SP's Land Forces Issue 3 - 2018

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June-July 2018

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The ONLY magazine in Asia-Pacific dedicated to Land Forces

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>> Lead story

In This Issue

Photograph: PIB

Page 4 China Well Ahead of India in Asia-Pacific

Lowy Institute’s inaugural ‘Asia Power Index’ ranks India as the fourth most powerful country in the region and called it ‘A Giant of the Future’.

Rohit Srivastava Page 5 Establishment of the Defence Planning Committee in India Under the NSA Setting up DPC appears to be a hurried step perhaps because of the recent presentation made to the PM by Dr Subhash Bhamre, MoS for Defence that ‘Make in India’ is struggling due to lack of accountability amongst the bureaucracy.

Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Page 6 US Pulls out of Nuclear Deal with Iran — Impact on India Interestingly, Iran’s nuclear programme actually began with help from the US; under its “Atoms for Peace” programme, America supplied a test reactor that came online in Tehran in 1967 during rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. But post the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, US assistance ceased.

Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Page 8 Eurosatory 2018: A Preview Focusing on the current security requirements, Eurosatory is following the evolution in this domain and is putting forward creativity and innovative technology of its exhibitors.

Defexpo-2018 Show of Strength The highlight of the show was the confident Indian industry which is sure of its capability to deliver products as per the forces’ requirement.

Rohit Srivastava Page 9 Coming – Chinese Robot Tanks India should prepare for conflict that would likely combine robotics and AI; UGVs, drone swarms, quantum communications, cyber attacks and more.

Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Page 10 Exercise Harimau Shakti: Honing Tactical & Technical Skills The exercise, was held in the dense forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia, and was aimed at “bolstering cooperation and coordination” between the armed forces of the two countries.

Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd) Plus News in Brief

Big Day @ Defexpo 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivering his address at the inauguration ceremony of the Defexpo 2018 in Chennai

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 Rohit Srivastava

T

he recently concluded Defexpo 2018, India’s premier land and naval force exposition, was aimed at projecting India as the weapon exporting nations. In the previous editions of the show the focus was on what world can offer to India. But, this year the theme was ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’. The shift in focus towards manufacturing and export is a paradigm shift in Indian outlook. Is there enough ground for it? It seems yes.

Inauguration of the Defexpo 2018 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi reinforced the Indian Government’s commitment to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing. Prime Minister Modi,

on the second day, formally inaugurated the show. While delivering his inaugural speech, Modi convincingly articulated his government’s plan to ease out woes of Indian and global defence industry. “Our commitment to peace is just as strong as our commitment to protecting our people and our territory. For this we are ready to take all necessary measures to equip our armed forces, including through the establishment of a strategically independent defence industrial complex.”

Noting the uniqueness and distortion of the defence industry where government is the sole buyer, Modi said, “We are conscious that defence manufacturing is unique in terms of government involvement.” During the inauguration Modi also launched the Innovations for Defence

Excellence (IDEX) which will support young men and women to come up with innovative solutions for Indian defence requirements.

Speaking on the first day of expo, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, with an eye on the export, said that a larger objective will be served by focusing on defence industry. Calling India a strong, growing and futuristic economy which is sustaining itself, Sitharaman said that it is not only government’s compulsion to support defence production but also to achieve larger objectives. “Making India a hub for defence industries and making sure that the defence production is not just for our consumption but also to aim on export.

So, India today is able to talk bilaterally to many countries,” she said.

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E D I T O R I A L

>> Lead Story

On hearing the news on April 18, 2018, that the government had announced the establishment of a Defence Planning Committee (DPC) under the chairmanship of the National Security Adviser (NSA), as a permanent body, which was intended to “facilitate a comprehensive and integrated planning for defence matters”— the old English proverb came to my mind “The triumph of hope over experience”. At long last our political leadership was waking up to the complexities and realities of defence planning. Was it recognition of reality or an election expedient?

The committee’s members

are drawn from the highest echelons of military and civil bureaucracies including the three service chiefs (one of whom is the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee) the Defence Secretary, Foreign Secretary, and Secretary (Expenditure) from the Ministry of Finance, with the Chief of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) performing the task of member secretary.

Integrated and comprehensive planning are vital aspects that have eluded the Indian defence planning system which is used to planning even for wars/conflicts in a compartmentalised manner with little or no inputs from the government or any of its agencies. Within the three Services also, despite claims to the contrary, this vital aspect is absent even in strategic planning otherwise how can you explain the non use of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1962 War which could have turned the tide, and hesitancy on part of the IAF in using air power in support of the ground troops in the initial stages of the Kargil War in 1999,

wherein the matter had to be resolved by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The chiefs of the armed forces are responsible for preparedness of their respective Services for war in all respects but lack the flexibility/independence and the financial powers to prepare and equip themselves for the minimum period of time laid down for future wars/conflicts in the Defence Minister’s Operational Directive to the Service Chiefs. This mismatch between what we should have and what we actually have along with the general neglect of matters military by the political leadership especially over the past two decades or so along with an uncaring bureaucracy who bear no accountability has created such a situation today that the deficiencies in all three Services in terms of munitions and equipment runs in thousands and thousands of crores which is not possible to make up in a short period of time even if the resources were to be provided today.

The existing gaps in the defence planning mechanism,

which, for long had been argued that these would be overcome by creation of a Chief of the Defence Staff who would be the final arbiter of all requirements of the armed forces did not find favour with successive political dispensations.

Moreover the existing system of HQ IDS-led planning has not helped in preventing the parochial interests of various stakeholders from influencing decisions which has had an adverse impact of not only on how security threats were viewed but also on how scarce resources are distributed among the Services. Simultaneously, the ‘Make in India’ programme has also not progressed satisfactorily.

In light of the above the establishment of a Defence Planning Committee is a positive step in integration of defence planning and associated matters at the national level. However, there are various short comings in its composition and the wide charter given to it which will emerge with the passage of time as the DPC seems to have been pushed through in a hurry without adequate thought and deliberation.

Main criticism of the DPC has been that it is yet another layer of bureaucracy, which will do very little except produce written papers and briefs. The composition is such that the members who are very busy personalities in their own departments, will have very little time for meaningful contribution and thus it will be left to the sub committees to examine and put up proposals/ briefs. Moreover, the DPC will put up their recommendations/ proposals to the Defence Minister, thus proving the view that it is another layer of bureaucracy in the MoD. This issue carries articles on Defence Planning Committee, US Pulls out of the Nuclear Deal, An analysis of Lowy Institute’s inaugural ‘Asia Power Index’; among other.

Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd)

www.spslandforces.com

Photograph: PIB

She added that India understands that shifting defence production to India and transfer of technology is not one sided dream but it is an actual reality which is taking shape.

In what could be considered as the most talked about features of the show is the live demonstration by the Indian designed and developed products which are part of the inventory of the Indian forces. The demonstration was a sales pitch to the visiting foreign delegations that India has products that they can induct in their arsenals.

During the demonstration, the complete fleet of helicopters of government owned the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter, Advanced Light Helicopter and weaponised ALH displayed their prowess.

Similarly, the Indian designed and developed howitzers, Ordnance Factory Board’s 155mm/45 calibre and Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) 155mm/52 calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun were showcased along with its Arjun Mk-II main battle tank.

The show was attended by 701 exhibitors which includes 154 international exhibitors. Nearly 15 per cent of the total exhibition space was booked by medium small and micro enterprises (MSME). In terms of area, this edition was spread over 2,90,000 square feet which is 65,000 square feet more than the Goa edition.

Although, the industry is eagerly looking forward to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for clarity on the participation of the public sector in the strategic partnership model of the defence procurement procedure (DPP), yet number of Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) were signed between leading private firms and defence public sector firms. It is a good omen for the development of local defence industry. The coming together of the ever conflicting private and public sector to develop products for Indian and global market is a win-win situation.

This is a model which has tasted success.

Two of the best made in India systems, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launching system and ATAG are the perfect example of public-private partnership model. This model allows virtuous utilization of the capabilities of both sectors. Moreover, this

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SP’s Land Forces 3/2018

will also expedite the product development.

The show witnessed many announcements and displays of new products from both private and public players. The decision of the Prime Minister to inaugurate the show gave a much required flip to its status.

Although, the venue was new yet one can’t recall such a fine management of space ever in its previous editions. Before the show, the industry was afraid that in short span of time, the organizers will not be able to put up a good show, but to everyone’s surprise the show was not only well managed but with every kind of facility for the participants.

The show was high on business and also on glitz. There wasn’t any big ticket announcement. But, below the radar, the business was intense. One can anticipate some serious development coming out of the expo.

“Making India a hub for defence industries and making sure that the defence production is not just for our consumption but also to aim on exports.

So, India today is able to talk bilaterally to many countries.” —Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister

BEML Unveils Bullet Proof Vehicle BEML Limited, a Public Sector Company under the Ministry of Defence, launched Medium Bullet Proof 4x4 Vehicle (MBPV 4x4) for use in counter insurgency operations at the expo. The MBPV, is a 4x4 wheel heavy duty all weather off road mobility vehicle, specially designed for easy maneuverability, operability and maintainability. This advanced blast protected and bullet proof vehicle shields the security personnel from

small arms fire, hand grenades and fragment simulated projectiles, etc. With survivability as the major objective, the MBPV 4x4 has a carrying capacity of 10+2 persons.

