Monthly Archives: August 2018

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday approved proposals worth Rs 79,000 crore for acquiring a new class of warships, a drone-based attack system for the Indian Air Force (IAF), missile systems, high-mobility vehicles, naval guns and other equipment for the armed forces.

The DAC okayed Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — the first step in the defence procurement process, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.

For the Navy, the DAC cleared the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) — 30,000-tonne warships capable of amphibious operations alongside the Army and Air Force. The LPDs can land troops, tanks and vehicles directly on shore without berthing at a jetty.

To be built at Indian naval shipyards, the LPDs will be the most ambitious indigenous warships after the INS Vikrant, the 45,000-tonne aircraft carrier. They will be powered by electric propulsion systems developed in collaboration with the UK, offering stealthier, more efficient and cost-effective operations. Earlier this month, India and the UK agreed on an initial funding of £250 million (Rs 2,900 crore) to co-design and co-produce these propulsion systems.

Op Sindoor showed India’s willpower: Rajnath

New Delhi: Operation Sindoor was a symbol of India’s willpower and capability, and a message to the world that we are always ready to respond to any challenge, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while addressing the Naval Commanders’ Conference on Thursday. He commended the Navy for establishing a deterrent posture that forced Pakistan’s fleet to remain confined to its harbours or close to its coastline, asserting that the world had witnessed the operational readiness, professional competence, and strength of the Navy during the operation.

For the IAF, the DAC approved the Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation and Destruction System — a drone-based weapon platform capable of autonomous takeoff, navigation, detection and strike operations. The system will employ multiple drones, including kamikaze (self-destruct) variants with ranges exceeding 1,000 km, designed to disable enemy airbases, runways, aircraft shelters, fuel depots and communication systems.

The DAC also cleared procurements of a 30-mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG) and Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes (ALWT) for the Navy. Developed indigenously by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (DRDO), the ALWT can target conventional, nuclear and midget submarines, while the 30-mm NSG will boost the Navy and Coast Guard’s capability in anti-piracy and low-intensity maritime operations.

For the Army, approvals were granted for the Nag missile system, ground-based mobile surveillance systems and high-mobility vehicles. The Nag missile will enhance anti-armour and bunker-busting capabilities, while the surveillance systems will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence. The new vehicles will strengthen logistical mobility across diverse terrains.

The DAC okayed Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) — the first step in the defence procurement process

Cut-off date for buying crude from both companies is November 21

India’s crude oil purchase from Russia faces an imminent threat after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on two of the biggest Russian oil companies — Rosneft and Lukoil.

The cut-off date for buying crude from the two companies is November 21. This comes less than week after the UK imposed sanctions of these two companies.

Sources in New Delhi said after the sanctions on the two companies, there was a dilemma over sourcing Russian crude oil. The fresh sanctions pose two-pronged obstacles for India — one, how to pay these Russian companies for the oil after the cut-off date as no bank will allow payment fearing sanctions and second, India and its oil companies could face secondary sanctions from the US if the import continues.

India imports around two million barrels of crude daily from Russia and its main suppliers are Rosneft and Lukoil. The sources said an option for further import would be possible if the crude oil was offered by Russia through a company that was not sanctioned. Earlier this year, the UK and the US sanctioned Russian energy companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas.

India already faces a 50 per cent tariff on goods exported to the US. Half of this tariff is reciprocal and the other half punitive for buying crude oil from Russia. Indian oil importers could curtail imports of Russian oil to ensure they are in compliance with the US sanctions. India has become the biggest buyer of Russian oil, sold at a fixed discounted rate after western nations shunned purchases and imposed sanctions on Moscow.

Through the fresh sanctions, unveiled by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the US made it clear that Washington DC stood ready to take action to stop Russia’s ability to continue with the conflict with Ukraine.

“Given President (Vladimir) Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, the Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine,” Bessent said in a statement. “We encourage our allies to join us and adhere to these sanctions,” he said.

Rosneft, a state-controlled company headed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close ally Igor Sechin, and Lukoil, a privately owned firm, account for almost 3.1 million barrels of oil exports daily.

