Achievements of Ministry of Defence During the Year 2013 – PIB Report

19-December, 2013 14:53 IST

Reaching out to innumerable victims of the devastating flash floods & landslides of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh that struck on 16/17th  June by mounting the biggest ever Rescue & Relief operations in these two States by the Indian Armed Forces was the most visible achievement of the year. The eventful year also saw augmentation of Nation’s defence preparedness by adding new weapon. In defence R&D, successful test flight of 5000 Km range ICBM Agni-V, launching of long-range cruise missile Nirbhoy and continued successful user trials of Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV, Prithvi-II, Supersonic BrahMos and Beyond Visual Range missile “Astra” during the year displayed the nation’s prowess and self-reliance in advanced missile technology development programme.

The year also witnessed capacity building in existing and new strategic areas through acquisitions and development of new weapons / platforms which include commissioning of India’s biggest aircraft carrier 44,500 tonne capacity INS Vikramaditya on 16th November, preceded by the  launching of India’s own IAC-INS Vikrant and commissioning of deadly Mig-29K squadron into the Indian Navy. Similarly, induction of first P-8I Boeing aircraft into the Navy alongwith joining of C-17 Globemaster-III and Pilatus PC-7MKII aircraft into the Indian Air Force consolidated our hold in different strategic, logistics and training arena. The nuclear reactor fitted in the indigenous nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant, in the making, attaining criticality also pointed towards this end. The year gone by also saw systematic force projection of our Armed Forces in India’s neighborhood and far off Asian Region by engaging them through military exercises and defence diplomacy, when Indian Navy perhaps undertook a record number of exercises with foreign Navies to build Navy to Navy co-operation, understanding and inter-operability. The Indian Army and IAF also supplemented these efforts by undertaking a number of military exercises with their friendly foreign counterparts. In this context  our prowess in fire powers, anti-terrorist operations and network centric  warfare were amply demonstrated by IAF exercises ‘Iron Fist’ and ‘Live Wires’ and Army’s biggest  war game exercises Indra and Indo-French exercises ‘Shakti-2013’.

The nation achieved spectacular progress in strengthening  coastal security network, ex-servicemen’s welfare, and its journey towards modernisation and indigenization of Indian defence industry complex by adopting a policy of ‘Swadeshi’ where transparency and accountability were the hallmarks.

Along with these highs, there were some lows too. The sudden and unprovoked attack from the Pakistan Army in the guise of armed infiltration in the Line of Control in Poonch and later in Keran sector of J&K brought disquiet into the region. Though our soldiers retaliated these recurrent attacks with full force at their command, yet there was no stopping of ceasefire violations from Pakistan side, which kept happening almost all through the year. The thaw in India-China border relations was also broken in April when Indian Army was once again challenged by China’s Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) by their repeated incursions into Ladakh Sector on the LAC. Thankfully after the face –off between the troops on both sides for nearly one month, both sides simultaneously withdrew from the contentious areas of LAC in this sector.

The devastating fire accident in our frontline submarine INS Sindhurakshak and it’s going down under the sea in Mumbai Naval Dockyard in August this year was another big loss to the Indian Navy. The Board of Inquiry instituted by the Government to find out the cause of this mishap hopefully will look into all angles of the accident and suggest measures so that the same is not repeated in the fighting arm of the Navy.

Reaching out to the People in Distress

A cloud burst and torrential rain took thousands of tourists and pilgrims by surprise in Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh in the third week of June. Immediately, the Armed Forces were called by the state Government of these two states for rescuing its citizens and tourists from some of the most dangerous terrains devastated by floods & landslides. Within no time, the Forces sprang into action and launched the biggest rescue operation conducted by the defence and para-military forces anywhere in the world. The troops from Central Command of the Army launched the biggest rescue and relief operation ‘Rahat’ in collaboration with ITBP, BRO and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on June 17. Sensing the gravity of the situation, IAF mobilised 54 transport aircrafts and helicopters for rescue efforts, which also included stationing a gigantic strategic airlifter C-17 Super Hercules in Jolly Grant, Dehradun airfield to evacuate the stranded tourists and general people to safer places. Indian Navy also deployed its marine commandos on 25th June, which with foot soldiers of the Army, rescued hundreds of pilgrims and evacuated thousands to safer places.

Our Armed Forces’ laudable role and conduct of operations to minimise the effects of cyclone ‘Phailin’, which struck the Odisha & Andhra Pradesh Coast in the fateful evening of 12th October also came for universal praise and commendation from all quarters.

