PILOT TRAINING
traInIng the 5th generatIon PIlot Training fighter pilots become more complex in a transformed environment I aMIt aneja CYBERWARE
cyber WarFare and satcoM India needs credible deterrent technology to safeguard against US NSA-like snooping and Chinese cyber adventurism november 2013
defence and SecurIty of IndIa
DSI
www.defencesecurityindia.com
IndIan aIr Force ModernIsatIon With Goi policy on 5 year plan schedules, the armed forces Were constrained to Work in the same format thouGh the needs of the services vary betWeen immediate and lonG term I suMIt MukerjI
volume 6
ISSue 1
` 250
NOVEMBER 2013
LETTER FROM THE
DSI
editor
T
he rebirth of the Russian aircraft carrying cruiser, Admiral Gorshkov, into a 44,000-tonne aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, signals the end of a long saga that began in 1994. The story had begun with then navy chief, Admiral VS Shekhawat asking the visiting Russian navy chief, Admiral Feliks Nikolayevich Gromov, for any old ships they wanted to sale. The next day the Russian admiral had asked Adm Shekhawat whether India would be interested in an old aircraft carrying cruiser; and there an agreement was struck. Nineteen years later, that aircraft carrier finally sailed for its new home, Vizag port, in the eastern seaboard of the country. On many occasions during this almost two-decade-long journey, though many issues had cropped up that could break the deal, it was never on the charts that the two parties would walk away from the table. A retired vice-admiral of the navy, Ganesh Mahadevan who had been involved with the process from the beginning, first as a Russian language translator-cum-engineer, later as the key Indian negotiator going through the arduous process of defining the small print, vetting the engineering designs of the Russian counterparts, told a tale of almost heroic proportions - of transferring the huge ship from Ukraine through the river and canal systems of Russia, by raising the level of the ship with buoyancy pontoons. The ship was supposedly a gift from the Russians, which meant, in real terms that the Russian Navy was relinquishing its ownership of the ship. This was in 2001. But the agreement also included that India will have to get the ship refurbished at a total cost of $1.5 billion consisting of two packages – one was the actual refurbishing cost $ 964 million and two, $ 86 million for 16 MiG-29 KUBs that would be flying from the deck of the ship. These figures were later negotiated upwards to $ 2.5 billion, causing much controversy in the country. Now that the Vikramaditya is commissioned to the Indian Navy, the joyous moment has erased most of the memory of acrimony and recriminations. The fact remains that the Indian Navy will become a true blue water navy with two carriers on each seaboard. That is a quantum jump in the capabilities of the service, and in turn, for the country.
Pinaki Bhattacharya
3
A retired vice-admiral of the navy, Ganesh Mahadevan who had been involved with the process from the beginning, first as a Russian language translatorcum-engineer, later as the key Indian negotiator going through the arduous process of defining the small print, vetting the engineering designs of the Russian counterparts
CONTENTS
IAF MODERNISATION
8
GROWING CAPABILITIES AND ACQUISITION PLANS GOI policy on 5 year plan schedules, the armed forces were constrained to work in the same format though the needs of the services vary between immediate and long term.
4
NOVEMBER 2013
PILOT TRAINING
16
traInIng the 5th generatIon PIlot
ISRAELI CONNECTION
32
IndIa-Israel defence cooPeratIon
BORDER MANAGEMENT
DSI
46
Border Infrastructure
As the combat aircrafts become more technology intensive, training fighter pilots become more complex in a transformed environment. Evidently, as the man-machine combination has to be seamless, the cognitive abilities in the cockpit have to be supreme.
While India tries to keep defence relations with Israel under the radar, Israelis assure full commitment to one of its biggest clients. The relations thus appear stable in an equilibrium.
The integrated border management (IBM) which integrates between domestic and international agencies consist of dimensions like border control involving checks, detection of cross border crimes and management of border guards.
CYBERWARE
NUCLEAR CBMS
COASTAL SECURITY
24
40
54
cyBer Warfare and satcoM
hedgIng agaInst addressIng the deterrence faIlure coastal concerns
India needs credible deterrent technology to safeguard against US National Security Agency-like snooping and Chinese cyber adventurism.
CBMs, acting as a bedrock of nuclear weapon deterrence process, bring in predictability and trust in State behavior that assures an adversary about the limits.
5
The MV Pavit, abandoned on the high seas floated into the Juhu beach, thus raising issues, which showed the gaps in the coastal security despite being strengthened after 26/11.
CONTRIBUTORS
AIR MARSHAL (RETD) SUMIT MUKERJI
PK MISHRA
AIR VICE MARSHAL (RETD) AMIT ANEJA
COMMODORE (RETD) ANIL JAI SINGH
Mukerji was commissioned in 1972. A Qualified Flying Instructor (Cat ‘A’), a Fighter Combat Leader, he first commanded a MiG-29 Squadron, the second a MiG25 Squadron and the third, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment of which he was the Commodore Commandant for 5 yrs. He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for Gallantry (peace time) in 1981 and the VSM in 1997. He was appointed the Air Officer Commanding-inChief, Southern Air Command in 2009.
He was one of the first from the BSF Cadre to have served as Addl Director General in a paramilitary force. He remained deployed with the troops in the extreme border of Indo- Bangladesh from 1971 till 1990. As DIG BSF Nagaland & Manipur he had an experience to deal with the north east militants. Similarly, as IG Border Security Force Shillong, the author was responsible for the security of IndoBangladesh border in Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and counter-insurgency operations in Nagaland & Manipur. He supervised the border fencing and floodlighting in the borders of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and also some Char islands inside river Brahmaputra.
Aneja was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot in Dec 1976. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Air Officer has flown over 3000 hours which includes operational flying in various front line fighter squadrons. His flying experience includes flying on Kiran, Hunter, Gnat, MiG-21 and Mirage-2000. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor. The Air Officer is a post Graduate in Defence and Strategic Studies, did the Higher Command Course and is presently pursuing M Phil. He is a Graduate of Air Command and Staff College in USA, National Institute of Defence Studies in Japan and attended the Air Battle Management and Planning Course at CASPOA in France.
Commissioned in Jan 1981, Singh joined the submarine arm in Mar 1982 and had five afloat commands and a wide array of appointments ashore. He was also the Indian Naval Adviser in London and part of the perspective planning and force development process in HQ IDS. He takes keen interest in matters maritime and has written and spoken on the subject in India and abroad.
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
defence and security of india NOVEMBER 2013
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1
EDITOR Pinaki Bhattacharya CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bipin Kumar DESIGNER Sachin Jain (Dep. Art Director), Mukesh Kumar, Ajay Kumar (Asst. Art Director), Sujit Singh (Sr. Visualiser) JR. FEATURESWRITER Anandita Bhardwaj SENIOR MANAGER INTERNATIONAL MARKETING Vishal Mehta (E-Mail: vishalmehta@mtil.biz) MANAGER MARKETING Jakhongir Djalmetov (E-Mail: joha@mtil.biz) DEPUTY MANAGER MARKETING Tarun Malviya (E-Mail: tarunmalviya@mtil.biz) SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR Atul Bali (E-Mail: atul@mtil.biz) CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION Vipul Jain PRODUCTION & PRE-PRESS Sunil Dubey, Ritesh Roy, Devender Pandey MTC PUBLISHING LIMITED 323, Udyog Vihar, Ph-IV, Gurgaon 122016 Ph: +91 0124-4759500 Fax: +91 0124-4759550 CHAIRMAN J. S. Uberoi PRESIDENT Xavier Collaco FINANCIAL CONTROLLER Puneet Nanda
S. SAMUEL C. RAJIV Rajiv is an Associate Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi. His research interests include India-Israel relations, Iran nuclear issue, among others. His publications include ‘The Delicate Balance: Israel and India’s Foreign Policy Practice’, Strategic Analysis, January 2012, ‘In Pursuit of a Chimera: Nuclear Imbroglio between Sanctions and Engagement’, Strategic Analysis, November 2012, among others. He has also published inThe Jerusalem Post, Business Standard, ISN, ETH, Zurich and Asiatimes.
GLOBAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES France/Spain Stephane de Remusat, REM International Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130 Email: rem-media@sfr.fr Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy/UK Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 E-Mail: sam@whitehillmedia.com Israel Liat Heiblum, Oreet - International Media Tel: (97 2) 3 570 6527 Email: liat@oreet-marcom.com Russia Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Latd, Tel/Fax : (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :alla@mediatransasia.com Scandinavia/South Africa Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Tel: +46 31 799 9028 E-Mail:egillberg@glocalnet.net South Korea Young Seoh Chinn, Jes Media Inc. Tel: (82-2) 481 3411/13 E-Mail: jesmedia@unitel.co.kr East-Central Europe/Greece/Turkey Zena Coupé Tel: (44) 1923 852537 Email: zena@expomedia.biz USA (East/South East)/Canada Margie Brown, BLESSALL Media LLC. Tel : (+1 540) 341 7581 Email :margiespub@rcn.com USA (West/SouthWest)/Brazil Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc. Tel: +1 (858) 759 3557 Email: blackrockmediainc@icloud.com Defence and Security of India is published and printed by Xavier Collaco on behalf of MTC Publishing Limited. Published at 323, Udyog Vihar, Ph- IV, Gurgaon 122016 and printed at Nutech Photolithographers B-240, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I,New Delhi-110020, India. Entire contents Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction and translation in any language in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Requests for permission should be directed to MTC Publishing Limited. Opinions carried in the magazine are those of the writers’ and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publishers. While the editors do their utmost to verify information published they do not accept responsibility for its absolute accuracy. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material or for material lost or damaged in transit. All correspondence should be addressed to MTC Publishing Limited.
AFP
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Defence and Security of India is obtained by subscription. For subscription enquiries, please contact: dsisubscriptions@mtil.biz
www.mediatransasia.in/defence.html http://www.defencesecurityindia.com
IAF MODERNISATION
GROWING CAPABILITIES
GoI policy on 5 year plan schedules, the armed forces were constrained to work in the
8
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
AND ACQUISITION PLANS
same format though the needs of the services vary between immediate and long term The IAF and its Orientation
SUMIT MUKERJI
Key Points l To cover long gestation periods for military equipment, the forces make LTIPPs. l The IAF is essentially dealing with three sets of equipment, stabilising with fewer platforms. l The cash-strapped economy forced the IAF to accept the plethora of Soviet aeroplanes and weapon systems that served the Air Force well over the years.
T
AFP
An Indian soldier stands guard in front of the first of the six C-130J Super Hercules that is to join the Indian Air Force fleet during a ceremony in Hindan airbase
he armed forces of a country are a very complex entity. Designed to defend the country from external aggression, their structure undergoes a transformation from time to time based on a wide spectrum of factors pertaining to national security. Armed Forces are structured based on geography, history, threat perception, geopolitical imperatives, the country’s foreign policy, the national security strategy, the financial strength or budget that can be reasonably allocated to maintain the armed forces, available technology and the doctrines which will put everything in perspective. The present political attitude and its general perception of subservience is probably a fall-out of being ruled by foreign regimes for centuries, leading us to be called a “soft state”. The 1947-48 Pakistani aggression came as a rude shock to the country which had just achieved independence. While the aggression was thwarted, the inadequacies of weaponry and the fact that further aggression would, in all likelihood, continue, quickly made the Govt of India do some introspection to beef up the Armed Forces.
9
Air power in the sub-continent made its first impact in the ’47-’48 Indo-Pak conflict when the legendary Baba Mehar Singh and his boys airlifted our troops into Kashmir to ensure that the Pakistan army was effectively engaged and the aggression blunted. As the most flexible arm of the three services, it was but natural that the IAF would be called upon to play a significant role in any conflict. While the process of re-arming and beefing up the IAF had started postindependence, the severe shortcomings highlighted by the Chinese aggression, accelerated the process. But woefully, the United States of America, who was presumed to be an ally, suddenly decided to militarily assist Pakistan and help build up its armoury. The erstwhile USSR, locked in a cold war with the USA, jumped at the opportunity and offered military assistance, with a “just cannot refuse” option of a credit line, to a cash-strapped India. So from a Western (American, British, French) legacy the IAF came to be dominated by a fleet of Soviet platforms. This progressive but large arsenal all but overpowered the inventory of the IAF to such an extent that it virtually blocked any Western access into the military aviation market in the country. Saddled with an inadequate indigenous defence industry, we just had to accept our due.
Perspective Planning Based on the Govt of India policy to work in 5 year plan schedules, the armed forces were also constrained to plan within this ambit for ease of consolidation and budget allocations and forecasts. Limiting ourselves to the IAF, a Long Term Perspective Plan (LTPP) is drawn up spanning a 15 year period (three 5 year plan periods), essentially because of the gestation period of most of the equipment that needs to be procured. This period also needs to take into account the fact that “State-of -the-Art” today becomes a “Legacy” tomorrow, in relative terms. Collective and comprehensive discussions
IAF MODERNISATION
I N D I A N D E F E N C E I N D U S T RY TATA GROUP l The Tata Group probably has the most wide-ranging on-going defence ventures with respect to the aviation industry. l A major JV set up between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Sikorsky went into operation in 2011 and is producing cabins for S-92 helicopters. Having made more than 50 units in the last two years and gained the expertise, they rolled out the first fully indigenous piece just last month. l This JV, additionally is also producing parts / components needed for the assembly. Currently it’s capacity is to produce 4 cabins per month and more than 5000 parts/components, etc. l TASL is concurrently working on producing 3G Image Intensifier Night Vision Devices, in collaboration with ITT Exelis. l TASL – Lockheed Martin Joint Venture is producing the Centre Wing Box for the C-130J. l Nova Integrated Systems Limited (NISL), a subsidiary of TASL , has supplied units for the Systems Integration Lab (SIL) and has commissioned a Command Management System for the MR SAM. l NISL is also involved in supplying Electro-Optical (EO) payloads for UAVs to a leading OEM. MAHINDRA DEFENCE SYSTEMS l Mahindras have been Army centric for many years, because of their basic products (Vehicles). However, Mahindra Defence Systems have opened up vast vistas in other domains too. l With respect to the aviation area, a JV with Rafael to produce defence systems, though presently with Naval Systems, offers opportunities to laterally handle aviation related products. l A weapons system trainer acquired in Dec 2012 allows flight crew to simulate flying operations in all conditions. l And a JV between Mahindra Defence Systems and Telephonic Corporation of the USA is setting up a world class facility in Bangalore to manufacture, repair and overhaul airborne radars, aircraft communication systems and mobile surveillance systems.
at the HQ level between the three pillars of Operations, Maintenance & Administration thrash out threadbare the pros and cons of projected weapon systems, their induction possibility, maintainability, life cycles, the administrative infrastructure that would necessarily be associated with a new induction and of course the over-arching factor of Human Resources required to effectively operate the system. Essentially, the LTPP proposes to transform the IAF into a potent and well networked aerospace power, with the ability to address, timely and effectively, any situation that may arise in the country’s area of interest.
The Baggage The IAF has a lot of existing baggage in the form of legacy equipment which still has some residual life. Because service lives are long (typically 30-40 years) and rapid strides in technology appear to make equipment redundant in relatively short time frames, all military equipment (or most) are designed with an inherent growth architecture which allows progressive upgrades of the equipment till it is felt that no useful purpose will be served by any further changes. At that stage the system passes on to posterity giving way to a state-of-the-art
10
replacement, inducted with enough time for the gestation period and also the necessary overlap. The IAF is essentially dealing with three sets of equipment or platforms. Firstly, legacy equipment, which has no further upgrade possibility, but available residual service life. Secondly, a set of equipment which have upgrade potential and residual life. Finally, new equipment / platforms which are being inducted. Induction of new equipment always poses challenges, more for the creation of infrastructure, both maintenance and administrative, than probably its operation.
NOVEMBER 2013
objectives, training and manpower will be the requirement of the day. The allocations in the national budget for the defence forces are a paltry sum, hardly even touching the 3% mark. What has certainly changed is the Capital budget to the Revenue which, from the earlier trend of 25:75 in the nineties has become almost 48:52 today. In real terms the decade of the ‘90s saw the defence budget grow from Rs 16,347 crore to Rs 39,897 crore and cross the 96,000 crore mark in the next decade. The modernisation budget jumped from Rs 8,663 crore to Rs 32,830 crore in the decade spanning 2000-2010 . This is a clear indicator of the desire of the nation to modernise its armed forces. Being technology intensive, the IAF has necessarily captured the lion’s share, with a massive boost in the last decade. Because of the inherent composition, the requirements and sheer dynamics of operation, the three services tend to have a very divergent Capital : Revenue mix with the Army at about 25:75, the Navy at 60:40 and the Air Force at 63:37.
Indian Air Force SU 30 MKI aircraft fly past during the joint Indo-France Air Exercise, Garuda III
AFP
Fleet Management and Logistics
The Budget Impact The defence outlay has to reach a contemporary balance between modernisation and maintenance which will offer the most effective and potent mix to reinforce defence capabilities. Geopolitically we are faced with the challenge to have a distinct superiority over our belligerent neighbour, Pakistan and a good deterrence which will provide a strong dissuasive capability towards others, including China. The best mix of available resources with an optimal mix of capabilities which include doctrine, operational strategy and application with clearly defined mission
The Indian Air Force was weaned on aeroplanes from the Western world – Vampire, Hunter, Mystere, Ouragon (Toofani), Gnat, Dakota DC-3, Super Constellation, Avro HS-748, Caribou, Bell & Sikorsky Helicopters, etc. The Soviet influence, from the early ‘60s all but swamped the fleets and the IAF became wholly dependent on Russian platforms and Air Defence systems. It took 15 long years before the IAF could procure the Jaguar from the British and another 5 years for the Mirage-2000 from the French. A concerted bid to try and scuttle these deals by the Russians, with the offer of comparable (?) platforms like the MiG-23/27 and the MiG29, resulted in the Govt of India acceding to limited numbers of these aircraft. Within a short span of time of operating these contrasting fleets, it became amply evident that, notwithstanding the cheaper option of Soviet procurements, their cost of operation well exceeded that of the Western aircraft. The Jaguar and the Mirage-2000 proved to be sustainable and reliable in the long run and also showed better adaptability to upgrades. The multifarious mix of fleets was undoubtedly a nightmare for the logistician. The SU-30 MKI proved to be the ‘Piecede-Resistance’ as the IAF looked into the fourth generation of fighters. It’s awesome
11
DSI
and formidable capability made it abundantly clear that this was a platform, if nurtured well, would perform well into the fifth generation. The much awaited (30 yrs?) LCA, the Tejas, which was planned to fill the void left by the MiG-21s failed to achieve effective operationalisation in time. However, the lessons learnt from earlier procurements made one thing very clear – the need to stabilise the fleets into fewer types with a possible transitional follow-on program as a natural progression (e.g. Mir-2000 UPG to MMRCA &SU-30 MKI to FGFA).
