Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
April 07, 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
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s launching of the first of the six
Scorpene submarines (Project 75) at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) is
a crucial moment for the India’s under water capability. Although it’s a
long way to go for the commissioning of the submarine (September
2016), successful trials at sea will be half the battle won.
India's development of a ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield is still
years away from becoming operational, with yet another test of its
interceptor missile failing due to the interceptor missile going off its track.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France next week will herald a
new chapter for the Indian Air Force, as its dream project of having 360
degree ‘eye in sky’ is likely to take off with both countries finalising a deal
for procuring two Airbus-330 aircraft to be used as platforms for AWACSIndia programme.
I. National Defence and Security:
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar undocks Scorpene submarine:
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on April 06 launched the first of the six
Scorpene submarines (Project 75) at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). An MDL
official said the submarine will undock on April 06 and after carrying out tests at
sea it will dock back. "After undergoing trial test run at sea to check technical
glitches, if any, the sub will be commissioned on September 2016," said the
official. Speaking to Times Now, defence minister Manohar Parrikar attacked the
UPA govt for not taking defence projects seriously. "The Modi government is
very serious on defence issues," he said.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Defence-minister-Manohar-Parrikar-undocks-Scorpenesubmarine/articleshow/46820959.cms
*
First scorpene submarine undocks:
Kalvari, the first of the Indian Navy's six Scorpene class stealth submarines, was
on April 06 "undocked" in Delhi, paving the way for sea trials and its eventual
commissioning in September 2016. The event was witnessed by defence
minister Manohar Parrikar, who warned that for future projects, there will be a
penalty for delay and reward for early completion. The six Scorpenes are being
built by Mazagon Docks Ltd in collaboration with French firm DCNS. Christened
'Project 75', the Scorpenes have already seen a delay of almost 40 months. While
the first delivery was scheduled for 2012, the revised date is September of next
year. The navy said that the project has "now been brought on track and the
delivery schedule for the successive submarines has been reduced". Parrikar
asked the defence public sector yards - MDL and Goa shipyard - to double their
production in the coming three years. "I have asked all the defence PSUs to
double their production in the next three years," he said. The defence minister
also said that as far as P75(I) Project was concerned, private players can also be
invited for a joint venture, which would help in the early completion of the
project. P75(I) is the next project of the Navy under which six submarines will be
built in India. He warned that if the project was not completed within the
stipulated timeframe, the defaulting yard would have to pay a penalty. Early
completion of the project, on the other hand, would be rewarded with a bonus,
he said.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/First-scorpene-submarineundocks/articleshow/46830847.cms
*
Test of missile interceptor for aerial shield fails:
India's development of a ballistic missile defence (BMD) shield is still years away
from becoming operational, with yet another test of its interceptor missile
flopping on April 06 morning. Sources said the advanced air defence (AAD)
interceptor missile was fired from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast but
plummeted into the Bay of Bengal soon after. "The mission was aborted barely
three seconds after the launch since the interceptor missile went awry.
