Indicia Knowledge Brief A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security February 11, 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 Adding to its blue water capability, the Indian Navy conducted a largescale exercise to test its readiness for handling a tsunami-like disaster with over 20 warships and various aircraft taking part in the drill which was held around Lakshadweep Islands. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is poised to award its first 'make' contract, in which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will fund two Indian consortia in developing a Rs 40,000-50-000 crore 'battlefield management system' (BMS). This digital wireless network will interlink soldiers and battlefield sensors through voice and data channels, providing a common battle picture to each jawan. In a step that will boost the internal security mechanism, Gujarat is poised to become a laboratory for research and development of crime control technology with the help of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). I. National Defence and Security: Navy holds drill to test readiness for dealing with tsunamis: Indian Navy has conducted a large-scale exercise to test its readiness for handling a tsunami-like disaster with over 20 warships and various aircraft taking part in the drill which was held around Lakshadweep Islands. The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise involving more than 20 ships from the Western and Eastern Fleets and various aircraft of Indian Navy was conducted in the Lakshadweep Islands (Kavaratti, Aggatti, Kalpeni and Androth). The exercise -- which spanned an area of approximately 8,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean -- simulated a major cyclone striking the islands, disrupting essential services and causing widespread destruction of property, loss of life and dislocation of personnel. The ships in the drill were grouped into four forces, each having a humanitarian assistance and security component. The exercise was designed to validate the navy's capability for providing immediate succour and relief to the affected people, an official statement said. It involved the navy personnel setting up medical camps and making provisions for food, shelter from the elements, restoration of basic facilities and limited restoration work till the situation stabilised. In the wake of the "fresh water crisis" at Male in December last year, Indian Navy had deployed two warships which supplied more than 2,000 tones of fresh water to the city of Male over a period of 10 days. The navy was also at the forefront of relief operations in the wake of the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. It also took part in evacuation operations from Lebanon in 2006 and Libya in 2011 and provided assistance in Bangladesh during Cyclone Sidr in 2007 and in Myanmar during Cyclone Nargis in 2008. The navy had also participated in the efforts to locate the missing Malaysian airliner MH-370. The exercise will further underscore the nation's capabilities for being being the "first responder" in the region during times of humanitarian crises, the statement added. Source: http://www.firstpost.com/india/navy-holds-drill-to-test-readiness-for-dealing-with-tsunamis2091303.html * L&T, BEL consortia set to get Rs 40,000-crore project: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is poised to award its first 'make' contract, in which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will fund two Indian consortia in developing a Rs 40,000-50-000 crore 'battlefield management system' (BMS). This digital wireless network will interlink soldiers and battlefield sensors through voice and data channels, providing a common battle picture to each jawan. Business Standard has learnt the MoD has selected two consortia from the dozen companies invited to bid in November 2013. One is a consortium between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Power, and the other between Rolta and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). These winners - termed development agencies - could be announced any day. Under the 'make' category of the Defence Procurement Policy of 2013 (DPP-2013), both consortia will develop separate prototype BMS systems, with the MoD reimbursing 80 per cent of the expenditure. A special MoD 'integrated project management team' (IPMT) will select the better prototype, and both consortia will then bid for the contract to mass-produce the BMS for the military. While development agencies are chosen on the basis of their technology and indigenisation plans, the contract to mass-produce the BMS will be awarded to the lower bidder. The 'make' category procedure mandates an Indian company must lead a project, though it could have foreign partners. At least 30 per cent of the system that is built must be indigenous..... Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/l-t-bel-consortia-set-to-get-rs-40000-crore-project-115021100013_1.html * Aero India to focus on Make in India: Bolstering the Make in India theme in defence manufacturing, Aero India-2015 — the 10th international edition of the aerospace and aviation exhibition at Bengaluru from February 18-22 — will also include sectors like defence manufacturing and airport infrastructure besides aerospace, defence and civil aviation. Describing the biennial event organised by Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO) under the aegis of the ministry of defence as one of the largest premium airshows in Asia, secretary of defence production, G Mohan Kumar outlined the impetus of the Make in India initiative during the forthcoming edition of the event. “We want to set Make in India as the major theme of the exhibition and see progress in the defence sector,” Kumar said at a curtain raiser for Aero India 2015 in New Delhi. “Towards this, the defence manufacturing investors’ summit and global CEOs conference will be held for the first time. Around 150 CEOs each from foreign and domestic industries have been invited. At least five defence ministers and six military chiefs among the over 60 official delegates from abroad will also be there,” he added. PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the premium air show. Besides 54 ministerial and other high-level delegations from several countries that are slated to attend the inaugural event, the exhibition will also see participation by over 600 companies, including 295 Indian and 328 foreign companies. India is expected to spend $120 billion in arms acquisitions over the coming decade, with its 1.5-million strong armed forces still grappling with several operational gaps ranging from fighters and helicopters to artillery and submarines. Indian private companies, many of whom are tying up with global arms firms, are also keen to enter defence production. The government, on its part, is working to remove bottlenecks for arms exports as well as streamlining the complicated ‘Make’ procedure for indigenous R&D, development and production of weapon systems.... Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/aero-india-to-focus-on-make-in-india/41408/ * Navy vessel Mhadei clocks one lakh nautical miles: The iconic INSV Mhadei has now clocked one lakh nautical miles while traversing the oceans around the globe, a milestone for the sailing vessel which figured in the naval tableau during the Republic Day parade last month. The tableau titled 'Bharatiya Nau Sena Aur Nari Shakti' depicted the sterling achievement of four Navy women officers who had braved the vagaries of the seas to participate in the voyage from Goa to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on board Mhadei. Commander Dilip Donde had sailed solo on Mhadei, constructed in Goa as part of the Navy's ambitious project Sagar Parikrama, to become the first Indian - and the 189th person in the world - to circumnavigate the globe with four stops from August 2009 to May 2010. Then, in 2012-2013, Commander Abhilash Tomy had sailed non-stop and unassisted around the world on Mhadei to become the first Indian, second Asian and the 79th person in the world to do so. The 23-tonne Mhadei, which has crossed the equator 10 times, the prime meridian four times and the international dateline twice, has notched several awards since it was inducted into the Navy. Officers who have sailed on it have received a Kirti Chakra, a Shaurya Chakra, two Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards, a McGregor Award for Military Reconnaissance, two National Maritime Achievement Awards and two Chief of Naval Staff Commendations, among others. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Navy-vessel-Mhadei-clocks-one-lakh-nauticalmiles/articleshow/46194881.cms * 3D bird detecting radars ready for IAF: The Indian Air Force is looking for 45 radars that can detect birds and also deter them to drastically reduce the bird menace that has caused several air crashes in the past. A Noida-based company, OIS Advanced Technologies (OIS-AT) has developed a radar that is claimed to have surpassed the parameters laid down by the IAF. OIS-AT claimed to have developed the world's first 3D bird detection and deterrence radar which has surpassed the expectations that IAF had expressed for meeting its requirements at the various air bases where its squadrons are active across the country. The radar, called 3D Bird Detection, Monitoring and Deterrence Radar System (BDMDRS), successfully completed its trials at IAF's Hindon air base after the IAF issued request for proposals (RFPs) to demonstrate suitable radar for its requisitioning. Sanjay Bhandari, chairman & managing director, OIS-AT, claimed that IOS-AT was the only Indian company in the bid with three other competitors. The IAF has not yet finalized the deal but Bhandari is confident that it would go through. He plans to officially launch the radar at Aero India 2015 on February 19. Bhandari said the 3D BDMDRS provides all the air traffic controllers with essential information over a 12 km diameter, up to 1,000 metre altitude over the runway itself, and up to 2,000 metres in the entire area around the airport. The processed 3D bird data is automatically archived. He explained that the radar's bird deterrence options are based on automated command, control and communication system which interfaces with the non-lethal bird deterrent devices like the long range acoustic device and the bird control (eye safe) laser systems. The first emits a scary sound using a 'scare cannon' while the latter scares the bird by firing a laser to confuse the bird. The company is also developing three other radars - foliage penetration radar system (to detect minefields, and buried bombs); 3D multi-function multinode UAV detection radar system; and the portable ground surveillance radar (for border patrolling). Source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/3D-bird-detecting-radars-ready-forIAF/articleshow/46192348.cms? * Textron offers Scorpion jet to IAF: The Indian Air Force, which receives pitches both solicited and unsolicited, has received one of its most interesting in recent times. Faced with a training void in the intermediate jet trainer space, the IAF had resorted to a global request for information to gauge what solutions existed in the world aviation market for a light jet trainer platform that could also undertake light attack and tactical multipurpose missions. One of the responses the IAF has received is an aircraft that has evoked attention for its simplicity, cost and mission profile: the Textron Airland Scorpion, a light tactical twin-jet airplane fitted out for tactical interdiction missions and ISR. Whether or not the IAF is willing to look strictly at aircraft that don’t fit its rather unbending trainer aircraft profile, the Scorpion is an intriguing platform that makes affordability its singular touchstone. First off, the Scorpion isn’t intended as a high performance airplane — and isn’t under development through a US Department of Defense-funded programme or requirement, but rather a venture by Textron and Airland LLC based on their own independent understanding of the world market for aircraft, and evolving requirements. Shrinking budgets, the unaffordability of high performance fighter jets, logistical economics and the spending power of small or emerging nations with security threat perspectives largely guide the development of a light, uncomplicated aircraft that can, in the words of the maker, engage in domestic interdiction, quick-reaction natural disaster support, air sovereignty patrols, and low-threat battlefield missions. In other words, the aircraft could be deployed in a counter-insurgency profile as well. Simplicity and economy guide the development of the Textron Airland offering. At a stated operating cost of $3,000 per flight hour, the Scorpion proposes to be hugely cheaper to operate than high performance jets currently engaged in US operations around the world. And with a price tag of under $20 million per airframe, the makers will clearly be pitching the aircraft at substantial fleet number requirements. The twin-seat configuration makes it double as a possible fast jet trainer, far exceeding the performance requirements of the IAF’s ideal IJT. Several other innovations keep the aircraft’s cost low: no fly-by-wire, an all composite fuselage that draws from parts already built by Textron firm Cessna, and a cockpit only slightly different from existing cockpits on Cessna aircraft. The Scorion flies on two Honeywell TFE731 turbofans producing 3,600 kg of thrust that can keep the jet airborne for just over five hours, with an overall service life of 20,000 hours. According to Textron, the Scorpion, which flew for the first time in December 2013, is being developed with a 1,400 kg payload that could include bombs (guided and unguided), or electronic payloads for intelligence gathering, all in an internal bay..... Source: http://idrw.org/archives/57763 * BAE Systems begins negotiations for 20 more Hawks: BAE Systems, now comfortably in the Indian fixed wing space with its Hawk advanced jet trainer, has begun negotiations with HAL to transfer equipment to support the license build of 20 more Hawks for the IAF's erstwhile Surya Kiran aerobatics team. The Hawk fleet will make the revived aerobatics team only the second team in the world after the RAF Red Arrows to operate a nine Hawk formation routine. With its fixed wing business on steady course, BAE Systems will be showcasing a slew of equipment at Aero India 2015 at the helicopter fleets of the Indian armed forces. Equipment on display at the show will include S3000 and Mission Adaptable Crew Seats (MACS), the Striker helmet-mounted display (HMD), in service on the Eurofighter Typhoon. According to the company, "Striker provides comfort, protection, and helmet stability for both fixed- and rotary-wing platforms such as the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Apache and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)." Also debuting this year at the show will be BAE's Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS™) rocket, described as a cost-effective solution that leverages the military’s existing infrastructure and inventory, turning a standard unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rocket into a precision laser-guided rocket. The weapon may be aimed at India's attack helicopter fleet inventories. Source: http://www.sps-aviation.com/exclusive/?id=308&h=BAE-Systems-begins-negotiations-for-20more-Hawks * Russia to showcase cutting-edge avionics at Aero India-2015: Russia’s UIC will present its latest products in aircraft communications systems at the Aero India-2015 in Bangalore and will also hold talks on modernisation of equipment for the Su-30MKI fleet in the Indian Air Force. The United Instruments Corporation (UIC – a part of Rostec) will showcase its latest developments and innovations in the field of aviation communications equipment at the Aero India-2015 air show in Bangalore, which will he held February 18-22. The Russian giant will also hold talks on the modernisation of equipment for the Su-30MKI fleet in the Indian Air Force, said the press office of UIC. The International Aerospace Exhibition Aero India has been held every two years in Bangalore since 1996. Traditionally, this show is attended by the crème de la crème of the aerospace industry. According to the official website of the air show, in 2013, 570 companies from 29 countries participated in the show. Integration of air-based cruise missile with Su-30MKI fighter completed in India At the international exhibition in Bangalore, the United Instruments Corporation will be presenting advanced developments in aeronautical radio communications, some of which may be of great interest to Asian companies, said the company’s press service. During the exhibition, talks are also planned with representatives of the Indian Air Force and Indian experts from the HAL Aircraft Corporation. The two sides are expected to discuss the possibility of upgrading the communications equipment in the Su-30MKI, now serving in the armed forces of India. “They will also discuss the possibility of supplying modern communications systems for the Russian-Indian aircraft currently under development – a multi-purpose fighter (FGFA) and the multi-role transport aircraft (MTA),” company announced. “Our Asian partners are simultaneously interested in several Russian products made by the NPP Polyot OJSC. One of the latest developments is the aircraft communications complex S-112, which provides a new level of efficiency in data transmission,” said Sergey Skokov, Deputy General Director of UIC..... Source: http://in.rbth.com/economics/2015/02/10/russia_to_showcase_cuttingedge_avionics_at_aero_india-2015_41279.html * America the largest exhibitor at Aero India 2015: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Bengaluru to inaugurate the fiveday Aero India 2015, America will be for the first time the largest foreign presence at India's premier air exhibition. Although the Indian Air Force (IAF) flies predominantly Russian aircraft, and Moscow has traditionally made a splash at previous Aero India shows, Russia is sending no military aircraft to Bengaluru this year. In a sign of changing times, seven of the eleven foreign