SP's Land Forces Issue 06 - 2013

Volume 10 No. 6

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In This Issue

INDIAN ARMY SPECIAL Page 5 Indian Army through the Ages – A Bird’s-Eye View The transformation of the Indian military for the future, through technological improvements coupled with innovative operational art will give India a distinct advantage over its potential adversaries, which is vital for preserving India’s sovereignty and furthering its national interests.

Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor Page 7 Revisiting Indian Army’s Modernisation Programmes The government, it seems, has now sanctioned the Twelfth Five Year Defence Plan as a result of the severe criticism over delays in the past. However, for the Army, it would be cosmetic paper exercise as even the Eleventh Plan procurements have not materialised.

Message

Minister of Defence India

It is a pleasure to learn that SP Guide Publications is coming out with a special issue to commemorate Army Day. Our Army has lived up to its tradition of valour, sacrifice and fortitude. The Army protects our land borders, both during peace and in warlike situations. It takes pride in the spirit of brotherhood and comradeship without any discrimination. This is amply reflected by the Army’s motto, “One for all and all for one”!

“Operation Surya Hope” in the wake of the natural calamity in Uttrakhand reflects the bravery, sacrifice and commitment of our Jawans.

I wish SP Guide Publications all success and hope that SP’s Land Forces will be read and liked widely.

Jai Hind.

A.K. Antony

Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor Page 9 China’s ADIZ Despite the fact that the purported ‘peaceful rise’ of China was never peaceful and conversely extremely violent, it would be prudent for China to keep its territorial ambitions in check for the sake of peace and prosperity of the region including its own and the world at large.

>> Interview photograph: anoop kamath / Sp Guide Pubns

Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch Page 10 China-Pakistan Anti-India Nexus Chances of conventional conflict are less compared to the unconventional but we must be prepared for both. The requirement for India to establish a deterrent against irregular/unconventional warfare was never more given the dim prospects of break-up of China-Pakistan anti-India nexus.

Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch Page 12 Digitisation of Battlefield: A Report Indigenisation is still a far cry and India has a long way to go in developing core battlefield technologies, opined experts at the seminar organised by SP Guide Publications in collaboration with CLAWS on October 31, 2013.

Sucheta Das Mahopatra Plus SP’s Exclusive

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News in Brief

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‘The budgetary allocation to the Army in the recent years has been fairly consistent’

Applied for 6/2013 SP’s Land Forces

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>> Interview

Minister of Defence India

Message

I am happy to learn that SP Guide Publications is completing 50 years of existence.

Since its inception in 1964, SP Guide Publications has played an unmatched and a vital role by serving our Armed Forces and their concerns.

The publications’ efforts have been appreciated by all its readers. I hope that SP Guide Publications will continue to serve our Armed Forces and the nation in the years to come.

I wish SP Guide Publications the very best in its endeavours.

Jai Hind.

E D I T O R I A L

A.K. Antony

India’s Growth Story: With the onset of the New Year 2014, as we look around us, there seems to be little to cheer. Political paralysis has been evident throughout the tenure of UPA-II and the scenario on the growth front is dismal as the pace of expansion is barely recovering from the low of 3.2 per cent in 2012-13 to 2.4 per cent in the first quarter and 5.6 per cent in the second quarter of 2013-14. India’s growth story is faltering because foreign and domestic investors remain wary of the business and investment environment and the paralysis in decision-making. This, in turn, calls for economic reforms across a wide front. The people therefore feel that the outcome of the 2014 elections is crucial for the India story. Let us wait to see how this plays out.

Foreign Policy: For foreign policy, 2013 has been a painful year.

We have lost a friend in Sri Lanka by the Prime Minister refusing to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGAM) and by persistently voting against them at the UN. In the context of Bangladesh,

we have not been able to fulfill the promise of the land boundary pact which is in our interest.

This will surely hurt the Sheikh Hasina Government. In the case of Bhutan, just weeks before its July elections, India stopped providing kerosene and cooking gas at subsidised rates. Everyone believes that we were punishing Jigme Thinley for an “independent” foreign policy, particularly his outreach to China. This insensitivity/incompetence should have been avoided.

Hamid Karzai has depended on India as a true friend. It is in this context that in 2014 when Afghanistan is left alone to battle Pakistan-sponsored terrorists without NATO, India could have been more empathetic and helpful. We have not been able to assure weapon supplies to Afghanistan. What is the government worried about?

Finally, there is the sorry spectacle of India’s strategic partner, the all-powerful United States, allowing an inconsequential attorney of Indian origin in New York to take over the reins of government authority while the US State Department slept and tried to hide behind the technicalities in the Devyani Khobragade episode. Now that both sides have shown their relatively low calibre in international diplomacy, it would be in the interest of both nations to move ahead because more trying times await both the nations in 2014.

Internal Security: India’s internal security remains an area of major concern even 65 years after in-

We wish our readers a joyous and prosperous New Year. For us at SP Guide Publications, 2014 is momentous as we move into our Golden Jubilee celebrations with our heartfelt gratitude to our founder Shri Sukhdeo Prasad Baranwal.

We reiterate our commitment to our readers of our constant endeavour to enrich and augment our publication.

Our Founder Shri Sukhdeo Prasad Baranwal

dependence. The Prime Minister (PM) while addressing the Chief Ministers at the Conference on Internal Security in Delhi on June 5, 2013, elaborated on the challenges facing the country ranging from Naxalism (left-wing extremism), militancy and terrorism in the Northeast and in the hinterland, infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, communal and sectarian violence, crimes against women and children to border management and coastal security. He then urged states to fight them together with the Central Government. But the Centre has shown its weakness by not being able to carry the states along with them in their bid to establish the National CounterTerrorism Centre on the lines of United States.

We have a long tradition of being politically divided by schisms of caste, religion, region, language and even individual ego. Whenever the central power weakened, divisive elements have risen to trigger disintegration of the realm. This was evident throughout our history.

Today, thanks to the poor manage-

ment of the country by our Centre and the states, once again India is being considered as a soft state.

Defence: Security threats and challenges facing India have increased enormously. While the old adversarial threats due to unresolved borders remain, new threats and challenges like terrorism and insurgencies have been added to the old inventory.

Thus India needs to prepare itself for the full-spectrum of warfare ranging from low-intensity conflict involving counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations to conventional conflicts under the nuclear shadow on two widely separated fronts on its western and eastern flanks.

The revised Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) over the years has done little to accelerate the pace of modernisation. A dispassionate analysis would indicate that the voids in equipment and munitions in the Army to fight a modern war together with the lack of modernisation of equipment in virtually all fighting arms of the

Army, is causing a capability gap vis-à-vis our likely adversaries and this is becoming more pronounced day by day. It is in this context that we should view the letter written by General (Retd) V.K. Singh, the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), to the Prime Minister on March 12, 2012, which was deliberately leaked to the media. It highlighted the lack of mission reliability of the equipment held along with the large deficiency of a variety of munitions. Thus it pointed out the lack of preparedness of the nation to fight and win wars on the battlefields of the 21st century.

Political Landscape: The Aam Admi Party’s (AAP) success in Delhi state elections on the plank of providing a corruption free government and fulfilling the basic needs of the common man such as water, electricity and living accommodation, has hit the Indian political scene like a tsunami and has virtually changed the political landscape of India overnight.

The two national parties are feeling threatened. So we can look forward to interesting times ahead during the pre-summer months in 2014 when the nation goes to polls to elect the new parliamentarians.

Let us hope the “Kejriwal effect”, as it has come to be known, will have a long-term positive impact on the political landscape of India.

Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

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The Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh says that his single most important area of focus is to ensure the highest state of operational preparedness. In an exclusive interview with SP’s Land Forces, he assured that with high levels of motivation and morale, the Indian Army is fully prepared to take on the present and future challenges with elan and professionalism.

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): You have now been the Chief of Army Staff for more than a year. Which are the areas within the Army or in your relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) where you have been able to positively influence matters and set into motion some long-term corrective measures/reforms?

Chief of Army Staff (COAS): As the Army Chief, it is my bounden responsibility to

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chart a course that prepares the Army to meet future threats and challenges effectively and continues to live up to the faith and trust that the nation has reposed on its soldiers and commanders.

To start with, on taking over as the Chief of Army Staff, I had laid down certain ‘thrust areas’ to realign the focus of the Indian Army. These form the foundation of a comprehensive approach to build-

ing an Army that remains a ready, potent, responsive and accountable instrument of national power—a vision that I have articulated time and again.

To ensure the highest state of operational preparedness is my single most important area of focus. Another critical challenge remains that of force modernisation and capability build-up. It has been my endeavour to bring in greater transpar-

ency and accountability in our policies and procedures. Financial probity is integral to maintaining and preserving our core values, which form the basic edifice of our strength and structure.

Our soldiers remain our most precious resource. A review of the human resource policy is already under way to meet individual aspirations and organisational needs. I have maintained that as an organisation

>> Interview we need to cut down on activities that do not have a bearing on our operational preparedness. I am also committed to creating an environment that offers challenging opportunities to our junior leadership.

There is greater synergy now, both with the MoD as well as with sister services and all other agencies, who are the stakeholders in national security, something that I have upheld as a pre-requisite to achieving our common aim and purpose.

I have always maintained that our veterans, veer naris (brave women) and widows who have made tremendous sacrifices are our strength and it is our duty to look after their well-being. Special cells for ex-servicemen have been set up at all headquarters.

To usher all ranks into their second innings, placement nodes have also been created under Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO). In addition, special discharge drills are being conducted at Delhi for officers and at Regimental Centres for Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks.

My efforts thus have been towards moulding the Army into a cohesive, confident and effective force and bringing about a wellness that permeates across the rank and file. Let me assure the nation that with high levels of motivation and morale, the Indian Army is fully prepared to take on the present and future challenges with elan and professionalism.

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SP’s: Which are the areas where you have not been able to make any headway despite a strong desire on your part to do so and what is preventing you from doing it?

COAS: There is no area where progress has not been made. We have made headway on all fronts, albeit the pace may be slightly slow in certain cases.

Long-term processes need to be imparted with impetus to achieve our vision. Capability building requires time, commitment and resources. Most projects have long gestation periods and are spread over many years. The progress has to be viewed in this context.

There are areas where the progress has been slower than what is expected. Modernisation of the Indian Army requires to pick up pace.

In-house processes are already being refined and the government’s continuous focus and support is critical. Defence infrastructure development in view of the current and future threats would require focused commitment.

Another area that assumes importance is indigenisation of defence industry, greater opportunities and role of private players and a boost to defence related research and development (R&D). We are quite hopeful that the positive impact of the efforts that have been put in this direction should be visible in the near future as it has far-reaching implications on our self-reliance in defence equipment and capabilities.

SP’s: Which are the areas where you have not been able to make any headway despite a strong desire on your part to do so and what is preventing you from doing it?

COAS: There is no area where progress has not been made. We have made headway on all fronts, albeit the pace may be slightly slow in certain cases. Long-term processes need to be imparted with impetus to achieve our vision.

Capability building requires time, commitment and resources. Most projects have long gestation periods and are spread over many years. The progress has to be viewed in this context. There are areas where the progress has been slower than what was expected.

Modernisation of the Indian Army requires to pick up pace. In-house processes are already being refined and the government’s continued focus and support is critical. Defence infrastructure development in view of the current and future threats would require focused commitment.

Another area that assumes importance is indigenisation of defence industry, greater opportunities and role of private players

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photograph: neetu dhulia / Sp Guide Pubns

inter-ministerial consultations after which it will be tabled in the Parliament. After the passage of INDU Act, all other processes of tendering, contracting and executing the project will commence including award of degree to affiliated colleges. It is expected that the entire infrastructure will be ready and the University fully functional by end 2018. Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) is closely working along with MoD and other consultants for early setting up of INDU as per the timelines approved by the Defence Minister.

and a boost to defence related R&D. We are quite hopeful that the positive impact of the efforts that have been put in this direction should be visible in the near future as it has far-reaching implications on our self-reliance in defence equipment and capabilities.

