America-India bhai-buy?On the defence front, progress is more tangible. Parrikar’s main objective with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was to crystallise details of technology transfer issues, the crux of India being designated a “major defence partner”

America-India bhai-buy? August 31, 2016, 3:43 am IST Seema Sirohi America-India bhai-buy? President Barack Obama’s nearly eight years in office form a remarkable arc. He moved from pursuing a G-2 condom... President Barack Obama’s nearly eight years in office form a remarkable arc. He moved from pursuing a G-2 condominium with China, excluding New Delhi, to crafting a joint strategic document with India. Obviously, his advisers — Hillary Clinton was a big fan of G-2 — woke up in time before gains made by the Bush administration with India were squandered. Things warmed up slowly and the trust has certainly grown. But questions remain on how far either is willing to go for the other. To what extent will Washington adjust its broader national security policies in South Asia to bolster India? And how tightly is New Delhi willing to embrace America? It’s noteworthy that the once-reluctant US government today enthusiastically supports making F-16s in India. But will it sell armed Predator drones now that India has joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)? Or would the ancient American logic of not altering the basic military balance in South Asia continue to dominate? Defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s Washington foray was to nail down the big things. He managed to lead India to the signing table after more than a decade of indecision and opposition to sign a logistics agreement, allowing the two militaries to use each other’s facilities. It should extend the Indian Navy’s reach in the east. At the same time, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker were in New Delhi for the second Strategic and Commercial Dialogue, leading a team of officials from 12 US agencies. As a senior state department official said, the meetings are an opportunity to “reflect upon where we have come” and “where we want to go”. Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have met seven times since 2014 and will meet again for the G-20 summit in China next month. The key issue for Obama remains the ratification of the climate change agreement to solidify his legacy. Kerry most certainly would have pushed India on that. But India has linked ratification to its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) where China and a few other countries opposed India’s entry in June. Would Obama spend a bit of his remaining political capital to make things happen before he leaves office? India has met the requirements for admission into the NSG as US officials repeatedly stress. But US diplomatic muscle hasn’t been able to translate eligibility into membership. Yet. On the defence front, progress is more tangible. Parrikar’s main objective with Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was to crystallise details of technology transfer issues, the crux of India being designated a “major defence partner”. Parrikar had to judge what technology the US government is actually willing to part with, given the strong pitch by American defence majors offering to shift entire aircraft production lines to India. Company executives talk in superlative terms but all the lethal stuff (air-to-air missiles, Aesa (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and systems to identify friend or foe) is controlled by the US government. Lockheed Martin wants to move its F-16/block 70 manufacturing line to India so long as it gets an order of 100 planes from the Indian Air Force. “The F-16s we would produce in India would be the most advanced and tailored to their requirements,” Abhay Paranjape, director of business development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, told me. The IAF has already been “shown” the improvements made since F-16 was in the running for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). Besides creating jobs under ‘Make in India’, the process would help the country become part of a valuable global supply chain. “What we have offered is unprecedented,” insists Paranjape. But as always, the devil is in the detail. Contrary to some reports, India will not control who buys the planes or spare parts. It would be Washington. Those getting excited about choking off Pakistan and scoring a ‘strategic win’ should hold their horses. The big questions remain unanswered. Would it be licensed manufacturing and broad technology transfer? Or acquisition by India of technology owned by Lockheed? The latter would make India the owner of intellectual property, allowing for more control on exports. Then there is the mother of all dilemmas: Pakistan uses older versions of the F-16s. The IAF may not want to fly the same aircraft. Sweden’s Gripen, which is also in the running, may score on that front. What’s clear is that New Delhi will drill down and vet what’s on offer to get the best deal and bend the arc India’s way

