Indian Army to deploy K-9 howitzers in central, eastern sectors of LAC with China

 

 The Indian Army is planning to deploy indigenous K-9 Vajra howitzers in Uttarakhand and the Northeastern statThe plan is to acquire 200 more of these guns [K-9 howitzers] and deploy them in the LAC with China's central and eastern sectors," senior government sources told India Today.

The decision was made after the howitzers were successfully tested in the Ladakh sector, where they began to be deployed last year.

To increase firepower along the Chinese border, the Army first deployed a few guns before deploying an entire regiment in the high-altitude area.

The gun is capable of hitting targets at more than 45 km in high-altitude areas and has strengthened the force's artillery corps, sources saides of the country that share a border with China.The Vajra variant, developed by engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with India specific features, emerged fully compliant to Indian Army's needs during the arduous and extended field trials, the statement said.

The ‘K9 VAJRA-T’ systems are being delivered with over 80 per cent indigenous work packages and above 50 per cent indigenisation (by value) at the program level, Larsen & Toubro said.

This entails local production of over 13,000 different types of components per gun system via a supply chain of about 1,000 industrial partners, mostly Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with about 150 of them based in Gujarat, L&T added.The company further said that it exceeded the indigenous manufacturing content by grooming a young team of engineers and specialising them in manufacturing automation and integration with the assistance of its in-house team of weapon system experts, as well as training at Hanwha facilities in South Korea.

 indiatoday

Quad assures Indo-Pacific free from coercion, condemns 26/11 attacks; asks nations to stop harbouring terrorists

 

 In a strong message to China and Pakistan, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) foreign ministers on Friday reaffirmed the Quad’s commitment to supporting Indo Pacific countries’ efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific and also asked the countries to ensure that territory under their control is not used to launch terror attacks. The QUAD meeting was attended by India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and foreign ministers of Japan and Australia.

The joint statements issued by the Quad foreign ministers summit stated that the group recognises that international law, peace, and security in the maritime domain underpins the development and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

The Quad reiterated the importance of adherence to international law to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South and East China Seas.

It also stated that it is exchanging information on ever-evolving threats and working with Indo-Pacific countries.

Notably, ever since Quad was formed, China has been vociferously attacking it. Beijing has territorial disputes with many countries in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Expressing grave concern over terrorism, the Quad members asked all the countries to ensure that territory under their control is not used to launch terror attacks and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks.

“We reiterate our condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks,” the joint statement said.

The Quad summit also condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile tests.

We condemn North Korea’s destabilising ballistic missile launches in violation of UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea consistent with UNSCRs, and reconfirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees, the joint statement stated.

Quad meeting: What Jaishankar said

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stressed that Quad has worked well as a force for global good due to strong relations between member countries.

Jaishankar assured the Quad members that his country was building an agenda which seeks to further our shared vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

"We are keen to work together to further peace and stability and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific through collective efforts which address contemporary issues," the external affairs minister said.China strongly reacted to Quad terming it as a "tool" to contain Beijing's rise. "China believes that the Quad mechanism is only a tool to contain China. This is a deliberate move to stoke confrontation and undermine international solidarity and cooperation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.  

timesnownews

Indian Army gets latest SiG Sauer rifles, ATVs along China border in Sikkim

 

 The addition of ATVs will enhance capacity and will enable soldiers, especially those posted in harsh and challenging terrain to undertake their operational tasks with ease.  
North Sikkim: Enhancing the capabilities of its troops deployed along the border with China, the Indian Army has provided the latest assault rifles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to soldiers deployed in the North Sikkim area which has seen clashes between the two sides in recent times.

The aim is to enhance capacity and enable soldiers, especially those posted in harsh and challenging terrain to undertake their operational tasks with ease. The Indian Army inducted sophisticated weapon platforms and modern equipment in the last couple of years, said the Army.

Mentioning its rapid capability enhancement drive, the Indian Army said ATVs and 7.62 mm SiG Sauers are inducted for soldiers deployed at high altitude areas.

Soldiers deployed in Muguthang Sub Sector in North Sikkim at an altitude of more than 15,500 feet, a super high altitude area, with ATVs and 7.62 mm SiG Sauers could be seen operating in that area.

"Indian Army is in stride with the future and ever ready to defend the Nation`s territorial integrity and sovereignty," emphasized the Force

Zeenews

As Indian Army Hunts For Light-Weight Tanks To Battle China, Hanwha Defense, L&T Could Collaborate On The Project

 

 Indian defense manufacturer Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is reportedly preparing to develop light tanks for the Indian Army in collaboration with Hanwha Defense of South Korea.

The two companies have previously teamed up to manufacture the K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzer (SPH) for the Indian Army, which is a derivative of the K9 Thunder. An L&T spokesperson told Janes on February 7 that the company intends to collaborate with Hanwha Defense on the development of light tanks.
India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has only released a request for information (RFI) for the light tanks, not a tender, the spokeswoman added. Details about the tank will be known when the tender comes out.

This classification will decide whether or not a foreign vendor will be engaged in the production of the light tanks, and to what extent. “Given this situation, I believe it is far too early for any global player to offer their product to India,” said the L&T spokesperson.
Need For A Light Tank

Last year, India issued an RFI for 350 light tanks, looking for potential manufacturers to meet the forces’ long-standing demand. The decision was apparently made after the first sighting of the new Chinese light tank, the Type 15 or ZTQ 15, in Eastern Ladakh, where the Indian Army and the Chinese PLA have been locked in a border dispute for almost 22 months now.

India had also stationed a fleet of T-90 tanks weighing around 46 tonnes in Ladakh. This was in addition to the T-72 tanks, which weigh roughly 45 tonnes and were previously deployed.The RFI called for a modern light tank with a maximum weight of 25 tonnes that is amphibious, easily transportable by air, road, and water, and has cutting-edge mobility, armament, and protection systems and which can operate in a variety of terrain, including high-altitude places.
“The advancement in technology also facilitates that the ‘Light Tank’ is having weapon systems and protection of adequate capacity and is equipped suitably to operate in current/future threat spectrum, to support combat operations as a weapon system,” the RFI issued in April 2021 said. Moreover, the light tank would be purchased under the ‘Make in India’ ethos and spirit of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

Ajai Shukla, a leading defense analyst, noted in his article that light tanks are useful not only on the high-altitude Sino-Indian border but also on the mountain frontier with Pakistan in J&K. They can also be employed to combat insurgents in the jungle and urban environments.
Options For India

Additionally, India is believed to be interested in Russian-made Sprut-SDM1 light tanks in order to confront China’s rugged terrain near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border.

The Sprut-SDM1 is the world’s only light amphibious fighting vehicle with a 125mm main gun and the firepower of a major battle tank. The capacity to fire a cannon while afloat is another unique future.The Chinese Type 15 light tank and the Turkish Kaplan MT medium tank are two other products that are comparable to their Russian counterparts. However, unlike the Sprut, which has a 125mm main gun, both these tanks have 105mm main cannons.

In addition, Sprut-SDM1 can launch guided missiles and possesses a formidable weapon package that comprises a 125mm gun, a 7.62mm remote-controlled machine gun, and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.The tank’s onboard guided missile weapon system can strike armored targets up to 5 kilometers away, including those armed with explosive reactive armor (ERA), while the roof-mounted machine gun can combat low-flying helicopters.

The Sprut is capable of going 500 kilometers without refueling and can be transported by military cargo planes, landing ships, and parachuted with a crew within it.Meanwhile, Larson & Toubro and the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were said to be in discussions to modify the K9 Vajra SPH into a light or medium weight tank. However, there is no further development in this regard.

Hanwha Defence is reportedly offering its K21-105 light tank to the Indian Army. This light tank is a potent system, with a 105 mm turret that can achieve nearly 42 degrees of elevation, useful for firing at targets on higher slopes, and a 10-degree depression angle.  L&T is most likely seeking a new collaboration with Hanwha Defence for the K21-105 light tank. 

eurasiantimes

US Clears $14B Sale Of F-15 Air Superiority Fighters For Indonesia A Day After Jakarta Signs Mega Deal For Rafale Jets

 

 When tensions between Indonesia and China peaked last December, some analysts remarked that Jakarta has been relatively muted in its response to Beijing’s aggression. However, Jakarta’s new military procuremeIndonesia has made significant strides towards improving its airpower. While it signed a massive agreement with France for multi-role Rafale fighter jets, the US State Department, approved the sale of its F-15ID.

According to France’s defense ministry, Indonesia has placed an order for 42 Rafale fighter jets for $8.1 billion as part of a series of deals that also include submarine development and ammunition, making Jakarta the region’s largest buyer of French weapons.