BEML & OFB Launches Force Multiplier 155 mm 52 CAL Mounted Gun System OFB and BEML have unveiled its latest product: The 155 mm 52 Cal Mounted Gun system at a function held at the ongoing

Defexpo 2018 at Chennai jointly by Deepak Kumar Hota, CMD, BEML Limited & S.K. Chourasia, DGOF & Chairman OFB. The uniqueness of this project is that it has been completely and independently designed and manufactured by OFB in association with BEML and BEL and is therefore a shining example of ‘Make in India’ - The Theme of Defexpo’18. The Gun is equipped with the state-of-the-art laying system and sighting system such as GPS aided INS, muzzle velocity feeder data management, day and night firing, ballasting computer system capability.

The armament used in the 155 mm 52 Cal with target equipment capability of approximate 42Kms. The Gun System combines with the advantage of high mobility performance of a truck with accurate long range fire power of a 155 mm 52 Cal Gun and with its onboard ammunition storage capability of 18 rounds of HE shells as well as 18 BMCS and 2-6 chargers. It can be automatically deployed in any terrain and can perform a mission independently.

Kalyani Group and BAE Systems to Provide Air Defence Guns Indian engineering major Kalyani Group and British defence major BAE Systems, on April 13, announced that they are working together to develop and provide Air Defence Guns for Indian Security Forces.

Rajinder Singh Bhatia, President and CEO (Defence and Aerospace) of Bharat Forge Ltd said, “The Kalyani Group has indigenously developed its skills and capability within Defence. We are now expanding our profile in the defence segment to include Air Defence Guns and ammunition in order to provide solutions to Indian security forces for terminal air defence. The Group and BAE Systems have agreed to partner for transfer of technology for air defence guns and ammunition. BAE Systems’ advanced technology will be complemented with Bharat Forge Ltd’s world-class design, development and manufacturing capabilities. This will be the perfect example of ‘Make in India’ solutions.”

Ashok Leyland Exhibits Six Advanced Products and Technology In a gesture appreciating the contribution of the humble soldiers, Ashok Leyland, flag-

>> Lead Story PhotographS: BEL, Karthik Kumar / SP Guide Pubns

ship of the Hinduja Group and the largest suppliers of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, got its products unveiled by Mahadevi Bilebal, widow of Late Lance Nayak Hanumanthappa Koppad, who was posthumously awarded the Sena medal, and Hony Capt Raghunath Singh, Veer Chakra.

Speaking on the occasion, Vinod K. Dasari, MD, Ashok Leyland, said, “We have been an integral part of our nation’s Defence operations and we continue to evolve as a trusted partner in providing endto-end solutions in the area of mobility.”

“We have developed capabilities which will help us to bid for 20-25 per cent of the tenders of the Indian Army as against less than one per cent earlier,” he added.

The company unveiled LSV 4x4-Light Specialist Vehicle 4x4, Guru 715- General Service logistics vehicle, Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle 4x4, Super Stallion 8x8A High Mobility Vehicle, power pack for artillery guns (technology solution for the Indian Army), tracked vehicles: Repower, Upgrade Solutions for tracked vehicles and Future Infantry Combat Vehicle Mobility.

India has moved one step closer towards the execution of 200 Ka-226T light utility helicopter deal. During the show, the Russian Helicopters announced that India has approved the technical configuration of the Ka-226T to be manufactured by the joint venture firm Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited in India.

“Approval of helicopter configuration to be delivered and assembled in India means that the technical aspects of the project have been finalised. We and our Indian partners shall commence the preparation of contractual documents in the near future”, said Andrey Boginskiy, Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company.

The Ka-226T will replace ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. A governmentto-government deal with Russia signed at the end of 2015 for 200 Ka-226T helicopters to be manufactured in India. The Shareholders Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Venture to manufacture Ka226T helicopters in India was also signed in 2016. The project will be executed through a joint venture between HAL (50.5 per cent) and Russian Helicopters.

In May 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a new helicopter manufacturing facility for HAL in Tumakuru, located 70 km north-west of Bengaluru in Karnataka as a step in HAL’s expansion of its helicopter production capability. Out of 200, 60 helicopters will come from Russia and rest will be manufactured in India.

BEL Signs MoU with L&T Public sector defence electronics major Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and private sector engineering leader Larsen & Toubro, on April 11, signed an MoU during the Defexpo to share their expertise in design, development, engineering and manufacturing to develop and produce products and systems to meet the requirement of the defence services as well as for export markets.

M.V. Gowtama, CMD, BEL, and senior officials from both the organisations were present on the occasion. Anandi Ramalingam, Director (Marketing), BEL, and J.D. Patil, Whole Time Director and Senior Executive Vice President (L&T Defence), signed the MoU. Both the companies will co-operate and work in partnership mode for select programmes of the Indian government and also for the global market.

BEL and Mahindra Comes Together On April 12, BEL and Mahindra Defence Systems signed a MoU for a long-term partnership to exploit opportunities in the defence sector in both domestic and export markets.

Speaking on the occasion, S.P. Shukla, Group President, Aerospace & Defence, Mahindra Group said, “Both BEL and Mahindra Defence are world-class engineering companies. To give one example, together we have capabilities in mobility, survivability, lethality, electronics and communications, making us ideal partners for new development as well as for upgrade of in service combat vehicles. This partnership can be grown not only to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces but also to target exports to other friendly countries.”

“We are pleased to come together. We are keen to bring to the table our in-house expertise as well as technical know-how to the current and future design of new generation defence systems and products We are confident that the two of us will work together to contribute to indigenous defence production,” M.V. Gowtama, CMD, BEL, said.

Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) Announces Expansion Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS), a joint venture between Kalyani Strategic Systems and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems of Israel, is all set to expand its product profile. The KRAS will now venture into the space of Missile systems with the New Generation Precision Guided Munitions (NGPGM), Air Defense systems and capabilities for Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Low-Level Quick Reaction Missiles (LLQR) and Quick Reaction (QR) SAM programs. The expansion will also include the Drone Dome system (Radar and laser beam system for detecting, jam-

Ka-226T Configuration Finalized

Indian Team to visit Russia to Familiarize with Naval Ka-226T

(Top) Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat at the BEL pavillion; (above) Arjun MBT Mk II in action on the opening day of Defexpo 2018 in Chennai.

ming and destroying drones) and the Naval Remote control Weapon Station Systems Programme.

KRAS, established in 2015, for manufacturing and life cycle support of Spike Missiles systems, BMP II upgrade and Addon Armour Solutions. The joint venture has a state-of-the-art facility at Hyderabad for manufacturing of defence sub systems.

In its first phase of expansion in March 2017, KRAS included provision of indigenous solutions to New Generation Precision Guided Munitions (NGPGM) and Long Range Guided Bomb (LRGB).

As part of its second phase of expansion, KRAS will now also provide indigenous solutions for Missiles Systems like MRSAM, LLQRM, QRSAM as well as the Naval Gun Program and Drone Dome System. This expansion will bring-in niche technology in the country for such advanced defence systems and will further boost the JV’s commitment to ‘Make in India’.

Boeing, HAL and Mahindra Comes Together for F/A-18 Super Hornet Global military aviation major Boeing announced joining hand with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) for manufacturing of the super-sonic jet fighter F/A-18 Super Hornet in India. The partnership will also pursue the joint development of future technologies.

India currently has two fighter programmes – 110 aircraft for Indian Air Force and 57 aircraft for Indian Navy, and Boeing is one of main contenders in both the programmes.

“This partnership brings the best of Indian public and private enterprises

together in partnership with the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing, to accelerate a contemporary 21st century ecosystem for aerospace and defence manufacturing in India,” said Pratyush Kumar, president, Boeing India. “Our partnership with HAL and Mahindra will enable us to optimize the full potential of India’s public and private sector to deliver next-generation F/A-18 fighter capabilities. Together we can deliver an affordable, combatproven fighter platform for India, while adding growth momentum to the Indian aerospace ecosystem with manufacturing, skill development, innovation and engineering and job creation.”

“Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has always been at the forefront of aerospace development in India’s aerospace sector,” said T. Suvarna Raju, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL. “This partnership with Boeing and Mahindra Defence Systems will create an opportunity to develop capabilities of the aerospace industry and strengthen indigenous platforms in India thereby contributing to the ‘Make in India’ activities.”

The Super Hornet ‘Make in India’ proposal is to build an entirely new and state-of-the-art production facility that can be utilized for other programmes like India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

This partnership is intended to bring together Boeing, HAL and MDS’ global supply chain and will expand India’s aerospace ecosystem in accordance with the vision of ‘Make in India’. According to Boeing, the Super Hornet does not only have a low acquisition cost, but it costs less per flight hour to operate than any other tactical aircraft in US forces inventory.

To witness a demonstration flight of the naval version of the light utility Ka-226T helicopters, a delegation from MoD will visit Kamov Design Bureau of Russian Helicopters.

India is buying 200 of these helicopters to replace the army and air force fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. Recently, Indian Navy has come up with a tender for 111 naval utility helicopters. Kamov wants to offer the naval version of Ka-226T for this tender.

