Defence and Security of India - April15

DEFENCE and SECURITYof INDIA

APRIL 2015

DSIwww.defencesecurityindia.com VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 ` 250

IINNDDIIAA’’SS DDEEFFEENNCCEE BBUUDDGGEETT

BELOW PAR ALLOCATIONSDefence Budget 2015 has not shown enough accretion inallocation that can be called significant I LAXMAN K. BEHERA

MMAARRIINNEE SSEECCUURRIITTYY

THE COASTAL CHALLENGEWith the rise of non-traditional security, the maritime securityparadigm has undergone a transformation I ANUP SINGH

SPECIALFORCES ININDIA:BLOATEDBUTBEREFT SPECIAL FORCES ININDIA HAVE HAD HUGEACCRETION INNUMBERS BUT HAVEREMAINED DEPRIVEDIN TERMS OF AIRLIFT ANDFIREPOWER I RAHUL BEDI

DSI COVER April 15 new Final:DSI 5/4/15 7:05 PM

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LETTER FROM THE editor

Now that a smallernumber of Rafaleshave been chosen,there is very littleleft barring the shout. Itcan now be saidthat the six-year-longprocess withDassault, whichhad continued toanimate the ministry ofdefence andthe armed forcesfor so long, is all butburied to be reborn asa government-to-government sale.

o, Indian Air Force (IAF) is going to have their Rafale medium, multiroleaircraft after all. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tied up that deal on hisrecent visit to France in a government-to-government basis. But the dealmight not have beenwhatDassault desired. For, the French giant had beennegotiating an agreement to build 18 aircrafts on their own and providelicenced assistance toHindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) tomake another

108. The deal was being estimated to be about $ 20 billion – a revised estimate over anoriginal price of about $ 12 billionmentioned in response to the request for proposal (RFP),with a life cycle cost (LCC) estimate that was higher. But Modi’s move to seek to buy 36aircrafts will cater for about two squadrons.

Considering that the IAFhasa three-tier force structurewithTejas light combat aircraft at thelowest tier, upgradedMirage-2000s, Jaguars andRafale at themediumtier andSu-30MKIandtheproposed fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) at theuppermost tier,whether the limitednumber of squadrons of Rafalewill be sufficient is an issue.However, it has to be said that thesmaller numberofRafaleswill not justmeet the immediateneedof the IAF–with its squadronstrength depleting at a rate faster than it can add combat aircrafts – but they will open theoption for procuring adifferent type of fighter aircrafts. Though, unless it is of the same familyof the three tiers, itwouldcreate severemaintenanceandoverhaulproblems for theair forcewithseveral types constituting their fighting arm. Having said that, the Modi deal should also beviewed as a budgetary solution for the moment when the accretion in the air force capitalallocation is barely enough for all the other big ticket acquisitions the transport aircrafts andchoppers that IAFhadplanned according to the perspective plan.

NowthatasmallernumberofRafaleshavebeenchosen, there isvery little leftbarring theshout.It cannowbesaid that the six-year-longprocesswithDassault,whichhadcontinued toanimatethe ministry of defence and the armed forces for so long, is all but buried to be reborn as agovernment-to-government sale.Theexperiencegained in theprocess though,will remainasaninstitutional learning that canbeapplied later on theothernegotiations in the future.

S

Pinaki Bhattacharya

CO

NTE

NTS

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AEROSPACE 08

COMBATAIRCRAFTDEVELOPMENT:WHEREDOESINDIASTANDTODAY?India’s desire for a combat aircraft capability was hindered by technologydenial regimes, time and cost over-runs

DEFENCE BUDGET 24

INDIA’SDEFENCEBUDGET: BELOWPARALLOCATIONSDefence Budget 2015 has not shownenough accretion in allocationthat can be called significant and thecapital account numbers are evenmore depressing

UAVs 42

REQUIREMENTSANDSTRATEGYFORGROWTHLinked to India’s growth as regional poweris the development of aeronautical sector.The significant numbers of SMEs andMSMEs that constitute the domesticaeronautical sector can be loci for growth

APRIL 2015 DSI

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PRECISIONGUIDEDMUNITIONS: ‘SMARTBOMBS’NEED‘SMARTDECISIONS’PGMs changed the shape of battle inthe late-20th century with theUS virtually winning the war in PersianGulf with just a few KIAs

MARINE SECURITY 30

MARITIMESECURITY:THECOASTALCHALLENGEWith the rise of non-traditionalsecurity, the maritimesecurity paradigm hasundergone a transformation withinstitutional arrangementsbeing strengthened

5

BLOATEDBUTBEREFTSpecial Forces in India have had huge accretion in numbers but have remaineddeprived in terms of airlift and firepower

SPECIAL FORCES 16

CONTRIBUTORS

LLtt GGeenn ((RReettdd..)) AAnniill CChhaaiitt,,PVSM, AVSM, VSM retiredfrom service July 2014. His

last appointment was that ofthe Chief of Integrated

Defence Staff (Tri-ServiceOrganisation). In his forty

one years of military service,he has served as the

Commanderin- Chief of aField Army, HQ Central

Command from 01 Mar 2012to 30 Jun 2013. Also, he wasthe Commandant of Army

War College, Mhow.

LT GEN (RETD)ANIL CHAIT

RRaahhuull BBeeddii is the NewDelhi correspondent forJane’s Defence Weekly,UK and contributes to it

on a diverse range ofsecurity and military

related matters. He is alsothe India correspondentfor the Daily Telegraph,

London and theIrish Times.

RAHUL BEDIDR LAXMAN

KUMAR BEHERA

LLaaxxmmaann KKuummaarrBBeehheerraa is Research Fellow

at New Delhi-basedInstitute for DefenceStudies and Analyses

(IDSA). Behera has verticalspecialisation on issue

related to ArmsProcurement, OffsetsDefence Industry and

Defence Cooperation. Hewas closely associated withtwo high-level Committees

set up by indian MoD onDefence Acquisition and

Defence Expenditure.Recently, he was the

Consultant to the Task Forceon Self-Reliance and

Defence ModernisationConstituted by the NSCS,

Government of India .

AAiirr MMaarrsshhaall MMMMaatthheesswwaarraann was the Deputy

Chief of Integrated DefenceStaff at Head Quarters IDSuntil his retirement in March2014. He was responsible for

Policy, Plans and ForceStructure development of the

Three Services, includingbudget analysis, Acquisition,procurement and technology

management. He wasresponsible for formulating the

long-term and short-termintegrated defence plans.

He was commissioned in 1975.He is an alumni of National

Defence Academy. Hisacademic achievements

include Ph.D in Defence andStrategic Studies (University

of Madras) and a PostGraduate Diploma in Financial

Management.

AIR MARSHAL(RETD) MMATHESWARAN

C


APRIL 2015 VOLUME7, ISSUE2

EDITORPinaki BhattacharyaGENERALMANAGER INTERNATIONALMARKETINGVishalMehta (E-Mail: [email protected])MANAGERMARKETINGJakhongirDjalmetov (E-Mail: [email protected])ASST.ARTDIRECTORAjayKumarASSTT.MANAGERAtulBali (E-Mail: [email protected], [email protected])PRODUCTIONRiteshRoyMTCPUBLISHINGLIMITED323,UdyogVihar, Ph-IV,Gurgaon 122016Ph:+91 0124-4759500 Fax: +91 0124-4759550

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Defence andSecurity of India is publishedandprintedbyXavierCollaco onbehalf ofMTCPublishing Limited.Published at 323,UdyogVihar, Ph- IV,Gurgaon 122016 andprinted atNutechPhotolithographersB-240,Okhla IndustrialArea, Phase-I,NewDelhi-110020, India. Entire contentsCopyright©2008.All rights reserved.Reproduction andtranslation in any language inwhole or in partwithoutpermission is prohibited.Requests for permission shouldbedirected toMTCPublishing Limited.Opinions carried in themagazine arethose of thewriters’ anddonot necessarily reflect those of theeditors or publishers.While the editors do their utmost toverify informationpublished theydonot accept responsibilityfor its absolute accuracy.Thepublisher assumesno responsibility for the return ofunsolicitedmaterial or formaterial lost or damaged in transit.All correspondence shouldbe addressed toMTCPublishing Limited.

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C APRIL 2015 DSI

L PS Krishnan DistinguishedScientist (Retd) & Former

Director, AeronauticalDevelopment

Establishment, Bengaluru; apremier Systems

Establishment of DRDO,India. He is B.Tech (1972),

M.Tech (1980) in MechanicalEngineering both from

IIT, Madras. At the beginningof his career he worked atDRDL (now RIL)w RCI),

Hyderabad on thedevelopment of Gimbaled

Inertial NavigationSystem (1 nautical mile/hrclass) which was tested

successfully in AvroAircraft. Such class of INSs

guide today’s missilesproduced in India. For 37

years, he worked at ADE invarious positions on thedevelopment of FlightControl System for

Unmanned Air Vehicles andQuadruplex

Digital Fly-By-Wire FlightControl System for LightCombat Aircraft, Tejas.

Superannuated from serviceas Director in 2013.

PS KRISHNAN

VICE ADMIRAL (RETD)ANUP SINGH

AAnnuupp SSiinngghh,, servedthe Indian Navy till October

2011 during which hecommanded four Indian

Naval warships. He was theSailing Master of the fi rst

ever squarerigged SailTraining Vessel in India,

named ‘Varuna’, during 1980-82. He also skippered theNaval Yacht ‘Samudra’ for

her Pacific crossing duringthe TriService round-the-

world voyage in 1989. He hasalso served as Director ofNaval Plans and DeputyChief of Naval Staff in his

career. On his last sea goingappointment he served as‘Flag offi cer commanding

Western Fleet’ where he ledoperation Sukoon, the

evacuation of civilians fromwar-torn Lebanon inJuly

2006. He also served as FlagOffi cer, Commandingin-

Chief, Eastern NavalCommand in last two yearsof his career. He is a keen

sportsman and anadventurer.

A

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Ever since the dawn of aviation in1903, all major nations aspired todesign andmanufacture aircraft. In

the early decades it was Europe that tookthe lead in the design and manufacture ofaircraft as they saw the enormouspotentialof the third dimension onwarfare. By 1914Britain, France and Germany had fieldedvery large air forces. The Second WorldWar catapulted aviation research into theforefront. Japan, USSR, and the USAjoined the ranks during the war withbustling military aircraft industries. Thelast twowent on to createmassivemilitary

industrial complexes (MIC) centred on theaviation industry.In the post SecondWorldWar scenario

many nations aspired to make their owncombataircraft. Thesecountries:Argentina,Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Israel -the late entrants in the aircraft industry -would soon find significant barriers to theirdevelopment in the form of technologyrestrictions and denial regimes built by theleaders.Themotivewas,whileprofessingtheinterests of disarmament andpeace, clearlyeconomic. The military industrial complexthat emerged in the USA after the Second

WorldWar became a major contributor tothenationaleconomy.The leadingcountrieswere in no mood to share their pie withemergingpowers.Hence,as the lateentrantssoon realised the domain of combat aircraftdevelopment will always be an uphill task.Argentina,Brazil,andChinaweretheearliestto start. First two benefitted from the spillover of the German expertise while Chinagained from its Communist ideologicalpartnershipwith theUSSR.

Origins of India’s Aircraft programmeIndia’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal

N

COMBATAIRCRAFTDEVELOPMENT:WHEREDOESINDIASTANDTODAY?India’s desire for a combataircraft capability was hindered bytechnology denial regimes, timeand cost over-runs

M MATHESWARAN

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Nehru, exhibited significant clarity indealing with India’s strategic priorities.Thiswas evident in thewayAtomicEnergyand Space departments were nurtured byhis personal direction and involvement.Hewas also clear that Indiamustmake its ownaircraft and to that extent he waspersonally involved.However, aeronauticsdid not get the same primacy in strategicimportance like the other two sectors andthis has had a serious negative impact onsubsequent developments.Theonly aircraft industry in the country,

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., began as a

private company in 1940 as HindustanAircraft Ltd. Its contribution to the alliedwar effort was immense in the numbers ofaircraft and engines produced underlicence, and a very large effort ofmaintenance andoverhaul of allied aircraftand engines. However, after the War theBritishdownsizedHALby retrenching80%of its experiencedworkforce. Thenet resultwas that at the time of independence HALhad to start again virtually from scratchwith a small core of left over expertise.Despite this handicap,HALcould still poolin its wartime experience in assembling,

overhauling, and refurbishing (upgrade intoday’s parlance) a large number ofLiberator bombers for the fledgling IndianAir Force. This was followed by its firstattempt at aircraft design, which was thebasic trainer (HT-2) for the Indian Airforce. TheHT-2 entered IAF service in thelate 1950s and went on to train IAF pilotsfor more than three decades. A fewnumberswere also exported.Combat aircraft manufacturing began

when the de Havilland Vampire (it beganthe jet age in the IAF)was inducted into theIAF. Licence production of this aircraft andits engine was undertaken by HAL. Thiswas followed by the development of theGnat for India by Folland, UK.HALbeganlicence production of the Gnat and itsOrpheus engine from 1956. The IndianAirForce also inducted through directimports, from UK and France, a series ofcombat aircrafts such as the Toofani(French name “Ouragon”), Mystere IV,HawkerHunter, and theCanberra. A largenumber ofweapons and system integrationactivities on these fleets were undertakenby IAF’s AATU (Aircraft and ArmamentTestingUnit).By the mid-1950s India initiated the

move to design andmanufacture a combataircraft within the country. The move wascertainly audacious, given the expertiseavailablewithin the country at that time.

Combat Aircraft Design,Development andManufactureIndia’s attemptsat thedesign,development,and manufacture of fixed wing combataircraft have been just two so far. The firstwas the HF-24 programme, which wasinitiated in the 1950s and was prematurelyclosed after just a decade and a half ofoperations; while the second is the LCAprogramme, which is, even after threedecadesof development, yet to fructify.

