SP's Land Forces Issue 04 - 2013

Volume 10 No. 4

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The ONLY magazine in Asia-Pacific dedicated to Land Forces

In This Issue Page 3 Small Arms Modernisation in South East Asia

>> cover story Photograph: SPSC

Over a period of time not only have some of the South East Asian nations upgraded and modified the infantry weapons but they have also been successful in developing indigenously their own small arms industry.

Brigadier (Retd) Vinod Anand Page 4 Stability & Peace in Afghanistan The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation possibly is looking for an all-inclusive framework under the auspices of the UN that should help Afghanistan in post-2014 era.

Brigadier (Retd) Vinod Anand Page 9 The Syrian Imbroglio The support to Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime is from the Sunni Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US. Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch Page 10 DSEi Demonstrates Strong Growth of Military Equipment This year, the show attracted over 30,000 of the global defence and security industry professionals to source the latest equipment and systems, develop international relations and generate new business opportunities.

R. Chandrakanth Plus Interview: Mark Kronenberg Vice President, International Business Development, Boeing Defense Space and Security

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Thomas R. Douglas Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy, AM General

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Alan F. Bignall President & CEO, ReconRobotics

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News in Brief

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India’s Infantry Modernisation While the likelihood of full scale state-on-state wars may be reduced, India will more likely face border skirmishes on its unresolved borders and low intensity conflict operations including counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency in the future. This mandates a quick and thorough modernisation of India’s infantry which is clearly not happening despite the rhetoric by the political leadership and military hierarchy.  Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

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ndia faces diverse threats and challenges. While on the one hand there is an existential threat of conventional conflicts arising from unresolved borders in the west with Pakistan and in the north and north-east with China, on the other hand, there is the formidable challenge developing within the borders of India. This is from home-grown insurgencies, militancy and terrorism which arise due to a variety of reasons. To add

to these two scenarios is the continuing and constant threat from state-sponsored terrorism nursed and nurtured in India’s immediate neighbourhood and its direct and indirect linkages to conventional conflicts, in the region, in the future. All this makes this part of South Asia more volatile and unpredictable.

The existence of terrorist camps across the India-Pak border and the line of control (LoC), and the likelihood of Pakistani Taliban who are currently engaged in fighting in their Western provinces and on the Pak-

istan-Afghanistan border, turning their attention towards the LoC, is a setting that India must be prepared to face. The continuing infiltrations across the LoC demonstrate Pakistan’s attitude and approach to terrorist organisations, even though such organisations pose a danger to Pakistan’s own social and political fabric. Thus India faces a strong likelihood of more intensive low intensity conflict situations in Jammu and Kashmir in the future.

In view of the increasing focus on low intensity conflicts, the aim of this article is

Applied for 4/2013 SP’s Land Forces

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>> cover story E D I T O R I A L

The past few months have seen India pass through a difficult economic, political and security situation. Experts were wondering whether a full-blown financial crisis like the one that devastated the so-called “Asian Tigers” in 1997 was likely. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, through his statement in the Parliament on August 30, 2013, sought to reassure the nation that India was not facing a similar situation.

While his statement may have reassured the intelligentsia, the common man continues to reel under high inflation and price rise. India’s growth story can be judged by the fact that the economy has slowed to four to five per cent, while inflation remains in double digits.

To add to the economic woes, India has been rocked this year by a series of corruption scandals, in recent times, starting with the Commonwealth Games that have embarrassed the ruling Congress Party and its allies in the UPA and have rattled the markets and delayed reform bills as the opposition stalls Parliament.

Security remains an area of serious concern.

The violence on the line of control (LoC) by Pakistan and the aggression on the line of actual control (LAC) by China are issues which have occupied large media space in recent times.

On September 29, 2013, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif met for just over one hour at a New York hotel on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It was their first face-to-face meeting since Sharif was elected in May 2013. Restoration of cease-

fire was uppermost in the minds of both the Prime Ministers. National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon said, “The two Prime Ministers decided to task the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) to suggest effective measures to restore the ceasefire.” However, the sorting out of the current aggression on the LoC through purely military diplomacy is not going to be easy. The incidents on the LoC are part of the larger picture of an unresolved border which is a political issue.

Moreover, the terrorist camps across the LoC in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the infiltration of terrorists’ across the LoC is being assisted and closely monitored by the Pakistan’s InterServices Intelligence (ISI)/military through various means. Therefore, reining in the terrorists and dismantling their infrastructure will require political dialogue and hard bargaining followed by military procedures on the ground to ensure peace and this cannot be done through military diplomacy alone because the DGMOs neither have the mandate nor the manoeuvre space to achieve peace along the LoC through such parleys.

The Chinese incursion in Depsang valley in Ladakh this year and their prolonged stay deep inside the Indian territory created tension between both the countries. This impasse was subsequently resolved when the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops withdrew. This incident together with other incursions by their patrols which have been occurring regularly across the LAC and have increased the hostility at the border, could spin out of control, if not moderated.

Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to China in October 2013, a key Sino-Indian group on border affairs has been meeting to sort out the differences on the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA), aimed at more comprehensively dealing with tensions related to patrolling by both sides along the LAC. The BDCA agreement is expected to be signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to China.

The issue which directly impacts the overall external security situation is the lack of modernisation of the armed forces, especially the Indian Army which today needs to replace its weaponry ranging from the carbine and assault rifle to the long-range artillery guns and its aviation and air defence assets. The entire procurement process is in shambles. Never has the Indian armed forces been in such a deplorable state of modernisation vis-à-vis its adversaries and that too at a time when the military analysts are of the view that we may have to face two-front situations in the future. Our conventional deterrence stands compromised due to an uncaring political leadership.

Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

Photographs: Beretta, Colt

to draw the reader’s attention to the delay in modernisation of India’s infantry and its future infantry soldier programme.

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F-INSAS The future infantry soldier as a system (F-INSAS) had been initiated more than six years ago to make the infantryman a weapon platform with situational awareness, increased lethality and sustainability in the digitised battlefield. F-INSAS was to be implemented in three phases: Phase I included weapons, body armour, clothing and individual equipment; Phase II was the target acquisition system and Phase III comprised the computer subsystem, radio subsystem, software and software integration.

The F-INSAS programme was announced by former Army Chief, General J.J. Singh in August 2007 which involved equipping over 3,00,000 infantry troops and around 1,00,000 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel employed for conventional and counter-insurgency operations or both with a modular, multi-calibre suite of weapons, body armour, assorted individual equipment and target acquisition, and hand-held surveillance devices, including third-generation night vision devices (NVDs). It includes, as stated in Phase III, communication apparatus and computers capable of transmitting and uploading voice, data and video clips on wrist displays for soldiers and ‘planning boards’ for commanders, ‘smart’ vests packed with sensors, integrated ballistic helmets with heads-up display (HuD), miniature radios, global positioning systems (GPS) and portable power packs. So the complete package for the proposed infantry upgrade was impressive.

F-INSAS is to be a part of the battlefield management system (BMS) of the Army i.e. battalion level and below. The formations above the battalion level, i.e. brigade and above, will form a part of the tactical communication system (TCS) of the Army at the Corps level. This part of the project of integrated communications and digitisation of the battlefield comprising command information and decision support systems (CIDSS) is being handled by the Director General Information Systems (DGIS), while the induction

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Beretta ARX160 .22LR rifle

Colt M4 5.56mm carbine

of weaponry and equipment of the infantry in the F-INSAS programme is being handled by the Directorate General of Infantry.

The lack of progress of acquiring even the weaponry, which is the easiest and most fundamental, is depressive to say the least because it directly and most adversely affects the soldiers fighting ability in the field. It is therefore clear that the Army is currently grappling with the Phase 1 itself i.e. the phase in which new infantry weapons with body armour, individual equipment and clothing have to be inducted.

The Indian’s Army’s six-year-old project to upgrade all its infantry battalions and 106 units of Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles units under its elaborate F-INSAS programme is inordinately delayed. Officials associated with the programme have said that the F-INSAS prototype, modeled on the US Army’s future force warrior and aimed at deploying a fully-networked, all-terrain and all-weather force with enhanced firepower and mobility for the future digitalised battlefield, is delayed by four to five years, if not longer beyond its 2012-13 deadline.

Consequently, the overall infantry upgrade, to be accomplished through a mix of

imported and locally developed equipment and systems and estimated to cost `25,000 crore (approximately $4.0 billion), may well be deferred beyond 2025.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by the Defence Minister and including the three Chiefs (Army, Navy and the Air force) have approved the induction of a new assault rifle, 5.56 (with capability of switching to 7.62mm barrels if required) along with a new generation carbine to replace the 9mm carbine which has already been weeded out of the Army without getting a replacement.

Carbines There has been some progress in the field of carbines. In August 2012, the process of procuring 44,618 5.56mm close quarter battle (CQB) carbines to replace the outdated 9mm model and 33.6 million rounds of ammunition in a contract worth over `2,000 crore was set in motion. The manufacturers in the race were Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Galil Ace carbine, Italy’s Beretta with its ARX-160, USA’s Colt and Sig Sauer’s offering the M4 and 516 Patrol models. These weapons have undergone field trials at the Infantry School at Mhow,

in Central India, the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and high altitude locations in India’s northern and north-east regions.

The tender for the 5.56mm close quarter battle (CQB) carbines requires each weapon system to weigh less than three kg, fire 600 rounds per minute to a minimum distance of 200 metres and be capable of operating in extreme temperatures. Picatinny rail-mounted reflex and passive night sights, visible and invisible laser spot designators and multi-purpose detachable bayonets are a part of their qualitative requirements (QRs). The selected vendor will be required to transfer technology to the OFB to licence build 3,80,000-4,00,000 CQB carbines and 5.56mm ammunition, for use not only by the Army, but eventually the Central and state police forces in a programme estimated to ultimately cost over `5,000 crore. Army sources said the carbine and ammunition trial reports were being assessed and it was expected that the deal may witness finalisation by 2015.

Assault Rifles Army is also on the lookout for assault rifles to replace the INSAS 5.56mm rifles with technologically superior weapons. In the race are assault rifles of the Czech Republic’s Czeca, IWI, Beretta and Colt and Sig Sauer, all weighing around 3.6 kg. The other requirements include the ability to convert from 5.56x45mm to 7.62x39mm calibres by merely by switching the barrel and magazine for employment in counter insurgency and/or conventional offensive/defensive operations. They also need to be fitted with detachable under barrel grenade launchers and be capable of firing OFB-manufactured 5.56mmx45 (SS109) ammunition rounds.

