The F-16IN Super Viper Could Get Another Shot with the Indian Air Force

According to The Indian Express, the United States has extended an offer to India to jointly produce a line of fighter jets to both enhance military ties as well as provide for India’s frontline fighter fleet shortage. This comes right after the Indian government announced that the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) deal, originally signed with France’s Dassault Aviation, was, for all intents and purposes, over. Bumps, missteps and poor communication contributed to the downfall of the contract which would have seen a set of Rafales built in France to Indian specifications, while the remaining number of jets to be procured in the deal would be built under license in India. So that means India will soon be back on the market, looking for another multi-role fighter to fulfill its needs for another fifteen to twenty years while it works on developing its own indigenous stealth fighter program and makes the best of the mess that is the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA, the joint Russian-Indian derivative of the PAK FA/T-50 stealth fighter prototype.

Among the many offers tendered to India during the MMRCA competition was one from Lockheed Martin, featuring a heavily-updated version of one of the most successful fighter aircraft in history- the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Designated the F-16IN Super Viper, Lockheed Martin went as far as to call it “the most advanced F-16 ever”.

The integration of fifth-generation technology into the fourth-generation platform is pretty much what makes an already-potent fighter an even more potent air-to-air and air-to-ground killer. Using the Block 60 configuration as the base to work off of, Lockheed Martin added a number of upgrades to beef up the Fighting Falcon into the Super Viper. 

The most powerful upgrade comes in the form of the AN/APG-80 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar system, which is already in service with the United Arab Emirates’ Block 60 Desert Falcons. The AN/APG-80 gives the pilot incredible situational awareness and the ability to target and track in any weather/atmospheric condition with stunning precision. An infrared search and track (IRST) system, the ability to integrate the Indian Air Force’s Operational Data Link (which allows for interoperability with other Indian fighter/attack/AWACS/support units), an onboard electronic warfare suite from Raytheon, and an upgraded modular mission computer add to the F-16IN’s sizable resume.

 The cockpit has been redeveloped to an extent, with three color high-definition MFDs (multi-function flight displays) feeding the pilot everything he needs to know, as well as the ability to integrate the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). 

An updated General Electric F110-132A functions as the sole powerplant, able to output over 32,000 pounds of thrust, and the Super Viper also carries conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) with a built-in fuel probe, designed to mate with the basket/drogue refueling system used by Indian aerial tankers, instead of the boom/receptacle system commonly used by American F-16s.In terms of producing the fighters themselves, it wouldn’t be the first time the F-16 was built outside the United States. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) was responsible for building over 300 Vipers under license for but the Turkish Air Force and the Egyptian Air Force from the late 1980s onward. Additionally, Korean Aerospace Industries also built a production line for the KF-16, outputting 140 Block 52 Vipers within ten years.

 Hypothetically, an Indian F-16 line would be the sixth such line in the F-16’s history. The F-16IN was originally eliminated from MMRCA contention in 2011, apparently due to a slower turning rate and diminished agility with conformal fuel tanks loaded. However, given the Fighting Falcon’s track record and combat history, as well as the kickass price tag ($50 million USD/unit) that comes with such a deal (when contrasting it with other comparable fighters sold en masse within the same program parameters), it wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Indian Air Force to give Lockheed Martin’s F-16IN Super Viper another long hard look.

 tacairnet

India agrees to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets as deadlock ends

 

The defence ministry’s top acquisition body — the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) — gave a go ahead to the negotiation committee on purchasing Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force, signalling an end to the deadlock in talks over the purchase of the 36 fighter jets.

DAC’s approval means the government-to-government agreement between India and France is likely to be signed soon, paving way for the final contract.
The council, which met under the chairmanship of defence minister Manohar Parrikar, also cleared a Rs 6,966 crore deal for the purchase of 48 Mi17-V5 helicopters from Russia.
Approval was also given for the purchase of seven additional squadrons of Akash missiles for the Air Force worth Rs 4,790 crore and eight Chetak helicopters for the Navy.
The Army got clearance for 120 mine trawls, which will be bought from Russia and are used to blast mines ahead of tanks.
A proposal for DRDO-designed 10 metre Short Span Bridges, which will be vehicle mounted, was also cleared at a cost of Rs 490 crore.
The DAC however did not take a decision on the Navy’s proposal to acquire over 100 utility helicopters. Neither did it take a decision on going ahead with P75I submarine tenders worth over Rs 60,000 crore.
On purchasing Rafale combat jets, a ministry official said after the negotiation committee briefed the DAC about the progress so far, it gave its approval to go ahead.
India announced it will buy 36 Rafale jets from France during PM Narendra Modi’s visit in April.
HT had reported on August 26 India and France are likely to reach a breakthrough soon in negotiations on the Rafale deal, paving the way for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to induct 36 French-made warplanes.
The deal could be worth Euro 8 billion. A possible climbdown by the French side over a key sticking point in talks — an offset clause that requires France to invest 50% of the value of the contract in India — could help both sides clinch the deal, sources familiar with the talks had said.
The sources said France had signalled a softening of its stand on the tricky issue following intervention at the highest levels of both governments.
Meanwhile, French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian who was expected to arrive on Tuesday, has deferred his trip.

 hindustantimes

DAC clears projects worth over Rs. 13,000 cr.

 

The government cleared the purchase of 48 additional Mi-17 V5 helicopters and seven squadrons of Akash short range Surface to Air Missiles for the Air Force. These were part of the projects worth over Rs. 13,000 crore cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday.

While the four squadrons of 48 Mi-17’s from Russia would cost Rs. 6,966 crore, the Akash missiles will be indigenously built by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for Rs. 4,790 crore. The Air Force had previously ordered 139 M-17 helicopters in two batches. BEL will build four Air Traffic Control (ATC) radars at Avantipur, Bhita, Panagarh and Purnia for Rs. 228 crore.

The Navy which is critically short of helicopters will get eight Chetak utility helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for Rs. 322 crore. BEL will set up two dockyard maintenance facilities for Revathi surveillance radars and electronic warfare systems.

For the Army the DAC has cleared 102 short span mobility bridges for Rs. 490 crore under Make in India and 120 Anti-Tank Trawls, used to clear landmines, for T-72 and T-90 tanks to be procured from Russia. Additional units will be manufactured in India. On the Rafale fighter deal, the DAC was briefed by the negotiation committee -- set up to work out the direct purchase contract for 36 aircraft -- on the progress of talks so far and was inturn asked to continue the process. “The negotiation committee briefed the DAC about the progress made so far. DAC has given the go-ahead to them,” said a defence ministry official without getting into the specifics. 

 thehindu

IN to get more Mk 54 lightweight torpedo kits

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Raytheon a USD29.75 million contract that includes the delivery of Mk 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo (LWT) kits to the Indian Navy.
The contract, which was announced on 31 August, covers the manufacture and delivery (plus engineering and repair services for the upgrades) of 100 LWT kits for the US Navy (USN) and 68 LWT kits for India, Turkey and Australia under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. The breakdown of FMS numbers was not disclosed.
Deliveries are expected to be completed by 30 September 2017.
The 230 kg, 2.59 m long Mk 54 Mod 0 is an anti-submarine torpedo used for littoral scenarios (including operation in both shallow and deep water environmental conditions). It can be launched from surface ships, submarines, helicopters, and aircraft and is interoperable with existing Mk 46 and Mk 50 launch platforms.

 janes

Silent Majority in Kashmir With India: Army Commander

 

The role of Kashmiris in the 1965 war was highlighted and appreciated today by a top army officer who felt that even now a silent majority of the people of the Valley is for India and only a "few" speak about Pakistan.

"Hats off to the people of Kashmir," Major General S Narain, General officer Commanding (GoC), Tiger Division, said in Jammu while talking about how Kashmiris fought against Pakistan during the war whose 50th anniversary is being commemorated.

He said Pakistan initially wanted to give it the color of "uprising" in Kashmir as it had pushed in a large number of intruders but its plans failed.

"...there are a few 'noisy' people who speak about Pakistan, but a silent majority is with India," he said at a function organised jointly by Jammu University and Army.

The GoC said Pakistan's 1965 war was a "misadventure" as they underestimated India's strength following the 1962 war.

"The misadventure by Pakistan was carried out keeping in view various wrong assessments (by Pakistan). First, Pakistan thought that Indian Army had not recovered from the defeat of 1962 from China. They also thought that they had better equipment as compared to India," the army officer said.

He said Pakistan had never thought that India would open up the front along International Border (IB) as it had believed that the war would be restricted to Line of Control (LoC) and Rann of Kutch.

"Pakistan also wanted to test its newly-acquired Patton Tanks and Khemkaran sector proved to be the grave of those tanks, where over 400 tanks were either destroyed or captured by us," he said.

