viewpoint : 26/11 – Mayhem in Mumbai Page 18
`55.00 (India-based buyer only)
SP’s
mai An SP Guide Publication
www.spsmai.com
ONLY Fortnightly on
Military aerospace internal security
Vol: 4 Issue 23 ❚ December 1-15 • 2014
Upgrading India-Australia ties PAGE 13
PAGE 8
DELENG/2010/34651
Exclusive interview with Chief of the Naval Staff PAGE 15 From the
messages
military
editor’s DESK
3
Defence Minister
4
SP’s Exclusives
6
Minister of State for Home Affairs
5
security breaches 22
AEROSPACE
Viewpoint
17
Updates
19
Developments
20
SPOTLIGHT viewpoint : 26/11 – MayheM in MuMbai Page 18
`55.00 (IndIa-based buyer only)
Prime Minister hands over HAL Dhruv to Nepal
SP’s
mai An SP Guide PublicAtion
www.spsmai.com
T
Military aerospace internal security
upgrading india-australia ties Page 13
PAGE 8
exclusive interview with chief of the naval staff Page 15 DELENG/2010/34651
he Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has handed over an indigenous advanced light helicopter (ALH) – Dhruv – built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to the Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala at Kathmandu. The copter will be used by the Nepalese Army. HAL team lead by T. Suvarna Raju, Managing Director, HAL (Helicopter Complex), was present on the occasion. “This is in line with PM’s thrust on ‘Make in India’ and the Government’s policy of neighbourhood”, said Dr R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. The company’s technical support team is positioned at Kathmandu to provide maintenance and logistics support. Earlier, India had provided two Dhruv helicopters to the Nepalese Army in November last year, adds Dr Tyagi. Dhruv helicopter in Mark-III version with Shakti engines and advanced glass cockpit and avionics
ONLY FOrtNightLY ON
Vol: 4 Issue 23 ❚ December 1-15 • 2014
FroM the
Messages
editor’s desK sp’s exclusives security breaches
Military
3
Defence Minister
4
6
Minister of State for Home Affairs
5
22
Cover:
President Barack Obama’s presence at the Republic Day 2015 will not only be ceremonial, it should also fast forward the US-India Strategic Partnership.
aerospace
Viewpoint
17
Updates
19
Developments
20
Cover images: PIB, SP Guide Pubns
Publisher And Editor-in-Chief
Jayant Baranwal Assistant Group editor
R. Chandrakanth SR Technical Group EditorS
Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd) Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd) R. Adm S.K. Ramsay (Retd) SPECIAL Contributor
Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Chairman & Managing Director
Jayant Baranwal planning & business development
Executive Vice President: Rohit Goel ADMIN & COORDINATION
Bharti Sharma design & LAYOUT
Creative Director: Anoop Kamath Designers: Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Bisht Research Assistant - Graphics: Survi Massey
PHOTOGRAPH: PIB
SALES & MARKETING
would immensely benefit Nepal, known for its mountainous terrain and adverse environmental conditions. The helicopter has a proven track record in both military and civil operations. It is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators. Dhruv has also been exported to Ecuador, Mauritius and Maldives. The Ecuador Air Force operates five Dhruv helicopters with their President choosing to fly in one of them. Dhruv is particularly useful in meeting the arduous tasks in difficult terrains. Dhruv is a multi-role, multi-mission new-generation helicopter in 5.5-tonne weight class and meets Federal Aviation Regulations specifications. It has demonstrated its capability in long-distance flights, vertical climb and manoeuvring. Dhruv is an allweather helicopter which can carry 10-16 people at heights of 10,000 feet. SP
2 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
Director: Neetu Dhulia General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh
SP’s websites
Sr Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma © SP Guide Publications, 2014 Subscription/ Circulation
Annual Inland: `1,320 • Foreign: US$ 325 E-mail: subscribe@spguidepublications.com subscribe@spsmai.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
editor@spsmai.com
FOR Advertising details, contact:
advertise@spsmai.com neetu@spguidepublications.com rajeev.chugh@spguidepublications.com SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD
A-133 Arjun Nagar (Opposite Defence Colony) New Delhi 110003, India.
Tel: +91 (11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 E-mail: info@spguidepublications.com Representative Office
204, Jal Vayu Vihar Kalyan Nagar Bengaluru 560043 Tel : +91 (80) 23682204 MOSCOW, RUSSIA
LAGUK Co., Ltd, Yuri Laskin Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762, Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260
Owned, published and printed by Jayant Baranwal, printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt Ltd and published at A-133, Arjun Nagar (Opposite Defence Colony), New Delhi 110003, India. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishers.
www.spguidepublications.com www.spsmai.com
From the
Editor’s Desk
Prime Minister Modi engaging world leaders like never before
I
n a very short span of time since assuming office as the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has not only shown statesmanship qualities but also that of a global leader, keen on engaging countries of strategic importance. He has been providing masterstroke after masterstroke in the realm of international affairs, bilateral relations and regrouping neighbours, with an exception here and there. By inviting the US President Barack Obama as the guest of honour at the Republic Day 2015 and also the Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the joint session of the Parliament, Narendra Modi has done what no Prime Minister has done ever before – getting world leaders to take notice of the emergence of strong and resurgent India. While President Obama’s presence at the Republic Day 2015 will be ceremonial, his visit will fast forward the US-India Strategic Partnership as also accelerate the Indo-US Nuclear Accord, writes Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd). The impending visit has already created a lot of excitement in diplomatic, strategic and business circles. The new chapter to Indo-US relations which will have wider implications not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but it will change the way the world looks at India. The rising expectations from India’s new leader to deliver in reforming drastically the way India deals with the investors at the ground level. Jim Walker, Vice President and Managing Director of Rockwell Collins (Asia Pacific) has rightly said that this is yet another step in the right direction to enhance trade between the two countries. “It is events such as this that can quickly result in time-bound actions on both sides to better facilitate trade.” While we look forward to the US President’s visit, we also hope that it will galvanise bilateral defence ties in accordance with the mandate given to the High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). As the Republic Day showcases India’s military might, Ranjeet Kumar writes that India will find a good opportunity to display some of the systems acquired from US like the Globemaster, Super Hercules, INS Jalaswa, etc during the Republic Day parade. Sensing huge opportunities in Indian defence market the US side has reaffirmed the need for co-development and co-production programmes, but the Indian side has expressed doubts in view of the restricted access
to Indian entities to sensitive dual-use technologies. It is hoped that these irksome issues will be sorted out. Similarly, the ties with Australia have been strengthened after Modi’s visit Down Under. Both countries decided to establish a Framework for Security Cooperation to reflect the deepening and expanding security and defence engagement and to intensify cooperation and consultation in areas of mutual interest. In an exclusive interview Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R.K. Dhowan, outlined the roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy and the ongoing modernisation efforts. The new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has made a good beginning by clearing the acquisition of 840 artillery guns—100 to be bought off-the-shelf and balance to be produced indigenously. This would start filling the three-decade-old critical void of the Indian Artillery, Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) has said in an analysis of the acquisitions planned. These are certainly interesting times for the industry in general and defence in particular. Happy reading!
Jayant Baranwal
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 3
Message From Defence Minister
•
Minister of Defence India
I
am glad to know that SP Guide Publications, New Delhi with its six publications mainly catering to different facets of defence and aerospace, is completing 50 years of service as Publication House. I take this opportunity in extending my hearty greetings to the Editor and staff of SP Publications and wish them all success. “JAI HIND”
(Manohar Parrikar)
4 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
www.spsmai.com
Message Minister of State for Home Affairs
•
Minister of State for Home Affairs
I
thank you for your letter dated 20.11.2014. I convey my good wishes on the completion of 50 years of SP Guide Publications which is indeed interesting and informative. With regards,
(Haribhai P. Chaudhary)
Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 5
SP’s Exclusives By SP’s Special Correspondent Parrikar to revamp how DAC works
T
he Ministry of Defence (MoD’s) apex Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), usually the last MoD stop proposals or deals pass through before clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), could function very differently in the future. Chairing his first meeting of the DAC on November 22, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has called for more frequent meetings (the current default is once a month or less) with more focused agenda items, which would allow the council more time to discuss each item before according necessary approvals. DAC meetings range from being fairly light to hugely overburdened with as many as 20 agenda items in some notable recent cases, leaving very little time for each item to be discussed. Sources said Parrikar wishes to personally scrutinise all proposals and deals before they are dispatched from the MoD for higher government approvals at the CCS level (Parrikar is, of course, part of the CCS too). With the DAC likely to meet more than once a month in future, the acquisition process could finally receive a level of transparency and predictability, a more defined structure in terms of prioritised clearances and a neater framework for approvals. The Defence Secretary’s office has been instructed to evolve a fresh schedule for the DAC that will take into account the fresh requirements as stated by the Defence Minister. As has become standard practice now, while no official communication on the DAC
MoD clears proposal for 814 mounted 155mm guns
decisions are released, journalists are officially briefed by the MoD on the decisions for onward dissemination. A decision may also be taken to issue official statements on these decisions, depending on sensitivity and consent from requisite agencies. SP
other elements of the plan — towed, tracked self-propelled, and now ultra-light — have fired in terms of acquisition. Army sources informed SP’s that the offerings that have been demonstrated so far informally have inspired confidence that the competition will be a healthy one that will also establish meaningful infrastructure within the country and create capacity in terms of weapon metallurgy. Officials at both Tata SED and L&T said they welcomed progress in the deal and were looking forward to the crucial competition. SP
Obama coming, Indo-US copter deals imminent?
