Government clears defence deals worth Rs.5000 crore

Government to order new armored vehicle for Army

So the government is all set to clear two major military purchases from Russia days before Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's visit to Moscow, including a comprehensive upgrade of India's Ilyushin transport aircraft fleet(IL-76 & 78) and the acquisition of 150 new armored fighting vehicles.

Upgradation of IL transport aircraft fleet:

IL-76 with AWCS

 

Sources told that a high powered committee on acquisitions is set to clear a Rs 4,250-crore project to Russia for the upgrade and enhancement of the air force's transport fleet of IL 78 and 76 aircraft. The project will not only increase the service life of the aircraft by up to 20 years but will also give both aircraft enhanced avionics.

More importantly, the upgrade will also involve fitting new engines to six of the IL 78 midair refuelers that will give the aircraft a longer range as well as the capability to carry extra fuel. The Indian fleet is likely to be fitted with new PS 90 engines that can increase the load carrying capability by almost two tonne.
The air force has been particularly worried about its midair refuelers with a contract to purchase new generation tankers from Airbus under the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) project stuck for over two years on pricing issues.

Acquisition of new Armored Vehicles :

The other Russia-linked project likely to be cleared is for the purchase of 150 BMP 2/2K armored fighting vehicles for the Indian Army. The project, worth 950 crore, will be executed in India by the Ordnance Factory Board on license from Russia.

Acquisition of Kilo Class Submarine :

SIndhughosh class

Defence Minister, who is set to leave for Russia on Friday, is also likely to discuss the possible acquisition of two new Kilo class submarines for the Indian Navy that is battling with a depleted underwater fleet. India currently operates nine Kilo submarines under the Sindhughosh class and had lost one to a major explosion at the Mumbai harbour in 2013(INS Sindhurakshak (S63)).

The two submarines are being offered as a quick option to fill gaps as St Peters burg already has a line of advanced Kilo class submarines under production for the Russian Navy as well as a Vietnamese order. However India will get new submarine only after 2018 after completion and modernization of the submarine if deal will be finalized during the visit.
 

Defence Minister is set to visit both Moscow and St Peters burg and would, among other things, also set the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia in December.

Government gives the go-ahead for IAF Women Fighter Pilots

Government gives the go-ahead for IAF Women Fighter Pilots :
First in Cockpit by Mid-2017

On Saturday the Government approved the induction of women into the combat stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Ministry of Defence announced that the induction process will begin with women from the current batch being trained at the Air Force Academy (AFA). The first women fighter pilot will be in cockpit in June 2017.

The government announcement comes a fortnight after Air Chief  Marshal Arup Raha said a proposal to induct women into the fighter stream had been mooted with the Ministry of Defence. Currently women pilot of IAF fly transport aircraft and helicopters.

Announcing the go-ahead, ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar, in a statement said : "The Ministry of Defence has approved the induction of women into the fighter (combat) stream of IAF. This progressive step is in keeping with the aspirations of Indian women and in line with contemporary trends in armed forces in developed nation," the statement said.

On October 8, addressing the gathering on the Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said: "We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into fighter stream to meet the aspiration of the young women of India".

According to the Ministry statement, the induction of the women pilot into combat stream will begin from the current batch training at the Air Force Academy (AFA). "After successful completion of ab-initio training, they would be commissioned in the fighter stream in June 2016. Thereafter, they would undergo advanced training for one year and would enter the fighter pilot cockpit by June 2017" the statement said.

The IAF has about 100 women pilots serving as transport and helicopter pilots. The statement said a comprehensive review of induction of women in short service as well as permanent commission has been undertaken.

Amaravati :- world class city in making

PM laying the Foundation stone

Today PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, at a village in Guntur district in a mega event for which the state government had made elaborate arrangements.

The function was a splendid one where about 4-5 lakh people attended at Uddandarayunipalem village on the bank of Krishna river about 40km from Vijaywada, the commercial capital of the state.
The state government has invited several dignitaries including Union minster, chief ministers, important leaders from across the country, eminent personalities and also foreign dignitaries for the event.

