Indian Build Up

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Exercise Shatrunash: Military War Games Focus On Counter Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Warfare

The Indian Army is conducting a massive four-day military exercise code named 'Shatru Naash' (Destruction of Enemy) in Punjab to check its battle preparedness in a Nuclear-Biological-Chemical (NBC) warfare backdrop.

"When it comes to nuclear threshold, on NBC environment we are training the soldier. We all are sensitive and well aware about it...Whatever training is necessary for the subcontinent, we are doing it," said Brigadier Deepak Vashishta, of 11th Corps.

The exercise that began on Friday in Nakodar, Ludhiana and Jagraon areas, involves 15,000 troops from Vajra corps and an array of military hardware, including T-72 tanks, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and electronic surveillance devices.

The troops of the Pine division and the Flaming Arrow armoured brigade are taking part in the exercise that follows Exercise Ashwamedha that was conducted recently in the deserts of Rajasthan.

In exercise 'Shatru Naash' the Indian Air Force (IAF) are taking part in a big way as choppers are provided aerial cover during the mock battles.

The participation of IAF is part of the new war doctrine that calls for a harmonious synergy between the three armed forces of the country-Army, Navy and Air Force.

 

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

India’s defence spending in Israel reaches $5b

NEW DELHI: India’s defence-related purchases in Israel over the past five years have reached a massive $5 billion. Defence Minister AK Anton told the Rajya Sabha here on Wednesday that Israeli company M/s ELTA was the lowest bidder in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued for the procurement of some radars for the Indian Air Force. “No contract has been signed with the firm yet,” he said. The ELTA radars could be integrated into India’s Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, which is an advanced, supersonic and multi-role fighter. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has also concluded deals with two Israeli firms to make flight simulators and airframes for transport planes.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\17\story_17-5-2007_pg7_50

 

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Upgraded Indian 'Mays' missing vital systems, says watchdog

The first two of five Indian Navy (IN) Ilyushin Il-38 'May' maritime reconnaissance aircraft (MRA) upgraded recently in Russia to the Il-38SD configuration remain without essential avionics and weapon systems, a government watchdog committee has found. These shortcomings are "seriously limiting their [the Il-38SD's] operational capabilities", India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) warned in a report tabled in parliament on 14 May.

[Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 17 May 2007]

 

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Coast Guard to be modernised: Antony

The Centre is working out a schedule for replacing ageing platforms and systems of the Coast Guard in the forthcoming Annual Acquisition Plans, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the silver jubilee function of the Indian Coast Guard Aviation at Daman, Antony emphasised the need for faster modernisation of the Coast Guard in view of emerging seaward threat.

He, however, said that there would be no compromise on transparency while going through the process of modernisation.

The defence minister said that as India gains international stature and becomes an economic powerhouse, the Coast Guard's responsibilities are bound to increase.

Antony said that infiltration from land borders is becoming difficult for terrorists due to constant vigil by security forces and the changing environment in Jammu and Kashmir. As the pressure on terrorists on land increases, this threat is more likely than ever to come from the sea, he said.

In such a scenario, it is important for the Coast Guard to act in close cooperation with the other wings of our Armed Forces, the defence minister said adding, that 73 coastal state police stations will soon be set up for better vigil along the country's vast coastline.

The defence minister said that the government is aware of the need for acquiring new aircraft and surveillance equipment for the Coast Guard for it to perform its multifarious role effectively.

"Enforcement of maritime laws is another domain that is becoming increasingly important due to rising threat of terrorism from the sea. To meet such varied challenges, upgradation and modernisation of aviation assets is necessary," Antony said.

 

[Contrarian]

45 yrs after China conflict, Delhi to build roads linking Ladakh outposts
Shishir Gupta
Posted online: Monday, May 21, 2007 at 0000 hrs Print Email

NEW DELHI, MAY 20: Forty-five years after the Sino-Indian conflict, New Delhi has finally decided to build its road-infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector, facing Chinese-occupied Aksai Chin in northern Ladakh.

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Under the overall coordination of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), decks are being cleared for a major axis connecting Leh with remote outposts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Army who man the sensitive area.

Official sources confirmed to The Indian Express that within the next five years, a road linking Leh with Shyok, Murgo, Daulat Beg Oldi, near the Karakoram Pass, will be built so that the LAC can be manned more effectively. It was this area — from Demchok to Chushul to Spanggur Gap to Hot Springs to Chip-Chap river — that bore the burnt of the Chinese aggression in 1962 in the western sector.

Even today, Chinese troops routinely flex muscle in the Chip-Chap river area which they perceive to be part of their territory.

