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Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
April 05, 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
The DRDO’s assurance that it is working on Agni VI project which would
hit targets beyond 10000 kms can be taken heart from as it would ideally
give the country the capability to successfully create a nuclear deterrence
not only in the region but its extended neighbourhood.
In what will be a build-up from President Obama’s visit to India in
January, the new US defence secretary, Ashton Carter, will be visiting
India next month to take forward the proposed co-development and coproduction of military technologies, ranging from aircraft carrier launch
systems to mini spy drones.
The NIA’s efforts in successfully warding off a major terrorist attack in
India’s east, of the magnitude of 26 coast have proven the agency’s
credibility in carrying out covert operations.
I. National Defence and Security:
India Capable of Developing ICBM Beyond 10,000 Kilometre Range: DRDO:
"India has successfully test fired the nuclear capable Agni V missile recently,
which has a range of 5,000 kilometres. But we are capable of developing ICBM
that can hit targets beyond the range of 10,000 kilometres," Mr Salwan said on
the sidelines of 6th National Conference themed 'Emerging Vistas of Technology
in 21st Century' being held in Vadodara. At the conference, organised by a citybased educational group, Mr Salwan said such seminars should be held by
academic institutes across the country so that there is a greater interaction
between students, academicians, and other stakeholders with the scientific
institutions. He also suggested that the Human Resource Development (HRD)
Ministry, University Grants Commission (UGC) should organise such seminars
and conferences. Mr Salwan said beside the Agni-VI's ground version, the DRDO
is simultaneously working out on its underground variant. He said that after ban
on import of components for laser technology, imposed by the USA, UK and other
countries, India has indigenously developed laser technology and has become
self-sufficient. "We adopt synergic approach towards national needs and
priorities in the field of armaments, yet keeping in focus the global
advancements in order to develop competence in key areas," he said. On the role
of Armament Research Board, he said it helps in creating self-sufficiency in
critical technologies needed for development of competitive armament stores
and put the armament discipline at the fore-front in global scenario. "The
Board's objective is to lead to technological innovations useful for combat
multiplier, both for the near term and future," he said. During the conference, he
spoke on anti-defence missiles, electronic warfare and cyber security.....
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-capable-of-developing-icbm-beyond-10-000-kilometerrange-drdo-752239
*
Changes planned in offset clauses:
In line with the government’s assurances to streamline defence procurements,
the Defence Ministry is set to bring about major changes in offset provisions in
the new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2015, to be released in the next
two months. Offset obligations were introduced in 2005 to develop the defence
industrial base in the country. It stipulates that for deals worth over Rs. 300
crore, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has to reinvest 30 per cent of
the contract value in the country. One of the key changes in the DPP will be an
option to migrate from offset obligations to ‘Buy and Make’ category, sources
said. Under the new provision, the value of Foreign Direct Investment by the
OEM and the eligible products being manufactured in India will be counted
against offset obligations. This will provide a boost to ‘Make in India’ programme
in defence and bring in greater FDI, sources said. Of the 24 contracts signed
between 2007 and 2013, total offset obligations were close to Rs. 30,000 crore.
Ninety per cent of them under-performed their targets and annual offset
obligations remained unfulfilled, the sources observed. In addition, the cost of
contract goes up as OEMs charge for technology transfer and also significantly
slowed the procurement process while no meaningful technology was accrued.
Speaking at Aero India 2015 in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
stressed the importance of offsets and said, “I want our offsets policy not as a
means to export low-end products, but to acquire state-of-the art technology and
skills.” He further added: “We have introduced significant reforms in our offsets
policy. I am acutely aware that it still needs a lot of improvements. We will
pursue them in consultation with domestic industry and our foreign partners.”
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too had assured that the offset policy would
be made more lucrative to derive better value out of it. However, noted defence
analyst Brigadier (Retd.) Gurmeet Kanwal sounded a note of caution. “At present
our defence industry’s technological base is not of the level that we can absorb
50 per cent offsets of the project like the Rafale. The proposed amendments to
the policy are unlikely to change this substantially.” The industry responded
positively. “The new policy will help in getting work in India and technology
which will develop our manufacturing capability further,” said Ashok
Wadhawan, president, Manufacturing Business, Punj Lloyd.