राष्ट्रभक्तीचे मुखवटे SAMNA

राष्ट्रभक्तीचे मुखवटे Monday, August 01st, 2016 मनोहर पर्रीकरांनी आणखी एक महत्त्वाचे विधान केले ते म्हणजे, ‘‘एका अभिनेत्याच्या पत्नीने मध्यंतरी देशाच्या विरोधात उद्धट विधान केेले, पण नागरिकांनीच त्यांना उत्स्फूर्त उत्तर दिले. त्यामुळे हिंदुस्थानविरुद्ध काही बोलणार्यांचना लोकच धडा शिकवतील!’’ मनोहर पर्रीकर लाखमोलाचेच बोलले, पण सिनेमातील लोक बोलतात म्हणून धडा शिकवायचा ते सोपे असते, पण राष्ट्रभक्तीचे मुखवटे लावून जे लोक तीच विधाने करतात त्यांची कशाने पूजा करायची? बुरहान वाणीचा खात्मा हा अपघात असेल तर सध्याची राज्यव्यवस्था हीसुद्धा भयंकर अपघात आहे असे लोकांनी ठरवले तर काय उत्तर द्याल? तसे होऊ नये अशी आमची इच्छा आहे. राष्ट्रभक्तीचे मुखवटे हिंदुस्थानच्या संरक्षणमंत्र्यांनी पुण्यातील एका कार्यक्रमात गर्जना केली आहे. श्रीनगर किंवा दिल्लीत बसून देशाच्या विरोधात बोलण्याची हिंमत तरी कशी होते? कोणाचे तरी पाठबळ असल्याशिवाय हे शक्य नाही. त्यामुळे देशाच्या विरोधात बोलणार्यांणना धडा शिकवलाच पाहिजे. अशी कडक भूमिका मांडल्याबद्दल आम्ही संरक्षणमंत्र्यांचे अभिनंदन करीत आहोत. पुण्याची भूमी ही राष्ट्रभक्तांची व खासकरून क्रांतिकारकांची आहे. राष्ट्रभक्तीची पहिली राष्ट्रीय सिंहगर्जना लोकमान्य टिळकांनीच केली होती व चापेकर बंधूंपासून राजगुरूपर्यंत एकापेक्षा एक सरस हुतात्मे याच भूमीने राष्ट्राच्या चरणी कमलपुष्पाप्रमाणे अर्पण केले. त्यामुळे याच पुण्यनगरीत येऊन देशाच्या संरक्षणमंत्र्यांच्या रक्ताने उसळी मारली असेल तर ते सगळ्यांंसाठी अभिमानास्पद आहे. पर्रीकरांच्या गर्जनेचा संबंध कश्मीर खोर्याितील सध्याच्या चिघळलेल्या परिस्थितीशी आहे. पाकपुरस्कृत दहशतवादाशी आपले सैन्य रोज झुंज देत आहे व हौतात्म्याच्या वेदीवर आमचे जवान चढत असताना सैनिकांनाच गुन्हेगार ठरवून त्यांचे मनोधैर्य खच्ची करण्याचा प्रयत्न कोणी करीत असेल तर ते राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षेचा खेळखंडोबा करीत आहेत. म्हणूनच पर्रीकरांनी अत्यंत परखडपणे सांगितले की, ‘‘सैनिकांच्या कारवाईचा सन्मान केला पाहिजे. देशाच्या एखाद्या भागात लष्कराला कायदा आणि सुव्यवस्था राखण्यासाठी नेमले असताना त्यामध्ये इतरांनी लुडबूड करण्याची काहीएक आवश्यकता नाही. देशाचे लष्कर कायदा आणि सुव्यवस्था राखण्यास सक्षम आहे. लष्कर कार्यरत असताना सैनिकांवर कोणी हल्ला करीत असेल तर त्याला प्रत्युत्तर हे द्यावेच लागेल. त्याला विरोध करण्याची गरज नाही!’’ मनोहर पर्रीकरांनी लोकभावनेलाच हात घातला, पण सैनिकांचे मनोधैर्य कोण खच्ची करीत आहे व देशविरोधी वक्तव्यांची ‘बांग’ कोण देत आहे याबाबत संरक्षणमंत्र्यांनी अधिक परखडपणे बोलायला हवे. दुसरे कोणीच बोलण्याच्या मन:स्थितीत नसल्याने संरक्षणमंत्र्यांनी हे कार्य हाती घेतले तरच त्यांची गर्जना सार्थ ठरेल. विषय कश्मीरचाच घेतला तरी सैनिकांच्या भूमिकेवर प्रश्नीचिन्ह निर्माण करणारे कोण आहेत? खतरनाक अतिरेकी बुरहान वाणी हा सुरक्षा दलांच्या चकमकीत मारला गेला. त्याबद्दल पाकिस्तानने ‘मातम’ करणे समजण्यासारखे आहे, पण कश्मीरच्या मुख्यमंत्री मेहबुबाबाईंनी आधी अश्रूंना वाट मोकळी करून दिली आणि आता तर जम्मू-कश्मीरचे ‘भाजप’ उपमुख्यमंत्री श्रीमान निर्मलसिंह यांनाही हुंदके फुटल्याने संरक्षणमंत्र्यांपुढील काम कठीण झाले आहे. ज्या अतिरेक्यांच्या खात्म्यासाठी आमचे जवान जंग जंग पछाडीत होते त्या बुरहान वाणीचा खात्मा हा एक निव्वळ अपघात होता अशी मुक्ताफळे उधळून भाजपाई निर्मलसिंहांनी झेलमचा प्रवाहच गढूळ केला. एकतर बुरहान वाणीची ही तरफदारी आहे व शहीद जवानांचा अपमान आहे. देशविरोधी बोलणार्यां ना धडा शिकवायलाच हवा असे कडक भाषेत बोलणार्याप संरक्षणमंत्र्यांनाही हे आव्हान आहे. बुरहान वाणीचा खात्मा हा अपघात असेल तर आमच्या शूर जवानांनी हा अपघात घडवून आणल्याबद्दल त्या सर्वच जवानांच्या मर्दानगी व राष्ट्रभक्तीबद्दल देशाला अभिमान वाटतो हे आम्ही नमूद करतो. चकमकी सुरू असताना तेथे बुरहान वाणी आहे असे आधीच समजले असते तर त्यास सन्मानाने बाहेर काढून त्याच्या अतिरेकी अड्ड्यात पोहोचवले असते. त्याचे हारफुलांनी स्वागत केले असते. त्यास आमच्या जवानांनी शिरकुर्मा किंवा बिर्याणीचे ताट पोहोचवून तोफांची सलामी दिली असती, पण काय करणार? तेथे बुरहान वाणी आहे हे आमच्या जवानांना समजलेच नाही व त्यामुळे पाकिस्तानबरोबर कश्मीरातील बेगडी राष्ट्रभक्तांवरही ‘मातम मातम’ करण्याची वेळ आली हे श्यामाप्रसाद मुखर्जी यांच्यासारख्या महावीरांचे दुर्दैवच म्हणावे लागेल. दारूची नशा