Fortunately, the target was only an electronically simulated missile and not a
real one," said a source. The previous test of this BMD system in April last year
had also failed. DRDO has been promising a BMD shield for New Delhi, to be
followed by Mumbai and other cities, for several years now but without much
success. As earlier reported by TOI, after the last somewhat successful test of an
interceptor missile in November 2012, DRDO had grandly promised that a twotier missile shield would be deployed for New Delhi by 2014. But the deadline
went by without any progress. DRDO's experimental two-tier BMD system is
supposed to track and destroy ballistic missiles both inside (endo) and outside
(exo) the earth's atmosphere. Phase-I of this BMD system, with interceptors
flying at 4.5 Mach high-supersonic speeds to intercept enemy missiles, is meant
to tackle hostile missiles with a 2,000-km strike range. Phase-II will be geared for
taking on 5,000-km range missiles, virtually in the class of ICBMs
(intercontinental ballistic missiles), with interceptors at hypersonic speeds of 67 Mach.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Test-of-missile-interceptor-for-aerial-shieldfails/articleshow/46830839.cms
*
Modi’s France visit gives wings to IAF dream project:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France next week will herald a new
chapter for the Indian Air Force, as its dream project of having 360 degree ‘eye in
sky’ is likely to take off with both countries finalising a deal for procuring two
Airbus-330 aircraft to be used as platforms for AWACS-India programme. The
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in its meeting, has given a go ahead to the
proposal of acquiring the aircraft for Rs 5,113 crore and the formal signing of the
deal is likely during Mr Modi’s three-nation tour, that will also take him to
Germany and Canada. The DAC has also approved ‘Project Maitry’, under which,
India and France will be working on development of Short Range Surface to Air
Missile (SR-SAM) for the Indian Navy. The two Defence deals are being seen as a
consolation for France as the hectic efforts to seal a deal of acquiring 126 Rafale
fighter jets for the IAF were unlikely to get the desired results. The French
leadership was particularly keen to finalise the 20 billion dollars defence deal for
Medium-Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) during Mr Modi’s Paris visit, as
the long-drawn talks for finalising the contract remain inconclusive even after
three years of tough negotiations between the two sides. A proposal for buying
eight Airbus A-330 MRTT mid-air refuellers for 2 billion US Dollars was also
hanging in balance for quite a long time. In this backdrop, the proposal for
buying two Airbus A-330 aircraft has come as a silver lining for not only France
but also for the IAF as its quest for acquiring AWACS (Airborne warning and
control system) is finally and firmly getting its roots. India’s new ‘eye in the sky’
will be mounted on Airbus A-330 with Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO)-developed rotodome radar fitted on it. The IAF has
planned to develop six such AWACS with an estimated cost of 1.12 billion US
Dollars. The cost of the first two of the AWACS is pegged at more than 817
million Dollars. For France, revival of 5 billion USD Short-Range Surface-to-Air
Missile (SRSAM) project for the Indian Navy is being seen as a big achievement.
Project Maitri between French MBDA and India’s DRDO was started in 2007 but
lost its steam as India’s own Surface to Air missile Akash was preferred by the
IAF and the Army. The project got a new lease of life after the Navy showed
interest in the French SR-SAM system. At present, Navy’s warships are equipped
with Israeli Barak air defence system having a range of around 10 km which is
u...
Source:
project/
http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2015/04/modis-france-visit-gives-wings-to-iaf-dream-
*
Japan’s defence export hits Manohar Parrikar bump:
Japan's plans to export its first military equipment to India may have hit a gentle
bump, with the defence ministry asking the Navy to review, among other
projects, the operational requirement of the ShinMaywa US 2 amphibious
aircraft that has been under discussion for purchase by the Navy since 2011.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar discussed acquisition plans for the aircraft
with his counterparts in Japan during a visit last week. While the ministry is
believed to be positive on the project, a report on the necessity and scope of
operations of what would be the Navy's only amphibious platform has been
requested. The review, it is believed, is part of a larger task given by Parrikar to
the forces to come up with priorities for modernisation. Parrikar has made it
clear that the ambitious acquisition plans drawn up by the armed forces in the
past few years under the previous UPA government have not been very realistic,
given that finite resources are available to the defence ministry for
modernisation. The lack of resources has left several major projects stuck in the
pipeline and Parrikar is keen for a fresh list of priorities that need to be taken up
first. The review of the $1.2 billion (about 7,440 crore) project, which was first
brought up by Japan in October 2011, will involve the Navy and Coast Guard
coming up jointly with a report on what the US 2 will achieve in terms of
enhancing operational abilities. While the project is eventually expected to go
ahead - it is part of a bilateral partnership statement between the two nations
and has a firm blessing from the leadership of both nations - a fresh perspective
could be taken on the numbers involved.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Japans-defence-export-hits-Manohar-Parrikarbump/articleshow/46822320.cms
*
Bolstering Act East Policy: India to train Vietnamese
intelligence forces:
Adding teeth to its Act East Policy, India could train intelligence officials from
Vietnam besides providing more training slots to the Navy and Air Force
personnel from the Southeast Asian country. India may also provide military and
defence technology, besides providing support for effectively countering
cybercrimes as requested by Vietnam, according to officials privy to National
Security Adviser Ajit Doval's discussions with the country's top leadership last
week. Doval met Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, in Hanoi as part of his trip to
Bangkok and Hanoi to firm up strategic partnerships. The request for training of
Vietnamese intelligence officials and increasing training slots for its Naval and
Air Force personnel came from PM Dung, officials said. The NSA is understood to
have expressed India's willingness to assist Vietnam's military and security
apparatus. In an indirect reference to China, Doval stated that India was against
any unilateral action to change status quo in the seas of the region and called for
freedom of navigation, officials said. The NSA reviewed the situation in the South
China Sea region where China is building artificial islands. India has oil blocks in
the region offered by Vietnam and the region is key to its Asia-Pacific outreach.
