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Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
April 02, 2015.
Primary aims of Indicia Daily Brief are two-fold. First, it distills infinite information into a
capsule form, thus saving precious time of its clients. Second, it tries to link micro-events
to larger strategic canvas through its analyses, thus providing support knowledge for
better understanding and decision-making.
Indicia Analysis of the Day
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) successfully carried out the first flight
of a Jaguar DARIN III upgraded ‘strike' aircraft at its facilities in Bengaluru
recently. The earlier test in November 2012, HAL had upgraded the
‘maritime' aircraft, but the Indian Air Force (IAF) wanted more features to
be added on to the aircraft.
In a new move, taking its defence relations to the African continent, India,
world's largest arms importer, has signed defence deal worth nearly USD
80 million with South African companies for integrated self-protection
systems on its indigenously developed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters.
What can be assessed as a mammoth effort in crisis situations, Indian Air
Force plane carrying 168 passengers lands at Cochin. Majority of
passengers are nurses who were rescued from Aden by INS Sumitra. The
Navy and the Air Force have to be commended for this rare effort.
I. National Defence and Security:
HAL undertakes successful flight of upgraded Jaguar strike aircraft:
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) successfully carried out the first flight of a
Jaguar DARIN III upgraded ‘strike' aircraft at its facilities in Bengaluru recently.
HAL officials confirmed to OneIndia that the first flight of the upgraded Jaguar
‘strike' aircraft lasted for about 15 minutes. The maiden flight was followed by
another flight of the upgraded Jaguar that lasted for an hour on March 25 for an
hour. In November 2012, HAL had carried out the first flight of Jaguar DARIN III
upgraded ‘maritime' aircraft, with an unhappy Indian Air Force (IAF) wanting
more features to be added on to the aircraft. "The IAF had some concerns with
the Mission Computer used in the maritime aircraft. It was of DARIN-II standard.
We have now upgraded all possible systems on the aircraft as per the user
requirement," HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju told OneIndia. The IAF wants its
ageing Jaguar fleet to be upgraded to Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation
(DARIN-III) standards, a project that was set in motion in 2009. Three Jaguar
prototypes (strike, maritime and trainer) have been set aside for testing the
DARIN-III features. Raju says that HAL is mandated to upgrade 59 Jaguars that
were inducted into the IAF, forming the original batch. "The strike version has
already completed four flights so far and the feedback is satisfactory. Once the
trainer too is ready, the IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) phase will come into
play," Raju said. "The Jaguar DARIN-III upgrade will boost the performance of the
aircraft with cost-effective and state-of-the-art solution," he added. HAL's
youngest Division - the Mission and Combat System Research & Design Centre
(MCSRDC) - undertook the total design and development of DARIN III upgrade,
including software, hardware, mechanical, electrical, avionics architecture,
design and system design....
Source:
http://www.oneindia.com/india/hal-undertakes-successful-flight-of-upgraded-jaguar-strikeaircraft-1702414.html
*
LASTEC develops Optical Target Locater:
Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC), Delhi, has designed and
developed an Optical Target Locater (OTL), a laser-based portable surveillance
device, for detection of passive or active optical threats. The system functions in
the cat’s eye effect. Any optical system, when illuminated by a laser beam,
returns some back-scattered energy. This retro-reflected energy helps in locating
optical targets against a static background. The system is an important tool for
detection of any active or passive surveillance. A device using the retro-reflected
signal from their front-end optics. Any surveillance device with front-end optics
and a sensor at the focal plane, whether biological, i.e., eye or passive sensors
like binoculars, day sight or night vision device (NVD), or electronic sensors as in
Laser Range Finders (LRFs) can be detected by this approach. The threat could
be in terms of a sniper equipped with a day sight or an NVD, or any other
optical/electro-optical surveillance device, viz., binoculars, surveillance cameras,
LRF, designators, etc. Two variants of the OTL are being developed. The
development of short range version, OTL 300, for 300 m range has been
completed. OTL 1500, the long-range version, is presently undergoing test and
optimization process. OTL 300 finds application in active scanning and
monitoring of specific areas, VIP security and detection of pointed optics. The
equipment has been demonstrated to potential users like Delhi Police, National
Security Guards and Indian Army and was recently deployed for area sanitation
and security on several occasions. Delhi Police is procuring OTL 300.
Source: http://idrw.org/archives/61268
*
GTRE and Klimov agree to develop Multi-Axis Thrust
Vectoring Nozzle:
India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and Russian JSC
Rosoboronexport/JSC Klimov have entered into a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) for joint development of Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring
Nozzle for future generation aero-engine applications. MoU was signed during
Aero India-2015 held in Bengaluru during 19-22 February 2015. Dr K
Tamilmani, DS, DG (Aero), DRDO and Dr CP Ramanarayanan, OS, Director, GTRE
and the Russian team were part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
According to Sources close to idrw.org Klimov have offered to develop thrust
vectoring nozzle (TVN) technology based on the universal KLITV (KLImov
Thrust Vector) technology which can be customised for fitment on any jet
engines. Sources also informed that thrust vectoring nozzle (TVN) technology
offered can be matted with engines of any OEM’s even if engines are from United
states. India will commence development work on Homegrown 5th generation
fighter aircraft project which as per IAF request will have thrust vectoring nozzle
(TVN). India is yet to select engines for AMCA, but Russians have assured India
that even if India selects American or European engines for AMCA Project, they
can customise it for their engines. While Europeans have developed their own
TVN technology for Eurojet EJ200 engines and Americans to have their own
technology.