The UK estimates that Rosneft alone is responsible for nearly half of all Russian oil production, which makes up 6 per cent of the global output.

Oil and gas are Russia’s biggest exports with Moscow’s biggest customers, including China and India, making up for most of Russia’s energy exports.

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra conferred rank of Lt Colonel

Military decoration citations tell tales of courage, tactical acumen displayed during Op Sindoor   

Sink or swim, the onus is on Punjab

Indian, Chinese troops share sweets along LAC on Diwali IAF Chief celebrates festival with personnel in Ladakh

GOC reviews operational readiness in Kathua

Assam Rifles thwarts attacks in NE

BRO constructs 70-km road along India-China border in Uttarakhand, boosting connectivity

8th Pay Commission and India’s ‘Impatient’ Middle Class: Will Diwali Bring Cheer?

In big revamp after Op Sindoor, Army to induct 4.25L carbines

Army holds medical camp for Gujjar, Bakkarwal communities at Chattergala

Chopra joined the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar on August 26, 2016 and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 and Subedar Major in 2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conferred the gleaming insignia of Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army upon star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra during the pipping ceremony in New Delhi, October 22,

Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Wednesday conferred with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh describing him as an “epitome” of perseverance, and national pride.

Singh conferred the insignia of honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel to the star javelin thrower, serving in the Territorial Army, at a pipping ceremony in New Delhi that was also graced by Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and many other senior officials of the force.

Chopra joined the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar on August 26, 2016 and was promoted to Subedar in 2021 and Subedar Major in 2022.

Born on December 24, 1997 in Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat, he created history by winning India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics in the men’s javelin throw competition at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Chopra continued his stellar performance by winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in 2023.

He has also secured multiple gold medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League events. His personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025) stands as a milestone in Indian sporting history.

Interacting with Chopra and his family members, Defence Minister Singh described him as an “epitome of perseverance, patriotism and the Indian spirit of striving for excellence”.

“Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra embodies the highest ideals of discipline, dedication and national pride, serving as an inspiration to generations within the sporting fraternity and the Armed Forces alike,” Singh said.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements and exemplary service to the nation, Lt Col (Hony) Chopra was granted an honorary commission in the Territorial Army by President Droupadi Murmu on April 16, the Defence Ministry said.

Chopra is also a recipient of many coveted awards, including Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Group Captain Ranjit Singh Sidhu’s gallant act during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan, which earned him a Vir Chakra recently, finds mention in a list of medal citations published in an October 4 gazette

IAF fighter pilot Group Captain Ranjit Singh Sidhu, who received a prestigious military decoration for his heroics during Operation Sindoor in May, flew “multiple deep-penetration strike missions” to destroy the designated targets with surgical precision while facing “complex threat scenarios” and layered air defences.

His gallant act during the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan, which earned him a Vir Chakra recently, finds mention in a list of medal citations published in an October 4 gazette issued by the Centre.

During an operation, his squadron equipped with the formidable fighter aircraft, was chosen for strike missions over a predetermined target. His squadron subsequently conducted successful strikes over the targets and achieved the desired objectives, read the citation.

“As the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu exhibited exceptional acts of gallantry on multiple occasions, displayed resolute leadership and unwavering dedication to duty in a complex and high-stakes combat environment with disregard to personal safety. He ensured the planning and execution of air operations of his squadron from three different locations along the Western sector,” it says.

Group Captain Sidhu led from the front by flying “multiple deep-penetration strike missions to destroy the designated targets with surgical precision and flew air defence missions in aid of own forces flying similar strike missions”.

In each of these missions, he faced “complex threat scenarios and layered air defences”.

Despite overwhelming odds, he demonstrated “unmatched courage and outstanding tactical acumen”, thus ensuring mission success.

The fighter pilot made “dynamic, real-time decisions in the air, adapting swiftly to emerging threats and operational variables. His bold leadership and composure under fire were instrumental in achieving the intended strike outcomes while ensuring survivability of own forces that were undertaking missions under the AD (air defence) cover of his squadron,” it adds.