“We have offered the Indian side to visit Kamov Design Bureau that developed Ka226T for the project of delivering 200 units of such helicopters and localizing their production in India. Our colleagues shall be able to take part in a demonstration flight and to learn more about Ka-226T capable of being deployed aboard a ship. Placing an order for helicopters for the Indian Navy with our joint venture in India is benefiting both sides, therefore, we have decided to invite our partners to gain a more detailed familiarization with this rotorcraft,” noted Andrey Boginskiy, Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company.

A government-to-government deal with Russia signed at the end of 2015 for 200 Ka-226T helicopters to be manufactured in India. The Shareholders Agreement for the establishment of a Joint Venture to manufacture Ka-226T helicopters in India was also signed in 2016. The project will be executed through a joint venture between HAL (50.5 per cent) and Russian Helicopters.

Since 2017, Ka-226T helicopters with a ship basing capability are being serially produced and delivered to the Russian specialpurpose aviation.

As distinct from the ‘land-based’ version, light utility ship-based Ka-226T helicopter features a blade folding system of the main rotor. Owing to its small dimensions, the helicopter can be deployed on ships and low-displacement vessels. Shipbased Ka-226T helicopter is intended for performing search and rescue and transport missions round-the-clock in standard or adverse weather. SP

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>> Asia-Pacific

China Well Ahead of India in Asia-Pacific Lowy Institute’s inaugural ‘Asia Power Index’ ranks India as the fourth most powerful country in the region and called it ‘A Giant of the Future’ Photographs: eng.chinamil.com.cn, US Navy

 Rohit Srivastava

W

orld is witnessing shift of global power to Asia. The rise of China, in last two decades, has reconfigured the power equation in the Asia-Pacific region which was dominated by United States and its allies including Japan and South Korea. This has compelled nations of the region and outside to rehash their foreign policy to make it congruous to Chinese geo-strategy.

With four out of top five economies of the world being in Asia, except the US, the continent is expected to host two third of the world population by 2025. This will completely change the global power equation which is still dominated by the US and Europe. “Asia’s economic transformation is reshaping the global distribution of power, changing the way the region—and indeed the world—works politically and strategically. Just as significantly, tensions between Asian powers will define war and peace in the twenty-first century,” it said.

The index is an effort towards providing “an analytical tool that aims to sharpen the debate on power dynamics in Asia.” It measures power across 25 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, from Pakistan in the west to Russia in the north to US in the Pacific. Australia and New Zealand marks the southern boundary of the region.

Methodology Index studies country’s power across eight measures of power—Economic resources, Military capability, Resilience, Future trends, Diplomatic influence, Economic relationships, Defence networks and Cultural influence. These eight measures were further divided in two dimensions of resources measures and influence measures. “The first four measures of the Index—economic resources, military capability, resilience and future trends—provide assessments of a country’s material capabilities and robustness, which are underlying factors in the exercise of power.”

“The other four measures of the Index—diplomatic influence, economic relationships, defence networks and cultural influence—assess a country’s active levels of influence, principally in other Index countries, lending the Index its Asian focus,” it said.

www.spslandforces.com

Outcome On the scale of hundred, considering the overall score based on all the eight measures, US, sole global super power, scored 85 followed by ‘the emerging superpower’ China (75.5), Japan (42.1), India (41.5) and Russia (33.3). The index marks India and Japan as major powers. The index calls nations scoring below 40 points as middle powers. Russia tops the middle power list with 33.3 points and the latest nuclear power North Korea, last on the list, scores mere 11.4.

One of the very interesting featuring of the report is the assessment of countries on basis of “the difference between a country’s

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(Top) A military parade by PLA; (above) PLA soldiers during a military parade.

overall power and what its power might be expected to be given its available resources.”

Japan tops the list of the overachievers with 11 points whereas North Korea is at the bottom with -6.9 points; Russia with -6.4 points is slightly better than worst performer. Surprising two of the fastest emerging power, India is underperforming with -2.3 and China with -3.0. US with -0.2 is at par with its resources.

On the US, which claims top place in five of the eight index measures, the report emphasized that it “retains the most powerful military force in Asia and is at the centre of a network of regional alliances that Beijing cannot match, reflected by a 65-point lead over China in defence networks.” Talking about waning US influence in the region, the report said, “US diplomatic influence in the region has also been damaged by nervousness about the Trump administration and its foreign policy decisions, including its withdrawal in 2017 from the Trans-Pacific

Partnership. US political leadership in Asia is in doubt.”

Raising serious question on the US’ ability to retain its position, it said, “even if the

On the US, which claims top place in five of the eight index measures, the report emphasized that it “retains the most powerful military force in Asia and is at the centre of a network of regional alliances that Beijing cannot match

United States continues to outspend China in military expenditure, future trends point to a relative decline in US power, with a second place finish only marginally ahead of India.”

No wonder, China is showing little regard for US power in the western Pacific region.

Giving China benefit of keeping its resources focused on its strategic overreach in Asia, it said that “the Belt and Road Initiative play to Beijing’s strengths as the primary trade partner and source of foreign assistance in the region.” China is expected to achieve economic parity with US in next one decade. In spite of its strength, report finds China “vulnerable to a military and strategic counterweight led by other regional powers.”

The report has been successful in quantifying the relative superiority of China viza-viz its two neighbours – India and Japan.

There is 33 points difference between China and Japan. “This gap is as large as that between Japan and Bangladesh, ranked 18th in the Index as a minor power.” It is worth pondering that this gap is despite of Japan being an over achiever. Talking qualitatively about the two strategic partner of Asia-India and Japan, the report says: “Japan is a smart power, while India is a giant of the future.”

Talking further on Japan, it said that although Japan is using its limited resources smartly to “wield broad-based influence in the region” but in foreseeable future it’s declining population and slow rate of economic growth will decline its influence as major power of the region.

On the other hand India is expected to improve economically and demographically in the time period of 2030. “However, the economic giant suffers from a poor track record of converting its sizeable resources base into strategic gain in Asia—despite New Delhi’s ‘Act East Policy’.” If India is serious about containing China this gives an important cue to Indian policy makers for evaluation of India’s resource utilisation.

In economic relations (7th), defence networks (10th) and resilience (5th) India is ranked below its overall ranking whereas in cultural influence (3rd) and future trends (3rd) India fairs better. Unexpectedly, China fairs better than India in cultural influence too!

India has been making efforts to increase its influence in the Indo-China region through ‘Act East policy’. Although, Indian leaders have made numerous visits to the friendly nations in the region and India has also hosted the ten heads of state of ASEAN nations at this year’s republic day function but India is still to achieve something that will alter the power dynamics of the region.

India’s reluctance in forming quad against China is an evidence of the country’s strategic indecisiveness. This is not going to help India in long term.

As China is reaching throughout Eurasia through its belt and road initiative and which will allow it to check Indian influence over its traditional friends like Russia and Europe, it is becoming imperative that India must take some tough decision in coming future to make itself resistant to Chinese grand strategy. SP

>> National Security

Establishment of the Defence Planning Committee in India Under the NSA Setting up DPC appears to be a hurried step perhaps because of the recent presentation made to the PM by Dr Subhash Bhamre, MoS for Defence that ‘Make in India’ is struggling due to lack of accountability amongst the bureaucracy  Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd)

F

our years after coming to office, the Modi government sprung a surprise on the nation by announcing the Defence Planning Committee (DPC), described as new ‘Strategic Think Tank’, to formulate national military and security strategy, and oversee foreign acquisitions and sales. It is well known that UPA had neglected the defence in their preceding decade long rule. Ironically, the four year rule of NDA II did not see much change other than emphasis on ‘Make in India’.

Setting up DPC appears to be a hurried step perhaps because of the recent presentation made to the PM by Dr Subhash Bhamre, MoS for Defence that ‘Make in India’ is struggling due to lack of accountability amongst the bureaucracy. Approaching general elections could also have contributed in setting up DPC, indicating government interest in defence that hitherto was limited to ‘Make in India’. However, in the present form, DPC leaves a whole lot of questions unanswered and may end up as yet another committee.

The DPC Headed by NSA, the DPC is to be a permanent body consisting of three Service Chiefs (one of whom is rotating Chairman of COSC) Secretaries of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Expenditure. The CISC heading HQ IDS is Member Secretary who will service the DPC. HQ IDS has five departments: Doctrine, Organisation and Training; Perspective Plans and Force Structures; Intelligence; Operations, and; Medical. One post each for MEA and DRDO is authorised in HQ IDS but remain generally vacant. Main task of the DPS are to formulate: one, national military and security strategy, and; two, oversee foreign acquisitions and sales. A further breakdown has been enumerated as: refine recommendations for defence procurement, taking longer view of acquisitions and how they fit into current and future scenarios; smoothen defence acquisitions by reconciling conflicting claims of defence PSU manufacturers and the three services who are pressing for armament upgrades; make defence planning and strategy a more integrated and forward looking process, providing key inputs to define security priorities; examine “ways and means” across ministries to develop capabilities and meet national goals; address persistent criticism of India’s defence planning that it lacks centralised and organised planning integrating civilian and defence agencies and is often confined to silos; align long-term goals with procurement and doctrines through mandate to take up “capability development planning” and place it before the Cabinet Committee for Security for approval, and; evaluate foreign policy imperatives” and chalk out a strategy for international engagement that includes

boosting ‘Make in India’ exports and foreign assistance programs.

