Idea to occupy heights around Pangong Tso emerged in meetings led by NSA Ajit Doval

 

The idea that Indian forces should occupy the strategic heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso during the standoff with China, emerged during meetings led by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval in August last year, government sources have told India Today TV.

Terming it to be a 'game changer' idea, the sources said this move has helped in resolving the crisis in the northern borders.

It was during these meetings led by the NSA where a suggestion was given to occupy the southern bank heights, including Rezang La, Rechen La, Helmet top and Aqi La. This helped in bringing the Chinese to the talking table to ensure disengagement from the heights along Pangong Tso.

The meetings led by the NSA included Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria also continued briefing to the NSA on the aggressive stance taken by the Indian Air Force to counter the Chinese threat in the northern borders area.

It was during these meetings that the idea to occupy the heights came up and was precisely implemented by special frontier force and army troops under close monitoring of the NSA and India's top military brass.

"What we have achieved so far is very good. We had a number of meetings, and in these, the advice given by our NSA also came in extremely handy. His insight into strategic affairs and matters definitely helped us in chalking out our response," Army chief General MM Naravane said while speaking about NSA Ajit Doval's role in helping resolve the standoff with China.

In the past, the NSA and his team is said to have played a key role in handling the security situation during the attack on Patahankot airbase and the Doklam crisis.

indiatoday

India-France-Australia firm up deliverables for Indo-Pacific region

 

India, France and Australia have finalised their agenda for a trilateral mechanism within the Indo-Pacific region and can help the event of smaller states together with island nations to cut back their extreme dependence on China, 

In a gathering held on Wednesday, the three nations determined to give attention to higher coordination within the Indo-Pacific region with particular give attention to catastrophe administration, oil spill administration, catastrophe resilience of small island states, renewable power and marine ecosystems, .

The Indian facet was led by Sandeep Chakravorty, Joint Secretary (Europe West) Ministry of External Affairs, whereas the French facet was led by Bertrand Lortholary, Director (Asia and Oceania). The Australian facet was led by Gary Cowan, First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division) and John Geering, First Assistant Secretary (Europe and Latin America Division) of its international ministry.India has been on the forefront of aiding many states within the Indo-Pacific region throughout instances of pure disasters, together with the 2004 tsunami.

Last 12 months, India got here to rescue of sure states to fight the Covid-19 virus outbreak and later gifted vaccines.

It additionally assisted Mauritius and Sri Lanka to deal with an oil spill final 12 months.

The improvement of a ‘blue economy’ – sustainable exploitation and preservation of the marine ecosystem — for Indo-Pacific states can be considered one of India’s priorities.

While the Indian Indo-Pacific assemble extends from Eastern Africa to the Pacific, France, a everlasting member of the UN Security Council, has territories within the Indian Ocean Region in addition to the Pacific Region. Australia’s Indo-Pacific assemble – from the japanese coast of India stretches to the Pacific Ocean – with Canberra inserting India as a key accomplice within the region.

Earlier, throughout a international secretary-level dialogue, the three sides mentioned financial and geostrategic challenges and cooperation within the Indo-Pacific, significantly within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and home responses to it.

The three international locations plan to cooperate on marine international commons and potential areas for sensible cooperation and thru regional organisations such because the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Commission.

The goal is to synergise respective strengths to make sure a peaceable, safe, affluent and rules-based Indo-Pacific Region, sources mentioned.

India has trilateral dialogues involving Australia-Indonesia; Japan-Australia; US-Japan, in addition to Russia-Japan and Russia-China.

ET

Defence ministry clears Rs 13,700 crore local projects

 

The defence ministry has cleared indigenous weapons programmes worth over Rs 13,700 crore, including acquisition of a modernised version of Arjun battle tanks and increasing protection levels for over 3,000 armoured fighting vehicles currently in service.

The Defence Acquisition Council has also decided that all capital acquisition contracts, other than design and development projects, must be completed in two years, addressing a major demand of the industry that has been handicapped by the procurement processes which sometimes take up to 7 years to conclude.

“The ministry, in consultation with the services and all stakeholders, will come up with detailed plan of action for achieving the same,” a defence ministry spokesperson said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Among the projects cleared are acquisition of Arjun Mk1A tanks from the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi. DAC has cleared acquisition of 118 tanks for Rs 8,380 crore. formal orders are likely to be placed later this year. This will add to the 124 Arjun Mk1 tanks ordered by the Army.