SP’s: Of late, it seems China has been far more aggressive on the line of actual control (LAC) than in earlier years and the conduct of PLA/Border Guards has been aggressive, to say the least. What is the Army’s appreciation of China’s intentions of adopting the current tactics and aggressive stance?

COAS: I do not agree with your initial statement. Few border incidents that took place have been unduly hyped up. These isolated incidents must be viewed in the overall context.

Peace and tranquillity prevail along the LAC and border areas as a result of commitment by both nations to abide by existing bilateral agreements and protocols. In addition, mechanism of Border Post Meetings (BPM)/Flag Meetings has been effective in resolving most border issues. Further strengthening of confidence building measures (CBM) has been achieved by the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to China on October 23, 2013.

SP’s: The delays in modernisation of the Indian Army are well chronicled and the reasoning has also been understood generally by military analysts. However, that gives no satisfaction to soldiers and formation commanders who face our adversaries at the borders where small skirmishes may well escalate into border conflicts. As the COAS, are you satisfied with the current holdings and the status of equipment and munitions for war?

COAS: Modernisation of the Indian Army is a continuous process that ensures the Army is fully capable of meeting any threat in the operational environment prevailing on our borders. Efforts are ongoing in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence to enhance the capability of indigenous weapons and

‘Due to the special emphasis laid on indigenisation by the Defence Minister, as reflected in the foreword of DPP 2013, I am confident that there will be progressive improvement in the coming years’

equipment. It would be reasonable to state that our soldier is well-equipped for any operational contingency.

Ammunition management is a dynamic process wherein consumption and recoupment of any deficiency is a function of production capacities of ordnance factories and availability ex import. A comprehensive long-term Ammunition Roll on Plan for continued build up of ammunition reserves in a phased manner is already being implemented on approval by the MoD. SP’s: A Mountain Strike Corps stands sanctioned by the government. Among the veterans the view persists that mere raising of more manpower, without tactical and operational level aviation resources, long-range firepower, reconnaissance and surveillance resources and many other force multipliers would be marginal value. May we have your observations on this important issue?

COAS: The capability of an Army is an amalgamation of equipment and manpower, both of which are processed simultaneously for capability enhancement. Indian Army periodically carries out realistic threat assessments and formulates the capability required for undertaking its mandated charter.

Accordingly, modernisation and force structuring are formulated and approved by the government. Whenever accretions are sanctioned, the requisite combat support, reconnaissance, surveillance and logistic components are also sanctioned along with it.

SP’s: Considering the pull out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the US forces from Afghanistan in 2014, how does the Army assess the situation in Afghanistan-Pakistan region and how will it impact the Indian Army?

COAS: The turmoil in Afghanistan-Pakistan region and recent security developments are definitely an issue of concern. With the stated pull out of troops by the United States in 2014, the security dynamics in the region will undergo a change. Being part of the region, these changes are bound to have certain implications for India as well.

SP’s: There has been inordinate delay in raising and establishing the Indian National Defence University (INDU). When is the INDU likely to be established and what are the formalities that are still to be completed?

COAS: The process of setting up of INDU is on a fast track mode after acquisition of land at Binola and Bilaspur, Gurgaon and subsequent foundation stone laying ceremony by the Prime Minister of India in May 2013.

Detailed project report along with the layout plans have been submitted by the Education Consultants of India Ltd (EdCIL), a Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) enterprise and the Revised Cabinet Note is in the process of being sent for interministerial consultations. Simultaneously, INDU Act is also being prepared by the consultants and is likely to be submitted to MoD at the earliest. This will also be put through

SP’s: Have the plans to make the Army’s Special Forces and Infantry Ghatak Platoons more potent and effective, been realised? What is the new equipment, if any, that has been inducted to ensure this?

COAS: The modernisation plan of Special Forces involves increased firepower, survivability, situational awareness and command and control to operate across the entire spectrum of conflict. In addition, modernisation of aviation assets and increasing airlift capability will further enhance their operational reach. With new technologies coming in, modernisation and capability development of our Special Forces would remain an ongoing process, one that is accorded high priority in our planning and procurement processes.

The Special Forces have been equipped with modern weapon systems along with surveillance and target acquisition devices as part of their capability enhancement to conduct mandated tasks both by day and night.

Besides this, action is at hand to ensure high mobility of our elite forces, be it on land, air or sea. As regards the Ghatak Platoon of Infantry Battalions, a composite package of additional equipment and devices for special operations, referred as ‘Ghatak Brick’, is also in the pipeline. This upgradation would facilitate the Ghatak Platoons to conduct their tasks with enhanced efficiency and comparative ease in conventional as well as sub-conventional operations.

SP’s: Recently it was covered in the media that Naxals are raising Battalion sized units for future operations. Does that indicate a role for the Army undertaking antiNaxal operations in the future?

COAS: Anti-left-wing extremism (LWE) operations are being coordinated and conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in conjunction with the affected state governments. Our Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) are fully geared and competent to take on the challenge. The Army is only in an advisory capacity and is providing training to the state police/CAPFs as and when required.

SP’s: In a fairly large number of incidents in the past few months in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), it seems that Army units and sub-units have suffered causalities due to their own laxity. While we have no doubts that orders including standard operating procedures do exist to prevent such happenings, why are they being flouted, especially in areas where alertness and readiness are paramount for their own safety and security? Are there any other reasons for this obvious flaw?

COAS: The situation in J&K was improving as was evident from all parameters which clearly pointed to an early return of relative normalcy. This was obviously due to the relentless efforts of the Indian Army ably supported by all elements of our security apparatus.

Viewed in retrospect the repeated calls for revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) were perhaps on account of the improved security situation.

However, there was a need to further consolidate and stabilise the security situation, lest any premature action neutralised the advantage gained by the relentless offensive action of our soldiers.

Continued on page 6

military history >>

Indian Army through the Ages – A Bird’s-Eye View The transformation of the Indian military for the future, through technological improvements coupled with innovative operational art will give India a distinct advantage over its potential adversaries, which is vital for preserving India’s sovereignty and furthering its national interests photograph: IAF

 Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

T

he British era of the Indian Army lasted for about 200 years.

Major Stringer Lawrence was the first Army officer appointed Commander-in-Chief of all the East India Company’s forces in 1752. He can thus be deemed as the Father of the Indian Army. The forces then comprised Europeans recruited from England or locally and Indian auxiliaries. These Indians were armed with their own weapons, wore their own dress and were commanded by their own officers.

The events of 1857 are too well known to be recounted in any detail in this brief focus on the Indian Army. A Royal Commission appointed in July 1858 suggested that the Army in India be comprised mainly of Indian troops with a proportion of Indian to British being 2:1. By 1863, the actual numbers were 3,15,500 Indian and 38,000 British troops.

Step by step the three Presidency Armies were amalgamated which was completed by 1895.

With the overall control of the Indian Empire being vested in the Crown, the imperial strategy for the defence of India envisaged a wide cordon sanitaire to give depth to this jewel in the crown. Afghanistan, Tibet and Burma were the immediate buffers while the global dominance of the British Navy of the time allowed them even further outposts like Hong Kong, Singapore, Aden and Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea. Pax Britannica was at its zenith and the core was centred on India.

The Era of the World Wars The final shape and professional restructuring of the Indian Army was carried out prior to World War I under General Herbert Kitchener, the Commander-in-Chief in India from 1902. During this period, due to a clash between him and Viceroy Lord George Curzon over the perceived organisational duality of control of the Military in India, the Viceroy resigned. This issue has had a significantly negative effect on the higher defence control mechanism that evolved after independence and which leaves the service chiefs outside the governmental decision-making forums. To this day this aspect remains an Indian weakness.

In World War I, more than one million Indian soldiers served overseas. The Army expanded from 2,39,511 in 1914 to 14,40,428 personnel by 1919. While there were no commissioned Indian officers in the Army, the Indian Army fought in all major theatres including France Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Palestine.

When Poland was attacked by Germany on September 1, 1939, Britain declared war against Germany on September 3, 1939.

The Viceroy declared India at War on the same day. World War II had started. Congress governments in power in eight provinces resigned as they had not been consulted at all and declared that they would not cooperate with the government. This was not due to any love for Nazi Germany but as a matter of principle. At the start of the World War II, the Indian Army had a strength of 1,94,373 personnel which was

Exercise Vijayee Bhava in progress

was the greatest test of the old Indian Army which it passed with flying colours under the most adverse circumstances.

Operation Gulmarg Operation Gulmarg, which was a deliberately planned operation by Pakistan, aimed at the annexation of Jammu and Kashmir. According to its leader Colonel Akbar Khan of Pakistan Army, its planning was done in August 1947. Indian Army’s operations in J&K and the achievement of the Indian Army under its own officers despite logistical constraints, daunting terrain and severity of climate is a proud tribute to its leadership, fighting spirit and patriotic fervour of all ranks. They undertook a task allotted to them as a sacred mission to be fulfilled, whatever the cost.

Post-Independence Indian Army

a little more than the strength available at the start of World War I. The modernisation planned in 1938 had yet to start. The Indian Army was not intended to fight overseas but only protect India’s borders and nearby areas. However, before the war ended, the Indian Army had expanded to strength of over 20,00,000 men and engaged in operations stretching from Hong Kong to Italy.

In the re-conquest of Burma, it provided the bulk of forces and played important roles in the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. Nearly 63,000 awards were earned by the Indian Army in World War II. Awards for gallantry alone totalled approximately 4,800. They included 31 Victoria Crosses, four George Crosses, 252 Distinguished Service Orders, 347 Indian Orders of Merit and 1,311 Military Crosses.

Independence and Partition Among the factors that led to independence, a major factor was the formation of Indian National Army (INA) by the Indian prisoners of war. About 20,000 officers and men joined the INA. The British were stunned at the defection of officers. They realised that they could not rely on the Indian Army to put down a movement for independence. This was reinforced by the mutinies in the Royal Indian Air Force in January 1946 and an even more widespread one in February 1946, in the Royal Indian Navy. It was acknowledged that India could not be held by force of arms and this was a major factor in the British decision to grant independence.

It was agreed that by August 15, 1947, India and Pakistan should have effective forces, mainly non-Muslims and Muslims under their respective control. A large part of the Army had mixed classes and involved a major reorganisation of practically all units. The Navy and the Air Force did not

pose a serious problem due to their small size. An Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee under Field Marshal Auchinleck was set to divide the units and stores in the ratio of two to one between India and Pakistan respectively. Muslims from India and nonMuslims from Pakistan could elect which dominion they would serve.

The tragedy of partition is a story which deserves separate coverage. The misery of partition and Punjab migration could have been lessened had Lord Mountbatten been a wiser man and not rushed independence and delayed the announcement of the boundary award. Out of about 14 million people involved in migration, it is estimated that more than half a million died in the violence that erupted on both sides.

The strain on the troops of the old Indian Army with the emotional stress of communal differences, personal tragedies and daily exposure to heartrending scenes of murders, rapes and other brutalities, brought their discipline to a breaking point, but it survived because of its leadership. It

Defence of a nation and development are complementary. If India aspires to be a regional/ global economic power, its military power must reflect that desire through its ability to protect its interests.

The strength of the Indian Army in August 1947 was 4,00,000, but the political leadership was keen to reduce the strength to save defence expenditure and hence it was decided to bring down the strength of the Army to 2,00,000 after the J&K operations which would involve the disbandment of many units. A new Territorial Army Act was passed in 1948 and infantry and artillery units with a nucleus of regular officers were raised in 1949. Many other changes occurred during the period 1948-60. The designation of Commander-in-Chief ceased to be in use from 1955 and the three Chiefs (Army, Navy and the Air Force) were made equal and independently responsible for their respective service. Every function of the defence services was duplicated in the Ministry of Defence where civilian bureaucrats not only ensured financial and administrative control but also gradually took over the decision-making powers of the defence services. The standing of the military reached an all-time low during the time of V.K. Krishna Menon as Defence Minister when decisions concerning matters of major military importance were taken without consultation of the concerned service.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s bias against the military was well known in the services. The clearest example of this is when General K.M. Cariappa outlined his plan for the security of North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), after China had occupied Tibet; Nehru flared up and thumping the table said, “It is not the business of the Commander-inChief (C-in-C) to tell the Prime Minister who is going to attack us where. You mind only Kashmir and Pakistan.” Nehru continued to appease the Chinese and the untimely death of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took away all opposition to Nehru’s views. The Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the national humiliation was the result of this policy and the bias against the military. The military also failed by acquiescing to a policy they knew to be militarily and politically unsound.

