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The Platform for Indian Defence Industry
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S NOTE
A lot has happened beyond the Dussehra and Diwali celebrations that we have barely left behind since we communicated last. We found an answer to the Doklam standoff that was also symbolical of our leadership's determination in handling such issues with China. There was a requirement for us to convey the message that beyond a point we will not accept Chinese incursions that derogatorily affect our strategic interests. The incident also enhanced our prestige among the south and southeast Asian nations.
The big event for us at BharatShakti.in was the launch of Nitin Gokhale's book: Securing India the Modi way. Nitin's book provides the most intimate and sweeping account as yet of Team Narendra Modi's approach to national security and foreign policy initiatives. The book was released by the Honáble Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu at the Constitution Club premises on 29 September, 2017. The release was attended by a large erudite audience to include senior service officers, bureaucrats, journalists, industry leaders, and friends.
A few global issues also need recalling. With the ISIS on the run in Syria and Iraq, the Kurds, having fought commendably in both the countries decided that it was time to revive their century old demand of a Kurdish state. An issue that was left unaddressed after World War I, was brought centre stage through a referendum conducted in Kurdish areas and adjacent disputed territories by the Iraqi Kurdish President Barzani. The resultant response of Baghdad and neighbouring Turkey are already playing out. The oil rich Kirkuk region has already been taken over by the Iraqis. Turkey and Iraq have stopped all flights to Kurdish areas. There is a sense of apprehension prevailing. The Kurds, notwithstanding their stellar role in the war against ISIS, find themselves friendless, with the Americans too, not being supportive. The issue remains volatile. The way out is a dialogue and adhering to agreements between the parties as on date, till another solution can be find. West Asia can surely not afford another war.
In Spain, Catalonians carried out a referendum, quite akin to the Kurdish one. Spain has reacted strongly, with Madrid deciding to take over governance of the region. Hopefully, European Union will step in and stem the chances of violence.
The Rohingyas are also in the news. With the Myanmar Army unleashing operations in Rakhine, a stream of refugees is continuously pouring into Bangladesh, creating greater pressures on already stretched refugee camps in Bangladesh.
We have carried quite a few opinion pieces on the Doklam, Rohingya issue and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor for our readers. I do hope, you find them both interesting and informative.
Among the other opinion pieces we have run one on the threat that al Qaida poses in J&K. Lt Gen S Kulkarni has analysed the issue. Lt Gen KJ Singh has written about the Chinese threat primarily from the perspective of use of armour along the LAC. Lt Gen PR Shankar has carried out an analysis of various corridors globally in the context of the CPEC.
We have also carried some exclusive coverage of MBDA Missile Systems, Europe. With India focusing on its air defence, missiles are very much on our purchase list. The armed forces also need to urgently upgrade their missiles inventory to include air, land and naval surface vessels launched systems.
BharatShakti.in will continue to bring to you focused news and opinion articles that will address defence production, procurement and foreign policy issues. Do stay tuned in.
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SOME OF OUR SPECIAL FEATURES THIS MONTH
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The Tale Of Two Corridors Beyond Gwadar & Chabahar
Lt Gen PR Shankar (Retired)
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) terminates at Gwadar Port. Its value for China is indeed strategic. However, what it would do to Pakistan's economy and sovereignty is debatable. Next to Gwader, less than a 100 km away, is the Chabahar Port. Its value is not limited to India or Iran, but promises a lot for Afghanistan and the CAR countries. The General in his article assesses both the ports and provides a realistic assessment of the two projects that are progressing simultaneously. Read More...
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Getting The Strategic Partnership Going
Dhirendra Singh, Lt Gen AV Subramanian (Retd), Rear Adm Pritam Lal (Retd), Col K V Kuber (Retd)
Soon after the enunciation of Chapter VII of the DPP 2016 on Revitalising Defence Industrial Ecosystem through Strategic Partnerships (SP) in June 2017, the Services have begun issue of RsFI for Foreign OEMs to furnish information for manufacture and acquisition of platforms under the SP Concept. In Defence Acquisition, the single Business Model i.e. Procurement of equipment is being replaced by a spectrum of emerging Business Models, ranging from the traditional procurement of equipment, via acquisition of equipment and support, to acquisition of capability and availability. Read More... |
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Al Qaida or Hizbul: Who is the Bigger Threat in J&K?
Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd)
There is a call for giving the Kashmir problem a new twist now. So far the call was primarily for Azadi, however, now a small group affiliated to al Qaida has been ranting that Kashmir militancy is for an Islamic cause and is not nationalistic. Musa is the newly appointed head of this group with barely a cadre, as yet. The author traces the origins of fundamentalism and provides a glimpse into the affiliations of various groups. He also feels, that at operational levels, for the security forces it doesn't make a difference though. For them a militant has but to be neutralised. Read More... |
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The Gun In Front Of The Man Matters Almost As Much As The Man Behind The Gun
Rear Admiral Sudarshan Y Shrikhande, IN (Retd)
The inexplicably vexed issue of our serious dependence on imported armaments right from a soldier's veritable limb-his rifle-to tanks and fighter aircraft, has been always of interest and a cause for frustration. Her, the author analyses some of the confused rationale regarding selection of calibre for an assault rifle, the weakness of quantitative analyses infirmities in knowledge of ordnance and ammunition, as well as lackadaisical R&D even in the matter of small arms and small calibre ammunition. Read More... |
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Defining The Kurdish Situation
Maj Gen KM Balsara (Retired)
The Kurdish referendum in Iraq, scheduled for 25 September, 2017 is likely to go in favour of Kurds. However, it will be a difficult process carving out a Kurdish state. Historically, the Kurds have suffered oppression and lived a nomadic life. Implementing the referendum will be contentious and could initiate a fresh round of violence spread over Iraq, Syria and Turkey. A lot will depend on how the major powers use their diplomatic means to give Kurds more political space while ensuring an enduring peace. It's a tall order, as the author promises. For Kurdish people the question is: Is this their moment in history? Read More... |
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Countering Chinese Tank Threat
Lt Gen KJ Singh (Retired)
The issue of inducting adequate tanks in certain sectors in high altitude areas to counter the Chinese threat has been debated for long. A few such areas already have tanks available to meet a critical eventuality with the enemy inducting armour that might come up. The issue was centre stage when we were coping with the Chinese at Doklam. The General, in his article debates the pros and cons of using armour in high altitude areas, in our context. He also evaluates Chinese tanks likely to be used in mountains, including the latest variants that they have produced. Read More... |
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Reforming Apex Defence Management: Baffling Government Hesitation
Maj Gen Harsha Kakar (Retired)
A proposal that's been discussed for decades now, is the issue of appointing a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to head the three services. Our current structure of the three Chiefs commanding their respective domains does not give joint-manship the impetus it requires. There are various reasons for successive governments not reforming the apex defence management. Whatever be their logic, the battlefield today and definitely so tomorrow, needs synergised employment of all elements of the forces that can only be achieved if we adopt the model of a CDS at the helm and joint theatre commands for operational fielding of resources. Read More... |
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Rohingya Crisis : The Way Forward
Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd)
A huge humanitarian crisis is playing out in South Asia with barely a whimper, globally. Thousands of Rohingya Muslims are crossing over into Bangladesh with the Myanmar Army having launched an operation in the Rakhine province. They are living in the most precarious condition without adequate food, medicine or basic comforts. The chances of epidemic are increasing by the day. The author provides a glimpse of the issues involved and debates a few options available. Read More... |
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The Grand Global Corridors & China Pakistan Economic Corridor
Lt Gen P R Shankar (Retired))
Over the last two centuries, many a corridor for trade and transit have been created by the world's super rich nations. The Panama Canal is one such example that continues to count the passage of thousands of ships annually. Similarly there are rail links and roads that have provided a boost to trade and have been a part of geo-political objectives of major powers. However, there is a difference when it boils down to CPEC. In the other cases, there has been an investor nation and country(s) in which investments have been poured; in the case of CPEC the equation is of debtor and creditor nation(s) with China being assured of its returns even before projects have started operations. Read More... |
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The Rohingya Crisis Needs A Solution Within Myanmar
Maj Gen KM Balsara (Retired)
Every time there's a problem in Rakhine, Myanmar the cascading effects are felt in Bangladesh and India. A stream of refugees flow into the camps in Bangladesh and join the stream of malnourished Rohingyas waiting for food packets to arrive. Apparently, there is no solution to this migration, not at least till the Myanmarese government is ready to absorb them in their country with equal rights and opportunities to them. The article traces the historical roots of the issue and offers a few answers. Read More... |
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L&T & MBDA Joint-Venture & 5th Generation Anti-Tank Missiles
Brig. SK Chatterji (Retd)
In February 2017, two conglomerates - India's L&T and MBDA from France joined hands in New Delhi to form a joint venture, L&T-MBDA Missile Systems. The JV will have 51% ownership by L&T, and 49% by MBDA. A lot will also depend on how the trust quotient in the relationship between MBDA and L&T develops. Over and above the quality, cost of the product etc., success ultimately is defined largely by the image of a company (the JV, in this case) built on the robust edifice of its intrinsic strengths. Read More... |
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MBDA's Missile Systems Competing For Orders From Indian Military
Brig SK Chatterji (Retd)
A large number of multi nationals are in the fray to provide the latest technology and products to the Indian military. Among these companies is MBDA Missile Systems, an European conglomerate that has a huge family of missiles for almost every possible battlefield requirement that the armed forces seek. MBDA's solution for arming the Hawk is a missile mix. It would have six Brimstone and two ASRAAMs on each of the 120 Hawks. The ASRAAMs are among the best Within Visual Range Air - to - Air Missiles available in the market. It uses a low flame, zero smoke motor with a first shot - first kill probability. 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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