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The Platform for Indian Defence Industry
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S NOTE
The big news since our previous edition of the Newsletter is the ongoing case in the International Court of Justice, Vienna regarding the sentencing of Kulbhusan Jadav by a military court in Pakistan. Jadav, an ex officer of the Indian Navy was sentenced to death. Though he is an Indian, consular access to Jadav has been denied inspite of 16 requests to the effect. Abducted from Iran, he was rushed through in a military court and sentenced for espionage with linkages to our Research and Analysis Wing. Hopefully, the ICJ will uphold our stance and Jadav will return home to his family, shortly.
Also in the news and a grand event at that, was the MoD finally placing the order for a 100 pieces of 155mm K9 Vajra tracked Howitzer on L&T. It's the biggest order for an Indian multinational; and strengthens the process of meeting the requirement of modernisation of the Artillery. An order for the purchase of 145 pieces of 155mm Ultra Light Howitzers has already been placed on BAE Systems through the Foreign Military Sales route. The artillery will require another 1500 guns before it gets to a reckonable milestone in the process of modernising its inventory. With the DRDO having already developed two models, Dhanush and Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System we are also well on our way to sporting a largely indigenised artillery. A huge achievement for the industry. With an order for Pinaca also in its pocket, L&T has definitely graduated to the top rungs of Indian defence manufacturers.
Looking beyond the shores, the Chinese conducted the Belt and Road Meet at Beijing on the 14 and 15 May, 2017. 29 heads of states attended the meeting, while representatives from large number of countries were present. All South Asian countries except India and Bhutan attended the meet. Amongst other notable exceptions were Japan, India and Bhutan. Our primary objection remains the alignment of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major artery of the Belt and Road initiative that passes through Gilgit- Baltistan, thereby raising a question of sovereignty for us. The issue, by and large, closes any options there could be of India joining the project.
Notwithstanding the positive response to the Belt and Road initiative from most SAARC countries, Indian diplomacy in the region seems to be paying its dividends. A distinct improvement in relationship with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Nepal is visible. In the days ahead, hopefully we will be able to stop these countries from being overwhelmed by Chinese capital investment and getting themselves into a debt trap.
We do hope you have been enjoying our content.
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SOME OF OUR SPECIAL FEATURES THIS MONTH
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"Baahubali 1": The Beginning of Truly Indian Armaments for Indian Arms
Rear Admiral Sudarshan Y Shrikhande (Retd)
In the third and concluding article on the subject of self-reliance in ordnance requirements, the author makes some important observations and recommendations. With the Strategic Partnership (SP) model not yet decided upon by the government, the author bats for inclusion of MSMEs in the rungs of SPs. His emphasis is on developing the capabilities in both design and development to ultimately transit beyond Make in India to Made in India status. Read More...
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An Analysis of the Joint Doctrine of the Indian Armed Forces (2017)
Rear Admiral S.Y. Shrikhande, I.N. (Retd) (First published in The Wire.in)
If newspapers (of 5th May 2017) have reported statements of the Army chief correctly, the Army seems to be on the verge of unfolding a national military strategy and perhaps coming up with a draft of a national security strategy. As a veteran, one can only hope that these would be robust, muscular and forward-thinking publications that enhance India's interests. This is especially so in the light of a rather confused, meandering and poorly written Joint Doctrine Indian Armed Forces (JDIAF) released recently. Read More... |
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The Future of Surgical Strikes
Lt Gen P R Shankar (Retd)
The bodies of a few of our soldiers were mutilated very recently by Pakistani Army personnel who had undertaken a cross-border operation. The hue and cry across the country that follows such ghastly incidents, increases the pressure on the armed forces to undertake operations against Pakistan in a way that we extract a greater price. Last time, after the attack at Uri, we staged a surgical strike on terrorist bases. Obviously, we cannot repeat the same tactics. The General, in his article provides details on alternative models of surgical strikes and other formats of cross-border operations that may allow us to extract a price from Pakistan, while we bear minimum losses. Read More... |
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Countering Terrorism in India and Pakistan : A Study in Contrast
Maj Gen Harsha Kakar
Both India and Pakistan suffer from the scourge of terrorism, however, their approaches to combating the evil are dia-bolically different. While the Indian side uses the minimum possible force and scrupulously avoids collateral damage, the Pakistanis use air and artillery that are bound to cause non-combatant casualties. The author traces the differences in approach of the two nations in detail. The Indian ability to contain insurgencies draws its strengths from its transparent handling of the operational aspects, while Pakistan's Army's approach, without government or public scrutiny, has created a volatile situation along the length and breadth of the country. Read More... |
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Are We Ready Across the Himalayas?
Lt Gen PR Shankar (Retired)
Lately, our armed forces have begun upgrading our preparedness to handle the enhanced military threat from China. New formations are being raised, including the much touted Mountain Strike Corps. Air bases are being upgraded or being constructed. Infrastructure is also being upgraded and equipment being procured. Overall, capacities are being enhanced to be prepared for enhanced threat levels from across the Himalayas. Are they enough? That is the main question for which the nation needs answers and assurances. Read More... |
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The Political Prospects, Effects and Intent of BRI
Team BharatShakti
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is essentially a by-product of the Belt and Road Initiative of the Chinese. The Indians have serious objections since the road would pass through Pakistan occupied Kashmir through the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan. Notwithstanding, India's objections, China seems to getting more and more countries on board for the project. However, the road will pass through some of the most unstable and violence prone areas, globally. Mr Shiv Shankar Menon addressed a gathering in Mumbai, where the Chinese Deputy Chief of Mission in India deliv-ered the keynote address. Read More... |
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Non-lapsable Defence Modernisation Fund - A Vain Pursuit
Amit Cowshish
The issue of creation of a non-lapsable defence modernisation fund has been debated for long years in our context. However, the proposal has its own share of pitfalls. The accumulation of such a fund, essentially created from borrowings by a government already burdened by interest payments doesn't make a case for the best utilisation of finances. When viewed in the context of under utilisation of funds regularly by the MoD, the case for a creation of a non-lapsable fund is further eroded. Read More... |
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At BharatShakti.in, our RFI/RFP pages attempt to inform you of business opportunities. While the Industry Capabilities listing page gives you details of various IDIs, their product range, niche capabilities and contact information, thus easing your search for the right partner for your business activities. Our Policy page is a repository of knowledge, hosting relevant government and departmental documents required for transacting in the area defence production. It also devotes space to FAQs on defence procurement that would be updated.
We at BharatShakti.in invite you all to be a part of our team. Do visit our pages regularly. Write to us, list your defence capabilities with us and engage with us. It's BharatShakti's faith and belief that the Indian Defence Industry is capable of addressing most of the requirements of Indian Armed Forces.
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