Indicia Knowledge Brief A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security April 18, 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 US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter’s likely to visit India next month is expected to result in the nearly $ 2.5 billion deal for 22 Apache and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. A much awaited deal. That Indian defence industry is likely to see $ 250 billion worth of business over the next decade, rightly seems to be Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s mantra even as he invited South Korean firms to make full use of 'Make-in-India' initiative. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus’ announcement that said it is willing to setup final assembly lines and establish supply chain and related infrastructure for military transport aircraft and helicopters in India, apart from plans to develop and manufacture electronic sensors with a partner in India, is a big investment and manufacturing boost for the aviation sector. I. National Defence and Security: US Defence Secy likely to visit India next month to sign $2.5 bn copter deal: US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter is likely to visit India next month when the two sides are expected to ink the nearly $ 2.5 billion deal for 22 Apache and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Though the final dates for Carter’s visit have not been announced, defence sources said the visit will take place in May during which the two sides will discuss ways to enhance defence ties, especially in context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. The Apache and Chinook helicopters deal is likely to be among the pacts that will be inked during the visit, the sources said. The deal would be presented before the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval soon, they added. Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/us-defence-secy-likely-to-visit-india-next-month-tosign-2-5-bn-copter-deal/68947.html * Manohar Parrikar woos South Korean defence firms: Indian defence industry is likely to see $ 250 billion worth of business over the next decade, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said as he invited South Korean firms to make full use of 'Make-in-India' initiative. Parrikar, who addressed an India-Korea Defence Industry Forum in Seoul, outlined the policy changes being brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to facilitate investment in defence sector. He said the time had come for South Korean defence firms to take advantage of the high brand value enjoyed by Korean-made products in India and to enter the defence market as partners for the long-term. In the presentations, it was also noted that the ongoing internal process of further streamlining India's defence procurement policies would be completed in less than three months, an official statement said indicating that the new procurement policy will be delayed further..... Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/manohar-parrikar-woos-south-koreandefence-firms/articleshow/46960427.cms * Smaller but better: Here's why PM Modi should fast track production of next-gen BrahMos missiles: India needs to encourage and fast track the agreement to develop the ambitious "BrahMos-Next Generation" (BrahMos-NG) missile project which has been conceptualized by the Indo-Russian joint venture as being smaller in both weight and dimension. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have an opportunity to do this when he visits Russia to participate in the BRICS summit. The BrahMos-NG, has been envisioned as a more versatile, highly precise, lethal, flexible, multiplatform, multi-target, lighter missile system. With the same specification of range (290 km) and a speed of around 3 Mach, the smaller missile will fit in submarine torpedo tubes and a large number of aerial platforms, including the MIG-29, Rafael, FGFA and SU-30MKI in larger numbers. The smaller version will have huge Indian market appeal, as well as export potential. Its key features will be as follows: *Reduced dimension and weight for widespread usage (1.6 tons as compared to 3 tons of weight and 6 meters length as compared to 9 meters of present BrahMos). *Advanced next generation stealth. *Greater effectiveness against ECCM (Electronic counter-countermeasures). *Launch readiness from Torpedo tube and vertical orientation. BrahMos has proven itself as a role model for the Joint Venture Partnership and a perfect example of “Make in India" with high emphasis on utilising Indian industries. As many as 205 Large and small public-private industries are involved in the production of its various sub-systems. Issues which are generally faced by armed forces like user training, maintenance, spares and service will be taken care of, in-house. One such potential platform to which the new version of BrahMos could offer enormous firepower and flexibility in terms of strike capability is the Indian Navy’s future P-75(I) class of attack submarines. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, considered one of the most potent and best weapon systems in the arsenal of Indian armed forces, has charted a highly successful trajectory since its inception in 1998. Source: http://www.firstpost.com/world/smaller-better-heres-pm-modi-fast-track-production-next-genbrahmos-missiles-2200292.html * Must know facts about INS Visakhapatnam, India’s latest Stealth Destroyer: Indian Navy’s new destroyer, Visakhapatnam, with enhanced capability to operate in nuclear, biological and chemical atmosphere, will be launched in Mumbai on April 19. The ship is the first of the four follow follow-up order of the Kolkata class warships and will give a major flip to India’s maritime capabilities when it is inducted in 2018. Ahead of its launch, here are a few facts about the stealth destroyer. 