This procurement will also involve transfer of technology to the OFB to licence build the assault rifles. Army’s immediate requirement is for around 2,18,320 rifles where as India’s assault rifles requirement is estimated at between two-three million to arm the large Central Paramilitary Forces and the state police. At this scale, India’s assault rifle acquisitions could be one of the world’s Continued on page 5

south east Asia

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Small Arms Modernisation in South East Asia Over a period of time not only have some of the South East Asian nations upgraded and modified the infantry weapons but they have also been successful in developing indigenously their own small arms industry Photograph: Wikipedia

 Brigadier (REtd) Vinod Anand

Vietnam

riven by internal and external threats to their security, the militaries of South East Asia have been modernising and upgrading their small arms arsenal in a variety of ways. Not only they face insurgencies which are either ethnic or religion based, the littoral countries of the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean have also to deal with piracy, gun-running and other such activities which challenge the authority of the state.

Broadly, the South East Asian nations since the colonial times had imported various versions of their infantry assault rifles from the US, Soviet Union, European nations and in the later period even from China.

Over a period of time have not only some of the South East Asian nations upgraded and modified the infantry weapons but they have also been successful in developing indigenously their own small arms industry.

Vietnam People’s Army in contrast has largely Russian origin assault rifles because of historical reasons. Its standard issue is AKM assault rifle which is being locally manufactured and is a modified and upgraded version of the much famous AK-47. It is also using the Czech assault rifle VZ 58 which seems to have been imported last year. Some AK-74 and AKS-74 (for Special Forces) are also in service. Special Forces also use XM-177E2 which is an American variant of AR-15.

Sniper rifle that is a standard issue is SVD (Dragunov sniper rifle) is of Russian origin.

Another Russian Sniper rifle that is in service with Special Forces is SVU. Sub-machine guns in service are PM 63, MPA4 (Polish origin), Uzi, Mini Uzi and Micro Uzi (all of Israeli origin). Standard issue LMGs are RPD-44 and RPK of Russian origin and heavy machine guns NSV and DsHKM/DsHK38 are also from the same country. PKM is the general purpose machine gun issued by the infantry units.

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Singapore Singapore remains in the forefront with a defence industry and armed forces which can be said to be technologically most advanced among the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) states. Aside from its Integrated Knowledge-based Command and Control project, the Singapore armed forces have made numerous acquisitions over the past decade that indicates a shift towards both precision strike capabilities. Improving the performance of infantry soldier and its equipment has been a priority mission.

Much like the Indian Army’s project of future Indian soldier as a system (F-INSAS), the Singapore Army has commissioned an advanced combat man system (ACMS), with delivery of the first complete unit equipment set handed over to the fifth Singapore Infantry Battalion for evaluation and trials. Besides a variety of electronic gadgetry required for a networked soldier, the weapon systems is a shorter barrelled, modified version of the locally assembled Singapore Assault Rifle-21st century (SAR-21), designated the modular mounting systems as part of the ACMS. According to the Singapore Army, the objective is to meet the challenges of urban operations and improve survivability, situational awareness and the avoidance of civilian casualties and collateral damage.

The SAR-21 has a laser sight and target acquisition capabilities. The rifle is a replacement for earlier M16S1 based on American design and offers many improvements on the same. SK Kinetics, a Singapore-based company (well known in India), is also exporting it besides manufacturing it for domestic consumption. In fact, a whole range of small arms arsenal based on SAR21 has been developed, which includes SAR21 light machine gun, SAR-21 light weight carbine, SAR-21 Sharpshooter and even a round the corner firing (RCF) module that has been developed for urban operations.

Indonesia Indonesia has its small arms family based on the indigenously manufactured Pindad series of assault rifles which are in turn largely based on Belgian small arms designs. The Indonesian Senapan Serbu 1 (SS1), Assault

A Singaporean soldier takes aim with the SAR-21

Rifle 1 is the standard assault rifle which is manufactured by PT Pindad, with a bore of 5.56mm. It is being phased out by Pindad SS2 which has many modern features.

However, Indonesian Army’s Sniper Rifle is Pindad SPR with 7.62mm bore. Further this series also has Pindad SM2 which is a general purpose machine gun with 7.62mm calibre.

On the other hand it has a light machine gun Pindad SM3 which has 5.56mm calibre.

These weapons are of high performance and are light in weight. Indonesian infantry and Special Forces have a variety of sniper rifles including anti-material rifles obtained from the UK, US, Germany and Austria.

Malaysia After Singapore and Indonesia, it is Malaysia that is located astride the Malacca Straits and has been paying attention to modernisation of its armed forces. Even though it has just about four infantry divisions, it has taken steps to provide maximum punch to the Army. Because of its association with the US and western armies, its infantry weapons are of American/western origin.

The standard assault rifle used is Steyr AUG A1 (5.56mm) which is of Australian origin and is a standard NATO issue. This is being manufactured locally under licence. The other assault rifle/carbine that is being used is the American M4 A1 (5.56mm) is also manufactured indigenously. Another older version of the well-known American assault rifle M16 is being gradually phased out and being handed over to paramilitary forces.

Malaysian Army’s sniper rifles of American (.50 BMG, Harris Gun Works m96) and UK origin 7.62mm is also a standard NATO weapon. The anti-material rifle is Denel NTW20, a very potent weapon, is of South African origin. Anti-material rifles can be used against a variety of hard targets like bunkers, communication masts or towers, command posts, gun emplacements, radar installations, missile sites and parked aircraft/helicopters utilising a variety of munitions in its inventory.

Philippines Philippines, another significant military power in South East Asia, because of its erstwhile alliance with the US, has a small arms family which is largely of American origin with

some weapons having been imported from the western nations. However, since 2011, it has started manufacturing pneumatic valve and rod rifle (PVAR) also known as UDMC PVAR because it is being manufactured by the United Defence manufacturing Corporation of Philippines. This is a much improved version of the American M16 and Armalite AR-15 rifles. Besides introducing PVAR, the Army has a variety of assault rifles like M16, M4 carbine, German G36C, Australian Steyr AUG A1 and Israeli IMI Galil. Some of these (M4, AR-15 and G36C) are being used by the Special Operations Command Units.

The standard sniper rifle is the Philippines Marine Scout Rifle which has been developed from American M16A1 and has been issued to the Army units also. This has been particularly found useful in counterinsurgency and counter-guerrilla operations. There are four other varieties of sniper rifles like M14, M21, Barrett M82 and TAC50 which are all of American origin and have been in use by the Army for a long time.

Thailand The Royal Thai Army of Thailand (which has never been colonised by any foreign power) has a family of small arms which are all of western origin except that it has recently gone in for Singapore manufactured SAR-21 which initially has been given to Special Forces. It also has some rifles of Chinese origin which were possibly taken from the rebel forces of Thai Communist Party (supported earlier by China). However, the standard infantry rifle used by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Army Reserve Forces is the Thai version of the Heckler and Koch HK33 (German origin) being manufactured under licence. Other infantry rifles in use are IMI Travor 21, Australian Steyr AUG A1 and Israeli IMI Galil.

Legacy weapon like M16A1 is being phased out with IMI Travor 21 in an effort to modernise the infantry arsenal. Sniper rifles being used are the Swiss Sig Sauer SSG 3000 and SR 25 of America. Light machine guns in use are Heckler and Koch HK21 and FN Minimi of Belgium. However, IMI Negev LMG from Israel is a recent acquisition. General purpose machine guns in service are American M60 and M2 Browning machine gun. Some old Chinese machine guns are also in use.

Myanmar The Myanmar Army also has a variety of small arms which are now being manufactured locally by the Myanmar Defence Industries (largely owned by the Tatmadaw). It is manufacturig automatic rifles, sub-machine guns and machine guns along with their ammunition. The small arms in service are EMER K-1 assault rifle that is manufactured

by Myanmar Heavy Industries and it has a modern design. Other assault rifles in use are Heckler & Koch G3 (of German-Spanish origin) and Belgian FNFAL. Machine gun with Myanmar Army is Rhinemetal MG3 (German general purpose machine gun) still in service with even German Army. Heavy machine gun in service is the old reliable M2 Browning. The Myanmar Army has been considered as the most battle tested armies among the ASEAN as it has been involved in fighting counter-insurgency and other operations since its inception.

Other Armies of ASEAN Region The other armies of the ASEAN are Cambodian, Laos and Brunei armies. The Brunei Army’s infantry is equipped with modern infantry weapons like the search and rescue (SAR) and has acquired Pindad 2 of Singapore and Indonesian origin it also has versions of M16; being an oil rich Sultanate, possibly the armed forces have adequate access to funds. However, same is not the case with its poorer cousins Cambodian Army and Laos People Army who have a mix of Russian, Chinese and even American small arms, and are moving gradually towards modernisation effort of their infantries.

Overall, in South East Asia, most of the infantries have been able to modernise successfully and some like Singapore are even getting ready for the wars in the information era. Keeping the likely nature of internal and external threats in mind, it can be said that the efforts of the South East Asian countries towards upgrading their small arms arsenals have been quite satisfactory barring perhaps Laos and Cambodia. SP The author is a Senior Fellow at the Vivekanand International Foundation in New Delhi

4/2013 SP’s Land Forces

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>> central ASIA

Stability & Peace in Afghanistan The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation possibly is looking for an all-inclusive framework under the auspices of the UN that should help Afghanistan in post-2014 era. Thus, at the current juncture, prospects for a regional solution do not look bright.

Photograph: Wikipedia

 Brigadier (REtd) Vinod Anand

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Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has been a regular attendee at the SCO summits since 2004 as a guest and last year, Afghanistan was admitted as an observer

ven though the Bishkek summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held in September 2013 was overtaken by the Syrian crisis, Afghanistan continued to be a major concern for the SCO member and observer countries. Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has been a regular attendee at the SCO summits since 2004 as a guest and last year, Afghanistan was admitted as an observer.

Attending the 2005 SCO Summit in Beijing and underscoring the relevance of Afghanistan as an important link between Central Asia and South Asia, Karzai had then observed that “Afghanistan belongs to the region where also lies the SCO. Afghanistan has no other ways and can’t be outside the region.”