In the second week of May, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Shyam Saran visited all important outposts from Demchok to Daulat Beg Oldi to get a first-hand account of the existing

infrastructure in the western sector.

Before going to the area, Saran was briefed by the Army’s DGMO, ITBP chief, External Affairs Ministry officials and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) chief. He will submit a detailed report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Even today, it takes an ITBP supply mule convoy 16 days to reach Murgo from Shyok as there are no roads and air-drops depend on availability of Army helicopters. There is no telephone connectivity — an ITBP jawan has to pay Rs 25 per minute (subsidized from Rs 95 per minute) to speak to his family over the INMARSAT.

It’s a picture in contrast across the LAC. The Chinese highway cuts across Aksai Chin and all outposts in the sector are connected by roads and telephone. With the India-China Special Representatives dialogue still stuck on the eastern sector, New Delhi wants to improve the road communication network along the Tibet border.

Over-riding concerns of the Indian Army, the China Study Group headed by the Cabinet Secretary had recommended 12 strategic roads — 1 in the western, 1 in the middle and 10 in the eastern sector. These roads, okayed by the Cabinet in September 2006 and expected to cost over Rs 900 crore, are to be built by the BRO and the state PWD. Work on roads in the eastern and middle sector have already begun.

In the western sector, a strategic road right upto Daulat Beg Oldi (named after a Yarkand nobleman) will be built with hubs at Shyok and Murgo which in turn will connect the outposts at the LAC. There’s already a motorable road from Leh to Pangong Tso lake and then on to Chushul and Demchok.

However, the exercise is not only limited to roads as the UPA government is seriously examining the feasibility of an oil-fired power plant in Ladakh that will cut costs of ferrying diesel and kerosene to outposts in the western sector. At present, security forces rely on diesel generators for electricity and kerosene stoves for cooking.

In this overall scheme of having better road and communication connectivity in Ladakh, Saran is also expected to recommend a snow-free axis connecting Manali with Ladakh as well as fresh alignment of the Drass-Kargil highway that will put it beyond the reach of Pakistani artillery from across the Line of Control.

 

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The 1.1 million-strong Indian Army is going hi-tech to turn its troops into fighting machines of the 21 century, complete with the latest multi-function weaponry and uniforms with sensors to monitor their health parameters.

"We have put in place an action plan to modernize the armed forces in all dimensions. A project, code-named F-INSAS (Future Infantry Soldier as a System), has been taken up to train futuristic soldiers, equipped with latest weaponry, communication network and instant access to information on the battlefield," Chief of Army Staff General Joginder Jaswant Singh said.

"In my view, the next war will be won by the side that is adept at high technology with all-weather fighting capability," the army chief said on the sidelines of a military function here.

With IT and electronic gadgets calling the shots in the armed forces worldwide, the Indian Army is gearing up to equip its soldiers with war-fighting capability and to prevent battle fatigue.

"As in civilian and other sectors, we would like to make optimal use of ICT (information and communication technology) for which Indian tech firms are known worldwide. We will be investing substantially to make our operations -from war zones to civil lines - digital, with seamless connectivity for online access to information systems," Singh said.

Under the F-INSAS project, the troops will be put on a multi-mission mode to accomplish different tasks with speed, precision and lethality. In the first phase, to be completed by 2012, the infantry soldiers will be equipped with modular weapon systems that will have multi-functions.

Thermal imagers, sensors and night vision equipment, currently deployed in weapon systems such as artillery and main battle tanks, will be customised to make them portable for carrying by the soldiers in the battle ground.

"Apart from imparting modern training and providing hi-tech gadgets, we are also working on a new attire that will enable the troops carry the extra load and resist impact of chemical warfare. The new uniform will have vests with sensors to monitor their health parameters and provide quick medical relief," Singh pointed out.

Singh said during his visit to the US this month he had a first hand account of the training systems and the latest equipment being used by the American army for combat operations.

"Though my recent visit to the US was to enhance our military-to-military ties, as strategic partners we exchanged views on several issues relating to transforming the armed forces for the future, on how to modernise the equipment and handle challenges of low-intensity conflicts. I also got acquainted with their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan," Singh disclosed.

As part of its strategic military ties, the Indian Army plans to take the joint exercises with the US Army to the battalion level from the platoon and company levels at which it had four such exercises so far.

Admitting to the shortage of about 12,000 officers in the army, Singh said in-take capacity in the NDA (National Defence Academy), OTA (Officers Training Academy) and IMA (Indian Military Academy) were being increased.

New schemes like technical entry at 10-plus-2 (after school) level and the entry of women have been introduced to attract the youth for a career in the army as commissioned officers.

