Indian Navy News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

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NEW DELHI: French defence major, Naval Group, which in collaboration with an Indian government shipyard, Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL), is producing advanced Scorpene class submarines for India, today strongly supported partnering with MDL again for manufacturing India’s future generation of stealth submarines. Naval Group, which is in the fray with three other foreign firms for providing these new submarines, in a conversation with ET explained that MDL has the requisite team, management, infrastructure and capability to produce these submarines, in comparison to any other shipyard in India.

The development is in relation to the Project 75 (I), which is the follow-on submarine program of the earlier one, Project 75, whose six submarines are being currently produced by MDL through technology transfer from Naval Group, formerly known as DCNS. In mid-July this year, the Indian Navy issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Project 75 (I) program to six Original Equipment Manufacturers- Naval Group, Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Sweden’s Saab,Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation, Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Spain’s Navantia. Sources added that Japan and Spain are out of the fray.

Bernard G Buisson, the Managing Director of Naval Group in India, told ET that on October 16 the firm responded to the RFI, stating that it is compliant with the navy’s requirements. This includes the maximum usage of indigenous content, transfer of technology and weapon systems.

“In a parallel process, the government has to select the Strategic Partner (an Indian firm), but as far as we know this has not started. We are waiting for this selection,” said Buisson.

On being asked if Naval Group sees itself partnering with MDL again for the Project 75 (I) program, Buisson said yes adding that, “Although we are open to collaborating with any shipyard selected by the MOD and navy, but today MDL have proved that they can build submarines. So the investment in this regard is done. They have the team, management and infrastructure to build more submarines. They can build 11 submarines at different stages of construction in Mumbai.They have the same standard as a French shipyard. We will be pleased to continue our strong cooperation with MDL.”

He added, “It will be sad if MDL loses this competency to build submarines if they have no more work beyond the Project 75 program. It has happened earlier.”

The Project 75 (I) program is the first project under the Defence Procurement Procedure’s Strategic Partnership model, which aims at enhancing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities through the private sector. When asked if selection of MDL- a government shipyard- would be a loss to the private shipyards- of L&T and Reliance Naval Engineering Limited- in regard to the procurement model, Buisson said, “It is a good thing to increase the capability of the private industry,but it is also important to maintain what has been created. The Defence Ministry should find a win-win situation of how private companies can be incorporated in this approach.”

Meanwhile, French Defence Minister Florence Parly will visit MDL facility in Mumbai and view Kalvari, the first Scorpene class submarine which is likely to commissioned by end of this year. “She will be given a briefing by the Western Naval Command,” said Buisson. Parly is also likely to discuss the two submarine programs with her counterpart, Nirmala Sitharaman.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Comptroller and Auditor General in July, in a report, had said the Indian Navy's ships and submarines were involved in 38 accidents between 2007-08 and 2015-16, adversely affecting the operational preparedness of the force.

By: PTI | New Delhi | Published:October 25, 2017 10:09 pm

The Indian Navy has been deploying its warships in the Indian Ocean region for carrying out anti-piracy patrol and providing humanitarian assistance. (File/Photo)

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...-for-warships-in-indian-ocean-region-4906433/


Top naval commanders on Wednesday cleared a new plan for deployment of warships in the Indian Ocean region to effectively counter China’s growing presence in the strategically key waters. The “new mission-based deployment” plan involves deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications, Navy sources said. The issue of China’s growing assertiveness in the Indian Ocean figured prominently on the second day of the four-day long naval commanders’ conference.

The Indian Navy has been deploying its warships in the Indian Ocean region for carrying out anti-piracy patrol and providing humanitarian assistance.

The deployments are to be maintained round-the-clock now, said the sources.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa addressed the conference during which they deliberated on a host of issues including deeper integration in functioning of the three forces.

A host of operational issues, including efforts to make the Navy self-reliant and modernise its warfare capability, were also discussed.

On the new deployment plan, the sources said Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba has approved a new transition cycle for ships from maintenance periods to operational deployments that allows for a focused and gradual transition of ships from periods of maintenance layoffs to full scale operations.

Over the next two days, the Navy commanders are expected to discuss issues relating to safety.