“Three Acceptance of Necessities for an overall cost of Rs 13,700 crore were accorded. All AoNs are in the highest priority category of defence acquisition — Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured,” the spokesperson said.

In addition, DAC has cleared a proposal to upgrade protection levels of over 3,000 armoured fighting vehicles, including main battle tanks and infantry combat vehicles. The plan is to increase operational efficiency by adding counter measure systems and early warning systems to the fleet. Other projects that have been given a go ahead include Namica anti-tank system that will be armed with indigenous Nag missiles and six Arudhra medium power radars.

ET

China refits combat trucks in Tibet to take on Indian military

 

The Chinese military has given two of its combat vehicles a major makeover to improve their ability to take on Indian troops in high-altitude warfare, according to a Chinese defence technology magazine.

On its official WeChat social media account on Saturday, the magazine said the track chassis on a number of howitzers and anti-tank missile carriers had been replaced with wheel bases to allow for quicker deployment over mountainous terrain.

“The change of chassis was no coincidence – it was specifically prepared for plateau warfare against the Indian army,” the Ordnance Industry Science Technology report said.

“The changes can help reduce the burden of logistics support, increase mobility, improve strike precision and give a significant power boost to the troops stationed in Tibet.

“These vehicles have been deployed to Tibet in recent years to meet the special combat needs of plateau warfare.”

The report came as China and India started another round of talks on the weekend to try to resolve a months-long stand-off along the disputed Himalayan border between the two countries. The two sides had “completed” the disengagement of forces from a lake that had become a key flashpoint, according to a joint statement.

Clashes in June left at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese personnel dead.

The report identified the two vehicles as the PLC-161 122mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer and the HJ-10 anti-tank missile launcher.

They were refitted with the body of a general utility truck called the FAW MV3, a third-generation tactical transport system.

The report said that while the Indian military relied on imported vehicles, reducing flexibility, China was standardising its military hardware so that some parts could be interchanged to fit different environments.

Song Zhongping, a military commentator based in Hong Kong, said the advantage of the interchangeable chassis was that it could be developed for multiple weapons at a relatively low cost.

“The chassis can be regarded as a base to be equipped with various weapon systems such as recoilless rifles or anti-aircraft guns,” Song said.

“The troops in Tibet can have access to multiple weapons to suit different combat needs but not have to maintain many types of vehicles.

“Also, the one chassis requires the one kind of fuel supply and spare parts, so it reduces the logistics pressure.”

The changes are part of a vast military modernisation drive in China.

Last month, state media reported that China used a new all-terrain vehicle to get supplies to troops in Tibet.

South China Morning Post

Hindustan Shipyard to build 5 naval support vessels with Turkish help

 

Visakhapatnam-based Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is expecting an order from the Indian Navy by the year end for building five mammoth naval support vessels with transfer of technology from a Turkish shipbuilding firm, people familiar with the developments said on Monday.

The project, estimated to cost between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, will involve transfer of technology from Anadolu Shipyard, part of the TAIS consortium of Turkey, with which HSL signed an agreement for technical collaboration last year.

HSL is expected to deliver the first fleet support vessel (FSV) to the navy within four years of the go-ahead, with the other ships to be delivered at the rate of one every 10 months to 12 months. The vessels will be 230 metres long and have a displacement of 45,000 tonnes. FSVs carry fuel and other supplies for warships.

“The agreement with the Turkish consortium will kick in after HSL gets an order from the Indian Navy. If all goes well, that could happen by October 2021. Several Indian vendors will also be involved in the project,” said one of the people cited above, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Unlike other massive projects of this type, which usually witness at least one of the vessels being constructed in the country providing the technology and know-how, the Turkish side has decided to go ahead with transfer of technology from the initial stages and back the “Make in India” initiative by constructing all five vessels at HSL, said a second person who too declined to be named.

“Turkey’s shipyards are fully booked for a long time and there is nothing to lose by transferring technology and having all the vessels built in India. Turkish engineers will come to India to assist with the project,” the second person said.

Besides designs, the Turkish consortium will provide engineering services, planning and preparation of specifications, the people said. The transfer of technology will also boost India’s shipbuilding capabilities, they added.

Maritime affairs expert, Rear Admiral (retired) Sudarshan Shrikhande, said: “There is a need for the navy to have fleet support ships. While HSL may have a sort of a collaborative arrangement for transfer of technology and building these in Visakhapatnam, one is not aware if a contract may be in the offing or whether discussions are continuing.”

