Augmentation of Nation’s
defence preparedness by adding new milestones in defence R&D,
capacity building in existing and new strategic areas through
upgradation and modernization, further strengthening of coastal security
initiatives in different areas particularly in air defence and blue
water capabilities and a systematic force projection of our armed forces
in India’s neighbourhood and far off Asian region by engaging them
through exercises and defence diplomacy were the main highlights of the
year.
The year also saw
massive welfare measures being undertaken for service personnel and
ex-servicemen, scaling of new heights by armed forces personnel in
fields like sports and adventure activities. The achievements of
defence scientists in developing different soldier support systems like
Suicide Risk Assessment Test, BMP Urban Survival Kit, Armour for Mi
17-IV for helicopters and Heavy Weight Anti-Submarine Electric Torpedo –
‘Varunastra’ also marked the eventful year.
New Weapons Systems to Strengthen Defence Preparedness
AGNI-V – India proudly
entered the exclusive club as the sixth country on 19 April 2012, when
its Long-range Ballistic Missile took to sky on its maiden flight and
reached the pre-designated target point over 5000 km away in the Indian
Ocean with remarkable accuracy. The missile which was launched from
Wheeler Island off Orissa Coast incorporates many indigenously developed
technologies. These include the composite rocket motor,
state-of-the-art avionics, 5th generation ‘On Board Computer’
distributed architecture, highly accurate Ring Laser Gyro-based inertial
navigation system (RINS), reliable redundant micro navigation system
and the re-entry kit shield that withstands temperature with more than
4000 degree celsius ensuring that avionics function normally by
maintaining an inside temperature less than 50 degreescelcius.
AGNI-IV – The 4000 km
range nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-IV was successfully flight
tested on 19 Sep 2012. The long-range missile propelled by composite
rocket motor technology was tested for its cool capability. Launched
from road mobile launcher, it reached the predefined target in about 20
minutes.
With Agni-I, Agni-II,
Agni-III andPrithvi P-IIsurface to surface missile and also its naval
version Dhanushalready in the arsenal of the Indian Armed Forces, the
missile from the production lots were flight tested by the Armed Forces
as part of training exercises to ensure defence preparedness. Thus,
Agni-I, India’s 700 km range ballistic missile had its flight tests on
13 July and 12 Dec 2012.
The 2000 km range
ballistice missile Agni-II and Agni-III with a range of 3000 km were
test fired on 09 Aug and 21 Sept 2012 respectively.
The 350 km range
surface-to-surface strategic missile Prithvi (P-II) was successfully
flight tested on 25 Aug and 04 Oct 2012 from ITR Chandipur, Odisha.
While its naval version Dhanush was test fired from a naval ship off
the coast of Balasore, Odisha on 05 Oct 2012. The tests were like
textbook launches meeting all mission objectives and the missiles
reached the target points with high accuracy.
Brah-Mos Block III
version with advanced guidance algorithm was flight tested on 28 Mar
2012 from ITR Balasore. The missile flew through the designated 290 kms
distance at Mach 2.8 and achieved high precision with steep dive.
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE (BMD)
DRDO has developed a
two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability against missiles
with range upto 2000 km class. Both the exo and endo atmospheric
interception have been demonstrated with direct hits leading to
disintegration of target missile.
The Interceptor Missile
AAD launched by the Scientists of DRDO on 23 Nov 2012 from Wheeler’s
Island, Odisha, successfully destroyed the incoming Ballistic Missile at
an altitude of 15 Kms. The target missile, a modified version of
Prithvi, mimicking the enemy’s ballistic missile, was launched from
Launch Complex III, Chandipur. Long Range Radar and MFC Radar located
far away could detect the Missile from take-off and tracked it through
its entire path. The total trajectory of the incoming Missile was
continuously estimated by the guidance computer and subsequently the AAD
Missile was launched at an appropriate time to counter and kill the
ballistic missile.
In this mission, a
special feature of intercepting multiple target with multiple
interceptor was demonstrated successfully.The complete Radar Systems,
Communication Networks, Launch Computers, Target update Systems and
state of the art Avionics have been completely proven in this Mission.
