General Indian Defence News

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/decoding-the-doctrine/article18404994.ece?homepage=true


More clarity is needed on implementing the Joint Indian Armed Forces Doctrine

“Surgical strikes”, probably the most abused term of 2016, are now the new norm. The Joint Doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces 2017, released in April, has formally embedded them as a part of sub-conventional operations — meaning that from now on, they are among a range of options at the military’s disposal to respond to terrorist attacks.

The more interesting aspect in the second such joint doctrine since 2006 is that the scope of “surgical strikes” has been left open. There is no mention of their employment being within the country or beyond its borders — the ambiguity is intended to send a message in the neighbourhood.

Larger message lost
In this context, it is important to note that the surgical strikes in September 2016 on terror camps along the Line of Control, though much maligned due to political chest-thumping draped in the camouflage of nationalism, did achieve some far-reaching strategic objectives. They were never meant to put an end to terrorism but reversed a discourse which began in 1998 that India was out of conventional options in its quiver in the face of continued cross-border terrorism after the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests. Unfortunately, this bigger message was lost in the noise.

Further, while acknowledging that the possibility of a “conventional war under a nuclear over-hang” recedes with attendant “political and international compulsions”, the doctrine notes that training of ‘‘Special Operations Division’’ for execution of precision tasks needs no reiteration. Factoring in the escalation potential of a conflict due to such actions, it states: “The possibility of sub-conventional escalating to a conventional level would be dependent on multiple influences, principally: politically-determined conflict claims; strategic conjuncture; operational circumstance; international pressures and military readiness.”

The doctrine also reiterates the basic tenets of the Indian nuclear doctrine, no-first use (NFU) and minimum credible deterrence, contrary to recent calls to revise the NFU and speculation in the West that India would resort to a first strike.

It adds that conflict will be determined or prevented through a process of credible deterrence, coercive diplomacy and conclusively by punitive destruction, disruption and constraint in a nuclear environment across the Spectrum of Conflict.

Flowing from the broader objective is the statement that Special Forces units will be “tasked to develop area specialisation in their intended operational theatres” to achieve an optimum effect.

The various objectives open up an entire gamut of capability addition and process optimisation for the Indian military to be able to enforce it. Achieving these broad objectives requires seamless synergy between the three services, a far cry in the present circumstances.

Interestingly some of the biggest policy decisions have been stuck endlessly — appointment of a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), formation of cyber, space and Special Forces commands and carving out inter-service theatre commands. After some initial push from the Government, the enthusiasm has gone cold.

The doctrine also declares: “Undertaking ‘Integrated Theatre Battle’ with an operationally adaptable force, to ensure decisive victory in a network centric environment… in varied geographical domains, will be the guiding philosophy for evolution of force application and war fighting strategies.” In this context, how the doctrine will be put into effect will be worth watching given that the 15 year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan is nowhere near being achieved by any of the three services.

Indigenisation challenge
Another important pronouncement under the “National Military Objectives” is: “Enable required degree of self-sufficiency in defence equipment and technology through indigenization to achieve desired degree of technological independence by 2035.”

This probably presents the biggest challenge of all given the fledgling state of the domestic defence-industrial complex. While a grand pronouncement was made under the “Make in India” initiative, it has essentially remained an exercise in doling out billions of dollars to foreign companies.

The doctrine is a bold announcement, but without the necessary elements in place, it will remain just another document like the policy formulations enunciated earlier. Or worse, it will be relegated to being another political slogan for popular resonance rather than send out a message of intent beyond Indian borders and shores.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-pay-hike-from-may/article18404958.ece?homepage=true

Order says remaining core concerns are being addressed separately
After a wait of about eight months, military personnel are likely to receive their revised pay recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission with arrears in May’s salary, say the general instructions issued by the three Services to their personnel.

The Union Cabinet issued orders last week for implementing the recommendations for military personnel. Following this, the three Services issued the general instructions stating the various recommendations that were approved.

“Army pay rules 2017 issued on May 03 … Some core concerns have been addressed and remaining core concerns are being addressed separately,” said the instructions issued by the Army’s Pay Commission Cell on May 5.

Pay stages stretched
The recommendations approved include extension of pay stages for junior commissioned officers (JCO) and other ranks from 24 to 40 to prevent stagnation, increase in index of rationalisation for Colonels and Lieutenant-Colonels from 2.57 to 2.67 and extension of pay stages for Brigadiers by two.

On the pension front, two recommendations approved are restoration of the percentage-based disability pension and an additional option for pension by pay fixation method in addition to the consolidation method, whichever is higher.

“Revised pay with arrears likely to be credited this month,” the instruction stated.

Arrears since Jan. ‘16
Sources said the arrears will be calculated from January 2016, the date of implementation of the pay panel recommendations, and will be credited with this month’s salary along with the revised pay. “They will deduct the 10% interim arrears given before Deepavali last year,” a source added.

The Controller-General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), which is responsible for implementing the recommendations, has already been issued instructions. “They will now calculate the revised tables and release them,” the source said.