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Geostrategic Salience of Afghanistan The geostrategic salience of Afghanistan is underscored by the fact that it is a land bridge between Iran, Central Asia and South Asia; Iran lies to its west; Pakistan on the east and south, and the Central Asian republics of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north. With control of Afghanistan comes control of the land routes between the Indian subcontinent and the resourcerich Central Asia, as well as of a potential corridor to Iran and the Middle East. Thus stability and peace in Afghanistan offers tremendous potential for intra-regional trade and economic prosperity.

When American forces launched Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban regime in October 2001 consequent to September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the step was largely welcomed by Russia, China, Central Asian republics (CAR), India and others.

Russia and China raised no objections to the US being granted airbases and logistics facilities in CAR nations since it suited their short-term strategic interests. Pakistan was forced to do a U-turn in its policies, however, till now, it remains a reluctant partner in the US and Western nations’ global war against terrorism and its attitude towards terrorism continues to be ambiguous.

The SCO had formed an Afghanistan Contact Group in 2005. However, it was only in 2009 that a plan of action for combating terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and organised crime was signed. Yet, other than some bilateral aid from individual members of the SCO grouping, there is little evidence to show that any meaningful efforts have been directed by the organisation towards achieving stability and security in Afghanistan. The US and western nations, even when they talked about a regional solution were not ready to give a major role to the SCO. Concerned with drug trafficking and possibility of terrorists infiltrating into CARS, the SCO members have carried out some counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism exercises amongst them.

In 2009, President Barack Obama had unveiled his new Afghan strategy and thereafter was able to get Russia and Central Asian countries to provide transit routes to Afghanistan. Obama had also stated that he would move towards pressing the ‘reset’ button in its relations with Russia, a major driver of the SCO. In fact, Patrick Moon, the

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US representative at SCO summit of 2009 in Yekaterinburg, had commended the SCO’s joint action plan on Afghanistan. However, over the years, the reset initiative of Obama seems to have lost steam, especially so after the return of Vladimir Putin as President.

Nevertheless, safe passage of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan remains the chief concern of the US and its allies.

Currently, even though the US and NATO forces use supply lines to Afghanistan through Russia and Central Asian countries, differences between the US-NATO combine and Russia continues to exist.

SCO to Support Kabul’s Stability In 2011, at the SCO’s Astana Summit, President Karzai had observed that Afghanistan “expects real cooperation with the SCO countries in combating the threat of terrorism and trafficking in arms and drugs”.

He was looking forward to SCO members for investments in his country for exploitation of mineral resources. Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the host, had observed, “The SCO believes with good reason that Afghanistan holds the key to the future of the entire region.”

Again at the SCO summit of 2012 similar formulation was articulated. The SCO meet stressed on stepping up bilateral and multilateral cooperation to jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, battle illicit trafficking in drugs and weapons and other transnational criminal activities, address illegal migration and meet the new threats and challenges in other security fields.

The Thirteenth SCO summit held in September this year at Bishkek again underlined the significance of supporting Kabul’s efforts in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. President Almazbek Atambayev of Kyrgyzstan who chaired the summit while speaking about the Afghanistan situation observed that the activities of terrorist and extremist groups are still on the rise in Afghanistan and called on the

SCO member states to continuously support Kabul in its effort and determination to revive the country. Karzai in his speech stated, “We know that while our friends may come from all corners of the world, our true security and prosperity fundamentally depends on the region that surrounds us. Therefore, we are committed to further strengthening our relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and to work constructively with all the member states towards a common vision for peace, security and prosperity.” He went on to stress that the region must not expect that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) or International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) or the United States will deliver us from all the challenges that we face. It was important to recognise that fighting terrorism and radicalism in the region is primarily the responsibility of the region.

During the summit, India expressed its concerns that arise out of evolving situation in Afghanistan. Salman Khurshid attending the SCO meeting stated that “India strongly believes that Afghanistan can successfully complete the security, political and economic transitions in coming years and regain its historical place as a hub for regional trade and transit routes.

With control of Afghanistan comes control of the land routes between the Indian subcontinent and the resource-rich Central Asia, as well as of a potential corridor to Iran and the Middle East

However, this presupposes fulfilment of pledges made by the international community for security and civilian assistance to Afghanistan and non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. We see SCO as an important body that can offer a credible alternative regional platform to discuss the challenges related to Afghanistan.”

Given the nature and charter of the SCO, the grouping is more comfortable in dealing with threats and challenges emanating from Afghanistan that do not involve military intervention or sending of troops to Afghanistan. Rise of drug trafficking that has been affecting CARs, Russia and now even China, has been viewed very seriously by the SCO members. It has also been reported that some of the radical groups like Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and others are congregating in Northern Afghanistan waiting to take advantage if the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorates further.

In all the SCO summits held so far, counter-narcotics and anti-terrorism discussions have received priority even while economic and other issues find their due place. China, which is one of the major players in the SCO has again this year stressed on the need to fight three evils of “terrorism, extremism and separatism”. Last year, China had signed a strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan. China has also formed a trilateral grouping of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, to address its concerns about dealing with challenges of a post-2014 scenario in Afghanistan. Even Russia has formed a quadrilateral grouping of RussiaTajikistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan to address concerns about Afghanistan situation. The moot point is that whether all such plethora of groupings and sub-regional dialogues help the process of moving towards security and stability in Afghanistan. While as a principle, any effort to ameliorate the situation in Afghanistan should be welcome.

Such endeavours would more likely have the effect of diluting the unified response under the aegis of the SCO. Further, such efforts also reflect the competing agendas of the regional players which would militate against moving towards a regional solution.

No Solutions Yet Despite many years of deliberations on Afghanistan issue, the SCO has not come out with any concrete plans or strategies to deal with the post-2014 situation. In fact it has failed to evolve any suitable structures, processes or mechanisms to deal with instability and insecurity in Afghanistan which has the potential to threaten the member nations. Other than some limited civil and military aid and development of some infrastructure, no long-term plans for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan have been unveiled. Even though Russia and China would like to see the US and other foreign troops leave Afghanistan yet they are concerned with ‘Zero Option’ of the US forces. Further, SCO is unlikely to intervene militarily despite the fact that it is apprehensive of spill over of extremism, radicalism and terrorism from an unstable Afghanistan in post-2014 scenario. SCO possibly is looking for an all-inclusive framework under the auspices of the UN that should help Afghanistan in post-2014 era. Thus, at the current juncture, prospects for a regional solution do not look bright. SP

interview at dsei 2013

‘India has got by far the fastest growth’ At the backdrop of the world’s largest defence and security event, DSEi in London, SP’s Land Forces Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal had an exclusive tete-á-tete with Mark Kronenberg, Vice President, International Business Development, Boeing Defense Space and Security. Excerpts: Jayant Baranwal (SP’s): Which are the key markets Boeing is currently engaged with?

Mark Kronenberg (Kronenberg): Primarily Asia-Pacific, Middle East and actually here in Europe we engage with the UK. So these are our growth markets.

Approximately 26 per cent of our revenues are coming in from international customers and we have a goal to get it 30 per cent and we are on track at this point.

SP’s: Can you elaborate on some of your top programmes in these markets?

Kronenberg: Primarily, on the platforms side, it would be fighters with the F-15, the F-18s, C-17s of course. The new market entry would be the P-8, India being the first P-8 international customer. India also has the largest fleet of C-17s outside the US, 10 in their fleet. But there is also another area that is primarily to sustain. When you look at Boeing platforms we look to sustain those that is going to stay here for the next 25-30 years. It is the training and maintenance market of our existing platforms. There are markets like in India, Korea, and quite likely in UK where we see a lot of projects sustain on our existing platforms.

SP’s: Which top five countries in Asia are the most promising markets for Boeing?

Kronenberg: If you look at Asia, India has probably got by far the fastest growth. Korea, Singapore, Japan and Australia would also be in our list of Asia-Pacific countries which are 45 per cent of the market in Asia. Middle East is primarily driven by Saudi Arabia and Emirates, and in Europe it’s primarily the UK. SP’s: When you speak of Korea and some of the Middle East countries, which specific programmes are you referring to?

Kronenberg: Specifically in South Arabia, we had a large government-to government sales, about $23 billion three years ago. There was sale of F-15s, 84 new builds F-15s, 72 basically upgrades of existing aeroplanes, 36 Apaches, 36 AH6s. So that constitutes the largest. But if you look at UAE for example, it also has C-17s and Apaches.

SP’s: What are the core technologies currently being developed by Boeing?

Kronenberg: If you look at the commercial development of airplanes, one thing that we have been able to combine is take a look at what we do at the defence side for example in multi-mission maritime airplanes as well as in next generation tanker and we combine it with what we know on the commercial side because we are using commercial platforms, the programmes where we tackle multi-mission aircraft programmes for our interna-

tional customers and our US service customers.

SP’s: Is Boeing looking at all the three forces requirements in a balanced manner or there is a serious bias?

Kronenberg: No there is no bias. It’s all on customer’s preference. If we look at the revenues that we get from the customers, it is pretty evenly distributed, though air force customers are a bit larger then army and navy. But the percentage is balanced. So it is quite customer balanced.

SP’s: Any specific programme can you refer to in the context of armies potential requirements, other than Chinooks and Apaches?

Kronenberg: Well Chinooks and Apaches are our mainstay in our army requirements.

However, one in the US that has come up is the EMARRS programme, which is a kind of tactical intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) platform and we are working through that. But really our bread and butter is through our rotorcraft platforms, the Apache and CH47s.

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India’s Infantry...continued from page 2 largest small arms contracts in recent times worth more than $5 billion in due course.

Other Equipment A basic equipment of the infantry man is the multi-purpose tool, akin to a Swiss knife, 3,00,000 of which are needed for each upgraded infantry soldiers’ survival kit.

This procurement was delayed by the Army despite trials in 2010-11 featuring vendors from Italy, Switzerland and the United States.