Agni –V: India reiterated its expertise in high end missile technology when the second test flight of over 5000 Km Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-V proved successful on 15th September. The missile designed by the DRDO and launched from Wheeler Island  off Odisha Coast reached the pre-designed target point, over 5000 Km away, in the Indian Ocean, incorporated many indigenous technologies. These include the composite rocket motor, state-of-the-art avionics, 5th generation on-board computer distributed architecture, highly accurate laser Gyro-based Inertial Navigation System (RINS), reliable redundant micro-navigation system and the re-entry kit shield that withstands temperature of more than 4000 degrees Celsius ensuring that avionics function smoothly by maintaining an inside temperature less than 50 degrees Celsius.

After successful test firing of Agni-V, DRDO now aims for 10,000 Km range Inter –Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), which according to its Chief would be preceded by above 6000  Km range Agni-VI to be launched soon.

In the meantime the training and user trials of Agni-II, Agni-III and Agni-IV of varying ranges as well as supersonic 300 Km range BrahMos and Prithvi–II have been successfully accomplished in the year. All these missiles which were tested by the users, the Strategic Forces Command of Indian Army, in the presence of scientists and engineers of DRDO and other collaborating laboratories.

LCA programme finally out of woods: The much awaited and long-delayed indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project for the Indian Air Force undertaken by the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) with its tech partner DRDO finally will see the light of the day, as its initial operational clearance-II is scheduled on 20th December to be held at HAL, Bangalore.

The LCA ‘Tejas’, a fourth generation fighter aircraft is meant to meet the versatile and stringent requirements of the Indian Air Force as its front-line multi mission aircraft. Besides developing the fighter version, Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA), the main lab for DRDO incharge of designing and making this metal bird, is also now fully engaged in developing LCA Trainer for IAF and LCA Navy Trainer.

 The weaponisation programme, the focus of the current IOC phase of LAC attained a significant milestone by the successful and flawless firing of the air-to-air close combat missile, weapon carriage and release trials. Recently, initial block of flight testing of LCA Naval variant (NP-1) has been successfully completed. Successful Night Flying of LCA has been yet another achievement. Thus the programme is moving towards certification leading to Final Operational Clearance (FOC), which is expected towards the end of next year.

INS Vikrant Launched: India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on August 12 at Kochi marking the end of Phase-I (IAC-I) of the project. The imposing ramp of the 37,500 tonner Short Take Off But Assisted Recovery (STOBAR) carrier boasted indigenous design and built capabilities of the country.

Atomic Reactor of ‘Arihant’ went critical: In adding another feather to its crown of superior state-of-the-art nuclear technology, Indian defence scientists and technologists successfully activated the atomic reactor on board INS Arihant in early August. The next major milestone would be when Arihant begins its trials, which has been planned for September 2014. The nuclear submarine will go for extensive trials before it becomes operational with the Indian Navy.

INS Vikramaditya: India finally commissioned its second aircraft carrier 44,500 tonne INS Vikramaditya into the Indian Navy at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk in Russia on 16th November when Defence Minister Shri AK Antony commissioned the carrier after its extensive refurbishment and refit over the past few years. The Carrier, in its previous avtar as Admiral Gorshkov, can carry over 30 combat aircraft/helicopters and has the staying power of operating nearly 45 days in high seas with its 1600 crew & officers. It is equipped with long range Air Surveillance Radars, Advanced electronic warfare suite capable of maintaining a surveillance bubble of over 500 Kms around it. The deadly Mig -29K deep penetration striker aircraft, Kamov-31, Sea Harriers and ALH Dhruv helicopters comprise its air element. The ship is also equipped with the state-of-the-art launch and recovery system along with aids to enable smooth and efficient operation of sea-borne aircraft. The carrier which is now sailing towards India is expected to arrive in mid February 2014 and will be based at Karwar Naval Base in the Western Coast.

Giving impetus to the long standing strategic airlift of the Indian Air Force, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III was formally inducted into the IAF on 02 September at Hindon Airbase near Delhi. Four of the C-17 have been already delivered to the IAF and the fifth aircraft joined the fleet in November.

Pilatus PC 7 MK II Basic Trainer Inducted

The IAF’s premier flying Academy located at Dundigal, Hyderabad witnessed the unveiling of Pilatus PC7MKII basic trainer aircraft, which heralded a new era in imparting high quality flying training to budding pilots ensuring proficiency in handling more sophisticated aircraft.

The first of the three Boeing P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy arrived at INS Rajali, Arakonam on 15th May. The P-8I aircraft based on the Boeing 737-800(NG) airframes is equipped with an array of sensors for maritime reconnaissance, anti-submarine operations and for electronic intelligence missions. The aircraft has drawn its lethality from its arsenal of highly potent Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine weapons.