The Comptroller and Auditor General in July, in a report, had said the Indian Navy’s ships and submarines were involved in 38 accidents between 2007-08 and 2015-16, adversely affecting the operational preparedness of the force.

The auditor had said the accidents were primarily attributable to fire, explosion and flooding, adding that the Navy had no institutionalised framework to deal with safety since its inception.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
26-October, 2017 15:11 IST
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Addresses Naval Commanders’ Conference

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the Naval Leadership this morning during the ongoing Naval Commanders’ Conference (24-27 Oct 17) being held at New Delhi. This is the second edition of this year’s bi-annual Naval Commanders’ Conference.

At the very outset, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri complimented all personnel of the Indian Navy for securing the maritime interests of the nation. Taking note of the recent developments in our maritime neighbourhood, she emphasised the need for the Indian Navy to be strong at sea, and be ever ready and vigilant to counter any challenges in the maritime domain.

The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri acknowledged the high operational tempo maintained by the Navy in the last one year through regular deployment of ships, submarines and aircraft from the South China Sea and Sea of Japan in the East to the Persian Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean in the West and the shores of Australia in the South including the focused efforts to deter piracy attempts off the Gulf of Aden. Participation in a number of bilateral exercises and the unprecedented success of the Exercise MALABAR with the US and the Japanese Navy earlier this year were lauded by the Raksha Mantri.

Recognising the lead taken by Indian Navy in indigenisation and self-reliance, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri stated that it is the collective responsibility of Service Headquarters, the Ministry and the Industry to promote a more vibrant ecosystem percolating down to the MSMEs, to encourage development of equipment and systems in India and to reduce import dependence in the Defence sector.

She took note of the critical capability shortfalls that the Navy is facing in ship-borne multi-role helicopters, conventional submarines and mine counter measure vessels, which need urgent redressal to maintain the combat edge of the Navy. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri assured the Commanders’ that that these issues were being given due impetus and efforts were in hand to mitigate these shortcomings at the earliest.

The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri also commended the efforts of the Navy to constructively engage with the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) littorals to build their capacities and enhance their capabilities. She also mentioned the initiatives taken by the Indian Navy to impart practical training for naval personnel from IOR littoral nations on a regular basis. Institutionalising a full-fledged regional-forum to help find collective solutions to matters maritime in the IOR and facilitate projection of India’s and Indian Navy’s strategic and operational vision to a wider regional and global audience through the ‘Goa Maritime Conclave’ to be held early next month was also praised by the Hon’ble Minister. She further stated that MILAN 2018 at Port Blair early next year would be an excellent forum to get the littoral Navies on a common platform to discuss regional maritime issues and security challenges.

Concluding her address the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri stated that maritime interests of a nation have a vital relationship with its economic growth and these shall be protected at all costs by ensuring a strong and credible Indian Navy.

The four-day long Naval Commanders’ Conference is in its third day of deliberations wherein the top-level leadership of Navy is reviewing major operational, training and administrative activities undertaken in the last six months. The conference also reviewed IN’s readiness to deploy over the entire range of missions in the maritime domain (the new Mission-based Deployment Concept).

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-to-increase-watch-over-indian-ocean/article19920741.ece

Ships will be deployed at choke points
The Navy is institutionalising an experimental concept of round-the-clock surveillance of critical choke points in the Indian Ocean. The issue was reviewed on Wednesday at the ongoing biannual Naval Commanders Conference chaired by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba.

“The plan involves deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications and choke points. These ships deployed are ready to meet any eventuality across the spectrum of operations ranging from acts of maritime terrorism and piracy to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions. These deployments are aimed to be maintained 24/7 and round the year with ships being sustained and turned around on station,” a Navy source said.

The new mission-based deployment concept was unveiled in the last Naval Commander’s Conference and was ratified for incremental implementation, in the backdrop of increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

As part of this, at least 12-15 major warships are on round-the-clock surveillance of critical choke points in the IOR, the official added.

Of late, China has increased its presence in Indian Ocean in the name of anti-piracy operations.

