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Page 3 Integrated Air and Missile Defence – A True Game Changer IAMD is an essential, continuous mission in peace time, crisis and times of conflict, which safeguards and protects territory, populations and forces against any air and missile threat and attack and contributes to deterrence. Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd)
Page 6 Indo-Japan Maritime Cooperation Revisited
India is important to Japan due to its democratic values, large source of manpower, strong economic growth and its geopolitical important location in the centre of the SLOCs in the Indian Ocean-Pacific Region. Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd)
South China Sea A Cauldron of Conflicting Claims
Liu Huaqing, who was heading People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) from 1982-88, contributed heavily towards the modernisation of PLAN and changed China’s maritime strategy from freedom of navigation to sea control in the ‘near sea’ region which applies to the First Island Chain and includes the South China Sea and East China Sea
Page 8 India and South Korea— Special Strategic Partnership The main edifice of the MoU rests upon developing and strengthening defence industry cooperation which will recommend the organisations for collaborating in core warship building projects. Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd)
Illustration: Anoop Kamath
TAIWAN
CHINA
UN Convention’s 200-nautical mile limit
LAOS
Page 9 Building India’s Future Navy: Technology Imperatives
China’s ‘nine-dash line’ maritime claim line
South China Sea
parAcel islands
Territorial Claims China Vietnam Philippines Malaysia
THAILAND
Brunei
Scarborough Shoal
Reefs China is building into artificial islands
CAMBODIA “It appears that a word namely ‘time’ has disappeared from the dictionary of Delhi work system. We need to bring back the work culture which is time-bound and cannot allow any execution/decisions/ work outputs any slippages against the prescribed time lines,” said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, at the International Seminar on ‘Building India’s Future Navy: Technology Imperatives’, jointly organised by the Indian Navy and FICCI in New Delhi. Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd)
Plus News in Brief
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PHILIPPINES
VIETNAM Itu Abu Island
SPRaTLY islands China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and Vietnam claim sovereignty over all or parts of these scattered islands and reefs BRUNEI
MALAYSIA MALAYSIA
INDONESIA
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E D I T O R I A L
The third issue of SP’s Naval Forces coincides with the Maritime/Air Systems and Technologies (MAST) exhibition being held in Japan from June 12 to 14, thus the thrust of articles is towards East Asia. The lead article is on South China Sea (SCS) which continues to hit headlines for the wrong reasons. However, China in recent times is willing to take extraordinarily unilateral steps to exercise its influence in maritime affairs to conform to its national objectives specially in the SCS and the ECS. The article focuses on the concerns of the claimant nations on SCS vis-àvis China but also includes the inter-se play of views/thrusts/ strategies with other nations like the United States, Japan, Australia and India. With ever growing challenges, today there is a need for Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) to be even more joint – advancing inter-dependence and integrating new capabilities that ranges across global,
regional, trans-regional and homeland domains. An article on IAMD gives you the significant developments in this area. The beginning of IndoJapan relations started when Buddhism travelled to Japan from India. They continue to get stronger in all spheres including maritime. Japan’s importance to India was summed up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Japan in November 11, 2016, when he told the reporters that, “Japan occupies an extremely high position in our foreign policy. The reason is Japan has played a very important role in the development and growth of India.” India is also important to Japan due to its democratic values, large source of manpower, strong economic growth and its geopolitical important location in the centre of the SLOCs (sea lines of communications) in the Indian Ocean-Pacific region. Signing of MoU on cooperation in shipbuilding between India and South Korea signifies
“We need fast-track decision making process.” —Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping
a major turn in the growing bilateral relationship between the two countries. Read about this important development in the ‘Look East’ policy of the Government. “It appears that a word namely ‘time’ has disappeared from the dictionary of Delhi work system. We need to bring back the work culture which is time-bound and cannot allow any execution/decisions/work outputs any slippages against the prescribed time lines,” said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, at the International Seminar on ‘Building India’s Future Navy: Technology Imperatives’, jointly organised by the Indian Navy and Federation of Indian Chamber of Com-
Photograph: US Navy
n Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd)
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n order to utilise oceans peacefully and equally, the international community has maintained international norms and rules which includes United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China became People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949 and thereafter became party to UNCLOS. However, China in recent times is willing to take extraordinarily unilateral steps to exercise its influence in maritime affairs to conform to its national objectives specially in the South China Sea (SCS) and the East China Sea (ECS). The SCS has great strategic importance as it covers China and connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. South China Sea extends from the Strait of Malacca in the south-west, to the Strait of Taiwan in the north-east. The SCS disputes involve claims among several countries within the region like PRC (henceforth referred as China), the Republic of China (ROC-Taiwan), Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam. An estimated $5 trillion worth of global trade passes through the SCS. Apart from the littoral states of SCS, there are many non-claimant states which want the SCS to remain as international waters with ‘freedom of navigation’ to all. The disputes include the islands, reefs, banks and other features of the SCS including the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, various boundaries in the Gulf of Tonkin and waters near the Indonesian Natuna Islands. Claimant states are interested in retaining or acquiring the fishing rights, exploration and potential exploitation of crude oil and natural gas in the seabed of various parts of the SCS and control over the important sea lanes.
China’s Maritime Strategy For many years, China had no clear maritime strategy but as soon as it started building its maritime capability, it started flexing its muscles in the region. Liu Huaqing, who was heading People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) from 1982-88, contributed heavily towards the modernisation of PLAN and changed China’s maritime strategy from freedom of navigation to sea control in the ‘near sea’ region which applies
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An MH-60R Sea Hawk from the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 Blue Hawks flies near the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, April 24, 2017. US Navy aircraft carrier strike groups have patrolled the Indo-Asia Pacific routinely for more than 70 years.
to the First Island Chain and includes the SCS and ECS. Sea control also implies management of the sea. Both China and Taiwan claim almost the entire SCS and indicate their claims with what is known as the Nine-Dotted Line or Nine-Dash Line. This claimed boundary virtually overlaps every other country in the region. The Nine-Dash Line was initially used by Taiwan but now China claims it. China also holds a unique concept of maritime jurisdiction known as “national maritime land”. Under this concept, China takes territorial water, contiguous water and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as national maritime zones in which China can exercise strong rights, such as banning military exercises and so on. Some examples of China’s overreach are: zz In 1974 China wrested control of the Paracel Islands by force from Vietnam when Vietnam tried to expel the Chinese Navy from the area. As a result conflict situation arose with Vietnam which still simmers between them. zz Pratas Islands are under control of Taiwan but China continues to contest it. zz During 2002, the Declaration on Code
of Conduct of Parties was signed as an instrument for resolution of conflicting claims but it has remained mostly ineffective and none of the claimant countries have the economic or military clout to challenge China. zz In 2012, China took an aggressive stance by restricting access to the Scarborough Shoals to the Philippines which resulted in Philippines going for arbitration under Annex VII of the UNCLOS which ruled in July 2016 in favour of Philippines but China neither acknowledges the tribunal nor abides by its ruling, insisting that any resolution of the matter should be made through bilateral negotiations with other claimants.