U
Photographs: PIB, Ashok Leyland
F
ollowing a fresh request for information (RFI) in July last year, the MoD has cleared the Indian Army’s proposal to tender for 814 truck-mounted self-propelled 155mm gun systems at a cost of approximately `15,000 crore. The procurement, officially titled Mounted Gun System (MGS) and part of the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP), is to be from an Indian vendor with technology that may be either indigenous or licensed from a foreign third party. Competitors for the programme include the Tata SED 155mm mounted gun system, which involves a gun mounted on a eight-wheeled Tata truck and the L&T-led consortium that involves a Nexter CEASAR gun mounted on an Ashok Leyland 6x6 Super Stallion truck chassis. Vendors responded last year to a 29-question RFI that was sent out to several firms, including Tata, L&T, Bharat Forge and Mahindra Defence among others. The cleared deal paves the way for an important part of the FARP, given that none of the
6 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
S President Barack Obama’s consent to be chief guest at India’s Republic Day 2015 celebrations has sparked word that some pending Indo-US defence deals could be cleared before his arrival in New Delhi. An indication that key decisions could be afoot in the coming days was visible in the White House statement on President Obama’s forthcoming visit to India, where it said, “The President will meet with the Prime Minister and Indian officials to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership.” Finalised deals currently pending include contracts for 22 Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopters and 15 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. Other deals on the table include contracts for additional Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft as a follow-on to the 10 already under delivery, and the proposed acquisition of 145 BAE Systems M777 ultra-light howitzers, an effort that reportedly is active once again. While deals are usually never signed during high-level visits, both sides will be looking to conclude them before President Obama’s visit as a sweetener once he lands in Delhi to take discussions on strategic partnership forward. The IAF has indicated that it has waited long on these two acquisitions and requires an early contract signature in order to receive the aircraft on time. SP for more information, log on to:
www.spsmai.com www.spsmai.com
BLACK SHARK
The stealth torpedo Indian Navy & Wass together from the past toward the future.
MILITARY Indo-US Relations
PHOTOGRAPH: PIB
Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
President Obama’s presence at the Republic Day 2015 will likely not only be ceremonial, it should fast forward the USIndia Strategic Partnership as also accelerate the Indo-US Nuclear Accord.
First US President at Republic Day
I
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama, at the White House in Washington DC
n what is being described as a diplomatic coup, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited President Barack Obama to be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade 2015. The invitation was reportedly delivered by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Myanmar and Australia, when he met with President Obama at the East Asia Summit and the G-20 meeting of world leaders. It is definite indication of the deepening ties between India and the US. It is only after receiving confirmation of President Obama’s visit the Prime Minister Modi had tweeted, “This Republic Day, we hope to have a friend over… invited President Obama to be the 1st US President to grace the occasion as Chief Guest.” Concurrently, a statement by the White House Press Secretary on the official website noted, “This will mark the first time a US President will have the honour of attending Republic Day, which commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution. The President will meet with the Prime Minister and Indian officials to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership.” It is not that Prime Minister Modi and President Obama have met periodically in recent past during the former’s visit to the US and later in Myanmar and Australia, it
8 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
is also the propensity of Prime Minister Modi to affect the psychological connection that has helped elevate the relations between both countries. The concern shown by Prime Minister Modi at the UN General Assembly about maritime safety in AsiaPacific, threat of Europe facing new division, terrorism etc were common to both countries. While Modi made a commanding bond with Indian Americans, a joint Modi-Obama op-ed in Washington Post as prelude to official discussion between the two talked of commitment to democracy, liberty, diversity, enterprise bound by common values and mutual interests, natural and unique partnership can help shape international security and peace for years to come. Finally, the Vision Statement for the US-India Strategic Partnership “Chalein Saath Saath: Forward We Go” was the crowning feat of Modi’s visit, major points of which are: currents of kinship and commerce, scholarship and science tie our countries together allowing to rise above differences by maintaining long-term perspective; cooperation fortifies a relationship that matches innumerable ties between peoples producing works of art and music, cutting-edge technology and response to crisis; partnership joint endeavour for prosperity www.spsmai.com
MILITARY Indo-US Relations and peace; together, we will combat terrorist threats, respond expeditiously to humanitarian disasters and crises, prevent spread of WMDs and remain committed to reduce salience of nuclear weapons while promoting universal, verifiable, and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament; support open and inclusive rules-based global order, in which India assumes greater multilateral responsibility, including in a reformed UNSC; join together to mitigate impact of climate change; partner to ensure both countries have affordable, clean, reliable, and diverse sources of energy, including efforts to bring American-origin nuclear power technologies to India; ensure economic growth in both countries to better livelihoods and welfare for all including value education and skills; joint research and collaboration in every aspect— ranging from particles of creation to outer space, producing boundless innovation and high technology collaboration; open markets, fair and transparent practices in trade in goods and services; collaboration in tackling infectious diseases, eliminate maternal and child deaths, eradicate poverty and empowerment of women in a secure environment; expand and deepen strategic partnership in order to harness the inherent potential of two democracies and burgeoning ties between our people, economies, and businesses, seeking reliable and enduring friendship that bolsters security and stability, contributing to global economy, and advancing peace and prosperity throughout the world, and; that this transformative relationship as trusted partners in the 21st century will be a model for the rest of the world. The importance of US-India Strategic Partnership is increasing by the day, main factors being: the Great Game unfolding in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) with China establishing 18 naval bases in the region, proliferation of Chinese nuclear submarines with some docking in the region under pretext of rest and recoup; Chinese aggressiveness not showing any respite in the Asia-Pacific, IOR and along the line of actual control (LAC); tunneling and Chinese missiles reportedly being deployed in Gilgit-Baltistan to support operations in IOR; continuing policy of terrorism by imploding Pakistan, persis-
tent rants on Kashmir without legal standing and Chinese support to Pakistan; Pakistan arming her vessels at sea with tactical nuclear weapons; increased terror threat of ISIS, Al Qaeda, Taliban, LeT etc in Af-Pak and South Asia including, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and; presence of PLA in all development projects taken up by China globally that would include the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor and other projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan with attenuating effects. US defence industry is looking to explore possibility of US partnering development of India’s next-generation aircraft carrier, sell India unconventional oil and gas, permit US companies to use Indian space launch services, accelerate US efforts to integrate India into the multilateral non-proliferation regimes, deepen meaningful cyber-defence cooperation with India, follow up on projects subsumed by the IndoUS Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI), overcoming impasse over the nuclear liability law, etc. India looks to implement the Vision Statement for the US-India Strategic Partnership “Chalein Saath Saath, enabling India’s growth and contributing to stability in the region in addition to bridging India’s asymmetries vis-à-vis its adversaries. The recent reports about President Obama having approved guidelines to allow US forces in Afghanistan to target Taliban fighters, broadening previous plans that had limited the military for counter missions against Al Qaeda this year is a welcome step that would permit air support to Afghan forces when needed. President Obama’s presence at the Republic Day 2015 will likely not only be ceremonial, it should fast forward the US-India Strategic Partnership as also accelerate the Indo-US Nuclear Accord. It provides an opportunity for President Obama to exercise such foreign policy initiative considering the dynamics of the IOR and the shape that they would take by the time the 58th quadrennial US presidential election are held (due on November 8, 2016), while he will continue to exercise full executive powers till January 20, 2017. SP
Building an enduring partnership
A
