Quick reaction surface to air missile system being tested from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha on Monday. PTI
Balasore (Odisha), December 23
India on Monday successfully test-fired its Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system, likely to be inducted into the armed forces by 2021, from a base off Odisha coast.
The missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here at 1145 hrs, a defence statement said.
The QRSAM was flight-tested with full configuration in deployment mode intercepting the target mid-air, meeting the mission objectives, it said.
“The entire event was monitored by ground telemetry systems, range radar systems and electro optical tracking system,” the statement said.
The QRSAM weapon system, which operates on the move, comprises fully automated command and control, active array battery surveillance radar, active array battery multifunction radar and launcher.
Both radars are four-walled having 360-degree coverage with search on move and track on move capability, it said. — PTI
The QRSAM weapon system comprises fully automated command and control, active array battery surveillance radar, active array battery multifunction radar and launcher
China calls for restraint as India, Pakistan exchange fire along LOC
A JCO and a woman were killed on Wednesday in unprovoked firing during ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops. Tribune file
Beijing, December 27
China on Friday urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and refrain from taking action to escalate tensions, amid reports of incidents of exchange of fire by the armies on both sides along the Line of Control (LOC).
A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army and a woman were killed on Wednesday in unprovoked firing during ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said, adding that Pakistan was targeting civilian population in India with vengeance from gun and mortar positions deployed and inside villages in PoK.
The Pakistan Army on Thursday claimed that two of its soldiers were killed in unprovoked firing by the Indian troops along the LOC.
“We noted the relevant reports and we are following the situation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing.
“As neighbour to both India and Pakistan, we call on both sides to exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that will escalate tensions, peacefully resolve disputes through dialogue and jointly maintain regional peace and stability,” he said. PTI
NSG deployment rising, but special force lacks sniper range for training
About 35 years after it was raised as a specialist anti-terrorist force, the National Security Guard (NSG) remains without a dedicated range for training snipers, a critical component of any special force.
The revelation of inadequate training infrastructure comes in the backdrop of increasing deployment of NSG teams for operations, with the average requisition last year being four times a month.
According to the data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the annual deployment of NSG teams for immediate backup support was 34 in 2016, 33 in 2017 and 47 in 2018. Detachments of the force are also deployed in Kashmir for undertaking anti-terrorist operations alongside the Army and state police.
“Adequate training infrastructure is available with NSG for special training except a dedicated sniper range. Ad hoc arrangements are in place to undertake sniper firing,” the MHA has stated in a report tabled by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Home Affairs this month.
“A sniper range is proposed in and around Manesar to meet its training requirements,” the report adds.
Given NSG’s mandate of counter-terrorist operations in urban areas, hostage rescue and neutralisation of high-value targets, snipers are a very important element of its strike component.
Snipers are considered force-multiplies and are given a great deal of importance and prominence by special forces the world over. Besides precision shooting, a large part of the sniper’s work involves recce and surveillance and providing feedback to commanders from concealed vantage positions. This requires a very high degree of training and requisite training infrastructure.
Immediate backup support
According to the data provided by the MHA, the annual deployment of NSG teams for immediate backup support was 34 in 2016, 33 in 2017 and 47 in 2018
Snipers are considered force-multiplies and are given a great deal of importance by special forces the world over
A sniper range is proposed in and around Manesar to meet its training requirements, the MHA report adds
Hundreds of serving and retired Indian Air Force pilots today bid emotional farewell to “Cold war” era fighter jet MiG-27, which India procured from the Soviet Union in 1985.
A formation of MiG-27 flew for the last time in India at Jodhpur this morning. The IAF’s 29 Squadron known as the “Scorpios” flew in a five aircraft “Arrowhead” formation flanked by Sukhoi 30-MKI aircraft as a mark of respect.