Current Situation Tension and conflict like situation remains in both the SCS as well in the ESC due to island disputes, land reclamation, confrontations, clashes between maritime law enforcement vessels, freedom of navigation operations by US Navy and threats from PLAN. Paracel Island has over 30 islands and China has extended the runway and deployed surface-to-air mis-
merce and Industries (FICCI) in New Delhi recently. He added, “I like those who work and not those who do not work in the name of honesty” and went on to say “As policy makers we are supposed to ensure that work culture emerge on top of everything.” Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff stated that the Navy has taken giant strides in the field of indigenous ship design and construction but a lot of work is required on niche technologies. Read all about it in the seminar report. We sign off with the usual news digest and flag posting. Happy reading you discerning readers!
Jayant BaranwaL Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
sile systems on one of its islands called Woody Island. It is going ahead with rapid and large-scale land reclamation works on seven of the Spratly Islands and has also built infrastructure including runways, and ports that can be used for military purposes. Numerous incidents of confrontation have occurred between PLAN and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and US Air Force and Navy in the ECS. In 2016, 121 Chinese ships crossed into the territorial waters of the Senkaku. China requests prior notification before other countries’ warships pass its territorial waters but PLAN fleets passed US’ territorial water near Aleutian Islands while exercising innocent passage in September 2014 without informing US. Adding to the mounting maritime problems in the region, President Donald Trump’s policy for the Asia-Pacific region is still not clear. Former Director of National Intelligence and Commander of the US Pacific Command Admiral Dennis C. Blair expressed his concern about the issue by stating at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in November 2016, that “overlaps in economy and security may result in deal-making in maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region and will put some reality into this idea that the Pacific is big enough for both US and China.” Chinese President Xi Jinping made his intentions very clear when on May 24, while on an inspection of the PLAN headquarters, “called for efforts to build the PLAN into a strong and modern force to lend support for the realisation of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and the dream of a strong army.”
Interest of US SCS links the Pacific and Indian Ocean and as such US uses it to move their warships from the Pacific fleet for military missions to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf. This route also connects close allies of US like Japan to safely move their energy needs from the Middle East. However, US also follows a policy of “active neutrality” which implies that it will remain neutral on local Continued on page 10...
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Integrated Air and Missile Defence –
A True Game Changer
Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) is an essential, continuous mission in peace time, crisis and times of conflict, which safeguards and protects territory, populations and forces against any air and missile threat and attack and contributes to deterrence. n Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd)
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n his Paper “Joint Force Linchpin for Integrated Air and Missile Defence and Access Control”, published on January 1, 2016 for National Defence University Press, John F. Morton, cautions that complicating the Combatant Commanders’ calculus are the advancing Anti-Access/ Area-Denial (A2/AD) capabilities in the hands of potential adversaries and Rogue States that pose a major challenge to the maritime domain.
IAMD: Vision 2020 During 2014 Quadrennial Defence Review, counter-measures against rapidly growing A2/AD challenges were deliberated extensively and it was decided to up-scale the priority on increasing overall joint force capabilities. In what the Pentagon characterises as the A2/AD environment, defence officials are now conceptualizing the high-end level of the war-fighting spectrum around the Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) mission. In December 2013, General Martin Dempsey, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, released his ‘Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defence: Vision 2020’ that spoke of the need for IAMD to “be even more Joint—advancing inter-dependence and integrating new capabilities.” Joint IAMD describes the IAMD environment as an expanding battle space requiring plans and operations that ranges across global, regional, trans-regional, and homeland domains. “The regional and intercontinental reach of ballistic missiles,” it continues, “alters the strategic and operational decision space.” IAMD forces in a specific theatre can extend to regional, transregional, and homeland operations. As such, Combatant Commander’s plans must allow for coordination and hands-off across combatant command areas of responsibility. Since May 2013, the IAMD mission has been brought under the umbrella of Missile Defence Agency (MDA). MDA is now the technical authority to steer all joint IAMD engineering and integration efforts, including defining and controlling the interfaces and the allocation of IAMD technical requirements. Vice Admiral James Syring, was the first Navy head of MDA. His arrival in 2012 coincided with a time when the Aegis shipbased combat system came to be seen as a core element of US and partner nation efforts in ballistic missile defence (BMD) in line with the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), the US administration’s missile defence strategy for Europe. The appointing naval flag officers to JIAMDO reflects that the foundational maritime IAMD enablers for active defence will be the surface Navy’s modernised fleet of Aegis-equipped warships. Mobile, forwardContinued on page 4...
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A Continuous Evolution: The Standard Missile-6
he Standard Missile-6 was originally developed to defend ships against enemy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. Over the last four years, the missile has become a shining example of missile defense evolution. The missile is somewhat new – first issued to the US Navy fleet in 2013. By 2015 it had successfully added and proven the ability to protect ships against ballistic missile threats in their final phase of flight. A handful of months later, it demonstrated the ability to take out objects on the ocean’s surface. A test in January of 2016 resulted in the demise of the decommissioned USS Reuben James. In recent tests it has shattered its own record several times over for the longest range surface-to-air intercept of its kind in naval history. Three missions in one missile is remarkable, unprecedented really, but just as impressive is the fact that these new missions are added to an existing missile through software upgrades only. There is literally no physical change to the missile, and it is part of Raytheon’s effort to rapidly spiral capability into the hands of service commanders. A complex series of US Navy flight tests in April 2017 proved that the SM-6 was ready to reach the final stage of the acquisition process: full operational capability. Reaching this phase is a type of graduation exercise that signifies the weapon’s sea worthiness and that no more testing is required. The missile is fully ready for deployment at sea with all three missions – anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and ballistic missile defense. The evolution of these missiles, and others that Raytheon produces, is intentional. The rapid development of technologies is only able to occur when you have a robust base of engineering, production, and testing expertise to build upon – a more than 60 year legacy within the Standard Missile family makes a solid base. Few missiles are started from scratch. Over the years, Raytheon has taken the best components of the best systems to create versatile powerhouses like the
SM-3 and the SM-6. The SM-3 program has leveraged lessons learned during years of testing. The SM-6 program incorporates advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of Raytheon’s Advanced MediumRange Air-to-Air Missile. The SM-6 design is also based on the time-tested advantages of the Standard Missile’s airframe and propulsion. In early 2017, the US Department of Defense approved the release of SM-6 to several international customers.
Many of the approved countries are seeking the multimission missile to bolster their shipbuilding programs. The flexibility of the missile drives significant cost savings for US partners and allies. The technology of the Standard Missile family has expanded from defending ships to defending continents. Thanks to the innovation and foresight of industry and government teams, the Standard Missile will continue to evolve and advance. SP
Integrated Air and Missile Defence... Continued from page 3 deployed Aegis cruisers and destroyers, variously upgraded Systems, will serve as the Combatant Commanders’ net-enabling nodes for globally integrated joint force operations for access control.
