Many of the sacked officers worked in the Rocket Force, which oversees the delivery of China’s nuclear weapons.

Yogesh Gupta

Former Ambassador

CHINA’s rubber-stamp parliament, known as the National People’s Congress (NPC), recently decided to remove nine PLA Generals — Zhang Zhenshong, Zhang Yulin, Rao Wenmin, Ju Xinchun, Ding Laihong, Lu Hong, Li Yuchao, Li Chuanguang and Zhou Yaning — from the national legislature on corruption charges. They included five former commanders or vice commanders of the PLA Rocket Force, a former air force chief and a navy commander responsible for the South China Sea region. Wu Yansheng, Chairman of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and Liu Shiquan, Chairman of the Norinco Group, a major manufacturer of military equipment, were also shown the door.

Those terminated from the rocket force were reportedly linked to dismissed Defence Minister Gen Li Shangfu, who was sacked in October 2023 on corruption charges. Wei Fenghe, a former Defence Minister who used to head the force, was removed in August, again for alleged corruption. Foreign Minister Qin Gang was fired in July for allegedly passing on sensitive information though his mistress to foreign intelligence agencies. Gen Dong Jun, a close confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was appointed the new Defence Minister by the NPC.

Many of these sacked Generals had worked in the defence procurement department. While corruption in the Chinese military is not new, the sacking of so many ‘tainted’ senior officers exposes systemic deficiencies in their selection and the equipment procurement process. Given that many of these officers worked in the Rocket Force, which oversees the delivery of China’s nuclear weapons, it shows that the vetting procedure for top jobs was deficient. Since the selection of the Generals is done by the Central Military Commission (CMC) headed by President Xi, it has also revealed glaring weaknesses in the appointment process. Since some of these Generals were appointed on the basis of their work or acquaintance with Xi himself, he is also partially responsible for the selection of unsuitable persons for top-level jobs.ADVERTISEMENT

After Xi came to power in 2012, he launched a vigorous campaign to target the corrupt elements in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the military. Some of the arrested persons included his political opponents, who posed a threat to him. As per a report, 120 high-ranking officials, including 58 Generals, had been prosecuted till 2023. At the 20th Party Congress in October 2022, Xi said: “Corruption is the biggest cancer that harms the vitality and combat effectiveness of the party and anti-corruption is the most thorough self-revolution.” The Chinese government has not commented on the purge of senior officials in the military, though in July 2023, Xi called for “deepening reforms in the armed forces and improving the strategic management of the military”.

The Chinese military suffers from a lack of institutional control and oversight as there is no legislative check on the procurement of military equipment. Since there are party members in the judiciary and the media, there is no independent scrutiny of the purchase procedure or system. As Xi has insisted that the military should be fully answerable to the CCP and to him personally, there is no independent party supervision on the military’s functioning which used to exist during the tenure of Xi’s predecessors. Even other members of the Politburo Standing Committee do not have any oversight over military affairs now as Xi is keen on taking full control of the military. He has installed his trusted lieutenants in the CMC to ensure that his instructions on the functioning of the military are duly carried out.

The widespread corruption in the ranks of the Chinese military and the sacking of several Generals have undermined some of the aura being built assiduously by Xi about raising a “world-class military” by pumping billions of dollars into such unprecedented militarisation in peacetime. The vast corruption casts doubts about the fighting prowess of the military and its effectiveness to prevail in any serious conflict with the US over Taiwan. Some analysts have expressed similar doubts about the quality and working of the weapon systems inducted by these Generals.

The sackings could also damage the morale in the lower ranks. Since these Generals are being replaced by commanders from other units, loyalty is being given preference over domain expertise, thus weakening the professional capabilities of the military. The corruption scandals would also heighten domestic scepticism over the credibility of the top leadership, including Xi himself, and could affect his control over the security forces and the people at large. His administrative acumen, knowledge and leadership skills would be challenged more as the Chinese economy is also not performing well — the realty sector (with large-scale investments by the middle class) is ailing, there is a decline in foreign and domestic private investment, domestic consumption is low and there is large-scale unemployment, particularly among the youth.