DPC is to function through four subcommittees that provide inputs for senior functionaries and assess unconventional and emerging threats apart from developing more regular defence concepts. Specific inputs provided by the DPC are to be put up to the Defence Minister. The Committee’s charge will also include inter-connected subjects like: defence diplomacy; manufacturing and policy and strategy that can bring together expertise in the government to one table, and; to some extent, fill void of National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). In effect, the four sub-committees of DPC are similar to that of IDS. DPC has four sub-committees: Policy and Strategy; Planning and Capability Development; Defence Diplomacy and Defence Manufacturing. The last two would have been in IDS had the MEA and DRDO posted officers to HQ IDS instead of deliberately keeping these slots vacant. The DPC will produce position papers (which MoD and IDS are already doing) and forward these to the Defence Minister. How all this will sharpen defence planning and capability building is hard to visualize. Even the Operational Directive of Defence Minister is written by the IDS, not by CCS or NSC. DPC also appears heavily biased towards ‘Make in India’, acquisitions, manufacturing and exports; which is the very job of MoD with the Department of Defence Production (DoDP) integral to it.

How creating another layer of DPC above the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) will improve the system is matter of conjecture.

Significantly, DPC doesn’t include Home Secretary, indicating little understanding of hybrid warfare. Besides, DPC filling void of NCTC can only be considered a joke.

who the CDS will be, and Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar stating in 2015 that CDS is “coming soon”. CAPF deployment even in ‘sensitive’ border areas wasn’t placed under army. HQ IDS established for being part of MoD, was kept separate. DPC follows same track by making HQ IDS as the Secretariat (why not the NSC?). The GoM recommendation for early establishment of CDS was diluted by UPA II by bringing up the issue of Permanent Chairman COSC. Now Modi government has apparently buried the issue of CDS through DPC, with NSA already being referred to as de-facto CDS, ultimate aim being as and when Theatre Commands come up, Theatre Commanders report

directly to NSA in absence of CDS, which will be most ridiculous.

India’s defence set up has suffered peculiarities like: no National Security Strategy (NSS) and Strategic Defence Review (SDR); defense procurement planning without NSS-SDR; military representation lacking in higher defense structures; MoD ‘without’ military professionals; Services HQ termed “attached offices” like in British times; Defence Secretary (not Defence Minister) charged with country’s defence; 70 per cent defence equipment imported in past decades despite 50+ DRDO labs, 9 DPSUs, 42 Ordnance FacContinued on page 9...

Cart before the Horse Instead of first establishing Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs), appointing a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and merging MoD with HQ IDS, the DPC is akin to putting the cart before the horse, bypassing the horse, burying the issue of appointing CDS, with ambiguity in defence planning and higher political management. With the DPC instituted, what will be the role now of the National Security Council (NSC) and its Secretariat (NSCS), the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) and the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)? The Kargil Review Committee (KRC) recommendations for restructuring defence,, endorsed by Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Deputy Prime Minister, included establishment of CDS and HQ IDS that was to be part of MoD to provide requisite military expertise. CAPF deployment on borders was recommended to augment army, and placed under command the latter.

But the deep state didn’t permit HQ IDS-MoD merger and establishment of CDS despite Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying in 2005 government had decided

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>> Strategic affairs

US Pulls Out of Nuclear Deal with Iran — Impact on India Interestingly, Iran’s nuclear programme actually began with help from the US; under its “Atoms for Peace” programme, America supplied a test reactor that came online in Tehran in 1967 during rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. But post the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, US assistance ceased.

Photograph: PIB

 Lt GenEral P.C. Katoch (Retd)

T

hough indications of what President Donald Trump had in mind with respect to the nuclear deal with Iran were growing in the past weeks, including statements of leaders in Europe, his actual announcement of did produce shock waves, signaling apprehensions at multiple levels; possible economic fallout, instability, nuclearisation and conflict in the region, given US response to nuclear North Korea that bullied through to build its nuclear capability and threatened striking US with nuclear capable ICBMs just recently. Trump announced US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, promising to impose “the highest level of economic sanctions” on the country for pursuing nuclear weapons.

He said the “defective” 2015 deal has failed to stop that Iran from moving ahead with development of nuclear weapons. The deal was signed between Iran and what’s called the P5+1- the US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany. However, contrary to what Trump said, UK, France and Germany have issued a statement expressing their “regret and concern” and emphasizing their “continuing commitment” to the deal with Iran – all amounting to these countries signaling Iran was actually complying with the deal. Opinion within the US on Trump’s action is also divided. There is need to examine the US pullout and what impact it has on India.

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Iran’s Nuclear Programme and the Nuclear Deal Interestingly, Iran’s nuclear programme actually began with help from the US; under its “Atoms for Peace” programme, America supplied a test reactor that came online in Tehran in 1967 during rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. But post the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, US assistance ceased. But in 1990’s Iran expanded its nuclear programme, bought equipment from Pakistan’s A.Q. Khan and IAEA suspected Iran to have received design information for a bomb and researched explosive detonators. By August 2002, Western intelligence and an Iranian opposition group reportedly revealed a covert nuclear site at the central city of Natanz. Iran has been in denial of all this, reiterating its nuclear programme has no military dimensions.

US, under President Obama commenced secret talks with Iran after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani took office. Iran and world powers ultimately reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the nuclear deal, in 2015, making it impossible for Iran to produce a bomb, in return for the lifting of most of the US and international sanctions against it. Under its terms, Iran can only: maintain a stockpile of 300 kg low-enriched uranium compared to the 1,00,000 kg of this category it earlier had, and; only enrich uranium to 3.67 per cent, which can fuel a reactor but is far below 90 per cent needed to produce a weapon.

The deal also limited the number of cen-

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Hassan Rouhani in Hyderabad House, New Delhi

trifuges Iran can run and restricted it to an older, slower model. Iran also reconfigured a heavy-water reactor so it couldn’t produce plutonium and agreed to convert its underground Fordo enrichment site to a research center. It granted more access to IAEA inspectors, allowing them to inspect other sites also. The nuclear deal, however, does ‘not’ directly stop Iran from testing or firing ballistic missiles. It also has a series of expiration dates: one, in eight and a half years Iran can start testing up to 30 more advanced centrifuges; two, it can greatly expand number of advanced centrifuges two years after the first stipulation of eight and a half years, and three, 15 years after the deal, restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment and stockpile size end.

US Pullout The Iran nuclear deal which was being hailed as Obama’s biggest foreign accomplishment, has been trashed by Trump; calling the deal “a disaster” and the “worst deal ever”. Justifying his decision to pull out, Trump said, “We cannot prevent an Iranian bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement.

Therefore, I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.” Apparently, his main criticism revolves around the deal not including Iran’s ballistic missile programme, Iran’s support of groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its support and aid to Syrian President Bashar Assad. He also has criticized the deal’s expiration terms that “threw Iran’s dictatorship a political and economic lifeline”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized the deal and held a news conference alleging “Iran lied” about its nuclear weapon ambitions in the 2000s.

He showed the results of the daring Mossad operation in Iran; 55,000 pages of physical documents and 183 CDs holding another 55,000 digital files, which Netanyahu said

contained years’ worth of “incriminating” information on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programme. He also displayed schematics for the nuclear warhead that Iran allegedly planned to attach to a Shahab-3 missile. However, the 2011 IAEA report also identified the Shahab-3 as Iran’s chosen delivery system for a nuclear bomb.

Much that Israel is directly affected by Iran’s support and arming of Hezbollah, the fact remains that the Mossad raid in Iran was before the 2015 nuclear deal, and there is no credible evidence the Iran’s nuclear programme is militarising.

The Iran nuclear deal had simple reciprocal equation – Iran agreed to nuclear

The Iran nuclear deal had simple reciprocal equation – Iran agreed to nuclear restrictions in exchange to easing of financial sanctions. But by pulling out from the nuclear deal, Trump has re-imposed major portion of the predeal sanctions regime; “secondary sanctions” with the aim of targeting Iran’s oil sector, which could be the main aim of the US pullout.

restrictions in exchange to easing of financial sanctions. But by pulling out from the nuclear deal, Trump has re-imposed major portion of the pre-deal sanctions regime; “secondary sanctions” with the aim of targeting Iran’s oil sector, which could be the main aim of the US pullout. However, the exercise shows the US in bad light on reneging on the accord signed by it just three years after it was signed, without credible evidence that Iran is militarising its nuclear programme, and five and half years before expiration of the first eight and a half year regime. But then US created the bogey of nuclear weapons to attack Iraq and pictures of recent 100 missile attack on Syria by US and allies claiming to target chemical facilities did not match up with what a post-strike picture of chemical facility should look like.

Fallout of US Pullout There is little doubt that Trump’s declaration of US pullout amounts to clear violation of America’s obligations under the deal it signed in 2015. Though ‘Secondary Sanctions’ don’t punish Iran directly, these target international banks that do business with Iran’s oil sector; they cut off access to US markets for third parties that want to work with Iran, forcing foreign countries into a choice between importing large amounts of Iranian oil or doing business with the US. Therefore, it ends up punishing close US allies that want to do business with Iran, as also strategic partners like India. Some cross-sections also feel that Trump timed the pullout just before his meeting with North Korean President Kim Jong-un; that reneging on de-nuclearization would invite similar severe sanctions. But, despite wide ranging sanctions by the US and UN, North Korea remained up and about with continued Chinese support.