s the US-India business partnership enters into a new phase, it has the potential to set a precedent in the global economic order. It stands to show how a relationship that is based on technology, innovation and entrepreneurship can set the foundation for an enduring partnership that withstands other geopolitical issues. Economies built on free trade and innovation are not only more sustainable but also better prepared to meet the aspirations and improve quality of life of their people. Aerospace is an apt example of a sector that gains tremendously from increased trade, has a high degree of innovation and can play a significant role in improving quality of life. India is modernising its defence fleet at a very aggressive pace and is looking to develop its technology and manufacturing capability in the sector. US companies on the other hand continue to drive global expansion and seek growth in new markets. For India, this means creating jobs for its people while for the US it helps in sustaining jobs. Hence there is a lot of convergence in the interests of the two countries when one looks at growth in aerospace sector. The United States is one of India’s largest trading and investment partners. However, considering the potential of this relationship, it has only just scratched the surface. The visit of President Obama to India during the Republic Day celebrations, on the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, is symbolic of the value that either country associates with this relationship. It needs to be welcomed by industry leaders from both nations and harnessed to help realise the full potential of this relationship for the benefit of the people of both countries. SP —Nalin Jain, President & CEO, GE Aviation & Transportation, South Asia
Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 9
MILITARY Indo-US Relations
Obama visit to lay new foundation for Indo-US relations [ By Ranjeet Kumar ]
defence hardware, surpassing the traditional suppliers Russia and Israel, and the armed forces of the two countries are exercising he decision of President Barack Obama to accept Prime together more than any other US partner. This assumes significance in the face of an increasingly asserMinister Narendra Modi’s invite to be the Chief Guest at the Indian Republic Day has created a lot of excitement in tive China as US also wants India to become stronger so it can play diplomatic, strategic and business circles as the visit hopes an inportant role as a counterweight to a rising China in the wake to revive the sagging India-US relations after much fanfare of shifting balance of power. It is significant that the 2014 Republic seen in the aftermath of 2008 India-US civil nuclear cooperation. The Day parade was graced by none other than the Prime Minister of a nuclear accord promised the sky to US nuclear and defence compa- pacifist power Japan, which will be followed up by the President of a nies. The defence trade relations did pick up hugely, as evident from superpower in the year 2015. During the Republic Day parade India US emerging as the leading defence exporter to India challenging the showcases its military might, which includes the nuclear deterrence traditional rivals Russia and Israel, but the nuclear trade remained capabilities and long-range ballistic missiles. Interestingly US Admindormant and what pricked the US nuclear companies most was that istration, which till a decade-and-a-half ago, used to be concerned with India acquiring these other nuclear companies from defence systems, but the times France and Russia were taking have changed and the US Presiadvantage of the nuclear energy dent will find himself admiragreements facilitated by the ing the Indian military might, Indo-US bonhomie. which of course will include The sensation created in the US-made military platforms diplomatic circles has been like the Globemaster and Super described as a sort of diploHercules transport aircraft. matic coup for Narendra Modi, The United States’ support to who within a very short span India in military arena means a of five-and-a-half months of lot to Indian neighbours and the his rule, has met the US PresiPresident’s visit to New Delhi will dent thrice and also was hosted reaffirm the evolving strategic by the President in the White partnership, which will be closely House in the last week of Sepwatched by China and Pakistan. tember this year. Since there is The Obama visit to India, the a bipartisan support for India first by a US President on the eve in the US political and strategic of Indian Republic Day and the arena, Obama’s decision has first by a US President to travel to widely been noticed and welIndia second time in his tenure comed both in India and in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with president Barack Obama, after press statewill definitely add new content United States. ment at the White House in Washington DC on September 30, 2014 to India-US relations as both the The positive vibes emanatnations need each other in the ing from the new Indian Government led by Modi and his moves to reinvigorate relations with fast changing strategic scenario and convergence of interests in many Japan and Australia, the US allies has perhaps encouraged Obama arena, from Afghanistan to West Asia to Asia-Pacific. This is why Prime to be a part of this bandwagon, which is a sign of significant emer- Minister Modi has devoted considerable amount of time to revive gence of new alliances and warming of relations between the demo- India’s foreign relations, which is also aimed at promoting India as an cratic powers, previously described as estranged democracies. Now attractive destination for foreign investment. India-US economic relathe two democracies have engaged intensively over last decade and tions have climbed to a new high of around $100 billion and the two deepened not only bilateral economic relations but also the defence countries aim to take this to the level of $500 billion by the end of this and strategic relations which have been given new dimension and decade. This can only be possible if the leaders of the two countries take have been taken note of world over. Now President Obama’s visit to the relations to a new level. Strategic analysts are of the opinion that the Obama visit will add India will rekindle the world attention on Indo-US relations because a new chapter to Indo-US relations which will have wider implicaof fast changing geostrategic landscape. After the George Bush Administration pushed Indo-US relations tions not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but it will change the way to a new light by signing with India the Civil Nuclear Cooperation the world looks at India. The rising expectations from India’s new Agreement in 2008, there were very high expectations of a deeper leader to deliver in reforming drastically the way India deals with strategic linkages between the two nations, especially in the defence the investors at the ground level. The world is no longer going to sector. The United States has now become India’s top exporter of believe mere words and wants to see action on the ground, hence
Photograph: PIB
T
10 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
www.spsmai.com
MILITARY Indo-US Relations the world expects Modi to make the Indian ground fertile for US and foreign investors. As Obama has perfectly described Modi as ‘Man of Action,’ he now expects him to clear the cobwebs in India-US defence, nuclear and trade relations which may lead to forging of a deeper partnerships in strategic arena. Before the announcement of the Obama visit a groundwork was in the offing in the shape of a breakthrough in the WTO agreement as a result of the personal intervention of Prime Minister Modi and President Obama, as revealed by the US Trade Representative in the last week of November, when he said, “The mantra of Chalein Saath Saath will guide the trade and investment relations, between the two countries. As the western world’s romance with China seems to be over and as they are eager to find a new partner in their quest for a stable market, India offers a very good opportunity from infrastructure to defence manufacturing. The western world finds a new hope from the ‘Man of Action’ as hailed by Obama. If Modi is able to translate his thoughts and ideas into action his ‘Make in India’ policy will attract the bigwigs of the industrial world from manufacturing to defence. As India offers a huge $100 billion opportunities in the defence sector, the ‘Make in India’ policy will encourage the defence giants to compete for a slice of the equipment needs of the Indian defence forces. Reacting on the Obama’s proposed visit to India, the US Trade Representative Michael Froman said, “This pace of engagement is impressive, but shouldn’t be surprising for what President Obama declared the defining partnership of the 21st century. Our task is to build on our mutual interests, with mutual respect, and deliver on the promise of that partnership.” A very senior US official Arun M. Kumar, Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service and Assistant Secretary for Global Markets, US Department of Commer International Trade Administration, said, a lot of ground work before the Obama visit has been covered post Obama-Modi meet on the US and now is the execution time, with infrastructure as the focus of Indo-US commerce ties, which will bind the two nations much deeper.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) believes that the Commerce Department will be playing a key role in Indo-US ties now that Modi-Obama meeting agreed to take their bilateral business and trade ties to $500 billion from the current $100 billion. “It is doable and achievable. We have just scratched the surface of our bilateral trade potential,” he said in response to a question, adding that this needs a lot of action, simplification of various areas of investment, improvement in ease of doing business. Kumar said he would like to see the Infrastructure Collaboration Platform to succeed. This platform was set up after a joint agreement between the US Department of Commerce and the Indian Ministry of Finance which will include mechanisms to identify critical infrastructure needs of India. It will provide a single-point of contact for Government of India for coordinating across the relevant ministries. Though the US Trade Representative Froman still had some reservations from the high expectations, as he said, he was cautiously optimistic and played down hopes of major deliverables during President Obama’s visit to India on January 25-26, 2015. The deliverables are not on the cards, because of prevailing strategic distrust, though both the countries want to overcome this mindset, which was correctly described by the former Defense Secretary and presently President and CEO of the Cohen Group, William Cohen, during his recent visit to Delhi: “We have so much in common then why can’t we do more together,” and he himself answered, “because we have a strategic distrust. India has a strategic distrust of us. It feels that the [US] Congress may do this, it may do that…we have a distrust of India…we say that India has relations with Russia and Iran.” In the evolving geopolitics of the world and the fast shifting alliances, India and US hopes that this distrust will soon disappear and the two countries will have strong defence and strategic relations in the coming years, the foundation for which will be laid by President Obama’s visit to India on the eve of Indian Republic Day 2015. SP
W
e are pleased to hear about Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to President Obama to visit India on Republic Day, a very appropriate day for the leaders of two democratic nations to meet. This is yet another step in the right direction to enhance trade between the two countries. We are encouraged by the strengthening relationship between India and the United States. We expect stronger relations to enhance collaboration, increase exports and streamline procurement between the two countries. It is events such as this that can quickly result in time-bound actions on both sides to better facilitate trade. With a growing investment and presence in India, Rockwell Collins continues to add jobs and contribute to India’s economy. The types of products we are bringing to India include: communications upgrades, network-centric warfare, avionics, commercial and business aircraft flight deck and cabin systems, aircraft and airport information management, simulation and training, and service solutions. In addition to expanding our India Design Centre, business development, systems engineering, and programme management capabilities in country, we also believe strongly in our strategy to partner with local companies to bring locally value-added products, solutions and services to meet Indian customers’ specific needs. Actions such as the upcoming meeting will make this all much easier. SP —Jim Walker, Vice President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Rockwell Collins
Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 11
MILITARY Indo-US Relations
HTCG needs new mandate [ By Ranjeet Kumar ]
W
ith the announcement of the visit of President Barack Obama to India on the eve of India’s Republic Day next year, India and US look to galvanise bilateral defence ties in accordance with the mandate given to the High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). As the Republic Day showcases India’s military might, India will find a good opportunity to display some of the systems acquired from US like the Globemaster, Super Hercules, INS Jalaswa, etc during the Republic Day parade, during which President Obama will be the chief guest. Traditionally India has been a major importer of Russian origin defence systems, but a gradual shift has occurred and the Russians are being replaced by the Americans and the Israelis. After Prime Minister Narendara Modi’s visit to Washington, India and US have reactivated the high profile HTCG after a gap of threeand-a-half years, which held its 9th meeting (November 20, 2014) in New Delhi at government-to-government and business-to-business level and also jointly, during which many issues of concern to each other were discussed threadbare and recommendations made to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks arising out of Cold War mindsets. After the meeting both sides expressed confidence that the revived HTCG, post-Modi visit to US, will infuse new dynamism in India-US defence cooperation. Sensing huge opportunities in Indian defence market the US side has reaffirmed the need for co-development and co-production programmes, but the Indian side has expressed doubts in view of the restricted access to Indian entities to sensitive dual-use technologies. This complex issue can only be dealt with effectively if India gains entry to the hallowed export control regimes like the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Missile Technology Control Regime. The US side was represented by Eric L. Hirschhorn, Under Secretary for Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce, who reiterated expressions of intent to commit his government’s support to India’s entry into all four export control regimes to which the Indian Foreign Secretary responded by saying that the US must set a time frame for India’s entry into these clubs. Hirschhorn said that it is in US interest to see India’s entry into these clubs for strategic reasons as it will help fulfill our common national security interests. He said that US remains committed to the above four multilateral export control regimes which will bring us closer and help expand US relations with India. He said, “Our partnership in export controls and strategic trade is critical to enhancing this strategic relationship for three reasons. First, it helps fulfill our common national security interests. Second, it demonstrates a willingness to work together on export control issues that affect global nonproliferation and homeland security. Lastly, it addresses our shared economic partnership.” The HTCG was set up in 2002 and since then the US side has drastically reduced the export control list to India and according to the US Under Secretary 15 years ago 24 per cent of US exports required export licences but now this has come down to three-tenth of one per cent to India. Very few export licences applications are required to be processed. In fact the Pentagon has control list con12 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
verted into positive list, controlling only few. Even the military sensitive items have been transferred to the US Department of Commerce, which has resulted in 64 per cent reduction in departmental licensing. Transfer of certain aerospace items has resulted in timely approval of Indian applications. In spite of huge reduction in US export control list, Indian side is not very happy as Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh complained that India cannot be a target and partner country at the same time. She talked of the need for HTCG to adopt to changing times and priorities which should be in tune with the demands of the day. She commented that the working group has not adequately been harnessed, which offers opportunities to synergise and exploit potentials in our bilateral ties. Sujatha Singh said, India’s representation in these exclusive clubs will be mutually beneficial given the common non-proliferation objectives and the contributions that Indian industry can make to the global economy. She asserted that the export control reforms were all about striking a balance between national security interest and economic interest both of which were crucial for a sovereign state and made a significant statement that a country cannot be a partner as well as a target at the same time. In the HTCG meeting a range of issues were discussed – from market access, tariff and non-tariff barriers, strategic trade to export controls. According to Sidharth Birla, President of FICCI, the HTCG tries to enable changes in policy and regulations that can facilitate high technology trade and strengthen controls on possible diversion of sensitive items. The new mandate before the HTCG is to convert the buyer-seller relationship to co-developer and co-producer of weapon systems, but no deal has yet been firmed up between the two countries as policy hurdles still remain a big issue for Indian partner. In fact it was a big setback for the HTCG when the US and Indian defence entities could not take a favourable decision for the joint production of Javeline anti-tank missiles and the Indian Ministry of Defence decided to acquire the Israeli Spike missiles. The remnants of US promoted export control regimes perhaps are still a big barrier in promoting not only direct defence sales but co-development and co-production of systems. Sensing, $100 billion defence market in next decade the US side has relaxed its enduser monitoring requirement on the defence sales to India and also is not insisting on strictly adhering to US laws like the CISMOA and BECA agreements, this has not been totally waived and the Indian side remains wary of any future conditionalities. If the US side wants to have free sale of US-made weapon systems to India it will require a Presidential waiver and HTCG must work with this mandate. Since the Indian Defence Ministry is now promoting ‘Make in India’ policy, the US companies would be well advised to take advantage of this and set up local production facilities in collaboration with Indian partners and also encourage joint systems development programme taking advantage of huge skills available in India as the US software giants have taken advantage of the Indian information technology specialists. The HTCG will have to promote these proposals. SP www.spsmai.com
MILITARY Report
PHOTOGRAPH: PIB
Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)
Both countries decided to establish a Framework for Security Cooperation to reflect the deepening and expanding security and defence engagement between India and Australia, and to intensify cooperation and consultation between Australia and India in areas of mutual interest.
Upgrading India-Australia ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by the Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott at the opening ceremony of the G-20 Summit, in Brisbane, Australia, on November 15, 2014
W
hile Prime Minister Narendra Modi was still in Australia, Judith Ireland, national political reporter, wrote in Sydney Morning Herald, how Prime Minister Modi turned the Australian Parliament into a rock star’s stage. She
writes of one getting the sense there was something about Modi when world leaders had their official handshakes with Tony Abbott at the G-20 Summit. While other leaders offered brief handshakes and stiff smiles, India’s Prime Minister strode out of the wings to greet his Australian counterpart with an exuberant Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 13
MILITARY Report Meeting; Annual Defence Policy Talks; Annual hug. She goes on to say that when Modi began to The strategic nature 1.5 Track Defence Strategic Dialogue; Service to address the Parliament, we knew for sure there Service engagement including regular high-level was something about the Indian Prime Minister. of this bilateral visits, annual staff talks, joint training and reguIt wasn’t just that he acknowledged Indigenous relationship is lar exercises as agreed; regular bilateral maritime Australians when Abbott did not. Besides it was exercises, and explore defence R&D cooperanot that Modi spoke without a script but more important with the tion, including through visits by Australian and importantly the content of what he spoke that new Great Game Indian defence material delegations and efforts hypnotised the normally rowdy House of Repreto foster joint industry links. CT and other Transsentatives. unfolding in region, national Crimes will encompass: Annual JWG on Amongst other things, he spoke of: 800 million Indians under the age of 35, willing to work which is indicated with CT and other Transnational Crimes; cooperation in CT training and exchanges between experts on for change; young Indians wanting energy, China establishing countering IEDs, bomb incidents and technolosmart cities and villages that offer opportunity, gies; exchanges on counter-radicalisation; coopand; India as the answer to Australian quest 18 naval bases in the eration between police on investigation of transfor new economic opportunities as source for Indian Ocean region national crime; cooperation on extradition and world-class skills at home or as manufacturing mutual legal assistance requests; cooperation location abroad. As Prime Minister Modi conand US move to add between AUSTRAC and Financial Intelligence cluded his address, the chamber rose in a standUnit-India; exchanges on cyber policy and cooping ovation. Referring to the Parliamentarians, Australia to the USeration between CERT India and CERT Australia, Judith writes, “They were not just being polite. If Japan-India Trialogue. and; cooperation in combating illegal migration. Madam Speaker had let them, they would have Border Protection, Coast Guard, and Customs whistled, whooped and charged the stage. That’s is to include; annual meetings of the JWG on what you do when you see a rock star perform.” The fact is that Prime Minister Modi has displayed that rare abil- Visas, Passports and Consular Matters; exchanges and cooperation ity to establish the psychological connection wherever addressing or between the Indian Coast Guard and Australian border protection meeting diverse audiences and people whether at home or abroad, authorities, and cooperation between Customs authorities, including and this he displayed once again in Australia – whether addressing training. Disarmament, Non-proliferation, Civil Nuclear Energy and the Australian Parliament, Universities, BRICS forum, G-20, industry Maritime Security would encompass: annual bilateral dialogue on and business, Indian diaspora, meeting world leaders and others. His Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and International Security, includaddress to G-20 was well applauded and consented at large particu- ing maritime security; Australian support for Indian membership of larly with regard to cooperation in reversion of black money that also the export control regimes; early operationalisation of civil nuclear a security risk plus the need to push for global growth. While Austra- energy cooperation and Australia’s support for strengthening India’s lian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Prime Minister Narendra Modi energy security by supply of uranium for India’s safeguarded nuclear were observed addressing each other on first name basis, the per- reactors; cooperation between agencies engaged on international sonal warmth that both shared during the latter’s Australia visit, the search and rescue, including through information exchange and first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years, was also reflected when regional dialogue, and; cooperation on these issues in relevant interAbbott said at the reception he hosted at the Melbourne Cricket national fora, including the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum. Disaster management and peacekeeping is to cover: exchange Ground, that Modi is like a “brother.” The hallmark of Prime Minister Modi’s Australia visit was the two on approaches to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; colPremiers reaffirming that the Indo-Australia Strategic Partnership laboration in the East Asia Summit on disaster management, and; is based on converging political, economic and strategic interests; cooperation and exchanges on peacekeeping issues, including a shared desire to promote regional and global peace, security and between peacekeeping institutions. Cooperation in Regional and Multilateral For a is to cover: close prosperity; and a commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. Both countries decided to establish a Framework cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, including the East Asia for Security Cooperation to reflect the deepening and expanding Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Ministers’ security and defence engagement between India and Australia, and to Meeting Plus (ADMM+), the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian intensify cooperation and consultation between Australia and India Ocean Naval Symposium, the UN and its specialised agencies, and in areas of mutual interest. This framework is to be implemented in the G-20, and support for India’s bid to be a permanent member of accordance with an Action Plan agreed mutually that includes the the UNSC. Progress under the Action Plan is to be reviewed through seven spheres of: Annual Summit and Foreign Policy Exchanges and established institutional arrangements, including the Foreign MinCoordination; Defence policy planning and coordination; Counter- isters’ Framework Dialogue and the Defence Ministers’ Meeting. To say that a new era has dawned in Indo-Australian relationterrorism (CT) and other Transnational Crimes; Border Protection, Coast Guard, and Customs; Disarmament, Non-proliferation, Civil ship would be stating the very obvious. In fact, Prime Minister NarNuclear Energy and Maritime Security; Disaster management and endra Modi said so in as many words during the reception hosted for him at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It may be noted that both peacekeeping, and; Cooperation in Regional and Multilateral Fora. The Annual Summit and Foreign Policy Exchanges and Coordi- the Framework and the Action Plan discussed above are comprenation is to include: Annual meeting of Prime Ministers including hensive. The strategic nature of this bilateral relationship is imporin the margins of multilateral meetings; Foreign Ministers’ Frame- tant with the new Great Game unfolding in region, which is indiwork Dialogue; Senior Officials’ Talks led by India’s Secretary (East) cated with China establishing 18 naval bases in the IOR including in MEA and Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka and Seychelles, and US move to add Australia to the USand Trade; East Asia Talks between External/Foreign Affairs senior Japan-India Trialogue. Prime Minister Modi has invited Prime Minofficials, and; 1.5 Track Australia-India Dialogue. The Defence policy siter Tony Abbott to India next year. That will perhaps be the time planning and coordination will include: Regular Defence Ministers’ the nuclear energy cooperation deal will get operationalised. SP 14 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
www.spsmai.com
MILITARY Exclusive Interview
Indian Navy: Ensuring secure seas for a resurgent nation In an exclusive interview with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s M.A.I., Admiral R.K. Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff, responded to some questions.
Photographs: SP Guide Pubns
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan with Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd) and Jayant Baranwal (right)
SP’s M.A.I. (SP’s): During the past six months many dormant programmes of the Indian Navy have been resurrected. Can you please highlight these schemes and timelines of accomplishment? Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): The acquisition programme of the Navy is continuing apace and the recent years have seen us moving steadily on the path of modernisation with major inductions. The induction of Indian Navy Ships Kolkata, Kamorta, Sumedha and Sumitra in recent months has provided a boost to the Indian Navy’s force levels. The construction of P 75 submarines at Mazagon Docks, Mumbai has picked up speed and is being monitored closely. We hope to induct the state of the art Project 75 Scorpene submarines commencing September 2016 with all six submarines under the project being delivered few years thereafter. We have
also recently proposed the construction of all submarines under Project 75(I), which shall substantially boost the Indian Navy’s capabilities in the years ahead. Considering the scope of the project, both in terms of technological challenges and costs involved the process of seeking necessary approvals and undertaking necessary evaluation of proposals as per extant Government of India guidelines has been started. I am assured that the Indian Navy’s procurement and modernisation programmes will receive priority attention of the Government. SP’s: Self-reliance through indigenisation has always remained the cornerstone of Indian Navy’s vision for force level development. What will be the implications of the present Central Government’s Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 15