वाईट, आता इतरही अमली पदार्थांची तस्करी वाढली आहे; पण जे लोक बुरहान वाणीसारख्या अतिरेक्यांच्या बाजूने पोपटपंची करतात ते तथाकथित राष्ट्रभक्त जणू पाकिस्तानची पहिल्या धारेची हातभट्टी ढोसून आपल्या कश्मीरात गुळण्या टाकीत आहेत. सत्तेची नशा भल्याभल्यांना गिधाडे बनवते ती अशी. मनोहर पर्रीकरांनी सैनिकांच्या स्वाभिमानाचा विषय काढला म्हणून आम्ही हे बोललो. मनोहर पर्रीकरांनी आणखी एक महत्त्वाचे विधान केले ते म्हणजे, ‘‘एका अभिनेत्याच्या पत्नीने मध्यंतरी देशाच्या विरोधात उद्धट विधान केेले, पण नागरिकांनीच त्यांना उत्स्फूर्त उत्तर दिले. काहींनी त्या अभिनेत्याच्या जाहिरातीमधील उत्पादनांवर बहिष्कार घातला, तर काही कंपन्यांनी त्याला अॅतम्बेसेडर पदावरून हटविले. त्यामुळे हिंदुस्थानविरुद्ध काही बोलणार्यां ना लोकच धडा शिकवतील!’’ मनोहर पर्रीकर लाखमोलाचेच बोलले, पण सिनेमातील लोक बोलतात म्हणून धडा शिकवायचा ते सोपे असते, पण राष्ट्रभक्तीचे मुखवटे लावून जे लोक तीच विधाने करतात त्यांची कशाने पूजा करायची? बुरहान वाणीच्या हत्येचे समर्थन करून आमच्या जवानांची पाठ थोपटण्याची हिंमत दाखवणार्याव राज्यकर्त्यांची देशाला गरज आहे. बुरहान वाणीचा खात्मा हा अपघात असेल तर सध्याची राज्यव्यवस्था हासुद्धा भयंकर अपघात आहे असे लोकांनी ठरवले तर काय उत्तर द्याल? तसे होऊ नये अशी आमची इच्छा आ

Dear Mr Parrikar, Do Visit Military Training Centres To See Raw Recruits Become Soldiers

Dear Mr Parrikar, Do Visit Military Training Centres To See Raw Recruits Become Soldiers LT GENERAL VIJAY OBEROI Monday, June 20, 2016 THE CITIZEN http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/NewsDetail/index/4/8017/Dear-Mr-Parrikar-Do-Visit-Military-Training-Centres-To-See-Raw-Recruits-Become-Soldiers Dear Shri Parrikar, It was good to see your photographs interacting with air force pilots under training, in both the print and electronic media; launching the new Trainer HTT 40; and testing the ergonomics of the pilot’s seats in the Trainers! It is this news report that set me thinking about your visits to various military units and formations. I was a little perturbed to note that you seem to have neglected visiting units and formations of the army, possibly because the army modernisation continues to languish and hence there is limited scope of inaugurating anything new, for the equipment currently in service was introduced decades back and needs no inauguration in its present state of obsolescence! In your nearly two years in office as the Raksha Mantri of our nation, you have interacted with the navy, the air force, as also on a few occasions with the army, in that order, usually at rarefied levels. You have sailed in naval ships, including an aircraft carrier; had ‘a day at sea’ as the navy loves to call it; and have visited at least one submarine. This is good, as a defence minister should make as many visits as he can to units and formations of the field force, instead of only listening to the MoD bureaucrats and ordering committees, whose reports are rarely acted upon. Such visits also add to your image, which is oxygen for all political leaders, especially with photo-ops appearing in the media! Since I do not see acquisitions of any new helicopters; tanks; medium artillery; air defence missiles and guns; and even the humble rifle that every soldier carries; on the horizon, for the army, photo-ops may be somewhat incongruous! However, may I suggest an apparently mundane activity, but one that is extremely important, so that you are able to witness first hand as to how the army manages to still be professionally effective, even with the ancient weaponry it is equipped with. The activity I am suggesting is the high grade training that the army imparts to its officers and soldiers. We have a very large number of training establishments, at every conceivable level for our officers, JCO’s and jawans, but perhaps the lowest level is the most important. It may be a good idea to start visiting our training institutions and perhaps it may be best to start at the lowest level and see how the army converts rural and urban young men into effective, proud and highly capable soldiers. My suggestion, for whatever it is worth is that it may be a good idea to witness how the army trains its largest component, the infantry soldier, which has been and continues to be the cutting edge of the army. As you must be aware, the army fields over 500 infantry battalions and they are the ones who are in the forefront of all types of operations, be they war; manning the LC in J&K and the LAC on the northern borders; counter-insurgency operations; internal security duties; disaster relief; or