A major obstacle pertaining to the F-INSAS programme is the stalemate over image intensifier and thermal imaging (TI)based surveillance and target acquisition systems the lack of which had rendered India’s infantry largely ‘night blind’. The initial proposal is for 45,000 third-generation night vision devices (NVDs) under F-INSAS. The Army is currently tackling the MoD which insists that the Army should acquire them from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Bengaluru-based DPSU. In negotiations with the Army, BEL reportedly wants the Infantry Directorate to reduce its ‘figure of merit’(FoM) scale for the NVDs from 1700 FoM, that enables soldiers to see clearly in total darkness to 1400 FoM which provides visibility only at dusk, dawn and in moonlit nights and which the DPSU has on offer. Interestingly, in 2010, the MoD had for `100 crore facilitated the transfer of highly restrictive ‘supergen’ technology to BEL from France’s Photonis. BEL failed to absorb it and develop a more advanced version. Alternate NVDs with 1700 FoM capability have been offered by private defence contractor Tata Power (Strategic Electronics Division) in Bengaluru that reportedly meets the Army’s preliminary qualitative requirements (QRs) and are under consideration.

QR’s for critical battlefield communication and navigation equipment including dead reckoning modules—a miniature, self-

contained, electronic navigation unit that pinpoints the user’s position—digital compasses, assorted computer, dual-band radio sets and soldier-individual power units are yet to be completed. Requests for proposal (RFPs) for 1,70,000 modular bullet proof vests weighing around 10.5 kg and an equal number of ballistic helmets had been dispatched to domestic manufacturers in June and December 2012 respectively, four years behind schedule. Tenders for knee and elbow protection pads are awaiting finalisation.

Need for Quick and Thorough Modernisation India’s strategic neighbourhood is one of the most volatile and dangerous regions of the world. It has all the ingredients of becoming a future battleground of treacherous conflicts. With disputed borders in the west, north and north-east, and the formidable internal challenges, India faces a wide variety of threats and challenges. Moreover, this nuclearised region also has the dubious distinction of having in its midst the epicentre of international terrorism, nourished and nurtured by Pakistan and its sympathisers in the Arab-Islamic World.

Therefore, while the likelihood of full scale state-on-state wars may be reduced, India will more likely face border skirmishes on its unresolved borders and low intensity conflict operations including counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency in the future. This mandates a quick and thorough modernisation of India’s infantry which is clearly not happening despite the rhetoric by the political leadership and military hierarchy.

The slow rate of progress of the F-INSAS programme is a reflection of the larger malaise that inflicts modernisation of the armed forces in India, for which the blame lies squarely on the Defence Minister and the Ministry of Defence. SP

SP’s: Is Boeing working on new concepts on stealth technology?

Kronenberg: Probably it’s more in the electronic warfare area. So if we look at fighter platforms, multi-mission maritime airplanes, systems and sub systems, electronic warfare surveillance-- those are the kinds of technologies we are developing for future contingencies and threats.

SP’s: Any specific development towards the unmanned combat vehicles?

Kronenberg: If we take a look at nuclear aspects, we are going to compete with an autonomous UAV. It’s for a navy programme and probably in the 2023-2025 time frames.

SP’s: How does Boeing perceive the unmanned vs manned market?

Kronenberg: Probably the combination of both. I think you are never going to get a system where it is going to be completely unmanned. It would be a combination of system where men are in the platform. For example it’s still the case with Apaches offered as UAVs that is probably where there is a combination of both manned and unmanned systems which we are going see in the future. I do not foresee a future where it will be completely unmanned.

SP’s: What are the key unmanned programmes that are currently on with Boeing?

Kronenberg: Our mainstay is Scan Eagle.

It’s a small, tactical ISR programme, which is our main UAV programme. SP Untitled-3 1

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4/2013 SP’s Land Forces

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>> interview at DSEi 2013

‘The right-hand drive Humvee was developed with an emphasis on South East Asia and especially India’ AM General’s high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (Humvee) is a rugged vehicle widely used across the globe in difficult terrains and weather conditions.

The company has recently acquired the Vehicles Production Group of the US, a manufacturer of mobility vehicle for disabled passengers. SP’s Land Forces Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal had a conversation with Thomas R. Douglas, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategy, AM General, during the defence and security expo, DSEi, at London. Excerpts: Photographs: AM General

Jayant Baranwal (SP’s): How do you find the show? How is it appearing to be as a business platform for AM General? Have you met some potential buyers?

Thomas R. Douglas (Douglas): It’s been a very busy show for us, meeting many customers and showcasing different products and services.

We have been talking to both our existing customers as well as new potential customers.

Coming to a show like this is very important to the company. London is centrally located and there are a lot of people from around the world coming to our booth and interacting with our company representatives.

SP’s: Which part of the world apart from the USA is AM General is heavily engaged in right now?

Douglas: The company is engaged in many different regions around the world and that is based on the high demand for our Family of Light Tactical Vehicles and our training and logistics support services. AM General has multiple initiatives going on in South East Asia, the subcontinent of India, South West Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and North Africa.

www.spslandforces.net

SP’s: Which countries in Asia are appearing to be the most promising?

Douglas: A wide spectrum of countries ranging from Taiwan, the Phillipines, Malaysia, Singapore to Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand have expressed interest in products from our Family of Light Tactical Vehicles and our training and logistics support services.

SP’s: You have introduced your right hand drive high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (Humvee). Tell us more about it?

Douglas: Yes, the right-hand drive Humvee was developed two years ago, specifically for the Commonwealth countries with an emphasis on South East Asia and especially India. We have two right-hand drive Humvees that are currently engaged in multiple vehicle trials and demonstrations in which the vehicles did very well meeting or exceeding all requirements and expectations. The Humvee is the “Gold Standard” for light tactical vehicles and AM General is the premier light tactical vehicle producer having produced

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SP’s Land Forces 4/2013

SP’s: The modern-day battlefield has changed. Asymmetric warfare is seen predominantly in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. Asymmetric warfare calls for vehicles which are adaptable, mine resistant, etc. What is your strategy?

Douglas: Innovative technologies represent the core elements of the Humvee. This is what makes it the light tactical vehicle of choice for more than 50 nations. The Modernised Light Tactical Vehicle (MLTV), which we have here on display at DSEi in London, is a sixth-generation Humvee.

It has an improved suspension system, a more robust chassis, and can survive significant threats--both ballistics and blasts on the body as well as on the sides of the vehicle body.

M1165 Right Hand Drive

GVW M1165: 6,124 kg (13,500 lb.)

Payload M1165: 3,094 kg (6,820 lb.)

Curb Weight M1165: 3,030 kg (6,680 lb.)

Wheelbase 3.30 m (130 in.)

Turning Radius 7.62 m (25 ft.)

Ground Clearance 42.67 cm (16.8 in.)

Angle of Approach 47.7°

Towed Load Allowance 1,905 kg (4,200 lb.)

Angle of Departure 37.3°

Shipping Dimensions 21.66 cubic m (765 cubic ft.)

11.33 sq m (122 sq ft.)

Ramp Breakover Angle 25°

Centre of Gravity 91.19 cm (35.9 in.) (at curb weight) Above Ground 1.67 m (65.6 in.)

Rear of Centreline at Front Axle Track Width 1.82 m (71.6 in)

Grade Capability (at GCW) 40% Side Slope Capability (at GCW) 30% Climb Capability (at GCW) 45.72 cm (18 in.)

Vertical Step

more than 1.5 million light tactical vehicles, more than 3,00,000 of which are the world renowned Humvee. Building world-class light tactical vehicles is in our DNA. This is what AM General does better than any other vehicle producer around the globe.

Cargo Bed Height (at GCW) 92.20 cm (36.3 in.)

Engine General Engine Products (GEP) ElectronicallyControlled V8, 6.5L Turbocharged Diesel Horsepower @ 3,200 RPM: 150 KW (202 HP) Torque @1,700 RPM: 583 N•m (430 lb.-ft) Front Suspension Independent Double A-Frame; Coil Spring; Telescopic Shock Absorbers Rear Suspension Independent Double A-Frame; Coil Spring; Rate - Variable; Telescopic Shock

Absorbers Wheels Two-Piece Take Apart; 16.5 x 8.25 x 6.5 BC Tires Non-Directional Cross-Country Tread; 37 x 12.5R-16.5; Load Range: E Service Brakes Type: Disc - Front & Back Dual Master Cylinder with Hydroboost; Rotor Size - 306.8 mm Dia.; 24-mm Thick; Lining Area - 74.2 cm2 (11.5 sq in.) (575.5 cm2 (89.2 sq in.) Total) Fuel Capacity 95 L (25 gal.)

Performance 402 km (250 mile) Cruising Range Maximum Speed 113 kmph (70 mph)

‘New technologies and techniques are the core elements of the Humvee’

SP’s: You call it the sixth-generation vehicle?

Douglas: Yes, the MLTV is basically the sixth-generation of the Humvee that is known around the world. At AM General, we have built more than 3,00,000 HUMVEES and more than 1.5 million light tactical vehicles in total. The MLTV incorporates all our expertise and experience in designing, developing and manufacturing light tactical vehicles and delivers it in an outstanding package. It is a bigger truck. What we have done with the HUMVEE is evolve and improve it during its more than 25 years of service in over 50 countries taking lessons learned from the battlefield and the commercial automotive industry.

In 1985, AM General began with the most basic Humvee. You can consider that the first Generation of Humvee. The generation two Humvee expanded on the experiences that we had on the firstgeneration Humvee, based on battlefield tested experience gained. Same with third and fourth generation Humvees and now it is in its sixth generation. So all of these experiences that we have gained from designing and producing hundreds of thousands of Humvees, the battlefield experiences, the innovative developments we have incorporated into the vehicle from the commercial automotive sector, have been incorporated into the sixth generation Humvee...the Modernized Light Tactical Vehicle or MLTV.

Interview at DSEi 2013 SP’s: When you said battle-tested, can you refer to some battles?

Douglas: Since its inception in 1985, the Humvee has been involved in every major conflict or disaster/emergency relief operation that the US has engaged in – domestically and internationally. The beauty of this vehicle is that its design is extraordinarily flexible in that it can be configured for a multitude of mission packages to include troop carrier, weapons platform, ambulance, firefighting, law enforcement and border security. All the different Humvee applications have been tested.

SP’s: Which are your target markets for righthand drives and what kind of success you foresee and can you also give some break up of right-hand and left-hand drive sales?

Douglas: Our primary markets for right-hand drive right now are India and South East Asia.

Another is Africa and we have received interest from New Zealand. At some point we will take a look at Australia where they have an ongoing vehicle programme. The UK in the early stages of developing the requirements for a programme that will be competed in three to five years and will have a right-hand drive requirement. We think that the righthand drive will represent approximately 30-40 per cent of our sales in the international market. It’s a very big market.

SP’s: Can you give an update of the blast resistant vehicle and have you found global partners for it?