Anomalies remain
However, some of the core anomalies raised by the services are yet to be addressed, top among them are Non-Functional Upgrade (NFU) and higher Military Service Pay (MSP) for JCOs.

NFU entitles all officers of a batch who are not promoted to draw the salary and grade pay that the senior-most officer of their batch would get after a certain period.

In a reference to that the instructions notes: “Pay comparison between defence services, all India services and Group A services must be understood in totality and explained to rank and file to dispel apprehensions about discrepancies.

Cabinet
16-August, 2017 16:19 IST
Cabinet approves creation of 7 posts of Principal Director and 36 posts of Director on regular basis in the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its approval for 7 posts of Principal Director and 36 posts of Director on regular basis in the Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Service, Ministry of Defence as part of restructuring .

Creation of regular posts in the AFHQ Civil Service will alleviate stagnation the cadre. It will be in the interest of better cadre management and bring improvement in the efficiency of the service. This would be an innovative measure entailing no additional cost but would bring benefits from the perspective of cadre management and enable its better utilisation.

Creation of regular posts in the place of “in situ” promotions will ensure more transparency in cadre management. Assigning of higher responsibilities on regular posts will result in greater productivity and accountability with respect to AFHQ CS officers.

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[RISING SUN]

Government tells Air Force, Navy to complete airbase fencing before deadline

Seeking to prevent another Pathankot-type attack, the defence ministry has asked the navy and the air force to hasten and complete the three-layer perimeter fencing around their air bases before the timeframe set by them.

In the aftermath of the January 1, 2016 attack on Pathankot air base, the defence ministry had cleared a proposal for the navy and the air force to immediately provide a three-layer security system around their bases housing high value assets such as fighter and transport aircraft.

"During a recent presentation to the ministry, the navy had given a timeframe of 2019 but the ministry was of the view that the project should be completed at an earlier date to cut down the possibility of terrorists attempting any such attack in the future," government sources told Mail Today.


Under the project, the air force and navy would be providing perimeter fencing security to around 29 of their air bases, including 23 of the IAF and remaining of the navy.

The IAF is set to release the tender for the project by next month and expects to complete the work by the end of next year.

To empower the services in completing their base security projects, the defence ministry has also delegated substantial financial powers to the armed forces for undertaking works for perimeter security of sensitive military installations.

As per the decision taken by the ministry, each of the three services vice chiefs will be able to spend at least Rs 800 crore annually in strengthening perimeter security at the sensitive bases.

A total of 3,000 sensitive bases, including 600 highly sensitive installations of the army, the navy and the air force were identified by the forces months after the daring attack on Pathankot air base last year.

Among the military installations, air bases have been given priority in strengthening air base security which would be followed by the other sensitive bases of the three services.

A security audit of defence bases was carried out on the recommendation of a committee headed by retired Lt Gen Philip Campose which was set up after the terror attack on the forward Pathankot air force base last year.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...irbase-fencing-before-deadline/1/1026748.html

 

[RISING SUN]

Defence canteen, India’s top retailer, to go online
The Canteen Stores Department (CSD) — which supplies goods at concessional rates to defence personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force — is undergoing a makeover. CSD, which is facing unusual criticism with regard to alleged restrictions being imposed on products, is not only looking at expanding its depots but is also putting in place systems to ensure its 1.2 crore customers get to purchase the latest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) off CSD's Unit Retail Canteen (URC) shelves, as do their civilian counterparts from the various modern retailers and kirana stores.

The country's largest retail network, which closed the fiscal year 2016-17 with a turnover of Rs 17,000 crore, is also working with partner companies on a model that would reduce the time lag and inconvenience involved in the purchase of white goods. The objective is to make sure cardholders get the latest range of white goods to choose from, which is not the case today.

Spearheading these changes is Air Vice-Marshal M Baladitya, chairman, board of administration and general manager of CSD, who is hopeful of executing these plans by Diwali this year. "We want our customers to get the option of buying a product from our URCs the same day when the product is launched in the market. At present, products are made available with a lag effect, which can even extend to a year. We are working on shortening the time taken to launch new products. So instead of two board meetings in a year, we will now meet six times for faster clearance of new product introductions. We are already in talks with leading FMCG companies like Hindustan Unilever and Procter & Gamble to ensure our customers get to sample their products as soon as they are launched," Baladitya told TOI in an exclusive interview.

On white goods, CSD is talking to leading consumer durable makers to smoothen the process. Today, it's a long-drawn process which results in a lag effect.

CSD plans to ensure documents are transmitted online and, once the depot issues an authority letter, the consumer can pick up the white goods from the nearest dealer anywhere in the country. Most white goods companies have dealer outlets across major cities and towns, which covers 80% of CSD's customer base.

"We want to make the entire range of white goods brands available online on the CSD website. Customers can choose what they want to buy and make an online payment directly to the white goods company via internet banking. We are talking to all leading consumer durable companies to facilitate the same. Most of them have agreed to come on board," said Baladitya.
http://m.timesofindia.com/business/...etailer-to-go-online/articleshow/60078039.cms

 

[RISING SUN]

India looks to America for aerial protection from threat of enemy rockets, drones and aircraft as the capital plans to go anti-ballistic
India is considering an American anti-missile 'umbrella' to protect the Delhi region from enemy rockets, drones and aircraft.

