Army pushes for fast-track purchases to counter China, Pakistan

[Vishwarupa]

NEW DELHI: Having jolted the government over the critical operational gaps in its military capabilities, the Army is now pushing hard for fast-track policies and acquisitions to 'enhance its combat ratio versus China' as well as 'upgrade its combat edge' against Pakistan.

The defence ministry, too, is responding with alacrity for a change. Defence minister A K Antony has called another review meeting with General V K Singh and his brass later this month, after holding two such meetings on February 28 and April 2.

It was between the earlier two meetings that the Army chief's confidential letter to the PM, about the "hollowness'' in military preparedness, found its way into the public domain much to the government's consternation .

For starters, the cases for one more regiment of the 300km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, two "troops'' of Israeli medium-altitude , long endurance Heron UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles ), and several types of ammunition ranging from Konkurs anti-tank guided missiles to Invar missiles for T-90 S main-battle tanks, will be finalized in this fiscal's first quarter, sources said.

The new BrahMos regiment will have the missile's Block-III version, which has 'steep dive capability' to take out targets hidden behind a mountain range. After the western front, the government has approved deployment of these missile systems in Arunachal Pradesh to counter China's huge buildup of military infrastructure all along the 4,057km Line of Actual Control ( LAC).

Other projects in the pipeline for Army, which has over 100 of them at different stages, include advanced assault rifles , close-quarter battle carbines , bullet-proof jackets, ballistic helmets and light vehicles for the infantry's 359 battalions.

The mechanized forces' list stretches from TIFCS night-vision devices for T-72 tanks, upgrade of BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles and AFV (armoured fighting vehicle) protection to missiles and ammunition for all.

Air Defence regiments, in turn, want procurement of three surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems - quick-reaction , medium range and manportable short-range - to replace obsolete Russian-origin Kvadrat, Strela and other systems . Self-propelled air defence gun and missile systems as well as an upgrade of L-70 guns is also on the cards, in addition to the two indigenous Akash SAM regiments already ordered for Rs 14,180 crore.

In terms of infrastructure, apart from a new mountain strike corps, the Army wants completion of the earmarked development in the eastern theatre at a cost of Rs 9,243 crore by 2016-17 as well as the Rs 26,155 crore 'capability development in the northern borders' by 2020-21
Army pushes for fast-track purchases to counter China, Pakistan - The Economic Times

 

[nrj]

I don't see anything new in so called fast-tracked purchases.

Brahmos has always been diligent in its all inductions.

Tell us more about how howitzer guns purchase will be rushed.

 

[Yusuf]

There can never be a fast track purchase of weapons. Fast track = high price= allegation (or actual) kickbacks.

We are sooooo in trouble.

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

Lets see how fast they are going to get the equipment's now......

 

[one]

Lets see how fast they are going to get the equipment's now......

How fast the snail can run???

 

[pmaitra]

He did mention "several types of ammunition." I hope India gets enough tank, artillery and mortar rounds so that we can come out of this '2-days of stock' problem.

 

[Tshering22]

I don't see anything new in so called fast-tracked purchases.

Brahmos has always been diligent in its all inductions.

Tell us more about how howitzer guns purchase will be rushed.

Ain't we supposed to be testing a modernized version of Bofors next year beginning? Well expecting a 2-3 month delay modestly, I think that is the fastest our government can go.

This "fast track" IMO is more to do with tank shells and other ammunition rather than any material platform purchase or development.

 

[Tshering22]

He did mention "several types of ammunition." I hope India gets enough tank, artillery and mortar rounds so that we can come out of this '2-days of stock' problem.

IMO 2-days was just an exaggeration. Let's face it; the armored divisions would know how much stock is there. Do you really think they'd let the stock go this low intentionally? Two-days is a little too hard to digest.

While I don't trust our government, I do trust our Army.

 

[Patriot]

There can never be a fast track purchase of weapons. Fast track = high price= allegation (or actual) kickbacks.

We are sooooo in trouble.

Just remove the Red Tape from the dusting arms purchase files, the purchases can be done in reasonable time frame. Ideally a strict time frame should be set. In addition, MOD need to reset the decision making process by appointing IA/IAF/IN cadre in MOD.

 

[Ray]

Good thing.

And good thing that the MOD is in turmoil!

 

[nrj]

People blame Red Tape all the time but if you remove it all together then everyone will go wild & malpractice will flourish like there is no tomorrow!

A balance between bureaucracy & timely execution is important, you can not ignore either of it.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Just get the needed hardware & Training..

There is limitless time to fight own battles..

 

[pankaj nema]

JUST DO IT

Stop Talking MOD , JUST do it

 

[lcatejas]

Rocket tabhi bhgti hai jab uske piche aag lagi ho ... here the same scene ....

 

[Bhadra]

He did mention "several types of ammunition." I hope India gets enough tank, artillery and mortar rounds so that we can come out of this '2-days of stock' problem.

why did DODO made a tank if they can not make its ammunition?

 

[Ray]

Not only fast track acquisitions.

But fat track some aggressive actions to tell all this we are not moribund!

 

[Anshu Attri]

Govt fast-tracks acquisition of weapons, approves measures to boost border infrastructure development

Govt fast-tracks acquisition of weapons, approves measures to boost border infrastructure development - The Times of India

NEW DELHI: With an eye on both China and Pakistan, the government on Tuesday approved a slew of measures to fast-track acquisition of weapons as well as boost infrastructure development along the borders for faster mobility of troops and equipment.

The new steps significantly include seeking the Planning Commission's sanction for 14 strategic railway lines, mostly along the western and eastern fronts, for "quick troop mobilization and logistics sustenance'' in times of conflict, sources said.

