Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
May 31, 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
An advanced version of the indigenously developed Pinaka Mark-II rocket
was successfully test-fired on May 30 from Army's Chandan firing range
near Pokhran using a multi-barrel launcher.
Indian Navy will soon test fire a long-range surface-to-air missile, jointly
developed by India and Israel, aiming to enhance its capabilities against
incoming missiles, planes and drones. If the test is successful, it will pave
the way for final installation of Barak 8 missile on board Indian warships.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has ruled out recruiting women for
combat operations in armed forces due to apprehensions about their
safety but said they would be encouraged to join other operational areas
with their inclusion being stepped up in phases.
I. National Defence and Security:
Pinaka Mark-II rocket successfully test-fired:
An advanced version of the indigenously developed Pinaka Mark-II rocket was
successfully test-fired on May 30 from Army's Chandan firing range near
Pokhran using a multi-barrel launcher. "Pinaka Mark-II trials were successfully
tested in Pokhran field firing range near Indo-Pak border. Target was
successfully hit in Keru area which was situated 55 km from the firing point,"
said the Defence sources. Jointly developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation and the Indian Army, this multi-barrel rocket
launcher has high operational mobility, flexibility and accuracy as the major
characteristics, which give the weapon an edge in modern artillery warfare for
the Indian Armed Forces. According to the sources "the ongoing developmental
trials at Pokhran range in western Rajasthan by Army and scientists of DRDO
was to test the advance stage of development of Pinaka Mark-II weapon system
with upgraded version of software". The development and trials will continue
and the rocket is expected to enter service any time now, they said....
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/pinaka-mark-ii-rocket-successfully-testfired/articleshow/47483979.cms?cfmid=11001088
*
Indo-Israeli Barak 8 missile: Indian Navy to test long-range SAM
soon:
Indian Navy will soon test fire a long-range surface-to-air missile, jointly
developed by India and Israel, aiming to enhance its capabilities against
incoming missiles, planes and drones. If the test is successful, it will pave the way
for final installation of Barak 8 missile on board Indian warships. The missile had
undergone a successful test in Israel last November. "The test will be held during
the coming monsoon so that actual operating challenge is created," defence
sources said adding that it would be held on INS Kolkata. The launchers and
radars to track the missile are already in place. The test will be conducted
against an incoming missile by the Navy. Barak 8 is an upgraded version of the
Barak system both countries already use. The missile is being jointly developed
by Israel Aerospace Industries, India's DRDO, Israel's Administration for the
Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Elta Systems, Rafael
and other companies. The state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will seriesproduce the 70 km-range Barak-8, with 32 missiles to be initially fitted onto INS
Kolkata....
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indo-israeli-barak-8-missile-indian-navy-totest-long-range-sam-soon/articleshow/47478457.cms?cfmid=11001088
*
Looking to breathe life into DRDO, govt splits top post:
With the Modi government keen to build a strong defence-industrial base in tune
with the 'Make in India' policy, the stage has now been set for revival of the
country's moribund defence R&D establishment by the appointment of two
relatively younger scientists at the helm of affairs. The government is quite
miffed with the lackadaisical functioning of DRDO, often in the dock for its failure
to deliver cutting-edge weaponry without huge time and cost overruns, with PM
Narendra Modi himself warning the organisation to fast shed its "Chalta Hai"
attitude. But only time will tell whether S Christopher (59), the new DRDO chief,
and G Satheesh Reddy (51), the new scientific advisor to the defence minister,
can undertake the kind of drastic surgery that is needed to revive DRDO and its
52 labs spread across the country. India, after all, still continues to import 65%
of its military hardware and software. Officials say Reddy's appointment in the
MoD, by splitting the SA-cum-DRDO chief post, will provide an "independent
mechanism" to review and scrutinise DRDO's functioning. Till now, the same
scientist wore the two hats.
