Indian Army News & Discussions

[maithil]

good news indeed...

 

[flanker143]

anywaz does anyone know that why drdo didn't use slanted (kanchan) armour for arjuns ???bcoz they offer much better protection even with same armour width !!!!

was far as i know drdo has ruled out any structural changes to arjun !! so any one knows that will there be such kind of modification to arjun mk2 ??? plzzz tell !!!!

 

[sudhir007]

Army to induct 'offensive' corps along China border - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian security establishment is considering the largest-ever upgrade of military capabilities along the China border as it tries to catch up with the militarily advanced neighbour.

Sources told TOI that the defence ministry has proposed the setting up of a Mountain Strike Corps and two Independent Brigades along the China border. The proposed corps would be India's fourth strike corps and the only one dedicated for offensive operations in mountainous terrain.

When contacted, a senior Army official looking after media affairs denied any such move. However, authoritative sources said the Cabinet Committee on Security is set to consider the proposal in the coming weeks. Once approved, the proposal would lead to a massive upgrade in India's military capabilities, and would be a huge step-up of Army presence along the border.

A senior official in the security establishment told TOI that the entire proposal was part of Army leadership's "vision" to catch up with China in military capabilities. The entire effort was "defensive in nature", he said.

Presently, Indian Army is engaged in raising two mountain divisions along the border with the giant neighbour. The proposed strike corps and two independent brigades would be separate from the two divisions being raised, he said.

The Army proposal, now under consideration at the highest levels of the government, envisages an expenditure of Rs 9,500 crore. The cost is primarily for new equipment such as ultra light howitzers and helicopters required for creating these highly mobile units. Units of the strike corps, to be based somewhere in the northeast, would be capable of operating like rapid reaction forces. The strike corps would have two divisions and other support troops, TOI has learnt.

The Army proposal includes raising of an independent brigade in Ladakh, and another brigade in Uttarakhand. Sources within the security establishment have for long been worried about India's military weaknesses before China's intimidating military modernisation. Coupled with a weak infrastructure, India's situation has been worrying to security experts.

After the defeat of 1962, India abandoned infrastructure development along border areas with China for decades.

 

[ejaz007]

Delhi court issues contempt notice to Indian Army chief

ISLAMABAD: The New Delhi High Court on Monday issued a contempt notice to the Indian Army chief after he failed to comply with the court’s previous order of granting permanent commission to serving women officers who were selected on short-service commission basis. Justice GS Sistani also sought a response from the Defence Ministry secretary by August 18 on a petition filed by Lieutenant Colonel Sangita Sardana and other serving women officers of the Indian Army. The women had alleged that the army had failed to grant a permanent commission to them, a private news channel reported. Earlier in May, the court had also stayed the military’s decision to release the next batch of women officers. app

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[sudhir007]

Army to hone anti-terror skills in drills with Big 3 - India - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The 1.13-million strong Indian Army is gearing up for joint combat exercises with the American and Russian armies, among others, in quick succession to further enhance "interoperability" withthem from August to October.

That's not all. India is also going to hold a military exercise with another big power, China, in the coming months. New Delhi and Beijing are now drawing up schedule for the third edition of their "hand-in-hand" (HiH) exercise, sources say.

Interestingly, the focus of all the three exercises will revolve more around counter-terrorism rather than conventional warfare, underlining the threat irregular warfare has assumed for the world at large.

The Indo-US combat exercise `Vajra Prahar' between the special forces of the two countries will be held at the Belgaum commando school in Karnataka between August and September, while the one with Russia called `Indra' is slated for Chaubatia near Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, from September to October.

While, India has had a long-standing defence relationship with Russia, notching up as it has military imports worth almost $40 billion from Moscow since the 1960s, joint combat exercises between the two have been few and far between.

Conversely, the most visible symbol of the now expansive Indo-US military ties has been the flurry of joint combat exercises -- over 50 in the last seven years -- between the two nations. Incidentally, India had hosted the largest-ever ground combat exercise with US, called `Yudh Abhyas', at Babina in October.