The Indian Defence Industry & Acquisition Process Government policies in defence matters, over the years, have been restrictive and subject to acute scrutiny and control. This has allowed only DPSUs, in coordination with the DRDO, to undertake projects or support the armed forces. With inadequate technical expertise and the means, it was but natural that the DRDO and the DPSUs remained a (few?) steps behind the rest of the world, mired in bureaucracy and centralised control. The progressive import of platforms and systems from foreign sources is testimony to this. India needs to learn from the foreign OEMs, who apart from being well funded to develop a strong R&D base, have the leeway to participate with private industry which offers tremendous potential in knowledge and quality, while providing niche technology, speed of development and supply chain management. A concerted effort to channelize and speed up the process of acquisition of defence equipment, the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was initiated in 2002. In the past decade, the DPP has provided the platform for rational and controlled procurement. The major highlight in the new DPP 2013 is the thrust towards indigenisation (design, development and manufacture) by allocating a ‘prioritisation’ of categorisation, thereby indicating a preference. The order now is :l Buy (Indian) l Buy and Make (Indian) l Make (Indian) l Buy and Make (with Transfer of Technology) l Buy (Global) The essence of this DPP is to allow the development of a robust indigenous defence sector, create a level playing field and expedite the procurement process as a
IAF MODERNISATION IAF PROCUREMENTS TILL THE 13TH PLAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT FGFA MMRCA SU-30 MKI Mirage-2000 UPG
STATUS Prelim Design Contract signed in 2010 Dassault Rafael Selected Licence Production Ongoing
ENTRY INTO SERVICE End of 13th Plan End of 12th Plan 140 AC on Order – By end of 12th Plan All 51 ac by mid-13th Plan
MiG-29 UPG Jaguar UPG MiG-27 UPG LCA Mk I
2ac presently being upgraded in France First two ac in service Contract signed with HAL Avionics upgrade by DARE FOC 2014
TRAINERS Pilatus PC-7 HJT-36 (IJT) Hawk 132 (AJT)
STATUS Operational in Service IOC ? In Service
ENTRY INTO SERVICE Additional orders likely Expected mid / end 12th Plan Additional orders expected
HELICOPTERS ALH (Dhruv) LUH LCH MLH
STATUS Mk IV Deliveries Started Prototype Ready 65 on Order by IAF 80 Mi-17V5ordered. Ongoing. (60 more ?) C-47 Chinook selected AH-64 Apache Block 3 selected Mired in Controversy
ENTRY INTO SERVICE Complete end 12th Plan Induction end 12th Plan ? IOC likely 2014 All by end 12th Plan
HLH Attack Helicopters VVIP Helicopters
TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT STATUS C-130 J 6 ac Delivered; 6 more on Order C-17 Globemaster III 3 ac Delivered. Additions expected AN-32 UPG Upgrade Ongoing AWACS 3 ac in Service. 3 more to be ordered AEW&C 3 ac ordered MRTT Airbus 330 initially selected whole, while maintaining the highest standards of transparency, probity and public accountability. The ‘Buy and Make’ (Indian) category offers huge opportunities to Indian industries to enter into Joint Ventures (JVs) with foreign vendors and absorb their technologies through ‘Transfer of Technology’(TOT), consequently leading to indigenous manufacture. What is of significance to India and its defence industry is the Öffset” clause incorporated in all procurements exceeding Rs 300 Crore and the factor of “Transfer of Technology” requirements in virtually all deals. This
By end 12th Plan All ac by mid-13th Plan No further till phase-out 2 Sqns by end 12th Plan
End of 12th Plan 22 Heptrs by end 12th Plan —NK— ENTRY INTO SERVICE Mid – 12th Plan End 12th Plan End 12th Plan ? End 12th Plan Final Decision Awaited
steady influx of technology through JVs, the alliances and interaction with foreign OEMs and suppliers will accelerate the procurement process while allowing the development of the Indian defence industry. The private sector was allowed to enter the defence domain in 2001 when the Govt permitted 100% equity with a maximum of 26% FDI component. But it does not take too much business sense to understand that 26% FDI will not attract any foreign business party. After many efforts by industry bodies like CII and ASSOCHAM, the Govt relented and raised
12
the cap to a maximum of 49%, but only on a case to case basis. Why would any company want to share or transfer propriety technology to a company in which it does not have a majority share? It is very evident that major influx of FDI will, in all likelihood, undercut the DPSUs and therefore the latter are all too keen to scuttle proposals for increase in FDI.
Acquisitions and Aspirations Even though budget constraints and cuts will remain de rigeur, multi-mission multicapable platforms are the need of the day. While costs per unit may be higher, swingrole and force multiplication pack a far greater lethal punch. Acquisition of the swing-role SU-30 MKI has not only complemented the already existing multirole Mirage-2000 but it has paved the way for the smooth transition to the MMRCA under procurement. A stable of 400+ swing-role fighters by the 13th plan will be a formidable force, by any standards. The Darin 3 upgraded Jaguars and the LCA Mk1&2 will meet short and medium range interdiction and Army close support tasks. This package, with the 60 MiG-29 UPG to offer AD cover, should be adequate muscle power for the foreseeable future. The
An Indian Air Force (IAF) member stands besides a newly inducted Mi-17 V5 helicopter at Air Force station in New Delhi
AFP
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
further induction of the FGFA will just ensure our dominance. Multi-mission tasking has also been looked into while acquiring the C-130J Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster III from the USA. Extremely versatile and battleproven, they, undoubtedly, are the best in the world. The large accretion of Mi-17 1V and Mi-17 V5 is aimed at replacing the helicopter workhorse, the Mi-8 and the earlier version of the Mi-17. The induction is in progress and by the end of the 12th plan the full strength should be available. The IAF has gone in for the acquisition of the SPYDER quick reaction SAM of Israeli origin, to replace the aging SAM-3/6 and OSA-AKM systems in its inventory. Upgradation of ground based radars (MPRs) are ongoing and the over-arching AWACS has already proved its mettle in operational exercises. To support the AWACS, the IAF has opted for the Embraer based AEW&C. The highlight of this acquisition is that DRDO is developing its multi-faceted radar and electronic suite. Three such AEW&C aircraft will grace the inventory by the completion of the 12th plan.
The T he APS-143C(V)3 APSAPS-1 143C(V)3 43C(V)3 ER ER – Extended Extended Range Range nge Proudly Pro udly Serving Serving tthe he IIndian ndian NNavy avy oonn tthe he P-8I
80 C E L E B RAT I N G
YEARS
1933 – 2013
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY WITH A GLOBAL REACH http://www.telephonics.com/radar.asp
Telephonics’ APS-143C(V)3 ER radar sets the standard in longrange detection, tracking, and identification of small-targets in the most severe of maritime environments. Whether flying on fixed-wing, rotary-wing, or aerostat applications, Telephonics builds the radar for all your missions.
IAF MODERNISATION MoUs WITH FOREIGN PLAYERS INDIAN PARTNER
FOREIGN COMPANY
PRODUCT
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORP IAI EADS THALES BOEING
S-92 Helicopter Cabins Manufacturing & Def Products Advanced Tact Comn Systems Optronic Solutions for MMRCA Aerospace Component Work
LARSEN & TOUBRO
BOEING EADS RAYTHEON PRATT & WHITNEY FINCANTER
P-81 Recce Planes High-End Def Electronics Upgrade of T-72 Tanks Aircraft Engine Components Fleet Refuelling Tankers (Navy)
WIPRO
BAES
Commercial Aerospace Projects
MAHINDRA GROUP
BAES LOCKHEED MARTIN INFO SYSTEMS
Armoured Vehicles Simulators
PRECISION ELECTRONICS
RAYTHEON
Developing / Providing Communication Technology
DYNAMATIC TECHNOLOGIES
BOEING
Manufacturing Cabinets for Critical Equipment (P-81)
RAFAEL ADV DEF SYSTEMS LOCKHEED MARTIN BOEING EADS NORTHROP GRUMMAN IAI
Missile Electronics & Guidance UAVs UAVs UAVs Defence Offsets Defence Offsets
GENERAL DYNAMICS WFEL
Dry Support Bridges Armoured Patrol Vehicles
HONEYWELL ROLLS ROYCE
Component Design / Manufacturing / Assembly and Engine Enhancement Upgrade Programs Developing Manufacturing Processes and Capabilities for Production of Military Hardware for Boeing
TATA GROUP
BEL
BEML
HAL
BOEING
To be able to operate all these complicated systems, ‘Trainíng’ becomes an important aspect. The IAF has now decided to follow the western module of extensive simulator usage, thereby conserving aircraft hours and extending their operational effectiveness. Full motion simulators are now a standard fit for any platform acquisition. The IAF is now on the lookout for a Virtual Training Simulator (VTS), which will enhance the operational training methodology for budding fighter pilots. From simulating radar, missile and airborne threats, it will also predict weapon drop accuracies. The acquisition of the
Pilatus PC-7 has been one of the fastest and (at the moment) cleanest inductions. The basic trainer has provided a quantum jump in quality of training than what was being experienced with the HAL built HPT-32 as also the HJT-16. Information technology plays an important part of our lives today and this is true about warfare too. Networking of sensors to provide real-time intelligence and information flow to a Command & Control Centre will allow timely decisions and actions in the fast paced battle-space. The IAF with its newly established Integrated Air Command and Control
14
System (IACCS) and the soon to be established Operational Data Link (ODL) is a step ahead of the other services. The latest in the networking chain is the 3G cellular network, established with the help of HCL and Alcatel Lucent India. Called the Air Force Cellular (AFCEL), it is a captive 3G network with pan-India coverage. It will facilitate the real-time exchange of information, thereby providing high situational awareness and high synergy in a dynamic environment. Space is the next domain on the agenda for the IAF. Post independence and the victim of two quick aggressions by the neighbours, the cash-strapped economy forced the IAF to accept the plethora of Soviet aeroplanes and weapon systems which served the Air Force well over the years but have now almost receded to legacy. Restrictive government policies with respect to defence production allowed only the bureaucratic controlled Defence PSUs to flourish, whose output left a lot to be desired. Two major landmarks made their impact on the modernisation drive of the IAF. The first was the induction of the Jaguar followed by the Mirage-2000, both of which proved that western platforms demonstrated greater reliance and were more cost effective in the
NOVEMBER 2013
AFP
Indian Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifter is pictured on the tarmac after its arrival at Air Force Station Hindon on June 18, 2013
Eurocopter’s Rainer Farid, the vice president, sales in South Asia, details the Indian experience: Q. How do you compare the DPP with procurement procedures followed by other countries? The defence procurement structure in every country is of decisive national significance as it impacts preparedness of a nation’s defence and its ability to maintain its sovereignty and way of life. A procurement decision in India passes through various phases: the formulation of staff qualitative requirements (SQR), acceptance of necessity approval (AON), formulation and sending of request for proposal(RFP), and trials and contract negotiation (CNC). This process takes long in India compared to other countries. This however does not mean that it is wrong. We respect the processes. Q. How Eurocopter would respond to any further increase in the offset cap? Under the DPP, an organisation
acquiring a defence contract in India worth over Rupees Three billion comes with an obligation to plough back 30 per cent of the deal amount in Indian defence, aerospace and homeland security industries. This provision is a common practice by several nations which make defence purchases from foreign countries. The fulfillment of offset obligations of more than 30% in addition to a mandatory indigenous content of up to 60% in the case of a ‘Buy and Make’ program is almost impossible to achieve. Q. Is there any incentive to Eurocopter to do any large scale business with India considering the FDI cap is kept at 26 per cent? We would hope that the defence production course deliver a level playing field between defence public sector undertakings and Indian private sector companies forming joint ventures with MNCs. This would help to create a conducive working climate in the long run. Moreover, the amount of FDI that multinational companies could bring in, could be raised to 49 per cent.
15
DSI
long run. The second was the induction of the truly magnificent SU-30 MKI, a fourth generation aircraft with almost fifth generation capabilities. The modernisation direction was now clear. Look for multimission, multi-capable machines which translate to force- multiplication. While the technology and the expertise to make such machines did not exist with the one and only aircraft production agency, HAL, the DPP proceeded to assist both the DPSUs and the Private industry to absorb high-end technology through Transfer of Technology and Joint Ventures. The last decade has seen a gradual depletion of force levels due to the life cycle culmination of most of the legacy Soviet equipment. But it is bottoming out and the IAF is poised to undergo a transformation as never before. Maintaining a keen eye on Network Centric Operations in the highly dynamic battle-space, the IAF, as the dominant player in any future conflict, has decided to push for state-of-the-art systems in this field. High synergy, combat effectiveness and dominance at all levels of warfare are the mantras for the IAF of the future. Q. Does Eurocopter see a big market for itself in India with private players? Eurocopter considers India as a key market for business aviation, and has a long-established presence in the country. In 2010, the company became the first helicopter manufacturer to establish a full-fledged subsidiary with the creation of Eurocopter India. Business aviation is one of the key segments that are driving the growth of the helicopter market in India. Eurocopter India has been able to capture a 70 per cent share in the civilian chopper arena in year 2012. Q. Is there a need to make a major shift in business strategy when dealing with the infamous bureaucracy in India? Defence acquisition-related decisionmaking in India is characterised by focus on compliance of procedures. The government has attempted to reduce the delays caused by red tape with the new DPP 2013 and enable the expedition of the
PILOTTRAINING
View of a French Rafale fighter plane simulator
16
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
Training The 5Th generaTion
PiloT As the combat aircrafts become more technology intensive, training fighter pilots become more complex in a transformed environment.
AMIT ANEJA
Key Points l The increasingly realistic flight
simulation makes huge demands on cognitive abilities of trainees. l Recent induction of Pilatus PC-7MK and Hawk AJT besides planned indigenous options should take care of training needs. l In aerial battle, there are no prizes for coming second as BVR missiles blow one away before one looks the enemy.
AFP
T
he dawn of a new era in tactical training has arrived, ushered in by the induction of 5th generation aircraft, posing novel and complex challenges to pilot training. To be effective, training must be demanding and realistic. Ever tightening budgets and rising costs of acquiring and operating aircraft are forcing decision makers to pursue alternative
17
approaches to groom fighter pilots of the future. Without exception, Air Forces around the world are seeking more from less, yet demanding high quality training, which is more precisely focused and delivers greater value. The complexity of training has also increased many folds due to total transformation of the environment in which a new generation of pilots would engage their adversary, just as the spectrum of conflict has swung from the nuclear to the asymmetric. Rapidly increasing transparency and lethality of the battle space enabled by advancing technology and computing power has strengthened both versatility as well as vulnerability. Security planners across the globe are therefore being truly challenged by the demands of training future pilots who are competent as well as a committed soldiers, at costs that are lighter on the pockets of the exchequer. Through years of collective experience, research and study of trends and requirements of tactical flight operations and training, different defense production companies have created cutting edge flight simulators to meet the needs of aviators and air forces around the world. The realism of the simulators has created opportunities for contextually relevant cognitive
PILOTTRAINING
development at a fraction of the cost compared to complete Live training. The dilemma this capability of virtual training has created is to find the right balance between Live, Virtual and Constructive training just as there is this classic debate about Offloading and Downloading training to simulators and Surrogate trainer aircraft. Fortunately, the budding pilots today are generally “Digital Natives” for whom absorbing and utilising technology comes as a matter of habit. Another aspect that has gained prominence is the increasing requirement of Cognitive training. Mutual sensor support between airborne and ground based sensors along with data integration capability has made a pilot the most vulnerable part of the chain demanding nearly super natural ability to develop precise situational awareness and act on time in a near Beyond visual range (BVR) engagement. Classic close combat engagements, the so called dog fights, are receding in priority. It is extremely important in today’s environment to have a training process that is dynamically and seamlessly linked to the operational utilisation. With this, we will examine some of the key areas that need to be addressed and given a greater thought to.
AFP
Pilot Squadron Leader Sushant Mitra of IAF and Test Pilot captain Stefan Group of Switzerland with Pilatus PC-7 Mark-III T
Stability in Training: For nearly fifty years that one can visualise, the training pattern in the IAF has never stabilised. In spite of this lack of stability, that we have been able to train and boast of one of the finest pilots in the world is a tribute to our pilots and the instructors. We could have certainly done better. Our training Bases have moved all over the country and training platforms changed more out of compulsion rather than a planned replacement strategy. It is a pity that a country of our stature and aspiration has still not been able to design and produce a world class trainer aircraft. Our unchallenged aircraft manufacturing industry has remained inefficient and unaccountable under glorified and jingoistic refuge of indigenisation. Over promising and under delivering has nearly become an accepted culture. No body talks of time optimisation which is valued in money amongst matured defence industry abroad. In this prevailing environment, we have two more aircraft presently on the anvil of HAL; the IJT and the much talked about HTT-40 to fly shoulder to shoulder with the recently acquired Pilatus PC-7Mk II. Is inducting them the right decision? Will they be of world class standard across their life cycle? Will they be inducted within
18
reasonable time frame and at a justifiable cost? As the Kiran fleet is expected to rapidly deplete in the next couple of years, all these questions need to be answered and bold decisions taken within the year unless we wish to go into another crisis situation, having just recovered out of the HPT-32 fiasco. History has fortunately placed us at a juncture where at the moment, owing to the soon to be inducted 5th generation platforms, there is a global requirement to transform flying training, responsive to the new reality. A case in point is the $10 billion T-X program of the USAF, which myopically speaking is the long term replacement to T38. To put the issue in perspective, Maj Gen (select) Scott Vandr Hamm (Director Plans Programs and Assessment, Air Education and Training Command, USAF) said at London during the Military Flight Training Conference-2013 that the T-X program was not only about the aircraft replacement but about a complete change in training concept for the USAF. Several ‘Super Teams’ have been formed to compete for the T-X program. Leaders among them are Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industry pitching the T-50 Golden Eagle; BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman with the Hawk and
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
AFP
Surya Kiran aerobatic team, now grounded, on the tarmac at The India Aviation 2010 show at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad
Alenia Aermachi and General Dynamics with the M-346 Master. Unconfirmed reports also link collaboration between the Boeing and Saab for the USAF T-X program. Ironically, we have just acquired the PC-7Mk II and recently inducted the Hawk platform for the advanced stage of Lead-In-Fighter-Training (LIFT). These aircraft have been acquired with all the accompanying training tools including state of the art simulators. These assets are there to be with us for the next 30 years at least. All we have to do is to quickly make up our minds about whether we want to stick to the erstwhile three stage training or switch to a two stage model. Concurrent with that is the necessity to build about the IJT and the HTT-40 and we have a recipe for a stable training for the next three decades. All that would be left then to decide is an optimised pace of tailored curriculum and value additions from time to time that the technology could offer. One such value addition is the induction of Virtual Training System (VTS) for Embedded/Constructive training during the advanced stage of LIFT. RFIs have been floated but the issue has been dormant after that. One such Embedded Training System (ETS) has just been contracted by the Israel Air Force from Elbit in support of its acquisition of the M-
For nearly fifty years that one can visualise, the training pattern in the IAF has never stabilised. In spite of this lack of stability, that we have been able to train and boast of one of the finest pilots in the world is a tribute to our pilots and the instructors. We could have certainly done better. Our training Bases have moved all over the country and training platforms changed out of compulsion
19
346 aircraft. More about Embedded Training will be discussed later. Training infrastructure for the IAF also needs a mention. Our training needs are responsive to our perspective plans and it takes time to train operationally fit pilots. We know for sure that our need for pilots is gradually increasing to peak to roughly double the numbers by the beginning of the 14th plan. A well conceived expansion plan called the ‘De-congestion Plan’ exists to respond to this need and on the whole would cost Rs. 6000 Cr if commenced by 2015. Unfortunately two years have passed trying to convince the powers that be in various ministries and yet the end is not in sight. We need to mention here that austerity drives are tactical measures to cross short term hurdles and should not be mixed with long term security needs of our country.
