghan National a Conclave of Army Chiefs was organized in Pune from Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) as a part of September 10-16, 2018. larger developmental cooperation assistance. Last year, India trained an all women batch of 20 ANDSF officers 1.7 India has been contributing to the regional in India. India has so far committed US $ 3 billion in maritime security by ensuring safety and security assistance towards development in Afghanistan. of maritime traffic through helping our maritime neighbours set up their coastal surveillance networks for 1.9 Bangladesh went in for elections in December, developing shared Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). 2018 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Party was re- In this context, India launched an Information Fusion elected to power. Under her leadership, good relations Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram in between India and Bangladesh and deeper cooperation December, 2018. The IFC-IOR is a major initiative to put in all the fields of bilateral relations have expanded. The in place a mechanism for MDA and to ensure situational security scenario in Bangladesh remained stable. After awareness of the maritime activities in the region. This the terrorist attacks in 2016, Government of Bangladesh Centre will establish linkages and coordination with has effectively curbed the activities of the radical national and multi-national organizations that are groups. India and Bangladesh continued to undertake relevant to maritime safety and security. It will collate, efforts to bolster the defence cooperation, which analyse and disseminate information related to maritime includes operationalising the USD500 million Defence safety and HADR requirements at sea. In furtherance LOC extended to Bangladesh by India. The institutional of this goal, India has also signed White Shipping defence cooperation mechanism, such as of Annual Agreements with a number of countries, provided Defence Dialogue and Staff Talks at Tri-Services and capacity building assistance and ensured capability Services levels, is now in place to facilitate engagements enhancement by imparting training. between both the Armed Forces. India wishes to continue with its excellent relations with Bangladesh 1.8 In the immediate neighbourhood, the security and strengthen defence and security cooperation with environment remained challenging. Afghanistan is the country in future. India continues to attach priority presently undergoing a phase of important multiple to Bangladesh as a neighbour, a close partner for transitions. The Afghan National Security Forces have regional development, security and cooperation, and a taken over the security responsibility and are facing a central pillar in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. daunting challenge in fighting terrorism with reduced international combat support. Past year witnessed 1.10 A new government under the leadership of Dr. increased level of terrorist violence. The country is Lotay Tshering of the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) challenged by a revitalized Taliban led insurgency party assumed office in November 2018, after the coupled with deterioration of the law and order conduct of third general elections in Bhutan. Prime situation. As a result, terrorism has been spreading Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering visited India in December to the relatively peaceful parts of Afghanistan. The 2018 on his first official overseas visit, which is reflective international community is genuinely concerned about of the unique relationship between India and Bhutan. SECURITY ENVIRONMENT 3 1.11 India’s security concerns are closely linked with Afghanistan border to hinterland. Religious extremism the neighbouring littoral nations in Indian Ocean Region is also on the rise. The military has avoided taking (lOR) including Maldives. Engagement between the action against jihadi and internationally proscribed defence forces of both the nations has enhanced over terror outfits that target Pakistan’s neighbours. Support the years. India continues to assist Maldives National to such group persists. Such outfits continued to be Defence Forces in their capability and capacity building. encouraged to infiltrate into India under the cover of Bilateral exercises between the Army (Ekuverin), Navy massive cross-LOC and cross border firing in Jammu and (Ekatha) and Coast Guard (Dosti) of the two countries Kashmir and other areas throughout the year, triggering take place on an annual basis. India has undertaken an appropriate response by Indian Armed Forces. The close to 200 search and rescue operations in Maldives Pulwama Terror attack, in February-2019, perpetrated by and these