Source: http://idrw.org/archives/61271
*
Boost for S African defence industry from Indian military deal:
India, world's largest arms importer, has signed defence deal worth nearly USD
80 million with South African companies for integrated self-protection systems
on its indigenously developed Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters. The deal,
expected to give a huge boost to South African defence industry, was signed
between Dhruv's manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Saab
Grintek Defence for Integrated Defensive Aids Suites (IDAS). Saab said yesterday
that the IDAS systems will be produced at its South African subsidiary Saab
Grintek Defence in Centurion, north of Johannesburg, and will be delivered
between 2015 and 2018. IDAS provides timely warnings against radar, laser and
infrared (IR) guided threats and automatically deploys appropriate
countermeasures. Anne Lewis-Olsson, Vice President Communication, Sub
Sahara Africa for Saab Grintek Defence, told the African defence publication
defenceWeb that the Indian order will retain skills and competence in South
Africa, with further long-term benefits for the country. Chris Skinner, head of
marketing and sales at Saab Grintek Defence, added that Saab and HAL are in
talks over the production of IDAS components in India. "This is the type of order
that companies dream about," Skinner said, adding that it would also
necessitates expansion of production facilities.....
Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/boost-for-s-african-defence-industry-from-indian-militarydeal_1571220.html
*
Japan, India agree to continue talks on potential US-2 exports:
The defense chiefs of Japan and India agreed on March 30 to continue talks over
potential exports of the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s US-2 amphibious aircraft
to the South Asian country. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his Indian
counterpart, Manohar Parrikar, said in a joint press release after their meeting in
Tokyo that “India and Japan have the potential” to make the area of defense
equipment and technology a “key pillar of bilateral defense relations.” Since
Tokyo eased its rules on exports of defense equipment and technology last April,
Japan and India have accelerated talks over India’s possible purchase of the US-2,
which can be used in maritime rescue operations. It would be the first export by
Japan of finished defense equipment. While a Japan and India working group
continues to iron out the details of the potential exports, New Delhi has been
promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make-In-India” policy, which invites
foreign investors to invest and manufacture in the country. ShinMaywa
Industries Ltd., a Hyogo Prefecture-based manufacturer of the US-2, has already
begun talks with multiple Indian firms to set up a joint company in the event that
the two countries agree on joint production of the plane. Parrikar was quoted by
a Defense Ministry official in Tokyo as telling Nakatani that he wants talks on the
US-2 to proceed in a manner beneficial for both countries. During their meeting,
Parrikar stressed the importance of speeding up negotiations toward potential
exports, echoing an agreement made when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Modi
met in Australia in November. During March 30’s talks, however, there were no
discussions about joint production, Nakatani told reporters afterward.....
Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/03/31/national/politics-diplomacy/japan-india-agreecontinue-talks-potential-us-2-exports/#.VRy2B_mUe5U
*
IAF plane from Yemen with 168 passengers lands:
Indian Air Force plane carrying 168 passengers lands at Cochin International
airport around 1.45am (IST) on April 02. Majority of passengers are nurses who
were rescued from Aden by INS Sumitra which brought them to Djibouti on
Wednesday morning. At least 550 Indians who were stranded in Aden were
informed that Indian naval ships would be arriving to sail them to safety.
However, they were disheartened when the ships didn't come ashore due to lack
of clearances. Kerala Ministers KC Joseph, Ibrahim Kunju, Ernakulam district
collector MG Rajamanickam, NORKA CEO RS Kannan were present to receive the
NRIs coming from a harrowing experience. The state government announced a
pocket money of Rs 2000 for each person on arrival. 12 vehicles including 2
KSRTC buses have been arranged to transport them to their home districts. With
guns booming too close for comfort, and fighting spreading to day time, fear is
escalating in the war-torn cities of Yemen. The international media has reported
at least 100 people killed in Sana'a.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/IAF-plane-from-Yemen-with-168-passengerslands/articleshow/46777339.cms
II
Homeland Security
*
Hizbul Mujahideen chief claims J&K deserter cop has joined his
outfit:
Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin on Wednesday claimed minister Altaf
Bukhari's guard from Jammu & Kashmir police, who went missing from Srinagar
along with two rifles last week, had joined his outfit. He said the outfit would
reward Naseer Ahmed Pandit for deserting his force and called him an
"inspiration for those working for Jammu & Kashmir police". Salahuddin hoped
more cops would join the militant ranks. He condemned "harassment" of
Pandit's family during raids at his house and warned of dire consequences in a
statement.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Hizbul-Mujahideen-chief-claims-JK-deserter-cop-hasjoined-his-outfit/articleshow/46777864.cms
*
Naxals set 10 vehicles afire in Chhattisgarh:
Naxals set on fire ten vehicles, including eight tractors, in a bid to disrupt road
construction work in Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-hit Kondagaon district, police
said today. Eight tractors, a truck and a JCB machine were parked at the site
where road construction work was underway when they were set afire near
Iragaon under Dhanora Police Station limits last evening, Inspector General of
Police (Bastar Range) SRP Kalluri said. Around 12-15 armed ultras, clad in black
uniforms, stormed the place with kerosene and asked construction workers to
leave the site. Some villagers asked them not to hamper development works in
the region but the ultras did not pay heed to them and set ablaze the vehicles, the
IG said. While six tractors belong to locals, the rest of them were belonged to a
construction firm, the IG said. Soon after being informed about the incident, a
police team was sent to the spot, he said, adding that a search operation was
launched to nab the attackers. Villagers have lodged a complaint in this
connection at Dhanora police station, the IG said.
Source:
chhattisgarh/
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/regional-india/naxals-set-10-vehicles-afire-in-
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