Seeking to provide protection to dignitaries, including the President and Prime Minister, India is looking into the system, as part of the Delhi Area Defence project.

'The National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) is being considered for the Delhi Area Defence project to provide aerial protection to the capital from airborne threats,' government sources told Mail Today.

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The capital may get US anti-missile umbrella

The programme is being undertaken as the threat from incoming enemy missiles, drones and aircraft is perceived to be on the rise, because of their increasing use by organisations such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

US defence officials have given presentations to the Air Force and other concerned agencies, and the proposal is now being considered by the government.

The same anti-missile system is used by the Americans to guard their national capital region in Washington DC and has been in deployment there since 2005.

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Officials are considering installing the NASAMS air defence system to protect the Delhi region from enemy rockets, drones and aircraft

The Indian Air Force has been using missile systems originating from Russia to help protect the national capital, as well as important assets.

The Americans claim the NASAMS as being a state-of-the-art air defence system that can maximise the ability of the users to quickly identify, engage and destroy enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or emerging cruise missile threats.

'It is owned by seven countries and has been integrated into the US national capital region's air defence system since 2005.

'In addition to the US, it is in service in Norway, Finland, Spain and the Netherlands,' said the firm which manufactures the missile system for the US government.

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Indian army soldiers take up position on the perimeter of an airforce base in Pathankot on January 3, 2016, during an operation to 'sanitise' the base following an attack by gunmen

Government sources said this programme would be running simultaneously with the indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence shield project, under which protection would be provided to key cities such as Delhi and Mumbai from incoming ballistic missiles.

Under the DRDO project, the plan is to take down long range ballistic missiles coming in from up to 2,000 km, at heights of 30 to 120 kilometres.

In the past few years, India has been taking significant steps to improve its air defence capabilities as a number of new mechanisms to take on hostile aerial action have been introduced and many more new systems will be added in the near future.

India recently started inducting the long-delayed `20,000 crore SPYDER missile systems into the Air Force and some of the systems have already been deployed on the western frontier to thwart any misadventure from the Pakistan side.

India has also signed a deal worth `17,000-crore for medium-range-surface-to-air-missile (MRSAM) system with Israel to equip the Army Air Defence Corps to take out enemy planes and drones at ranges of up to 70 kilometres in the air.

The DRDO has also started a programme to develop a quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system to enable the armed forces to bolster air defence capabilities in both the western and eastern sectors.

Indian agencies are considering the NASAMS at a time when defence ties between India and the US are on a high and New Delhi has contracted for military hardware worth over `75,000 crore in the last one decade.

The Indian Air Force has acquired various systems from the US including the C-17 Globemaster heavylift aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules Special Operations planes, Apache attack choppers and the Chinook heavy-lift helicopters in the last seven to eight years.

The Navy has also acquired 12 P-8 anti-submarine warfare and surveillance aircraft from the US for looking after its vast maritime zone and replace its Russian Tupolev spy planes.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahom...dia-looks-America-help-aerial-protection.html

Delhi may soon get US aerial defence formula against missile threats
Seeking to provide protection to dignitaries including the President and Prime Minister as well as the national capital territory from enemy cruise missiles, drones and aircraft, India is considering an American system under the Delhi Area Defence project. "The National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) is being considered for the Delhi Area Defence project to provide aerial protection to the Capital from airborne threats," government sources told Mail Today.

The programme is being undertaken as the threat perception from incoming enemy missiles, drones and aircraft is on the rise because of their increasing use by terrorist organisations such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba. US defence officials have made presentations to the Air Force and other agencies concerned and the proposal is under the consideration of the government, the sources said.

The same anti-missile system is used by the Americans to guard their national capital region in Washington DC and has been in deployment there since 2005. The Indian Air Force has been using the Russian-origin missile systems for giving protection to the national Capital and the vital assets and vital points. The NASAMS is claimed by the Americans to be a state-of-the-art air defence system that can maximise the ability of the users to quickly identify, engage and destroy current and evolving enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle or emerging cruise missile threats.


DELHI, MUMBAI TO GET COVER FROM MISSILES TOO

"It is owned by seven countries and has been integrated into the US National Capital Region's air defence system since 2005. In addition to the US, it is in service in Norway, Finland, Spain and the Netherlands," says the firm which manufactures the missile system for the US government on its website about the air defence system.

Government sources said this programme would be running simultaneously to the indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence shield project under which protection would be provided to key cities such as Delhi and Mumbai from incoming ballistic missiles. Under the DRDO project, the plan is to take down the ballistic missiles coming in from long ranges, up to 2,000 km or more at heights of 30 to 120 kilometres in the air, and the twin-layer system is in advanced stages of development. In the last few years, India has been taking significant steps to improve its air defence capabilities as a number of new mechanisms to take on hostile aerial action have been inducted and many more new systems would be joining in the near future.