The US, of course, is now also aggressively cornering a major chunk of the lucrative Indian defence market. The largest-ever Indo-US defence deal -- the procurement of 10 C-17 Globemaster-III giant strategic airlift aircraft for IAF for around $3 billion -- is now on the verge of finalisation, as reported by TOI earlier. This deal will overtake the $2.1 billion contract for eight Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft inked last year.

In sharp contrast to US and Russia, India's HiH exercises with China have so far been largely symbolic in nature, with just over 100 soldiers participating from each side. But they are seen to be an important CBM between the two countries which fought a bloody war in 1962.

While the first HiH was conducted at Kunming in China in December 2007, the second one was conducted at Belgaum in December 2008. The third HiH edition will be held in China.

 

[flanker143]

Indian 40mm UBGL Finally Enters Mass Production

WOW "BASTARD" BLASTER !!!!

 

[jha]

Be prepared for anti-Naxal fight, Army chief tells officers​

The Army chief on Friday asked his officers to be mentally prepared to step into the fight against Naxals if the situation did not improve. "It might be in six months or in one year or two years but if we have to maintain our relevance as a tool of the state we will have to undertake things that the nation wants us to," a defence release

He was addressing army officers during his visit to the Southern Command headquarters in Pune.On the current security environment, he said there was no let up in the proxy war situation with the western neighbours and their activities, including operation of sleeper cells in Jammu and Kashmir.

On China, Singh said though talks are on with that country, it continues its heavy spend on modernising armed forces.

"With our unsettled border, transgressions taking place in disputed border areas cannot be ruled out," he said.

Commenting on a variety of institutional and behavioural issues in the Army, he said the officer shortages are here to stay as less people are joining in the direct entry and short service schemes.

"Everyone has to learn to live with the shortages for the time being."

 

[ironman]

Raytheon Provides Tactical Networked Communications in Indian Military Field Demonstration​

Press Release Source: Raytheon Company On Friday July 16, 2010, 9:30 am EDT

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ --

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN - News) has successfully proved its tactical networked communications capabilities using the Enhanced Position Location Reporting System-Extended Frequency-International (EPLRS-XF-I) during a second-phase field demonstration in support of India's modernization efforts.

System performance during the April 2010 demo was marked by a highly reliable 2-Mbps (millions of bits per second or megabits per second) – the first time this has been demonstrated with EPLRS internationally – across distances exceeding 30 km (18.6 miles), using stationary as well as mobile nodes. It provided for the simultaneous voice, video and data communication, yet in an easy-to-use, simplified architecture.

"Working with Precision Electronics Limited (BSERECISIO.b - News) of Noida, India, we have shown Bharat Electronics Limited and the Indian Ministry of Defence that the EPLRS family of radios provides a tailored, low-risk netted communications solution to meet specific MoD requirements," said Brian McKeon, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Integrated Communications Systems.

The demonstration featured networked communications for a battlefield surveillance solution. The versatile communications unit supplied a secure, wireless network system in static and mobile operating environments where the network infrastructure did not initially exist.

EPLRS is one of the most widely used tactical wireless networks today, with more than 25,000 units fielded across the U.S. armed services, Canada and Australia. The XF-I system uses the most advanced EPLRS waveform available for communications, critical position location information and effective electronic counter-countermeasures. It provides a robust, self-healing network that automatically adapts to network changes, including in difficult urban environments.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

Raytheon Company: Customer Success Is Our Mission

CONTACT: Kevin Wynn, phone: 508.490.2607, wynn@raytheon.com
Raytheon Provides Tactical Networked Communications in Indian Military Field Demonstration - Yahoo! Finance

 

[jha]

Cyber war: Indian Army gearing up​

The Indian Army is fighting attacks in the cyber world with electronic warfare capability of the “highest standard”, say officials pointing out that virtual strikes have shot up from hostile quarters in both sophistication and frequency.