Fundamental Skills/Attributes of Pilot Training: There are four distinctly recognisable pilot skills/attributes:l Motor skills l Cognitive Skills l Physiological Capacity l Psychological Attributes Selecting the right pilot who has an optimised combination of the above skills has
PILOT TRAINING Hawk Mk 132 advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft inducted into the Indian Navy, at the Naval Air Station INS Dega
a great value to ensure better training ability and avoid late washout. Generally the emphasis of selection so far has been on Motor Skills with focus on hand-eye and leg coordination and Psychological Evaluation that often misses out soldierly traits like Commitment, Pride, Team Spirit, Leadership Qualities, Motivation and Specific suitability. Every country has their own evaluation tools e.g. the USAF has the Air Force Officers Qualification Test(AFOQT) in which a pilot candidate has to score at least 25 points in the pilots part of the test besides passing the test overall; the Swiss have a selection system called SPHAIR which intends to check both motivation and motor skills. Similarly the IAF had something called the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) which was more motor skills focused and rudimentary. With the help of DRDO, the IAF is now in the process of improving the system to something called Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). In the new system, correctly so, there is an increasing emphasis on cognitive skill testing besides improving the motor skills testing process. Unfortunately, the induction of the CPSS is also delayed with the pilot project installed at Service Selection Board, Mysore. The viability of the new system can only be checked once it is commissioned. Symbiotics Ltd has developed a much more exhaustive system called ADAPT. ADAPT is the world’s leading pilot assessment program for selecting pilots with the right physical and mental abilities. It claims to have 98.5% accuracy rate and is operational in 13 countries. The system works for ten different platform profiles and offers eight levels of assessment from abinitio to QFI /Test pilot. The full ADAPT assessment is a five stage process that
provides a well rounded view of their performance in four domains encompassing Physical skills, Cognitive skills, Impact of personality and behavior on performance, and effect of situation. ADAPT measures flight behavior and learning, modality dominance, effects of anxiety, situation awareness, accuracy and control, disruption, recovery and flight parameter deviation, personality states and traits, SOP adherence and interrelation, real and context specific behaviors. It is evident that the dividends of exhaustive selection process are being increasingly realised. More research is required in this area to ensure that we select the right material for our fifth generation cockpits. Technology is ensuring that pure flying the aircraft is becoming simpler by the day but the demands for greater cognitive skills are increasing exponentially. More importance, therefore, needs to be given to improve our selection tools and processes and make them as objective as
Defence Minister AK Antony in the cockpit of Pilatus Trainer Aircraft at Aero India 2013 at Yelahanka, Bangalore
20
possible. If the IAF can get this new selection tool (CPSS) quickly and it is found suitable, then we have the advantage of inducting it in sync with our new platforms and new orientation in training, contributing to a stable training pipeline.
Live/Virtual/Constructive (LVC) Training Paradigm: Improving processing power of the modern day computers and their data integration capability has made available aircraft simulators that are closing the gap between reality and simulation. This Live and Virtual training construct has opened up phenomenal opportunities for adding value to Live training by enhancing capability, saving resources, preserving combat assets and reducing the risk while improving skill retention. The debate that it has opened is about whether firstly the simulators should be in the closed loop with live training, and secondly, how much live training should be offloaded to the simulators. It is generally being accepted now that the simulators need to be an integral part of training progress. Air Forces have started working on ways to ensure greater online availability. However, there is no clear answer about the inter-se balance. The general consensus during the Military Flying Training- 2013(MFT-13) conference in London was 70:30 ratios between live and virtual during the Basic stages of flying and 50:50 during the Advanced stages. Perhaps a little more experience on the subject will lead to greater refinement of ratios. The second aspect of simulation is the value addition in the form of Constructive simulation. It also goes by the name of Embedded or Immersed training. Embedded
Training within the military environment has over the past decade become increasingly prevalent. Embedded training’s objective is to maximise the benefits from the live training component of the training program. Together with the pursuit of the optimal mix of virtual and live training, Embedded training is today at the forefront of all leading military training organisation’s agenda. Embedded training is the ability to create within the live platform a fully immersed and live training environment, through the use of simulation, stimulation and computer generated virtual forces. An example of embedded training is simulating the entire avionics suite of a fighter within a ‘surrogate trainer’ aircraft, and including a rich constructive environment. It helps in creating an environment of “train as you fight” while at the same time it leads to immense cost saving while adding huge value to training. This ability to create a hybrid environment in a lower performance and cost trainer aircraft grants a capability to download operational training into surrogate trainers thus ensuring better trained pilots coming up the pipeline with spin-off advantages. At the end of last year, TORAdvanced Flight Training, a jointly-owned company of Elbit Systems and IAI, won a contract to establish and operate a flight training centre for the Aermacchi M346I trainer aircraft. Cadets would have an opportunity to train with Elbit system’s Embedded Virtual Avionics (EVA), which enables the trainee to gain experience operating advanced systems, such as radar, optical sensors, electronic warfare equipment and virtual weapons. In short, LVC training is on in a big way. In most simulators though, there is a stress gap between cognitive and physiological training. Training in simulators that combine LVC training with ‘G’ pointing technology like the ATFS-400 Phoenix of the ETC would ensure that the pilot is able to physiologically experience the actual physical stresses of flight in the entire flight envelope providing confidence and point of reference when adverse flight conditions are experienced in a tactical environment.
Manoeuvre Based to Capability Based Training:
DSI
AFP
NOVEMBER 2013
turn or executed a loop with wings level all the way often insisting on reliance on instruments to do so. Going below the deck level in combat or going below the Minimum decision Altitude (MDA) in an instrument approach often let you get away with a caution. Times have changed and so should attitudes. Manoeuvres need to be looked at with objectivity as building blocks of a future application and capability rather than as manoeuvres by themselves. Flight
Together with the pursuit of the optimal mix of virtual and live training, Embedded training is today at the forefront of all leading military training organisation’s agenda. Embedded training is the ability to create within the live platform a fully immersed and live training environment, through the use of simulation, stimulation and computer generated virtual forces
Most of us trained in the conventional method remember how our instructor used to be thrilled if we hit our jet-wake at the end of a steep turn, did a zero-zero instrument
21
Indian passengers wait to board the “Flight Avionics Titan-30” simulator at a scientific entertainment park in Kolkata Safety violations need no mercy and should stop at nothing short of failure. Pure accurate flying in modern day aircraft needs no great skill. What would matter are the Reserve Mental capacity, Flexibility and Speed of Decision Making, our Situational Awareness and most importantly always staying within the Safety Gates. The next thirty years are going to be real game changers in Aerospace exploitation. Enhanced battle space transparency, penetration against increasing lethality, invisible warfare and super accurate weapon delivery are going to be the scenario in which our pilots are going to operate. There is no shying away from technology. Prudence would dictate riding this wave of technology in an environment where free dialogue exists between the industry and the end users to stay ahead and stay smart.Time would have a great value. Optimum use of LVC training would be a force multiplier in an environment of shrinking budgets. We know that there are no prizes for being second in an aerial engagement. The one who does is usually shot out of the sky. Ultimately, future pilots would have to be as smart as their aircraft and more importantly we would need committed soldiers. At the end of the day, no matter how smart future aircraft may become, it would be the man behind the machine that would matter. As General Curtis Lemay said, “man is yet to make a computer that is dedicated to god and country.”
Be-200 versions n
Fire Extinguishing
n
Search & Rescue
n
Transport
n
Passenger
n
Ambulance
n
Patrol
n
ASW
A MULTIPURPOSE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT
T
he Russian Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft is primarily known as an effective fighter against large-scale fires. In 2004, production Be-200s began to enter service with Russia’s Ministry for Emergencies (EMERCOM) and actively be used to extinguish large fires not only in Russia but also in Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and France. In a number of cases, it is the Be-200s that helped cope with the elements efficiently. And it’s no wonder: the Be-200 can scoop up to 12 tons of water into its tanks in just 14 seconds while skimming the water surface and drop an average of up to 240 tons of water per mere one fueling, which is far beyond the capabilities of any other aircraft. During these missions, the Be-200s was piloted by not only Russian but also foreign crews, who noted their high performance enabling the crew to accurately and safely perform compound
maneuvers at high g-loads and rolls. However, the Be-200, capable of taking off from both any open water area at least 2.6 meters deep and land airfields with a 1,800 meter long runway, can be successfully used to perform a number of other civil and military missions. These include participation in search-and-rescue operations in the maritime zone, environmental monitoring, transportation of goods and passengers. In this case, the baseline model of the aircraft is additionally fitted with special equipment. For example, its search-and-rescue version may be equipped with an electro-optical system having TV and infrared channels and a laser range finder, a searchlight and on-board rescue equipment. The plane can evacuate up to 57 victims. A special ambulance version of the Be-200 is equipped with outpatient facilities and accommodates 30 lying-down or seriously ill patients.
Military versions of the amphibious aircraft offered by Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport on the international arms market are equally of interest as well. They will be ideal for the Navy for performing specialized missions. After all, the Be-200 has precisely “military” roots as its hydro-and aerodynamic layout derived from its unique predecessor – the biggest-ever A-40 Albatross jet amphibian, whose efficiency was confirmed by 148 world records. Like the Be-200, the A-40 was developed at the Taganrog-based Beriev Aircraft Company for the Russian Navy. Since its foundation in 1934, the Company has specialized in seaplane design and has gained enormous experience in developing and building this class of aircraft. The patrol version of the Be-200 is of most interest to the Navy. It provides the detection and tracking of surface, underwater, air and
During ten years of active service, the The Be-200 also features the D-436TP ground targets, and then produces targeting Russian Be-200s have demonstrated the fuel-efficient bypass corrosion-resistant data for naval ship strike groups. Owing to its highest reliability of their airframes and engines with a capacity of 7650 kg each capability for long-term loitering missions in systems and their serviceability in any complying with all ICAO requirements. They specified areas, the Be-200 is very effective weather conditions. High-altitude trials that provide the maximum cruise speed of 680 for control of the 200-mile maritime economic took place in Armenia serve as a good km/h, which is higher compared with all its zone. The aircraft can perform patrol example. During the tests the Be-200 took off counterparts. In addition, the developers have missions for nearly six hours. In this case, the and landed on the land aerodrome Gyumri also studied the possible installation of mix of equipment is tailored solely to meet (1580 m above sea level) and high-altitude engines from other manufacturers. customer requirements. The designers have Lake Sevan (1950 m) where water scoops The Be-200 is also equipped with an also studied the external attachment of and drops were also carried out. In weapons and other special addition, a single-engine takeoff of equipment, including airborne the Be-200 was successfully torpedoes, anti-ship guided Be-200 performance practiced at the same time. torpedoes, air-to-air missiles, Maximum take-off weight, kg: from land 42,000 According to some experts, the sonar buoys, and a photographic Maximum take-off weight, kg: from water 40,000 Be-200 is really a symbol of new equipment pod. capabilities in the world of aviation. And, of course, the Be-200 will Service ceiling, m 8,000 The plane has flown around many be of interest to military as a Maximum cruise speed, km/h 680 countries in Southeast Asia, Europe transport aircraft for rapid airlift Economy speed, km/h 560 and South America, where it took and airdrop of personnel (up to 42 Rate of climb, m/s 12 part both in fire extinguishing and in people), transportation of military Ferry range (one-hour fuel reserve), km 3150 dozens of exhibitions and supplies and weapons. Moreover, demonstrations. And everywhere the amphibious qualities of the Take-off length (water/land), m 1,000/1,350 the Be-200 was accompanied by Be-200 give new tactical Landing length (water/land), m 1,300/1,020 rave reviews. capabilities as well, particularly in Seaworthiness: wave height, m 1.2 But even greater export delivering special purpose or Seaworthiness: sea state 3 prospects will become available to combat swimmer teams. In Crew 2 these unique amphibians after their addition, the Be-200 has the adoption by the Russian Navy. In largest payload (up to 7,500 kg) May 2013 the Russian Ministry of for this class of aircraft and can Defense signed a contract for the purchase of auxiliary power unit, which allows its fully handle a wide range of freight containers. six planes. Of these, two will be delivered in autonomous operation. Moreover, there are The Be-200 is equipped with modern the basic Be-200ES configuration (similar to no special requirements for its basing. This avionics – an upgraded ARIA-200M that supplied to the EMECOM) and the other can be either off-aerodrome basing on the integrated avionics suite developed jointly four in the Be-200PS patrol version (without ground – in that case only an equipped with leading Western manufacturers and the fire extinguishing function). While the new onshore ramp to the water surface is needed enabling round-the-clock operation in any planes are under construction, in June of this or the aircraft can remain afloat moored to a weather. All information is displayed on six year the military already held joint exercises ramp. Preparation of these basing facilities liquid crystal multifunction displays and two can be carried out in a short time and will not with the EMERCOM, during which the customized navigation displays, which greatly involve significant costs. In addition, there are possibilities of using the Be-200 for fighting facilitates flight control of this sophisticated no restrictions on its use at sea, as the fires on drilling platforms, ships as well as in plane. By the way, the crew of the Be-200 developers have made it completely search-and-rescue and anti-terrorist consists of two pilots and effective training resistant to corrosion. operations at sea were tested. aids are available for their training.
Dsi marketing promotion
CYBERWARE
Cyber Warfare
and SaTCOM India needs credible deterrent technology to safeguard against US National Security Agency-like snooping and Chinese cyber adventurism
DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTOR, DSI
Key Points l A cyber threat encompasses
everyday life by targetting railways, national power grids etc. l The cyber security market is expected to jump from $63.7 billion in 2011 to $120.1 billion by 2017. l SATCOM are increasingly becoming important in fast moving operations through Non Line of Sight (NLOS) communications.
C
yberspace and satellite communications (SATCOM) have witnessed revolutionary changes in recent years. Dan Verton said in 2002, “While Osama bin Laden may have his finger on the trigger, his grandson may have his finger on the mouse” but cyber terrorism is not new. The first such major attack was in 1982 causing an explosion in the Siberian Pipeline through a Trojan inserted into the software of the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Much has happened since then including the US-Israel developed Stuxnet virus setting back Iran’s nuclear program by months. Datamonitor, a UK based research firm estimates that $15 billion is lost each year through E-security breaches, while global spending on defense is only $8.7 billion. Even if business were to
improve security of computer systems, it is impossible to eliminate all vulnerabilities. Furthermore, there is always the possibility that an insider with knowledge may be the attacker. But cyberwarfare is much more. It can win a war without fighting and while SATCOM has revolutionized communications, it too is susceptible to cyber attack.
Cyber Warfare: The cyber scene involves cybercrime, cyber terrorism, industrial spying and cyber warfare with both state and non-state actors active. Cyber Warfare is conducted by nation states in organized manner. Conflict today is five dimensional; aero-space, land, sea, electromagnetic and cyber. Instant lethal ambiguity can be created through cyber attacks to win the war before launch. The power to take control / interfere with the adversary’s networks not only affects the latter’s defence potential and critical infrastructure but can actually cripple a nation, bringing almost everything to a standstill. Cyber attacks can be engineered through hackers, botnets, Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) attack, e-bombs and through malware embedded in both software and hardware including at the manufacturing stage itself.
Security Dimensions: The traditional view of security focused on the application of force at the state level hinged on military and physical security but it is now widely acknowledged that there is more to security than purely military factors. Today’s definition of security acknowledges political, economic, environmental, social and humans among
24
other strands that impact the concept of security. It is related to the ability of the state to perform the function of protecting well-being of its people. The threat today can cripple a nation in all its manifestation including its infrastructure i.e. railways, national power grid, national information grid, aviation, surface transport, nuclear / atomic centres, the financial institutions and their networks, defence installations and their networks. In most countries, critical infrastructure were built for 24/7 operational reliability focusing on physical security, with little thought to cyber security. A recent example of pre-war use of
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
Sailors on the watch-floor of the Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command monitor, analyze, detect and defensively respond cyber attacks was seen in 2007 when Russians froze Georgian networks before outbreak of hostilities. Cyber attacks have the potential of unleashing unimaginable havoc on the complete functioning of a modern networked state, forcing it to become comatose.
