HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan shared that HAL has initiated some major projects, like the Medium-Role Helicopter and AMCA
Bangalore: With rising concerns around national security, especially cross-border threats, along with the country’s bid to achieve indigenisation in manufacturing, India is bullish about developing its homegrown defence potential.
According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, India is one of the world’s biggest defence spenders with a total outlay of Rs 5.25 lakh crore, accounting for 13.31 per cent of the total budget and indicating an increase by Rs 46,970 crore over the budget estimates of 2021-22.
These numbers throw open a massive opportunity for several players, including private, and global ones, to participate in building the country’s strategic capabilities.
HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan said, “Private players coming to India is not a challenge, but an opportunity for us. We see the private sector as a collaborator. Today, some buzzwords in our industry are self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), and Make for India and Make for the World. We are confident that there is enough space for other players as well. The common objective should be to catapult India as a global defence manufacturing hub.”
“We are keen to complete the transfer, through tender, rather than getting projects on a nomination basis. We are quite comfortable participating in a tender if it is fruitful… Today, the processes are transparent, and interests of private defence companies and the industry will not affect government policy,” he told TNIE on the sidelines of a conclave, ‘Roadmap for India to become self-reliant in defence and aerospace manufacturing’, at GIM 2022.
He shared that HAL has initiated some major projects, like the Medium-Role Helicopter and AMCA. “We wanted to work with the private industry right from the design stage so that the IPR can be developed within the country. If we synergise our efficiencies, along with entrepreneurial efficiencies of the private sector, to be more agile and aggressive, I expect exciting days ahead,” he added.
Sharing his experience in India, Vincent Panzera, vice-president, International Supply Chain & Industrial Development at US-based Lockheed Martin, said “There’s a rich history between my corporation and Indian industry. In India, there’s unparalleled dedication to managing costs, improving quality and upping the technical competence of this industry, by companies and the government. We are very proud of our partnerships with India.”

Benefit was earlier only for officers

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 4

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has extended the provision of pro-rata pension for those Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO) and jawans who join central public sector undertakings after serving 10 years in the armed forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a proposal of the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare in this regard after which the ministry issued the order today.

Now, those who leave the armed forces after 10 years of service and enrol in central organisations will get their full eligible pension from armed forces, besides salary from the present employer. Till now, the pension from armed forces is subsumed under the present salary at PSUs. It means equal salary for ex-servicemen and other employees holding the same position.

The benefit of separate pension and salary was earlier given to only to commissioned officers.

The order shall cover those who join central public enterprises, central autonomous bodies, central public sector undertakings on permanent absorption.

The orders shall apply to those who were appointed in central public sector enterprises on or after June 3, 1985, or those who joined central autonomous bodies on or after March 31, 1987. However, the financial benefit in past cases will be allowed prospectively from the date of the order.

Indonesia’s continued interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was visible once again as the country’s top defence officials visited the Indian pavilion at the Indo Defence 2022 Expo and Forum which concluded in Jakarta today.
On Friday, Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto held discussions on “future collaborations” with the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) Atul Dinkar Rane at the company’s stall.
Earlier, BrahMos officials explained the weapon system to the delegates from the Thai Armed Forces and also Air Chief Marshal Tanasak Metananta. General Siravuth Wongkantee, the Deputy Commander of the Thai Armed Forces, also familiarised himself with the BrahMos systems.
The Indo Defence 2022 Expo kicked off at three locations in the Indonesian capital simultaneously as the indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sumedha made a port call at Sabang on Thursday as part of its regional deployment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The southeast Asian country has long been interested in equipping its forces with the world’s best and fastest precision-guided weapon developed through a joint venture between India (Defence Research and Development Organisation-DRDO) and Russia (Military Industrial Consortium Mashinostroyenia-NPOM).
As reported by IndiaNarrative.com earlier, starting 2023, India will begin equipping the Philippines with medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles making it the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system.
As they signed the contract worth $375 million, both India and the Philippines realised the critical role the BrahMos deal will play to safeguard the Indo-Pacific region.
Considerable progress has been made in enhancing the level of cooperation in defence and security between New Delhi and Jakarta since Indonesian President Joko Widodo meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to India in December 2016.
Two years later, Widodo expressed willingness to support India’s proposal to partner in the Malacca Straits Patrol as he met PM Modi at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta during Indian PM’s first visit to Indonesia.
As part of the annual bilateral army exercise ‘Garuda Shakti’ and naval exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’, India has conducted specialised training for Indonesian army, navy and air force personnel.
The maritime interaction between both countries has expanded substantially with frequent port visits, participation in bilateral/ multilateral exercises and training exchanges.
In June this year, the 38th edition of India–Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy was held with the aim of keeping the IOR safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade.
At the same time, efforts to augment defence industry cooperation have also witnessed an upswing since Tata Motors signed an agreement with Indonesian state-owned defence enterprise PT Pindad in 2016 for exploring areas for cooperation in joint design, production and marketing of military vehicles.
Various Indian companies such as L&T Defence, Ashok Leyland Limited, Bharat Forge, TATA Aerospace and Defence, MKU, Goa Shipyard Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited have interacted with Indonesian PSUs PT Pindad, PT Pal, PT LEN, PT Dahana and PT Dirgantara for collaborations.
Carrying the baton forward, Indian Ambassador to Jakarta Manoj Bharti also held discussions on Friday with Indonesia’s defence industry representatives and potential partners during the defence expo.