The Indian Navy inducted the first fully Indian manufactured Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) at INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam on 06 November.

The first Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv) Squadron was commissioned into the Navy at Kochi on 12 November.

INAS 303, the first Mig 29K squadron was commissioned on 11th May 2013 by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony at INSA Hansa, Goa. Mig-29K, arguably one of the best in the subcontinent today is equipped with high-end avionics completed with anti-aircraft beyond visual range missiles, guided anti-ship missile and smart guided bombs and rockets.

Launching of GSAT-7, a dedicated communication satellite for the Indian Navy on 30 August gave a boost to realization of Navy’s network centric war capability based on an indigenous platform. With multiple transponders in various frequency bands, the satellite will provide voice and data communication and hence will help in seamless integration among the various command centres and Naval Units operating across the IOR.

INS Sarayu, the lead ship of the indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) Project was commissioned on 21 January. Aimed at meeting the increasing ocean surveillance and patrolling requirements of the Indian Navy, the primary role of the ship is to undertake EEZ surveillance, anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations and provide maritime security to offshore assets and carry out escort operations for high value assets.

INS Trikand, the last of the three ‘follow on Talwar class’ frigates was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, Russia on 29 June. It carries a state-of-the-art combat suite which includes the supersonic BrahMos Missile system, advanced surface-to-air missile, upgraded A190 medium range gun, Electro-optical 30mm close-in weapon system and Anti-submarine weapons and an advanced electronic warfare system. Her sister ships INS Teg and INS Tarkash were commissioned last year.

The Indian Air Force launched its 3G Cellular Network named AFCEL (Air Force Cellular) recently, thereby, becoming the first in the Services to have commissioned its own captive 3G network. Launching of phase-I of AFCEL in the National Capital Region is a milestone in the IAF’s transformation into a modern, networked aerospace entity with full spectrum dominance. With this project IAF has taken a quantum leap forward to their quest to provide mobile and secure entry-point connectivity to the air warriors deployed across the length and breadth of the country as it will facilitate real time exchange of information in an ever dynamic operational environment.

During the year, the Indian Army, to develop Army to Army understanding and inter-operability, conducted bilateral exercises with China, France, UK, Russia and Nepal. India-China joint exercises Hand-in-Hand 2013 conducted in Chengdu Province of China culminated on 13 Nov. This battalion level exercise practiced the joint operations on Cordon & Search in international scenario. Exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’, a four week Indo-UK joint military exercise, also aimed at enhancing counter terrorism skills. In October Indian and Russian armies conducted a joint exercise, Indra, at Mahajan field firing range in Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The event saw both sides perform various combat exercises including anti-terrorist operations. It also saw a joint Indo-Russian command planning. A joint exercise between India and the French armies was organised from September 9-20 in the French Alps at Grenoble.

As friendly neighbours, an Indo-Nepal battalion level joint military exercise, Surya Kiran-V was conducted at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand from 23 September – 06 October.

Based on the agreement during the 7th Nepal-India Bilateral Consultative Group on Security the two countries commenced joint training at platoon level in 2011. The first two joint exercises focused primarily on jungle warfare and counter-insurgency operation. Troops shared their experiences and exhibited skill sets during training at Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School at Vairangate in Mizoram and a similar school at Amlekhganj in Nepal. Later, the joint training was upgraded to company level in 2012 and based on experiences gained in previous two exercises, it was further upgraded to battalion level this year.

In a bid to further strengthen the existing Indo-French relationship, a joint exercise between India and the French Army called ‘Shakti – 2013’ was organised from 9 – 20 September at Jodhpur which is the second joint military exercise between the two countries.

This platoon level exercise’s theme was on counter-insurgency operations in high altitude mountainous terrain under the UN Charter, thus emphasizing the shared concern of both countries about global terrorism. An added aim of the exercise is to qualitatively acknowledge of each other’s military procedures, thus increasing the scope for inter-operability and better responsiveness to a common threat.

In its endeavour to build Navy to Navy co-operation, understanding and inter-operability, the Indian Navy held military exercises with Navies of numerous friendly countries. These included:

The 13th Meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Technical Co-operation (IRIGC-MTC) was held at Moscow in November co-chaired by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony with his Russian counterpart Mr. Sergey Shiogu. The meeting which gave a new impetus to the relationship decided that the two countries will hold joint Air-Force level exercises, for the first time besides a joint Navy exercise in the Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan, both in 2014.

As the Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrates its 81st anniversary, it is conscious of the transformation it has been undergoing since 1995 where it wrote its first war doctrine, purchased Sukhoi-30 aircraft from Russia, raised the pitch for aerospace command and formally shed its tactical role for a strategic one.