India recently started inducting the long-delayed Rs 20,000 crore SPYDER missile systems into the Air Force and some of the systems have already been deployed on the western frontier to thwart any misadventure from the Pakistan side. India has also signed a deal worth Rs 17,000-crore for Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) system with Israel to equip the Army Air Defence Corps to take out enemy planes and drones at ranges of up to 70 kilometres in the air.

The DRDO has also started a programme to develop a Quick-Reaction Surface-to- Air Missile system for the armed forces to bolster the air defence capabilities in both the western and the eastern sector. Indian agencies are considering the NASAMS at a time when defence ties between India and the US are on a high and New Delhi has contracted for military hardware worth over Rs 75,000 crore in the last one decade. The Indian Air Force has acquired various systems from the US including the C-17 Globemaster heavylift aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules Special Operations planes, Apache attack choppers and the Chinook heavylift helicopters in the last seven to eight years. The Navy has also acquired 12 P-8 anti-submarine warfare and surveillance aircraft from the US for looking after its vast maritime zone and replace its Russian Tupolev spy planes.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...tection-nasams-air-defence-iaf/1/1029664.html

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
28-August, 2017 17:43 IST
First Synergy Conference on Defence Pension Organised by Defence Accounts Department

The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) organized its first Synergy Conference on Defence Pensions here, today. The conference was attended by all Defence Pensioners Associations and was open to all Defence Pensioners. Welcoming the panel and participants Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts (Addl. CGDA) Shri Prashant Sukul, emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultations by way of Synergy Conferences initiated by DAD.

The objective of the conference was to obtain feedback from the pensioners that would help the department to serve them better with constantly improving systems and procedures. Digitization of pension data and implementation of a pensionsapp were also discussed in detail.

Joint CGDA (Pension) Shri Kanwaldeep Singh, gave a brief presentation on current status on important issues pertaining to pension. Many issues and suggestions were highlighted by the participants.

The Department was enriched by the deliberations and this initiative would be institutionalized and occur on a regular basis.

The panel formed to interact with the pensioners was headed by Addl. CGDA Shri UpendraSah. It had on the panel Joint Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Shri Ravi Kant representing the Ministry of Defence, Principal CDA (Pensions) Shri Praveen Kumar. Services representatives ACOP (CP) Rear Admiral KK Pandey and DDG (PS) Brig. JK Rao were also among the panelists.


The Addl. Controller General of Defence Accounts, Shri Prashant Sukul addressing the 1st Synergy Conference on Defence Pension, organised by the Defence Accounts Department, in New Delhi on August 28, 2017.

 

[Gurjot.S]

https://theprint.in/2017/08/31/defence-ministry-retires-13-babus-non-performance/

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...clarity-on-sahayak-system/article19595991.ece

System holds up thousands of soldiers from active duty
Despite the military reforms approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday, Army sources say there is no immediate end to the sahayak system that is actually holding up thousands of combat soldiers from active duty.

“There is no consensus on ending or replacing the sahayak system within the Army. In addition, emulating the Navy and Air Force is not feasible since the system is linked to combat situations as well,” a senior officer told The Hindu.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet approved a series of reforms meant to enhancing the combat capability and rebalancing defence expenditure of the Army to increase the teeth-to-tail ratio by which 57,000 soldiers would be redeployed to operational duties. The recommendations were made by a committee headed by Lt. Gen. (retd.) DB Shekatkar. Surprisingly, the committee which had a wide-ranging mandate and made about 99 recommendations did not include any on the system.

Renewed debate

There are over 30,000 soldiers employed as sahayaks or orderlies both in peacetime and forward locations. There have been recommendations, time and again, to end the practice and replace the sahayaks in peacetime locations with civilians freeing up the soldiers for combat roles. The debate was renewed early this year, when several videos had surfaced on social media in which soldiers vented out views against the discrimination under the system. Following this, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat strongly defended it and warned personnel against taking to social media to air views as it “affects the morale of the jawans and thereby the Army”.

He also announced the setting up of a grievance box at all formations for soldiers to put in their concerns which would directly reach the Army headquarters.

The government too had strongly defended the system while promising a full review. In March, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said the rapport between officers and their buddies resulted in the enhancement of the “esprit de corps in a unit, which is vital during war and peace”.

Dr. Bhamre said in a written reply in Parliament “exhaustive instructions have been issued from time to time stressing upon the need to ensure that under no circumstances sahayaks, being combatant soldiers, are employed on menial tasks, which are not in conformity with the dignity and self-respect of a soldier”.

He added that the system had clearly defined military duties and formed an integral part of the organisation structure of a unit and had specific functions during war and peace.

In 2010, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence had asked the Army to emulate the Navy and Air Force and abolish the “demeaning and humiliating” practice, a colonial legacy.

 

[X_Killer]

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https://twitter.com/x/status/904250671674703872

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[Hindustani78]

HYDERABAD, September 03, 2017 07:26 IST
Updated: September 03, 2017 07:27 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...d-for-secretariat-complex/article19614073.ece

The Bison Polo Grounds where the new Telangana Secretariat is likely to come up.