HF–24“Marut”By all measures the HF-24 was a nationalprogramme. It was given the quickestburial for any national programmeanywhere in the world. In hindsight onecan see that the decision to go ahead withthe HF-24 project against enormouschallenges was strategically brave, itsexecution was equally brilliant, but itsfollow up and subsequent projectmanagement was shoddy and some poornational level decisions not only killed the

KEY POINTS� In the post-WW II situation, there havebeen some regional powers that havesought to build their own fighter aircraft� India had an early experience ofdeveloping a fighter aircraft with the helpof the British called HF 24 (Marut)� The LCA is an experiment at developinga home-grown aircraft from ground-upwith indigenously developed technology

A

Rafale C andRafaleB in flight©

Dassault Aviation

programme but its impact subsequentlywas disastrous.In the mid fifties the IAF looked for a

multi-role combat aircraft. The nationalleadership decided that this should bedesigned and manufactured within thecountry, by HAL. Given the expertiseprevalent in the country at that time,Nehru encouraged inducting foreignassistance. This was a farsighted andvisionary approach. The need forinducting foreign design expertise, inareas where our capabilities had not fullydeveloped, will be relevant at all times. Itapplies to every country irrespective of itsdevelopment status.The ASR given out in 1955 called for an

aircraft that was suitable for both highaltitude interception and low altitudeground attack. Its top speed was to be inMach2.0, a service ceiling of 60,000 ft, topspeed at low level of 640 knots, and acombat radius of action of 500 miles (805km). The ASR further demanded that theaircraft be suitable for adaptation as anadvanced operational trainer, all weatherfighter, and a naval version for carrieroperations. The task ofmeeting thiswas onHAL, and it was hardly equipped toundertake this task in1955. Ithadonly threesenior Indiandesignengineersand its entiredesign department boasted strength of just54. The prototype shop had a complement

of some 60 men, including supervisors,while 13menconstituted theentire strengthof theproduction-engineeringdepartment.The entire infrastructure had to be built upfrom grassroots. In this scenario, HALdid the wisest act. It inducted Dr KurtTank, the German designer, to headthe design team for the HF-24, whileaddressing the infrastructure developmentonahighpriority.Dr Kurt Tank was one of the finest

aircraft designers of the 20th century.KurtTankwas an engineer, designer, and aTestPilot. His Focke-Wulf Fe 190 (Wurger)Strike was the mainstay of the Luftwaffefrom1941 to 1945.Hemoved toArgentina in1947 and designed the Argentinian fighter“Pulqui II” based on his end of the wardesign Ta 183. Argentina became the firstcountry outside of the developed world todesign a state-of-the-art jet fighter in 1948.While the prototypes flew, the project wasscrapped in 1953 due to shortage of funds.KurtTankandhis closedesign teammovedto India. He became the director of MIT(Madras Institute of Technology)where hetaught aeronautics. PresidentAbdulKalamwas his student. He moved to Bangalorewith his teamwhen the HF-24 design taskwas entrusted to him.By all standards the HF-24 was a state

of the art design, andwas equal to the bestin its contemporary era. Itwashamperedby

the non-availability of the right powerplant. As a result, the IAFandHALchose topower it with twoGnat engines –Orpheus703. Though underpowered, the HF-24could touch 600 knots at low level, aquality thatwas its strength in the 1971waras theHF-24 veteranswould vouch for. Itsnormal ferry speed was the fastest in IAFhistory, 0.9Mach at 40,000 ft.The development programmeofHF-24

was first established on a full-scale glidermodel. 83 developmental sorties wereflownon thismodel. This perhaps, was thelast aircraft on which a glider model wasused in the world. The actual prototypeflew in 1961, just four years from1957whenthe design work commenced. This wassurely a fantastic achievement, consideringthe challenges that existed in India’stechnological environment, as also thetechnology status and design and testingtools that were available in that eracompared to that available today. Thefirst two pre-production models werehanded over to the IAF in 1964 to theAATU for operational evaluation. Thefirst squadron was formed in 1967 (No 10Sqn – Daggers), just 10 years after thecommencement of the design.While the HF-24 acquitted itself well in

the 1971 war (in ground attack role), itsenvisagedair defence rolewasnon-existentdue to its underpowered power plants.

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British-made Jaguaron a bombing run in an

IAF exercise

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Despitehuge efforts the Indiangovernmentcould not get the right engines. Thegovernment made a huge blunder when itrejected the offer of Bristol for a jointdevelopment of the engine that requiredless thanRs5Crore investment at that time.The finance wizards in the governmentrejected it ongroundsofhuge expense.Thiswas a hugely lost opportunity. Rs 5 croreseven in those times was not a big sumconsidering the fact that such a jointventurewouldhave catapulted India to theselect ranks of Engine designers andmanufacturers. Four decades later India isstill struggling tomake an aero engine, theKaveri engine programme has consumedthousands of crores and is nowhere nearairworthiness.

Dr Kurt Tank left India in 1967. But theHF-24 experience had strengthenedHALimmensely. It now had great experience,a design department of 150 Indianengineers in addition to 18German designengineers, a prototype shop of 592workers with 59 supervisors, and aproduction-engineering department ofover 100 engineers/ technicians. In 1967this was certainly a very strong position.Logically the country, the user and theindustry should have persisted with thissuccessful design to bring about necessaryimprovements through successivederivatives of the same aircraft.

Butwhat happened subsequentlywas ahuge national tragedy. The Air Force lostinterest due to the aircraft’s persistentproblems of underpowered engines andphased out the fleet by 1984, a mere 17years after the first induction. What wasevenmore alarmingwas the fact thatHAL

design department lost interest and itsexperienced work force began to moveaway to better prospects. In a nutshell theHF-24 became a massively wastedopportunity for the country. The final nail inits coffin was delivered when the IAFinducted the Jaguar as its premier strikefleet, and HAL was happy to produce itunder licence. The decade of the 1970scould be called as the lost decade. By thetime the LCA project came up in 1985, thecountry began from scratch all over again.

Light Combat AircraftThe LCA (Light Combat Aircraft)requirement emerged in the late Seventieswhen the IAF, concerned with the highaccident rate of the Gnat/Ajeet aircraft,asked HAL to develop a light, inexpensiveaircraft as a quick replacement. Later, thereplacement requirement included earlyseries MiG-21s as well. A feasibility studywas carried out by an integrated teamheaded by the then Director of NAL, DrValluri, under the auspices of HAL. Initialinputs of the IAF focused on its objectiveof a low-cost, lightweight and a simplereplacement for theGnat/Ajeet.When theneed for incorporating contemporarytechnologies was emphasised the IAFmodified the target to a state-of-the-artrequirement. Feasibility studies werecompleted in 1983 with considerable

India’s ownLCA (Light Combat Aircraft)Tejas displaying low-flying aerobatic

skills atYelahankaAir Base, Bangalore

DrKurtTankwasoneofthe finest aircraft

designersof the20thcentury.KurtTankwasanengineer, designer, anda

TestPilot.HisFocke-WulfFe190 (Wurger)Strikewas themainstayof the

Luftwaffe from1941 to1945.Hemoved toArgentina in

1947anddesigned theArgentinian fighter “PulquiII”basedon endof thewar

designTa183

”

inputs from design houses from UK,Germany, Italy and Sweden. The ASRwasthen finalised in 1985. TheLCAenvisaged abasic 5-ton emptyweight (later revised to 6ton) platform incorporating fly-by-wireand glass cockpit technologies, with asignificant multi-role weapon capabilityandaperformance requirement that aimedtomatch the F-16.

TheLCAconceptwas influencedby set ofvarious events that had emerged in theworld. TheUSA initiated the “LightWeightFighter” programme after the dismalperformance of its expensive fighters likethe Phantom against the low cost lightfighters like theMiG -15,MiG-19 andMiG-21. The architect behind the LWF conceptwasCol JohnBoyd andhis “Fightermafia”who used theEnergy-Manoeuvrability (E-M) concept to drive the designprocess. TheUSAF defined the objectives clearly – aright balance of low cost, light weight andhigh performance. Low cost remained anoverriding imperative. Aircraft andperformance requirements were definedin broad terms, flexible and not fixed ingreat details. Quite naturally, technologywas developed as a tool to achieve the rightbalance. It was the first aircraft toincorporate fly-by-wire controls, advancedaerodynamic concepts, and composites.The YF-16 concept demonstrator flewwithin two years of the project sanction,and the series production aircraft enteredservice in less than eight years. The LCAprogramme management failed to learnthe above lessons.

The Indian LCA boxed itself into

stringent weight and size limitationsresulting in severe restrictions on itsmission range. The influenceof theGnat ontheconceptofbeing “Light”and thedesire tomake it technologically advanced createdcontrasting requirements. The IAF’soriginal requirementwas for a conventionalaircraft but the desire to bridge technologygaps, including aeroengine, through thisprogrammewasprojectedbyDRDO. Thusthe programme became a vehicle fortechnology development rather thanusingappropriate technologies to hasten theinduction of the aircraft. So, while manyachievements have been made in terms ofmastering various technologies, the finalproduct ie the weapon platform is still indevelopment even after three decades.

Considering thedevelopment challengesof various technologies involved, and thefact that HAL’s design capability hadseriouslydepletedafter the lostdecadesincethe HF-24 programme, the governmentapproved the formation of ADA(Aeronautical Development Agency) tomanageandsteer theLCAprogramme.Thisagency, logically, shouldhavebeensteeredbythe user as is done in other countries inorder to keep the focus on operationalobjectives thus balancing cost, timeframe,and technology.But thiswasnot tobe.ADAended up being managed entirely by theDRDO. The industry (HAL) played asubsidiary rolewithnegative impactoncost,and more seriously the erosion of its owndecisivedesign capabilities.

The net result is that the LCA(designated LCA Mk I) falls short on

critical ASRperformance requirements. Inshort, the LCAMk I will fall in theMiG-21Bison class but with advanced systems,sensors and weapons. The LCAMk II is tobe powered by a higher-powered engine,but if it has tobecomebetter thanLCAMkI,then it calls for a major aerodynamicredesign. Simply put, the LCA Mk II willhave to adapt the platform design that theconsultants initially recommended – acanard and delta wing combination.Otherwise the LCAMk II may end havinginferior performance to theMk I.

UpgradeProgrammesFor nearly three decades since the early1950s, integration ofweapons andupgradeof systems have been handled largely byAATU, and laterASTEof theAir Force. Thefirst major large upgrade programme wasdone on the Jaguar fleet. This was thedevelopment of the digital nav attacksystem for the Jaguar fleet. The systemcalled DARIN (Digital Attack, Ranging,and Inertial Navigation) was developed inthe early 1980s and went on to be fitted inthe entire fleet. The systemwas developedwith SAGEM, France as the technologypartner. An umbrella organisation calledIIO (Inertial IntegrationOrganisation)wascreated with active participation of HALand ASTE. The entire programme wascontrolled by the IAF. The programmewasapproved in 1981and the DARIN systemwas operational by 1986. It brought anorder of magnitude change in the weaponaccuracies of the IAF. This experienceproved very usefulwhen the IAF entrusted

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AMig-21 beingtowed to the tarmacbefore a flight

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HAL with the task of developing the nextversion of DARIN II based on ring lasergyro system.

JaguarUpgradesEver since its induction in 1979, the Jaguaraircraft has continued to be the preferredvehicle for series of major modifications.The first upgrade began with over wingmissile modification. Magic I air-to-airmissile was integrated as an over wingmissile in 1982. The entire upgradeprogramme was done by ASTE and HALwith the assistance of British Aerospaceindustries.AnElectronicWarfareadaptationwas done in 1985. This was followed by thedevelopmentof themaritimeattackaircraftversionwith theAgave radar and Sea-eaglemissile. The Agave was subsequentlyreplaced with Israeli radar. A series ofupgrades have followed; LGB andDesignator pod, autopilot, refuelling probeon the trainer, avionics and glass cockpit,and finally the re-enginingproject.

MiG-21BisonConcerned at the delay in the LCAprogramme, the IAF embarked onupgrading an optimal number of 125MiG-21 Bis aircraft in late 1990s. The upgradedaircraft, called Bison, was fitted with anew Russian multi-mode radar, a HUD(head-updisplay), and adigital inertial navattack system.Thedevelopment phasewasa huge challenge as it involved integratingequipment and systems from Russia,France and Israel. Co-ordinating withthree countries was a nightmare. Once

development was completed series pro-duction was entrusted to HAL. The IAFaccomplished this programme successfullyand the new Bisons acquitted themselveswell by jolting the overconfident USAF inthe joint exercise in 2005.

MiG-27UpgradeBased on the Bison experience HAL wasnow confident of upgrading the MiG-27aircraft, which it had produced earlierunder licence. DRDO’s experience andexpertise from LCA and Su-30 projectsensured that the entire upgradeprogramme, unlike the Bison, was done inIndia. HAL, DARE (Defence AvionicsResearch Laboratory – a DRDO lab) andASTEmanaged the entire upgradeprocess,including the mission computerdevelopment. This was a good indigenousupgradeprogramme.TheupgradedMiG-27was equipped with a HUD, modern navattack system, self-protection suite, MultiFunction Displays, and advanced electrooptical targeting system.

MiG-29&Mirage2000UpgradesLife extension and upgrade of these twofleets are being done by the OEMs in theirfacilities. HAL’s gain will be limited toseries modification at its facilities usingmod kits provided by theOEMs.

ConclusionAircraft upgrade strategy has become acritical requirement for allmajor air forcesin the world as the costs of developing anew aircraft are becoming prohibitivelyexpensive.Upgrade strategyprovides averycost-effective solution due to exponentialimprovements in sensors, systems andweapons. Besides, upgrade strategyprovidesagoodopportunity for industries tohone their design skills and also contributeto developing a large pool of highly skilledtechnicalmanpower in the country.

Nevertheless,majorpowerswill continuetodevelopnewsystemsandaircraft inorderto address their strategic autonomy andsecurity. India’s fighter aircraft andengine development programmes havebeen hampered by discontinuity andcompartmentalised approach. This is whatkilled HF-24 that was an extremely welldesigned platform. The LCA faces a similardanger due to its short fall in ASRcompliance. If this is to be avoided, then aradical restructuring needs to be donewithHALandADA.Moreactiverolebytheuser inprogramme management is absolutelynecessary. If theLCArolesare reviewedandrationalised (for example asLIFT–Lead inFighter Trainer) it could be a good aircraftto be produced in larger numbers withsignificant export potential.

Fornearly threedecadessince theearly 1950s,

integrationofweaponsandupgradeofsystemshavebeenhandled largelyby

AATU,and laterASTEoftheAirForce.The firstmajor largeupgrade

programmewasdoneontheJaguar fleet.Thiswas

thedevelopmentof thedigital navattacksystem

for theJaguar fleet.ThesystemcalledDARIN(DigitalAttack,Ranging,and InertialNavigation)

wasdeveloped in theearly1980sandwenton tobefitted in theentire fleet

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MiG-29K taking-offfroma strip on a trial

run for an aircraftcarrier launch

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SPECIAL FORCES IN INDIA:BLOATEDBUTBEREFT

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SPECIAL FORCES

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India’s manpower intensive SpecialForces (SF), which continue to operatewithouta specific operationalmandate,

adequate gear, organisational support ordedicated funding, face an identity crisis.

Seniormilitary officers concede that thecountry’s under-equipped SF units aredeployed routinely on tactical rather thanbroader,strategic and unconventionalmissions that were envisaged for them in aturbulentneighbourhood.

Consequently the SF, whose numbershaveproliferated recklessly 2001 onwards,have often ended up as substitutes forconventional forces in counter-insurgencyoperations (COIN) in theNortheast,Punjaband Kashmir, that could well have beenundertakenby regular infantry.

Therearemoremaroonberets (of theSF)visible inKashmir thannecessary.For suchan elite force with a seemingly diverseorientation tobeemployedoncordon-and-search and long-range pathfinding tasksandexecute attackson terrorist hideouts is,simply, overkill. All such responsibilitiescan easily be effected by the infantry’sGhatak commando platoons, trained andequipped for special operations.

Experts argue that such employmentonly militates against fundamental SFethos, their unconventional skills andproficiency, all of which are aimed at apreciseand focussedresponse forhighvaluegains.Allmilitaries concur that by virtue ofspecialised and demanding training,exploitation of advanced weaponry andequipment, strategic mobility and tacticalflexibility,most SFsare any country’s high-octane forcemultipliers.

Capableof functioning inambiguousandevolving scenarios and adapting swiftly tocrisis situations, their primary aim is tomaximisemilitary, diplomatic andpoliticaloutcomes for their respectivegovernments.It is, after all, an accepted axiom inmilitary

and security circles, thatmuch like the lonesniper, SF too are capable of altering, notonly thecourseofbattles,butevenofpoliticsand history. And like the sniper, their rolesremain shrouded in secrecy.

Accordingly all SF, glamourised bycinema and fiction, are deemed capable ofconducting spectacular operations, ininverse proportion to their numbersemployed in assorted conflict spectrums.The stunningUSNavySEALTeamSix raidonAbbotabadcantonment innorthwesternPakistan inMay2011, toassassinateOsamabinLaden, is one such recent example.

In India, however, the absence of acentralised SF authority and doctrine,command-and-control structure andconfusion over their allocation to joint orsingle service commanders, has resulted inlop-sided capability development and attimes, evenmissionduplication.

An SF doctrine issued by the IntegratedDefence Staff (IDS) in 2005, decadesafter the first battalion was raised in1978, was more a generic documentthat failed in providing mission clarityor resolving innumerable operationalanomalies. The lackof standarised trainingand equipping norms has further added toSF operational ambiguities creating,instead, a ‘stove pipe’ or silo-like structureof multiple elite forces operating inisolation, albeit to little strategic effect.

