Indian Defense
India, Singapore Added To Bilateral Trade And Defence Ties Despite Pandemic
New Delhi: India and Singapore on Wednesday expressed satisfaction that despite the pandemic, they had been able to add considerable substance and content to the bilateral relationship, especially in trade and defence cooperation.
This was stated during the 15th round of Foreign Office Consultations on Wednesday held virtually.
During the talks, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and also discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral economic engagement.
Easing travel restrictions and resumption of people-to-people contact was also discussed, a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.
The Indian delegation was led by Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East), MEA, and the Singapore delegation was led by Chee Wee Kiong, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore.
Secretary (East) thanked Singapore for their support during the second Covid wave.
Issues pertaining to ASEAN-India relations and India-Singapore cooperation in the Indo-Pacific were also discussed.
Singapore has taken over as country coordinator for India at the ASEAN for a three-year period (2021-2024). Views were exchanged on international and strategic issues pertaining to the region.
Both sides agreed to hold the next consultations at a mutually convenient date, it said.
In a separate event, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Wednesday said India should consider greater economic integration with Southeast Asia to unlock the country’s vast potential.
Speaking at the opening session of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) annual meeting, which was held virtually, he highlighted that Southeast Asia and India have many complementary strengths, and added that the jurisdictions should build on these to restore connectivity and enhance supply chains in the post-pandemic era.
“India has an important role to play in contributing to the diversification of the global supply chain and making it more resilient,” Heng was quoted as saying by the Straits Times.
“Indian companies have the capability, scale and resources to serve more than just its domestic market, huge as it is.”
Heng said it is important for ASEAN and India to enhance digital connectivity, and reiterated that the door remains open for India to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The RCEP came into force last November, with Singapore ratifying the agreement in April this year. India pulled out of the partnership in 2019.
The RCEP, which is the world’s largest trade pact, involves all 10 ASEAN members and key partners Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Heng also said that Singapore is keen to partner India to better integrate their digital economies and collaborate in new areas like fintech and sustainability.
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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