Monthly Archives: August 2018

If tanks succeed, victory follows,” said Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, a German general during World War II. A tank warfare strategist, Guderian was a firm believer in the utility of the armoured behemoths
India’s own main battle tank has been in the making for 50 years. In November last year, while visiting soldiers at the border town of Longewala in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode an armoured beast—Arjun Mk-IA, a third-generation main battle tank indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, in association with 15 academic institutions, eight labs and several micro, small and medium enterprises. Modi’s ride was a proud moment for the team of 500 scientists and technicians who developed Arjun. The Army will now order 118 units of the upgraded tank, in what is expected to mark the finest chapter in the Make in India story.
With around 4,300 tanks and 8,700 armoured vehicles, India’s armoured strength is one of the best in the world. “Though every country boasts tank capability, the way Arjun has been tested is beyond what any army in the world can do,” said V. Balamurugan, director of Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) at Avadi near Chennai, the DRDO’s lead laboratory that designed the tank. “Arjun (upgraded version) has done over 7,000km of trial runs, which does not happen in any country. It is on par with other main battle tanks in the world.”
When THE WEEK visited Avadi, the mood was upbeat. The developers expect Arjun to replace the Russian T-72 that is still in service. And when it happens, it will be a dream come true. The need to develop a battle tank had become clear in 1971, when India fought its last full-fledged war with Pakistan with the help of Russian tanks.
Tank development is based on two philosophies—eastern and western. The eastern philosophy, dominated by the Russians, lays stress on smaller, lightweight tanks for en masse attacks. The western philosophy, followed by the British, Americans and Germans, focuses on heavy tanks. While building Arjun, the DRDO chose the western philosophy—and emulated German tanks in particular.
A tank requires firepower, mobility and protection as basic features. The specifications for Arjun, however, kept changing for more than two decades as the Army kept upgrading requirements. Also, India’s diverse terrain conditions—from the rocky parts of Jammu and Kashmir to the alluvial soil of Punjab and northern Rajasthan to the marshy Rann of Kutch—posed a huge challenge in terms of cross-country mobility capability. Though India had been making Vijayanta tanks under license from Vickers in the UK, developing a main battle tank was an altogether different ball game.
In 2007, almost 24 years after its first prototype rolled out, and four years after it formally entered service in the Army, Arjun was fielded against the Russian T-90 and T-72 in Rajasthan. Unimpressed, the Army pointed out several deficiencies—inadequate fire control system, inaccurate guns, low speeds in tactical areas, and persistent inability to operate in temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius. Within two years, though, the DRDO solved the problems.
With the induction of the first batch of Arjun, India entered a select group of 10 countries that have designed and developed their own main battle tanks. The group includes the UK, France, Germany, the US, Israel, South Korea, Russia, Japan and China. As it prepares to become India’s main battle tank, Arjun would also have to face additional threats from air, particularly from low-flying aircraft. “Therefore, an air-defence gun would have to be added,” said Balamurugan.
The latest version of Arjun (Mk-1A) is considered to be one of the world’s most advanced tanks. It carries 39 rounds of different types of ammunition, including thermobaric shells designed as bunker-busters. It is also armed with a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun that is remotely operated from within the crew compartment.
Arjun weighs 68 tonnes, though, making deployments tough. Existing culverts and bridges are not designed to carry such a heavyweight tank. The DRDO says the upgrade is heavier because of modifications sought by the Army and the stipulated inclusion of an extra crew member. Unlike Russian tanks, which has a crew of three (commander, driver and gunner) Arjun has to accommodate four (including a loader). Russian tanks are autoloaders.
“With additional protection and armaments, the tank’s weight increased,” said V. Balaguru, additional director of CVRDE. According to him, though, Arjun’s weight is more or less equal to that of several main battle tanks. Challenger 2 of the UK weighs 62.5 tons (combat-ready weight of 75 tons), Leopard 2A6M of Canada weighs 62.5 tons and Abrams M1A1 of the US weighs 67.5 tons.
Arjun’s suspension running system—which stabilises the tank while firing—was one of the most difficult technologies to develop. “Besides providing a stable platform to the tank that is essential for ensuring fire-on-the move capability, it also gives excellent ride comfort for the crew, minimising fatigue even on extended runs,” said S. Ganesan, additional director (mechanical), at CVRDE.
In 2000, the Army had inducted 124 Arjun Mk-1 tanks, with 62 per cent of equipment sourced from abroad. More than two decades later, the DRDO is preparing to roll out the next-gen Arjun. Four years from now, most of the items that are currently imported will be manufactured in India as part of the Atmanirbhar initiative.
“We have waited 22 years to convince the military that Arjun (with 81 improvements) is the best tank,” said Balamurugan. “And finally, we are getting an order for 118 units.”

