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Indicia Knowledge Brief
A Daily Assessment on Indian Defence and Internal/Homeland Security
May 30, 2015.
Primary aims of Indicia Daily Brief are two-fold. First, it distills infinite information into a
capsule form, thus saving precious time of its clients. Second, it tries to link micro-events
to larger strategic canvas through its analyses, thus providing support knowledge for
better understanding and decision-making.
Indicia Analysis of the Day
The Navy is seeking to accelerate infrastructure along the coast and on
Indian island territories as part of a major push to increase its operational
preparedness and surveillance capabilities.
German defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, who talked up her
country's submarine building capability during her meeting with Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar, kept silent on the Eurofighter Typhoon,
although Germany had led the campaign to sell it to the Indian Air Force
(IAF) the Typhoon.
The Indian Air Force (IAF), facing a severe shortage of fighter aircraft, will
have the opportunity to boost its combat strength with an unusual asset fitting guns and rockets on Hawk trainer aircraft, bought for training IAF
pilots before they entered the cockpits of high performance fighters like
the MiG-21.
I. National Defence and Security:
Parrikar: no date set to roll out one-rank one-pension:
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said he could not fix a date for the
implementation of the One-Rank One-Pension (OROP) scheme for exservicemen. “OROP was not fully understood by the earlier government. We too
didn’t understand the full implications of it. But I must tell you that all formalities
with this regard are over and it is now with the Finance Ministry,” said Mr.
Parrikar, while interacting with a gathering at the Indian Merchants’ Chamber
(IMC). The Defence Minister said the possible allocation estimates for this
scheme ranged from Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 20,000 crore. “I have crystallised the
format of it. The Finance Ministry will do the detailing and it is on the way to
getting approved,” he said. Mr. Parrikar said “the sacrifice of our servicemen
cannot be measured in money, but I am very well aware of the reasons why
OROP should be implemented and it will be done soon. We promised that we will
give it and we will fulfil it,” he added.
Border firing
Accepting that the incidents of firings on the international border between India
and Pakistan had increased from October to January, Mr. Parrikar said the
government was better prepared to deal with it. “It is either to facilitate safe
passage for terrorists or to disturb the repairing of bunkers and other defence
mechanisms,” he said, adding that instances of firing on the Line of Control (LoC)
had actually dropped considerably....
Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/parrikar-no-date-set-to-roll-out-onerankonepension/article7261701.ece
*
DRDO chief, scientific advisor posts split for accountability:
With the Modi government keen to build a strong defence-industrial base in tune
with the 'Make in India' policy, the stage has now been set for revival of the
country's moribund defence R&D establishment by the appointment of two
relatively younger scientists at the helm of affairs. The government is quite
miffed with the lackadaisical functioning of DRDO, often in the dock for its failure
to deliver cutting-edge weaponry without huge time and cost overruns, with PM
Narendra Modi himself warning the organisation to fast shed its "Chalta Hai"
attitude. But only time will tell whether S Christopher (59), the new DRDO chief,
and G Satheesh Reddy (51), the new scientific advisor to the defence minister,
can undertake the kind of drastic surgery that is needed to revive DRDO and its
52 labs spread across the country. India, after all, still continues to import 65%
of its military hardware and software. Officials say Reddy's appointment in the
MoD, by splitting the SA-cum-DRDO chief post, will provide an "independent
mechanism" to review and scrutinise DRDO's functioning. Till now, the same
scientist wore the two hats. "More changes are on the anvil. They could include a
new Defence Technology Commission and a commercial arm for DRDO, as was
recommended by the Rama Rao Committee (RRC)," said an official. "There is a
big thrust on Make in India, which will include greater private sector
participation as production agencies or lead integrators for technologies
developed by DRDO," he added. As earlier reported by TOI, the RRC in 2008 held
DRDO should focus only on 8 to 10 ``critical technologies" of ``strategic
importance". But many of its recommendations have been implemented halfheartedly, with DRDO still continuing to make everything from dental implants
and mosquito repellents to nuclear missiles and fighter jets. ...
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/DRDO-chief-scientific-advisor-posts-split-foraccountability/articleshow/47477706.cms
*
Navy prepares Maritime Infrastructure Perspective Plan:
The Navy is seeking to accelerate infrastructure along the coast and on Indian
island territories as part of a major push to increase its operational
preparedness and surveillance capabilities. A new plan that seeks to implement
this infrastructure push - called the Maritime Infrastructure Perspective Plan
(MIPP) - has been finalized by the Navy at its ongoing top level commanders
conference. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan has said that the MIPP will
foster operational capabilities of the Indian Navy and is focused till the year
2027. The plan looks into all aspects of induction of assets for all platforms,
aircraft carriers and submarines into the Navy and will go up to 2027. "This plan
will ensure training infrastructure is in sync with the induction of assets," said
Admiral Dhowan.
Source:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Navy-prepares-Maritime-Infrastructure-PerspectivePlan/articleshow/47467504.cms
*
US Defence Bait is Potent But Impractical Symbolism:
The American defence secretary Ashton Carter drops into Delhi next week
bearing ideas for joint military projects and things to sell in government-togovernment (G2G) deals—Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in Pentagonese. The
apparent absence of middlemen and corruption makes G2G/FMS the politically
safe method of purchasing arms. Seeking to enlarge its scope as defence supplier,
the US has apparently settled on a two-pronged strategy. On the one hand, it is
offering the manifestly cutting-edge electromagnetic aircraft launch system
(EMALS) to equip the new generation indigenous aircraft carriers. This offer is
impractical but symbolically potent, meant to still Indian criticism about the US
not parting with advanced technologies. FMS of traditional hardware constitute
the other prong, and the M-777 ultra-light howitzer (ULH) tops the list. Let’s
briefly examine these two offers. At one level EMALS is irresistible. A sort of
electromagnetic rail gun to launch aircraft, EMALS is a clean, high initial cost-low
maintenance system that takes up less space than steam catapults, can be
recharged quickly, and is easy on aircraft frames because the tow-force can be
instantly adjusted to the weight of the plane being launched. In the three seconds
it takes to get an aircraft airborne, EMALS generates as much as 60MW of
power—enough, as it is noted, to light up 12,000 homes. And that’s the problem.
On US nuclear-powered super carriers it is not an issue. With EMALS in the
picture, the Indian Navy, however, faces a dilemma about the energy pack.
Washington hopes the 65,000-tonne Vishal-class carrier, now at the conception
stage, will be nuclear-powered, fly the Lockheed F-35C, and India will accept
technical advice and assistance from the US in designing and constructing the
ship. Ashley Tellis persuasively makes this case in a Carnegie Endowment
monograph. Tellis, however, made it clear at a recent event that, despite the
proven incapacity of the Arihant submarine reactor to drive Vishal, the US will
render no help in producing a more powerful and efficient highly enriched
uranium-fuelled nuclear power plant. Naval stalwarts, however, see eight
General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engines on-board as an alternative solution.
But these engines will fill a lot of the ship’s innards, need vast oil tanks that will
jostle for space with aviation fuel storage bins, making for severe design
compromises and tradeoffs. The navy’s aircraft carrier designing competence
and the industry’s complex shipbuilding skills will undoubtedly be enhanced by
collaborating with the US Naval Systems Command and American companies.
The Narendra Modi government has to make a risky, step-up, decision. It has to
consider, other than the nuclear reactor, two other critical factors. One is the
$10billion-$13 billion cost of a nuclear carrier (CVN), compared to the $3 billion
for the Kochi-built Vikrant. It will leave little money for everything else.
Secondly, a CVN with 6-7 ship and submarine escort will substantially reduce the
“maritime density” the 50-capital ship-strong Indian Navy (by 2030) will be able
to muster. This will diminish the country’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean at
a time when the fast-expanding Chinese Navy is increasing its maritime
footprint. So, more of the smaller, conventionally-powered flat-tops, with
compact steam catapult systems secured from the US, would seem the sensible
option....
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/columns/US-Defence-Bait-is-Potent-But-ImpracticalSymbolism/2015/05/29/article2837552.ece
*
S Christopher Appointed DRDO Chief:
Renowned scientist S Christopher has been appointed as the Director General of
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He will also be
Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development for a period of two
years. Additionally, G Satheesh Reddy has been appointed as the Scientific
Adviser to the Defence Minister for two year.
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/S-Christopher-Appointed-DRDOChief/2015/05/29/article2838979.ece
*
New DRDO Chief Takes Over, Scientists Hail Appointment:
Radar specialist S. Christopher took charge as the new director general of
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its secretary at on
May 29 morning, with the appointment being welcomed by defence scientists
and officials. Christopher was on May 28 night appointed chief of the premier
defence research agency for two years by the Appointments Committee of the
Cabinet. The DRDO was without a full-time chief for around four months ever
since Avinash Chander was unceremoniously removed on January 31.
Christopher was heading the Bengaluru-based Centre for Airborne Systems and
the project to develop an airborne early warning and control system before his
new appointment. Earlier, DRDO chief was also the scientific adviser to the
defence minister, but the post has now been split. Missile scientist G.S. Reddy
was appointed as the scientific adviser to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for
two years on May 28 night. DRDO scientists and officials welcomed the
appointment, saying that functional difficulties had cropped up due to the
absence of a full-time DRDO chief. "It is a welcome step; without a full-time chief
cost DRDO in the last four months; impacted the work as coordination was
suffering," a senior DRDO official told IANS. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
recently said that the absence of a full-time DRDO chief was being compensated
with more powers to cluster heads. A DRDO official, however, maintained that it
did not solve the problem. "Coordination between clusters is needed for smooth
running of things. That is where the problem was," said an official aware of the
developments.....