The Period 1961 to 1971 The period 1961 to 1971 was one of the most traumatic periods of the Indian Army. The defeat in 1962 shook the foundation of the nation and the armed forces. The Army began to introspect to overcome its weaknesses. The

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>> military history photograph: Indian army

1965 war helped the Army redeem itself but revealed embarrassing weaknesses in its equipment and its training and even leadership at various levels. These two wars spurred the political leadership to modernise and expand the services. As 1970 came to a close, the Indian Army was now ready to face new challenges emerging on the horizon.

The 1971 war resulted in creation of a new nation, Bangladesh, and a decisive military victory in which 93,000 prisoners of war were taken. While many books have been written to describe each battle in detail, it is the spirit of the soldiery during this campaign that deserves mention. In the words of Sydney Schanberg of the New York Times, who accompanied Indian troops in two sectors: “I don’t like sitting around praising armies. I don’t like armies because armies mean wars – and I don’t like wars.

But this [the Indian] Army was something…

They were great all the way. There was never a black mark… I lived with the officers and I walked, rode with the jawans – and they were all great.… And they were the most perfect gentlemen—I have never seen them do a wrong thing—not even when they just saw how bestial the enemy had been.”

The Period from 1971 to 1998 The period after 1971 war saw the steady modernisation of the Indian Army with new equipment for modern wars. The Experts Committee under the Chairmanship of Lt General K.V. Krishna Rao submitted its report in 1976. Some of its major recommendations started getting implemented in the 1980s. The expansion of mechanised forces was achieved as a result of this report.

On April 13, 1984, 34 soldiers of the Indian Army were landed by 17 sorties of helicopters at a point three kilometers short of Bilafond La, a pass on the Soltaro ridge, west of Siachen glacier. The soldiers occupied the pass. This was the opening move in what is referred to as the Siachen conflict between India and Pakistan which continues till date. This period also saw the Army assault on the Golden Temple on the night of June 5-6, 1984, at Amritsar, to clear the complex of the militants who had based themselves in the temple. The operation was code named ‘Blue Star’. By the first light of June 7, 1984, the Golden Temple complex had been cleared of militants but it left in its aftermath a wave of anguish and anger among the Sikh community and the nation faced the assassination of the then Prime

13, 2001, terrorist attack on the Parliament House. This 10-month-long mobilisation from January to October 2002, along the border with Pakistan generated high levels of tension in the relations between the two South Asian neighbours, and raised the prospects of a major war. The operation was a major effort in coercive diplomacy by New Delhi, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the Indian Parliament, and while the government claims that their strategic objectives were met by mere posturing which avoided a war, military analysts are of the view that gains were not commensurate to the mammoth exercise in coercive diplomacy by India. However, it led to some positive changes in India’s military doctrine and it hastened military modernisation together with organisational changes.

Special Forces in a mock drill

The Way Ahead Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh guards.

The period July 1987-March 1990 saw the Indian Army fight Tamil militants in Sri Lanka with one hand tied behind their back.

The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) moved to Sri Lanka to carry out peacekeeping duties as generally assigned during the UN operations and to separate the warring factions i.e. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan armed forces but ended up enforcing peace and conducting military operations against LTTE. What the Indian Army achieved is best described in the words of Rajan Wijeratrie, at one time the Minister of State for Defence in Sri Lankan Government. He is reported to have said, “The IPKF had virtually finished them off. They were gasping for breath in the jungles. It was we who provided that oxygen to them.” This summed up what IPKF had achieved before de-induction.

During the 1980s, the Indian Army also conducted the operation in Maldives to prevent mercenaries from overthrowing the Government of Maldives and while it did not involve much fighting, it demonstrated to the world the speed and efficiency with which the Indian armed forces could react. This period (1989 onwards) also saw the start of the terrorism and insurgency in Kashmir and deployment of additional troops in J&K.

Kargil War (May-July 1999) The Kargil sector is 168 km along the line of control (LOC), stretching from Kaobal Gali in the west to Chorbat La in the east.

The sector was vast with the line of control running along the watershed along heights 4,000-5,000 metres high. The frontage and the nature of terrain ensured large gaps between defended areas. The deployment included one infantry battalion at Dras; two infantry battalions and a Border Security Force (BSF) battalion covering Kargil and Chorbat La was held by Ladakh Scouts. As indications of Pakistani intrusion came in on May 3, 1999, it became clear that armed intruders had occupied heights in the gaps between all defended areas in the sector. It became apparent that India was facing an attempt by Pakistan to change the LoC using its regular troops. The complacency of the local Army formations in not conducting even routine surveillance in the winter months, stood out. Having been surprised, the initial reactions were unsatisfactory leading to poorly planned patrols and attacks. While these did fix the enemy, success came their way only when the whole act was put together. Air and artillery (155mm Howitzers) was employed with devastating effect to allow the Indian soldier, the infantryman to live up to his reputation of fortitude under adversity and courage and determination in the attack.

Operation Parakram Operation Parakram, which means valour, was a momentous event which could have unleashed a major war on the subcontinent.

It involved a massive build-up the Indian Army ordered in the wake of the December

Indian Army as it moves through the first quarter of the 21st century, is likely to face four types of challenges and threats including traditional threats, contemporary threats in the form of terrorism, internal challenges and contingency threats. In essence, India faces a far greater threat than any other country in the world because of a highly volatile strategic neighbourhood.

Moreover, with India’s vibrant economic growth, it would naturally have to assume additional responsibility as a stabilising force in the region. It is encouraging to note that India’s security concerns have, for the first time, converged with international security concerns which makes global community understand the need for India to develop and modernise its military capabilities. Defence of a nation and development are complementary. If India aspires to be a regional/global economic power, its military power must reflect that desire through its ability to protect its interests. In this context, the transformation of the Indian military for the future, through technological improvements coupled with innovative operational art will give India a distinct advantage over its potential adversaries, which is vital for preserving India’s sovereignty and furthering its national interests.

However, it is most unfortunate that the present United Progressive Alliance Government has been neglectful of its responsibilities regarding the modernisation of the armed forces and our adversaries are likely to take full advantage of our weaknesses.

National security stands imperilled. SP

‘The budgetary allocation to the Army’...continued from page 4

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There have been isolated violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs), however, remedial recourse has been effected.

These aberrations notwithstanding, we must never trivialise the sacrifices of our brave soldiers. As the COAS, I salute all my soldiers, who in the line of duty and best traditions of our Army have made the supreme sacrifice.

SP’s: How long will it take the Indian Army to be ready for network-centric operations?

What is holding it back?

COAS: Network-centric operations involve development of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and suitable applications. While our networks at strategic and operational level are well developed, we need mobile and flexible tactical communication system (TCS) to be fielded at the earliest. At the same time, while some applications have been fielded successfully, others are at different stages of development through indigenous production by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), in keeping with security considerations. I would also like to highlight that in the field of ICT, the development cycle has to be telescoped to beat technological obsolescence.

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The above notwithstanding, I expect the Indian Army to be network-centric in line with our laid down objectives in the days ahead.

SP’s: We are exercising with various friendly foreign countries. Have these exercises in any way impacted the operational/ equipment philosophy of the Army?

COAS: The combined exercises are aimed at achieving desired capability during operations that may be undertaken in the aftermath of a disaster situation or for operations against terrorists under the aegis of the United Nations. Such exercises also enable the development of minimum inescapable interoperability, which is essential for achieving the synergy between two Armies.

The Indian Army has benefitted immensely from this exposure, both operationally as also with respect to technology related issues.

SP’s: At the current level of budgetary allocation for defence, the procedural complexity that effectively precludes the full utilisation of allocated funds within the financial year and the hesitancy of people in charge in taking procurement

decisions, will the Indian Army be able to equip, upgrade and modernise in conformity with existing plans? Very little has been achieved in the Twelfth Five Year Plan, therefore given the above environment, what makes us confident that it will be achieved in the future?

COAS: Defence acquisition is a complex process that needs to balance the competing requirements of expeditious procurement, development by indigenous defence sector and conformity to the highest standards of transparency, probity and public accountability. High levels of public probity and media scrutiny impose a degree of caution, making the process more deliberate, as tenets of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) have to be followed conscientiously.

While there have been some time overruns, it would be incorrect to state that very little has been achieved in the Twelfth Five Year Plan. Thirty-nine contracts have already been concluded in the Twelfth Plan.

A significant number of schemes linked to the modernisation of Artillery, Army Air Defence and Mechanised Forces are in fairly advanced stages of procurement and ought to fructify within the Twelfth Plan.

The budgetary allocation to the Army in

the recent years has been fairly consistent.

The Army has carried out a holistic review and re-prioritisation to accelerate capability development. I have also constituted a Higher Forum on Operational Preparedness and Modernisation under the Vice Chief, which is closely monitoring all modernisation efforts. The Army remains committed to accelerate procurement and maximise operational readiness. We have set achievable targets and are making steady progress. The numerous initiatives have already started showing results. In the current financial year, we have far surpassed the results of previous years.

Streamlining and refinement of the procurement procedure is a continuous process. Experience gained has adequately been subsumed in successive versions of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

MoD as well the three services have taken great care to minimise systemic deficiencies of all nature and are working in unison to ensure timely and unhindered procurement. Due to the special emphasis laid on indigenisation by the Defence Minister, as reflected in the foreword of DPP 2013, I am confident that there will be progressive improvement in the coming years. SP

modernisation

>>

Revisiting Indian Army’s Modernisation Programmes The government, it seems, has now sanctioned the Twelfth Five Year Defence Plan as a result of the severe criticism over delays in the past. However, for the Army, it would be cosmetic paper exercise as even the Eleventh Plan procurements have not materialised. photograph: SP Guide pubns

 Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

I

ndian Army’s 600 odd modernisation schemes amounting to over `70,000 crore in the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12) alone have not fructified. The revised Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) over the years has done little to accelerate the pace of modernisation.

A dispassionate analysis would indicate that the voids in equipment and munitions in the Army to fight a modern war together with the lack of modernisation of equipment in virtually all fighting arms of the Army, is creating a capability gap vis-à-vis our likely adversaries and this is becoming more pronounced day by day. It is in this context that we should view the letter written by General (Retd) V.K. Singh, the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), to the Prime Minister on March 12, 2012, which was deliberately leaked to the media. It highlighted that the mission reliability of mechanised vehicles was poor, the artillery was obsolete and inadequate, air defence was antiquated, armour was unreliable due to regular barrel accidents caused by mismatch between indigenous barrels and ammunition, nightfighting devices were insufficient, aviation corps helicopters needed urgent replacements; and holdings of all types of missiles, anti-tank and specialised ammunition was critically low. This is pointing at lack of preparedness to fight and win wars on the battlefields of the 21st century.

Following this it seems that the Defence Ministry had asked Army Headquarters to fast-track acquisitions and the list of essentials was prepared and sent. However, the situation has not improved but in fact has worsened in the last one year. On the one hand, nothing has come so far, while on the other hand, missiles and specialised ammunition holdings which have a shelf-life, have dipped further. The government, it seems, has now sanctioned the Twelfth Five Year Defence Plan as a result of the severe criticism over delays in the past. However, for the Army, it would be cosmetic paper exercise as even the Eleventh Plan procurements have not materialised. Thus considering the lack of implementation of the Eleventh Plan, the Army’s modernisation plans, both Eleventh and Twelfth Plans, need to be implemented.