Douglas: Yes, we recently achieved a significant milestone on this programme. On August 22, AM General announced delivery, ahead of schedule, of 22 of the company’s Blast Resistant Vehicle - Off road™ (BRV-O™) to the US Government. These 22 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles included a fourseat variant Combat Tactical Vehicle that supports three different mission package configurations and a two-seat variant Combat Support Vehicle that supports a utility mission package configuration for different mission roles across the full spectrum of military operations. These vehicles are now engaged in a rigorous testing programme by the US Government and a contract decision will be made in the 2015 time frame.

The BRV-O™ represents more than a decade of AM General investment in research, development and testing for this next-generation vehicle for the US Army and Marine Corps. There has been significant interest in the BRV-O by international countries. Australia has expressed an interest in JLTV and we conducted a vehicle demonstration for some of their representatives.

Additionally, we have also talked to the UK. SP’s: Is there any central point of contact for after sales maintenance and spares for your Asian customers?

Douglas: No we do not have a geographically centralised distribution system. We generally work through local partners.

SP’s: Tell us what is latest in AM General?

Douglas: We have been very busy at AM General. Our business development team has been working to secure new production orders at our Military Assembly Plant and we are close to finalising the first of a number of international opportunities which will extend HMMWV production well into the future. Internationally, there is considerable demand for the HMMWV. More than 50 armed forces of other nations use HMMWVs for defence, homeland security and disaster response missions. This includes HMMWVs designed with armoured troop shelters produced for Afghanistan security forces. AM General has also introduced the first true righthand drive HMMWV, not a kit, for more than 70 countries that require that capability – offering the most proven, adaptable, versatile and affordable light tactical

M1165 Special Ops GVW 6,124 kg (13,500 lb.)

Turning Radius 7.62 m (25 ft.)

Payload 2,572 kg (5,670 lb.)

Ground Clearance 46.23 cm (18.2 in.)

Curb Weight 3,552 kg (7,830 lb.)

Angle of Approach 48.0°

Towed Load Allowance 1,905 kg (4,200 lb.)

Angle of Departure 40.0°

Shipping Dimensions 21.10 cubic m (745 cubic ft.)

10.87 sq m (117 sq ft.)

Ramp Breakover Angle 25°

Center of Gravity (at curb weight) 76.71 cm (30.2 in.)

Above Ground 1.53 m (60.4 in.)

Rear of Centerline at Front Axle Track Width 1.82 m (71.6 in.)

Wheelbase 3.30 m (130 in.)

Grade Capability (at GCW) 40% Side Slope Capability (at GCW) 30% Climb Capability (at GCW) 45.72 cm (18 in.)

Vertical Step Cargo Bed Height (at GCW) 97.79 cm (38.5 in.)

Engine General Engine Products (GEP) V8, 6.5L Turbocharged Diesel Horsepower @ 3,400 RPM: 142KW (190HP) Torque @1,700 RPM: 515 N•m (380 lb.-ft) Front Suspension Independent Double A-Frame; Coil Spring; Telescopic Shock Absorbers Rear Suspension Independent Double A-Frame; Coil Spring; Rate - Variable; Telescopic Shock Absorbers Geared Hub Ratios: 1.92:1

Wheels Two-Piece Take Apart; 16.5 x 8.25 x 6.5 BC Tires Non-Directional Cross-Country Tread; 37 x 12.5R-16.5; Load Range: E Service Brakes Type: Disc - Front & Back Dual Master Cylinder with Hydroboost; Rotor Size - 306.8 mm Dia.; 24-mm Thick; Lining Area - 74.2 cm2 (11.5 sq in.) (575.5 cm2 (89.2 sq in.) Total) Fuel Capacity 95 L (25 gal.)

Performance 402 km (250 mile) Cruising Range Maximum Speed 113 kmph (70 mph)

MLTV GVW 7,484 kg (16,500 lb)

Ground Clearance 34.3 cm (13.5 in)

Payload 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)

Angle of Approach 52.1°

Curb Weight 6,214 kg (13,700 lb)

Angle of Departure 37°

Towed Load Allowance 1,905 kg (4,200 lb)

Grade Capability (at GCW) 60%

Shipping Dimensions 25.3 m3 (895 cu ft) 11.8 m2 (127 sq ft) 4.93 m (194.0 in) length 2.39 m (94.0 in) width 2.15 m (84.8 in) height Track Width 1.82 m (71.8 in) Wheelbase 3.30 m (130 in) Turning Radius 7.62 m (25 ft)

Side Slope Capability (at GCW) 40% Climb Capability (at GCW) 45.7 cm (18 in) vertical step Cargo Bed Height (at GCW) 98.8 cm (38.9 in) Engine General Engine Products (GEP) Optimizer 3200

– 460 Horsepower Max. Net 201 kw (270 hp) Torque Max. Net 624 N•m (460 lb-ft) Front Suspension Independent Double A-Frame; Coil Spring; Shock Absorber Rear Suspension Independent Double A-Frame; Coil Spring; Shock Absorber Geared Hub Helical – Ratios: 1.92:1 Wheels Type: Aluminum; Two-Piece Take Apart; Size – 16.5 x 8.25 Tires Type: Radials – Truck;

Non-Directional CrossCountry – Goodyear 10 Ply Rating; Tread; Size – 37 x 12.5; Load Range –E Service Brakes Type: Disc - Front & Back Dual Master Cylinder with Hydroboost; Rotor Size - 306.8 mm Dia.; 24-mm Thick; Lining Area - 74.2 cm2 (11.5 sq in.) (575.5 cm2 (89.2 sq in.) Total) Fuel Capacity 121 L (32.0 gal) Performance 483 km (300 mile) Cruising Range Maximum Speed 120 kmph (75 mph)

>>

vehicle in the world as right-hand drive for the first time. AM General also unveiled another new offering for the international market: the Modernised Light Tactical Vehicle with NATO and European Standard EN-level armor protection that is scalable to meet differing mission requirements.

Additionally, the Department of Defense selected our Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) team for a $64.5-million, Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase contract to produce and deliver 22 Blast Resistant Vehicle – Off road prototypes for government testing. This is the next phase of the acquisition process for this programme that could potentially lead to a multibillion-dollar contract to built tens of thousands of these vehicles.

Also, utilising ground-breaking technologies for greater performance and mission flexibility, AM General’s innovative GMV 1.1 solution for domestic and international rapidly deployable forces demonstrates unmatched power and mobility and is specifically designed to be deployed quickly from inside a C/MH- 47 / CH-53 helicopter.

The GMV 1.1 is a platform that can evolve to meet specific operational needs by incorporating a variety of Government Furnished Equipment to meet mission requirements.

It has 70 per cent parts commonality with the current HMMWV, which significantly reduces expenses for parts, maintenance and training at a time of increasing pressure on defence budgets.

Additionally, through our Service Parts and Logistics Organization (SPLO), the company continues to support HMMWV re-set and re-cap efforts by working closely with its US Government customer at its depots. The SPLO division also provides the US Government and friendly foreign nations myriad services to include vehicle spare parts and worldwide training and logistics support.

Finally, in September AM General announced it had reached an agreement to purchase The Vehicle Production Group (VPG). VPG is a Michigan-based company that originally developed and manufactured the acclaimed MV-1, the only Americanbuilt vehicle specifically designed from the ground up to meet or exceed the needs of wheelchair passengers and the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Previously, AM General acted solely as the vehicle assembler for VPG. Following this transaction, AM General will own and operate the MV-1 business.

The agreement creates a path to form a new company called “Mobility Ventures LLC”, which will acquire the assets of VPG. Production, sales and product development of the MV-1 is expected to resume in approximately 45 days, with AM General bringing more than 50 years of experience and knowledge in the automotive industry to the benefit of passengers who rely on specialty vehicles such as the MV-1.

Assembly of the vehicles will continue to occur at AM General’s world-class, 6,75,000-square-foot Commercial Assembly Plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, which is fully tooled for the MV-1 and ready to resume vehicle assembly.

The MV-1 is the only vehicle in its class available with a factory-installed cleanburning compressed natural gas fuel option.

SP’s: What is the production capacity for Humvees in a year?

Douglas: While we will not provide specific numbers for our Humvee production capacity, I can say that we have a state-of-the-art, dedicated light tactical vehicle assembly facility that can readily tailor vehicle production rates based on the needs of our domestic and international customers. We are the premiere Light Tactical Vehicle producer in the world and are the only company that can offer our customers this kind of quality and service at an affordable price. SP

4/2013 SP’s Land Forces

7

>> interview at DSEi 2013

‘Innovation is at the core of ReconRobotics success’ In an interview with the Editor-in-Chief of SP’s Land Forces Jayant Baranwal, the President & CEO of ReconRobotics Alan F. Bignall outlines the success of ReconRobotics as the company believes in “giving the warfighters precisely what they need.” Excerpts of the interview: Bignall: Our edge has always been strongest in giving warfighters precisely what they need. They wanted a throwable audio and video sensor that was ultra-lightweight, quick to deploy, simple to operate, easy to carry, extremely durable and quiet in its operation. The Throwbot XT delivers all of these capabilities and costs thousands of dollars less than any other military robot. It has been battle-tested now for three years and many foreign militaries are now equipping their warfighters with this unique capability.

Jayant Baranwal (SP’s): In about seven years time since inception of your company, you have emerged as the second largest producer of military and police robots in the world. What do you attribute to this huge success?

Alan F. Bignall (Bignall): Seven years ago, all military and police robots were very large – 20+ kilograms – and very complex with articulated arms, large control units.

They were transported in a vehicle and operated only by trained experts, primarily during counter-IED operations. In 2007, we introduced a .5-kilogram personal robot that was a game changer. It could be carried in a small pouch, deployed in five seconds, thrown up to 35 metres and operated by anyone. Military and police operators quickly realised that this micro-robot would save many lives by providing immediate situational awareness. This innovation led to great success in the US and ultimately in more than 30 countries worldwide. We now have more than 4,100 of our Throwbot XT (TXT) sensor systems deployed with military and police forces.

www.spslandforces.net

SP’s: ReconRobotics (RR) has participated in the counter-terror expos in UK and USA, has your company explored the Asian market and participated in exhibitions or demonstrated your products in Asian countries?

