Indian Army News & Discussions

[Abingdonboy]

Neither am I following .... I searched but could not find who are the contenders .

The only thing I got is that Sherpa was also in the offer .

Defence News - Sherpa for Indian Army, Light Armoured Vehicle, Launched

That's the Renault Sherpa that Shri Lakshmi Defence Solutions Ltd (SLDS) have tied up with to produce in India under licence probably. The NSG and SPG already use the Sherpa in India but these have been procured straight from Renualt as the numbers were so small....

 

[kurup]

Army chief to attend ex-servicemen’s rally in Rajasthan

Army chief General Bikram Singh will attend an ex-servicemen’s rally in Nagaur district of Rajasthan on March 8.

The rally, organized by Ranbankura Division of Army’s South Western Command, will be held at the Nagaur Sports Stadium to address issues related to ex-servicemen and “veer naris” (war widows).

General Singh will be the chief guest at the function. It will also be attended by senior Army officers and civilian dignitaries, defence spokesman SD Goswami said.

During the rally, grievances of ex-servicemen related to pension documentation, health benefits and other issues will be looked into by various agencies including civil administration.

Modified scooters, wheelchairs and tricycles will be provided to ex-servicemen with disabilities.

Essential financial assistance as required, including education scholarship to wards of ex-servicemen and “veer naris” will also be provided.

Awareness and assistance stalls by different defence and civil agencies will be established in the rally which includes principal controller of defence account (pension), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Army Welfare Placement Organization (AWPO) and Rajya Sainik Board.

Army chief to attend ex-servicemen’s rally in Rajasthan | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

‘Officers must treat jawans well’: Army wakes up to social changes

Clashes and tension between soldiers have spurred major changes in the army’s policy for its officers and men.
At a daylong discussion today involving over 400 personnel from across the country, Army Chief Bikram Singh reportedly said that officers must be more sensitive to jawans.

“Most of our jawans are no longer rural boys of the past. They are no longer overawed by officers (sic),” General Singh reportedly said, urging his men to keep up with social changes.

The army has also decided to make available more officers to combat units by reducing their desk postings. This way, the Army hopes to reduce the shortage of officers in the field level and allow more interaction between officers and jawans.

The new policy has been initiated at a time cases of indiscipline and clashes between jawans and officers have raised concerns in the army.

The army will also take steps to give better postings to officers stuck at the Lieutenant Colonel rank and passed over for promotions, and also send them on lucrative UN assignments to make sure they don’t feel left out.

The Army is currently short of 9,590 officers, though it is authorized to have nearly 48,000.

‘Officers must treat jawans well’: Army wakes up to social changes | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

Army convicts three Majors for Ladakh violence two years ago

NEW DELHI: A military court has convicted three majors for mercilessly thrashing a soldier in an incident that triggered a violent brawl between officers and jawans of an artillery unit in Nyoma sector of eastern Ladakh almost two years ago.

The court martial, conducted in J&K, held the three officers guilty of assaulting the jawan after he allegedly tried to molest the wife of one of them. The presence of wives of the officers at the spot was also found to be in violation of rules since their 226 Field Artillery Regiment was near the Mahe firing ranges in Nyoma sector for practice drills in May 2012. The violent officer-jawan face-off in the artillery unit had left the unit commanding officer (CO), three majors and around 10 jawans injured in the brawl.

The three majors have been awarded five years' loss of seniority for the purpose of promotion, four year's loss of service for the purpose of pension and a severe reprimand by the court martial. The verdict is subject to confirmation by higher authorities.

In all, 168 personnel from the 226 Field Regiment, including the unit CO and four other officers were held blameworthy by an initial court of inquiry (COI) presided by Brigadier Ajay Talwar, Deputy General Officer Commanding 3 Infantry Division.

Around 20 officers and over 100 other ranks are facing the music for the "alarming" breaches in discipline that took place in armoured and artillery units deployed in Nyoma, Samba, Patiala and Gurdaspur areas over the last two-three years.

While the Army is justifiably proud of its apolitical, secular and disciplined ethos, its increasingly being felt that "aspirational" jawans are now no longer willing to "suffer nonsense and humiliation" at the hands of their officers. Incidentally, over 1,100 soldiers have committed suicide since 2003, with the yearly toll regularly hovering around the 100-mark every year, as reported earlier by TOI.

:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

 

[kurup]

Indian Army chief to visit Nepal on March 13

Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh is scheduled to arrive in Nepal on March 13 for a two-day visit.

During his visit, the Indian army chief will attend a ceremony of the joint military exercise Armies of the two nations at Saljhandi of Rupandehi district.

It is understood that General Singh will visit the joint military exercise site along with Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Gaurav SJB Rana on March 14.
It is also learnt that the two incumbent army chiefs will hold extensive talks on mutual cooperation against growing security challenges in the region, counter terrorism and help enhance bilateral relation between the two armies.An infantry battalion of the Indian Army comprising 250 personals and 200 personals of the Nepal Army (NA) are carrying out the joint military exercise titled Ex- Surya Kiran-VI, for two weeks.

According to NA Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), the joint military exercise that commenced from Wednesday will conclude on March 18.
Amid a ceremony organized at Integrated Army Training Center (IATC), Director General of Military Training Major General Victor Jung Bahadur Rana inaugurated the exercise.

Addressing the army officers from both the countries, he said that the exercise will be effective in multinational disaster management and counter terrorism. The joint exercise will focus on jungle warfare, anti-insurgency and rescue operations.

The two armies will share their experiences. Last year Ex- Surya Kiran-V was held at Pithoragarh of India in October-September.

Indian Army chief to visit Nepal on March 13 | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

Indian, Nepali armies hold joint military exercise

The armies of Nepal and India are holding a joint military exercise named ‘Surya Kiran VI’ at the Integrated Army Training Centre (IATC) at Saljhandi in Rupanddehi district of southern Nepal.

According to the Nepal Army Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), an infantry battalion of each country’s army — comprising 250 officers and personnel from the Indian Army and 200 from the Nepal — are taking part in the joint military exercise that started Wednesday. The training slots which were initially started from the platoon level have now been upgraded to the battalion level.

During the two-week-long exercise, the armies from both sides will upgrade their practical and principle aspects of jungle warfare, anti-insurgency operation, rescue operation, and share experiences on counter-terrorist operations.

The exercise also includes a detailed training in organisation and conduct of disaster response, management and rescue operation.

Nepal Army’s Maj Gen Victor JB Rana inaugurated the joint military exercise and interacted with participants, according to the DPR.

This is the sixth such military exercise between the Nepalese and Indian armies and third in Nepal.

A top Nepal Army official told IANS that Indian Army chief Gen Bikram Singh is scheduled to observe the joint exercise March 14 along with his Nepali counterpart, Gen Gaurav Sumsher Rana. He will be arriving in Kathmandu March 13.

The two army chiefs will also discuss the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two armies as well as extending Indian military cooperation to the Nepal Army. The training is scheduled to conclude March 18.

Initially, the Indian Army took the lead in 2011 and concluded the first counter-insurgency and jungle warfare exercise in Mizoram state in India in 2011. Since then, the two sides have been holding the joint military exercise in either country on a regular basis.

“During this training, troops will be able to entail anti-insurgency and jungle warfare in a practical way,” said a statement released by the Nepal Army, adding that that such training will also help to understand various aspects of military skills and practices at lower level through experience sharing.

Earlier, the fourth series of exercise ‘Surya Kiran’ was held in Pithoragarh in India in September-October where Gen Rana participated as chief guest at the concluding ceremony.

Indian, Nepali armies hold joint military exercise | idrw.org

 

[Abingdonboy]

My latest vid:

 

[Levina]

‘Officers must treat jawans well’: Army wakes up to social changes

Clashes and tension between soldiers have spurred major changes in the army’s policy for its officers and men.
At a daylong discussion today involving over 400 personnel from across the country, Army Chief Bikram Singh reportedly said that officers must be more sensitive to jawans.

“Most of our jawans are no longer rural boys of the past. They are no longer overawed by officers (sic),” General Singh reportedly said, urging his men to keep up with social changes.

The army has also decided to make available more officers to combat units by reducing their desk postings. This way, the Army hopes to reduce the shortage of officers in the field level and allow more interaction between officers and jawans.

The new policy has been initiated at a time cases of indiscipline and clashes between jawans and officers have raised concerns in the army.

The army will also take steps to give better postings to officers stuck at the Lieutenant Colonel rank and passed over for promotions, and also send them on lucrative UN assignments to make sure they don’t feel left out.

The Army is currently short of 9,590 officers, though it is authorized to have nearly 48,000.