any other duty you can think of. Despite this, their modernisation somehow remains on the back-burner and yet they deliver! It is my suggestion that you start by visiting an infantry regiment training centre and see how gawky youngsters get transformed to professionally competent, smart and efficient soldiers, who then are ready to sacrifice even their lives for their regiment, the army and the nation. I strongly recommend that you choose the centre of my regiment, viz. the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre at Belgaum for your first visit. I am not being parochial, but there are a number of good reasons for such a selection. For starters, it is the best infantry training centre and has been adjudged so a number of times. It is also the closest to your home state and you speak the same lingo as the recruits. It is also the only regimental centre that has fought bravely in major campaigns, in its earlier ‘avatar’ of 114th Marathas, which won great laurels in the Battle of Sharqat in Mesopotamia during World War I and was made the training centre of the regiment during the reorganisation of the army in 1921. It also played a sterling role in the Liberation of Goa by organising the operational and logistics base for launching military operations to evict the Portuguese in 1961. There is one unique and additional reason. The Regiment and specifically its senior most battalion, the First Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry, which is popularly known as Jangi Paltan, the nom du guerre that was awarded to it within 20 years of its raising in August 1768, for its bravery in every battle, would be celebrating its 250 years of Raising in 2018. Prior to celebrating its bicentenary (200 years of Raising) in 1968, it had volunteered to serve in the then most difficult terrain in the country, viz. the cold desert of Ladakh at forbidding heights. Siachen Glacier was not a battlefield at that time. Now, prior to celebrating its 250 years of Raising, it has again volunteered to serve in Ladakh and that too on the Siachen Glacier! Within a year of the raising of Jangi Paltan, the Second Battalion of the Regiment, known as the Kali Panchwin was raised, and other battalions followed in succession. I was commissioned in the Jangi Paltan; fought the 1965 India-Pakistan War with them; was part of the bicentenary celebrations in 1968, as a major with less than eight years’ service; and hope to be with them in the Sestercentinial (250 years) celebrations in 2018. Reverting back to my suggestion, may I request you to visit our Regimental Centre at Belgaum and spend a day with the recruits; witness how they are trained in Physical Training (PT); Drill; Weapons Training, including bayonet fighting and firing; Map Reading; Education and Computer Training; Orientation Training for serving in different types of terrain; Malakhamb and other Maratha sports and games; and interact with them. It will be a proud day for the recruits under training; their Officer, JCO and NCO instructors; and indeed the entire Regiment. You will also get an intimate insight to the glorious and gallant history of one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. In all regiments the pride of place is accorded to symbols that are dear and inspirational for the Regiment. You will see these too and they would include the War Memorial with the statue of Chhatrapati Shiva Ji Maharaj as the centre piece astride his horse; the Centre Quarter Guard; the Officers Mess showcasing its invaluable artefacts; and of course the Regimental Museum, our heritage and the reverence with which they are preserved and handled. However, it is the soldiers who continue to be the soul and the most valuable part of every regiment. You would be able to see them resplendent in their uniforms, with their colourful red and green hackles fluttering in the Belgaum breeze, or in combat dresses or both. Last but not the least, as a continuation of the old adage – “the army marches on its stomach”, you will be able to partake of the delicious and unique spicy Maratha cuisine with the recruits, the NCO instructors, the JCO’s and the officers. The present Colonel of our Regiment, Lt Gen PJS Pannu is currently serving in Army Headquarters as Director General Infantry. I am sure he would plan a visit by you at your convenience, whenever you so desire. Do start visiting and interacting with our troops, Sir; they are the best you will find anywhere.