The converse view is that the US destroying countries like Iraq and Libya who did not have pr gave up their nuclear programmes, and inability to act against

>> Strategic affairs North Korea’s blatant nuclearisation, actually is incentive for Iran to go nuclear. Of course looking back, US turned blind eye to China’s nuclear proliferation to Pakistan and Pakistan’s AQ Khan proliferating such technology further to other countries. As fer de-nuclearisation of North Korea, when China conducted Pakistan’s first nuclear test on its own soil, there is no reason why China will not help North Korea pursue clandestine nuclear programme or keep North Korean nukes in China for safe custody. The two meetings in quick succession between President Xi Jinpig and Kim Jongun and two-day stay by Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan (also dubbed ‘missile man’ of China) in North Korea may be significant in this context.

US pullout from the nuclear deal as a participant does significantly reduce Iran’s incentive to stay in, but the deal certainly is not dead at this point of time. Technically, the nuclear deal is an agreement between Iran and the P5+1 (US, Britain, France, Russia, China, and Germany), which means the US leaving the agreement doesn’t end it.

If the rest of the P5+1 keep their sanctions off, Iran may decide to continue to adhere to the deal’s restrictions even after the US pullout. That’s what Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has already said. The sanctions also could precipitate a major crisis with America’s European allies, as some of the sanctions could affect European companies that do business in Iran.

While the Middle East prepares for another flashpoint, China would be the happiest, Trump having pushed Iran more close to China. China has already made Iran centerpiece of its ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ in the region. In February 2016, the first cargo train from China to Iran arrived in Tehran, having passed through Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan (10,399 km). China is also third largest importer of Iranian oil, apart from providing large credit lines through Chinese banks like CITIC. Bilateral annual trade is estimated to reach $10 billion, up from as little as $1.68 billion during the sanctions period. The largest companies in Iran today are Chinese, not US. This could be another reason for Trump’s pull out.

If Britain, France, and Germany don’t re-impose their own pre-deal sanctions (Russia and China would definitely not), Iran may very well end up still having more access to international markets than it had before the deal was inked. It could thus still decide to stay in the deal, rather than kicking out IAEA inspectors or restarting large-scale uranium enrichment, in order to avoid angering these other parties, all of which opposed Trump’s decision. But the situation may aggravate due to many more reasons, like Israel-Iran conflict that is already beginning. Given the geopolitical situation, one view is that with Trump’s action, it would be suicidal for Iran ‘not’ to purse nuclear bomb if it is being economically squeezed without valid evidence.

French President Emmanuel Macron tried in vain to persuade Trump to try and open negotiations on issues of latter’s concern while staying in the deal, keeping Iran’s nuclear programme in check for now. But Trump is adamant he is only open to negotiating a newer, tougher deal. Whether the other rest of the P5+1 will support Trump in this is questionable. But as far as Iran is concerned, there is no reason it would agree to a new deal, when the US has reneged on nuclear deal signed just three years back.

India hopes better sense prevails, the MEA stating, “All parties should engage constructively to address and resolve issues that have arisen with respect to the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).” The main danger in case the deal fails is that Iran may go ahead pursuing the bomb, with Trump left with the option of either sitting out, like with North Korea, or go for war that would have horrendous consequences for the region.

Trump’s plan appears placing crippling

Given the geopolitical situation, one view is that with Trump’s action, it would be suicidal for Iran ‘not’ to purse nuclear bomb if it is being economically squeezed without valid evidence. sanctions on Iran, and secondary sanctions on anyone who deals with them. When Germany, France and the UK issued a joint statement they would remain committed to the deal, US responded by assuring their companies would be allowed a grace period before sanctions come, and that US policy would evolve in consultation with Europe.

The aim possibly is to coax these countries into dialogue with Iran for latter to agree to include its missile programme in the deal and even support to terror groups. But the issue is that these countries are perfectly happy with the 2015 JCOPA. So it is Catch 22 situation. The crunch will come when the secondary sanctions are imposed. But then the first direct Israel-Iran exchange of fire over Syria has already happened on May 10, which could escalate.

Impact on India of US Pullout During Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India, India had reaffirmed its support for full and effective implementation of the JCPOA, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council and is a crucial contribution to the non-proliferation framework and international peace, stability and security. For safeguarding Indian projects in Iran, India also took has taken some actions to shield itself from potential costs such as allowing Indian companies to invest in Iran in rupees, but with sanctions, the costs can potentially be much higher than anticipated. India will need all the deft diplomacy with the US, Iran and other P5+1 nation to possibly keep the JCPOA intact and minimize the impact should secondary sanctions be imposed. In case of latter, obtaining waivers would be vital, optimising on the Indo-US Strategic Partnership. India would need to open bilateral dialogues on the issue with US, Iran and others, which must already be happening. The impact on India of US imposing more sanctions on Iran and secondary sanctions on nations dealing with Iran are discussed in succeeding paragraphs. l Chabahar Port Project. With Pakistan perpetually denying India land access to Afghanistan, Chahbahar is crucial to us for trade with Afghanistan, Central Asia and Eurasia. Arrival of the first shipment of wheat from India to Chahbahar in November 2017, signaled the importance of this route. Inauguration of Phase 1 of India’s Chahbahar project has already been done, albeit it took 14 years because of US sanctions. Fresh US sanctions could risk Phase 2 of port development, with contract for it already signed between Iran’s Port and Maritime Organisation and India IPGL (India Ports Global Limited), and latter already putting out tenders for the task. India has already committed $85 million for Chabahar (total $500 million investment planned), besides railway line to Zahedan on Afghanistan border could cost $1.6 billion. Hopefully, the US will not impose sanctions that would hurt India’s Chahbahar development, otherwise the costs could go up by many times. l INSTC. India is a founder member of the International North South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) since it was rati-

fied in 2002 for a multi-mode network linking Iran, cutting across Central Asia to Russia over 7,200 km, cutting down travel-time by 30 per cent. INST will cut the transit time between India and Russia from 40 days to less than 25.

Russia, India and Iran are separately partners in the INSTC which has more than 11 member nations. Russia is a major player, both as a defence partner and with investments in the oil and gas industry. Plans for INSTC received a boost after JCPOA was signed in 2015.

US sanctions would adversely affect the INSTC, especially if countries along the INSTC route, as also banking and insurance companies dealing with INSTC decide to comply with US sanctions, including for trade with Iran. The new factor here is the aggravating economic war between US-China and US imposing more and more sanctions against Russia. After the Modi-Xi informal meet at Wuhan and upcoming SCO meet, India could leverage China-Russia also for keeping INSTC going. l Oil Imports. Iran is India’s third largest supplier of oil (after Iraq and Saudi Arabia) and India pays for the oil in Euros. As long as Europe stays in the deal, India can continue with energy imports.

In FebruAllisson Creative 2.pdf 1 25/10/16 ary this year, Creative Dhramendra MinAllisson 2.pdf Pradhan, 1 25/10/16 ister for Petroleum and Natural Gas had indicated India plans to double its imports from Iran, which indicates imports from Iran will continue. However, with the hike in crude oil prices already visible with Trump’s announcement, increase in prices will hit both inflation levels as well as the Indian Rupee.

l SCO. India and Pakistan are to be formally

admitted to SCO in June 2018. Chinese officials have also hinted the China-Russia led SCO is likely to admit Iran also to SCO. Some scholars feel the US may consider SCO as anti-American but this is where Indian diplomacy will need to balance India’s SCO membership with groupings like the ‘Quad’, Macron proposed ParisDelhi-Canberra axis, and the like. l Indo-US Strategic Partnership. Under Donald Trump, the US first pulled out from the UN Climate Change Treaty (Paris Accord), and now has pulled out from the JCPOA that was signed by the US just three years back and ratified by the UNSC. This puts a question mark also on the Indo-US Strategic Partnership and the various agreements signed like LEMOA, etc, whether these can be abrogated on the whims and fancies of the Trump Administration. This needs serious discussion with the US, and requisite levels of assurances.

Conclusion The US pullout from JCPOA is erratic considering that no concrete evidence has been found of Iran militarising its nuclear programme in contravention of the nuclear deal. The mere fact that other members of 3:44 PM thePM P5+1 have no reason to disbelieve Iran 3:44 proves it. Iran has every right to pursue its peaceful nuclear programme. The US was close friend of the Shah of Iran, but then Iran was suddenly dumped. The US is acting similarly now. Though geopolitics is much about economics, control of oil and energy, this time miscalculation can lead to conflict.

Hopefully, better sense would prevail. SP

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>> Show Preview

Eurosatory 2018: A Preview Focusing on the current security requirements, Eurosatory is following the evolution in this domain and is putting forward creativity and innovative technology of its exhibitors Photographs: Steadicopter, Carmor

 Rohit Srivastava

defence vehicles including armoured vehicles, light armoured and unarmoured vehicles, logistic vehicles, trucks, firefighting vehicles, ambulances and sanitary vehicles, crowd control and anti-riot vehicles, cash in transit vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and systems, motorcycles, quads, etc.