The defence budget for 2013-14 grew by five per cent over the previous year, with defence capital acquisitions growing by

Like the F-INSAS project, many other Army modernisation programmes are hardly progressing, thus negatively affecting the operational preparedness of the Army

T-90 battle tank

nine per cent. But with inflation averaging more than five per cent since February and the rupee depreciating by 14 per cent against the dollar over the same period, that modest nominal budget increase is actually a real budget decrease for defence and considering the austerity measures required to be undertaken with a slowing economy, the Army will have to prioritise its requirements. It does however indicate the accumulating voids in our capabilities in various arms which will adversely affect the Army’s fighting capabilities in future wars.

The notable features of arm wise modernisation and the steps been taken in acquisition of equipment are as follows:

T-90S tanks due to excessive heat in the turrets during the summers is being remedied through air-conditioning of the interior.

On September 13, 2013, a major deal was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for the manufacturing of

236 additional T-90 tanks for the Indian Army. The order, worth over `6,000 crore ($940 million), will be executed by the Avadi HVF that already has a license from Russia to manufacture T-90 tanks from kits purchased from Russia. Another contract, worth about $470 million, has been signed for the deliveries of the Invar missiles, which will be installed on Russian-built T-90 tanks.

This has to be completed within the next five years. Invar is a laser-guided anti-tank missile with a range of five kilometres and the capability to penetrate explosive reactive armour (ERA). According to local media reports, India plans to purchase 25,000 Invar missiles for its T-90 tanks, including 10,000 to be procured directly from Russia and 15,000 more to be manufactured domestically under a Russian license.

The programme launched to modernise the T-72 M1 Ajeya MBTs is still unsatisfactory and has not progressed much. About 1,700 T-72 M1s have been manufactured under licence at HVF, Avadi. The T-72 M1 modernisation programme under Project Rhino will extend the service life of the MBT by 20 years; enhance their accuracy with new fire control system (FCS) whose trials are under way. This will give night-fighting

Armour The Army had equipped two regiments with Arjun tanks out of the 124 Arjun main battle tanks (MBT) ordered by it earlier. As a result of the satisfactory feedback by the units and from the tank crews, an additional 124 Arjun Mark II tanks have been ordered subject to satisfactory development of the upgraded Mark II version of the tank for equipping two more regiments. These tanks will have substantially upgraded capabilities of firepower, mobility and protection. The development of Arjun Mark I tank with 43 improvements has commenced and limited technical trials incorporating the improvements have been carried out in Rajasthan. The first batch of MBT Arjun Mark II is likely to go in for production by 2014-15 at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi. As regards the T-90 tanks, 310 T-90S tanks had been ordered from Russia in the first instance. Of these, 124 fully-assembled tanks were directly imported from Russia and 186 kits were imported for assembly in India. The first indigenously assembled T-90S rolled out from the HVF Avadi on January 7, 2004.

These tanks have now been fully operationalised. Additional 347 T-90S tanks have been inducted into service which brings the total to 657 T-90s tanks. As per reports, the Army has till now inducted around 780 of the 1,657 T-90S tanks it eventually wants.

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>> Modernisation photographS: SP Guide pubns

capability through a thermal imager integrated with the tank‘s FCS. Three hundred T-72 tanks of the Army had been fitted with thermal imaging stand-alone sights (TISAS).

Later 300 more TISAS were added bringing the total to 600 TISAS. Thus the remaining about 1,000 T-72 tanks will be fitted with more modern integrated fire control systems.

However, the overall night fighting capability of India’s armour is currently inadequate and operationally unacceptable.

The T-90, the improved T-72 M1 tanks and Arjun tanks, will constitute India’s armour might in the future till a new MBT is chosen or designed indigenously. Meanwhile, light tanks for the Eastern theatre are still being debated.

ment Organisation (DRDO) and Israel for MRSAM for all the three services. Successor to Igla have been shortlisted and trials have been held. However, the results have not been finalised. Shortlisted systems include SAAB RBS-7O, MBDA, Mistral, a Russian SAM system and South Korea’s LIG Nex1.

A major weakness in the overall air defence matrix is the lack of a battlefield management system which is also linked with the national air defence network.

The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has now undertaken the development of such a system.

Infantry

Mechanised Infantry The mechanised infantry is currently equipped with the BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle (ICV) named Sarath. The ICVs are being equipped with thermal imaging night sights and image intensifiers. The Army had ordered 198 carrier mortar tracked, which have since been delivered. The ICV BMP-2/2K is being modernised by upgrading its existing NBC System, fire detection and suppression system, ERA panels to provide extra protection and a new power-pack. The scheme to fit environmental control for ICV BMP-2 is in an advanced stage of procurement. Additional battlefield surveillance radar (mediumrange) mounted on high mobility wheeled vehicles are also being procured.

The Indian Army has planned for a futuristic infantry combat vehicle (FICV) to replace the BMP-2 with key operational and performance parameters envisaged in the Indian context. A project to build 2,600 FICVs costing approximately `60,000 crore has been approved by the government. This project is a pioneer in ‘Make High-Tech’ category where for the first time the defence industry has invited participation by private established agencies. The project is in an advanced stage for development of a prototype.

Pinaka MBRL

ICV BMP-II K

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Arty Firepower As part of its artillery modernisation plan, the Army is looking at inducting several types of howitzers through inter-governmental pacts and global tenders. The last major acquisition of towed gun-howitzers was that of 400 pieces of 39-calibre 155mm FH-77B howitzers with a range of 30 km from Bofors of Sweden in 1987, which got embroiled in controversy. This gun proved its mettle in the Kargil conflict. After about 25 years of neglect during which the 100mm and 122mm field guns of Russian origin and the indigenously developed and manufactured 75/24 Howitzer joined the long list of obsolete equipment, the Army still awaits the procurement of about 1,580 Howitzers of 155mm 52 calibre. Out of these, 400 are to be procured outright and 1,180 manufactured indigenously with transfer of technology (ToT).

Trials of a modified Nexter TRAJAN 155mm/52-calibre TGS and Elbit’s refurbished lighter ATHOS 2052 howitzer were to be held during May 2013 as a part of summer trials in the western Rajasthan desert using Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) manufactured ordnance. These tests will be followed by winter firings and the selection of one system by the Artillery Directorate to proceed to cost negotiations (the estimated budget being $2 billion). These trials constitute the fifth attempt to select a suitable 155mm howitzer for the Indian Army.

Nexter is now collaborating with Indian private defence contractor Larsen and Toubro (L&T) while Elbit has partnered with the Kalyani Group, the world’s largest forgings manufacturer headquartered in Pune.

The Kalyani Group, better known as Bharat Forge, after one of its more successful subsidiaries has acquired RUAG’s entire artillery manufacturing unit in Switzerland and has set it up in Pune in 2012.

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The 145 ultralight howitzers (M777) are being procured from the US through the foreign military sales (FMS) route from BAE Systems. This deal has been cleared by India’s Cabinet Committee on Security and trials have also been conducted but the deal has still not fructified. On September 13, the Defence Acquisition Council headed by the Defence Minister cleared the deal four days before the arrival of the US Deputy Secretary of Defence, Ashton B. Carter.

The Army has inducted the Prithvi and the Agni series of missiles, and the BrahMos missiles in their operational formations.

The Prithvi and the Agni series of missiles are nuclear capable missiles also capable of firing conventional warheads. Block III version of the BrahMos missile with the Army is capable of trajectory manoeuvres and steep dive with multiple way points using advance guidance system and software.

Multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) Pinaka has a range of 37.5 km, can be brought into action within three minutes and can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. Pinaka can neutralise a target area of

As part of its Artillery Modernisation Plan, the Army is looking at inducting several types of howitzers through intergovernmental pacts and global tenders

1,000 m x 800 m. Production of rockets is in full swing. Manufacture of 40 launchers, 16 battery command posts, 40 L and 20 replenishment vehicles have been completed and systems have been handed over to the Army. Five lots of restricted high explosive rockets and 23 lots of pre-formed fragmented warhead rockets have been delivered to the Army.

Air Defence Artillery The Corps of Army Air Defence holds a large variety of guns and missile systems. It has 40mm L/70, Zu-23-2 Twin gun, ZSU-23-4 Schilka, Tanguska, Kvadrat (medium-range missile system), OSA-AK (short-range missile system) and Igla shoulder fired missile system in its inventory. The 40mm L/70 which is about four decades old, needs immediate replacement. Considering the high costs of new weapon systems, the Army is going in for weapon upgrades for L-70, ZU-23-2 Twin gun and ZSU-23-4 Schilka. Meanwhile, the Army is looking for successors to L-70 and the ZU-23-2. Successor to Schilka (ZSU-234) already exists in the form of Tangushka, but in limited numbers. A request for information (RFI) has already been issued to find a replacement for Schilka.

In the missile systems, Kvadrat (mediumrange) and OSA-AK (short-range) are also at the end of their life cycle. They were to be replaced by Akash and Trishul surface-to-air (SAM) missiles. Trishul has been foreclosed and Akash is being inducted for semi-mobile roles. For air defence of mechanised units, it has been planned to acquire medium-range SAM (MRSAM) and quick reaction SAM (QRSAM) systems. RFP for QRSAM is being issued and there is a joint development venture of the Defence Research and Develop-

The future infantry soldier as a system (F-INSAS) has been initiated to make the infantryman a weapon platform with situational awareness, increased lethality and sustainability in the digitised battlefield.

F-INSAS is to be effected in three phases: Phase I includes weapons, body armour, clothing and individual equipment; Phase II is the target acquisition system and Phase III comprises the computer sub-system, radio sub-system, software and software integration. F-INSAS will be a part of the battlefield management system (BMS) of the Army.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved of a new assault rifle, 5.56mm calibre and a new generation carbine to replace the 9mm carbine which had been weeded out of the Army without getting a replacement. The progress in the field of carbines is that in August 2012 the process of procuring 44,618 5.56mm close quarter battle (CQB) carbines to replace the outdated 9mm model and 33.6 million rounds of ammunition in a contract worth over `2,000 crore was set in motion.

The manufacturers in the race were Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Galil Ace carbine, Italy’s Baretta with its ARX-160 and United States’ Colt and Sig Sauer’s offering the M4 and 516 Patrol models. These weapons have undergone field trials at the Infantry School at Mhow, in Central India, the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and high altitude locations in India’s Northern and Northeast region.

Army is also on the lookout for assault rifles (AR) to replace the INSAS 5.56mm rifles with technologically superior weapons and in the race are ARs of the Czech Republic’s Czeca, IWI, Baretta and Colt and Sig Sauer, all weighing around 3.6 kg. The other requirements include the ability to convert from 5.56 x 45mm to 7.62 x 39mm calibres by merely switching the barrel and magazine for employment in counterinsurgency and/or conventional offensive/ defensive operations. They also need to be fitted with detachable under barrel grenade launchers and be capable of firing OFB-produced 5.56mm x w45 (SS109) ammunition rounds. It will also involve transfer of technology to the OFB to licence build the ARs. Army’s immediate requirement is for around 2,18,320 rifles where as India’s AR requirement is estimated at 2-3 million to arm the large Central Paramilitary Forces and the state police. At this scale, India’s AR acquisitions could be one of the world’s largest small arms contracts in recent times worth over $5 billion in due course.

Request for proposals (RFPs) for some 1,70,000 modular bulletproof vests weighing around 10.5 kg and an equal number of ballistic helmets have been placed with domestic manufacturers in June and December 2012 respectively. These are also four years behind schedule. Tenders for knee and elbow protection pads await finalisation.

Like the F-INSAS project, many other Army modernisation programmes are hardly making any progress, thus negatively affecting the operational preparedness of the Army. It’s a massive task and at the current rate of progress when not even Phase 1 has been completed, it seems it will take exceptionally long to be completed. SP

Asia Pacific >>

China’s ADIZ Despite the fact that the purported ‘peaceful rise’ of China was never peaceful and conversely extremely violent, it would be prudent for China to keep its territorial ambitions in check for the sake of peace and prosperity of the region. photograph: freewebs.com

 Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch

O

n November 23, 2013, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) declared China’s first ever air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over a broad area in the East China Sea that overlapped the airspace over the Senkaku group of islands. The Chinese action has thus added a new dimension of possible violence in an already tense region after China arbitrarily extended its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) completely disregarding its neighbours.