Nuances: Presently, there are no international cyber norms. Foolproof defensive systems or absolute security are a misnomer. Viruses at best can be managed, not stopped or eradicated. Cyber attacks are being planned and executed by many countries. Such
attacks aim at stealing nuclear, defence, economic, industrial secrets or rehearse capturing networks. Prevention being ineffective is being replaced by pre-emption. The cyber race has become endlessly vicious. While China is notorious in this sphere, even a small country like Pakistan is allegedly responsible for originating viruses like ‘Sea Brain’. Offensive Information Dominance is the new buzzword and enormous amounts of finances and resources are being poured into this to achieve perfection/near perfection. It goes without saying that this implies invading foreign computers and networks, not that it will provide foolproof security to own side;
25
damage to both sides is inevitable in event of cyber attack(s)/counter attack(s) in varying degree. Cyber attacks can have varied aims; data gathering, equipment disruption, activity disruption, cyber espionage, attacking compromised counterfeit hardware or critical infrastructure, testing of weak links/spots in networks to gain access to intelligent information and the like. NonState actors have been successfully using the web and cellular technology in pursuing of their nefarious aims for coordinating terror activities, garnering support, propaganda, psychological war and financial transactions etc. Threats of cyber-war/net-war having
CYBERWARE The Indian Navy began training its first officers for dedicated cyber operations in December 2012
already grown to global proportions are attracting international attention. Many nations including India are getting together to engage in reducing the threat of cyber attacks on each other’s computer networks. The Indo-US Accord on Cyber Security Cooperation was signed in 2011.
Global Cyber Security Market: Every conflict has a cyber dimension, the size and outcome of which are complex to forecast. According to a research report titled ‘Cyber-Security Market’ by MarketsandMarkets, the cyber security market is expected to jump from $63.7 billion in 2011 to $120.1 billion by 2017. The report provides in-depth analysis of various industry verticals such as BFSI (banking & financial services institutions), public sector and utilities, manufacturing, IT and telecommunication, healthcare and lifesciences, retail and wholesale distribution and emerging trends in cyber security across geographies. The research covers Identity and Access Management (IAM), Risk and Compliance Management, Data Encryption, Data Leakage Prevention (DLP) Solution, Data Recovery Solutions, Unified Threat Management (UTM), AntiVirus, IPS/IDS, Web Filtering, Fire-Wall and Vulnerability Management. As per this report, companies such as Cisco Systems, Inc. (USA), Check Point Software Technologies (Israel), Kaspersky Lab (Russia), Fortinet, Inc. (USA), IBM Corporation (USA), CA Technologies (USA), McAfee, Inc. (USA) and Symantec
Corporation (USA) are key market players. A holistic survey, however, indicates in addition to the abovementioned companies, there are another 16 leading cyber security companies globally including BAE Systems, Boeing Defense, Space and Security, Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Computer Science Corporation (CSC), EADS Group, General Dynamics Corporation, Harris Corporation, Hewlett Packard (HP) Company, Intel Corporation, L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Company, SAIC Inc., and Thales Group.
26
These companies offer protection against hackers. Worms, Trojans, building cyber resiliency into software, hardware and architecture, ensuring your organisation can anticipate attacks, withstand them, recover and prevent more. Resilience is built through Cross Domain information Sharing, tackling Insider Threat and Counter-intelligence Solutions, Network Monitoring and Auditing, Real-time Network Traffic Analysis and Encryption Hardware. Thales Group, in conjunction Ponemon Institute, undertook a global study focusing on data protection and encryption in the cloud that indicates heavy use of cloud without adequate encryption and without knowledge how cloud protectors ensure security. Rockwell Collins was selected last year as the prime contractor for the unmanned aerial vehicle portion of the High-Assurance Cyber Military Systems (HACMS) program sponsored by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The four-and-half-year contract calls for Rockwell Collins to develop cyber security solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles, with applicability to other network-enabled military vehicles. Northrop Grumman plays a lead role in protecting the Global Information Grid (GIG), managing three of the five top level US DoD Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). Lockheed Martin’s PalisadeTM facilitates the management of security intelligence from across the enterprise and its external sources, providing ability to generate and
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
Selex Communications now Selex Elsag’s Dagger deployable satcom terminal is designed to be set up and communicating in minutes
manage cyber security intelligence in a centralized, searchable, collaborative environment. BAE Systems National Security Solutions Inc. develops and provides signal processing and advanced information technologies, and security solutions. EADS has taken its innovation to the front lines of cyber security with services from the Cyber Security Customer Solutions Centre (CSC), created by Cassidian and EADS Innovation Works. The CSC devises both protective technical solutions against attacks as well as advising its customers on how to establish effective security policies and offering training in the area. General Dynamics is providing the Fidelis Cybersecurity Solutions for a comprehensive solution to the battles protecting networks from advanced persistent threats. Their Fidelis XPS Advanced Threat Defense products enable organisations to discover and eradicate threats in real-time through broad visibility over all network threats (both malware and non-malware based), across all network ports and protocols, at multi-gigabit speeds:
IT and telecommunication, healthcare and life-sciences, retail and wholesale distribution and emerging trends in cyber security across geographies. The research covers Identity and Access Management (IAM), Risk and Compliance Management, Data Encryption, Data Leakage Prevention (DLP)
27
China Threat: Chinese behaviour has three distinct features of ambiguity, deception and ruthlessness amongst others and cyber warfare aligns with these beautifully. China has the most extensive cyber warfare capabilities in the world and more importantly the ruthlessness to use it offensively. China has organised its ‘bots’ into ‘botnets’ or ‘bot armies’ that form a highly extensive internet spy network. Enormous amount of computer and communication equipment are being exported, providing opportunities to embed malware at the manufacturing stage itself; a cyber parasite can lie dormant till activated by Chinese masters. Hacking is a flourishing career and creation of malware (trojans, trapdoors) are rewarded. PLA’s Network Warfare Battalion, Electronic Warfare Battalions, Intelligence and Psychological Warfare Battalions have all been meshed into the cyber warfare conundrum. Web Defacement Groups spearheaded by PLA were formed more than a decade back. National level cyber defence exercises and
CYBERWARE Able to operate while moving, OTM terminals provide greater throughput while operating at the halt
field exercises have been held over the years. These include simulated attacks on foreign countries like India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea etc. Such exercises have graduated to ‘offensive computer operations and cyber warfare’ exercises to rehearse pre-emptive cyber strike. Scores of specialists are working at another research facility at Datang since past seven years to take control of national networks of target countries. Cyber attacks originating from China, especially the ones integrating IW and EW, have definite direction and involvement of Chinese government and the PLA. She is accused of hacking the Pentagon as well as British and German government networks and Indian websites of MEA, BARC, NIC, MoD, NSC, FICCI, Dalai Lama’s office and Indian embassies abroad, DRDO, HAL, naval dockyards, nuclear installations, military bases, defence HQs, IDSA, other think tanks. Cyber spying and snooping has given China data from Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter program,
PLA’s Network Warfare Battalion, Electronic Warfare Battalions, Intelligence and Psychological Warfare Battalions have all been meshed into the cyber warfare conundrum. Web Defacement Groups spearheaded by PLA were formed more than a decade back
28
designs of the US F-I6, B1 Bomber, US Navy’s quiet electric drive, and US W-88 miniaturised nukes (used in Trident Missiles) to name a few.
Implications for India: Our dependence on China and foreign vendors for hardware, software and telecommunication equipment and accessories makes our vulnerability all the more precarious. Imports ex-China would invariably have ‘bots’ that now are user friendly and difficult to detect since they do not slow down the system. China’s national level cyber offensive plans may not have fully crystallised yet but would definitely mature before end of this decade. Penetration, theft, interference, injecting viruses and jamming of our networks, C4I2SR, army intranet, UAV data, radio, microwave, cellular, satellite communications, satellite and missile launch programs are all possible. China’s cyber warfare capabilities pose a potent
NOVEMBER 2013
threat to India. We need a national effort – a parallel defensive and offensive approach. We must develop a credible deterrent. We need a fundamental shift from individual entity to central overview, control and assessment of security measures. We need to develop cyber capability to: stop enemy accessing/using our critical information, systems and services; stealthily extract information from enemy networks and computers including vulnerabilities, plans and programs of cyber attack/war; penetrate enemy networks undetected and stealthy insertion of dormant codes; manipulate and doctor radio transmissions; destroy enemy computer networks, if necessary and; ability to manipulate perceptions of adversaries
DSI
SOTM terminals have to withstand high levels of shock and vibration and maintain their link
Satellite Communications Satellite Communications (SATCOM) are increasingly becoming important in fast moving operations not only for Non Line of Sight (NLOS) communications but where large and varied forces, including Strike Corps and their various battle groups, are engaged in manoeuvres and intense battle. Terrorists too are exploiting SATCOM using Inmarsat and Thuraya radio sets. Dedicated military satellite networks are augmented by commercial services like Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) controlled networks that offer the user total control of the space link. SATCOM provides terrain independent communications, flexible networking and direct link to final destination without reliance on radio relays. We have launched recently first dedicated military communication satellite (GSAT-7). Globally, communication satellites are functioning on C, Ku, Ka, S and L Bands. C Band is widely used and proven, has large bandwidth and has no rain attenuation. Ku Band has similar advantages plus Communication on the Move (COTM) is possible. However, in both C and Ku Band, the equipment is not easily portable and is prone to mechanical failure due to size, weight and movement. In the Ka Band, broad band communication is possible, power consumption is low, use of solar panels is possible and feasibility of COTM exists. However, this system gets adversely affected by snow, rain and heavy clouds. S Band is meant only for radar communications. L Band is more reliable especially under NLOS conditions as accurate pointing is not required between
satellite and user terminals. The system is highly portable and man-portable option is available. It is not affected by weather and has low power requirements, lower attenuation and better range. Analysis indicates L Band is most suited for non terrestrial communications. L Band terminals are truly portable, plug and play, reliable on account of integrated design, communications for land, sea and air applications, flexible and have low first time investments. None of the Indian indigenous satellites are L Band even though the initial investment in the technology, compared to other satellites, is low. A number of foreign satellites on L Band have footprints over India and these firms argue that security can be made foolproof if the security gateway is positioned within India and indigenous security solutions are superimposed. However, this requires analysis.
Focus Needed: It would be prudent consider: removing asymmetry vis-à-vis China in space; develop ASAT capability and establish a space based communications backbone optimising processors and compression technologies; develop and launch of L Band satellites for
29
military SATCOM because of advantages; examine implications of hiring a foreign L Band satellite for military communications (till all our military requirements are met indigenously) with foolproof security with the Security Gateway positioned within India and with superimposed security solutions developed by CAIR and; identify total requirements of SATCOM.
SATCOM Industry: Of the some 580 satellites reportedly operational, some 270 are in Low Earth Orbits (LEO), 40-50 in Middle Earth Orbits (MEO) and some 300 in Geostationary Earth Orbits (GEO). The GEO satellites also serve for communications, relays, earth observation, search and rescue, weather and research. As satellite applications have grown the communications industry has grown to some $3.5 trillion already. Services offered by commercial satellite communication providers are in the KA Band, KU Band, K Band, L Band & C Band. Raytheon’s AEHF terminals instantly link the US President with his most senior military advisers around the globe, wherever they may be: Northrop Grumman promises protected
CYBERWARE CapRock’s deployable X-band terminal uses a fanless design to reduce weight to 14kg and produce a virtually silent terminal
Our dependence on China and foreign vendors for hardware, software and telecommunication equipment and accessories makes our vulnerability all the more precarious. Imports ex-China would invariably have ‘bots’ that now are user friendly and difficult to detect since they do not slow down the system
”
Harris RF Communication’s PRC-117 family, the latest ‘G’ model shown where with a second channel mission module, is used to support a range of UHF Tacsat mobile military satcom links satellite communications and countering threats across the spectrum of conflict from mobile ground terminals to a variety of airborne platforms and to ships on the high seas. Lockheed Martin’s Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) provides military communications to US troops in the field as well as commanders at multiple locations. DSCS III provides uninterrupted secure voice and high data rate communications to DoD users, essential
tools in monitoring events and deploying and sustaining forces anywhere in the world: While many companies offer various elements of satellite communications, General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies claims it provides the full spectrum of satellite ground communications products, systems engineering, project integration and installation services. BAE Systems has been awarded a contract for $27.4 million from the US Navy
30
to continue operating and maintaining satellite and ground communications networks in Hawaii. Astrium, a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) was the first provider of satellite communications to the European Defence Agency for EU MoDs. Alphasat, is considered a state-of-the-art communication satellite that carries a new generation of advanced mobile communications payload in L-band as well as four technological demonstration payloads for European Space Agency (ESA) using the high capacity Alphabus platform: George W Bush said in 2002, “The information technology revolution has changed the way business is transacted, government operates and national defense is conducted.” India has taken initial steps in cyber warfare and we need to step up establishing credible capacity in this sphere. Similarly, during war and at times of conflict only the best communication system will succeed. SATCOM is vital for a NCW capable army. Military grade on-the-move SATCOM ground terminal must provide continuous connectivity in conditions where commercial terminals usually fail. The military should review its Communication Philosophy accordingly.
DEFENCE and SECURITY of INDIA
DSI
ial n c e p S iptio scr Sub ffer O S procurem woes con tinue | COM ent, Indian Nav MODORE OCTOBE R 2012 (RETD) ANILy’s sub JAI SING H
India’s only magazine on national security, strategic affairs & policy matters.
Focuses on defence & security issues through insightful & analytical articles on defence policy, procurement, terrorism, insurgency & border management High quality strategic affairs magazine with South Asian perspective covering region’s linkages with China, Indian Ocean region, near Middle East & South Central Asia.
TRAINING THE 5TH GENERATION PILOT PILOT TRAINING
NUCLEAR
CBMs NEED MO
RE INDIA, The trus t deficit go for CBM betwee PAK NUKE n the TR s to suc ceed | G two countries UST BALACH ANDRAN have to
INDIA’S SUBM
ENDEMI ARINE STORY Like arti C SHORTA llery GE
DEFENCE
Training fighter pilots become more complex in a transformed environment I AMIT ANEJA
and SE
CURITY of IND IA
DS
CYBER WARFARE AND SATCOM CYBERWARE
I
India needs credible deterrent technology to safeguard against US NSA-like snooping and Chinese cyber adventurism
R PAK FAUTSSIAN FGFA AKING O FF VOLUME 5
• ISSU E
DSI
www.defencesecurityindia.com
NOVEMBER 2013
1 • ` 250
DEFENCE and SECURITY of INDIA VOLUME 6
ISSUE 1
` 250
INDIA’ S GIANT QUAN LEAP OF FA TU ITH AIR VICE M JUMP INTEC ,THE FGFA WILL MARSHALL HN (RETD) KAP OLOGICALTERBE A IL KAK DIS MS CUSSES
RY OF 21ST CENTU ‘fog of war’ BATTLEFIELD System lifts the Management
Y NETWORK CENTRICIT
RAJAGOPALAN Battlefield extent. | SHANKAR to a significant
RE NCTURE WARFA CHINA’S NEW ACUPU has opened up in the
CYBER WARFARE
n of warfare A new dimensio (RETD.) GURMEET KANWAL BRIG. cyber space |
URITY DEFENCE and SEC of INDIA
DSI 250 ISSUE 2 • ` VOLUME 5 •
INDIAN AIR FORCE MODERNISATION
DECEMBER 2012
NEW LOOK INDIAN NAVY
cover.i ndd 1
LLY TOTHE RED ANNUA BEING DELIVE SET WITH FIVE SHIPS FORCE SEEMSTO HAVE THE S NAVYTILL 2020, HING PACE, WRITE SINGH UP A SCORC ANUP AL (RETD.) VICE ADMIR
Reaches to decision makers in Armed & Para-Military Forces, policy makers in Govt., strategic analysts, security agencies, domestic & international defence manufacturers who are looking at India as a potential market.
CURITY and SE IA of IND DEFENCE
DS
TION Army an DERNISA the Indi arm of LERY MO artillery ARTILsati on of the TERJEE Moderni due I SK CHAT over ES is long ITY PABIL ARINEtrialWO IM E C A s and SSN MARIT : SUBM sea VY into SINGH NA go INDIAN almost ready toambitious I ANIL JAI ecurityindia.com
O FIRE P
WER
s SSBN With an t, IN’s plans seem in the flee 2013 JUNE
nces www.defe
For more details about the magazine refer to our website: www.mediatransasia.in/defence.html www.defencesecurityindia.com
5 VOLUME
I
5 ISSUE
WITH GOI POLICY ON 5 YEAR PLAN SCHEDULES, THE ARMED FORCES WERE CONSTRAINED TO WORK IN THE SAME FORMAT THOUGH THE NEEDS OF THE SERVICES VARY BETWEEN IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM I SUMIT MUKERJI
AM 03/01/13 10:00
` 250
SAVE UP TO 50% Subscribe Now
NAL NSIVE NATIO WITH EXPA
ARENA A LARGE SATION IS E MODERNI AEROSPAC INTEREST,
RJI SUMIT MUKE ITIES I OPPORTUN MERCIAL OF COM
ORDER FORM
Yes, I would like to subscribe DEFENCE and SECURITY of INDIA for * * :
NATIONAL PRICE 2 Years 1 Year
No. of Issues 12 6
Annual Cover Price (Rs.) 3,000 1,500
6
US$ 40
INTERNATIONAL PRICE 1 Year
You Pay (Rs.) 1,500 800
Discounts 50% 46%
International price (Inc. Airmail Postage)
Please deliver to the following address: Name :............................................................................................................... Position / Rank :.................................................................. Organization / Unit :....................................................................................................................................................................................... Address:......................................................................................................................................................................................................... City :............................................................. Pin :......................................................... Country :.................................................................. Tel :........................................ Fax :........................................ Mobile :...................................... Email :......................................................... Mode of Payment : Cheque / DD no:................................................................. For Rs./US$............................................. (In favour of “MTC Publishing Limited”) Please charge Rs./US$.................. to my : Card Number :.................................................Card Expiry Date :......................Date :..........................
Signature:.......................................
You can also offer subscription opportunities to your friends / colleagues Name :................................................................ Job Title :................................................ Contact Number:................................................. To subscribe sent this form to : MTC Publishing Limited (a subsidiary of Media Transasia Group) 323, Udyog Vihar, Phase-IV, Gurgaon, Haryana 122016, India. Tel: + 91 124 4759 616/617, Fax : +91 124 4759 550 Email: dsisubscriptions@mtil.biz Condition apply* *MTC will take 4-6 weeks to start the subscription. All disputes are subject to competent courts in the jurisdiction of Delhi court only. MTC is not responsible for any postal delay.