New Delhi: With China being the new focus of the Indian defence establishment, the Army is looking at ordering another 40 of the K9 Vajra Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzers for mountainous terrain, ThePrint has learnt. 

Sources in the defence and security establishment said the trials of three K9 Vajra, which were sent to Ladakh earlier this year, have been successful.https://f2f3eda55dac28a105ee3bc05209a08d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Plans are now being finalised to order at least two more regiments of the 155mm/52 calibre howitzers that would be deployed in the mountains.

The Army had initially ordered 100 (five regiments) of the gun system under a Rs 4,500 crore contract in 2017.

The order for the initial 100 guns, basically meant for the deserts, was placed with leading Indian private defence major Larsen and Toubro (L&T). The company had successfully completed the order in February this year.

L&T has signed a transfer of technology contract with the South Korean firm, Hanwha Corporation, which is the original manufacturer of the gun system known as K9 Thunder. 

“Vajra is a beautiful and formidable gun system. It has a high range and because it is tracked, the movement in the mountains becomes easier,” a source said. “With its range and motion capability, the system can be deployed strategically.”

Sources said that a cost criteria for the next 40 Vajras is yet to be worked out but the process is on.

Also read: Tejas flying record world’s best, criticism unfortunate, says IAF veteran who flew LCA at 78

Washington: U.S. military aircraft have been hitting ground targets in Afghanistan in an effort to protect allies, according to U.S. Central Command, as the Taliban makes rapid advances in the void left by withdrawing American and North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops.

“U.S. forces have conducted several airstrikes in defense of our Afghan partners in recent days,” U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Ferrara, a U.S. Central Command spokesperson, said by email.

She declined to provide specifics on the aircraft involved. President Joe Biden ordered B-52 bombers and AC-130 Spectre gunships to strike enemy fighters advancing toward Kandahar and other cities, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday. A National Security Council spokesman referred questions to the Defense Department.

The Taliban will avenge U.S. airstrikes with “full strength,” spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said in an emailed statement on Sunday, adding that the U.S. targeted civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools in the southern Helmand province.

The last U.S. ground forces are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by Aug. 31. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Saturday urged U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately “using available commercial flight options,” according to a statement on its website that cited “the security conditions and reduced staffing.”

The Taliban has been gaining territory and taking over customs posts at Afghan border crossings, seizing much of the government’s revenue. It now controls half of the country’s 419 districts, and the militants are putting pressure on the provincial capitals, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month. Afghan security forces are consolidating around the cities as Taliban fighters attempt to isolate those population centers, he said. –Bloomberg

Also read: India plans ‘direct communication’ with Taliban as world prepares for life after US pullout

Two Army pilots have been missing since an Army helicopter crashed into the Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir on 3 August.

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New Delhi: A week after search operations for two Army pilots, who went missing after a helicopter crashed into the Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir, yielded no results, India is likely to seek help from Israel for specialised equipment, ThePrint has learnt.

The helicopter of the pilots crashed into the reservoir in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on 3 August and the two have been missing ever since. Search operations by the Army and the Navy have been underway since the day of the crash.

According to sources in the defence and security establishment, the authorities concerned will approach Israel for special equipment that can operate underwater at a much lower depth than Indian systems.

While there are systems with India which can operate at much deeper levels, they are larger in size and on board naval ships. So, bringing them to a reservoir is not possible, they added.

Sources explained that there are only particular depths to which divers can go. To go beyond that one needs compression chambers or specialised vessels.

The international help is being coordinated by the Army headquarters.

The development comes as the brother of one of the missing pilots, Neel Joshi, took to Twitter Monday to express his anguish.

Also read: Trials in Ladakh a success, Army looks at ordering 40 more K9 Vajra howitzers for mountains

Multi-beam sonars, underwater manipulators being used 

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Western Army Command late Monday noted that military authorities are “leaving no stone unturned to search for the helicopter” and the pilots, adding that “international assistance is also being sought”.

The statement also noted that the expansive reservoir measures 25-km in length, 8-km in width and is more than 500 feet deep.

The Western Command also responded to Joshi’s tweet and said that the Army has been coordinating the search and rescue efforts of Indian Navy (two Officers, fpur Junior Commissioned Officers and 24 other ranks) and Indian Army Special Forces divers (two officers, one Junior Commissioned Officer and 24 other ranks).