‘Officers must treat jawans well’: Army wakes up to social changes | idrw.org

Theres a wid gap of egos between the officers and soldiers.Except in infantry and engineers regiments , most other regiments face this issue whether its AMC or Signal regiment.

 

[kurup]

Altius Scimitar 670cc diesel dual purpose bike offered to India

Altius Automotive Technologies, a new Indian Private Limited company spearheaded by former Hyundai Motor India chief, BVR Subbu, is in partnership with California’s Hayes Diversified Technologies for the first time had showcased Diesel powered motorcycles in recently held Defexpo 2014 , Bikes are powered by engines that can sip on various fuels including diesel. HDT supplies motorcycles to the US armed forces too .

Off-roader according to the company will be offered to various armed forces of India and can be used in rugged conditions and can run on diesel, or a choice of JP8, JP5, JP4, AVTUR, JET-A1, or even Biodiesel thanks to multi-fuel technology.

The engine gets a 5 speed manual gearbox. The Scimitar has a top speed of 150 Kph and the 0-100 Kph acceleration run is completed in a time under 10 seconds. The bike’s fuel efficiency at a constant 90 Kph speed is claimed to be a very impressive 45 Kmpl. The bike can also run on a variety of fuels apart from diesel as it was originally developed for use by the US Army.

Altius Engineering first began testing this bike in India during 2011 and a launch was planned at the 2012 Auto Expo. That didn’t materialize for reasons best known to Altius Engineering, the company floated by ex-Tata and ex-Hyundai veteran BVR Subbu and the company that builds the Scimitar in India. With the bike’s latest appearance at the DefExpo, dreams of folks hoping for a diesel bike may be rekindled. Here are the Altius Scimitar’s tech specs:

Technical Data:

PERFORMANCE

MAXIMUM SPEED In excess of 152 kph (95 mph)
ACCELERATION 0-53 kph (30 mph), 3.3 sec / 0-106 kph (60 mph), 9.7 sec
MINIMUM CONSTANT SPEED Less than 5 kph (3 mph)
TURNING RADIUS Less than 2.1 meters (7 feet)
GRADABILITY 60%
FORDING DEPTH 610 mm (24 inches)
FUEL MILEAGE 46.6 kpl @ 90 kph (96 mpg @ 55 mph)
RANGE 653 km @ 90 kph (408 miles @ 55 mph)
FUEL JP8, JP5, JP4, AVTUR, JET-A1, Diesel, Biodiesel

ENGINE

TYPE Patent Pending 4-Stroke, Indirect Injection (IDI), single cylinder, liquid cooled, heavy-fuel engine
DISPLACEMENT 670cc
POWER 33 Hp @ 5700 RPM
TORQUE 53 Nm (38 ft-lbs) @ 3300 RPM
LUBRICATION Wet sump, compatible with MIL-L-2104, MIL-L-46152 & MIL-L-46167 lubricants
AIR FILTRATION High capacity, 3-stage, oiled foam, reusable
TRANSMISSION 5-speed, clutchless, constant mesh, return shift
FINAL DRIVE Self lubricated, sealed, O-ring roller chain

ELECTRICAL

BATTERY 12 volt, 625 CCA, maintenance free dry cell
ALTERNATOR 14 amp, 14 volt, AC, three phase
STANDARD LIGHTING DOT approved lighting system
BLACKOUT LIGHTING Driving, Marker & Tail/Stop lights meeting MIL-STD-1179 with IR Driving Lights

CONTROLS & INSTRUMENTATION

HANDLEBARS & CONTROLS Heavy duty with integral hand and control guard
THROTTLE Dual cable with auto and manual return, water and dust resistant
CABLES Nylon lined, water and dust resistant
SPEEDOMETER Calibrated in MPH & KPH with resettable odometer, illuminated
INSTRUMENTS Illuminated Speedometer calibrated in KPH and MPH, Resettable Odometer, Tachometer, Engine Temperature Gauge, Neutral Indicator, Directional Indicator and High Beam

CHASSIS

FRAME Semi-double cradle, welded high-tensile steel mainframe with removable rear section
FRONT SUSPENSION Telescopic forks, hydraulic damped and sealed with non-reflective boots
REAR SUSPENSION Swing arm with multi-link actuated adjustable shock, sealed needle bearings at all pivot points
ENGINE GUARDS Skid plate with tubular engine and radiator guard
FOOT PEGS Safety folding, spring return
FUEL TANK Rotationally molded plastic, 14 liter (4.25 gallon) capacity
WHEELS Heavy duty, wire-spoke with alloy rims
TIRES Dunlop D606, dual-purpose (on/off-road) tires, DOT approved
FRONT BRAKE/REAR BRAKE Single 280mm petal-type disc, two-piston caliper / Single 240mm disc, single-piston caliper
BODY Headlight cover, Air filter box, Fenders, Seat base, Side panels, Chain guard
TOOLS Full operator tool kit
EQUIPMENT RACK Heavy duty rear equipment rack with 23 kg (50 lb) capacity
EQUIPMENT CASE Side mounted, hard sided equipment cases optional

WEIGHTS & MEASUREMENTS

DRY WEIGHT 176 kg (389 lbs)
MAX WIDTH 960 mm (37.8 in)
MAX LENGTH 2296 mm (90.4 in)
MAX HEIGHT 1219 mm (48 in) Mirrors not included
WHEEL BASE 1481 mm (58.3 in)
GROUND CLEARANCE 211 mm (8.3 in)
COLORS Desert Tan, Military Green or Black (Special Color upon request)

Altius Scimitar 670cc diesel dual purpose bike offered to India Army Altius Automotive Technologies, a new Indian Private Limited company spearheaded by former Hyundai Motor India chief, BVR Subbu, is in partnership with California’s Hayes Diversified Technologies to manufacture engines that sip on various fuels including diesel. HDT supply motorcycles to the US armed forces. | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

Does India have the army it needs?

Donald Rumsfeld, who was America’s defense secretary during the Iraq war, pointed out that you fight with the army you have rather than the one you want. This truism underscores the basic responsibility of a defense minister: to maintain and hone during periods of peace the army that will be needed during times of conflict.

Every war is different. Armies train to fight the next battles rather than repeat previous ones. The set-piece formations of military engagement now seem what they are, history. The enemy no longer necessarily wears a uniform, creating a dysfunctional battlefield. It fights as a disparate militia, in bands that slip through populations like Mao Zedong’s famous fish in water. But Mao’s guerrilla fish were all red, and obeyed the command structure of a Communist party. These bands answer only to their frenzied imaginations.

The fighting units of a loose transnational conglomeration like the Taliban and its partners hit when they can, and rest when they cannot. It is a war of attrition. They do not have artillery or an air force, but they have numbers, motivation, firepower, objectives and that invaluable resource called time. These methods have seen off the Soviet Union as well as America-led NATO from Afghanistan, which is a significant military achievement. Politically, they are leading the crusade to turn Afghanistan and Pakistan into a theocracy that will spread out and engulf adjacent regions where Muslims live, like Kashmir in India, Xinjiang in China and of course the many “stans” of Central Asia which still believe in a non-theocratic state.

It is easy to be gulled by seeming contradictions. Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba might, in their confrontation with India, serve as terrorist ancillaries of a larger and older war, even as they pursue their dream of changing the nature of the Pak and Afghan state. But for them these are two sides of the same ideological coin. They have the freedom to expand strategies with impunity.

Newspapers are already giving us a glimpse of what the withdrawal of NATO from south and central Asia will mean. There is a visible sense of triumph as theocratic forces pause and regroup in their long march towards the “liberation” of “Muslim lands”. They do not accept the concept of a secular state; for them Muslims, whether in India or Pakistan or China, who believe in secular societies are enemies twice over.

We know only too well how difficult it was for the Indian army to restore peace in Kashmir after the onslaught that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan two decades ago. Today, China is also on their radar, as are southern Russia and Central Asia.

Just a few days ago, China was shocked by an unprecedented terrorist attack, when men dressed in black and armed with knives suddenly descended on commuters at a railway station, spreading mayhem.

Terrorism has escalated sharply in China’s only Muslim-majority province, Xinjiang. Beijing prefers to mask its worries, but this mask has begun to peel. At some point, China will have to reassess the cost-benefit ratio of its relations with Islamabad if terrorists continue to use Pakistan as their fortress.

The question before Delhi is simple: are we prepared for a multi-dimensional conflict where the struggle against terrorists could conflate with conventional war if provocation multiplies?

The answer is pessimistic. One of the great casualties of indecisive government in the last five years has been India’s defense preparedness.
Under the inert, comatose and debilitating leadership of Defense Minister A.K. Antony, India’s security capability has weakened, even while tensions have risen. Our equipment is degraded; essential purchases have been neglected. The collapse of morale in our navy is only one symptom of a prevailing disease that is gradually immobilizing the nerve centers of our defense. There has been no political accountability. The enemy is at the door, and Antony is in a stupor.

If nothing else, at least the coming elections will ensure that India has a new defense minister by June. But the amount of repair and reconstruction needed is enormous, and time is very short. The scenario in the region is changing rapidly, and not for the better. We are facing a decade of high risk. This will demand a new approach in our foreign policy as well. An enemy’s enemy does not automatically become a friend, but he can become an associate on the battlefield. India and China may need each other more than they suspect. Russia will not need persuasion for it understands the danger to Central Asia. Ideally, Pakistan should be equally wary of gun-toting theocrats, but perhaps it will take a deeper crisis to bring such clarity.

What China and Pakistan do is for them to decide. India must fight its own battles. But battles are fought by armies. Do we still have the one we need?

Does India have the army it needs? | idrw.org

 

[kurup]

Indian Army chief meets Nepal president, PM

The visiting Indian Army chief Gen. Bikram Singh Thursday called on Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala at their respective offices and discussed a wide range of issues, including defence cooperation between the two close neighbours.

Gen. Bikram Singh, who arrived in Kathmandu on a two-day official visit Thursday morning, also met his Nepali counterpart, Gen. Gaurav Sumsher Rana, according to the Nepal Army.

The visiting Indian Army chief held a meeting with Gen. Rana at Nepal Army headquarters where the two chiefs discussed the historic ties between the two armies, further strengthening of relations between the two armies and expansion of military cooperation, said a statement issued by the Nepal Army here.

Gen. Bikram Singh also paid a courtesy call on President Yadav and Prime Minister Koirala in the course of which strengthening of military ties and defence cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

On Friday, he will leave for Saljhandi in Rupandehi district of southern Nepal to observe the joint military exercise ‘Surya Kiran-VI’ between the two countries’ armies and will leave for New Delhi the same day, according to the Nepal Army statement.

Such high-level visits from the neighbouring country contribute to mutual relations between the two countries and will deepen the ties between Nepal and India that have been existing since long, the Nepal Army statement said.

Indian Army chief meets Nepal president, PM | idrw.org

 

[sudhir007]

 

[kurup]

256 officers inducted into Indian Army

A total of 256 officers, including 62 women, were on Saturday commissioned into the Indian Army as short service officers here. The officers were inducted during the ceremonial passing out parade at the Officers Training Academy.
Along with them, four officers from Seychelles and one from Ethiopia completed their training at the Academy.

Maldives chief of defence forces Maj Gen Ahmed Shiyam reviewed the parade at the Academy.

While the chief of Army Banner was awarded to Basanter Company, the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Sonu Singh Bhaduria.

Later, the cadets were pipped by their parents, followed by oath-taking ceremony.

The cadets would also be awarded a PG diploma in Defence Management and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.

256 officers inducted into Indian Army | idrw.org

 

[nomi007]

 

[ejaz007]

Upgraded Indian Howitzers Cleared for Summer Trials

NEW DELHI — India’s homemade 155mm/45 caliber gun, which failed last year’s summer trials when a barrel burst while firing, has successfully completed winter trials and is cleared for summer trials, an official of the state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) said.

The winter trials were completed early this month after the gun’s barrel was rebuilt, the OFB official said.

OFB is attempting to upgrade the howitzer, bought in the late 1980s from Bofors of Sweden, based on drawings supplied by the company under a technology-transfer agreement. The upgrade from 39 to 45 caliber was launched by OFB three years ago after the Indian Army failed to procure any howitzers through open competition. The procurement process had to be stopped on several occasions because of corruption allegations against competing overseas defense companies.

The Army has already ordered 114 of the guns. An Army official said the upgrade by OFB appeared “shaky” last year when the barrel burst during trials.

“We will doubly check the gun in summer trials,” the official said.

The Army has been unable to buy any howitzers since 1987 despite efforts formalized in 1999 to convert all existing artillery to 155mm/52 caliber guns, for a cost of more than $6 billion.

Upgraded Indian Howitzers Cleared for Summer Trials | Defense News | defensenews.com