AKASH AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM -
Induction and productionisation of Akash, the medium range air defence
system with multi-target, multi directional capability is another
shining achievement. The production value of Akash missile systems
ordered by Army and Air Force is over Rs 23,000 crores. Orders for two
Army regiments and six Air Force Squadrons are under execution.
LONG RANGE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE (LRSAM)
- Control and Navigation Tests (CNT) for LRSAM, a joint development
Programme between DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI), to develop
an Advanced Naval Air Defence System for Indian Navy) were conducted on
16th and 18th July 2012. All Planned mission objectives were fully met
in both the tests. The missiles showed good navigation and control
performance. DRDO is the Prime Development Agency and IAI the design
authority for supply, installation and final acceptance.
NAG ANTI-TANK MISSILE
- the fire and forget anti-tank missile with top attack capability is
another important missile developed by DRDO. Its helicopter mounted
version, Helina, underwent 2 successful flights from ground launcher
proving full range of the missile.
LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT–NAVY (LCA-Navy) -
had its first flight on 27th April 2012 followed by flights during
month of Jun/Jul 2012. Initial Operation Clearance of this aircraft is
expected by Dec 2014. LCA, country’s first indigenous modern Light
Combat Aircraft with four variants (air force, Navy and their trainer
versions), is a precision weapon launch platform to carry a range of Air
to Air missile, unguided rockets and bombs. The aircraft is integrated
with advanced cockpit, digital avionics and weapons interface, to
provide effective point and shoot capability with quick turnaround time.
A Shore based Test facility (SBTF); one of its kind in Asia and third
in the world; developed by DRDO at Naval Air Station INS Hansa, Goa is
now ready for use. Besides testing of LCA-Navy, the test facility will
also be used for training of pilots on LCA - Navy and MiG29K aircraft.
AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AND CONTROL SYSTEM (AEW&C) -
In a landmark event the first EMB-145I aircraft fully modified for
the indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C)
landed on Indian soil at CABS (Centre for Airborne Systems, Bangalore, a
DRDO laboratory) on 23 Aug 2012.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs)
- There have been significant achievements in the field of UAVs.
NISHANT, with its ground control system has been made ready for the
Army after confirmatory trials. An indigenous Wankel rotary engine has
been developed by DRDO jointly with NAL, Bangalore, for powering UAVs
like NISHANT. Rotary engine technology, especially suited for such
applications, is the first of its kind in India. Orders for Lakshya II
pilotless target aircraft; capable of flying in sea skimming mode and
tree top heights; are expected from the Services after successful
demonstration to them. Similarly, UAV Rustom-I, a forerunner to Mediun
Altitude Long Range (MALE) UAV Rustom-2, had series of successful
trials. Indigenously designed and developed RUSTOM-1 underwent series
of successful test flights. This UAV has the potential to be used for
military missions like Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition,
Target Designation, Communications Relay, Battle Damage Assessment and
Signal Intelligence. A mini UAV -‘NETRA’, especially suited for Low
intensity conflict operations was inducted by the Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF). ‘NETRA’ has four high speed propellers allowing it to
take off and land vertically. Similarly a fixed wing mini UAV for low
intensity conflict was demonstrated to security forces at various
locations for surveillance within the range of 10 kms. It is also useful
in reconnaissance over hills.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE
- There has been a significant achievement in the Electronic Warfare
Area which includes integration and testing of country’s first
indigenous active array radar, operationalisation of Combat Information
Decision Support System (CIDSS) and development and testing of laser
based ordnance Disposal System and advanced Laser Guided Bomb Tester.
The initial development of Indira-1, a short range 2D system has now
been extended to high power 3D system like 3D Central Acquisition Radar
and Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) based on phased array. The DRDOs radar
warning receivers have been selected to upgrade most of Indian Air Force
aircrafts like MiG 21, MiG 29, SU 30MKI, MiG 27 and Jaguars.