After the phase-out
The IAF will be left with 31 squadrons and there will be no immediate replacement at Jodhpur
The Air Force will raise a squadron of Sukhoi 30 at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu
India operated about 165 MiG-27 planes and these saw frontline combat during the Kargil war in 1999. Before the Kargil conflict, fighter jets had not been used at such altitudes—15,000 feet or more. The IAF was tasked to bomb the Pakistani army-occupied locations at altitudes ranging between 15,000 and 18,000 feet.
No country and no air force had used any fighter jet to drop armament at such altitudes. It was unique. It meant pilots in MiG-27, MiG-21 and Mirage-2000 jets were flying at 30,000 feet to hit targets that were around 12,000 feet away.iG-27 jets had a unique capability to swing their wings from 16° to 72°, depending on the mission. This allowed the plane to fly at variable speeds.
Home Ministry orders withdrawal of 7,000 paramilitary troops from J-K
The Union Home Ministry has ordered 7,000 paramilitary troopers to withdraw from Jammu and Kashmir immediately.
The notification issued on Tuesday says that 72 companies of paramilitary forces—24 of the Central Reserve Police Forces and 12 each of the Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Force, Central Industrial Security Force, and Sashastra Seema Bal—should be sent back to their own locations immediately.
One such company has about 100 personnel.
“It is to intimate that the matter has further been reviewed in this Ministry. It has been decided to withdraw 72 Coys of CAPFs (CRPF-24, BSF- 12, ITBP-12, CISF-12 & SSB-12) with immediate effect from J&K and revert back to their respective locations,” the notification says.
The development comes five months after the central government increased security in the then state just before it decided to read down Article 370 of the Indian Constitution—a provision that gave the state special status—and reconstituted the state into two union territories, J&K and Ladakh. About 20 such companies were withdrawn from the valley early this month.
A day after Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat made a controversial statement over Citizenship (Amendment) Act, he said on Friday the armed forces are “extremely secular” and the driving ethos is “insaniyat” (Humanity) and “sharafat” (Decency).
He also stressed the armed forces have utmost respect for laws related to human rights and they not only ensure protection of human rights of people of the country, but also of its adversaries.
‘Humanity driving etho’
The driving ethos of the armed forces are insaniyat and sharafat (humanity and decency). — Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff
He was addressing interns and senior officers of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on “Preserving Human Rights in Times of War and Prisoners of War” at the Manav Adhikar Bhawan here, officials said.
“The Indian armed forces are much disciplined and have the utmost respect for human rights laws and international human rights laws. The Indian armed forces not only ensure protection of human rights of our own people but also of adversaries and deal with Prisoners of War as per the Geneva Conventions,” General Rawat was quoted as saying in a statement.
Rawat asserted, “The driving ethos of the armed forces are ‘insaniyat’ and ‘sharafat’ (humanity and decency) and they are extremely secular.” He said the Army headquarters had created a “human rights cell” in 1993, which is now being upgraded to the level of a directorate. — PTI
Performance standards being set for officers under ‘minimum govt, maximum governance’: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said performance standards are being set for officers and mechanisms developed for greater prudence in financial management under the Centre’s vision of ‘minimum government and maximum governance’.
He said this in his address at a workshop for integrated finance (IF) advisers, organised by the finance division of the Defence Ministry at the DRDO Bhawan here.
“Under the ‘minimum government, maximum governance’ (vision), government functions are being made more effective and efficient. Performance standards are being set for government officers.
“And in financial management, mechanisms are being adopted for more prudence and accountability,” Singh said.
The minister said finance is the backbone for any family, society, institution or country.
“Defence Accounts deals with one-fourth of the country’s total budget. And, as I said, integrated finance (IF) is considered the backbone of any department or ministry. Any ministry can achieve its objectives only when it can manage budgetary resources without compromising the operational needs,” the minister said.
Singh said that in this direction, the government had also adopted a lot of innovative methods, like increasing focus on the Public Financial Management System, and introduction of Central Public Procurement Portal.