ISRAELI CONNECTION
IndIa-Israel defence While India tries to keep defence relations with Israel under the radar, Israelis
32
NOVEMBER 2013
cooperatIon
DSI
S. SAMUEL C. RAJIV
assure full commitment to one of its biggest clients Key Points l India’s defence ties with Israel strengthened in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict. l Defence minister informed Parliament in May 2010 that additional AWACS aircraft are planned to be procured in the 12th, 13th and 14th Plans. l Israel successfully leverages its abilities in catering niche areas in which they are uniquely positioned.
T
he rapid growth in the range and volume of India-Israel ties after both countries established full diplomatic relations in January 1992 is an unprecedented reality of the post-Cold War world. From about $200 million bilateral trade in 1992, the trade volume crossed the $6 billion mark during 2012-13. India has been variously estimated to have purchased between $8-10 billion worth of defence equipment from Israel during this time period. Defence Minister A.K. Antony informed the Rajya Sabha in May 2007 that the ‘defence purchases’ from Israel during the period 2002-2007 were over $ 5 billion. Earlier in August 2005, the then Deputy Defence Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that ‘the total value of the purchase contracts, concluded [with Israel] during the last three years [2002-2005] is Rs. 11882.54 crores.’ These disclosures amount to the few occasions when the government of India informed the Parliament of a definitive figure as to the total financial volume of the India-Israel defence cooperation.
Indian military officers interact next to a Searcher MK II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Porbandar airfield in Porbandar, some 400 kms from Ahmedabad
33
AFP
Weapons: Procurement as well as Joint Development India’s defence ties with Israel went on an upswing in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict, when Israel supplied such critical equipment as ammunition for its artillery guns. The type of equipment that India has bought from Israel has included assault rifles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) and airborne warning and control systems
ISRAELI CONNECTION (AWACS). India for instance bought 5.56 mm [Tavor] assault rifles at a cost of $ 18 million for its Special Forces. The Israeli UAV’s in India’s arsenal include more than 150 Searcher’s and Heron’s manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The latter is a medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV – capable of flying non-stop for more than 50 hours, while the former can fly up to 18 hours. The March 2004 Phalcon AWACS deal with Elta worth $1.1 billion for three such planes meanwhile has so far been among the biggest deals that both countries have concluded. The first and second AWACS aircraft were delivered on May 25, 2009 and March 25, 2010. Some reports noted that the third plane was delivered in mid-2011, instead of the earlier delivery schedule of December 2010. The Rajya Sabha was informed in May 2010 that additional AWACS aircraft are planned to be procured in the 12th, 13thand 14thPlans. In June 2013, IAI Elta division sold its latest ELM-2022A multimode persistent surveillance radar with ability to tackle lowflying and surface targets to an ‘unnamed’ country. News reports however surmised that this country was none other than India. India had bought such tethered aerostatmounted surveillance radars from Elta even earlier. The first of six EL/M-2083 radars was received in 2004 by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF had also bought two aerostat radars from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems based on a 2002 contract. These were delivered in 2007 and 2008 respectively. One of these radars was involved in an accident in May 2009 and a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2011 pointed out that three officers of the IAF were ‘awarded severe displeasure’ for lapses in fulfilling their responsibilities in operating the radar. The estimated damage as a result was put at over half of the price of the radar itself. Reports also indicated that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was unhappy with Rafael for quoting a high price to undertake repairs on the damaged radar. The MOD therefore decided in late 2012 to go in for fresh bids to buy six additional aerostat radars instead of repeating the order from Rafael. India and Israel signed a contract for the joint development of long-range surface-toair missile (LRSAM) for the Indian Navy (IN) as well as the Israeli Navy in January
India’s defence ties with Israel went on an upswing in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict, when Israel supplied such critical equipment as ammunition for its artillery guns.The type of equipment that India has bought from Israel has included assault rifles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) and airborne warning and control systems (AWACS). India for instance bought 5.56 mm [Tavor] assault rifles at a cost of $ 18 million for its Special Forces.
”
2006, worth over INR 2600 crore. Staterun Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and IAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in December 2012 regarding cooperation in future LRSAM ship-defence system projects. Under the terms of the MOU, the BEL will function as the Lead Integrator and produce major subsystems. IAI will continue to act as Design Authority and to produce sub-systems as a main sub-contractor of BEL. The contract for the joint development of medium-range SAM (MRSAM) for the IAF was entered into with the IAI in 2009, worth over INR 10,000 crores. Despite initial ‘glitches’ (when a system suffered ‘technical malfunction’ during trials in 2003), the Barak-I anti-missile defence system has been successfully integrated into many warships of the IN. The system currently protects 14 IN
34
An Indian Navy technician prepares a “Heron”, an Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for flight over the Porbandar airfield in Porbandar, some 400 kms from Ahmedabad
warships, including destroyers, frigates and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. Reports in September 2013 however noted that missiles to arm the system were in short supply and efforts to replenish the stock were facing hurdles due to an on-going CBI probe against individuals who have allegedly received kickbacks for the October 2000 deal. A November 7, 2013 report however indicated that the CBI was set to close the case due to ‘paucity of evidence’, thus clearing the way for the IN to buy these missiles from IAI. Not just the buying and joint development of weapons and equipment, defence diplomacy is an important part of Indo-Israel ties. The first meeting of the India-Israel Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation was held in Tel Aviv in September 2002. Since then, the range and volume of interactions between the armed
AFP
NOVEMBER 2013
forces officials and the defence bureaucracy has increased substantially. The visit of Indian Naval ships to the port of Haifa is pertinent in this regard, as indeed the constant stream of visits by chiefs/senior officials of the Indian armed forces. Such interactions no doubt help in better understanding each other’s needs and mitigating concerns if any.
The Enablers Indigenous Short-comings The weapons systems that India obtained from Israel were in part procured due to failure of indigenous development efforts. India’s efforts to develop an AWACS capability, for instance, suffered a setback in 1999 when an Avro aircraft on which a similar capability was being tested crashed. The then Defence Minister George Fernandes told the Rajya Sabha in August
2000 that the delay in the development of Nishant pilotless aircraft was due to ‘technological problems associated with indigenous developments’. An MOD official was quoted as stating in January 2008 that the Barak was crucial to the needs of the Indian Navy since the indigenous Trishul system had failed. It is pertinent to note that India went in for the Israeli radars given the lack of a readily available Indian alternative for surveillance purposes on its Western borders. An indigenous aerostat radar (Aakashdeep) optimised for ground surveillance missions was only first tested in December 2010, developed by the Agrabased Aerial Delivery Research Development Establishment (ADRDE). The Bangalore-based BEL meanwhile entered into a technology tie-up with the US electronics major TCOM in March 2013 to
35
DSI
jointly develop multi-role aerostat radars to meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces, which could be for nearly 30 such radars over the next decade. Israeli Political Will and US Support The transfer of these high-end technologies was also enabled by the support of the United States which invests heavily in the Israeli defence industry. Similar technologies like the Phalcon AWACS were earlier denied to China (the 1998 contract was annulled in July 2000) on account of American pressure. Successive Israeli governments for their part have cultivated political and defence ties with rising regional powerhouses like India and Turkey assiduously. Israel’s ‘Niche’ Capabilities and Lack of Viable Alternatives Israel’s ability to leverage its capabilities in such niche technology areas like UAVs and surveillance systems have enabled it to meet India’s growing defence requirements. Israeli equipment is considered to be technologically superior or on a par with the best available systems in the world. The producers of the Phalcon AWACS, Elta, affirm that their system has an ‘Active Phased Array Electronic Scanning Technology rather than a mechanically rotating antenna (rotodome) used by current AWACS systems, giving Phalcon greater operational flexibility and performance by several orders of magnitude’. The vaunted superiority of this particular system was in contrast to nonperformance of other comparable systems in demonstrations conducted by India. Fernandes told the Rajya Sabha in August 2000 that ‘the performance of the Russian A50 AWACS, as observed during the demonstrations, did not meet the requirements of Indian air force’. Relative Price Advantage Israeli defence manufacturers also quote a competitive price for their products. The relative price advantage ostensibly helps them win the contract. Defence Minister Antony in May 2007 for instance pointed out that Elta was the ‘lowest bidder’ in response to a request for proposals for medium-power radars for the Indian air force in a contract worth over Rs. 800 crores. Elta in the process became the first firm to make investments under the new defence offsets policy of the government. The Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave is its offset partner along with Larsen and
ISRAELI CONNECTION In the aftermath of India formulating its Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and its provisions allowing for the participation of private sector companies in defence contracts, some Indian companies have taken the plunge in cooperation with Israeli companies to fill an important niche
Then Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, PV Naik (2L) unveils the plaque during the induction ceremony of India's first Medium Power Radar (MPR) named Arudhra made by Israel's ELTA Systems Limited at Naliya in Kutch region of Gujarat
AFP
”
Toubro (L&T). Commenting on the LRSAM and MRSAM systems under joint development, Antony stated that these will be ‘comparable in performance and cost to missiles available in their class in the world market’. Israeli Defence Industry Strengths Israeli defence behemoths continue to be at the cutting edge of innovation and invest a lot of their resources in research to stay ahead of the curve. The IAI for instance was the first among Israeli companies and research institutions with the maximum number of patent applications during 2012 (64), along with its subsidiary Elta. Nearly 5 per cent of IAI sales are invested in R&D; while close to 75 per cent of its sales ($3.3 billion in 2012) are to export markets. During 2007 and 2008, the company exported defence equipment worth nearly $3.6 billion, its best performance till date. The IAI no doubt continues to be Israel’s largest industrial exporter. Israel meanwhile was the sixth biggest arms exporter in the world in 2012 (after the US, Russia, France, Germany, and China), according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) while India has been the biggest arms importer since 2011, when it displaced
China. India’s arms imports rose by nearly 60 per cent during 2008-12, as compared to 2003-07. A report by the UK-based business intelligence company IHS Jane’s indicated that Israel was the second biggest supplier of UAV’s in the world in 2012, just behind the US. Israel was expected to become the world’s biggest UAV seller by 2013/14. Another study noted that Israel exported $4.6 billion worth of UAV’s during 2004-2012. It is pertinent to note that in October 2011, the Israel Air Force marked
36
the 40thanniversary of operational use of UAV’s. Such long-standing use and focus on niche technology areas coupled with strong investments in R&D are expected to further sharpen the cutting-edge of Israeli technology and serve its business interests better in the near future. It is however pertinent to note that while arms exports are an important part of overall Israeli exports (accounting for nearly 1/5th), the arms industry itself makes up about 3 per cent of the Israeli GDP. Its
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
the sale would ‘enhance India’s arrogance and its intransigence … destabilise the existing strategic balance’. Israel’s current President Shimon Peres in a first-of-a-kind interview to a Pakistani channel Geo TV in October 2003 (when he was in a nongovernmental position heading a think-tank) insisted that Pakistan should not be worried about Indo-Israel ties and assured Pakistan that ‘Israel has no dispute with Pakistan. Israel is a well-wisher of better relations with Pakistan’. There were reports of Pakistan having secret meetings with Israel in Istanbul during Mr. Musharraf’s time. These have however been denied by both sides.
An Indian Navy “Heron”, an Israelimade unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flies over the Porbandar airfield
AFP
JV’s with Private Sector
The Critics Among the charges that have been made regarding India-Israel defence cooperation is that India is buying weapons that are not effective or that it is buying weapons that are being used against the Palestinians. An Arab member of the Knesset (Jamal Zahalka) made the former charge while the latter charge was made by the Palestinian leader Mustafa Barghouti at a conference on the Palestine issue in New Delhi in September 2010. The former most probably alluded to the Hezbollah’s strike against the Israeli warship INS Hanit which killed four sailors during the 2006 Lebanon war. This warship was equipped with the Barak-I anti-missile defence system. Reports however clarified that the system was not in an active mode as an attack by a surface-tosea C-802 missile was not expected. The reaction from countries like Pakistan or those in Israel’s immediate neighbourhood is equally pertinent. Israeli officials in background briefings and bilateral conferences that this writer has attended refer to the growing sense of antipathy being expressed towards Israel’s help in India’s
defence modernisation. They however add that Israel remains committed to meeting India’s requirements as a ‘true friend’. It would seem India has been successful in explaining the logic of such cooperation to key regional countries like Saudi Arabia, with which India has concluded a ‘strategic partnership’. Reciprocal high-level visits take place at regular intervals which help keep the momentum in ties with a valuable energy partner growing. As for Pakistan, when the US first okayed the sale of Phalcons to India, the Pakistan Foreign Office in August 2003 charged that
People look at a display of ‘Searcher’, a military UAV AFP
importance for the Israeli economy while important cannot therefore be over emphasised. The arms industry however is viewed as a crucial incubator and employer of high-technology that continues to have significant civilian spin-offs as well.
In the aftermath of India formulating its Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and its provisions allowing for the participation of private sector companies in defence contracts, some Indian companies have taken the plunge in cooperation with Israeli companies to fill an important niche. Mahindra and Mahindra’s JV of $20 million with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd. to manufacture a wide range of defense equipment including advanced armour solutions, among others is one such example. A joint manufacturing facility is being set up in Pune. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) JV with IAI in May 2008 covering a ‘wide range of defence and aerospace products, including missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), radars, electronic warfare (EW) systems and homeland security (HLS) systems’ is another pertinent
37
ISRAELI CONNECTION
AFP
Indian Air Force shows a newly-delivered Indian Air Force Il-76 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft landing at Jamnagar airbase
example. Both companies formed a joint venture Nova Integrated Systems Ltd (NIS) in August 2009 with the express purpose of performing offset work for IAI and other defence and aerospace programs in India. NIS sought land near Hyderabad a year later, to set up a manufacturing facility with a total investment of $200 million, with the IAI providing about $50 million. In June 2011, the facility delivered an electro-optic and radar integration payload used in UAV’s and helicopters among other applications in collaboration with IAI-Tamam division, becoming the first such venture in the private sector to do so.
Indian Military/High-Tech Exports to Israel Though minimal, it is equally pertinent to note India’s military/high-tech exports to Israel, apart from joint development of critical systems. India had provided ‘technical details’ of Lakshya pilotless aircraft after Israel had ‘evinced a keen interest’ in the aircraft for ‘exploration and evaluation’. Israel did pay for demonstration flights but eventually did not buy the aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract with IAI in November 2004 for supply of one Dhruv Helicopter. HAL has also signed an MOU for joint marketing of Dhruv with IAI’s avionics package (made by the Lahav Division of IAI) to potential international customers. The
The weapons systems that India obtained from Israel were in part procured due to failure of indigenous development efforts. India’s efforts to develop an AWACS capability, for instance, suffered a setback in 1999 when an Avro aircraft on which a similar capability was being tested crashed.The then Defence Minister George Fernandes told the Rajya Sabha in August 2000 that the delay in the development of Nishant pilotless aircraft was due to ‘technological problems’
38
helicopter is currently in the service of the armed forces of Bolivia, Burma, Israel, Maldives and Nepal. HAL has also been involved in supplying work packages, conversion kits, wheels and brakes for business jet air crafts as well Boeing 737 aircraft. When IAI awarded the first such contract to HAL in 2002, this marked the first time that HAL was able to enter the international civil aviation market.
Looking Ahead India’s modernisation needs are huge and its security requirements are growing. India is expected to purchase equipment worth over $100 billion over the next decade. As and when India’s indigenous capabilities in such areas like AWACS or UAVs develop, dependence on foreign suppliers can be expected to reduce. Even if Indian capabilities come up to speed in areas where there are deficiencies, it is also a fact that it is not economically viable or strategically prudent to build each and every weapon system in a country’s defence inventory indigenously. Israeli defence industry strengths in such niche technological areas like surveillance, electronics act as ‘force multipliers’ and add value to India’s defence inventory. Given the marriage between Indian requirements and Israeli expertise, coupled with the political will to supply and jointly develop such equipment, the IndiaIsrael defence relationship it would seem has even more sunny days ahead.
NUCLEAR CBMs
Hedging against deterrence Failure
Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), acting as a bedrock of nuclear weapon deterrence process, bring in predictability and trust in State behavior that helps assuring an adversary about the limits imposed upon various actions
PINAKI BHATTACHARYA
In a handout picture released on the news website of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, an Iranian Shahab-3 missile, the longest ranged ballistic missle in Iran's arsenal with a range of 2000 kilometres, rises into the air after being test-fired
40
Key Points l During the Cold War, both the US and then USSR had sought to contain the lethality of their weapons by various negotiating strategy l International Atomic Energy Agency was created to administer all the multinational agreements. l Indian nuclear doctrine decries offensive strategies of nuclear weapon use for war-fighting strategies.
C
onsideration of nuclear weapon as a war fighting tool was prevalent in the USA, which actually used it. In the process they triggered a whole new area of study called ‘strategic studies’ or an area of academic research in ‘military strategies.’ The feverish intellectual energy, the US’s nuclear weapon usage against Japan generated afflicted some very highly developed minds of the era. Even though when, the progenitors of nuclear weapons – theoretical and temporal – Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer respectively, became anti-nuclear weapon activists. One such ‘mind’, now considered a guru of nuclear weapon strategy-making, Dr Bernard Brodie, was ensconced in the California-based think tank, Rand Corporation. In Rand, Brodie let his imagination a free reign. From the beginning, the USA adopted a policy of using the nuclear weapon early in war. At least till August, 1949, when then Soviet Union tested its own nuclear bomb, the USA enjoyed a monopoly on nuclear weapon power and flaunted it.
NOVEMBER 2013
Scientists like Brodie and Herman Kahn were aware of the massive destructive potential of the nuclear weapons. They did not suffer from any illusion that a nuclear weapon attack will be selective about destroying lives or property. Even though the moniker, ‘weapon of mass destruction’ was coined at a later date, Brodie had already espoused the principle of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction), of course, after the Soviet Union had added the weapon to its own arsenal. This also triggered the alternative study of the ‘deterrence’ capability of the nuclear weapon. The principle was simple. If a nuclear attack meant the mutual destruction of both the warring parties, the weapon could only be used for deterring an attack – both nuclear and non-nuclear. In the process of promulgating this deterrence, the USA readily took a decision of being ‘declaratory’ about the quality, status, targeting philosophy and actual targets of these weapons. The thought was if the adversary knew all these details, strewn in the public domain, he (or these days, she) would be immensely burdened with decisions to not attack the US or its allies.