The IAF was able to achieve an “enhanced offensive posture” owing to the unequivocal results achieved by the squadron under his leadership, the citation says.

In August, nine IAF pilots involved in the precision strikes on terror infrastructure and military installations in Pakistan-controlled territories during Operation Sindoor, launched in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, were conferred Vir Chakra, the third highest wartime gallantry awards after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.

India on August 14 recognised the acts of gallantry by the armed forces personnel and the role of senior military brass involved in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor in its annual list of military honours on the eve of 79th Independence Day.

The recipients of the Vir Chakra also included Group Captains Manish Arora, Animesh Patni and Kunal Kalra.

Group Captain Arora’s citation says his dynamic leadership, expertise in battlefield management and courage inspired confidence not only in other pilots of his unit but in all air warriors.

During an operation, he flew as mission leader of an unescorted strike package to neutralise predetermined targets that were heavily fortified by advanced weapon system of opposing forces, it says.

“The airspace had seamless radar cover and was defended round the clock by aircraft equipped with long range state-of-the-art beyond visual range missiles. Opportunity to penetrate this hostile threat envelope was limited and launch window to deliver the weapon was significantly short. His profile entailed tactical formation routing at low level by dark night followed by aggressive manoeuvring, so as to achieve launch parameters to deliver the weapon accurately and simultaneously evade hostile defences,” it adds.

Despite overwhelming presence of the opposing forces in large numbers, he fired his weapon on the designated targets keeping mission objectives “above personal safety”.

During weapon delivery, he was flying under adversary’s “lethal ranges and had multiple aerial and ground launches on him”. He not only ensured successful target destruction, but alerted his formation ensuring safety of his wingmen, it says.

“During the operation, his audacious and aggressive manoeuvring plunged the opposing forces into tactical chaos. The attacks carried out by him and his unit against the adversary were so intense that they rendered them incapable of retaliating,” the citation says.

President Droupadi Murmu had approved 127 gallantry awards and 40 distinguished service awards to the personnel of the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day.

These were —  four Kirti Chakras; 15 Vir Chakras; 16 Shaurya Chakras; two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry); 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry); six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry); seven Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals; nine Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals.

During a mission, another IAF pilot, Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik displayed “resolute valour, tactically adapted audacious and aggressive manoeuvring to plunge the adversaries into tactical chaos”, reads his citation.

The political leadership should ensure people’s participation in inclusive & sustainable development

PUNJAB’s economy has been facing myriad challenges since the mid-1980s. The floods during a prolonged monsoon this year not only caused a heavy loss of life and property but also flagged an urgent problem — dealing with the fast-changing climate conditions in the region.

The impact of the interlinked challenges is reflected in the slow economic progress of Punjab, which is lagging behind several other progressive states. This regression is a matter of concern for policymakers, the intelligentsia and the masses of Punjab.

Successive state governments have made claims about bringing more investment to Punjab to rejuvenate its economy, but evidence paints a grim picture. The gross fixed capital formation (an indicator of the capacity to produce output) continues to stagnate at 15.44 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Low capital investment is caused by the burgeoning debt-GSDP ratio (around 47 per cent, the highest among major Indian states). Punjab is neck deep in debt, and each incumbent government promises to reduce the burden. However, it only ends up adding to the ever-growing debt.

Both production and employment are hampered by low-value-added and low-wage economic activities. This phenomenon forces job aspirants to seek opportunities overseas, where they expect their aspirations and dreams of upward mobility to be fulfilled. A state of despair is pushing the most productive young human capital to migrate.

Despite attempts at diversification, the agriculture sector has failed to escape the vicious wheat-paddy cycle, even as the depletion of scarce natural resources has reached alarming proportions.

Punjab is a bulk producer of agricultural commodities and biomass. Farmers suffer losses whenever crop prices crash due to a glut in markets. Burning of agricultural waste is a perennial problem without a long-lasting solution. The manufacturing sector is small in scale and devoid of innovation.

The institutional framework comes under stress when corruption goes unchecked. This gridlock prompts investors to opt for other states.