The minister said that in the last three years, the defence ministry had utilised its allocation “very successfully and through substantial delegation of financial powers the trend of non-utilisation of funds has ceased”. PTI
Armed forces have utmost respect for human rights laws: Gen. Rawat
Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said the armed forces had the utmost respect for human rights laws, and they not only ensured protection of human rights of the people of the country, but also of its adversaries.
He was addressing the interns and senior officers of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the topic of “Preserving Human Rights in Times of War and Prisoners of War” at the Manav Adhikar Bhawan here, officials said.
“The Indian armed forces are much disciplined and have the utmost respect for human rights laws and international human rights laws. The Indian armed forces not only ensure protection of human rights of our own people but also of adversaries and deal with the prisoners of war as per the Geneva Conventions,” Gen. Rawat was quoted as saying in a statement. — PTI
Army man from Ludhiana dies on duty in J&K; cremated with full honours
Mandeep Singh (27) from 24 Rashtriya Rifles was on duty and moving for an operation after getting a tip-off when the Army vehicle met with an accident on Friday. Three of his colleagues were injured but he succumbed to the injuries.
On the way from Srinagar to Baramulla, the vehicle skidded and rolled down the gorge and he could not survive.” (Representational image)
An Army personnel posted in the Quick Response Team (QRT) died on-duty in Jammu & Kashmir when the vehicle in which he was travelling from Srinagar to Baramulla skidded. His mortal remains reached his native village Dholan in Jagraon Sunday and the cremation was done with full honours.
Mandeep Singh (27) from 24 Rashtriya Rifles was on duty and moving for an operation after getting a tip-off when the Army vehicle met with an accident on Friday. Three of his colleagues were injured but he succumbed to the injuries.
Subedar Chamkaur Singh from the same unit, who accompanied his mortal remains on Sunday, said, “Mandeep was posted in QRT of the Army and they were moving quickly after getting some specific inputs on possible militant infiltration. On the way from Srinagar to Baramulla, their vehicle skidded and rolled down the gorge and he could not survive.”
Mandeep’s father Hakam Singh also retired as subedar from Army. Mandeep was survived by parents, an elder sister and younger brother. He was unmarried. He was posted in J&K from past one year.
IAF’s MiG-27, used during Kargil war, roars through the skies for the last time
Indian Air Force (IAF) decommissioned Mikoyan-Gurevich 27 (MiG-27), the fighter aircraft that played a stellar role during the Kargil war with Pakistan 20 years ago, on Friday when the last squadron of seven planes roared through the skies for the last time.
The fighter aircraft took to the skies one last time at the Jodhpur airbase where the only IAF squadron that operates the MiG 27 is based.
The MiG-27, code named ‘Bahadur’ in India, has had an impeccable track record in its more than three decades of glorious service to the nation.
“These aircraft have made immense contribution to the nation, both during peace and war. The fleet earned its glory in the historic Kargil conflict when it delivered rockets & bombs with accuracy on enemy positions. The fleet also took active part in Op-Parakram,” the Ministry of Defence said.
Indian Air Force
✔@IAF_MCC
#AdieuMiG27Indian Air Force bids farewell to the mighty MiG-27 tomorrow. The aircraft will be decommissioned in a grand ceremony to be held at Air Force Station Jodhpur on 27 Dec 19.
The upgraded MiG 27, because of its survivability, has also participated in numerous national and international exercises.
The formidable strike aircraft of Russian origin has the single most powerful engine in the world and variable geometry wing which allows the pilot to change the wing sweep angle while flying as per the mission requirements to achieve optimum flying characteristics.
The Number 29 Squadron is the only unit in the IAF operating the MiG-27 upgrades, the Defence Minister said. The squadron was raised on March 10, 1958, at Air Force Station Halwara with Ouragan (Toofani) aircraft. “Over the years, the Squadron has been equipped with numerous types of fighters such as MiG-21 Type 77, MiG-21 Type 96, MiG-27 ML and MiG-27 upgrade,” the ministry said.