E

urope’s leading defence expo Eurosatory is being held from June 11-15 in Paris. In this edition, the expo is expected to host around 1,750 exhibitors from 63 countries. And around 57,000 professionals are expected to visit the five day event. In 2016, it gathered 1,571 exhibitors, 212 Official Delegations, 57,024 international visitors and 700 journalists from all over the world.

Focusing on the current security requirements, Eurosatory is following the evolution in this domain and is putting forward creativity and innovative technology of its exhibitors. Show will have a dedicated hall mainly to showcase technological clusters such as intelligence, civil security, crisis management, security of critical infrastructures and chemical biological radiation nuclear. Moreover, it will also have business meetings and strategic consultancy.

Cybersecurity The cybersecurity domain is an integral part of Eurosatory 2018. A technology cluster has been dedicated to cybersecurity which will have 75 exhibitors and 15 per cent of the official delegations are from this domain.

Some of the major exhibiting companies are Airbus, Atos, BAE Systems, Bertin Technologies, IAI, L3 Technologies, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Netline Communications Technologies, Raytheon, Secure IC, Sopra Steria, Thales and others.

In 2018, Eurosatory conferences will focus on issues like “The future of security cooperation in Europe”, “Tactical means of electronic warfare (EW)”, “Developing international cooperation in Cyberdefence and Cybersecurity”.

Live Demonstrations This year the live demonstrations zone will be moved close to the exhibiting halls, making it easily accessible to visitors. For the first time, institutional Live Demonstrations will complete Eurosatory Live Demonstrations week programme. Among them are French Army, French Police, Special Operations Command, National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, Research and Intervention Brigade and Paris Fire Brigade.

Civil Security & Crisis Management Since 2014, it has been an integral part of Eurosatory. In this technology cluster around 299 exhibitors and 10 per cent of official delegations are participating. Some of the major participants are Paris Fire Brigade, CEGELEC Défense, Cyalume Technologies, Desautel, High French Committee of Civil Defence (HCFDC), Losberger, Matisec and others.

In 2018, a special focus will be placed on the CBRNe with a special event organised in partnership with the High Committee of Civil Defence (HCFDC); a table top exercise bringing together 60 international experts to conduct large-scale CBRNe event scenarios followed by a conference. Then the experts will visit stand of Civil Security exhibitors. The Research and Intervention Brigade and Paris Fire Brigade will jointly participate in the live demonstrations.

Eurosatory LAB For 2018 edition, Eurosatory has created an all-new Start-Up area, called Eurosatory LAB, dedicated to international start-ups in the Defence and Security domain. Eurosatory will select up to 80 most groundbreaking start-up companies to exhibit alongside 1,600 other firms. Internationally renowned keynote speakers will animate the LAB.

Eurosatory Conferences Conferences are integral part of any expo and in its 2018 edition, the expo will witness business leaders participating and deliberating on the issues pertaining to defence sector in various conferences. They are expected to attract high-level panel of speakers from manufacturers, media, experts, think tanks and government officials. More than 70 conferences will be organised.

Business at Eurosatory

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Eurosatory 2018 offers an all-new Business to Business meetings programme. To organise business meetings before the exhibition, exhibitors and visitors can use Vimeet, a platform created by Eurosatory’s partner PROXIMUM Group. To increase networking during five days of the exhibition, all the attendees are invited to use Swapcard application, a connection tool for participants with common interests.

CBRN Thematic Event This edition will present a new international thematic event dedicated to CBRN issues organised with the participation of French and other nations, exhibitors from the domains, state representatives, and experts. This will be in addition to the technology cluster and live demonstration dedicated to the CBRN.

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(Top) Steadicopter will unveil the final configuration of it’s Black Eagle 50 compact RUAV; (above) Carmor’s innovation-packed, high-survivability Mantis family of protective vehicle.

Drones The drones sector is an integral part of Eurosatory 2018. It has been a technology cluster since 2006. More than 130 exhibitors with activities in UAVs and UGVs sector are expected to participate. One third of the official delegations are interested in this domain. Drones will also participate in live demonstrations at the show.

Some of the leading exhibitors companies in drone are Airbus, Drone Volt, Eca Group, Elbit, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Safran, Thales, Aeraccess, BlueBird Aero Systems, Aeronautics Group and others.

In 2018, there is a remarkable presence of companies in the field of anti-drones. At every Eurosatory several conferences on drones are organised. In 2018, conferences will address issues like “Anti-UAV fight”, “Drones for the Ground Forces” and “Airmobile combat and contact drones”.

Vehicles This year Eurosatory is expected to witness more than 250 vehicles (civil and military).

It will be proper to say that the complete defence vehicles industry will be present at the show. Both military and civil vehicles

will also participate in live demonstrations.

Some of the major participating vehicle companies are Daimler, Farmington’s Automotive, Isuzu, Iveco Defence Vehicles, Otokar Otomotiv, Renault Trucks Defense, SIDES and Volkswagen France.

The exhibition will see all kinds of

Eurosatory 2018 offers an all-new businessto-business meetings programme. To organise business meetings before the exhibition, exhibitors and visitors can use Vimeet, a platform created

by Eurosatory’s partner PROXIMUM Group.

The Eurosatory LAB Throughout the duration of the exhibit, this unprecedented space will showcase up to 70 start-ups building the defence and security of tomorrow. A new space dedicated to emerging and innovative companies with applications in land and air-land defence and security. Up to 70 French and foreign start-ups will be present to showcase their innovations and technologies.

The space will consist of three main areas: An exhibition space gathering start-

ups from 13 countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, United States.

An agora hosting daily conferences around major issues of innovation:

counter-terrorism, startup funding in the defence, GAFA, etc. twice a day, industry leaders will open the “pitch” sessions where each start-up will have the opportunity to present its projects and technologies.

Within a vast 900 m² space located in the Hall 5A, start-ups will be organised around the following key themes like surveillance and intelligence, cybersecurity and IT, intervention and force engagement, communications, production, equipment, maintenance and logistics, enabling technologies. SP

>> Unmanned

Coming – Chinese Robot Tanks India should prepare for conflict that would likely combine robotics and AI; UGVs, drone swarms, quantum communications, cyber attacks and more  lt general p.c. katoch (retd)

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n October 2017, media reports confirmed the government seven-point strategy as prelude to India’s strategic plan for using AI (artificial intelligence), covering issues like developing methods for human machine interactions, ensuring security of AI systems, creating competent workforce matching AI and R&D needs, addressing ethical, legal and societal implications of AI, measuring and evaluating AI technologies through standards and benchmarks, and the like. An experts committee has also been set up in the Ministry of Electronics and IT to advise the government on a policy for AI, government’s main focus is to reduce cyber attacks with AI. The main central policy is to be drawn once the experts committee submits its report.

Machine intelligence-powered platforms sure can become a strategic instrument of governance in India across a wide range of public services, from NATGRID to Aadhaar but the defence sector needs much more focus. DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR) has developed a range of robots with varied applications, and is also developing: man portable unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for low intensity conflicts and surveillance in urban scenario; wall climbing and flapping wing robot; walking robot with four and six legs for logistics support; Network Traffic Analysis (NETRA) which can monitor internet traffic.

But considering the pace at which developments are taking place, particularly in China in combining robotics and AI, our slow progress in this field is liable to leave us at huge asymmetric disadvantage. News about cooperation with Japan on AI is good but looking at the abysmal FDI in the defence sector, the prospects don’t look good.

CCTV (China’s TV channel) recently showed video footage of a Type 59 based tank being controlled by a soldier sitting in front of a computer terminal with a steer-

ing wheel. According to Russian sources, quoting Chinese media Sohu, the footage was made in the ‘Unmanned Battle Systems Lab of PLA’. China’s Type 59 is based on the Soviet T-54A tank, bought from Russia in 1950s, and the unmanned version may be armed with a 100mm or 105mm cannon.

For present, this may just be a demonstrative model but with integration of remote target acquisition and remote fire control technologies, this would become cutting edge military weapon platform. Given the pace of Chinese R&D, such development would not be too distant. Sohu also reported that unmanned warships, drones and battle vehicles programs are also under development.

In 2017, China’s State Council issued an ambitious policy blueprint calling for the nation to become “the world’s primary AI innovation center” by 2030, by which time, it forecast, the country’s AI industry could be worth $150 billion. China is investing heavily in all aspects of information technology, from quantum computing to chip design. Multiple initiatives have been

launched including China building $2.1 billion AI technology park in Beijing’s western suburbs. Compare this with America’s total spending on unclassified AI programs in 2016 of $1.2 billion.

Nations are seeking to harness AI advances for surveillance and censorship, and for military purposes. According to Elsa Kania, fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, DC notes in her recent study on China’s military AI investments, that in fields of AI in China the boundaries between civilian and military research and development tend to become blurred, adding, “The PLA may leverage AI in unique and perhaps unexpected ways, likely less constrained by the legal and ethical concerns prominent in US thinking. China’s military is funding the development of new AI-driven capabilities in battlefield decision-making and autonomous weaponry.”