Centre ready to give Bison Polo Grounds, Jaitley tells KCR
Hurdles seem to be clearing for the Telangana government’s proposal to construct a new Secretariat complex at the Bison Polo Grounds, with the Centre’s nod to give defence land for the purpose.

The Centre has also agreed to give the defence land to facilitate the expansion of Medchal highway and the Karimnagar Rajiv Rahadari and consider the request of the State for reduction of GST on public utility projects, according to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Reduction of GST

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao met the Union Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on Saturday and discussed the issue of defence land and reduction of GST on public utility projects.

Mr. Jaitley was believed to have informed the Chief Minister that the Centre was ready to hand over the Bison Polo Grounds for the construction of the Secretariat and the expansion of the Medchal highway and Karimnagar Rajiv Rahadari.

The request to reduce GST to 5% on public utility projects like Mission Bhagiratha, irrigation projects and road works will be taken after discussing it at the GST Council meeting to be held in Hyderabad on September 9, Mr Jaitley told Mr.Rao.

The Centre had reduced the GST from 18% to 12% on construction works after State’s request.

The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for agreeing to give Defence lands and hoped a favourable decision on GST reduction on public utility projects.

Chief Adviser to State government Rajiv Sharma and Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary S.Narsing Rao accompanied Mr Rao when he met the Union Minister.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
07-September, 2017 18:26 IST
DPSUs and OFB in Support of Central Armed Police Forces

The Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman has stressed on the need to become more indigenous in Defence Production. She appreciated the consistent efforts being made by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factories (OFs) in this direction. She was speaking on the occasion of handing over of several products developed by DPSUs and OFs to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) here today.

The Minister of Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh, who also graced the occasion, said that India wants to reduce its dependence on defence imports and ‘Make in India’ is the right initiative to achieve that. He expressed satisfaction that the indigenous content has increased in the defence production and hoped that fully indigenous products will be produced by the DPSUs and OFs in the very near future. The Minister also said that there is a need to design light weight bullet-proof jackets and helmets for the Forces.

The products which were handed over to the CAPFs were an armoured bus and bullet-proof jackets by the CMD, MIDHANI Dr. Dinesh Kumar Likhi to DG CRPF Shri RR Bhatnagar. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle was handed over by the CMD HAL Shri T Suvarna Raju to DG CRPF and small arms like Assault Rifle and Carbine by the DGOF and Chairman OFB Shri SC Bajpai to DG CRPF. An All Terrain Vehicle was handed over by the CMD BEML Shri Deepak Kumar Hota to DG BSF Shri KK Sharma.

The function was attended by the Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta, several senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, DPSUs and OFB.

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Ministry of Defence
07-September, 2017 17:29 IST
Nirmala Sitharaman takes over as Defence Minister

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman took over charge as Defence Minister, here today. On her arrival at the Ministry of Defence in South Block, Smt. Sitharaman was received by outgoing Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Defence Secretary Shri Sanjay Mitra, Defence Secretary (Defence Production) Shri AK Gupta, Chairman DRDO & Secretary Department of Defence R&D Dr. S Christopher and other senior officials. Smt Sitharaman is the first full time Woman Defence Minister of India. Immediately after assuming office, the Defence Minister approved a grant of over Rs 13 crore which will be released for 8685 ex-servicemen, widows and dependants out of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. She also approved financial assistance out of Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Fund.

 

[Hindustani78]

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in New Delhi on September 07, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman after taking charge from Shri Arun Jaitley, in New Delhi on September 07, 2017. The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, the Minister of State for Finance and Shipping, Shri P. Radhakrishnan and the senior officers of Defence establishment and others are also seen.

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman being greeted by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre after taking charge as the Union Minister for Defence, in New Delhi on September 07, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman lighting the lamp at the handing over of products developed by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), in New Delhi on September 07, 2017. The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre and the Secretary (Defence Production), Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta are also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing the gathering at the handing over of products developed by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), in New Delhi on September 07, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing the gathering at the handing over of products developed by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), in New Delhi on September 07, 2017. The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre and the Secretary (Defence Production), Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta are also seen.

The CMD, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Shri T. Survarna Raju displaying a UAV as the Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, the Secretary (Defence Production), Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta, the DGOF and Chairman OFB, Shri S.C. Bajpai and the DG, CRPF, Shri R.R. Bhatnagar look on, during the handing over of products developed by the Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Ordnance Factories to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), in New Delhi on September 07, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with Union Home Minister Rajnath during an exhibition organised by Department of Defence Production of Ministry of Defence at DRDO Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

 

[RISING SUN]

2,000 SSB staffers to go to Intelligence Bureau; govt approves border snoop plan
Over 2,000 personnel of a "dying" paramilitary cadre will be "transferred" to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to boost the on-ground presence of the agency on the eastern borders, where India is bolstering its defences by building roads and other military infrastructure.
Top News headlines
A total of 2,765 posts of the civilian cadre of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will be shifted to the IB command over the next year. Of these posts, 2,039 are operational.