MBT ARJUN MK-II -Arjun
Mk-II the advanced version of India’s first main battle tank Arjun,
commenced its user trials in record time of 2 yrs. The Arjun Mk-II
incorporates 89 improvements over the Arjun Mk-I, of which, two
regiments are already in service.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Smerch Rockets
- Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for
a Joint Venture with M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia and M/s Splav “SPA”,
Russia to manufacture five versions of SmerchRockets based on the
technology received from Russia. The SmerchRockets are technologically
superior having a range of 70-80- kms. With formation of this Joint
Venture, a new Chapter in the Indo-Russian Friendship has commenced.
Joint Venture for Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) -
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the aerospace major, signed the
Preliminary Design Phase (PDP) Contract on 12 October 2012with the
United Aircraft Corporation - Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA), the Russian
partner and their JV-Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) for the
Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project as a follow on contract of
the General Contract signed between the three parties in May 2012. “With
this HAL and UAC-TA will start the preliminary designwork immediately
at Moscow.
CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH INDUCTIONS/ACQUISITIONS
Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Inducted into IAF
Mi-17 V5 helicopter was
inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 17 February 2012. This
helicopter falls in the category of armed helicopter, with substantial
and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines that
will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher
altitudes.
Mi-17 V5, an upgrade of
Mi-17 in the medium-lift category, is equipped with state-of-the-art
avionics and on-board Navigation Systems. It is a glass cockpit
variant; the first of its kind to get inducted into the IAF. It has
onboard weather radar, state of the art autopilot and is compatible with
the latest Generation (Gen-III) Night vision Goggles. With this, the
helicopter can undertake all-weather, day and night operations in any
kind of terrain. The helicopter is also equipped with a Bambi-Bucket
that can be used for fire fighting. It is also fitted with a powerful
winch–a feature useful in the Disaster Relief Operations in restricted
areas where landing is not possible.
INS Chakra
Indian Navy inducted INS
Chakra to itsunder water fleet on 04th April 2012 at Vishakhapatnam.
Defence Minister Shri AK Antony inducted the submarine into the fleet
of Eastern Naval Command. This four plus generation Russian origin
submarine is capable of fulfilling multiple roles and will go a long way
in strengthening Navy’s blue water operating capability.
INS Sahyadri
The third of the
follow-on class indigenous stealth frigate was commissioned on 21 July
2012 at Mazagaon Dock Limited, Mumbai by the Defence Minister Shri AK
Antony. Conceived and designed by Indian Navy Design Team this Shivalik
class frigate will be mainstay frigate of the Navy in the 21st Century.
INS Teg and Tarkash
The First and Second of
the three Talwar-class stealth frigates constructed at Yantar Shipyard,
Kalinigrad Russia were inducted into Indian Navy on 27 April and 09
November 2012 respectively by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Southern Naval Command. These multi-role stealth frigate with advanced
combat suits are fitted with formidable array of weapons and sensors
onboard the Ship including the super-sonic BrahMos missile system and
advance surface-to-air missile system.
Commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship H-187, H-188 and H-189
To provide a boost to
coastal security Indian Coast Guard Ship H-187, the first of the series
of twelve Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), was commissioned at Okha on 11
June 2012 by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, DG Coast Guard. The 21 meter
long ACV (hovercraft) designed and built by GriffenHaverwork Limited
(GHL), UK displaces 31 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 45
knots. The ACV is capable of undertaking multi-farious tasks such as
surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and responding assistance
to small boats / crafts in distress at Sea.
The second in the
series, H-188 was commissioned at Haldia by Inspector General of Coast
Guard Shri Rajendra Singh on 20 Nov 2012.
The third ACV in this
series, H-189 was commissioned in Mumbai by Vice Admiral SK Sinha
FOC-in-C Western Naval Command. With the commissioning of H-189, the
force level of Indian Coast Guard has gone up to 77 ships and First
Attack Boats and with the planned induction the force level would be
doubling by 2018.
Commission of Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudra Paheredar’
Indian Coast Guard Ship
'SamudraPaheredar', the second of the series of three Pollution Control
Vessels (PCVs) being built by M/s ABG Shipyard, Surat was commissioned
by Admiral NirmalVerma, the then Chief of the Naval Staff in July 2012.
The 95m long indigenous
PCV displaces 4300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 20.5 knots
with an endurance of 6500 nautical miles.The ship’s primary role is
pollution response at sea and is equipped with the most advanced and
sophisticated pollution response and control equipment for mitigating
oil spills, which include containment equipment like hi-sprint booms and
river booms, recovery devices like skimmers and side sweeping arms. The
ship is capable of unhindered oil recovery operations with storage tank
capacity of 500 KL in addition to inflatable barges.
The ship is installed
with modern Integrated Platform Management System and Power Management
System, which makes it unique for unmanned machinery operations. It is
also fitted with Dynamic Positioning System for fire fighting and
pollution response operations and an infra-red surveillance system for
night surveillance.
Commissioning of First Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) ‘Rani Abbakka’
The Indian Coast Guard
Ship Rani Abbakka, the 1st of a series of five Inshore Patrol Vessel
(IPV) built at M/s HSL, was commissioned at Visakhapatnam by the then
Minister of State for Defence Dr.MM PallamRaju,on 20 Jan 2012.
The 50 meter indigenous
IPV displaces 300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 31.5 Knots
with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles.The special features of the
ship include an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Machinery Control System
(IMCS), and an indigenously built Gun Mount with Fire Control System.
The ship is designed to carry one Rigid Inflatable Boat and two Geminis
for Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Maritime Patrol.
Commissioning Of ICGS ‘Dahanu’
Coast Guard Station
Dahanu, the third Coast Guard station in Maharashtra, was commissioned
by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at
Dahanu on 22 March 2012.
The station is part of
ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security along
the Indian coastline. The station at Dahanu will help augment patrolling
along the north Maharshtra coast and prevent illicit activity such as
infiltration and smuggling.
Commissioning Of ICGS Krishnapatnam
Coast Guard Station
Krishnapatnam, the third Coast Guard Station in Andhra Pradesh, was
commissioned in Andhra Pradesh by Dr MM PallamRaju, the then Raksha
Rajya Mantri on June 18, 2012.
The establishment of a
Station at Krishnapatnam is part of the ongoing efforts by the Coast
Guard to strengthen coastal security in the coastal states of the
nation.
Commissionig of Coast Guard Station Karaikal
Coast Guard Station
Karaikal, the fifth CG station on the Puducherry - Tamil Nadu coastline
was commissioned by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General
Indian Coast Guard at Karaikal on 25 July 2012.
The station is part of
ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security along
the Indian coastline. The station at Karaikal will help augment
patrolling along the east coast and prevent illicit activities such as
infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing.
Commissioning of Naval Base INS ‘DweepRakshak’ and ‘BAAZ‘
Naval base INS
‘DweepRakshak’ was commissioned in Lakshadweep Islands and INS ‘Baaz’
was commissioned in Andaman Islands (Campbell Bay) in 2012.
Commissioning of these full fledged naval bases was another milestone
in the commitment of Indian Navy in maintaining effective coastal
surveillance and defence capability. The positioning of radar stations
and other surveillance measures will add positive control over movement
of Ships and intelligence gathering.
COASTAL SECURITY INITIATIVES
Inauguration of StaticSensors Project in Mumbai and Porbandar
With the inauguration of
the Static Sensors Project of Coastal Surveillance Network by the
Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on 25 Aug 2012, the coastal security
mechanism got a big boost. Shri Antony said that the patching up of
National Automatic Identification System Network (AIS) and Vessel
Traffic System (VTS) of Gulf of Khambat, along with the Coastal Security
Network, will help us in identifying a friend or foe in our waters.
Under Phase I of Coastal
Surveillance Network, Coastal Static Sensors will be put up at 46
locations. Out of these, the mainland radars are expected to be
operationalised later this year, while those on the island territories
will become operational next year.
Kerala Cluster of Coastal Radar NetworkCommissioned
The Remote Operating
Station (ROS) of the coastal surveillance sensor chain of Kerala cluster
was inaugurated by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General
Indian Coast Guard at the Coast Guard District Headquarters No 4 Fort
Kochi on 15 Sept 2012. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral
Muralidharan highlighted the efforts of BEL the agency who executed the
project, Department of Lighthouses and Light Ships , MTNL, BSNL, and
ISRO in seeing the project through.