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/defence-ministry-plans-changes-in-offsetclauses/article7066445.ece
*
Three Missiles set for Test Fire this Month:
Four tests of three indigenously built nuclear capable missiles will be test-fired
off the Odisha coast this month. While an updated version of Advanced Air
Defence (AAD) interceptor missile has been scheduled to be test-fired against an
electronic target on April 6, the weapon system will be fired to intercept an
actual target, mimicking a modified Prithvi missile on April 22. The ballistic
interceptor missiles will be flight tested by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) at endo-atmospheric zone (below the
altitude of 40 km). Prior to it, Strategic Forces Command (SFC) will carry out
user trials of Dhanush missile on April 9 and Agni-III on April 16. The Nuclear
capable Dhanush missile will be test-fired from a warship to be positioned at an
undisclosed location in Bay of Bengal off Paradip coast and the China specific
Agni-III missile would be launched from the Wheeler Island off Dhamra coast.
Preparations have been completed for the AAD test from Wheeler Island while
Dhanush team has started integrating the missile with the ship. Dhanush, the
indigenously developed Naval version of the Prithvi short-range ballistic missile
(SRBM), has a striking range upto 350 km and can carry single warhead,
conventional or nuclear upto 500 kg. Similarly, 3,000-km range Agni-III missile
can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads weighing around 1500 kg.
Developed by the DRDO under its ambitious Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme (IGMDP), Dhanush missile is about 8.53 metres in
length and 0.9 metre in diametre. Agni-III is 16.7 metres tall with a diametre of
1.8 metres and weighs 48.3 tonnes. While both Dhanush and Agni-III have been
inducted into the Armed Forces and are under production after the successful
completion of their developmental trials, AAD missile would be inducted very
soon.
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Three-Missiles-set-for-Test-Fire-thisMonth/2015/04/04/article2746861.ece
*
US defence secretary to visit India in May to push aircraft
carrier technologies:
The new US defence secretary, Ashton Carter, will be visiting India next month to
take forward the proposed co-development and co-production of military
technologies, ranging from aircraft carrier launch systems to mini spy drones,
identified during Barack Obama's visit in January. US defence under-secretary
Frank Kendall, who now co-chairs the bilateral Defence Trade and Technology
Initiative (DTTI), on his part, told a news agency in Washington that the Obama
government would back the selling of General Atomics' EMALS (electromagnetic
aircraft launch systems) and other key technologies to India. As reported by TOI
earlier, this is important because India wants its next 65,000-tonne aircraft
carrier, which will be built domestically, to have CATOBAR (catapult assisted
take-off but arrested recovery) configuration for launching fighters as well as
heavier aircraft from its deck. Till now, India's two operational aircraft carriers
INS Viraat and INS Vikramaditya, as also the under-construction INS Vikrant, all
have angled ski-jumps for fighters to take off under their own power in STOBAR
(short take-off but arrested recovery) operations. But, unlike CATOBAR, only a
few aircraft can be launched from carrier decks using STOBAR operations.
Interestingly, Carter had started the entire DTTI initiative with India when he
was earlier serving as the deputy secretary of defence at Pentagon. Under it,
India and the US agreed to begin co-development and co-production of four
modest "pathfinder projects" as well as explore development of aircraft carrier
technologies and jet engines during Obama's visit in January. The pathfinder
products are the Raven mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), "roll-on, roll-off"
mission modules for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, mobile electric hybrid
power sources, and chemical-biological warfare protection gear for soldiers.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/US-defence-secretary-to-visit-India-in-May-to-pushaircraft-carrier-technologies/articleshow/46810313.cms
*
Samba attack: Western Command analyses its military prowess:
Top brass of Army's Western Command has come out with a bird view analysis
of the success of troops in foiling recent terrorist attack in Samba (Jammu &
Kashmir). The credit for the same, according to an official press release, goes to
the evolution of an efficient response mechanism, which helped the soldiers
react with exemplary promptness. It is attributable also to the effectiveness of
battle drills carried out as a part of their day-to-day training. Apprehending a
second strike following the one on Rajbagh a day earlier, the determined bid of
the desperados to enter the Samba garrison on March 21 was thwarted by
preventing their entry and even pinning them down by effective fire till a proper
cordon was established, thus finely exhibiting the alertness of the Army, said the
release. "The success of the operation would not have been possible without a
flawless communication mechanism of the Army which facilitated the passage of
information to all concerned within a few minutes," Western Command release
mentioned. One of the posts of Samba garrison had come under heavy fire from
terrorists on March 21.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Samba-attack-Western-Command-analyses-its-militaryprowess/articleshow/46810167.cms
*
INS Mumbai Evacuates 441 Indians From Yemen in 'War-Like
Conditions':
The Indian Navy on April 04 evacuated 441 people, including a pregnant woman
and children, from the Port of Aden in strife-torn Yemen in almost 'war-like
conditions'. "Absolute tough environment at Aden... Evacuation of stranded
Indians were carried out in almost war-like conditions by Indian Naval Ship
Mumbai," a Navy official said. INS Mumbai, one of the warships sent to Yemen for
rescue operations, was unable to enter the port due to heavy firing in Aden, and
had to wait at the anchorage area of the port. 12 small crafts, which were hired
by the warship, were used to move 30-35 Indians at a time from the port to INS
Mumbai. The warship has now set sail for Djibouti across the Red Sea, a journey
that takes about nine hours to cover. From Djibouti the rescued people will be
flown back to India. Meanwhile, INS Sumitra was unable to rescue any Indian
nationals from Al Mukalla port, which has been overrun by Al Qaeda terrorists.