An empowered committee has also been constituted under defence secretary Shashikant Sharma to examine the "detailed project reports'' of the Army's proposed "capability development plan on the Northern Borders'', worth Rs 26,155 crore that is slated for completion by 2020-2021. There is already an ongoing Rs 9,243 crore project for "infrastructure development in the Eastern Theatre'' by 2016-2017.

All this is critical since China can now move around 30 divisions (each with over 15,000 soldiers) to the borders within 30 days to outnumber Indian forces by at least 3:1 after undertaking massive infrastructure development all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control. Beijing, in fact, has recently taken to holding regular air and land combat exercises in the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to flex its military might.

The new fast-track measures came after defence minister A K Antony held an almost two-hour long meeting with General V K Singh and his top brass on Tuesday, a day ahead of the slated testing of India's most ambitious strategic missile, the over 5,000-km range Agni-V.

This was the third review meeting to plug critical operational gaps in India's military capabilities, highlighted by Gen Singh in his confidential letter to PM Manmohan Singh on March 12, in the face of two "inimical neighbours'' and the "reality of large land borders''.

The meeting "expressed satisfaction'' at the progress of procurement cases for the 4th regiment of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles at a cost of Rs 4,100 crore and two regiments of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers for Rs 2,136 crore.

The new BrahMos regiment, with the missile's Block-III version that has "steep dive capability'' to take out targets hidden behind a mountain range, will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh, with the first three catering for the western front with Pakistan.

The meeting also discussed the Army's proposed procurement of 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers, which India is to buy from the US in a direct government-to-government deal worth $647 million.

These air-mobile artillery guns will be needed for the new mountain strike corps (70,000 soldiers) being planned after the raising of two new mountain infantry divisions, with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers, in Assam and Nagaland.

MoD will also try to expedite the long-delayed over Rs 20,000 crore 155mm artillery modernization programme, which includes 1,580 towed, 180 self-propelled wheeled and 100 self-propelled tracked guns as well as more Russian Smerch multi-launch rocket systems.

It was also decided that another empowered committee would be set up on the lines of the one for the Siachen Glacier, under the Army vice-chief, to speed up acquisition of specialized equipment for the 10 battalions of Special Forces tasked for clandestine warfare deep behind enemy lines.

The weaponry for them includes advanced assault rifles and carbines, all-terrain multi-utility vehicles and GPS navigation systems, modular acquisition devices, laser range-finders, underwater vehicles and combat free-fall parachutes, among other things.

Yet another committee will be constituted to examine the Army's long-pending case of acquiring its own attack helicopters and other "combat aviation assets'', which the IAF has been opposing tooth-and-nail. "The committee will include both Army and IAF members to study the current practices in armies of developed countries,'' said an official.



FAST TRACK MEASURES

14 Strategic Railway Lines:

Eastern: Murkongseld-Pasighat-Rupai, Misamari-Tawang, North Lakimpur-Along-Silapathar.

Western: Patti-Ferozpur.

Southern: Jodhpur-Shergarh-Phalsund, Jodhpur-Jaisalmer.

Central: Rishikesh-Karanprayag-Chamoli, Dehradun-Uttarkashi, Tanakpur-Jauljibi, Tanakpur-Bageshwar

Northern: Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch, Pathankot-Leh, Srinagar-Kargil-Leh

South-Western: Anupgarh-Chhattisgarh-Motigarh-BKN.



Committees:

Empowered committee headed by defence secretary to monitor "capability development plan on the Northern Borders'' worth Rs 26,155 crore, slated for completion by 2020-2021.

Empowered committee headed by Army vice-chief to fast-track equipment for Special Forces. These include advanced assault rifles, carbines, all-terrain multi-utility vehicles, GPS navigation systems, modular acquisition devices, laser range-finders, underwater vehicles, combat free-fall parachutes and the like.

Committee to examine Army's case for attack helicopters and other "combat aviation assets''. Army Aviation Corps wants a mix of reconnaissance, utility, tactical battle-support, armed and attack helicopters as well as tactical airlift fixed-wing aircraft in the long term.



Acquisitions:

4th regiment of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for Rs 4,100 crore.

Two regiments of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers for Rs 2,136 crore.

10,000 Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles for Rs 1,223 crore from Russia.

10,000 3UBK-Invar missiles for T-90S tanks for Rs 1,386 crore from Russia.

15,000 3UBK-Invar missiles for T-90S tanks for Rs 2,079 crore from Bharat Dynamics.

66,000 "armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot'' tank shells for Rs 1,386 crore.

Two troops of Heron UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) for Rs 1,200 crore from Israel.

145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers for $ 647 million from US.

 

[lemontree]

why did DODO made a tank if they can not make its ammunition?

The main gun is imported.

DRDO did try to make the ammo, but it blew up in the tanks.
DRDO made ammo wiped out a couple of crews from the army and drdo, till they realised that their Phds count for sh!t and they should import the ammo.

 

[Bhadra]

The main gun is imported.

DRDO did try to make the ammo, but it blew up in the tanks.
DRDO made ammo wiped out a couple of crews from the army and drdo, till they realised that their Phds count for sh!t and they should import the ammo.

why did not they import basic minimum ammunition along with the Gun?
Is the Gun more important or ammunition? Do not say both.
How many agencies will survie on Harmed Forces to harm their interests?

 

[lemontree]

Bhadra,

The problem is that we are far behind in making weapons & ammo.

In actual R&D, the projectile is designed first as per the task it has to accomplish, thereafter the weapon is designed around it.

DRDO, does it the other way around - they first copy a gun system, then try to reverse engr a type of ammo. The concept is ok if the basics are correct, but an organisation that has not done R&D in basic rifle ballistics cannot be expected to make heavy calibre ammo.

DRDO has very little accountability and it is a simiple sarkari employment entity like BEML and survives on giving the armed forces substandard stuff.