 

[Hindustani78]

 

[Hindustani78]

Mission mode: Nirmala Sitharaman with Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba at the Naval Commanders’ Conference . | Photo Credit: PTI

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...of-key-shortfalls-in-navy/article19927152.ece
NEW DELHI, October 26, 2017 22:34 IST
Updated: October 26, 2017 22:34 IST

Commends the force for its ‘high operational tempo’

Commending the Navy on maintaining continuous deployment of ships, submarines and aircraft in India’s areas of interest in the last one year, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday took note of the critical capability shortfalls that the service is facing in various platforms.

She made these comments while addressing the on-going biannual Naval Commanders Conference.

Combat edge

“Ms. Sitharaman took note of the critical capability shortfalls that the Navy is facing in ship-borne multi-role helicopters, conventional submarines and mine counter measure vessels, which need urgent redressal to maintain the combat edge of the Navy,” the Navy said in a statement.

Ms. Sitharaman assured the Commanders’ that that these issues were being given due impetus and efforts were in hand to mitigate these shortcomings at the earliest, the statement added.

The Defence Minister also acknowledged the “high operational tempo” maintained by the Navy in the last one year through regular deployment of ships, submarines and aircraft from the South China Sea and Sea of Japan in the East to the Persian Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean in the West and the shores of Australia in the South.

The statement said the Minister has acknowledged the focused efforts of the Navy in deterring piracy attempts off the Gulf of Aden.

24/7 surveillance

The Navy has recently validated a new mission based deployment concept to maintain round-the-clock surveillance of critical choke points and sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean Region in the backdrop of increased Chinese presence in the region.


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Ministry of Defence
27-October, 2017 15:11 IST
New Mission-Based Deployment concept to result in greater presence and visibility in IOR – Admiral Sunil Lanba, CNS


The four-day Naval Commanders’ Conference concluded on 27 Oct 17 where the senior leadership of Navy reviewed major operations, training and administrative activities undertaken in the last six months.


During the Conference, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri addressed and interacted with the Naval Commanders, which was also attended by senior MoD officials. The Hon’ble RM reviewed the combat readiness of the Navy, pace of modernisation and progress of various acquisition and infrastructure related cases. She complimented the IN for maintaining a high operational tempo, ensuring the maritime security of the country and sustained efforts in support of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives of the Government. The Hon’ble RM brought out that it was a matter of pride that all 34 warships presently under construction were being built indigenously. She also complimented the Navy on the successful conduct of tri-lateral exercise ‘MALABAR 17’ and informed the Commanders that during the recently concluded ADMM Plus, keen interest was evinced by various ASEAN nations in exercising with the Indian Navy, which spoke highly of the IN’s professional standing and competence.


Chairing the conference, Admiral Sunil Lanba, the CNS, addressed the Naval Commanders and stressed focus on four key areas; ‘Combat Capability and Role- Worthiness’, ‘Ensuring Primacy of Core Professional Tasks’, ‘Develop a Motivated, Trained and Committed Team’ and ‘Increase Familiarity and Comfort in IN’s Maritime Areas Of Interest’. The CNS shared his views on the current security scenario and emphasized the need for the IN to remain outcome oriented in all endeavours, both at sea and ashore.


The Commanders also had an opportunity to interact with the Chiefs of the Indian Army and IAF. The Service Chiefs brought out the complexities in current security situation where the spectrum of threats ranged from possible conventional conflict to inimical actions by state and non-state sponsored terrorists/ elements and natural disasters and calamities. The Service Chiefs elaborated their vision and the path being charted by the respective Services towards operational readiness and actions in progress towards improving tri-Service cooperation.


Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog also interacted with the Commanders and gave his perspective on ‘Make in India’ with specific reference to building a vibrant defence industrial base, which would be pivotal in spurring the manufacturing sector growth and make India an export oriented economy. Sh. Amitabh Kant also stressed the importance of demand aggregation digitising legacy processes.


As part of the annual theme, the Commanders brainstormed to fine tune the execution of ‘mission based deployment’ involving ships, aircraft and submarines beyond the immediate neighbourhood for providing sustained presence in the IOR. Critical enablers such as refits/ maintenance philosophy, op-logistics and HR measures for sustained operational effectiveness were also discussed in detail. Approval of a new Transition cycle for ships from Maintenance periods to Operational Deployments that allowed for a focussed and gradual transition of ships from periods of maintenance layoffs to full scale operations was one of the milestones achieved during the conference. The Commanders resolved to focus efforts on the Navy’s ability to deploy and sustain in tandem with the new Mission-based deployment concept, which would result in greater presence and visibility in IOR.