1) The ship, named Visakhapatnam (Project 15 B), a stealth destroyer, is 65 per cent indigenous and has a number of weapon systems which have been made at home. 2) At 7,300 tonnes, Visakhapatnam will be the largest destroyer commissioned by the Indian Navy and will be equipped with the Israeli Multi Function Surveillance Threat Alert Radar. 3) The ship will be carrying 8 BrahMos missiles. 4) Navy officials said the Visakhapatnam is likely to be inducted in the Indian Navy by 2018. 5) The Visakhapatnam will be armed with a 127 mm main gun while the INS Kolkata has a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount. 6) She is equipped with a Ship Data Network, an Automatic Power Management System and a Combat Management System.... Source: https://www.ibcworldnews.com/2015/04/18/must-know-facts-about-ins-visakhapatnam-indiaslatest-stealth-destroyer/ * Airbus to set up final assembly lines for military aircraft, helicopters in India: Aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS of Toulouse said it is willing to set-up final assembly lines and establish supply chain and related infrastructure for military transport aircraft and helicopters in India. The defence and space unit of Airbus has also plans to develop and manufacture electronic sensors with a partner in India, and has advanced discussions to support state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s combat aircraft programmes. In a statement, Airbus said one of its units, Airbus Helicopters is in discussion with Indian companies to finalise teaming arrangements for various helicopter programmes, including the Naval Utility Helicopter, the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter as well as the Naval Multi-Role Helicopter competitions. This was announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Airbus production facilities in Toulouse on April 18. “India already takes a centre-stage role in our international activities and we want to even increase its contribution to our products. We support Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ call and are ready to manufacture in India, for India and the world,” said Airbus Group chief executive officer Tom Enders. It was in April 1975, state-run Indian Airlines (now Air India Ltd) ordered three A300B2s, the first contract secured by Airbus in a country previously dominated by American aircraft manufacturers. Airbus had set up an Indian fully-owned subsidiary, Airbus India Operations, in December 2013.... Source: http://www.livemint.com/Companies/XINRYPRNXZeLXMrLZ3M3DI/Airbus-to-set-up-finalassembly-lines-for-military-aircraft.html * Shinmaywa US-2 can be force multiplier in rescue operations for Indian navy: Last month Dornier Do-228 belonging to Indian Navy Aviation Squadron 310, took off from INS Hansa in Goa for a night operation but crashed 25 nautical miles off the coast of Goa, Navy pressed 12 search and rescue ships and four aircraft, but it was almost a day later that wreckage of the ill-fated Dornier could be located along with bodies of co-pilot and observer officer. ” As we continue to grow ( Naval Aviation ) and fly more over Sea we will require faster flow of rescue operations at sea, every hour is critical ” Said Naval Source to idrw.org from the very same base which lost Two of its finest in that crash . US-2 which is Capable of taking off and landing on the ocean is exactly the amphibious aircraft which Indian navy is keen to Induct. US-2 not only can travel faster then Fastest Naval ships and Helicopters which are usually used in search and rescue it can also go farther and can stay up longer to reach sites of maritime accidents, which improves efficiency in transporting the wounded in emergencies. While highlights of aircraft is not limited to keep a vigil in the Bay of Bengal and how the aircraft will also play a crucial role in defense of forward naval bases in Andaman and Nicobar islands, but aircraft’s operational utility is much more then highlighted said same source. According to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) who are lone operators of US-2 amphibious aircrafts they were able to save over 960 lives of critically injured sailors and Passengers in maritime accidents in Sea. For a Warship which is 1000km away from its Naval base and is stranded due to mechanical failure or any crew member has suffered serious injuries, aircraft like US-2 not only able to land in water but also reach the spot in less than 2.5 hours compared to more than 24 hours for a Naval ships to reach . While India and Japan are considering manufacturing of this aircraft locally in India. Civilian variant too can be used for a much wider role in Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Management. US-2 can also be used as firefighting amphibians and can carry 15 tons of water, aircraft can refill in nearest waterbody and it takes less than 20 second to fill up it tanks.... Source: http://idrw.org/shinmaywa-us-2-can-be-force-multiplier-in-rescue-operations-for-indian-navy/ * Last Chance For India to Buy More IAF C-17s: With Australian Air Force ordering two more C-17s, the number of white-tail platforms (fully built but unsold) drops to five, giving the Indian government one final opportunity to augment its 10-strong fleet of the