Vietnam has been welcoming Indian naval ships in its region. Countries in the
region are seeking bigger Indian presence amid China's growing assertiveness
and territorial claims. India is also worried China's phenomenal rise and its
growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region. India has been asking for freedom
of navigation in seas and recently the NSA expressed worries over Chinese
military bases in the region. India has robust defence ties with Vietnam. Bilateral
military cooperation includes sale of military equipment, sharing of intelligence,
joint naval exercises and training in counterinsurgency and jungle warfare.
When Dung visited India last October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in
a press statement, "Our defence cooperation with Vietnam is among our most
important ones. India remains committed to the modernisation of Vietnam's
defence and security forces. This will include expansion of our training
programme, which is already very substantial, joint-exercises and cooperation in
defence equipment." The PM had added that India would quickly operationalise
the $100 million Line of Credit that will enable Vietnam to acquire naval vessels
from India.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bolstering-Act-East-Policy-India-to-train-Vietnameseintelligence-forces/articleshow/46822313.cms
*
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar slams predecessor's lack of
seriousness on submarine projects:
In an apparent swipe at his predecessor, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said
that Indian Navy's ambitious Scorpene submarine project did not meet the
timeline due to "lack" of seriousness in its implementation by the previous
government. "There was no review mechanism. There was no seriousness in
implementation in timeframe... by the (previous) government... by the concerned
ministry, concerned shipyard at that time," Parrikar said at the undocking
ceremony of first of Indian Navy's six Scorpene class stealth submarine.
Christened 'Project 75', the Scorpenes have already seen a delay of almost 40
months. While the first delivery was scheduled for 2012, the revised date is
September next year. "Lacking, as I said, the application of mind and the
seriousness of efforts... no one was serious in getting it implemented in the timeframe," he said. "It may be that they may be serious about the project but the
timeframe was important," Parrikar stressed. Senior Congress leader A K
Antony, who was the Defence Minister in the erstwhile UPA dispensation,
refused to comment on the issue saying he had not seen what Parrikar had
said.....
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/defence-minister-manoharparrikar-slams-predecessors-lack-of-seriousness-on-submarine-projects/articleshow/46829316.cms
*
Defence Ministry trashes reports of IAF plane crash in UP:
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on April 06 trashed reports of an Indian Air Force
(IAF) plane crash in Uttar Pradesh. "There has been no air crash of any IAF
fighter jet today. A MiG 27 with the frame number TU 645 had crashed in Uttarlai
on 27 Jan 2015," MoD spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted. Earlier in the day, a
leading English news channel had reported that an IAF plane crashed near Kalda
village in Uttar Pradesh`s Chitrakoot district. The report also said that eye
witnesses had stated that both pilots ejected from the plane before it crashed.
Source:
http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/defence-ministry-trashes-reports-of-iaf-planecrash-in-up_1574301.html
*
India’s $1.4 Billion Airbus MRTT Aircraft Purchase Put On Hold:
India’s US$ 1.4 billion (INR 9,000 crore) project to acquire six Airbus-330 midair refueling aircraft or tankers has been put on hold after the government
referred the deal to the defense ministry’s vigilance department for clearance.
