Indian Military News

Changing with times

RAVI SHARMA
in Bangalore

Challenges in the form of liberalisation and global competition have steeled the units' resolve to surge ahead.

JAWAHARLAL Nehru described them as the `temples of modern India' when they were established in the formative years of the nation after Independence. The public sector undertakings (PSUs) have come a long way since then and emerged as entities that have to compete with the best business houses in the world. But the past 15 years since the opening up of the economy have been the most challenging for them.

While some of the units have adapted themselves to the changed environment characterised by shrinking markets, increased competition and near absence of government protection, others have floundered and are hoping to receive relief from the government.

BEL's record
...........

Says Gopala Rao: "Our recent state-of-the-art short-range battlefield surveillance radar, which can be carried by three people, installed in five minutes and has a range of around four kilometres has been a great success. Having already delivered a thousand of these radars to the Army, we are demonstrating it successfully to friendly countries in South Asia and on the African continent. Indonesia has bought two and might increase this to 50. Trials of the bulk production phase models of our 3D long-range central acquisition radar are also under way. The government has already approved the sale of seven of these ground or vehicle-mounted radars to the Air Force and two to the Navy."

.........

For the Indian Army, BEL has also started manufacturing secure (not just scrambled) hand-held portable radio receivers and the Stars V Mark 2 transreceiver, which incorporates `frequency hopping' technology (the frequency changes 250 times a second, which helps encrypt both the message and the signal).

With wars increasingly being fought after sundown, BEL has stepped up its development and production of electro-optic products, especially those based on image intensifiers and infrared detection technologies. BEL's radar warning receivers have been fitted on the Indian Air Force's fighter aircraft.

.........

Source:
http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20060811003511700.htm

BEL achieved exports of $12.5 million during 2004-05. The defence PSU exported a range of products to various countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Botswana, Egypt, Suriname, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Israel and the US.

The important export orders executed during 2004-05 include
>supply of spares of 3D radar TRS 2215 to the Indonesian Air Force;
>refurbishment of Cymbeline radar for Egypt;
>supply of laser range finders to Israel;
>supply of solar-powered traffic signalling system for 32 junctions to the ministry of public works, Surinam;
>supply of night vision devices and solar lanterns to the Surinam armed forces;
>supply of solar cells to Germany; and
>supply of X-ray parts to GEMS, USA.

Source:
http://www.domain-b.com/companies/co...dependent.html

The following URL leads to the Official website of the Akash SAM :

http://www.akashsam.com/index.htm

The site has been designed professionally. The details about the operational scenarios, combat equipment, and technologies that are involved in it clearly imply that DRDO is promoting the Akash SAM for export.

The following diagrammatic expression depicts the various situational deployments of the Akash SAM :

India Gears Up to Begin Exporting Missiles

Posted 21-Aug-2006 05:33

Back in November 2005, The Hindu newspaper reported that India's government has given the go-ahead for exporting missiles, and that India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is looking to market several of its products internationally. The DRDO will participate in international expos as part of its marketing strategy, and government officials have claimed interest from African, Gulf and South-East Asian countries. They have also noted, however, that India's government would be required to approve any foreign sales to specific countries.

The missile systems in question include:

* Trishul ("trident") short-range surface-air missile (SAM)
* Akash ("sky") medium-range SAM
* Nag ("cobra") anti-armor missile; and the
* Indo-Russian BrahMos short-medium range supersonic cruise missile, which is primarily designed as an anti-ship weapon but could be modified for land attack.

Source:
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/n...hp?newsid=6844

Reactor for nuclear submarine fully operational

T.S. Subramanian

Mini version of reactor to be built and fitted into the submarine

# The reactor went critical towards the end of 2004
# Mood upbeat about building of submarine

CHENNAI: The reactor for India's nuclear-powered submarine project at Kalpakkam, near here, is working smoothly at its full capacity of 100 MWe, informed sources said.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee inspected the project on July 18 while taking part in the 20th anniversary celebrations of the commissioning of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor there.

The project is called the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme.