Why Amaravati ?

Amaravati, on translating locally means that "the one who cannot be destroyed, i.e.- undestructible".

Amaravati, is situated in Guntur district, was once a Capital city of the Satavahana rulers, used to describe as a golden age of Indian economy. Apart from the historical and cultural importance, the city is also centrally located. A report in Indian Express notes that it is "easily accessible from north and south, coastal districts and the Rayalaseema region".

The Plan :

Chief Minister has promised that it will be a world-class and 'people's city. 

The city will be spread over 54,000 acres and in 10 years will have the state secretariat, high court and legislative assembly, among other things. Singapore government agencies have prepared the master plan for the three-layered capital - seed capital, capital city and capital region.

While the centre would provide funds for construction of legislature buildings as per the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, the state government has plans to set up hubs of sports, entertainment and in other fields to economic activity, an official release said earlier.

According to IANS , Telugu Association of North America(TANA), the oldest and largest association of Telugu people outside the Telugu states,is also raising funds for the developement of the capital city through a campaign "My Brick - My Amaravati".  It will accept donations from all non-resident Telugus who are interested in contributing. Interested public can sponsor "Bricks" with each brick at Rs 10.

CM promoting the campaign of "My Brick My Amaravati "

As per a call given by CM, soil and water from all 16,000 villages in the state and prominent pilgrim centers in the country have been brought to the capital  region to be used in the construction of the capital city. The idea is to promote a sense of belongingness among the people.

Land Acquisition :

Today, the biggest threat is the problem faced during the acquisition of the land for any government projects. But in case of Amaravati, this is the biggest plus point of the whole project. The state government adopted a new scheme to acquire the required land. According to a report in CNBC-TV18, of the total required 54,00acres, the govt. owns about 21,000 acres. Over 23,000 farmers in the 29 villages own the balance.

The govt has used a unique scheme to overcome the difficulties of acquiring this land. According to the report, the govt has bought 31,000 acres from the 18,000 farmers. The farmers are to get Rs. 50,000 per acre per year for 10years and also 1250sq yard of residential space and 200sq yards of commercial space in Amaravati for every acre they gave up. The report estimates that the land acquisition in the normal route would have cost more than Rs. 7500 crore and have taken several years for the state government.

Japan offers India soft loan of $15 billion for bullet train

Japan has offered to finance India's first bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmadabad, estimated to cost %15 billion, at an interest rate of less than 1%, official said, stealing a march on China who is bidding for the other projects on the world fourth largest network.

Tokyo was picked to assess the feasibility of building the 505km corridor linking Mumbai with Ahmadabad. The project to build and supply the route will be put out to tender, but offering finance makes Japan the clear front runner.

In Sept. China won the contract to access the feasibility of a high-speed train between Delhi and Mumbai, a route of 1200km estimated a cost of twice as compared to Mumbai and Ahmadabad route.

The two projects are part of a 'Diamond Quadrilateral' of high speed trains over 10,000km of track that India wants to set up connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
 

Diamond Quadrilateral

Japan's decision to offer Finance @ interest of less than 15 is part of its broader push back against China involvement in infrastructure development in South Asia over the past several year. Tokyo's push in India comes just after week after it lost out to China on the contract to build Indonesia's first fast-train link.

The chairman of the Indian Railway Board, AK Mittal said "There are several offering the high-speed technology. But technology and funding together, we have only one offer That is Japanese".

Japan has offered to meet 80 percent of the Mumbai-Ahmadabad project cost, on condition that India buys 30 percent of equipment including the coaches and locomotives from Japanese firms, officials said.

Japan's International Cooperation Agency(JICA), which led the feasibility survey, said the journey time between Mumbai and Ahmadabad would be reduced to 2hrs from 7hr. The route will require 11 new tunnels including one undersea tunnel near Mumbai.

"What complicates the process is Japanese linking funding to use their technology. There must be technology transfer," said AK Mittal.