MANOHAR PARIKAR & MODERNIZATION INDIAN ARMIES ARTILLERY -LONG BUT WORTH READING

The government on Saturday sought to revive the Army's moribund artillery modernization project, which has miserably failed to take off ever since the infamous Bofors scandal of the mid-1980s, but deferred decisions on two crucial aircraft projects to next month. The defence acquisitions council (DAC), chaired for the first time by Manohar Parrikar, gave initial clearance to the Rs 15,750 crore project to acquire 814 mounted artillery gun systems or motorized howitzers to plug critical gaps in the Army's long-range, high-volume firepower. Officials said the two big-ticket IAF projects, in turn, will now be considered in the next DAC meeting on December 9/10 since Parrikar, just two weeks old as the defence minister, wanted more information and time to better acquaint himself with the complex defence procurement procedures. The DAC had to decide whether to go ahead with the Rs 13,000 crore mega project for the private sector to supply 56 medium transport aircraft to replace IAF's ageing Avro fleet despite only a single bidder, the Tata-Airbus consortium, being in the fray. The second IAF case was the around Rs 7,000 crore acquisition of 106 more Swiss Pilatus PC-7 basic trainer aircraft, with bulk of them produced domestically, to help train rookie pilots, as reported by TOI earlier. The DAC did approve the revised payment schedule for the nine "nodes" and 10 "subnodes" of the IAF's integrated air command and control system (IACCS) being set up in the country for Rs 7,160 crore. While five nodes are already in place, with integration of air and ground radars, four more will now come up to address the lack of radar coverage over central and peninsular India as well as Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The only real take-away from the over two hour-long DAC meeting was the renewal of one of the several artillery projects, which have witnessed repeated scrapping of tenders — even after extensive trials of the guns on offer — due to recurring scandals. The Bofors 155mm howitzers played an important role in India's victory in the 1999 Kargil War. A fresh tender or RFP (request for proposal) will now be issued for the 155mm/52-calibre mounted artillery in the "Buy & Make India" category, with 100 guns to be bought off-the-shelf and the rest 714 to be subsequently manufactured in India. If the guns had been bought a decade ago, as was envisaged, they would have cost half of the Rs 15,750 crore figure. "Private companies like L&T, Tata, Bharat Forge, Punj Lloyd, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra Defence and the like can respond to the RFP after tying up with a foreign collaborator. The 814 guns, with a 40-km range, will equip 40 medium artillery regiments of the Army," said an official. The Army's overall artillery modernization plan, now worth upwards of Rs 50,000 crore, has remained derailed since the Swedish Bofors scandal led to Rajiv Gandhi government's downfall. Other corruption scandals around global artillery manufacturers like South African Denel, Israeli Soltam and Singapore Technology Kinetic's over the last decade did not allow the modernisation plan to kick off. In sharp contrast, both China and Pakistan are fast inducting thank all the gods noone dared to wage a full on war with us . Actually pakistan and china are waiting for us to buy or make this weapons first , because that is what our politicians and lawmakers think . Nations security should be the first priority of any government and citizens. Why should we wait for environment and other ministry for clearance to even make roads in arunachal for our security and defence This is a bloody joke . With changes in policy clearly stating that in all future acquisitions of defence equipment, the first priority would be given to Indian companies both private and public, a number of private companies such as L&T, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence Systems, Tata Powers and Punj Lloyd have taken the plunge and are forging JVs with renowned global defence equipment manufacturing companies especially those related to manufacture of 155mm/52 caliber artillery Howitzers of all types. There is also an urgent need to quickly revise the present blacklisting policy of the government which is retrograde in its application and is doing more harm than good to the procurement process. Imposing of severe financial penalties on the company rather than banning, would yield better results and ensure that the acquisition of major/critical weapon systems does not suffer – an existing practice in many countries. The Naresh Chandra Committee on defence reforms has addressed this issue and the Government must act on it. Presently, the artillery inventory is grossly inadequate both in quantity and quality… Both Napoleon and Stalin, in their respective time in history, have extolled the decisive role of artillery in war fighting. This fact remains relevant even today as firepower especially artillery continues to play a significant battle winning role in modern warfare. In the Indian context, this fact was amply demonstrated during the Kargil conflict. But despite the lessons of history and the imperatives to transform well recognised, the Regiment of Artillery’s modernisation plans continue to stagnate. In the last 26 years, India has not bought even a single gun after the then Government of Rajiv Gandhi was hit by a pay-off scandal over the procurement of Bofors guns. The major reason has been the numerous defence related scams, leading the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to display an extreme risk-averse behavior, resulting in the blacklisting of some of the major players