Once this basic principle was decided upon, it created the base for a huge superstructure of ideas and actions. If one takes into account the fact that since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, there has not been even one such case of deterrence failure, it reflects on the robustness of the deterrence theory and practice. From this flows the logic of ‘confidence building measures (CBMs)’ that act as the bedrock of the deterrence process. The CBMs bring in predictability and trust in State behaviour that helps assuring an adversary about the limits imposed upon various actions. Nuclear CBMs begin with the nuclear war-fighting doctrine that a nuclear weapon State (NWS) adopts, and hopefully announces. It has been noticed that the lesser nuclear powers tended to declare that they will not use nuclear weapons first (NFU) and second, that they will not target non-NWS with their nuclear weapons. The last principle has even been accepted by the USA as a guiding precept of its own nuclear weapon usage strategy in the mid-1970s. These two principles are the first two CBMs that any NWS can promulgate.
DSI
Nuclear CBMs and their Conceptual Basis: The conceptual framework of nuclear CBMs is based on the destructive potential of nuclear weapons. After the first two CBMs that can encumber a NWS have been dealt with, there is still an wide area left to be filled in terms of the various thresholds of pain and damage that a nation-state can withstand. During the Cold War, both the US and then USSR had sought to contain the size and lethality of their weapons arsenal by various negotiating strategies. Hence, we witnessed the various Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALTs), which even led to Strategic Weapons Reduction Talks (STARTs). It can be safely argued that these, when turned into agreements and protocols, helped keep the Cold War cold. A need was also felt then by the NWS in 1950s and ‘60s that they should create an international institutional architecture, which would help them to keep their nuclear weapons oligarchy. Thus was born the Treaty for Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or its more popular name, Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), various bans on nuclear explosive tests in atmosphere and under-water etc. To
AFP
A general view shows the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna
41
NUCLEAR CBMs A need was also felt then by the NWS in 1950s and ‘60s that they should create an international institutional architecture, which would help them to keep their nuclear weapons oligarchy.Thus was born theTreaty for Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons or its more popular name, Non-ProliferationTreaty (NPT), PartialTest Ban Treaty (PTBT)
Workers (foreground) walk on the site of the Golfech nuclear power plant, southwestern France
AFP
”
administer all these multinational agreements, a requirement was also felt to create an international body under the aegis of the United Nations called the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Despite these efforts, by the end of the Cold War the accounting of nuclear weapons in the hands of both the superpowers remained in the range of 15,000-plus each. Progressive reductions of the two arsenals have now brought down the number to that of about 7,000 warheads of the USA and 8,500 for Russia – with lethality enough still to destroy the Universe many times over. However, the NPT and the follow-on of PTBT, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) has failed to create the nonproliferation shroud of nuclear weapons. For some of the countries, the intense technologically driven and digitised nature of the modern day conventional wars and the USA’s virtually unsurmountable, conventional military edge and its policy of unfavourable regime changes, has given rise to an idea of building nuclear weapons as a hedge against such attempts. In this category will fall North Korea, for example. The others who have broken out of the nuclear weapon reticence like India, and
consequently Pakistan, have focussed on the inherent, unequal division among nations the NPT propagates. The cut-off date for declaring oneself a NWS and being acknowledged as one by the original, four NWS was kept at 1968, as stated in the early 1970s. This allowed Peoples’Republic of China to be considered one of those pioneering states, thus constituting the nuclear-five (N-5). This inherent flaw in the NPT, also got reflected in the CTBT, thus also causing it to be not accepted by countries like India, in their turn. Added to that is the other
42
international nuclear CBM, Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT), which has remained at the conceptual level for long. So, one can argue that the multilateral CBMs do not fare as well as the unilateral or bilateral ones. The weakness on that front has hamstrung any talk of universal nuclear disarmament that is enshrined in the NPT as a responsibility for the N-5 to undertake. The NPT also allows the non-NWS to acquire the capability and technology for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This effectively translates into gaining a certain degree of expertise in developing the
DSI
AFP
NOVEMBER 2013
A cask of container of MOX fuel, a blend of plutonium and uranium, is unloaded from a vessel at Kansai Electric Power Co’s, Japan nuclear fuel cycle. The technological challenge, of scaling up nuclear fuels from the low levels needed for power generation or medical practices, is enormous in terms of skill and even, physical infrastructure. But it has been noticed that when a nuclear weapon becomes a national necessity, the comprehensive national power that is brought to bear can surmount any amount of challenge. As Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had told a select gathering of scientists and technologists soon after the defeat in war by India in 1971, that the people of Pakistan would eat grass, but should surely have the Bomb. Having this as the backdrop, one has to understand the driving need expressed by the US of freezing the fuel cycle technology development at a stage when the Uranium is at a gaseous state. In other words, the Uranium enrichment process is stymied at a level where a non-NWS will not even need centrifuges. Interestingly, nuclear experts observe that to enrich the Uranium up to a level of five per cent is far more tough than enriching it from the level of 20 per cent to 95 per cent i.e.
bomb grade. In this light Iran’s latest offer of transforming all its stored Uranium-235, enriched to the level of 20 per cent to be made into fuel rods for the nuclear reactors can be considered a serious CBM. Thus it can be argued that while CBMs are no guarantee that they will stop conflicts from breaking out, but they are surely important in terms of conflict avoidance. There are other CBMs that are of similar kind like keeping de-mated nuclear warheads and their delivery vehicles; launch codes that remain with only the National Command Authority (NCA) and not the strategic forces commands that handle the weapons; and non-weaponised deterrence by which the warhead is not even built fully but left at so-called one turn of the nuts away, etc. In this scenario, India and Pakistan fit in well as countries that are intrinsically antithetical to each other and also are selfdeclared NWS.
CBMs in the Indian Context: On 26 November, 2008, the people of India witnessed on their television sets one of the
43
country’s iconic buildings go up in flames as terrorists who were later proved to have had come from Pakistan, went on a rampage of death and destruction. The emotions ran high in the country as the television images magnified the anger of the general populace, even as the world showed empathy. Two months later, in January, 2009, the two countries, Pakistan and India exchanged lists of the nuclear installations in each country for the 18th time in as many years – part of a long standing nuclear CBM that Rajiv Gandhi had entered into with Benazir Bhutto in the 1989. The main part of the deal was a promise to each other, that neither would attack the nuclear installations. India and Pakistan were not declared NWS then. Yet, both the countries had begun to weaponise their individual stocks of fissile materials. This was the first nuclear CBM they entered into that phase. In 1998, after Pokhran II, New Delhi had outsourced to the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) the task of creating a nuclear doctrine that would define the basic rules of the country’s nuclear engagement. The NSAB was an agglomeration of ‘wise men’ who did
NUCLEAR CBMs Thus it can be argued that while CBMs are no guarantee that they will stop conflicts from breaking out, but they are surely important in terms of conflict avoidance.There are other CBMs that are of similar kind like keeping de-mated nuclear warheads and their delivery vehicles; launch codes that remain with only the National Command Authority (NCA)
The launch of a surface to surface Prithvi (P-II) missile from Chandipur
AFP
”
not draw authority really from the National Security Council (NSC), but provided it advice when needed. At that point in time, when they worked upon the doctrine, they were led by the late K Subrahmanyam, a legendary forerunner of strategic thought in the country in modern India. The doctrine had the two primary CBMs discussed earlier: NFU, and not targetting non-NWS. But it had more. It stated in its preamble, “the very existence of offensive doctrine pertaining to the first use of nuclear weapons and the insistence of some nuclear weapons states on the legitimacy of
their use even against non-nuclear weapon countries constitute a threat to peace, stability and sovereignty of states.” In other words it posited that the issues of unevenness of the nuclear weapons arena and of sovereignty had militated the minds of Indian policy and decision-makers. The doctrine actually paid great attention to remove the idea that the country went on the nuclear weapons path not for selfaggrandising reasons or more directly, for projection of power. It stated, “The use of nuclear weapons in particular as well as other weapons of mass
44
destruction constitutes the gravest threat to humanity and to peace and stability in the international system. Unlike the other two categories of weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical weapons which have been outlawed by international treaties, nuclear weapons remain instruments for national and collective security, the possession of which on a selective basis has been sought to be legitimised through permanent extension of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) in May 1995.” Continuing in the same vein, the ‘draft’ nuclear doctrine added: “ [T]he Nuclear weapon states have asserted that they will continue to rely on nuclear weapons with some of them adopting policies to use them even in a non-nuclear context. These developments amount to virtual abandonment of nuclear disarmament. This is a serious setback to the struggle of the international community to abolish weapons of mass destruction.” Of course, it is facetious to argue a declared NWS status is not about harnessing politico-military power, but shedding India’s long record of nuclear weapon ambiguity required an exposition.
DSI
US soldiers from the 4th Chemical Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of 2nd Infantry Division participate in decontamination training as part of the Steel Zenith Field training exercise So, the two primary CBMs, covered the ground of essential non-aggression. But the deterrence structure had to be enunciated for all in a ‘declaratory’ pathway. The nuclear doctrine stated, “Deterrence requires that India maintain: (a) Sufficient, survivable and operationally prepared nuclear forces, (b) a robust command and control system, (c) effective intelligence and early warning capabilities, and (d) comprehensive planning and training for operations in line with the strategy, and (e) the will to employ nuclear forces and weapons.” Notwithstanding these precepts underlining the deterrence capability, it was also stated that the Indian aim was to have a ‘credible minimum deterrence’ and not a building spree that was witnessed amongst the two superpowers that existed during the Cold War. The promise of the ‘credible minimum deterrence’ is also a CBM in that context. However, the NSAB had added a caveat, “This is a dynamic concept related to the strategic environment, technological imperatives and the needs of national
security. The actual size components, deployment and employment of nuclear forces will be decided in the light of these factors.” This proviso was geared towards tethering the size of the Indian nuclear arsenal to the country’s northern neighbour, China, which it wanted to deter too. China, of course, had its own NFU principle but it had its programme commensurate with that of the Western powers including the USA, the UK, and France. It also had a minimum deterrence posture, in proportion to the Western powers the nation wanted to deter. The Pokhran II tests and the enunciation of the nuclear doctrine took place under a BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government. But once the Doctrine was prepared and its media review began, the BJP government grew a cold feet. There were a slew of statements from senior ministers of the Union Cabinet and also then National Security Adviser, the late Brijesh Mishra issued statements that meant the doctrine was an ‘academic’ exercise and it may not necessarily reflect
45
the government’s positions. This created a confusion in the informed sections of the country and also demeaned the work done by the Subrahmanyam-led NSAB. Of course, better sense prevailed and the Cabinet Committee on Security in January, 2003, ‘operationalised’ the doctrine and gave it the ‘official’ stamp. In the light of these developments in the nuclear realm spanning close to seven decades, the nuclear CBMs have held. Though the world considers South Asia to be potentially a nuclear flashpoint India and Pakistan have shown that they can be responsible NWS. But the robustness of the security and weapons launch practices of Pakistan are often questioned by various experts considering the country is in the midst of a bloody militancy and terrorism. There is a belief in India, articulated mostly jocularly, that till the ownership of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal remains in the hands of its armed forces, which it is now, there is no threat of unregulated usage by any terrorist group or any other rogue elements. The Americans, irrespective, say that threat is high.
AFP
NOVEMBER 2013
BORDER MANAGEMENT
Border InfrastructuresurveIllance and ProtectIon The integrated border management (IBM) which integrates between domestic and international agencies consist of dimensions like border control involving checks, detection of cross border crimes and management of border guards.
P K MISHRA
Key Points l The high-tech equipment’s now
deployed in the borders are NVDs, HHTIs, Battle Field Surveillance (BFSR) Radars and high powered telescopes l Another requirement for a border force member is more lethal weapons, better sensors and personal radio sets. l The non-lethal approach is being taken in Indo-Bangla border to lessen tensions.
I
n this 21st century, a new approach has been made by prominent states of the world to address the issues of making institutional arrangements of their interested borders. It consists of an integrated approach to facilitate interstate trade and movement of legitimate people across the border. The integrated border management (IBM) has the domestic integration between various government agencies within our country and international integration between
neighbouring countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan. The conceptual framework of the IBM strategy consists of five dimensions like border control involving checks, surveillance and crime intelligence, detecting cross border crime with relevant law, filtered access control movements to check free movements, management of border guards, customs, police other national security agencies, various civil authorities & NGO’s located in border areas and coordination and coherence at the national and transnational level. The border infrastructures have been made keeping into view various security issues like terrorism, migration, legal issues, economic issues like cross border trade regulatory issues, social issues and political issues. The department of border management of MHA is the agency, which pay attention to these issues relating to management of international land and coastal borders, strengthening of border policing & guarding, creation of infrastructure of road, fencing and floodlighting of borders and implementation of border area development programme. It has also the strategy to develop integrated check posts on international borders of IndoChina, Indo- Nepal, Indo- Bhutan, IndoPakistan and Indo-Bangladesh border.
46
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
AFP
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel look on through a barb wire fence during a security patrol on the Bangladesh boarder at the Lankamura boarder post in Agartala
47
BORDER MANAGEMENT EXISTING SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGIES/ EQUIPMENTS BEING USED IN THE BORDERS Border Fencing– Indo- Bangladesh Border as on 30 September 2013 l Fencing Sanctioned 3359.590 Kms (82%) l Fencing completed 2542.336 Kms (76%) l Fencing in Progress 370.838 Kms (11%) l Yet to start 446.416 Kms (13%) Floodlights as on 30 September 2013 l Floodlighting Sanctioned 2920.560 Kms (71%) l Completed 1289.302 (44%) l In progress 755.454 (26%) l Yet to start 875.804 (30%) Border Roads/Tracks as on 30 September 2013 l Sanctioned 4407.110 Kms (108 %) l Completed 3031.642 (69%) l In Progress 516.389 (12%) l Yet to start 859.079 (19 %) Composite BOPs as on 30 September 2013 l Total Sanctioned 383 l Completed 27 l Construction in Progress 89 l Construction yet to start 267
Indian soldiers search for mines at Cheema village near the Indo-Pakistan border, in Punjab state
Out of 2043 Kms of border fencing sanctioned, only 1959 Kms have been made till 30 September 2013 and out of 2009 Kms of Floodlight sanctioned, only 1901 Kms have been made. Mostly the problem is being faced for the fencing and floodlight in Gujarat IB. Present domination methodologyl Foot/ vehicle patrolling l Ambush/ Naka l Observation Post l Ambush cum Patrolling l Road opening party l Area domination Patrol l Long range patrolling Development of Integrated Check Posts. l Binoculars l Mounds l OP Machans l Twin Telescopes l OP Towers l Search lights/ Dragon Search lights l Mine Detectors, Vapour detector l Alarm system l Hand held metal detector l Deep search metal detector l Door frame metal detector l Night watch intruder Alarm
AFP
Indo–Pakistan Border
l Cut wire fence Alarm System l BFSR l LORROS l Day and Night Vision Devices (Active and Passive) l Thermal Imagers l GIS – Geographical Information System l GPS – Global Positioning System l NETRA – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The modern technological advancement
48
can be termed as concept of three-tier surveillance grid (SVL). In the first tier of SVL grid, the surveillance gadgets like BFL polls, binoculars, twin piece telescopes, NVG (Night Vision Goggles), NVD (Night Vision Devices), Monocular, weapon mounted SNVPs, F3 mine detectors that provide quick detection on the ground. The deployment of high-tech electronic surveillance equipment’s now in the borders
NOVEMBER 2013
are NVDs, HHTIs, Battle Field Surveillance (BFSR) Radars, direction finders, unattended ground sensors, high powered telescopes and at present, UAVs. Not only it has reduced required man power but also minimised the incidents taking place due to human error. Rotor mounted HHTI; both manual and automatic mode fitted with TV monitor mounted on static/ mobile platforms with a minimum height of 20 to 30 feet is used near the BOP. It covers 1500 meters all around effectively in dark night and 2500 meters all round in full moon night. The present HHTIs with auto projection TV screen can give the effect up to 3500 meters.
DSI
Netra being tested on site
HHTI is a Hand-held Thermal Imaging camera l Capable of working in full darkness l Can be operated for 2 hours with fully charged battery (can be used for whole night with Adapter) l Weight 3.9 kgs with Battery l Range performance: Human target of 1.6 Metres / Vehicles Detection 3 Kms Detection 6 Kms Recognition 1.5 Kms Recognition 3 Kms l The Range gets reduced drastically during adverse weather conditions l It is manufactured by Electro Optics Industries Ltd Israel l The cost is about Rs 25 Lakhs
LORROS (Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation System) The LORROS can also be mounted or incorporated in similar tactical fashion in this tier, accruing same tactical advantage. Only few numbers of LORROS were inducted in the border guarding forces. The training centres do not possess LORROS for imparting training and withdraw from the borders. It is useful when mounted on a high tower. Range of LORROS -20 Kms (Day time) LORROS, if used by a trained team from a vantage point; can cover approx. (4*4) Kms area during night. It gives real time video imagery during day and night,.helps in easy detection, identification and recognition of targets, has automated aiming and scanning, gives accurate technical data (10 figures GR), and records video imagery. Weight 375 Kg, sensor separation from console (camera to the user) – 100mtrs, power unit 220 volt/24 Volt DC. Manufacturer-Elbit Security Systems Israel. Cost is about Rs 35 Lakhs.