Major General Narain noted that Pakistan Army also suffered a major blow when Indian Army captured Haji Peer pass in Uri sector of Kashmir.

The 1965 war transformed in a big way the Indian Army which at that time was recovering from the defeat of 1962. "This army, a few years later, made 90,000 troops of Pakistan to surrender (in 1971), "which resulted in the creation of a new country called Bangladesh", he said.

He said the 1965 war also changed diplomatic scenario of the country and gave more importance to India-Russia ties.

After the death of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India under the leadership of Lal Bahadur Shastri was being seen as a weak country, which later proved wrong, Major General Narain said.

He said the Indian Point of view was also acknowledged by the United Nations which declared Pakistan as an aggressor and said that India acted in its defence.

 ndtv

Mullah Omar Sheltered by ISI, Says Hillary Clinton Email

Top Taliban leader Mullah Omar was sheltered by Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI after the outfit's leadership fled from Afghanistan in 2001, according to an email received by former secretary of state Hillary Clinton during her tenure.

Mullah Omar is reported to have died at a hospital in Karachi two years ago. However, till date the Pakistani authorities have strongly refuted reports of direct links between ISI and Mullah Omar.

The US too has insisted that it has no such evidence in this regard. However, an email written to Clinton on August 25, 2010 indicates otherwise.

"I'm sure you know the facts in this well-informed piece, how Mullah Omar was saved by ISI, for example, but the idea of Afghanistan as an aspect of lndo-Pak war is the best and overarching strategic concept," wrote one Sid to Ms Clinton.The full name and email of the author has been redacted. The mail is among the tranche of emails from Clinton's private server which were released by the State Department.

The comment in email is on top of an article 'The military and the mullah' written by William Dalrymple in New Statesman, which said that the Pakistani state has a long history of nurturing jihadis as a means of dominating Afghanistan and undermining India.

"It is proving a fatal alliance," the article said. According to the article, ISI gave refuge to the leadership of the Taliban after it fled from Afghanistan in 2001.

"Mullah Mohammed Omar was kept in an ISI safehouse in Quetta; his militia was lodged in the sprawling suburb of Pashtunabad," it said."There, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar presided over the Taliban military committee and war chest. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hizb-e lslami, was lured back from exile in Iran and allowed to operate freely outside Peshawar, while Jalaluddin Haqqani, one of the most violent Taliban commanders, was given sanctuary in North Waziristan.

"Other groups were dispatched to safehouses in Balochistan," the article said.

 ndtv

India's Defense Panel Nod For $4.7-Bn Procurement, Includes Boeing Navy 'Spy' Planes

  Army Gets Go-Ahead For Issuing $2.7-Bn Tender To Buy Anti-Aircraft Guns.
The Narendra Modi government's push for modernizing India's 1.3-million armed forces continues unabated, with the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) clearing about 20 pending proposals worth nearly Rs.30,000 crore (Rs.300 Billion/$4.7 Billion) at a marathon meeting on July 14, 2015 evening.

Among the items on agenda that were given the green signal include a waiver to American aerospace firm Boeing's offsets proposals for supplying four P-8I Poseidon long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft worth Rs.4,380 crore (Rs.43.8 Billion/$690 Million) to the Navy, and for issuing of a tender worth Rs.16,900 crore (Rs.169 Billion/$2.7 Billion) to buy new air defense guns for the Army.

Since the Modi government took office in May 2014, the Defense Ministry - first under Arun Jaitley and later under Manohar Parrikar - have so far cleared acquisition proposals worth Rs.350,000 crore (Rs.3500 Billion/$55 Billion). This includes the decision taken by Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to build six nuclear-powered submarines and seven Shivalik-class follow-on frigates for the Navy. However, the criticism against the Modi government defense modernization efforts is that it is yet to sign a majority of the deals that it cleared in the DAC and CCS meets.

Here is a quick low down on some of the acqusition proposals that got a go-ahead during the meeting chaired by Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and attended by the Armed Forces chiefs and Defense Ministry Secretaries:

1. Indian Army's bid to acquire 428 anti-aircraft guns worth Rs.16,900 crore (Rs.169 Billion/$2.7 Billion) got the go-ahead. The proposal was accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN, as it is called). Now, a tender (Request for Proposals in defense parlance) will be issued soon. The new air defense guns so procured will replace the ageing Swedish Zu and erstwhile Soviet L-70 23-mm guns to keep the Indian skies safer from enemy aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and such threats. This will be under the 'Buy and Make' category of the Defense Procurement Procedure or DPP-2013.