Bignall: We participated in DSA in Kuala Lumpur in 2011, and in the Land Warfare Conference in Melbourne in 2012. In addition, our resellers have participated in country-specific exhibitions in many Asian countries, including China, South Korea, India and Indonesia.

SP’s: Besides the US, which countries account for healthy sales of RR products?

Do you have a distribution network in India and if yes, what is the contact point and who have you marketed your products?

Bignall: Our strongest international markets to date have been Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Norway and China. Our distributor in India is AudoViso Private Limited, managed by Ashim Kumar. +91 11 4584 0000; military@audoviso.com

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SP’s Land Forces 4/2013

SP’s: From its description, Throwbot XT would be of good use to locate terrorist in NLOS conditions but in situations where they do not have overhead cover, is it possible to manoeuvre this micro-robot through openings made by fire or through an open window in order to cover the situation within the building?

Bignall: The Throwbot XT is designed to be thrown – through a window or door, onto a rooftop, or over a wall. It can even be dropped from the top of a three-storey building onto concrete and still send back clear video and audio reconnaissance. The micro-robot operates at low frequencies, enabling the transmissions to and from the robot to propagate through walls, windows and doors. No other robot in the world delivers this unique set of capabilities. It is also important to note that the Throwbot XT is an important tool for maritime interdiction and ship-boarding teams. Because of its unique transmitting frequencies, the TXT can be used to search one- and two-levels below the top deck of a ship, and the operating standing on the top deck is able to still receive clear video reconnaissance. We also make a SearchStick that converts our Throwbot XT into a pole camera, which can be used to search over walls or into attics, crawl spaces and even into the holds of a ship.

SP’s: What would be the effect of rain, snow and wind on the operation of the Throwbot XT since there are many occasions of counter-terrorist operations being conducted in adverse weather conditions?

Bignall: The Throwbot XT is highly water resistant and can easily withstand immersion in up to 30 cm of water for up to 10 minutes. It can also be decontaminated following use in HAZMAT situations, and can be used in temperatures well below freezing. More than 1,000 of these micro-robots have been used in all kinds of weather for more than three years in Afghanistan, and they continue to save lives and help soldiers perform their missions without fail.

SP’s: What technological edge does Recon Scout have over its nearest competitor?

SP’s: Since the Throwbot XT can be thrown up to 120 feet (35 metres), can it be useful for surveillance in high altitude areas as elevated surveillance platform as a supplement to UAV cover?

Bignall: The Throwbot XT can be used at any altitude, and we see no reason why it would not work on an elevated surveillance platform.

SP’s: As described, the Recon Scout Throwbot delivers situational awareness about what lies behind a door, down a hallway, or over a wall before the force enters a location. What is not clear is what can the Throwbot XT tell what is “behind the door” and how?

Bignall: Once a TXT is deployed into an environment, an operator can direct the robot to move deep into the structure, down hallways and into rooms, and the video and audio signals will still propagate through several walls to the hand-held operator control unit. This gives the operator tremendous standoff distance, which keeps him safe from hidden threats.

SP’s: Is ReconRobotics prepared to undertake transfer of technology to Asian countries including India and help establish production line in the buyer country?

Bignall: We have not been asked by any country to establish production in their country. Our international buyers in police and military seem very pleased with the superb quality of our American-made micro-robot systems, and have not expressed a desire to change our manufacturing system.

SP’s: Has the Recon Scout IR been used in actual combat situations? Aside from use in counterterrorism tasks in built-up areas in urban environment, how can this be used in open and forested terrain? Can it be used for surveillance in border areas by night?

Bignall: Both the Recon Scout IR and Throwbot XT have been successfully used in hundreds of military operations, including route- and building-clearing missions, urban warfare operations, IED reconnaissance and remote surveillance. It can be placed along a trail at night to watch for dis-

mounted enemy troops, and is also exceptional when used at vehicle checkpoints to inspect vehicle undercarriages for explosives or narcotics. The TXT’s infrared optics allow it to see in complete darkness.

SP’s: Are you also developing IED detection equipment that can be mounted on vehicles leading a convoy and which can remotely detonate various types of IEDs before the convoy reaches the danger zone?

Bignall: That would be an excellent capability to deliver to warfighters, but we have no plans to develop such technologies.

SP’s: Can these micro-robots survive IEDs? Bignall: The Throwbot XT is not designed to withstand an IED explosion, but it all depends on how close the robot is to the IED and the force of the explosion. The Throwbot XT operates very low to the ground, so in that respect it is somewhat protected.

SP’s: What further research is going on in the company to enhance life-saving reconnaissance capabilities of micro-robots?

What percentage of your overall business is invested in research?

Bignall: We are continually receiving ideas from military and counter-terrorism teams about new technologies to add to our microrobots, and our design and engineering group is very good at bringing them to market. We redirect the overwhelming majority of our profits back into product development and this strategy of continuous innovation has served us very well. In 2013, we were named one of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World by Fast Company, an outstanding US-based business magazine. We are proud of this recognition, which placed us on the list with Google, Apple and Amazon, and it motivates us to keep our innovative edge.

SP’s: Could you give us some examples of the extraordinary work the micro-robots have done in saving lives of warfighters?

Bignall: We get letters and e-mails all the time from both warfighters and police indicating that “Your Throwbot XT saved our lives last night.” The “Know Before You Go” capability that our micro-robots provide not only protects warfighters but also innocent civilians. This knowledge motivates everyone at our company to excel in designing and building game-changing products for those men and women who put their lives on the line in military and police service.

There are many SWAT profiles on our website that contain such testimonials, including this one from the French Counter Terror RAID team: http://www.reconrobotics. com/pdfs/ReconRoboticsw_RAID_microrobot_Toulouse.pdf SP

middle east

>>

The Syrian Imbroglio The support to Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime is from the Sunni Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US. The irony of the situation is that the US which launched GWOT to fight Al-Qaeda is now using Al-Qaeda to support Syrian rebels in a bid to change the regime in Syria.  Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch

T

he world watches with bated breath the developments in Syria.

At the moment it appears that the US which President Barack Obama describes as the “anchor of global security”, is reconciled to at least defer striking Syria. However, Obama’s constraints are more because of the serious lack of consensus for attacking Syria by world leaders at the G-20 meet; British Parliament voting not in favour of British participation against intervention; apprehensions of a resolution within the US not getting through particularly because of opposition by the Republicans and from even double digit Democrats in the Senate; and above all lack of UN Security Council (UNSC) approval for intervention/striking Syria. Yet, the US option to strike Syria remains alive as the US continues negotiations globally particularly with Russia, as well as mustering consensus within the US, besides, implementation time of the Russian proposal with respect to chemical weapons of Syria, appears unlikely to suit impatient US.

The Syrian Tangle The war in Syria has both regional and strategic dimensions, latter primarily due to the US designs with complex cross linkages.

The Syrian identity itself is an amalgamation of Sunnis, Shias, Alawites, Druze and multiple Arab ethnicities. The support to Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime is from the Sunni Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US. Pakistan Taliban has opened their office in Syria and is assisting the rebels. The irony of the situation is that the US which launched GWOT to fight Al-Qaeda is now using Al-Qaeda to support Syrian rebels in a bid to change the regime in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly accused John Kerry for being untruthful that Al-Qaeda was not present in Syria. In fact the US writers had referred to the US plans of bombing Syria as the US substituting for Al-Qaeda Air Force. Then are many reports in the US media that the US has been using Al-Qaeda to assist the rebels in Syria. Paul Joseph Watson in his article “Whether America Shares Its Values with Terrorists” wrote more than a year back that just as Al-Qaeda terrorists were used to oust Gaddafi, hundreds of Libyan rebels with AlQaeda willing members were being airlifted into Syria to aid opposition in carrying out attacks against government forces. So can the West really absolve itself completely of complicity in the over 1,00,000 civil casualties in Syria? The game is not only about the Shia-Sunni strife but multiple factions fighting and above all control of oil, and the next likely target of the US being Iran.

Chemical Weapons On the vital question of who released sarin gas on the hapless Syrian public, John Kerry told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that establishing this is outside the UN mandate but the US had proof that the Syrian regime was responsible. However, President Putin has called the US charge against President Assad of Syria having used chemical weapons “utterly absurd”. More significant is a report by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) that Britain Defence, one of the largest private mercenary forces in the world, was the

target of a “massive hack” of its computer files by an “unknown state sponsored entity” this past January. The FSB disclosed a number of critical e-mails between its top two executives, founder Philip Doughty and his Business Development Director David Goulding, disclosing that the Obama regime has approved a “false flag” attack in Syria using chemical weapons and that Britain has been approved to participate in the West’s war on Iran. One e-mail from Goulding reads, “Phil, We’ve got a new offer. It’s about Syria again. Qataris propose an attractive deal and swear that the idea is approved by Washington. We’ll have to deliver a chemical weapon (CW) to Homs (Syria), a Soviet origin g-shell from Libya similar to those that Assad should have. They want us to deploy our Ukrainian personnel that should speak Russian and make a video record. Frankly, I don’t think it’s a good idea but the sums proposed are enormous.” There is much in the news about Syrian rebel al-Nusra being in possession of sarin gas and Russia seeking explanation from Turkey but who supplied the sarin may be difficult to establish without an international commission with all the prevailing subterfuge. Besides, apprehensions are natural after the US presented false evidence of nuclear weapons as an excuse to invade Iraq.

Obama has also mentioned that since Syria has admitted possession of chemical weapons, it should be punished but then western scholars are writing about the possibility of Israel too having chemical weapons. For that matter China, though signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention is known to be in possession of chemical weapons since many years, as does Pakistan. Further, the record of the US itself is nowhere clean, considering what they unleashed in Vietnam.

US Interests While asserting the necessity to strike Syria, Obama stated that if action against Syria was not taken, Iran will follow suit, implying Iran would develop and use chemical weapons as well. The ultimate target obviously is Iran. Interestingly, General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) had stated in March 2007 that while bombing of Afghanistan had commenced, I asked a General of Joint Staff, “Are we still going to war with Iraq?” And he said, “Oh, it’s worse than that.” He picked up a piece of paper from his desk and said, “I just got this down from upstairs” — meaning the Secretary of Defense’s office — “today”.

And he said, “This is a memo that describes how we’re going to take out seven countries in five years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and finishing off with Iran.” He added, “I guess it’s like we don’t know what to do about terrorists, but we’ve got a good military and we can take down governments.” And he said, “I guess if the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem has to look like a nail.”