MILITARY Exclusive Interview (AIP), and advanced weapons and sensors. The submarines will be constructed at a suitable Indian Yard, in collaboration with an identified foreign collaborator under Transfer of Technology. Considering the enormity of the project, in both technological and financial terms, it will be handled expeditiously in accordance with comprehensive guidelines. SP’s: How will the cancellation of NMRH deal and consequent revision of the decision to ‘Make in India’, impinge on availability of newer generation MRH for the operational Fleet ships? CNS: Government has cancelled the Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) programme because of non-compliance to delivery timelines as per RFP. Further, NUH has not been envisaged as a reconnaissance helicopter. The primary role of the aircraft is SAR and communication support to the fleet. To bridge the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan in conversatuion with Jayant Baranwal and Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd) NUH deficiency, Indian Navy is in the process of procuring ALH for coastal security which would meet the requirement of shore based policy of ‘Make in India’ on Indian Navy’s perspective plans? CNS: The Indian Navy has been a steadfast supporter of indigeni- SAR and communication duties till fruition of NUH case. To meet sation and self-reliance. The first India-built warship INS Ajay was the critical requirement for a light SAR helicopter capable of afloat commissioned in 1961. The Indian Navy set up its own design depart- operations, the NUH case is being progressed afresh. ment in 1964 and the first major weapon intensive platform, INS Nilgiri, a Leander class frigate, was commissioned in 1972. Today, all 41 SP’s: As an emerging regional power, India is expected to play ships under construction for the Indian Navy, which include an air- a major leadership role. Can you elaborate on our Navy’s responcraft carrier, are being built in Indian shipyards. The Indian Navy’s sibilities? relationship with Defence Research and Development Organisation CNS: Indian Ocean has emerged as world’s centre of gravity in the (DRDO) is that of synergy. The Indian Navy was the first service to maritime domain. It is unique in a way that 66 per cent of world’s oil partner DRDO, even before it became a separate department in and 33 per cent cargo transits through these waters. With 80 per cent 1980 and even today, the Indian Navy has three Navy specific labs of oil and freight emanating from this region, any disruption will with DRDO, the National Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, have a detrimental impact on not just the regional, but the global Naval Science and Technological Laboratory and National Materials economy. We face a challenge from piracy, asymmetrical warfare Research Laboratory. In recent times, the Navy was the first to facili- and maritime terrorism in the maritime domain. To safeguard the tate the participation of the private sector in defence production by interest we have 125 ships from 20 countries always deployed in the placing orders for eight ships on private shipyards. Again, in 2012, Indian Ocean. It is not possible for any navy to carry out the task of keeping the Indian Navy took the lead in placing orders in the Buy and Make (Indian) categorisation introduced in DPP 2011. Some of the major these waters safe and secure completely on its own that is why mariprocurements which have been taken up under this category are the time domain lends itself for cooperation. The role that Indian Navy landing platform docks, surface surveillance radars, and air surveil- had envisaged for itself, is aspect related to enhancing the cooperalance radars. Consequently, we are very enthused by the Prime Min- tion, capacity and confidence building between the countries. In an ister’s initiative of ‘Make in India’. Indeed, with our five decade long initiative driven by Indian Navy in 2008, 35 member navies come experience of making ships in India, we are well placed to provide together for aspects related to cooperation in the maritime domain. We play a major role in this cooperation and engagement. further impetus to this initiative. SP’s: What is your perspective on much delayed Project 75I which was recently approved by the Defence Acquisition Council? CNS: There has been significant progress made on the P 75(I) programme. You would be aware that the proposal for the construction of all six submarines in India is being processed with the MoD. This will be a substantial boost to indigenisation in this critical sector. P 75(I) envisages acquisition of six state-of-the-art conventional submarines with high stealth features, air independent propulsion 16 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
SP’s: Do we see stealth-based platforms in the future and what would be role of indigenisation in these platforms? CNS: Certainly yes. Stealth has been a unique feature of the Shivalik class destroyers and many other platforms recently inducted. The future will certainly see the stealth features coming up increasingly in the designs of all warships, submarines and aircrafts that we will induct. The designs of these platforms will be indigenous, designed by our own designers in the country. SP www.spsmai.com
MILITARY Viewpoint
Defence Minister should go for best technology [ By Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) ]
The response of vendors to the RFP (request for proposal) is of two types: ‘best price’ and/or ‘best quality’. Invariably, weightage of efence Minister in Manohar Parrikar has made a good the former is more and ‘best quality’ becomes a casualty. Many times beginning by clearing the acquisition of 840 artillery the price being quoted by other vendor(s) get leaked out or shall we guns; 100 to be bought off-the-shelf and balance to say obtained through economic espionage. The enterprising venbe produced indigenously. This would start filling the dor then bids a much lower price to obtain the contract though the three-decade-old critical void of the Indian Artillery. quality of his product that may be qualitatively inferior. The focus Parrikar has said that the military should be made so strong that no on quality is overshadowed by the lower price being offered. There one should stare at us, which indicates the much needed resolve have also been instances when in order to promote indigenisation considering the dire state the equipping has been. While Prime the GSQR (General Staff Qualitative Requirements) by the military Minister Narendra Modi has given the call of ‘Make in India, Sell is forced to lower or equipment developed without reference to Anywhere’ and foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence has been users is simply dumped with them even though officially this is not opened beyond 49 per cent on selective basis, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged. To compound the problem the existing procurement procedure has also asked for simplification of defence acquisition procedures. But while Parrikar would focus on the latter, he needs to remember does not permit contracting through the L2 vendor should the L1 that while over 70 per cent of defence equipment continued to be vendor fail to deliver for some reason. In case the L1 vendor fails, imported, this together with the balance produced indigenously is the procurement procedure requires the entire process of RFP to be repeated involving critical delays in procuring vital equipment certainly not state-of-the-art. More alarmingly, and that 50 per cent of all military equipment for the defence services. An example is the handheld light-weight held is obsolete as acknowledged by the Ministry of Industry and Laser Target Designators for our Special Forces, the RFP for which Commerce website. Therefore, bridging the large asymmetry vis- was floated some nine years back but this critical equipment is still à-vis our adversaries is no more a game of numbers alone. If we not provisioned since the L1 vendor had failed to deliver in the first continue in the same vein of acquisitions based on the lowest bid- instance. The bottom line is that the lowest cost bidder (at its face der (L1), the asymmetry will actually widen further considering the value) at times cannot really bring in the great value for money. Additionally, in the long run it may turn out to be far more numbers that need to be filled up. There is paradigm shift in the expensive for our armed forces versus the other bidder who may be nature of conflict. Modern-day conflicts have expanded to include sub-national- L 2 or L3. The latter two may be expensive at face value but may posities, terrorists, insurgents, religious fanatics and ethnic interests. sibly bring better long-term cost-effective life-cycle, thereby giving South Asia is in the centre stage of subconventional conflict and much greater value for the money spent in the long run. Prudence instability. The entry of non-state actors has added a new dimension demands not only should we review the pros and cons of the L1 facto low-intensity conflicts. Responses to such challenges need to be tor, perhaps it needs to be replaced with the ‘Best Technology Bid’ addressed in a focused and credible manner. Our armed forces need factor. In the interim, we also need to permit automatic procureto maintain ‘qualitative’ edge by upgrading technologies. Military ment through L2 or L3 vendor without any loss of time should the transformation includes network-centricity as an essential ingredi- L1 vendor fail to deliver. Additionally, we are still taking recourse to ent including nanotechnology, enabling single about 40 month span for Information System platforms to do multiple tasks, particularly in and Communication projects despite rapidly the subconventional and irregular environPerhaps a separate changing technologies. In such circumstances, ment, while cyber and space are the new fronour military modernisation will continue to tiers. The L1, or ‘Lowest Bid’, factor has ruled defence acquisition regress. Perhaps a separate defence acquisition the roost in defence procurements in India ever procedure is needed procedure is needed for Information Systems since. Should we let the L1 factor continue to be and Communication projects with telescoped the major factor for defence procurements for for Information gestation period reducing the procurement our military when technological advances have time. These issues require deliberate focus by Systems and revolutionised warfare and technological supethe Defence Minister. With the support he is riority will be a major battle winning factor in Communication likely to get from the Prime Minister’s Office future? Should we blindly submit to the British (PMO), he certainly can break the shackles of legacy of L1 bids, deluding ourselves under the projects with L1 and usher a policy of ‘Best Technology’ for pretext of being ‘cash strapped’ when the widtelescoped gestation defence acquisitions. This will help modernise ening asymmetry has affected combat capabiliour military to the extent that our adversaries ties in face of mounting threats, the China-Pak period reducing the would not dare stare at us, very much in accornexus and the retrograde defence modernisadance with the vision of Parrikar. SP procurement time. tion that we have suffered over the past decades?
D
Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 17
MILITARY Viewpoint
Photograph: Youtube
Air MARSHAL B.K. Pandey (Retd)
The paradigm shift in the strategy adopted by Pakistan against India calls for a new and a higher level of synergy between the armed and the police forces in India.
26/11 – Mayhem in Mumbai
P
recisely six years ago, on November 26, 2008, a band of ten heavily armed Pakistani terrorists owing allegiance to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) sailed across the Arabian Sea and surreptitiously gained entry into Mumbai the commercial capital of India. They wreaked havoc on the city taking by complete surprise not only its people but also its security establishment. This operation appears to have been planned, supported and controlled remotely by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the premier intelligence agency of Pakistan. Using two inflatable rubber boats, the terrorists disembarked at two locations in Colaba and commencing early part of the night, let loose a reign of terror at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), the prestigious hotels Taj and Oberoi Trident, the Leopold Café, Nariman House and even Cama Hospital. In the mayhem that lasted about 60 hours and engulfed multiple locations, the terrorists gunned down a total of 166 innocent souls which included 26 foreign nationals and injured over 400. Nine of the group of ten intruders were gunned down by security forces. Ajmal Kasab, who was taken alive, was ultimately sentenced to death and hanged four years later. The primary lesson emerging from this sordid episode is that this is symbolic of the change in the nature of war that our western neighbour is capable of waging. Pakistan has, for some time, been undertaking such operations in various sensitive locations in the country. However, these have generally been regarded as a problem related to internal security. It is time now to appreciate the fact that the already thin line between external and internal threats to national security has been considerably blurred. The paradigm shift in the strategy adopted by Pakistan against India calls for a new and a higher level of synergy between the armed and the police forces in India. This would call for the formulation of the concept of “joint operations” between the Indian armed Forces and the police forces both at the central and state levels. It will be necessary to draw up protocols for all forces, i.e. the military, paramilitary and police forces to come together and respond to an emergency in a collective and coordinated manner. Given the fact that the three services under the Ministry of Defence encounter serious difficulties in their efforts to achieve total “jointness” in operations, this is certainly not going to be an easy task.
