Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 21

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Tuesday said technology had changed the ways wars are fought.

He listed hypersonic weapons, very long range radars and artificial intelligence-backed decision as key factors.

He was addressing an industry body on the subject ‘India’s Aerospace Capabilities and Technology Requirements’, here.

He said path-breaking technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems are knocking at the

doors. The application of these technologies in the aerospace industry has the potential to entirely transform the way wars would be fought.

Intelligent military ecosystems are the future of the battlefield, he added.

The Air Chief Marshal said these systems need to be highly mobile and interconnected, supported by communication and operating across domains.

AI-assisted military options will take the form of multi-domain integration, cross-domain attack and interfacing between manned and

unmanned systems.

In the future, artificial intelligence and quantum computing in tandem may prove to be a game-changer providing quick and accurate inputs and enabling time-critical decisions, he said.

Advanced technologies in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have increasing applications and practical relevance today as well as

in the future. This will lead to a much higher demand of armed drones. Research is already progressing in drone-related technologies,

Development of UAV technology within the realm of quantum computing would enhance concepts like joint operations of ‘manned jets and

unmanned jets’, he said.

The IAF, he said, is looking forward to inducting the next version (Mark 1A) of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the HTT-40 trainers,

indigenous weapons and a wide array of radars.

The light combat helicopter had been inducted and it would add teeth to the IAF’s strike capability, he added.

The IAF, he said, is fully committed to the development of LCA Mark-2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, adding that there is a need to develop both offensive and defensive space capabilities to safeguard assets.

New Delhi, March 22

China and India will have to face the “difficulties” arising out of the border situation but none of the two countries want war or confrontation, Charge D’affaires at the Chinese embassy Ma Jia said on Wednesday.

Addressing a media briefing here, Ma described the situation along the border areas as “very complicated” and said it was not easy to reach an agreement which was the reason the two countries were holding discussions through the established Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation and the senior commander-level meetings.

She said the situation with regard to the Ukraine issue had “intensified” since the consensus at the G20 Summit at Bali and it was now “more difficult to reach the accommodation”.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of a joint statement issued following a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping indicating that the two sides will oppose the use of multilateral platforms to take up “irrelevant issues”.

China is yet to name its Ambassador to India after Sun Weidong completed his tenure in October last year. Senior diplomat Ma has been in-charge of the mission in New Delhi.

Earlier, in her suo moto remarks, Ma has said the current situation on the border was stable and China and India were in maintaining communication through the established channels – Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation and the senior commander level meetings.

“There are difficulties, I have just said that. But, we have to face it. We are also confident that China and India do not want war. Neither of us want a war. Neither of us want confrontation along the border areas,” the top Chinese diplomat in India said, giving her assessment of the border situation.

She said the border issue has lived through the history of many years and it was not easy to reach an agreement.

“That is why we keep on talking about it. We have to face the problems and we have to talk. I think the intention on both sides is to improve relations. Our two leaders already have consensus on that and I think we can find a way out,” Ma said.

Amid indications that Russia and China will oppose raising of the Ukraine issue on multilateral platforms, the Chinese diplomat said reaching a consensus at the G20 could be difficult if “prominent security issues” were raised at a forum established to deliberate on economic and financial matters.

“As long as you are out of the track and discussing prominent security issues on economic and financial platforms, it is very difficult to reach consensus. In G20, we have this consensus principle. Even if one country does not agree, it is not a consensus,” she said.

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, March 21

The procurement of additional fighter jets should not be delayed any further and a final decision needs to be taken on having a third aircraft carrier, said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence in its report tabled in the House today.

The committee said, “In no uncertain words, (we) recommend that Ministry of Defence may take a final decision, chalk out a trajectory and start the planning process for the third aircraft carrier which would eventually enhance India’s maritime capabilities.”

The committee said requests of the Navy in regard to manufacturing a third aircraft carrier have been brought up several times. Two aircraft carriers are consistently required for meeting threat perceptions and for preparedness and striking capabilities during war. The third is needed as carriers have long maintenance schedules.

The induction of an aircraft carrier is a long gestation exercise and the entire budget for a carrier is not required in a particular year but in a staggered manner which may be spread out over a decade

The committee said it found “considerable delay” in the supply of 40 LCA Tejas jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. “The government should consider buying state-of-the-art fifth generation fighter aircraft over the counter without losing time to keep the force in a comfortable position,” the committee said.

Kyiv, March 22

Russia launched a swarm of drones into Ukraine overnight, killing at least four people near Kyiv in a display of force as China’s President Xi Jinping left Moscow with promises of friendship but little public mention of the war.

Sirens blared across the capital and swathes of northern Ukraine and the military said it had shot down 16 of 21 Iranian-made Shahed suicide drones. Two accommodation blocks and an educational facility in the riverside town of Rzhyshchiv south of the capital had been partially destroyed, the State Emergency Service said on the Telegram messaging app.

Four people were killed there and others buried under the rubble. More than 100 workers and 28 vehicles were deployed to the scene, and that the search for survivors was continuing.