Shortly after this, the Pentagon said that the US State Department had cleared the potential sale of F-15ID aircraft and related equipment to Indonesia in a deal valued up to $13.9 billion. The aircraft is a variant of the F-15EX fighter jet.

For a long time, the Indonesian government has been trying to modernize its aging warplanes including the US-made F-16s and Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets procured from Russia.

Indonesia’s Air Force chief indicated in December 2021 that the government will opt for the US-made F-15EX Eagle II or the French-made Rafale over the Russian Sukhoi Su-35.

While Jakarta has not said why it made the decision, it could be related to concerns about being subjected to American sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act), as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
China-Indonesia Dispute

The dispute between China and Indonesia is related to the waters around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The areas north of Natuna Island are within Jakarta’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is recognized by the UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) as Indonesian waters, where the government can conduct resource exploitation.

During a months-long conflict in the South China Sea in early 2021, China had asked Indonesia to not explore oil and natural gas in contested maritime areas. However, fresh tensions were visible in late 2021 when Jakarta started work with international corporations to explore the EEZ for resources.

China’s claim over 80 percent of the South China Sea including waters around Natuna caused a rift, which would have potentially emboldened Jakarta to make a swift deal. A powerful fleet of 4.5-gen Rafale fighters would allow Indonesia to maintain an effective deterrence against China’s PLA Air Force.

Additionally, Indonesia’s geo-strategic location makes it a very significant state in the overall Indo-Pacific strategy that aims to counter Chinese expansion in the region.
French Rafales for Air Superiority

The agreement for Rafale comes as Paris, which sees itself as a global maritime power, tries to strengthen geopolitical connections in the Indo-Pacific following the AUKUS pact, a new strategic alliance between the US, the UK, and Australia last year.

According to France’s Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly, Indonesia will become the second country in the Indo-Pacific area, after India, to rely on the Dassault Aviation jet.

“We’re planning to acquire 42 Rafale,” said Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as he met with Parly.

“Our strategic partnership will benefit from the deepening of our defense relations,” said Parly.

The first phase of the contract, consisting of six Rafale jets, will be completed in the coming months and the remaining 36 will arrive later this year or next year, he added.

Dassault Aviation said the agreement was the beginning of a long-term cooperation that would allow it to expand its presence in Indonesia quickly. The news of the arrangement boosted the company’s stock by almost 4 percent.

In addition to the fighter jets, Indonesia has also signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on submarine research, which is expected to result in an order for two Scorpene vessels from the Naval Group, according to the French defense ministry.
Rafale
Rafale Fighter Via Dassault Aviation

The arrangement will make Indonesia, which is presently ranked second behind Singapore, France’s largest military client in Southeast Asia.

The Rafale is a French twin-jet combat aircraft that can execute a variety of short and long-range missions, including air dominance and air defense, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrence.

The arsenal of the Rafale fighter includes Mica, Magic, Sidewinder, ASRAAM, and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, Apache, AS30L, ALARM, HARM, Maverick, and PGM100 air-to-ground missiles, and Exocet / AM39, Penguin 3, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The Thales Spectra electronic warfare system, which includes solid-state transmitters, a DAL laser warning receiver, missile warning, detecting systems, and jammers, is also installed on the Rafale.
American F-15IDs approved

Apart from the Rafales, Indonesia could soon be equipped with one of America’s best dogfighters, the F-15ID. It is a derivative of the F-15EX aircraft.

According to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Boeing is the main contractor for the F-15 planes. The package will include 36 jets, spare engines, radars, night vision goggles training, and technical support.
Saudi F-15s
Two F-15SA Advanced Eagles escorted two US B-52 Stratofortress bombers while crossing
Saudi Arabia’s airspace on Dec. 10. 2020. (via Twitter)

According to claims in the media, Indonesia planned to buy more than 70 planes from France and the US.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed Congress of the potential sale on February 10. However, despite the State Department’s permission, the release did not imply that a contract had been signed or that discussions have come to an end.

The fighter aircraft is outfitted with new electronic warfare (EW) system, enhanced cockpit systems, current sensors, and radars, as well as the most up-to-date mission systems and software. It has open mission systems (OMS) architecture with advanced battle management systems (ABMS), which allows for quick integration of the latest aircraft technology and ensures the platform’s relevance for decades.

The aircraft is equipped with fly-by-wire flight controls as well as the APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which will provide improved multi-target tracking and precision engagement capabilities.