2. The Army's proposal for upgrading its T-1 electronic warfare system for one of its 14 fighting corps got the nod. It will be a 'Buy Indian' procurement and the system will be bought from state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Now, the Army will sign the contract worth Rs.265 crore (Rs.2.65 Billion/$42 Billion) for this system.

3. The land forces also got itself a nice multi-spectrum camoflage nets that can protect its assets such as its tanks, guns, communication system and such against visual, thermal and radar signatures. The Rs.310-crore (Rs.3.1 Billion/$49 Billion) worth proposal is to buy 14,000 nets. This will be bought from an Indian firm after a tender. The DAC accorded AoN for this proposal.

4. This will be a very important procurement to keep India's ageing artillery guns booming in case of a war. The approval was given for buying 350,000 bi-modular charge systems for the Army's 155-mm artillery guns. This is a repeat order, under an option clause that India will now enforce. This order goes to French firm Nexter under the 'Buy Global' category. This order makes Nexter richer by Rs.580 crore (Rs.5.8 Billion/$910 million). Remember, the troubles India has had in getting two Ordnance Factories for manufacturing the bi-modular charges in Nalanda after sraeli Military Industries (IMI), originally chosen to execute the project, got blacklisted, now resulting in cost escalation?

5. The Indian Air Force is the lead agency to buy 110 microlight aircraft for training of National Cadet Corps (NCC) air wing cadets. The DAC nod was given to buy these aircraft from Slovenian company Pipistrel Aircraft. No cost was given for this procurement by the Defense Ministry official, who briefed the media on the DAC decisions late on July 14 evening. However, the interesting sub-text to this procurement is that the IAF and the Indian Navy too have bought these planes, under this deal. For what, one wonders though. For fun rides, Arming India takes a guess. The DAC approval was for breaking up the entire deal for 194 microlight aircraft into two. The IAF has got 72 of these aircraft and another 12 has gone to the Navy. That makes it 84 aircraft for the two armed forces. The NCC order for 110 planes is the second part of the deal. Basically, the DAC nod is to enable staggering of the plane deliveries by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

6. The IAF is also soon buying simulators for its fleet of French-origin Mirage-2000 combat aircraft. The DAC gave its nod for the purchase, for which a tender will soon be issued. No cost was given for this procurement by the Defense Ministry official. Aren't these aircraft already going through a costly upgrade program, worth $2.4 billion to the nation's exchequer, staggered over a decade?

7. There were more Army and IAF proposals, though these were very minor in nature, according to the Defense Ministry official. Arming India will soon try and get the details on those procurements too for the benefit of the discerning readers.

8. Coming to the Indian Navy's proposals, the major one is the procurement of four Boeing P-8I spy planes at a cost of Rs.4,380 crore (Rs.43.8 Billion/$690 Million). Now, the contract signing will happen soon for these planes. The nod, actually, was a waiver of "some deviations" found in the offsets proposals made by Boeing for this procurement. Incidentally, the same kind of waiver was given to the previously procured eight P-8I planes too in the year 2009. The deliveries of these eight is scheduled to be completed this year.

9. The Navy's fleet of three Delhi-class indigenous Destroyers and three Talwar-class Russia-built Frigates will get new weapons and sensors suite "as and when they go for a mid-life upgrade" at a cost of Rs.2,900 crore (Rs.29 Billion/$456 Million). Under this upgrade program, these six warships will get its air defense weapons changed, new Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and radars. Fregat M2EM radars from the Russian firm Concern Morinformsystem-Agat JSC will replace the existing radars.

10. The Navy will soon get a training facility for its Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles at its Electrical Training Establishment at INS Valsura in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The DAC gave its nod for setting up of the facility at a cost of Rs.30 crore (Rs.300 Million/$4.8 Million)

11. The erstwhile Soviet-origin Kora class of guided missile corvettes of the Navy will get new Air and Missile Defence 2D Radars (AMDR 2D) radars that will replace the ageing radars. Six such vessels will benefit at a cost of Rs.440 crore (Rs.4.4 Billion/$70 Million).

12. The three Delhi-class of indigenous Destroyers will get a new communication system backbone Gigabit Ethernet Ships Data Network (GbeSDN) for Rs.260 crore (Rs.2.6 Billion/$41 million) to replace the existing 1990s-era data backbone, for sensors and weapons, based on Optic Fiber Cables. The new system will gather and send all critical mission data to the ship's commanders for a seamless decision-making during operations.