“Over 20 Iranian murderous drones, plus missiles, numerous shelling incidents, and that’s just in one last night of Russian terror against Ukraine,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Twitter.

In an apparent reference to the Chinese leader’s visit, he added: “Every time someone tries to hear the word ‘peace’ in Moscow, another order is given there for such criminal strikes.” Hosting Xi this week was Putin’s grandest diplomatic gesture since he launched the war a year ago and became a pariah in the West. Xi and Putin referred to each other as dear friends, promised economic cooperation and described their countries’ relations as the best they have ever been.

The two leaders “shared the view that this relationship has gone far beyond the bilateral scope and acquired critical importance for the global landscape and the future of humanity,” said a statement released by China.

As Xi departed he told Putin: “Now there are changes that haven’t happened in 100 years. When we are together, we drive these changes.”

“I agree,” Putin said, to which Xi responded: “Take care of yourself dear friend, please.”

Xi did not specify the changes and had little to say in public about the Ukraine war beyond saying that China’s position was “impartial”.

The White House urged Beijing to pressure Russia to withdraw from Ukraine to end Europe’s biggest conflict since World War Two. Washington also criticised the timing of the trip, just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges for deporting Ukrainian children. Moscow says it has taken in children for protection.

China proposed a peace plan for Ukraine last month, which the West has largely dismissed as vague at best, and at worst a ploy to buy time for Putin to regroup his forces.

“A ceasefire right now, freezing the lines where they are, basically gives him the time and space he needs to try to re-equip, to re-man, to make up for that resource expenditure,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said.

Putin praised Xi for the plan, and blamed Kyiv and the West for rejecting it. Kyiv, for its part, has cautiously welcomed the Chinese proposal while urging Beijing to consider Ukraine’s own peace plan. Zelenskiy has called on Xi to speak to him.

Ukraine says there can be no peace unless Russia withdraws from occupied land. Moscow says Kyiv must recognise territorial “realities”, referring to Russia’s claim to have annexed a fifth of Ukraine.

Major waves of Russian air strikes on targets far from the front like Wednesday’s took place roughly weekly in late 2022, but have become less frequent in recent weeks, with Western countries saying Moscow is running low on missiles and drones.

After Ukraine recaptured territory throughout the second half of 2022, Moscow has launched a massive winter offensive using hundreds of thousands of freshly called-up reservists and convicts recruited as mercenaries from jail.

Despite the bloodiest fighting of the war, which both sides describe as a meat grinder, the front line has barely moved for four months.

Russia’s only notable gains have been around the small city of Bakhmut in the east, but Kyiv has decided in recent weeks not to withdraw there, saying its defenders were inflicting enough losses on the Russian attackers to justify holding out.

In an intelligence update, Britain’s ministry of defence said Moscow’s Bakhmut assault could be running out of steam. A Ukrainian counterattack in recent days west of Bakhmut was likely to relieve pressure on the threatened supply route to the city, the Wednesday update said.

There was still a risk the Ukrainian garrison could be surrounded, but there was now “a realistic possibility that the Russian assault on the town is losing the limited momentum it had obtained”.

Britain also rejected accusations from Moscow that supplying Ukraine with ammunition made from depleted uranium created a risk of “nuclear collision”. Britain on Monday confirmed it was supplying Ukraine with such shells, used by many militaries to penetrate armour due to the metal’s high density.

“There is no threat to Russia, this is purely about helping Ukraine defend itself,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said. Reuters

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, March 17

In the backdrop of a controversy being kicked up over the move to introduce ballistic helmets for Sikh troops, the Central Government on Friday stated that all pilots of fighter aircraft /combat helicopters and soldiers deployed in the areas where enemy attacks are anticipated or defending important installations are to wear the full protective gear for personal safety.

“Sikh troops battling terrorism have been wearing bullet proof patka over cloth patka while maintaining their religious identity. Tank crew of armoured regiments also wear padded communication head gear,” the Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt said in the Lok Sabha today.

He was responding to a question by Preneet Kaur, Member of Parliament from Patiala, on whether the government proposes to make wearing of tactical helmets by Sikh soldiers compulsory.

A modern-day soldier needs to have all-round protection from the newer and emerging threat of warfare. Indian soldiers are provided the requisite protection to include bullet proof jackets and bullet proof helmets to operate in challenging environments. Safety of soldiers who are deployed on security duties is considered paramount, Bhatt said.

Tactical helmets are an integral part of flying gear for combat aircraft operations and protective gear of soldiers against enemy gunfire. Fighter pilots and helicopter pilots of the Indian defence forces have always been wearing helmets over their religious headgear for heads up display and communication, he further added.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence had issued a request for proposal to procure ballistic helmets specially designed for Sikh troops. This had generated a debate amongst in religious as well as defence circles

A section of the Sikh religious and political leaders had opposed the move, contending that wearing a helmet instead of the traditional turban was against the tenets of Sikhism and would affect the identity of Sikhs. That had also appealed to the Prime Minister not to introduce such helmets.

Several defence and historical experts, on the other hand, had pointed out that Sikh soldiers had been wearing helmets in the bygone era. They had also cited the example of personal equipment used by Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army.