The following Veterans have contributed toward sanjha Morcha website renewal amount

• LT Gen TS Shergill—1000/-

• Maj Gen Inderjit S Dhillon—1100/-

• Major General Mohan Singh 2000/-
• .Brig Prahalad Singh 1000/-

• Brig HPS Bedi —-1000/-

• Brig Manohar Singh Ex GOG head Distt SAS Nagar 1100Commodore Randhawa 1000/-

• Col Charanjit khera 1000/-

• Col Tajinder singh USA 1000/-

• Col Shanjit Singh Bhullar 1000/

• Col Swaran Singh 1000/-

• Col Hazura Singh Jallander 2000/-

• Col Sajjan Kumar .. 1000/-

• Wg Cdr MS Randhwa Ludhiana – 1000/-

• Col Paramjit Rehsi—- 2000/-

• Major Joginder singh Kochar form Calcutta 1000/-(90yrs old )-+Rs13000/ as Loan

• CAPT Khuswant Singh Patiala 1000/-
• Hav Kuldeep singh 1100/-
• Hav Nasib Singh Mohali 1000/-2

accounts for Any More Veterans wants to contribute

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 5

American diplomats based in New Delhi paid an official visit to Srinagar this week as part of their efforts to bolster people-to-people ties, according to the US Embassy spokesperson, Christopher Elms.

“Diplomats from the US Embassy in New Delhi paid an official visit to Srinagar this week,” the US Embassy spokesperson said, adding diplomats accredited to India regularly visit all parts of the country as part of their efforts to expand cooperation with state and local governments and develop people-to-people ties.

Earlier in October, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome visited Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India conveyed its objections to the United States over the US diplomat’s visit to PoK. During a weekly presser, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Our objections to the visit and meetings in PoK by the US envoy have been conveyed to the US side.” Blome’s visit to the PoK was the second high-profile visit by a US diplomat to the region after the US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar visited PoK this year.

Earlier this year, US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar visited PoK, responding to which India, in a strongly worded statement, said, “She visited a part of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by Pakistan. If such a politician wishes to practice her narrow-minded politics at home that may be her business, but violating our territorial integrity in its pursuit makes it ours.” /ANI

Major Joginder Singh Kochar is the esteem membersof Sanjha Morcha since a decade.

Born on 18 Feb 1932 . Completed his 90 years . Born in Lyallpur now in Pakistan and witnessed 1947 partition and lucky to come by first train to India . 1953 he completed his MA aim Punjabi from Khalsa College Amritsar And joined IMA and was commissioned 1954 in Arty Regt and left Army as Major in 1976 . Had participated in Indo Pak war of 1971 in Battle of Dera Baba Nanak in DBN sector.
There after held many prestigious appointments in educational institutions in Delhi and 8 years back settled in Calcutta. Still a very active and enjoys his every day life with his grand children and great great grand children though son settled in Canada and his sons too
We wish him more happy and healthy days ahead of him . May God bless him many many more years of life

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 5

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt visited the Western Command Headquarters at Chandimandir today where he reviewed security situation and operational readiness.

The minister was briefed on various operational, administrative and welfare aspects by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri.

The minister also interacted with senior officers of the Command.