Source:
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/New-DRDO-Chief-Takes-Over-Scientists-HailAppointment/2015/05/29/article2839179.ece
*
Navy Chief swears by desi systems; wants closer links with DRDO:
Admiral R K Dhowan on May 28 reiterated Indian Navy's commitment towards
inducting home-grown systems and platforms. Chairing the last session of biannual Naval Commanders' Conference, Admiral Dhowan stressed the need for
indigenisation of platforms, weapons, sensors and equipment, through the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), public industry,
private sector and in-house efforts. While emphasising that the roadmap for the
Navy's expansion and growth would continue to remain anchored on selfreliance and indigenization, the Navy Chief wanted his designers and technical
officers to work in close coordination with DRDO so as to develop niche
technologies for the future Navy. The DRDO, which is currently directionless and
clueless about its future, following the sacking of its chief in January this year,
should find some solace in the Navy Chief's comments. The Indian Navy has
always supported the desi efforts in defence and patiently backed the efforts of
DRDO, which is normally at the receiving end. Admiral Dhowan also touched
upon enhancing operational readiness of the Commands, infrastructure
development, human resources management, coastal security and cyber security
in the Navy. Men & women behind machines greatest strength "Our men and
women are our greatest assets and their morale and well-being should always
remain of primary concern. The men and women behind the machine are the
Navy's greatest strength. They need to be viewed and harnessed as such at all
levels," Admiral Dhowan said....
Source: http://www.oneindia.com/india/navy-chief-swears-by-desi-systems-wants-closer-links-with-drdo1760989.html
*
HAL and BAE Systems to develop 'Combat Hawk', improved
trainer:
The Indian Air Force (IAF), facing a severe shortage of fighter aircraft, will have
the opportunity to boost its combat strength with an unusual asset - fitting guns
and rockets on Hawk trainer aircraft, bought for training IAF pilots before they
entered the cockpits of high performance fighters like the MiG-21. On May 22,
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and UK-headquartered BAE Systems (BAE),
agreed to explore the development of a "Combat Hawk" which could even be
exported to friendly foreign countries. India already has the world's largest fleet
of Hawk Mk132 advanced jet trainers (AJTs). The IAF and navy have 123 Hawks
on order, of which 90 are already in service, training their pilots. While HAL
builds the remaining 33 in Bengaluru under licence from BAE, the IAF is
contracting for another 20 Hawks for its superlative aerobatics display team,
which so far flew the Kiran Mark II. The Hawk AJT already has advanced
avionics, including digital cockpit displays that allow trainee pilots to practice
navigation, the use of sensors like radar, and to fire weapons. Transforming this
into a "Combat Hawk" involves fitting air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground guns,
rockets and bombs. The Hawk Mk132 has seven wing stations for mounting
weapons and reconnaissance equipment. These weapons need to be integrated
with the avionics of the aircraft....
Source:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/hal-and-bae-systems-to-developcombat-hawk-improved-trainer-115052900054_1.html
*
Eurofighter estimates the Rafale’s current flyaway price to be at
least $150 mn:
German defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, who talked up her country’s
submarine building capability during her on May 22 meeting with Defence
Minister Manohar Parrikar, kept silent on the Eurofighter Typhoon, although
Germany had led the campaign to sell it to the Indian Air Force (IAF) the
Typhoon. The 2007 tender for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA)
was scrapped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris in April, when he
requested French President Francois Hollande for 36 Rafale fighters in flyaway
condition, in a government-to-government deal. The Typhoon, like the Rafale,
had satisfied the IAF in performance trials, losing out to the Dassault fighter by
virtue of being more expensive. With a new format of buying only flyaway
fighters, Eurofighter could convincingly argue it would be cheaper, since 571
Typhoons are on order compared to barely 225 Rafales.Germany’s defence
minister had been expected to raise the issue, after British prime minister, David
Cameron, while campaigning for the British election in April had declared: “The
British offer of Eurofighter Typhoons to India is still on the table… It will be a
better deal than the Rafale.” Yet, Eurofighter is relying on a waiting game.
Company sources tell Business Standard they believe Dassault will be unable to
meet India’s price expectations and delivery deadlines for the Rafale. Parrikar
has repeatedly clarified that Dassault would have to quote a lower price than
what it bid in the MMRCA tender. The defence ministry has never specified what
part of Dassault’s earlier quote will form the baseline for comparison, which it
must now better. Analysts argue the baseline should be the price that Dassault
offered for 18 Rafale fighters in flyaway condition. The rest of the MMRCA bid
includes costs like technology transfer for building 108 Rafales in India, which
have no place in the current 36-fighter purchase.....
Source: http://idrw.org/eurofighter-estimates-the-rafales-current-flyaway-price-to-be-at-least-150-mn/
II
Homeland Security
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