A dysfunctional fiscal policy is weighing Punjab down. Ideally, the role of fiscal policy is to spur innovation and incentivise economic activities for growth in the long run. Instead, unjust and unfair subsidies (for example, free electricity to households) are being doled out through monetisation of land and other assets and borrowings for the sake of vote-bank politics. The famed entrepreneurial spirit of Punjabis is getting stifled. Consequently, Punjab’s economy is facing underdevelopment, even though the fourth Industrial Revolution and digital technologies have ample opportunities to offer.

How can Punjab reinvent itself to return to the path of sustainable development and regain its pride of place among the states? Considering its financial health and governance model, Punjab alone may not be able to create conditions to turn the tide. A geopolitically strategic state that provides food security to the nation has a legitimate claim to expect handholding by the Centre.

However, Punjab’s economic crisis has worsened in recent decades. The 13th Finance Commission (2010-15) had proposed a package for three debt-stressed states — Punjab, Kerala and West Bengal. However, the package did not see the light of day largely due to an absence of Centre-state coordination.

An alternative that has emerged during disasters is philanthropy. Punjabis living in India and abroad have made collective efforts to provide timely relief and rehabilitation services to flood-hit people. The community has succeeded where the government failed.

In the process, the credibility of the political leadership to govern and enjoy the trust of the people is at stake. The state government has borrowed a city-state model of governance and development, which is distortionary, unsustainable and not suitable for the geographical conditions of Punjab. It is high time the government abandoned this model and explored an alternative that should follow a holistic and inclusive approach in sync with the realities of Punjab.

There is a need to take a cue from 2024 Nobel laureates (economic sciences) Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A Robinson, who have reminded us that inclusive, adaptive and resilient institutions are essential for fair and sustained economic progress.

This year’s Nobel Prize winners (Joel Mokyr, Phillip Aghion and Peter Howitt) have laid stress on innovation to replace older technologies with new ones, calling it ‘creative destruction’ that facilitates economic development; the bottom line is that economic growth cannot be taken for granted as the risk of falling back into stagnation looms large. Punjab is suffering both in terms of institutions as well as innovation.

There are two policy options suggested by experts. First, a one-time switching cost for a big-bang change in public policy to put Punjab’s economy on the fast track of long-term growth. This kind of change needs huge financial resources that are available with the Union government. Second, the state government should make short-, medium- and long-term plans. This requires a review of socially unjust subsidies that are burdening the state’s exchequer.

The Punjabi community is ready for change and willing to bear the cost of this change. Only a trustworthy political leadership can harness the resources available while ensuring people’s participation in inclusive and sustainable development.

Lakhwinder Singh is Visiting Professor of Economics, Institute for Human Development.

Indian Army personnel exchanged sweets with their Chinese counterparts on Diwali at multiple locations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Separately, senior commanders of the Indian Air Force (IAF), including Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, were in Ladakh to celebrate the festival with airmen and Army personnel. As winter sets in, roads to Ladakh will soon be closed due to snowfall, and IAF aircraft will play a crucial role in providing logistical support.

Army sources confirmed that the exchange of sweets took place at all traditional border meeting points between the two armies along the LAC. “This is a routine affair as part of the engagements with China to maintain peace and tranquillity along the borders,” said a source. There are two border meeting points each in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and one in Sikkim.

A similar exchange took place on Diwali last year, which fell on October 31. That gesture came just ten days after both sides, on October 21, 2024, announced the resolution of the issue of patrolling along the LAC. A “patrolling arrangement” had been worked out at Depsang and Demchok, leading to disengagement from close confrontation points.

Since then, progress has been made in diplomatic talks. In August, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, under the framework of the Special Representatives dialogue, agreed on “five concrete outcomes” that included setting up an expert group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) to explore an “early harvest in boundary delimitation”.

Doval and Wang also agreed on the need to take a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for settling the boundary question, in line with the 2005 agreement on political parameters and guiding principles. They also decided to establish a working group under the WMCC to advance effective border management and maintain peace and tranquillity along the frontier.

On the occasion of Diwali, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh visited the Ladakh sector and interacted with IAF and Army personnel deployed in the region. “He commended them for their dedication and professionalism in safeguarding the nation’s frontiers under challenging high-altitude conditions and extended festive greetings to all,” the IAF said.

Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, also visited the Siachen Glacier to celebrate Diwali with troops guarding the border. Air Marshal Bharti earlier served as Director General Air Operations during Operation Sindoor

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Rising Star Corps visited Kathua district in the Jammu division to review operational preparedness and interact with troops deployed in remote areas.

An official statement said, “GOC Rising Star Corps reviewed operational preparedness of troops deployed in the Bani–Macchedi Sector, Kathua, and lauded their courage, dedication and high state of readiness.”

The Bani–Macchedi region has witnessed multiple terror attacks and encounters in recent years. Intelligence agencies have recently detected movement of Pakistani terrorists in the area, which lies along a traditional infiltration route from across the International Border.

After entering Indian territory, terrorists often move through this sector towards the mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar, which are covered by dense forests. The Army maintains strict vigil in the Bani–Macchedi sector to prevent terrorists from infiltrating into the region.

In a series of well-coordinated counter-insurgency operations across the Northeast, the Assam Rifles has successfully thwarted repeated attempts by insurgent groups – ULFA (I) and NSCN Khaplang Yung Aung – to target security forces in recent weeks.

Through effective intelligence integration, the security forces have demonstrated operational preparedness and resolve. A successful ambush was done yesterday near Namsai, South Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in neutralisation of one ULFA (I) cadre and recovery of warlike stores, sources said.

The Assam Rifles was responding to strikes by these insurgents. On October 16, the NSCN launched a standoff attack on the Hedman camp in Changlang district, South Arunachal Pradesh, which was effectively foiled by swift response. The following day, the ULFA (I) attempted a similar strike on the Kakopathar camp in Assam, sources said.

Alert troops retaliated decisively, inflicting a casualty on the insurgents group and apprehending one over ground worker (OGW) involved in the plot. In response, Assam Rifles intensified its operations, activating an extensive counter-insurgency grid supported by modern surveillance assets, drones, and intelligence-based hi-tech teams.

The project is part of the central government’s larger effort to enhance infrastructure along the border with China to improve logistics as well as boost the socio-economic development of the region

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) provided a new lifeline to Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel deployed along the Uttarakhand frontier by constructing a new high altitude motorable road linking the state’s Gharwal and Kumaon regions.

The 70-km Sumna-Lapthal-Topidunga road was completed by BRO’s Project Hirak on the eve of Diwali. The project is part of the central government’s larger effort to enhance infrastructure along the border with China to improve logistics as well as boost the socio-economic development of the region.

“Cutting through rugged terrain rising from 13,000 ft to 17,341 ft, BRO excavators and dozers operated in double shifts amid sub-zero temperatures to forge this strategic lifeline for the Army and ITBP,” BRO said on its official X handle.

Sumna is a located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, near the Indo-China border, and is about 85 km north-east of Joshimath by road. Topidunga lies to the south of Sumna. The intermediate point at Lapthal, where an ITBP post is situated, was so far accessible only via a narrow track that was part of a trekking route.

The upgradation of the track to National Highway Single Lane specifications, including widening, black-top surfacing and strengthening of shoulders was carried out at a cost of about Rs 230 crore, BRO sources said.

In January last year, during a visit to Uttarakhand, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, had inaugurated 35 border infrastructure projects worth Rs 670 crore from the Dhak bridge on the Joshimath-Malari road in the state. These included six roads and 29 bridges, of which three projects were in Uttarakhand.

Most notable among these was the 93-m-long and 12-m-wide Class-70R bridge over the Dhak nullah. The Dhak bridge is strategically important as it connects the India-China border at Rimkhim Axis, the Niti pass and the Sumna-Lapthal-Topidunga road.

Apart from roads and bridges, BRO has also drawn up plans to develop five airfields in forward areas of Uttarakhand, including Gunji, Kalsi, Tanakpur, Tanakpur, Ghansali and Navidhang, which would facilitate faster troop movement and boost logistics.