Almost 2,000 Indians have been rescued so far from Yemen, with over 800 just
on April 04. 11 Indian nationals were rescued as well by Pakistan on April 04.
Over 2,000 Indians are still estimated to be in Yemen.....
Source:
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ins-mumbai-evacuates-439-indians-from-yemen-in-war-likeconditions-752293
*
800 More Indian Nationals Evacuated From Strife-Torn Yemen as
Navy Carries Out Massive Operations:
About 800 Indians have been evacuated from strife-torn Yemen where the
situation has deteriorated significantly due to escalation in fighting between
warring groups. With April 04's 800 evacuations, India has so far taken out over
1,800 of its citizens from the country. Minister of State for External Affairs VK
Singh, who was overseeing the massive evacuation operation from Djibouti, had
also gone to Sana'a, the capital of Yemen from where Air India rescued Indian
nationals after getting permission to land. Mr Singh has gone back to Djibouti on
April 04. Meanwhile, Navy ship INS Mumbai sent to evacuate Indians from Aden
could not dock at the city port due to heavy shelling and small boats were used
to ferry the people to the ship. "There is heavy shelling in Aden. The ship is
anchored 5-6 kilometres off the coast. Indian nationals are being taken by boat to
board the ship there," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. Official
sources said the evacuation operation was going on despite the deteriorating
situation across Yemen.....
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/800-more-indian-nationals-evacuated-from-strife-torn-yemenas-navy-carries-out-massive-operations-752282
*
Government plans nuclear missile shield in Delhi:
Modi Sarkar has taken the first real step in giving India's capital city, Delhi, a
security cover that cities such as Beijing and Washington already have — a
nuclear missile shield. Two long-range missile-tracking radars have been placed
in the national capital region. When completed, the shield will be able to
intercept missiles fired from as far as 5,000 km away. Senior government
officials familiar with the matter told ET placing the radars is the beginning of an
accelerated process in creating a missile cover for major Indian cities. The next
Indian city to be covered is Mumbai. Major cities around the world such as
Washington, Beijing, Paris, London and Tel Aviv all have missile shields. India's
missile shield programme has fallen behind over the past two years. The
programme started in real earnest in 2006 and 2009-12 saw many tests.
However, say senior officials, 2013 and 2014 were lull years for the programme.
There was a failed test in April 2014.....
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-plans-nuclearmissile-shield-in-delhi/articleshow/46801046.cms
*
US says would back India in buying electromagnetic launching
system for aircraft carriers:
The US government would support selling General Atomics' electromagnetic
launching system for aircraft carriers, and other key technologies, to India, the
Pentagon's chief weapons buyer told Reuters on April 03. Defense
Undersecretary Frank Kendall, who heads a joint US-India defense trade and
technology effort, said he was optimistic about the two countries' efforts to
cooperate on a planned aircraft carrier for India. "I'm optimistic about
cooperating with them on that," Kendall told Reuters in an interview, when
asked about the possibility of India acquiring the Electromagnetic Aircraft
Launch System (EMALS) built by privately held General Atomics, which is based
in San Diego, California. "They're going to have to make their own decision about
what technology they want, but I don't see any fundamental obstacles to them
acquiring some of our carrier technologies, if they want them," he said. India
wants to use state-of-the-art US technology to boost the range and potency of a
planned aircraft carrier, in a move that would deepen cooperation between both
countries and counter China's military influence in the region. General Atomics,
which has also proposed selling the system to Brazil, says selling the system to
foreign countries could help lower the cost of installing the system on the new
Gerald R. Ford class of US Navy aircraft carriers being built by Huntington Ingalls
Industries Inc. The new system helps jets launch off a flat deck at a faster rate
and with less fatigue to the aircraft.
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/us-says-would-back-india-in-buyingelectromagnetic-launching-system-for-aircraft-carriers/articleshow/46802617.cms
*
Indian rescue ship unable to enter Yemeni port due to heavy
shelling:
An Indian warship sent to evacuate stranded Indian nationals in Yemen was
unable to enter Aden on April 04 because of heavy shelling in the southern port
city, which has witnessed heavy fighting between Houthi rebels and forces loyal
to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The guided missile destroyer INS
Mumbai, one of the Indian Navy’s most powerful warships, was anchored a few
kilometres from the coast and the Indians were being ferried to it by boat,
external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/chunk-ht-ui-homepage-topstories/indian-rescue-ship-unable-toenter-yemeni-port-due-to-heavy-shelling/article1-1333910.aspx
*
Vietnam seeks deepened security cooperation with India:
Vietnam wants to deepen cooperation with India in all fields on the basis of their
special trust, particularly in national defence and security, according to Prime
Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. At his meeting on April 3 with India’s national
security adviser Ajit Kumar Doval, who has been on a visit to Vietnam, the PM
said Vietnam and India has a special friendship relationship that has been built
up through many generations of leaders. He affirmed that Vietnam always
remember the great support and assistance the Indian people gave to Vietnam
during its struggle for independence as well as national reconstruction. The PM
made it clear that Vietnam supports India’s “Act East” policy as well as its
strengthening of strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations. While suggesting the two sides should boost cooperation in all fields
from politics-foreign affairs to economy-trade and investment, the PM asked
India to increase cooperation with Vietnam in defence and military technology,
particularly in personnel training in the air force, navy and intelligence. He also
wanted stronger cooperation in cyber security and preventing and fighting
terrorism and hi-tech crimes. Ajit Kumar Doval said India will be always a
companion with Vietnam in any circumstances and a stable, developed and
prosperous Vietnam is of India’s interest. The adviser affirmed India would do all
it can to assist Vietnam in defence and security, specifically defence industry,
military technology, intelligence, personnel training, cybercrimes and
cybersecurity. Regarding East Sea issues, Ajit Kumar Doval reiterated India’s
stance that ensuring navigation freedom in the East Sea is of great importance
and that India would not accept any unilateral action to change the status quo.
All disagreements and disputes must be solved through peaceful measures in
conformity with international law, he said, adding that this point of view has
been affirmed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at all international forums.
Deputy PM greets Indian National Security Adviser Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception for India’s National
Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval in Hanoi on April 3, during which he declared
that Vietnam consistently attaches great importance to developing traditional
friendship and strategic partnership with India. Vietnam supports India’s Act
East Policy and its connections with the region and the world, while backing the
country’s bid to become a permanent member of an expanded United Nations
Security Council, he stated. He suggested that the two sides promote the
efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms, including the Inter-Governmental
Committee, political consultations, strategic dialogues defence policy dialogues
and sub-committees on affiliation in trade, science, technology and education....
Source:
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/127285/vietnam-seeks-deepened-securitycooperation-with-india.html
*
India: Where Aerospace Shines and Aeronautics Whines:
Built at a modest cost of just $74 million Isro’s Mangalyaan Mars craft got world
attention which highlighted India’s Scientific achievements. Western media too
were all praise for Isro’s MOM Mars craft successful insertion to mar orbit,
Achievement which very few have succeeded in doing it in their first try. In a
Country where each ISRO mission hypnotizes millions of ordinary common man,
each mission keeps them glued to their television sets. Each PSLV or GSLV
Rocket launch is watched with same interest as was with last launch. ISRO’s
professional culture and success are also much revered by students, academics,
and common man and Isro is followed very keenly and after each successful
mission ” Whats Next ?” is the war cry of Common man who associates himself
with each Isro mission, each success and failure is directly reflected on Citizens
of this country . India is also the same country where an organization like ISRO
are shining and are followed by a Common man with key Interest and then there
is an organization like HAL which are whining. A Country which can insert Probe
in Mars orbit, launch ballistic missiles from submerged platform but still
struggles to build even basic trainer aircrafts for its armed forces shows Two
opposite level of the talent in the country.
Lost Start
Aeronautics in India got a head start and early developmental projects by HAL of
HF-24 and HT-2 too saw some level of success, but the early momentum gained
were lost after it failed get further developmental projects. While Isro had
visionary leaders like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai who visioned Space development and
were able to link growth of India will success in space. lack of visionary leaders
in Aeronautics did hurt the Industry later which limited itself in assembling
Prodcuts developed by other countries, then in developing their own products.....