      Keeping in view the rapidly changing geo-political situation and to fulfil its new operational stance, the IAF has taken a number of steps related to its force level, infrastructure development, force multipliers, training and most importantly its mindset  from a tactical to a strategic entity.

Besides inducting AWACS and AEW&C for better early warning and assured air defence, net centricity for better command, control, communications, computers and intelligence gathering, better strategic lift capabilities and advanced electronic warfare, are now the buzz words in the IAF.

In addition to tying up with Russia to develop and manufacture state-of-the-art 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), India has also collaborated with Russia for development of a multi-role transport aircraft. The design preparation and allied works relating to FGFA has picked up the momentum after satisfactory high level defence talks with Russia which was held in Moscow in November. Besides these, IAF has planned to upgrade select Mig-21 Bis, Mig-27, Mig-29, Mirage-2000 and Jaguar fleets and has taken steps to further compress the delivery schedule of HAL Built Su-30 MK-II, besides 40 more acquired from Russia.

Working in tune with its ‘Look East Policy’, India has started forging strategic partnership with countries of Far East and ASEAN. In this context, India’s willingness to co-operate with Vietnam Republic in helping it exploring oil from the South China Sea is significant. Similarly its relations with Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal and Afghanistan is steadily growing through bi-lateral exercises and fruitful defence co-operation talks in the form of defence exchanges, training and other areas.

India’s bilateral defence ties with US, UK, France, Turkey, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Oman etc. is growing over the years. Indo-French High Committee on Defence Co-operation which met in October this year decided to further strength the ties in different fields which include joint research & development in high technology and transfer of technology, defence equipment collaboration, training and close navy-to-navy interaction in matters like joint exercises and defence exchanges. Already France is committed to manufacture and handover of three state-of-the-art lethal Scorpene submarines and another three will be built at Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai with active French collaboration and TOT.

Drawing lessons from 26/11 terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008, the Govt. took a number of security measures to close the gaps in India’s vast coastline and strengthen the coastal security apparatus in a planned manner by involving all stakeholders in this endeavour. Under Phase-I of the Coastal Surveillance Network Project installation of 36 radar chain to have a gap free Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) was envisaged. In the first Phase of the project, the coastal States/UTs were provided with 73 coastal police stations, 97 Check Posts, 58 Out Posts, 30 Barracks, 204 boats, 153 jeeps and 312 motorcycles.

The completion of the phase-I of the project at a cost of Rs. 646 crores on the Indian mainland took place when MoS, Defence, Mr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the static sensor chain at Visakhapatnam on 23 November. India has already a chain of 36 radars along the Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala coast.

In the phase-II of CSN which will cost Rs. 1580 crores, we will have another 38 radars chain to cover the rest of the 7,500 Km long coastline. The Indian Coast Guard was delegated to implement the project. For this, the Govt. had signed the contract with the state owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Sept 2011 at a cost of Rs 602 crores considering the strategic nature of the turnkey project and with an aim to develop indigenous capabilities. Under this scheme, the coastal States/UTs interalia are provided with 131 coastal police stations, 10 Marine Operation Police Centres (MOCPs), 60 jetties, 225 boats of various categories and a lump sum assistance of Rs. 15 lakhs per coastal police station to develop its infrastructure.

Linking up the National Automatic Identification System Network (AIS) and Vessel Traffic System (VTS) off Gulf of Khambat with the Coastal Security Network would help the security forces in identifying a friend or foe in the Indian waters.

Of late, a worrisome trend is the problem of tackling the issue of Private Armed Security Guards on board Commercial ships in international waters as well as territorial waters. The urgent need to regulate these ‘floating armouries’ has assumed significance in the backdrop of two recent incidents close to Indian Coast. A high level meeting on Coastal Security convened at Delhi by the MoD recently decided to take up this issue of Private Armed Security Guards with international fora such as International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Welfare and all-round well being of ex-servicemen and war widows have been the cornerstone of our rehabilitation policy since independence.

In our ongoing effort to improve the well being of jawans, the govt has further widened the scope of ECHS (Employees Contributed Health Scheme) and established more polyclinics and regional health centres. To improve the living and working conditions of jawans, several steps have been taken to improve the quality of rations, accommodations and clothing. For soldiers deployed in high altitude areas, warm clothings, special shoes and attractive monthly compensatory allowances have been provided. To protect the officers, jawans and other ranks posted in very high altitudes from mental and physical fatigue, liberal leave facilities as well as rotation of personnel at regular intervals have been given high priority. To reduce the stress levels of jawans so as to avoid stray cases of fragging and fratricide, Counselling Centres have been established at different levels manned by professional psychologists and psychiatrists starting from unit to command level.