The F-15EX Strike Eagle jet is powered by two F110-GE-129 engines, each of which produces 29,000lb of torque. The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 2.5, making it the fastest fighter jet in the world. It has a 1,200nm range, allowing it to hit deep targets.

    Indonesia’s Air Force chief indicated in December 2021 that the government will opt for the US-made F-15EX Eagle II or the French-made Rafale over the Russian Sukhoi Su-35.

While Jakarta has not said why it made the decision, it could be related to concerns about being subjected to American sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act), as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.
China-Indonesia Dispute

The dispute between China and Indonesia is related to the waters around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The areas north of Natuna Island are within Jakarta’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is recognized by the UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) as Indonesian waters, where the government can conduct resource exploitation.

During a months-long conflict in the South China Sea in early 2021, China had asked Indonesia to not explore oil and natural gas in contested maritime areas. However, fresh tensions were visible in late 2021 when Jakarta started work with international corporations to explore the EEZ for resources.

China’s claim over 80 percent of the South China Sea including waters around Natuna caused a rift, which would have potentially emboldened Jakarta to make a swift deal. A powerful fleet of 4.5-gen Rafale fighters would allow Indonesia to maintain an effective deterrence against China’s PLA Air Force.

Additionally, Indonesia’s geo-strategic location makes it a very significant state in the overall Indo-Pacific strategy that aims to counter Chinese expansion in the region.
French Rafales for Air Superiority

The agreement for Rafale comes as Paris, which sees itself as a global maritime power, tries to strengthen geopolitical connections in the Indo-Pacific following the AUKUS pact, a new strategic alliance between the US, the UK, and Australia last year.

According to France’s Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly, Indonesia will become the second country in the Indo-Pacific area, after India, to rely on the Dassault Aviation jet.

“We’re planning to acquire 42 Rafale,” said Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as he met with Parly.
“Our strategic partnership will benefit from the deepening of our defense relations,” said Parly.

The first phase of the contract, consisting of six Rafale jets, will be completed in the coming months and the remaining 36 will arrive later this year or next year, he added.

Dassault Aviation said the agreement was the beginning of a long-term cooperation that would allow it to expand its presence in Indonesia quickly. The news of the arrangement boosted the company’s stock by almost 4 percent.

In addition to the fighter jets, Indonesia has also signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on submarine research, which is expected to result in an order for two Scorpene vessels from the Naval Group, according to the French defense ministry.The arrangement will make Indonesia, which is presently ranked second behind Singapore, France’s largest military client in Southeast Asia.

The Rafale is a French twin-jet combat aircraft that can execute a variety of short and long-range missions, including air dominance and air defense, close air support, in-depth strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrence.

The arsenal of the Rafale fighter includes Mica, Magic, Sidewinder, ASRAAM, and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, Apache, AS30L, ALARM, HARM, Maverick, and PGM100 air-to-ground missiles, and Exocet / AM39, Penguin 3, and Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The Thales Spectra electronic warfare system, which includes solid-state transmitters, a DAL laser warning receiver, missile warning, detecting systems, and jammers, is also installed on the Rafale.
American F-15IDs approved

Apart from the Rafales, Indonesia could soon be equipped with one of America’s best dogfighters, the F-15ID. It is a derivative of the F-15EX aircraft.

According to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Boeing is the main contractor for the F-15 planes. The package will include 36 jets, spare engines, radars, night vision goggles training, and technical support.According to claims in the media, Indonesia planned to buy more than 70 planes from France and the US.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed Congress of the potential sale on February 10. However, despite the State Department’s permission, the release did not imply that a contract had been signed or that discussions have come to an end.

The fighter aircraft is outfitted with new electronic warfare (EW) system, enhanced cockpit systems, current sensors, and radars, as well as the most up-to-date mission systems and software. It has open mission systems (OMS) architecture with advanced battle management systems (ABMS), which allows for quick integration of the latest aircraft technology and ensures the platform’s relevance for decades.

The aircraft is equipped with fly-by-wire flight controls as well as the APG-82(V)1 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which will provide improved multi-target tracking and precision engagement capabilities.