Source: http://idrw.org/india-where-aerospace-shines-and-aeronautics-whines/
*
India, Pak & the nuclear threat:
General Khalid Kidwai, who headed the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) of
Pakistan’s Nuclear Command Authority for 15 long years, laid out the doctrinal
basis of Pakistan’s nuclear programme during an expansive interaction in
Washington, DC, recently. The General said that the rationale for developing
tactical nuclear weapons, including the nuclear missile Nasr, that has a range of
37 miles, is to respond to India’s Cold Start doctrine. The ostensive Cold Start
doctrine that has not been officially acknowledged by India envisages a blitzkrieg
of a number of armoured battle groups simultaneously attacking Pakistan after
being mobilised in 48 to 72 hours. Clearly, conceding the asymmetry between
conventional forces of India and Pakistan, he preached that battlefield nuclear
weapons would deter India from probing for gaps in Pakistani nuclear
deterrence to find space for a conventional war under a nuclear overhang. (After
the Kargil War, a theory was propounded by Indian strategists that there is space
for a conventional war with Pakistan despite the nuclear equation. That is the
rationale that Pakistan extends for battlefield nuclear weapons to stop Cold
Start.) If strategic nuclear weapons had kept the peace for four decades in South
Asia since 1971, tactical weapons would only perpetuate it further he argued. He
further delineated that the logic of the Shaheen-III nuclear missiles, that have a
range of 2,750 kilometres, was to knock out India’s second-strike capability even
if it was located on the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. It would neutralise
India’s bluster by conveying that any use of nuclear weapons of any kind would
invite massive retaliation. He also acknowledged that Pakistan was well on its
way to developing a submarine-based nuclear capability as a second strike
option, thereby completing the nuclear triad. Gen. Kidwai was rather candid in
implicitly acknowledging that Pakistan uses terrorist organisations as an
instrument of state policy, though he blamed the Kashmir and Afghanistan bogey
that Pakistan keeps raising to try and justify its actions....
Source: http://www.asianage.com/columnists/india-pak-nuclear-threat-179
II
Homeland Security
*
How the NIA thwarted a 26/11-like attack by ISI agents based in Sri
Lanka:
A 26/11-like attack was in the making, but this time, from the east coast. That is
how National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director-General Sharad Kumar sums
up the agency's exhaustive nearly two-year investigation into what it says was a
massive terror plot against India by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
This time, the NIA says, it was coordinated from the Sri Lankan soil. Similarities
are glaring between the events that investigations revealed preceded the
November 2008 Mumbai attack and those in the latest case, says the top terror
probe agency. Major Iqbal and Major Sameer Ali of the ISI, according to an NIA
investigation into the 26/11 case, plotted the strikes on Mumbai by sending in a
US citizen to India for reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai and later sent in a
group of terrorists by sea to India's financial hub on the west coast. India could
not catch David Coleman Headley, the American who was later arrested by the
US and is currently in a jail there. The two Pakistani officers remain just names
with India not having any further clue of their identity or photographs. The NIA
says it has much more evidence to pin down the conspirators in the latest plot.
The agency has even a photo of the alleged mastermind, Amir Zubair Siddique,
who was a counsellor (visa) at Pakistan's High Commission in Colombo....
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/how-the-nia-thwarted-a-26/11like-attack-by-isi-agents-based-in-sri-lanka/articleshow/46801263.cms
*
2 SIMI militants killed in Telangana encounter had plans to kill
PM:
Khandwa jailbreak fugitives Mohammad Ejazuddin and Mohammad Aslam, who
were shot in an encounter in Nalagonda district of Telangana on April 03 night,
had formed a separate wing called 'Maal-e-Ganeemat' within SIMI to fund their
terror activities. The wing was named after medieval practice of looting
belongings of enemies defeated in battle to support the poor. Interrogation
report of SIMI members Ejazuddin, Aslam and their chief Abu Faisal accessed by
TOI shows they wanted to be the real face of home-grown terror, swearing
allegiance to Taliban and Al Qaeda, looking beyond ISI patronage enjoyed by
Indian Mujahedeen. They had plans to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a
plot to bomb the Sabarmati Jail to free their chief, Safdar Nagori. They had made
attempts to link with Qaeda to free 9/11 accused and scientist Aafia Siddiqui
from FBI custody in the US, where she is famously known as "prisoner number
650". The two resorted to bank robberies to plough in funds. Agencies claim it
was the cash generated by a robbery in Bhopal in 2010 that was used in blasts at
Modi's rally in Patna in 2014. SIMI ideologue Hyder Ali, who was arrested in
connection with the October 27 blasts, revealed Abu Faisal had given him Rs 5
lakh. The team is wanted in more than 20 other robberies across India, said
sources. ...
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2-SIMI-militants-killed-in-Telangana-encounter-hadplans-to-kill-PM/articleshow/46809865.cms
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