In 2014, PLA Major General Xi Hang, heading PLA’s Academy of Armoured Forces Engineering had said, “Unmanned ground vehicles will play a very impor-

tant role in future ground combat. Realizing that, we have begun to explore how to refit our armoured vehicles into unmanned ones.” Robotic systems coupled with AI will be live threats on the battlefield sooner than we can think. Not only will China deploy such systems along the Line of Actual Control with India, there is every possibility of these moving into PoK and Pakistan as PLA deployment grows in the region. In addition, select technologies will be passed on to Pakistan and other strategic partners.

Gorden G Chang, author of ‘The Coming Collapse of China’, in his article ‘The World Should Take China’s War Threats Sseriously’ published in National Interest on March 23, 2018 writes that armed with second term, Xi Jinping is now full of fire and fury, and that when he promised “full unification of the motherland” to the National People’s Congress on March 20, that is code for annexation of Taiwan, large portions of India, dozens of Japanese islands, a speck of South Korea, Philippine rocks and reefs, and almost all the waters of the South China Sea. Obviously, Gordon doesn’t imply this happening overnight but in sharp contrast the mood in India appears to be that conflict is not on the cards at all because of the downturn of Chinese economy and Sino-Indian trade relations. China has excellent trade relations with Taiwan and China also but gives no credence to economic relations when it comes to territorial claims – however illegal.

It is for good reason that China has enhanced deployments and communications in Tibet opposite India, consolidation the ‘string of pearls’ and invested in sub-conventional war on India. Any conflict, however small, would impact Indian economy adversely. We need to seriously prepare for conflict that would likely see use of robotics and AI. Prudence demands that India should prepares for conflict that would likely combine robotics and AI; unmanned ground vehicles, drone swarms, quantum communications, cyber attacks and more. SP

Establishment of the Defence Planning ... continued from page 5 tories (OF) - overall manpower I,80,044; little military representation in DRDO-DPSUs-OFB despite being users; multiple forces along international borders with different chains of command; police and central armed police forces (CAPF) placed above military.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has repeatedly pointed to corruption and nepotism in DRDO, which is directly under MoD, and a government-appointed experts committee recommended shutting down DRDO laboratories and major DRDO overhaul, and privatisation. But DRDO is the golden goose for MoD, therefore, 15 years to produce a rifle, 30 years to produce ‘Nag’ missile, and forcing military to buy combat uniform at three times the price compared to civil sources hardly matter. A former ambassador, who first joined IAS and got posted to MoD says his first brief was to forget all else, just concentrate on what equipment is in pipeline and how much money can be made.

Arguably, no defence deal is without kickbacks albeit in country like China, money goes to the party, not individual. But this is

one reason military is kept away from MoD and DRDO in India. The second reason is politicians bank on bureaucrats, with latter lacking professional knowledge of matters military. Besides, there has been periodic change of Defence Ministers since 2014.

While the DPC has become fait accompli, India needs following urgently: define NSS and order SDR; revise Allocation of Business & Transaction of Business Rules Act 1961, making Defence Minister responsible for Defence and Services HQ integral to MoD; merge MoD and HQ IDS completely; appoint CDS to synergize military and usher true Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) under directions political authority; Service Chiefs as members of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS); Deputy NSA (s) from military if NSA with military background is too scary; military representation in Strategic Policy Group, NSCS, NSAB and military advisors in MEA and MHA; military representation at policy, design and decisionmaking levels in governmental defenseindustrial complex; country’s land borders

placed under military or at least MoD, as the entire seacoast is.

The bogey of no ‘military consensus’ on CDS was negated in the above mentioned conference chaired by then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee in 2005. The spurious scare of military coup is raised sometime knowing full well military is too disciplined. But stories are cooked by the deep state of troop movement from AgraHisar, albeit enough troops are stationed in Delhi. Another excuse for not appointing CDS is that there is no political consensus. But the Modi Government shut down the Planning Commission without discussion, replacing it with Niti Aayog. So why can’t MoD be replaced by a Department of Defence, manned in majority by military professionals? These are the bare minimum essentials - imperative to meet threat scenarios. Aside from defining the NSS, the NSA needs to focus on optimizing our considerable Special Forces potential in all our areas of strategic interests, rather than only direct type of action like ‘surgical strikes’.

Command and Control of DPC It is also unclear who the DPC will be accountable to. The indications are that at best it is planned to be accountable to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which boils down to the political leadership of the time. This would be incorrect and amount to ‘not’ being accountable— dictated by whims and fancies of a political party. The DPC must be officially made accountable to the Parliament. Besides, what will be the relationship between the DPC and Parliament’s Standing Committee for Defence – both operating in isolation?

Conclusion The DPC is hardly the panacea to address the woes of India’s defence. The DPC may also become a recipe for clash between the NSA and the Defence Minister at a future date—perhaps some years from now. Unless the missing defence reforms, as mentioned above, are undertaken in conjunction DPC and latter made accountable to Parliament, it will not achieve its true potential. SP

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>> Exercise

Exercise Harimau Shakti: Honing Tactical & Technical Skills The exercise, was held in the dense forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia, and was aimed at “bolstering cooperation and coordination” between the armed forces of the two countries Photographs: Indian Army

 Lt General V.K. Kapoor (Retd)

the enemy could appear from any direction and where survival itself is a challenge. It also requires a very high standard of training and coordination among all members of tactical units and subunits because ultimately actual operations in the jungles involve tactical operations at lower levels of command such as sections, platoons and companies and hence lower level commanders (section and platoon commanders) have to take the initiative and progress the operations. Thus success depends on the actions of every member of the team.

I

ndia’s “Act East” policy also involves a steady build up of military ties with ASEAN countries, with an eye perhaps on China. With this back drop Indian armed forces are holding various types of exercises with their counterparts in the ASEAN countries. India held a major combat exercise recently called Exercise ‘Harimau Shakti’ with Malaysia from April 30 to May 13. The exercise, was held in the dense forests of Sengai Perdik, Hulu Langat, Malaysia, and was aimed at “bolstering cooperation and coordination” between the armed forces of the two countries. The two contingents shared their expertise in conduct of counterinsurgency operations in jungle terrain. This was the first instance when a joint training exercise of this magnitude between the two countries was held on Malaysian soil.

The Indian contingent was represented by the 4 Grenadiers battalion, one of the oldest infantry units with extensive experience in conventional and counter-insurgency operations, while the Malaysian side was represented by the 1 Royal Ranger Regiment and the Royal Malay Regiment, both known for their expertise in jungle warfare.

The exercise involved a cross-training phase followed by a field-training phase of seven days in the jungles of Hulu Langat, which saw the two contingents jointly plan and execute a series of training activities.

India has been working towards deepening military ties with ASEAN countries in accordance with its “Act East” policy over the last several years. India, for instance, provides military supplies and submarine training to sailors from Vietnam and has also offered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Akash area defence missile systems to the country. In keeping with this philosophy the focus of the exercise was on tactical operations in jungle warfare. Overall, the exercise not only provided an excellent opportunity to both the armies to hone their operational skills, but also contributed to enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Malaysia with whome the bilateral relations are characterized by strong bonds of friendship based on cultural, religious and economic ties between South India and the Malay Peninsula over two millennia. India-Malaysia defence ties date back to the colonial days when troops of Madras Native Infantry served in Malacca, Singapore and Penang,” said an army officer.

www.spslandforces.com

Handing Over Ceremony and First Phase Exercise Harimau Shakti 2018, between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army commenced on April 30 at Wardieburn Camp, Kuala Lumpur with a brief and impressive handing over of troops ceremony. Lt Col Irwan Ibrahim, Commanding officer of the 1st Royal Ranger Regiment of Malaysian Army welcomed the Indian contingent and wished the Indian and Malaysian troops a successful and mutually beneficial joint exercise.

First phase of the two week long joint military exercise begin with the formal

10

SP’s Land Forces 3/2018

Closing Ceremony

Exercise Harimau Shakti 2018 in progress

handing over of the Regimental Flag to the Malaysian Army signifying merging of the two contingents under one Commander.

First day also saw briefings to the joint contingent on Malaysian country brief, exercise setting and security aspects. The day ended with a keenly contested friendly Volley Ball match, which the visitors could finally snatch after a stiff competition. Both armies stand to hone their tactical and technical skills in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations under the UN mandate. Due emphasis will be laid on increasing interoperability between forces which is crucial for success of any joint operation.

Basic drills and procedures and the survival techniques in jungles were discussed and practiced. Malaysian army is well versed in operations in the jungles and explained very useful techniques of survival in the jungles.

In this phase the Indian Army’s combat engineers also exchanged mutually beneficial information with the Malaysian Army on improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and construction of traps in the jungle in which the Indian Army is one of the most experienced in the world having fought the LTTE

in Sri Lanka and experience gained in fighting the home grown insurgencies in J&K, Punjab, and the North East over the past 60 years or so.

Second Phase This phase started on May 7, 2018, with the troops with the exercise venue shifting to the tropical rain forests of Hulu Langat in Malaysia. Here the troops focused on the conduct of counterinsurgency operations in jungle terrain. Starting with the basics of camouflage and concealment in the jungle, the conduct involved patrolling in the jungle to seek and destroy the opponents and to acquire information. The drills were executed flawlessly by both sides with a simulated enemy in place.

