Indian Defense
‘India, US Natural Partners,’ Say Indian PM Narendra Modi, US Vice President Kamala Harris After First In-Person Meeting
Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an in-person meeting with US
Vice President Kamala Harris, their first meeting since the Indian-American
Democrat took office earlier this year.
During their meeting at Washington DC, Modi invited Harris to visit India. In a joint appearance with Modi, Harris said India is a vital companion of
America.
Modi said in his address, “I applaud America for assisting India when it was
in the grip of the second wave of COVID-19.”
Harris said: “When India was hit by a COVID outbreak, the US was happy to
assist India in meeting its need and fulfilling its responsibility to vaccine
its citizens…India was an important source of vaccines for other countries
early in the pandemic.”
On COVID-19, “our nations have worked together. Early in the pandemic, India
was a vital source of vaccines for other countries, “the US vice president
said.
She also noted India’s exceptional pace of vaccination given its vast
population. She said, “I welcome India’s announcement that it will soon be
able to resume vaccine exports. It is particular note and admiration that
India, I’m told, is currently vaccinating approximately 10 million people a
day as of today.”
The two leaders also stressed “the importance of our shared belief in a free
and open Indo-Pacific region.”
“I know that India takes the issue of the climate crisis seriously,” Harris
said. “We believe that working together, the United States and India can have
a profound impact not only on the people of our respective countries, but on
the entire world.”
Tête-à-tête between PM @narendramodi and @VP Kamala Harris before commencing delegation level talks. This is their first in-person meeting. pic.twitter.com/siKcVe88c3
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2021
Earlier in June this year, PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Harris
and discussed the US’ strategy for global vaccine sharing and the Quad vaccine
initiative to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in the southern Indian state of
Tamil Nadu and immigrated to the United States as a teenager where she met
Harris’ father, Donald Harris, an immigrant from Jamaica.
Harris’ maternal grandfather, PV Gopalan, had participated in the Indian
independence movement and would later go on to become a senior civil servant
in the country, at one point serving on an Indian diplomatic mission to
Zambia.
Mukesh Aghi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the US-India Strategic
Partnership, explained why the meeting between the two leaders is crucial.
He said Harris is quite powerful within the administration and the connection
between the two is going to help both countries in the short and long term. In
his remarks at their meeting, Modi said: “The vibrant and strong people to
people connections between India and the US is a bridge between our two
countries, their contributions are praiseworthy.”
He noted that India and America are “natural partners”, adding “we have
similar values, geopolitical interests, and our coordination and cooperation
is also increasing.”
“Your election as Vice President of USA has been an important and historic
event,” he told Harris. “You are a source of inspiration for many across the
world. I am confident that under President [Joe] Biden and your leadership our
bilateral relations will touch new heights.”
“I express my gratitude to the US for extending a helping hand to India when
India was hit by the second wave of COVID-19,” Modi said in the joint statement
with Harris.
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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