The F-15EX Strike Eagle jet is powered by two F110-GE-129 engines, each of which produces 29,000lb of torque. The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 2.5, making it the fastest fighter jet in the world. It has a 1,200nm range, allowing it to hit deep targets.

 eurasiantimes

AK 203 Assault rifle deal: First batch of 70,000 rifles added to the military by Russia

 

  The defense forces have acquired the primary batch of 70,000 rifles from Russia as a part of a bigger agreement to produce the AK 203 attack rifles in India. The preliminary batch has been delivered swiftly as asked by India, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The rifles are being manufactured with a complete technology transfer clause with a purpose to additionally allow India to export them to overseas countries in the near future. The production might be performed via way of means of the Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited Joint Venture among Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd (erstwhile OFB) and Russian Rosoboronexport.
The ‘5,124-crore deal is the biggest defense deal signed among India and Russia recently. The Russian government has given a commitment that the production with technology transfer will begin inside to 3 years, with The Korwa Rifle Factory in Amethi is being upgraded with a present-day manufacturing line in which today’s model of the Kalashnikov rifles is to be manufactured.technical groups being despatched to help India.

DefenceAviationPost

NATO Allies send more ships, jets to enhance deterrence and defence in eastern Europe

 

 NATO Allies are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to NATO deployments in eastern Europe, reinforcing Allied deterrence and defence as Russia continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine.

In the past days, a number of Allies have made announcements regarding current or upcoming deployments. Denmark is sending a frigate to the Baltic Sea and is set to deploy four F-16 fighter jets to Lithuania in support of NATO’s long-standing air-policing mission in the region. Spain is sending ships to join NATO naval forces and is considering sending fighter jets to Bulgaria. France has expressed its readiness to send troops to Romania under NATO command. The Netherlands is sending two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria from April to support NATO’s air-policing activities in the region, and is putting a ship and land-based units on standby for NATO’s Response Force. The United States has also made clear that it is considering increasing its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said:  “I welcome Allies contributing additional forces to NATO. NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend all Allies, including by reinforcing the eastern part of the Alliance. We will always respond to any deterioration of our security environment, including through strengthening our collective defence.”

NATO is a defensive Alliance. In response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO increased its presence in the eastern part of the alliance, including with four multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. These units, led by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and the United States respectively, are multinational, and combat-ready. Their presence makes clear that an attack on one Ally will be considered an attack on the whole Alliance. There were no NATO forces in the eastern part of the Alliance before 2014.

Nato.int

From choppers to missiles, Modi govt cuts defence foreign shopping list, favours Make in India

 

 Defence Acquisition Council meeting chaired by Rajnath Singh puts emphasis on indigenous products. Foreign firms can tie up with Indian companies to produce for global market.
In a major move towards indigenisation, the government Friday scrapped some major defence procurements from abroad, including helicopters for the Coast Guard, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and short range missiles, among others, ThePrint has learnt.
Sources in the defence and security establishment told . that the issue of procurement under Buy (Global) category came up for discussion during the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.Under the Buy (Global) category, procurement is done directly from the foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The sources said the decision taken Friday will not impact deals already inked under the Buy (Global) route, those being pursued under the government-to-government route and the Foreign Military sales (FMS) route with the US.

They also said that foreign OEMs are now welcome to tie up with Indian firms or set up their own factories to not only supply the Indian military but also for other countries.
Sources said the defence services were earlier asked to prepare a list of procurement plans from abroad that could be replaced by indigenous items.
The items in question
One mega deal in this list was the procurement of 14 twin-engine helicopters, for which French firm Airbus was the prime contender.

Sources said a decision has been taken to shelve this project in favour of the naval utility helicopter (NUH) of the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

However, it was not immediately clear what happened to the $3 billion project of the Navy to procure 111 new helicopters of the same class (that is, NUHs).
Sources said there would be another meeting soon which will look into more projects but emphasised that the directive is very clear that indigenous products should be preferred.

Talking about other procurement projects that have been shelved, the sources said the Army will now go in for indigenous ATVs that will come handy in both the desert and mountains.

Sources also said a project to acquire short range missiles from abroad has also been shelved in favour of the Make in India route.
Push for Make in India

Sources explained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have been emphasising on indigenous defence products.

They said these issues came up for discussion multiple times and the forces were also amenable to this, since alternate items were already available domestically and foreign companies were willing to set up facilities in the country.

ThePrint had earlier reported that Singh, in his talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu, made it clear that the way forward was Make in India.

Similarly, during his meeting with French Defence Minister Florence Parly, Singh had called on French firms to “either collaborate with Indian companies or simply produce in India”.