in the world market, producing state-of-the-art modern artillery gun systems. The latest in this sordid saga is the uncertainty in the acquisition of the 145 BAE Systems M777 Ultra Light Howitzers (ULH), being acquired through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route with the United States. While the trials were completed almost a year and a half ago, the process for finalisation of the project seems totally stagnant with the MOD maintaining a stoic silence. This despite the fact that the Maintainability Evaluation trials were carried out at its behest in January 2013 – this in actuality constitutes the final round of trials in the procurement process of any military equipment. Rheinmetall wheeled Self Propelled guns RW G-52 In the absence of any communication from the MOD and with no other orders in the pipeline, the BAE Systems has been forced to shut down its M777 facility located in England in October last year. This facility catered to 30 per cent of the gun’s manufacture mechanism. As per reports, BAE Systems is also seriously looking at the option of closing down its main facility in the US by March 2014, in case no further progress is made. This is a major setback to the artillery modernisation process as this was the Army’s priority project, keeping in mind the raising of the new Mountain Strike Corps and the long outstanding inadequacy of artillery on our Eastern and Northern borders. This development has followed closely on the heels of the scrapping of another important project involving the acquisition of 180x155mm/52 caliber wheeled Self Propelled (SP) guns after completion of trials. The wheeled Self-Propelled gun is ideally suited for the plains and the semi-desert terrain… The cancellation has been attributed to the guns not meeting certain technical parameters, but more importantly, due to infirmities noticed in the trial process itself. In the fray were German – Rheinmetall Defence’s Wheeled Gun and Slovakia – Konstrukta’s Zuzana. Rheinmetal Defence was subsequently blacklisted by the MOD for its dealings related to acquisition of some air defence equipment. The result is that the second largest arm of the army after the Infantry continues to be a victim of repeated setbacks causing it to remain the most obsolescent wing of the army with serious operational implications. Presently, the artillery inventory is grossly inadequate both in quantity and quality. It has in its inventory six different caliber guns, most of which are either obsolescent or reaching obsolescence. While the Russian origin 122mm D30 towed Howitzer mainly deployed in the plains is already obsolete, the 105mm Indian Field Gun (IFG), the mainstay of the artillery and in service for the last three decades, is nearing obsolescence. Furthermore, its limited range of 17 km is almost irrelevant in the present and future battlefield environment where guns with 40 to 50 km range would be the need of the day. Most of the armies in the world are today even looking at Mortars with enhanced ranges of 12 to 14 km. The strength in terms of numbers of the 400xFH 77B (Bofors) guns bought in 1986, is down to approximately half owing to non-availability of spares. There has been some progress in the acquisition and indigenous production of surveillance and target acquisition equipment, rocket artillery and missiles… The above facts clearly highlight the current inadequacies of the artillery, with its modernisation and acquisition process in total disarray. The state of ammunition of the main weapon of the artillery continues to be a cause of serious concern. This aspect was amply highlighted by the erstwhile COAS General V.K Singh in his letter to the Prime Minister during his tenure, expressing serious security concerns regarding the shortage of ammunition. The situation has not changed since then. The only silver lining in this dismal gun acquisition stalemate has been the upgrade of 180 pieces of 130 mm/39 caliber M46 Russian guns to 155mm/45-caliber by the firm Soltam of Israel. The plan was to upgrade a total of 480 guns but with Soltam getting blacklisted by the MOD during this period, the process to upgrade the remaining 300 guns came to naught. Despite the initial teething problems, this has been a fruitful venture giving the upgraded gun an enhanced range of 39 km from its original 26 and providing commonality of ammunition with the 155mm Howitzers planned for acquisition. There has been some progress with regards to the acquisition and indigenous production of surveillance and target acquisition equipment (UAVs and gun locating radars), rocket artillery (Smerch & Pinaka) and missiles (Brahmos) but these are only in limited numbers and nowhere near the envisaged requirement. Technology Advancement Developments in technology in the last couple of decades have made firepower more devastating in its application and has led to the most dramatic enhancements in the capability of the artillery. This has extended the effective reach (range and lethality) of the land forces to almost limitless levels. Sophisticated surveillance systems now permit the exploitation of extended reach of artillery platforms and advanced communications allow the application over the widest possible envelop almost instantaneously. Brahmos Technologically, artillery guns have stabilised at 155mm. This is believed to be the optimum barrel bore for the best mix of range, lethality and platform mobility. In terms of barrel length, 45 to 52 caliber is the trend though it appears that the 52 caliber is what most gun manufacturers will eventually offer. This gun is becoming the mainstay of most modern armies and hence the decision of the Indian Army to acquire these is appropriate. A few variants to