18 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
Jointmanship between organisations controlled by two different ministries of the Government of India will be considerably more difficult. It is ironic that for some strange reason, the Infantry battalion of the Indian Army located in Mumbai was not requisitioned by the civil authority when the terrorists struck. Incidentally, all Infantry units of the Indian Army are put through a tenure in the Kashmir Valley and hence, are trained and experienced in antiterrorist operations. As such, the Infantry battalion available at hand in Mumbai would have been of immense help in subduing the terrorists. However, before any move is initiated to achieve synergy between the police and the Indian armed forces, there is a need to put in place an efficient and effective operational coordination amongst the different agencies responsible for dealing with internal security threats. The second important lesson that has emerged from this experience is that the security establishment of the nation needs to acquire the wherewithal and to develop the capability to prevent or foil such adventure by hostile elements and not limit its capability merely to be reactive. This calls for sealing of all possible entry points along both land and maritime borders. It is understood that there has been some progress in sealing the maritime boundary. A chain of 74 Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) receivers to provide seamless coverage of the entire coastline has been put in place apart from 46 coastal radars on the mainland and the island territories. There are plans to install additional coastal radars to provide gap-free coverage. To enhance awareness of activities in the maritime domain, a National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network (NC3I) has recently been inaugurated by the Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar. A major weakness that needs to be addressed is the lack of trust and coordination between the Central and State Governments especially if they are administered by different political parties. The recent conflict between the Central and State Governments over terrorist activities in Burdwan in West Bengal is a glaring example of the dichotomy. There is a crying need to have all levels of authority on the same frequency with regard to matters concerning internal security and not allow domestic politics to militate against national security interests—a malaise that appears to be a permanent affliction with the Indian political system. SP www.spsmai.com
MILITARY Updates Coastal security network must ensure zero tolerance to terror: Defence Minister Parrikar
T
he Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the Indian Navy and Coast Guard’s joint operations facility, called the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) at Gurgaon on November 23. Set up to provide coastal security and to avert tragic incidents like the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai, the IMAC is the nodal centre of the National Command Control Communications and Intelligence Network (NC3I Network), and is a joint initiative of the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Bharat Electronics Ltd to improve coastal surveillance. Describing it as ‘a bold initiative’ and ‘a reply of this great nation to the Mumbai attack,’ Parrikar was candid to admit that the surveillance network has still some gaps which need to be plugged. He said this is an enormous task considering the fact that there are about two-three lakh fishing boats operating in our coastlines and the active cooperation of the state governments is required to achieve one hundred per cent success. He also called for a change in mindset to correlate the data that would be available through the massive surveillance network to ensure ‘zero tolerance to error’. Parrikar said, besides coastal security, we have to protect our interests in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Parrikar said some of our neighbours are trying to get their navies in the Indian Ocean and our Navy must be watchful of their activities. “We do not want to be offensive but we must be strong enough to deter our enemies from casting an evil eye upon us”, he said. The NC3I Network links 51 Naval and Coast Guard stations, located along the coast and on island territories. The network provides these stations coastal surveillance information obtained from various sensors such as the coastal radar chain of the Indian Coast
Passing out Parade held at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala
PhotographS: PIB
A
t an impressive passing-out parade held at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, 380 cadets of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard passed through the portals of the INA, on successful completion of their training. This parade marked the commissioning of the cadets of the 87th Indian Naval Academy Course (B Tech) Course into the Indian Navy. The cadets belonged to the three different passing-out courses of the Autumn Term 2014, viz., the 87th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) BTech and MSc courses, the 18th Naval Orientation (Extended) Course and the 19thNaval Orientation (Regular) Course. Also graduating and marching shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts were 43 female cadets from the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard. The parade was reviewed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral RK Dhowan. After the ceremonial review, the chief guest awarded medals to nine
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurating the National Command Control Communication and Intelligence (NC3I) Network at the Information Management and Analysis Centre in Gurgaon. The Minister of State for Planning (Independent Charge) and Defence Rao Inderjit Singh and the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R.K. Dhowan are also seen.
Guard and automatic tracking systems as well as electro-optical cameras. The entire NC3I Network has been integrated by the Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru. The project was sanctioned in March 12 and is presently fully functional. The IMAC construction began in October 12 and was completed in January 2014. The Naval Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan in his opening address said this project will go a long way in beefing up the maritime surveillance, thereby enhancing the National Maritime Domain Awareness Project. SP
meritorious cadets. The Chief of the Naval Staff advised the passing-out cadets ‘to serve the country and Navy with pride and always uphold the values of commitment to make supreme sacrifice for the nation and navy, courage- both physical and moral, compassion towards men and women you lead, credibility in performance and character and finally to have an integrity beyond doubt – always and every time’. The Presidents Gold Medal. for the cadet adjudged first in the overall order-of-merit of the INAC course was awarded to Academy Cadet Captain Ankush Jasrotia, Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal for the cadet adjudged first in overall order-ofmerit for the Naval Orientation (Extended) Course was awarded to Cadet Ankur Jangra. Cadet R. Jangra was awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal for the cadet adjudged first in overall orderof-merit for the Naval Orientation (Regular) Course and Cadet Amita Singh was awarded the Flag Officer Commandingin-Chief (South) Gold Medal for being adjudged the best woman trainee of the course. She also won the Commandant, INA Silver Medal for the cadet adjudged second in overall order-of-merit for the Naval Orientation (Regular) Course. SP Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 19
Aerospace Developments Visit by the Indian Chief of the Air Staff to Indonesia
A
ir Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force, visited Indonesia from November 23 to 26 on an invitation from Air Chief Marshal Ida Bagus Putu Dunia, Chief of Staff, Indonesian Air Force. This was the first visit by an Indian Air Chief to Indonesia in over a decade and happened against the backdrop of the summit meeting between President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the time of the East Asia Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, during which enhancement of defence cooperation was one of the key points of discussion. During this visit, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha had a meeting with his counterpart Air Chief Marshal Putu Dunia and interacted with the Indonesian Air Force. The Indonesian Air Force expressed their keen interest to increase the scope of cooperation with the Indian Air Force through greater interaction in the future. Indian Air Chief was accompanied by the Indian Ambassador Gurjit Singh for his meeting with General Ryamizard Ryacudu (Retd), the Minister of Defence, RI. The Indonesian Minister of Defence was appreciative of the ongoing initiatives in the field of defence coop-
IAF and Russian Federation Air Force joint exercise Avia Indra I
eration and underlined the immense scope and potential to further the engagement between the two armed forces in the future. Air Chief Marshal Raha also visited PT Dirgantara at Bandung and saw the production and maintenance facilities. He complimented PTDI for their efforts at indigenisation and expressed India’s commitment to support the Indonesian defence Industry. SP
firing and fighter sorties over the mighty Himalayas. Select members of the team were taken to Bengaluru, where they were introduced to indigenous programmes, including the LCA Tejas and advanced light helicopter Dhruv. To commemorate the event, the two commanders Air Commodore P.K. Vohra VM and Major General Alexander N. Lyapkin unveiled a hand-carved stone and planted saplings next to the memorial stone to symbolise growth of this unique partnership etched in the stone for posterity. SP
Boeing delivers sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India
Photographs: IAF, Boeing
A
via Indra I, Phase II, a joint Indo– Russia Air Force exercise was held at Air Force Station Halwara (Punjab) from November 17. The Phase I of the Avia Indra I was held at Astrakhan near the Caspian Sea in Russia in August 2014. Media from Punjab also had an opportunity to witness the exercise at SK (SidhwanKhas) Range. Such exercises, specially with Russia, are of significance as the IAF has a large inventory of Russian equipment. For the diverse defence needs of the two air forces there is much to benefit from such engagements for both sides. During the exercise, fighter helicopter and missile crew of the two countries operated together. It included air-to-ground
20 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
B