"The work of the contract negotiations committee (CNC) had been stopped till
the vigilance wing ascertains the status of the old cases," Times Of India quoted
unnamed source as saying. The contract with Airbus has been delayed due to the
pending inquiries against the European consortium dating back to the mid1970s. The procurement case was sent to the law ministry for an opinion after a
member of parliament wrote to the MoD against it. "But at least one of the CBI
cases was found to have been closed due to lack of evidence," said a source. The
mid air refueling tanker would double the strike range of fighters and bombers
and would bolster IAF’s strategic reach. Two-engine Airbus-330 MRTT (multirole tanker transport) aircraft was selected over the four-engine Russian
Ilyushin-78 in January 2013. The finance ministry had baulked at the high price
of the European aircraft and sought the defence ministry to seek buyers afresh. A
new RFP was released in September 2010. The budget was increased to $2
billion and included lifecycle costs in the price arguing that the Airbus plane
would work out cheaper in the long term over its Russian competitor if lifecycle
costs were to be considered.
Source:
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/12608/India___s__1_4_Billion_Airbus_MRTT_Aircraft_Purchase_Put_O
n_Hold#.VSMzm_mUe5U
*
DRDO exploring possibility of increasing range of Pinaka Multi
Barrel Rocket Launch System:
The Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster wing of DRDO, Pune is exploring
the possibility of increasing the range of Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launch
System (MBRL) from 40 km to 60 km, a top official said. "The trials are in the
process at the cluster, which will be followed by field based trials," Anil M Datar,
the distinguished scientist and ACE Director General told reporters on the
sidelines of a graduation day function at the Sri Ramakrishna Engineering
College. On ongoing projects, Datar said that ACE is engaged in making weapons
for the next six to 10 years, considering the technological advancements. He said
ACE was working to get more accuracy to target in guided rockets, even as
manual labour is reduced and automation increased. ACE was also in the process
of developing a quick launcher portable bridge that can move along with the
equipment, Datar said. Earlier addressing the graduates, Datar said there was a
huge gap between defence technology in India and that found worldwide and
called for steps to bridge it. Further research was essential for improving
existing systems and developing new ones, he said...
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-drdo-exploring-possibility-of-increasing-range-of-pinakamulti-barrel-rocket-launch-system-2074801
*
This US Technology Could Give Indian Aircraft Carriers an
Important Edge:
According to remarks by a senior U.S. Department of Defense official, the United
States would not oppose Indian purchases of advanced U.S. aircraft carrier
technology. Frank Kendall, under secretary of defense for acquisition,
technology, and logistics, told Reuters that the U.S. government would support
an Indian purchase of an electromagnetic launching system for aircraft carriers,
specifically San Diego-based General Atomics’ Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch
System (EMALS). “I’m optimistic about cooperating with them on that,” Kendall
told Reuters when asked about supporting a possible Indian EMALS deal.
”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 added. India currently operates two
aircraft carriers, the INS Viraat and the INS Vikramaditya. The former is a
Centaur-class carrier, purchased from the United Kingdom, and the latter is a
modified Kiev-class carrier, purchased from Russia and in service in 2013. India
is currently constructing an indigenous carrier design, the INS Vikrant, a 40,000
ton carrier expected to enter service in 2017. A second Vikrant-class carrier, the
INS Vishal, is planned and expected to enter service before 2030. The Vikrantclass carriers will use a ski-jump assisted Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery
(STOBAR) launch system for jets aboard the carrier. Only Russian, India, and
Chinese carriers use this system for their carriers. Adopting EMALS would entail
a switch to the more complex Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery
(CATOBAR) launch system. EMALS refines the U.S. Navy’s existing CATOBAR
launch systems by imposing less stress on aircraft chassis. In general, CATOBAR
launch system impose fewer design constraints on carrier-based aircraft than
STOBAR systems.....
Source:
http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/this-us-technology-could-give-indian-aircraft-carriers-animportant-edge/
*
Denied seminars abroad, DRDO scientist moves CAT:
A scientist has moved the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) after his
integrity was questioned by the DRDO laboratory where he works. In his
complaint, Gausal Khan, a scientist at the Defence Institute of Physiology and
Allied Science (DIPAS), Timarpur, has alleged the laboratory denied him
permission to visit Japan, China, the Netherlands, and other countries to attend
conferences and seminars. It all started in 2011, when Khan was denied
permission to visit Japan. The DIPAS, however, said he did not seek permission
in time and despite being denied nod to visit Japan, he went ahead with the trip.