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IAMD – A Game Changer Captain James Kilby, Deputy for Ballistic Missile Defence, Aegis Combat Systems wrote that the most complex variant of integrated fires is the emerging Navy Integrated Fire Control–Counter Air (NIFC-CA) capability that dramatically extends the sensor net to allow for missile engagements beyond the radar horizon. NIFC-CA provides integrated fire control for theatre air and anti-ship cruise missile defence in the tactical environment. The capability greatly expands the over-the-horizon air warfare battle space for surface combatants to enable third-party targeting and use of smart missiles. If properly employed with the right tactics NIFC-CA, the SM-6 surface-to-air/space missile, the E-2D Hawkeye with the Cooperative Engagement Capability and 5th-generation F-35 fighter aircraft will be IAMD Game Changers. Office of the Chief of Naval Operation’s Surface Warfare Directorate (N96) is working to enhance the utility of NIFC-CA. Among the concepts considered is making the Baseline 9 ships less reliant on assets of the Carrier Strike Group by using an organic unmanned aerial vehicle with the necessary data links to provide the tracking and targeting information to the ship’s system as a way forward for Aegis in its IAMD role. The initial NIFC-CA concept of operation is under stakeholders’ review and will require testing and refinement to deliver the tactics, techniques and procedures needed to exploit new IAMD capabilities.
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To operationalise IAMD compliant systems it will require relevant operational vision, a concept of operations, and updated tactics, techniques and procedures and a cadre of experts who understand the employment of joint and combined IAMD capabilities against current and emerging threats, to gain and maintain air superiority to defend assets at sea and ashore. The inherent mobility, flexibility for deployment and responsiveness of naval forces to conduct IAMD has never been more relevant.
Aegis Weapon System The AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) remains the world’s pre-eminent Air Defence system, which is being further developed to include advanced IAMD capabilities. The US Navy’s Surface Fleet comprises thirty BMD capable Cruisers and Destroyers. In addition, there are several ships undergoing installation and certification. The AWS has thus emerged as the finest and most advanced IAMD naval combat system, as it ensures interoperability, technical support, logistics, type commander sponsored SPY radar maintenance programme, replacement of high failure SPY parts, and a revival of the SM-2 Fleet Firing Programme and above all, ensuring operational availability of deployed ships to over 96 per cent. AEGIS Baseline 9 has been successfully developed as the first true IAMD AEGIS Combat System computer programme. Unlike its illustrious predecessor, BMD computer programmes which had either AAW or BMD, both functionalities have now been incorporated in Baseline 9 Combat Systems computer programme. One of the key features of the Baseline 9 is the Multi-Mission Signal Processor, which allows operators to dynamically allocate radar resources in
response to specific threats. It is said that the most notable feature of Baseline 9 is the ability to conduct “integrated fires.”
NATO IAMD It is reported that the Netherlands Defence Material Organisation and Thales Nederland have signed an agreement to modify the four SMART-L Early Warning Capability (EWC) search radars for installation on board ‘De Zeven Provinciën’ class Air Defence and Command Frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy to strengthen NATO’s Ballistic Missile Defence architecture. The SMART-L EWC is currently being developed by Thales Netherlands to provide a formidable and flexible Long-Range Air Surveillance and Ballistic Missile Defence Early Warning capability on board four Air Defence and Command Frigates. The SMART-L EWC is being perceived as the potential NATO Maritime Integrated Air and Missile Defence system. It is further learnt that along with Germany, Denmark and the United States, the Netherlands is conducting an in depth sensor integration study in which the quality of services is defined in which the SMART-L EWC needs to comply with the latest integrated fire control mechanisms like launch and engage on remote, for example in support of SM-3 and other effectors.
Japan’s Multi-layered BMD On December 19, 2003, the Government of Japan enunciated policy to introduce the multi-layered defence system composed of Aegis BMD system and Patriot PAC-3. The technological feasibility of BMD system was verified through the results of interception tests and various performance evaluations in US as also through own simulation results. Japan is giving further consideration to
acquiring the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system following the tests of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles. Japan is exploring acquiring the land-based Aegis Ashore system and could make a decision on purchasing the capability early this summer including the introduction of the new SM-3 Block IIA BMD – jointly developed by Japan and the US. Currently, Japan’s BMD capability is based around its four Aegis-equipped Kongo class destroyers armed with older SM-3 for long-range interception of ballistic missiles and mobile Lockheed Martin Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors for intercepting targets at shorter ranges. The addition of Aegis Ashore to Japan’s BMD network would not only expand the number of weapons Japan could field against BMD threats but also expand its air defense sensor network with the inclusion of additional AN/SPY-1D radars as part of the installation. Japan is also planning to include a BMD capability in its new destroyer-class and upgrade its two Atago class destroyers to include a BMD capability. With AEGIS BMD and PAC-3 assets, Japan has fielded a multi-layered system that is capable of being interoperable with the US system. Japan’s C2BMC (JADGE) system integrates Japanese BMD sensors and interceptors and is capable of exchanging information with US missile defences, including the forward-based X-band radar at Shariki and US AEGIS BMD ships operating in the region. The IAMD naval combat system, therefore emerges as best suited for joint and combined operations and with all vital operational nuances properly buttoned up, it is sure to emerge as a true Game Changer. SP
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for e i g n r e l ations
Indo-Japan Maritime Cooperation Revisited
India is important to Japan due to its democratic values, large source of manpower, strong economic growth and its geopolitical important location in the centre of the SLOCs in the Indian Ocean-Pacific Region Photograph: PIB
n Lt General Naresh Chand (Retd)
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apan had released its first white paper on defence under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 9, 2013, which was high on nationalism and stressed the need to develop Japan’s defence forces so that they are capable of guarding the interests of the nation. The updating or modifying the existing laws and organisation was also be carried out wherever necessary to meet national security objectives. Being an island nation, all aspects of maritime security are of paramount importance to Japan in order to guard its territorial interest, maritime trade and energy security concerns. Japan thus wants to take a leading role in maintaining and developing free and safer maritime environment, take necessary steps to counter threats to sea lines of communications (SLOCs) and enhance bilateral/ multilateral cooperation on maritime security. Accordingly, Japan wants to strengthen its relations with the Republic of Korea, ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and India. Japan’s latest white paper on defence was released on August 5, 2014, which is focused on its maritime concerns specially of China’s activities in the East China Sea (ECS). Briefly the white paper called on Beijing to withdraw its unilateral declaration of an air defence identification zone in the ECS. It also called for the retraction of “all measures that interfere in the freedom of flying over the high seas.” Japan has thus embarked for the acquisition of an amphibious assault ship by the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (SDF) which will also include vessels which can transport amphibious landing vehicles and hovercrafts for operations in outlying islands. Japan is developing its naval capability according to the threat it perceives and to safeguard its national interests. Classically, Japanese Navy’s mission remains protection of sea lines of communication and defence of the homeland however due to the developments in the ECS, Japan is evolving a more “dynamic defence” strategy to support US Navy carrier strike groups in the seas around Japan. As per experts, Japan has been building up antisubmarine warfare capabilities for decades which indirectly will help in marginally countering China’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) threats.
