Indian armed forces woefully short of equipment: report

As usual on the Internet you have to be careful of what you read expecially when its the Indian media. But i've come across a very accurate and insightfull article. Worth the read.

Indian armed forces woefully short of equipment: report

New Delhi: India's armed forces are woefully short of equipment, reveals a parliamentary committee, calling for immediate measures to rectify the situation if the military is to deliver what it is intended to.

Be it the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force (IAF) or the Coast Guard, they are either pathetically short of equipment or what they hold does not perform at optimum, parliament's standing committee on defence has said in its 11th report.

Take first the army.

"The committee is deeply concerned about the progress of the (home grown) Arjun (main battle tank) as its production schedule is going very slow," it said.

While the defence ministry has projected it would hand over 124 Arjuns to the army by 2007-08, the ground situation is far different.I was on the mark!

Five Arjuns are being evaluated by the army, after which the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would carry out modifications in the gunners main sight and gun control systems. Another 24 Arjuns have been assembled at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, where they are manufactured.

Noting that there should be no delay in handing over the rectified tanks to the army by 2007-08, the committee "desired that accountability for delay in Arjun's production may be fixed".

This apart, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told parliament last week that the Indian Army was short of a staggering 11,256 officers - 27 percent of its sanctioned strength - of the rank of lieutenant colonel and below.

Noting that the procurement of 280 tracked and wheeled guns from single vendor Denel of South Africa had been put on hold after corruption was alleged in the deal, the committee recommended that the Procurement Board while clearing a deal "should always have at least three vendors on the panel so that in case of any irregularity...other vendors can be considered...and delays minimised".

The committee was also "constrained" to note that DRDO had not undertaken research work on developing a 155 mm self-propelled gun as had been recommended "so that the country does not depend on foreign suppliers for this crucial equipment".

The army currently deploys the Bofors 155mm howitzers whose purchase in the 1980s has been mired in controversy due to allegations of kickbacks.

The committee was also "constrained" to note that the quality of the army's night fighting devices was "not at par" with advanced countries.

In the case of the navy, the committee noted that in comparison to aircraft carriers like USS Nimitz, INS Viraat and Admiral Gorshkov that was due to join the fleet in 2008 "stand nowhere in terms of various features like dimension, displacement and aircraft carrying capacity".

Thus, the features of the air defence ship - dubbed a lean aircraft carrier - currently under construction at the Cochin Shipyard "be re-examined and steps taken to match the capabilities of the best aircraft carrier to the extent possible", the committee said, noting that the project was behind schedule.

It also pointed out that the navy faces shortages of short- and long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and Dornier aircraft used for coastal surveillance.

"The committee feels the navy is an equipment-intensive service and procurement of such critical equipment cannot be sidelined."

The committee was "dismayed" to note that some naval ships were operating without radars, even as most of the radars fitted on ships were imported.

In the case of the IAF, the committee noted that the phasing out of several ageing aircraft during 2005-17 "is likely to be a major concern, thereby causing substantial depletion of squadron strengths".

The committee was "constrained" to note the "ever-increasing delay" in the operational clearance of the home grown Tejas light combat aircraft. It recommended the government explore the "alternate option" of importing the engine for the aircraft on a ToT (transfer of technology) basis.

The committee also expressed concern over the inadequate coverage by existing IAF radars resulting in "significant gaps" all over the country. This was particularly so in peninsular India "thereby making it vulnerable to sudden attacks die to failure of timely detection".

It noted with "serious concern" that most of the IAF's missile firing units "are of extreme vintage" and lacked spares.

On the Coast Guard, the committee expressed "concern" over "serious shortages" in its force levels.

Against an authorised strength of 158 comprising 106 vessels and 52 aircraft, the force level was at 111 - 66 vessels and 45 aircraft.

In the case of the DRDO, the committee noted with "deep concern" that only eight to 10 percent of its budget was spent on fundamental research and that imports continued to account for almost 26 percent of the total defence expenditure.

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If this is true then it shows the weaknesses in the Indian economy, particularly the manufacturing sector

Just wait a couple of years. India will rise militarily like China. Then Pakistan will get even closer to China to protect itself...