In his closing address, the CNS emphasised the need to optimise efforts, exploit the potential of each and every personnel, encourage innovative thinking and harness available technology. The CNS urged the Commanders to put in concerted efforts to realise the ‘way ahead’ arrived at during the deliberations on various agenda points and exhorted the Commanders to keep an unwavering focus on combat readiness at all times.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
30-October, 2017 11:53 IST
Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, AVSM VSM assumes charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS)


Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff from Vice Admiral Karambir Singh AVSM at a formal ceremony held this morning at South Block, New Delhi. Vice Admiral Karambir Singh proceeds to Visakhapatnam and is scheduled to take over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command on 31 Oct 17.


Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, AVSM, VSM is an alumni of the National Defence Academy. The Flag Officer was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 81 and is a specialist in Missiles & Gunnery. The Flag Officer has had extensive operational tenures onboard frontline warships of the Indian Navy. He has had the distinction of having commanded six seagoing platforms which include the guided missile corvette Kulish (commissioning), the guided missile frigate Talwar, the guided missile destroyers Mumbai and Mysore. The officer has done the Naval Higher Command Course and is also an alumni of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.


His important shore/ staff assignments include Director Maritime Warfare Centre, Visakhapatnam, Commanding Officer of INS Dronacharya, Kochi, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of the Western Naval Command, Mumbai.


He was promoted to Flag Rank in Sep 2009 and as a Rear Admiral, his assignments included Assistant Chief of Personnel (HRD) at Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) and Chief of Staff of Southern Naval Command. On promotion to the Rank of Vice Admiral on 01 Dec 13, he was appointed as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala and thereafter has completed two joint service tenures as Principal Staff Officer at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, tenanting the billets of Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy Planning & Force Development).

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
31-October, 2017 14:25 IST
Vice Admiral Karambir Singh takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, AVSM took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) from Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, PVSM, AVSM, ADC at a Ceremonial Parade held at the Naval Base here today, 31 October 2017. Vice Admiral Karambir Singh inspected the Ceremonial Guard and reviewed platoons of naval personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of the ENC.

Vice Admiral HCS Bisht will be retiring from the Naval Service today on completion of forty years of illustrious career. He was accorded a farewell by the ENC by the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ ceremony, wherein he was ceremonially pulled out in a jeep by Flag Officers and Commanding Officers of Ships and Naval establishments, to resounding ‘Teen Jais’ from the men to the outgoing Commander-in-Chief.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980, Vice Admiral Karambir is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, the Admiral earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982 and has flown extensively on the Chetak and Kamov helicopters. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and has served as Directing Staff in both these Institutions.

In his career spanning over 37 years, the Admiral has commanded an Indian Coast Guard Ship Chandbibi, Missile Corvette INS Vijaydurg as well as two Guided Missile Destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. Ashore, the Admiral has served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff, and as Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He has also served a member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS).

On promotion to flag rank, the Admiral was appointed as Chief of Staff, ENC. His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Unified Command at Andaman & Nicobar Islands and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG).

In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has been the Director General Project Seabird, in-charge of infrastructure development of the Navy’s modern base at Karwar. He was also assigned higher responsibilities at IHQ MoD(Navy) as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, prior to the present appointment. The Admiral is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) awarded by the Hon’ble President of India.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
01-November, 2017 18:04 IST
Colonel of the Mechanised Infantry Visits their Affiliated ship INS Ghariyal

On 30th October 2017, Lieutenant General PM Hariz, General Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Command and Colonel of the Regiment of Mechanised Infantry paid a visit to their affiliated Indian Navy Ship, INS Ghariyal. He complimented all on board for their commitment and professional excellence. He urged them to continue the cooperation and further build on it to achieve greater synergy.


The case for affiliation of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment with INS Ghariyal was initiated in January 1999 by late Lieutenant General PS Joshi and was approved on 24 February 1999. INS Ghariyal is the second Landing Ship Tank (Large) of Indian Navy, which was built indigenously and was commissioned on 14 February 1997. The ship can carry troops and vehicles and hence is ideally suited for amphibious operations. Due to the above it is closely associated with the Mechanised Infantry where both compliment each other evenly.

Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)

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Ministry of Defence
01-November, 2017 15:31 IST
“For our collective aspirations to bear fruition and their impact to be sustainable, having a peaceful, stable and secure maritime environment in the region is a pre-requisite”

- Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Raksha Mantri

The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) was inaugurated by Honourable Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman at the Tarang Auditorium of INS Mandovi, Goa. The conclave was aimed at “Addressing Regional Maritime Challenges” wherein the deliberations were focused on emerging maritime threats and force structuring, maritime domain awareness, maritime security architecture, and maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR). Each of these themes was elaborated upon by speakers of national and international renown, comprising a veritable who’s who of analysts, scholars and practitioners such as Admiral Arun Prakash (Retd) of India, Admiral Dr Jayanth Colombage (Retd) of Sri Lanka, Admiral Md Khurshed Alam of Bangladesh, Professor Ashley J Tellis, Dr C Raja Mohan, Professor Harsh V Pant and Dr Christian Bueger.

Delivering the key note address the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri said that the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) aims to bring together like minded nations to evolve and formulate collective responses to emerging challenges in the maritime domain. It would also provide an opportunity to communicate our viewpoints in a forthright manner and collectively shape a favourable maritime environment for all countries in the region added the Raksha Mantri. She further said that the IOR has progressively gained centre-stage largely due to the political impact of its regional dynamics on international geo-politics. One can claim with considerable assertion that the future of the world will be shaped, to a large extent, by the political and economic interactions between the stake holders in the IOR, she added.

She further stated that “Whilst it is good that the compulsions of globalisation have enabled economics to shape transactional relationships between nations, opaqueness in strategic intent and incoherent behaviour by certain nations are preventing these very relationships from evolving beyond their transactional nature. On land, the unresolved borders and riparian disputes which are predominantly a legacy of the colonial era are some of the key causes of conflict. Further, this impasse in international relationships, is a product of many causes such as ideological differences, political insecurities, economic dependency, technological dependencies, inequitable access to resources, geographical imperatives etc. The net impact of these differences is that trust deficit and tensions between nations continue to persist, on account of perceived challenges to sovereignty, despite positive economic interactions between them. As international behaviour in the maritime medium is influenced considerably by land based imperatives, cordially or latent hostility prevalent amongst countries on land tends to be reflected in the seas”.

Concluding her address the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri recommended the following to be deliberated during the GMC:-

( ) Evaluation of the impact of emerging maritime security architectures on overcoming maritime security challenges.

(i) Shaping a discourse in the region in order to work out the differences and capitalise on commonalities so as to ensure maritime security in IOR.

(ii) Tapping the considerable intellectual capital resident in the region and evolve customised solutions to the challenges rather than importing extra-regional solutions and force-fit them on to the regional template.

While delivering the inaugural address, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff thanked the Hon’ble RM to have graced the occasion. He also thanked all the delegates whose presence reaffirmed the bonhomie that is shared by the navies and innate friendship that prevails amongst the nations. The CNS, however brought out that there is a perceptible lack of formal arrangements with respect to engagement between littoral navies of the south and south eastern IOR and the concept of GMC has been evolved to bridge this gap and to establish a regional maritime forum amongst like-minded navies of the region for the apex level dialogue.

The Admiral further stressed on creation of comprehensive infrastructure, equipping the force with technology and investing in quality training while exercising financial prudence. He also said that by making large and long term financial commitments to counter specific threats from perceived adversaries may not necessarily yield the desired results in the future. Instead it would be wiser to adhere to long term plan which is underpinned by a clear assessment of desired capabilities. The CNS concluded with remarks that we hope to consolidate the progress made so far and shape a way ahead for greater maritime cooperation in the region.

 

[Hindustani78]

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UPSC
01-November, 2017 17:24 IST
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2017 declaration of written result

On the basis of the result of the written part of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2017 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 10th September, 2017, candidates with the under mentioned Roll Nos. have qualified for Interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB) of the Ministry of Defence for Admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of the National Defence Academy for the 140th Course and for the 102nd Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2nd July, 2018.