"The civil wing of the SSB should be transferred to the IB lock, stock and barrel, including land, physical infrastructure, equipment among others," a government blueprint, accessed by PTI, said.

A top security official privy to the "ambitious" plan said a 300-page proposal for the transfer of the assets -- both manpower and infrastructure -- had been prepared at the SSB headquarters here and had been vetted by the home ministry and the office of the national security advisor (NSA) for final implementation.

He added that the manpower of the civil wing of the SSB, which is termed as "dying" as it does not have promotional and work avenues, would be deployed to bolster the IB's presence in the eastern border areas, where these officials have worked for long.

The average age of the cadre, the official said, was above 50 years and the personnel had done a lot of work with the people living along the Nepal and Bhutan borders.

They not only helped them integrate with the mainstream, but also acted as the "eyes and ears" of the SSB, the designated lead intelligence agency on the two borders.

The cadre was first raised in 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression of the previous year, to work in the border areas and promote a sense of national belonging and pro-India feelings among the local population.

It worked under the external intelligence agency -- Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) -- till 2001, under the name Special Service Bureau.

The name of the force was changed to Sashastra Seema Bal in 2003, following the 1999 Kargil conflict. It was then tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders on the country's eastern flank.

"The transfer of the civilian SSB cadre will begin once the long-awaited cadre restructuring of the force is approved and implemented. All this will take about a year to take shape," the official said.

The blueprint envisages that once these officials are transferred to the IB, they will be "utilised for different activities related to intelligence, keeping in view the expertise and proficiency of the incumbents".

"These personnel have only been doing civic action work and publicity of government schemes in the far-flung border areas and anti-Naxal operation zones for close to two decades now.

"After the SSB was declared an armed force of the Union in 2001, they became a dying cadre as they were not uniformed personnel. Now, their experience and knowledge of the locals, languages and natural features of the border areas will be used to aid the hardcore intelligence work of the IB," the official said.

He added that as per the blueprint, the cadre, after the proposed transfer, "will be treated at par with the IB employees" and some of them might even be retained post retirement considering their expertise and knowledge of the field areas.

The cadre, for the last over 50 years, has been working in insurgency-hit areas along the border and Naxal-hit states, undertaking civic welfare programmes such as teaching children in schools, conducting medical camps and organising vocational training courses.

The men and women of this cadre were seen as fast losing their sheen as they were not getting timely promotions and could not opt for combat posts as their physical fitness did not allow them to perform arduous tasks and their recruitment rules were different from those of the uniformed staffers.

The SSB, with a strength of about 70,000 personnel, has been guarding the 1,751-km Indo-Nepal border since 2001 and the 699-km Indo-Bhutan border since 2004.

It is deployed along the international border in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with many of its posts located close to the Sino-India border.
http://m.timesofindia.com/india/200...order-snoop-plan/amp_articleshow/60409192.cms

2,000 SSB staffers to go to Intelligence Bureau; govt approves border snoop plan
Over 2,000 personnel of a "dying" paramilitary cadre will be "transferred" to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to boost the on-ground presence of the agency on the eastern borders, where India is bolstering its defences by building roads and other military infrastructure.
Top News headlines
A total of 2,765 posts of the civilian cadre of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will be shifted to the IB command over the next year. Of these posts, 2,039 are operational.

"The civil wing of the SSB should be transferred to the IB lock, stock and barrel, including land, physical infrastructure, equipment among others," a government blueprint, accessed by PTI, said.

A top security official privy to the "ambitious" plan said a 300-page proposal for the transfer of the assets -- both manpower and infrastructure -- had been prepared at the SSB headquarters here and had been vetted by the home ministry and the office of the national security advisor (NSA) for final implementation.

He added that the manpower of the civil wing of the SSB, which is termed as "dying" as it does not have promotional and work avenues, would be deployed to bolster the IB's presence in the eastern border areas, where these officials have worked for long.

The average age of the cadre, the official said, was above 50 years and the personnel had done a lot of work with the people living along the Nepal and Bhutan borders.

They not only helped them integrate with the mainstream, but also acted as the "eyes and ears" of the SSB, the designated lead intelligence agency on the two borders.

The cadre was first raised in 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression of the previous year, to work in the border areas and promote a sense of national belonging and pro-India feelings among the local population.

It worked under the external intelligence agency -- Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) -- till 2001, under the name Special Service Bureau.

The name of the force was changed to Sashastra Seema Bal in 2003, following the 1999 Kargil conflict. It was then tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders on the country's eastern flank.

"The transfer of the civilian SSB cadre will begin once the long-awaited cadre restructuring of the force is approved and implemented. All this will take about a year to take shape," the official said.

The blueprint envisages that once these officials are transferred to the IB, they will be "utilised for different activities related to intelligence, keeping in view the expertise and proficiency of the incumbents".

"These personnel have only been doing civic action work and publicity of government schemes in the far-flung border areas and anti-Naxal operation zones for close to two decades now.

"After the SSB was declared an armed force of the Union in 2001, they became a dying cadre as they were not uniformed personnel. Now, their experience and knowledge of the locals, languages and natural features of the border areas will be used to aid the hardcore intelligence work of the IB," the official said.