However JICA declined to comment on the details of its offer. "The reports has already been handed over to India, and the Indian government is now in the process of making a consideration," a spokeperson of the JICA said.

Toshihiro Yamakoshi, counsellor in the economic section of the Japanese Embassy, said Japanese companies were keen to collaborate with their Indian counterparts on the rail projects as a part of Modi's Make-in-India program. 

India's cabinet will take a decision on the Japanese proposal over the next few weeks, as an Indian railway official said. He also said that there were lingering concerns about whether billions of dollars required for high-speed rail might be more usefully spent in modernizing the railway system.

"There is lot of money involved in this. The different departments are weighing the implications. Should we be committing all our resources to a single high-speed line," the official said on the condition of anonymity.
"The railway have not attempted anything as big as this before in terms of costs," the official quoted.

Source first published: TOI 

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) :What and Why?

Uniform Civil Code

 

Last week the Supreme Court has asked the government if it is serious about implementing the Uniform Civil Code. A bench of justices Vikramjit Sen and Shiva Kirti Singh questioned the government about its mandate on framing the UCC so that "unvarying standards are ushered in and all religions are regulated by the same yardsticks in the matter of law".

What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC) :

 

 Uniform Civil Code is the proposal to replace the personal laws based on the scriptures and customs of each major religious community in the country with a common set of governing each citizen.  These laws are distinguished from public law and cover marriage,  divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance. Article 44 of the Constitution sets its implementation as the duty of the States. Goa is the only state with the UCC. Although the demand for UCC  was made by the first Prime Minister of  India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, his supporters and women activists, they had to finally accept the compromise of it being added to the Directive Principles because of heavy opposition i.e Jan Sangh.

While the Hindu Code was reformed, other religions were allowed to keep their old laws(Substantially anti-women). Thus the personal law in India had two  major areas of application: the common Indian law and the Muslim community whose laws were kept away from the reform. Thus Muslim women have to put up with   pologamy, unilateral divorce and restricted of access to alimony inheritance.

Example: Shah Bano Case(1985) .

Why Uniform Civil Code needed now ? 

The Shah Bano Case became nationwide political issue and most- controversial debate. An independent MP proposed a bill to protect their personal law in Parliament. The ruling party Congress support this bill while the opposition  parties, Muslim Liberals and women activists strongly opposed this bill.

A common civil code is needed to enable the application of modern laws to all section of Indian society and also create a common framework for progressive laws that all sections of Indian society can enjoy.

Till now, political parties have been serious on the UCC on paper only, not practically. But today there is need of practically seriousness about UCC.

In sept. 2003, then President of India , Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam supported the need of Uniform Civil Code, keeping the view of the population of the Country.

While directing the government  about UCC, the SC said "This cannot be accepted, otherwise every religion will say it has a right to decide the Various issues as a matter of its personal law. We don't agree with this at all. It has to be done through a decree of court."

Boeing plans to Assemble Chinook or Apache helicopters in India

 

Chinook

American Aviation giant on Friday said it plans to assemble either its Chinook heavy-lift helicopters or Apache attack helicopters in India even as it gears to offer the possibility of manufacturing a fighter jet aircraft in the country.

Boeing Chairman Jim McNerney on Friday told "We are much closer to have assembly of one of those helicopters here. That will play out and that's our strategy. This market is too important , capability is too high and commitment is significant and that kind of commitment is important for us".

Apache Attack Helicopter

Last month, India had signed a contract for 22 Apache and 15 Chinook helicopters for a hooping price of 2.5 billion. "Large sections of the Chinook fuselage are already manufactured in India and discussions are going on with our Indian partners to make Apache parts," Boeing India president Pratyush Kumar had then said.

At a seminar  organized by Boeing, McNerney hoped that India will over the next couple of years call for bids for a fighter aircraft.

"Our approach is going to be to take a current, state-of-the-art fighter and bid. The quantities are uncertain .. Our bid will include a proposal to make a plane in  India (i.e Make in India)," he said.

He also added "The value to India is a very modern production system integrated to make a very sophisticated machine. That kind of industrial base capability is as important as fighter itself. These modern manufacturing techniques can go into many different industries".