oeing delivered the sixth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India, on schedule, on November 24, arriving at the Naval Air Station Rajali to join five others being used by the Indian Navy. The P-8I is part of a contract of eight awarded in 2009. The final two deliveries are scheduled for 2015. “The P-8I’s arrival in India is another key milestone for the programme and marks our final delivery of the year,” said Dennis Swanson, Vice President, Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India. “The Indian Navy is currently conducting missions with the first five aircraft, and this newest P-8I will begin flight trials in the coming months.” Based on the company’s next-generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the
Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing builds for the US Navy. The P-8I incorporates not only Indiaunique design features, but also Indianbuilt sub-systems that are tailored to meet the country’s maritime patrol requirements. The P-8I features open systems architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. “We have a great partnership with India, which has helped us keep the programme on schedule and on budget,” said Mark Jordan, Boeing P-8 International Program Manager. In order to efficiently design and build the P-8I and the P-8A, the Boeing-led team is using a first-in-industry, in-line production process that draws on the company’s nextgeneration 737 production system. P-8I aircraft are built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation. SP www.spsmai.com
Aerospace Developments Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Air Force calls on Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha
Air Force in the last decade have been IJT engines, MiG-29 upgrades, Mi-17 V5 and medium-lift helicopters (MLH). Besides these, contracts for joint production of fifthgeneration fighter aircraft and multi-role transport aircraft have been signed. SP
Mauritius signs contract with HAL for Dornier aircraft
T B
ilateral ties of India and Russia are a key pillar of Indian foreign policy, since the signing of the Declaration on the India-Russian Strategic Partnership in 2000, Regular high level interactions have taken place in the recent past. Colonel General Viktor Nikolaevich Bondarev, Commander-in-Chief of Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) called on Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan), November 17. Some of the major procurement contracts signed with Russia for the Indian
he Government of Mauritius signed a contract with HAL in Mauritius capital Port Louis to acquire the versatile HAL-made Dornier aircraft for maritime surveillance to guard its extensive coastline. The contract was signed by Kan Oye Fong Weng Poorun, Senior Chief Executive, Prime Minister’s Office (Mauritius) and by S. Subrahmanyan, Managing Director, HAL (MiG Complex and Accessories). “Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), External Affairs, our Coast Guard, and Government of Mauritius, this contract worth nearly `100 crore ($16 million) gives boost to our export efforts”, says Dr R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. HAL has fitted several role specific equipment on this aircraft to meet the specialised requirement of the customer, adds Dr Tyagi. In the past, the company supplied helicopters (Cheetah, Chetak and Dhruv) and two Dornier aircraft in mari-
time version to Mauritius. The inclusion of Dornier in the National Coast Guard, Mauritius Police Force would result in an extensive enhancement of the present search and rescue capability and provide strategic depth to policing the extensive exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The versatility of HAL-made Dornier has several in-built features such as highest fuel carrying capacity in its class (2,850 litres) due to integral fuel tanks in wings, low structural weight ensured through use of advanced composite materials, high wing design for unobstructed view and radar coverage, wide wheel base for better stability, short take-off and landing capability – the aircraft can take off from around 700 metres and land within 575 metres— essentially required for operations from short and semi-prepared airfields, sturdy landing gears, rectangular cabin offering more head space for passengers and mounting space for equipment in case of special mission configuration as opposed to circular cabin, low floor level and wide door for easy loading/unloading of cargo, flight openable roller door, four wing hard points for mounting of external loads up to 1,030 kg, optimum performance at normal cruising altitude for short haul applications enabled by the revolutionary design of wing aerofoil. SP
President awards Standards to 115 Helicopter Unit & 26 Squadron of IAF
Photographs: PIB, IAF
T
he President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Pranab Mukherjee, awarded the prestigious President’s Standard to 115 Helicopter Unit and 26 Squadron in a grand ceremonial parade held at the Air Force Station Tezpur on November 21. The President’s Standard is awarded to Operational Units based on their past record of performances and achievements during peace and hostilities. The Commanding Officer of 115 Helicopter Unit, Wing Commander A.P. Deshpande and Commanding Officer of 26 Squadron, Wing Commander S. Prabhu received the Standards. The Parade was commanded by Group Captain Vikram Gaur, Vishisht Seva Medal, Chief Operations Officer of Air Force Station Tezpur. 115 Helicopter Unit, raised on April 1, 1967, is endowed with a glorious history and a rich operational legacy. Its active participation in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 had won them many accolades. Due to its renowned and remarkable role in disaster relief operations during natural calamities, the unit was aptly christened as ‘The Hovering Angels’. The unit’s history is replete with tales of courage, valour and sacrifices. 26 Squadron (Warriors) was formed on January 1, 1968, at Adampur. Since its inception, it has etched numerous tales of valour
and fortitude as a frontline fighter Squadron of the Indian Air Force. The Warriors also played a very active role in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 providing close air support to Indian Army. The squadron actively participated in the Kargil conflict of 1999 and was responsible for guarding northern skies during Op Prakaram. SP
Issue 23 • 2014 SP’S MAI 21
Internal Security Breaches David Cameron shoved by ‘jogger’ in Leeds
D
avid Cameron, the British Prime Minister, was shoved by a jogger in Leeds in a massive security breach. A member of the public confronted Cameron outside Leeds Civic Hall and was seen pushing the Prime Minister before police were forced to step in. According to a report in The Telegraph, Cameron was leaving the venue when the man—who was walking on the other side of the road—“darted” across to accost the Prime Minister. Cameron was pushed backwards before his security team stopped the man and he was taken away by police. One former armed police officer, who now works as a private security consultant, said the incident was such a serious breach he expected members of the Prime Minister’s protection team to be transferred as a result, Telegraph reported. Chris Wilson, an environmental enforcement officer for the local council, who saw the incident, said: “I saw the Prime Minister walking with his party behind him and the guy came running towards him...I didn’t hear him say anything because I was too far away. “It looked like Cameron sidestepped him and he was tackled by the person behind. Just a little sidestep and then he was in the car and the car was gone. “They [security] were on him, one minute he was up and then he was down. They just dragged him down then moved him away.” The moment was captured on a mobile phone camera. SP
Police probing security lapse at Fadnavis’ swearing-in ceremony
PHOTOGRAPHs: www.number10.gov.uk, Wikipedia
A
complaint has been lodged with the Mumbai Police about an alleged breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security cover during the swearing-in ceremony of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on October 31. The security lapse is being probed by the police. The alleged security lapse was reported at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium where a person managed to breach the Prime Minister’s security cordon by posing as a party worker. The person has been identified as Anil Mishra who claims that he was removed from the BJP’s Bihar unit recently. The complaint alleges that Mishra managed to break the threetier security at the Wankhede Stadium. He also managed to get on the dais with the Prime Minister without an entry pass or a valid identity card. Mishra even clicked pictures with BJP President Amit Shah, Fadnavis and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray. SP
Chinese hackers suspects in US Postal Service breach
C
hinese Government hackers are suspected of breaching the computer networks of the United States Postal Service, compromising the data of more than 8,00,000 employees — including the Postmaster General’s. The intrusion was discovered in mid-September, said officials,
22 SP’S MAI Issue 23 • 2014
who declined to comment on who was thought to be responsible. The FBI is leading the investigation into the hack. The Chinese Government has consistently denied accusations that it engages in cybertheft and notes that Chinese law prohibits cybercrime. But China has been tied to several recent intrusions, including one into the computer systems of the Office of Personnel Management and another into the systems of a government contractor, USIS, that conducts security-clearance checks. The intrusion into the USPS, officials said, was carried out by a sophisticated actor who did not appear to be interested in identity theft or credit card fraud. “It is an unfortunate fact of life these days that every organisation connected to the Internet is a constant target for cyber intrusion activity,” Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said in a statement. “The United States Postal Service is no different. Fortunately, we have seen no evidence of malicious use of the compromised data and we are taking steps to help our employees protect against any potential misuse of their data.” The compromised data included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of employment and other information, officials said. The data of every employee were exposed. SP www.spsmai.com
Founded by Shri S P Baranwal in 1964, Guide Publications began its humble journey. Today SP Guide Publications (SP’s) is the Asia’s Largest Publishing House for Aerospace & Defence Sectors. We at SP’s look forward to coming years and decades with even stronger conviction.
Indispensable
Reference
2014 Military SP’s
Yearbook s
i
n
c
e
1
9
6
5
2015 42n d
M
US
T BU BU From 50 Years Old Media SI Y F NE OR DE SS T ST IN HE IN I AT THE ND IO M US NS OS TR SU T S Y K CH OU EE Reserve Your A GH N T S Own Copies,Finmeccanica Now! and India: IN T A OW in the spirit of partnership. DI FTE AR A order@spsmilitaryyearbook.com R DS
House
is s u e