Capabilities (In Kms) Detection Identification Recognition TI Sight (Night) Detection Identification Recognition
Persons
Vehicles
12.5 9 8
12.5 10 7.5
4.5 3.5 Not possible
13 8
Practically the range of LORROS gets reduced drastically during adverse weather conditions. BFSR The BFSR will also give similar effect of LORROS in a different way and can be mounted and be used in both static and mobile. Sufficient BFSRs are not available in BNs and training institutions. It gives real time positional information of moving ground surface targets. l Target classification based on Doppler tone, heard on headset l Provision to attach symbols for identifying targets. l Draw area of interest and non interest zone l Provision to draw lines to show IB or LAC etc. l In built GPS l Separation of sensor - 100Mtrs l Locking and automatic tracking l Detect moving targets like walking man,
49
Out of 2043 Kms of border fencing sanctioned, only 1959 Kms have been made till 30 September 2013 and out of 2009 Kms of Floodlight sanctioned, only 1901 Kms have been made. Mostly the problem is being faced for the fencing and floodlight in Gujarat IB
”
crawling man, vehicles etc. l Maximum detection range – about 10 Kms l Weight – 30 Kgs l Performance/detection range: Crawling man – 500 Mtrs, Single walking man 2 Kms, Moving group of people 5 kms, Moving light vehicles 8 kms, Moving heavy vehicles 10 kms l Instrumental range 18 kms l Minimum range of detection- 100 mtrs. It can be used in any weather. The only limitation is the persons handling the
BORDER MANAGEMENT
AFP
An Indian soldier and a Chinese soldier remove barbed wire on the border fence at Nathu La to allow commanders of both sides to meet for a flag meeting
equipment must be intensively trained. High energy microwave pulses are transmitted by the radar and Echo pulses from target received. The change in the pulse frequency gives the presence of the moving target. Different types of audio signals emanating from the system help in differentiating the type of targets. This is an ideal tool of border surveillance for intruder deduction and prevention of infiltration and illegal immigration.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) UAVs utilise infrared camera technology and laser illuminators for which surveillance is possible at any time of the day and night. The UAVs have to be used in the frequent routes of infiltration of militants, migrants/ criminals. The UAVs can link to the map/ imageries and exact location can be identified for effective domination and reaction. Second tier will have duplicate communication systems (line
communication, HF, VHF and UHF). These communication systems are linked with HHTI controls, BOPs and company headquarters. The third tier SVL grid is manpowercentric equipped with surveillance equipment, LMGs / automatic weapons, 51 mortars and MMGs. This grid is available at OPs, LPs, Ambush points, infiltration points, exfiltration points, gaps, riverbeds and areas that are not feasible for fencing to give surprise and deception. Use of GIS- Image processing is a scientific process which will be of great importance to the user if he can exploit all the features in an image which will help in border surveillance. Continuous observation of any change over a period of time in an area, which is specifically been used by an insurgent for cross border infiltration, one can identify roots of infiltration, exfiltration, militant hideouts and their training camps. The 3D Model gives a real time perspective view for the
50
planner and the troops on the ground have a true picture of the terrain. The radio frequency identification and global positioning system are gaining popularity for surveillance. The sniffer dogs are also used to detect narcotics, FICN and migration of militants from across. The sensors can be buried underground, elevated on fixed poles. It includes magnetic sensors, seismic sensors, infra-red sensors and visual sensors. To determine what sensors to be used, depends upon capability of sensors, variation of weather, terrain, temperature and weather fluctuations. PNV binocular model 1910B is much effective and covers approximately 350 meters all around which is very handy to the ambush and patrol party. The Border QRT can be integrated with all the technical modern surveillance equipments for a quick reaction to any situation arising at any time. The following modern surveillance equipment and weapons are now being
planned to be used by the border guarding forces. l CM Beretta 9 mm (about 37 thousands planned for BSF). Made in MX4 Storm Italy. l X95 assault rifle of operating range 300mtrs which is fully automatic having laser sight and reflex sight. It can be fired accurately from any position with aimed fire. The magazine takes 30 rounds. Its size is small and the barrel length is less. To be imported from Israel. l HHTI – cooled version with increased range l LORROS – l Glock 9 Pistol l Satellite Phones – for in- accessible areas l UAVS (NETRA) for Jammu, Punjab, Maldah, Sunderbans and Char islands. l All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) – Flat bedded,to carry stores in Sir Creek. l Integrated surveillance system with Sensors, NVDs and Cameras. l Digitalization of all UHF, VHF & HF communication networks with old, Analog system. l 81 Mortar Simulators for training in battalions. l Medium crafts for River Padma,and Brahmaputra. l Fast attack crafts for Sir Creek. l Floating BOPs for Sir Creek, Sunderbans. l Dhruv Helicopters with Captain Pilots. l Monoculars. l Thermal Image intensifiers. l Passive night telescope sights. l Baffle ranges for firing all weapons up to 300 Metres. l Advance simulators in border Battalions. Another requirement for a border Jawan in future is to be equipped with more lethal weapons, better sensors;personal radio sets for various operational needs in the IBand LAC. The future border man will have a system (F-INSAS) meeting all operational requirements to fully address the border problems faced by the soldier’s. The FINSAS project made for Army be also provided to all border guarding forces of India which has digital technology that can connect them to the commanders increasing situational awareness and achieving seamless connectivity in order to guarding the border round the clock throughout the year in inhospitable terrain in a network centric environment. The requirement of boomerang warrior-X which is light in weight and
DSI
An Indian infantry soldier unloads a medium machinegun from his colleague's shoulder, in the Bimbhet foothills of the combat zone
Use of GIS- Image processing is a scientific process which will be of great importance to the user if he can exploit all the features in an image which will help in border surveillance. Continuous observation of any change over a period of time in an area, which is specifically been used by an insurgent for cross border infiltration, one can identify roots of infiltration, exfiltration, militant hideouts and their training camps
51
integrated with tactical vest, now available with the British soldiers is a new device that can pin point the exact position of Sniper of opposite side 1000 yards away. Recently both Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and Pak Rangers are using Snipers against our Border Guard force. This equipment will be a deterrent to locate the Snipers, as it can determine its co-ordinates on a small screen with an arrow indicating it. It can pass the exact location of the enemy snipers to the Commander, mortar positions and support Commanders. The suitcase satcom terminals are also required in India’s border to boost troop connectivity all along LoC, LAC and IBs. These are light weight suitcase based satellite communication terminals which give better connectivity. These satcom sets have readily deployable KU-band terminals for almost unlimited ranges, which can be carried by vehicles, mules or jawans in jungle and mountainous area where line of sight is impossible. The DRDO had already launched explosive detection kit (EDK) and it is exporting to US. It detects explosives like TNT, RDX, Dynamite and black powder within a minute with no more than 3 to 5 milligram of the suspected sample. These Indian EDKs are the best to be kept in all
AFP
NOVEMBER 2013
BORDER MANAGEMENT
AFP
An Indian Army soldier from the “Bald Eagles� of the Golden Katar Infantry Division looks through the sights of a rocket launcher during an army exercise in the Great Rann of Kutch
ICPs, border airports and BOPs. The non-lethal approach for damage control to lower the casualty rates in IndoBangladesh border and to bring down killing of Bangladesh infiltrators and migrants are being considered in placing various nonlethal weapons in the eastern border including use of smoke and rubber bullets. The NETRA (UAV), designed by DRDO is now being used in Jammu Indo-Pak Border which is noiseless and having surveillance cameras fitted to it which transmits live pictures of the terrain to a monitor. It is preprogrammed, goes up to 500 metres height, remains in air for about 30 minutes and is operated and controlled from the ground. It gives the image 2 to 3 kilometres all around. It runs on rechargeable battery and of four to five kgs in weight. After its power goes off, the equipment falls back from air to the control station placed on the ground, automatically. The NETRA has four fans on its body and is fitted with both day and night camera as per requirement. The border domination also requires automatic fire direction control mortars to be operated digitally and not manually. The computers utilised for
The radio frequency identification and global positioning system are gaining popularity for surveillance.The sniffer dogs are also used to detect narcotics, FICN and migration of militants from across.The sensors can be buried underground, elevated on fixed poles. It includes magnetic sensors, seismic sensors, infra-red sensors and visual sensors
52
communication are being digitalised so that the integration is easier, accuracy is more. The wide area network is being integrated to IPP (Net). The Motorola has provided UHF and VHF communication to Paramilitary forces and the BHEL has provided HF Sets. UHF operates in low power only and its limitation is the requirement of highly directive antennas. The Radio relay system is also being made by UHF communication. The Korean I.Com sets of VHF and UHF are now being converted to digital. The Gateway type integration of mobile sets, radio sets, Analog, Digital system and the line communication is being experimented so that there can be a direct communication from mobile telephone sets to all wireless communication sets. l High tech surveillance equipments. l High resolution CCTV Cameras (VSS & EPOS) for both day and night domination. l Balloons l Satellite Imagery l Mobile surveillance Post. Ground sensor in broken ground/river beds. - In determining what sensors to use, one critical issue is their capability. This functions with minimal interruption in a variation of environments, including desert, forest, mountains and water ways with significant temp and weather fluctuations. In remote areas providing power to support both the sensor and communication systems that transmit the sensor data is also a technical challenge which has to be planned. Most important factor is where to deploy the sensor and how to link them together into a network so that data from different sensors can be compiled to provide the complete picture of the activities all along the border. The seismic sensor works on the principle of creating a signal by seismic disturbance caused in the earth by any movement and gives visual and audible signal in the receiver. It works on dry battery/NICD/Battery pack. The Infra Red sensor is energised by dry battery which emits infrared beam. When any intruder passes, the IR beam gives signal to the system that gets alarm in the transmitter connected through cables. The alarm can be received in receiver house in the control unit. It can give both audio and video alarm (may be in the form of LCD display). The system is required for border guarding forces to be laid in the gaps left by thermal cameras in sensitive areas.
COASTAL SECURITY
Addressing
The CoAsTAl
ConCerns
The MV Pavit issue had showed the gaps in the coastal security net that has been strengthened after 26/11
ANIL JAI SINGH
54
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
Key Points l Vulnerability of India’s coastline has
been exploited for hundreds of years. l A multilayered defence mechanism
has been put in place comprising three principal layers. l The length, contours and large unpopulated areas of the Indian coastline make coastal security an extremely challenging task in the wake of 26/11 fraught with danger.
T
he strategic vulnerability of India‘s vast and porous coastline was cruelly exposed on the night of 26 November 2008. Ten men in a fishing boat were able to penetrate India’s layered coastal defences and enter its financial capital through a popular entry point teeming with people and wreak havoc in the space of a few hours. The swiftness and precision of the attack laid bare the inadequacy of the establishment’s coastal security structure. That it took almost 60 hours to restore normalcy further highlighted the
55
weaknesses in our response preparedness. This was not the first time that the country’s coastline had been breached with impunity. On 12 March 1993, the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai which targeted commercial centres like the Bombay Stock Exchange and led to over 250 deaths and more than 700 injured had been executed with explosives smuggled in through the Raigad coast in Maharashtra. There was much talk of strengthening the country’s coastal security apparatus even then. Initiatives like Operation Swan were
AFP
Two Indian Coast Guard helicopters fly past as a Coast Guard officer works on the deck of a ship during a demonstration in the Bay Of Bengal
COASTAL SECURITY
AFP
A gunner on the CGS Sangram Coast Guard Naval vessal stands alert as another Coast Guard vessel pulls along side in a naval exercise 40 nautical miles out to sea from the port of Bombay
launched to carry out patrolling but a comprehensive review was not undertaken; no long term measures were introduced towards ensuring a more robust defence of our entire coastline. India has a coastline of 7516 kms. Of this over 5400 kms is along the mainland and 2200 kms is along the strategically located and extremely vulnerable island territories (572 islands in the Andaman and Nicobar group in the east) and (27 islands of the Lakshadweep group in the west). The topography of the Indian coastline with a plethora of creeks, rivulets, landing points, bays, sandbars and forested land make this
an ideal haven for clandestine activities. The security threat is not restricted only to the physical coastline. Maritime boundaries extend beyond the coast and our area of concern should be the entire 2 million odd sq kms of the Exclusive Economic Zone. A major part of our indigenous energy requirementis met from the offshore installations on the western and eastern seaboards and some of our most vital infrastructure including atomic power stations, large refineries and shipyards are located along the coast. Over 90% (by volume) and 77% (by value) of India’s trade passes through the 13 major
56
and 187 non-major ports, all of which are susceptible to a seaborne threat which could have devastating economic consequences. This vulnerability would fit perfectly into the plans of any force inimical to our national interests. The nature of the maritime threat has seen a paradigm shift in the last two decades or so. State-on-state conflict is just one of many threats with most others now tending towards a wide spectrum of the asymmetric ranging from terrorism to piracy, smuggling, narcotics, people trafficking, gun running and the more insidious and sinister state-sponsored sabotage of critical economic and military installations and disruption of trade. The vulnerability of India’s coastline has been exploited for hundreds of years. While the events of 1993 and 2008 spring immediately to mind because of the brazenness of the attacks on the civilian population, the smuggling of gold, drugs, arms and other commodities has been rampant for many years with the full knowledge of the authorities and in some cases perhaps with their connivance too. Maritime terrorism continues to remain a major threat. Although it has so far constituted only about 2% of all terrorist attacks across the world, this could well change in the future as terrorist outfits develop a maritime orientation and get adequately tempted by the easy pickings at sea and the vulnerability of coastal boundaries. Subsequent to the successful Kargil operation of 1999, a review of the Indian security establishment was undertaken by a group of experts. A Group of Ministers was then constituted to suggest and implement the recommendations with the aim of making the security apparatus relevant to the contemporary threat scenario. This included a detailed review of Border Management including the coastal boundaries. However the apathy in implementation of the recommendations got further highlighted as a number of measures implemented post the Mumbai carnage of 26/11 had been recommended in 2001 itself. The 26/11 attacks were a rude wake up call to the nation and the government. It was the sheer audacity and ferocity of the attack that led to a review of coastal security at the national level. For perhaps the first time all stakeholders were sought to be integrated into the security architecture which
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
AFP
Suspected Somali pirates sit with their faces covered during a media interaction on board an Indian Coast Guard ship off the coast of Mumbai included various agencies including the Navy, the Coast Guard, the police, customs, the Border Security Force, the fishing community etc. The sluggish response, the lack of readiness, the intelligence deficit, the lack of focused direction from the political leadership and perhaps the knowledge that this was part of a more sinister long term gameplan to destabilise the nation that elicited this review.The vulnerability of the coastline and the lack of adequate resources to protect it provided a perfect opportunity to our western neighbour to strike a significant blow in its proxy war against India. For perhaps the first time, coastal security has got the importance it deserved. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the highest decision making body in the land on issues of national security has issued various directives to address this core threat to the nation’s territorial integrity. This includes the setting up of a multilayered arrangement for enhancing adequate depth in surveillance capability. While this was also recommended in 2001, the difference this time around is the resolve to ensure implementation. In addition to the organizational changes, it was the
A Group of Ministers was then constituted to suggest and implement the recommendations with the aim of making the security apparatus relevant to the contemporary threat scenario.This included a detailed review of Border Management including the coastal boundaries. However the apathy in implementation of the recommendations got further highlighted
57
allocation of budgetary resources and the financial commitment coupled with a phased procurement plan which indicated the seriousness being accorded to coastal security. The CG’s five year Development Plan was approved for the period 2012-17 concurrent with the national 12thFive Year plan with allocation of over Rs 16,000 crores, more than 2/3rd of which is for capital procurement. This would enable the CG to reduce its current capability deficit with the induction of modern surface and air platforms. The entire coastal security plan is to be implemented in two phases. The first phase is well underway and Phase 2 is running concurrent with the national 12th Five Year Plan A multi-layered defence mechanism has been put in place. Comprising three principal layers, this delineates the areas of responsibility in geographical terms. The Marine Police which is part of the state police force is responsible for patrolling upto 12 miles from the coast; the Coast guard looks at distances of12 to 200 miles and the Navy ‘s responsibility is beyond 200 nautical miles from the coast. The navy, as the principal guardian of the
COASTAL SECURITY
AFP
Then Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma (C front), Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Director General, Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan (2L front), and ABG Shipyard Chairman, Rishy Agrawal (2R) pose with senior officers and soldiers
nation’s maritime frontiers has the overall responsibility for coastal security. The Flag Officers Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western, Eastern and Southern Naval Commands are now responsible for coastal security in their respective areas of responsibility. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) which came into being in 1978 as India’s fourth Armed force is responsible for coordinating all coastal security activities with the Director General Coast Guard (DGCG) designated as the national coastal commander. The coastal states have been mandated to draw up their own plans and dovetail these into the overall coastal security construct. The state governments are important stakeholders in the coastal security of their respective geographical boundaries. The Marine Police wing, which has been less than efficient so far is being strengthened with additional manpower, training, resources and equipment. Over 200 coastal police stations have been established and a fleet of about 400 Fast Interceptor Boats (FIBs) are at various stages of procurement.
The Customs are also an integral part of the structure and are enhancing their patrolling and investigative mechanisms with a security orientation. The Border Security Force has a water wing, which is responsible for the creeks and waterways in Gujarat and in the Sunderbans, both of which are extremely fertile areas for harbouring anti-national elements and rampant smuggling all of which are greatly detrimental to national security.
above), and is also linked to the Vessel Traffic Management Scheme (VTMS) which is operational in all major ports and harbours. Smaller vessels are being fitted with Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID). A comprehensive picture of the region could be generated when all components are also linked to satellite monitoring/surveillance and feeds from all sources can be collated centrally through the National Command Communication Control and Intelligence network (NC3I).
Maritime Domain Awareness and Coastal Surveillance
Challenges
A radar network is currently being set up along the coast to provide complete coastal surveillance upto 25 nautical miles from the coast. Comprising 46 radars for the mainland and the islands, this network should provide seamless coverage of the coastline akin to an Air Defence network. This would enable the movements of all vessels to be monitored. This network also integrates the National AIS network which can track the vessels fitted with AIS transponders (fishing vessels of 20m and
Notwithstanding the efforts to revitalise and reinvigorate coastal security, its efficient implementation with appropriate commitment is still some distance away. This was reflected in MV Pavit incident in 2011. The Panama flagged ship was abandoned by its crew and ran aground near the Juhu beach in Mumbai after drifting undetected for over 100 hours in Indian territorial waters. A couple of other incidents of ships remaining undetected despite being in trouble in Indian waters
58
NOVEMBER 2013
AFP
One of the crew members of the submerged ship MV Rak Carrier being winched into a Seaking helicopter off the coast of Mumbai on August 4, 2011
underlines the magnitude and complexity of the task and the consequent need for a robust and focused approach. Perhaps the single most important inadequacy in the system is the lack of coordination amongst the multitude of government agencies with maritime interests and their differing perception of the importance of securing the country’s coast. This has a direct bearing on the resources being allotted, be they fiscal, materiel or human. There are over a score of ministries and departments which have a stake in India’s maritime region. It is virtually impossible to get themon the same page on most issues. The navy has been clamouring for the establishment of a National Maritime Board comprising representation from all these agencies to enable a cohesive and comprehensive approach with empowerment in decision making. However this proposalhas met with little success so far. India’s vast maritime interests and the importance of the seas in the 21st century with the Indian Ocean likely to occupy
A radar network is currently being set up along the coast to provide complete coastal surveillance upto 25 nautical miles from the coast. Comprising 46 radars for the mainland and the islands, this network should provide seamless coverage of the coastline akin to an Air Defence network.
59
DSI
centre stage with its multitude of economic, political, diplomatic and security challenges strengthens the case for appointing a National Maritime Security Adviser to provide a holistic overview, shape the nation’s maritime posture and develop a cohesive response capability to any threat that may emerge in the region. At an operational level, there has been close coordination in certain areas which has led to some success. These include the promulgation of Standard Operating Procedures, Joint Coastal Security exercises (coordinated by the Coast Guard), formation of Coordination Committees at the state and district levels under the civilian administration and perhaps most significantly the establishment of Joint Operational Centres (JOC) at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi and Port Blair which are essential for collation and dissemination of information and action to be taken. These are collocated with the Headquarters of the respective Naval Command Headquarters who are mandated to provide overall maritime security. The navy and the coast guard have understood the importance of securing our coastal interests and have been very proactive in creating an eco-system with the participation of all stakeholders. A similar sense of urgency however is yet to percolate to the state administrations which seem either to be lacking in their understanding of the prevailing vulnerability or accord a higher priority to narrow , parochial ‘turf’ issues. Information sharing and a consequent appreciation of a potential threat is therefore the biggest casualty. Mumbai in 2008 was a classic case of the political blame game gaining ascendancy over the causes which led to the carnage thus obscuring the importance of a comprehensive review and the formulation of an integrated approach.
Equipping the Security Forces The entire coastal security and surveillance apparatus is being augmented to provide a cohesive and coordinated multidimensional capability. Maritime Domain Awareness is central to this. It would require a surveillance capability across the entire spectrum of air, surface, underwater, space and cyber security to address this challenge. Indian industry has a golden opportunity to consolidate their R&D and production skills towards addressing these requirements.
COASTAL SECURITY
Offsets Offsets remain one of the weaknesses in the procurement procedure. The inclusion of internal security in offsets is an opportunity that Indian industry should seize with both hands. The MoD and industry should work together towards strengthening the offset mechanism so that its full potential can be realised. Industry associations like CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM should rise above their petty parochialism and vested agendas and encourage greater synergy in the system. The offset opportunity in India is expected to be in excess of 15-16 billion dollars in the
An Indian Coast Guard helicopter overflies a sailing vessel off the coastline of Great Nicobar Island
AFP
The requirement of surface craft of various types for the navy, the Coast guard and the state security agencies has revitalised the shipbuilders in the private sector to hone their skills and demonstrate their willingness and efficiency in delivering quality products within cost and on schedule. This would go a long way in establishing their credibility to undertake more ambitious projects. The navy is also investing in its coastal security responsibilities with the induction of FACs, IPVs, shallow water ASW craft, unmanned air and underwater assets to enhance its surveillance, interception and interdiction capability. The creation of the 1000 personnel strong Seema Prahari Bal for defence of marine and coastal assets and offshore patrolling is another step in this regard. Similar allocations to all agencies and a phased implementation would go a long way in addressing the shortfall across the entire spectrum of coastal defence activities and a coordinated approach by all agencies would ensure that the sum is greater than the total of its parts. Thereis an immediate need to enhance underwater surveillance with a sophisticated layered network including diver detection systems and high frequency sonars. Systems like Cerberus and the Gateway Buoy manufactured by Atlas Elektroniks, Germany are two of many such systems available in the market. Most of the leading global defence firms are looking to doing business in India and would welcome an opportunity to collaboratewith Indian firms. The DPP 2013 has sent out a loud and clear message that outright global purchases will have the lowest priority which provides Indian firms an opportunity to obtain cutting edge technology from their foreign collaborators.
The navy is also investing in its coastal security responsibilities with the induction of FACs, IPVs, shallow water ASW craft, unmanned air and underwater assets to enhance its surveillance, interception and interdiction capability. The creation of the 1000 personnel strong Seema Prahari Bal for defence of marine and coastal assets and offshore patrolling is another step in this regard
60
next decade and offers a golden opportunity for the MSME sector to become an integral part of the Indian defence - industrial complex as it evolves towards meeting the nation’s security requirements. The length, physical conformation and large unpopulated stretchesof the Indian coastline make coastal security an extremely challenging task. The dynamics of the maritime threat scenario in our region lends itself to asymmetric warfare thus enhancing ourvulnerability to forces inimical to our nation. This has been exposed time and again with horrendous consequences on each occasion. Unfortunately the importance and urgency of a robust coastal security architecture in India continues to elude the attention of the policy makers. After the devastating attack on Mumbai on 26 Nov 2008, it was expected that the lackadaisical approach to this important vulnerability would figure prominently in our national security matrix. However while certain measures have been taken and coastal security today is perhaps better than it has ever been before, there is still a lot more that needs to be done. The most important task would be to establish an integrated policy framework with a clear mandate and if necessary legislate a mechanism to ensure synergy and unity of purpose amongst all stakeholders, the lack of which is one of the major existing weaknesses. The coastal states which are largely responsible for the security of their respective coastline have been tardy in equipping, training and organising themselves towards ensuring a proactive approach and continue to be hampered by a lack of purpose driven by factors that are both organisational and at times personal. Indian industry has an important role to play in addressing the technology and equipment requirements. The new DPP and the offset provisions provide the opportunity. It is for the MoD to create the right the right eco-system and for industry to demonstrate the initiative and resolve to put its money where its mouth is in achieving the goal of self-reliance. Addressing the vulnerability of our coastal defences is the need of the hour. The navy and Coast Guard are reorienting themselves towards establishing a robust capability but a comprehensive approach at the national and state level is essential if we are to address this issue with the seriousness it deserves.
DEFENCE BUZZ
NOVEMBER 2013
DSI
DEFENCE BUZZ An Update on Defence News
IAF receives 4th C-17 Globemaster III
Indian Navy conducts ‘Defence of Gujarat Exercise’ A large scale annual operations exercise of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy was conducted off the littorals of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The week-long exercise termed ‘Defence of Gujarat Exercise’ tested the operational readiness of the Western Naval Command in relation to littoral combat and the defence of vital offshore assets in the northern
coastal states of Western seaboard of India. In addition to large ship’s like Delhi class destroyers, Teg and Godavari class frigates operating under the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) the exercise also involved a large number of vessels of the local flotilla including potent missile vessels of the 22nd Killer Squadron, Patrol Vessels and Minesweepers operating
under the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG). Coast Guard Patrol Vessels, integrated into the operations played a key part in providing multiple layers of defensive surveillance. In addition to ships, the exercise also witnessed intense flying activity by the TU 142Ms, IL-38SDs, IN and CG Dorniers. and Searcher and Heron UAVs.
First fully indigenous S-92® helicopter cabin The Indian joint venture established betweenTata Advanced Systems and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation announced that its S-92® helicopter cabin production in India has become 100 percent indigenous.The India operation is not only assembling cabins but also producing all parts needed for the assembly,
The Indian Air Force’s fourth Boeing C-17 Globemaster III departs for India from Long Beach on Oct. 19, keeping the company on track to deliver a total of five advanced airlifters to the IAF this year. Boeing will deliver five more C-17s to India in 2014 to complete the contract. Since its first flight in 1991, the C-17 has amassed more than 2.6 million flying hours airlifting troops and large cargo, delivering humanitarian supplies by precision airdrop, and performing lifesaving aeromedical missions. Most recently, the IAF used its C-17s to support Cyclone Phailin relief efforts. Boeing will complete production of the C-17 Globemaster III in the fourth quarter of 2015.
is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. The Tata Sikorsky India JV also announced the Hyderabad facility of TASL completed another significant milestone in October by producing its 50th S-92 helicopter cabin. The TASL facility now has the capacity to produce up to four cabins a month and is responsible for future design.
before shipping the cabins to the U.S. for aircraft completion and customer delivery. The S-92 helicopter cabin and more than 5,000 associated precision components are made at Hyderabad through a strategic collaboration between Sikorsky and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). Sikorsky
62
SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2014 HIGHLIGHTS
Organised by:
Official Media Partner:
Supporting Publications:
Supported by:
Held in:
DEFENCE BUZZ
towards young French scientists, it will sponsor 2-3 postdoctoral fellows annually to pursue aerospace related research work in top universities and R&D institutions of India.The duration of the programme will be 5 years starting from 2014. The LoI was signed by Arnaud Marfurt, Vice-President, Innovation Works (International Operations), EADS and Dr.Debapriya Dutta, Director,
EADS to promote aerospace research in India Strengthening its research partnership with India, EADS signed a letter of intent (LoI) with CEFIPRA (Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research) at the India-France Technology Summit 2013 for creating a new innovation initiative called the ‘EADS-CEFIPRA Aerospace Programme.’ Under this programme, calls will be given to leading Indian
universities and institutes to propose research projects for funding.The programme aims to foster research in India in the field of aerospace, particularly related to topics such as avionics, composite materials, high performance computing, nanotechnology and applied mathematics. In addition, the letter of intent envisages the launch of ‘EADS Postdoctoral Fellowship’ in India. Directed
CEFIPRA. Speaking on the occasion, Arnaud Marfurt said: “This confirms our commitment to invest in promotion of aerospace research in India. India with its huge talent pool and top notch research institutes represents an important innovation hub for EADS. Such initiatives not only add value to our global R&D and engineering efforts but also bring us closer to our customers here.” The LoI comes close on the heels of EADS setting up a research Chair in the field of ‘Mathematics of Complex Systems’ in partnership with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) on 1 March in Bengaluru. Held by Prof. Mythily Ramaswamy, professor and researcher at the Centre for Applicable Mathematics, TIFR and Prof. Spenta Wadia, distinguished professor and Director, International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, TIFR, the Chair’s lead objective is to develop innovative research involving theoretical and computational work in general.
IAF focuses on ‘Maintenance & Training’ at Commanders conference The second bi-annual Air Force Commanders’ Conference for the year 2013 recently held at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi. The four day Conference was inaugurated by Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee(COSC) and Chief of the Air Staff. IAF chose- ‘Aircraft and Systems Maintenance and Operational andTraining Issues’ as its theme for the current Commanders’ Conference, in the backdrop of IAF’s ongoing modernisation drive, challenges of maintaining legacy systems along with new inductions and optimisation of resources.
Complimenting the Commanders’ for an outstanding effort in the last one year, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said, “ While Exercise Iron Fist and Exercise Live Wire clearly illustrated our professional competence and team work, Op Rahat reconfirmed the nation’s faith in IAF’s capability and resolve of our men and women.These enhanced our collective confidence in employing new capabilities in conformity with our concept of operations. Now, it is all the more important for us to carry forward the lessons learnt from them and continue to refine our methods.” Emphasising on enhancement of Operational
Capability, the IAF Chief said, “We must consolidate our newly acquired aircraft and equipment towards maintaining a High Operational Status at all times”. “Since leadership flows from a sense of ownership, we must encourage ownership at all levels. When, Air Warriors,
64
our most important asset, are happy and motivated, it clearly indicates that we are moving in the right direction,” he further added. The four day conference (22 Oct – 25 Oct 2013 ) was attended by the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), chiefs of the seven IAF Commands.
NOVEMBER 2013
The first indigenous chopper of India, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH –Dhruv) designed, developed, produced and maintained by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to meet the requirement of military and civil operators, achieved a new milestone of flying one lakh hours. The land mark has been achieved with the flying of helicopter IA 3104 of 301 Army Aviation Sqn (Spl ops). “It is a proud moment for us that Dhruv has proved its mettle over the years. India is the sixth nation in the world to have the capability to develop helicopters of this class. Dhruv has been exported to Ecuador, Mauritius, Nepal and Maldives”, said Dr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. He also thanked Indian armed forces, BSF and other precious
customers for their continued support to this product. “One lakh hours flown by the machine is an awesome feat to achieve. It is a dream machine for any pilot”, said Lt Col Kapil Agarwal who completed the landmark flying hours. ALH is being operated by Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Coast Guard, BSF and state governments since 2002. Currently, more than 132 Dhruv helicopters are serving the Indian Defence Forces. HAL has also built 12 civil variant Dhruv helicopters and they are being used by its customers.The Ecuador Air Force (FAE) operates six Dhruv helicopters with their President choosing to fly in them. Dhruv is extremely useful to the Indian defence forces in meeting the arduous tasks in
AFP
Dhruv clocks one lakh flying hours
difficult terrains of Himalayas like Siachen Glacier and Kashmir. It played a key role in rescue operations during Tsunami (2004), flash floods at Leh (2010), earth quake at Sikkim (2011) and the biggest ever helicopter based rescue
DSI
operation undertaken by Indian defence forces in flood & rain-hit areas of Uttarakhand recently. ALH Dhruv is an all weather helicopter which can carry 10-16 people at heights of 10,000 feet. It is a multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 tonne weight class and meets Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) specifications. It has demonstrated its capability in long distance flights, vertical climb and in manoeuvring. The advanced technology features incorporated in the design of Dhruv include hinge-less main rotor and bearing-less tail rotor, integrated dynamic system encompassing main gear box and upper controls in a single housing, higher powered Shakti engines, and integrated architecture display system.
India and Kyrgyzstan to increase Defence Co-Operation 32ND Annual Coast Guard Commander’s Conference The 32nd Annual Coast Guard Commanders Conference was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Mr Radha Krishna Mathur. The conference, scheduled for three days will assist the Coast Guard Commanders in introspecting the myriad challenges confronting the service in the Maritime domain. Speaking at the inauguration, the Defence Secretary acknowledged the contribution of the service towards the security of the
nation and complimented the rank and file of the Coast Guard for exhibiting tremendous zeal and tenacity whilst discharging their mandated charters. The Defence Secretary also expressed satisfaction with the progress and expansion of the service which includes induction of state of the art ships and aircraft.The Defence Secretary also exhorted the concerned officials to work towards timely culmination of important projects including
the Coastal Security Network. The Director General Indian Coast Guard Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal, in his inaugural address highlighted the progress made by the service across the entire spectrum of activities and also thanked the MoD for all the valuable support and guidance. Besides the Coast Guard Commanders, senior officials of Ministry of Defence including Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Arunava Dutt attended the conference.
65
Major General Taalaibek Omuraliev, Minister of Defence of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is on an official visit to India for a meeting with Defence Minister Shri AK Antony . Both Ministers discussed a range of issues of mutual interest concerning bilateral defence cooperation and also shared views on security issues. Both sides reaffirmed their desire to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation in areas of interest such as training, UN Peacekeeping and defence industry cooperation.
DEFENCE BUZZ
NOVEMBER 2013
Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer with 123 aircraft ordered to date, of which over 70 have been delivered to the Indian Air Force. Hawk trainers already in service with the Indian Air Force are performing well. Adding to the Indian Navy’s fleet of aircraft, the Hawk provides the ideal platform for pilots to transition smoothly to the Navy’s frontline aircraft. Hawk effectively integrates air
AFP
The Indian Navy has received the first of 17 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers, becoming the third naval operator of the Hawk along with the US Navy and the Royal Navy. The 17 Hawk aircraft ordered by the Indian Navy form part of a contract for 57 aircraft signed in 2010 of which 40 are for the Indian Air Force. Among its 18 customers worldwide, India is the largest operator of the
and ground based elements offering the most efficient and cost-effective method of training pilots. We have worked closely with the Indian MOD and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to establish a production line in India where the Hawk aircraft are assembled. Guy Griffiths, Our Group Managing Director—International said, “The introduction of the Hawk to a new user is a momentous occasion, and further testimony to the aircraft’s global success. This marks another significant milestone in our longstanding partnership with HAL which has established a track record operating a world-class Hawk production capability. We are committed to strengthening our relationship with HAL and exploring long-term sustainable business opportunities, globally.”
Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft mission computer suites Pilots and mission crews in India are receiving easy-to-read display data and a broad range of capabilities for search and rescue, submarine warfare, and disaster recovery missions over land and water thanks to our Mission Computer and Display System (MCDS).Through a contract with Boeing, BAE S ystems is providing these powerful mission computer suites to the Indian Navy for use on their P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, a variant of the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon. The MCDS suite – which can go on any aircraft or unmanned aerial system – consists of two high-performance servers and five dual-mission workstations that are lighter and less expensive than currently fielded mission computers.The suite proves its versatility through its ability to be tailored to individual users, enhancing
mission performance and endurance. Additionally, the suite’s modular, open-systems architecture leverages commercial off-the-shelf designs for military environments, enabling low cost and rapid technology insertion. “Our mission computer suite is the digital backbone for the P-8I aircraft, providing an interface to all sensors, communication links,
countermeasures, aircraft subsystems, and weaponry on board,” said Gary Rubasch, program director in Greenlawn, NewYork, where the mission computers are developed. “Airborne sensors in surveillance aircraft require a scalable mission computer like our MCDS suite provides. It allows users to complete multiple missions without needing to purchase additional mission specific aircraft.”
66
Agni V missile successfully tested
AFP
Indian Navy receives first Hawk Trainer Jet
DSI
India’s Long Range Ballistic Missile -Agni 5- capable of delivering warhead with high precision- was successfully launched in a repeat of spectacular maiden launch last year. A symbol of DRDO’s technological excellence and India’s strength, the missile took off majestically at 0850 hrs from DRDO’s Launch Complex at Wheeler’s Island, off the coast of Odisha, flew on a pre-defined path and reached its destination with expected precision. The missile, powered by three stage solid rocket motors had a flawless, spectacular launch in auto mode and followed its entire trajectory in textbook manner, dropping the three motors at pre-defined stages into the ocean. The ships located in mid-range and at the target point tracked the Vehicle and witnessed the final event. All the radars and electro-optical systems- ship based and those based on ground stations along the pathmonitored the performance parameters of the Missile and displayed information on real time. All the systems and subsystems of the missile including the launch system, navigation system, control systems, rocket motors and the re-entry package .
Our business is making the fi nest ballistic protection systems in the industry.
Photo courtesy of the US Army
Our mission is saving lives.
DEFENDER 速 multi-hit body armor ceramic plates along with the Seamless Ballistic Helmet (SBH) provide proven performance and lifesaving ballistic protection for alliance warfighters around the world.
www.ceradyne.com/products/defense.aspx