Several foreign aircraft manufactures have offered to build their fighter planes in India after the government scrapped the global tender of 126 MMRCA.

The Boeing chairman also said that on the defence side, hte Indian and US government have to decided the issue of technology sharing.

"Leaving that aside, and generally speaking, the more cutting edge technology, the less the sharing will be," he  said even as he voiced support for 'MAKE IN INDIA'..

IAF to induct 100 more TEJAS Aircraft

Tejas MK1

Changing its long standing stance on the abilities of the Light Combat Aircraft(LCA) Tejas, the Indian Air Force is now convinced that an improved version of the homegrown fighter will be inducted in the IAF. The IAF is placing an order of 100 modified Tejas aircraft in addition to an older order of 20 planes, confident that it would beat the Pakistani competitor JF17 aircraft on four parameters- reach,ability to kill, weapons and survivability. 

But that will be possible only when the Tejas is ready with an AESA(Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, mid-air refuelling , long range beyond visual range missiles and advanced electronic warfare capabilities. Moreover, the single-engine fighter has to undergo 43 "improvements" out of the 57 "weakness" detected in its maintainability, which will ensure it can land and take off again within an hour, the top official said.

All this will take another 3 years at least, further prolonging the already tortuous development saga of the India's first home fighter that began way back in 1983. Even if Hindustan Aeronautics manages to ramp up its production rate to 12 jets from the existing 8 jets per year, all the 120 planes planned for IAF will be inducted only by 2026, i.e next 11 years, the defence officials said.

This line of Tejas will fill an acute shortage as IAF is planning to retire the fleet of Mig-21 and Mig-27 in  decade, which is down to 35 fighter squadrons as per required of 42 squadrons. This will be maintain by 2027 or so. With the limited range of just 400 km, the TTejas will basically be used for "air defence " to take on incoming enemy fighters or "close air-to-ground" operations to support the Army.

"Once HAL andADA assures the design and development of this Tejas Variant, the IAF will step up to order 100 additional aircrafts after the first 20 will be delivered" the official said.

He also added "Tejas will help in plugging the gaps that will further arise after all the existing 10 Mig-21 and 4 Mig-27 squadrons are retired by 2025. It was never meant to replace a MMRCA like Rafale or a heavyweight Sukhoi-30MK1".

IAF will have Women Fighter pilots

India will have WOMEN Fighter Pilots - Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha. On the occasion of 83rd anniversary of the INDIAN AIR FORCE, announcement was made by Air Chief Marshal. With this Women Air Force pilots would be brought into Combat rolesfor the first time in the history of Indian Defence.

Air Chief Marshal reviewed the IAF Day Parade and flypast at Hindon Air Force Station. While addressing, he said "We have women pilots flying transport aircraft and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspirations of young women of India". India till now not allowed the women officers, who have been serving in armed forces since early-1990s, to have any combat role. So,while they could fly transport aircraft and helicopters but were not allowed to fly fighter palnes.

Similarly, Women  Officers in other two services too have been kept away form combat roles. In Navy, they cannot serve on warships and submarines and in Army, they cannot join the infantry, armoured corps or artillery.

Main reason for their denial in combat role was physical toughness. But with the technological advancement making traditional attributes redundant for fighting roles, women officers have been making a push to be allowed into combat roles.

A number of women pilots have proven themselves flying helicopters and transport aircraft to high risk rescue and other mission. They have also flown sorties of AN-32 aircraft to DBO in Ladakh.

It was along term demand from the women pilots to allow them as fighter pilots and permanent commission instead of short-service commission. So it was a good move by the IAF in keeping the future needs in mind..

MEDIA's Priority : DOES TRP MATTERS ONLY?

While we were busy with communal debate, we lost four more Army jawans in J&K on 4th Oct 2015(Monday) in a fierce gunbattle with militants in forest area in Kupwara in Kashmir valley while one militant was shot dead. But this  incident failed to make any news as compared to Dadri Lyching.

When Dadri accident happened, politicians from different state visit the village, CM of UP provide heavy financial assistance and media houses still running prime time shows regrading Dadri. But Sacrifice of soldiers hardly make any news?
 
Why?
Is this because news of soldiers does not provide much TRP as compared to Communal accidents?
At the same time two Police men killed by the gangs in UP, but there was no any outrage on news show, social media. Even CM doesn't  provide any financial assistance.
Why?
Is this because killing of Army personnel and Police doesn't serve their agenda?

No journalist from news channel looking like a sombre, but well-fed cat will interview their children.

No a single writer lost in the dungeon of obscurity will make a desperate bid for publicity by offering to return some award she ‘won’ thirty years ago as a protest against terrorism.

No ageing socialite will tweet in solidarity with the family of the martyrs from her centrally air-conditioned penthouse in Colaba.

No fake messiah of honesty will descend from Delhi to offer his sympathy to the bereaved families.

No CM will offer an ex-gratia payment of 45 lakhs to the family of the martyr.

No op-eds will be written, no TV studio discussions will take place, no cameras will capture the tears of his wife from two inches away.

Instead The J&K Assembly was busy erupting over the beef ban. And when the bodies of the four soldiers arrived in Srinagar, not a single neta attended the funeral ceremony. Not one. 

When Dadri accident happened, politicians from different state visit the village, CM of UP provide heavy financial assistance and media houses still running prime time shows regrading Dadri. But Sacrifice of soldiers hardly make any news?


Is it not unfair to ignore those who protect us from external threats.
One should not forget that "FOR OUR TOMORROW THEY SACRIFICE THEIR TODAY".

INS KOCHI : India's deadliest Warship

Yesterday Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commissioned INS KOCHI, second ship of the Kolkata-class(Project 15A) Destroyer at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. INS KOCHI is the largest ever warship built in India.

The motto of INS KOCHI is  "Jahi Shatrun Mahabaho" which on translated means "Armed to Conquered the Enemy".

The Kolkata-class Destroyer are class of stealth guided missile destroyers. The Kolkata-class destroyes are next generation of the mighty Delhi-class Destroyer with 3 ships in its class(namely- Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai). INS Kolkata has already providing its service to Nation and Ins Chennai is expected to enter in service in 2016.
 
Destroyers are the second in line after Aircraft carrier in projecting raw combat power in the high sea. With the induction of INS KOCHI, India has now 10 Destroyer in its fleet. With the displacement of 7400 tons, the majestic ship spanning over 164m length and 17m width is propelled by 4 gas turbines and can attain maximum speed of 30knots(56kms).

The ship has a complement of about 40 officers and 350 sailors. The ship incorporates a new design for improved survivability, sea-keeping and manoeuvrability.

Enhanced stealth feature has been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fitting. INS KOCHI is packed with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, with a significant indigenous component. The ship is one of the few warship in the world and second in the Indian Navy to have Multi-function Surveillance and Threat alert radar to provide target data to long range Surface to Air Missile System.

The Ship is equipped with Ship Data Network, Combat Management System, Automatic Power Management System and Auxiliary Control System. The SDN is the information highway on which data from all the sensors and weapons ride. The CMS performs threat evaluation and resource allocation based on tactical picture compiled and ammunition avail onboard. While propulsion and power management is done using the AMPS, remote control and monitoring is achieved through the ACS. In other word, it can be describe as "Network of Networks". A bow mounted Sonar Dome , the second of its kind in an indigenous naval platform, has been introduced to enhance sonar acoustic performance.

To protect against airborne and surface threats, at medium and close range, the INS KOCHI has

• 32 Barak 8 SAMs,
• 16 BrahMos Missiles,
• 4X Mark 46 Torpedo,
• 2x RBU-6000 anti-submarine rockets,
• 1x76mm gun Oto Melara SRGM and
•  AK-630 CIWS.

With the increasing threat from both sides(Pakistan and China) it is necessary for the Navy to increase its strength. Many of the projects  are behind the Schedule which are needed to be fastrack completion.