heavy transport jet. Boeing’s massive C-17 facility at Long Beach, California is expected to be converted into an engineering centre with the end of aircraft manufacturing operations there. While the Indian government has made no official commitment to purchasing more C-17s, the U.S. government hopes that the recent Yemen rescue operations could spur interest in using this final opportunity to get some of the last airframes available in the world market. Budgetary issues and other procurement priorities may nix any interest, though it is well known that the IAF has been informally keen for a while now to top up its Skylords squadron. Boeing recently said in a statement, “As Australia, India and customers around the world have experienced first-hand, the C-17 remains unmatched in its ability to transport troops and heavy cargo, support airdrops and aeromedical evacuations, and land and takeoff in remote airfields. Recently, the Indian Air Force’s C-17s have been extensively utilized for Human Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations by bringing home over almost 2000 Indians evacuated from Yemen and clocking over 150 hours.” Source: http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.aspx?id=7asUv1dfqPU= * HAL Powers On LUH Ahead Of First Flight: HAL is powering on with the LUH ahead of a potential first flight in July or August this year. HAL, which has responded to the Indian Army RFI for reconnaissance & surveillance helicopters (RSH) has decided to play its hand aggressively in the ‘Make in India’ environment sweeping the country’s defence procurement. The LUH, displayed in complete form for the first time at Aero India this year, is all set to lift off shortly. At HAL, are currently in the process of identifying crucial on board systems and equipment to speed up the process. For instance, HAL has called for information to supply an electrically operated Rescue Hoist System for lowering or raising personnel from an airborne helicopter using a rescue seat, rescue basket or a rescue stretcher. “The Rescue Hoist System will be an off the shelf fully qualified equipment with necessary minor adaptations incorporated to cater for installation interface of the helicopter & to meet the technical requirements of this specification,” says HAL. Source: http://idrw.org/hal-powers-on-luh-ahead-of-first-flight/ * Army wants govt to swiftly clear attractive package for shortservice officers: The Army top brass will once again ask the government next week to swiftly clear the long-pending package to make short-service commission (SSC) more attractive to ensure enough bright youngsters with "officer-like qualities (OLQs) join the force. The week-long Army commanders' conference, with General Dalbir Singh Suhag and chiefs of the six regional commands and one training command, will kick off on April 20. While operational matters like the government proposed move to downsize the new mountain strike corps will be taken up, the 1.17-million force also wants to tackle the huge shortage in the "fighting ranks" of its officer cadre, said sources. Though military salaries have substantially gone up after the 6th Pay Commission, youngsters still find them poor compared to the corporate sector, especially for a life which is tough and risky. Poor promotional avenues in the Army's steeply-pyramidal structure as well as frequent transfers that disrupt family life and children's education are the other reasons that dissuade youngsters from queuing up. Lack of adequate officer training capacity in the armed forces is, of course, another big factor. As part of their force-restructuring to attract youngsters, stem the greying profile and improve career prospects for permanent commission (PC) officers, the Army also recommended that the package for SSC officers -- who serve a maximum of 14 years in uniform - be made much more attractive. Gen Suhag admits the existing 4.7 (PC):1 (SSC) ratio of officers in his force is "skewed" since the SSC officers do not get a good deal. Holding that there is a shortage of people volunteering for SSC, he says the Army wants to move to "a desired ratio" of 1.1:1.... Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-wants-govt-to-swiftly-clear-attractive-packagefor-short-service-officers/articleshow/46965108.cms * Apache Exercise With ‘Asian’ Setting Interests IAF: The Indian Air Force has keenly kept track of a slew of exercises and operations led by U.S. Apache squadrons in the U.S. and outside in the recent past as it prepares for a conclusion to a contract for 22 AH-64E Apache Block III helicopters. The most recent is U.S. exercise Gunfighter Flag 15-2 at Saylor Creek Range, Idaho, starting April 15, a wargame focused on integrating air and ground forces in a realistic training environment similar to Southwest Asia. The other is Exercise Saber Junction 15 at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, that began on April 13, 2015, which prepares NATO and partner nation forces for offensive, defensive and stability operations, and promotes interoperability among participants, involves 4,700 participants from 17 countries, to include: Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey and the U.S. The IAF has also kept tabs on the recent ‘Dragoon Ride’ which involved Apache and other U.S. platforms escorting Stryker armored vehicles from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment as they complete their 1,800 km journey from Estonia, Lithuania and Poland on April 1. Finally, the IAF observed Exercise Iron Focus in March in which AH-64 Apaches provided overwatch on El Jabar Village during an air assault raid at Fort Bliss, Texas. Source: http://idrw.org/apache-exercise-with-asian-setting-interests-iaf/ * Perform or perish is the new mantra in the Defence Ministry: Cut your coat according to your cloth. That’s the loud and clear message Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sent out to the three armed forces. In less than six months after taking over, Parrikar has studied various complex issues dogging the Defence Ministry and has come to his own conclusions on what needs to be done. By his own admission, Parrikar spent the first four months as defence minister taking inputs from a range of experts both within and outside the MoD before making up his mind. The first thing he said he realised, was the mismatch that existed between various acquisition plans of the three armed forces and the availability of funds. “Many grand plans were made without taking the budget into consideration,” he told me. During a couple of on-camera and off-camera (but on record) conversations, Parrikar talked to me about how the planning for the much-touted Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) was faulty. “The need for acquiring an offensive capability against the Chinese was projected (and sanctioned) but not the funds. I will not go into who is responsible for this faulty planning and projection but the fact is, they (the army) was using war reserves to equip the Mountain Strike Corps. Fortunately, we realised the mistake early and I can assure you that the reserves have not depleted to a level where it can be termed alarming. After a review, we have realised that the MSC will have to be frozen at a point where it is now..” Later, in another interview to Hindustan Times, he confirmed the actual figures. “I have frozen the cost at Rs 38,000 crore over the next eight years. It will consist of 35,000 men,” the Defence Minister said. So from 70,000 men and Rs 88,000 crore, Parrikar has made the Army cut the size of the MSC down to almost 50 percent. And rightly so, since funds are not infinite.... Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/standpoint-perform-or-perish-is-the-new-mantra-in-thedefence-ministry-2078241 * Watch Out, China: India Is Launching New Stealth Destroyer: India will launch the lead vessel of its new class of super advanced, stealth destroyers on April 18, according to numerous local media reports. This week a number of Indian publications reported that the Indian Navy plans to launch the INS Visakhapatnam in Mumbai this weekend. The ship will be the first of four Visakhapatnam-class stealth destroyers that India is building as part of Project 15B. These vessels will serve as the follow-ons to the three Kolkata-class guided missile destroyers. As India’s largest destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam and its sister ships will be a boon to India’s naval power projection capabilities. “At 7,300 tonnes, Visakhapatnam will be the largest destroyer commissioned in the country and will be equipped with the Israeli Multi Function Surveillance Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR) which will provide targeting information to 32 Barak 8 long-range surface to air missiles onboard the warship,” NDTV reported. India is co-developing the Barak 8 missile with Israel. The same outlet also noted that each Visakhapatnam destroyer will boast 16 long range Brahmos anti-ship missiles, the supersonic anti-ship missile that Delhi developed in cooperation with Russia. Visakhapatnam-class destroyers have a number of other advantages over their predecessors as well. For example, while both classes are equipped with the AK-630 close-in anti-missile gun system the newer class will have a 127 mm main gun. By contrast, the INS Kolkata and its sister ships only have a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM).... Source: http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/watch-out-china-india-launching-new-stealthdestroyer-12660 * Focus Shifts to Tejas MK-2, Project all set to go Critical: Mini Collapse of MMRCA deal has clearly shifted focus back to the development of Tejas MK-2 now. Defence minister Mahonhar Parrikar and Indian air force are closely monitoring the progress of Tejas MK-2 and have begun a monthly review of the project. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is developing Tejas MK-2 is feeling the heat but is confident that things will fall in place soon as a major review of the project will be undertaken soon with all concerned parties. Tejas MK-2 will get final Technical freeze by the end of this year. project definition of Tejas MK-2 will be completed and the project will finally provide a road map to complete all the tasks to be executed over a fixed period of time before Aircraft is ready for Induction. Avionics & Radar idrw.org has learned from reliable sources that final Cockpit design layout for Tejas MK-2 has been frozen, MK-2 will sport Touch based two 6×8 main display with Smart MFDs and one 5×5 smart MFD which will have Day and Night mode. Indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar for Tejas MK-2 has completed Software development for air-air sub-modes and have begun development of software which will allow air-to-ground modes which are crucial for aircraft to carry out high-resolution mapping, multiple grounds moving target detection and track, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra high bandwidth communications will be completed by year end and IAF and ADA along with LRDE will carry out Project Review at the same time . Engines ADA along with GE have carried out Computer assessment of the F414-GE-INS6 engine with 98 kN of thrust in Tejas MK-2 aircraft and have concluded that no major changes in Air intakes are required. GE too has confirmed that the development of F414-GE-INS6 engines is progressing well and will be on schedule and GE engineers will be in India Into carry out mating of the engine with the aircraft when first aircraft is ready..... Source: http://idrw.org/focus-shifts-to-tejas-mk-2-project-all-set-to-go-critical/ * A Bold Political Decision for a Crucial Defence Need: The saga for procurement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) actually began in 2001, gathered steam in 2007 and was stuck in price negotiations for the past three years. Meanwhile, the IAF's combat fighter jet strength was depleting fast. Over the past couple of years, the Air Force top brass was alarmed enough to tell the government that its conventional combat edge even against Pakistan was in danger of being lost. So last week, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his threenation tour, a political decision was taken to explore the option of buying Rafale jets through a government-to-government (G-to-G) contract with France. The breakthrough will now allow the IAF to induct Rafale fighter jets in a two year time frame and at least partially make up for its depleting combat jet strength. However, it is the next step in aircraft procurement that will be watched intently. Will this decision of going for G-to-G mean that all future purchases of this magnitude will be handled in this manner? If so, what happens to the muchtouted Make in India programme? The roadmap is not clear but Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar gave enough hints about what the government is thinking in an interview that this writer co-hosted for Doordarshan. Not surprisingly, skeptics have hit out at the decision. The criticism has ranged from "it's too little too late," to "it goes against the Make in India concept." But both Modi and Parrikar were clear that they had to put the interest of the IAF above everything else and which what they have done. Mind you, procuring 36 Rafales is just a stop-gap arrangement to arrest the rapidly falling numbers in IAF's combat fleet. Lauding the Prime Minister for taking a bold decision in breaking the Rafale deadlock, Parrikar said future large procurements for the IAF and indeed for the armed forces at large, will have to be G-2-G but Make in India will also get a look in for other projects. For instance, IF more Rafales, were to be bought--over and above 36 decided now--Dassault could be asked to manufacture them in India. Even if any other lighter aircraft was to be selected, the pre-condition will be a tie-up with an Indian company or consortium. It is to Parrikar's credit that he decided to think differently on a knotty issue and suggested a way out to the Prime Minister. In fact, in less than six months after taking over, Parrikar has studied various complex issues dogging the defence ministry and has come to his own conclusions on what needs to be done. By his own admission, Parrikar spent the first four months as defence minister in taking inputs from a range of experts both within and outside the MoD before making up his mind..... Source: http://www.vifindia.org/article/2015/april/17/bold-political-decision-for-a-crucial-defence-need * In-A-Jam Solution: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France was not entirely negative for sure. But many are looking at the two major deals announced—outright purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, and the l&t-Areva agreement for constructing the epr nuclear reactors at Jaitapur in Maha-rashtra—as unmitigated dis-as-ters. The IAF has been thrown a juicy bone with the government-to-government acquisition of 36 Rafale jets. But this will materialise only two years down the line even if India is quick to sign the contract. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s much-vaunted ‘Make in India’ policy, however, suffers a major setback. For Dassault Aviation, though, it’s a thumping victory. For over three years, the contract for buying 126 Rafale jets had been foundering. In France, the reputation of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is rock-bottom. French defence majors who have worked with HAL describe it as “unprofessional and unreliable in the extreme”. The original plan was to buy 18 aircraft in ready-to-fly condition. HAL was to produce 108 more under licence in India. But Dassault refused to take responsibility for planes manufactured by HAL. Besides, there were disputes over pricing: an off-the-shelf purchase will cost India much more per aircraft than if the original deal had gone through. The actual transfer of technology will be limited and the outright purchase lets Dassault off the hook on that score. French sources place the value of this purchase at over Euro 5.5 billion. Dassault CEO Eric Trappier and his colleagues will be laughing their way to the bank. Modi’s much-vaunted ‘Make in India’ policy suffers a huge setback. Dassault, however, strikes a Rs 50,000-crore deal. At one time, India had the French aviation giant in a squeeze. The French defence ministry had curtailed its order for Rafales from 11 aircraft per year to just 26 over the next six years. Dassault badly needed the oxygen of foreign sales. India thought it could press the company for an even better deal: but there comes a point beyond which negotiations stall. The IAF badly needs the fighters: the government should have been careful not to push to the brink. On February 12, France announced the sale of 24 Rafales to Egypt, to be bankrolled by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Now, Dassault was in a dramatically better bargaining position. No longer did it have to accommodate New Delhi’s manoeuvring over prices or over manufacturing by HAL. Dassault could afford to drag out the negotiations. In India, pressure was building up. Paris told New Delhi that failure of the Rafale contract could seriously dent Indo-French relations. The IAF, realising the deal could collapse, raised the ante. And French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian made three trips to Delhi between December and March. In December, the India defence minister had told Le Drian he would accelerate the process. By February, the tide turned against India. In March, New Delhi told Paris that in the face of Dassault’s newfound intransigence, another urgent solution had to be found—outright purchase. On April 7, French President Francois Hollande and Le Drian discussed and finalised their response to New Delhi. It was kept secret: even HAL chairman and CEO T. Suvarna Raju learnt of the purchase from the newspapers while in Paris..... Source: http://www.outlookindia.com/article/InAJam-Solution/294077 * INS Vikrant set to undock next month: India is working on two separate projects to ramp up sea-borne aircraft carriers capability. The under construction indigenous 40,000 tonne INS Vikrant is slated to ‘undock’ from its building pontoon at Kochi next month, while India’s biggest naval warship and aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, is under a minor ‘re-fit’ to complete its Close-In Warfare System (CIWS), a protection from incoming enemy missiles. Vice Admiral Ashok Subedar, Controller, Warship Production and Acquisition, told the media on April 18, “In May this we will undock the INS Vikrant. As much as 95 per cent of its hull is complete as is 22,000 tonnes of steel structure. The shafting and propeller work is in last stages”. Despite challenges, all efforts are being made to meet the December 2018 deadline set by the Cabinet Committee on Security for commission of the INS Vikrant. After the undocking it will undergo harbour trials, sea trials followed by on-deck flight trials, Vice Admiral Subedar said. He was speaking to the media to announce the sea launch of the first of the set-of-four new warships. It is targeted for induction in 2018 and the remaining three ships shall follow at the intervals of two years each. Talking about INS Vikramaditya, inducted in November 2013, the Vice Admiral said Israeli Barak missile is being installed on the ship at its home base Karwar, south of Goa. Navy was originally looking at two options, either the Israeli Barak or the Russian Shitil missiles. A Barak-missile launch will be taken from one of warships that is being decommissioned. Sources said the INS Godavari, which had been given a Barak launch system some 10 years ago, has a fully functional system that is being put on the aircraft carrier. The Godavari is 32 years old and is set for decommissioning. “Fitting the Barak is a complex procedure which entails cutting through the deck. A period of some four months has been factored in for this”, sources said. The warship could carry up to 32 or 48 LR-SAMs. A CIWS is needed as the last protection layer against incoming missiles as well as an aircraft. It is ship’s own air defence system. When deployed, a carrier does not float alone but moves around with a small flotilla of warships. The LR-SAMs is one part of the CIWS and it includes other guns on the deck and an electronic warfare suite. On being asked about the next aircraft carrier, dubbed as the indigenous aircraft carrier-2 (IAC-2), Vice Admiral Subedar said the Naval design bureau would consider both the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) which enables a fighter jet to take-off from the deck of the carrier and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) which enables its landing. India is trying to get the technology from the US. Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/ins-vikrant-set-to-undock-next-month/68458.html II Homeland Security * Army can take out 26/11 Conspirators in Pak using deadly Commando Style Operation: Union Minister Gen (Retd) VK Singh on April 17 said the Indian Army is capable of executing daring operations to avenge 26/11-like attacks by eliminating offshore criminals but certain “considerations” preventing it from doing so. Singh was supported by former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who said that during his stint with the CBI, the agency had chalked a plan to get a “certain gentleman” in Pakistan which was scuttled on the last day by the “political bosses”. “Indian army is very capable. Given a task it will execute it in a much better manner than the Americans did (referring to US operations to kill Osama Bin Laden). As a country I think we have been giving much more elasticity to our limits of tolerance. Somewhere I suppose there are factors which 99 per cent people won’t understand as to why?” Singh said, speaking at a book release function. Singh added that a country like Israel, which has got full backing from the “only superpower” that exists, can do certain things without considering the consequences. “India is not in that state. We have to take care of many things. Especially effect on the economy,” the former Army Chief said. The duo was speaking at the launch of journalist-author S Hussain Zaidi’s book “Mumbai Avengers”, a