Hence, IndianSFrarely, if at all, functionasaneffectivepolitico-military tool.There isnear unanimity amongst military andsecurity officers that poorly trained andaccoutred SF remain largely incapable ofeffectively implementing raids, ambushes,direct assaults or standoff attacks inhostile territory.

Furthermore, they are ill suited toconducting strategic reconnaissance andunconventional warfare or executing awide-range of critical challenges that haveemerged in India’sneighbourhood inrecentyears, like locating and seizing weapons ofmassdestruction.

“India’s SF are so only in name, notorientation because the country’s higherdefence organisation lacks militaryprofessionals. Their ability to employSFonpolitico-militarymissionsat strategiclevels is lacking” lamented LieutenantGeneral Prakash Katoch, a former SFofficer. They (SF) continue to be employedtactically, he added.

The bulk of India’s 18,000-20,000

RAHULBEDI

KEY POINTS� Elite Maroon Berets are deployedalmost as replacements for infantrysoldiers in Kashmir.� Glamourised in mass media, the SFshave become icons of force projections.� The Special Frontier Force is thesword arm of the externalintelligence agency, the ResearchandAnalysis Wing.

S

Special Forces inIndiahavehadhugeaccretion innumbersbuthave remaineddeprived in terms

of airlift and firepower

strong SF, including support units,or some7,000-8,000personnel are fromthe IndianArmy, which is in the process of raising its10th Para (SF) battalion. Theseoverall,proliferating numbers equal thoseof the US Special Operations Command(SOCOM), even though the operationalremitof IndianSF is severely circumscribed,confined to its immediate neighbourhoodwhilst that of the former is global.The remaining SF comprise the Indian

Navy’s (IN’s) 1,000-1,200 MarineCommandos (MARCOS) and the IndianAir Force’s (IAF’s) 1,200-odd GarudCommandoForce.Additionally, there are 4,000-5,000 SF

personnel fromthe51and52SpecialActionGroup (SAG), drawn exclusively from thearmy, that constitute the principal strikearmof theNationalSecurityGuard (NSG), aFederalContingencyDeploymentForce thatoperatesunder theCabinet Secretariate.After theNovember2008Mumbai terror

strikes, these SAG numbers are graduallybeing increased, following the decision toexpand NSG deployment to Mumbai,Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai, inanticipation of similar attacks elsewhere inthe country.This wider NSG dispersal, presently

underway, nearly seven years after theMumbai siege, was also prompted bythe forces five-hour delay on 26November2008 in deploying, from its headquartersat Manesar on New Delhi’s outskirts,against the 10 Pakistani terroristsbesiegingMumbai.During operations, three Special

Ranger Group (SRG) battalions-11,12 and13- of around 900 personnel each,recruited from State and Central Para-Military Forces, provide logistic supportto the SAG.However,years of depreciatedoperating procedures, under which SRGpersonnel have thoughtlessly beenassigned to VIP security, has severely

SPECIAL FORCES

Hence, IndianSF rarely, if atall, function as an effectivepolitico-military tool.Thereis near unanimity amongst

military and securityofficers that poorly trained

and accoutred SF remainlargely incapable of

effectively implementingraids, ambushes, direct

assaults or standoff attacksin hostile territory.

”18

A

An IndianArmy paratrooperexits a CH47Chinook helicopter

during a partnered airbornetraining exercisewithUSArmy

paratroopers©USArmy

APRIL 2015 DSI

blunted their combat edge.Furthermore are 1,200-1,500 SF from

twoshadowySpecialGroup (SG)battalionsof the Special Frontier Force (SFF), raisedafter India’s disastrous 1962 border war

withChina, andheadquarteredatChakrata,nearDehraDun.TheSFFand its SGservedasmodels for theNSG-SAGcombine.The SFF-better known by its nom de

guerre Establishment 22 is operationally

employed by the Intelligence Bureau (IB)and theResearchandAnalysisWing (RAW)for clandestine and sensitivemissions.Interestingly, theSFFcametobeknownby

this latter appellation due to its firstInspector General, the doughty Major GenSujjan Singh Uban, who commanded the22ndMountainRegimentduringWorldWarII,winningaMilitaryCross in theprocess.In its formative years, the Central

Intelligence Agency’s (CIAs) paramilitarywing alongside the Indian Army, trainedand armed the SFFs largely TibetanKhampa recruits. It supplied them light-weight .30 calibre M1 semi-automaticcarbines- and itsM-2andM-3variants-andinfiltrated its SG personnel into Chinese-occupied Tibet to gather intelligence andexecute disruptive raids. Thereafter, withairlift facilitiesprovided in the 1970sby theRAW’s secretive Aviation Research Centre(ARC), the SFF became a fully airbornejungle andmountainwarfareunit.However, such force abundance spawns

operational problems. For, other thanoperating individually, there is a tendency

An IndianArmy paratrooper examines anM4 carbine prior to sighting in theweapon duringfield training exercises©USArmy

amongst individual services to look uponeach SF unit as their singular preserve,thereby compromising ‘jointness’ andintegratedmissioncapability.This includesdedicated air support to ensure insertionand extraction of SF units, coordinatedarmedreconnaissanceandcloseair supportmissions todepreciate vital enemyassets.

The IAF, for instance, cited inadequatecooperation from the army in 2004 as itsoperational rationale for raising, at greatexpense, its own Garud counter-terrorismand anti-hijacking force. This needlesslyduplicated the NSGs role as a counter-terrorismforce to tacklehijackingsadecadeearlier. In turn, the army, claiminginsufficient support from the IAF, plans tocreate twospecial aviation squadrons for itsSF, furtherduplicating scarce assets.

Proposals to establish a unified SFcommand headed by the Indian Army -alongsidethose forSpaceandCyberspace ledby the IAFandINrespectively–announcedinearly2013, arenowherenear fruition.

These followed the May 2012recommendations of the 14-memberNaresh Chandra National Security ReviewCommittee, set up by the Congress Party-led federal coalition toevaluate theprogressin defence reforms introduced after the

1999Kargil conflict.The long overdue Commands- parti-

cularly the SF- were aimed at dispellingenduring inter-service and intra-servicerivalries for funding and reducing assetduplication, particularly in communicationand network-centric systems and aerialplatforms like helicopters. Economising onover-extendedresources, inorder to freeupmoneys for long-deferredmilitarymoderni-sation, was the other aim behind thisdeferred restructuring but such force andresource rationalision is awaited.

Arapidexpansion -almost a 120per centincrease - of thearmy’sSFunits occurred inanadhocmannerbetween2001 and2004,after the US deployed its SF in largenumbers toAfghanistan, following the9/11attacksonNewYorkand thePentagon.

At the time, two successive influentialColonels of the Parachute Regiment -ironically, both non-SF officers -erroneously prevailed upon the army’shigher defence management that anexpanded SF, like the US’, was the ‘magicbullet’ for all future campaignsandconflictsin the sub-continent.

Thereafter, three Parachute Regimentbattalions were hastily converted to SFmaroon beret units with their distinctive

‘Balidan’ badge and special Rs 7,000monthly allowance for the officers.“Operational efficiency was ignored as thejobs-for-the-boyspolicywas implemented”said Lt Gen V K Kapur. It was a totallyunprofessional decision,hedeclared.

Grievously, armyheadquartershad failedto comprehend the central principlebehindthese lethal fighting units that SFeffectiveness lies not in numbers, but incohesionamongst small numbershonedbyintensive training and backed by superiorequipment.

Disregarding the dictum that SF cannotbe mass-produced and the quality of itsmanpower is better than quantity, armyheadquarters arbitrarily pursued the SFexponential enlargement. Unthinkingly, afourthassault teamtoowasaddedtoexistingSF units, perpetuating the cult of elitehoodbutat thecostofoperational capability.

Army planners also disregarded a 2001internal study on modernising the SF byconsolidatingexistingnumbersandtrainingand arming them better. Instead, somesenior officerswent as far as to recommendthat each of the army’s 13 Corps-lately 14,including the under-raising 17 MountainStrikeCorps-be assignedanSFbattalion.

This proposal, if pursued, would

SPECIAL FORCES

20

US Army Ospreyin operationat a war theatre

APRIL 2015 DSI

necessitate converting three, if not four,more Parachute Regiment battalions to SFstatus.And,other than furtherdepreciatingSF fighting skills, it would also overwhelmthealreadyoverstretchedSFheadquartersatNahan in the Himalayan foothills and it’sequally overloaded training centre atBelgaum in Karnataka, to structure andequip suchavast force.

According to Gen Katoch the SFs rapidproliferation has adverse integralconsequences. He said each time anadditional SF unit is created, existing SFbattalions are required to provide it anucleus of officers, junior commissionedand non-commissioned officers and variedsupport staff.

“This breaks the cohesion of existingunits, aspersonnel continuity in a five-manassault team and two-man surveillanceteam, is central to the success of allmissions” Gen Katoch said. Furthercompounding this crisis, was the officershortage all SF battalions faced - up to athird of their authorised strength of 48officers. This deficit further diluted SFcombatoutput, tailored forprecisionstrikesledbyofficer-led sub-units, hedeclared.

In comparison, SF expansion by theChinese and Pakistani militaries has beenstudied and strategically orientated.Numerically, the Peoples Liberation ArmySpecial Operations Forces, for example, areestimated anywhere between 7,000 and14,000 personnel, while Pakistan’s SpecialServicesGroup(SSG)numberaround5,000.

ThePLAsSF, established 1988onwards,

specialise in rapid reaction combat in alimited regional war under hi-techconditions, commandooperations, counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering. Theyare also trained in target designation,surveillance, airborne insertion, sabotageandoffensivestrikemissions.Currently theyare receiving instruction on the newlydigitisedarmysoldier systemandonvariedhigh-mobility landweaponplatforms.

Pakistan’s 10-battalionSSG,on theotherhand, headquartered at Tarbela in KhyberPakhtunkhwa (formerly the North WestFrontierProvince),wascreated inearly 1956

by converting the 19 Baloch infantrybattalion. Its training, orientation andweaponry isbasedonthatof theUSSOCOMwithwhom it has exercised for decades andstill does. The SSG specialises in desert,mountainandunderwaterwarfare.

Meanwhile, the IndianSForganisationalwoes were exacerbated by a persistingshortage of varied materiel and a lack ofdedicated air support due to the consistentdeficiency of helicopters that have beenunder acquisition fornearly twodecades.

Till late 2006, bureaucratic procedureshad delayed the induction of some 3000IsraelWeaponIndustries5.56mmTavor-21assault rifles (TAR-21) with 40mmunder-barrel grenade launchers (UBGLs), fouryears after the USD 20million contract forthemwas signed. Thesenumbers,however,were inadequate to armall SFunits and theshortfallwasmadeupby importedAK-47s.

Some 20 types of specialised SFequipment promised by the US nearly adecadeago, like laserdesignators andnightvision devices are still awaited. The SFsources said deficiencies, of not only5.56mm training ammunition - of whichthere is anannual 50per cent shortfall - butof carbines, sniper and underwater rifles,heavy and general purpose machine gunspersevered. Also needed were 60mmmortars, disposable anti-tank rocketlaunchers and flamethrowers, amongstnumerous other offensive assets thatconstitute the staple of all SFglobally.

Adequate communication equipmentincluding satellite telephones, GPS systemsandtacticalcomputers,wereawaited,aswerecombatfree-fallparachutesystems.Thelong-awaited Battle Field Management System,whichtheSFcouldoperationallyexploit,wasin the process of being fast tracked wasunlikelytobeoperational forat leastadecade,leavingamassivecommunicationhiatus.

Guided Para-foil Delivery Systems (twoandfourtoncategory),underwaterpropulsionvehiclesandcameras,digitalcompasses,high-resolution video and still cameras, radio-controlledandremotedetonatortransmitters,high resolution and passive night visionbinoculars, toowererequired.

Evenrucksacksprovidedto theSFwereofpoor quality, forcing soldiers to acquirethem from the openmarket with their ownmoney. “In most other armies SF units arethe vanguard for most equipment testing”Gen Kapur said. In India they constitutethebackend.

21

According toGenKatochtheSFs rapidproliferation

hasadverse integralconsequences.Hesaid

each timeanadditionalSFunit is created, existingSFbattalionsare required to

provide it anucleusofofficers, junior

commissionedandnon-commissionedofficersand

variedsupport staff

”

Infantry soldiersin operation on 26/11

U

Being themajor striking force of theArmy in battle, tracked armoredvehicles today are key elements in

the Armed Forces of nearly every countryall over the world. Their life cycle spans20-30 years and even 40 year in somecases. It is paramount that theymaintaintheir main combat qualities throughoutthese years to gain superiority over theenemy in conditions of modern combatand kill moremodern armored equipmentof opposing forces.

But the fact is that even themostformidable vehicles of the past years tendto age and needmodernization to makethem capable of fighting not only currentbut also future threats. This is themosteffective, reliable and cost-effective wayof maintaining high combat readiness ofarmored equipment even that withconsiderable in-service time.

For example, the T-72 tank hasbecome themost producedmain battletank in the world. Over 30 000 T-72s andtheir derivatives have beenmanufacturedin the USSR and Russia. Dozens ofcountries received part of them to deployin combat and peacekeeping operationswhere the tank earned its popularity as aneffective and reliable asset.

Its licensed production in India waslaunched as far back as 1982. Ever sinceabout 500 T-72s have been producedin the country.

February 2001 witnessed first effortsto set a licensed construction line forthe T-90S at HVF in Avadi. Both Russianand Indian parts are used. Even beforethat Russian-produced T-90S tanks hadbeen imported enmasse. Thus T-72and T-90SMBTs comprise the backboneof India’s armor.

India also purchased Soviet andRussian BMP-1 and BMP-2 IFVs andthen was licensed to produce themwith aconsiderable quantity of these vehiclesstill in service or stored.

Thanks to its modernization potential,the latest achievements can beintegrated into Russian armoredequipment to make it powerful, reliableand effective core of India’s armor andarmy for yet a fewmore years.

Rosoboronexport – Russia’s specialexporter of military and dual-purposeequipment and related services – offers arange of modernization programsof old armored vehicles to its Indianpartners. These include replacement ofunits and parts, as well as partialmodernization, aimed at boostingspecific characteristics and combatfeatures to a desired level.

EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE, REASONABLEROSOBORONEXPORT OFFERS MODERNIZATION PROGRAMS FOR ARMOREDEQUIPMENT WITH CONSIDERABLE IN-SERVICE TIME

T

DSI Marketing Promotion

There are three ways acomprehensivemodernization canbe provided:– Firepower enhancement;– Protection enhancement;– Mobility improvement.

Greater firepower requires moreadvanced weapons systems, fire controlsystem, andmodern ammunition,including guided projectiles. This is themost complicatedmodernization as it isweapons that comprise themostsophisticated and expensive parts ofarmored vehicles.

Explosive reactive armor (ERA)packages, metal and non-metal armormaterials (composite armor) will improveprotection of IFVs. ERA can either bewelded or detached to the vehicle.Though, it should be noted that each typeof MBT and IFV requires individuallydesigned ERA solutions.

ERAwill also enhance tank protectionconsiderably. In this case packages arefitted to the hull and turret at a required

angle and turn. This can be combinedwith armor protection improvements.

This modernization is rathersimple as it does not require vehicledisassembling and can be carried outeven outdoors provided adequatewelding and lifting equipment,as well as hand-held metal cutting toolsare available.

Mobility improvements will involvechassis, engines, and transmission ofRussian tanks and IFVs. Greaterperformance can be achieved byinstalling amore powerful power plant,upgrading transmission and drivearrangement. Improvements of chassisand its elements – suspension, roadwheels, and tracks – are also an option.

Unlike armor enhancements,mobilityimprovement operations aremorecomplex and requiremechanical facilities.

Rosoboronexport informs that thetype of modernization is determinedbased on desires of the Customer andhis financial situation.