In Kerala, the feed and
data from the four coastal surveillance radars at Mount Dilli in
Ezhimala, Ponnani, Vypin and Kollam will be available at the ROS Fort
Kochi. Two more additional sensors will be installed at Alapuzha and
Azhikode in the phase two of the project.
Step towards Eastern Coast Sensitisation
Minister of State for
Defence Shri Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Chain of Static Sensor at
Vishakhapatnam on 23 Nov 2012, which will provide real time surveillance
cover up to 25 nautical miles along the coast line. Post 26/11
terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the emergent need to strengthen coastal
security was recognized
by the Government and on recommendation made by the Group of Ministers,
Indian Coast Guard was delegated to implement the project. With the
inauguration of Eastern clusters at Vishakhapatnam, the phase-I of
implementation of CSN at mainland is completed.
EXERCISES / INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
• Exercise YUDH ABHYAS
is part of joint exercises between the Indian and United States Armies
since 2005, agreed upon under the New Framework of India-US Defence
Relationship. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise graduated to
a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).
The seventh edition of
Yudh Abhyas commenced on 05 March 12 in two locations under the South
Western Command. The US Army contingent is from the US Army Pacific
(USARPAC), part of their Pacific Command (PACOM). The Command Post
Exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters with its planners from
both sides, while the Field Training Exercise comprises troops of 2nd
Squadron 14th US Cavalry Regiment from 25th Infantry Division,Hawaii,
along with a platoon of Strykers, and a similar sized Indian Army
contingent of mechanized infantry.
• Navies
of India and Japan conducted routine passage exercises ‘PASSEX’ during
the visit of Japanese ships to Indian ports this year.
• INS
Sudarshini sets sail for ASEAN Sailing Expedition from Kochi on 13 Sept
2012. This expedition was organised to celebrate India’s warm ties
with the countries of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Admiral DK Joshi flagged off the six months voyage, a unique
collaborative venture of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External
Affairs. The voyage commemorates 20 years of dialogue partnerships.
During the course of voyage, 12,000 nautical expedition of INS
Sudarshini will visit 13 ports in nine countries in South East Asia.
• The
15 nation Naval Exercise ‘MILAN-2012’, a biennial congregation of
Littoral Navies of the Asia-Pacific region, hosted by the Indian Navy,
commenced at Port Blair, in Andaman and Nicobar islands, on 01 February
2012. It significantly contributed in strengthening cooperation among
the Navies of 14 countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand,
Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
•
‘Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX)’ was held on
07-08 February 2012 at Vishakhapatnam by Eastern Naval Command.
Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, who inaugurated the exercise, spent
two days with the Indian Navy and he was given a glimpse of the
expansive scope and scale of the Indian Navy’s annual exercise.
• Indian
and Indonesian Armies participated in the ‘Counter Insurgency and
Jungle Warfare Training Drill’in March 2012.Training together to counter
the scourge of insurgency in various contemporary scenarios including
jungle warfare, the operational part of the first-ever platoon-level
joint training exercise – EX GARUDA SHAKTI – of the armies of India and
Indonesia, concluded successfully at the Indian Army's elite 'Counter
Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School’ (CIJWS), Vairengte in Mizoram.
• Exercise ‘Shoor Veer’ is based on the integrated theatre battle concept
under South Western Army Command with the elite Strike Corps in the lead,
supported by Chetak Corps and all other relevant elements of South Western
Army.
The Army and IAF has tested new battle fighting concepts and
doctrines during the exercise with real time pictures of the battle zone
provided to a centralized command and control centre from fighter jets,
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and attack helicopters, waging war in
network centric environment and massed tank drills backed by long range
artillery guns.
More than 300 combat vehicles including main battle tank
T-90, T-72, long range 150mm artillery guns, multi barrel rockets and about
60000 troops has taken part in this massive major exercise in Rajasthan.
A major highlight of the joint exercise was the integrated air-land
war-fighting machinery and the synergy between the Indian Army and IAF.
• Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise ‘PRALAY’ in the North East on 29 February 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment