Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
February 04, 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
In what is a milestone, the configuration of the canister version of ICBM,
Agni-V, which was successfully test-fired from Wheeler Island for a range
of more than 5,000 km, has been “frozen” and there was no issue as far as
validation and verification of India’s most potent strategic missile was
concerned.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully conducted
extreme cold weather trials on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in Leh.
The test renders the aircraft fit and suitable for aerial operations in
testing conditions.
In a significant step, the Indian Army is aiming for a highly encrypted
Cloud storage system for itself, similar to that of Google, to store data as it
is working towards becoming a "100 per cent digital" force.
I. National Defence and Security:
Agni-V’s canister-based configuration validated:
The configuration of the canister version of ICBM, Agni-V, which was successfully
test-fired from Wheeler Island for a range of more than 5,000 km, has been
“frozen” and there was no issue as far as validation and verification of India’s
most potent strategic missile was concerned. With the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducting three Agni-V
missions in a row, including the latest canister-based flight test, only one more
trial would be conducted jointly with the user before it gets inducted into armed
forces by year-end. According to a top missile technologist who is closely
associated with Agni-V project, the canister-based trial with the user would be
conducted in four to five months. Mentioning the advantages of canister version
in terms of operational flexibility to the user, he said one could just park it and
launch. Besides providing reduced reaction time, it would also help in
camouflaging, he added.
‘Satisfying mission’
A DRDO scientist described success as a very satisfying mission. Calling it an
achievement would be an understatement, he added. He said that data capturing
while the missile was inside the container was a major challenge. “You are not
supposed to lose data for even a millisecond,” he said and added that sufficient
data was collected even though the signal level was low when it was in the
canister. In such long-range missions, the earth’s curvature would be an
obstruction and therefore the telemetry and radars had to be spread out to
monitor the entire operation from the start to end.
User trials scheduled
Meanwhile, the user trials of Agni-3 and Agni-1 are scheduled to be conducted
next month.
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/agnivs-canisterbased-configurationvalidated/article6845901.ece
*
Army shifts focus to indigenous software:
While several of the Army’s communication systems are built by BEL, some of
the larger servers and other basic components are imported. This creates
vulnerability of malware or bugging of these critical network systems. To
address this, all imported components are screened before being cleared for
installation, Army sources said. But realising the inherent strategic vulnerability,
sources said, the Army has shifted focus to indigenous software and hardware
development.
Separate network
The Army also has a separate network called the Army Wide Areas Network
which is presently connected from the Army Headquarters to the battalion level
with optic fibre network. This is separate from the Internet which prevents
snooping, Army sources said. Work is on to expand this further to ensure lastmile connectivity to the unit level which is expected to be completed in the next
few years. At the operational level, a unit will be equipped with data radios
which are special handsets being built by BEL with indigenous software. Once
equipped they will enable live streaming from the battle field to the operations
room enabling battlefield transparency.
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/army-shifts-focus-to-indigenoussoftware/article6854165.ece
*
Tejas Successfully Passes Extreme Cold Weather Trials in Leh:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully conducted extreme cold
weather trials on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in Leh. “The aircraft made
three consecutive starts using the indigenous gas turbine starter at -15°C with 85
per cent charged battery a few days ago. Prior to the start, the aircraft was cold
soaked for 18 to 20 hours (even 42 hours on one occasion) outside the hangar in
Leh and no heating source was used for starting,” said HAL chairman T Suvarna
Raju. According to a release issued by HAL, a team of 15 engineers and
technicians from HAL worked to solve the peculiar requirement faced in starting
a gas turbine engine in the rarefied and cold atmospheres found at Leh. The gas
turbine starter unit of HAL, used to start the engine for the LCA, has been
designed, developed and manufactured by its Aero Engine Research and Design
Centre (AERDC). The rig trials with a modified starting schedule were conducted
at Leh (3260 m altitude) in July and August last year. During that period, HAL
had demonstrated the capability of its starter at a high altitude of 5.6 km, the
release said. HAL had recently handed over the first series production aircraft to
the IAF.
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Tejas-Successfully-Passes-Extreme-ColdWeather-Trials-in-Leh/2015/02/03/article2650187.ece
*
Integration of air-based cruise missile with Su-30MKI fighter
completed in India:
Integration of the air-based version of the BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile
with a fighter jet of the Su-MKI family has been successfully completed in India,
an official at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) state aircraft manufacturing
corporation told TASS. Several key structural changes have been introduced in
the missile and the jet over the past seven to six months, including redistribution of loads on the lifting elements of the aircraft after the bench
running. The project’s Managing Director S. Subramanyan told TASS in this
connection the Russian side had provided a whole team of technology
consultants, who resolved one of the most complex tasks the accommodation of
the 9-meter-long missile by altering the configuration of the fuselage. First trial
tests that will make it possible to assess the results of more than two years of
joint work of Russian and Indian designers will be held in March. Preparations of
a second fighter jet for trial testing will begin right after the March test flights.