Senkaku Islands Senkaku group of Islands, also known as the Diaoyu Islands in Mainland China or Diaoyutai Islands in Taiwan is a group of uninhabited islands controlled by Japan in the East China Sea. In 1969, the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and Far East (ECAFE) identified potential oil and gas reserves in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands in 1969. The Chinese and Taiwanese Governments officially began to declare ownership of the islands in 1972. Challenging Japan’s sovereignty over them has been disputed by both the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) following the transfer of administration from the US to Japan in 1972. The Chinese now claim the discovery and control of the islands from the 14th century but Japan controlled the islands from 1895 until its surrender at the end of World War II. The US administered Senkaku from 1945 until 1972, when the islands reverted to Japanese control under the Okinawa Reversion Agreement between the United States and Japan. On September 11, 2012, Japan nationalised its control over the islands by purchasing them from the Kurihara family of Japan for ¥2.05 billion but China objected to the deal, claiming that these islands are Chinese territory.

Diaoyu Island

the US conducts military operations in the region. The US followed up this statement by flying two unarmed B52 bombers into the so-called Chinese ADIZ. If China was merely signalling, then the US returned the signal.

It is quite possible that China was hoping that such a counter-action would be undertaken by Japan and not the United States.

Not surprising, there was no movement by PLAAF beyond a Chinese statement that it had monitored the flight of the B52 bombers, which means little. If China wanted to test the US-Japan alliance, it got the answer.

Rise of the Dragon

The PLAAF declared that all non-commercial aircraft entering a broad zone over the East China Sea must first identify themselves to Beijing at the risk of facing “defensive emergency measures” by PLAAF. The ADIZ covers the famous eight uninhabited islands, implying Japanese aircraft flying around those islands would need to submit their flight plans to China and if ‘granted permission’ would still need to maintain radio communication with Chinese authorities: China apparently hoped to achieve multiple objectives: first, challenge the sovereignty of Japan over the islands; second, bring international focus on Chinese claim over the area; third, provoke Japan to test its reaction; fourth, test the JapanUS alliance and fifth, test global reaction to declare more ADIZ in line with its arbitrarily expanding EEZ claims—China having already announced that more Chinese ADIZ would follow.

Ever since 1993, when China became a net importer of oil for the first time, it has been publicly declaring its intentions of stepping beyond its traditional continental land-oriented security paradigms. In January 2005, Lt General Lin Yazhou, then Deputy Political Commissar of PLAAF, stated, “When a nation grows strong enough, it practises hegemony. The sole purpose of power is to pursue power... Geography is destiny…

When a country begins to rise; it shall first set itself in an invincible position.” With the recent statement of the ADIZ from the PLAAF, there is some coincidence but Lin Yazhou forgot that geography is not in favour of China as it has a limited oceanic front, and more importantly, changing geography akin to the erstwhile British Empire and blitzkrieg type of actions are unlikely to succeed. But then Chinese actions in recent years have led a cross section to conclude that this Chinese mindset is rooted in its historical “Tian Xia” (under the Heaven) concept which traditionally views “all territories” under the sun belonging to the Chinese, because of which they attach no sense to territory. So possibly when Lin Yazhou stated: “Geography is destiny,” he was perhaps hallucinating the entire global airspace being dominated by the PLAAF.

Reactions

Implications and Fallouts

This Chinese action invited reactions on expected lines. The US termed the Chinese action as a destabilising attempt to alter the status quo in the region, increasing risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations, and that it would in no way change how

The fact that China has again launched fighter jets in the ADIZ ‘after’ the United States, Japan and South Korea had flown military aircraft in defiance of China’s claim, indicates that China intends to keep disturbing the status quo and throwing the

The Chinese Challenge

gauntlet across the waters. China’s declaration of the above ADIZ apparently would have the following fallouts:  China’s ADIZ encompasses the air space above Japan’s Senkaku Islands and as such overlaps with the Japanese ADIZ; challenging Japanese sovereignty.  Chinese attempt to unilaterally impose its ADIZ regulations on Japanese airspace, increases the risk of misadventure in the air rather than containing such risks.  Since the US administered Senkaku islands after World War II and later transferred them back to Japanese control, the US recognises Japanese administration over Senkaku islands.  The US has demonstrated its defence treaty with Japan which covers the Senkaku islands—land feature, territorial sea and air space.  Should PLAAF send military aircraft to challenge Japanese military aircraft over the Senkaku islands, it can provoke a clash that can escalate.  The US action has reassured allies in the region who post the US economic draw down and budgetary cuts were apprehensive whether the US would physically come to their assistance in case of conflict.  China has indicated that it reserves the right to impose ADIZs over other maritime regions including South China Sea.

Ever since 1993, when China became a net importer of oil for the first time, it has been publicly declaring its intentions of stepping beyond its traditional continental land-oriented security paradigms

If China promulgates an ADIZ over the South China Sea, this could affect Vietnamese military air patrols over the Spratly islands.  Since Japan insists that there is no dispute over Senkaku, China’s long-term strategy appears to continue claiming the ADIZ and keep patrolling it, in order to drive home the point that it indeed is disputed.  Should there be a clash because of further Chinese action, China’s neighbours would need to review defensive measures to protect their sovereignty, which may lead to escalation of acquisition of arms and even going nuclear without a test and without announcements – akin to Israel.  By provoking Japan, China is inadvertently doing a strategic favour to Japan by rousing Japanese nationalism to the next level. Already, Japan is in the process of revising its defence policies.

As per analysts, a pre-emptive strike strategy against potential aggressors may well be on the cards. Japanese media reports indicate that a study to strengthen the ability to deter and respond to ballistic missiles has been concluded. Mao Tze Dong’s had said, “The Chinese people have stood up; they will never again be humiliated.” But China must realise that Japanese people were standing much before Chinese took baby steps. So, China will have to bear the consequences of trying to humiliate the Japanese psyche.  Should Chinese assertiveness continue to disregard global commons, continue to declare more ADIZ that would affect more countries of Asia-Pacific and orchestrate clashes at whatever small level, the situation taking an upward spiral can hardly be discounted, global reaction to which may include exploiting the fault lines within China especially since China itself has been waging proxy wars on many fronts over the past several decades. Thomas Reed in his recent book The Nuclear Express: A Political History of the Bomb and its Proliferation reveals post his talks with Chinese scientists that China under Deng Xiaoping, decided to proliferate nuclear technology to communists and Muslims in the third world based on the strategy that if the West started getting nuked by Muslim terrorists or another communist country without Chinese fingerprints, it would be good for China.

Hence the nuclear help to Pakistan and North Korea.

Conclusion The Chinese declaration of the ADIZ encompassing the Senkaku Islands has the potential of escalation especially if Japanese military aircraft flying over them are physically challenged. China needs to realise that dialogue may be better than following the approach of the camel’s head slipping into the tent. Despite the fact that the purported ‘peaceful rise’ of China was never peaceful and conversely extremely violent, it would be prudent for China to keep its territorial ambitions in check for the sake of peace and prosperity of the region including its own and the world at large. SP

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>> strategy

China-Pakistan Anti-India Nexus Chances of conventional conflict are less compared to the unconventional but we must be prepared for both.

The requirement for India to establish a deterrent against irregular/unconventional warfare was never more given the dim prospects of break-up of China-Pakistan anti-India nexus. photograph: PIB

 Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch

S

artaj Aziz, Nawaz Sharif’s special envoy during his recent visit to New Delhi, met separatist Hurriyat leaders and assured them that Pakistan will continue to support separatists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Hurriiyat’s fox, Syed Ali Shah Geelani asked Aziz that Pakistan should not only support them politically and diplomatically but also through ‘other means’—read through infiltration, terrorism, financially and arming. Ironically, China too is gaming to somehow wrest J&K from India as part of its strategic plan to march south along the entire Himalayan region, right down to the Indian Ocean.

Initiating the Nexus How China dovetailed Pakistan into its strategic calculations is indicated by a book that was published in Karachi in the year 2000.

In this book, From a Head, through a Head, to Head, the author F.S. Aijazuddin writes, “Chou-en Lai suggested to Ayub Khan that Pakistan should prepare for prolonged conflict with India instead of short-term wars.

He advised Pakistan to raise a militia force to act behind enemy [read Indian] lines.”

The period referred is early 1960s when Chou-en Lai had visited Pakistan. The animosity China nurtured towards India even then despite all the Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai slogans is apparent. Based on China’s advice to raise a militia behind Indian lines, which are the jihadis of today, Pakistan started inducting armed modules pan India in 1992-93, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) started sending cadres to Pakistan for training with mujahedeen, Taliban and Al Qaeda, plus established links with radicals in Bangladesh.

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PRC’s Legacy China’s propaganda of ‘peaceful rise of China’ is not only false; the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) rule over People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been abject opposite: ousting nationalists from Manchuria in 1948; crushing 4,000 Tibetans with 30,000 battle hardened communist troops; occupying Sinkiang and shelling Taiwan; occupying 38,000 sq km of Indian territory of Aksai Chin; killing 25-30 million Chinese during the Great Leap; invading India in 1962 and back-stabbing USSR on Cuba; occupying Shaksgam in return to massive arms supply, nuclear technology and ring magnets to kick-start Pakistan’s nuclear programme in contravention of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and rules of National Security Guard (NSG); clashing with India at Nathu La in 1967 and firing on Russian ships on Amur River; fighting USSR in 1969 and jingoism with India in 1971; invading Vietnam in 1979 “to teach Vietnam a lesson”; violent suppression in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Since Mao’s time, China recruited and supported extremist Maoist groups, such as in Nepal and Burma, the New People’s Army of Philippines, the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, Japanese Red Army and Shining Path in Peru. Today, China supports Indian Maoists and their scripture “Strategy and Tactics for the Indian Revolution” of 2004 has an indelible Beijing flavour.

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Dr Manmohan Singh with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, in Beijing

Pakistan’s Infirmities No amount of denials can obfuscate Pakistan’s continuing quest for an identity. The powerful military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) (both sides of the same coin) have ruthlessly throttled any attempts to democratise the country and achieve an identity of its own. Ayesha Siddiqa wrote in her book Military Inc published in 2007 that the worth of the Pakistani militaryprivate industry-corporate complex was worth $20.7 billon then. This would have increased manifold and there is no way they would let go of this, which is being further concretised through institutionalised radicalisation of Pakistan, breeding hatred against India and Afghanistan, and playing up ethnic violence. Not only is democracy held hostage, any politician or bureaucrat falling out of line faces outright booting.

Kashmir China views Kashmir as the springboard to the west and access to Indian Ocean through Gwadar, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas. Ironically, the United States while ‘nudging India’ is oblivious to what ‘concessions’ India has given and how has Pakistan responded. India has given numerous concessions to Pakistan, some of which are: India declared a unilateral ceasefire in J&K in 1948 when Pakistani forces were on the run and Pakistan still illegally held one third of Kashmir. As per the UN resolution of 1948, Pakistani security forces were to clear out from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Not only did Pakistan counter the UN mandate by reinforcing its security

Today, China supports Indian Maoists and their scripture “Strategy and Tactics for the Indian Revolution” of 2004 has an indelible Beijing flavour

forces in PoK, it has deliberately altered the demography of PoK. India did not pursue delineation of ceasefire line (CFL) between India-Pakistan under the Karachi Agreement of 1949 beyond NJ 9842 – “northwards” to the Wakhan Corridor, bordering China and Afghanistan; India did not go to UN when Pakistan transferred the Shaksgam Valley of J&K to China; is giving 80 per cent of water to Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty—far in excess to global norms related with the size of the river basin; returned the captured strategic Haji Pir Pass to Pakistan in 1965; treated 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of the 1971 prisoners with respect and returned them relying on verbal promise of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto during the Shimla Accord to resolve the Kashmir issue—a promise Bhutto reneged later; with a heart filled with friendship; Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the bus to Lahore while Musharraf prepared to stab us in Kargil; Indian Army gave formal religious burials to Pakistani soldiers unclaimed and abandoned by Pakistan during the Kargil Conflict, while Pakistani Army brutally tortured, maimed and killed Captain Saurabh Kalia, five other Indian soldiers and Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja; India granted the most favoured nation (MFN) status to Pakistan years ago; India has given investment opportunities to Pakistanis in India. Pakistan’s response has been: breeding terrorism in India; infiltrating terrorists; creating an armed terrorist architecture pan-India since early 1990s; engineering endless terrorist attacks/acts in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Gujarat, other parts of India including IC-814 hijack, attack on Parliament, 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack, etc; refusing to act against Pakistani perpetrators of 26/11; nurturing, patronising and masterminding Lakshkar-e-Toiba (LeT) acts against India; using the Haqqani network to target Indians and Indian interests in Afghanistan; pumping drugs and fake currency (minted in Pakistani Government facilities) into India; organising open rallies in Pakistan professing balkanisation of India, collecting of funds and recruitment for jihad against India under the very nose of the administration and with open support of military veterans in connivance of the ISI and mili-

tary; refusal to acknowledge continuation of the ‘Karachi Project’ and other Pakistani complicity as disclosed by Abu Jundal; funding anti-India terrorists openly –as done in Pakistan’s Punjab, etc.

