Government
of India
Ministry of Defence
18-December-2012
18:32 IST
Achievements of Ministry of Defence
during the Year 2012
Augmentation
of Nation’s defence preparedness by adding new milestones in defence R&D,
capacity building in existing and new strategic areas through upgradation and
modernization, further strengthening of coastal security initiatives in
different areas particularly in air defence and blue water capabilities and a
systematic force projection of our armed forces in India’s neighbourhood and
far off Asian region by engaging them through exercises and defence diplomacy
were the main highlights of the year.
The year
also saw massive welfare measures being undertaken for service personnel and
ex-servicemen, scaling of new heights by armed forces personnel in fields like
sports and adventure activities. The achievements of defence scientists in
developing different soldier support systems like Suicide Risk Assessment Test,
BMP Urban Survival Kit, Armour for Mi 17-IV for helicopters and Heavy Weight
Anti-Submarine Electric Torpedo – ‘Varunastra’ also marked the eventful year.
New Weapons Systems to Strengthen Defence Preparedness
AGNI-V – India proudly entered the exclusive club as the sixth country on 19
April 2012, when its Long-range Ballistic Missile took to sky on its maiden
flight and reached the pre-designated target point over 5000 km away in the
Indian Ocean with remarkable accuracy. The missile which was launched from
Wheeler Island off Orissa Coast incorporates many indigenously developed
technologies. These include the composite rocket motor, state-of-the-art avionics, 5th generation
‘On Board Computer’ distributed architecture, highly accurate Ring Laser
Gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS), reliable redundant micro
navigation system and the re-entry kit shield that withstands temperature with
more than 4000 degree celsius ensuring that avionics function normally by maintaining
an inside temperature less than 50 degreescelcius.
AGNI-IV – The 4000 km range nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-IV was
successfully flight tested on 19 Sep 2012. The
long-range missile propelled by composite rocket motor technology was tested
for its cool capability. Launched from road mobile launcher, it reached the predefined target in
about 20 minutes.
With Agni-I,
Agni-II, Agni-III andPrithvi P-IIsurface to surface missile and also its naval
version Dhanushalready in the arsenal of the
Indian Armed Forces, the missile from the production lots were flight tested by
the Armed Forces as part of training exercises to ensure defence preparedness.
Thus, Agni-I, India’s 700 km range ballistic missile had its flight tests on 13
July and 12 Dec 2012.
The 2000 km range ballistice missile Agni-II and Agni-III with a range
of 3000 km were test fired on 09 Aug and 21 Sept 2012 respectively.
The 350 km range surface-to-surface strategic missile Prithvi (P-II) was
successfully flight tested on 25 Aug and 04 Oct 2012 from ITR Chandipur,
Odisha. While its naval version Dhanush was test fired from a naval ship off the
coast of Balasore, Odisha on 05 Oct 2012. The tests
were like textbook launches meeting all mission objectives and the missiles
reached the target points with high accuracy.
Brah-Mos Block III version with advanced guidance algorithm
was flight tested on 28 Mar 2012 from ITR Balasore. The
missile flew through the designated 290 kms distance at Mach 2.8 and achieved
high precision with steep dive.
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE
(BMD)
DRDO has developed a
two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability against missiles with
range upto 2000 km class. Both the exo and endo atmospheric interception have
been demonstrated with direct hits leading to disintegration of target missile.
The Interceptor Missile AAD launched by the Scientists
of DRDO on 23 Nov 2012 from Wheeler’s Island, Odisha, successfully destroyed
the incoming Ballistic Missile at an altitude of 15 Kms. The target missile, a
modified version of Prithvi, mimicking the enemy’s ballistic missile, was
launched from Launch Complex III, Chandipur. Long Range Radar and MFC Radar
located far away could detect the Missile from take-off and tracked it through
its entire path. The total trajectory of the incoming Missile was continuously
estimated by the guidance computer and subsequently the AAD Missile was
launched at an appropriate time to counter and kill the ballistic missile.
In this mission, a special
feature of intercepting multiple target with multiple interceptor was
demonstrated successfully.The complete Radar Systems, Communication Networks,
Launch Computers, Target update Systems and state of the art Avionics have been
completely proven in this Mission.
AKASH AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM - Induction and
productionisation of Akash, the medium range air defence
system with multi-target, multi directional capability is another shining
achievement. The production value of Akash missile systems ordered by Army and
Air Force is over Rs 23,000 crores. Orders for two Army regiments and six Air
Force Squadrons are under execution.
LONG RANGE SURFACE-TO-AIR
MISSILE (LRSAM) - Control and Navigation
Tests (CNT) for LRSAM, a joint development Programme between DRDO and Israel
Aerospace Industry (IAI), to develop an Advanced Naval Air Defence System for
Indian Navy) were conducted on 16th and 18th July 2012. All Planned
mission objectives were fully met in both the tests. The missiles showed good
navigation and control performance. DRDO is the Prime Development Agency and
IAI the design authority for supply, installation and final acceptance.
NAG ANTI-TANK MISSILE - the fire and forget
anti-tank missile with top attack capability is another important missile
developed by DRDO. Its helicopter mounted version, Helina, underwent 2
successful flights from ground launcher proving full range of the missile.
LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT–NAVY
(LCA-Navy) - had its first flight on 27th April 2012 followed by
flights during month of Jun/Jul 2012. Initial Operation Clearance of this
aircraft is expected by Dec 2014. LCA, country’s first indigenous modern Light
Combat Aircraft with four variants (air force, Navy and their trainer
versions), is a precision weapon launch platform to carry a range of Air to Air
missile, unguided rockets and bombs. The aircraft is integrated with
advanced cockpit, digital avionics and weapons interface, to provide effective
point and shoot capability with quick turnaround time. A Shore based Test
facility (SBTF); one of its kind in Asia and third in the
world; developed by DRDO at Naval Air Station INS Hansa, Goa is now ready for
use. Besides
testing of LCA-Navy, the test facility will also be used for training of pilots
on LCA - Navy and MiG29K aircraft.
AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AND
CONTROL SYSTEM (AEW&C) - In a landmark event
the first EMB-145I aircraft fully modified for the indigenous Airborne
Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) landed on Indian soil at CABS
(Centre for Airborne Systems, Bangalore, a DRDO laboratory) on 23 Aug
2012.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
(UAVs) - There have been significant achievements in the
field of UAVs. NISHANT, with its ground control
system has been made ready for the Army after confirmatory trials. An
indigenous Wankel rotary engine has been developed by DRDO jointly with NAL,
Bangalore, for powering UAVs like NISHANT. Rotary engine technology, especially
suited for such applications, is the first of its kind in India. Orders
for Lakshya II pilotless target aircraft; capable of flying in sea skimming
mode and tree top heights; are expected from the Services after successful
demonstration to them. Similarly, UAV Rustom-I, a forerunner to Mediun Altitude
Long Range (MALE) UAV Rustom-2, had series of successful trials. Indigenously
designed and developed RUSTOM-1 underwent series of
successful test flights. This UAV has the potential to be used for
military missions like Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Target
Designation, Communications Relay, Battle Damage Assessment and Signal
Intelligence. A mini UAV -‘NETRA’, especially suited for Low
intensity conflict operations was inducted by the Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF). ‘NETRA’ has four high speed
propellers allowing it to take off and land vertically. Similarly a fixed wing
mini UAV for low intensity conflict was demonstrated to security forces at
various locations for surveillance within the range of 10 kms. It is also
useful in reconnaissance over hills.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE - There has been a significant achievement in the Electronic Warfare
Area which includes integration and testing of country’s first indigenous
active array radar, operationalisation of Combat Information Decision Support
System (CIDSS) and development and testing of laser based ordnance Disposal
System and advanced Laser Guided Bomb Tester. The initial development of
Indira-1, a short range 2D system has now been extended to high power 3D system
like 3D Central Acquisition Radar and Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) based on phased array. The DRDOs radar
warning receivers have been selected to upgrade most of Indian Air Force
aircrafts like MiG 21, MiG 29, SU 30MKI, MiG 27 and Jaguars.
MBT ARJUN MK-II -Arjun Mk-II the advanced
version of India’s first main battle tank Arjun, commenced its user trials in
record time of 2 yrs. The Arjun Mk-II incorporates 89 improvements over the
Arjun Mk-I, of which, two regiments are already in service.
Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) for Smerch Rockets - Ordnance
Factory Board (OFB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint Venture
with M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia and M/s Splav “SPA”, Russia to manufacture
five versions of SmerchRockets based on the technology
received from Russia. The SmerchRockets
are technologically superior having a range of 70-80- kms. With formation of
this Joint Venture, a new Chapter in the Indo-Russian Friendship has commenced.
Joint
Venture for Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) -
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the aerospace major, signed the Preliminary Design Phase (PDP) Contract on 12
October 2012with the United Aircraft Corporation - Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA),
the Russian partner and their JV-Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) for
the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project as a follow on contract of the
General Contract signed between the three parties in May 2012. “With this HAL
and UAC-TA will start the preliminary designwork immediately
at Moscow.
**************
CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH
INDUCTIONS/ACQUISITIONS
Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Inducted into IAF
Mi-17 V5 helicopter was
inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 17 February 2012. This helicopter falls in the category of armed helicopter, with
substantial and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines
that will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher altitudes.
Mi-17 V5, an upgrade of Mi-17 in the medium-lift category, is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and on-board Navigation
Systems. It is a glass
cockpit variant; the first of its kind to get inducted into the IAF. It has onboard weather radar, state of the art
autopilot and is compatible with the latest Generation (Gen-III) Night vision
Goggles. With this, the
helicopter can undertake all-weather, day and night operations in any kind of
terrain. The helicopter is also equipped with a Bambi-Bucket that can be used
for fire fighting. It is also fitted
with a powerful winch–a feature useful in the Disaster Relief Operations in
restricted areas where landing is not possible.
INS Chakra
Indian
Navy inducted INS Chakra to itsunder water fleet on 04th April
2012 at Vishakhapatnam. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony inducted the submarine into the fleet of
Eastern Naval Command. This four plus generation Russian origin submarine is capable of
fulfilling multiple roles and will go a long way in strengthening Navy’s blue
water operating capability.
INS Sahyadri
The third
of the follow-on class indigenous stealth frigate was commissioned on 21 July
2012 at Mazagaon Dock Limited, Mumbai by the Defence Minister Shri AK
Antony. Conceived and designed by Indian Navy Design Team this Shivalik class
frigate will be mainstay frigate of the Navy in the 21st Century.
INS Teg and Tarkash
The First
and Second of the three Talwar-class stealth frigates constructed at Yantar
Shipyard, Kalinigrad Russia were inducted into Indian Navy on 27 April and 09
November 2012 respectively by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern
Naval Command. These multi-role stealth frigate with advanced combat suits are fitted
with formidable array of weapons and sensors onboard the Ship including the
super-sonic BrahMos missile system and advance surface-to-air missile system.
Commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship H-187, H-188 and H-189
To
provide a boost to coastal security Indian Coast Guard Ship H-187, the first of
the series of twelve Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), was commissioned at Okha on
11 June 2012 by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, DG Coast Guard. The 21
meter long ACV (hovercraft) designed and built by GriffenHaverwork Limited
(GHL), UK displaces 31 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 45
knots. The ACV is capable of undertaking multi-farious tasks such as
surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and
responding assistance to small boats / crafts in distress at Sea.
The
second in the series, H-188 was commissioned at Haldia by Inspector General of
Coast Guard Shri Rajendra Singh on 20 Nov 2012.
The third
ACV in this series, H-189 was commissioned in Mumbai by Vice Admiral SK Sinha
FOC-in-C Western Naval Command. With the commissioning of H-189, the force level of
Indian Coast Guard has gone up to 77 ships and First Attack Boats and with the
planned induction the force level would be doubling by 2018.
Commission of
Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudra Paheredar’
Indian Coast Guard Ship
'SamudraPaheredar', the second of the series of three Pollution Control Vessels
(PCVs) being built by M/s ABG Shipyard, Surat was commissioned by Admiral
NirmalVerma, the then Chief of the Naval Staff in July 2012.
The 95m long indigenous PCV
displaces 4300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 20.5 knots with an
endurance of 6500 nautical miles.The ship’s primary role is pollution response
at sea and is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated pollution
response and control equipment for mitigating oil spills, which include
containment equipment like hi-sprint booms and river booms, recovery devices
like skimmers and side sweeping arms. The ship is capable of unhindered oil
recovery operations with storage tank capacity of 500 KL in addition to
inflatable barges.
The ship is installed with modern Integrated Platform
Management System and Power Management System, which makes it unique for
unmanned machinery operations. It is also fitted with Dynamic Positioning
System for fire fighting and pollution response operations and an infra-red
surveillance system for night surveillance.
Commissioning of First Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) ‘Rani
Abbakka’
The Indian Coast Guard Ship
Rani Abbakka, the 1st of a series of five Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) built at M/s HSL, was
commissioned at Visakhapatnam by the then Minister of State for Defence Dr.MM
PallamRaju,on 20 Jan 2012.
The 50 meter indigenous IPV displaces 300 tonnes
and can achieve a maximum speed of 31.5 Knots with an endurance of
1500 nautical miles.The special features of the ship include an Integrated
Bridge System (IBS), Machinery Control System (IMCS), and an indigenously built
Gun Mount with Fire Control System. The ship is designed to
carry one Rigid Inflatable Boat and two Geminis for Search and Rescue, Law
Enforcement and Maritime Patrol.
Commissioning Of ICGS
‘Dahanu’
Coast Guard Station Dahanu,
the third Coast Guard station in Maharashtra, was commissioned by Vice Admiral
MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at Dahanu on 22 March
2012.
The station is part of
ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security along the
Indian coastline. The station at Dahanu will help augment patrolling along the
north Maharshtra coast and prevent illicit activity such as infiltration and smuggling.
Commissioning Of ICGS Krishnapatnam
Coast Guard Station Krishnapatnam, the third Coast Guard
Station in Andhra Pradesh, was commissioned in Andhra Pradesh by Dr MM
PallamRaju, the then Raksha Rajya Mantri on June 18, 2012.
The establishment of a Station at Krishnapatnam is
part of the ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security
in the coastal states of the nation.
Commissionig of Coast Guard Station Karaikal
Coast Guard Station Karaikal, the fifth CG station on
the Puducherry - Tamil Nadu coastline was commissioned by Vice Admiral MP
Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at Karaikal on 25
July 2012.