The candidature of all the candidates whose Roll Nos. are shown in the list is provisional. In accordance with the conditions of their admission to the examination, “candidates are requested to register themselves online on the Indian Army Recruiting website joinindianarmy.nic.in within two weeks of announcement of written result. The successful candidates would then be allotted Selection Centres and dates, of SSB interview which shall be communicated on registered e-mail ID. Any candidate who has already registered earlier on the site will not be required to do so. In case of any query/Login problem, e-mail be forwarded to dir-recruiting6-mod@nic.in.”


“Candidates are also requested to submit original certificates of Age and Educational Qualification to respective Service Selection Boards (SSBs) during the SSB interview.” The candidates must not send the Original Certificates to the Union Public Service Commission. For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate ‘C’ of the Commission, either in person or on telephone Nos. 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day.


The mark-sheets of the candidates, will be put on the Commission’s website within fifteen (15) days from the date of publication of the final result. (after concluding SSB Interviews) and will remain available on the website for a period of thirty (30) days.


The written result of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2017 has been declared by the Commission and the same is available on the Commission’s Website (http://www.upsc.gov.in)

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman along with the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman being presented a painting by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman releasing the Naval War College Journal, at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressing at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba addressing at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017.

The Union Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a group photograph at the inauguration of the Goa Maritime Conclave, at Naval War College, in Goa on November 01, 2017. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

PANAJI, November 01, 2017 22:31 IST
Updated: November 01, 2017 22:31 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...cean-issues/article19963135.ece?homepage=true

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and others at Dabolim on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: PTI


Says extra-regional nations building naval posts in the region raises tension

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday expressed concern at the increased militarisation in the Indian Ocean and the extra-regional nations setting up a “near permanant presence” in the region, in an apparent reference to the expanding Chinese presence in the region.

“We have also witnessed extra-regional nations maintain near permanent presence within the region on one pretext or the other. In order to sustain such a presence through operational turn around, these countries which are extra-regional are creating naval outposts as well as dual-use infrastructure in the region,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

She was addressing the first Goa Maritime Conclave of Navy Chiefs of Indian Ocean littoral states hosted by the Indian Navy at the Naval War College in Goa.

Stating that there is an “incremental yet steady” increase in numbers of warships operating in the region, Ms. Sitharaman said this militarisation “increases the complexities for the countries of this region.”

The GMC is intended to be held every year and aims to “bring together like-minded countries to evolve collective responses to challenges in the maritime domain.”

Maritime challenges

Ms. Sitharaman said that land-based disputes and riparian issues which are predominantly a legacy of colonial rule are a key cause for conflict. “As international behaviour in the maritime domain is influenced considerably by land-based imperatives, cordiality or latent hostility prevalent among nations on land tends to get reflected in the seas too,” she stated.

In the last few years, China has set up or acquired stakes in a series of infrastructure facilities in the region and has recently opened its first overseas military base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

The Chinese Navy has also maintained a steady presence of warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean under the garb of anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

To counter this, the Indian Navy has now put in place a new concept of ‘mission based deployment’ to maintain round the clock surveillance on India’s vital areas of interest across the length and breadth of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

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[RISING SUN]

India offers to share real-time maritime data
India has made an offer to share intelligence of maritime movements in the Indian Ocean in real-time with 10 Indian Ocean littoral States.

This comes even as India gears up to counter China’s increased presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The information to be shared includes movement of commercial traffic as well as intelligence.

“It was very positively received,” Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba told The Hindu on Thursday at the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) when asked about the response to this proposal from the 10 littoral states present.

Indian Navy is hosting Navy and Maritime Chiefs of 10 countries of IOR at the first GMC to identify common threats in the region and evolve a mechanism on how to tackle them.

Co-operative system

India already has co-operative arrangements with several countries in the region and this initiative would see that expanding further. For instance, white shipping agreements to share commercial shipping data have been signed with 12 countries and more are in the works.

Fusion centre

“We have offered them to share real time data on movement in the Indian Ocean. Now let them review it and get them. This is not so much for conventional military purposes but to deal with non-traditional threats arising at sea,” a senior officer said.