“The army is cognisant of the threat to its cyber space from various state and non-state actors. But our network is well secured in compliance with the highest standards of cyber security,” a senior official in the military headquarters told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The official said the army has established an “impenetrable and secure wide area network exclusively for its functioning”.

Officials in the 1.3 million force privately admit they are facing “next generation threats” and are rather worried over the complex world of cyber warfare amid reports of Chinese and Pakistani spies targeting the Indian military establishment via the internet.

Though attacks from hackers – professional or amateur – can come from anywhere in the world, cyber onslaughts have been more frequent from China and Pakistan, which have reportedly been peeking into India’s sensitive business, diplomatic and strategic records.

As per reports from the cyber industry, China and Pakistan hackers steal nearly six million files worldwide every day.

A report in the US-based Defence Systems magazine found that there were 25 million new strains of malware created in 2009. That equals a new strain of malware every 0.79 seconds. The report underlines how the current cyber threat environment is dramatically changing and becoming more challenging as the clock ticks.

Howevever, the Indian army is confident.

Revealing that secret information had been secured with unhackable electronic passwords, the official said various “cryptographic controls” have been incorporated in the wake of a significant number of viruses, worms and other forms of malware.

To address cyber defence, which is also under threat from terrorist outfits that have their own trained recruits, officials said the army frequently upgrades its comprehensive cyber security policy to pro-actively deal with and anticipate these threats.

The force has established the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to respond to attacks targeting the army’s critical systems and infrastructure.

Another official said the army has its own cyber audit process conducted by cyber security personnel.

“The audit is conducted in accordance with established security standards such as ISO 27001. Audit of the network is a continuous and active process which helps identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities in a network to counter latest threats as also check the network for cyber security policy compliance,” he said.

However, the official admitted there was no room for complacency in times of rapid technological change.

“In the area of cyber space, the battle between hackers and defenders is an ongoing process, influenced by latest technological developments. Due to the dynamic nature of threats, the army is constantly upgrading its network,” he said.

Technology alone, however, cannot guarantee “fool-proof security”, he said, adding the “Indian Army therefore emphasises on the people and the process to achieve compliance of best practices in this field”.

“Regular training programmes are being conducted to enhance user awareness and counter threats like social engineering and phishing,” he said.

 

[sudhir007]

BAE Systems M777 howitzer sales exceed 1 billion pounds

BAE Systems has received an order for 93 additional M777 howitzers, which the Indian Army is considering for its artillery upgrade, taking the order book to 955 systems and its sales for the gun to over 1 billion pounds.

The US is buying 58 guns for the US Army and US Marine Corps while Australia is acquiring 35 through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The order makes Australia the third customer for the M777 system after the US and Canada.

Mike Smith, managing director for BAE Systems’ European Weapons business, said: “The purchase of additional howitzers is further endorsement of M777 as the most effective howitzer system of its kind. Its proven combat effectiveness means we expect more orders through 2011 as we continue to promote the system globally.”

“The US government is currently discussing the provision of 145 systems to India as well as several other countries. In parallel, BAE Systems is responding to requests for information from a large number of countries wishing to expand their indirect fire capability,” he added.

BAE System’ facility at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is responsible for final integration and test of the weapon system. The prime contract management of the M777 programme and manufacture and assembly of the complex titanium structures and associated recoil components are undertaken at Barrow-in-Furness in Britain.

“The M777 continues to provide artillery support to coalition forces in Afghanistan where its performance exceeds expectations,” a company statement said.

The gun can fire the “smart” Excalibur round, co-developed by BAE Systems, up to 40 km accurately enough to target a specific room within a building, reducing the chance of innocent casualties and allowing supporting fire to be brought down much closer to friendly troops, the statement said.

“Weighing in at less than 4.2 tonnes, the revolutionary M777 is the world’s first artillery weapon to make widespread use of titanium and aluminium alloys, resulting in a howitzer which is half the weight of conventional 155mm systems. This allows it to be deployed by medium-lift helicopter quickly and beyond the reach of roadside bombs to otherwise inaccessible areas, extending its reach over the theatre of operations,” the statement said.