VIEWS OF SIKH VETERAN

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DEENCE NEWS 15 MARCH 2003

Lt Harleen Kaur Kahlon was 28 years old with 5 months pregnancy when her husband Major KPS Kahlon from Artillery Regiment (SATA) , Surveillance and Target Acquisition , Marytred (2019) hailed from Ludhiana , Punjab , took unexpected turn of her life

Her husband didn’t saw his son , when she cleared OTA & wore the Olive Green Uniform , she remembered her husband . Her parents & in-laws supported her to achieve her destination .

She was a chemistry teacher in an International school , never did she imagined that a day she would join the OTA & will worn Olive Green , separated from her son , pass out from the accedmy & will serve the Nation

The Passing Out Parade saw 186 Indian Cadets and another 36 cadets who graduated & were sent to serve their countries

The foreign cadets include 30 from Bhutan , 4 from Maldives & 2 from Nigeria

Blessed all ……

Congratulations to All

Salute the Brave Veer Nari
Lt Harleen Kaur Kahlon

Jai hind जय हिंद
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, March 17

Many of us still remembers the beautiful rendition of the ‘Mile Sur Mera Tunmhara’ in different Indian languages, which was often played on Doordarshan in the 90s and the viewers had learnt it by heart. It displayed the unique unity in diversity of our country and also exhibited its rich cultural heritage.

In a similar vein, a Sikh man has recently sung ‘Kesariya’ song from the movie ‘Brahmastra’ in 5 different languages. The song is sung in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. The clip posted by one Satbir Singh is receiving a lot of attention online and even earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“Came across this amazing rendition by the talented @SnehdeepSK. In addition to the melody, it is a great manifestation of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’ Superb!” the PM wrote.

The singer, identified as Snehdeep Singh Kalsi, has also managed to grab the attention of industrialist Anand Mahindra. The Mahindra Group chairman shared the video on Twitter on March 17.  

Satbir Singh’s caption read, “A Punjabi lad singing Kesariya in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. I don’t know how well as I don’t know southern languages but sounds fabulous. Learning more languages is a beautiful thing. Anyone knows who is he? #IncredibleIndia.”

“Just beautiful. This is what an UNBREAKABLE, united India sounds like…” Anand Mahindra wrote in the tweet.

Reacting to Mahindra sharing his video on Twitter, Kalsi wrote, “Thank you so much sir ! This means a lot coming from you.”

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1908061

he details of total number of ex-servicemen personnel receiving pension from Government, State/UT-wise including Karnataka are as under:

         There is no provision for the rank wise compilation of the pensionary awards paid to the ex-servicemen. The pensionary awards paid to the commissioned officers & PBOR (for all ranks) including defence civilians of Army, Navy & Air Force are compiled in the same code head of pensionary awards of the respective wings. However, details of expenditure on pension and other retirement benefits for the last five years are as under: 

The details of steps taken by the Government for welfare of ex-servicemen in the country are as under:

1. Benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund:

2. Modified Scooter Grant: Rs 1,00,000/- is provided to those ESM, who are disabled after service with a disability of 50% or more and who are not covered under the scheme of AG’s Branch of IHQ (Army, Navy & Air Force).

3. Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks:

4.      Subsidy on Home Loan on Rs. 1,00,000/-(Max): Kendriya Sainik Board reimburses 50% of interest by way of subsidy on home loan from Bank/Public Sector institutions for construction of house to war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peace time casualties.

5.      Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme:  For financially supporting degree level professional education for the wards of War widows (all ranks) and ESM (PBOR) including ex Coast Guard personnel.  Total 5500 scholarships are provided to eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses.  Priority is given to the wards of War widows/War disabled Soldiers. The rates of Scholarship are as follows: –

1. Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.
2. Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.

6.      Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM:

7.     Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt. of India Nominee. A total of 42 MBBS seats and 3 seats in BDS courses are allotted by Ministry of Health Family Welfare to KSB for wards of defence personnel as a Govt. of India nominee.

Details of various resettlement schemes implemented by Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) are as follows:

1. Upgrading their skills by imparting necessary training to prepare them to take on new assignments/jobs and assisting ESM in finding re-employment.
2. Constant endeavour to provide employment opportunities in Government/Quasi Government/Public Sector Organizations.
3. Pro-active action to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the Corporate Sector.
4. Providing Jobs through the following Schemes for self-employment:

• Placement Assistance through on-line registration at DGR.  
• DGR Sponsored Security Agency Scheme
• ESM Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme.
• Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme.
• Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled Soldiers. 
• Management of IGL/ MNGL CNG Stations by ESM in NCR/Pune.
• Management of Company Owned Company Operated Retail Outlets. 
• Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of LPG/Retail Outlet (Petrol/Diesel) Distributorship advertised by Oil Marketing Companies against 8% Reservation Quota.  
• Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Fruit & Vegetable (Safal) Shops in NCR.   
• DGR Technical Service Scheme. 
• Resettlement Training/ Skill Development Courses. 

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Annasaheb Shankar Jolle and others in  Lok Sabha today.

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Read this release in: Urdu