He added that as per the blueprint, the cadre, after the proposed transfer, "will be treated at par with the IB employees" and some of them might even be retained post retirement considering their expertise and knowledge of the field areas.

The cadre, for the last over 50 years, has been working in insurgency-hit areas along the border and Naxal-hit states, undertaking civic welfare programmes such as teaching children in schools, conducting medical camps and organising vocational training courses.

The men and women of this cadre were seen as fast losing their sheen as they were not getting timely promotions and could not opt for combat posts as their physical fitness did not allow them to perform arduous tasks and their recruitment rules were different from those of the uniformed staffers.

The SSB, with a strength of about 70,000 personnel, has been guarding the 1,751-km Indo-Nepal border since 2001 and the 699-km Indo-Bhutan border since 2004.

It is deployed along the international border in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with many of its posts located close to the Sino-India border.
http://m.timesofindia.com/india/200...order-snoop-plan/amp_articleshow/60409192.cms

MHA gives more finance powers to DGs of CRPF, BSF, NIA
Chiefs of central armed police forces like CRPF and BSF and other central agencies have been empowered to spend up to Rs 15 crore for executing major projects and Rs 1 crore for minor works, including repairing of residential buildings, a home ministry official said.

The home ministry in an order enhanced the financial powers of the directors general of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, Assam Rifles and National Investigation Agency and director of Intelligence Bureau to execute major projects to Rs 15 crore from Rs 10 crore, the official said.

The major projects include construction of buildings, purchase of vehicles besides others.
Similarly, the chiefs have also been authorised to spend up to Rs one crore for carrying out minor works like petty repairs and administrative expenditure. So far, they were allowed to spend up to Rs 50 lakh.

The decision was taken by Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba to bring greater flexibility in operations, reduce delays and facilitate quick decision on matters involving financial expenditure, the official said.
Earlier, the ministry gave financial powers to the joint secretaries to spend up to Rs 50 crore for executing works and purchasing land.

Joint secretaries have also been allowed to make procurement through open or limited tender of up to Rs 20 crore and procurement through negotiated or single tender or proprietary contract of up to Rs 5 crore.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...rpf-bsf-nia/articleshow/60394866.cms?from=mdr

 

[RISING SUN]

2,000 SSB staffers to go to Intelligence Bureau; govt approves border snoop plan
Over 2,000 personnel of a "dying" paramilitary cadre will be "transferred" to the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to boost the on-ground presence of the agency on the eastern borders, where India is bolstering its defences by building roads and other military infrastructure.
Top News headlines
A total of 2,765 posts of the civilian cadre of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will be shifted to the IB command over the next year. Of these posts, 2,039 are operational.

"The civil wing of the SSB should be transferred to the IB lock, stock and barrel, including land, physical infrastructure, equipment among others," a government blueprint, accessed by PTI, said.

A top security official privy to the "ambitious" plan said a 300-page proposal for the transfer of the assets -- both manpower and infrastructure -- had been prepared at the SSB headquarters here and had been vetted by the home ministry and the office of the national security advisor (NSA) for final implementation.

He added that the manpower of the civil wing of the SSB, which is termed as "dying" as it does not have promotional and work avenues, would be deployed to bolster the IB's presence in the eastern border areas, where these officials have worked for long.

The average age of the cadre, the official said, was above 50 years and the personnel had done a lot of work with the people living along the Nepal and Bhutan borders.

They not only helped them integrate with the mainstream, but also acted as the "eyes and ears" of the SSB, the designated lead intelligence agency on the two borders.

The cadre was first raised in 1963, in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression of the previous year, to work in the border areas and promote a sense of national belonging and pro-India feelings among the local population.

It worked under the external intelligence agency -- Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) -- till 2001, under the name Special Service Bureau.

The name of the force was changed to Sashastra Seema Bal in 2003, following the 1999 Kargil conflict. It was then tasked with guarding the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders on the country's eastern flank.

"The transfer of the civilian SSB cadre will begin once the long-awaited cadre restructuring of the force is approved and implemented. All this will take about a year to take shape," the official said.

The blueprint envisages that once these officials are transferred to the IB, they will be "utilised for different activities related to intelligence, keeping in view the expertise and proficiency of the incumbents".

"These personnel have only been doing civic action work and publicity of government schemes in the far-flung border areas and anti-Naxal operation zones for close to two decades now.

"After the SSB was declared an armed force of the Union in 2001, they became a dying cadre as they were not uniformed personnel. Now, their experience and knowledge of the locals, languages and natural features of the border areas will be used to aid the hardcore intelligence work of the IB," the official said.

He added that as per the blueprint, the cadre, after the proposed transfer, "will be treated at par with the IB employees" and some of them might even be retained post retirement considering their expertise and knowledge of the field areas.

The cadre, for the last over 50 years, has been working in insurgency-hit areas along the border and Naxal-hit states, undertaking civic welfare programmes such as teaching children in schools, conducting medical camps and organising vocational training courses.