Xi is aware that he needs to control the military before he can control everything else. His immediate focus is on obtaining the absolute loyalty of the military rather than boosting its combat capabilities or winning wars with foreign countries. Given the considerable disaffection against his policies among former party leaders, certain ranks of the party, military, business, industry and professionals, he cannot afford to loosen his hold on on the military. Given the political nature of the Chinese armed forces, its one-man control and organisational structure, the corruption in its ranks can’t be entirely eliminated. It can at best be reduced. Understanding his vulnerabilities, Xi has diminished his hubris against the US and agreed to a dialogue on various contentious issues to bide this difficult time and tend to his domestic problems.

Taken PoW in 1962, he was repatriated a year later

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 9

Brig AJS Behl, a veteran of the 1962 India-China war who remained in Chinese captivity for about a year after the war, passed way in Chandigarh on Monday at the age of 83 following illness.

Brig Behl was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in 1961. He was part of the deployment the Army had made at Namka Chu, northwestern Arunachal Pradesh, during the 1962 war with China. Brig Behl, then with the 17 Para Field Regiment, was deployed in the area when the first wave of attacks happened. He was taken prisoner of war along with 38 men. He was repatriated the next year. Later, he commanded 195 Medium Regiment. Namka Chu was the first to be attacked on October 20, 1962, according to book “History of the Conflict with China — 1962”.

Singh is accompanied by a Ministry of Defence delegation comprised of senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Service Headquarters, Department of Defence, and Department of Defence Production
London: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in London on Monday for a three-day visit focusing on all aspects of the India-UK Defence Partnership and to hold high-level discussions covering a wide range of defence, security and industrial cooperation issues.
Singh is accompanied by a Ministry of Defence delegation comprised of senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Service Headquarters, Department of Defence, and Department of Defence Production.
Besides a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, he is also expected to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary David Cameron.
The UK, in partnership with Italy and Japan, has launched a program to produce the 6th generation fighter jet named it the ‘Tempest’. The partners of the project have shown interest that India should be part it.
The partners of the ‘Tempest’ project have shown interest that India should be part it. The topic is expected to come up when Rajnath Singh holds a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps.
“They are expected to discuss a wide range of defence, security and industrial cooperation issues,” the Ministry of Defence said today.
India is currently producing 4th generation jet the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas and is ready to take a leap and make an indigenous fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) planned for induction in 8-10 years from now. The AMCA is being designed in India and will be manufactured here. It is planned to have General Electric engines and the Safran engine for two separate versions. The Tejas uses a GE engine.
The UK, Italy and Japan partnership aims to go a step ahead of fifth-generations capabilities.
The three countries have formed what is called the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The three governments also formed the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO).
Ministers from Italy, Japan and the UK have signed a treaty on GIGO, which is an agreement over shared design and development of the ‘Tempest’ that could be roll out by 2035, almost by the time India rolls out the AMCA.
“During his visit, the Raksha Mantri will hold a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Secretary of State for Defence, Mr Grant Shapps. They are expected to discuss a wide range of defence, security and industrial cooperation issues,” the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi said in a pre-visit statement over the weekend.
“Shri Rajnath Singh is also expected to call on UK Prime Minister Mr Rishi Sunak and hold a meeting with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs Mr David Cameron. He will also interact with the CEOs and industry leaders of the UK Defence Industry and meet with the Indian community there,” the statement added.
A ceremonial Guard of Honour, visits to Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar memorials, a defence industry roundtable and community interactions with the Indian diaspora at Neasden Temple and India House are on the agenda during what is seen as a significant visit, given that the last Indian defence ministerial-level visit to the UK took place 22 years ago.
“In substantive terms, the visit will seek to deepen military cooperation and defence industrial partnerships with the UK by building on the November 2023 Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting in Delhi at the level of Secretaries and the inaugural meeting of the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue at the level of Joint Secretaries in October 2023,” says Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy and Diplomacy at the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
The defence analyst believes that through the ministerial-level dialogue, the British government could seek to provide an “enabling environment” for British companies to pursue these objectives in India.
“Also, with India’s and the UK’s recent focus on the Indo-Pacific, there is a unique opportunity to bolster naval and maritime security cooperation with third countries in the western Indian Ocean region, including with Oman and Kenya, which host UK military and naval presence amidst a greater role and influence in the area by the Indian Navy,” he noted.
The last visit by an Indian defence minister to the UK was by George Fernandes in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led BJP government back in January 2002. A previously planned visit by Rajnath Singh to the UK in June 2022 was called off by the Indian side for “protocol reasons”, making this week’s tour a keenly watched one.

