Indicia Knowledge Brief A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security February 15, 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 reassurance that all necessary support will be provided by te government to ensure that the Indian Navy must remain a "superior force" in the Indian Ocean region and assured that the government would extend full support for making it a truly bluewater navy, will go a long way in building a strong and powerful navy. India successfully test-fired the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile from INS Kolkata, the navy's most powerful and newest warship, in Arabian sea. With this the efficacy and the capability of the latest ship has been established. Seven Indian companies have sought clarity from the ministry of defence (MoD) on issues including ‘Make In India’ and asked for extension of the request for information (RfI) till the end of this month for 100 naval utility helicopters (NUH) at an estimated value of $2 bn. I. National Defence and Security: Navy should remain a 'superior force' in Indian Ocean: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on February 15 said that the Indian Navy must remain a "superior force" in the Indian Ocean region and assured that the government would extend full support for making it a truly bluewater navy. Addressing the sailors and officers of the newly-inducted aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya after witnessing two days of Theatre Readiness Operational Level Exercise (TROPEX-2015), off the coast of Goa in the Arabian Sea, Parrikar said his stay on board the vessel had been instructive. He said he is can now understand better the many difficult situations that defence forces, especially sailors and naval officers, face while ensuring the safety and security of the nation. Parrikar was accompanied by Minister of State for Defence, Rao Inderjit Singh, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral AK Chopra. During the exercise, Parrikar and others were provided an overview of the multi-dimensional capabilities of the navy. The navy demonstrated multiple facets of operations during his stay which encompassed a variety of weapons firing, MiG 29K and Sea Harrier operations from two aircraft carriers -- the other being INS Viraat -- integration of the P8I aircraft with fleet, and operations by the navy's Marine Commandos..... Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/navy-should-remain-a-superiorforce-in-indian-ocean-defence-minister-manohar-parrikar/articleshow/46245563.cms * India successfully test-fires BrahMos supersonic cruise missile: India on February 15 successfully test-fired the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile from INS Kolkata, the navy's most powerful and newest warship, in Arabian sea, an official said. The launch was flawless and the missile met all its designed parameters, BrahMos Aerospace spokesperson Praveen Pathak said. The Indian Navy commissioned INS Kolkata on August 16, 2014. This is the first ship of this class, with two more in the pipeline. All the three ships will be quipped with the vertical-launched BrahMos system as the prime strike weapon. The Universal Vertical Launcher Module (UVLM) being used in these has a unique design, developed and patented by BrahMos Aerospace. The UVLM has the benefits of stealth and permits launching of the missile vertically in any direction. BrahMos chief Sudhir Mishra congratulated the BrahMos Team and Indian Navy on the successful mission. The BrahMos has a range of 290km and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg. It has a top speed of Mach 2.8, which is about three times faster than the US subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile. This makes BrahMos one of the fastest cruise missiles in the world. It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft and land. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-successfully-test-fires-BrahMos-supersonic-cruisemissile/articleshow/46243956.cms * Narendra Modi calls for investment in shipbuilding, defence: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on February 15 called on global investors to look at opportunities in the defence manufacturing and shipbuilding sectors, as part of the country’s make in India initiative. Speaking at the inauguration of General Electric’s multi modal facility at Chakhan in Pune, Maharashtra, Modi said companies like GE should look at shipbuilding in India to take advantage of the country’s vast coastline. Encouraging investment in the defence manufacturing sector, where foreign investment limits have been hiked to 49%, Modi said that India can become an exporter of defence equipment to other third world countries. India is among the largest importers of defence equipment. Railways, is another sector, where India should become self sufficient through technological upgradation, said Modi. Following the recent revisions to GDP data, which showed economic growth at 7.4%, India has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world. “We assure global investors that India’s manufacturing will be globally competitive,” said Modi, citing India’s mars orbiter mission which was completed at a cost less than what an average Hollywood costs, he said. GE, which started working on the Chakan facility in 2012, will use it to service four different businesses, including aviation, oil & gas and rail. A second phase of the facility is being planned, said John Rice, vice chairman of GE, which would manufacture new generation aviation engines, components and machining and sub Assembly for GE’s rail locomotive and diesel engines..... Source: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/FNSWDprbruosYur9EZFP9K/Narendra-Modi-calls-forinvestment-in-shipbuilding-defence.html * Premvir Das: When will India reform higher defence