"The reason for shortage of officers is because of new units coming up such as Rashtriya Rifles, which have to be manned by officers from the regular army. As a result, there is a reduction of officers in the combat units," Singh said.

The army chief, however, maintained that in the event of being challenged, all officers posted across the country in normal peacetime operations, instructional and training duties, extra regiments and NCC (National Cadet Corps) would be recalled to join the combat units.

"I would like to reiterate that there is no shortage of youth in our country wanting to join the armed forces voluntarily. Whenever and wherever recruitment camps are held, there are no less than 5,000-6,000 aspirants at a time to join us. Many also apply for an army job through the Union Public Service Commission examinations. All our defence academies are functioning at full strength.

"Since we don't want to either lower the standard of training or the quality of intake and reduce training time, the absorption is on merit and on competitive basis. The rejection level may be high at the entry level but the attrition is contained later," Singh added.

The Chief of Army Staff was here to present colours to the Pioneer Corps and take salute at a ceremonial parade of its troops.

 

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WASHINGTON: The Bush administration has notified Congress of the impending sale to India of six C-130J aircraft and accessories worth more than USD1 billion, underscoring the growing "Americanisation" of Indian military hardware.

The proposed sale, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in its notification this week, "will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by providing the Indian government with a credible special operations airlift capacity that will deter aggression in the region, provide humanitarian airlift capability and provide interoperability with US forces in coalition operations."

The purchase will mark a significant diversification of India’s military transport paradigm that has traditionally rested on Soviet-supplied AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft. Earlier this year, New Delhi purchased the American landing dock USS Trenton, which will give the Indian Navy amphibious landing capability.

The USD1.059 billion transaction will also be the single largest Indian military purchase to date from the United States. C-130J is the latest model of the trusted and versatile Hercules transport aircraft that has been an American workhorse for half a century, the longest continuous production-run of any military aircraft in history.

Capable of short takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways and dirt tracks, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation and cargo transport aircraft.

But the latest model that India will purchase will be a souped up version of the Super Hercules, capable of multiple functions. Much of the special mission equipment added to the Hercules is removable, allowing the aircraft to revert back to its cargo delivery role if desired. The C-130J is currently being used by American and allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition to the basic aircraft frames and equipment, India is also said to have asked for four Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines; eight AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems; eight AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers; eight AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems; eight AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III Special Operations Suites.

 

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India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and France’s Dassault Aviation will work together to upgrade 52 Indian Air Force Mirage 2000-H aircraft. The $800 million deal has been finalized and the contract will be signed in 2007, a Defence Ministry official here said.
Dassault will upgrade the first two Mirages in France, where HAL engineers will participate in the work. The new avionics, to be bought from Israel, will be installed on the Mirages at HAL facilities in India.
The remaining 50 Mirages will be upgraded in India with technical help from Dassault, the Defence Ministry official said.
A HAL executive said Dassault’s agreement to train HAL engineers in France is the first of its kind for India.
HAL, India’s sole aircraft manufacturer, will remain the prime contractor for the contract and will be responsible for the overall combat-worthiness of India’s Mirage fleet, the Defence Ministry official said.
Dassault will receive 60 percent of the cost of all the Mirage hardware.
The Indian Air Force will also be involved in the upgrade, the Defence Ministry official said, but not with the purchase of the upgrade hardware, a condition the Air Force had earlier insisted upon.
The upgrades include:
• New avionics, including an advanced navigation system, mission computers, Mil 1553 B data with Digibus, a pulse doppler radar that can find objects out to 70 nautical miles.
• Two displays and an advanced head-down display in a glass cockpit.
• Electronic warfare systems, including new radar warning receivers with instantaneous wide-bank receivers, an integrated missile warning receiver with continuous time-to-impact information, and new jammers and countermeasure systems.
• Increased fuel capacity.
The improved Mirages will carry up to four Derby beyond-visual-range missiles, at least two short-to-medium-range Python V missiles and long-range smart munitions.
The deal with Dassault also includes full mission simulators.
The upgraded aircraft will have a warranty of 24 months or 360 operational hours.
Along with the Russian Su-30 MKI, the Mirage is the Air Force’s main combat aircraft, a service official said. The Air Force’s fleet strength has been sliding due to retirement of several of its MiG aircraft. India acquired its first Mirage 2000H/TH fighters in the mid-1980s to equip two air defense squadrons, and has lost at least seven through accidents. •

 

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Home > Nation



Indo-Russian multirole aircraft deal on anvil

Moscow, May 26: India and Russia would sign the fifty-fifty deal for the joint development of multirole transport aircraft (MTA) within two months, an industry official has said.