The sources said the reactor, which went critical towards the end of 2004, was fully operational now.

A miniaturised version of the reactor would be built and fitted into the submarine.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited the ATV facility on October 23, 2004, when he launched the construction of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) there.

Substantial progress has also been made in building the submarine's hull at Visakhapatnam, the sources said.

The ATV is a joint project of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), the Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The ATV has facilities at BARC in Mumbai, Kalpakkam, and Visakhapatnam.

The mood is upbeat in these facilities about the progress made.

The fuel for the reactor, which is highly enriched uranium, comes from the Rare Materials Project near Ratnahalli, near Mysore.

Source:
http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/18/stor...1800541500.htm

Attention IN fans!!!..We are discussing aircraft carriers in the aircraft carrier thread in world armed forces discussion

Aircraft Carriers

....The talk has turned to the future IN CV Vikramaditya and it's air wing. Your input is appreicated!

bd popeye moderator

Originally Posted by bd popeye

....The talk has turned to the future IN CV Vikramaditya and it's air wing. Your input is appreicated!
bd popeye moderator[/B]

Thank you for the invitation, bd popeye.

Indian peacekeeping battalion wins acclaim in Lebanon

Saturday, August 26, 2006 (New Delhi):

Army's 4th Sikh battalion has become yet another Indian contingent to win 'Unit Citation' award for its herculean efforts in peacekeeping operations in war-torn Southern Lebanon.

The battalions would also be complimented personally by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who will be visiting them on August 29 and 30, an army spokesman said.

Posted in the most turbulent eastern portion of Southern Lebanon, which witnessed heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militia, the battalion was awarded the citation by force Commander French Major General Alain Pellegrini.

"A total of 21 officers, eight Junior Commissioned officers and 44 of other ranks have also been commended individually for their stupendous performance," the citation passed to the Indian Army headquarters said.

The 4th Sikh battalion has been deployed in Southern Lebanon in UN Peacekeeping mandate for the past two years and had replaced the Gorkha battalion.

However, uncertainty still lurks over the continuance of the battalion in peacekeeping role in the area as the mandate of the UN Interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) comes to an end on August 31.

The French army and the Italians have pumped in three more battalions amidst reports that the mandate of the UNIFIL might be changed from peacekeeping to peace enforcement.

The new forces are being deployed as buffer between Israeli forces and Shiite Hezbollah militia. (PTI)

Source:
http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmor...egory=National

When I read the name Sikh Batt. And knowing a little history of the Sikh Batt. What else would a person expect but valor & bravery!? Great job by the Indian Army's 4th Sikh Battalion. The IA forces did not fold or withdraw under the pressure of a war time situation. Suburb valor ! Outstanding...

The history of the Sikh battalion dates back to 1846 . Simply outstanding soldiers!

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/discu...256A56000CE942

Originally Posted by bd popeye

When I read the name Sokh Batt. and knowing a little history of the Sikh Batt. What else would a person expect but valor & bravery!? Great job by the Indian Army's 4th Sikh Battalion. The IA forces did not fold or withdraw under the pressure of a war time situation. Suburb valor ! Outstanding...

On behalf of the Sikh Batallion (unofficially though), I thank you once again for the above comments.

The history of the Sikh battalion dates back to 1846 . Simply outstanding soldiers!

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/discu...256A56000CE942

The above URL is indeed valuable.

The Arjun, Main Battle Tank is ready

Lok Sabha

The Arjun, Main Battle Tank is ready. The project “Main Battle Tank, Arjun”, was sanctioned in May 1974. General Staff Qualitative Requirement was finalized in October 1985 and project was completed in March 1995. The indent for 124 tanks was placed by users in March 2000. These are currently under production at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi. Tank-Ex has been built by Defence Research and Development Organistion (DRDO) to demonstrate a possible method to upgrade T-72 tanks, with a modular turret as a proactive step.

DRDO is involved in development of weapons and platforms as per the requirements of the users. To make the weapons user-friendly, users are involved in the project right from the developmental stage.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Ravi Prakash Verma and Shri Anandrao V Adsul in Lok Sabha today.

Source:
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=20223

Anti-submarine warfare system handed over to Navy

Developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory Induction of the ASW equipment would help integrate indigenous weapons and decoy systems while supporting the existing inventory

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday handed over the integrated anti-submarine warfare (ASW) equipment to the Navy.

Chief Controller, Defence R&D, A. Sivathanu Pillai, handed over the equipment to Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command and Chief of Naval Staff designate Sureesh Mehta during a brief function on board INS Ranjit.

"The system is developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) here and is equipped with a very advanced software. It has the ability to detect enemy vessels while being underwater and also fire torpedoes or missiles," Dr. Pillai said. Induction of the ASW equipment into the Navy would pave the way for smooth integration of indigenous weapons and decoy systems, while supporting the existing the inventory held by the Navy, he said.

Vice-Admiral Sureesh Mehta inaugurated the system by powering it up. He congratulated the project team on successfully developing the system.

NSTL Director V. Bhujanga Rao said the Laboratory had developed the system at a cost of Rs.4 crores while a similar system of foreign make would cost Rs.30 crores. Project Director C.D. Malleswar said the system was modular and re-configurable with the state-of-the-art hardware and software using open architecture.

Bharat Electronics Ltd. of Bangalore, which produced the system, received order from the Navy to produce two more systems. Director of Naval R&D in DRDO Ratnakar Bhushan, senior scientists of the NSTL, General Manager of BEL A.A. Mohan Ram and others were present.

Source:
http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/09/stor...0907851300.htm

Indo-Chinese Naval Dynamic

By Special Correspondent Usman Ansari

With China an established Asian power and India an aspirant it is not hard to predict that at some point their interests may clash (as in some areas they already do). What this translates to in the maritime sphere is a competition that ranges from the energy rich Middle East to the South China Sea, and takes in the Indian Ocean littoral.

In the past twenty years the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has made considerable strides to evolve into a more modern, active 'green water' organisation that seeks to operate and influence matters further away from shore. Its area of maritime interest stretches from the Malacca Straits, to Vladivostok, and out to the so-called “first island chain" (Aleutians, Kuriles, Ryukyus, Taiwan, Philippines, and Greater Sunda Islands). It seeks to be a regional maritime power able to protect Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) and to capture and defend the islands that are in its maritime area of interest. It is also being used more frequently to promote friendly relations with other states by making foreign port calls, something quite alien for much of China's recent history. Though similar efforts by the IN to dominate or otherwise influence the area between the Straits of Hormuz and the Malacca Straits, and Indian Ocean littoral, may not initially seem to be related they are in fact closely inter-linked. This is due to the SLOC from the Arabian Gulf that carry the energy resources that both nations need to sustain their growing economies. This is especially so of the Chinese whose energy needs seem to be growing exponentially. Their respective maritime areas of interest also 'merge' at the Malacca Straits, one of the planet's most important maritime choke points, which leaves ample potential for the two regional powers to clash.

As a response to this both nations have been actively fostering and expanding relationships with nations that are deemed to be in the area of interest of the 'opposing' party. For example India seeks to develop a closer economic, political and military relationship with the ASEAN states, and actively courts countries such as Vietnam, a nation that has had a somewhat fractious relationship with China.

The Chinese, who consider the South China Sea to be beyond India's legitimate area of maritime interest, no doubt regard this 'intrusion' with much suspicion. India also takes a keen interest in the Malacca Straits, having built up an impressive military infrastructure on the Andaman and Car Nicobar island chains from where it can dominate the Indian Ocean entrance into the straits. In response China has constructed bases in Burma that may one day grow to house PLAN ships, enabling them to operate in the Bay of Bengal, an area jealously guarded by India as its own back yard.

Furthermore China has a strong strategic relationship with India's arch-foe Pakistan and has funded important infrastructure projects such as the new port at Gwadar. She has also sought to develop stronger relations in Africa (again in direct conflict with India) mainly through political and economic endeavours but the military aspect of such relationships can never be far behind.