India permitted Sartaj Aziz meet Hurriyat separatists in New Delhi despite the fact that Aziz was Pakistan’s Foreign Minister when Pakistan undertook massive infiltrations in Kargil region during 1999. He travelled to China to drum up support against India during the conflict, sought support from Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) also during Kargil conflict, labeled India of having “overreacted” and later claimed in the media that Pakistan had achieved its aims in the Kargil conflict by “forcing Kashmir dispute to the top of the global agenda”.

More significantly, Pakistan has been ignoring the systematic slaughter of Shias and Ahmadiyas in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and opened the area to Chinese in a bid to put a lid on the unrest. In the petition dated July 11, 2011, addressed to the UN Secretary General by Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman Balawaristan National Front (BNF) in Pakistan and China occupied Gilgit-Baltistan to ‘Save the Innocent People of Gilgit-Baltistan from the Gallows of Pakistan’, written on behalf of some two million inhabitants of GB, Abdul Hamid Khan categorically stated, “Pakistan’s current role in Gilgit-Baltistan is a clear violation of UN… The people of Gilgit Baltistan are the most sufferers and their fundamental, legal, ethnic, cultural, economic and democratic rights are being denied. India has included this region into its Constitution… Pakistan has denied all fundamental, legal, ethnic, cultural, economic and democratic rights for the last 63 years… Pakistan has multiplied its troops thousand times and civil, political and fundamental rights have been snatched by its military, intelligence agencies and religious fundamentalists. Pakistan has continuously been hoodwinking international community by giving different names, designations and packages to its unlawful occupation...

The people of Gilgit Baltistan are not citizens of Pakistan as per the UN Resolutions of August 13, 1948 and January 5, 1949, and also as per the constitutions of Pakistan and India. Abdul Hamid Khan’s petition includes an exhaustive list of scores of individuals who have been given death sentences and life imprisonment (some already executed and some awaiting execution) without giving them access to the High Court and Supreme Court, so that nobody opposes the occupation of Gilgit Baltistan by Pakistan.

The results of the first ever poll on both sides of the line of control in J&K conducted

by Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatam House), UK, in conjunction with King’s College during 2009-10 (conducted on behest of former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and financed by Muammar Gaddafi ’s son) bringing out that 98 per cent of people in J&K do not wish to be part of Pakistan and 50 per cent of people in PoK do not wish to remain with Pakistan.

But the fact remains that Pakistan’s foreign policy with its attenuated strategy of terror is evolved and controlled by the Pakistani Military over which Nawaz Sharif has absolutely no lien.

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>> SEMINAR

Digitisation of Battlefield: A Report Indigenisation is still a far cry and India has a long way to go in developing core battlefield technologies, opined experts at the seminar organised by SP Guide Publications in collaboration with CLAWS on October 31, 2013 photographs: SP Guide pubns

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1. Lt General Anil Bhalla giving the keynote address. 2. SP’s Editor-in-Chief & CMD Jayant Baranwal offering vote of thanks.

3. Lt General (Retd) Devinder Kumar, former Signals Officer-in-Chief of Indian Army, addressing the seminar. Also seen is Lt General Anil Bhalla. 4. Panel from left to right - Col (Retd) K.P.M. Das of Cisco, Lt General Anil Bhalla, Lt General (Retd) Davinder Kumar; Lt General K. Surendranath and Major General P.K. Srivastava. 5. Lt General K. Surendranath, COS, Headquarters Southern Command, addressing. 6. Lt General (Retd) S.P. Kochhar addressing during the second session.

 Sucheta Das Mohapatra or the second consecutive year, SP Guide Publications in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) organised a seminar on ‘Digitisation of Battlefield’ which saw the user (Indian Army), CLAWS and the manufacturer (industry) deliberating on requirements of the modern digitised battlefield and the developments of core technologies to support it.

the issue of constant need for upgradation.”

He said that the defence industry and public-private partnership (PPP) model should be progressed rapidly and India is definitely, though slowly and steadily growing into a networked 21st century force. Giving the vote of thanks, Jayant Baranwal, Chairman and Managing Director, SP Guide Publications thanked CLAWS, Honeywell, DRS and Cisco for their support in organising the seminar, as the organisation gears up to celebrate its 50-year journey in 2014.

Inaugural Session

Session I

The inaugural session was opened by Major General (Retd) Dhruv C. Katoch, Director, CLAWS and was followed by keynote address

by Lt General Anil Bhalla, Director General, Perspective Planning and President Executive Council, CLAWS. “Indian battle space is highly complex,” said Lt General Anil Bhalla and added that on one hand we have high-end technology and on the other there are obsolete technologies. He opined that it is wrong to say that only the Mechanised Forces are suited for high-end technology.

“A simple thing like the direction finder will help the soldier in the battlefield. We need a modern framework to provide high-end technology to the soldier on the ground, but to absorb the technology for the soldier at the grassroots level is a difficult task. Mindset is the biggest challenge and add to it is

The first session began with the release of the book Pakistan’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons: Conflict Redux written by Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal and Dr Monika Chansoria by the Chairperson Lt General (Retd) Davinder Kumar followed by a discussion on “Technology-Imperative for National Capability”. The discussions began with the view that India has missed the industrial revolution, especially based on homegrown solutions and needs to catch up to achieve 70 per cent indigenisation by 2020. The Chair began by saying that technology changes warfare but does not determine warfare.

Technology shapes warfare and not war which is timeless. Technology and warfare have never been far afar. Possession of necessary technology is a national imperative and no nation will part with its critical tech-

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nology and hence nations have to develop technological absorption capability and the enabling policy.

Major General P.K. Srivasatava, Additional Director General, Artillery, gave a presentation on “Sensors: Utilisation and Trends.” He highlighted on the realities and problems faced at the ground level and said that “every soldier is a sensor”. The groundbased human intelligence resources include reconnaissance warriors, ghataks, commando operations, intelligence sources, reconnaissance troops of mechanised armoured regiments, Special Forces and unmanned ground systems. Likewise the ground-based electronic sensors include, unattended ground sensors, battlefield surveillance radar-short-range, sound ranging, etc. The aerial sensors include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aerostats, Army Aviation helicopters, satellites/military and civil. The sensors are utilised at all levels in the Army he said and added that what we need is a fully automated system. “What is required is a common operational picture (COP) which can be generated and flashed to all commanders simultaneously, so that all at all levels know all. There is the need for proper visualisation software. This is the requirement of digitisation in sensors and we are grossly lacking here.”

Lt General K. Surendranath, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Southern Command,

spoke on “Platforms: Make Technology the Driver”. He said technology is the new game changer and all elements of warfighting system can be controlled remotely with netcentricity at its best. Space-based surveillance, advanced cruise missiles, precision guided weapons, UAVs, new technology weapons are changing ground realities of conventional wars. While thanking Steve Jobs for inventing Apple and making hardware an enabler of the software, he said in India it is the other way round as we procure hardware first and then the software. On the procurement and acquisition process, he said that technology comes with a price and is like ‘I scratch your back and you scratch my back’ policy. This is with all transfer of technology (ToT) cases with other countries.

Lt General Anil Bhalla gave a presentation on the “Core Technologies Impacting Modern Warfare” and opined technology today is driven primarily by the demands of the commercial sector. While science will drive technology, technology will drive warfare.

He spoke on application of material science, combat vehicle engineering, battlefield surveillance (satellites, aerostats, airborne sensors, strategic UAVs, air defence radar); future combat systems (DEW, UGV, CBRN), information warfare, electronic warfare and cyber warfare. On the information communication technology, he said that the biggest challenge is in interfacing this technology and where

Seminar

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1. Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Dev Ganesh of Honeywell giving a presentation on Enablers for Space Sensors. 2. Lt General (Retd) Aditya Singh, former GO-in-C, Southern Command (right) and Michael O’Hara Kelley, Senior Program Manager, DRS Technologies.

3. Michael O’Hara Kelley, Senior Program Manager, DRS Technologies, addressing during the third session.

4. Major General R.P. Bhadran, Additional DG IS, addressing during the third session.

the field commanders lack. “We need a strong industrial base, identify technical gaps, collaborate, adopt technology and shorten the technological development cycle.”

Lt General (Retd) Davinder Kumar spoke on “Anti-technology: Shaping the Battlefield” and gave details of the anti-tank technologies ranging from night vision devices to antitank munitions, e-bombs, anti-satellite weapons (ASAT), directed energy weapons. The utility of a tank today would diminish in the warfare of tomorrow, he said and also added that cyber warfare is nothing but anti-technology and at the heart of asymmetric warfare is cyber warfare. He gave the examples of Israeli products like Iron Fist and Trophy as anti-technology munitions. On the anti-satellite weapons, he said, China is investing a lot.

K.P.M. Das, Vice President, Global Defence and National Security Solutions, Cisco, gave a presentation on “Unified Battlespace”.

He said battlespace includes all operational aspects of air, land, sea and the electromagnetic spectrum that encompass the area of influence and area of interest.” He defined a deployed environment as communication on the halt and mobile environment as communication on the move. He described what are the challenges faced and gave several examples of successful implementation in deployed environment. In NATO: DCIS – (fully converged mobile brigade) by Cassidian; Netherlands: TITAAN (fully converged mobile brigade) – RNLA; in USA: WINT – (fully converged mobile brigade) – General Dynamics; Germany: MOBKOMSYS – MPLS deployed satellite system – Cassidian; UK: Falcon – deployed IP wide area system – BAE; Austria: field communications refresh – TBD; in India TCS is yet to be fielded; Korea is TICN – under fielding by Samsung Thales.

The question and answer session which witnesses several queries from Jayant Baranwal. To his question on why does India get hardware and then software, Lt General K. Surendranath said it is because of the acquisition process. “Software is a different ballgame and hence its acquisition takes time.” Major General Srivastava fielded questions on the status of Artillery network Shakti. He said that Project Shakti,which is an Artillery Combat Command and Control System (ACCCS), is a fully digitised, integrated and networked system jointly developed by the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and Project Management Organisation (PMO) ACCCS of Directorate General of Information Systems (DGIS) which has high level of expectations at the ground level. He said that the project has certain software glitches which will soon be sorted out. Lt General (Retd) Davinder Singh concluded by saying that the basic thing is we need to think and plan as a system. “Our old platforms need upgradation,” said he.

Session II The post lunch session began with a session on “Cyber and Space” chaired by Lt General (Retd) S.P. Kochhar, Former Signal

Officer-in-Chief (SO-in-C), Indian Army.

He spoke on “Cyber Warfare: Offensive and Defensive Aspects.” Cyber security according to him is security of everything that a man posses today. It is end-to-end defence of everything connected to an electronic device, which includes software, engulfs entire cycle of cyber all connected with a network. He said while the users point is to get security, the vendors aim at selling.

Our endeavour should be indigenisation of components first and cyber tools to be effective, must be home grown as all systems and tool imported would have malware and no country will give everything. Hence policy changes are required and not only in audit but in ownership too. He also spoke on analytics and said that if you have analytical tools, your predictability becomes easy.

