Indian Defense
VILE PROPAGANDA: The Challenges On The Indian Subcontinent: SIPRI And Peace: Pak Media
by Dr. Arshad M. Khan
If we are told the peacemakers are blessed, it is indeed so. For, war is an appalling waste of human resources, wanton in destruction, and in its modern context kills many times more non-combatants than soldiers. The bombing of cities, if intended to terrify civilians into submission, serves only to intensify hate and strengthen a resolve to fight and respond in kind.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) conducts research into conflict and arms control. A well respected think tank, it offers analysis and consequent recommendations to researchers, policy makers and other interested parties. It also cooperates with other non-governmental organizations including the UN. Next month (Nov 8-11) it will convene the sixth annual Stockholm Security Conference for which the subject is ‘Battlefields of the Future: Trends of Conflict and Warfare in the 21st Century’. An apt theme, as suggestions like destroying Chinese spy satellites are in vogue when China continues to pressure Taiwan through repeated violations of its airspace by military jets.
There are other conflict zones. Consider the sad case of Kashmir. The people were promised an open plebiscite (still not held) by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru after Indian troops marched in — ostensibly at the request of a Hindu raja ruling over a predominantly Muslim population.
Yes, there are elections, but only of candidates acceptable to its overlord and, yes, there is now a sort of armed resistance. If leaders have been silenced, a couple of musicians have found inspiration in the turmoil. There has also been an upsurge of violence there since 2019.
In India’s east several states have active rebel groups. For example, in April 2021, an attack in Chhattisgarh left 30 police officers dead. The conflict started in oil-rich Assam a half-century ago and pits indigenous groups against the Indian government. Political and economic issues particularly neglect of the native people given the oil extracted are the principal reasons.
The United Liberation Front is a major player along with the Adivasi Liberation Army, and some others. All want secession from India and an independent and sovereign Assam. India is unlikely to agree to such a demand and there the situation remains.
In India’s western neighbour, Pakistan, there is an insurgency in Baluchistan. The resentment is similar to Assam for here the gas fields provide energy for the rest of the country and the Balochis themselves feel neglected by the central government.
Peace over the whole Indian subcontinent has an uneven history. SIPRI sets its sights high and like many of its kind churns out scholarly papers and interviews senior government officials. Yet the core problems of human conflict remain: the sharing of resources, the sharing of power and the neglect of politicians who can themselves be corrupt. The last is not a problem people are unaware of on the Indian subcontinent.
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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