The laboratory later filed a complaint with the police. Many Went On Such
Trips,Only I Got The Stick: Thachankary Plea To CAT After working abroad,
according to Khan, he in 2010 joined the DIPAS where he was part of the
Hematology Group of Research. Khan, a grade ‘D’ scientist, was assigned to
submit a project along with two other scientists. In his petition, Khan said the
director of the laboratory, Dr Shashi Bala Singh, denied him permission to visit
Japan in February 2011 after he was selected for one “Developing World
Scientist” award for the same project.....
Source:
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/denied-seminars-abroad-drdo-scientistmoves-cat/
II
Homeland Security
*
Defence forces alert along Sino-India border: J&K government:
Jammu and Kashmir's Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said the defence
forces are maintaining a tight vigil along the Sino-Indian border in Ladakh and
"there is no need to worry". "Our defence forces are alert on the border. There is
no such thing that they will come to this side and occupy our lands. There is no
need to worry," Singh told reporters while reacting to reports of incursion along
Sino-Indian border in Ladakh. "The border with China is a porous border. There
is several kilometers of distance between two pickets. They sometimes
inadvertently cross to this side and sometimes they do play mischief as well," he
said. Singh said, "These two things do take place along the border. Even at time
we also inadvertently cross to the other side. I have just come from Delhi and
will take up the issue with the Chief Minister....
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/defence-forces-alert-along-sinoindia-border-jk-government/articleshow/46828909.cms
*
Two militant attacks kill 4 cops across the Valley:
Four Jammu & Kashmir policemen were killed in separate militant attacks across
the Valley on April 06, fueling concerns about tourist arrivals at the beginning of
the peak season. The attacks coincided with the opening of Srinagar's Tulip
Gardens to attract tourists, many of whom had cancelled bookings after flood
alert was sounded in the Valley last week. Police said unidentified militants shot
sub-inspector Ghulam Mustafa at Mujgund near Srinagar while he was travelling
on a public bus. He died on his way to hospital. Hours later, three policemen
were killed when militants, dressed in Army fatigues, fired on a police party at
Shopian in south Kashmir. Reports said the cops, Mushtaq Ahmad, Nisar Ahmad
and Shabir Ahmad, were unarmed and on their way to Amshipora for
investigating a case. Former militant Rafiq Ahmad Dar was critically wounded
when he was shot at in Tral in south Kashmir. No militant outfit claimed
responsibility for the attacks. Kashmir range inspector general of police Syed
Javed Mujtaba Gilani said they had no specific inputs about the attacks. He said
police have vital inputs about the attacks and were working on them. "We would
not be disclosing such inputs at present but entire force is working on such leads
that we have got.'' The attacks forced authorities to beef up security across the
Valley. ...
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Two-militant-attacks-kill-4-cops-across-theValley/articleshow/46830491.cms
*
Pak army, ISI ask militants to target forces, avoid civilians:
Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and that country's army have directed the
militants operating in Jammu & Kashmir not to carry out attacks on civilians but
to target security forces, leading to spurt in casualties among men in uniform,
home ministry officials said. Officials said the killing of three policemen by
militants on April 06 in Kashmir valley was a clear indication about the plans of
the Pakistan-sponsored groups. Quoting intelligence inputs, the officials said the
directive of ISI and Pakistan army to terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad,
Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen came following international pressure
as global powers have joined hands against terrorists violence on innocent
civilians. Citing the spurt in recent militancy-related violence in Jammu &
Kashmir, the officials said the two powerful establishments in Pakistan told the
militants to intensify their attacks on security forces. Two fidayeen militants
attacked an army camp on Jammu-Pathankot highway in Samba on March 21.....
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-army-ISI-ask-militants-to-target-forces-avoidcivilians/articleshow/46826013.cms
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