Practical operations involving reconnaissance of ambush sites and conduct of ambush as also methods of countering an ambush were all practiced against a simulated enemy under realistic operational conditions. Jungle terrain requires not only physical fitness but also mental robustness to remain mentally balanced facing the challenges confronted in jungle terrain where

Exercise Harimau Shakti 2018 between Indian and Malaysian Armies concluded with a closing ceremony at the tropical rainforests of Hulu Langat on May 11, 2018. The grand finale of the exercise was a tactical operation on conduct of attack on enemy camp.

The closing ceremony marked the successful conclusion of Exercise Harimau Shakti 2018. The event began with customary salute to Brigadier General Abdul Malik Bin Jiran, Commander 12 Infantry Brigade, followed by national anthem of both the nations. Exercise arm bands were taken off from the exercise appointments and the Regimental flag of GRENADIERS was handed back to Col S.N. Karthikeyan, CO 4 GRENADIERS by Lt Col Irwan Bin Ibrahim, CO 1 Royal Ranger Regiment symbolising the handing over of the troops back to the Indian Contingent Commander at the end of the Exercise.

In his closing address, the Commander complimented the troops from both the contingents for their exemplary conduct, high morale and tactical acumen throughout the exercise. He also complimented the Indian contingent for assimilating and understanding the nuances of jungle operations as per Malaysian doctrine and fighting shoulder to shoulder with their Malaysian counterparts. The ceremony came to a close with the war cries of both the contingents and customary recital of prayers by the Malaysian Army.

Mridul Kumar, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia, also visited the Exercise contingents at the Exercise area and complimented the troops on successful completion of the joint training exercise. He was highly appreciative of the high spirits and exemplary drills shown by the contingents under challenging conditions and inclement weather.

The professional acumen, operational abilities, battle drills and physical endurance displayed by the contingents over the last fortnight, were of extremely high standard and an apt reflection of the level of interoperability achieved during the exercise. The contingents from Indian and Malaysian armies have been able to share their experiences in counter insurgency operations and learn from each other. The future editions of Exercise Harimau Shakti will surely take this legacy forward and will ensure that the two nations continue to maintain close defence ties in ensuring peace and security in the region. SP

>> News in Brief MMP (Missile Moyenne PortéeMedium Range Missile)

Missile Moyenne Portée – Medium-Range Missile (MMP) is a new-generation, surface-attack missile system designed for the French Army. The MMP development programme was initiated by MBDA Systems in 2009, to replace France’s Milan and HOT wire-guided, anti-tank missiles. The entire MMP development programme is funded

by MBDA. The weapon system was qualified by the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) in July 2017.

The MMP is a lightweight man-portable missile that can be installed on tracked and wheeled vehicles. It offers enhanced preciseness and considerable automation in striking targets, and is capable of destroying both stationary and moving targets with minimum collateral damage.

The capability of the MMP’s warhead to strike against a new generation of explosive reactive armour was also tested by MBDA. The company has also validated MMP’s firing post ergonomics and architecture.

The missile underwent techno-operational trials at the DGA’s test centre in Bourges between August 2017 and October 2017.

The French Armed Forces took delivery of the initial batch of 50 MMPs and 20 firing ports in November 2017. Commissioning of the missiles is scheduled for 2018. The MMP programme is anticipated to deliver up to 1,750 missiles and 400 firing posts to the French Armed Forces, by 2025.

Saab to deliver Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system to Swedish forces

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has placed an order for the delivery of Saab’s new and advanced Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system. Under the order, Saab will be responsible for carrying out the delivery of the latest version of the Carl-Gustaf weapon system to the Swedish Armed Forces this year.

Carl-Gustaf M4 is the latest version of

>> Show Calendar 11–15 June Eurosatory Parc des Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte, Paris, France www.eurosatory.com 19–21 June IFSEC International ExCel London, London, UK www.ifsec.events/international 26–27 June Armored vehicles India Hyatt Regency, New Delhi, India www.armouredvehiclesindia.com 29–30 August ISDEF Japan Todoroki Arena, Tokyo, Japan www.japan.isdefexpo.com

the portable, shoulder-launched, multi-role weapon system that provides the customers with a wide range of engagement options.

Launched in 2014, Carl-Gustaf M4 features all the effectiveness and versatility of the traditional Carl-Gustaf system. Featuring an improved and lightweight design, and weighing less than 7kg, the new version of the multi-purpose weapon system provides the armed forces with significant mobility enhancements.

With the current order from Sweden, the company has signed five contracts with five different countries since the launch of the new system.

Indian Armed Forces Want over 400 drones, Next-Generation Weapons The Indian armed forces over the next decade want over 400 drones, including combat and submarine-launched remotely piloted aircraft, as well as directed energy weapons (DEWs) like high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves capable of destroying enemy targets and even satellites. Several such military capabilities have been identified in the defence ministry’s new “Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap-2018” to provide the industry with an overview of the country’s offensive and defensive military requirements up to the late 2020s. This roadmap may guide the industry in planning or initiating technology development, partnerships and production arrangements. While pursuing any development or collaboration, the Indian industry should accord due importance to the government’s thrust towards ‘Make in India’, says the 82-page document.

Apart from obvious necessities ranging from next-generation submarines, destroyers and frigates to missiles, infantry weapons, specialised ammunition and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) defence systems, the document focuses on a wide variety of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones needed by the armed forces. Drones are major force-multipliers in modern-day warfare for real-time surveillance as well as hitting high-value enemy targets. The armed forces currently have over 200 drones, the bulk of them imported from Israel for long-range surveillance and precision-targeting. They also have some Israeli Harop “killer” or Kamikaze drones, which act as cruise missiles by exploding into enemy targets and radars. Even as DRDO works on developing the Ghatak stealth UCAVs (combat drones) under a Rs 2,650 crore project, the roadmap says the Army and Navy will need “more than 30” combat remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA).

“The medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) combat RPA should have the capability to fly up to 30,000-feet altitude, with extended satellite communication ranges and endurance of more than 24 hours,” says the document. The drones should be capable of firing missiles at land and maritime targets from over 20-km away.

Tata Motors delivers Safari Storme SUVs to Indian Army Tata Motors has reportedly begun delivering Safari Storme vehicles to the Indian Army.

On April 27, 2017, Tata Motors announced a contract for the supply of 3,192 units of the Tata Safari Storme 4x4 vehicle to the Indian Armed Forces. The delivery of the vehicles will be carried out in a phased manner for both for the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

Prior to its selection under a new category of vehicles – GS800 (General Service 800), the Tata Safari Storme 4x4 was put through 15 months of testing in different terrains across the country. The three requirements were a minimum payload capacity of 800kg; hard roofs, and air conditioning. The vehicle, which will serve as a replacement to the Maruti Gypsy in the 4x4 light vehicle category, met three basic crite-

ria stated in the Request for Proposal floated by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The three requirements were a minimum payload capacity of 800kg; hard roofs, and air conditioning.

Featuring electronic shift-on-fly technology and a horsepower of 156bhp and 400Nm torque, Safari Storme provides easy drivability, swifter response and lower noise, vibration, and harshness. It also offers superior fuel efficiency and ground clearance of 200mm, according to Tata Motors.

The Tata Safari Storme 4x4 vehicle is a modified version of a variant designed for civilians. It has been upgraded with an updated drive train and modified suspension.

India conducts life extension testfiring of BrahMos missile India has successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in Balasore, Odisha, as part of the weapon system’s service life extension programme. The missile was test-fired from a Static Inclined Launcher stationed at launch pad three of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. Carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and BrahMos Aerospace, the trial was conducted to demonstrate the efficacy and the missile system’s longevity.

An ITR official said that the life extension test was carried out to validate the missile’s life-extension technologies that are indigenously developed for the first time

by DRDO and BrahMos team, according to Press Trust of India reports. During the trial, the BrahMos precision strike missile flew in its designated trajectory, demonstrating that all the major components of the weapon functioned properly.

In November last year, the supersonic cruise missile was launched from a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet for the first time. With a flight range of up to 290km, BrahMos is a two-stage missile that can be launched from land, sea and sub-sea platforms. BrahMos is a joint venture (JV) company formed by the DRDO and Russian aerospace enterprise NPO Mashinostroyeniya (NPOM).

VICIS wins contract to upgrade US Army combat helmets Sports protective technologies provider VICIS has secured a contract to improve combat helmets for the US Army and the US Marine Corps (USMC). The contract has been awarded by the US Army’s Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC). Under the agreement, VICIS will conduct research to identify ways to replace the existing foam liner pads of the combat helmets with the company’s latest liner technology derived from structures designed for its football helmets. NSRDEC mechanical engineer Benjamin Fasel said: “The NSRDEC is excited to work with VICIS in the development of their suspension pad system for use in military combat helmets.”

The combat helmets currently used by the US Army and the USMC are designed specifically to ensure ballistic protection for service members against gunfire and shrapnel. The new liner technology to be provided by VICIS will help improve the blunt impact performance of the combat helmets to provide increased head protection to US warfighters. SP

APPOINtMENTs l Lt General D. Anbu, PVSM, UYSM,

AVSM, YSM, SM, GOC-in-C Northern Command, took over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff, in Delhi, on June 1, 2018.

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