When the August-launched GSAT-7 satellite became operational in mid-September last year the Indian Navy became better able to keep under surveillance its area of concern which spans three huge water bodies-the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. It will improve the network centricity between its airborne, surface and sub-surface weapons platforms. Already, with the arrival of the first of the Poseidon P-8I maritime reconnaissance and strike aircraft, the upgradation of the… Read More »Maritime surveillance

The Indian Army Armored Corps comprises 63 regiments and has massive modernization and upgradation program to match the rival forces across the border. However the tardy manner in which the Indian defence establishments works, it is doubtful if the Indian Army would be equipped with required armored vehicles within reasonable time frame to ensure the survivability of its armored regiments. Though the situation is not as bad as the artillery regiments in which no new… Read More »Army modernization

The Indian Air Force had last acquired six air refuelers from Russia almost a decade ago and the decision to add six more is hanging. The Indian Government has not taken any forward movement yet on the contract finalization of Airbus A330 MRTT as the next tanker fleet of IAF for fulfilling its on flight refueling requirements. Since this is now a norm being followed by the Air Forces world over, the IAF has planned… Read More »Mid air refueling

The Indian Army of over 1.1 million soldiers operating in variety of terrain, from high altitude jungles to snowy mountains of Ladakh and Kashmir and plains of Punjab to the hot deserts of Rajasthan is extremely poorly equipped in terms of its aviation equipments. The Indian Army Aviation Corps first set up in 1986 with a grand vision of providing the army with the wherewithal to reach the inaccessible remote areas with men, weapons and… Read More »Chopper needs

SLBM-India yet to stand on third leg The strategic significance of Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles can be understood from the fact that under the missile reduction treaties the US and Russia have decided to retain two thirds of the targeted storage comprising of Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles. The SLBMs are considered a significant arsenal forming the third leg of the nuclear triad of any country, which has the potentials of a second strike capabilities because… Read More »Undersea arsenal

China’s new South Pacific base to avoid Malacca Strait Since maritime issues have dominated China’s future war strategy, Beijing is currently reviewing its ‘String of Pearls’ doctrine to acquire a new base in South Pacific which will easily surpass Strait of Malacca to reach Indian Ocean. China’s grand maritime strategy depends on how effectively it can operate in both ocean surface with equal magnitude and show its military strength in the Pacific and Indian Ocean… Read More »Coveted pearl

ASW capability and underwater surveillance During conflict situation the Oceans are likely to be infested with submarine killer munitions and the navies world over are adopting latest measures to counter those threats and protect own submarines while at the same time find ways to locate enemy submarines. The anti submarine warfare is getting complex and more challenging day by day and the rival navies are devising new ways to keep the rival submarines at arms… Read More »Rising challenges

Future Infantry Combat Vehicles India appeared to be set to become “self-reliant” in a major land warfare weapons platform-the infantry combat vehicle-going by the concerted efforts of both the public sector Defence Public Sector Undertaking and several private sector engineering firms to win the contract for 2600 Future Infantry Combat Vehicle. The contenders were short listed to two from four Indian elements, three of the private sector ones with foreign collaborators in tow. But what… Read More »Lacking expertise

Delay in artillery modernization process A rapid deceleration in obsolescence in the Indian Army artillery arsenal appears to be possible by the simultaneous creation of two indigenous 155mm howitzers one in the Ordnance Factory, Jabalpur (MP), and the other in Tata’s stable of emerging defence-related equipment laboratories. Having wasted three-and-a-half decades by prevaricating over converting the drawings of the Bofors howitzer, the Ministry of Defence two years back asked the Ordnance Factories Board to dust… Read More »Long wait

Slow progress of artillery modernization program The artillery modernization program is moving at a snail’s pace even after 25 years. Though in the last one decade, other artillery equipment like the Pinaka Rocket System, Smerch Rocket System and the Brahmos Missile System have been inducted, the 155 mm Howitzers have been the most affected. The Army has prepared an Artillery Profile 2027 for procuring new generation artillery with a mix of 155mm/39 caliber, 155mm45 caliber… Read More »Ray of hope