Bhatt addressed all ranks of the Command and met soldiers

He expressed his appreciation for the bravery and dedication to duty displayed by the Indian Army.

Beijing: Pakistan and China have decided to go ahead with a plan to extend China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan despite opposition from India on issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
CPEC is a key part of China’s most ambitious project Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at renewing the country’s ancient trade routes.
India has consistently opposed the USD 60 billion project, which links Pakistan’s southern Gwadar port in Balochistan to China’s western Xinjiang and passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
During Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Beijing, China on Wednesday assured Pakistan of its continued support to the country’s sustainable economic and strategic projects.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang made these commitments during meetings with Shehbaz Sharif at the People’s Great Hall in Beijing, according to the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“The two sides underscored the need for the international community to provide continued assistance and support to Afghanistan including through unfreezing of Afghanistan’s overseas financial assets. The two sides agreed to continue their humanitarian and economic assistance for the Afghan people and enhance development cooperation in Afghanistan, including through CPEC’s extension to Afghanistan,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
After reports of CPEC extension emerged in July, India strongly objected to the expansion of the CPEC projects in any third country and expressed concern about its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We have seen reports on encouraging a proposed participation of third countries in so-called CPEC projects. Any such actions by any party directly infringe on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Ministry of External Affair (MEA) official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
He said India firmly and consistently opposes projects in the so-called CPEC, which are in Indian territory that has been illegally occupied by Pakistan. “Such activities are inherently illegal, illegitimate and unacceptable, and will be treated accordingly by India,” Bagchi added.

Islamabad: The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for carrying out 43 attacks in 18 districts of Pakistan, saying that most of the time it was either in retaliation or in defence, according to the report published by TTP.
According to the report, most of the attacks were carried out in Khyber Agency. In Khyber, 9 attacks were taken out by militants, North Waziristan 6, Dera Ismail Khan 4, Lakki Marwat: 4, Bajaur Agency: 3, South Waziristan: 2, Charsadda: 2, Bannu: 2, and Peshawar: 2
In addition to it one attack each was carried out in Karachi, Lahore, Kohat, Chaman, Pishin, Tank, Nowshera, Karak, and Mardan.
Earlier, the report issued by its media wing ” Umar Media”, claimed that overall 113 security personnel including 60 troops, 30 policemen, 19 FC, and 4 intelligence agencies personnel were killed and injured. Five vehicles and 03 constructions of security forces were destroyed. Militants got two AK 47 rifles, 1 G3 gun, and 1 LMG as booty. Ten militants were also killed in clashes and raids.
Earlier, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West raised concerns about increasing attacks by TTP in Pakistan.
“The [increase in] attacks led by banned TTP is a challenge that Pakistan has been dealing with,” said US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan in a recent interview, as quoted by The News International newspaper.
Over US ties with the Afghan Taliban, West said: “I don’t believe that there will be any practical partnership between the US and Taliban.”
He pointed out that the Taliban’s harbouring of slain Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri was a clear violation of the Doha agreement.
The warning on TTP-led violence was given amid a sharp rise in attacks in recent months that has set alarm bells ringing in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan media reports have flagged the growing presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in the northwest part of the country, following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August last year.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s State Minister for Law Shahadat Hussain conceded that terror activities had increased sharply.
The highest number of terror incidents in Pakistan this year was recorded in September. An Islamabad-based think tank pointed to the resumption of attacks by the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
The number of terror attacks increased in September compared to August this year, the Dawn said in an earlier report citing the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).
September witnessed 42 militant attacks with an increase of 35 per cent compared to August. The Pakistani think tank also observed an increase of 106 per cent in violence in erstwhile Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
In August this year, the think tank said the militants carried out 31 attacks across Pakistan, in which 37 people were killed and 55 others injured.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 3

India has rejected the “joint statement” released in Beijing following the recent visit of Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif during which he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. India has objected to references to J&K as also projects under the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its extension to any third country.

“We have consistently rejected such statements and all parties concerned are well aware of our clear position on these matters. The UTs of J&K and Ladakh are and always will be integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has a locus standi to comment on the same,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

“As regards the so-called CPEC, we have conveyed our protest and our concerns to China and Pakistan. CPEC includes projects on the sovereign territory of India under forcible and illegal external occupation. We resolutely reject any attempts to utilise such projects to change the status quo in this area,” he added.