Plans suggest that the works involving it will take about a year. In the future the
same pattern will be applied to 42 Su-30MKI jets of the Indian Air Force. In
October 2012, the Indian government’s security committee endorsed allocation
of $ 1.1 billion for purchasing 200 BrahMos missiles to be installed on Su-30MKI
fighters of the Indian Air Force. To make the integration successful, the weight of
the air-based version of the missile was reduced by 500 kilograms and the
length, by about 50 centimeters.
Source: http://itar-tass.com/en/world/775050
*
Indian firm says it has developed 4 advanced radar systems:
An Indian company claimed to have indigenously developed four advanced dualuse radar systems capable of 3D bird detection and deterrence, besides UAV
tracker and foliage penetration, a first for the domestic defence industry. The
radars would have a global launch in the upcoming Aero India air show in
Bengaluru. "OIS Advanced Technology has the IP rights for these four radars. We
are launching these advanced radar systems for global markets, in essence
taking Indian intellectual property and manufactured product to advance our
expanded vision of taking Make in India to the world," Sanjay Bhandari, FounderChairman and Managing Director of the firm said. The company said its 3D Bird
Detection, Tracking and Monitoring and Deterrence Radar System is a global
first. Bhandari explained that there are bird detection radars but those don't
come quipped with deterrence capabilities......
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/indian-firm-says-it-has-developed-4advanced-radar-systems/articleshow/46095517.cms
*
THREE RAFALES RETURNING TO AERO INDIA, GOOD NEWS
IN STORE?:
Three Armée de l'Air Rafale multirole fighters will be making a return to Aero
India this year, just seven months since their last dash into the country for the
Indo-French Garuda-V joint air exercise in Jodhpur. While Dassault Aviation and
the Hollande government have done everything so far possible to conclude an
early contract, the long-winding M-MRCA isn't over year. Three full years after
South Block eliminated the Eurofighter Typhoon in favour of the French Rafale,
negotiations stumble through a tricky final phase that shows no signs of being
smoothe. The reality is, since at least mid-2013, negotiations have remained
largely stalled over crucial issues that include: Responsibility for the 108 aircraft
in terms of liability, damages and attendant clauses on access, inspection and
post-manufacture testing. Dassault's concern is that HAL hasn't built up any of
the fixed assets which the company feels would be the minimum requirement to
begin discussing the modalities of the kind of liability HAL wants Dassault to take
on for the jets built in India. With the last 60 aircraft to be as much as 90% 'Made
in India', the ball is apparently in HAL's court, with Dassault telling the Cost
Negotiation Committee (CNC) that it still awaits figures from HAL on the
financial specifics of the liability it is seeking to transfer to Dassault. Dassault has
asked HAL to clarify the specifics of any similar liability parameters in
comparable deals like HAL's Su-30 MKI production line on license from Russia.
Modalities of licensee/licensor and the manner in which the final agreement sets
down their roles. Things are actually more contentious than most believe/report.
Dassault has even flagged up issues with access to HAL's facilities. A French
delegation empowered to smoothen out negotiations is understood to be in the
process of attempting to smoothen out issues that keep the deal from an early
conclusion. The other reality is that negotiations are essentially taking place in a
whole new political atmosphere where two powerful twin imperatives override
nearly everything else: (a) the need to economise given major fund crunches for
defence procurement. And (b) the Prime Minister-led 'Make in India' concept
that's been aggressively pushed through at every opportunity. The Aero India
show this year, in fact, is themed around 'Make in India'....
Source: http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2015/02/three-rafales-returning-to-aero-india.html
*
India looks to Israel for new fighter’s air-to-air missiles:
At this stage in its procurement process, the Indian air force wants Israeli-made
air-to-air missiles to hang under the wings of its new fighter aircraft. The Indian
government has yet to make the final selection between the French Dassault
Rafale and the Russian Sukhoi Su-30. But all indications are that there is a
consensus among professionals about the air-to-air weapon. If the SU-30 is
eventually selected to be the backbone of the Indian air force, the intention of
New Delhi is to equip it with two Israeli-made, combat-proven air-to-air missiles.