The men and women of this cadre were seen as fast losing their sheen as they were not getting timely promotions and could not opt for combat posts as their physical fitness did not allow them to perform arduous tasks and their recruitment rules were different from those of the uniformed staffers.

The SSB, with a strength of about 70,000 personnel, has been guarding the 1,751-km Indo-Nepal border since 2001 and the 699-km Indo-Bhutan border since 2004.

It is deployed along the international border in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with many of its posts located close to the Sino-India border.
http://m.timesofindia.com/india/200...order-snoop-plan/amp_articleshow/60409192.cms

India Successfully Tests 500kg Locally Developed Precision Guided HSLD Bomb
India has successfully tested a precision guided high speed low drag (HSLD) bomb weighing 500 kg, which is the largest bomb locally developed by the country so far. During the flight trial in the western state of Rajasthan, the 500 kg general purpose bomb was released from Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su 30 MK1 aircraft. The bomb has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The trial covered ground adaptation, carriage and handling, limited separation and release of the bomb. Sukhoi-30MKI released PGHSLD-500 fitted on station 05/06 from an altitude of 5 km at 900 km to verify separation performance and to estimate stability. “During the carriage trials, the aircraft touched the carriage limits of 0.85 at 150 m altitude and completed 6.5 ‘g’ and full roll maneuvers. The structural integrity of the bomb was found satisfactory after the trials,” DRDO said.According to an official document, these bombs are effective against ground targets like railway yards/bridges, major installations, bunkers, runways and hardened targets. The bomb can be carried on various in-service aircraft like Jaguar, MiG and other advanced combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Such bombs play a very important role for strike missions where aircraft are tasked to destroy ground installation and enemy runways. Indian scientists are presently working on different types of non-nuclear bombs like glide bombs and HSLD bombs. In the locally developed HSLD category, 250 kg and 450 kg variants were already in service. The successful trial of the 500 kg variant has paved the way for its early induction.
https://idrw.org/india-successfully-tests-500kg-locally-developed-precision-guided-hsld-bomb/

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...in-military/article19651852.ece?homepage=true

Not an easy salute: Though the defence forces have a small number of women, many of them are battling court cases.

Facts show that the Services are the last bastion of male dominance, with women even denied a permanent commission

Despite the latest move by the Army to induct 800 women into its ranks, cold facts show that the Indian military is the last bastion of male dominance in the government. Many women in uniform are hoping that the country’s first full-time woman Defence Minister will take bold decisions against what they allege are systemic discrimination against women.

Though Indian military has only a minuscule number of women in service, a noticeably large number of them are fighting court cases or complaints against discrimination in various forums.

By information given in Parliament as on early 2017, there are 3,578 women officers in the three services. This broadly represents about 3.64% in the Army, 4.49% in the Navy and 13% in the IAF.

Besides, about 5,000 Military Nursing Service members are also in uniform.

Over the past three years, with the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, the three services have taken some steps for expanding the avenues for women, but several issues still remain. However, recruitment numbers of the past few years are almost at the same level with a decline in women joining the Army.

While the issue of women in combat roles gets traction often, another aspect mostly neglected is the issue of permanent commission.

Permanent commission
“With the new Defence Minister being a woman, I hope something beneficial for the women fraternity will come. We will request time from her once she takes charge,” said Commander Prasannaa Edayilliam, an Air Traffic Control officer who retired from service in 2008 and since 2010 has been fighting a legal battle for permanent commission.

The case is likely to come up for hearing before the Supreme Court on September 15.

The Navy has since opened up seven streams for women. These include law, logistics, air traffic control, education and Naval Armament Instructor (NAI).

“These were opened for permanent commission prospectively from 2009 onwards. NAI was opened up this year. These are areas where one doesn’t have to go to sea and they can get promoted,” a senior officer said.

Double whammy
The Navy is now taking women as pilots and observers on fixed-wing aircraft. This is the Short Service Commission (SSC) because they cannot be promoted as they cannot do sea service.

The biggest catch is that women officers are taken under the SSC which is up to 14 years. Due to this, those leaving are left without any pension as pensionable service is 20 years.

Commander Edayilliam stated that the ATC officers’ course that they had undergone at the Air Force Academy in Dindigul was not recognised at par with the civil course at the Civil Aviation Training College, Allahabad. “So it is extremely difficult to get a second career based on it,” she told The Hindu.

“Navy is a wonderful service. We want more and more qualified people to join it,” she added, longing for the uniform she once donned.

This is where there would be great expectations from Ms. Sitharaman to understand the intricacies and open the services. A group of Military Nursing Service members have been fighting the government for over a decade, demanding that they be treated as full officers.

The Supreme Court has taken a firm stand, asking the military to ameliorate their condition. They are also hoping that the new defence minister will appreciate their plight.

Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had stated that the three services would induct women in combat roles in a phased manner as infrastructure had to be created.

The Indian Air Force has long had women pilots in transport and helicopters streams and last year commissioned three women fighter pilots on an experimental basis. Similarly, the Army gives permanent commission for women only in education, law and medical streams. But given the operational conditions and spread, the Army has been the most reluctant to take women in combat roles.