It noted that multi-beam sonars, side scanners, remotely operated vehicles and underwater manipulators have also been flown in from Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.

The Command explained that the deep underwater operation is especially challenging due to the near-zero visibility below 50 meters due to the colloidal nature of water in this season, which adversely impacts accuracy of sonars and other sensors.

“Experts, specialised equipment and divers are being continuously flown in and international assistance is also being sought,” it said.

A small area measuring 60 x 60 metre has been localised and special sonar equipment, flown in from Kochi, has also been used to enable search operations to enter their final phase, according to the Command.

(Edited by Rachel John)

Also read: Tejas flying record world’s best, criticism unfortunate, says IAF veteran who flew LCA at 78

New Delhi: India is unlikely to heed any request from the Afghanistan government for active military aid amid the Taliban’s rapid advances in the country, ThePrint has learnt.

Government sources said any active Indian military intervention in Afghanistan is not being considered at any level, adding that the focus right now is to ensure peace is maintained through dialogue.https://8fd3139a930516259a2cb14d93dd2276.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

However, sources added, “benign support”, like maintenance of military equipment, training and spare parts are issues that are always under discussion.

Sources in the government as well as the security and defence establishment said any military involvement in the war-torn country will “pull India into a vortex”. 

The comments follow requests from the Afghan government that India provide “robust air support” — airpower is seen to be a crucial factor in the battle against the Taliban — to aid Kabul’s efforts to address the nation’s deteriorating security situation. 

The demand is being “aggressively pushed” by Kabul in light of concerns that the Taliban will escalate the level of violence once international troops complete their drawdown by 31 August, Afghan officials had told ThePrint earlier on the condition of anonymity.

Indian government sources didn’t respond to a query on whether such a request has been made by Kabul. However, they pointed out that the official stand is that there will be no Indian boots on the ground in Afghanistan.

In 2017, then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had made the same statement amid US calls for Indian participation in strengthening Afghanistan’s security situation.

The stand was reiterated by Army chief General M.M. Naravane earlier this year.

Also Read: India right to wait till Taliban comes in full view. No need to rush into an ‘Afghan strategy’

‘Benign support vs active support’

Sources said India, which has also initiated talks with the Taliban, would not like to be “overtly seen doing anything” in Afghanistan. “Right now, the approach is to talk to everybody and actively observe the developments,” a source said.

Last month, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaeen said in an interview that India should not give any military support to the current Afghan government.

Sources in the governmenthad earlier made it clear that while New Delhi may look at extending any technical help the Afghan forces need to maintain the equipment India had given them in the past, there are no plans to send any fresh military systems.

Over the past few years, India has gifted four Mi-24V attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force as well as three Cheetah light utility helicopters, among other equipment.

Discussing India’s potential role in Afghanistan in the coming days, sources said training and maintenance issues are something that could be looked into. Afghan military officers do get trained in India at various training establishments.

Sources said India providing any kind of air support in Afghanistan is not going to be the solution. “The US has been bombing for the last 20 years. Why would India want to replace it,” a second source said.

What Afghanistan needs, a third source said, is “peace and cessation of fighting”.

(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)

Also Read: Five myths about Afghanistan that India must overcome, along with its timidity

Maintaining passes and roads and tracks in the vicinity of the border is the responsibility of the BRO that was established in May 1960

Photo for representational purpose only. PTI file

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 9

To commemorate 75 years of Independence, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will unfurl the National Flag at 75 highest passes in India on August 15, besides undertaking several other activities.

The Himalayan range that spreads across India’s northern frontier has the highest passes and motorable roads in the world, the highest being the Kalindi Pass in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 19,521 feet.

Earlier this month, the BRO completed the black-topping of the world’s highest motorable roads that passes over the 19,300-foot-high Umling La Pass in south-easten Ladakh connecting the town of Demchok in the vicinity of the Line of Actual Control.

The mountain passes and roads are of immense strategic importance and some of them are approachable only on foot or horseback, though the Indian Army has successfully driven tanks over a few of them. Many of the passes that lie close to the border with China are off limits to civilian visitors.

Till Umling La was opened to vehicles, the 17,582-foot-high Khardung La in Ladakh, also a popular tourist destination, was said to be the highest motorable pass in the world. Other passes that lie above 18,000 feet include Gyong La (Siachen, Muling la (Uttarakhand), Sia La (Siachen), Marsimik La (Ladakh), Mana Pass and Sin La (both in Uttarakhand).