WITH both states actively promoting themselves in the same areas, a clash of sorts at some future date may be inevitable though at present neither country would not wish to harm their economic growth and prosperity.

The area in question is essentially a maritime region, which would favour the nation that can influence matters at sea and in the littoral better than the opponent. In this regard both nations are building up their naval capabilities with increasingly powerful and sophisticated ship designs being built or procured (ironically in this regard both have turned to the former eastern superpower, Russia). Though it lacks an aircraft carrier capability (unlike India, which seeks to expand its) China does know the value of submarines. It's latest submarine is an indigenous development of the Russian Kilo design and appears to have impressive capabilities.

Clearly both China and India are at present, actively seeking the military capability to secure their respective interests.

Whatever the outcome of this competition the key lies in having a modern and powerful navy able to project power far from home shores and the ability to secure friends and allies among other states in the region.

Source:
http://www.warshipsifr.com/IndoChineseDynamic.html

INS Mysore destroyer.


PLAN Shenzhen

Indian Army makes 'Mercury Thunder' operational

NEW DELHI, SEP 13 (PTI)

Indian Army today made operational its most advanced network centric communicationn system 'Mercury Thunder'.

The network, which signals Indian Army's entry to a digitalised battlefield, was dedicated by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee at a function here attended by all the three service chiefs, Admiral Arun Prakash, Air Chief marshal S P Tyagi and General J J Singh.

Fielded by the core of signals, the mercury thunder system is a robust platform which an Army spokesman said could withstand all man-made and natural disasters.

Speaking on the occassion, Mukherjee said the new system assured ground forces network availability and survivability which is of paramount importance in today's world of intense electronic warfare.

"Mercury Thunder will be the strategic backbone network of the Indian Army and will create space for digitalised battlefield and also support and also support interconnectivity with other tactical communication systems," an Army spokesman said.

Source:
http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?gid=73

The following URL is a Bulletin of DRDO, which is titled, Avionics technologies :

http://www.drdo.org/pub/techfocus/au...t-06-Final.pdf

Malabar 2006 Integrates American, Indian EOD
Story Number: NNS061031-11
Release Date: 10/31/2006 3:25:00 PM

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/disp...story_id=26359

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Derek Sanchez, USS Boxer Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team members, currently embarked on USS Boxer (LHD 4), teamed up with an Indian EOD unit as part of Exercise Malabar 2006, Oct. 28.

EOD Mobile Unit 3, Detachment 11, flew from Boxer with an Indian EOD team to conduct hands-on training off the southwest coast of India. The teams jumped from a helicopter into the Indian Ocean with 10 pounds of explosives to dispose of a mock mine.

The purpose of the multinational exercise, which focuses on a number of naval mission areas, including EOD, is to strengthen ties between American, Canadian and Indian forces, as well as enhance the cooperative security relationship between the nations involved.

“We have all had the same basic EOD training, but it is the advanced ordnance disposal skills that we can provide to the Indian EOD team,” said Lt. Peter Kral, officer-in-charge of EOD Mobile Unit 3, Det. 11. “We both bring certain operational skills to the table to learn and grow from.”

An SH-60 Knighthawk helicopter was used during the mission. The use of a helo is not unique to U.S. Navy EOD teams, but it was a first for the Indian navy EOD. The helo made several passes at the location to allow the teams a chance to practice jumping out of a helo and mine detonation.

“Carrying out the exercise from an aircraft is new to the Indian navy,” said Kral. “It is something they want to incorporate and improve on their side operationally and a prime opportunity to show what the U.S. Navy has to offer.”

The training mission gave the EOD teams a chance to work closely, strengthen international ties and help ensure that in future operations, they will be able to work effectively together.

“Everything ran smoothly between the two teams. It is a simple operation with knowledge from two different perspectives,” said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist 1st Class Jason Null assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 3, Det. 11. “This proves that we can work well in exercises in the future.”

Boxer is the flagship for the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG), operating out of San Diego, which is reporting operationally to Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/ Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious task force.

For related news, visit the Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.