TAIS, which is a member of Turkey's largest industrial group, and HSL concluded an agreement for cooperation in the first quarter of last year, after the issue had come under a cloud for some time because of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s criticism of the Indian government’s decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019. Questions were also raised in some quarters because of the strong defence ties between Turkey and Pakistan.

The Turkish consortium was the lowest bidder for the contract to make the FSVs. Moreover, some other bidders had insisted that at least one of the vessels should be made in a foreign shipyard. The agreement with TAIS was signed after clearance by the Indian defence ministry, the people cited above said.

Sameer Patil, fellow for international security studies at Gateway House, said both countries were displaying pragmatism against a backdrop of long-standing concerns in India about Turkey’s defence relationship with Pakistan.

“Turkey under President Erdogan has focused on building commercial relations with all countries. This pragmatism is being seen in this effort to collaborate with India despite the proximity with Pakistan. India wants to build its naval capabilities and Turkey has a defence industry that is very advanced,” he said.

“If Turkey is offering transfer of technology, why should we say no?” Patil said, noting that Turkish company Savronik was given sub-contracts for building key parts of the strategic Atal Tunnel under Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.

HT

Indian Army Orders Kalyani M4 Vehicles Worth Rs 178 Cr, Bharat Forge Inks Deal

 

Bharat Forge on Tuesday announced that it has received an order worth Rs 177.95 crore from the Ministry of Defence for the supply of Kalyani M4 vehicles.

In yet another Atmanirbhar push, Bharat Forge on Tuesday announced that it has received an order worth Rs 177.95 crore from the Ministry of Defence for the supply of Kalyani M4 vehicles.

The Kalyani M4 is a multi-role platform, designed to meet the specific requirements of armed forces for quick mobility in rough terrain and in areas affected by mine and improvised explosive devices (IED) threats.

In a regulatory filing, the Pune based Defence manufacturing company said it has received the order from the Indian Army for protected vehicles under emergency procurement.

On Monday, Bharat Forge had inked a pact with global aerospace and technology firm Paramount Group to manufacture armoured vehicles in the country. The agreement was signed at Defence Expo IDEX 2021 in Abu Dhabi.

Bharat Forge is a subsidiary of the Kalyani Group, involved in automotive, power, oil & gas, construction & mining, locomotive, marine and aerospace industries besides manufacturing of Defence equipment. The Kalyani Group is Indian engineering, technology and manufacturing conglomerate that offers armoured vehicles, ammunition, defence electronics and artillery systems. The Kalyani Group in 2020 DefExpo in India had announced that it was partnering with Paramount Group to explore the indigenisation of defence systems in India, with a focus on protected vehicles and aerospace.

In a major development on Tuesday, Defense Ministry is also set to clear over Rs 6,000 crore for the acquisition of Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier dedicated the tank to the nation during his visit to Chennai. In addition, the Defense Ministry too had cleared the induction of 118 Arjun Mark1A tanks into the Indian Army. 

Defence procurement of 73 LCA Tejas worth 48,000 Crore

The Indian Government, which is pressing on the need for indigenisation of the defence sector, has approved on January 13, the procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft at the cost of Rs. 45,696 Crore along with Design and Development of Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs.1,202 Crore.

Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A variant is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft. This aircraft is equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force. It is the first “Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)” category procurement of combat aircraft with an indigenous content of 50% which will progressively reach 60% by the end of the programme. 

Republicworld

Bharat Forge, Paramount ink defence deal

 

Bharat Forge on Monday said it had inked a pact with global aerospace and technology firm Paramount Group to manufacture armoured vehicles in the country.

An agreement to this effect was signed by both companies during the International Defence Expo in Abu Dhabi, Bharat Forge said in a statement.

“This collaboration brings together the manufacturing and technology excellence of two leading companies. The Kalyani M4 is a fantastic new-generation vehicle, and we want to position it as the future of protection in all markets worldwide,” said Bharat Forge Deputy MD Amit Kalyani. The Kalyani M4 is designed to meet the specific requirements of armed forces for quick mobility in rough terrain and in areas affected by mine and IED threats.

Paramount Group Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said all its technologies have been developed with portable production in mind. “The Kalyani M4 is based on one of our flagship armoured vehicles designed... for in-country production in India with our partners, the Kalyani Group,” he added.

thehindu

India reserves Rs 70,000 crore for domestic defence procurements

 

India has reserved over Rs 70,000 crore of its defence capital budget only for the domestic sector as part of a series of steps to remove the tag of being among the world’s largest importer of weapons. Announcing that 63 percent of the outlay in the current budget is for domestic procurement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that it would go a long way in boosting the industry and another negative list for imports is likely to be issued soon.