Maintaining passes and roads and tracks in the vicinity of the border is the responsibility of the BRO that was established in May 1960. Functioning under the Ministry of Defence, its operations spread across 19 states and three union territories as well as neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

Besides those in the Himalayas, many of which are well known and popular with tourists and adventurers, there are other passes in the country that lie at much lower elevations, including those in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris in peninsular India

Other activities by the BRO in various parts of the country to commemorate the Independence Day this year include 75 medical camps, plantation drives at 75 locations and 75 school samvad to motivate children through interactions and lectures.

In addition, gallantry award recipients and war heroes are also being felicitated, a defence spokesperson said. Two such events were organised in Uttarakhand and Sikkim earlier this week

The 100-ft-high National Flag at Gulmarg in Baramulla. PTI

Srinagar, August 10

The Army on Tuesday dedicated to the nation a 100-foot tall National Flag at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg as part of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence. Lieutenant General YK Joshi, Commander, Northern Command, presided over the ceremony, Srinagar-based Defence PRO Colonel Emron Musavi said.

Col Emron Musavi, Defence PRO

Tourist attraction

The flag adds to the tourist attraction of the town.

The flag adds to the tourist attraction of the location, he said. During the ceremony, the Commander said the flag was a tribute to the countless Kashmiris, who made “the ultimate sacrifice” while safeguarding the nation’s integrity.

Colonel Musavi said Joshi also honoured the next of kin of soldiers who had made sacrifice in the service to the nation. — PTI

Promotes Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh as SP in Punjab Police

The chief minister along with Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore also transferred the cash prize money online in the accounts of the Olympic medallists and participants. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 12

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced that the state government would soon work out modalities for providing jobs to the medallists and asked the state chief secretary to examine the matter on the top priority before taking a final decision.

In his address on the occasion to honour the Olympic medallists and participants of Tokyo Olympics-2020 with cash prize of Rs 28.36 crore here at a glittering ceremony in Punjab Bhawan this evening who brought laurels to the country especially the state, the chief minister said Punjab has rewritten the history in the sporting annals of the country.

The chief minister along with Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore also transferred the cash prize money online in the accounts of the Olympic medallists and participants.https://bb3788e2584deeb0a012df48be5af23f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

As a token of respect and gratitude, the women hockey players presented a hockey stick to the chief minister with signatures of its entire team members.

Complimenting the stellar performance of the men’s hockey team in clinching the bronze medal after a gap of 41 years in Tokyo Olympics, the Punjab chief minister termed it as a beginning towards revival of India’s lost glory in hockey.

In recognition of the stupendous performance of state players in Tokyo Olympics, Capt Amarinder Singh announced to name the schools and approach roads leading to their native villages after the names of the players. He also asked PWD and School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla to identify such schools and roads so as to give due honour to the players who made every Punjabi proud.

On the occasion, the chief minister promoted the men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh as Superintendent of Police from DSP in Punjab Police.https://bb3788e2584deeb0a012df48be5af23f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Reiterating his government’s commitment to provide the state-of-the-art infrastructure to the players so as to enable them to further excel in world class tournaments, the chief minister said that ‘The Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala’ would be instrumental in showcasing the rare talent of sportspersons from Punjab on global map.

He also asked the sports minister to chalk out a blueprint for developing ultra-modern stadiums for different sports in consultation with the players and their coaches so that they could practice in a professional manner as per world class standards and assured that there would be no dearth of funds for this purpose..

While making a special mention of hockey legend Balbir Singh Senior and iconic athlete Milkha Singh, he said nobody would have been happier than these two stalwarts at this rare achievement, had they been alive today.

He said the state government would also honour gold medal winner javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra the first ever Indian athlete to achieve the unique accomplishment, having roots in Punjab, who could not make it to attend this function.https://bb3788e2584deeb0a012df48be5af23f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Pointing out further, the chief minister said that the historic win in men’s hockey and indomitable spirit displayed by women’s hockey team and athlete Kamalpreet Kaur would ever inspire the budding players to further achieve the new heights of glory in national as well as international tournaments.

He also highly lauded the participation of Punjab players in boxing, shooting and athletics.

In his address, Punjab governor appreciated the spirit of these players to join the police force and also made an offer to the willing players for joining the Chandigarh Police.

He said that the talent pool in sports must come from the villages and well-equipped sports academies are required in our rural areas where the energies of the youth can be channelized towards sports.

Top court sets aside an order of Punjab and Haryana High Court, says direction to allow a retired public servant to retain such premises for an indefinite period is distribution of state largesse without any policy.

Photo for representation. — iStock

New Delhi, August 12

Government accommodation is meant for serving officials and not retirees as a “benevolence” and distribution of largesse, the Supreme Court has said while setting aside an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowing a retired public servant to retain such premises.