INS Vikrant was commissioned in Sep 2022. It is one of the two aircraft carriers in the Indian Navy
New Delhi: China and India are scrambling to expand their naval capabilities amid their growing rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region, making moves toward each putting a third aircraft carrier into service.
The latest footage of China’s new Fujian aircraft carrier, aired by state broadcaster CCTV on Jan. 2, showed what appeared to be three catapult tracks on its deck.
In a November article by Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao, an expert said the Fujian had succeeded in launching a wheeled object while docked in Shanghai. Video circulated on social media of a splash in front of the Fujian, suggesting that something had fallen into the water.
Also in November, the South China Morning Post reported that the Fujian had moved around 27 meters from its usual berthing place before returning two days later — a potential sign of an inclining test to gauge its weight, centre of gravity and stability.
Based on expert analyses, the Communist Party-affiliated Global Times reported last week that the Fujian could soon enter trials at sea. Japanese security officials also believe the carrier to be undergoing final preparations for a test sailing.
Taiwan’s defence ministry predicts that the Fujian will be commissioned in 2025. This means that the carrier could play a role should China launch an armed invasion of Taiwan.
Launched in June 2022, the Fujian is China’s largest warship, with a displacement of more than 80,000 tonnes. By comparison, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s largest vessel — the JS Izumo — has a displacement of 27,000 tonnes.
The Chinese carrier is named after Fujian province, where President Xi Jinping worked for years before rising to the national stage. It can carry 60 to 70 fighter jets and early-warning aircraft — at least 50% more than the Liaoning, a refurbished Ukrainian carrier, and the Shandong, China’s first homegrown carrier.
Its most distinctive feature is its electromagnetic catapults. These catapults “allow aircrafts to take off while carrying more weight in missiles and fuel, which improves their range and combat capabilities and expands tactical options,” said Masafumi Iida, who heads the China division at Japan’s National Institute for Defence Studies.
The Liaoning and Shandong, by contrast, are equipped with ski-jump ramps, which provide some assistance but still require that aircraft take off under their own power. Smaller decks limit the size of the aircraft they can accommodate.
The U.S. currently has the world’s only armed forces with operational electromagnetic catapults. Some see nuclear power as the only way to meet the steep energy requirements of these catapults, though the Fujian is steam-powered.
“Even the U.S. military went through a lot of trial and error for its first vessel with electromagnetic catapults,” Iida said. “It will take time before the Fujian can smoothly launch planes.”
China’s military wants more of its vessels to be equipped with these catapults, stoking speculation that it could turn to nuclear power, starting with its fourth aircraft carrier. The U.S.-based Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments predicted in 2022 that the People’s Liberation Army “may have sufficient resources to boast five aircraft carriers” by 2031.
The increased Chinese military presence in the Indo-Pacific is pushing India to build a blue-water navy as well.
India now operates two aircraft carriers: the Russian-made INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant — India’s first homegrown carrier, with a displacement of around 43,000 tonnes, which entered into service in 2022. Indian naval chief Adm. Hari Kumar said in October that there were plans to commission another Vikrant-class carrier.
China has established a presence in ports along the Indian Ocean, including in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, under its so-called String of Pearls strategy. India has responded with a push to bolster its naval capabilities so that it can operate even in faraway waters, near the Maldives and the Seychelles.
India’s basic naval strategy is to station a carrier in the Bay of Bengal to its east and another in the Arabian Sea to its west.
Any Chinese carrier approaching India would likely do so from the east. An Indian carrier in the waters would be able to mount some sort of response in coordination with the tri-service command center in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
But because India only has two carriers, its defensive capabilities are stretched thin whenever one of them undergoes maintenance. India is focused on commissioning a third carrier to make up for this weakness.
India and the U.S. formed a working group on carrier-related technology in 2015. If necessary, India could advance domestic production of related components with American cooperation.