military aircraft on display will be American - two F-15C Eagles, two F-16C Fighting Falcons, one Boeing KC-135 tanker, one C-17 Globemaster III and a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. The IAF flies the C-17, while the navy operates an Indian version of the P-8A, called the P-8I. Besides these American aircraft, three French Rafale fighters - shortlisted for acquisition by the IAF - will fly aerobatics displays. In addition, there will be one Brazilian Embraer EMB-145 jet. American companies will similarly dominate the exhibition area. Of 328 defence companies from 33 countries participating in Aero India 2015, America will have the largest representation with 64 companies. Following the US will be France (58 companies), the UK (48), Russia (41) and Israel (25). According to defence analysis group IHS Jane's, the US supplanted Russia in 2013 as India's biggest source of weaponry, supplying $1.9 billion out of the $5.9 billion worth of equipment imported that year, almost 30 per cent of arms imports. The figures for 2014 have not yet been released. The number of foreign companies participating has risen sharply from 212 in Aero India 2013 to 328 this year. Similarly, Indian participation has risen from 156 companies in the last air show to 266 this year. These defence companies are hoping to benefit from the prime minister's "Make in India" programme, which is the theme of Aero India 2015. Besides defence manufacturing, the exhibition will also include airport infrastructure and civil aviation. For the first time there will be participation from three states that wish to promote defence industry - Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh..... Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/america-the-largest-exhibitor-at-aeroindia-2015-115021000009_1.html * Sino-Indian border deal requires clear signals: Speculation has been mounting that a solution to the Sino-Indian border disputes is coming after Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj claimed that the Indian government "is committed to exploring an early settlement on the India-China border issue" during her recent visit in China, adding that the strong leaders from the two countries are "keen on an out-of-box solution." However, it might be too soon to anticipate that this solution will be reached in May during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to China since assuming office, because New Delhi is actually showing a tougher attitude and more reservations over this issue. For example, before he was elected, Modi once said "no power on earth can take away even an inch from India" during a speech at a rally in northeast India. Such toughness has become more obvious in recent moves. India's regular patrolling along the border areas has been stepped up, and a massive infrastructure program has been launched in these areas. Under such circumstances, more patience is needed for a breakthrough of the solution. However, since Swaraj has raised that the upcoming state visit of Modi will be "an action-oriented visit," and will narrow down areas of differences in order to resolve the border dispute, India is making efforts in showing flexibility and creating a favorable atmosphere on resolving the issue. If there is an "out-ofbox solution," it is likely a breakthrough over the eastern part of the border, which contains the most controversial area between China and India. Take the illegal McMahon Line, which is at the heart of the boundary dispute. The line running through the eastern Himalayas is a unilateral boundary created by Henry McMahon, a colonial official of British India at the time. This is a line that China has never accepted. If India won't make adjustments over the line, there will be no suggestion whatsoever that the two sides are any closer to agreeing. ..... Source: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/907041.shtml II Homeland Security * DRDO to set up internal security research lab in Gujarat: Gujarat is poised to become a laboratory for research and development of crime control technology with the help of Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Gujarat government is going to tie up with the national agency, DRDO, to set up a laboratory to train Gujarat police and research and develop new weapons and crime control technologies. Gujarat government sources said, "For DRDO's new laboratory we plan to offer a plot of land at the Karai State Police Training Academy near Gandhinagar. A formal memorandum of understanding will be signed in a couple of days between the state home department and DRDO." Source close to the development said, "Top officials of DRDO and the state government had a high-level meeting and explored the areas of co-operation. At present, DRDO only works with the three defense wings and BSF and a few other national forces for development of weapons and other technology. However there is a need to devise sophisticated technology for internal security. We requested DRDO to help train our police personnel and provide the best technology for surveillance and crime control. DRDO authorities liked the idea and offered various services." Sources further added, "We are formalizing short term and long term cooperation plans. We need their help in developing low-cost, high-efficiency weapons, effective monitoring of various criminal activities in border areas and within major cities, control of sophisticated cyber and financial crimes etc." DRDO has a network of more than 50 laboratories engaged in developing defence technologies covering disciplines like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems, instrumentation, missiles, advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life sciences, training, information systems and agriculture. Presently, the organization has over 5,000 scientists and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/DRDO-to-set-up-internal-security-researchlab-in-Gujarat/articleshow/46193877.cms Indicia solicits comments and advice from readers on any aspect of the report. 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