The station is part of ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard
to strengthen coastal security along the Indian coastline. The
station at Karaikal will help augment patrolling along the east coast
and prevent illicit activities such as infiltration, smuggling and illegal
fishing.
Commissioning of Naval Base INS ‘DweepRakshak’ and ‘BAAZ‘
Naval base INS ‘DweepRakshak’ was commissioned in Lakshadweep
Islands and INS ‘Baaz’ was commissioned in Andaman Islands (Campbell Bay) in
2012. Commissioning of
these full fledged naval bases was another milestone in the commitment of
Indian Navy in maintaining effective coastal surveillance and defence
capability. The positioning of
radar stations and other surveillance measures will add positive control over
movement of Ships and intelligence gathering.
****************
COASTAL SECURITY
INITIATIVES
Inauguration of StaticSensors
Project in Mumbai and Porbandar
With the inauguration of the Static Sensors Project of Coastal
Surveillance Network by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on 25 Aug 2012, the
coastal security mechanism got a big boost. Shri Antony said that the patching
up of National Automatic Identification System Network (AIS) and Vessel Traffic
System (VTS) of Gulf of Khambat, along with the Coastal Security Network, will
help us in identifying a friend or foe in our waters.
Under Phase I
of Coastal Surveillance Network, Coastal Static Sensors will be put up at 46
locations. Out of these, the mainland radars are expected to be operationalised
later this year, while those on the island territories will become operational
next year.
Kerala Cluster of Coastal Radar NetworkCommissioned
The Remote Operating Station (ROS) of the coastal surveillance sensor chain of Kerala cluster was inaugurated by Vice Admiral MP
Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at the Coast Guard District Headquarters No 4 Fort Kochi on 15 Sept 2012. Speaking on the occasion, Vice
Admiral Muralidharan highlighted the efforts of BEL the agency who executed the
project, Department of Lighthouses
and Light Ships , MTNL, BSNL, and ISRO in seeing the project through.
In Kerala, the feed and data from the four coastal surveillance radars at Mount Dilli in Ezhimala, Ponnani, Vypin and Kollam will be
available at the ROS Fort Kochi. Two more
additional sensors will be installed at Alapuzha and Azhikode in the phase two
of the project.
Step towards
Eastern Coast Sensitisation
Minister of
State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Chain of Static Sensor at
Vishakhapatnam on 23 Nov 2012, which will provide real time surveillance cover
up to 25 nautical miles along the coast line. Post 26/11 terrorist attacks in
Mumbai, the emergent need to strengthen coastal security was
recognized by
the Government and on recommendation made by the Group of Ministers, Indian
Coast Guard was delegated to implement the project. With the inauguration of
Eastern clusters at Vishakhapatnam, the phase-I of implementation of CSN at
mainland is completed.
****************************
EXERCISES / INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
· Exercise YUDH ABHYAS is part of joint exercises between the Indian and United States
Armies since 2005, agreed upon under
the New Framework of India-US Defence
Relationship. Commencing at the platoon
level, the exercise graduated to a
command post (CPX) and field training exercise
(FTX).
The seventh edition
of Yudh Abhyas commenced on 05 March 12 in two
locations under the South Western Command. The US Army contingent is
from the US Army Pacific (USARPAC), part
of their Pacific Command (PACOM). The
Command Post Exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters with its planners
from both sides, while the Field
Training Exercise comprises troops of 2nd Squadron 14th US
Cavalry Regiment from 25th Infantry Division,Hawaii, along
with a platoon of Strykers, and a
similar sized Indian Army contingent of
mechanized infantry.
· Navies of India
and Japan conducted routine passage exercises ‘PASSEX’ during the visit of Japanese ships to Indian ports
this year.
· INS Sudarshini sets sail for ASEAN Sailing Expedition from Kochi on 13 Sept
2012. This expedition was organised to celebrate India’s
warm ties with the countries of Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN). Admiral DK Joshi flagged off the six months voyage, a
unique collaborative venture of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External
Affairs. The voyage commemorates 20 years of dialogue
partnerships. During the course of voyage, 12,000 nautical
expedition of INS Sudarshini will visit 13 ports in nine countries in South
East Asia.
· The 15 nation Naval Exercise ‘MILAN-2012’, a biennial congregation
of Littoral Navies of the Asia-Pacific region, hosted by the Indian Navy,
commenced at Port Blair, in Andaman and Nicobar islands, on 01 February
2012. It significantly contributed in strengthening
cooperation among the Navies of 14 countries including Australia, Bangladesh,
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand,
Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
· ‘Theatre Level
Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX)’ was held on 07-08 February
2012 at Vishakhapatnam by Eastern Naval Command. Defence Minister Shri AK
Antony, who inaugurated the exercise, spent two days with the Indian Navy and
he was given a glimpse of the expansive scope and scale of the Indian Navy’s
annual exercise.