Major General A.B. Shivane, Additional Director General (ADG), Perspective Planning, gave a presentation on “Space: Force Multiplier for Digital Battlefield” and said that the line dividing war and peace is blurred today and hence the requirement for war prevention strategies. Space, he said, is not a new domain in India and gave examples of the historical Pushpak and the Mysorean rocket used during Tipu Sultan rule. However, space capabilities have escalated and their utilisation has grown manifold. From a force enhancer it has become a force enabler, a medium from where you support the terrestrial warfare and the ultimate high ground in a digitised battlefield. “What is important for a nation is to ensure that the country enjoys space security in all its varied domains which acts as a force enhancer.” Major General Shivane informed that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has already launched 71 satellites and whole lot of exciting ventures is coming up not only to harness civil capability for military use but also defensive space controlled capability. He said while space is essentially joined, it is also a different domain with different technologies and different ultilisation for a nation and hence it is important to have a Joint Space Command to optimise these capabilities which will translate into ground capability.

“The fundamental security determinant for the country is the need to hone on deterrence and response capability to meet the national security objective.”

Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Dev Ganesh of Honeywell Aerpospace gave a presentation on “Enablers for Space Sensors in the Digital Battlefield” and spoke on military applications of space. Surveillance by panchromatic, infrared, search and rescue, multi- and hyper-spectral imaging sensors; electronic intelligence and analyses of voice and data transmissions; communications: data and voice; controlled transmissions through beam forming networks; air and land vehicle management by sky connect, osprey wings, through satellite networks.

He gave out details of Honeywell’s miniature inertial measurement unit (MIMU), the Interferometric Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (IFOG) IMU; STARMU, the integrated stellar-inertial attitude determination system for pointing and stabilisation in space applications; reaction wheel assembly (RWA) for

satellite turning/manoeuvring or stabilising; beam forming networks; SkyConnect aircraft tracking system for tracking of all airborne assets in all types of terrain; SkyConnect as a comprehensive hardware and data solutions and SkyConnect through the Iridium Constellation; and the Osprey Wings as an effective communication tool for worldwide tracking, messaging and alerting, etc. He said the Osprey is being used in Naxal-affected areas of the country and the Osprey Wings through the Inmarsat satellite network was first used in India by former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. Chandrababu Naidu in local transport buses.

In the Q&A session that followed, the SP Guide Publications CMD questioned Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Ganesh how would he respond to the concern that the equipment and solution coming to India from abroad is safe and secure. To this, the Honeywell official said that indigenisation is the key but we cannot lie behind. We cannot wait for the light combat aircraft (LCA) to happen.

In order to manufacture ourself, the safest way is to go through ToT and we must learn how to acquire the technology.

Session III The last session was on “Operations and Training Aspects” and was chaired by Lt General (Retd) Aditya Singh, former GOCin-C, Southern Command, Indian Army.

Michael O’Hara Kelley, Senior Program Manager, DRS Technologies, gave a presentation on the users perspective of the “Battle Command Systems” along with Jayesh Shah, Senior Principal Engineer, DRS Technologies who gave the technology perspective of the system. Kelley said the US Army has selected DRS Technologies as the sole source provider for the mounted family of computing system (MFOCS) to support the next generation joint battle command platform (JBC-P). He said the DRS system enables right information reach the right person at the right time in the right format to make the right decision confidently.

“Critical thinking is key to success and it is important to empower critical thinking,” he said and emphasised that “understanding the user is very relevant”. Jayesh Shah gave details of the continuous performance of the DRS Network & Imaging Systems (NIS) and the products and solutions. DRS he said has focused on providing the best integrated C4ISR solutions to the Indian Army which includes rugged computers and display systems; network and communications gateways; EO/IR sensors and thermal imaging systems; dismounted warfighter systems; mission command software suite; platform C4ISR systems integration; environmental testing; exportable hardware and software; full ToT, MToT and IPR options to the Indian Army and best life cycle value in price, performance and support. Explaining MFOCS technology he said it utilises common, modular computing elements based architecture to provide basic, intermediate and advanced computing and networking solutions. It integrates existing Force

XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2), future joint battle command platform (JBC-P), and warfighter information network-tactical (WIN-T) capabilities onto a transport-agnostic network architecture.

Major General R.P. Bhadran, Additional Director General, Information Systems, Indian Army, gave a presentation on “Expectations from Net-Centricity in the Battlefield”. Networking improves efficiency both in market and management and gave details of how warfighting efficiency will increase with networking. Net-centricity in the battlefield gives real time operational picture which helps in better comprehension of battlefield; real time intelligence picture which lightens the fog of war; faster decision-making which reduces the friction in war. He opined that the power of netcentricity is derived from the application software which includes geographical information systems and geospatial data and cyber security systems and not just from the computers and networks alone. The NCW systems on the anvil, he said, include command information and decision support system (CIDSS): the army strategic operational information dissemination system (ASTEROIDS), battlefield surveillance system (BSS), artillery command, control communications system (ACCS), electronic warfare system (EWS), air defence command and reporting system (ADC&RS) and battlefield management system (BMS).

The last speaker, Colonel Sameer Chauhan, Senior Fellow, CLAWS, gave a presentation on “Making of a Digital Warfare.”

Future conventional conflicts will have high-tech content, combatants will require higher caliber, warfare will be more mental than physical and would require higher educational and technical skills amongst military personnel than what is present now.

He highlighted on human resource management, awareness and training. Human resources, according to him, included the both the generalists and the specialists.

“Focus on specialists and bring the generalist up to that level.”

During the Q&A session that followed, Major General Bhadran informed that while the Indian Army has digital maps, it does not have digital data. Michael O’Hary replying to a question asked by Jayant Baranwal said that the systems offered by DRS Technologies can be configured according to user demand.

To yet another question by him, the panelists answered as to why the Indian Navy personnel seem more technically sound than Indian Army men. “The Indian Army is huge while Indian Navy is small and was compelled to go indigenous. When in a fighting ship, everyone has a technical space. The Indian Army has also caught up in the last ten years. Awareness is growing but due to sheer size it is slow.”

Major General (Retd) D.C. Katoch, in his concluding remarks, said that we in India have a long way to go and there is the need for indigenisation of our systems. “There is no free lunch except at the mouth of a mouse trap.” The day ended with vote of thanks by Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand, Senior Technical Group Editor, SP Guide Publications. SP

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>> Sp’s Exclusives Army strike formation validates new assault concepts The Army’s 36 Reorganised Army Plains Division (RAPID), part of the Bhopalbased 21 Strike Corps, has successfully validated a slew of new warfighting concepts in Exercise Shahbaaz Ajay in the Thar Desert. “The formation refined existing battle procedures as prevalent in the 21st century battlefield milieu,” the Army said in a statement.

The high-level exercise saw 15,000 troops and over 100 tanks and armoured vehicles, including T-90 tanks. Artillery units and rocket regiments also took part.

“A high degree of integration was achieved with the Indian Air Force while undertaking specialised operations which included an airborne assault and a special helicopter borne operation,” said the Army.

Indian Customs to float significant small arms requirement

The Indian Customs has decided to replace over 6,000 of its old and obsolete hand weapons deployed in anti-smuggling and engagement operations. Following a decision taken by the Director General Revenue Intelligence earlier this year on the state of the Indian Customs armoury of weapons, the service has decided to float a slew of tenders to replace its old .303 rifles, revolvers and handguns with modern new weapons. A committee comprising Customs Preventive Commissioners had been mandated earlier this year with defining usage and deployment norms for newly acquired norms. With the definition process completed, the Customs is now

ready to kickstart the acquisition process.

According to reports, the Customs field operators currently use about 1,500 different pistol types, 1,500 revolvers, 65 light machine guns on patrol vessels, and nearly 600 self-loading rifles. Representatives from Indian Customs have spent the last few months reviewing available equipment from a list of vendors both in India and abroad, including the Ordnance Factory Board, Italy’s Berretta, Austria’s Glock, Israeli Weapon Industries, US firms Smith & Wesson and Colt, Germany’s Sig Sauer and others.

Indo-French ‘Maitri’ missile programme to take off The Maitri short-range surface to air missile (SR-SAM) is ready to be become a formal bilateral programme, with India’s the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as lead partner and MBDA as an equal partner and technology provider. Top DRDO sources indicate that the agreement will be signed this financial year and has received all requisite approvals.

Top sources have informed SP’s that the Indian MoD has accorded final approval to the SR-SAM deal, which now awaits final clearance from the Finance Ministry and the Cabinet Committee on Security. The workshare works out to roughly 60 per cent French and 40 per cent Indian, with an overall cost of about $6 billion.

The ownership of the Maitri programme is to be fully Indian. With baseline technologies from the Trishul SAM programme, the Maitri programme basically envisages the sale of certain key technologies by MBDA to DRDO (seeker, endgame avionics, thrust vector control, propulsion modifications), though production will not be under a corporate joint venture on the lines of BrahMos, but would rather be carried out entirely by the Bharat Dynamics Ltd in the country.

Army, Navy ‘disappointed’ as MoD defers crucial missile buys The Army and Navy, which had antici-

pated a tough decision during the November 11, 2013 meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), were left disappointed with sensitivities, forcing Defence Minister A.K. Antony to err on the side of caution. The Army was expecting approval for a deal for Israeli-built SPIKE man-portable fire-and-forget antitank and anti-personnel guided missiles with a tandem-charged HEAT warheads for as many as 356 infantry battalions. In fact, the DAC meeting was also supposed to consider a follow-on purchase of over 250 Barak-1 point defence missile systems for warships including the Navy’s sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat. The Navy has been concerned that the Barak system suffers from a shortage of munitions in the Indian fleet and that this could affect the overall capability intended.

Bharat Forge-Elbit JV to focus on gun, vehicle programmes

The newly cleared Bharat Forge and Elbit Systems joint venture—BF Elbit Advanced Systems Ltd—will initially focus on the Army’s artillery requirements before expanding into more advanced equipment for all three services. SP’s can confirm that the new company has received RFIs and enquiries pertaining to several prospective acquisitions including surface-to-air missile systems and other advanced weapon platforms. However, the company has taken a decision to initially focus on the Army’s 155mm artillery modernisation intiative. The JV will offer solutions in the artillery guns and mortars segment based on Elbit Systems’ ATHOS 155/52 towed

gun system, the ATMOS 155/52 mounted gun system and the upgraded 130mm M46 Gun to a 155/45 Gun (KARAN). The JVC will also role out a range of products like the advanced Indian gun system.

Contract for Army’s new MBRL carriers soon

A `100-crore contract for the Army’s new BM21 multi-barrel rocket launcher vehicles is likely to be awarded shortly to the Ashok Leyland-L&T consortium that was declared lowest bidder in the competition earlier this year. Sources say the company is likely to be contracted for the supply of about 100 units, covering virtually the entire BM21 Grad rocket arsenal. The Indian Army has bolstered its rocket regiments with the Russian Smerch system and indigenous Pinaka, both of which have proved to be excellent performers. However, with the Soviet-vintage Grad systems still in functional form, a decision was taken in 2009 to spruce up their carriers to extend the lives of the BM21 rocket regiments. The Ashok Leyland-L&T consortium is poised to bid for other vehicle requirements of the Army too, as is Tata Motors, to fill the void left by the Tatra controversy. As SP’s has reported before, the Indian Army is in the market for the entire spectrum of specialised vehicles from light infantry vehicles to heavy specialty vehicles across the spectrum of missions and capabilities. SP —SP’s Special Correspondent For complete versions log on to: www.spslandforces.com

China-Pakistan Anti-India Nexus...continued from page 10

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Thickening Nexus Not only do China and Pakistan pose a joint conventional threat to India, they want to break up India internally too. When ULFA camps were routed by the RBA from Bhutan, training and arming of ULFA was organised on Chinese soil. China was linked to Al Qaeda and Taliban even prior to 2006. China has provided advisors and weapons to Pakistan Taliban. The Indian Mujahedeen (IM) is the creation of ISI. China has been tacitly supporting Pakistan’s anti-India jihad, one reason being Pakistan’s promise to suppress Uighur separatist including some 320 East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) cadres from China, hiding in Pakistan. Colluding with terrorists in India’s Northeast and in accordance the China-Pakistan plan of forming a Strategic United Front Bangladesh and Nepal, is actively being pursued. Little external support to Maoists is a misnomer and being played down by the government. LeT (covert arm of ISI) representatives have been attending Maoists meetings and ISI is supplying arms. China has reportedly gifted an AK-47 manufacturing facility to Kachin rebels in North Myanmar (United war army of Myanmar) and the weapons are flowing to the People’s Liberation Army in Manipur and Maoists. China is also arming and training the United Liberation Front of Assam and Chinese nationals with fake Indian identities, having attempted contacting the the National Socialist Council of Nagaland. Joint training of Indian insurgents

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is being organised in northern Myanmar.