If this is true then it shows the weaknesses in the Indian economy, particularly the manufacturing sector

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Its not exactly a weakness if you can buy what you can't produce.

just to make sure this doesn't turn into a India vs China thread, a slight warning here.

"In the case of the navy, the committee noted that in comparison to aircraft carriers like USS Nimitz, INS Viraat and Admiral Gorshkov that was due to join the fleet in 2008 "stand nowhere in terms of various features like dimension, displacement and aircraft carrying capacity"."
wow, India has some really high expectations.

Orginally the IDS was designed to hold 20 fixed wing aircraft and 20 heles. The rest is for troops, and amphibious assualt. What more could they change when the project is already launched? Catapult?

May I request the moderators to unlock the threads of "Indian Air Force News" and "Indian Army and Navy News" so that all such news reports may directly be posted in those threads instead of starting a new thread altogether for only one news report. Members can ensure that the threads shall have only news articles and discussions relating to India's defence only and no discussions of China vs India. Members who violate the rules can be warned.

jatt said:

As usual on the Internet you have to be careful of what you read expecially when its the Indian media. But i've come across a very accurate and insightfull article. Worth the read.

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There are many suspisions regarding the Indian media of being in connivance with foreign defence firms.
The extremely high amount of criticism is alright and in fact healthy in a democratic nation and forces the DRDO and HAL to generate results, but when the criticism comes inspite of recent successes or when the results of government tenders or hardware tests are awaited, it is then that such fears arise.

It also pointed out that the navy faces shortages of short- and long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and Dornier aircraft used for coastal surveillance.

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Indian Army to acquire 'Nishant' by mid-2007
KOZHIKODE, MAY 23 (PTI)

The first fleet of indigenously-built Unmanned Aerial Vehicle `Nishant', specifically designed for any-time launch and recovery, would be delivered to the Army by mid-2007, Aeronautical Development Establishment Director G Elangovan said today.

ADE conducted its 106th flight trial early this morning and the multi-mission UAV's successful launch and recovery here was watched by officials of the Coast Guard, he said.

"The uniqueness of Nishant is that it has no wheel at the bottom and is ready for launch and recovery from any point", he told reporters here.

The entire article may be referenced by the following URL:

The committee was "constrained" to note the "ever-increasing delay" in the operational clearance of the home grown Tejas light combat aircraft. It recommended the government explore the "alternate option" of importing the engine for the aircraft on a ToT (transfer of technology) basis.

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HAL to go into supersonic mode

Monday May 15 2006 00:00 IST Link

BANGALORE: Five years after the first indigenous developmental fighter took to the air after complaints of time and technology gaps, the defence PSU - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) - has now decided to go into supersonic mode.

HAL chairman Ashok Baweja told this website's newspaper that the fifth prototype vehicle, trainer and the first of the eight Limited Series Production (LSP) will join the programme this year. These aircraft will help accelerate the initial operational clearance for the LCA.

On Saturday, PV2, among a cluster of four jets built, turned supersonic with air-to-air missiles on board. Scientists of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) said it was a big leap forward in the project as the jet was now propelled into operational test light mode.

‘‘As for the LCA project, it is a war-room like situation at HAL. I am getting daily inputs from officers on the progress made in the project,’’ the HAL chief said.

HAL has now taken up the challenge to complete the eight LSPs and 20 more aircraft within three years. The IAF will induct these delta-winged world’s lightest fighter aircraft by 2010 to replace its ageing fleet of MiGs.

The PSU’s focus now is on stepping up the pressure on this strategically important project to ensure that there are no further delays. Three more aircraft, which will join the test flying envelope later this year, will increase the number of aircraft used for certification.

In all, four LCAs, two technology demonstrators and two prototypes had logged over 525 flights.

Not just HAL, but even the ADA has accelerated the programme to the next level by putting a radar on the aircraft and is taking up a weaponisation programme by fitting pylons on the PV2.

The entire article may be referenced from the following URL :

It recommended the government explore the "alternate option" of importing the engine for the aircraft on a ToT (transfer of technology) basis.

