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Current Affairs in Defence Category

Lakshya-1, successfully Test Fired by India

As part of a routine trial, India successfully test fired indigenously developed micro-light pilot- less target

aircraft 'Lakshya-1' from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) image at Chandipur near Balasore in Odisha.

Lakshya-1 has been developed by India's Aeronautic Development Establishment (ADE), Bangalore. Lakshya is

a sub-sonic, re-usable aerial target system. It is remote controlled from the ground and is designed to impart

training to both air borne and air defence pilots. Lakshya-1 is fitted with an advanced digitally controlled engine.

Since 2000, Lakshya has been inducted into the Indian Air Force.

On Januray 2012, a successful trial of Lakshya was conducted

Lakshya-2 was successfully test flown on January 25 and 27 last.

A New Chapter in India China bilateral relations: Maritime Cooperation

India and China moved onto a new bilateral relation as they agreed upon a joint-declaration on:

1. Sea Piracy

2. Technological know-how on seabed research.

The first offer aims to demand the Coast Guards, the Air-forces and Navies of both the nations to work in unison

against the pirates. The modalities to be figured out by a mutual group.

The second proposal aims to share technological know-how on sea-bed research falling outside the domain of

coastal countries. The aim of this second proposal is to ducking India’s apprehensions after China was allowed

by the International Seabed Authority to explore in the south-west Indian Ocean.

IAF to induct ‘MI-17 V5 helicopter’ in its fleet

Russian Helicopter

In 2008, India had signed an agreement with Russia to induct 80 Mi-17 V5 helicopters

Falls in the category of armed helicopter

Has significant and effectual firepower with the latest and sinewy engines that will deeply heighten its

payload carriage capability at higher altitudes.

Features of MI-17 V5 Helicopter:-

IAF to induct Mi-17 V5 helicopter

Mi-17 V5 is an upgrade of Mi-17

Medium -lift category

Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and onboard Navigation Systems

Glass cockpit variant

Onboard weather radar

State of the art autopilot

Compatible with the latest Generation (Gen-III) Night vision Goggles

Can undertake all-weather, day and night operations in any kind of terrain

Equipped with a Bambi-Bucket that can be used for fire fighting

Fitted with a powerful winch – a feature useful in the Disaster Relief Operations in restricted areas where landing

is not possible.

Traditional rear clamshells plus modified loading ramp for faster loading and off-loading

A starboard door and a ‘Dolphin’ shaped nose section give it a unique identity

The entire airframe has a high degree of ballistics tolerance and is crash-resistant.

Equipped with an emergency flotation system

Its internal cabin volume is sufficient for transporting fully-equipped infantry soldiers for specialised operations

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How will MI-17 V5 assist the existing Indian IAF Fleet?

Enhance the capabilities of the IAF manifold

Now IAF can undertake varied roles to face the challenges thrown in by unforgiving weather, hostile

environment and difficult terrain in India.

The capability and strength of the helicopter fleet in the IAF will increase significantly.

Strengthening IAF’s helicopter fleet for high altitude Air Maintenance Ops, Humanitarian Assistance

and Disaster Relief Mission and Transport Operations.

Indian Air Force first inducted helicopters in the year 1954. They have operated in Siachen Glacier, the highest

battlefield in the world and have also proven their mettle in the UN missions.

Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation to be set up by India and Saudi Arabia

India and Saudi Arabia agree to set up a Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation. The decision to set up a

committee was taken between the two countries in Riyadh.

The Committee will evolve plans for cooperation in the following areas

Signing of an MoU on defence cooperation

High level reciprocal visits at all levels- political, official and Services, ship visits and conducting

Passage Exercises during such visits.

Possibility of signing an MoU on cooperation in hydrography,

Increased participation in training programmes on both sides and examine the possibility of

cooperation in defence industries.

The navies of the two countries could explore practical cooperation in the fight against piracy and an

active role of the Royal Saudi Navy in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

“Cent Vayushakti” – A special scheme by Central Bank of India

Central Bank of India, the third largest public sector bank launched a special scheme CENT VAYUSHAKTI for

promoting a defence salary package. The scheme aims to provide high end range of banking facilities to the

serving and retired Air Force personnel all over India.

Salient features of the “Cent Vayushakti” package:

1. Zero balance account with Zero maintenance charges

2. Free ATM cards with two additional cards – one each for spouse and dependent parent

3. Free NEFT/RTGs facility with free internet/Tele banking and mobile banking facilities.

4. Special rates by the bank for Housing loans of Air Force Group Housing at the time of retirement of

Air Force Personnel.

The Central Bank has already launched a similar package for Navy personnel also.

Indigenous Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Ballistic Missile Interceptor’s test Successful

An indigenous Advanced Air Defence (AAD) Ballistic Missile Interceptor was successfully tested from a

defence base in Odisha. This Test was a part of India’s attempts to create a shield itself against entering enemy

missiles. The Ballistic Missile Interceptor was fired from Wheeler Island off the coast near Dhamra in Bhadrak

district, about 170 km from Bubneshwar and it was successful in demolishing an entering ballistic missile - a

modified variant of the Prithvi fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district,

about 70 km from Wheeler Island. The interceptor right away hit the target and destroyed it.

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Pakistan Test Fires Hatf-II

'Hatf-II' a nuclear capable short range ballistic missile test fired by Pakistan

Pakistan test-fired the Hatf-II:

Nuclear capable

Short range 180 Kms (113 Miles)

Surface-to-surface ballistic missile

The Hatf-II will furnish an operational level capability to Pakistan's Strategic Forces in addition to the strategic

and tactical level capability already possessed by Pakistan. The short range ballistic missile can hit targets in

India. It was test-fired as a part of the process of substantiating land-based missile systems of Pakistan.

Brahmos Cruise Missile: Second Unit Inducted into Indian Army

Second BrahMos cruise missile unit inducted into Indian Army close to Pakistan border

The second BrahMos supersonic cruise missile regiment was inducted into the Indian Army in the western

sector bordering Pakistan. A successful test of the 290 Km range missile was also conducted in order to validate

the unit's operationalization.

BrahMos

Developed as a joint venture b/we the DRDO-India and the NPOM-Russia (Federal State Unitary

Enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia, Russia) under BrahMos Aerospace

Missile named after two rivers, the Brahmaputra (India) and the Moskva (Russia).

Capability of attacking surface targets by flying as low as 10 metres above the ground.

It can reach a speed of Mach 2.8 (~3 times the speed of sound).

Defence Ministry alleges that ‘No U.S. special forces are present in India’

The Defence Ministry abnegated reports which held that the US Special Forces are positioned in India. This was

alleged over the remarks attributed of a U.S. Armed Forces official that U.S. Special Forces teams are

positioned in five South Asian countries: Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India as part of the

counter-terrorism cooperation. These teams have been positioned by the U.S. Pacific Command as a component

of its attempt to heighten their counter-terrorism capabilities, particularly in the maritime domain.

The Defence Ministry held that the reports are faulty to that extent as the mention to India is related since the

U.S. Special Forces Teams have neither been posted in India in the past, nor they are positioned in the present.

Next Army Chief of India: Lt General Bikram Singh

The next Army Chief of India will be Lt General Bikram Singh. He will succeed General V.K. Singh, who

retires on May 31, 2012. Lt General Bikram Singh was commissioned into the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment on

March 31st 1972. Lt Gen Singh has served in a various kinds of command and staff appointments all through his

career, sweeping almost 40 years including Deputy Force Commander of a multi-nation UN Peace Keeping

Mission in Congo and also as UN Observer in Nicaragua and El Salvador in the 1990s.

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Important Facts: Akash Surface to Air Missile

Akash:

Ingeniously made Akash surface-to-air missile system

Developed by DRDO as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

An all-weather, medium-range

Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system

Akash is mooted as the Indian Patriot (The ‘Patriot’ is a US missile system which was used

successfully used in neutralising the Iraqi Skud missiles during the Gulf War in the 1990s).

The first batch of the ingeniously made Akash missile system to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. Also

Advanced Light Weight Torpedo (TAL) to be inducted into the Indian Navy in Hyderabad. This is a substantial

accomplishment for India's aboriginal weapon development series.

Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam assumes ISI DG charge

In Pakistan, Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam took over the charge of Director General of ISI (Inter-Services

Intelligence). He replaced Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha who retired.

Indian Defence budget shoots up 17%

India’s Military spending has gone up by 17% or Rs 28,992 crore, to Rs 1,93,407 Crore (nearly $40 billion) in

the Union Budget 2012-13. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee held that the increased allocation was based on

the needs projected by the defence ministry. For 2011-12, the spend was pegged at Rs 1,64,415 Crore.

However the three services together returned around Rs 3,000 crore of unspent money. The difference between

the Budget Estimate for 2011-12 and the Revised Estimate for the same year was around Rs 3,000 crore.

Indian v/s Chinese Defence Budget

China in March 2012 announced that it will increase defence spending by 11.2% in 2012, for the first time

taking its annual military expenditure beyond $100 billion to nearly $106.41 billion as it puts in place plans to

modernise its Army against the backdrop of an uncertain regional environment. China's spending in 2012 will

exceed what India 2011 year spent by 3 times — India's defence expenditure was reported at $36 billion in the

2011-12 budget. This year India’s military spending has gone up by 17% to nearly $40 billion in the Union

Budget 2012-13.

“DESERT LARK”: 7th Indo-US Army Joint Exercise going on in Thar Desert

The 7th Indo-US Army Exercise is going on in Thar desert area of South Western Command. A number of key

surveillance, communications and LED detection and neutralization technologies, available with both sides, are

being fielded in the exercise. The exercise is code-named DESERT LARK.

The objective of Desert Lark exercise is to create better coordination during UN Peace keeping missions.

All states agree on need of effective NCTC

Nearly all the states approved in principle on the requirement to have an effectual anti-terrorism mechanism like

National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC. The concern on the modalities and details of the operational

coordination b/w the states over the proposed NCTC was expressed at the high level meeting of the Chief

Secretaries and Police Chiefs of the States and Union Territories in New Delhi chaired by Union Home

Secretary R. K. Singh. The meeting was held to discuss the issues related to National Counter Terrorism Centre

and also Police Modernization.

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China's defence budget shoots up to $100 billion

China to increase defence spending by 11.2% in 2012. Thus China will for the first time take its annual military

expenditure beyond $100 bn. The objective of this is to modernize its Army against the milieu of a vague

regional environment. The planned defence budget is declared as $106.39 billion (670.274 billion Yuan).

Thus there was an increase of 67.604 billion yuan over the expenditure in 2011 and an 11.2% per cent

year-on-year rise.

This proposed budget will be more than 3 times India's defence expenditure of $36 billion in 2011-12

budget.

As per Analysts the main focus of China's military spending is directed towards deployments:

In the South China Sea - where disputes have surfaced with many of China's neighbours

Against the increasing U.S. activity in the Asia-Pacific

Towards Taiwan, which has historically been the PLA's (People's Liberation Army's) focus but has started to

retreat as a priority with the recent warming in Cross-Strait relations.

Somali pirates seize Iranian cargo ship off Maldives

An Iranian-owned cargo ship MV Eglantine with its 23 crew members seized by Pirates near the Maldives.

Maldives defence officials held that this was the first time when Somali pirates have taken a ship in its waters.

In late years Somali pirates have expanded the reach of their operations right across the Indian Ocean.

China conducts a massive military exercise near Indian border

Near Indian border, China conducted a massive military exercise in the high altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,

during which it has for the first time tested the multi-role J-10 fighter jets. The People's Liberation Army, PLA

Air Force conducted ground attack training over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

India readies to select mid-air refueler

India is gearing up to select the winner of the $2-billion tender for six mid-air refuelers for its air force, with

both the contending planes from European consortium EADS Airbus and Russian Ilyushin clearing the

flight trials. The Indian defence ministry is now considering the bids to arrive at the lowest bidder in the tender

issued in September 2010. India is looking for 6 refuelers. The tender had been reissued by the government after

the Airbus' A330MRTT was selected by the Indian Air Force as the winner of an earlier tender in 2009 but was

later cancelled in January 2010 as the finance ministry objected to the "high cost" for the A330MRTT.

U.S. military identifies ‘KILLER' soldier

The soldier who allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians, mostly women and children, has been identified by US

Military as Staff Sergeant Robert Bales (38). Sergeant Bales was flown out of Kuwait, even as Afghan

President Hamid Karzai conveyed fury at his removal from Afghan soil.

Although the Obama administration has signalled that this would not set back U.S. plans to draw down troops

by 2014, there is a strong view that, combined with the Koran-burning incident in February 2012, U.S.-Afghan

relations are deteriorating.

In the meantime Sergeant Bales' attorney, John Henry Browne, dismissed allegations of alcohol and domestic

issues, attributing Sergeant Bales' stress to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Accounting PTSD as a

justifying factor Mr Browne held that Sergeant Bales was sad about returning to combat after being wounded

twice in Iraq and he even saw a comrade's leg blown off the day before the massacre.

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India displaces China as world's largest arms importer

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in its new report held that India replaced

China as the world's biggest importer of arms, by accounting for 10% of global arms sales volumes. Over

the past 5 years, India's imports of major weapons increased by 38% b/w 2007-11. India was narrowly followed

by China and Pakistan whose weapons imports constituted 5% each of global sales. As per the Report, Pakistan

took delivery of significant numbers of combat aircrafts during this period: 50 JF-17s from China and 30 F-16s

from US.

Due to significant progress in its arms production capabilities, China has become less dependent on arms

imports and at the same time has increased the volume of its arms exports. Between 2002–2006 and 2007–11,

China fell from being the largest to the fourth largest recipient of major conventional weapons, while the

volume of its exports increased by 95 per cent, making it the sixth largest supplier, narrowly trailing the UK.

China's arms export is increasing mainly as a result of Pakistan importing more arms from China. Pakistan

has a long-term military relationship with China and during 2007–11 it received 64 per cent of the volume of

Chinese exports.

As per the estimates of the Report, India will probably spend more than $100 billion on weapons and systems in

the next 15 years. India's key recent deals were the 126 fighter jets and noteworthy deliveries of other combat

aircrafts, counting 120 Su-30MKs and 16 MIG-29Ks from Russia and 20 Jaguars from UK.

The volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons in the period 2007–11 was 24 per

cent higher than in 2002–2006.

The 5 biggest suppliers in 2007–11 were the United States, Russia, Germany, France and the United

Kingdom. The top 5 suppliers accounted for 75 per cent of the volume of international arms exports.

The 5 biggest recipients in 2007–11 were India, South Korea, Pakistan, China and Singapore. The top

5 recipients accounted for 30 per cent of the volume of international arms imports.

The main recipient region in 2007–11 was Asia and Oceania (accounting for 44 per cent of imports),

followed by Europe (19 per cent), the Middle East (17 per cent), the Americas (11 per cent) and Africa

(9 per cent).

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BrahMos develops anti-aircraft variant of the missile

Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos has developed an anti-aircraft carrier variant of the 290-km supersonic

cruise missile. BrahMos has achieved the capability to attack aircraft carriers using the supersonic vertical

diving variant of the missile.

After the recent two successful test firings of the missile for the Army, the path is clear for the induction of the

fourth regiment of the missile for mountain warfare. The army has plans of deploying this missile regiment in

the Northeast along the borders with China and the proposal was accorded sanction in a Defence Acquisition

Council (DAC) meeting in 2011. The development comes in the backdrop of China's first aircraft carrier

undergoing scientific testing and training exercises ahead of its commissioning in August.