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Japan’s Military Shipbuilding Capability Japan has more than century old shipbuilding industry. Kawasaki Heavy Industries Limited dates back to April 1878 when Shozo Kawasaki established Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard in Tokyo. Presently it makes ships and mainly helicopters. The first aircraft carrier in the world, Hōshō, was made by Japan in 1922. Post-World War II, Japan made only merchant ships and became one of the world leaders. The recession in the 1970s, Japan lost its edge and now China and South Korea have overtaken it. It is reported that India has also asked Japan to participate in the joint development and manufacture of six stealth diesel submarines.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Japan on November 11, 2016
ShinMaywa Industries makes worldclass amphibious aircraft — US-2i which India plans to acquire. It has figured in the talks of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also during the current visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There are other companies involved with military shipbuilding like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, and Mitsui Shipbuilding. Japan’s advanced capabilities in space-based maritime surveillance and sensing have potential for collaboration both for military as well as merchant shipping. The Marine Electronic Highway is the initiative of Japan to be launched under the IMO, for providing safety measures and navigational aids along the sea routes specially where dense sea traffic exists like Malacca Strait.
Indo-Japan Maritime Cooperation Joint declaration on Security Cooperation between India and Japan. India is important to Japan due to its democratic values, large source of manpower, strong economic growth and its geopolitical important location in the centre of the SLOCs in the Indian Ocean-Pacific Region. India’s relations with Japan are very old due to the spreading of Buddhism from India to Japan. Economic cooperation was initiated during 1958 with an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan which was a first for Japan and over a period of time India has become one of the largest recipients of ODA from Japan. The most popular infrastructure project to have been funded by Japan is the Delhi Metro. 2007 was declared as ‘India-Japan Friendship Year.’ This was a prelude to cooperation in defence and security related issues. The process started with a ‘Joint declaration on Security Cooperation between India and Japan’ on October 22, 2008, between the for-
mer Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s and the then Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso, during the former’s visit to Japan. The Declaration covered a whole range of issues like common commitment to democracy, open society, human rights and the rule of law; fighting terrorism; creating a comprehensive framework for the enhancement of security cooperation and so on. Briefly the maritime issues included are as follows: zz India and Japan share common interest in the safety of SLOCs. zz Affirming their common commitment to fight against terrorism and recognising that counter-terrorism efforts by India and Japan. zz Information exchange and policy coordination on regional affairs in the AsiaPacific region and in the long-term on strategic and global issues. zz Navy-to-Navy staff talks. zz The two Coast Guards will continue to promote cooperation to ensure maritime safety. zz In relation to the safety of transport, Shipping Policy Forum will be conducted between Maritime Authorities and private sectors. zz Disaster management. zz Service-to-service exchanges including bilateral and multilateral exercises. zz Exchange of students and researchers from respective defence institutions. zz Cooperation to develop Tsunami Disaster Map in India. For implementing the above, India and Japan will develop an action plan with specific measures to advance security cooperation in the above areas and report to the Prime Ministers at an early date. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had urged New Delhi “not just to look East but also to engage East and act East as well.”
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in an earlier tenure had propagated a doctrine of “confluence of two seas” and synergy among “maritime democracies” in Asia. India has been gradually building on it with basic measures like exchange of visit of naval officers, participating in each other’s maritime think tanks, Indian and Japanese navies jointly participating in multilateral exercises (Malabar series) and bilateral exercise (JIMEX12). Another Japanese initiative has been the multilateral effort bringing international coast guards together through the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). India Coast Guard has been participating in it and having regular exercises with Japan India is also planning to induct ShinMaywa’s amphibian aircraft US-2i which has figured in the talks with both the Prime Ministers. There is also scope for acquiring technology in defence electronics, space and AIPcapable Soryu class submarines as India is planning to design and manufacture six submarines indigenously but with foreign technology where required. In 2014 the Japanese Government promulgated a new defence export policy, lifting bans that had been in place for nearly 30 years. As inaugurated by the Abe administration, Japan’s new defence export policy offers huge opportunities for Indo-Japan defence industrial cooperation.
Recent Developments During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan in November 11, 2016, he told the reporters that, “Japan occupies an extremely high position in our foreign policy. The reason is Japan has played a very important role in the development and growth of India.” The development in maritime cooperation under Modi and Abe has progressed in a very visible manner. Both the Prime Ministers agreed to work harder to launch a “two-plus-two” security consultative framework involving their Foreign and Defence Ministers. Abe talked about a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy” and Modi welcomed Japan’s deepening engagements under this strategy. They also agreed to continue joint maritime exercises in addition to trilateral drills conducted with the US on a regular basis. The two leaders agreed to speed up discussions on the conditions for Japan to supply maritime search and rescue aircraft to India, a deal which is being discussed for many years. India and Japan have previously outlined an interest in boosting infrastructure in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This includes plans for “smart islands” in the Indo-Pacific region but there is no clarity on the contours of these smart islands. Abe said it all when earlier he had stated that “the aim should be that sooner rather than later, Japan’s Navy and the Indian Navy are seamlessly interconnected.” India and Japan’s concerns and opportunities converge in the Indian Ocean and outward into the larger Indo-Pacific. India’s reach in the Indian Ocean region and cooperation with Japan provides India an opportunity to cast its footprint on the Indo-Pacific region. SP
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India and South Korea— Special Strategic Partnership The main edifice of the MoU rests upon developing and strengthening defence industry cooperation which will recommend the organisations for collaborating in core warship building projects Photograph: PIB
n Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd)
S
igning of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and South Korea on April 21, 2017, signified a major turn in the growing bilateral relationship between the two countries. Whilst the instant MoU signed was for defence industry cooperation in shipbuilding, there was another important development by way of signing of contract between Indian company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and South Korean company Hanwha Techwin to jointly manufacture a 155mm, 52-calibre gun, mounted on a tracked, armoured vehicle for the Indian Army. Around the same time there was yet another important development reported that the beleaguered design consultancy and technological assistance for construction of 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) from Kangnam Corporation of South Korea to the Goa Shipyard Limited was at the advance stages of negotiations and likely to be concluded by the end of this year.
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Cooperation in Shipbuilding The MoU for defence industry cooperation in shipbuilding was signed by India’s Secretary Defence Production Ashok Kumar Gupta and South Korean Defence Acquisition and Programme Administration Minister Chang Myoung-Jin. The main edifice of the MoU rests upon developing and strengthening defence industry cooperation which will recommend the organisations for collaborating in core warship building projects. The salient points of the MoU are as follows: zz Develop and strengthen defence industry cooperation between the Republic of India and the Republic of Korea. zz The two sides will recommend the organisations for collaborating in the implementation of specific projects. zz The organisations recommended for cooperative projects may conclude separate agreements (contracts) between them to implement the specific projects. zz The MoU will come into effect from the date of signature by both sides and will be initially valid for a period of five years and would be automatically extendable for further successive five year at a time. The provisions of the MoU are expected to provide desired impetus and boost to the Indian Government’s flagship initiative of ‘Make in India’ in the shipbuilding sector. This policy initiative flows out of the overall umbrella of the ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ seeded through the Joint Statement made by the Prime Minister of India and the former President of South Korea, during the former’s visit to Seoul during May 2015.Towards implementation of the long-term vision on the Special Strategic Partnership, the Cabinet Committee on Security had accorded its approval for the MoU and nominated the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam
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A. K. Gupta, Secretary (Defence Production) and Chang Myoung-Jin, Minister of Defence Acquisition and Programme Administration, Republic of Korea, exchanging an Inter-Governmental MoU for Defence Industry Cooperation in Shipbuilding, in New Delhi on April 21, 2017
from the Indian side for the collaboration. In consonance, the Government of South Korea is empowered to nominate a shipbuilding organisation on their side for the said collaboration.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited The Government of India under the said MoU has authorised building of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) at an estimated cost of `10,000 crore (about $1.56 billion). These FSS will replenish ammunition, fuel, food and supplies to Indian Navy’s (IN) ships and fleets deputed for overseas deployments far away from its base ports. As per available reports South Korea has desired to build the first FSS in their own country and the balance four to be constructed at HSL, whereas the Indian side wishes to build all of five FSS at HSL. The most vital aspect of the MoU is the agreement for Seoul to nominate a South Korean shipyard to upgrade and modernise the infrastructure and ancillary facilities at HSL for the shipyard to execute the naval warship building projects in an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner. HSL would be able to imbibe the best practices in shipbuilding leading to effective project management. This important development will be a shot in the arm of HSL, a public sector entity which was transformed as the ‘Defence Shipyard’ in February 2010. Post its modernisation and upgrades HSL will be expected to win the high-value orders which will eventually place it on a firm financial footing. Optimism on the turnaround of HSL was evident when in a recent claim by Rear Admiral Sarat Babu (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director of HSL, said after years in the red that HSL would, for the first time, make an operating profit of Rs 30 crore, on a turnover of `625 crore in 2016-17. It is reported that HSL would enter into partnership agreement to build the FSS with a globally renowned South
Korean shipyard, probably part of Hyundai Heavy Industries. Interestingly, the FSS order will be the second cooperative project between HSL and a South Korean shipyard. In the early 1990s, HSL and Korea Tacoma cooperated to build seven offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) of Sukanya class. First three of these OPVs were built in South Korea and the balance four at HSL, and all OPVs are still in service. One of the OPVs built at HSL, INS Sarayu, was sold to the Sri Lankan Navy, where it continues to perform the role of flagship and is rechristened as SLN Sayura. Modernisation and upgrading of infrastructure will certainly pave way for the shipyard to undertake construction of different classes of warships and submarines. The strategic location of HSL on the eastern seaboard of India makes it eminently suitable to build lethal platforms for the Indian Navy to significantly contribute towards its force structuring. The modernisation of HSL is significant as it holds promises of new vistas for HSL to emerge as a fourth potent Defence Shipyard of the country.
Mine Countermeasure Vessels In addition to the above project, Kangnam Corporation of South Korea is slated to provide consultancy, design and technological assistance to India’s public sector defence shipyard, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in building 12 MCMVs. The available reports suggest that this deal between and Kangnam Corporation could be concluded by fourth quarter of this year. The MCMV project envisages construction of 12 vessels at GSL in collaboration with Busan, South Korea-based Kangnam Corporation under the ‘Make in India’ initiative at a cost of `32,000 crore (about $5billion). Though the deal was supposed to be closed last year, discussions on technology transfer to India caused some delays. Commenting upon the progress of the beleaguered project, Rear Admiral Shekhar
Mittal (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director of GSL, has said, “We are working hard to conclude the contract this financial year. Technology transfer is a complex issue and both sides have to be satisfied. Ironing out the details took some time.” Until now, the GSL has spent Rs 800 crore on scaling up infrastructure to commence construction of MCMVs. Facilities are being created for building glass-reinforced plastic hulls, a design that reduces the ship’s magnetic signature and allows safer navigation through mine infested waters. All 12 vessels will be constructed in India, and are expected to have 60 per cent indigenous content. The construction of the first vessel is expected to begin in April 2018, and deliveries will be completed between 2021 and 2026. The minesweepers will have a displacement of 800 tonnes to 1,000 tonnes. The Indian Navy needs to fill wide gaps in its mine warfare capability. Its present MCMV force consists of six vessels which were acquired from the erstwhile Soviet Union in the late 1970s. To build a credible MCMV force it is estimated that Indian Navy would require 24 minesweepers. Mines are deployed to limit the enemy’s ability to use the sea. These underwater weapons can detonate on contact, or be activated by magnetic and acoustic signatures. Minesweepers are used to keep sea lanes mine-free and destroy minefields near enemy shores while undertaking offensive action. After scrapping an earlier tender to import minesweepers due to alleged irregularities, the Government of India nominated GSL in February 2015 to construct MCMVs in partnership with a foreign shipyard for giving an impetus to the ‘Make in India’ programme.
Self-Propelled Field Guns In addition to two projects on the naval side, L&T of India has recently signed a contract with Hanwha Techwin of South Korea for jointly building in India 100 self-propelled artillery guns, worth `5,000 crore (about $0.78 billion). The K-9 Vajra-T gun that L&T and Hanwha Techwin will build together is a 155mm, 52- calibre gun, mounted on a tracked, armoured vehicle. Artillery units equipped with this highly mobile gun will be a part of the Indian Army’s strike corps, whose tank spearheads need artillery guns that can keep pace with them. Jayant Patil, Chief of L&T’s Defence Business, has recently stated, “L&T plans to begin production of this vital weapon system at its Strategic Systems Complex at Talegaon, near Pune in Maharashtra, and deliver the first batch of 10 guns. L&T also has initiated setting up of a greenfield manufacturing line at Hazira, Gujarat, integral with a state-of-the-art test track, to produce, test and qualify the K9 VajraT guns.” L&T has also committed that it would not just build the Vajra-T guns in India, with over 50 per cent indigenous content, but also provide the Army through life support. SP
conf e r e nc e r e port
Building India’s Future Navy:
Technology Imperatives “It appears that a word namely ‘time’ has disappeared from the dictionary of Delhi work system. We need to bring back the work culture which is time-bound and cannot allow any execution/decisions/work outputs any slippages against the prescribed time lines. We need fast-track decision making process,” said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, at the International Seminar on ‘Building India’s Future Navy: Technology Imperatives’, jointly organised by the Indian Navy and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) in New Delhi recently. He added, “I like those who work and not those who do not work in the name of honesty” and went on to say “As policy makers we are supposed to ensure that work culture emerge on top of everything.” PhotographS: FICCI, SP Guide Pubns
(Left) Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, GOI; Admiral R.K. Dhowan (Retd), Chairman, National Maritime Foundation and Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy and Ashok Kumar Gupta, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, GOI and other dignitaries during the Valedictory Session of the Seminar; (right) Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba addressing the seminar.
n Rear Admiral Sushil Ramsay (Retd)
Inauguration Session Speaking at the inauguration of the Seminar, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee stated that the Indian Navy has taken giant strides in the field of indigenous ship design and construction to transition from a ‘Buyer’s’ Navy to a ‘Builder’s’ Navy. Despite the achievements in indigenous shipbuilding, the Navy continues to be dependent on external assistance for niche technologies. An important aspect in attaining 100 per cent self-reliance in ship design and construction, therefore, is the indigenous development of high end technologies, their transition into shipborne equipment and systems, induction into service and standardisation. Admiral Lanba further highlighted the three primary requirements that need to be met while inducting a technology or a product — affordability, timely delivery and performance. To these primary imperatives, the CNS went on to add a fourth dimension — that of life cycle sustenance by providing seamless technical support and making the technology future proof. On the occasion, Admiral Lanba released two publications pertaining to compilation of papers authored by naval officers on future technologies and a knowledge paper authored by FICCI. The CNS also launched a web portal on defence and aerospace, developed by FICCI. The Seminar was structured around dedicated sessions to deliberate on Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) – Projects for the Indian Industry; Modern Trends in Maritime Communications; Cyberspace Operations and Information Warfare; Shipborne Propulsion and Power Generation; Missiles, Underwater and Directed Energy Weapons; Opportunities for Coastal States; Surveillance and Detection Systems; Transformation in
the Aviation Sector; Autonomous Vehicles; Disruptive Technologies; Warship Building in India and Building India’s Future Navy: Realizing the ‘Make in India’ Initiative. Also speaking on the occasion, Naina Lal Kidwai, Past President, FICCI and Chairperson, Max Financial Services Ltd, said that the Seminar would provide a platform to the industry captains to understand and deliberate on the technology imperatives for a future ready naval force. She asked the industry to articulate their vision on how they could partner the Indian Navy and the other Defence Forces in achieving the stated goal of self-reliance through indigenisation.
Highlights of the Deliberations During the deliberations on ‘Make in India’ Rear Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, ACNS (Policy & Plans), highlighted the dimensions of Maritime Military Power and imperatives of naval capability generation to ensure strategic independence through self-reliance and development of a vibrant and responsive domestic defence industry. He briefly elaborated upon the planning guidelines for the future Indian Navy and its imperatives of combat worthiness with attendant technologies to be mission-ready always. While presenting a resume on the indigenisation which has clocked 90 per cent in Float, 60 per cent in Move and 40 per cent in Fight segments of shipbuilding, he pointed out the critical voids in the indigenisation processes in submarines and naval helicopters. Dr V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and Former Secretary Defence R&D, spoke on creating world-class defence manufacturing Infrastructure through ‘Make in India’ for India to emerge as a global hub for manufacturing in defence sector. A doubledigit growth in manufacturing sector was required to achieve the vision of ‘Make in India’. Defence and aerospace manufacturing potential was vital for the GDP growth. He highlighted the need for cooperation
between defence R&D and the industry. He emphasised the need for defining need for defence systems, requirements for the next five years, elucidating the opportunities, both domestic and global over 10-year period, weapon and systems development roadmap over next 30 years, technology development roadmap over next 30 years. Vice Admiral D.M. Deshpande, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, commenting on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 2 (IAC-2) and Next Generation Destroyer (NDG) clarified that both IAC-2 and NDG are at infancy stages, awaiting Approval-in-Principle from the Government of India. He shared the design vision for these two prestigious projects. Displacement of IAC-2 will be of 65,000-tonne, with conventional propulsion system to clock maximum speed of 30 knots, have an Air Wing of 50-60 fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft and CATOBAR for its operations. Likewise, NDG will be of 13,000tonne displacement with conventional propulsion system.
the industry, especially the MSME and defence PSUs as well as ordnance factories are being encouraged to be system integrators. In the end Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, said that a self-reliant defence force was crucial for development of the country. Fast-track decision making, transparent processes, level playing field, time-bound delivery, result-oriented approach and reasonable understanding by all stakeholders were needed to accelerate the pace of development of India’s naval force. Science and technology, research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship were needed to be encouraged in defence to enable development of cutting-edge technologies. He added that there was a need to amend the policies with respect to these to convert knowledge into wealth. Gadkari said that the public sector defence capabilities did not have the capacity to meet the demands of the sector. Therefore, it was necessary to engage private sector and speed up the modernisation process of the Navy. He added that the government was initiating various steps to facilitate private sector’s participation in the development of the defence. “It appears that a word namely ‘time’ has disappeared from the dictionary of Delhi work system. We need to bring back the work culture which is timebound and cannot allow any execution/decisions/work outputs any slippages against the prescribed time lines. We need fast-track decision making process,” said Nitin Gadkari. He added, “I like those who work and not those who do not work in the name of honesty” and went on to say “As policy makers we are supposed to ensure that work culture emerge on top of everything.” The Seminar ended on June 1, 2017, with the customary Vote Of Thanks. SP
Valedictory Session Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, lauded ‘Make in India’ initiative which will catalyse the entire ecosystem in defence industry. He added that the Government is making laudable efforts in finetuning the defence procurement procedures and processes for the benefit of the industry. The Strategic Partnership model recently approved, will be operationalised with the joint efforts of the Government agencies, DRDO, Indian Navy and the industry to facilitate larger volumes of transfer of technology, via joint venture approach, co-development for ab initio development with OEM, co-development with DRDO and co-development with foreign OEMs. Ashok Kumar Gupta, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, highlighted setting up of Defence Production Promotion Board, many incentives are being offered to
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South China Sea... Continued from page 2 territorial disputes, prevent use of force in settling them and would not allow any actions which will threaten the peace in the region. Such ‘active neutrality’ is bound to move US on a path of conflict with China specially when its Pacific Fleet is the largest naval command in the world with about 190 ships supported by US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, and 35 shore installations. The US also maintains that terrorist threat from the sea is as real as the threat from land and air. The presence of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in the region supports the US concern of terrorist threat. JI is a militant Islamist group active in several Southeast Asian countries that seeks to establish a pan-Islamic state across much of the region. JI is alleged to have attacked or plotted against US and Western targets in Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. Thus the US interest in the SCS is based on maintaining its freedom of navigation and global war on terrorism. What is unsaid is its concern over China’s growing footprint in the region and Taiwan. The George W. Bush administration had launched three major international maritime security initiatives, i.e. the Container Security Initiative (CSI), the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), and the Regional Maritime Security Initiative (RMSI).CSI and PSI are applicable globally but RMSI is aimed specially for Strait of Malacca. A large number of nations have accepted CSI but there is great opposition to the other two. India has got concerns of its own in joining these initiatives. RMSI has raised the hackles of nations around the SCS. The initiative briefly involves high speed vessels embarked with US Special Operations Forces to carry out interdiction. Countries like Malaysia and Indonesia summarily rejected the proposal of US intervention and stated that they have enough capability to manage on their own. Any interdiction carried out by foreign troops in the Malacca Strait will not be accepted. The US then offered the view that their proposal has been misunderstood and it involved only the sharing of intelligence. The USN then started joint anti-terrorism bilateral exercises with other friendly countries like Singapore and Philippines in the SCS as an alternative. It also gave them an excuse to make their presence in the region. Recently the Pentagon sent the Carl Vinson carrier group into the SCS which was reported to be another of the Navy’s “freedom-of-navigation” cruises by operating in the Korean Peninsula as North Korea was about to carry out a nuclear test. However, North Korea tested a missile of 500 km which landed in the Sea of Japan. Although the USS Vinson carrier group headed into the SCS but it moved elsewhere. The US Navy does not officially confirm the whereabouts of its warships for security reasons but it appears now the group instead began to chart a course south, towards Indonesia.
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Interest of Japan Japan is building up its influence in the SCS to check Chinese expansion and also acquire support for its broader military as well as economic interests. Japan and China dispute the eight uninhabited Senkaku Islands in the ESC where Japan controls the islets, which are 200 nm (370 km) south-east of Okinawa and called Diaoyudao in China. It regularly reports spotting Chinese military aircraft flying over nearby waters. Japan has several vital interests in safeguarding the sea lanes of the SCS. It is a major player in international trade and is ASEAN fourth ranking trading partner. Almost all of Japan’s oil supply is imported from the Middle East through the SCS. It imports 99 per cent of its petroleum and 70 per cent of its food by sea. Ships carry 99 per cent of Japanese exports by vol-
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Photograph: US Navy
Subi Reef being built by China and transformed into an artificial island in South China Sea
ume. Thus Japan sees maritime security as an integral part of its comprehensive security strategy. Japan is a member of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and has been holding regular joint exercises. Japan has also initiated its own proposal to combat piracy and maritime terrorism threats by having an ocean peace keeping fleet to conduct multinational naval and coast guard patrols. This was generally opposed by many south-eastern states, however, Singapore was most responsive. China opposed the proposal because it felt that this may be a ploy by Japan to expand its own naval presence, make up for decline in USN patrols and to counter China’s control in Southeast Asia. However two other proposals have found favour as follows: zz Establishment of the Asia Maritime Security Initiative (AMARSECTIVE). This provides for regional technical assistance and information sharing. zz Regional Cooperation Agreement on Anti-Piracy in Asia (ReCAAP), aimed at preventing and responding to piracy and armed robbery against ships as well as strengthening cooperation among member countries in the areas of information sharing, capacity building and operations. Many countries including India and China have ratified the agreement. Also Japan’s efforts in working with other SCS littoral states to combat piracy and terrorism have generally been successful. Japan has sent Izumo helicopter-carrying warship, in May this year, through the SCS on its way to the Indian Ocean for joint exercise Malabar with navies of India and US in July. It will also make stops in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka, and return to Japan in August. Japan is following a proactive strategy in terms of pro-
India’s maritime aspirations are aptly put across in its current maritime doctrine which states that “the Indian maritime vision for the first quarter of the 21st century must look at the arc from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Malacca as a legitimate area of interest,” which warrants a strong naval and economic presence in the region
viding assistance to the ASEAN countries in terms of conducting patrols in the region and also sending the warships to ASEAN countries. Some examples are: zz Japan sent three amphibious ships to the Philippines in 2013 for relief after Typhoon Haiyan killed about 6,300 people. zz Recently Japan has given Philippines two patrol vessels and said it would lease training aircraft, adding to an earlier offer of 10 coast guard ships. zz Japan agreed in 2014 to sell Vietnam six used maritime surveillance vessels and pledged to sell it six new patrol ships. It appears that Japan is trying to shed its pacifist approach, specially under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Interest of Australia Trade is the main reason of Australia’s interest in the sea routes and the SCS as its annual seaborne trade is approximately more than $188 billion. It has a Five Power Defence Arrangements to include New Zealand, UK, Malaysia and Singapore to cater for defence of the latter two countries against external aggression. So far Australia’s involvement in the conflict has been relatively low risk. It is learnt that its Navy is yet to sail within 12 nm of the Chinese islands and China does not appear to be threatened by Australia. China is Australia’s biggest trading partner and at the same time Australia has to support US in the region thus it makes the situation quite complex.
Other Developments The Philippines has cut a deal with China to reach a compromise on disputed territories. So has Vietnam, and Malaysia is in negotiations with the same intent. Thailand has no quarrel with China, but it is replacing outdated US military gear with Chinese-made fighter jets and a new submarine. Railroad stocks are also coming from China and Japan.
Interest of India India has no claims in SCS and it is in India’s national interest to have good relations with China and also maintaining the current peace and freedom of passage for maritime trade through the SCS. Like Russia, India is also getting involved in the SCS issue as a neutral party. Last year the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India released a trilateral communiqué which sent a clear signal that Moscow and New Delhi support China’s position and that the SCS dispute should not be ‘internationalised’ but resolved by the parties concerned bilaterally. However it is of prime importance that freedom of passage through the region remains unhindered as Indian trade and economic interests in the Pacific are becoming stronger and deeper. ASEAN and the Far Eastern Pacific regions are the focus of the ‘Act East’ pol-
icy for economic development. Any conflict in the SCS will hinder the movement of trade. China not complying to UNCLOS in the case of Philippines has raised the hackles of countries in the region. Oil exploration is another area of interest to India. In September 2011, shortly after China and Vietnam had signed an agreement seeking to contain a dispute over the SCS, India signed a three-year deal with PetroVietnam for developing longterm cooperation in the oil sector and that it had accepted Vietnam’s offer of exploration in certain specified blocks in the SCS. China has protested but Vietnam has asserted that nobody could prevent India’s oil exploration efforts in its country as it was being undertaken in Hanoi’s exclusive territorial waters. India’s aspiration is to have an important place in the larger Asia-Pacific region both economically and militarily. India is trying to achieve this by engaging countries in the region to establish bilateral relations. One advantage India has in this regard is that except with China, India has no dispute with any other country. The other strategy was to seek partnership status with ASEAN. Thus India became a ‘Sectoral Dialogue Partner’ of ASEAN in 1992; a ‘Full Dialogue Partner’ in 1995; joined the ASEAN Regional Forum in 1996; became a Full Summit Partner of ASEAN in 2002; acceded to ASEAN’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation 40 in 2003; and in 2004 signed an agreement with ASEAN to promote peace, progress, and shared prosperity. India also feels that China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) is being promoted specially to increase its footprint in the region.
Naval Diplomacy The Indian Navy carries out regular joint exercises — Malabar with the US Navy, Simbex with the Republic of Singapore Navy, with PLAN in 2003 and later took part in their International Fleet Review (IFR) in 2009. Apart from the Indian Ocean, India has steadily gained influence in the Pacific Ocean. In 2007, the Indian Navy conducted naval exercise with Japan Maritime SelfDefense Force and US Navy in the Pacific and also signed an agreement with Japan in October 2008 for joint naval patrolling in the Asia-Pacific region. India has also held naval exercises with Vietnam, Philippines and New Zealand. In 2007, India and South Korea decided to conduct annual naval exercise and India participated in the South Korean IFR. Navies/Coast Guard of Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam and New Zealand participate in Exercise Milan which is held every two years off the Coast of Andaman and Nicobar Island. The Indian Navy has been participating in coordinated patrol with Indonesia and Myanmar. It also carries out joint exercise with Indonesia. The Indian Navy carries out PASSEX (passing exercise) with many countries like Japan and Indonesia. The Indian Navy regularly participates in ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism. Apart from joint exercises, India has maritime cooperation pacts with many countries of the region. The Indian Navy warships regularly carry out overseas deployment to mark their presence in the region and anti-piracy patrols. India’s maritime aspirations are aptly put across in its current maritime doctrine which states that “the Indian maritime vision for the first quarter of the 21st century must look at the arc from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Malacca as a legitimate area of interest,” which warrants a strong naval and economic presence in the region. SP
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News in Brief Indo-Singapore naval exercise Simbex-17
Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on May 29. The Ministers discussed expanded defence partnership in maritime security between both the countries, and naval cooperation was identified as an area of promise. An MoU on defence cooperation envisaging several areas of cooperation including in defence industry, military training and humanitarian assistance and disaster management was signed.
US Naval training package for Saudi Arabia The Bilateral Naval Exercise between Navies of the Republic of Singapore and India, SIMBEX-17, was held in the South China Sea. Indian Navy was represented by lNS Shivalik, Sahyadri, Jyoti and Kamorta and one P8-I maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Singapore Navy was represented by RSN Ships Supreme, Formidable and Victory and Maritime Patrol Aircraft Fokker F50 in addition to the RSAF F-16 aircraft. Bilateral cooperation between Singapore and India was first formalised when RSN ships began training with the Indian Navy in 1994.
India and Israel’s Barak-8 SAM Development Project Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been awarded an additional contract by the Indian government to supply air and defense missile systems for four ships of the Indian Navy. Valued at an estimated $630 million, the agreement will include local state-owned firm Bharat Electronics Ltd, who will serve as the main contractor on the project under ‘Make in India’ initiative. The deal follows a $2 billion one signed with IAI last month to supply India’s army and navy with missile defense systems.
India and Fiji Sign MoU on Defence Cooperation
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible FMS to Saudi Arabia for a Navy blanket order training programme. The estimated cost is $250 million. The DSC Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 22, 2017. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has requested the continuation of a naval blanket order training programme inside and outside of Saudi Arabia that includes, but is not limited to English Language training, professional military education, technical training, publications and technical documentation, US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and programme support.
Russia to focus on Frigates and Corvettes in the future The new Russian armaments programme calls for a gradual reduction in modernisation of old armaments and prioritises the construction of new warships for the Navy, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told Russia 1 TV channel. A source in the military-defense complex earlier told TASS that in the coming years Russia will be building frigates and corvettes armed with high-precision guided missiles. “We have to first and foremost build corvettes and frigates and stop thinking about universal landing ships which fulfil mostly transportation rather than combat tasks. Corvettes and frigates are the maximum we can afford at present. The economic potential of the country does not allow building bigger ships such as destroyers,” he said.
Sea King Helicopters formally handed over to Pakistan Navy The Minister of Defence and National Security of Fiji, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola accompanied by his delegation met the Minister of Defence, Finance and Corporate Affairs,
>> SHOW CALENDAR 12-14 June MAST Asia Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, Japan https://mastconfex.com/asia2017 27-28 June Maritime Security and Coastal Surveillance Philippines The Peninsula Manila, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines https://maritimesecurityphilippines. iqpc.sg
Sea King helicopters purchased from the UK were formally handed over to Pakistan Navy on May 24, 2017, in a ceremony attended by Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK. Contract for purchase of seven helicopters was signed last year. A separate contract was signed with Vector Aerospace for maintenance of the aircraft before being shipped to Pakistan later this year. Pakistan High Commissioner thanked the representatives of the UK MoD, Leonardo and Vector Aerospace for their support in making this project a success and hoped that the cooperation between the two Armed Forces would continue to grow in future.
Washington submarine delivered to the US Navy
28 June-2 July IMDS Saint Petersburg, Russia http://navalshow.ru/eng 26-28 September Offshore Patrol Vessels SS Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands https://offshorepatrolvessels.iqpc.co.uk
the Virginia-class, on May 26. Washington is the fourth of eight Virginia-class Block III submarines and the seventh of the class to be delivered to the Navy by Huntington Ingalls Industries — Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Washington began construction in September 2011 and will be commissioned later this year in Norfolk, Virginia. Washington successfully completed the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) trials earlier this month receiving a score of 96 out of 100, the highest score to date on any new construction Virginia-class submarine. Block III submarines feature a redesigned bow, which replaces 12 individual launch tubes with two large-diameter Virginia Payload Tubes, each capable of launching six Tomahawk cruise missiles.
US Transfers High Endurance Cutter to Vietnam Coast Guard The US Coast Guard transferred a High Endurance Cutter to the Vietnam Coast Guard during a ceremony in Honolulu recently. The ship, which will be renamed CSB 8020, is expected to improve the Vietnam Coast Guard’s maritime domain awareness, increase its capacity to perform maritime law enforcement operations, and conduct search and rescue and other humanitarian response operations. Members of the Vietnam coast guard embark CSB-8020 during a transfer of command ceremony at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, May 25, 2017. After nearly 50 years of service in the US Coast Guard, the former Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau was officially transferred to the Vietnam coast guard under the name CSB-8020.
Indian navy’s Overseas deployment Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. As part of the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to the West Coast of Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, three Indian warships, INS Mumbai, INS Trishul and INS Aditya, arrived at Jeddah on May 16, 2017, for a three-day visit. The warships engaged extensively with the Saudi Arabian Navy during their stay in the country. India and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial and friendly relations, reflecting centuries old economic and socio-cultural ties. The 1.8 million–strong Indian community in SaudiArabia is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom and is the ‘most preferred community’ due to their expertise, sense of discipline, and law abiding nature. Kuantan, Malasia. INS Shivalik and Jyoti are on an overseas deployment to the South East Asia and Southern Indian Ocean. They visited Kuantan from May 14 to 19, 2017. INS Kora, an indigenously built corvette had recently participated in LIMA-17. Yangon, Myanmar. Indian Navy’s front line guided missile destroyer INS Rajput, entered Yangon, Myanmar for an Operational Turn around (OTR) from May 11 to 13, 2017. The OTR involved exchange of visits to their training command and Myanmar Navy officers, sailors and cadets visiting the ship. Officers and sailors from INS Rajput also visited Thanlyin Orphanage School and distributed notebooks, stationary and food packets to the students of the orphanage as a good will gesture. SP
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Appointment zz Surgeon Vice Admiral A.A. Pawar,
The US Navy has accepted delivery of Washington (SSN 787), the 14th submarine of
VSM has assumed charge as Director General Medical Services (Navy) on Jun 1, 2017.
3/2017
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