Theprint

Indian Navy's indigenous INS Kochi takes part in joint exercise with Russian warships

 

 INS Kochi, the Indian Navy's indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, has conducted a joint exercise with ships of the Russian Navy in the Arabian sea. The exercise showcased cohesiveness and interoperability between the two navies and included tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck helicopter operations and seamanship activities.
"Indian Navy's indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi, exercised with Russian Federation Navy’s RFS Admiral Tributs on 14 January 2022 in the Arabian Sea," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
"During the visit, various professional interactions are planned between the Russian Navy and Indian Navy," the statement said.
The three Russian ships are missile cruiser Varyag, destroyer Admiral Tribuz and tanker Boris Butoma, PTI reported.
The ships arrived at Kochi at 9 am on Thursday and were received by senior naval authorities in the background of fanfare by the naval band, the Indian Navy statement mentioned.

 indiatoday

India Launched A Torpedo From A Missile; Here's Why: U.S. Media

 

Sometimes, before a torpedo can travel underwater to sink a ship, it needs to fly through the air first. India, as part of the ongoing modernization of its military, recently tested a missile-delivered torpedo system.

That recent test began with a countdown and a roar of ignition, and then the torpedo-containing missile hurtled into the sky. Billowing a trail of smoke, the missile turned from vertical to horizontal, its ultimate destination far more aquatic than celestial. The weapon being tested was India’s Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo, or SMART, weapon, and a reminder of the complexity of modern naval warfare.

The December 13 test, announced by India’s Ministry of Defence, took place on Wheeler Island, about 140 miles southwest of Kolkata. The missile was transported and then launched from the back of a special truck. This system takes a little time to set up, but it means that the launch site can be moved in anticipation of danger. Having the flexibility of changing locations can protect the launchers from being found and destroyed by enemy scouts before ever firing.

“This was a text book launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro optic telemetry system, various range radars, including the down range instrumentation and down range ships. The missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms,” said the Ministry in a release.

Torpedoes are self-propelled explosives, typically launched below or just above the surface of the ocean. Once in the water, torpedoes navigate to their targets, and then detonate below the water line, letting the sea rush in to sink the struck ship. On the other hand, missiles travel through air (or, sometimes, space), before smashing their explosive payload into a target.

In its December test, India followed the example of other nations, using a missile to carry and then launch a torpedo.

Torpedoes date back to the middle of the 19th century, as a way for ships to strike other ships over distance. Popular Science first mentioned a military torpedo in January 1874, saying “the new Hertz torpedo gave the most surprising results, the torpedoes disposing of the objects attached with the utmost punctuality and in a strikingly summary manner.”

Since then, torpedoes have been a defining weapon of naval warfare. Mounted on ships, small attack boats, and especially submarines, torpedoes expand the ways in which naval combat can take place. When dropped from planes, torpedoes can let carrier-based aircraft sink enemy ships from ranges far greater than that of a battleship-born cannon.

One of the first proposed uses of torpedoes was coastal defence, with the torpedoes launched either from emplacements directly on the water’s edge, or from floating platforms just off-shore. With the SMART missile, India demonstrates a modern update of that same concept. By launching a torpedo inside a missile that itself came from a truck on land, India’s military can attack ships at greater range than by utilizing traditional coastal defences, making attacks from the sea that much more dangerous for any foes.

The Defence Research and Development Organization, the part of India’s military that developed the SMART weapon, did not list a range for the weapon, writing only “During the mission, full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo.”

India is not the only nation with this type of tech. The Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket, a missile-borne torpedo fielded by the US Navy, boasts a range of more than 10 miles. The MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo, when not launched inside a missile, has a stated range of about 6 miles, so the missile adds at least 4 miles to that range. (By one estimate, the missile-delivered version can travel 7 miles further.)

It is likely that, when it comes to India’s SMART weapon, delivering the torpedo by missile allows a similar degree of range extension.

What’s more, weapons like this are harder to detect than delivering the same torpedo by plane or boat, both of which have larger and more persistent radar signatures than missiles that fall into the sea after releasing a torpedo into the water. To ensure that the torpedo splashes down gently, before propelling itself forward, it is released from the missile with a parachute. If it works like the US-made version, the Indian missile will launch, release its booster, and then separate the casing around the torpedo. At that point, the torpedo will parachute nose-first into the water, before detaching the parachute at the surface, and then seeking out the target vessel under water.