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services.

In 2009, BAE Systems reported sales of 22.4 billion pounds ($36.2 billion).

 

[sudhir007]

Troops need AFSPA protection Army chief stands by J&K remarks

SHILLONG, July 19: Despite facing criticism, Army chief V K Singh today stood by his remark on Jammu and Kashmir in which he was critical of the political leadership in dealing with the situation.

"What I had said is that security forces have achieved a particular level of control of the situation. After that, various initiatives have to come, there are developmental and administrative issues," Singh told reporters here when asked about the controversy. He said, "There are various kinds of initiatives that are need to be taken to bring up a State."

Singh's comments on the political leadership had drawn the ire of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had said the Army chief should not make political comments.

Singh had last week said the "basic reason" for the prevailing tension in Jammu and Kashmir was the inability to build on the "gains" that have been made in the State.

Singh said Army personnel needed "certain legal protection" in "awkward" situations and it was up to the Government on how it should be provided.

"We are not against the people or democracy. When you employ the Army for situations which are awkward, where they have to face well-armed, well-trained terrorists, they require a certain amount of legal protection. How that it is done, we leave it to the Central Government," Singh said when asked about the move to dilute certain sections of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

General Singh said, "We can't let our people get hauled to court. We cannot have our people being subjected to all kinds of allegation.

"Wherever the Army is operating, it is operating with its hands tied. We have impose on ourselves certain restriction because we are operating against our own people."

The Army also needs assurances about its protection when things would go wrong, he added.

On the Northeast, Singh said the situation has improved by "leaps and bounds and lot of positive things have happened, whether it is Assam, Manipur or any other State".

"All that it is needed now is how we administratively handle the situation in various States. Security wise the situation is perfectly fine," the Army chief said.

Referring to the recent attacks by NDFB in Assam, Singh said, "If a child does not get attention in the house, he does something to get attention -- that is what is exactly happening to the militant outfit."

After NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary was captured, the whole organisation has been in disarray, he said.

"So they have to let us know by some action that they are there. It is a group that is on its way, if handled properly they will come to the negotiation table or they will surrender," he said. (PTI)

Daily Excelsior....News Page

 

[soaringphnx]

Army orders 1 million pieces of grenade developed by DRDO’s Chandigarh lab​

About a decade after being designed, the Army has approved bulk production of lightweight modular hand grenades developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for induction.

An order has been placed with the Ordnance Factory Board for supplying one million hand grenades to the Army. Known as Shivalik, these would replace the existing M-36 HE grenades, the original version of which dates back to the Second World War. Developed by DRDO’s Chandigarh-based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, the new grenade overcomes the safety hazards posed by the existing grenades. The M-36, according to the DRDO, has a severe reliability problem due to its flawed fusing system and uneven fragmenting pattern, making it unsafe even for the thrower.

Shivalik uses a modular plastic body and pre-formed cylindrical mild steel fragments for uniform distribution of fragments to overcome these deficiencies. Additional features have been incorporated into the fuse’s arming mechanism to ensure greater safety during storage, transportation and airdropping. Fragmentation distribution can also be controlled for use in offensive or defensive roles by attachment of a fragmentation sleeve. The use of plastic has also resulted in reduction of the grenade’s overall weight. Unlike earlier grenades, it can be para-dropped if urgent re-supplies are needed and can function in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 55°C.

Besides the Shivalik, the Army has also approved bulk production of the add-on 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) that is attached to rifles for increasing their firepower. The UBGL, which can be mounted on the INSAS as well as AK-47 rifles, was developed keeping in view the global trend in technology for small arms from the concept of point-target capability to area-target capability. Capable of night-firing, it fills the gap between the maximum range achieved by a hand grenade and the minimum range of a mortar while giving better accuracy than both.