Anticipating significant expansion in the defence sector, Baba Kalyani mentioned that in the upcoming years, the defence business could potentially surpass the company’s core business in terms of size.
Baba Kalyani emphasized the likelihood of faster growth in the defence vertical compared to other segments.
Bharat Forge’s leadership outlined a clear vision for the company’s trajectory, emphasizing a careful approach to expansion and diversification. During an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, when talking about future opportunities for growth, the company emphasized their commitment to making sure any new businesses they get into are of high quality and can last for the long term.
Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, a part of the Kalyani Group based in Pune, shared ambitious plans for the company’s future growth. Kalyani expressed confidence in reaching an overall revenue target of ₹20,000 crore within the next two years.
Anticipating significant expansion in the defence sector, Baba Kalyani mentioned that in the upcoming years, the defence business could potentially surpass the company’s core business in terms of size.
“Should get to ₹20,000 core in overall revenue in the next 2 years. In the next few years, defence business may become bigger than our core business. Defence business will grow faster than other verticals, said Baba Kalyani.
Adding to the strategic outlook, Amit Kalyani, Bharat Forge’s joint managing director, provided insights into the company’s approach to acquisitions. He stressed that any future acquisitions would be carefully chosen, with a focus on businesses in India. Amit Kalyani specifically highlighted a preference for high-quality and well-managed companies, underscoring the company’s commitment to steering clear of distressed businesses.
“Going forward acquisitions will be very selective. We will make acquisitions in India. Will acquire businesses that are high quality and well run. Will not buy businesses that are in distress,” said Amit Kalyani.
Bharat Forge Limited for the September quarter witnessed a robust 52 percent increase in its consolidated net profit, driven by contributions from all businesses. Consolidated net profit for the quarter stood at ₹2,148.65 crore against ₹1,415.56 crore a year ago. Revenue soared 22.7 percent to ₹3,774.19 crore, with a 21 percent increase in both export and domestic revenue.

(Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, SM)

6 Jan 2024, REUTERS: Maersk reroutes all container vessels via Cape of Good Hope due to Red Sea disruptions.
…………Shippers across the world are switching away from the Red Sea – the shortest route from Asia to Europe via the
Suez Canal – after Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen stepped up attacks on vessels in the Gulf region to show
their support for Palestinian Islamist group Hamas fighting Israel in Gaza.
The trip around Africa adds about 10 days to journey time, more fuel and crew-time……… jacking up shipping costs.
Interestingly, larger container ships can carry up to 25,000 containers and the largest oil tankers up to 4 million
barrels of oil, equivalent to about 168 million gallons, whao.
Red Sea: pivotal zone for trade, transportation, and power play. Spanning from Suez Canal to Bab el Mandeb Strait,
Red Sea connects Mediterranean Sea to Indian Ocean – a crucial maritime corridor connecting continents. Its
proximity to key markets and natural resources enhances its importance in many ways.
Red Sea’s Cocktail of Geopolitics
• Saudi Arabia, with its long coastline along the Red Sea, plays a pivotal role in shaping regional dynamics.
• Egypt, controlling the Suez Canal, has strategic leverage over Red Sea’s northern access.
• Israel and its military capabilities keep geopolitics of the region well spiced up.
• Yemen is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises as a civil war enters its eighth year.
• Somalia is in internal conflict and pirates prowling the Indian Ocean its byproduct.
• Eretria, one of the most closed and repressive countries in the world is in a simmering conflict with Ethiopia.
• A ‘cherry’ to this ‘Horn of Africa’ cocktail is Djibouti – a tiny country sitting astride the strategic Bab el Mandeb.
Interestingly, it has many military bases of the different friendly and conflicting/competing nations (USA,
China, Japan, Italy and France). Its strategic importance? Well, just location, location, location.
Evidently, there is much geopolitical manoeuvring by Global players in the Red Sea region:
• US claims it military presence to safeguard its interests and ensure the freedom of navigation.
• China, driven by its Belt and Road Initiative, seeks to expand presence and secure its economic interests.
• Russia, aiming to regain its influence as a major player has deepened its engagement.
In Mar 2015, a Saudi-led coalition – backed by USA – intervened militarily in Yemen to fight the Houthis, restore the
legitimate govt, and reverse growing Iranian influence. The Houthis are a movement of mostly Zaidi Shia Muslims.
Over the years, Houthi rebels have targeted strategic infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and UAE, including airports,
gas fields and oil tankers in the Red Sea, and, the coalition has retaliated with thousands of air attacks.
Could Russia be sponsoring the Heist? Well why not. Through its proxies Russia could be executing a ‘counterattack’
against the ‘sanctions’. If this counterattack was to succeed, it is likely to have serious consequences:
• On shipping supply chains, port congestions, container shortages and higher freight rates (higher rates of
insurance for those braving the Red Sea and higher operating costs for those choosing the Cape of Good
Hope route).
• Should Iran, which supports the Houthis want to continue to up the ante, it could exert pressure on the Strait
of Hormuz off its own coast, another key transit route, escalating supply chain disruptions further.
• The global economy is still recovering from the shocks of Covid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Energy
importing regions will suffer the most especially Europe teetering on the verge of a recession. While the
Israel-Hamas war has yet to impact energy prices, Red Sea crisis might. Rising oil and gas prices will keep
inflation worldwide high.
Since the crisis in the Red Sea started, navies from various nations are being deployed to defend the shipping from