management? The higher defence management structure followed by the British until 1947 essentially revolved around three separately organised military forces, the army, navy and air force, commanded by their own respective Commanders-in-Chief. To ensure some degree of coordination, there was a Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) which was always headed by the Army's Chief of General Staff who, in turn, answered to the Commander-in-Chief India who was a member of the Viceroy's Council. There was a civil bureaucracy as well, finance answerable to the finance member in the Council and administration headed by the defence secretary. In terms of protocol, senior military officials occupied relatively higher status; for example, brigadiers ranked with joint secretaries. The last viceroy, Admiral Lord Mountbatten, asked his military secretary, General Ismay, to recommend a more relevant organisation for the new nation's armed forces and based on these proposals, a few changes were instituted. First, chairmanship of the COSC was made rotational with the Chief longest in the chair taking that place. Second, three important sub-committees were set up under this body to deal with different aspects, e.g. operations, administration and personnel, with the last two including representatives from the civil bureaucracy of the ministry of defence (MoD). It was hoped that this would result in speedy cohesive decision making while ensuring political supremacy. Within five years, significant tampering with the structure led to protocol changes such as Chiefs of Services being ranked with and after the Cabinet Secretary, the most senior civil servant. At this same time, joint secretaries were upgraded by being equated with major generals. Over the years, the Chiefs were re-designated Chiefs of Staff, in other words, most senior military advisers to the government, yet allowed to retain their operational command profile; this at a time when in almost all developed, mature democracies, that responsibility was placed under a different and dedicated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (in the US) and Chief of Defence Staff (UK)..... Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/premvir-das-when-will-india-reform-higherdefence-management-115021401412_1.html * Parrikar gets a feel of naval might onboard INS Vikramaditya: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar got a feel of Indian Navy and its operational abilities after spending almost spending 20 hours onboard INS Vikramaditya. Naval sources told OneIndia that Parrikar landed onboard the INS Vikramaditya on February 13 at 4 pm and witnessed a series of operational capabilities of Indian Navy. The minister witnessed the Theatre Readiness Operational Level Exercise (TROPEX-2015), off the coast of Goa in the Arabian Sea. He said the stay on board INS Vikramaditya helped him understand the difficult situations of sailors and officers of the Indian Navy. He wanted the Indian Navy to remain a superior force in the Indian Ocean Region and promised all support so that it becomes a truly Blue Water Navy. Visit kept under complete secrecy The Ministry of Defence (MoD) kept Parrikar's visit on board INS Vikramaditya completely under a cover of secrecy. Even the MoD officials who were summoned to make arrangements for the minister's visit were clueless about their final destination. Navy spokesperson warded off queries when a section of media got leads on the minister's visit. Interestingly, Parrikar was accompanied by his understudy and Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, Chief Minister of Goa Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral A K Chopra. TROPEX provides the Navy a valuable opportunity to validate its concept of operations and integration of new acquisitions with the Fleet..... Source: http://www.oneindia.com/india/parrikar-gets-a-feel-of-naval-might-onboard-ins-vikramaditya1654308.html * Mandapam Coast Guard station gets one more interceptor boat: The Indian Coast Guard station at Mandapam got a shot in the arm when it received an interceptor boat on February 14. Built at L&T yard in Chennai, the interceptor C-414 was commissioned in Goa on January 19, 2015. With a length of 28 metre and 135 GRT (gross register tonnage), the boat can achieve the maximum speed of 45 knots. "The interceptor is capable of undertaking multiple tasks such as surveillance, intercepting, search and rescue and helping small boats or crafts in distress at sea," Coast Guard commandant Harish More said. The interceptor will be commanded by Deputy Commandant Bablu Kumar with a crew of 11 personnel on board and will operate under administrative and operational control of the commander of Coast Guard Region (East), according to Coast Guard sources. In December last year, the Mandapam station got it first interceptor boat, C - 412. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Mandapam-Coast-Guard-station-gets-one-moreinterceptor-boat/articleshow/46236021.cms * Afghan president Ashraf Ghani suspends order for heavy arms from India: Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has suspended an order for heavy arms from India, in what is being viewed as an effort by Kabul to improve relations with Pakistan. Islamabad had frowned on the order placed by Hamid Karzai. Unlike Karzai, Ghani who came to power last year has not yet made any attempts to further ties notwithstanding visits by the Foreign Minister and NSA to Kabul. An Afghanistan-based expert said Ghani's decision could be setback for Indo-Afghan ties and impact regional equations. Ghani has traveled to China and Pakistan, but has not confirmed his visit to India yet. Afghan officials, however, claimed that Ghani would broadly follow Karzai's India policy but may purchase heavy weapons from elsewhere. The officials also informed that Ghani would undertake a visit to Delhi but did not specify timeframe. Ghani had met the PM in Kathmandu last November. Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/afghan-president-ashraf-ghanisuspends-order-for-heavy-arms-from-india/articleshow/46224357.cms * OneIndia Exclusive: India’s stealth fighter dream moves towards reality: India's valiant attempt in developing a gen-next stealth fighter seems to be gathering some momentum with the scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) claiming that the Project Definition Phase (PDP) will be over within a year. While some of the stealth features remain as a ‘beyond-visual-technology' for India, even as this report is being put together, the DRDO officials are convinced that embedding global players and increasing the private participation could well be the breakthrough in realizing their dreams. Super-cruise, stealth and thrust vectoring are critical features DRDO would need to thrash out in the process. While Aero India is normally seen as a ‘carnival of claims,' the DRDO top brass have put up a confident argument that the lessons learnt from developing a four-and-a-half-generation fighter (Tejas) will act as a their guiding force while entering into the hitherto unknown 5th generation terrain. AMCA Directorate takes confident shape The AMCA Directorate at Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is being headed by Dr A K Ghosh. As the Project Director, he has stayed away from the media glare all these years. Access to this Directorate is absolutely restricted and any information sought on AMCA travels many channels of approvals before flying out of the ADA HQ. Even not many details are officially known about the size of the AMCA team. However, military sources confirm to OneIndia that a core team of 200 designers, with an additional outsourced manpower of 2000 more, is likely to work for the project during the Detailed Design Phase. Once the key players in the project get picked up, 500 more scientists will be added to the tally, working at various partner site(s)..... Source: http://www.oneindia.com/india/oneindia-exclusive-india-s-stealth-fighter-dream-moves-towardsreality-1653749.html * The Next Big Thing: India-Israel Defense Start Ups: With economic growth and demand slowing down in Europe, the sun for Israel’s export-oriented economy is rising in the East.China and India, the two giant economies of Asia, not only offer attractive growth prospects – in contrast to the saturated markets of continental Europe – but their populations also widely view Israel favourably. Especially in the case of India, Israel is well placed to meet some key strategic demands of the country today. India, under the new government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has embarked on an ambitious plan to increase the share of domestic manufacturers in defense procurement. With the third largest military in the world, India is one of the largest importers of defense equipment; the country’s 2014 defense budget was more than $37 billion, and more than 60% of defense requirements were met with imports. India’s defense research agency, DRDO, wants to bridge the gap in technological innovation at home, and has decided to promote start-up ventures in the Defense Sector. This is a marked change in the country’s defense doctrine, which largely has focused on the public sector. The proposed DRDO fund encourages start-ups to proactively come up with solutions and innovations in the defense field.This has already led Indians and Israelis to work together. Israel and India are already working on big ticket defense items, like the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI). The missile system will be be deployed on the indigenously built Naval Destroyer INS Kolkata. Later this month, the countries’ mutual defense cooperation is set to get yet another boost when Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visits India – the first ever official visit by an Israeli Defense Minister since the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Israel in 1991..... Source: http://idrw.org/archives/58109 * India’s Secret K-4 SLBM finally emerges: DRDO in its Aero India 2015 official video has showcased small video of countries most advanced submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) to date. K4 which has ability to strike a land target 3,500 km away from an undersea firing platform and is a significant boon to India’s nuclear weapons program. K-4 was tested on March 24, 2014 from a pontoon submerged more than 30 metres deep in the sea off the Visakhapatnam coast. After a powerful gas generator ejected it from the pontoon submerged in the Bay of Bengal, the K-4 missile rose into the air, took a turn towards the designated target, sped across 3,000 km in the sky and dropped into the Indian Ocean. DRDO never confirmed success of the missile launch nor released any videos or pictures of not so secret missile . But after almost one year after secret launch DRDO finally has acknowledge successful test of missile in the new video and released small videos of the launch . idrw.org has put together snapshots of the video in above picture . Source: http://idrw.org/archives/58105 * Road map to New AMCA engine revealed: Developers of the fifth generation fighter aircraft AMCA (that is just off the drawing board) are looking out for a global aero-engine manufacturer with whom they can upgrade and co-develop the fighter’s engine. They bank on the discussions they have slated with two manufacturers during next week’s Aero India – General Electric of US and Klimo of Russia – a top military scientist said. Military R&D establishment DRDO along with the special-purpose Aeronautical Development Agency is working on the 25-tonne Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft to beef up the Air