MAP:- To overcome the acute shortage of accommodation for serving  defence personnel, Married Accommodation  Project (MAP) was started by the Govt. in 2002. In this project, totalling two lakh dwelling units (DUs) were supposed to have been constructed. After implementation of Phase-I of the project, approximately 60,000 dwelling units have been constructed. This has enhanced the satisfaction level with regard to availability of married accommodation to 60%. In the second phase of MAP, construction of about 68,400 DUs is going on at different places and on their completion, satisfaction level will increase to 72%. In addition, construction of 71,000 DUs of Phase-III is now under planning. On completion of all the phases of the project, the satisfaction levels will reach 85%.

For ex-servicemen welfare, Govt. has taken a number of steps to further improve their pension. For this, a high level committee was constituted by the Govt. in 2012 to look after the pay and pension anomalies of armed forces personnel and family pensions etc. Acting upon the recommendations of the committee, the Govt. further liberalised the pension amount for different types of ex-servicemen pensioners last year which costs the exchequer of approximately Rs 2200 crores.

1.      To give further encouragement to promote indigenisation and developing Indian defence industrial base in the country, the Government promulgated amended Defence Procurement Procedure 2013 on 01 June, where a number of concessions and priorities have been given to ‘Buy Indian’ and ‘Buy and Make’  (Indian) categories, besides bringing further clarity in the definition of the Indigenous Content and simplifying the Buy and Make (Indian) process. Other significant changes include incorporation of the new offset policy guidelines which were promulgated in August 2012 and revision of the chapter on Ship-building which had been introduced in the DPP 2011. The Ministry has also undertaken the exercise of further simplification of the Make procedures and revision of the Fast Track Procedures which is likely to be completed in the near future.

2.      Indian Air Force formally bade farewell to its Mig-21 (FL) fleet, after the fleet’s glorious service to the nation for more than thirty years, in December this year. Their place will be filed up by the LCA fighter version in near future.

3.      India signed the much awaited Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDC) with China during the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to China in October. The agreement is expected to bring in a relatively peaceful and intrusion free LAC in the northern sector. The agreement lays out a protocol to prevent incidents like intrusion, when Chinese troops came and pitched tents inside Indian territories in August/September.

4.      On July 02, 2013, India unveiled the much awaited National Cyber Security Policy to create a secure cyber eco-system in the country.

5.      Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Rajdoot’, the sixth in the series of light Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata was commissioned at Kolkata in May 2013.

6.      The Naresh Chandra Task Force constituted by the Govt. on national security and higher defence management submitted its recommendations, where among others, it has recommended to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the Indian Armed Forces.

7.      The first NCC National Games was held in Delhi in November where 1900 boys and girls athletes from 17 NCC directorates, from all the States and Union Territories took part. The eight day long Games was inaugurated by the DG, NCC Lt. Gen P.S. Bhalla amidst much grandeur and fanfare.

8.      The foundation stone for India’s first National Defence University (INDU) was laid by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Binola, near Gurgaon in May 23, 2013 in the presence of high dignitaries including the Defence Minister.

9.      INAS ‘HANSA’ in Goa celebrated its diamond jubilee on 11th May, 2013.

10. First Passing Out Parade at the newly established Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kerala was held on 25th May, 2013.

11. Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS ‘VAIBHAV’ was commissioned on May 21, 2013.

12. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony dedicated to the Nation the new Air Force Station at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu on 27th May 2013 where a special runway has been made for the operation of Su-30 MK-I fighter aircraft.

13. Defence Minister visited Maldives in April 2013.

14. Defence Minister visited Myanmar on January 21, 2013.

15. Commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajkamal was held in 08 January 2013.

16. Govt. orders a CBI probe into Augusta Westland Contract for 12 VVIP Helicopters on 12 February 2013.

17. The 9th edition of Asia’s biggest air show ‘Aero-India’ -2013 took place in Bangalore in February 2013, where 44 countries took part. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony inaugurated this mega event where in the Air show vintage Tiger Moth aircraft made its flight appearance after a gap of 22 years.

18. HAL formally handed over to Army the weaponised edition of ALH-Dhruv as ‘ALH MK-IV Rudra’ on 08 February 2013 at Bangalore.

19. Commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Rajratan’ held on 11 February 2013.

20. Chinese Defence Minister with a delegation visited India on 22nd March 2013 and India-China Talks on Defence co-operation held in Delhi.

21. Indian Navy concludes theatre level exercise Tropex-13 on 02 March 2013.

Source: PIB News