“My Ministry has planned to invest, about 63% of the outlay for 2021-22 on domestic procurement, about Rs.70221 Crore for domestic defence procurement during for 2021-22,” the minister said at a seminar on the defence budget organised by the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).

This is the second year running in which a part of the funds have been reserved for domestic procurement with the aim of building up the defence manufacturing ecosystem. “This increase will have a positive impact on enhanced domestic procurement, having multiplier effect on our industries including MSMEs and Start-ups. It would also increase the employment in defence sector,” Singh said.

The other major initiative to cut imports is the negative list, which is being progressively implement from 2020-2024, with the forces drawing up a list of items in partnership with DRDO and the Indian industry. The minister has now suggested that the next list which will be issued shortly should also consider an embargo on spares being imported.

“We now intend to notify the next list of items and would also request Secretary DMA (Gen Bipin Rawat) that they should also consider including certain spares currently being procured from outside so that we could indigenize the same,” he said.

The minister also spelled out India’s vision to be a major global arms exporter, urging the industry to work towards the goal. “Our initiatives have resulted in staggering 700% growth in defence exports in the last 6 years. India entered in the list of top 25 Exporters in the world as per data published by SIPRI in 2020,” he said, adding that the target is to achieve $ 5 billion of exports annually.

Economictimes

DRDO successfully launches VL-SRSAM twice

 

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday conducted two successful launches of vertical launch short range surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) off the Odisha coast in Balasore.

The launches were carried out from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.

Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for the Navy, the VL-SRSAM is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges, including sea-skimming targets, the DRDO said.

The launches were carried out for demonstration of vertical launch capability as part of its maiden launch campaign.

On both the occasions, the missiles intercepted the simulated targets with pinpoint accuracy. They were tested for minimum and maximum range.

The VL-SRSAM with weapon control system (WCS) was deployed during the trials.

The launches were monitored by senior scientists from various DRDO labs involved in the design and development such as DRDL, RCI, Hyderabad and R&D Engineers, Pune.

The flight path and vehicle performance parameters were monitored using flight data, captured by various range instruments such as Radar, EOTS and telemetry systems deployed by the ITR, Chandipur.

The trials have proved the effectiveness of the weapon system and few more trials will be conducted shortly before deployment on the ships.

Once deployed, the VL-SRSAM system will prove to be a force multiplier for the Navy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the successful trials. Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO congratulated the teams involved in the successful flight test of VL-SRSAM Missile System.

Taking to twitter, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Congratulate @DRDO_India on the successful launch of indigenously developed vertical launch short range surface-to- air-missile (VL-SRSAM)@indiannavy, off the coast of #Odisha.” As a safety measure, the Balasore district administration in consultation with the ITR authority at Chandipur temporarily evacuated 6,322 people residing in five hamlets within 2.5-km radius of the launch pad.

They were put up at the nearest shelter centres in the morning, a revenue official said.

The hindu

63 Of The 83 Newly Ordered Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Jets To Have Indigenously Developed Uttam AESA Radars

 

In a massive push for the Government's Make in India clarion call and its ambitious agenda to boost the domestic defence manufacturing, 63 of the 83 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets for which the order was recently accorded to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be equipped with the indigenously developed Uttam radars instead of Israeli ones, reports Times of India.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Bengaluru based LRDE laboratory, the Uttam radars will be fitted on all the Tejas Mk-1A jets starting from the 21st unit which will be manufactured by HAL.To meet the delivery guidelines, HAL will be placing orders for 20 Israeli radars. As per the company's chairman and managing director R Madhavan, the Uttam radars should be ready for use thereafter.

“We will have the Uttam radar from the 21st Tejas Mk-1A to be produced. Uttam has performed better than anticipated in the trials so far. We’ve already signed an MoU with HAL,” DRDO chairman Sateesh Reddy was quoted in the report as saying.

It should also be noted that the HAL is targeting to increase the indigenous content in the homegrown fighter jet platform to 62-65 per cent from the present 52 per cent.

Uttam radar is a state-of-the-art AESA platform that can track multiple targets and take high-resolution pictures in a bid to aid reconnaissance activities. The radar is presently being tested on two LJA fighter jets and also on an executive jet.

swarajyamag

L&T delivers last K9 Vajra howitzer to Army, firm in talks with DRDO to convert it into tank

 

Leading Indian private defence major Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Thursday successfully completed delivery of the last and 100th K9 Vajra 155mm/52 calibre Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer, which was flagged off by Army Chief General M.M. Naravane at Hazira near Surat in Gujarat.