the standard towed and Self-Propelled – tracked have also emerged in the last decade and a half, in the form of the mounted gun system and Self-Propelled – wheeled which offer specific terrain related advantages. M-46 Field Gun Rocket artillery in the last three decades has also evolved into a spectacular weapon platform. The caliber has increased to 300mm and range close to 120 km and with advanced smart ammunition, its accuracy and lethality has multiplied manifold. Rocket artillery has become highly lethal as also extremely versatile with capability to fire both rockets and missiles. The weapon of the artillery is ammunition; enormous advancements have taken place in the accuracy and lethality of artillery ammunition. The need for ammunition now is to attain higher range, greater variety and a higher degree of precision (smart ammunition). The main highlight is the inclusion of the mounted gun system and wheeled Self-Propelled artillery platforms… Modernisation Status The Indian Army’s decision in favour the 155mm gun was taken in this background while also keeping in mind the threat perceptions and the terrain obtaining on the borders, especially at high altitudes. The aim was to achieve enhanced ranges, equipment standardisation and most importantly, the commonality of ammunition thereby reducing the colossal logistics problem of maintenance, spares and ammunition handling. The artillery’s modernisation programme includes purchase and manufacture of towed, mounted and ultra-light Howitzers as well as Self-Propelled artillery both tracked and wheeled, Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers, missiles, surveillance and counter bombardment equipment and most important of all, the ammunition and communication equipment. The main highlight is the inclusion of the mounted gun system and wheeled Self-Propelled artillery platforms. The mounted gun system provides a high level of autonomy and shoot-and-scoot capability and has a distinct advantage in the mountains due to its shorter turning radius compared to the towed gun. The wheeled Self-Propelled gun is ideally suited for the plains and the semi-desert terrain vis-a-vis the tracked version providing better speed and mobility at lesser costs. While modernisation related to rocket artillery (Smerch & Pinaka), missiles (Prithvi, Agni and Brahmos) and surveillance equipment (UAVs and Weapon Locating Radar) is progressing satisfactorily, the main concern and problem area remains the stagnation in the induction of roughly 2820 guns/Howitzers of all types. Pinaka The Indian artillery modernisation process is a long story of tenders/re-tenders and trials/re-trials. The principal project to buy 400x155mm/52 caliber towed guns followed by the indigenous manufacture of another 1,180 guns had been mired in controversy for a long period of time. However, finally there is some light at the end of the tunnel. As per reports, the MOD has revised its procurement policy to give priority to Indian companies both private and public in defence acquisition, with emphasis on indigenous production. In view of this a number of private players are taking a calculated plunge into this arena. Major private companies such as Bharat Forge, Tata Powers and Larsen & Toubro, have shown an interest in the indigenous design and development of modern artillery gun systems and are reportedly entering into Joint Ventures with foreign companies such as French Nexter, Korean Samsung Teckwin Israeli Elbit and South African Denel (even though presently blacklisted), who already have the expertise and technology in the manufacturing of such gun systems. Trials are already in progress with Elbit Systems (earlier Soltam) ATHOS 155/52 caliber and Nexters TRAJAN 155/52 caliber Towed Gun Systems. As per reports, the trials are expected to be completed early next year. The outstanding feature of these trials is the involvement of Indian private sector defence companies who have tied up with the foreign vendors making this project in the category of ‘Buy and Make-Indian’. In the above case, Bharat Forge has tied up with Elbit and Larson & Toubro with Nexter. This is a positive development and with the Indian Companies playing a key role in these ventures, there should be no scope for a rollback. The Mounted Gun System is another important project involving off-the-shelf purchase of 200x155mm/52 caliber guns, followed by the indigenous manufacture of another 614 mounted gun systems. Available in the world market are Sweden’s Archer, French Caeser, Bosnia’s Nora Gun System and the latest Indian entry, the Tata Power SED gun system. This system has its inherent advantages over the towed guns in mountainous terrain and today is the mainstay equipment of many western nations. Both Caeser and Archer are combat proven gun systems having seen service in Afghanistan. Other private players are also likely to stake their claim in this project. There has been no progress on this project so far. Trajan combines two main sub-systems the Caesar 155-52 ordnance and the modified carriage of the 155 With regard to the tracked systems, the earlier trials of the 155m/52 caliber SP guns came to naught due to the blacklisting of Denel (South Africa). Fresh tenders were issued and the good news is that the trials have commenced. In the fray are the Korean Samsung Teckwin ‘K-9 Thunder’ and Russian Rosoboron Export’s tracked gun – an upgraded version of the MSTA-S SP Gun. In this case, Larsen & Toubro has tied up with Samsung Techwin in fielding the K-9 Thunder SP Gun. The guns are presently undergoing winter trials with the summer trials already completed. There is a requirement of 100x155mm/52 caliber tracked SP guns. The wheeled SP guns project is already a dead