fictional account of a covert operation by a retired Indian Army officer to avenge the 26/11 attacks. Terming India as a “soft state”, Kumar said that India was soft even when it came to “thinking” about avenging. “When I was in the CBI for nine years at one time we had conceived a plan to get at a certain gentleman in Pakistan. Everything was done. At the last day we thought we would inform the political bosses or shall I say the boss but he said no, we are not Pakistan, we are India,” he said. Kumar went on to say that the agency had also planned of using “non-state” actors for the mission. “All the preparations went down the drain. Lot of money was invested. We had also planned the use of non-state actors as Pakistan has been doing continuously,” he said. Underlining the importance of political “will”, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Singh said India would probably have “gone to war” with Pakistan after the Parliament attacks but for the delays from the part of the political leadership..... Source: http://www.defencenews.in/defence-news-internal.aspx?id=YDbnsKz/4Fk= * JuD supports Pakistan Army's 'jihad' in Kashmir, says Hafiz Saeed: Banned terror outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa's (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has admitted that his organisation helps the Pakistan Army in supporting Kashmiris. Speaking during an interview with Pakistan's Channel 24, Saeed said, “There are lakhs of people in Kashmir who are demanding freedom. If the Indian government resorts to firing then we will also retaliate in a strong manner.” “We support Pakistan, Pakistan government and Pakistan Army in their effort to help the people of Kashmir who don't have freedom. And we call it jihad,” he added. Saeed said further, “Pakistan and its government have always maintained that people of Kashmir should get their rights. Whatever the Pakistani government does to achieve this is jihad for us and we support Pakistan, Pakistani government and Pakistani forces.” Masarat Alam was arrested by the J&K Police for raising proPakistan slogans and hoisting Pakistan flags at a rally in Srinagar earlier this week. He was arrested by the police and has been sent to seven-day police custody by a Budgam court. Protests have broken out in the area since Alam's arrest and one person has been killed. Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/jud-supports-pakistan-armys-jihad-in-kashmir-says-hafizsaeed_1580798.html * Maoists launch tactical counter-offensive in Jharkhand: The CPI (Maoist) are carrying out a tactical counter offensive campaign (TCOC), one of the intense annual phases of war against the state, throughout Jharkhand and the back-to-back Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh were part of the same campaign, state police said on April 17. TCOC is a country-wide phenomenon during which Maoists plan and launch tactical attacks on security forces between April and early monsoon in July. Jharkhand police spokesperson S N Pradhan, who is also ADG (operations), said the police were aware of TCOC and planned its strategies accordingly. "Maoists use the campaign to boost the morale of their cadres. It is like a celebration time for them during which they want to record some achievements which are considered big feats," said a police officer. He added that the offensive was planned at the level of Maoists' central military commission, the principal armed body of the extremists. "Maoists usually target movement parties. The officers in the field have been asked to focus on the security of movement parties and equally keep the static party on high alert," Pradhan said. In April 2014 (when Maoists were carrying our TCOC), they had killed eight persons, including polling officials, in Dumka district during the Lok Sabha polls. Maoists have been on the back-foot in Jharkhand, especially after they failed to carry out any attack during the assembly elections towards the end of 2014. Several police stations are situated in the dense forests where Maoists are known to have advantage over the security personnel. A police officer said though it was not easy for the rebels to attack the police stations, but everyone was on alert. CRPF IG Rakesh Kumar Mishra, who heads all paramilitary forces in the state, said in the wake of TCOC all battalions of the paramilitary force have been asked to carry out counter insurgency campaign and strictly follow the standard operating procedures so that the forces do not become target of the Maoists. "The CRPF commandants have been asked to hold consultations with SPs and ensure that the police patrol from police stations, JAP teams and others do not violate the operational guidelines. They can become soft targets if they violate the SOPs. I have asked the commandants to immediately report aberrations if they come across any," Mishra said. TCOC is a nationwide phenomenon during which Maoists plan and launch tactical attacks on security forces between April and early monsoon in July. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maoists-launch-tactical-counter-offensive-inJharkhand/articleshow/46967151.cms Indicia solicits comments and advice from readers on any aspect of the report. It believes that cross-fertilisation of knowledge invariably leads to better knowledge Indicia Research & Advisory Fusion Knowledge in Indian Defence and Strategic Affairs C – 79, Basement, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi – 110 017 T&F: + 91 11 4579 2922, email: [email protected]
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