In the same context, Dr Subhash Kapila, in his article “US Strategic Blunders in South West Asia, South Asia Analysis Group (March 18, 2013), wrote, “Strategically, the US cannot expect to sustain a long-term and effective presence in South West Asia by a constant and vicious demonisation of Iran…

Iran commands the Shia Crescent extending from Lebanon, through Syria and to the borders of Afghanistan…the current de-stabil-

isation of Syria through a US-Saudi Arabia contrived war is more targeted at Iran than Syria.” By targeting Syria and Iran, the US wants to not only limit Russian and Chinese influence in the region, but also aims at the Chinese Navy embedding on Iranian ports.

Syria has discovered substantial gas reserves in its Qara gas fields and Syria lies on the gas supply route to Europe. In addition, direct supply of gas by Iran through Syria, cuts out Qatari dreams to supply gas to Europe directly. The USA, a strategic partner of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and the largest beneficiary of their oil revenues, is willing to back its partners to knock out Syria and Iran from the energy equation. In doing so, the strategic benefit would be to block Russian and Chinese designs in this regard.

The Syria-Iran-Iraq Gas Pipeline, dubbed as the ‘Islamic Pipeline,’ is a $10-billion project that would supply gas from the largest oil field in the world (Pars in Persian Gulf) to Lebanon and onwards to Europe by 2018.

Qatar that is also a claimant to Pars plans to supply gas to Europe through an alternate pipeline via Turkey traversing Iraq that would bypass both Iran and Syria. In Turkey, this would be linked with the USbacked Nabucco pipeline, carrying gas supplies from the Central Asian Republics. Both projects are strategic in nature but in direct competition with each other and hence the serious clash of interests. The US with important Central Command (CENTCOM) bases in Qatar, back the Qatar-Turkey pipeline which is sans Russian influence.

Interestingly, according to a report, Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia during his recent visit to Russia pledged to safeguard Russia’s naval base in Syria if the Assad regime is toppled, but he also hinted at Chechen terrorist attacks on Russia’s Winter Olympics in Sochi if there is no accord. Concurrently, London’s The Telegraph News Service reported that Saudi Arabia has secretly offered Russia a sweeping deal to control the global oil market and safeguard Russia’s gas contracts, if Kremlin backs away from the Assad regime in Syria, an offer Putin turned down. In strategic terms, the Qatar-Turkey pipeline is exceedingly important for Europe and the USA as Europe can be freed from any Russian control of their gas supplies. At the same time this restricts Chinese penetration in Iran’s energy infrastructure.

Current Situation John Kerry had argued the case before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that not striking Syria will undermine the US credibility, endanger Israel and that the US aim is not war but degrading the military potential of Syria. Later, Obama has stated that not punishing Syria for using chemical weapons would encourage Iran to follow suit. More recently, Putin wrote about Syria in the New York Times that there

The war in Syria has both regional and strategic dimensions, latter primarily due to the US designs with complex cross linkages

are “few champions of democracy” in the civil war in Syria, “but there are more than enough Qaida fighters and extremists of all types battling the government.” Russia has handed over plans of Syrian chemical weapons to be placed under international control in four stages commencing with Syria becoming a member of the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Putin has also warned the US against unilateral action against Syria without UN approval.

UN approval appears doubtful because both Russia and China would veto such move; doubts about who released the sarin gas in Syria, collateral damage in case of attack(s), and that, any strike would certainly not end the strife in Syria and within the region.

What appears likely is that the US will play along the Russian plan for securing Syrian chemical weapons briefly but will want this done post-haste in an impossible time frame that would be near impossible to actually carry out because of multiple technical challenges amidst a raging civil war, besides disposal being expensive and requiring experts—all of which would need months if not years. This apart, if the strike is planned primarily for strategic reasons as discussed, then the US will find a way to strike Syria and tackle Iran next before the latter goes nuclear. Generating another Sarin gas leak/ attack that would justify unilateral action too remains a possibility. On balance, while the immediate case to act against Syria is loudly made out as retribution for Assad’s purported use of chemical weapons against Syria’s hapless civilians and the ‘Free Syrian Army’, the strategic reasons are energy supplies, regime change and reducing Russia-China influence.

Conclusion President Putin has said that the matter of bringing Syria’s chemical weapons under international control has long been a subject of discussion by experts and politicians but that Syria’s chemical arms handover will only work if the US and its allies renounce the use of force against Damascus. The US Senate scheduled to vote on whether to authorise limited military actions is currently on hold but that may not be for long if another ‘trigger’ can be manipulated.

Significantly, Stratfor’s “Analytical Guidance: The Syria Crisis” states, “In the wake of President Barack Obama’s change of tack from a strike on Syria, the threat of war has not dissolved…. There is no chance of an attack on chemical weapons stockpiles. Therefore, the attack, if any, will be on command and control and political targets…. Remember that all public statements now are meant to obscure real plans and intentions. They are intended to shape the environment.” This is in line with the new US foreign doctrine of subtle manipulation from backstage. Obviously such manipulation does not preclude precision strikes.

Absence of ‘boots on ground’ is a misnomer as this is being achieved by proxies, Al-Qaeda included, and Special Forces as a consequence to lessons learnt from conflicts over the years including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hopefully, better sense will prevail but the US cruise missile strikes may still take place though majority support at home may be unattainable and with even France having second thoughts of supporting intervention.

Such a strike will certainly have adverse economic consequences for India besides affecting the Indian diaspora in the region. SP

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>> Show Report / DSEi 2013

DSEi Demonstrates Strong Growth of Military Equipment This year, the show attracted over 30,000 of the global defence and security industry professionals to source the latest equipment and systems, develop international relations and generate new business opportunities Photograph: Nexter

 R. Chandrakanth

D

espite the slash in defence spending by several European countries and also the US, the market for defence and security equipment is growing with demand surging from other parts of the world. However, there is a gloomy global trend, but that did not deter the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) event which is held biannually in London.

DSEi 2013 has carved a niche for itself and has become the most definitive global military equipment show. This year, it attracted over 30,000 of the global defence and security industry to source the latest equipment and systems, develop international relations and generate new business opportunities.

There were nearly 1,500 international exhibitions from over 50 countries, showcasing specialised equipment in air, naval, land, security, medical and unmanned zones. Notwithstanding the continuing dull economic climate, companies were aggressive in marketing of their products, some of them being launched only at DSEi. The UK Prime Minister David Cameron gave a major boost to the show by launching a new document “Securing Prosperity – A Strategic Vision for the UK Defence Sector” which identifies the industry’s core strengths and sets out how the government and industry can work more closely together to catalyse growth.

London being the host, the focus was also on how the defence industry was charting its path. The UK defence sector is currently worth over £22 billion a year and employs well over 1,00,000 people. The UK is also a leading defence exporter, with overseas sales close to £9 billion last year. The strategic vision for the UK defence sector has been developed through the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) which was set up in 2012.

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Single Platform Solution to Counter IEDs Pearson Engineering (Stand S4-360) has completed development of its route opening and clearing capability (PEROCC) system, which is being shown at DSEi for the first time and is fitted with a fully integrated roller system and arm-mounted ground penetrating radar arrays.

PEROCC has already undergone company trials in the UK, with extensive tests carried out at the subsystem level. These have included blast trials to the three-person crew capsule and integration of all key countermine systems, most of which have already been proven for other applications. The new system leverages extensive experience gained from the design, development and production of a wide range of counter-mine equipment of the roller and plough type, which has seen extensive operational use.

Nexter’s new unmanned ground vehicle

Cassidian’s High-grade Encryption Device

UGV, which was first revealed in mid-2012 for military applications. The development of the NERVA S UGV now enables Nexter Robotics to offer a wide range of products to meet different user requirements.

ating in these duties with Chile. Its fullyintegrated tactical system offers a truly open architecture system that can integrate many systems and sensor types.

Saab Introduces Modular Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System

Lockheed Martin showcased Fury UAV in the UK for the first time. The company is proposing the air vehicle as a multi-intelligence platform, with low visual and acoustic signatures but high range and endurance performance. It is classed as a Group 3 UAV, for tactical and expeditionary applications. Lockheed Martin claims it has the biggest payload capacity and volume of any runway-independent UAVs.

Defence and security company Saab introduced a further improved modular mobile camouflage system; Barracuda MCS. Already in use by more than 20 nations, Barracuda MCS is now offering even better flexibility with possibilities to customise the vehicle protection solution to specific customer needs.

Also on display was Skeldar V-200 maritime UAV system, which can hover for hours while providing real-time information to a control station or a remote video terminal.

Rolls-Royce Maritime Patrol Craft Rolls-Royce unveiled a new design of maritime patrol craft. The first of a ‘protection vessel family’ of designs, the new 55-metre craft features a range of equipment from Rolls-Royce (stabilisers, thrusters, steering gear, fixed-pitch propellers) and MTU (diesels, diesel generators, Callosum IPMS), offering a cost-effective capability that can be tailored to mission requirements.

FLIR Systems’ Security Solutions FLIR Systems Inc showcased 360° maritime security solutions to detect, identify and track threats to critical coastal infrastructure and maritime assets such as ships and yachts, as well as coastal borders. Already deployed around the world, this capability, powered by CommandSpace adaptive C2 software for maritime solutions, integrates FLIR Systems’ imaging and radar technologies with underwater sonar and other sensors to create a full, 3D maritime situational awareness shield around an asset.

Nexter Launches Low-cost UGV

Airbus Military Pitches C295 as Multi-role Airlifter

Nexter Robotics, a subsidiary of the French Nexter Group, launched NERVA S unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), small, low-cost, fourwheeled UGV optimised for use in the reconnaissance role and in confined spaces. It is essentially a smaller version of the NERVA LG

Airbus Military made a pitch of its C295 as multi-role airlifter as the platform for a possible UK maritime patrol aircraft requirement. Airbus Military’s C295 offers an affordable and versatile platform for the MPA/ASW mission and is already oper-

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a popular family of guided missiles. Typhoon MLS NLOS also carries a Toplite observation and targeting sensor turret. Related systems developed by Rafael are the Typhoon 30 with a 30mm ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster cannon, and Typhoon MLS-ER with machine gun and Spike-ER missile launchers.