Once in the water, torpedoes employ guidance systems that direct them to their targets, be they surface ships or submarines hiding deeper below the waves. In the case of the US-made Vertical Launch Rocket, this weapon can be fired from coastal defence installations as well as mounted on ships, giving fleets already at sea the ability to reach out and fight enemies at great range.

Anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons like this demonstrate an investment in a growing range of weapons that increase the risks of naval warfare for enemies. While India, like its neighbours China and Pakistan, is a country with a nuclear arsenal, being able to respond to potential threats with a range of weapons gives military and political leaders more options in any conflict

Indian Defence news

Govt Cancels Chopper, Missile Import Deals Under 'Make In India' Push

 

 The central government has cancelled multiple deals for the purchase of short-range Surface-to-Air missiles and a tender for the purchase of 14 choppers for the Indian Coast Guard. This decision is being viewed as a strong message to the domestic defence sector.

A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in New Delhi on Friday. The meeting was held to review import deals with foreign vendors, top government sources told India Today.

This was the first in a series of meetings of the Defence Ministry to push Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative.

A large number of defence import deals have already been reviewed, sources say, adding that they will not be allowed to progress any further.

Many other deals are under review, including the purchase of six more P-8I surveillance aircraft and Klub anti-ship cruise missiles for the Navy and Russian VSHORAD (very short-range air defence) missile system for the Army.

The initiative came after PM Modi chaired a review meeting with officials of the Ministry of Defence last year. The then Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, who died in a chopper crash on December 8, was also part of the meeting.

Officials who attended the meeting last year felt that strong measures need to be taken to ensure that the country moves firmly towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.

After the meeting, an additional secretary-rank officer of the MoD wrote a note to three services stating that "all stakeholders may take an in-principle call that no import of defence items is going forward".

 Indian defense new

Indigenous IJT demonstrates more capabilities successfully

 

 The indigenous Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), designed and developed by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday has successfully carried out six turn spins to the LH and RH sides.

The IJT is meant for the second stage of training for the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft piloted by Gp Capt HV Thakur (Retd) and Gp Capt A Menon (Retd) demonstrated the capabilities of the IJT. Also present during the demonstrations were Wg Cdr M Patel (Retd) the test director and Gp Capt KK Venugopal (Retd) the safety pilot in command at telemetry.
More about IJT

To replace the aging Kirans of the IAF fleet, this aircraft was conceived by HAL.

According to the HAL statement, based on the requirements specified by the end user –IAF, this aircraft till date had successfully demonstrated its capabilities including limited armament capability, load factor, satisfactory stall factor and altitude and speed envelope.

The only task pending was spin testing.  In 2016, during the spin testing, the aircraft had departed from controlled flight. This brought the programme to a temporary halt.

HAL decided to use its own resources to complete the Spin test.

Why is the Spin Test important?

It is very critical for a trainer aircraft because it helps to familiarise the trainee pilot to recognise departure from controlled flight.

The actions that are required to recover from such situations.

Due to its unpredictability, assured recovery from spin is a very important part of very crucial flight tests.

This spin flight testing is intrinsically a high risk maneuver.

It progresses incrementally spin by spin.

Flight testing is the only way to assess the acceptability as it is a complex interplay of aerodynamic and inertia forces.

While in a spin the motion of the aircraft is unpredictable.

These spin tests are time consuming.

These are carried out in the presence of a team of designers, flight test engineers, and safety pilots who are constantly monitoring the various parameters during the flight.

Before the 6-turn spin flights are undertaken, several flight tests are required, before full certification is achieved.

What steps have been taken after the 2016 halt?

The company has undertaken major modifications and these include increasing the rudder area, and shifting the vertical tail aft on the airframe. The flight testing resumed in April 2019.

What were the modifications carried out?

For the safety of aircraft and test crew during spin testing the new modifications included the use of a new Anti-Spin Parachute system (ASPS).

This was integrated into the aircraft in July 2020. This was followed by the successful streaming of the parachutes in September 2020.

The IJT with its modified configuration commenced in November 2020, despite the global lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

What did HAL CMD say?

On the successful demonstration of spins, Mr R Madhavan, CMD,  “HAL with the right resources and backing has the capability of designing products that will meet the requirements of the Indian Armed forces.”

According to Arup Chatterjee, Director (Engineering and R&D), “The IJT has achieved a major milestone.” He attributed the success to the synergy between flight operations and certifying agencies (RCMA and DGAQA), as well as designers.

 

 financialexpress