Indian Defense
Police Bolster Preparedness 15 Years After Terror Assault With QRT, CCTV Surveillance After Mumbai 26/11 Attacks
The terror attack that shuddered the city saw the loss 166 lives. The Mumbai Police, have since bolstered security measures for prevention of such assault on the city
Mumbai: On the night of November 26, 2008, when 10 Pakistani gunmen carried out mayhem in the city, the Mumbai police were caught unaware. Army-like trained terrorists went on to take civilians hostage, killed as many as 166 people and injured several others by firing upon them at Colaba, CST Railway Station and Cama Hospital among other South-Mumbai locations. Mumbai Police looked helpless and clueless as to how to respond to a war-like situation. Fifteen years down the line, the Mumbai Police has improved their combat skills, weaponry, and surveillance mechanism to tackle such situations. The police department now has QRT, Force One, CCTV cover across the city and an upgraded Marine Police Unit.
Quick Response Team
Mumbai city has been vulnerable to attacks from terrorists and underworld elements. There was a need for a highly trained, motivated, young, fit and fully equipped team to tackle such groups and to terminate hostage situations. In the wake of the 26/11 attack, the QRT was raised on the lines of NSG and Force One in August 2009 to act as first responder to terror attacks and other major security threats. This team responds in the shortest time, moves by fastest means, takes action to collect tactical information and neutralizes the threat. They rescue hostages, render assistance to Central forces and other State forces on Government duty. The QRT is divided into six units, Main QRT is stationed at Kalina and five QRT units, at each regional control room in the city wise South, Central, West, East and North. Main QRT works under the supervision of Addl. Commissioner of Police (Protection & Security). Regional QRT works under the supervision of Regional Addl. Commissioner of Police. Similarly an elite commando unit Force One was set up at the state level on the lines of National Security Guards.
CCTV Surveillance
After the dreaded 26/11 attacks and the terrorist attacks that followed later in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government felt the need of setting up CCTV cameras at important junctions and strategic locations in Mumbai. The government then came up with a decision to set up 6000 CCTV cameras across the city so that the city is under round-the-clock surveillance. Major cities in Western and European countries are under CCTV surveillance which helps law enforcing agencies to keep an eye on suspicious elements on the streets. The CCTVs are monitored by the video walls at the police control rooms. A batch of policemen man the video walls in shifts. The said cameras are used for multipurpose, such as keeping vigil on traffic jams and street crimes.
The Mumbai Police had purchased Rs 7 crore worth Mobile Vehicle Scanner to detect explosives. The police also bought bulletproof armoured vehicles that would have at least five to six fully trained policemen with sophisticated weapons and would act as first responders in case of any terror attack. The police had also bought speed boats and sea-legs amphibian vehicles to strengthen its Marine wing. The Mumbai police had introduced their dedicated marine wing, which would coordinate with the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy to secure the Indian waters. The police, Navy and Coast Guard also introduced the Sagar Kavach initiative to check preparedness and awareness at the sea. The city police had also purchased hi-tech machinery and is now equipped with advanced weapons like anti-material gun, snipers and MP5 guns among others.
High-Security Cells For High-Profile Jail Inmates
Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist who was caught alive in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, was lodged in a high security Anda Cell in Arthur Road jail. In 2019, the state government had floated a tender for construction of the high security cell inside Arthur Road jail to lodge high-risk inmates like Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya. This eventually means that the capacity to keep most wanted criminals in Arthur Road jail will increase. There is a high level of security provided at the entrance to barrack barrack no 12 and further with several CCTV cameras which are monitored 24/7 from the control room. A prison officer and a prison guard are on duty at this barrack on a 24/7 basis for further security related assistance of inmates. In the barrack no 12, inmates can exercise and socialise only in area provided within the barrack and are not exposed to any issues of the larger Arthur Road jail complex outside of the barrack. Capacity of barrack No 12, which has two rooms. Three people can be lodged in each room.”
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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