The Defence Blog

Defying the US, India in this month inked the $5 billion acquisition of S400 systems from Russia This move of India to acquire the S-400, which has the ability to track multiple incoming targets, including aircraft, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, up to 400km in distance and 30km in altitude, can attract sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (Caatsa) passed by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia. This has to been seen in the context of the acquisition of 36 Rafale systems from Dassault Aviation based out of France for $7.8 billion.  The IAF has a sanctioned strength of 45 fighter squadrons. However, the IAF is currently operating only 35 squadrons, which includes 11 squadrons of legacy aircraft like MiG-21 M/Bis/Bison and MiG-27. These 11 squadrons are due for retirement between 2018 and 2022. In the same period, the IAF is projected to add only six to seven squadrons, resulting in a major shortage in squadron strength.

The need for new aircraft by IAF was first felt in 2001 when IAF requested for upgrades to MIRAGE 2000, but since France was stopping the production line, the plan could not be met. Further, the MMRCA plan was initiated in 2004 with RFI for 126 aircraft and RFP launched in 2007 for the same. The initial estimate was provided in the range of $10.2 billion at 2007 exchange rate in which 18 aircraft were to be in fly-away condition and rest 108 were to be assembled by HAL. After the evaluation of technical bids, only 2 manufactures remained namely Dassault Rafale and Typhoon Eurofighter which after evaluation of total costs Dassault Rafale was selected as the winner. However, Dassault and Indian Government could not agree on pricing issues due to GoI instance that it takes responsibility for quality standards of Rafale made by HAL and also stick to the delivery schedule with which Dassault was not at all comfortable of doing so due to operational constraints of HAL. Meanwhile, the initi

In the middle of this month, India will finally get the first in a series of many its silent killer diesel electric sub INS Kalvari which was under trials for a good time of the past year. The ship is expected to be delivered after a long wait since the time the order was placed with Mazagon India Ltd in 2005. The ship had a scheduled delivery of September 2016 but delayed due to unknown reasons. It is expected to be a significant boost to the countries defense capabilities and even more so considering that it was built with indigenous design and infrastructure. The follow on ships in the Project 75 series is expected to be delivered by the end of the year with the completed delivery to be by 2019. Not all is well though in the area since the requirement for future submarines worth  $10 billion is under water considering poor Japanese response for the Soryu series.The only hope remains that the Arihant class series is delivered on time to bolster a respectable defense from possible a

From the office of CAG comes a new blow to the current establishment but this one concerns every Indian in the most critical way i.e security.According to the latest CAG report tabled in Parliament yesterday, India has just 10 days of ammunition in reserve down from the authorised and mandatory 20 days reserve.Even in this, the critical ammunition for Artillery ammunition was found to be at critical levels. That being said the issue has not come overnight but is the result of decades of red-tapism plaguing the defense ministry.A similar report came out in 2013 but the lessons have not been learned and India still continues to rely on luck if an escalation were to take place.To make up for the shortfall the Army has to take the ammunition from 1 basket i.e for training needs and use it to at least save face in this area.We can only hope that sense prevails and the recent decisions such as giving the vice chief of army the power to make emergency purchases translates into reasonable out

India a Manufacturing Economy? India is going to formulate policies to encourage Domestic Defence manufacturing as said by Mr. Arun Jaitley. We are the world's largest arms importer, spending some 1.8 per cent of its GDP on defence. We imports about 70 per cent of defence equipment, a proposition which the government wants to change. We are going to cut on import of Combat planes, Ships and Submarines. This clearly proves that the government is not only focusing on the technological tie ups  but also on becoming a MANUFACTURING Economy.

As the Indo - Chinese standoff continues for over a month, let me first dwell what the fuss is all about.In June this year, India accused China of constructing a road in the disputed region of Dokolam plateau, an objection first raised by the Bhutanese Army.This was followed by Indian intervention considering the strategic importance the tri-junction holds. The scuffle soon was highlighted when the Indian pilgrimages to Mount Kailash Mansorvar were stopped as a response to Indian defense.India enjoys a strategic advantage in the region with the help of its strong presence in Bhutan .Both nations are engaged in a game of flag meeting with arguments and counter arguments with the issue extended and the standoff causing an impasse in Indo China ties. The only way out from this fuss can be to go back to status quo since no nation would risk losing face if they were to withdraw.