India is in a position to be a fusion centre, the officer added and this would be based on the Navy’s nerve centre for coastal surveillance and monitoring, the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) located outside the national capital.

Welcoming the offer, a Navy Chief of one of the Indian Ocean littorals present said all countries should pitch in equally in the effort. “It has to be done equally by all nations, small or big. We have to work out modalities for the information exchange,” he said on the sidelines of the GMC.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...e-real-time-maritime-data/article19969580.ece

Three Indian naval ships in Colombo
Indian naval ships Tir and Sujatha and the Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi arrived at the Colombo port today on a goodwill and training visit.

During their five-day official visit, the Indian naval ships are scheduled to participate in a number of training exercises with SLN ships with a view to share professional expertise and strengthen friendship.

The ships’ crews will also take part in a series of friendly sports events and community service activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy during their stay in Sri Lanka.

The Commanding Officers of the visiting Indian ships, Captain DJ Revar, Commandant Pankaj Agrawal and Commander KB Singh called on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle at the Western Naval Command Headquarters.

They held cordial discussions on matters of mutual interest and exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.

The Defence Advisor attached to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Captain Ashok Rao was also present on the occasion.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Three-Indian-naval-ships-in-Colombo-139682.html

 

[RISING SUN]

Amid simmering tensions with China, India is looking to gain an advantage at sea
A spike in tensions between China and India along their shared border in the Himalayas this summer eased in August, but the two Asian powers are still at odds.

China has grown its influence in the region through commercial and infrastructure deals with countries throughout Asia, including those that border India.

Beijing's expanding ties have concerned its neighbors, perhaps none more so than India, which regards Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean warily.
As a result, New Delhi has sought to strengthen its diplomatic ties with neighbors and bolster its military capacity - drawing on longstanding relations with the US and other partners in the region to do so.

Reuters An Indian soldier.
China has pursued commercial port and infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka , Myanmar, and Pakistan and has opened facilities in the Seychelles and Djibouti , the stated purposes of which include humanitarian and anti-piracy efforts, though they appear to have military uses as well.

India, for its part, has continued its years-long efforts to build security relationships with its neighbors in the region, and it appears to be taking a more muscular approach to defending its interests, putting a special focus on its maritime approaches.

A document released by the Indian navy in late 2015 noted that the country's "prominent peninsular orientation and flanking island chains overlook strategic sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, linking her security and prosperity inextricably to the seas."

REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco Indian sailors aboard INS Kadmatt arrive for a four-day goodwill visit in the Philippines, October 3, 2017.
Chinese activity in the seas surrounding India has also led New Delhi to shift its strategic posture.

After long focusing on the country's northern borders, Indian leaders have turned their attention to the country's nearly 5,000-mile-long southern coastline, where security and energy infrastructure is concentrated.

"This is a tectonic shift in India's security calculus, that it has to protect its southern flank," Brahma Chellaney, a strategic-studies professor at the Center for Policy Research, told The New York Times this summer.

In July, Japan, India, and the US took part in the latest iteration of the Malabar naval exercises , in which anti-submarine warfare was a major component.

Maritime security was a focus of the Indian defense minister's bilateral meetings with Japanese officials in September. It was also slated to be a topic of discussion during Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' trip to India in late September.

In October, India and Indonesia - both democracies and neighbors on the Indian Ocean - carried out another round of biannual joint naval patrols, aimed at boosting interoperability between their forces.

REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade/File Employees stand in front of the Indian navy's first Scorpene submarine before being undocked from Mazagon Docks, a naval-vessel ship-building yard, in Mumbai, April 6, 2015.
During the last days of October, India and Japan carried out intensive anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Indian Ocean, involving naval aircraft from both countries.
French Defense Minister Florence Parly was also recently in India, where she discussed the strategic situation in South Asia and helped prepare for French President Emmanuel Macron's visit in early December. India and France have also expanded their joint efforts to monitor activity in the Indian Ocean.

"We are sharing information in all formats - human, satellite and even electromagnetic as both the countries are worried about the implications that the Chinese expansion in the Indian Ocean region can mean to the international community," a senior French official reportedly said .