Currently, BrahMos is developing an air-launched version of the Su-30MKI, which falls in the heavy weight

category among fighter jets.

CBI calls Tatra chief Ravi Rishi for investigation

Ravi Rishi, owner of the Vectra Group called by the CBI for investigation. Mr Rishi, a London-based

businessman is the chief of Vectra Group which has majority stake in Tatra trucks, a Czech manufacturer.

The interrogation is probable to relate to the allegements of offering a bribe of Rs 14 Crore to Army Chief

General V.K.Singh for the purchase of their vehicles, as averred by V.K.Singh in his letter to the Prime

Minister.

India a big defence market in the future: US

US has asked the American companies participating in the “DefExpo India 2012” to understand the procedures

of Business in India as it observed that the Indian defence sector is going to be a big market in the long term.

More than 20 US companies including some of the big names like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop

Grumman are participating in the DefExpo India 2012 at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Defexpo India 2012, the seventh in the series of biennial Land, Naval and Internal Security Systems Exhibition

and is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from March 29 to April 1, 2012.

US maintained that the Indian acquisition and procurement procedure is very different from what the American

companies are used to so it has suggested its companies to be patient and understand the local culture and

systems.

Amy chief's letter to PM leaked

The contents of a letter written by General V.K. Singh to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the lack of

defence preparedness appeared in a national daily. Those close to the General — who was in Kashmir on

Wednesday — deny that the letter was leaked from his office, stressing he had nothing to gain by its contents

being made public. Defence Minister A.K. Antony assured Parliament that the government was committed to

ensuring the safety and security of the nation.

The March 12, 2012 letter from Army Chief to PM says that India's security may be at risk as tanks are running

out of ammunition; air defence is becoming obsolete; and the infantry lacks critical weapons.

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India test fires BRAHMOS supersonic missile successfully

BRAHMOS (Surface to surface cruise missile) was successfully test fired from the Interim Test Range,

Chandipur from Balesore district of Odisha. BRAHMOS which is built on Indo-Russian joint venture

technology, was tested from the LC-3 of ITR. Carrying 200-300 Kgs of conventional and nuclear warheads, this

3 ton weight supersonic cruise missile can hit the enemy target up to 290 Km distance.

Brahmos has been deployed to the Army and Navy Wing of Indian Armed Forces. It was last test fired from

Pokhran (Rajasthan) on March 4, 2012.

N-Submarine INS Chakra inducted in Indian Navy

INS Chakra, the Nuclear powered attack submarine inducted in the Indian Navy. Defence Minister, Mr. A.K.

Antony held that with the increasing economic interests of India in the Indian ocean, Indian Navy has to have a

reliable existence and he also asserted that this is not aimed against any other nation.

What is so special about induction of Nuclear Submarine INS Chakra in Indian Navy?

With this induction India has turned into a nuclear navy joining the elite club of P- 5 countries, the US, the UK,

Russia, France and Germany.

Army recruitment test to go online from 2013

The Indian Army has considered a proposal to hold online written test for recruiting jawans in the force.

Objective of this Move: For making the recruitment process high-tech and to maintain transparency in the

recruitment processes.

By the end of this year, trial of online written test will be conducted at the Lucknow and Uttarakhand

recruitment offices. If the trial is successful, the format will be applied pan–India in the 2013-14 recruitment

process. To get rid of any kind of bug, the master software has also been prepared at the Lucknow headquarters.

What can be the major issue with this system of recruitment?

The Army has inducted the highest Male Recruitment Population (RMP) of 17. 3% from Uttar Pradesh.

However, the main concern is that the youth hailing from villages of U.P. are not much adapted to computers.

India's armed forces modernization plans approved

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister AK Antony

approved a significant 15-year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) that will end in

2027 and the five-year plan that will end in 2017 to modernize Indian armed forces beginning from

2012. The plan was approved after almost a year long delay.

Usually, the LTIPP and five-year plans are approved a year ahead of their beginning. But, this time, the

approval came a day after the plan period had begun April 2, 2012.

The yearly Singapore-Indian Maritime Bilateral Exercise

The yearly Singapore-Indian Maritime Bilateral Exercise b/w Singapore and Indian navies on. The exercise for

this year commenced from March 21, 2012 and is hosted by India.This bilateral exercises held since 1994. The

sea phase of the exercise is held at the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

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Chinese hacker Gu Kaiyuan (“Luckycat” cyber campaign) attacks Indian Govt websites

As per a report released by IT security firm Trend Micro, websites of Indian government and Tibetan activists in

India are under attack in a cyber attack campaign engineered by a Chinese hacker, Gu Kaiyuan working with

one of the ‘Tencent’, China's leading internet company.

The “Luckycat” cyber campaign, has been linked to 90 attacks in recent past against targets in India and

Japan, as well as against Tibetan activists. 'Luckycat' has been able to compromise about 233 computers many

of which are in India. The victims, include Indian military research organisations and shipping companies,

besides aerospace, energy and engineering companies in Japan.

The owner of the attack alias, according to online records, is Gu Kaiyuan, a former graduate student at Sichuan

University, in Chengdu, China.

A different campaign known as the 'ShadowNet', too has a history of targeting Tibetan activists as well as the

Indian government. The Luckycat attacks are technically similar to those of the Shadow Network, a spy

operation which since 2009 has targeted the government of India and the Dalai Lama's personal e-mails.

The attacks are not linked directly to Chinese government-employed hackers but security experts and other

researchers say the techniques and the victims point to a state-sponsored campaign. The fact they targeted

Tibetan activists is a strong indicator of official Chinese government involvement as a private Chinese hacker

may go after economic data but not a political organization.

3 Chiefs to give account of defence readiness before Parliamentary Standing Committee

Against the backdrop of Army Chief General VK Singh mouthing of shortages and inadequacies, the

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has resolved to call the Chiefs of Army, IAF and Navy to give

an account of the state of readiness of the forces.

Japan’s deploys PAC-3 to respond to North Korea’s Kwangmyongsong-3 launch atop the Unha-3

rocket

In order to respond to the North Korea’s (Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK)) Satellite which is

scheduled to be launched b/w April 12-16, 2012, Japan's Self-Defense Force finished the transporting and

deployment of its ground-based PAC-3 (Patriot Advance Capability-3) at 4 locations in Okinawa including

the military bases in Naha, Miyako and Chinen. Japan’s "J-alert" system, which will be used to alert residents

when the rocket is launched.

Why Japan has deployed its PAC-3 interceptors at 4 locations?

Japan has asserted that it would shoot down the DPRK’s rocket if it crosses Japan’s airspace.

Background:

On March 16, 2012, DPRK had declared that it would launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 (an Earth Observation

Satellite), using a long- range "Unha-3" rocket to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il-Sung. The

satellite is scheduled to be launched from a station in North Phyongan province b/w April 12-16, 2012. The

DPRK’s "Unha-3" rocket is expected to pass over western Japan, including part of Okinawa, after it is launched

from the DPRK’s west coast between April 12 and 16.

Japan’s Stand on the issue:

Japan, US and some other countries claim the North Korea is seeking to test the capabilities of its long-range

missiles in violation of international agreements. This raised a strong fear and unease in Japan. Japan asserts that

the the launch would be a clear violation of UNSC. Japan is demanding for action to be taken by UNSC against

DPRK's launch plan.

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North Korea’s stand on the issue:

North Korea (DPRK) asserts that the launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 (an Earth Observation Satellite

purportedly for the purpose of weather forecast ), using a long- range "Unha-3" rocket b/w April 12–16, 2012 to

mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il-Sung, the country's founder.

India’s stand on the issue: India's has asked North Korea to maintain peace and stability in the region

including its denuclearization. Indian Foreign ministry secretary Sanjay Singh held that "Nothing should be

done which could increase tensions in the region".

US-India Bilateral Naval exercise to commences

What is “Exercise Malabar”?

“Exercise Malabar” is the yearly India - US Bilateral Naval exercise.

“Malabar” commences in the Bay of Bengal from April 7, 2012. It will be a 10 day exercise in which the

frontline units from the navies of US and India will take part.

Malabar-2012 will be the 16th in the series of structured bilateral India US naval exercise since 1992 and

includes diverse activities, ranging from fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers, through Maritime

Interdiction Operations Exercises.

200 US Marines arrive in Australia as part of defence deal

About 200 U.S. Marines arrived in Darwin in the north of the country as part of a defence deal between

Australia and the United States. US and Australia will hold joint training and exercises in Darwin and the U.S.

Marines would be stationed, on rotation basis here. The new plan would intensify the 60 year military alliance

between the two countries.

Why Darwin?

If we see in Map (figure) Darwin has a close proximity with Asia which makes it an important gateway. Thus it

is strategically an important position.

Are the Alarm bells ringing for China?

Yes. China's Heart Beat is rising now!!!

The move is largely seen as a response to the rise of China, which is boosting its military spending and

capabilities. China is also becoming increasingly assertive on the high seas, where it claims sovereignty over

essentially all of the South China Sea, a key global trading route. The move represents a potentially significant

geo-strategic shift, which is said to have been under consideration for some years as US aims to boost its Pacific

Command. A new base will not be built in Darwin, instead the marines will use the existing Robertson Barracks

nearby.

At which locations the US Military already has its presence in the region?

U.S. Marines are already based at Okinawa in Japan, and on Guam, a U.S. territory 1,500 miles north of Papua

New Guinea, as America's chief combat force in the Pacific theatre.

Priti Mohanty: Newly appointed as CGDA

Priti Mohanty, a 1977 batch Indian Defence Accounts Service Officer, took over as new Controller General

of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on 01 April 2012.

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Exercise ‘Dosti –XI’: India, Lanka, Maldives hold joint naval exercises

The Sri Lankan Coast Guards are participating in a joint sea exercise with the Indian and Maldivian Coast

Guards in the seas off Male.

What is Dosti-XI?

A Joint 5-day Sea Exercise b/w Srilanka, India and Maldives code named 'Dosti XI'.

Objective: With international piracy extending its tentacles to Indian Ocean, Coast Guards of India, Sri Lanka

and Maldives are taking part in a joint exercise off the coast of Male, aimed at achieving inter-operablity. The

exercise will focus on Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Pollution Response and Boarding Operations.

6 warships are taking part in the five-day exercises code named 'Dosti XI'.

Indian Coast Guard ships: 'Sankalp' and 'Subhadra'

Maldivian Coast Guard ships: 'Huravee', 'Ghazee' and 'Shaheed Ali'

Sri Lankan Navy's offshore patrol vessel: ‘SLNS Sagara’

Due to its geo-strategic significance, it is crucial for the Coast Guards of the 3 nations to ascertain the safety and

security of the Indian Ocean for all sea-farers.

India test-fires ICBM Agni-5 successfully

India performed a successful test-fire of its indigenously developed nuclear capable "Agni-V" ballistic missile

from a test range off Odisha coast. The missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4

of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Wheeler Island near Odisha coast.

What is the significance of this launch of Agni-V?

Agni V is considered to be of the category of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

The long range missile with a strike range of over 5,000 km is capable of reaching deep into China and

Europe.

Only the U.N. Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia the United States and

Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have the capability to operate an ICBM at present.

The Indian-made Agni V is the crowning achievement of a now-mothballed missile programme

developed primarily with a possible threat from neighbouring China in mind.

Some features of Agni V:

Strike range of over 5,000 km.

The surface-to-surface missile.

Height: 17.5 m

Diameter: 2 m

3-stage solid propellant missile.

Warhead: Can carry a nuclear warhead

Payload: 1500 Kg

Speed: 24 Mach

Manufacturer Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited

(BDL)

The Agni V is the most advanced version of the indigenously built Agni, or Fire, series, part of a

programme that started in the 1960s. Earlier versions could reach old rival Pakistan and Western China.

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Did this launch encounter criticism from other nations?

NO Criticism from West BUT from China noted the launch with disapproval.

The launch attracted none of the criticism from the West as faced by hermit state North Korea for a failed bid to

send up a similar rocket last week. BUT China noted the launch with disapproval.

China's Global Times newspaper published: "The West chooses to overlook India's disregard of nuclear and

missile control treaties".

Chinese Communist Party's main mouthpiece the People's Daily published: "India should not overestimate

its strength”

“BALIKATAN”: US, Philippines hold joint military exercises in South China Sea

Named “Balikatan”, the annual Joint military exercises b/w the US and the Philippines are getting under way in

the South China Sea, even as Manila remained locked in a stand-off with Beijing over a disputed shoal. The

yearly exercise, will continued till April 27, 2012.

What is the strategic element behind this year’s exercise?

The exercise takes place every year but, this year they are different because the context within which they are

taking place has changed. This year the Exercise Balikatan is taking place off Palawan, near parts of the South

China Sea, which both Philippine and China claim. The games are happening at a time when tensions are

already high between China and the Philippines over disputed territorial rights in the South China Sea.

So, Mutual Military Exercise by US and Philippines in the disputed region b/w Philippines and China!!! Thus,

China’s eyebrows raised…

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What is the issue?

6 countries claim competing sovereignty over areas in the South China Sea, which is believed to contain huge

deposits of oil and gas. They are China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. That has led to

occasional flare-ups and to competition to occupy islands, reefs and sandbars.

China - Its maritime power is growing. China's claim includes almost the entire South China Sea, well

into what the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea recognises as the 200-mile-from-shore Exclusive

Economic Zones of other claimants.

Philippines – It along with many other small countries in the region are worried due to growing

Chinese maritime Power. Thus, Philippines wants to bolster its own defences and underline its growing

ties with US. The Philippines knows it needs help and support from the US, but at the same time, it is

acutely aware that its relationship with China is equally important. Philippines must therefore walk a

tightrope between these two major world powers.

US - It sees these exercises as an opportunity to demonstrate its renewed interest in Pacific security. It

also wants to make sure that the South China Sea, which carries about half the world's total trade,

remains free for navigation.

China believes the South China Sea issue is only a regional concern and therefore US should not get involved.

But since 2011, the US has been doing the exact opposite - refocusing its military attention on Asia and

strengthening ties with the Philippines, negotiating an increase in troop numbers and more frequent joint

exercises. So given all this, the presence of thousands of US and Philippine troops holding exercises in Palawan,

not far from the Spratly Islands - one of the main disputed areas - is hardly likely to be welcomed in China.

GCC states & US agree to build a regional missile defence shield

The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) states and the US have decided to build a regional missile defence

shield. Details of the agreement are being worked out. The final decision by the 6 members of the Gulf alliance

(Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and the US will be taken in June 2012. US

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed the missile shield idea at the first Strategic Cooperation Forum in

Riyadh lately.

What is the objective of this Missile Shield?

The 6 states members of GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and the US have

decided to build a regional missile defence shield aimed at protecting the oil wells and ports in the region from

attacks.

Defence Minister: India fully prepared in event of war

Dismissing the reports about shortage of ammunition in the army as mere rumours, The Defence Minister A K

Antony assured the nation that India is fully prepared in the event of a war. He asserted that armed forces are

prepared for any challenge to the integrity of the country. Mr Antony even conveyed happiness that things are

much better now as equated to the past.

Defence Ministry bars some firms for 10 years over irregularities

The Defence Ministry has barred 2 Indian and 4 foreign firms for 10 years from all business dealings due to

their engagement in abnormalities in the recent past. The debarred foreign companies are from Singapore, Israel,

Switzerland and Russia. The two Indian companies are located in New Delhi and Ludhiana. Minister of State for

Defence MM Pallam Raju held that the Defence procurement was going on via alternative indigenous and

foreign sources.

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Jan 16, 2012 troop movement was purely training drill: Govt

Discounting a media report on "non-notified" troop movement by army, the government informed Rajya Sabha

that the exercise was undertaken for training purpose directed at refining mobilization drills and preparedness of

the force. Defence Minister A K Antony held that the movement was purely for training purpose aimed at

refining the mobilization drills and ascertaining operational preparedness of the Army in spite of untoward

weather conditions.

As per a report by the Indian Express newspaper, the central intelligence agencies reported that on the night of

January 16, there was an unanticipated and non-notified movement by key military unit around Delhi in the

direction of the capital.

Nevertheless, Antony did accept in his reply that the 2 units did move from their bases. The para

commando unit moved from Agra to the location of another unit in Gurgaon and the armoured division unit

moved from its location (reportedly in Hisar) to Bahadurgarh on the night of January 16/17, 2012.

Navy to commission hi-tech warship INS Teg in Russia

Armed with the surface-to-surface BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a medium range gun and anti-submarine

rockets, guided missile frigate INS Teg will be commissioned into the Indian Navy today at the Yantar shipyard

in Russia.

INS Teg:

It is a modern warship with advanced technologies to make it stable, fast and stealthy.

The Teg class of ships have been built to meet specific Command and Control needs of Indian Navy for

coordinated surface, air and underwater missions.

INS Teg's weapons suite includes surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile systems, 100 mm

medium range gun, close-in weapon system, torpedo tubes and anti-submarine rockets. The BrahMos

surface-to-surface missile system is capable of engaging targets at extended ranges at supersonic speed.

The ship is also armed with an anti-submarine cum airborne early warning helicopter and its weapons

suite and sensors are fully integrated with latest Combat Management System (CMS).

Pak successfully test-fires Hatf IV, Shaheen 1A missile

Pakistan successfully test-fired long-range Hatf IV, Shaheen 1A ballistic missile in the Indian Ocean. The

missile’s range and technical parameters have been improved while it is capable of carrying nuclear warhead.

Pakistan has tested the long-range missile just a week after India test fired its first ICBM (Inter-

Continental Ballistic Missile) Agni-V on April 18, 2012.

SC dismisses PIL challenging appointment of next Army Chief

The Supreme Court dismissed the PIL challenging appointment of Lt. General Bikram Singh as the next Army

Chief as the apex Court did not find any justifiable ground to entertain the petition.

The Supreme Court adjudged that the dismissal of the PIL shall not affect any pending proceedings against Lt.

Gen. Singh and it also observed that the Government had gone through all allegations against Lt. Gen. Singh

before clearing his appointment.

What this dismissal of plea may mean?

This dismissal of plea by Supreme Court now clears the way for appointment of Lt. General Bikram Singh as

the next Army Chief.

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Process begins to amend Works of Defence Act, 1903

The Ministry of Defence has started the process of bringing about amendments to The Works of Defence Act,

1903 to meet the requirements of the changed scenario.

About Work of Defence Act, 1903:

Works of Defence act is a 109 year old Act that provides for imposing restrictions on use and

enjoyment of land which are in proximity to Works of Defence in order to keep the land free from

buildings and other obstructions.

Why have amendments been proposed to this Act?

It has been observed that the Act of 1903 has proved problematic for those civilians living in vicinity to

defence depots because of its stringent and restrictive provisions. Some of defence establishments

especially the defence depots were set up over a century ago in deep jungles or vacant lands far away

from human habitations. But due to increased human activity and expansion in habitations certain areas

have come very close to the depots.

What has been decided by the govt?

The Defence Ministry has decided to modernize all depots and develop them by taking cognizance of

the best practices followed in some of the advanced countries in the world.

Govt constituted Task Force on National Security submits report to PM

The Task Force, constituted by the government to review the working of the national security, presented its

report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Task Force headed by Naresh Chandra

Why this task force was constituted?

To review existing processes, procedures and practices in the national security system

To suggest measures to strengthen the national security apparatus.

Akash missile test fired successfully

Akash test fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, about 15 km from Balasore in Odisha

coast.

Akash

Surface-to-surface air missile System

Indigenously-developed under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme

An anti-aircraft defence system

Strike range: 25 km

Warhead capacity: 60 kg

Similar to the American MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system, the Akash is capable of

neutralizing aerial targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fighter jets, cruise missiles

Ingeniously made Akash surface-to-air missile system

Developed by DRDO as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

An all-weather, medium-range

Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system

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Akash is mooted as the Indian Patriot (The ‘Patriot’ is a US missile system which was used

successfully used in neutralising the Iraqi Skud missiles during the Gulf War in the 1990s).

The first batch of the ingeniously made Akash missile system to be inducted into the Indian Air Force. Also

Advanced Light Weight Torpedo (TAL) to be inducted into the Indian Navy in Hyderabad. This is a substantial

accomplishment for India's aboriginal weapon development series.

What is Rajendra?

Rajendra is a radar developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment at DRDO. Akash can

simultaneously engage several targets with the help of this Radar. Rajendra does the surveillance, tracks the

target, acquires it and guides the missile towards it. It is “passive phased array radar” which is multifunction and

it can track as many as 64 targets and control up to 12 missiles simultaneously.

‘INS Dweeprakshak’: Navy commissions full-fledged naval base station in Lakshadweep

As part of its efforts to augment the security of the strategically significant Lakshadweep archipelago, on

Monday. The Navy commissioned a full-fledged naval base, INS Dweeprakshak, at Kavaratti.

Objective: To maintain effective coastal surveillance and defence capability. Indian warships on patrol would

now extend their reach farther with base support from INS Dweeprakshak.

What is the strategic importance of full-fledged Naval base INS Dweeprakshak?

The navy had positioned detachments to the Lakshadweep Islands since independence. It also preserved

permanent facilities on Kavaratti Island since the 1980s. With rising threat to Indian shipping lanes, such as

attacks by Somali pirates, the island territory has grown in significance to Indian security considerations. INS

Dweeprakshak was therefore established to facilitate the Indian Navy to offer surveillance potentialities and

amenities to Indian naval vessels on patrol.

A blast from the past:

Under the British Raj the Lakshadweep islands were a part of the Madras Presidency and in conformity with the

Indian Independence Act 1947, ordained by the British parliament, the islands were transferred to the fresh

Union of India. Nevertheless, whilst the Madras Presidency had a Hindu majority, the islands had a Muslim

majority. Therefore it appeared probable that the fresh dominion of Pakistan may attempt to claim to them.

Thus, on the orders of the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India Vallabhbhai Patel, a ship of

the Royal Indian Navy was sent to the Laccadives (as they were then called) to hoist the Indian national flag and

ascertain the islands' integration into the fresh Union of India. Hours after the coming of the Indian ship, vessels

of the Royal Pakistan Navy were seen near the islands, but after discovering Indian naval existence they turned

back to Karachi.

U.S.-Japan deal to withdraw 9,000 Marines from Okinawa

US and Japan have settled that about half the U.S. Marines on the Japanese island of Okinawa will in a short

time depart. Almost 5,000 will go to Guam as part of a much bigger U.S. military build up in Asia, a

repositioning that comes in the middle of China's rapid growth as a key economic and military power.

Of the Marines being shifted, about 2,700 will be sent to Hawaii and still others will rotate via a base in

Darwin, Australia.

About: Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture is one of Japan's southern prefectures. Okinawa prefecture is made up of dozens of islands

that lie at the southern end of the Japanese archipelago. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain

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over 1,000 km long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū (the south-western-most of Japan's main 4 islands)

to Taiwan.

Background and Okinawa’s strategic importance for US:

1429: King Sho Hashi establishes Ryukyu kingdom

1609: Satsuma clan from southern Japan invade

1872: Japan makes Ryukyu kingdom a feudal domain; absorbs it in 1879

1945: Okinawa was the site of the last major campaign for U.S. forces in the Pacific during World War

II. The Battle of Okinawa lasted from March through June 1945. An estimated 100,000 Okinawan

civilians die in Battle of Okinawa; Japan surrenders; US takes control of Okinawa. After the United

States defeated Japan in World War II, a U.S. occupation force remained in Okinawa and other parts of

the country.

The Communist take-over in China and eruption of conflicts in Korea and later Vietnam served to

emphasize Okinawa's strategic importance to the US.

1972: Okinawa reverted to Japanese control, but the US bases remained.

During the Cold War, the US military presence on Okinawa served as a bulwark against communism in a

strategic location during the Vietnam War.

B/w 1965-1972, Okinawa was a key staging point for the US, in its military operations directed towards North

Vietnam. Anti-Vietnam War sentiment became linked politically to the movement for reversion of Okinawa to

Japan.

Okinawa, along with Guam, also presented the United States military a geographically strategic launch pad for

covert bombing missions over Cambodia and Laos.

US took over Japanese bases and began stationing troops in the region. The US then inked a security pact with

Japan, guaranteeing to defend it in return for land for its military forces.

Planes based in Okinawa flew missions to both Korea and Vietnam. Naval forces were also based there, the

region acting as a key hub for the conflicts.

Almost 40,000 U.S. personnel are based in Japan, and more than three-fourths of the military bases are on

Okinawa. At its height, U.S. military operations on Okinawa accounted for about 20% of the land use on the

island chain.

Why Okinawa still holds strategic importance for US?

Recently, the US has kept its forces in Okinawa and raised its military footprint throughout Asia as China rises

as a key economic and military power. Both Japan and US consider the island chain as a crucial bridgehead in

the speedily germinating Pacific theatre, where the rising military power of China raises eyebrows.

Much of the U.S. aid to Japan after 2011's earthquake was launched from Okinawa bases.

Why US-Japan deal to withdraw 9,000 US Marines from Okinawa?

The U.S. military presence on Okinawa has caused considerable controversy.

People in Okinawa are agitated because of:

Noise from the base, in an urban area.

Misconduct of U.S. troops stationed there

Cultural misunderstandings and the isolated criminal acts

1995 rape of 12-year-old Japanese girl by three U.S. military personnel

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The friction between locals and military personnel has been exacerbated in recent years. Locals have long

complained of aircraft noise, the risk of accidents, and crime associated with a large contingent of young

servicemen.

In 2006, the US and Japan reached an agreement that would have relocated thousands of Marines off the island

once the Marine Corps Air Station at Futenma was closed and moved to Camp Schwab on Okinawa. That plan

conked after extensive protests over the proposed location and costs for the new air base.

Resistance to the presence of U.S. troops in Okinawa runs so deep that it contributed to the resignation of former

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in 2010. He had promised to move the base but afterwards declared that the

base would stay which he gave in to U.S. pressure, and his government coalition broke up.

It's desired the cut down of forces on the island chain will lessen the hostility.

Sukhoi fighters to be integrated with BrahMos missiles

India is heading towards joining the power club of few countries having air-launched cruise missiles with a

proposal to equip the Indian Air Force's vanguard fighter aircraft Su-30 MKI with BrahMos. The Cabinet

Committee on Security is likely to mull over the proposal of the Defence Ministry to procure the air-launched

version of the 290-km-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the IAF

The proposal entails approval of funds to integrate and test the BrahMos missile on the Su-30MKI of the IAF.

Plans are in place to conduct 1st test of this version developed jointly by India &Russia, by December 2012.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), at its Nasik unit, will modify and integrate two SU-30MKI with aerial

launcher developed by the BrahMos.

What will be the advantages of this version on the battle field?

The BrahMos missile integrated Su-30s will aid the IAF in attaining the potential to deliver a deadly-

blow to enemy structures from a range of around 300 km. It will be lighter and smaller than the land-

based version of the missile so that it can be fitted to the aircraft.

Indian Coast Guard Hovercraft H-187 Commissioned

Indian Coast Guard Hovercraft H-187 commissioned in the force. It is first of the series of 12 Air Cushion

Vehicles (ACVs) designed and built by Griffon Hoverwork Limited (GHL), UK.

Key Specifications of Hovercraft H-187 :

21meters long Air Cushion Vehicle

Displaces 31 tonnes

Maximum speed of 45 knots

Some of its key utilities:

Surveillance

Interdiction

Search and rescue

Providing assistance to small boats/craft in distress at sea.

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JIMEX 12 : India, Japan to have first bilateral naval exercise off Tokyo

JIMEX 12 = Japan India Maritime Exercise 2012

India and Japan will hold their first bilateral naval exercise off Tokyo. 4 Indian warships including the INS

Rana, INS Shakti and INS Shivalik are in Tokyo harbor to celebrate 60 years of establishment of diplomatic

relations between the two countries. The basic bilateral exercises with Japanese self-defence force will be held

while Indian warships return from there.

Objective:

Maritime Security Cooperation.

These include Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and Visit, Board, Searchand

Seizure (VBSS) drills, which form a part of Anti-Piracy operations.

The two countries also intend to increase cooperation in anti-piracy operations off the coast of

Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and launch a maritime dialogue mechanism. The warships of the two

navies are coordinating in patrolling in the Gulf of Aden to help escort a larger number of cargo vessels

sailing through the troubled waters there. Thus permitting Indian and Japanese navies to swimmingly

operate together in the arena of maritime security / HADR operations, should the need bob up.

India successfully test fires Air Force version of ‘Akash’ missile

India successfully test fired 2 indigenously-developed surface-to-air 'Akash' missiles of Air Force version

from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. The anti-aircraft missiles have a strike range of

25 km with potential to carry 60 kgs of warhead.

Pakistan successfully test fires Hatf-9 Nasr missile

Pakistan successfully test-fired a short-range Hatf 9 (Nasr) missile

Range: 60 km

Capable of carrying nuclear weapons

Pakistan's 3rd ballistic missile test since April 2012, after India successfully test-fired the inter-continental

Agni 5 missile

Pakistan already has nuclear-capable Hatf-IV with a range of 1000 km, nuclear-capable Hatf-III, with a

range of 290 km

India successfully test fires Agni-1 nuke missile user trial

India successfully test-fired its home-built nuclear potent Agni-I ballistic missile off Integrated Test Range at

Wheeler Island, Odisha coast.

Highlighting features of Agni-1:

Strike range: 700 km

Surface-to-surface

Single-stage missile

Powered by solid propellants

Weighs 12 tonnes, 15-metre-long

Carrying capacity: Up to 1000 kg (1 Tonne)

With specialized navigation system

Objective behind the launch of Agni-1 Nuke Missile:

To train the army user team to launch the missile.

The missile has already been inducted into the Indian Army.

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India and Singapore extend military training pact

India and Singapore inked 3 major pacts including one on continuing the military training that Indian

armed forces extend to their Singaporean counterparts. These agreements coincide with the state visit

of Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong to India.

India is already imparting training to the Singaporean air force personnel at the Kalaikunda air base in

West Bengal.

MoUs on Co-operation in area of Vocational Education and Skill Development:

A MoU was also signed b/w the Indian labor and employment ministry and Singapore's education

ministry regarding cooperation in the area of vocational education and skills development.

Another MoU inked b/w the Delhi government's training and technical education department and

Singapore's Institute of Technical Education on cooperation in the field of vocational education and

skills development.

INS Tanaji Naval Base Station commissioned by Indian Navy

Indian Navy commissioned a Naval Base Station – INS Tanaji in Mumbai’s Eastern suburb of

Mankhurd.

The base depot ship INS Tanaji will look after berthing and ship lift facilities of the Indian Navy.

INS Tanaji is named after Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare.

Who was Tanaji Malusare?

Tanaji Malusare was a Maratha warrior and military leader in the army of Shivaji.

Tanaji Malusare was also known as Simha (Lion).

Tanaji was one of Shivaji's closest friends heralding from Malusare Clan; the two knew each other

since childhood.

Tanaji is famously known for the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670.

At Shivaji's request, Tanaji pledged to recapture the fortress of Kondana near Pune.

Tanaji lost his life in the battle of Sinhagad.

Shivaji renamed the fort from Kondana to Sinhagad Tanaji’s honor.

Shivaji’s words after hearing about the demise of Tanaji were "Gad ala pan Sinha gela"(Meaning:

although the fort was captured a lion was lost in the battle).

Project Seabird Phase IIA: Rs 10,000 crore for expansion of Karwar base

The Navy has plans for expansion of its strategic Karwar naval base in Karnataka under the Project Seabird

Phase IIA which involves construction of a wide range of new facilities and augmentation of certain existing

facilities. The expansion project will cost over Rs 10,000 crore. Navy will be capable to berth around 30 major

warships at Karwar after the completion of Phase-IIA by 2017-18.

What is Project Seabird ?

First approved in 1985 at an initial cost of Rs 350 crore, since then it has been hindered by long delays

and fund insufficiencies.

Phase-I has already been completed, has made the Navy capable to deploy more than 15 warships at

Karwar.

Phase-II will empower the Karwar naval station with an airbase, armament depot, dockyard complex

and missile silos, apart from additional jetties, berthing and anchorage facilities.

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What are the objectives of Project Seabird ?

The Project Seabird aims to ease the naval dockyards in Mumbai which is clogged due to increased

traffic and pollution.

Another major reason is to establish a major base at some distance from Pakistani cities and range of

their missiles.

The base will be used for deploying Russian-origin aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, Scorpene

submarines and carry out military aircraft operations.

AUVs-India is all set to take a giant leap forward

India is all set to take a giant leap forward with the development of multipurpose Autonomous Underwater

Vehicles (AUV) and submadrones, underwater drones.

DRDO) has come a long way in indigenously designing and building a batch of multiple AUVs to meet the

Navy’s quality requirements of 10 such platforms primarily for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

(ISR), mine mitigation and sensor deployment.

The Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL), a DRDO firm based in Visakhapatnam has transformed

a bunch of AUVs from handheld slow-speed ones, to military-class with the competence to serve in the whole

range of maritime security, spanning coastal and port defence to deep-sea operations.

For the time being, the NSTL’s motivated programme ‘Autonomous Sea Vehicle’ (ASV), strives for building

under-water vehicles ranging from Micro-AUVs weighing 10 Kg to giant Unmanned Combat Undersea

Vehicles (UCUV) weighing over 12 tonnes on the tune of the US Navy’s ‘Manta Unmanned Underwater

Vehicle’ programme.

“Naresh Chandra Committee” submits National Security Report

Why Naresh Chandra committee was consituted?

The committee was constituted by the Union Govt to contemporarize the Kargil Review Committee’s

recommendations. It was also asked to suggest ways to revamp defence management by examining the

state of country’s border management and restructure system.

Who are the members on the committee?

A 14- member committee which includes military officers, intelligence chiefs, diplomats and strategic

analysts.

Kargil Review Committee:

The Kargil Review Committee (KRC), headed by the late K. Subrahmanyam. It has been a decade

when it submitted its report. It was on the recommendations made of the committee, a Group of

Ministers was set up which suggested huge reforms in the country's security management system. The

KRC is thought to be the first major step in revamping the country's security after Independence.

India successfully test fires user trial version of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile

India successfully test fired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as part of a user trial by the Army from a

Chandipur off Odisha coast. The Brahmos missile development is an Indo-Russian collaborative project.

Range: 290 km

Can carry conventional warhead of 300 kg

Surface-to-surface Army version

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Two-stage missile

Can fly at zero level

The name BrahMos is derived from the names of the two great rivers of India and Russia -- Brahmaputra

and Moskva.

India successfully test fired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as part of a user trial by the Army from a

Chandipur off Odisha coast.

MiG-29KUB performs first landing on INS Vikramaditya

MiG-29KUB, a Russian-built fighter jet made the first landing on the INS Vikramaditya during sea trials.

INS Vikramaditya

It is the rechristened name of former Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which has been

procured by India.

The ship is a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier built in 1978–1982.

Russia sold the carrier to India after it became too expensive for the soviet nation to operate it on a post

Cold War budget. It has been extensively refurbished and upgraded to a light aircraft carrier at the

Sevmash shipyard in the Russian city of Severodvinsk.

It is expected to be inducted for service in the Indian Navy by December 2012.

INS Sahyadri commissioned to Navy

The Navy commissioned one of its most futuristic warships INS Sahyadri at Mumbai-based Western

Naval Command headquarters. It will further embolden its stealth and anti-submarine warfare

competence.

INS Sahyadri is the last ship in the series of stealth warships after INS Shivalik and Satpura by the

Mazgaon Dock Limited (MDL).

Sahyadri is India's first warship with major stealth feature and a western gas turbine as till now Indian

Navy was using Russian one.

The Navy commissioned first INS Shivalik and INS Satpura in the same class in April 2010 and August

2011. These ships are serving in the Indian Ocean Region.

Indian Army and DRDO collaborate to develop tank-killer Nag missile

Despite differences running b/w the Army and DRDO, the two are trying cooperate in the development of

world-class tank-killer missile.

What are the problems?

The problem with the DRDO’s anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), Nag (Hindi for cobra), is its range and

weight. Currently, the Nag accurately hits its targets out to 4 km, the range that the army asks for. But in

extreme heat, especially in summer afternoons in the desert, the missile cannot strike a target beyond 2.5 km.

The seeker of the missile cannot work in high temperatures. The DRDO is trying to develop a seeker that can

work through the hottest desert temperatures.

The Army is unhappy with the 40 kg weight of the missile. It has demanded for about 30-35 kg.

The Army is ready to buy 13 Nag carriers (NAMICA, being developed by BEL and L&T), and 443 Nag

missiles in the current form. These will be positioned in regions of Punjab, where close-set villages, groves and

electricity transmission cables do not allow visibility beyond 2.5 km. It will order larger consignment only after

DRDO demonstrates better performance with an efficient Seeker.

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What is the exigency of these missiles?

The delay in the development of the missile is a disappointment to the army. Indian infantry formations

is urgently looking for a capable ATGM to tackle Pakistani tank forces that now have potent Ukrainian

T-80 and Chinese T-85 tanks.

How does the missile function?

With the help of thermal imaging telescopes, the Nag missile pilots scan the battlefield for enemy

tanks. After having set up an enemy tank, the Nag pilot locks the seeker onto it. Instantly, a digital

snapshot of the target is taken, which funtions as a reference image. As the Nag heads towards the

target, at 230 m/s, the seeker takes repeated snapshots of the target; each one is compared with the

previous image. The deviations are translated into corrections to the Nag’s control fins, which

automatically guide the missile onto the target. The missile is also called as “fire-and-forget” missile as

it eases the pilot of the need to expose himself to enemy fire after launching the missile.

What are the other types of “Fire and Forget” missiles?

Only a few countries carry these kinds of sophisticated missiles.

- FGM-148 Javelin is manufactured by American companies, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon.

- The Spike is built by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The Javelin and the Spike are lighter, “man-

portable” missiles that can be carried by an infantry soldier, whereas, the Nag is heavier and more powerful

missile that operates from vehicles and helicopters.

Lakshya-1 successfully tested

Lakshya-1, which is the Air Force version of micro-light pilot-less target aircraft successfully test-flown from

the launch complex-2 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Orissa. The test was done to test the

validity of its engine and duration enhancement. Lakshya is part of the Indian Air Force since 2000.

Significant features of Lakshya-1

6-foot long aircraft

Remote-controlled from the ground

Provides training to both airborne and air defense pilots.

Advanced digitally controlled engine and is a

Sub-sonic

Re-usable aerial target system

Launched by a solid propellant rocket motor

Sustained by a turbojet engine

30 to 35 minutes flight time

Army’s SFC successfully executes Agni-II launch mission

Agni-II launch was successfully executed by Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

The Missile after its launch from the Wheeler Island travelled more than 2,000 km in 700 seconds and

hit the target are in Bay of Bengal accurately.

It is nuclear-capable missile which can carry warheads of one tonne.

The success of the launch marks the preparedness of the Army to handle it independently.

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20 % penalty for foreign military vendors not meeting offset obligations

The Ministry of Defence announced a penalty of 20 % to be imposed on foreign military vendors who are

ubable to fulfill offsets obligation within the prescribed time frame as part of the Defence Procurement

Procedure.

· No cap on penalty for inability to implement offset obligations during the period exceeding the main

procurement contract, which can extend to a maximum period of two years.

· Vendors signing deals over Rs 300 crore have to re-invest at least 30 % of the worth of the contract back into

Indian defense, civil aerospace and homeland security sector.

· India is expected to sign offset contracts worth over $30 billion in the nexthttp://www.gktoday.in/wp-

admin/edit.php five years.

“Coastal Radar Network” phase-I

The Navy and Coast Guard have been asked by the Defense Ministry to complete the first phase of the Coastal

Radar Network (CRN) by October, 2012 to monitor the movement of suspicious vessels in Indian waters. It

aims to plug the loopholes in country’s maritime security.

The CRN is a vital constituent of the coastal security mechanism which will ensure monitoring

and identification of maritime traffic.

Foreign telecom equipment serving critical networks must be banned: Panel

Inter-ministerial panel in its report has recommended ban on use of foreign telecom equipments for all

critical networks. The panel supported 100% domestic sourcing of such equipments.

Objective: The move was taken due to apprehension over intrusion and control of vital cyber networks by

foreign countries like China which can compromise with the security of the country.

The report suggests that India should not use telecom apparatus from unfriendly countries. It highlights

networks in countries such as Taiwan, Japan and South Korea which also do not use telecom equipment for their

critical networks manufactured by countries hostile to them.

However it does not call for violation of WTO norms as preferential treatment in buying equipment will be

given to domestic manufacturers only for projects that have security implication for the country.

Projects recommended for complete domestic sourcing are:

National Optic Fiber Network

Network for spectrum

Other defense communication networks

National Knowledge Network

All communication projects of all utility companies such as the Indian Railways, and oil, gas and

power companies.

The current preferential access policy directs that both state-owned and private phone, mobile and landline

companies buy up to 30 % of network equipment and other related infrastructure from domestic manufacturers.

The new policy wants these licensees to increase this up to “a minimum of 80 %” by 2020.

25

Indian navy successfully test-fires BrahMos

The Indian Navy successfully test-fired the BrahMos missile from a warship off the Goa coast. It is a 290- km

range, supersonic cruise missile, capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg. The missile is

developed by Indo-Russian joint venture.

The missile was test-fired from guided missile frigate INS Teg. It is a two-stage missile, the first one solid and

the second one ramjet liquid propellant. It has already been inducted into the Army and Navy, and the Air Force

version is in final stage of trial.

India test fires “Dhanush” Successfully

India successfully test fired naval version of Prithvi missile-Dhanush, from a naval ship off the coast of

Balasore, Odisha. The missile is indigenously developed by DRDO.

Dhanush Missile

Naval version of Prithvi missile

Nuclear capable

Ballistic missile

Range: 350km

India test-fires Prithvi-II ballistic missile successfully

India successfully test-fired Prithvi-II ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur of Balasore district, off Odisha coast.

Prithvi-II missile

Surface to surface ballistic missile

Indigenously developed by DRDO

Variants: Prithvi-I for the Army; Prithvi-II for the Indian Air Force; and the Dhanush for the Navy

Single-stage, Liquid-propelled

Advanced inertial navigation, control and guidance system

Payload capacity: 500-1,000 kg

Range: 350 km

India, China to boost the Defense Ties

India and China agreed to enhance defense ties. Both the countries agreed on improving the friendly, strategic and co-

operative partnership and exchange of young officers and high level visits. They also agreed on inter-collegiate exchange

that includes non-traditional security fields. During the joint Naval Exercise in Shanghai, both the countries agreed on

furthering the process of military exchange that includes maritime operations and navy.

AGNI-IV successfully test fired

AGNI-IV was successfully test fired from the Wheeler’s Island in Odisha. The missile was fired from the road mobile

launcher.

The main features of AGNI-IV:

Nuclear capable ballistic missile

Range: 4000kms

Propelled by composite rocket motor technology

Equipped with Avionics, 5th generation on Board Computer

Latest features to correct and guide for in-flight disturbances

Fitted with Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and Micro Navigation System (MINGS) for advanced accuracy

26

India and weapons of mass destruction India possesses nuclear weapons and maintains short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles,

nuclear-capable aircraft, surface ships, and submarines under development as possible delivery

systems and platforms. Although it lacks an operational ballistic missile submarine, India has

ambitions of possessing a nuclear triad in the near future when Arihant the lead ship of

India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered submarines formally joins the Indian Navy in 2012 after

undergoing extensive sea-trials. Though India has not made any official statements about the size of

its nuclear arsenal, recent estimates suggest that India has between 80 and 100 nuclear

weapons, consistent with earlier estimates that it had produced enough weapons-grade plutonium for

up to 75–110 nuclear weapons. Production of weapons-grade plutonium is believed to be taking place

at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, which is home to the CIRUS reactor, acquired

from Canada and shut down in 2010, to the indigenous Dhruva reactor, and to a plutonium separation

facility. As of 1999, India was estimated to have 4200 kg of separated reactor-gradeplutonium from

its power reactors, which is equivalent to roughly 1000 nuclear weapons.

India is not a signatory to the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which India argues

entrenches the status quo of the existing nuclear weapons states whilst preventing general nuclear

disarmament. India tested a nuclear device in 1974 (code-named "Smiling Buddha"), which it called a

"peaceful nuclear explosion." The test used plutonium produced in the Canadian-

supplied CIRUS reactor, and raised concerns that nuclear technology supplied for peaceful purposes

could be diverted to weapons purposes. This also stimulated the early work of the Nuclear Suppliers

Group. India performed further nuclear tests in 1998 (code-named "Operation Shakti").

India has signed and ratified both the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons

Convention.

History

As early as 26 June 1946, Jawaharlal Nehru, soon to be India's first Prime Minister, announced:

“ As long as the world is constituted as it is, every country will have to devise and use the latest

devices for its protection. I have no doubt India will develop her scientific researches and I hope

Indian scientists will use the atomic force for constructive purposes. But if India is threatened, she

will inevitably try to defend herself by all means at her disposal. ”

India's nuclear program started on March 1944 and its three-stage indigenous efforts in technology were established by dr. Homi Bhabha when he founded the nuclear research center, the Institute of Fundamental Research. India's loss of territory to China in a brief Himilayan border war in October 1962, provided the New Delhi government impetus for developing nuclear weapons as a means of deterring potential Chinese aggression.

India's first nuclear test occurred on 18 May 1974. Since then India has conducted another series of tests at

the Pokhran test range in the state of Rajasthan in 1998. India has an extensive civil and military nuclear

program, which includes at least 10 nuclear reactors, uranium mining and milling sites, heavy water production

facilities, a uranium enrichment plant, fuel fabrication facilities, and extensive nuclear research capabilities.

In 1998, as a response to the continuing tests, the United States and Japan imposed sanctions on India, which

have since been lifted.

27

Doctrine

India has a declared nuclear no-first-use policy and is in the process of developing a nuclear doctrine

based on "credible minimum deterrence." In August 1999, the Indian government released a draft of

the doctrine which asserts that nuclear weapons are solely for deterrence and that India will pursue a

policy of "retaliation only". The document also maintains that India "will not be the first to initiate a

nuclear first strike, but will respond with punitive retaliation should deterrence fail" and that decisions

to authorize the use of nuclear weapons would be made by the Prime Minister or his 'designated

successor(s).'"

According to the NRDC, despite the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan in 2001-2002,

India remains committed to its nuclear no-first-use policy.

Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon signaled a significant shift from "No first use" to

"no first use against non-nuclear weapon states" in a speech on the occasion of Golden Jubilee

celebrations of National Defence College in New Delhi on 21 October 2010, a doctrine Menon said

reflected India's "strategic culture, with its emphasis on minimal deterrence."

Hardware

Command and control

India's Strategic Nuclear Command was formally established in 2003, with an Air Force officer, Air

Marshal Asthana, as the Commander-in-Chief. The joint services SNC is the custodian of all of India's

nuclear weapons, missiles and assets. It is also responsible for executing all aspects of India's

nuclear policy. However, the civil leadership, in the form of the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security)

is the only body authorized to order a nuclear strike against another offending strike: In effect, it is

the Prime Minister who has his finger "on the button."

Weapon type

Chemical weapons

In 1992 India signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), stating that it did not have chemical

weapons and the capacity or capability to manufacture chemical weapons. By doing this India

became one of the original signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention [CWC] in 1993, and

ratified it on 2 September 1996. According to India's ex-Army Chief General Sunderji, a country

having the capability of making nuclear weapons does not need to have chemical weapons, since the

dread of chemical weapons could be created only in those countries that do not have nuclear

weapons. Others suggested that the fact that India has found chemical weapons dispensable

highlighted its confidence in the conventional weapons system at its command.

In June 1997, India declared its stock of chemical weapons (1,044 tonnes of sulphur mustard). By the

end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons/material stockpile

and was granted extension for destroying (the remaining stocks by April 2009) and was expected to

achieve 100 percent destruction within that timeframe. India informed the United Nations in May, 2009

that it had destroyed its stockpile of chemical weapons in compliance with the international Chemical

Weapons Convention. With this India has become third country after South Korea and Albania to do

so. This was cross-checked by inspectors of the United Nations.

India has an advanced commercial chemical industry, and produces the bulk of its own chemicals for

domestic consumption. It is also widely acknowledged that India has an extensive civilian chemical

and pharmaceutical industry and annually exports considerable quantities of chemicals to countries

such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Taiwan.

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Biological warfare

India has a well-developed biotechnology infrastructure that includes numerous pharmaceutical

production facilities bio-containment laboratories (including BSL-3 and BSL-4) for working with lethal

pathogens. It also has highly qualified scientists with expertise in infectious diseases. Some of India’s

facilities are being used to support research and development for BW defense purposes. India has

ratified the BWC and pledges to abide by its obligations. There is no clear evidence, circumstantial or

otherwise, that directly points toward an offensive BW program. New Delhi does possess the scientific

capability and infrastructure to launch an offensive BW program, but has chosen not to do so. In

terms of delivery, India also possesses the capability to produce aerosols and has numerous potential

delivery systems ranging from crop dusters to sophisticated ballistic missiles.

No information exists in the public domain suggesting interest by the Indian government in delivery of

biological agents by these or any other means. To reiterate the latter point, in October 2002, Indian

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam asserted that "we [India] will not make biological weapons. It is cruel to

human beings..."

Weapon inventory

In 2005, it was estimated that India had between 40 and 50 warheads.

In November 2008, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimated that India has about 70

assembled nuclear warheads, with about 50 of them fully operational.

A report by David Albright, published by the Institute for Science and International Security in

2000, estimated that India at end of 1999 had 310 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium,

enough for 65 nuclear weapons. He also estimated that India had 4,200 kg of reactor grade

plutonium which is enough to build 1,000 nuclear weapons. By the end of 2004, he estimates

India had 445 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium which is enough for around 85 nuclear

weapons, if 5 kg is required each.

As of February 2011, the Federation of American Scientists estimated that India had a stockpile of

80-100 weapons.

Former Research and Analysis Wing official J.K. Sinha, claimed that India is capable of producing

130 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium per year from six "unsafeguarded" reactors not

included in the nuclear deal between India and the United States.

On 24 July 2012, two U.S. scientists estimated that India has an arsenal of 80-100 nuclear

weapons and has not converted its entire stockpile of 520 kg of weapon grade plutonium into

weapons. They also stated that the construction of a second plutonium producing reactor at

Vishakapatnam and commissioning of the fast breeder reactor near Kalpakkam would significantly

increase India's plutonium production capacity.

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Delivery systems

Below is the list of missiles currently in India's inventory or under development that can carry nuclear

warheads. Information on the missiles is given below.

India's nuclear capable missiles

Name Class Range Payload Status

Agni-I SRBM 700 km 1,000 kg Operational

Agni-II MRBM 2,000 km - 3,000 km 500 kg - 1,000 kg Operational

Agni-III IRBM 5,000 km 2,490 kg Inducted

Agni-IV MRBM 3,000 km - 4,000 km 500 kg - 1,500 kg Induction by 2014-15

Agni-V ICBM 5,000 km - 5,800 km 1,500 kg+ Induction by 2014-15

Agni-VI ICBM 8,000 km - 10,000 km 1,000 kg - 1,400 kg Under development

Dhanush SRBM 350 km 500 kg Developed but not used

Nirbhay Subsonic Cruise Missile 1,000 km 1000 kg Under development

Brahmos I Supersonic Cruise Missile 290 km 300 kg Operational

Brahmos II Hypersonic Cruise Missile 290 km 300 kg Under development

P-70 Ametist Anti-shipping Missile 65 km 530 kg Operational

P-270 Moskit Supersonic Cruise Missile 120 km 320 kg Operational

30

Popeye ASM 78 km 340 kg Operational

Prithvi-I SRBM 150 km 1000 kg Operational

Prithvi-II SRBM 250 km 500 kg Operational

Prithvi-III SRBM 350 km 500 kg Operational

Sagarika (K-15) SLBM 700 km - 2,200 km 150 kg - 1000 kg Awaiting Arihant SSBN's

K-4 mk. 1 SLBM 3,500 km 150 kg - 1000 kg Under trials

K-4 mk. 2 SLBM 5,000 km 1000 kg Under development

K-5 SLBM 6,000 km 1000 kg Under development

Shaurya TBM 700 km - 2,200 km 150 kg - 1,000 kg Operational

Ballistic missiles

Under former president Dr. Abdul Kalam India pursued the Integrated Guided Missile Development

Program (IGMDP) which was an Indian Ministry of Defense program for the development of a

comprehensive range of missiles, including the intermediate range Agni missile (Surface to Surface),

and short range missiles such as the Prithvi ballistic missile (Surface to Surface), Akash missile

(Surface to Air), Trishul missile (Surface to Air) and Nag Missile (Anti Tank). Other projects

such Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program have derived from the IGMDP. In 2005, India became

only the fourth country to have Anti Ballistic capability when India tested two systems the AAD and

PAD.

India has methodically built an indigenous missile production capability, using its commercial space-

launch program to develop the skills and infrastructure needed to support an offensive ballistic missile

program. For example, during the 1980s, India conducted a series of space launches using the solid-

fueled SLV-3 booster. Most of these launches put light satellites into near-earth orbit. Elements of the

SLV-3 were subsequently incorporated into two new programs. In the first, the new polar-space

launch vehicle (PSLV) was equipped with six SLV-3 motors strapped to the PSLV's first stage. The

Agni IRBM technology demonstrator uses the SLV-3 booster as its first stage.

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Prithvi

The Prithvi (Sanskrit: "Earth") I is mobile liquid-fueled 150 kilometer tactical missile currently

deployed with army units. It is claimed that this missile is equipped only with various conventional

warheads (which stay attached to the missile over the entire flight path). The missile is of particular

interest to the United States (and potential buyers) in that has the capability of maneuvering (पैंतरेबाज़ी) in flight so as to follow one of several different pre-programmed trajectories. Based on the same

design, a modified Prithvi, the Prithvi II, is essentially a longer-ranged version of the Prithvi I except

that it has a 250-kilometer range and a lighter payload. It is suspected that any nuclear missions will

be executed by the Prithvi II. Currently, the Prithvi II has completed development and is now in

production. When fielded, it will be deployed with air force units for the purpose of deep target

attacking maneuvers against objectives such as air fields.

Prithvi I — Army Version (150 km range with a payload of 1,000 kg)

Prithvi II — Air Force Version (250 km range with a payload of 500 kg)

Prithvi III — Naval Version (350 km range with a payload of 500 kg)

The Prithvi missile project encompassed developing 3 variants for use by the Indian Army, Indian Air

Force and the Indian Navy. The initial project framework of the Integrated Guided Missile

Development Program outlines the variants in the following manner. In October 2009 India conducted

2 simultaneous user trials of 350 km extended range Prithvi II to be used for strategic purposes.

Dhanush

Dhanush (Sanskrit: Bow) is a naval variant of the Prithvi missile. It can fire either the 250 km or the

350 km range missiles. Supposedly it is a customised version of the Prithvi and that the additional

customizations in missile configuration are to certify it for seaworthiness. Dhanush has to be launched

from a hydraulically stabilized launch pad. Its low range acts against it and thus it is seen a weapons

either to be used to destroy an aircraft carrier or an enemy port. Indian Navy's K-15

Sagarika submarine-launched ballistic missile is reported to be a variant of the Dhanush missile.

The ship-launched Dhanush Ballistic Missile was tested from INS Subhadra of the Sukanya class

patrol craft in 2000. INS Subhadra is a vessel which was modified and the missile was launched from

the reinforced helicopter deck. The 250 km variant was tested but the tests were considered partially

successful. In 2004, the missile was again tested from the INS Subhadra and was this time

successful.[ Then the following year in December the missile's 350 km version was tested from the

INS Rajput and hit the land based target.

Agni

The Agni (Sanskrit: Fire) missile system comprises six missiles:

Agni I

Agni II

Agni III

Agni IV

Agni V

Agni VI

The Agni-I uses the SLV-3 booster (from India's space program) for its first stage and a liquid-fueled

Prithvi for its second stage.

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Nuclear-capable Agni-II missiles have a range of up to 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi) and can carry a

payload of 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb). Unlike the Agni-I, the Agni-II has a solid-fueled second stage.

In July 2006, India successfully test-fired an Agni-III, a two-stage nuclear-capable ballistic missile with

a range of 3,000 km. Both stages of the Agni-III utilize solid-fuel propellants; its range can be

extended to 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi). The missile is capable of carrying a nuclear payload within

the range of 600 to 1,800 kilograms (1,300 to 4,000 lb) including decoys and other anti-ballistic

counter-measures.

India's DRDO is also working on a submarine-launched ballistic missile version of the Agni-III missile,

known as the Agni-III SL. This missile is expected to provide India with a credible sea-based second

strike capability. According to Indian defense sources, the Agni-III SL will have a range of 3,500

kilometres (2,200 mi). In addition, the 5,500-kilometre (3,400 mi) range Agni-V ICBM was tested

successfully on 19 April 2012.

Surya

The report of Surya ICBM (Sanskrit: Sun) has not been confirmed by officials of the Indian

government and have repeatedly denied the existence of the project. The Surya ICBM is an ICBM

program that has been mentioned repeatedly in the Indian press. Surya (meaning Sun in Sanskrit and

many other Indian languages) is the codename for the first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that India

is reported to be developing. The DRDO is believed to have begun the project in 1994.

As the missile is yet to be developed, the specifications of the missile are not known and the entire

program continues to remain highly speculative. Estimates of the range of this missile vary from

5,000 km to 10,000 km. It is believed to be a three-stage design, with the first two stages using solid

propellants and the third-stage using liquid. In 2007, the Times of India reported that the DRDO is yet

to reveal whether India's currently proposed ICBM will be called Agni-V (or Surya-1). As of 2009 it

was reported that the government had not considered an 8,000-km range ICBM.

Four decades of investments in a missile-related design, development, and manufacturing

infrastructure have also made this sector less vulnerable to long-term disruption by technology denial

regimes. More significantly, India's sophisticated civilian satellite launch capability makes it one of the

few developing states theoretically capable of building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Shaurya

The Shaurya missile (Sanskrit: Valour) is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed

by DRDO of India for use by the Indian Army. It has a range of 600 km and is capable of carrying a

payload of one-tonne conventional or nuclear warhead. The Shaurya missile provides India with a

significant second strike capability. Shaurya Missile is considered a land version of the Sagarika. This

missile is stored in a composite canister just like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The

composite canister makes the missile much easier to store for long periods without maintenance as

well as to handle and transport. It also houses the gas generator to eject the missile from the canister

before its solid propellant motors take over to hurl it at the intended target. Shaurya missiles can

remain hidden or camouflaged in underground silos from enemy surveillance or satellites till they are

fired from the special storage-cum-launch canisters. DRDO Defence scientists admit that given

Shaurya's limited range at present, either the silos will have to be constructed closer to India's borders

or longer-range missiles will have to be developed. The Shaurya system will require some more tests

before it becomes fully operational in two-three years. Moreover, defense scientists say the high-

speed, two-stage Shaurya has high maneuverability which also makes it less vulnerable to existing

anti-missile defense systems. When Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems Advanced Air Defence (AAD)

33

and Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) are to be tested again, the Shaurya invulnerability to anti-missile

systems will be tested. The DRDO scientists also have said that if Shaurya is successful and

manages to avoid anti-ballistic missile radars then the missile can even be used to improve the AAD

and PAD systems.

Sagarika

Sagarika (Sanskrit: Wave / Born from the Ocean) is a nuclear capable submarine-launched ballistic

missile with a range of 750 km. This missile has a length of 8.5 meters, weighs seven tonnes and can

carry a pay load of up to 500 kg. The development of this missile started in 1991. The first

confirmation about the missile came in 1998. The development of the underwater missile launcher

known as the Project 78 (P78) was completed in 2001. This was handed over to the Indian Navy for

trials. The missile was successfully test fired thrice. The Indian Navy plans to introduce the missile

into service by the end of 2010. Sagarika missile is being integrated with the Arihant class

submarine that is expected to begin sea trials by 2009.[61] Sagarika will form part of the triad in India's

nuclear deterrence and will provide with retaliatory nuclear strike capability.

Sagarika has already been test-fired from an underwater pontoon, but now DRDO is planning a full-

fledged test of the missile from a submarine and for this purpose may use the services of a Russian

sub-marine. Eventually it could be introduced into as many as 5 ballistic missile submarines.

Cruise missiles

Nirbhay

Nirbhay (Sanskrit "Fearless") is a long range, subsonic cruise missile being developed in India. The

missile will have a range of 1,000 km and will arm three services, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and

the Indian Air Force. The Nirbhay will be able to be launched from multiple platforms on land, sea and

air. The first test flight of the missile is expected in the year 2012. Nirbhay will be a terrain hugging,

stealth missile capable of delivering 24 different types of warheads depending on mission

requirements and will use inertial navigation system for guidance. There are plans to arm the IL-

76MDs with the aerial version of the missile.

3M-54 Klub

India has acquired around 200 3M-54 Klub for arming Talwar class frigate, Shivalik class

frigate, Kolkata class destroyer and Sindhughosh class submarine. The Russian 3M-54 Klub is a

multi-role missile system developed by the Novator Design Bureau (OKB-8) with a range of 250 km-

300 km and an average speed of .8 Mach with a maximum of 2.9 Mach. India has both the Klub-N

and Klub-S variant to be used for Ships and Submarines respectively. Both the Klub-N and Klub-S

have been tested successfully. India currently has the 3M-54E, 3M-54E1, 91RE1 and 91RE2 variants.

In addition the Navy has plans to arm the Tu-142 and Tu-22M with an air-launched version. Due to

Klub's longer range than BrahMos it may also be used in the Mirage 2000 and Su-30 MKI too. The

Navy has shown interest in buying more Klubs which would be incorporated on to the S-

1000 submarine if bought by India. India is also keen on other Former Soviet cruise missile such as

the P-700 Granit and P-500 Bazalt.

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P-70 Ametist

India has Soviet P-70 Ametist submarine-launched cruise missiles. The missile were mostly probably

bought in the early 1990s and may be used today as canister-launched land-based cruise missiles

instead of submarine-launched cruise missiles. The missiles can carry nuclear warheads and have a

range of 50–65 km. Although they are extremely old and incompetent due to their low range and

speed, there are still reports that they are kept in reserve and can still be used due to their upgrades

in the late 1990s.

Moskit

India has a number of operational Moskits. The P-270 Moskit is a

Russian supersonic ramjet powered cruise missile capable of being launched from land and ships.

India has most probably bought both land and ship variants which have a range of 120 km. India

bought around 200 Klub missiles and now it is believed that the Moskit have been kept in reserve but

can still be used.

Brahmos

BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land.

It is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and

Russia's NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited.

It travels at speeds of Mach 2.5 to 2.8 and is the world's fastest cruise missile. It is about three-and-a-

half times faster than the U.S.A's subsonic Harpoon cruise missile. A hypersonic version of the missile

is also presently under development (Lab Tested with 5.26 Mach Speed). BrahMos claims to have the

capability of attacking surface targets as low as 10 meters in altitude. It can gain a speed of Mach 2.8,

and has a maximum range of 290 km. The ship-launched and land-based missiles can carry a 200 kg

warhead, whereas the aircraft-launched variant (BrahMos A) can carry a 300 kg warhead. It has a

two-stage propulsion system, with a solid-propellant rocket for initial acceleration and a liquid-fueled

ramjet responsible for sustained supersonic cruise. Air-breathing ramjet propulsion is much more fuel-

efficient than rocket propulsion, giving the BrahMos a longer range than a pure rocket-powered

missile would achieve.

The high speed of the BrahMos likely gives it better target-penetration characteristics than lighter

subsonic cruise-missiles such as the Tomahawk. Being twice as heavy as and almost four times

faster than the Tomahawk, the BrahMos has almost 32 times the initial kinetic energy of a Tomahawk

missile (although it pays for this by having only 3/5 the payload and a fraction of the range despite

weighing twice as much, suggesting a different tactical paradigm to achieve the objective).

Although BrahMos is primarily an anti-ship missile, it can also engage land based targets. It can be

launched either in a vertical or inclined position and is capable of covering targets over a 360 degree

horizon. The BrahMos missile has an identical configuration for land, sea, and sub-sea platforms. The

air-launched version has a smaller booster and additional tail fins for added stability during launch.

The BrahMos is currently being configured for aerial deployment with the Su-30MKI as its carrier.

India has produced more than 110 Brahmos by March 2011 as per SIPRI, inducted 1 regiment of

Brahmos Type-I GLCM with 67 missiles.

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Surface to air missile

Akash

Akash (Sanskrit: Sky) is India's medium range surface-to-air missile defense system The missile can

target aircraft up to 30 km away, at altitudes up to 18,000 m. Akash can be fired from both tracked

and wheeled platforms. Akash is said to be capable of both conventional and nuclear warheads, with

a reported payload of 60 kg. A nuclear warhead could potentially give the missile the capability to

destroy both aircraft and warheads from ballistic missiles. The missile is described as being able to

strike several targets simultaneously, which could mean either separate, independently targetable

warheads, or a sufficient blast to destroy a number of them.

Along with India, a limited number of other countries including the US and Russia have developed

operational multi-target handling surface-to-air missile systems capable of carrying a nuclear

warhead.

Delivery mechanisms

Nuclear submarines

According to some accounts, India plans to have as many as 25 nuclear submarines capable of

carrying missiles with nuclear warheads. Currently, India has built one and is building two more

nuclear submarines under the Arihant class submarine plan. India currently maintains six submarines

of the Sindhughosh Class that can launch the nuclear-capable 3M-54 Klub cruise missiles.

Former leasing of Soviet submarines

In 1988 INS Chakra (Sanskrit: Wheel), a Charlie-class submarine was leased by the Indian Navy for

three years from the Soviet Union, until 1991. The submarine was leased to India between 1988 and

1991 mainly for India to gain experience in the operations of a nuclear submarine. It was

decommissioned in 1991.

Arihant class submarine

The Arihant class submarines (Sanskrit: Slayer of Enemies) are a class of nuclear-powered ballistic

missile submarines being constructed for the Indian Navy in the Shipbuilding Centre

at Visakhapatnam under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project. A CIA report claimed that

Russia provided technological aid to the naval nuclear propulsion program.

The submarines will be armed with ballistic missiles. The first of these, INS Arihant was launched on

26 July 2009. Prime Minister Manmohan Singhthanked Russia during the launch ceremony,

expressing appreciation for the close strategic partnership with Russia. The vessel, which will

undergo sea-trials for up to two years, will then be equipped with an unknown number of K-

15 Sagarika SLBMs.

The second and third submarines of the class may incorporate the Nirbhay as well. As of July 2007,

the missiles Sagarika and Dhanush had undergone three successful tests each.

INS Chakra (Russian submarine K-152 Nerpa)

In 2000, negotiations between India and Russia were conducted into the leasing of two

incomplete Akula class. The Akulas were to be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2008 on a lease of at

least seven years and up to ten years, in which at the end of the lease, it has an option to buy them.

The acquisition was to help the Indian Navy prepare for the introduction of the ATV. The cost to India

of acquiring two Akula submarines and their support infrastructure along with training of the crews had

been estimated at $2 billion. The Indian version was reportedly armed with the 300 km range 3M-54

36

Klub nuclear-capable missiles. Supposedly on 9 November 2008 one of the two submarines was

conducting tests, when an accident on board killed 20 sailors but no damage occurred to the

submarine. Though this deal fell apart for some time due to the Indians demanding an

upgrade/improvement in some of its safety features, Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev on his

official trip to New Delhi said that the deal was back on track and that "The talk is not about selling

submarines into India's property, but about their rent by India's navy". However, unlike the earlier deal

the modified deal states that India can only rent and not buy the subs, but defence experts state that

the so-called lease agreement is only to divert international attention and that it would be eventually

modified and India would inevitably keep the subs. The first submarine will be named INS

Chakra. Home voyage under Indian control from the Russian port of Vladivostok to its Indian base

Visakhapatnam commenced January, 2012.

INS Chakra was inducted into the Indian Navy on 4 April 2012.

Cruise missile submarines

The Sindhughosh class submarines of the Indian Navy, the INS Sindhuraj (Sanskrit: King of the

Ocean), INS Sindhuvir (Sanskrit: Warrior of the Ocean), INS Sindhuratna (Sanskrit: Gem of the

Ocean), INS Sindhushastra (Sanskrit: Weapon of the Ocean), INS Sindhukesari (Sanskrit: Lion of the

Ocean) and INS Sindhuvijay (Sanskrit: Conqueror of the Ocean) are capable of launching 3M-54

Klub and BrahMos nuclear-capable cruise missiles. India bought 10 Kilo class (in India known

as Sindhughosh Class) submarine of which 6 have been refitted by the Russian Navy so that the they

can launch cruise missiles such as the nuclear capable 3M-54 Klub.

Amur class submarines

Russia has also offered the advanced Amur class Submarine, known as the S1000. According to

GlobalSecurity India is already building the S1000 cruise missile submarines in Mazagon Docks. The

Amur will be most probably fitted with P-700 Granit or the Klub cruise missile capable of carrying

nuclear warheads.

Frigates, destroyers and aircraft carriers

Other than submarines, India also maintains ships such as destroyers, modified patrol crafts and

frigates which can launch nuclear capable ballistic and cruise missiles.

Talwar class frigate and Shivalik class frigate are frigates of the Indian Navy that can fire nuclear

capable cruise missiles. INS Tabar and INS Trishul are Talwar class vessel armed with supersonic

nuclear 3M-54 Klub cruise missiles while INS Shivalik was the first vessel of the Shivalik class to

incorporate the 3M-54 Klub. Other vessels of the Shivalik Class and Talwar Class are to be armed

with the BrahMos and 3M-54 Klub missiles by 2009 and 2010 respectively. All these frigates are also

equipped with Barak 1 missiles or other SAMs and harbour helicopters such as the HAL Dhruv. In

years to come, the Nirbhay missile is also to be incorporated into Talwar class frigates and Shivalik

class frigates.

Rajput Class, Kolkata Class and Delhi Class are Destroyers of the Indian Navy that may be armed

with nuclear capable missile-Nirbhay. In addition Kolkata Class will also incorporate the Russian

nuclear 3M-54 Klub cruise missile.

The ship-launched Dhanush Ballistic Missile was tested from INS Subhadra of the Sukanya class

patrol craft in 2000. INS Subhadra is a patrol vessel which was modified and the missile was

launched from the reinforced helicopter deck. The 250 km variant was tested but the tests were

considered partially successful. In 2004, the missile was again tested from the INS Subhadra and was

37

this time successful. Then the following year in December the missile's 350 km version was tested

from the INS Rajput and hit the land based target.

INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier (formerly known as Admiral Gorshkov) was fitted with P-500

Bazalt nuclear capable cruise missiles of the range of 550 km. The Vikramaditya could still be armed

with this after its refit. India is also a potential customer for a Slava class cruiser which also

incorporates the P-500 Bazalt.

Nuclear-capable aircraft

India currently has fourth generation jet fighters capable of launching nuclear weapons. Nuclear-

capable aircraft are also seen as a less expensive way of dropping nuclear warheads as well as being

as effective.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Mirage 2000, and MiG-29 serve in the Indian Air Force and are also

seen as a means to deliver nuclear weapons. In addition India maintains SEPECAT Jaguar and MiG-

27M which can be used to drop gravity bombs. On the other hand, the Su-30MKI is capable of

carrying nuclear weapons and is tailor-made for Indian specifications. It is primarily an air superiority

fighter with air-to-ground attack capabilities. The MKI variant features several improvements over the

basic K and MK variants and is classified as a 4.5 generation fighter. Due to similar features and

components, the MKI variant is often considered to be a customized Indian variant of the Sukhoi Su-

35.

The Mirage 2000Hs were heavily customised during the Kargil War and is the only other version,

other than the French 2000N, to be able to be armed with nuclear weapons.

Though the MiG-29 like the HAL Tejas after many test flights have not been tested to use nuclear

weapons, they have the capacity to be armed with them. Both the HAL Tejas and Su-30MKI can

travel excess of 3,000 km without refueling; this allows India to attack targets far away in an effective

manner only using planes rather than delivery systems such as the Agni. The HAL Tejas is India's

only indigenous plane to be armed with nuclear weapons, thus making India less dependent on

Russia.

India has leased four Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers, which could carry air-launched cruise

missiles. India has reportedly upgraded its Russian-built Tu-142 maritime patrol aircraft to carry air-

launched cruise missiles. India is expected to buy up to 200 Sukhoi PAK-FA stealth fighter jets,

developed jointly by Russia and India.

Ballistic missile defense (BMD)

India has an active Anti-ballistic missile (ABM) development effort using indigenously developed and

integrated radars and locally designed missiles. In November 2006, India successfully conducted

the PADE (Prithvi Air Defence Exercise) in which an Anti-ballistic missile, called the Prithvi Air

Defense (PAD) an Exoatmospheric (outside the atmosphere) interceptor system intercepted a Prithvi-

II ballistic missile. The PAD missile has the secondary stage of the Prithvi missile and can reach

altitude of 80 km. During the test, the target missile was intercepted at an 50 km altitude. India

became the fourth nation in the world to acquire such a capability and the third nation to develop it

through indigenous effort. On 6 December 2007 the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile system was

tested successfully. This missile is an Endoatmospheric (inside the atmosphere) interceptor with an

altitude of 30 km. According to DRDO scientist V K Saraswat, the missiles will work in tandem to

ensure a hit probability of 99.8 percent. Induction of the system into services is expected to be in

2010.

38

Two new anti-ballistic missiles that can intercept IRBM/ICBMs are being developed. These high

speed missiles (AD-1 and AD-2) are being developed to intercept ballistic missiles with the range of

5,000 km.

India also has Russian S300 PMU-2 and it is used as an interceptor for ballistic missiles. India has

also shown interest in the Russian S-400, the most advanced anti-ballistic missile. An indigenous

nuclear tipped surface to air missile, Akash is used to destroy low range missiles and is capable of

destroying various targets and is one of the few of its kind systems in the world.

International Response

India is not a signatory to either the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) or the Comprehensive

Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), but did accede to the Partial Test Ban Treaty in October 1963. India is a

member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and four of its 17 nuclear reactors are

subject to IAEA safeguards.

India announced its lack of intention to accede to the NPT as late as 1997 by voting against the

paragraph of a General Assembly Resolution which urged all non-signatories of the treaty to accede

to it at the earliest possible date.

India voted against the UN General Assembly resolution endorsing the CTBT, which was adopted on

10 September 1996. India objected to the lack of provision for universal nuclear disarmament "within

a time-bound framework." India also demanded that the treaty ban laboratory simulations. In addition,

India opposed the provision in Article XIV of the CTBT that requires India's ratification for the treaty to

enter into force, which India argued was a violation of its sovereign right to choose whether it would

sign the treaty. In early February 1997, Foreign Minister I.K.Gujral reiterated India's opposition to the

treaty, saying that "India favors any step aimed at destroying nuclear weapons, but considers that the

treaty in its current form is not comprehensive and bans only certain types of tests."

In August 2008, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved safeguards agreement with

India under which the former will gradually gain access to India's civilian nuclear reactors.[110]In

September 2008, the Nuclear Suppliers Group granted India a waiver allowing it to access civilian

nuclear technology and fuel from other countries. The implementation of this waiver makes India the

only known country with nuclear weapons which is not a party to the NPT but is still allowed to carry

out nuclear commerce with the rest of the world.

Since the implementation of NSG waiver, India has signed nuclear deals with several countries

including France, United States, Mongolia, Namibia, and Kazakhstan while the framework for similar

deals with Canada and United Kingdom are also being prepared.

39

INS Arihant

INS Arihant (Sanskrit: अररहंत) (S-73) is the lead ship of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered

submarines. The 5,000–6,000 tonne vessel was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)

project at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam.

The symbolic launch ceremony for the Arihant was held on 26 July 2009, the anniversary of Vijay

Diwas (Kargil War Victory Day). The name of the vessel, Arihant is in Sanskrit and literally translates

into destroyer of enemies. The completion of the INS Arihant will make India one of six countries in

the world with the ability to design, build, and operate its own nuclear submarines.

Design

The INS Arihant is to be the first of the expected five in the class of submarines designed and

constructed as a part of the Indian Navy's secretive Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project. The

Arihant class submarines are reported to be comparable to the Akula I class submarines. Their crew

will have the opportunity to train on INS Chakra, an Akula class submarine, which the Indian Navy

leased from Russia. Arihant will be more of "a technology demonstrator", rather than a fully

operational SSBN according to Admiral Verma.

The vessel will be powered by an 80 MW pressurized water reactor with enriched uranium fuel. A

land-based prototype of the reactor was first built at Kalpakkam and made operational in September

2006. Successful operation over a period of three years yielded the data that enabled the production

version for Arihant. It was reported that a 80MW nuclear reactor was integrated into the hull of the

ATV in January 2008.

The hull for the vessel was built by L&T's Hazira shipbuilding facility. Tata Power built the control

systems for the submarine. The systems for the steam turbine integrated with the reactor are supplied

by Walchandnagar Industries.

Launch

INS Arihant, was introduced to the public on 26 July 2009 at a symbolic launch ceremony by Prime

Minister Manmohan Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur. The launch coincided with the tenth anniversary of

the conclusion of the Kargil War and consisted of floating the vessel by flooding the dry dock. Defense

Professionals Daily claimed Arihant was launched without key systems including its nuclear reactor,

surveillance equipment, and ordnance. Per naval tradition, Gursharan Kaur cracked a coconut on the

hull to mark the launch of the submarine at the secret naval base 'Matsya' in Visakhapatnam.

Photography was prohibited and photos showing the complete vessel are not available. In his address

to the crowd, Prime Minister Manmohan Singhbilled the submarine as an outcome of a public-private

partnership. He also thanked Russia in his address stating "I would also like to express our

appreciation to our Russian friends for their consistent and invaluable cooperation, which symbolizes

the close strategic partnership that we enjoy with Russia". The launch of Arihant strengthens India's

endeavor to build a credible nuclear triad — the capability to fire nuclear weapons from air, land and

sea.

On the condition of anonymity, a nuclear scientist familiar with the project echoed this report in

response to the media coverage that India had successfully launched a completed nuclear

submarine. It was also expected that the duplication of India's land based reactor, integration of

systems, and sea trials are expected to take three to five years.

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In 2010, the submarine was claimed to have begun its sea trials with the submarine to be formally

inducted into the Indian Navy by 2011. Full integration of key systems and sea trials are expected to

be extensive.

Status

Admiral Nirmal Verma told reporters on 7 August 2012 that sea trials of Arihant are commencing in

coming months and she is steadily progressing towards operationalisation. INS Arihant's reactor is

expected to go critical in first few months of 2013, with harbour acceptance trials completed and sea

trials expected later that year. Programme Director of the K-15 missile system, A.K. Chakrabarti,

confirmed that one more test was needed before the system is ready to be integrated with the Arihant.

41

INS Viraat

INS Viraat (R22) (Sanskrit: विराट, Virāṭa. "Giant" ) is a Centaur class aircraft carrier in service with

the Indian Navy. INS Viraat is the flagship of the Indian Navy, the oldest carrier in service and one of

two aircraft carriers based in the Indian Ocean Region.

Viraat is the second largest ship in the Indian Navy after the INS Jyoti.

Viraat was completed and commissioned in 1959 as the Royal Navy's HMS Hermes and was

transferred to India in 1987. In 2009 there were reports that after that year's refit was concluded, India

might keep the aircraft carrier in service until 2020. By then, the warship would have completed 60

years of service, over twice it’s initially estimated sailing life of 25 years. At that time the two

Indigenous Aircraft Carriers (IACs) seemed likely to be fully operational, which was the reason to

keep Viraat operational until then, according to unnamed Navy officers.

Operational history

Royal Navy Service

Main article: HMS Hermes (R12)

INS Viraat was originally commissioned in the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes on 18 November

1959. During her career as Hermes, she served as the flagship of the Royal Navy's task force during

the Falkland Islands campaign in 1982. She would serve the Royal Navy another three years until she

was decommissioned from active duty in 1985.

Induction into Indian Navy

After evaluating vessels from several countries, particularly the Garibaldi class of Italian

ships, the Indian Navy purchased the vessel in April 1986 and gave her an extensive refit

at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, England, to allow for continued operability into the next

decade. New fire control equipment, navigation radars, improved NBC protection, and deck landing

aids were installed in this refit. Boilers were converted to operate on distillate fuel.

First mid-service refit

In September 1993, the engine room of Viraat flooded, putting the vessel out of service for several

months. By 1995, the vessel was back in service and had a new search radar.

Second mid-service refit

Between July 1999 and April 2001, INS Viraat completed another life-extension refit which was

expected to extend her serviceability until 2010. This refit upgraded propulsion systems, added a

package of sensors to sound emergency alerts, and introduced modern communication systems. In

addition, long-range surveillance radar, weapon systems, and new hangar with fire curtains was

installed. The lift system was revamped to reduce reaction time in the event of an attack and a new

flood alarm system was installed. In early June 2001 Viraat returned to service after nearly two years

of refit.

The vessel also took part in the International Fleet Review in Mumbai in February 2001.

Third mid-service refit

The vessel had to be towed back to dry dock for another refit in mid-2003 and returned to service only

in November 2004, during which the vessel was fitted with the Barak SAM.

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Fourth mid-service refit

Viraat underwent a fourth refit in Indian service from January to August 2009 at Cochin

Shipyard, Kochi, India. This refit was expected to ensure her continued service in the Indian Navy

until 2015. Viraat went through exercises in theArabian Sea for a month and a half before being

deployed to the Gulf of Aden.

Short refit

On 12 July 2011 INS Viraat arrived at Cochin Shipyard for a short refit scheduled to be completed in

two months. As part of the refit the ship was cleaned, repaired and repainted to eliminate the

problems faced by years of sea corrosion. According to Rear Adm. Anil Kumar Chawla, Assistant

Chief of Naval Staff for Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence, the ship is possible to be in service until

2020, provided that there are still Sea Harriers available for ship-borne operations

Decommissioning plans

In 2004, India bought the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov from Russia for US$ 2.35 billion including

its complement of aircraft. She is expected to enter service in 2013–2014

as INS Vikramaditya. Viraatwas expected to be replaced by 2015-16 by a new

indigenous Vikrant class carrier, but since she has had her engine and hull refurbished and

electronics upgraded, she can now serve until 2020.

Structure

Viraat is fitted with a 12° ski jump to operate the Sea Harrier, a reinforced flight deck, and 1.2 inches

(3 cm) of armour over the magazines and machinery spaces. The magazine capacity includes at least

80 lightweight torpedoes. The vessel retains commando transport capability for up to 750 troops and

carries four LCVP landing craft in the aft section. In a wartime scenario, the INS Viraat can embark up

to 30 combat aircraft. INS Viraat is suited for two missions: supporting amphibious operations and

conducting ASW operations.

Air group

(Capacity for 30 total)

Fleet Defence - Sea Harrier FRS51

Airborne Early Warning - Kamov Ka-31 Helix-B

ASW/ASV - Sea King Mk. 42B and Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A

Commando Assault and Vertical Replenishment - Sea King Mk. 42C

Combat data systems

The ship has been fitted with

Italian SELEX (former ELMER) communication suites

CAAIS action data automation; Link 10

SATCOM systems

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INS Vikrant (R11)

INS Vikrant (R11) (Hindi: विक्रान्‍त) (formerly HMS Hercules (R49)) was a Majestic class aircraft

carrier of the Indian Navy. She played a key role in enforcing the naval blockade on East

Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

India purchased the INS Vikrant from the United Kingdom in 1957. Upon her completion in 1961, she

was commissioned as the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. After a distinguished service, she

was decommissioned in January 1997. She has since been preserved as a maritime museum

in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.

History

INS Vikrant was ordered as the HMS Hercules (R49) by the Royal Navy. She was laid down on 12

November 1943 by Vickers-Armstrong on the River Tyne.[2]She was launched on 22 September 1945.

However, with the end of World War II, her construction was suspended in May 1946 and she was

laid up for possible future use.

In January 1957 she was sold to India. She was towed to Belfast to complete her construction and for

modifications by Harland and Wolff. A number of improvements to the original design were ordered by

the Indian Navy, including an angled deck, steam catapults and a modified island.

INS Vikrant (R11) was commissioned into the Indian Navy by then Indian High Commissioner to the

United Kingdom, Vijayalakshmi Pandit on 4 March 1961 in Belfast. The name Vikrant was taken

from Sanskrit vikrānta meaning "stepping beyond", i.e. "courageous" or "bold". Captain Pritam Singh

was the first commanding officer of the carrier.

The Vikrant's initial air wing consisted of British Hawker Sea Hawk fighter-bombers and a

French Alize anti-submarine aircraft. On 18 May 1961, the first jet landed on her deck piloted by

Lieutenant (later Admiral) Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani. She formally joined the Indian Navy's Fleet

in Bombay on 3 November 1961, when she was received at Ballard Pier by Prime Minister Jawaharlal

Nehru.

During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, Pakistan reported that it had sunk the Vikrant. However, at the

time the ship was in dry dock undergoing modifications.

In June 1970, the INS Vikrant was at the Naval Dockyard for repairs due to a crack in a water drum of

one of the boilers powering her steam catapult. Unable to procure a replacement drum from the

United Kingdom due to an embargo, Admiral Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda ordered the routing of

steam from her forward machinery to the steam catapult to bypass the damaged boiler. This repair

enabled her to launch both the Sea Hawks as well as the Breguet Alizé, although she lost some

cruising power. In March 1971, she was put through trials to test the fix. These modifications turned

out to be valuable, enabling the Vikrant to enter combat despite the cracked boiler against East

Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Stationed off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands along with

frigates, INS Brahmaputra (1958) and INS Beas (1960), the Vikrant redeployed towards Chittagong at

the outbreak of hostilities. Based on Naval Intelligence reports that the Pakistan Navy intended to

break through the Indian Naval blockade using camouflaged merchant ships, the Sea Hawks struck

shipping in the Chittagong and Cox's Bazar harbors, sinking or incapacitating most ships in harbor.

On the morning of 4 December 1971, the eight Sea Hawk aircraft on the Vikrant launched an air raid

on Cox's Bazarfrom 60 nautical miles (110 km) offshore. On the evening of 4 December, the air group

struck Chittagong Harbor. Later strikes targeted Khulna and Port of Mongla. A PTI report of 4

44

December read, "Chittagong harbour ablaze as ships and aircraft of the Eastern Naval Fleet bombed

and rocketed. Not a single vessel can be put to sea from Chittagong." Air strikes continued until 10

December 1971 with not a single Sea Hawk lost.

The Pakistan Navy deployed the submarine PNS Ghazi to specifically target and sink the INS Vikrant.

However, the Ghazi sank off Visakhapatnam harbor likely due to depth charges

by INS Rajput (D141). During the war, the crew of Vikrant earned two Mahavir Chakras and 12 Vir

Chakras.

Air Arm

The Vikrant had four squadrons on board:

INAS 300 "White Tigers" - flying Sea Hawks.

INAS 310 "Cobras" - flying Alizes.

INAS 321 "Angels" - flying Alouettes.

INAS 330 "Harpoons" - flying Sea Kings.

Subsequent service

Vikrant was given an extensive refit, including new engines and modernization between 1979 and 3

January 1982. Between December 1982 and February 1983 she was refitted again to enable her to

operate BAe Sea Harriers(British Aerospace Sea Harrier) which replaced the Sea Hawk. After the

retirement of the Breguet Alizé from carrier service in 1989, she received a 'ski jump' for more efficient

use of her Sea Harriers.

Vikrant was India's only carrier for over twenty years, but by the early 1990s she was effectively out of

service because of her poor condition. Even following major overhauls she was rarely put to sea. She

was formally decommissioned on 31 January 1997. Following her decommissioning, Vikrant was

marked for preservation as a museum ship in Mumbai, although a lack of funding has prevented

progress on the ship's conversion for this role. Similarly, speculation that the ship would be made into

a training ship in 2006 came to nothing. Vikrant is open to the public by the Indian Navy for short

periods, but as of April 2010, the Government of Maharashtra has been unable to find an industrial

partner to operate the museum on a permanent, long-term basis.

She is the only World War II-era British-built aircraft carrier to be preserved as a museum.

45

Vikrant-class aircraft carrier

The Vikrant-class (formerly Project 71 Air Defence Ship (ADS) or Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC))

are a class of two aircraft carriers being built for the Indian Navy. The two vessels are being built

by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), they are the largest warships as well as the first aircraft carriers to

be designed and built in India.

The first ship of the class INS Vikrant will displace about 40,000 metric tons (39,000 long tons), be

262 metres (860 ft) long and have a tailored air group of up to thirty aircraft.

Preparations for building the lead vessel of the class started in 2008, and the keel was laid in

February 2009. The carrier was floated out of its dry dock on 29 December 2011. The scale and

complexity of the project caused a number of problems which delayed the commencement and

timeline of construction for the carrier. Technical difficulties, the huge cost of refitting a Russian-built

carrier, and billions in cost overruns has seen the lead vessel now entering service in 2017 rather

than a previous in service date of 2014. Additional problems which led to the delay included the

inability of Russia to supply the AB/A grade steel. Finally, the DMRL and SAIL created facilities to

manufacture the carrier-grade steel in India.

Background

In 1989 India announced a plan to replace its ageing British-built aircraft

carriers, INS Vikrant (R11) and INS Viraat (R22), with two new 28,000 ton Air Defence Ships (ADS)

that would operate the BAE Sea Harrier aircraft. The first vessel was to replace INS Vikrant, which

was set to decommission in early 1997. Construction of the ADS was to start at the Cochin Shipyard

(CSL) in 1993 after the Indian Naval Design Organisation had translated this design study into a

production model. Following the 1991 economic crisis, the plans for construction of the vessels were

put on hold indefinitely.

In 1999, then Defence Minister George Fernandes revived the project and sanctioned the

construction of the Project 71 ADS. By that time given the aging Sea Harrier fleet, the letter of intent

called for a carrier that would carry more modern jet fighters. In 2001, CSL released a graphic

showing the 32,000-tonSTOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) design with a

pronounced ski jump. The aircraft carrier project finally received formal government approval in

January 2003. By then design updates called for a 37,500 ton carrier to operate the MiG-29K.

In August 2006, then Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash stated that the designation for

the vessel had been changed from Air Defence Ship (ADS) to Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC). The

euphemistic ADS had been adopted in planning stages to ward off concerns about a naval build-up.

Final revisions to the design increased the displacement of the carriers from 37,500 tons to over

40,000 tons. The length of the ship also increased from 252 metres (827 ft) to over 260 metres

(850 ft).

Mission

India has opted for a three-carrier fleet consisting of one carrier battle group stationed on each

seaboard, and a third carrier held in reserve, in order to continuously protect both its flanks, to protect

economic interests and mercantile traffic, and to provide humanitarian platforms in times of disasters,

since a carrier can provide a self-generating supply of fresh water, medical assistance or engineering

expertise to populations in dire need.

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Design

INS Vikrant

The lead Vikrant class carrier (IAC-I) features a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery)

configuration with a ski-jump. The deck is designed to enable aircraft such as the MiG-29 to operate

from the carrier.[7] It will deploy up to 20 fixed-wing aircraft, primarily the Mikoyan MiG-29K and the

naval variant of the HAL Tejas Mark 2, besides carrying 10 Kamov Ka-31 or Westland Sea

King helicopters. The Ka-31 fulfills the airborne early warning (AEW) role and the Sea King

provides anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.