"We have already identified sources of financing and worked out the business plan," president of Irkut Aircraft Corporation Oleg Demchenko was quoted as saying by Interfax military news agency.

MTA would be a fifty-fifty financing project between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) on one side and Russia's Irkut, Ilyushin and Rosoboronexport Corporations on the other to develop a hi-tech transport plane for the armed forces of the two countries with the eye on capturing a chunk of international market.

However, Russia's share in joint development work would amount to 65 per cent in MTA designed to replace aging Soviet-era Antonov fleet in service in the air forces of the both countries would be assembled simultaneously in India and Russia.

It would make its maiden flight in 2012 and the serial production deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2014.

The 20-tonner medium range MTA would be based on Ilyushin's Il-214 project powered by Ps-90A-76 engines to be subsequently replaced by more advanced Ps-12 power plant, currently under development.

 

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India is to buy around 350 T-90S main battle tanks from Russia under a deal to be inked in autumn this year, according to a top military official in Moscow.

"The contract for their delivery will be signed in autumn this year, although it was initially to be signed this month," Chief of the Russian Defence Ministry's mechanised armoured department, Colonel-General Vladislav Polonsky, was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.

According to General Polonsky, like in the case of previously executed contract for the sale of 300 T-90S, the new deal would also be completed within 3-4 years.

"As a result of the tank deals, India will have two divisions fully equipped with latest Russian T-90 tanks," Gen Polonsky said.

 

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HAL, APPH To Jointly Develop FCAS for Light Combat Helicopter

HAL, Accessories Division, Lucknow and APPH, UK, have signed MoU for the joint development of Flight Control Actuator System (FCAS) for Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) programme.

APPH, part of the BBA Aviation Group, designs and manufactures hydraulic systems and landing gears for the worlds aircraft. From design through manufacture to supply, service and support, repair and overhaul, the APPH Groups products are said to be at the forefront of the worlds' aerospace market.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a major aerospace company under the Ministry of Defence headquartered in Bangalore, India. The company is mainly involved in manufacturing aircraft, aerospace, navigation and communication equipment.

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is a prototype combat helicopter currently being developed in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the use of the Indian Army.

The LCH is being designed to fit into an anti-infantry and anti-armor role.

In 2006, HAL selected the M621 cannon incorporated in a Nexter THL 20 turret for the gun armament of the helicopter, operated by a helmet mounted sight. HAL hopes to equip the Indian Air Force with about 70 gunships starting 2010.

 

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New Delhi, May 20: The government has invited European consortium Eurocopter for final negotiations to buy 197 helicopters for the Army in a deal estimated to be worth close to $600 million.

"Eurocopter, part of the EADS defence and aviation conglomerate, will soon hold talks with the Defence Ministry on final price negotiations for the helicopters, 137 of which will be made under licence by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited," defence sources said.

The European firm's sole competitor for the contract was Bell of the US, which had pitched its Bell 407 helicopter.

"Eurocopter will supply 60 helicopters off the shelf from its plant in France and these will be inducted into the Army Aviation Corps for surveillance, medium transport and casualty evacuation purposes," the sources added.

"The firm will transfer technology to HAL for manufacturing the remaining helicopters and also invest 30 per cent of the total value of the deal as offsets under India's new Defence Procurement Policy," they further said.

The nature of the offsets will be decided during the upcoming negotiations, the sources informed. However, reports have said that the Bell 407 out-performed Eurocopter's AS550 Fennec in both hot and cold weather trials in Punjab and Siachen respectively over the past few years.

 

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US defence major Raytheon is open to offering its sophisticated Active Electronically Scanned Array radar capable of tracking targets in the air and on the ground for India's fighter jet fleet provided the US government approves such a move, a top official of the company has said.

The technology and its applications can be adapted for different platforms, including new aircraft like the Light Combat Aircraft, and retrofitted on older aircraft like the Indian Air Force's existing fleet of jets, said Michael Henchey, director of business development for Raytheon's Tactical Airborne Systems.

"The technology is scalable and we could scale the electronic antenna of the AESA radar to put it in the LCA," Henchey told PTI in Paris on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show.

He, however, made it clear that the transfer of such technology would depend totally on negotiations between the Indian and US governments as well as the level of AESA radar technology that Washington would be willing to share with New Delhi.

"It would all depend on the country to country negotiations," he said adding, the US State Department and the Pentagon would have to give their approval for such a proposal.

Unlike conventional radars, AESA radars can track dozens of targets on the ground and transmit the information to ground stations and other aircraft to provide a near real time picture of the battlefield.

They can also be used in an electronic warfare role. The AESA radar also forms a key part of the US' efforts to pitch the F-16 and F-18 combat jets for India's planned purchase of 126 fighters.

Henchey said the AESA radar had been fitted to the US Air Force's [Images] F-15s in 2000 and the US Navy's F/A-18s would be equipped with it by next year.

"In December last year, US jets equipped with AESA radars made a map of an area and transmitted the file to the ground in less than a tenth of a second," he said.

Raytheon, he said, was also looking to partner Indian defence firms in view of New Delhi's 30 per cent offsets policy for all defence deals worth over Rs 300 crore.

"We have already tied up with Tata Power [Get Quote] and will announce some more partnerships with Indian firms later this year," said Henchey.

 

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REZAUL H LASKAR, PARIS, JUN 20 (PTI)
US defence major Raytheon has initiated discussions with Ordnance Factory Board on licensed production of the Paveway precision guided bombs that it earlier sold to the Indian Air Force, a top company official said here today.

The Paveway system, which uses laser guidance and is an all-weather precision weapon, was sold to the IAF in the 1990s and Raytheon recently carried out tests in India to ensure that the existing systems still had shelf life for use with the Jaguar combat jets.

As part of its efforts to focus on building long-term relationships with Indian private and state-run defence firms, Raytheon has now offered the licensed production of the Paveway system to the OFB, said Ben Ford, director of Raytheon's strike weapons division.

"We have had discussions with the OFB for licensed production of the Paveway system as we want to establish long-term relations with India instead of just selling equipment," Ford told PTI at the Paris Air Show.

This is the first time that a US firm like Raytheon has offered to provide technology for the licensed production of a precision guided weapon system though firms from other countries have offered expertise to build similar systems.

The Paveway systems sold to India by Raytheon before the US imposed sanctions in the wake of New Delhi's 1998 nuclear tests had a shelf life of 10 years. After tests on similar systems in the US revealed that their shelf life was much longer, Raytheon sent its experts to India to work with the IAF to check the status of the Paveway equipment, he said.

"Our tests showed the shelf life could be longer if the systems were stored and maintained properly. Our experts worked with the IAF last year and established that the system had a shelf life of 20 years," said Ford.

Raytehon's strike weapons division, which makes the Paveway and missiles like HARM, Maverick and Joint Standoff Weapon, is also open to offering these systems for the IAF's programme to acquire 126 modern combat jets.

"These would be ideal candidates for the multi-role combat aircraft programme," said Ford.

 

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The light combat helicopter being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the air force will make its first flight in October 2008, the Indian aviation major's chairman Ashok Baweja said here today.

The components for the new helicopter, which will mostly be made of lightweight composites to enable it to operate at high altitudes, are currently being made and HAL plans to supply 65 helicopters to the Indian Air Force, Baweja told a press conference at the Paris Air Show.

The helicopter, which is based on HAL's existing Dhruv advanced light helicopter platform, will be equipped with helmet-mounted targeting systems, electronic warfare systems and advanced weapons systems.

It will be capable of operating at heights of up to 6,000 metres or 18,000 feet and will be powered by the Shakti engine developed by HAL and Turbomecca.

HAL is also contracted to supply 160 Dhruvs to the army and air force, including utility and armed variants, and is the race to sell six of the same helicopters to Chile and another two to Bolivia. It has also made a bid to supply the Dhruv to Turkey, where it recently exhibited the helicopter, Baweja said.

The company is also working on obtaining airworthiness certification for the Dhruv in several countries, including Malaysia and Israel, as well as from the European Aviation Safety Agency. It also working with foreign partners, like Chile's ENAER, to set up maintenance and training facilities to support potential foreign sales, he said.

HAL, which has an order book of 10 billion dollars, has completed upgrades of the Indian Air Force's Jaguar and MiG-27 jets and the navy's Sea Harriers and is in talks for refurbishing the Mirage 2000s.

Baweja also said the light combat aircraft programme was on schedule with the certification of the aircraft expected to be completed by 2010. The first eight to 10 LCAs would also be supplied to the IAF by then, he said.

Certification for the intermediate jet trainer was also on and the first squadron of the jets, currently powered by Larzac engines, would be supplied to the IAF next year. HAL will build 250 of the IJTs. The IJT will eventually be powered by the Saturn AL55I engine, which is now undergoing flight tests in Russia.

HAL will also assemble the 40 additional Sukhoi-30 combat jets ordered by India from Russia, taking the total number of these aircraft to be built by it under licence to 180, Baweja said. All the Su-30s would be built by 2014.