Regardless of themodernization typethemain goal is to bring characteristicsof tanks and IFVs in conformity withmodern requirements.

Upgrades can be carried out atCustomer’s sites provided allnecessary production facilities andequipment are available. Requiredtechnical and technological productioncenters can be deployed at the followinginstallations: maintenance sites,workshops, overhaul depots, facilities,complexes, and plants.

Rosoboronexport stresses that if theCustomer provides facilities for upgradeoperations it will cost him lessmoney,make themwork at full capacity, provideopportunities to train specialists, and resultin greater number of jobs for skilled labor.

It should also be taken intoconsideration that only Russian specialistsare familiar with specific characteristics ofRussian equipment, thus they are bestqualified to provide and carry out effectiveand robustmodernization.

While presenting the Modigovernment’s first full budget tothe Parliament on 28 February

2015, the Finance Minister allocated Rs.2,46,727 crore (US$ 40.4 billion) fordefence. The defence allocation amountsto an increase of Rs. 17,727 crore or 7.7 percent over the previous allocation. The newdefence allocation comes in the wake ofModi government’s all-out push for ‘Makein India’ initiative, the ‘heart’ of whichas noted by the prime minister himself atthe Aero India 2015, is the defenceindustry. The budget also comes in the

wake of 14th Finance Commission whichhas made a number of recommendationshaving a bearing on central government’sbudget, a significant portion of which isspent on defence.

WideningDeficiency in ResourceRequirement The eight per cent growth inthe defence budget comes at a time whenthe armed forces are already battling ahuge gap in resource requirement tosustain theirmodernisation efforts. Sufficeto mention that the gap – between theprojected requirement and the actual

allocation made in successive budgets –whichwas eight per cent (Rs. 12,453 crore)in 2009/10 has increased to a 26 per cent(Rs.79,363 crore) in 2014/15. It can beassumed with a reasonable degree ofcertainty that the mere eight percentgrowth in latest defence budget wouldfurther widen the gap, with all itsconsequences on defence preparedness.

Defence Budget: Estimates,Major Elements andGrowthDriversIt is to be noted that though the defencebudget 2015/16has grownbyeight per cent

DEFENCEBUDGET

24

LAXMANKUMARBEHERA

KEY POINTS� Eight per cent growth in DefenceBudget this year is in the modeof inflation adjustment� The squeeze is felt most in the CapitalAcquisition Budget mostly nullifying allthe demands for modernisation� Budget fails even toincentivise domestic private sectorin defence production

DefenceBudget 2015has not shownenough accretion inallocation thatcan be calledsignificant and thecapital accountnumbers are evenmoredepressing

INDIA’SDEFENCEBUDGET: BELOWPARALLOCATIONST

over thepreceding year’s budget allocation,the growth rate amounts to 11 per cent overthe revised allocation for 2014/15. Thismeans the original budget allocation of2014/15hasbeen reviseddownward, to theextent of Rs. 6,630 crore, or three per cent.Downward revision is on account of capitalexpenditurewhichhasbeen reducedbyRs.12,623 crore (13 per cent). Moresignificantly, nearly 72 per cent (Rs. 9,123crore) of the total cut in capital expenditureis effectedoncapital acquisitionbudget. Onthe other hand, the revenue expenditurehas been revised upward by Rs. 5,993

crore (four per cent) (Table I).The Table II summarises the key

elements of the defence budgets of 2014/15and 2015/16. Of note is the decline in theshare of capital expenditure in totaldefence budget to below 40 per cent. Thelast time the declinewas below40per centwasway back in 2009/10when the hike inpay and allowances due to theimplementation of the Sixth Central PayCommission recommendations increasedthe share of revenue expenditure to over60 per cent. In 2015/16 also, it is the samepay and allowances that have resulted in a

similar situation. It is to be noted that ofthe total increase of Rs. 17,727 crore indefence budget 2015/16, Rs. 8,855 crore(50 per cent) is on account of increase inpay and allowances of the three armedforces. Compared to this, the ‘Stores’budget which is key to maintenance andhence preparedness, has contributed toonly 17 per cent to the growth in defencebudget. The capital expenditure, which iskey to acquiring new capability, has notcontributed anything to this growth as theallocation remain virtually the same overthese two years.

W

APRIL 2015 DSI

25

BMS solutions now deployedare hardware agnostic

©General Dynamics Itronix

BELOWPARALLOCATIONSTABLE I. BUDGET AND REVISED ESTIMATES

FOR 2014/15 AND 2015/16Revenue Expenditure Capital Expenditure Total

(Rs. in crore) (Rs. in Crore) (Rs. in Crore)

2014-15 (BE) 134412 94588 229000

2014-15 (RE) 140405 81965 2223702015-16 (BE) 152139 94588 246727

Note:BE: Budget Estimate; RE: Revised Estimate

TABLE II: ELEMENTS OF DEFENCE BUDGET:2014/15 & 2015/16

2014/15 2015/16

Defence Budget (Rs. In Crore) 229000.0 246727.0

Growth of Defence Budget (%) 12.4 7.74

Revenue Expenditure (Rs. in Crore) 134412.05 152139.0

Growth of Revenue Expenditure (%) 14.9 13.2

Share of Revenue Expenditure in Defence Budget (%) 58.7 61.7

Capital Expenditure (Rs. in Crore) 94587.95 94588.0

Growth of Capital Expenditure (%) 9.0 0.0

Share of Capital Expenditure in Defence Budget (%) 41.3 38.3

Capital Acquisition (Rs. in Crore) 75148.03 77704*

Growth of Capital Acquisition (%) 2.3 3.4*

Share of Defence Budget in GDP (%) 1.81 1.75

Share of Defence Budget in Central Government Expenditure (%) 12.8 13.9

Note: *: approximate figure. Rs. 1.0 crore = Rs. 10million =US$ 163880 (as per the averageexchange rate for the first 11months of 2014-15)

For the Rafale dealalone, the initial

payment is estimatedat Rs 5,000-6,000

crores

DEFENCE BUDGET

One areawherethe defence budget

2015/16 is likely to hurtthemost is the capitalacquisition allocation,which is already under

acute pressure in recentyears due both to

shortage of funds andoverwhelming share of the‘committed liabilities’ in

the total acquisitionbudget. It is to be noted

that in 2014/15

”

TABLE III. PROJECTIONFORCAPITALACQUISITION, 2014/15

Committed New Total Capital Share of Share ofLiabilities Schemes Acquisition Committed New(Rs. in Cr) (Rs. in Cr) (Rs. in Cr) Liabilities (%) Schemes (%)

Army 18851 9456 28307 67 33

Navy 22001 3054 25055 88 12Air Force 29173 12000 41173 71 29

Total 70026 24509 94535 74 26

TABLE IV. ALLOCATIONFORCAPITALACQUISITION, 2014/15

Committed New Total Capital Share of Share ofLiabilities Schemes Acquisition Committed New(Rs. in Cr) (Rs. in Cr) (Rs. in Cr) Liabilities (%) Schemes (%)

Army 18851 2084 20935 90 10

Navy 21721 673 22394 97 3Air Force 29173 2645 31818 92 8

Total 69746 5402 75148 93 7

ACanadianM777 lifted by a CH-47Chinook; BAE systems 155/39

ultralight howitzer was can also beairlifted the CH-53s used by the

USMarine Corps. (CanadianArmy)

26

Share of ServicesLike in the past, the 1.2 million strongIndian Army continues to be biggeststakeholder in the defence budget.With anallocation of Rs. 1,30,874 crore it accountsfor 53 per cent of total defence budget2015/16. The Air Force is at a distantsecond with an allocation of Rs. 56,658crore (23 per cent), followed by Navy (Rs.40,529 crore; 16 per cent), DefenceResearch and Development Organisation(Rs. 14,358 crore; 6 per cent) and

Ordnance Factories (Rs. 3,644 crore; 2 percent). It is however to be noted that theArmy is the most revenue-intensiveservice. In 2015/16, 80 per cent of itsbudget is earmarked for revenueexpenditure. The corresponding figures forthe Navy and Air force are 38 and 41 percent, respectively.

Impact on Capital AcquisitionOne area where the defence budget2015/16 is likely to hurt the most is the

capital acquisition, which is already underacute pressure in recent years due bothto shortage of funds and overwhelmingshare of the ‘committed liabilities’ in thetotal acquisition budget. It is to be notedthat in 2014/15, the allocation for capitalacquisitionwas over 20 per cent below theprojected requirement, with the shortfallin ‘new schemes’ being a whopping 78 percent. (Tables III & IV). Given the alreadydownward revision of 2014/15 capitalacquisition budget, its moderate increasein 2015/16 budget is unlikely to generatethe required amount to sign anymajor newcontracts. Tables V to VII summarise thecapital acquisition budget of the threeforces. Among the three services, the AirForce’s capital acquisition budget isprojected to decline. This comes at a timewhen it has lined up several mega dealswhich are one step short of contractsigning. These include the tanker aircraftdealwithAirbus, twohelicopters contractswith Boeing and the Rafale fighter dealwithDassault Aviation. For theRafale dealalone, the initial payment is estimated atRs 5,000-6,000 crores. So the writing onthewall is very clear.Unless the acquisitionbudget, particularly that of the Air Forceis substantially augmented in the course of2015/16, there is a little chance of signingthese big deals.

D APRIL 2015 DSI

27

T

TABLEV. ARMY’SACQUISITIONBUDGET

2014/15 (BE) 2014/15 (RE) 2015/16 (BE) % Increase in(Rs in Cr) (Rs in Cr) (Rs in Cr) 2015/16 (BE)

over 2014/15 (BE)

Aircraft &Aero-Engine 2128 2324 2365 11

H&MV 2692 1784 1784 -34Other Equipment 15592 12549 17335 11

Rolling Stock 275 61 364 32Rashtriya Rifles 213 211 91 -57

Total Acquisition 20900 16927 21939 5Budget

TABLEVII. AIR FORCE’SACQUISITIONBUDGET


over 2014/15 (BE)


H&MV 194 67 233 20Other Equipment 15352 10290 12382 -19

Total Acquisition 31818 31818 31482 -1Budget

TABLEVI. NAVY’S ACQUISITIONBUDGET


over 2014/15 (BE)


H&MV 34 8 11 -68Other Equipment 4358 3697 2559 -41

Joint Staff 1029 715 922 -10Naval Fleet 12576 9398 16050 28

Naval Dockyard 1613 661 1275 -21Total Acquisition 22941 17790 24283 6Budget

Indian army infantry soldier on the radio

2

‘Make in India’ for Defence In the runup to the defence budget, there was a hugeexpectation built around the governmentunleashing a series of reforms to reverseIndia’ huge arms dependency on externalsources. Of note is that in three precedingyears, India spent a whopping Rs 83,860crore on foreign sources for capitalacquisition, with the US accounting thelargest share followed by Russia andFrance among other countries (TablesVIII & IX). To add to the expectationthe PM had promised in the recentlyheld Aero India show to bring in a hostof reform measures for the domesticindustry including the tax incentivesfor indigenousmanufactures and ‘special

universities and skill developmentcentres to cater to our defence industry.’The budget, presented by the FinanceMinister, does not however shed any lighton these aspects.

The only concrete defence-specificmeasure visible in the budget is allocationfor ‘Make’ projects for which Rs. 144.21crore has been allocated. Although thebudget is opaque in details, the allocation,by far the biggest under the ‘Make’ head,would mostly be provided to two industryconsortiums – one of TATA Power SEDand L&T and the other of BharatElectronics Limited (BEL) andRolta IndiaLtd– which have recently won a contractfrom the MoD to develop a prototype

under the Indian Army’s BattlefieldManagement System (BMS) programme.

Impact of 14th Finance Commissionon DefenceThe 14thFinanceCommission (FC),whichwas constituted to give recommendationson certain aspects of centre-state fiscalrelations for the period of five years (fromApril 2015 to March 2020), has made anumber of recommendations having afar reaching implication on the centralgovernment’ budget making. Therecommendations of theCommissionhavebeen ‘wholeheartedly’ accepted by thegovernment in the spirit of ‘cooperativefederalism’. Among other measures, the

C

DEFENCE BUDGET

28

TABLE VIII. CAPITAL ACQUISITION FROM FOREIGN SOURCES(Rs in Crore)

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 TotalAir Force 15258 19221 20928 55407

Navy 6701 6100 12654 25455Army 506 992 1501 2999

Total 22465 26313 35082 83860

Source:Rajya Sabha, “IndigenousManufacturing ofWeapon System by DRDO”,Unstarred Question No.1331, Answered on 10March 2015.

TABLE IX. COUNTRY-WISECAPITAL ACQUISITION,

2011/12-2013/14Country Rs in CroreUSA 32615Russia 25364France 12047Israel 3389Others 10445Total 83860

This Spanish Air Force Airbus C295M(serial 35-42) is shown employing Lapes(low altitude parachute extractionsystem), delivering a load precisely witha cushioned pallet, without landing.(Airbus Defence & Space)

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Commissionhas recommendedaquantumjumpof 10percentage points to 42per centof States’ share in the central government’stax revenues. The magnitude of the hikecan be gauged from the fact that in thepast when the finance commissionshave recommended an increase in states’share, such increase was in the range ofone-two per cent.The quantum jump in devolution of tax

revenues to the states would meanproportionately reduced fiscal space for thecentral government. To further squeeze thefiscal space available with the centre, thegovernment has decided to discontinueonly eight centrally sponsored schemes asagainst 32 schemes suggested by theFinance Commission. Given this, whatboils down to hard reality is that defencehas to compete with other sectors tomaintain its share in what now remains arelatively reduced pie for distribution.Apart from the above the defence is also

likely to be impacted by roadmapsuggested for it by the 14th FinanceCommission. It is however to be noted thatunlike the 13thFinanceCommissionwhichhad given a roadmap covering bothrevenue and capital expenditure, the 14thFinance Commission has limited itsprojection to defence revenue expenditureonly, arguing that capital expenditure is“beyond the scope of our assessment.”As per the roadmap, the revenueexpenditure is projected to grow by13.5 per cent per year till 2019/20.

However,while projecting this growth rate,the Commission has kept the revenueexpenditure-GDP ratio at constant 1.04percent, so as to allow the revenue expenditureto grow at the same rate as the nominalGDP. In other words, if the nominal GDPgrows faster than 13.5 per cent (the growthrate assumed by the Commission for the

projectedperiod), the revenue expenditurewould also grow that much faster. Theconverse is also true. Given this, thedefenceministry would nowhope that thenominal GDP grows faster than 13.5 percent in the remaining years of the projectedperiod so that revenue expenditureremains in a healthy situation.

ConclusionThe eight percent growth indefence budget2015-16 is disappointing on severalaccounts. First, themodest increasewouldmost likely enlarge the already hugegap existing between MoD’s resourcerequirement and the allocation made insuccessive budgets. Second, the stagnationof capital expenditure which is crucial forbuilding new capability, would furtherdelay the on-goingmodernisation process.Having said that, the latest defenceallocation has to be seen the light of thenew centre-state fiscal relations in whichthe fiscal space of the central government isleft shrinking due to the implementationof the report of the 14th FinanceCommission. From both short- and long-term perspective this is a major cause ofconcern for sectors like defence, which iscompletely dependent on the centralgovernment for its resource requirement.What ismore significant is that if the fiscalspace does not widen rapidly in future,defencewill have very little for augmentingits capital assets. As evident, the entireincrease of Rs. 17,727 crore in defencebudget 2015/16 is consumed by therevenue expenditure with the manpoweraccounting nearly half of it. Given the newfiscal reality, the government has to nowponder seriously if such situation could beleft to continue in future inwhichwhateverextra fund is provided inbudget, it does notadd to capital expenditure.Third, the defence budget 2015/16 is

also disappointing on account of lack ofdefence-specific ‘Make in India’ initiative.In particular, the budget does notspeak of measures promised by PrimeMinister in the recently held Aero Indiaexhibition. Considering that the defencemanufacturing, particularly by the privatesector needs substantial investment onplant andmachinery, technology and skilldevelopment, it is high time that thegovernment incentivises the industry andimplement the measures promised by thePrimeMinister himself.