case as brought out earlier and there is likely to be no further progress on the issue for the time being. The induction of Smerch MBRL (two regiments) with a range of 90 km and Pinaka MBRL (indigenous production) with 40 km range as well as the Brahmos tactical cruise missile will certainly provide a major boost to artillery’s capability for depth battle but they can, in no way, replace the requirement of guns/Howitzers which are essential for fighting close and contact battle. Significant Developments Some very significant developments have taken place in recent years in order to meet the immediate inescapable operational requirements of artillery deployment on our Northern and Eastern borders. First, the defence ministry has given the approval for upgunning of 300 additional 130mm/39 caliber guns to 155mm/45 caliber with the participation of the private sector in the tender process. The private industry has been approached to undertake this project in collaboration with a foreign vendor right from providing the required ordnance and accessories to the upgunning. Companies such as Tata, Larson & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Forge are some of the private venders likely to be involved in this venture. While a suitable step to tide over the current criticality, it is an interim solution and must be seen in that context. The defence ministry has given the approval for upgunning of 300 additional 130mm/39 caliber guns to 155mm/45 caliber… The second development is the manufacture of an indigenous version of the 155mm Bofors Howitzer by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Though the blueprints of the Bofors gun design have been available with the OFB under the original Bofors contract, the ghost of Bofors had precluded any effort towards using the same, being a political bomb, despite the exceptional performance of these guns in the Kargil war. However, keeping in mind the criticality of the situation the MOD finally relented and asked the OFB to develop the indigenous version of the Bofors gun. Basically this is an upgunned version (45 caliber) of the existing Bofors gun and has a range of approximately 38 km. The OFB has developed two such guns which have undergone extensive test firing at Pokhran and Balasore ranges. The Army is conducting user trials on a fast track basis so that manufacturing can commence at the earliest. However, ; there was a minor setback due to a barrel burst during trials, but the same has been resolved. As per reports, indent has been placed on the OFB by the MOD for 200 Howitzers to ensure it can start bulk production after completion of user trials. Follow on orders could be placed based on the performance of the gun. While this is a welcome development, it is not the ideal solution as technology in the development of guns/ Howitzers has moved to an altogether different level, way beyond the technology of the 1980s and the modernisation focus must remain on the 155mm/ 52 caliber guns. Elbit ATHOS Conclusion Till recently, the manufacturing of weapon systems was the sole preserve of the DRDO and Defence Public Sector Undertakings such as the OFB, who had the technological infrastructure and related facilities. However, with the Government’s decision to involve the private sector in defence production and the focus on indigenisation, this exclusive preserve is now been threatened. Case in point is the development of 155mm/52 caliber truck mounted gun Howitzer by Tata Power SED in collaboration with a foreign company Denel Land Systems of South Africa. Tata Power claims this Gun System has an indigenous content of 53 per cent and has gone through firing trails in a third country where it attained a range of 40 kms. The weapon system is mounted on a customised 8×8 truck from Tata Motors providing excellent mobility in all types of terrain. As per reports, Tata Power has approached the MOD for being given a chance for proving their gun in India. The manufacturing of weapon systems was the sole preserve of the DRDO and Defence Public Sector Undertakings… With changes in policy clearly stating that in all future acquisitions of defence equipment, first priority would be given to Indian companies both private and public, a number of private companies such as L&T, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence Systems, Tata Powers and Punj Lloyd have taken the plunge and are forging JVs with renowned global defence equipment manufacturing companies, especially those related to manufacture of 155mm/52 caliber artillery Howitzers of all types. There is also an urgent need to review the present blacklisting policy of the government which is retrograde in its application and is doing more harm than good to the procurement process. Imposing of severe financial penalties on the company rather than banning, would yield better results and ensure that the acquisition of major/critical weapon systems does not suffer – an existing practice in many countries. The Naresh Chandra Committee on defence reforms has addressed this issue and the Government must act on it. The present situation is showing some signs of improvement with the trials of the Towed and Tracked 155/52 caliber Howitzers in progress. However, keeping in mind the outcome of earlier trials, it is a process of ‘wait and watch’. A number of tenders have been scrapped in the final stages of the acquisition process. There is an urgent need to upgrade/modernise the artillery and ensure accelerated acquisitions to effectively redress the balance especially with the adversary in the North. The MOD needs to guard against the game of ‘Snakes and Ladders’ being played frequently in the procurement process where there are plenty of snakes but no ladders.