13. Indian Navy's 23 smaller combat vessels such as missile boats, Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs), Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) and such will get new Combat Management Systems at a cost of Rs.624 crore (Rs.6.24 Billion/$100 Million).

14. Indian Navy's Russian-origin MiG-29K combat planes and the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers will be fitted with the Air Combat Manoeuvering Instruction System pods at a cost of Rs.200 crore (Rs.2 Billion/$32 Million).

15. The access to all Indian Navy establishments, warships and bases would now be controlled through a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system and for implementing this project, the DAC approved a cost of Rs.400 crore (Rs.4 Billion/$63 Million).

-armingind

Military needs to be ready for short wars, says Army Chief Dalbir Singh

 

Speaking at the Tri Service Seminar on the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Chief of Army Staff Dalbir Singh on Tuesday said that the military needs to be ready for short wars as the borders are live with frequent ceasefire violations and infiltration bids by Pakistan.

“We are acutely aware that the swift short nature of future wars is likely to offer limited warning time. This calls for maintaining very high level of operational preparedness at all times, it's something that has now become important in our strategy,” the Army General said here.
He also said that the Indian Army has become more alert with the rise in the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
“Our threats and challenges have become more complex. The Indian army has increased in intensity in the past years. With frequent ceasefire violation and infiltration by our west neighbour, the border remains live and active. New methods are continued to be employed to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. The recent incidents of terrorist violence are clear points to extend violence to other areas,” the Army Chief said.
Speaking about the 1965 war, Singh paid homage to the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives to save the contours of India.
“1965 war is saga of raw courage, extraordinary greatness and dogged determination of the Indian military. Most prominently, Indian army delivered a blow to Pakistan across the entire western front. The war settled many negative myths, restored confidence and laid ground work for the spectacular victory in 1971 six years later,” he said.
The Army General also praised the contribution of the civil population during the war and how the public support was highly important to the troops.
“There was over whelming support from civil population. Breaking caste and communal barriers, people, plunged into civil defence work. Cheering crowds saw marching troops to the fronts as patriotism swept across the country. This immense public support was highly important to the troops as it strengthened the bond between civil society and the Army,” Singh said.
The Army Chief of Staff also saluted the brave veterans saying their invaluable contribution and guidance has been a source of strength to the organisation.

ANI /zeenews

Defence ministers of Australia, France to visit India

Defence ministers of Australia and France are set to visit India this week to advance bilateral naval collaborations and accelerate realisation of the long-awaited agreement on the purchase of Rafale fighter jets respectively.

Defence Ministry officials have confirmed the visit of Australian defence minister Kevin Andrews, but is tight-lipped on the visit of his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is likely to be in Delhi in later half of the week to finalise an inter-governmental agreement on the purchase of 36 Rafale jets.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s meeting with Le Drian could happen towards the weekend as France reportedly agreed to the conditions that India put forward before going ahead with the Rafale deal. One of the sticking points was understood to be 50 per cent offset, which France appeared to have agreed to, though there is no official confirmation as yet.If the 50 per cent offset clause is accepted by both parties, then France would have to invest half of the total deal amount in Indian military industries for downstream production. Andrews, on the other hand, would focus more on expanding the strategic cooperation with a focus on the naval cooperation.

 deccanherald

Russia-Pakistan defence ties discomfit India

 Despite reservations expressed by India, Russia is looking to broaden its nascent defence partnership with Islamabad by expanding a contract to supply assault helicopters to the country. Russia had earlier agreed to supply four Mi-35 choppers to Pakistan, but it now says it is willing to sell more provided Pakistan can shell out the cost for these.

Equipped with the latest navigation and avionics systems, according to Moscow-based rotorcraft designer and manufacturer Russian Helicopters, the Mi-35 chopper offers round-the-clock combat use of guided and unguided weapons in regular and challenging climate conditions.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov, Russia will sell four choppers in the first phase, after which the contract could be expanded depending upon Islamabad's purchasing power.

In an interview to news agency Ria Novosti, Kabulov said Pakistan needed the choppers to fight the Taliban. "Probably they would like to continue once they have mastered them. There are no obstructions," he said. Despite reservations expressed by India, Russia is looking to broaden its nascent defence partnership with Islamabad by expanding a contract to supply assault helicopters to the country. Russia had earlier agreed to supply four Mi-35 choppers to Pakistan, but it now says it is willing to sell more provided Pakistan can shell out the cost for these.

Equipped with the latest navigation and avionics systems, according to Moscow-based rotorcraft designer and manufacturer Russian Helicopters, the Mi-35 chopper offers round-the-clock combat use of guided and unguided weapons in regular and challenging climate conditions.

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov, Russia will sell four choppers in the first phase, after which the contract could be expanded depending upon Islamabad's purchasing power.

In an interview to news agency Ria Novosti, Kabulov said Pakistan needed the choppers to fight the Taliban. "Probably they would like to continue once they have mastered them. There are no obstructions," he said.  - timesofindia

10 facts to know about Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

 

The second Indo- Pak war in 1965 was started by the Pakistani Army. The war took place after Pakistan launched a covert operation across the ceasefire line in Kashmir. Pakistan attacked first by occupying the Kanjarkot area in Kutch. It subsequently opened new areas of war in Jammu and Kashmir. The war ended with UN intervention with both sides moving back to pre-war positions.
Let’s have a look at 10 most interesting facts related to 1965 Indo-Pak war:
1.The 1965 war between India and Pakistan is said to be the the one of the most fiercely fought wars to be fought after World War II.The war was fought  on the western front of India starting from Rann of Kutch to Kashmir.

2. It all started in the month of January 1965 when Pakistani Army started 'Operation Desert Hawk' in the Rann of Kutch. The main motive of the Pakistan army establishment was to keep the Indian forces engaged in Kutch so that the Pakistani Army could launch an attack in Kashmir.
3.After the misson in Rann of Kutch a force of around 33,000 infiltrators who were mostly from the Pakistan Army  crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Kashmir  in the month of August  and gave it the name 'Operation Gibraltar'. However it’s a bitter truth that the Indian defence establishment came to know about the aggression of Pakistani soldiers only after a week.
4. It was on 28th August 1965, that Indian army opened up its front and went eight kilometers inside the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and took control of strategically important Haji Pir Pass. It was an important victory for Indian forces since the control in Haji Pir Pass meant that Indian Army can take control over Muzzaffarad.
5. The Pakistani Army also started 'Operation Grand Slam' on 01st September in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The idea was to cut all supply line of the Indian Army and take Akhnoor under thier control. The PAkistani Army started heavy shelling in the Chamb and Jurian region

 indiatvnews

Defence ministry asks vendors to disclose foreign partners in air defence gun deals

 

The defence ministry has asked all Indian vendors keen on participating in a mega air defence gun contract to disclose their foreign collaborators, as well as the source of technology and production capability.

The move comes weeks after ET reported (August 3) that Indian firm Bharat Forge had written to blacklisted German company Rheinmetall asking for a possible collaboration on the project, besides accurately predicting the agenda of a high level defence ministry meeting in July.

In a firm official note dated August 18, the Army has asserted that it would not consider any Indian company for the Rs 16,000 crore contract unless details are shared within the next two weeks. It is also learnt that following the note, Rheinmetall has written to the defence ministry, saying that it has no valid partnerships with any Indian private company and has offered to revive a partnership with the Ordnance Factory Board for the contract.

"Vendors desirous of participating in the approved acquisition scheme related to procurement of Air Defence Gun (Successor) with Ammunition for which Request for Proposal (RFP) is to be issued shortly are required to submit Appendix E by 13 September.

No repeat No vendor will be considered for this scheme if its Appendix E is not received by due date," the Army note says. Appendix E specifies the need to share details of technology partners and foreign collaborators.

While the formal request for information (RFI) for the mega gun project was closed in May 2014, the unusual move to reopen the process after a year is expected to bring clarity on which foreign companies are collaborating with Indian firms for the contract.

The air defence gun project was to be executed by Rheinmetall Air Defence (RAD) with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in 2008, but was shelved after the company was blacklisted in corruption charges.

ET has also learnt that the German company has offered to revive this 2008 contract with the OFB. Rheinmetall, which is fighting the blacklisting order in Indian courts, has also clarified in a letter sent last week that it does not have valid agreement currently with Indian private companies for the contract.

In fact, RAD has asserted that it retains the IPR on the 35 mm Oerlikon revolver guns and no Indian company has the right to sell its products.

Sources indicated that in response to the RFI that was sent last year, one of the Indian companies may have offered the Oerlikon gun as a solution for the Indian army, leading to confusion given that RAD is currently banned from participating in any Indian defence program.

With the Army now reopening the RFI, it remains to be seen whether more Indian private companies will participate in the contract. The RFI last year got a very lukewarm response, with even the state run OFB choosing to stay away.

econoictimes