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The 14th FinanceCommission (FC)

was constituted to giverecommendations

oncertain aspects ofcentre-state fiscal

relations for the periodoffive years (fromApril 2015

toMarch 2020), hasmade anumber of

recommendationshavinga far reaching implicationon the central government

budgetmaking

”

An Apache combat helicopter in operation

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Tothecommonperson, security in themaritime domain is of littlerelevance, and he would rather pay

attention to something more “earthly,”commonplace, and interesting. This isbecause man is basically a continentalcreature, and tends to take only mattersrelated to terra firma seriously. The“continental” man does not consider theoceans even though they constitute 71 percent of planet earth; it doesnotmatter evenif most of the global economy weredependent on carriageofmerchandise over

themediumofwater. Toman, the limits oflife’s activities are defined by his ownboundaries–unlesshe is venturing into thesea for economic or leisure activity (ofwhich there are aminuscule few– includingthe seamen who man the 100,000 oddseagoingvessels of theworld).Butonemustappreciate that 90 per cent of the world’sgoods by volume and 75 per cent by valuehavenoalternativebut to take the sea route!This is because the sea connects the worldwithout barriers of territory, terrain, or toll,andbecauseshipsoffer thecheapestmodeof

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MARITIMESECURITY:THECOASTALCHALLENGEWith the rise of non-traditional security, the maritimesecurity paradigm has undergone a transformation with institutionalarrangements being strengthened

ANUP SINGH

KEY POINTS� Though a ‘continental man’ is landfocussed, it cannot be gain-said 90 percent of global cargo move by oceansand seas� Sea Lines of Communication arecrucial for passage of cargo thus to beguarded by the navies of the world� After 26/11, Indian government hasstrengthened coastal security by raisingnew institutional arrangements

MARINE SECURITY

ICGSagar of the Indian Coast Guardparticipating in exercise at easternregion somewhere near to Chennai

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transportationof bulk goods. This scenariobeing a ‘given’, all national and globaleconomies are heavily (almost entirely)dependent on the sea. Any disruption orthreat of disruption would entail heavypenalties to the economies of thosenations(including the land-locked ones).

Traditionally, therehavebeentwotypesofthreats from the sea. One, as explainedabove, is the threat to shippingor sea linesofcommunication (SLOCs), and two, the age-old threat to territorial integrity that takesthe formofsurreptitiousorovert conquest. Itis to keep these traditional threats at bay,that maritime nations have always hadnavies as defenders of vital maritimeinterests of nations.

However, the situation at sea hasundergone a huge change since the fall ofthe Berlin Wall. After the end of the ColdWar, it was as if hitherto suppressedchallenges were unleashed for assaultthrough the sea route, or otherwise! Theseare now commonly known as non-traditional challenges, and are used bystates as well as non-state actors asasymmetric tools of war. These includemaritime terrorism, drug-running, gun-running, human trafficking, piracy andarmed robbery.Evenman-madeornaturaldisasters are threats ofhugemagnitude thatkeepmaritime forces engaged in the task ofmaritime security. These non-traditional

threats were always ‘listed’ in the manualsand practiced in some regions – but on avery small scale, and were faced only asisolated cases earlier. Today, however, it isthese non-traditional challenges thatconstitute majority of threats to peace andgood order in themediumof the seas – themost important of the global commons.

To appreciate the security environmentof India’s maritime domain, one must firstlook at the geostrategic environment inwhich India exists.Within the symmetricalperimeterof thenorthern IndianOcean, theIndianpeninsuladrivesawedgeextendingathousandnauticalmiles into thesea,makingallmercantile shippinghug the Indiancoast–whethermoving throughtheCapeofGoodHope/Gulf ofAden/Strait ofHormuz to theMalacca Strait/Northern Bay of Bengal, orwhile taking thesamerouteonthewayback.In other words, India is located at thenatural junction of themost important andsome of the most important SLOCs of theworld. These international SLOCs accountfor about 100,000vessels transit through apath close to India’s shores annually. Thattranslates intoa continuous streamof shipspassing close toIndia’s shoreline, round theyear. Inaddition, there are almost 200,000fishingcrafts registered inninecoastal statesand fourUnionTerritoriesof India,ofwhichat least 20 per centof the boats must be inoperationat anygiven timealong the coasts(exceptduring “banned”period for fishing).Altogether, these shipsandboats clutter theentire offshore horizon along peninsularIndia, and to a lesser extent, the islandterritories.Thatmakes the taskofmaritimeforces of the state an unenviable charter –particularly in theaftermathof 26/11.

Of all the non-traditional challenges,

To the common person,security in the maritime

domain is of littlerelevance, and he would

rather pay attention tosomething more “earthly,”

commonplace, andinteresting.This is because

man is basically acontinental creature, and

tends to take onlymatters related to terra

firma seriously

”Do228 built byHAL is themainstayof the Indian Coast Guard’scoatal surveillance fleet©AJB

the three that pose the most seriousimplications to India’s vital interests are,first, the asymmetric threat to shipping atsea.As India’s global economicengagementtouchesalmost a trilliondollars,theprimarytaskof itsmaritime forces–particularly theNavyand theCoastGuard–getsmagnified.Any threat to ‘freedomof navigation’ in ourterritorial waters can have disastrousconsequences.Second, any threat to anyof the 13major

and187minorand intermediateportsof thecountry can be even more disastrous, asdisruption through sabotage or terroristaction inoneport caneasilyhavea ‘domino’effect(of slow progress due to tightenedsecurity) in all other ports. In fact, animmediate casualty of a disruption in anyport under terrorist action, will be thediversionof almost all foreign flagged shipsoriginallyheaded for thatport.Even Indianflaggedvessels are likely toweigheconomiccostsof commercial activity in termsofdelayordiversion.And finally, the threat of terrorist assault

from the sea, on land – as was witnessedduring 26/11 – keeps the Navy, the CoastGuard, and the Marine Police Wing ofcoastal states on alert round the clock. If itwas the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba as the

prominent force then, the spectre of acombination of Pakistan based andsponsored groups attempting moredramatic episodes, hasnot faded.Just toput thingsaboutvulnerabilitiesof

a long and unmanned coastline inperspective, it is important toalso lookbackat all the coastal intrusions of the past. Theexplosiveordnance thathadwreakedhavocin the Mumbai blasts of 1993 had beenferried via the sea route before landing onthe West coast.This revelation had led toheightened security along the coast, andlaunchingof “OperationSwan”executedbythe Indian Navy in concert with the CoastGuard and state police in Gujarat andMaharashtra. However, the boats used inthis operation were hired trawlers –manned by security forces and the police –whichdidnothaveadequate infrastructureor hardware for laying an impenetrablebarrier. Therefore, the incident of 26/11provided impetus for infusion of funds,technology, and reorganisation for aseamless cordon along the coast. Amongstthe various measures that have beensanctioned include the following:

MandatoryRegistration.Registrationofall fishing craft with colour-coding toidentify theirparent coastal statehasalmost

been completed. This has made a tangibledifference to the task of siftingwheat fromthe chaffby the security forces.

Coastal Radar Stations.Theprocessofsettinga complete coastline stringof radars– tokeep trackofvessels close tocoast–wasinitiatedafter26/11.BharatElectronicsLtd(BEL), India’s premier PSU in Electronics(including for Defence Services) hadsupplied the first tranche of equipment. Sofar, 46 radar stationshavebeenestablishedonthecoastline includingsome in the islandterritories. But for amaritimenationwith a7516kmlong shore, these areobviouslynotsufficient. Therefore, Phase II of thisscheme, which will involve erection of 38more radars isonanvil.Oncedone, these84radars will enable a somewhat ‘seamless’coverage along the coast. Though the firstbatch of radars is already providingvaluable, real time inputs–of their coverageradii - theentireprojectwill take somemoretime to complete as it entails creation ofexpensive and time-consuminginfrastructure with wireless linkage toOperation Centres ashore. Most advancedmaritime nations have such means ofelectronic surveillance that keep awatchfuleye for safety of seagoing people, vessels,andsecurityofnational territoryandassets.

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32

Combat Boat 90 used forcoastal surveillance

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One has to just imagine the paradigm shiftthat our maritime environment will haveundergone once this infrastructure is inplace, in its entirety.Not just security of thestate, but thewellbeingof fishermenaswellas the capability of identifying friend fromfoewill beput inplace.

Security ofPorts.Allports in Indiahavebeen brought under the ambit of securityunder ‘self-help’ and ‘state assistance’ incertain areas. In the aftermath of 9/11, andwith the spectre of future assaults possiblythrough the sea route, the IMO, in 2002,promulgated a security protocol for ports,under what is called the International ShipandPort Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Thenew requirements form the internationalframework through which governments,ships and port facilities can co-operate todetect and deter acts, which threatensecurity in the maritime transport sector.The risks to Indian ports are truly huge.Under the Code governments are requiredtoassess the threats andevaluate the riskofa potential unlawful act in their ports. TheISPS Code provides a standardised,consistent framework formanagingriskandpermitting the meaningful exchange andevaluation of information between theshipping companies, port facilities, andships.Whenariskof attack is identified, thegovernment is supposed to advise the shipsconcerned of the current security level; of

any securitymeasures that shouldbeput inplaceby it toprotect themselves fromattack;and of security measures that the countryhas decided to put in place.A security auditof all 13 major ports and 187 minor/

intermediateports inIndiawascompletedby1July2004(thedateof the code’s entry intoforce, and ports have since been broughtunder its ambit.However, a lotmore needstobedone in theCentreandstate-controlledports, in terms of plugging the physicalgaps, and introduction of technology forensuring foolproof security inports.

Remote Identification of FishingCrafts. Inorder to identify trawlersat sea, aremote interrogation system is also underconsideration. When completed, it willenable the Navy/ Coast Guard/ LightHouses, and Operations Centres todetermine credentials of the ‘interrogated’vessel by remote means which would be asatellite-based system.

High Speed Craft.One area that was aweak link with security forces all this timewas the inadequacyof fast boats that canbeused for intercepting suspicious vessels. Itis this inadequacy over the years that hademboldened smugglers, poachers, andultimately terrorists to go about theirmisdeeds with abandon. In the business ofdefenceof the state at sea,visible “presence”and “speed”of the fast boats provide acredible deterrence! That void has finallybegun to get filled. TheNavy, Coast Guard,andMarineWingof statepolice forceshavestarted toget equippedwith fast interceptorboats, which are building confidenceamongst stakeholders at sea, and making

33

The threatof terroristassault fromthesea,

on land–aswaswitnessedduring26/11 – keeps theNavy, theCoastGuard,and theMarinePolice

Wingofcoastal statesonalert round theclock.

If itwas theLashkar-e-Tayyebaas the

prominent force then, thespectreof acombinationofPakistanbasedand

sponsoredgroupsattemptingmoredramaticepisodes,hasnot faded

”India is planning to buy ShinMaywa

amphibious aircraft ‘US-2’ fromJapan tostrengthen its coastal security

the shorelinemore andmore impregnable.What ismore important is the fact thatmostof these highly specialised crafts are beingproduced indigenously.

Automatic Identification System(AIS). This is a system that was initiallyintroduced by the International MaritimeOrganisation (IMO) in theyear2000, in theformofaVHFradio-basedtransponder,asanoptional attachment on vessels above 300gross tonnes and of 20metres length. Afterthe9/11episode,andaftermanymeetingsofthe Maritime Security Committee of theIMO, itsusehasnowbecomemandatory.Inaverygeneral sense, theAIS system is

similar to the air traffic control system atairports, appliedhere tomarine traffic.Thismandatory regulation requires all vessels to

haveanAIS transponder installed.Shipsareaware of each other’s position and harbourcontrol establishments can use AIS toincrease transportation efficiency andsafety, by identifying, tracking andsupervising the movement of all vessels asthey head into harbour, or navigate alongin-landwaterwaysordangerous coastlines.AIS data is sent every few seconds over

dedicateddigitalmarine radio channels. Inaddition, now AIS signals are also pickedup by satellites and relayed to ships andground stations.After the26/11 attacks, India launcheda

“National AIS” grid under the aegis of theDirector General of Lighthouses andLightships (DGLL), and this system hasworked towards much improved domain

awareness and better dissemination to allstakeholders including the Navy and theCoastGuard.

Long Range Identification andTracking System (LRIT). LRIT providesan enhanced level of Maritime DomainAwareness that is the first of its kind. It is asatellite-based, real-time reportingmechanism that allows unique visibility toposition reports of vessels that wouldotherwise be invisible and potentially athreat to countries suchasours.The systemprovides for the global identification andtracking of ships. After seeing the benefitsas well as lacunae in the AIS system, theIMO, in2006,hadmadeLRITamandatoryrequirement for all ships above 300 grosstonnes to be equipped with a system thatuses the satellite communication setonboard, to transmit their position at leastfour timesaday.TheLRITsystemconsistsofthe ship borne LRIT informationtransmittingequipment,LRITDataCentersin various countries, and the InternationalLRITDataExchange system.The LRIT has a data exchange protocol

between the IMOandall contracting states.It is designed to collect and disseminatevessel position information received fromIMOmember states’ ships. This data gets

MARINE SECURITY

34

Aswill beseen fromtheabove, inacountryas

ours–withalmost 40,000vesselsat seaat any time–alongandoff the7516 kmlongcoastline– it is a

seriousdisadvantage tohavegaps incoverageby

theAISandLRITcombine.Bothsystemsweremademandatoryby IMO,only

for vesselsabove300grosstonnes.Thiswouldhavemeant leavingalmost twohundred thousand fishingvesselsoutof thescreen

”As on land and air, command and control capabilities are via data fusion, enhancing theeffectiveness of hitherto unconnected sensors © DCNS

T

APRIL 2015 DSI

collated inData Centreswithin contractingstates. The advantage to India comes fromthe fact thatbeingamandatory requirementforall vessels above300gross tonnes, Indiawill get advance information when a vesselis1000 nautical miles from its shores.Details with the ship’s report include itsintended passage, destination, cargo etc.Anydeviation fromits coursewill alarmourauthorities to track/monitor any ‘rogue’vessel’s movements, and if required, to setup a chase/or interception to unravel thetruthof suchavessel’sintent.

Gaps in Coverage.Aswill be seen fromtheabove, inacountryasours–withalmost40,000 vessels at sea at any time – alongand off the 7516 km long coastline – it is aserious disadvantage to have gaps in

coverage by the AIS and LRIT combine.Both systems were made mandatory byIMO, only for vessels above 300 grosstonnes. This would have meant leavingalmost two hundred thousand fishingvesselsoutof the screen!And itwasa fishingtrawler that became the carrier ofPakistaniterrorists on 26/11. Therefore, the DirectorGeneral of Shipping, India (DG Shipping),has made it mandatory for all vessels oflength 20 metres or more (registered/operating along the Indian coast), to havean AIS system onboard. Thus, while AIScoversvessels above20metres length,LRITismandatory for vessels above300 tonnes.

Remote Interrogation. The questionstill remains about vessels below20metreslength (most fishingboats in India), asalsoa

system of specific identification for allfishing boats as cited in (d) above. This isbeing enabled by a satellite-basedtransponder which has been developed byISRO,andsuccessfully testedonsome1000boats in Gujarat. Now it will be put intoproduction, for installation on the hugenumberof fishingvessels in India.