· Indian and Indonesian Armies participated in the
‘Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare Training Drill’in
March 2012.Training together to counter the scourge of insurgency in various
contemporary scenarios including jungle warfare, the operational part
of the first-ever platoon-level joint training exercise – EX GARUDA SHAKTI – of
the armies of India and Indonesia, concluded successfully at the Indian Army's
elite 'Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School’ (CIJWS),
Vairengte in Mizoram.
· Exercise ‘Shoor
Veer’ is based on the
integrated theatre battle concept
under South Western Army Command with the elite Strike Corps in the lead, supported by Chetak Corps and all other relevant elements of South Western Army.
The Army and IAF has tested new battle fighting concepts and
doctrines during the exercise with real time pictures of the battle zone provided to a centralized command and control centre from fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and attack helicopters, waging war in network centric environment and massed tank drills backed by long range artillery guns.
More than 300 combat vehicles including main battle tank
T-90, T-72, long range 150mm artillery guns, multi barrel rockets and about 60000 troops has taken part in this massive major exercise in Rajasthan.
A major highlight of the joint exercise was the integrated air-land
war-fighting machinery and the synergy between the Indian Army and IAF.
· Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise ‘PRALAY’ in the North East
on 29 February 2012.
************************
IMPORTANT VISITS PROMOTING DEFENCE COOPERATION
· The twelfth meeting of the
India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) was held
on 10 October 2012. In a joint India-Russia press conferene held in New Delhi
by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony and Russian counterpart Mr.AE Serdyukovendorsed the Protocols of the meetings of the Working
Group on Shipbuilding, Aviation and Land Systems, (WGSALS) and the Working
Group on Military Technical Cooperation (WG-MTC) which were held in New Delhi
on 27-28 August, 2012 and 30-31 August, 2012 respectively.
· The US
Secretary of Defence Mr. Leon Panetta was on a visit to India05-07 June, 2012. Mr.
Panetta met the Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony in New Delhi on 06 June
2012. Mr.
Panetta was accompanied by a ten member delegation, including the US Ambassador
to India and other senior officers from the US Department of Defence. During the delegation level
talks, both sides exchanged views on the security situation in
South Asia, West Asia and the Asia-Pacific and on various global security
challenges, including in the area of cyber security.
· Indo-China delegation level talkson defence cooperation held in
New Delhi on 04th September 2012. The two Defence Ministers had an extensive exchange of views on defence
and military exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. They also
discussed the regional security situation and international issues of common
interest and concern. Both Ministers agreed that expanding bilateral
cooperation between the Defence Ministries and Armed Forces of India and China helps enhance mutual
trust, deepens friendship and promotes comprehensive development of the India-China Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and
Prosperity. The two Defence Ministers agreed to work together to enhance mutual
trust in the security field and continue to maintain peace and tranquility in
the India-China border areas.
Chinese Defence Minister Gen Liang Guangliealso visited the National Defence College (NDC) on 05 Sep 12. This is
the first time since its inception in 1960 that such a high level military
delegation from China visited the College.
· Defence Minister Shri AK Antony inaugurated the 8th Heads of Asian Coast Guards Meeting (HACGAM) in New Delhi on
03 Oct 2012. HACGAM is an apex level forum facilitating congregation of all the
major Coast Guard Agencies of Asian region. This initiative was developed
initially in 2004 to discuss cooperation among the member organizations to
combat piracy in the region. However, the scope of discussions has been expanded to include law
enforcement, maritime security, disaster prevention and relief and capacity
building. Presently, there
are more than 20 member organizations from 17 countries that are part of the
initiative.
· Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar Gen Min
AungHlaing visited India in August 2012 and called on the Defence Minister Shri
AK Antony.
· The Defence
Minister Shri AK Antony addressed the 11th Asia Security Summit, also known as ‘Shangri La Dialogue’, in Singapore in June 2012. Shri
Antony said the international community must ‘remain sensitive to the problems
of smaller nations and ensure that their rights, as equal members of the global
community, are not overlooked or compromised’. He said the spirit of cooperation
among international community shown in anti-piracy measures can be extended to
‘de-conflict contentious maritime issues’.
· Minister of Defence of Singapore Dr. Ng Eng Hen visited India in November 2012 and met
the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony. During the delegation level talks, it
was agreed to further enhance the bilateral defence
relationship in the mutual interest of both countries as it would contribute to
regional peace and stability. Both sides also agreed that the on-going
interactions between the defence establishments of the two countries, including
through regular joint military training and exercises, had been useful.
They also agreed to continue such interactions in future.
· The first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation
was held in New Delhi on 10 Sep 2012. The 11-member Saudi delegation was headed
by Maj Gen Suleiman Saleh Al-Khalifa, Chief of the Armed Forces Operations of
Saudi Arabia. The Indian delegation was headed by
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence. The Joint Committee was mandated to formulate a programme to develop
areas of cooperation between the defence establishments of both countries.
During the meeting both sides expressed their interest in further enhancing
defence exchanges and interactions between their armed forces.
· Vice Admiral Axel Schimpf, Chief of Naval Staff, Germany visited India
in February 2012. Defence Secretary
level talks between India and Germany to expand defence co-operation were also held in June 2012.
· Defence Minister of Spain called on the Defence Minister Shri AK
Antony in New Delhi on 26 Oct 2012.
· Defence
Minister of BrazilMr.CelsoAmorim visited India on 06 Feb 2012 and held
one-to-one talk with the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony.
· Defence Minister Mr AK Antony laid foundation stone of
maritime training academy of Maldives during his visit to Maldives in September
2012. Continuing with his dialogue on defence cooperation
with the top leadership of Maldives, he called on the President
MohamedWaheed Hassan Manik in Male.
· Defence
Minister of Republic of Korea Mr. Kim Kwan Jin visited India and held the
delegation level talks with his Indian counterpart Shri AK Antony on 30 Nov
2012 on the matters of bilateral interests.
· A high level
delegation led by Rear Admiral AARA
Dias, the Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), who was
on a visit to India from 26-30 Aug 2012, held a High Level Meeting, with the
Indian delegation led by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian
Coast Guard in New Delhi in August 2012. The visit was in continuation of
the various efforts by the governments of the two countries towards cooperation between the ICG and SLCG and pursuance of the discussions on maritime issues of
mutual concerns to formulate a cooperative approach.
· General Haruhiko
Kataoka, Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self Defence Force was on a three day goodwill visit to India from 19-21 Nov
12. The visit assumed
special significance in the light of improving military cooperation between the
two countries in consonance with India’s growing relationship with Japan.
· The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) and Chairman
Chief of Staff Committee (COSC) was on a four day Defence Cooperation visit to
the Union of Myanmar from 26-29 November 2012. The CAS led a
five member Composite Defence Delegation team comprising of senior officers of
the three services.
· Vice Admiral ZahirUddin Ahmed, Chief of Naval
Staff, Bangladesh Navy visited India from 08-10 July 2012. He was given a Guard of
Honour on 09th July. Later he met the Chief of
Naval Staff Admiral NirmalVerma and discussed matters on mutual interests.
· BNS (Bangladesh Naval Ship) Bangabandhu
entered Kochi on 2nd November. The
modern frigate and veritably the Flag Ship of Bangladesh Navy was on en route to Doha to participate in Exercise Ferocious
Falcon. A host of professional and social interactions were scheduled between
India and Bangladesh Navies on the occasion which included sports fixtures and
mutual visits. Mr Tariq Ahmad Karim, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India also flew in
to Kochi to welcome BNS Bangabandhu.
· Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, US Navy visited
India on 23 April 2012 and held talks with the then Chief of Naval Staff
Admiral NirmalVermaon matters of bilateral interests.
*********************
SEMINARS / WORKSHOPS / CONFERENCES
· Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the Combined
Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on 11 October 2012 which was attended amongst others by
Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram and Minister of External Affairs Mr. SM
Krishna. In the beginning Defence Minister Shri AK Antony introduced the top
level Commanders’ of the three Services to the Prime Minister.
· Unified Commanders’ Conference commenced in New Delhi on 24 April 2012. Inaugurating
the Conference Defence Minister Shri AK Antony urged all commanders to ensure that the fast track
procurement of equipment and upgradation of infrastructureis followed in letter
and spirit.
Shri Antony told the top
brass of Armed Forces that while modernization remains the topmost priority of
the Government and to achieve the same a mechanism has been put in place to
fast track procurement of equipment and upgradation of infrastructure. He
appealed the top commanders’ to be honest and upright while fast tracking
important acquisitions for the defence forces.
· ‘DefExpo India 2012’, the 7th international
Exhibition on Land, Naval and Internal Security Systems, commenced on 29 March
2012 at New Delhi. The four-day event was inaugurated by the Defence Minister
Shri AK Antony. The largest ever Defence Exposition in Asia showcased India’s
emergence as an attractive destination for investment in the Defence Sector and
provided a platform for alliances and joint ventures in the Defence Industry.
A total of 567 companies from 32 countries displayed weapon systems for
the Army, Navy and Internal Security. Major participants were from Russia,
France and Israel besides Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea,
Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, South Africa, Turkey, USA and UK.
· Fourteenth Asian Security Conference organized
by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) was inaugurated by the
Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in New Delhi on 13 February 2012.
· Global Hypoxia Summit & the 4th International Conference on
Chronic Hypoxiawas inaugurated by the then Minister of state for Defence Dr M.M.
PallamRaju in New Delhi on 09 Aug 2012. Addressing the gathering he said High
Altitude hypoxia research is important for our country because we are constrained to
deploy considerable number of soldiers in the high altitude areas.
· Defence Minister Shri AK Antony addressed a Workshop on Nanotechnologyin New Delhi on 01 Oct 2012 organised by the DRDO.Shri Antony said that India has proved its strong capabilities and
efficiency in the fields of information technology and biotechnology and DRDO
must make all-out efforts to bring about a convergence of nanotechnology with information
technology and biotechnology.
· Defence
Minister Shri AK Antony inaugurated a two-day International Seminar and Exposition ‘Defcom India-2012’ in New Delhi on 08 Nov 2012. The Defcom-2012 was organized jointly by the Integrated HQ of
Ministry of Defence (Army), Corp of Defence Signals and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
****************
SECURITY ISSUE /
POLICY PROCEDURES
· Defence
Minister Shri AK Antony convened a meeting of all
stakeholders on coastal security in New Delhi on 08 Oct 2012 and reviewed the
various steps taken to enhance coastal security network in
the country and progress achieved so far in different fields. Presiding a
high-level meeting, Shri Antony said that there must be a time bound action
plan to complete all pending decisions at the earliest.
· The revised Defence Offset Guidelines (DOG) were approved by Defence
Acquisition Council (DAC) at its meeting held on 23rd July, 2012 and shall be applicable w.e.f. 1st August, 2012.
· A Meeting was taken by the Defence
Minister Shri AK Antony on Defence OperationalPreparedness on 02 Jul 2012 where three
Service Chiefs and Defence Secretary were also present.
· The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony gave his ‘in principle’ approval to
a three-fold hike in the delegation
of financial powers to Service Headquarters – from the
current Rs.50 crores to Rs.150 crores on 28 May 2012 to accelerate the
process of procurement for the Armed Forces.
· The Defence Minister Shri
AK Antony announced a number of decisions taken by the Centre for
infrastructure development and for creation of job opportunities in Arunachal
Pradesh while inaugurating the five- day long celebration of the
completion of 25 years of statehood of Arunachal Pradesh at a function in
Itanagar in February 2012. Shri Antony announced that the Ministry of Defence
has cleared the raising of 2nd Battalion of Arunachal
Scouts.
· India-UK defence
consultation group meeting was held in New Delhi
on 08 Feb 2012.
· Ministry of Defence debarred six firms from business dealings for a term
of ten years on 05 Mar 2012.
· A Decision was taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to purchase
M-777 guns for the Indian Army on 11 May 2012.
********************************
WELFARE MEASURES OF SERVICEMEN /
EX-SERVICEMEN
· Defence Minister Shri AK
Antony chaired the meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his
Ministry on 18 Dec 2012 in New Delhi and took note of latest progress in
different welfare measures for ex-servicemen.
Government has widened the
scope of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and established more
polyclinics and regional health centres. In 2010, 199 polyclinics were sanctioned by the Government out of which
99 polyclinics have become functional and 100 polyclinics are under various
stages of operationalization. The scheme is presently been implemented to 326
functional polyclinics. At present, the scheme has over 41 lakh beneficiaries including 13 lakh
ex-servicemen and over 28 lakh dependents.
· The Government has also
taken up special measures to accelerate the Married Accommodation
Project (MAP). Under
the project, a total of nearly two lakh dwelling units are being constructed in
four phases at an estimated cost of over Rs. 17, 000 crores. Presently, 54, 000
dwelling units have been constructed out of a total of 58, 000 dwelling units
under Phase-I of the project. Phase-II of the project involving the
construction of 70, 000 dwelling units has also begun. Phase-Ill and Phase-IV
of MAP have been merged so that the work on the remaining 71, 000 dwelling
units of MAP Phase III and Phase IV can be expedited.
· The Union Cabinet has
approved the recommendations of the Committee headed by Cabinet
Secretary for benefits to ex-servicemen on four issues. The financial implications
of the improvements made as per the Cabinet decision on the four items are
broadly estimated at Rs.2300 crore per annum.
One Rank One Pension - On One Rank One Pension,
the demand of the Defence Forces and Ex-Servicemen Associations is that uniform
pension be paid to the Defence Forces personnel retiring in the same rank with
the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement and any
future enhancement in the rates of pension be automatically passed on to the
past pensioners. On this issue the following was approved by the
Cabinet:
(i) Bridging
of the gap in the pension of pre 1.1.06 and post 1.1.06 JCO/OR retirees by
determining the pension of pre 1.1.06 retirees on the basis of notional maximum
for ranks and groups across the three Services as in the case
of post 1.1.06 retirees. In addition, the weightage of
qualifying service in the ranks
of Sepoys, Naik and Havaldar would be increased by
two years for both pre and post 1.1.06 retirees.
(ii) The
pension of pre 1.1.06 Commissioned Officer pensioners would be stepped up with
reference to the minimum of fitment table for the ranks
instead of the minimum of pay band.
Enhancement of Family
Pension –
(i) The pension of
pre - 1.1.2006 family pensioners(Commissioned Officers, Honorary Commissioned
Officers, JCOs/ORs ) be stepped up based on the minimum of the fitment table instead
of the minimum of the Pay Band;
(ii) Establishing
linkage of the family pension with the pension of JCOs/ORs, in those cases
where the death takes place after the retirement of the JCO/OR
since such a JCO/OR drew a pension based on the maximum of the pay
scales, 60% of the pension applicable to JCO/OR pensioners would be
granted to the family pensioner in case of normal family pension
calculated a 30% of last pay drawn. Accordingly, based on the
rank, group and length of service of the deceased JCO/OR pensioner, his
pension would first be determined on notional basis. In cases where death
of JCO/OR took place after retirement, the family pensioners in receipt of
normal family pension would become entitled to 60% of the said pension
determined on notional basis and those in receipt of enhanced family
pension will be entitled to 100% of this pension. Similar entitlements
would be determined in the case of Special Family Pension; and
(ii)family pensioner of the
JCO/OR would be granted pension arrived at on the basis of the family
pension worked out as per the formulation at (i) above or the pension on the
basis of stepping up with reference to the minimum of the fitment table,
whichever is beneficial. Further, the linkage of family pension with
retiring pensionbe applied in the case of post 1.1.2006 family
pensioners of JCOs/ORs also.
Dual Family Pension - Dual family pension would
be allowed in the present and future cases where the pensioner drew, is
drawing or may draw pension for military service as well as for civil
employment.
Family pension to mentally
/ physically challenged children of armed forces personnel on marriage - Grant of family pension to
mentally/physically challenged children who drew, are drawing or may draw
family pension would continue even after their marriage.
· Defence Food Technological Research Laboratory (DFRL) under DRDO,by
using a set of cold shock dehydration technologies,has developed a ready to eat
packaged food ‘Aahaar’ having shelf life of more than a year without
compromising the nutrition and taste. Besides providing a ready to eat food, these
products are eminently suitable for use during long journeys, nutritional
feeding, mass catering programmes and other similar civilian applications.
· Bio-digester toilets were launched by DRDO in a tie-up with FICCI in
June this year at Dhamra, Odisha. An evolved technology to treat biological
wastes of soldiers serving in high altitudes of Ladakh and Siachen, is set to
radically alter the rural sanitation and decomposition woes of fecal wastes in
the plains across the country.
· Indian Air Force (IAF) has opened a Directorate of Air Veterans for
retired air personnel on 04 Oct 2012.
· Indian Navy’s first executive IT cadre launched in July 2012.
· To reduce the incidents of suicide and fragging in armed forces, Defence
Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) under DRDO has developed a suicide
risk management test to help identify security personnel at risk so that
preventive measures can be taken in advance. DIPR has
already handed over this to the Army. The laboratory has also planned a comprehensive
soldier fitness programme resilience building to generate awareness towards
well-beingamong troops.
*********************************
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS IN SPORTS AND
ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES
· Four air warriors of IAF ‘Delphinus’ became
the first services team in the world to swim the English Channel on 26 June
2012 by safely and successfully crossing the channel in 12 hours 14
minutes. They became the fastest Asian team to swim English Channel in its
category.
· Subedar Major Vijay Kumar brought glory and laurels to Indian Army as
well as to the Country by winning a Silver Medal at the London Olympics in 25
meter pistol shooting event.Olympic silver medalist Vijay Kumar was subsequently
promoted asSubedar Major and given a cash award of Rs.30 lakh by the Defence
Minister Shri AK Antony.
· 49 naval sportsmen represented the country at various international
sports events during the year and have won three Gold, two Silver and five
bronze medals.
· Chief Petty Officer Omkar Singh of the Navy shooting team has been
bestowed the Arjuna Award for sporting Excellence for the year 2012.
· Indian Army Women’s Everest Expedition-2012 put four women officers on
the summit of Mt. Everest. They achieved this feat on 25 May 2012.
*********************
REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE IN
DISTRESS
· IAF evacuated 171 persons and distributed 4600 kg of relief material
during its Relief and Rescue Operation in flashflood hit Uttarakhand.
· Army synergizes rescue efforts to save precious lives in Cloud burst hit
Rudraprayag District of Uttrakhand.
· Joint flood relief operations by the Armed Forces in Arunachal and Assam
were carried out from 20 to 28 September 2012.
**************************
CHANGE OF GUARDS
· Change of Guards in nation’s land and naval forces as well as consequent
crucial changes in the top command levels in these two services had definitely
a bearing on the shape of things to come in the Armed Forces.
General Bikram Singh took over as the 25th Chief of
the Army Staff in place of General VK Singh on 31 May 2012, who retired after
the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decision of agreeing to Govt’s stand of General’s
Date of Birth as 31 May 1950.
The Navy also saw Vice Admiral DK Joshi assuming the charge of Chief of
Naval Staff on 31 Aug 2012 after the superannuation of the outgoing Admiral
NirmalVerma.
|
|
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
*****
For Latest Updates
Always visit http://satish24k.blogspot.in
Share and Care
|
Print
PDF
For Further Reading,
About the Author
0 comments:
Post a Comment