“The Squadron is now slated to be number plated on 31 March 2020 with 27 December 2019 being its last flying day thereby making the swing wing fleet a part of IAF’s glorious past,” MoD said.
“Veteran air warriors along with serving air warriors are taking part in the ceremony. Air Marshal S.K. Ghotia VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief South Western Air Command are presiding over the wind down ceremony,” the defence ministry said.
This swing wing fighter bomber was inducted into the IAF fleet in the late 1980s. Being a dedicated ground attack aircraft, it was one of the main strike aircraft of the IAF.
“With its sophisticated avionics and weapon computers, it is capable of delivering a variety of loads in different modes of attack with immense precision,” the ministry said.
The pilots proudly call themselves ‘Swing Wingers’ and have always vouched the aircraft’s precise weapon delivery and rapid acceleration.
“This formidable ground attack fighter aircraft has served the Nation for over three decades. Inducted in 1985, MiG-27 has been the mainstay of IAF”s ground attack capability. It has participated in all major #IAF operations and has played a stellar role in the 1999 Kargil War,” the IAF said in a series of tweets.
Twitter users tweeted farewell messages for the fighter aircraft.
#MiG27 trended with 1,611 tweets.
One user wrote: “Adieu, MiG-27. Thank you for your illustrious service.”
“Truly the end of an era. #MiG27 #IndianAirForce,” wrote another user.
One post read: “The roar of a MiG-27 taking off, with its afterburners lit, shook everything! Air Force stations will miss it. #MiG27” One user posted a funny request: “I request the Air Force to gift me one #MiG27 as they are of no use to them now….” “Goodbye #MiG27 Bahadur. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end,” tweeted one user.
Another tweeted: “Some named it ‘the flying coffin’ and some called it the Mikoyan MiG… but it will always be remembered as the ‘BAHADUR’ of the 99 Kargil war. Adieu #MiG27,” said one user.
“Goodbye #MiG27. Thank you for your illustrious service. India thanks you. Truly the end of an era.” — IANS
State Stalwarts
DEFENCE MINISTER
Minister Rajnath Singh
ALL HUMANS ARE ONE CREATED BY GOD
HINDUS,MUSLIMS,SIKHS.ISAI SAB HAI BHAI BHAI
CHIEF PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
LT GEN JASBIR SINGH DHALIWAL, DOGRA
SENIOR PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
MAJOR GEN HARVIJAY SINGH, SENA MEDAL ,corps of signals
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PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
MAJ GEN RAMINDER GURAYA ,MADRAS REGIMENT
sanjhamorcha303@gmail.com
PRESIDENT SOUTH ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
COL SS RAJAN BOMBAY SAPPERS,
PRESIDENT UTTARAKHAND ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
COL B M THAPA ,BENGAL SAPPERSS
PRESIDENT HARAYANA STATE CUM COORDINATOR ESM
BRIG DALJIT THUKRAL ,BENGAL SAPPERS
PRESIDENT TRICITY
COL B S BRAR (BHUPI BRAR)
PRESIDENT CHANDIGARH ZONE
COL SHANJIT SINGH BHULLAR
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PRESIDENT PANCHKULA ZONE AND ZIRAKPUR
COL SWARAN SINGH
INDIAN DEFENCE FORCES
DEFENCE FORCES INTEGRATED LOGO
INDIAN AIR FORCE
Air Officer C-in-C WESTERN AIR COMMAND
AIR MSHL S PRABHAKARAN AVSM VM
AOC-IN-C, EASTERN AIR COMMAND
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia
AOC-in-C SOUTH WESTERN AIR COMMAND
Air Marshal Vikram Singh
AOC-IN-C, SOUTHERN AIR COMMAND
Air Marshal J.Chalapati
AOC-IN-C TRAINING COMMAND
AIR MARSHAL SK GHOTIA VSM
AOC-IN-C MAINTENANCE COMMAND
Air Marshal Jagdish Chandra
Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command
ice Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM
Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command