Both are manufactured by Rafael: one is the Python 5, a fifth-generation air-toair missile; and the other is the Derby active radar missile. Python 5 has a length
of 3.1m (10ft) and diameter of 16cm, and weighs 105kg (230lb). It can carry an
11kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead equipped with an active laser
proximity fuse. The missile features a new electro-optical infrared seeker with
high off-boresight capability. The infrared seeker scans the target area for the
threat and locks on for terminal chase after the target is identified. It employs a
dual-waveband focal plane array (FPA). The FPA ensures the attainment of small,
low-signature aim-points during day or night in clear and cloudy conditions. The
highly advanced image and signal algorithms guide the missile towards the
target. Python 5 is also equipped with lock-on before launch (LOBL) and lock-on
after launch (LOAL) capabilities. In LOAL mode, the target information is
transmitted from the launch aircraft to the missile. The missile offers a high hit
probability and excellent resistance to countermeasures. It can even engage
targets capable of performing evasive manoeuvres. The full sphere launch
capability allows 360° engagement around the launch aircraft, while the allaspect/all-direction attack ability ensures the simultaneous destruction of
multiple targets. The Derby is a beyond visual range (BVR), medium-range active
radar homing missile. It is 3.6cm long, has a diameter of 16cm and weighs 118kg.
The warhead weighs 2kg. What is currently a clear-cut selection of the air-to-air
missiles for India’s next fighter aircraft is only likely to change if the platform
deal includes a “must-buy” clause for systems.
Source:
http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/ariel-view/2015/02/israeli-made-missiles-next-indianairforce-fighter/
*
Army formations getting snoop-proof mobile network:
While the Army is making progress in fielding its own mobile network in a
couple of years under the Mobile Cellular Communications System (MCCS) and
also contemplating a cloud network for its rank and file, basic concerns still
persist with continued reliance on imports for hardware and software. As part of
a major drive towards enabling a digital army, the Army is also envisaging
setting up a private virtual drive for its personnel to access information
anywhere and reduce dependency on open platforms.
Mobile formation
Currently one of the corps, the largest mobile formation in the Army, has been
fully equipped with the army mobile network based on Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA) technology being built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL),
while another corps has acquired 70-80 per cent. Three more corps have been
sanctioned the network, Army sources said. All the five corps are in forward
areas and the process will be completed by 2017-18. Special handsets are being
built by BEL for this purpose and the MCCS will enable transfer of large volumes
of data including pictures and real-time updates. Experts said CDMA is near
impossible to snoop and, in addition, the handsets are frequency hopping to
prevent interference. While several of these systems are built by BEL, some of
the larger servers and other basic components are imported. This creates
vulnerability of malware or bugging of these critical network systems.
Imported components
To address this, all imported components are screened before being cleared for
installation, Army sources said. But realising the inherent strategic vulnerability,
sources said, the Army has shifted focus on indigenous software and hardware
development. The Army also has a separate network called the Army Wide Areas
Network which is presently connected from the Army Headquarters to the
battalion level with optic fibre network. This is separate from the Internet which
prevents snooping, Army sources said. Work is on to expand this further to
ensure last-mile connectivity to the unit level which is expected to be completed
in the next few years. At the operational level, a unit will be equipped with data
radios which are special handsets being built by BEL with indigenous software.
Once equipped they will enable live streaming from the battle field to the
operations room enabling battlefield transparency.
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/army-formations-getting-snoopproofmobile-network/article6855067.ece
*
Indian Army aims to become 100 per cent digital, for Cloud
storage system:
Indian Army is aiming for a highly encrypted Cloud storage system for itself,
similar to that of Google, to store data as it is working towards becoming a "100
per cent digital" force. Army sources, however, said the infrastructure for a
Cloud storage system already exists but has not been made operational because
of the present policy. "A policy review is under consideration". Once Cloud
system becomes operational, it would store all non-classified information of
every Indian soldier which can be accessed by authorised personnel as and when
needed, they added. The Army has already initiated a full-fledged digitalisation
programme under which every unit and each soldier would become digitally
savvy. Each Indian Army unit will have data capability with high bandwidth
connectivity. Apart from these, the Army is also working on a data-radio set that
can transmit video from a border post in LoC or the Line of Actual Control to the
headquarters here live, they said. "The Army has already initiated programmes
to connect every soldier to its secluded central data bank through hard-wired
links," sources said, adding that a digital literacy programme has been initiated.
Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indian-army-aims-to-become100-per-cent-digital-for-cloud-storage-system/articleshow/46111896.cms
*
DRDO’s Silence on ‘ISI Spy’ Raises Eyebrows:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which has drawn
criticism from different quarters for allowing contractual employee Iswar
Chandra Behera access to sensitive areas inside the defence test facility, is yet to
take any disciplinary action against him for his alleged links with ISI. Reliable
sources said though over a week has passed since Behera was arrested, he has
been neither served showcause notice nor issued job termination letter. He had
joined Integrated Test Range (ITR), the test facility of DRDO, as a casual
employee on contract in August 2007. Even as the DRDO authorities remain
tight-lipped about information leak from the missile test facility despite 24x7
surveillance, lack of administrative action against the suspected mole in their
ranks has surprised many. Though Behera had allegedly been supplying
information for the past few years, the authorities had no clue till the Intelligence
Bureau (IB) tracked his movements leading to his arrest. A senior DRDO
employee, on condition of anonymity, said no such action is taken in case of a
contractual worker found involved in anti-national activities. “The employee will
not be allowed to enter the defence establishments. Police have seized his
identity card and they will take action accordingly. We have nothing to do,” he
clarified. However, defence experts are not willing to buy the claims. Retired
Colonel Sarat Kumar Mohapatra said as per Government rules, an employee,
whether permanent or contractual, has to be served a showcause and terminated
as per the provisions of service guidelines. “It is a statutory clause in any service
and in this case also, the ITR authorities should have served the showcause and
terminated the service of Behera after the notice period,” he added. Meanwhile, a
three-member team of Crime Branch, led by Additional SP DP Chakraborty,
visited Behera’s village of Kantipur and recorded the statements of his family
members and relatives. The team also visited Kantipur post office and Gaddeulia
sub-post office through which Iswar had received money orders from the
suspected ISI handlers. The team also took copies of his account statements from
Kalama branch of Bank of India. The seven-day remand of Behera ends.
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/DRDO%E2%80%99s-Silence-on%E2%80%98ISI-Spy%E2%80%99-Raises-Eyebrows/2015/02/03/article2650394.ece
II
Homeland Security
*
Police, BSF men walked into Maoist trap:
Disregarding all the rules and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), a team of 10
police and BSF men led by BSF Assistant Commandant Vivek Rawat and subinspector Avinash Sharma walked into a Maoist trap on February 02. Avinash
Shukla and constable Sonu were killed in the encounter which took place near
Hawalbaras village under Bande police station of Kanker district of South
Chhattisgarh. An anguished officer involved in anti-Maoist operations in Bastar
said: “It was suicidal. You don’t move in a Maoist area with 10 men on bikes.
Even five Maoists could have finished all our men.” The officer, who wished to
remain anonymous, also claimed that the rest of the personnel who were injured
in the encounter were “lucky.” “All of them could have been killed in what seems
like a trap,” he said. Head constable Omkar Banjara, who was a part of the team,
said except Mr. Sharma and Mr. Rawat, no one else knew what the plan was. “Six
of us, including Mr. Sharma, left the Bande police station and proceeded towards
Talbadi road. Mr. Rawat and his men joined us on the way but suddenly our
officers decided to change the plan and go towards Hawalbaras,” Mr. Banjara
told The Hindu. Around 25 to 30 Maoists started “indiscriminate” fire on the
security personnel around one km from the village at around 1.30 p.m. The
encounter lasted about an hour and a half and Mr. Sharma and constable Sonu
were badly injured in the first fire, informed Mr. Banjara. Some photographs of
the encounter spot accessed by The Hindu shows Mr. Sharma and Mr. Rawat in
formal clothes with goggles on. Maoists managed to take away one AK-47, one 9mm pistol and a magazine with 30 rounds. Asked about the “complete violation”
of the SOP, Kanker Superintendent of Police Ranjan Das said: “We are speaking
to the injured and concrete conclusions cannot be made now.” “But our men
fought bravely for more than an hour ensuring that the damage was minimum,”
he added.
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/police-bsf-men-walked-into-maoisttrap/article6853552.ece?homepage=true
*
Maoists shifting base to Odisha: Naveen:
The ultras have started moving from neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh and
Jharkhand, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in a letter to Union Home Minister
Rajanth Singh. “Intelligence inputs indicate that the Maoists have been trying to
consolidate their position in western Odisha, particularly in Nuapada district for
quite sometime. A large number of cadres have moved in from Chhattisgarh and
Jharkhand to the district,” the letter circulated to the media said, adding that in
the current scenario of left wing extremism in Odisha, the situation remains
challenging not only in Nuapada but also in districts like Koraput and Malkangiri.
There is a possibility of further migration of armed Maoists into Odisha
particularly from Chhattisgarh following the action by central forces in the
neighbouring state. “It is learnt that additional battalions of Central Armed Police
Forces (CAPFs) are likely to be inducted in Chhattisgarh soon. This is expected to
increase further the cross border movement of the Maoists into Odisha from
Chhattisgarh side”, the letter said. ....
Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/457565/maoists-shifting-base-odisha-naveen.html
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