Japan is also expected to propose a strategic dialogue between it, the US, India, and Australia to counter Chinese expansion in Asia via its "Belt and Road" policy, which is aimed at establishing trade and transportation networks in the region.

Indian Navy A MiG-29K prepares land aboard Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya in 2014.
Alongside those diplomatic efforts, India has worked to improve and expand its military capacity, drawing up a list tens of billions of dollars of foreign fighter jets, armored vehicles, submarines, and helicopters it is looking and pursue a "Made in India" policy in order to develop its domestic defense industry.

The first of six diesel-electric advanced attack submarines - designed by a French firm and built in India - is expected to be commissioned in November or December. And this summer, New Delhi contacted foreign shipyards about building six nonnuclear submarines .

German and French shipbuilders have expressed interest in an Indian submarine contract worth up to $10 billion. India has also talked to Japan about buying advanced subs, but reaching a deal has been difficult for both sides.

India has agreed to buy US-made drones that could be used to track Chinese maritime activity and to purchase P-81 Neptune aircraft, one of the most advanced anti-submarine-warfare planes in the world. (The waters around the Malacca Strait, which connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans, are an area of focus for India.)

(US Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Preston/Released) Lt. Christopher Ground gives a tour to Indian sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard.
"I believe that the US is ready to help India modernize its military. India has been designated a major defense partner of the US. This is a strategic declaration that's unique to India and the US. It places India on the same level that we have many of our treaty allies," US Navy Adm. Harry Harris, head of Pacific Command, said in August.

Prior to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US this summer, India's defense minister went to Russia to address weapons deals that had been delayed, including the purchase of four frigates and the lease of a nuclear-powered submarine.

The Indian navy has asked Russian aircraft manufacturer MiG to " ruggedize " its MiG-29K aircraft to better withstand aircraft-carrier operations. India is also set to buy Russia's advanced S-400 missile-defense system. Russia also overhauled and updated the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier for India between 2004 and 2013, though New Delhi has pursued indigenously built aircraft carriers since.

India has contracted a South Korean firm to build minesweepers and with Russia to acquire fifth-generation fighters - those projects have foundered, however.

India imports about 90% of defense equipment, and its "Made in India" initiative seeks to bring foreign firms to India to partner with domestic companies - deals that would bring India's homegrown defense contractors up to global standards.
http://www.businessinsider.in/Amid-...-an-advantage-at-sea/articleshow/61475811.cms

 

[RISING SUN]

Navy officials of Malaysia, India holds interaction
A visiting top Royal Malaysian Navy official and a senior Indian Navy official held an interaction here on naval cooperation, especially in the field of training between India and Malaysia, a defence release said here today.

During their interaction yesterday, Chief of Southern Naval Command (SNC) Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni has provided an overview of activities conducted by SNC to Vice Admiral Dato Syed Zahiruddin Putra Bin Syed Osman, Commander Eastern Fleet, Royal Malaysian Navy.

The Royal Malaysian Navy official, accompanied by his wife Mariam Suri Binti Ahmad, is on a three-day official visit to Kochi from yesterday, consolidating existing strong bilateral naval relations between the two countries.

During the visit, the Admiral was shown around the Watermanship Survival Training Facility and INS Dronacharya, the Gunnery Training establishment which was of particular interest to him as he had himself undergone the Gunnery specialisation training at INS Dronacharya, the Gunnery Training establishment which was of particular interest to him as he had himself undergone the Gunnery specialisation training at INS Dronacharya in 1983, the release said.

The Royal Malaysian Navy official also met four Malaysian Naval officers who are undergoing specialisation courses with Indian Navy here. India has traditionally enjoyed close and warm relations with Malaysia, due to shared historical and heritage going back thousands of years.

In the recent past, India Malaysia defence cultural and naval cooperation has enhanced exponentially, through increased number of ship visits, high level delegation visits (including between the respective Chiefs of Naval Staff) and training exchanges, it said. The Admiral had earlier attended the Goa Maritime Conclave held on November one and two, prior arriving Kochi. He and his spouse will depart from Kochi to Colombo tomorrow.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ia-holds-interaction/articleshow/61511101.cms