The carrier will be powered by four General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines on two shafts, generating

over 80MW of power. The gearboxes for the carriers are designed and supplied by Elecon

Engineering.

INS Vishal

In April 2011, Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma stated that construction of the second indigenous carrier

was some years away as there were a number of higher spending priorities for the navy.[14] The

design of the second carrier features significant changes which would increase displacement to over

65,000 tons and utilise steam catapults. In 2010, Admiral Verma had stated "It will be much bigger

and capable of operating fighters, AEW (airborne early-warning) aircraft, tankers etc,”

Design stage for INS Vishal (IAC-II) has begun, which is being undertaken by the Navy’s 'Naval

Design Bureau'. IAC-II will have a displacement of 65,000 tons and will be having CATOBAR. The

Navy has decided not to seek outside help to help prepare the concept, design and implementation

plans. The Navy might, however, seek help from the Russian Design Bureau at a later date in order to

integrate the Russian aircraft onto Vishal. Naval version of Indian Tejas, Naval version of Sukhoi/HAL

FGFA, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Rafale M fighter jets are likely to operate from

the aircraft carrier.

Carrier air group

India considered a number of aircraft for operation from its INS Vikramaditya and the planned

indigenous aircraft carrier. India evaluated the Russian Sukhoi Su-33, but settled on the

lighter Mikoyan MiG-29K as the Vikramaditya was smaller and lacked an aircraft catapult. It is likely

that the first of the Vikrant class carriers will also operate the Mig-29K.

On 18 January 2010, it was reported that India and Russia were close to signing a deal for 29 Mig

29K fighters to operate from IAC1. In addition, the navy signed a deal for six naval-variants of the HAL

Tejas.

In June 2012 Flight magazine, quoting sources, reported that the Indian Navy was considering the

use of Rafale M (Naval variant) on the IAC. The Rafale M is almost the same size as the MiG-29K,

but packs a much greater punch.

The Navy has earlier indicated it prefers the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (Emals) on its

new aircraft carriers. INS Vishal will feature steam catapults for operating larger fighter aircraft, and

carry an airborne early-warning (AEW) system and aerial refuelers.

The Navy wants a greater variety of aircraft to operate from the second ship, including heavier

surveillance aircraft.

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Construction

Among the first problems that the construction of the carrier faced was the lack of supply of carrier-

grade steel. The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory worked with the SAIL to create

production facilities for the appropriate steel grade in India.

The keel for the lead vessel of the class, to be named INS Vikrant, was laid by Defence Minister A.K.

Antony at the Cochin Shipyard on 28 February 2009. The ship will use modular construction, with 874

blocks to be joined together for the hull. By the time the keel was laid, 423 blocks weighing over 8,000

tons had been completed.

The construction plan called for the carrier to be launched in 2010 when it would have completed

some 20,000 tonnes, as it could not be launched at a higher displacement from the building bay. After

about a year’s development in the refit dock, the carrier will be launched again when all major

components, including underwater systems, would be in place. Outfitting would then be carried out

after launch. As per the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) plan, sea trials were initially planned to

commence in 2013, with the ship to be commissioned in 2014.

In March 2011, it was reported that the project had been affected by the delay in delivery of the huge

main gearboxes for the carrier. The supplier, Elecon Engineering, had to work around a number of

technical complexities due to the length of the propulsion shafts. Other issues resulting in delays

included an accident with a diesel generator and an issue with its alignment.

In August 2011, the defence ministry reported to the Lok Sabha that 75% of the construction work for

the hull of the lead carrier had been completed and the carrier would be first launched in December

2011, following which further works would be completed until commissioning. On 29 December 2011,

the completed hull of the carrier was first floated out of its dry dock at CSL, with its displacement at

over 14,000 tonnes. Interior works and fittings on the hull would be carried out until the second half of

2012, when it would again be dry-docked for integration with its propulsion and power generation

systems.

In July 2012, The Times of India reported that construction of the Vikrant has been delayed by 3

years, and the ship would be ready for commissioning by 2017.

On Nov 21, NDTV reported that cost of the aircraft carrier increase and delayed by at least five years

and is expected to be with the Indian Navy only after 2018 as against the scheduled date of delivery

of 2014.

Name Pennant Tonnage Laid

down Launched

Sea

trials Commissioning Details

INS Vikrant

40,000

28

February

2009

2012 2015 2017[1] Conventional-

powered STOBAR carrier

INS Vishal

65,000 17 July

2012 2017 2020 2022

Conventional-

powered CATOBAR carrier

48

INS Vikramaditya INS Vikramaditya (Sanskrit: विक्रमादित्य, Vikramāditya is the name of an aircraft carrier set to enter

service with the Indian Navy in 2013. It has been converted from the former Soviet aircraft

carrier Admiral Gorshkov. The ship has been renamed in honour of Vikramaditya, a legendary 1st

century BC emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity.

The Vikramaditya was originally the modified Kiev class aircraft carrier Baku built in 1978–1982

at Black Sea Shipyard, Mykolaiv, Ukraine. The ship is presently being extensively refitted at

the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia.

History

Purchase

The Admiral Gorshkov entered service in 1987, but was deactivated in 1996 because it was too

expensive to operate on a post Cold War budget. This attracted the attention of India, which was

looking for a way to expand its carrier aviation capabilities. On January 20, 2004, after years of

negotiations, Russia and India signed a deal for the sale of the ship. The ship was free, while India

would pay US$800 million for the upgrade and refit of the ship, as well as an additional US$1 billion

for the aircraft and weapons systems. The Navy looked at equipping the carrier with the E-2C

Hawkeye, but decided not to. In 2009, Northrop Grumman offered the advanced E-2D Hawkeye to the

Indian Navy.

The deal also includes the purchase of 12 single-seat Mikoyan MiG-29K 'Fulcrum-D' (Product 9.41)

and 4 dual-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft (with an option for 14 more aircraft) at US$1 billion, 6 Kamov Ka-

31 "Helix" reconnaissance and anti-submarine helicopters, torpedo tubes, missile systems, and

artillery units. Facilities and procedures for training pilots and technical staff, delivery of simulators,

spare parts, and establishment maintenance on Indian Navy facilities are also part of the contract.

These upgrade plans involve stripping all the weaponry and missile launcher tubes from the ship's

foredeck to make way for a Short Take-Off But Assisted Recovery (STOBAR) configuration. This will

convert the Gorshkov from a hybrid carrier/cruiser to a pure carrier.

The announced delivery date for INS Vikramaditya was August 2008, which would allow the carrier to

enter service just as the Indian Navy's only light carrier INS Viraat retires. The INS Viraat’s retirement

has been pushed out to 2010–2012. The issue with the delays has been compounded by the ongoing

cost overruns. This has resulted in high-level diplomatic exchanges to get these issues resolved. India

has agreed to pay an additional US$1.2 billion for the project, more than doubling the original

cost. However, ongoing delays with the Vikramaditya's delivery schedule, pushing the delivery to

2012, could mean that even this postponement of the Viraat's retirement may not come soon enough.

As a result, the Indian Navy may find itself without an aircraft carrier for the first time since the 1960s.

The indigenous Vikrant-class aircraft carrier has been delayed by at least a year and may be

commissioned at the earliest in 2013 from the proposed 2012.

In July 2008, it was reported that Russia was increasing the total price to US$3.4 billion, blaming

unexpected cost overruns on the deteriorated condition of the ship. India has paid US$400 million as

of November 2008. However, the Russians were considering keeping the ship themselves if India did

not want to buy the ship anymore. In December 2008, government sources in India stated that

the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had finally decided in favour of purchasing the Admiral

Gorshkov as the best option available. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) criticised

that Vikramaditya would be a second-hand warship with a limited life span, which will be 60 percent

costlier than a new one and there is a risk of further delay in its delivery.

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The Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta defended the price for the warship

saying: "I can't comment on the CAG. But you all are defence analysts, can you get me an aircraft

carrier for less than USD two billion? If you can, I am going to sign a cheque right now". The

statement from the Chief of Naval Staff possibly indicates that the final deal could be in excess of

US$2 billion. When asked about CAG's finding that the Navy had not done its risk analysis before

going in for the ship, he said, "I can ensure you that there is no such thing. There is no question, we

have been looking at the ship since late 90's."

On July 2, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the carrier should be completed as

soon as possible so it could be delivered to India in 2012 On December 7, 2009, Russian sources

indicated that final terms had been agreed on, but no delivery date was set. On December 8, 2009, it

was reported that India and Russia ended the stalemate over Gorshkov price deal by agreeing on a

price of US$2.2 billion. Moscow was asking for US$2.9 billion for the aircraft carrier, nearly three times

the price that was originally agreed between the two sides in 2004. On the other hand, New Delhi

wanted the price to be scaled back to US$2.1 billion. On 10 March, the price of the Admiral

Gorshkov was finalised at US$2.35 billion by both governments, a day ahead of Russian Prime

Minister Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to India.

In April 2010, a scandal over the project emerged when it was announced that a Commodore had

likely been blackmailed to influence the negotiations over the cost of the Gorshkov to

India. Commodore Sukhjinder Singh had been a senior figure supervising the refit of the carrier,

working as the principal director for the project. He was discharged from the service due to this

incident.

Refurbishment

The hull work was completed by 2008 and the Vikramaditya was launched on 4 December

2008. Around 99% of the structural work and almost 50% of the cabling work was completed by June

2010. Almost all of the large equipment, including engines and diesel generators, was installed. A

naval MiG-29K prototype was used to test the deck systems of INS Vikramaditya in 2010.

Design

The ship will be operated in a STOBAR configuration, with a 14.3 degree ski-jump on the bow and

three arrestor wires on the stern of the angled deck. This will allow the operation of MiG-29K and Sea

Harrier aircraft. The maximum take-off length for the MiG-29K on the Vikramaditya will be between

160–180 metres.

An added advantage of “Admiral Gorshkov’ platform is its superstructure profile that has the potential

to accommodate powerful planar or phased array radar systems with the “billboard style” antennae,

which was first observed on the United States Navy's USS Long Beach, along with

extensive command and control facilities to conduct an aerial campaign. The ship is also projected to

be equipped with a robust combination of air defence weaponry, such as a SAM and/or a CIWS.

The hull design is based on the earlier Admiral Gorshkov, launched in 1982, but it will be larger with a

full load displacement. The conversion plans for the aircraft carrier involve all the armament, including

the P-500 Bazalt cruise missile launchers and the four Antey Kinzhal surface-to-air missile launchers

fitted on the front, to be removed to make way for a 14.3º bow ski-jump. Two restraining stands will

also be fitted, allowing combat aircraft to reach full power before making a ski jump-assisted short

take-off. The ability to launch only one aircraft at a time might prove to be a hindrance. Under the

modernisation plan, the 20-ton capacity elevator beside the ship's island superstructure will remain

unchanged, but the aft lift will be enlarged and its lift capacity increased to 30 tons. Three arresting

gears would be fitted on the aft part of the angled deck. Navigation and carrier-landing aids would be

50

refitted to support fixed-wing STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) operations including

the LAK optical-landing system.

The eight boilers are being removed and converted to take diesel fuel instead of furnace fuel oil and

modern oil-water separators as well as a sewage treatment plant are being incorporated to meet

international standards. She is also being fitted with six new Italian-made Wärtsilä 1.5 MW diesel

generators, a Global Marine communications system, Sperry Bridgemaster navigation radar, a new

telephone exchange, new data link and an IFF Mk XI system. Hotel services are being improved with

new water-producing plants as well as York International refrigeration and air conditioning. A new

galley is being installed together with improved domestic services and accommodation for 10 female

officers.

Though the official expected life span of the ship is 20 years, experts suggest it could actually be a

minimum of 30 years from the time of commissioning. On completion of the modernisation, over 70

percent of the ship and its equipment will be new and the remainder will have been refurbished.

Status

Russia was scheduled to hand over the INS Vikramaditya to India on Dec 4, 2012, reports RIA

Novosti referring to Sergei Novoselov, deputy director of Sevmash shipyard for international military

cooperation. Sea trials are scheduled to begin on May 29, 2012.

All reconfiguration work is being completed at Severodvinsk, Russia; however it has been delayed by

three years due to underestimation of the amount of cabling needed. An expert level discussion on

technical and financial matters has been held between India and Russia to sort out the issues. The

MiG-29K entered operational service with India in February 2010. A compromise was finalised and

India will pay an extra undisclosed amount. Russia will install new systems instead of repairing the old

ones and the carrier will be delivered in 2011. It will then begin an 18-month sea trial before it is

commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2012.

On 1 June 2010, the Times of India reported a naval officer saying: "With India earlier this year

agreeing to the revised refit cost of $2.33 billion for Gorshkov, after three years of bitter wrangling

since the earlier agreement inked in January 2004 had earmarked only $974 million for it, Russia has

appointed a high-level apex committee to oversee the work on the carrier." The ship is likely to go for

harbour trials by early 2011 to ensure it can be handed over to India by December 2012 or so.

Dock trials began on March 1, 2011. The focus of these trials was on the main power generation units

and the radio-electronic armament systems, manufactured in India.

Indian Navy personnel began training on INS Vikramaditya in April, 2011.

On April 19, 2012, it was announced that all internal systems were functioning, and the ship was

entirely self-contained. Measurement of the ship's magnetic field and centre of gravity will be

performed before sea trials begin.

The current stage began with repair and modernization of the aircraft carrier. The ship was unmoored

from the outfitting quay wall and moved to the wiping station. For 20 days, the magnetic field of the

aircraft would be measured. This procedure is essential for all naval ships and for their protection

against mine-and-torpedo weapons reacting to a ship's magnetic field. According to reports from the

commissioning manager Igor Leonov, the aircraft carrier has become entirely self-contained: all

internal systems and mechanisms, the ship’s propulsion system, galley, water supply system are

operable and the ship’s board has been uploaded with the foodstuffs for 30 days, with the Russian

crew constantly present on the carrier. The movement operation itself, according to Igor Leonov,

passed with success although not without some difficulties as the shipyard’s water area is still

51

covered with ice. Continuous work is being done on the aircraft carrier by up to 1100 workers, who get

to the carrier by tugs.

The next important stage is a heeling test: the ship’s board will be uploaded with the weights of 360

tons, which are to be transferred from one side to another at a certain time. The ship’s heel is used for

calculation of its center of gravity, and is very important for the estimation of stability. The sea trials for

INS Vikramaditya began on June 8th 2012. The ship sailed out for crucial pre-delivery trials from the

berth of the Sevmash shipyard in Russia’s northern city of Severodvinsk. The trials are scheduled for

120 days and handover of the ship to India is scheduled on December 4, 2012. These trials would

include landing and take-off of fighter jets from the deck of the carrier.

On September 17, 2012, malfunctions were detected during trials. According to official report, seven

out of eight steam boilers of the propulsion machinery were out of order. Because of this, the deadline

of hand over this ship to Indian Navy has been postponed again until October 2013. Later

investigation has determined that the cause for the engine failure was due to poor workmanship and

supervision.

Naming

"Vikramāditya" is Sanskrit for "Brave as the Sun" and was the title of some of the most famous kings

in Indian history, such as the Vikramaditya of Ujjain, famed as a noble ruler and a mighty warrior. It is

also a title that was used by the Indian emperor Chandragupta II who ruled between 375-413/15 AD.

This title was again used by the Hindu king Hemu who ruled Delhi from 7th October to 5th November

1556.