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It is known that the development of the Kaveri engine is on schedule according to a news report posted by jatt earlier. The high-altitude testing shall take place in June, 2006. Hence the above mentioned options may not be explored prematurely.

Army fabricates units for chemical warfare
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

Jagraon, May 20

With nuclear, chemical and biological (NBC) warfare becoming an inherent part of military doctrine and training, the Army has introduced locally fabricated NBC decontamination units that can be set up right at the frontline.

“One such unit was developed in-house by our own engineers and troops just four months ago. Another was fabricated within a span of 20 days,” Brig Sanjeev Loomba, Brigadier-General Staff, 2 Corps, told The Tribune on the sidelines of Exercise Sanghe Shakti.

As part of the Cold Start doctrine which was validated, the capability to respond to an NBC attack was also tested during the exercise, though the focus was on the chemical element, officers said.

For developing these decontamination units, commercial equipment like motors, control mechanisms, sensors, pipes and nozzles were procured off-the shelf from various places and put together, the Brigadier said. These comprise overhead sprays as well as flexible hand-held nozzles attached to specially outfitted support vehicles.

These units can decontaminate an entire regiment of 45 tanks in about 90 to 120 minutes, The process is three-phase — pre wash, chemical wash and post wash with plain water. Fully mobile, these units can operate anywhere, the only raw material required being adequate water supply.

Though the number of such decontamination units in service is limited, the ultimate aim is to have such units down at the regiment level. At present, these are available at the level of armoured brigades and, officers said, these can also operate further down the echelon as and when required to do.

For the troops, new lighter NBC protection suits developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have come in. Further, most of the decontamination agents now being used by the Army are indigenous, Brig Bakshi said.

Source:

well those mentioned old threads migth contain some trash that migth ignite again...so lets keep this india related news thread....No need to make new thread of each news you spot...

I wouldnt give this report and the people involved in creating it too much credibility. IMHO IN and IA as well as IAF are doing pretty well. There might have been some setbacks on indignious projects but still they have gained some experience and with good project management in future they can rectify it. Arent these civillians by the way who made this report and who expect IN's air carriers to be of Nimitx class .Long time ago i read somewhere some civis were outraged that IA asked for anti aircraft guns to use aginst bunkers.

Field trial of Arjun tanks in the next month or two: Army Chief

The Indian Army would conduct field trials of the indigenous main battle tank Arjun "in a month or two" along with the T-72 battle tanks, Chief of Indian Army Gen J J Singh said today.

The Army had placed order for 124 Arjun tanks and "we will find out during trials this summer where exactly we can exploit the capabilities of these tanks in the best manner and accordingly, we will use the tanks," he told reporters here.

He admitted that there had been delay in delivery and induction of Arjun but added "I believe when a country makes any state-of-the-art equipment, the production cycle takes a long time."

"But, we are going to try out these tanks and based on their performance, we will be able to decide how best we can exploit them," the Army chief said.

Asked how the Army rated Arjun in its class, he said, "as per the literature, it is supposed to be the state-of-the-art and compares very favourably with the equipment of similar class anywhere in the world." The Arjun tank, he said, had most of the advanced features in its gunnery, firing systems, fire control system, communication system and survivability in an NBC (Nuclear, Biological and chemical) environment.

Source:


Indian Army open to source equipment from US

Saturday, May 27th, 2006

{Posting only relevant parts of the article}

‘Though it is for the government decide on such issues, we project our requirements from the national security point of view. We are happy to receive equipment, which is in its best class from any source, including the US. But it will have to be a government decision,’ Singh told reporters on the after flagging off the newly manufactured bogie flat Arjun tank carrier wagons of military rail at the Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) facility here.

He said the army would begin field trials of the indigenous main battle tank (MBT) Arjun in a month or two along with its T-72 battle tanks.

‘We have already placed an order for 124 Arjun MBTs. We will be able to find out their performance from the field trials this summer and evaluate their capability in the best manner,’ Singh said.

The Avadi factory is scheduled to deliver 14 MBTs to the army next year (2007-08).

The entire article may be referenced from te following source: