Indian Defense
What Has Changed A Year After Galwan Gallantry?
The bloodshed in Galwan on June 15, 2020 was the fiercest Sino-Indian encounter on the Line of Actual Control since the 1962 war
The bloodshed in Galwan on June 15, 2020, was the fiercest Sino-Indian encounter on the Line of Actual Control since the 1962 war. 20 brave Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand-off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures were killed in action.
China lost all trust from India while India stood strong to hit hard the Chinese desire for expansionism. As the incident at Galwan completes one year, Indian continues to pursue status-quo-ante, the demand for all troops to return to April 2020 position.
The Indian Military, political and diplomatic leadership have made collective efforts to bring the situation along the LAC in the country’s favour.
India succeeded in the disengagement from the Northern and Southern banks of Pangong Tso where both the countries pulled back over 320 tanks and thousands of troops from the region.
According to the top officials of the Indian Army, there remain suspicions on both sides on the issue of disengagement from other friction points like Gogra, Depsang plains, and Hot springs but India is making good headway in the de-escalation process. Experts say, we cannot expect quick resolve but India is making progress diplomatically.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat has said on various occasions that Army will not let its guards down and it is cautious with the neighbour at all times. De-escalation is the primary focus of the forces because when the troops are closely placed, there is an increased chance of face-off. To avoid another ugly situation dialogue process is on. As the Army leadership confirms, it is a slow process but moving well.
Turnover of troops is continuously taking place on both sides. Chinese PLA has had a tougher time along the LAC as they do not have experience of long haul in the region, while Indian troops have been deployed I’m the region as a usual part of tenure. Exercises are being conducted on both sides to maintain operational preparedness. Chinese exercises are being monitored very carefully by the Indian Army.
Political, diplomatically, military levels efforts are focussing on the achievement of status quo ante to bring back the faith in each other. Lower commanders are in close communication.
In the last 12 months, India has prepared for a 360-degree response to China in terms of contact and non-contact warfare. The banning of apps, economic pullbacks, psychological pressure, modernization of the Army for enhanced capabilities has been the agenda to curb Chinese expansionist designs. Indian Army is preparing for future wars including biological warfare. India is also instrumental in approaching the International community to unite against the threats from China. Proactive efforts from the Ministry of External Affairs are being made to ensure a collective effort against the bully neighbour.
Seeking to resolve the ongoing issues along with the friction points in Gogra, Hot Springs ad Depsang plains in Ladakh, India, and China have held 11 rounds of military talks in last year. Sources from the Indian Army said that India has made clear that it would agree to de-escalation only if it is simultaneous and the withdrawal is equal from both sides and addresses mutual security concerns.
After having successfully disengaged with China in the Pangong lake area, the Armies of India and China are likely to discuss further disengagement from Gogra heights and Depsang plains.
India-China talks so far have taken place on the following dates:
Round 1: June 6, 2020
Round 2: June 22, 2020
Round 3: June 30, 2020
Round 4: July 14, 2020
Round 5: August 2, 2020
Round 6: September 21, 2020
Round 7: October 13, 2020
Round 8: November 6, 2020
Round 9: January 24, 2021
Round 10: February 20, 2021
Round 11: April 9, 2021
No date has been so far finalized for the next round of talks between India and China but India has not only made it clear that it believes in a peaceful resolution of the stand-off through dialogue but it is also capable enough to counter any challenges along all its borders.
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.
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.
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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