Another unique weapon under development by the DRDO is the “chill grenade”, which uses extract of Bhut Jolokia, certified as the world’s hottest chilli and is native to the northeast. Part of a range of equipment being developed by the DRDO for counter-insurgency and internal security operations, the chilli-grenade is non-toxic and non-lethal and functions like tear-gas used by the security forces. Its pungent fumes can smoke out terrorists or hostile elements from hideouts.

 

[soaringphnx]

Army plans to buy tank busting missiles from US​

The Indian Army intends to buy the US-designed Javelin anti-tank guided missile to equip its troops with the capability to defeat enemy armour systems. The defence ministry is expected to issue a letter of request (LOR) to the US government for a potential sale of the weapon system used by the US
Marine Corps, the US Army and 11 other militaries.

India plans to buy Javelin under the foreign military sales (FMS) programme, a government-to-government transaction between the US and friendly countries.

Indian soldiers operated the weapon last October during exercise Yudh Abhyas, the annual Indo-US military drill held at the Babina firing ranges near Jhansi.

“It engaged and destroyed targets every time it was fired during the exercise,” said an army officer. Javelin was fired nine times, including thrice by Indian soldiers. The fire-and-forget weapon system is a joint venture between US aerospace and defence giants Raytheon Company and Lockheed Martin.

Raytheon Asia President Admiral Walter F. Doran told HT at the Farnborough International Airshow that the LOR from India was awaited for a possible sale.

India has taken the FMS route to buy equipment worth billions of dollars from the US. Some recent contracts include the $2.1-billion (around Rs 9,450 crore) deal for eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft and another worth $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore) for six C-130J Super Hercules military airlifters. India is also negotiating with the US to buy M777 ultra-light howitzers and C-17 military transport aircraft.

The US believes FMS transactions may be complicated in their conception and execution, but are more transparent to financial scrutiny.

Although designed to destroy tanks and armoured vehicles, Javelin provides day/night secondary capability against helicopters and fixed defences such as bunkers and buildings. The imaging infrared system allows the gunner to acquire targets even in darkness and limited visibility.

Javelin’s normally engages and destroys a tank in the `top-attack’ mode. It also has a direct-attack capability to engage targets with overhead cover or in bunkers. The fire-and-forget capability allows the gunner to acquire another target or move position as soon as the missile is launched. It has a range of 2.5 km.

 

[soaringphnx]

India is Evaluating Patriot Air Defence System​

India is evaluating the advanced Patriot ground-based air defence system for its ballistic missile shield and the US has provided "classified" material to it on the weapon unit, which was successfully used during both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Patriot's manufacturer Raytheon said today.

"A number of exchanges have taken place between the government of India and the US and information has been given to India at the classified level," Joseph Garret, Vice President of the company's Patriot Programmes told PTI.

Replying to questions, he said tests of the Patriot system, which has been procured by 12 countries, by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and other agencies had been "highly successful".

On India developing its own missile defence shield, Garret said, "Patriot system gives a major boost to any country's defence capability. India may be developing its own system, but Patriot is a combat-proven weapon system."

Another senior official of Raytheon, a defence and aerospace major, said Washington and New Delhi have also discussed the issue of India-specific end-user accords.

"If the US government gives a go-ahead, Raytheon will step in," he said.

Since its production began in 1980, more than 170 Patriot fire units and over 9,000 have been delivered by the company.

The countries which have acquired the weapon system, were Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Japan, Israel, Taiwan, Greece, Spain, South Korea and the UAE.

The weapon system's capabilities were demonstrated in 1990 following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

"Patriot's performance against Iraqi SCUD missile attacks were impressive, even though the SCUD missiles exceeded Patriot's design threat," he said.

Top company official Taylor W Lawrence, President of Raytheon's Missile Systems, said India is also looking at the 'Javelin' anti-tank and anti-armour missile 'and a 'letter of intent' is expected to be issue soon.

"Javelin has been fully tested by the Indian land forces. We expect a letter of intent from the Indian government," he said.

 

[flanker143]

guys if you have any videos of abhay ifv then plz post ......can't find them on net ...