Information Management System.Long before 26/11, the Navy had beenworking on aNational Command, Control,Communication and Intelligence (NC3I)network, to obtain network centricity in itsoperations, and to enable real timeinformation exchange for the sake ofimmediate maritime domain awareness. Ahuge achievement (as an offshoot of theNC3I initiative)hasbeen the creationof theimpressive Information ManagementAnalysis Centre (IMAC), at Gurgaon,recently commissioned by the defenceminister. ThisCentrenowacts as thehub inthe hub - and-spoke system of real timeawareness of our immediate maritimeenvironment.The spokeshere, are the largenumber of Naval and Coast Guardmonitoringstationsalong thecoast. Inotherwords, all elements and “messengers” citedabove feed into the IMAC for integration,correlation, and dissemination ofinformation in ‘intelligent’ form.In the business of security, the situation

at sea is vastly different from anyexampleon land.First, there isno terrainatsea. Therefore, building of barriers orfences is not possible. Brick and mortarinfrastructure cannot be built, andmanpower cannot be made to physicallyscour every kilometre of territorial border.Secondly, even electronic surveillancesystems on the coast or on ships behavedifferently at sea due to weather patternsand propagation conditions, leaving voidsin detection on some occasions. Thirdly, itis important tounderstand the sea frontier.Maritime zones are vast in depth, unlikenarrow border strips for patrol, requiringlarge resources to scour and search.Generally such numbers are unaffordablefor countrieswith longcoastlinesandscarceresources. Insuchascenario, theanswer liesin using technology (apart from essentialnumbers), to ‘beat the intruder’.Most of the infrastructure may be in

place, but many elements have to befurther strengthened with induction ofmore hardware and even manpower insome cases.

35

A

Two Indian Coast Guard helicoptersfly past as a Coast Guard officer

works on the deck of a ship during ademonstration in the Bay Of Bengal

USVs such as Rafael's Protector areplaying a growing role in securing portsand close to shore © Rafael

36

Impact of technology on the battlefieldhas been dramatic. Air Marshal AnilTrikhawrote inanarticle on the Indian

Air Force (IAF) and Precision GuidedMunitions and reminded us recently, thatwhile it took 108 B17 Bombers, crewed by1,080 airmen, dropping 648 bombs togenerate a 96percent chance of getting twohits insidea400x500ftGermanPowerplantinWorldWar II, a single strike aircraftwithone or two crewmen dropping two bombscould achieve the same result in 1991 Gulf

War, with essentially a 100 percentexpectationofhitting the target.

It is not surprising therefore thattechnology is perceived to be the biggestgamechanger. Ithaschanged the traditionalthought process on military effectivenessand in the evolution of new war-fightingtechniques and doctrines. Though itappears strangebut it is true formajority ofthe nation today that technology drives theconcepts to support its missionrequirements insteadof being a catalyst for

s

PRECISIONGUIDEDMUNITIONS:‘SMARTBOMBS’NEED ‘SMARTDECISIONS’PGMs changed the shape of battle in the late-20th century with the USvirtually winning the war in Persian Gulf with just a few KIAs

ANILCHAIT

KEY POINTS� Germans expectedly led in PGMtech as well as they exhibited in 1943at the Strait of Benfacio.� The first recent use of precisionguided munition was in 1991 duringthe Gulf War.� Directed energy weapons thatmany nations are working on will be nextgeneration development after PGMs.

U

PGMs

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supporting the concept anddoctrines.Aswe enter the information age, there is

nodoubt that informationage technologies,precision fire technologies and a host ofother technologies fused together, aregoingto transformthewayweconductwarfare.

As target acquisition range increased onthe conventional battlefield on account oftheability to see, thedesire toengage targetsbeyond visual range accurately, came to bedesired increasingly, drivennot only by thesecond and third generation mindset of

destructionofwar-wagingpotentialnot justto subdue the will of the enemy but also todelay, disrupt and defeat the adversarybefore his power could be applied on theantagonist. As the target list became largeandspannedwell into the rear and flanks, itbecamenecessary toprioritise.

Takingoutthecentreofgravityoftheforcetherefore came to be associated with thepriority in degradation tasking for breakingthe organic cohesion of the force beforedefeating it indetail.Since itwasdefendedindepth and oftenwas not visible to the nakedeye,thefocusshiftedontargetacquisitionandsubsequently towards its engagement withaccuracy, in the indirect engagement zone.What facilitated the successful outcomedesired by the war-fighters was, theconcurrent improvement thatwasoccurringin tandem in the field of battlefieldtransparency, net enabledoperations and inthe fieldofcommandandcontrol.

The PGMs seek to combine into a singleweapon, all four attributes of mobility,destructive force, range, and ability toengage a target with precision. Besidesconservingammunition,PGMsalso reduce

the riskofunintended ‘collateral damage.Ammunitionwastageduringrangingand

misses on account of dispersal of theammunition is thus avoided as target, isattackedwithaccuracy.Engagement is swiftand occurs without any warning, resultingin greater damage. Variables imposed byweather and gravity becomesmeaningless.Most importantly PGMs enables movingtargets to be engaged smartly, as thewarfighter progressively graduates to theconcept of shoot and scoot.

The first instance of modern dayengagement by PGMs is perhaps of theGerman attack on the Italian naval ShipRoma, in the Strait of Bonifacio in 1943. AGerman Luftwaffe Dornier used a radiocontrolled 1,400-kgFritzXammunition forthe attack. The virtues of PGMs, in such anengagement, caught the attention ofcommanders and their developmentcommencedwith increasingcapabilitiesandvarying technologies.

Present day PGMs:TypesandTechnologiesModern day PGMs are of varied types,

USMarines fire anM982Excaliburround fromanM777155mm

howitzer during a fire supportmissionat Fire Base Fiddlers Green, Helmand

province, Afghanistan©DoD

Trajan 155mm/52 calibre ordnanceoriginally developed byNexter forCAESARwith themountingdeveloped in conjunctionwith LarsenandToubro in India©Nexter

P

operating on different technologicalplatforms, grouped according to theguidance technology.FuturisticPGMsusingadvanced guidance concepts and guidedsmall armswould soon join thearray.Besides various guidance technologies,

guidance can also be provided by inertialguidance systems supported by satelliteshaving PNT (positioning, navigating andtiming) capabilities likeGPS.Infrared (IR) light is electromagnetic

radiationwith longerwavelengthsthanthoseof visible light and includes most of the

thermal radiationemittedbyobjectsatnearroom temperature. Objects like people,vehicle engines and aircraft generate andretain heat, which is visible in the infraredwavelengths of light when compared toobjects inthebackground.EmissionofthisIRis used to track a target, which is called IRtracking and is used for passive guidance ofmissiles. Suchmissiles are also called heat-seekingmissiles.Smallermissiles, especiallyman-portableair-defencesystemsnormallyuse the IR homing guidance system, whichhas theadvantageofbeing“fire-and-forget”.

The US Stinger andMaverick, the RussianSA-18Igla, fall under this category.Laser guidancewas first applied toaerial

bombs to achieve greater accuracy as theywere cheaper than employing a guidedmissile. Some of these utilise beam-ridingguidance, but most operate on semi-activelaser homing. In this technique, the targethas to be illuminated with a laser, whichthen assists the bomb to accurately hit thetarget. The LAHAT (Laser Homing Attackor Laser Homing Anti-Tank) of Israel andtheAGM-114Hellfire of theU.S., fall underthis category. BAE Systems’ AdvancedPrecision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)laser-guided rocket would be anotherexampleofuseof laser guidance.Laser beam riding is generally used for

short-range anti-tank and anti-air missileslike the British SAM Starstreak, SwedishSAM RBS 70, Brazilian anti-tank MSS-1.2and Russian anti-tank 9M119 Svir. Beamriding was introduced along with low-costportable laser designators and is generallyused for short-range anti-tank and anti-airmissiles.The third generation Anti-TankGuidedMissiles (ATGM) lock-on the targetbefore launch.LockheedMartin’sAGM-114Hellfire, is an air-to-surfaceATGMthatuses millimeter radar as its seeker.Importantly, our own indigenous ATGMNag may also be fitted with a millimeterwave radar seeker.GulfWar brought out the importance of

PGMs but their employment was limited.Satellite-guided weapons, which employGPS and thus could be called as all weathersystem showcased their potential. As theGPS are prone to jamming, these weaponshave inertial navigation as back up. HOPEand HOSBO are a new family of precision-guided munitions used by the German AirForce thatuseGPS/INSandelectro-opticalvideo feedback for guidance.The Joint Direct Attack Munition

(JDAM) kit has been developed by the UStoconvertunguidedbombs intoall-weatherguidedbombs. JDAM-equippedbombsareguided by INS guidance, coupled with aGPS.TheAGM-154A joint standoffweaponis a fire and forget system,which employs acoupledGPS/ INS for terminal guidance.

PGMs for the ArtilleryTheM-712Copperhead is a 155mmcaliberprojectile, which is fin-stabilized and haslaser guidance for terminal homing. It canbe fired from M-114, M-109 and M-198

PGMs

38

Integration software of the upgradedM20B1UK launcher fires its first rocket at the

White SandMissile Range inNewMexico.GMLRS andM270B1 are nowdeployed in theatrein support ofUKground forces and complement

their US counterparts©LockheedMartin

B

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howitzers and is very effective against tanksand artillery guns. It however requires thetarget to be laser designated to guide theprojectile.TheCopperheadwasusedduringOperation Desert Storm and OperationIraqiFreedom.XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit is a US

Army programme, to develop a precisionguidance kit (PGK) for 155 mm artilleryshells. The PGK is screwed into the nose ofthe projectile similar to a fuse and providesGPS guidance and control surfaces tocorrect the flight of the shell. Its CircularErrorProbability (CEP) is less than30 to50m, far less thananunguided155-mmround.XM395 Precision Guided Mortar

Munition (PGMM) is a 120 mm guidedmortar round, which is guided byDistributed Aperture Semi-Active LaserSeeker technology. The system consists ofaGPS-guidedkit,which includes anoseandtail sub-system formanoeuvring the bomband has a CEP of one meter. Satellite-guided weapons are likely to be moreeffective in adverse conditions than anyother PGM and have been foundparticularly effective in themountains.Krasnopol is a Russian 152/155 mm

projectile, which is fin-stabilised and hassemi-automatic laser-guidance. The targethas tobe laserdesignated for theprojectile tobe guided. It is very effective against tanks,artillery guns or small hard targets. Indiapossesses a sizeable stock of these, whichwere acquiredpostKargil.M982Excalibur isa 155mmcalibrePGM

developedbyRaytheon andBAESystemswith extended-range andGPS guidance foraccurate, first round, fire-for-effectcapability. It has a range of approximately40 to 57 km depending on configurationwith a CEP of around 5 m to 20 m. It isclaimed thatone roundof theExcalibur canbe equal to 10-50 rounds of conventionalammunition in effectiveness. An improvedversionof theExcalibur isbeingdevelopedbyRaytheon, which will provide even greaterrange, accuracy and less collateral damage.GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch

Rocket System) developedby LockheedMartin fires guided unitary MLRS over arange of more 70 km and is in service withmany countries. TheGMLRSXM30 rockethas a combination of GPS and inertialguidance system,with small canardson therocketnose, to enhanceaccuracy.Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is

perhaps the most effective example of

achieving accuracy “independent of rangeto the target”.This long-range cruisemissileis as accurate against a target 1,000nauticalmiles from its launch point, as is a laser-guidedbombonly a fewmiles away fromanattacking aircraft. The difference is intheir costing and survivability, on accountof exposure, with the Tomahawk being

almost a hundred-foldmore expensive.

ApplicationPGMsrequiredetaileddataontheir intendedtargets or ‘aim-points’. They require“precision information on targets” to bemilitarilyuseful,asopposedtobeingwasteful.For engagements by submerged

submarines, which have ability tomanoeuvre while remaining deepunderwater non-homing torpedoes aimedon constant azimuth and running atconstantdepthsoffer little chanceofhittingthe opponent. Guided torpedoes henceremain theonly viable solution.Are PGMs useful in CI and CT

Operations? This is a question that is oftenaskedand theanswer is yes; especially if theconcept of jus in bello and desire to followInternationalHumanitarianLaws, remainspredominant. Projectiles with higherdestructivepoweronthecontrary,whicharenot even accurate, increase possibility forcollateral damage where victims mayoverwhelminglybe the friendly citizens.

FutureTechnologies andTrendsExtreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance(EXACTO) seeks to improve snipereffectiveness by providing longer standoffrange(bothbydayandnight),betteraccuracyand reduced time of engagement. This is

39

TheM-712Copperhead isa155mmcaliberprojectile,which is fin-stabilizedand

has laserguidance forterminalhoming. It can

be fired fromM-114,M-109andM-198howitzers

and is veryeffectiveagainst tanksandartillery

guns. It howeverrequires the target tobe

laserdesignated

”

BAESystems is leading thePaladin IntegratedManagementupgrade following a $313million

award last year andwhich is due tocomplete in 2015©USDoD

probably to be achieved by developing thefirstever-guidedsmall-calibremanoeuvrablebullet, which is guided by a real-timeguidance system to track, guide and achievebull’seyeonthetarget. It isbasedonthe0.50calibreBrowningmachine-gun.TheCounter-Sniper Program (C-Sniper) does the exactopposite ofEXACTObydetecting the sniperandneutralisinghim.Counter Rocket-Propelled Grenade and

Shooter System with Highly AccurateImmediate Responses (CROSSHAIRS) is amodular, vehicle-mounted, threatdetectionand counter-measure system that locatesand engages enemy shooters. It takes onbullets, rocket propelled grenades, ATGMsand mortars. The system will also beeffective,whilemoving.Efforts areongoing todevelopprecision-

guidedsmall armsammunitionusinga laserdesignator to guide an electronically firedbullet, or using a laser range finder todetonate shells close to the target.Directed Energy Weapons will be the

future of PGMsanddevelopment efforts inthis field are on in many countries,including India.

PGMs in Indian ContextRapidity and fluidity on the battlefield canoccur, through rapiddestructionof targets.Targets such as bunkers, tanks, ICVs andmissile launchers, command and controlcentres, canbeengagedwith leastnumberofshells and with minimal collateral damageamidst urbanisation on the western front.This is an imperative for the Indiandefenceforces if theyare todominate thebattlefield,quickly, in a shortdurationwar.This canbeachieved by a limited number of PGMs farmore effectively than through deploymentof a very large number of ‘dumb,’ highexplosive shells.Inbuildingthiscapability, forceswillhave

to move away fromWar Wastage Reserve

formulation forstoringammunition, to jointcapabilitybuildingmatrix fordestructionofopponent.Axiomatically,numberswilloffsetthecostpartially.India’sLong-TermIntegratedPerspective

Plan (LTIPP) and Technology Perspectiveand Capability Roadmap (TPCR) lay’s therequirement of future PGMs. With nocommunications, no humans, and only acamera in the loop, it may take a little time.The capability as and when developed, willofferhighlyaccurateprecisionfire.Missiles such as the Prithvi and Prahaar

and long-range rockets like Smerch andPinaka, have the capability to strike deepwithaccuracy andprecision.The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

with a velocity of Mach 2.5 to 2.8 is aversatile missile that can be launched veryaccurately, employing the above conceptfrommobile launchers as well from land,aircraft and ships.Modern artillery, firing 155 mm

precision strike ammunition can beemployed across the frontage and depth ofthe battlefield to cause extensive damageand destruction of the enemy’s forces. TheIndian artillery must induct PGMs in largenumbers to give effect to its emerging roleof causing destruction rather than mereneutralisation. PGMholdingmust goup to25 to30per cent of total ammunition.As technology develops, the day is not

very far when tank guns will be firingprecision ammunition to engage targetsaccurately in the intermediate zone (so farnot visible), on predetermined coordinateswith guns being laid with the help of fullsolution fire control system in a networkedscenario. This will optimise the firepowerand make the fighting vehicle platformcapable not only to manoeuvre but also toshape the opposition while approaching it,before closinganddestroying the target.Indian Air Force is believed to have

acquired Crystal Maze Air-to-Surfacemissiles from the Israeli firm,Rafael. Asreported in the newspapers, it is alsowanting toacquirePaveway IILGBs.DRDOis also working on indigenous LaserGuidance Kit Sudarshan, while wanting toco-produceCrystalMaze for IAF.