Force. Their original plan was to buy the engine off the shelf to quicken the development time but there was no engine in the 110-kilo Newton (kN) category that they wanted. It was decided to partner an engine manufacturer who can jointly upgrade available 90-kN engine – most of it in the country – to power the AMCA. K. Tamilmani, Director-General (Aero R&D) and head of the DRDO’s aerolabs cluster, said initial talks were slated with US and Russian sides for a possible ‘G2G’ (government to government) route as it works faster than putting out a global bid. “We have asked for their proposals [and will go ahead with] whoever has a better offer, time frame and cost,” he said after a news conference. The goal is to integrate the new engine into the aircraft by 2020-21. DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment which has worked on the Kaveri jet engine will be a key lab in the programme. The AMCA story fits into the MoUs signed last month when US President Barack Obama visited Delhi last month. The two countries spoke of jointly developing jet engine technology under the ongoing Defence Technology and Trade Initiative. “We know the AMCA numbers that we want and the features it must have,” Dr. Tamilmani said. The fighter is meant to be a super cruiser with stealth technology that enables it to escape enemy’s radar ‘eyes’. Currently, its configuration has been finalised; the project is being defined as also the funds that it will need. Source: http://idrw.org/archives/58103 * Mobile Agni: Game changer or risky gambit?: In a giant leap for India’s deterrence capability, the country recently conducted the third consecutive successful launch of the Agni V strategic missile. Road mobile strategic missiles were developed by Russia because they are more survivable but considering the security environment in South Asia, it could be a risky option. With the third consecutive successful launch of the Agni V strategic missile, India is on the cusp of attaining strategic deterrence. This is the big boys club where you have enough missiles for a devastating second strike after suffering a full-on nuclear attack. The aspect of the missile that will keep the Chinese – among others – awake at night is that it was cold launched from a hermetically sealed canister mounted on a tractor-erector-launcher (TEL). “Launch from a canister integrated with a TEL enables launch in minutes as compared with a silo – or open – launch. It also has advantages of higher reliability, longer shelf life, less maintenance and enhanced mobility,” says the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). A mobile system will allow India to keep the Agni Vs constantly moving along its road network. They can also be hidden off the road, in secret bunkers or forests, thereby keeping the enemy guessing all the time. Throw in several dozen dummy canisters and trucks, and you add more uncertainty about the exact whereabouts of the real Agni V missiles..... Source: http://in.rbth.com/blogs/2015/02/14/mobile_agni_game_changer_or_risky_gambit_41351.html * 'Make in India is Swadeshi Movement for Defence Sector': The tenth edition of Aero India 2015 aerospace exposition, to be held next week, will provide a major fillip to the ‘Make in India’ concept and to Indian firms, feel industry experts and heads of many defence and aerospace firms. “The Make in India programme is like the Swadeshi movement in the defence and aerospace sector as Indian and foreign companies will collaborate to manufacture products. The very fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the show shows that the concept is being taken very seriously by the government,” said former Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chairman C G Krishnadas Nair, whose book on Make in India will be released on February 16. Defence firms in the county are also excited about ‘Make in India’ and believe that the initiative will go a long way if the various stake-holders congregate and support each other. “The concept of ‘Make in India’ is apt in the current scenario, with India turning out to be the world’s largest arms and equipment importer. However, for it to succeed, the government, defence public sector undertakings, the Ordnance Factory Board and others will have to cooperate and support each other. If handled in the right manner, India can become a defence exporter, which will offer huge benefits to the nation,” said G Rajnarayan, founder of the Radel Group. Radel is a group of two SMEs and has a combined annual turnover of approximately Rs 10 crore. It has about 80 employees and operates from its own premises in Electronics City, Bengaluru. Electronics and aerospace design constitutes its core competence with a track record of more than 35 years. Col Vivek Uberoi of Alpha Design Technologies Private Limited said the defence sector in the country is in need of indigenisation. “In India, one of the few sectors that is in need of modern technology is defence. ‘Make in India’ concept will go a long way, as with foreign collaboration, the GDP of the country can improve, while employment opportunities will be plentiful. We, at Alpha already have tieups with different defence firms across the world. Aero India 2015 will be a great platform for us,” he said..... Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Make-in-India-is-Swadeshi-Movement-forDefence-Sector/2015/02/14/article2668213.ece * Seven Indian cos seek clarity, extension on naval chopper RfI: Seven Indian companies have sought clarity from the ministry of defence (MoD) on issues including ‘Make In India’ and asked for extension of the request for information (RfI) till the end of this month for 100 naval utility helicopters (NUH) at an estimated value of $2 bn. The 100 helicopters that will become part of the navy are under the ‘Buy and Make’ category of the Defence Procurement Procedure 2013, where the company will buy a foreign design that will be assembled in India by local partners. However, companies, including TATA group, Mahendra & Mahendra, Axis Aerospace, Bharat Forge, HAL and Larsen & Tubro, had written to the MoD last November seeking more details and clarity on several issues, including the ownership clause. Sources told FE that Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group, which is venturing into defense and aerospace, is aiming to bid for a couple of helicopter programmes in India, including the 100 NUH. The group has set up Reliance Defense and Aerospace (RDA) and appointed former Indian Air Force officer Rajesh Dhingra as head, who until recently was MD at US-based Lockheed Martin India. RDA is wholly owned by Reliance Infrastructure. The PM’s ‘Make in India’ mantra for defense procurement has been the driver for several big businesses in India, including the Anil Ambani group. Modi has personally urged all big business houses to enter defense and aerospace, which has been identified as a priority area under the ‘Make in India’ policy for stepping up industrial production. Each helicopter is to be armed for anti-submarine warfare role and night capability radars. As against the Chetak, which has only one engine and a limited range, the new machine would be twin-engine with a range of 100 km. Chetak, manufactured by HAL, is now regarded as a primitive rotorcraft and has no night operations or fighting capability..... Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/seven-indian-cos-seek-clarity-extension-onnaval-chopper-rfi/42834/ * Pakistan violates ceasefire, fires mortar shells: India and Pakistan traded accusations of violating ceasefire along the border area. Pakistani Rangers fired two to three mortar shells in Nowapind border outpost area along the International Border in R S Pura sector of the district tonight, BSF PRO S Yadav said. The shells exploded at an isolated areas and did not caused any casualty or injury to anyone on this side, he said adding that the BSF did not retaliate. Meanwhile, Pakistan army claimed that 60-year-old civilian was killed in alleged firing by Indian troops across the Line of Control (LoC). 60year old Muhammad Aslam was killed in Polas village in Rawlakot sector this afternoon, Pakistan army said in a statement. Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-violatesceasefire-fires-mortar-shells/articleshow/46246567.cms * HC: Don't acquire lands of freedom fighters and defence personnels: Ruling that moveable and immoveable properties held by freedom fighters and defence personnel should never be acquired by government for any purpose, Madras High Court has ordered return of 7.83 acres of land, worth several crores now, at Maraimalai Nagar to children of a freedom fighter. "Could the selfless sacrifices of such stalwarts as Mahatma Gandhi and others get obliterated overnight by a simple piece of unconsidered land acquisition?"...Freedom fighters, defence personnel and their family members are shouldering the security of 125 crore-strong population or India. Therefore, their assets moveable and immoveable properties - should not be disturbed at any cost," observed Justice C S Karnan in his recent order. Freedom fighter Subbiah was among five beneficiaries for whom a total of 50 acres was allotted a year after Independence. As his share Subbiah got 7.83 acres by a 1948 government order which de-served a portion of reserved forests at Kattankulathur near Maraimalai Nagar. In 1973 Subbiah died. In 1974, the lands were acquired for the Maraimalai Nagar neighbourhood scheme, which aimed at residential plots for population of about 1 lakh people. Fourteen years later, in 1986, the compensation of Rs 2.68 lakh for the acquired land was announced, and deposited in a civil court as the sum could not be apportioned among the four children of Subbiah. Till date the family has not received even one rupee as compensation, his eldest son S Balasubramaniam said..... Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Madras-HC-Dont-acquire-lands-of-freedom-fighters-anddefence-personnels/articleshow/46242615.cms II Homeland Security * India bans ISIS: The ban on the ISIS by the Indian Government has been welcomed by all the agencies battling the menace of this dreaded terrorist group. The ban on the ISIS all these days was based on the one issued by the United Nations. However with India specifically banning the outfit action against ISIS recruits or sympathizers can be much stronger since the decision has been effected under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act of 1967 or the UAPA. What is the UAPA and how does it help the agencies tackle the menace of the ISIS better? We provide an explainer to the act. How does a ban under UAPA help Banning a group under the UAPA gives the agencies a broader scope to deal with the case. Take the case of Mehdi Masroor Biswas or of Areef Majeed. The agencies were finding it extremely difficult to deal with these cases. The problem here was that these persons had not committed any offence in India. It became very difficult to proceed with a case in the absence of a ban under the UAPA. Now if any person is found to be associating with the ISIS or even being sympathetic to the outfit, he or she can be punished. In recent cases people trying to join the ISIS were let off. There were incidents of people waving ISIS flags and even posing with T-shirts of the group. All these persons were let off because for the want of a specific ban. Now with the ban enforced under the UAPA, all such cases become punishable.... Source: http://www.oneindia.com/feature/india-bans-isis-think-before-you-sympathise-too-1653753.html Indicia solicits comments and advice from readers on any aspect of the report. 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