Houthi missiles and drones. As in Ukraine and other ongoing conflict zones, the battleships are deploying ultra-
expensive missiles to knock out cheap drones; a natural cost offset of asymmetric warfare.

Hamas’s belligerence in end 2023 and the ongoing Red Sea crisis make it quite clear that even at the beginning of
2024, nations are poorly postured to meet the growing irregular (both unpredictable and unequal) challenges.

• 147 alumni of the Institute commissioned as officers in the Defence Services
• Aman Arora wishes cadets all the very best for future

Chandigarh, January 4:

In the last two weeks, eight cadets of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), SAS Nagar (Mohali) have joined the National Defence Academy (NDA), Cadet Training Wings (CTWs) for the Technical Entry Scheme (TES) and Air Force Academy (AFA). With the induction of these eight cadets, a total of 226 cadets of the Institute have joined different Service Training Academies since the inception of the MRSAFPI.

Revealing this here today, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that as many as 147 alumni of this Institute have also been commissioned as officers in the Defence Services. With selection rate of 54.89%, the Institute has emerged as the most successful in the Country.

He said that five cadets, who joined National Defence Academy (NDA) includes Tejinderapal Singh, Ashmit, Lakshya Kumar Sharma, Vishvas Mittal and Moksh Saini, while two cadets – Saksham Malik and Mehtab Singh Sidhu secured their seats in Cadet Training Wings (CTWs) under the Technical Entry Scheme (TES) and Gursher Singh Cheema joined Air Force Academy (AFA) after receiving their joining letters.

Congratulating the cadets on joining the various academies to become defence officers, Mr. Aman Arora wished them the very best for training. Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has been honing the youth, who aspire to join the defence services.

Director Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd.) exhorted the cadets to live up to their calling, be worthy sons of Punjab and true soldiers of the Nation. He also informed that the entrance examination for the new course (14th Course) is scheduled to be held on January 14, 2024 for which over 4100 candidates have applied, which is a record in itself.

Order to remain in force for 60 days

Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 8

Night curfew has been imposed along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district to ensure better area domination by BSF troops and to foil any nefarious activities close to the borderline.

The Samba administration has ordered that no person or group of persons will move in area up to 1 Km along the IB in the district from 10 pm to 6 am.

The step was taken to prevent cross-border infiltration and smuggling of weapons through drones in the extreme foggy weather conditions prevailing along the Indo-Pak border line, said the order issued by District Magistrate Abhishek Sharma.

The instruction was issued following a meeting of the district-level standing committee where authorities of the BSF suggested the imposition of a daily night curfew on a one kilometre long strip from the IB, enabling them to perform their duties more effectively, the order said.

“It is felt by the district administration that it is expedient that the movement of people in border areas is regulated so that there is better area domination by BSF in border areas and nefarious designs of forces inimical to Indian security are subverted,” the DM said in the order.

“This order shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of sixty days from the date of its issuance, if not withdrawn/rescinded earlier” the order read.