Indian Defense
India-China LAC Talks: No Agreement On Disengagement From Friction Points; Talks Were Constructive And Candid Says Joint Statement
Unfortunately there was no agreement on a `graduated disengagement’ in Gogra and Hot Springs, two of the friction points in Eastern Ladakh
At the end of the 12th round of Corps Commander Level Talks on Saturday, India and China have both agreed to resolve the pending issues between the two countries in an expeditious manner and in accordance with the agreements already in place. There was no agreement on the disengagement from the pending friction points in the Gogra and Hot Springs area.
Official Statement On Monday
On Monday (Aug 2, 2021) late evening, the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a formal statement about the talks which had taken place at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side.
According to the statement, “The meeting between the two countries was held close to the heels of the recent meeting of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) meeting in Dushanbe on July 14, 2021. The two countries also had the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) on June 25, 2021.
Terming the talks as constructive, the official statement has said that the two sides had “a candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas which are related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of India-China border areas”.
The Situation So Far …
Forward movement was expected during the talks on Saturday. The talks as has been reported started at 10.30 am and ended the same day at 7.30 pm. This was the shortest Corps Commander-level meeting since May last year.
Unfortunately there was no agreement on a `graduated disengagement’ in Gogra and Hot Springs, two of the friction points in Eastern Ladakh. Indian and Chinese armies have already reaffirmed the agreement not to build up more troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) or to start any activity which could lead to further escalation between the two sides.
What Did India Raise During The Saturday Meeting?
The Indian side led by 14 Corps Commander Lt Gen PGK Menon, pushed for disengagement before de-escalation. The talks took place on the eve of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Day.
Though nothing was concluded during the meeting on Saturday, sources have indicated that Chinese side was more receptive to India’s views this time as compared to the previous round of talks.
Why Disengagement Before De-Escalation?
Because China will gain from de-escalation first, as it has the infrastructure to move its troops faster back to the frontline as compared to India, as the terrain on this side is very difficult.
As Financial Express Online has reported earlier, from Indian side the issue of Depsang Plains was raised as well as the restoration of patrolling rights. The Chinese side has been blocking the Indian soldiers from Patrolling Points (PP) 10, 11, 11A, 12 and 13.
There was an expectation of a forward movement in the Gogra and Hot Springs area, soon after the disengagement in southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso earlier this year.
Why? Because the Chinese side had already agreed to do so on two earlier instances.
As has been reported earlier, the first time the Chinese had agreed to disengage was in June 2020. Chinese side did not honour this agreement and on June 15, Galwan Valley Clash had taken place and Indian soldiers were killed.
Soon thereafter, there was another agreement under which the Chinese were to withdraw their troops from the Hot Springs and Gogra areas. However, for the second time the Chinese did not do as agreed.
According to satellite images of the Hot Springs area, the tents that the Chinese side had initially set up in the Indian Territory last May, have now been converted into semi-permanent structures.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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