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/looking-to-breathe-life-into-drdo-govt-splitstop-post/articleshow/47487258.cms?cfmid=11001099
*
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Rules Out Combat Role For
Women in Armed Forces:
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has ruled out recruiting women for combat
operations in armed forces due to apprehensions about their safety but said they
would be encouraged to join other operational areas with their inclusion being
stepped up in phases. "No. Think of what can happen if a woman is taken as a
prisoner in combat operation," he said, implying at possible atrocities they might
suffer if held captive by enemy forces. He, however, said except for combat role
women will be encouraged to join other operational areas of the forces. "This
inclusion will be increased in phases," Mr Parrikar said during a brief interaction
with reporters on the sidelines of a passing out parade at the National Defence
Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla near Pune. On shortage of officers in the forces,
he said the deficit is being reduced and the gap currently stood at 7,000 as
against 11,000 earlier. Mr Parrikar said the admission capacity of the Academy,
the premier institute which trains future officers of the three wings of the Armed
Forces, too will be enhanced from existing 1950 to 2400 in next two years....
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/defence-minister-manohar-parrikar-rules-out-combat-role-forwomen-in-armed-forces-767218
*
Navy, Coast Guard add future sea warriors into their fold:
Young naval cadets stole the hearts of their parents, relatives, friends and
instructors with their precision-packed marching skills during the Passing Out
Parade (POP) held at the Indian Naval Academy (INA) on May 31. Chief of Air
Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha reviewed the parade and awarded medals to
meritorious cadets. Addressing the gathering, the IAF Chief asked the cadets to
convert all challenges they face during the call of duty into opportunities. "The
high quality training imparted at INA will enable you all in mitigating any
maritime challenges faced while ensuring energy security for the nation," the
Chief said. The glittering ceremony culminated with the successful cadets
forming up in two columns, and marching, with their gleaming swords held in
salute, past the Academy's Saluting Dias (known as the Quarterdeck), in Slow
March. They marched to the traditional notes of ‘Auld Lang Syne', the poignant
farewell tune played by all armed forces of the world when bidding adieu to
colleagues and comrades. They were bid farewell by junior cadets who manned
the mast as the successful cadets streamed past the hallowed quarterdeck.
Source:
http://www.oneindia.com/india/navy-coast-guard-add-future-sea-warriors-into-their-fold1762771.html
*
INS Vikrant undocking postponed:
Siltation and a minor technical glitch in lowering the building bay dock gate,
which was last operated when the maiden indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
was taken in post-launch for the second phase of work a year-and-a-half ago,
have forced the Cochin Shipyard to defer the undocking of the carrier to June 01.
The aircraft carrier was to have been undocked on completion of structural work
on May 30. Flooding of the dock and ballasting of the carrier, weighing about
26,000 tonnes minus the ballast, had begun on May 31. However, unfavourable
tide and a bit of siltation at the dock mouth besides a minor glitch with the dock
gate forced the undocking to be put off. Sources said the carrier would continue
to be outfitted for over a year-and-a-half after undocking when the second phase
of construction would draw to a close. The yard considers this to be the most
challenging phase during which cabling, piping, accommodation facility, air
conditioning and ventilation systems would be done.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-vikrant-undocking-postponed/article7265782.ece
II
Homeland Security
*
Indian Army intercepts infiltrators on LoC:
Army foiled an infiltration bid by heavily armed militants near the Line of
Control in Tangdhar sector of Kashmir. "The infiltration bid was foiled in the wee
hours as a group of heavily armed terrorists were crossing the LoC," an army
official said. He said contact was established with the militants at around 4.30
AM and the exchange of fire between the two sides was going on till reports last
came in. The official said there was no report of any casualties on either side so
far. This is second infiltration bid by militants in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara
district within a week. Three soldiers and a militant were killed in a failed
infiltration bid by militants on May 25.
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-army-intercepts-infiltrators-onloc/articleshow/47487324.cms?cfmid=11001094
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]