ConclusionPGMsare at the cutting edgeof technology.Whilecostsareasignificant factor inseekingto rapidly enhance their procurement, theavailabilityof technology isalsoamajorgreyarea as advanced countries are unlikely topart with such advanced technical knowhow.While theDRDOhas acquired and/orpossesses technical knowhow to developand produce PGMs to meet some of therequirementsof ourArmedForces, it is stillstriving to perfect an active seeker – theultimate inprecisionguidance.Over thesixdecadessince their firstuse in

operations, PGMs have evolved to attainformidable accuracy and reliability withtheir lethality. This has, been exponentiallyenhanced through integration with sensorand targeting networks. PGMs beingintegrated intobattlefielddecision-makingsystems will result in the use of ‘smartbombs’ through ‘smartdecisions’.

40

Used in action byUS forces, Raytheon’sExcalibur has been fired fromM109A5Paladins andM777A2s©USArmy

JAGM’s design integrates our AGM-114Rmulti-purposeHELLFIRE IImissilebody (including the control actuation system,warhead and rocketmotor) andcapitalizes onmissile program improvements that havemigrated into themodernHELLFIRE II design©LockheedMartin

PGMs APRIL 2015 DSI

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42

Theunmannedaerial vehicleswillplayanimportantrole inthewaythefuturewars are going to be fought globally.

It is evident already by its extensive use inthe low intensity conflicts happening in theAfghanistan theatre. The situation andopportunities in India in this field areanalysed inthisarticle. It isaneasyguess thatthere are huge projections made by thearmed and para military services for thesesystemsinthe future.Numbersaresufficienttomake the industry sufficiently interested.

Even though the indigenous design anddevelopment of the UAVs had startedearlyenoughthroughthe fieldingofSparrowUAV in the army Exercise Brasstacks bythe DRDO (Aeronautical DevelopmentEstablishment,Bangalore)back in 1984 theearlyneedsof theUAVsof thearmedservicesare being met even today for the bulk of itsneeds by the import of UAVs from Israelisources (Searcher andHeronUAVs).WhileSparrow was not meeting the userrequirement of launcher take off, Nishant

w

Theunmanned aircraft development in the country has gonebeyondthe incipient stagebut have still not reached the levels of aUSAor an Israel

PSKRISHNAN

AERIALVEHICLES

KEY POINTS� DRDO labs like ADE that work on UAVdevelopment have some areas ofstrengths, but also weaknesses.� ADE has developed a private industrybase within the country who can co-develop UAVs.� The best bet for UCAVs in the countryis to use an already productionisedairframe like that of an LCA.

UAVS:BESTCHANCEFORMAKE IN INDIA

APRIL 2015DSI

43

wasdevelopedbyDRDOandfielded in2002meeting this requirement and was orderedby Army in small numbers. The experiencewith these imported UAVs like all defenceequipment, is negated by the difficulty insupplyof sparesandopportunity costs.Acomparisonoftheperformancesofthese

two UAVs, made in india in the past, theimportedonesscoreover indigenoussystemsin respect of endurance, but the data linksecurity and range characteristics of theindigenousNishant is definitelybetter.Ona

userrequest, theNishanthasnowbeenmadeto conform to the taxi take off. As a paralleldevelopment the ADE has been able todeveloptheRustom1UAVhavingenduranceand payload capabilities better than theSearcher UAV. Having done more than 30flights this UAV gives a good option for theservices to consider. Many other excitingversionsof thisUAVarealsopossible.On the anvil, is the development of

Rustom2UAVbyADEhavinganenduranceand payload capabilities higher thanSearcher and Heron UAVs. It falls short ofonly theGlobalHawkUAVof theUSthoughthis UAV is of a different classification.It is reported that the Rustom 2 UAV isundergoing taxi-trials and will have its firstflight later thisyear, theprojectbeingbehindschedule by one year. It is thus seen that intermsofcapabilities theIndiandesignedanddeveloped UAVs will have all the requisitefigures sought by armed services, but thenwhat is lacking,whichprevents fieldingthemin large numbers by our Indian armedservices? This article will attempt to give aninsight into thisaspect.Before we step into discussions on the

gapsbetweenneedsandcapabilities, aquickword about the status of development ofmicro andnano air vehicles and their need.By the definition of these air vehicles theyhave very limited scope inmeeting the userneeds of UAVs and a lot has been done inthecountry in itsdevelopmentby joint teamof National Aerospace Laboratories,Bangalore andADE. There are a number ofconfigurations of these MAVs being flownandHindustanAeronauticsLimited (HAL)has also started a development program ofthese UAVs. In addition this is the mostinteresting topic for the Indianengineeringinstitutions that a lot of development istakingplace though in theprototype stages.This is the low-endmarket need itemof theUAVs for thearmedservices, pricewiseandits need can be met by the developers andmanufacturing industry within India. Theforeign nations are also ready to give theknow-how for this product. An initiationwork is goingon in the country in respect ofthenanoair vehicles.Theaspectof indigenisationofaerospace

productshasbeenhandled indifferentwaysfor different products made by theaerospaceproductdevelopersand industry.A well established DPSU HAL, whichironically started as a private industryin the pre-independence days is now a

aeronautical monopoly. The HAL workslargely (at least in itsvolumeof tradedonesofar) on licenced production of foreignaircrafts. It has successfully producedvarietyof aircrafts in thepast, under licenceproduction and of late, is involved in ab-initio development of helicopters and jettrainer (IJT,HTT).The HAL also suffers in meeting user

aspirations of keeping 75 per cent aircraftservicedandflying,dueto thedependenceonOEMs for spares. The LCA developmentstory is yet to see the user feedbacks inrespect of squadron use and proportion ofaircraft flying as needed by the user. It hashowever the advantage of less dependenceonOEMs formaintenanceandupgrades.TheUAVsdevelopedinthecountryhavea

differentapproachinitsmaking,comparedtolicencedmanufacture. Designs of Sparrow,Nishant, Rustom 2 are all indigenous donebyADEandotherDRDOlabs.This includessystemsdesign,aerodynamics, structure, theflight control computers (hardware andsoftware), the data link Line ReplacementUnits (LRUs), the flight control actuators,the engines (though there was an initialimportandlater indigenisation), thepayloadelements like the gimbals, its control, thevideotrackers, theelectronic intelligenceandcommunication intelligence payloads ofRustom 2, the synthetic aperture radar ofRustom 2 (though the programme beganwith a few imports), ground control station,ground data terminal and other groundsupport equipments. Rustom 1 uses astandard configuration of airframewhich isindigenously manufactured in the countryby a private industry. Rest of the onboardsystems integration etc follow the route ofother ADE UAVs. After the design, themanufacture, right from the prototypesstage, have been done by the Indian privateindustryTanejaAerospace,TataPower,Larsen and Toubro etc, and DPSUschosenonacompetitivebasis.The integration and flight tests of these

UAVs are done indigenously by DRDO.Whenwedoeither licencedmanufacturerorfollow any other equivalent mode ofmanufacture, thegrass-root level technologydoes not get transferred and thus theindustry iseverdependentonforeignOEMs,evenafterdecadesofdoingso,andthosewhosuffer are the users. In the case of theindigenousUAVscitedabove,ADEhasonlydonethedesignof theLRUs,establishedrigsto test these LRUs individually or as

A US Air Force operatedUAV Global Hawk operating

in Afghanistan-Pakistan

A

integrated systems, obtained certificationfrom concerned agencies, conducteddevelopment and user evaluation trials andhanded over the units produced by theindustry to theuser.

Themanufactureof theLRUs right fromthe prototype stage is by private industries.There is nodoubt a small amount of importand as an example it is 5 per cent orthereabouts, for the Nishant UAV by thecost.Nishant isanexample.Formanyyears,the Lakshya, though a pilotless targetaircrafts, which is unmanned, has followedthis route with HAL being the productionagency and the armed service users havebeen using this indigenous target aircraftsfordecades.

Still, this has not answered the criticalquestion of gaps between user needs andindigenous capability seen as a product inhis hand, which has lower acquisition costwhile meeting all the performanceparametres and is maintained to thepercentageof availabilitydesiredbyhim.Atbest the above goes to show the Indiancapability todesignand field suchUAVs for

user trialsbut thenwhereare thenumbers intheuserhands.Nowcomes the industry.Atleast for Lakshya HAL has been able tosupply the units to users and the sparessituation could be improved. Lakshya 2needs to be watched. HAL is keen inproducing and supplying Nishant and thedialogueswithusers includingwith theBSFis goingon.TheRustom2 is abig order andall theagencies involved suchasHAL, if it ischosenas theproductionagency,ADEhavefirst got to meet the user’s functionalrequirements through the developmentalanduser evaluation trials.

It isworthnotinghere that the focalplanearrays used inmaking the payloads are thecritical technology and efforts in bringingthis technology throughoffsets etc are tobemade. Above all, the indigenousdevelopment efforts gone on in this areamust not go waste and the champions of‘Make in India’ must come forward andbridge the gaps between the indigenouscapabilities and user aspirations anddemonstrate a stable product of quality inthe hands of the user. This, to start with

involves marketing of these indigenousUAVs to the Indianarmedservices in the ‘asis’ formor improvedversions thatmeetuserneeds. A concentrated effort is required toplug this area of drain of precious foreignresources and thus becomeworld sellers ofthese products owing to the lower cost ofmanufacturing involved in indigenouseffortincluding that of very low technologyacquisition cost fromDRDO.

Internationally, theareaofUAVshasseenvast development in the area of payloadsensors and algorithms used for datapresentation and fusion being the criticaltechnology of the aerospace vehicles ingeneral, and UAVs in particular. ThesepayloadsofUAVscanbeclassifiedaselectro-optic (EO)payloadsandelectronicpayloads.The EO payloads consist of MediumRangeEOorMREOand LongRange EOor LREOsystems. MREO payloads carried bycontemporary UAVs have CCD cameras,Forward Looking Infra red Sensor cameraand Laser Designator mounted on theirturrets. The electronic payloads consist ofMaritime patrol radar, Synthetic Aperture

AERIALVEHICLES

44

A

Rustom II in advanced stagesof operational developmentby the DRDO labADE

APRIL 2015 DSI

radar, Electronic intelligence payload,Communication intelligence payloads, IFF,videorecordersetc.

The criticality of MREO is the size vis avis stabilisation accuracy, which has to bebetter than30µrads in order to recognize a3.5m sized object at 8 km range. Suchsystems are available from ELBIT andCONTROP of Israel, L3 Western ofCanada, and FLIR systems of the USA.The LREO payload having stabilisationaccuracy of 5µrad is used to recognizemansized objects from 12 kms distance. SuchLREOs are restricted in supply from theUSA,IAIof Israel.Tamamdivisionof IAI istrying to supply the same to India. The keyissueofLREOis thestabilisationaccuracies.Though the DRDO has made gimbaledpayload assemblies having jitter isolationcapabilities of 50µrad for the two payloadsensors, efforts are on to make them forthree payload sensors. Miniaturisation isanother issue. The Indian efforts for the5µrad class are still in theR&Dstage.

The electronic payloads are usuallyrestricted by the sensitive nature of thefrequency data unique to the user. Anothertype of SAR using electronic beam controlis the most challenging of the electronicpayloads. There are a number of Israeli,EuropeanandAmericancompaniesofferingthese payloads at very attractive sizeconfigurationswhich challenges the Indiandevelopmentsof thesepayloadsdone for theground applications when suiting toairborneapplications.On thewholeas costsof these payloads consist of 50 per cent ofthe total cost of the UAV system, there is alot of emphasis on its indigenisation.

Another area of importance to all thetypes of UAVs or even for UCAVs is thegroundcontrol stationwhileconsidering itasintegrated with data link segment. Theinteroperability of the GeographicCoordinateSystem(GCS)withotherUAVs isone important aspect as stressed byRaytheonof theUS.The Indianusershavethe advantage of getting all the neededfeatures incorporated in theRustom2GCSas it is being co-developed with the users.The other technology areas such as dieselengine and the composites manufacture,though important, are within the reach ofthe Indiandevelopers andmanufacturers.

Another type of the UAVs is the rotaryUAV. IIT Kanpur has a smaller rotary UAVbuilt largelywithkitsbought fromsupplierstohobby flyers. This IIThasdone extensive

work in characterising its dynamics andgenerating control laws. A joint effortbetween HAL, ADE and IIT Kanpur hasbeen initiated in this area of rotary UAVswith an aim to finally make a presentmannedhelicopter, unmanned.

Theunmannedcombataircraft aregoingto be the main workhorse of tomorrow’saerial battle and efforts are going on for theconceptualisation of such aircraft in thecountry. UCAVs are designed to carry outSuppression of EnemyAir Defence (SEAD)andalso inLICs for targettedoperations.Astheydonotyethave thecomplexcapabilitiesof manned fighter to evade other strikeaircraft, they have increased stealthcapabilitiesusing lowradarcrosssectionsbyavoidingtheuseofanyprotrudingsurfacesoreven antennas. This, together with need forreducing infrared signatures by the use ofserpentine air intakes for their engines,

45

Internationally,the area of UAVs has

seen vast development inthe area of payload sensors

and algorithms used fordata presentation and

fusion being the criticaltechnology of the aerospace

vehicles in general, andUAVs in particular.

”

AnUAVbuilt by DRDO ‘Nishant’ in theearly stages of theUAVprogramme

IndianNavy’s ‘Heron’UAVof Israeli origin flies over the

Porbandar airfield

increases thecomplexitiesof theairframebythe use of complex wing and controlgeometry (Dragerons, for instance), whichin turn calls for uniqueness in their controllawsandcanleadtodemandingthrustvectorcontrol from their engines. These are earlydays for suchaircrafts for thecountry.

At present DRDO has only startedlooking into theoptionsof suchdesignsandhence these are early days. Conversion ofLCA into unmanned versions or any otherageingaircraftwith IAFcanalsobe thoughtof. It is heartening to note that theexperience gained in the manned fighteraircraft designanddevelopment like that ofLCA and the vast experience of unmannedaerial vehicles from ADE will help indevelopmentofUCAV.

The solar UAVs are again going to havetheir ownspace in the futureofUAVs.Withthe lead in the development of mannedflights like Solar Impulse and other solarUAVselsewhere in theworld Indiahas todoa lot in catchingup in this area.

Inconclusion, it isheartening tonote thatthere is a lot of indigenous technologydeveloped within the country for the UAVsand it is the opinion of the author that weneed not go the licenced production routefor theUAVs to bemade in India. Ifwe takethat path in the name of ‘Make in India,’ itwill be a retrograde step.Wemustmake the

UAVs in Indiawith the Indian technologies.We must also learn from the past and alsocarefully do aSWOTanalysis of the currentsituation of UAV design, development andmanufacturevisavis theuser’sneeds,whichare sacrosanct. The indigenous design andmanufacturewill helpor evenbemandatedin the future in this highly secure area of

surveillance due to the sensitive nature offrequencies, dataencryptionetc tomeetourspecific needs, if it is our design, and thuspreventanymalware, forexample,beingputin, it is ourowndesign.

The flexibility offered by the indigenousdesign for obsolescence management andsoftwareupgradeoravionicsupgradeagaincalls for thedomesticUAVdesign. In fact inthepast, theUAVdesignandmanufacturingcommunityhadcometogether inselectionofa Production and Development Partner(PADP) for Rustom 2. We must avoid themistakes made during that process at leastfor other ‘Make in India’ programs.Wehadworkedon the80-20model even then,with80 per cent, consisting of 70 per cent fromDRDO and 10 per cent from users and 20per cent from the PADP partners. Some ofthe potential PADPs backed out. We mustlearn to work with this model which couldbecome the norm in future. We must notwish away the careful eyes of the users orcertificationagenciesasacceptanceagenciesand instead, demand that the legalcontractor (in this case ADE) becomes theacceptingagency.Thisopportunityof anewsurge to make in India must be seen as awake-up call and we must do all that ispossible to keep the ‘Make in India’ flagflying high. This is the least we can do as aservice to the taxpayerof this country.

Theunmannedcombataircraft aregoing tobe the

mainworkhorseoftomorrow’saerial battle andeffortsaregoingon for theconceptualisationofsuch

aircraft in thecountry.UCAVsaredesigned tocarryoutSuppressionof

EnemyAirDefence(SEAD)andalso inLICsfor targettedoperations

”

DRDO’s Rustom UAV is meant to replace Israeli Heron

46

AERIALVEHICLES APRIL 2015 DSI

48

DEFENCEBUZZAn Update on Defence News

DEFENCEBUZZ APRIL 2015 DSI

OIS-AdvancedTechnology(OIS-AT) has indigenouslyproduced new radar thatoffers protection to aircraftagainst the bird hits whileanother can detect and trackunmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs).The two radarswereunveiled at theAero India2015.The radars are part of thefour indigenously developedradar systems byOIS-AT, acompanywhich is taking thegovernment’sMake in Indiacampaign to theworld.Theother two radars are foliagepenetrationminefield and IED

detection system andportable ground surveillanceradar system formilitary andhomeland securityapplications.The 3Dbirddetection systemworks ondeterrence option and usesdirected bio-acoustics(sound) and an eye safe laserautomatically controlled by aradar system.TheUAVdetection system can beautomatically tuned tolatchUAVs on the course ofcollisionwhich in turnhelps the controller to takeremedial action.

BAESystemshassecuredafive-yearcontractworthGBP18.5million toprovideHindustanAeronauticsLimited(HAL)acomprehensivepackagecomprisingGroundSupportEquipment,Spares,Support andTraining for theHawkMk132advanced jettrainer.This is in support ofHAL’splans toestablishadedicatedRepair&Overhaulfacility for theaircraft inadvanceofamajor servicingmilestoneanticipated in2016.

SteveTimms,ManagingDirector,Defence Information,

Training andServices, said:“This agreement deepens ourpartnering commitment toHALand further developsHAL’s in-country capabilitiesthat are helping to deliver anenhanced training capabilityto the IndianAir Force and theIndianNavy.”

India is the largest operatorof theHawkadvanced jettrainerwith123aircraft orderedtodate, ofwhichover 90havebeendelivered to the IndianAirForceand the IndianNavy.TheHawks inservicehaveclockedupnearly 70,000 flyinghours.

BAE Systems awarded Hawk Support Contract

Nasmyth India, established in2013 andbased inBangalore,plays a key role in theglobalisation ofNasmythGroup – a leading supplier ofprecision engineering,products and servicesworldwide.

Identifying andmanagingsupply chain opportunities forother Group companies,

Nasmyth India is currentlyenjoying annual sales growthrates of over 300%.This level ofactivity is ameasure ofNasmyth’s commitment to thecountry, a commitmentwhichwas also evidencedby theopening of the company’s newoffice inBangalore last yearand its involvement in theVIPtour of India, sponsored by the

BritishGovernment’sUKTrade& Investmentdepartment and led byDeputyPrimeMinister, NickClegg.

Alreadypartneringwithmanufacturingbusinessesacross the south of India –includingBangalore, Chennai,Coimbatore,Kolar andHyderabad – for themachiningof turnedandmilled / prismatic

components,Nasmyth India isnowexpandingand furtheracceleratingdevelopment ofits services to encompassadditional engineeringcapability, awider rangeofmanufacturing and theintroduction ofNADCAPapprovedmetal treatmentfacilities to address theneedsof the aerospace sector.

Nasmyth India’s impressive growth contributing to Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign

OIS-AT showcase bird detection and UAVtracking radars at Aero India 2015

50

Snecma (Safran), a leadingmanufacturer of aircraftengines, andHindustanAeronautics Ltd. (HAL), aleading aerospacemanufacturer, signed aMemorandumofUnderstanding (MoU) onJanuary 28, 2015 inBengaluruto explore establishing a jointventure in India for theproduction of aero-engineparts.TheMoUwas signedbyMr. BrunoDurand,VicePresident for IndustrialOperations &SupplyChain of

Snecma andMr.ArunachalamMuthukumaraswami, GeneralManager of the EngineDivision ofHAL.The proposed joint venture

will initially focus on themanufacture of high-techparts for theDassault Rafale’sSnecmaM88 engine, thensubsequently contribute toothermajor aerospaceprojects ofHAL&Snecma, inIndia andworldwide. Spanningover 30,000 squaremeters, theproposed joint venture’s newplant is expected to benefit

from substantial investmentby the twopartners, providingit with state-of-the-artmachinery and equipment.This agreementmarks a

major step forward in thelong-standing collaborationbetweenSnecmaandHAL.Theproposed joint venturewillfurther broaden the scope ofthe excellent relationsestablished over the past 60years betweenSafranaffiliates and the Indianaerospace industry. Forexample, Snecmamanufactures theM53 enginespowering theMirage 2000H“Vajra” fighters operated bythe IndianAir Force.

NavratnaDefencePublicSectorUndertakingBharatElectronics Limited (BEL)hasreceivedanorder atAero India2015 fromElbit SystemsElectro-Optical ElopLtd. (Elop),

of Israel, for theproductionofElop’sCompactMulti-PurposeAdvancedStabilizedSystems(CoMPASSTM).This is inaddition to anearlier order forthe supply of CoMPASS,

receivedbyBEL fromElop in2014.Previously,BELhadentered into aTechnicalCollaborationAgreementwithElop for the joint productionandD-LevelmaintenanceofCoMPASS for theAdvancedLightHelicopter (ALH)Programme.BELhadabsorbedtransfer of technology (ToT) forproductionofCoMPASS inIndia. It is used in theALHbeingmanufacturedbyHAL.TheCoMPASS isa

day-and-night surveillancesystemthat includesacolourTVdaylightcamera, 3rdGeneration3-5µmForwardLooking Infrared (FLIR) sensor,LaserTargetDesignatorandRangeFinder (LTDRF)andautomatic trackingcapabilities,aswell ascommandandcontrolcapabilities. It isdistinguished

byawidevarietyof interfaces,enabling integrationwithvariousaircraft / helicoptersystems, suchasMissionComputer, firecontrol, radar,GPS,datadownlinkandhelmet-mounted trackingsystems. Its small dimensions,lowweight, high level ofstabilisationandcoverageanglesmake it anoptimalchoice for long-range,day-and-night surveillance,target tracking, firecontrolapplicationsandsearchandrescue.CoMPASS is themost

advancedpayloadversionof itsfamily, featuring reducedweight, highdegreeofmodularity and flexibility,space-savingpackagingandadvancedoperational andvideoprocessing features.

BEL receives additional Purchase Order forCoMPASSTM from Elbit Systems

Sofradir, the global leader ofadvanced infrared (IR)detectors formilitary, spaceand industrial applications,demonstrated SWap-C LEOatAeroIndia. SWap-C LEOis a newgenerationVGA format IR detectoroptimised for size, weight,performance and cost(SWaP). It meetsthe challenges of 21stcenturymilitary platformsthat demand the integrationof smaller, lighter lowpower consumptiondevices offering bettervalue formoney.SWap-C LEO is entering

commercial production.Orders are in the pipelinewithplanneddelivery inQ2 2015.Sofradir has cut the size

andweight of SWap-C LEOwhilemaintaining its highimage resolution anddetection range.

Snecma and HAL to create a joint venture andbuild a new production facility in India

Sofradir showcasesnew generationinfrared detector forairborne andportable applications


Bangalore-basedDynamaticTechnologies Limited hasproduced the first set of aftpylon and cargo rampassemblies for Boeing’sCH-47FChinook helicopter.The commitment of BoeingandDynamatic to “Make inIndia”was highlighted byIndianPrimeMinister Shri.NarendraModi during hisinaugural address atAeroIndia 2015 inBengaluru.“In September 2014

DynamaticTechnologies andits collaborator Boeinginaugurated a plant in India tomanufacture critical parts foraBoeinghelicopter that is soldglobally,” the primeminister

said. “I understand that it wasa day afterMake in Indiawas launched. I ampleased tolearn that the first set ofparts is ready...”“In a competitiveworld

where our customers areincreasingly demandingmorefor less, this delivery is amilestone that demonstratesthe capabilitywe arescaling-upwith oursupply-chain partners, righthere in India,” said PratKumarpresident for Boeing India. “Weset up a newassembly linewithDynamaticTechnologiessoon after thePrimeMinisterformally launched the‘Make in India’ programme.”

RussianHelicopters (part ofStateCorporationRostec) tookpart inAero India 2015 inBangalore.At theexhibition,RussianHelicoptersshowcases the latestRussian-madecommercial andmilitaryhelicopters.“India is a keymarket for the

Russianhelicopter-buildingindustry, and the largestoperator ofRussian-madehelicopters in the region,” saidRussianHelicoptersCEOAlexanderMikheev,who isheading theStateCorporationRostecdelegation. "Weareplanning todevelop

multilateral cooperationandarepleased tobeable toshowcaseournewprojects atthis exhibition. Inparticular, theKa-226T,whichboasts awealthof advantageous features."TheKa-226T isa light,

twin-enginemultirole, coaxialhelicopter. It underwent testingin Indiaduring thehelicoptertenderwascancelledby theIndianauthorities last year.Thehelicopter easily out-performedcompetitorsproducedbyWesterncompaniesduringflights in India'shot climateandmountainousareas.TheKa-226Twith

TurbomecaArrius 2G1 enginescanbeused in search-and-rescue, patrol or landingoperations. Its easeofhandlingand latest avionicsmeans thatthishelicopter is easy tomanoeuvre inmountainousareasorbuilt-upurbancentres.The absence of a tail rotor

and its compact designmeanthat theKa-226T can landeven on small sites.TheKa-226T canbe operated byIndia’s law enforcement andcivilian agencies. RussianHelicopters is proposing toestablish production of thismodel in India.

Russian Helicopters showcases commercial and military helicopters

Boeing announced it hassigned amulti-year contractwith Bharat Forge of India tosupply titanium forgings forwing components for theNext-Generation 737 and 737MAX.Under the agreement,Bharat Forgewill beginsupplying pre-machinedforgings from its facilities inPune andBaramati to Boeingin the first quarter of 2016.The titaniumparts will beheat-treated, shaped in aforging press, andmachinedbyBharat Forge beforebeing shipped to BoeingPortland for finishmachininginto components.Thecomponents thenwill beinstalled in theNext-Generation 737 and737MAXwings at theFinalAssembly plant inRenton,Washington.

52

Boeing AwardsTitanium ForgingContract toIndia’s Bharat Forge

Dynamatic Technologies producesfirst Chinook aerostructures for Boeing


54

SevenshipsofWesternFleetbasedatMumbai, including thetwoAircraftCarriers INSViratand INSVikramadityarecently tookpart inTROPEX.TheWestern fleet isbeingcommandedbyRearAdmiralRHariKumar,VSM,FlagOfficerCommandingWesternFleet.This is the first time thatthenewlyacquiredAircraftCarrier INSVikramadityais visitingKochi after joining thefleet.Anumberofprofessionalinteractionsareplanned

between theofficersandmenof thedifferent trainingunitsbasedatKochi and thevisitingships inorder to synergize the

trainingandoperationalaspectsof theNavy.Theshipswouldbe returning toMumbaioncompletionof the

professional engagements.INSVikramaditya, the

latest aircraft carrier inductedby the IndianNavy, is presentlybased atKarwar and iscommandedbyCapt SurajBerry.The ship has been fullyintegratedwith the fleet posttrials andhas successfullyparticipated in the recentlyconcludedTheatre levelReadiness andOperationalExercise (TROPEX)where itwas extensively used in itsoperational role. INSVirat, theother aircraft carrier iscommandedbyCaptRajeshPendharkar.

ConcernRadio-ElectronicTechnologies (KRET), a part oftheRostecStateCorporation,presented its products at theAero India 2015 internationalaerospace exhibition.WithintheRussian stand, the foreignpartners have become familiarwith the latest achievementsin a field of the identificationfriend or foe, specialelectronics, electronicsystems for aviation andradio-electronic solutions.

India is oneof theprioritymarkets for theKRET.Concernis ready to export both thelatest complexes for EWsolutionsand the latestavionics. TheKRET introduceditsuniquedesignsof avionics,includingSAP-518 andSAP-14jammingstation, L187AEjammingsystem forhelicopters,whichwerehighlyappreciatedby theUSexperts.Laser optical-electronicsuppression stationof airbornedefense systemPresident-Ssurelywas in the loopof theexhibition'sparticipants. Itensureseffectiveprotectionfrommissileswith the infrared

homingheads.This solution isespecially relevant for theprotectionof theclass ofmilitary andcivil helicoptersandairplanes in thecontext ofincreasing threat of terroristsusing theman-portable airdefense systems.

Zhuk-AE,multimodeairborne radars,with activephased-array antenna (FGA35version)was shownat theKRET’s standaswell. Itsuniqueness lies in thepossibility todetect and trackvariousclassesof air andsurface targetswithsimultaneousmissilesguidance to them.Thesystemsurpasses the rivals inperformancecharacteristicsanddesigned tobe installedonthenext generationaircrafts.

Twelve companies of theConcern tookpart in theexhibition.They are specializedinproduction of friendor foesystems, special electronics,electronic systems for aviationand radio-electronic devices.Companies presented theirproduction are following: JSCConcern “Avionica”, JSC“Corporation Fazotron-NIIP”,JSC “Aviaavtomatika byV.V.Tarasova”, JSC “RPZ”, JSC“Ramenskoe InstrumentDesignBureau JSC”, JSC“RussianScientificResearchInstitute “Ekran”, JSC“Aeropribor –Voshod”.

HindustanAeronauticsLimited(HAL)on19February 2015handedover the firstSu-30MKIfighter aircraftmodified forBrahMossupersoniccruisemissile toBrahMosAerospaceduring theseconddayofAero IndiaairshowatYelahanka,Bengaluru.

T. SuvarnaRaju, HALChairmanhanded over themodel of Su-30MKI integratedwithBrahMosmissile toSudhirMishra, CEO&MD,BrahMosAerospace at anofficial ceremony held duringthe ongoingAero India 2015.

AirMarshal SBPSinhaAVSMVM,DCAS,AirMarshalSukhchainSinghAVSMVSM(AOM),KTamilmani, DS&DG(Aero), S Subhrahmanyan,MD(MiGComplex),VMChamolaDirector (HR),MRajaKannuDG (DGAQA),AKMishraDirector (Finance) andKNareshBabuMD (Bangalore

Complex)were also presentduring the receiving of aircraftdocuments fromHAL.

Reliance InfrastructureLimited today announced theacquisition of PipavavDefence andOffshoreEngineeringCompanyLimited, togetherwith solemanagement control.

Reliance Infrastructure,togetherwith itswholly ownedsubsidiary RelianceDefenceSystemsPrivate Limited, hasagreed to acquire from thePromoters of PipavavDefence13,00,00,000 equity sharesrepresenting approx. 18%shareholding in the companyat a price of Rs. 63 per Share,aggregatingRs. 819 crore.Post the transaction, theexisting promoters of PipavavDefencewill continue to retainaminority stake in thecompany, togetherwith twonon-executiveBoard seats.

KRET introducedmodern radio-electronic solutionsfor the Indian Air Forceat Aero India 2015

HAL hands over first Su-30MKI aircraft modifiedfor BrahMos missile to BrahMos Aerospace

Western Fleet Shipsin Kochi


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Defence and Security of India - April15

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