With the company delivering ahead of schedule the massive Armoured Systems Complex (ASC) at Hazira, which has its own track, it is likely to go into hibernation mode with no new contract expected in the immediate future.

The ASC is spread over 40 acres within the L&T’s 755-acre Hazira Manufacturing Complex.

Sources in the defence and security establishment said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the L&T are in talks with each other to possibly convert the Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer into a light or medium-weight tank that could be used in mountain regions like Ladakh.

Three of its howitzers have already reached Leh for high-altitude trials, which could eventually pave way for the Vajras to be converted into a tank.

While India currently operates the T-72 and T-90 tanks, it is felt that there is a need for lighter tanks, which can operate more easily in mountainous terrains.

The Army is internally looking at the possibility and the practicality of having a light tank, which could come handy in situations similar to the Ladakh stand-off.

But the Army, sources said, is unlikely to go in for the more formidable K9 Vajras as the plan was to have only five regiments, which are meant for the desert area.

L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra under the ‘Make in India’ initiative for which they had signed a transfer of technology contract with South Korean company, Hanwha Corporation.

‘Vajra tank’

Talking about the possible ‘Vajra tank’, defence sources said the idea is to replace the heavy 155 mm gun with a 105 mm or 120 mm gun.

“The chassis or the hull remains the same. The massive 155 mm gun can be replaced by a 105 mm or even 120 mm gun, which will reduce its weight drastically as the design of the turret also changes,” a source said.

“More weight reducing technology and material can be used, which will bring down the weight by at least 10 tonnes. This means that the Vajra tank can actually weigh around 30 tonnes or somewhere close, which can be deployed in the mountains,” the source added.

Lt Gen. P.R. Shankar (retd), who is the former Director General of Artillery, had last year pitched for the Vajra to be turned into a light tank, saying the current China-Indian stand-off has highlighted the lack of a suitable tank for high altitudes.

‘Ready to indigenously develop India’s future capabilities’

Meanwhile, J.D. Patil, whole-time director and senior executive vice president (defence and smart technologies), L&T, said in a statement, “We hope and believe that under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policies of the Government of India, the national asset created in the form of the Armoured Systems Complex to execute this ambitious contract, will provide sustenance to the painstakingly built supply chain of more than 1,000 MSME partners.”

He added that the production of complex platforms like the K9 Vajra contributes to the Indian economy with a large multiplier effect, creates new job opportunities and plays a significant role in enhancing India’s industrial ecosystem.

“With the experience, track-record, skills, capabilities and infrastructure that L&T has built, we are ready to indigenously develop, and build India’s future capabilities,” he said.

The company added that the K9 Vajra systems are delivered with more than 80 per cent indigenous work packages and above 50 per cent indigenisation (by value) at the programme level.

It added that L&T had started indigenisation, right from the inception of the programme by replacing 14 critical systems in the Korean ‘K9 Thunder’ with indigenously developed and produced systems for the trial gun fielded for user evaluation trials.

The print

IAF Deploys Apache Choppers To Guard Borders With China In Sikkim

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF), in a first, on Thursday deployed its most advanced Apache fighter helicopters in Sikkim, a frontier state with China. Two of four districts in Sikkim - North and East Sikkim - share boundaries with China along the eastern sector of the Line of Actual Control, along with Arunachal Pradesh.

On Thursday, the Apache helicopter was first flown during the visit of Air Marshal Amit Dev, Air Officer Commanding in Chief of the Eastern Air Command, at their forward base in North Sikkim district, a few kilometers from the Line of Actual Control.

"During the visit, he also interacted with the aircrew of Apache unit, which has been deployed in the Eastern sector for the first time," a press statement said.

This was one of the 22 Apache helicopters India had procured from American aircraft manufacturer Boeing, along with 15 Chinooks, by signing a multi-billion dollar contract in September 2015.

India is one of the 17 nations to select the Apache and has the most advanced variant, the AH-64E Apache. Apache helicopters have been modified according to the needs of the IAF.

It is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter with a tailwheel-type landing gear arrangement and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two. Among other features, it has a nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems among other features.

The Air Marshal, during his two-day visit, also interacted with senior army officers and discussed ways to synergise and support the efforts of the army, along with reviewing operation preparedness.

NDTV