Right to shelter does not mean right to government accommodation, the apex court said, observing that direction to allow a retired public servant to retain such premises for an indefinite period is distribution of state largesse without any policy.

While allowing the appeal filed by the Centre, a bench of justices Hemant Gupta and A S Bopanna set aside the high court order and directed the retired Intelligence Bureau officer, a Kashmiri migrant, to hand over vacant physical possession of the premises on or before October 31, 2021.

The bench also directed the Centre to submit a report of action taken against retired public servants, who are in government accommodation post their retirement by virtue of orders of the high courts, by November 15, 2021.

The officer, who was transferred to Faridabad where he was allotted a government accommodation, had attained the age of superannuation from service on October 31, 2006.

“The right to shelter does not mean right to government accommodation. The government accommodation is meant for serving officers and officials and not to the retirees as a benevolence and distribution of largesse,” the bench said in its judgement passed last week.

The top court was hearing a plea against the July 2011 order of a division bench of the high court which had dismissed a petition against its single judge order.https://65ae3afaba79bd4cf4ce766896be283d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

The single judge had said it was not possible for the retired officer to return to his own state due to which the order of eviction shall be kept in abeyance. The high court had also said the authorities were at liberty to provide alternative accommodation to him on nominal licence fee in Faridabad.

The officer had earlier given representation to the concerned authority to allow him to retain the government accommodation and he was allowed to retain the house for another one year.

Later, he submitted another representation in June 2007 to allow him to retain the house allotted to him on a nominal licence fee till the circumstances prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir improve and the government makes it possible for him to return to his native place.

He was served with a notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupant) Act, 1971 and later, an order for eviction was passed but it was stayed by a district court in Delhi.

When an objection was raised about territorial jurisdiction of Delhi court, he withdrew his appeal and filed it in Faridabad court which dismissed it in August 2009. Later, the matter reached the high court.

In its verdict, the apex court referred to several judgements delivered earlier and said it was held that government accommodation is only meant for in-service officers and not for the retirees or those who have demitted office.

“The compassion howsoever genuine does not give a right to a retired person from continuing to occupy a government accommodation,” it said.

It noted that according to a policy framed by the government, a displaced person is to be lodged in a transit accommodation and if it is not available, then cash compensation is to be provided.

“There is no policy of the central government or the state government to provide accommodation to displaced persons on account of terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. “The hardship faced by them does not lead to a corresponding duty of the state to provide them alternative government accommodation.”

It noted that a section of society, more so retired public servants who have earned pension and drawn retirement benefits, cannot be said to be in such condition where the government should provide government accommodation for an unlimited period.

“A section of the migrants cannot be treated as preferential citizens to give them the right to shelter at the cost of millions of other citizens who do not have a roof over their heads,” it said.

The bench said right of shelter to a displaced person is satisfied when accommodation had been provided in the transit accommodation.

The bench said in terms of the policy, which was considered in an earlier verdict of the apex court, Kashmiri migrants are entitled to transit accommodation and if transit accommodation could not be provided then money for residence and expenses.

It said the retired officer in the matter and such persons are not from the poorest section of migrants and have worked in the higher echelons of the bureaucracy.

“To say that they are enforcing their right to shelter only till such time the conditions are conducive for their safe return is wholly illusory. No one is sure that at what point of time the condition will be conducive to the satisfaction of the migrants. Such benevolence and preferential right to section of the citizens is unfair to the serving officers,” it said.

It set aside the high court’s order and restored the writ petition challenging the order under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupant) Act, 1971. PTI

Good morning , friends!.. ..I feel elated to share with you all this proud moment of the stupendous achievement by Neeraj, my Regimental boy!.. he was picked up by our regiment, Rajputana Rifles( Raj Rif) in 2016 as Direct Hav in Sports quota. Col Dinesh Alagh was his mentor initially at our Raj Rif Regt Centre, Delhi but soon realised his potential & recommended his further training at Germany n since past 5 years has been training in GERMANY only!. He has not been to even his unit 4 Raj Rif, which is there with me in Udaipur , but purely due to his dedication , focussed approach n hard wk, he has performed consistently well over the past 5 years n reached this stage today!…Incidentally, he also holds the World Record with a throw of 88.67 m.. Congratulations to us all Indians, the Indian Army n Rajputana Rifles!.History is created- by the Indian Army yet again ! Unfortunate that his mentor, Col Dinesh passed away a few weeks back n could not see the end result !. Veer Bhogya Vasundhara !🎉🥂🍾🎼💃💐