Lockheed Martin Presents Fury UAV

Atlas Elektronik’s Minesweeper Atlas Elektronik UK unveiled its new Atlas remote combined influence minesweeping system (ARCIMS) suite. The company has also disclosed that it will shortly deliver an initial two ARCIMS to meet the needs of an undisclosed customer. Designed to address requirements for a next-generation of networked off-board unmanned mine countermeasures (MCM) systems, ARCIMS has built upon Atlas Elektronik UK’s long pedigree in MCM. This includes the rapid development and delivery of the Royal Navy’s shallow water influence minesweeping system for operations in the northern Arabian Gulf in 2003.

Cassidian Launches X-band Naval Radar Cassidian, the defence division of EADS, launched an X-band naval surface surveillance radar optimised for the detection of extremely small objects and countering asymmetric threats. Based upon the latest active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar technology, the company’s tactical radar for surface surveillance (TRSS) system is claimed to “substantially increase the detection capabilities, and thus the protection level of navy ships and coast guard vessels”.

Rafael Presents Typhoon Rafael showcased the Typhoon MLS NLOS for the first time, having unveiled this new iteration of its popular stabilised marine weapon station earlier this year. This version mounts eight launchers for the company’s SpikeNLOS missile, the longest-range member of

Cassidian, the security and defence arm of EADS launched its latest high-grade encryption device. The Ectocryp Blue v2 solution—the core product in the Ectocryp family—can transfer information classified up to top secret across public networks, allowing organisations to minimise the risk of cyber attack. Blue is Europe’s fastest, high assurance Internet protocol encryptor (HAIPE) certified remotely operated cryptographic device. Ectocryp solutions have already found application in the UK and US. Ectocryp Yellow, the next stage in sovereign UK cryptographic development, is a portable, low-cost, interoperable basis for highly secure strategic and tactical networks.

BAE System Air-to-air Refuelling for Tanker Missions BAE Systems Regional Aircraft revealed its proposal for an air-to-air refuelling (A2R) version of the BAe 146/Avro RJ regional airliner. With its high wing and T-tail configuration, the 146 is considered an ideal platform for the tanker mission, and could be well suited to refuelling tilt-rotor aircraft.

BAE Systems has carried out proximity trials with a Hawk trainer and other 146 aircraft to confirm that the aerodynamic environment behind the 146 is sufficiently benign for tanker operations. With a large number of pre-owned 146s and RJs available for refurbishment and conversion, the types could represent a cost-efficient means of providing a tanker capability, either for frontline operations or for training receivers without using larger, more expensive tankers.

CTruk Presents THOR Making its first public appearance, the twin-hulled offshore raider (THOR) highspeed vessel developed by CTruk starred in the twice-daily water-borne demonstrations. Designed to meet requirements for a fast, stable multi-role force protection craft, THOR has been developed by CTruk in partnership with a number of allied companies under the banner of the CTruk collaborative amphibious project (CAP) consortium. This industry group has been established with the intention of competing in a market traditionally dominated by larger companies.

THOR has been conceived as an affordable multi-role craft that can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from force protection and riverine patrol, to disaster relief and casualty evacuation. Built from lightweight composite material and with a speed in excess of 40 kts, the twin-hull THOR craft is able to operate for sustained periods at long ranges.

As the complexity of war increases, so does the equipment and companies have showed the technological prowess as witnessed at the show. SP

news in brief >>

Arjun Mk.II begins user trial-by-fire It’s the most crucial phase for Project Arjun.

The new and improved Arjun Mk.II has begun user trials in the deserts of Rajasthan, an exercise that hopefully confirm its usefulness to the Indian Army. With over 90 improvements to the base Mk.I version, the Chennai-based Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment (CVRDE) has been steeped in finetuning the platform for the last 24 months, hoping to meet the stringent demands of the Army, a customer who was hard to please with the Mk.I as well. The results of the Mk.II user trials will be crucial to the future of a project that traces its origins to the aftermath of the 1971 war. The Army has placed an indent for 116 Mk.IIs, in addition to the 124 Mk.I tanks already in service with two tank regiments in the Rajasthan sector.

Fresh Nag ATGM trials successful After major setbacks a year ago, the Nag anti-tank guided missile project has bounced back, with a series of successes at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan in recent trials, where the missile was tested with a new imaging infrared (IIR) seeker of much higher resolution than the earlier one. Sources confirm that the trials were more successful than the earlier one.

The NAMICA Mk.1 (seven have been ordered), tested by the Army between 2007 and 2010, had certain deficiencies while operating in high ambient temperatures.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also working on improvement demanded by the Army on the improved NAMICA Mk.2 platform, 200 of which may be purchased if all parameters are met. These improvements include reduction of all-up weight to 15 tonnes, improved reliability of missile launcher platform drive mechanisms, higher-resolution target acquisition sight for the gunner, enhanced user-friendly process in acquisition of target through reduced offset between sight and missile seeker-acquired target scene image, improved amphibious performance and provision of a target surveillance and acquisition sight for the crew commander.

LoC tension spurs concerns over infantry modernisation The high degree of ceasefire violations on the line of control (LoC) has heightened

awareness of slow progress in infantry modernisation in the country. The Army’s Infantry Directorate has called for a meeting to speed up the F-INSAS programme to provide infantry units with more integrated battlefield equipment. Tensions on the LoC have seen the use of hand-held thermal imagers and other equipment, but the Infantry Directorate is of the view that far greater pace of modernisation is desirable towards a much more prepared soldier deployed in the forward areas. According to sources, apart from primary weapon and survivability modernisation, the Infantry Directorate is keen to shore up situational awareness and night-fighting equipment augmentation for soldiers, starting with those in Rashtriya Rifles and Special Forces units, and then to other regular infantry units. The coming weeks are likely to see a slew of fresh expressions of interest pertaining to the F-INSAS programme.

Indian Army interest in SIMFIRE In an effort to hone up firing skills among its mechanised forces, the Indian Army is looking to economise on ammunition and move largely to the realm of simulators, a global best practice among militaries in the west. The Army has announced interest in acquiring SIMFIRE, a German company’s range of shooting simulators, for its T-90/T-72 and BMP I/II in the near future.

“Tactical training in the Mechanised Forces is conducted with realistic depiction of battlefield scenarios and resultant manoeuvres/counter-manoeuvres being carried out by participating units/sub units. In such circumstances, though all efforts are made to paint realistic tactical situations, the outcome is left to the judgement of umpires/control organisation set up for the conduct of the exercise/ training. This, leads to a lot of subjectivity in the entire process of imparting realistic training,” says the Army in its request for information. Furthermore, to draw out correct tactical lessons, it is imperative that the effectiveness of the own/opponents fire is seen by the crew operating on the A vehicles. Therefore, in order to obviate the above mentioned drawback in our present tactical training and enable a two sided live firing exercise, it is intended to induct SIMFIRE equipment into service.

Army orders more INVAR for T-90S In a big relief coming in for the Mechanised Forces, the Indian Army has finally managed to conclude a long-awaited `3,000-crore deal for additional INVAR anti-tank guided missiles licence built by the Bharat Dynamics Ltd with Russian technology. According to the Ministry of Defence, “The deliveries are expected to be completed over next five years.

Invar is a laser beam rider anti-tank guided missile capable of being fired from T-90 tank. It has a range of five km. The missile can neutralise adversaries tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour protection.” The missile has a semi-automatic control system, tele-orienting in a laser beam. The INVAR is a high velocity jamming-immune missile with tandem warhead designed to defeat explosive reactive armour and intended to destroy stationary and moving targets with speed up to 70 kmph. The deal was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in October last year, and remains the most significant recent step to shore up ammunition reserves, severely depleted in the tank formations as highlighted by the former Chief of Army Staff, General V.K. Singh.

India, US ready to sign deal for 145 M777 ultra-light howitzers History may be around the corner for the Indian Army’s artillery regiment, with the first ever acquisition deal for howitzer guns since the Bofors scam in the 1980s. The US Pentagon has provided final notification to the US Congress on the $885-million sale to India, the final step before a foreign military sales (FMS) deal is signed between the two governments. The contract has taken more than seven years to come to fruition, including several bumps along the way. The new guns will breathe fresh life into a beleaguered artillery arm that resigned itself to using vintage guns for nearly two decades.

A deal with BAE Systems, which currently owns Bofors Defence, is likely before the end of the fiscal, and will mark another major step ahead for Indo-US defence relations. The M777 will be deployed in the north-east and Ladakh, and will be airmobile with the IAF’s new heavy-lift fleet. SP —SP’s Special Correspondent For complete versions log on to: www.spslandforces.net

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Indian Army successfully test launches Prithvi-II missile The Indian Army’s strategic forces command (SFC) has successfully test launched the locally manufactured Prithvi-II surfaceto-surface/nuclear capable missile from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. Fitted with an advanced high-accuracy domestically manufactured navigation and manoeuvring system, the missile achieved all the targeting and technical parameters set out for the launch, which was carried out as part of a regular training exercise, under the guidance of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists. During the terminal phase of the test launch, the missile was tracked by the DRDO-built radars, electrooptical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha.

Saab self-protection system for India’s ALH Swedish defence and security company Saab has secured two orders, worth about SEK 216 million ($33 million), from India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). As part of the deal, the company will provide an integrated electronic warfare self-protection system to equip the advanced light helicopter (ALH), which belongs to the Indian Army and Air force. The company’s integrated defensive aids suite (IDAS) will pro-

tect the crew and aircraft, as well as enhance the survivability in sophisticated, diverse and dense threat environments. The system provides a timely warning against different types of threats such as radar, laser and missile approach, and automatically deploys the required counter measures. The company will develop and produce IDAS system at its facility in Centurion, South Africa, while deliveries are expected to start in 2014. IDAS system has been successfully used in many airborne platforms, which include Saab 2000, AgustaWestland A109, Super Lynx 300, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Denel Rooivalk and Oryx, Eurocopter Cougar.

Sentinel capabilities into IBCS Northrop Grumman and the US Army Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS) have installed a key Patriot missile and Sentinel radar capabilities into the latter’s integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) battle command system (IBCS).

Jointly carried out with Raytheon, the Sentinel Project Office and Lockheed Martin on orders of the IAMD Project Office, the Patriot advanced capability-2 (PAC-2) and PAC-3 capability integration enables an IBCS engagement operations centre to launch and control the Patriot family of interceptors in a net-centric approach. The addition of Sentinel radar to the IBCS integrated fire control network validates the

system’s common open architecture-based approach to integrating sensors. SP

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