AK-47’s and Uzi’s are flowing in. The Chinese, according to a national television channel, have also begun to supply sophisticated signal equipment with encryption capabilities to the Maoists. The recovery of 1.5 kg uranium IED in Assam earlier this year is ominous. There is every possibility of China pumping in shoulder fired air defence missiles to the Maoists under the garb of deniability, similar to having supplied them to Shia insurgents in Iraq, Taliban and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Myanmar. China has even supplied helicopters fitted with air-to-air missiles to UWSA in February-March this year.

Not only is China in illegal occupation of considerable Indian Territory (mainly Aksai Chin and Shaksgam Valley), more significantly Chinese claim lines have been expanding over the years. To top this are the periodic intrusions getting deeper and in wilful defiance of all the previous joint agreements: “Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility Along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas” signed on September 7, 1993, another “Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field Along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China Border Areas, the Protocol on Modalities for the Implementation of Confidence Building Measures in the Military Field Along the Line of Actual Control in India-China Border Areas” signed on April 11, 2005, and the “Agreement on Establishment of a Working Mecha-

nism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs” signed on January 17, 2012. It would be no surprise if China violates the recently signed BDCA agreement too as China appears to be following the ‘carrot and stick policy’ against India.

China’s expanded claim to entire Arunachal Pradesh (sprung as late as 2005) as South Tibet is highly preposterous. Coming to the claim of South Tibet, if China wants to go back in history, then it cannot go back to a period it desires and might as well go back all the way. Indian territories were once right up to the Hindukush Mountains, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were part of India and portions of Tibet too were annexed by India. British Indian troops were holding Yatung but it does not mean that we start claiming all this territory. In the seventh century, Tibet was an empire, spanning the high heartland and deserts of the north-west, reaching from the borders of Uzbekistan to Central China, from halfway across Xinjiang, an area larger than the Chinese heartland. Indeed in 763, Tibetan Army briefly captured the Chinese capital Chang-an (today’s Xian and much later it was the Mongols who later ruled China then occupied Tibet. So should Mongolia claim Tibet? Historically, until the early 13th century, China had no claims on Tibet. Indeed the opposite applied: Tibet ruled half of the present day China, but looked to India for its most significant influence—Buddhism. So on what basis does China claim authority over Tibet?

The biggest threat to India is the ChinaPakistan anti-India nexus that will enlarge further with China wanting to establish military bases in North Waziristan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan likely leasing Gilgit-Baltistan to China for 50 years, the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 and Baluchistan likely to become a Chinese administered province by 2030. Chinese state TV has been showing J&K as part of Pakistan:

Conclusion We need to heed Chanakya, who in Arthashastra had said that your neighbour is your natural enemy but more importantly went on in great detail to describe how to deal with neighbours. Chances of conventional conflict are less compared to the unconventional but we must be prepared for both. The requirement for India to establish a deterrent against irregular/unconventional warfare was never more given the dim prospects of breakup of China-Pakistan anti-India nexus, China giving up covertly marginalising India and the Pakistani Military-ISI allowing IndiaPakistan peace. Additionally, there must be frank and open dialogue on the issue with China including on Pakistan’s generation of global terrorism. With CCP continuing in power, continuation of erstwhile China policies may not easily change but the hope is that there is realisation within China that Pakistan is fast becoming a liability. SP

news in brief >> Indian Army conducts new Agni-I user trial

Indian Army test launches BrahMos block III variant

The Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) has successfully carried out a new user trial of the nuclear-capable Agni-I ballistic missile from the launch complex-IV of the integrated test range (ITR) at Wheeler Island, off the Orissa coast. Carried out with logistic support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the testing used a randomly selected a missile from the production lot and was aimed at reconfirming the technical parametres set for the army. A senior DRDO official informed the media that the solid propellant-powered missile was launched from a road mobile launcher and landed near the pre-designated target in the Bay of Bengal with a doubledigit accuracy, following a 10-minute flight.

An onboard computer and the inertial navigation system (INS) guided the missile to its target, while advanced radar and telemetry stations located along the coastline, alongside a down-range ship stationed near the target point, tracked the missile’s trajectory during the terminal phase of the flight. Commenting on launch, ITR Director M.V.K.V. Prasad said: “The test-fire of the ballistic missile was fully successful.”

The Indian Army has successfully test launched an advanced variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. Launched from a mobile autonomous launcher (MAL), the BrahMos Block III variant followed the pre-specified trajectory and successfully pierced the designated “concrete structure at bull’s-eye’’. The Block III variant of BrahMos with deep penetration capability is fitted with a new guidance system, and the launch by the Army has successfully validated the deep penetration capability of the supersonic cruise missile system against hardened targets. Two regiments of the Block III variant, which has demonstrated its supersonic steep dive with precision strike capability in mountain operations, have already been inducted by the Army in its inventory, whereas induction of the third regiment is currently under way.

Developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia, BrahMos is a 290km range stealth supersonic cruise missile, designed for launch from land, ship, submarines and air platforms.

UK Army conducts Exercise Fondouk Lancer 13 on Salisbury Plain

Raytheon conducts PAC-3 missile test launch

The UK Army soldiers from the Queen’s Royal Lancers (QRL) participated in the Exercise Fondouk Lancer 13, to test their ability to conduct both mounted and dismounted reconnaissance missions. Carried out at the Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) in southern England, the month-long exercise confirmed the regiment’s firm foundations of reconnaissance soldiering, prior to the forthcoming tour to British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) in Canada. Comprising both mounted and dismounted phases, the exercise witnessed participation from more than 300 QRA personnel, around 40 Scimitar and Spartan tracked reconnaissance vehicles and trained participants on a range of subjects, from route reconnaissance patrols to observation posts, with Netheravon Airfield as the target. The soldiers received innovative training that allowed them to understand the challenges.

>> Show Calendar 22-24 January, 2014 International Military Helicopter 2014 Hotel Russell, London, UK www.militaryhelicopterevent.com 3-6 February, 2014 International Armoured Vehicles FIVE, Farnborough, UK www.internationalarmouredvehicles.com 6-9 February, 2014 DEFEXPO 2014 Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India www.defexpoindia.in 26-27 February, 2014 Border Security Conference Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, Sofia, Bulgaria www.smi-online.co.uk/security/europe/ conference/border-security 14-17 April, 2014 Defence Services Asia (DSA 2014) PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.dsaexhibition.com/index.php/travelaccommodation/official-partner

Raytheon has successfully conducted test firing of two patriot advanced capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico, US. Comprising two single firings against single tactical ballistic missile (TBM) representative targets, the test firings form part of the field surveillance programme (FSP). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Business Integrated Air and Missile Defence Vice President, Ralph Acaba, said the launch forms part of over 2,500 search track tests and 1,000 Patriot missiles that have been flight tested under real world combat and test conditions. “Patriot’s successful track record is testament to its continual testing and evolution,” Acaba said.

Indian DRDO plans first Prithvi defence vehicle launch The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is considering the first test launch of the newly-developed interceptor missile from a defence base off the Odisha coast in January 2014. Called as Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV), the interceptor is capable of destroying enemy missile with a strike range of 2,500 km outside the earth’s atmosphere, at an altitude of more than 150 km. Carried out as part of India’s ballistic missile defence (BMD) programme, the launch will feature the interceptor and enemy missiles, programmed at separate locations in Chandipur and Wheeler Island, India. Powered by solid propellants, the two-stage PDV interceptor is fitted to an innovative system for controlling the vehicle at an altitude of over 150 km and is anticipated to replace the programme air defence (PAD) interceptor.

Elbit Wins $228 million Australian Contract Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that the Australian Department of Defence has exercised options for additional quantities under an extant contract via a contract change, and also engaged Elbit Systems to conduct a Risk Reduction Activity via a survey and quote under the terms of an extant contract. The total value of both activities is approximately US$229 million (excluding GST). The contract will be performed over a three-year period. Elbit Systems is the prime contractor of the Australian Defence Forces’ Battle Management Systems. The project, to be performed primarily by Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA), will support the Australian Army in achieving its digitisation objectives.

Russian Helicopters delivers additional Mi-171Es to China

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal Editor Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor Assistant Group Editor R. Chandrakanth Senior Technical Group Editor Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey Assistant Editor Sucheta Das Mohapatra

Oboronprom subsidiary Russian Helicopters has handed over an additional batch of Mil Mi-17E multi-role military transport helicopters under contract to Poly Technologies. Comprising four helicopters, the latest consignment brings the total number of helicopters delivered till date to by the company to 32. Around 55 Mi-171E multi-purpose helicopters were ordered by Poly Technologies as part of a $660-million contract signed with Russian state-arm-exporter Rosoboronexport in July 2012, to help enhance the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) tactical airlift capabilities.

Manufactured by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, the Mi-171E is an advanced variant of the Mi-17 medium twin-turbine helicopter, and is specially modified to deliver a high-class performance in mountainous terrain.

Prithvi-II missile test launch The Indian Army’s Strategic Force Command (SFC) has successfully test launched the Prithvi-II nuclear capable missile from launch complex III of the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast, India, as part of a regular training exercise. Sources said, “The missile trajectory was tracked by DRDO radars, electrooptical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha. The downrange teams onboard a ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown.” Commenting on the launch, ITR Director M.V.K.V. Prasad said, “The mission was a hundred per cent success. It met all mission objectives.”

Lt Gen Raheel Sharif is new Chief of Pakistan Army Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif promoted and appointed Lt General Raheel Sharif as the new Pakistan Army Chief. He was the third in seniority in the pecking order in the Pakistan Army. He takes over from General Ashfaque Parvez Kayani who spent six years as the Army Chief in Pakistan. SP

>> Appointments

Contributors India General (Retd) V.P. Malik, Lt General (Retd) Vijay Oberoi, Lt General (Retd) R.S. Nagra, Lt General (Retd) S.R.R. Aiyengar, Air Marshal (Retd) Vinod Patney, Major General (Retd) Ashok Mehta, Major General (Retd) G.K. Nischol, Brigadier (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, Brigadier (Retd) S. Mishra, Rohit Sharma Chairman & Managing Director Jayant Baranwal Executive Vice President (Planning & Business Development) Rohit Goel Administration Bharti Sharma Creative Director Anoop Kamath Design Vimlesh Kumar Yadav, Sonu Singh Bisht Research Assistant: Graphics Survi Massey Sales & Marketing Director Sales & Marketing: Neetu Dhulia General Manager Sales: Rajeev Chugh SP’s Website Sr. Web Developer: Shailendra P. Ashish Web Developer: Ugrashen Vishwakarma Published bimonthly by Jayant Baranwal on behalf of SP Guide Publications Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers.

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 Chief of Army Staff General

Bikram Singh has taken over as the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) on retirement of Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne.  Lt General Dalbir Singh has taken

over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff in the Army Headquarters (Integrated Hq of MoD, Army).

Representative Offices Bengaluru, INDIA Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey 204, Jal Vayu Vihar, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru 560043, India.

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 Lt General Arun Kumar Sahni has

taken over as GOC-in-C of South Western Command at Jaipur.  Lt General M.M.S. Rai has taken over

as GOC-in-C of Eastern Command at Kolkata.

6/2013 SP’s Land Forces

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