Indian Army: News and Discussion

[Vinod DX9]

HAL lovers this is another party news

 

[bhramos]

From the Indian Army’s HameshaVijayee air-land exercise in the Thar Desert simulating a rapid deep strike into enemy territory.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Sarath Chand laying wreath at the Noida Shaheed Smarak, on December 23, 2017.

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Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat with senior officers during ‘Hamesha Vijayee’ exercise in Rajasthan. Tribune photo
Jaipur, December 22
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/na...nly-when-pak-stops-backing-terror/517569.html

Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today said peace talks with Pakistan can take place only when it stops supporting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Given its actions, it doesn’t appear that Pakistan really wants peace, the Army Chief added.

He was in the western sector, close to the India-Pakistan border, to witness the ‘Hamesha Vijayee’ exercise conducted by the Southern Command in Thar desert. Gen Rawat said Pakistan should stop supporting terrorists. “Only then can we say that peace talks should take place,” he told reporters in the exercise area near Barmer.



“We also want relations should be better but given what kind of actions there are (from their side) and terrorism is spreading in Jammu and Kashmir, it doesn’t appear that they really want peace,” Gen Rawat said. His comments come a day after Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India would like good relations with Pakistan provided Islamabad takes action against terror groups.

The assertions follow Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa pledging his support for better ties. According to media reports, Bajwa said he will support any initiative of the civilian government to resolve issues with India through talks. In a rare move, the Pakistan army chief briefed the Senate, the Upper House of Parliament, on the security situation and regional issues on Tuesday. — PTI

HAL gets copter order

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday received a Request for Proposal for 15 Light Combat Helicopters from IAF and Army
• The LCH is a 5.5-tonne class, combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL

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Prime Minister's Office
23-December, 2017 15:17 IST
PM meets students from Jammu and Kashmir

A group of 30 schoolgirls, from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi.

The students are currently on a tour to various parts of the country, as part of Operation Sadbhavna organised regularly by the Indian Army.

The Prime Minister interacted with the students, on various subjects such as education – especially education of the girl child; Swachh Bharat, and their dreams and aspirations.

In response to various questions posed by the girls during the lively interaction, the Prime Minister explained the various steps being taken for girl child education. He also explained the various spin-off benefits, including on health and tourism that can accrue through the Swachh Bharat Mission. He also touched upon the benefits of Yoga, in improving concentration.

Noting that youth from Jammu and Kashmir are now making it to the civil services in increasing numbers, and are also showing great potential in sports, the Prime Minister asserted that India has a bright future, and the children and youth of Jammu and Kashmir have a lot to contribute to the nation.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacting with the girl students from Srinagar on tour under Sadbhavna Programme of the Indian Army, in New Delhi on December 23, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the girl students from Srinagar on tour under Sadbhavna Programme of the Indian Army, in New Delhi on December 23, 2017.

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[Adioz]

From the Indian Army’s HameshaVijayee air-land exercise in the Thar Desert simulating a rapid deep strike into enemy territory.

I did not know that is how we deployed Shilkas. Right next to the tanks!!
Should they not be a little to the rear? Closer to the BMPs?

 

[bhramos]

I did not know that is how we deployed Shilkas. Right next to the tanks!!
Should they not be a little to the rear? Closer to the BMPs?

basically it is a common Soviet Indian formation..
every Tank, or missile convoy have 8 different systems to protect the convoy.... i dont know about Indian systems... it is a normal procedure.

 

[binayak95]

The deployment is for integrated air defence. Enemy tanks wouldn't prioritise a SPAAG over a tank (neither would attack helicopters). So, the SPAAG provides close AA support to tanks against choppers and UAVs.

As well as substantial firepower support. You're taking RPG fire from a building ? Let loose the quad 23 mm guns. They'll turn any building into swish cheese real quick.

 

[Adioz]

The deployment is for integrated air defence. Enemy tanks wouldn't prioritise a SPAAG over a tank (neither would attack helicopters). So, the SPAAG provides close AA support to tanks against choppers and UAVs.

As well as substantial firepower support. You're taking RPG fire from a building ? Let loose the quad 23 mm guns. They'll turn any building into swish cheese real quick.

Well, my line of thought was, if I, sitting in the enemy tank, take out the Shilka, even if I get blown to hell, once the AD is down, the entire squadron/column is vulnerable to enemy attack helos. Something along the lines of that Soviet tactic of WWII where they prioritised elimination of enemy Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicles during air campaigns. That allowed them to bog down the entire enemy regiment since tanks were vulnerable to breakdowns in that era and frequent repairs were the norm.

 

[binayak95]

Well, my line of thought was, if I, sitting in the enemy tank, take out the Shilka, even if I get blown to hell, once the AD is down, the entire squadron/column is vulnerable to enemy attack helos.

Not everyone has such suicidal - for the greater good thoughts like you, mate.

More seriously though, a tank is far more of a threat than a SPAAG to most tanks/choppers. Especially with modern barrel fired missiles.

 

[Vorschlaghammer]

This 1976 Tradoc Bulletin has some info on the Shilka capabilities and deployment tactics.

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA392785

 

[delbruky]

I did not know that is how we deployed Shilkas. Right next to the tanks!!
Should they not be a little to the rear? Closer to the BMPs?

A quick check from wikipedia indicates that that Indian army had received just about one hundred shilkas from the erstwhile sov. union. Even assuming that all the shilkas are in working condition 100 shilkas can't get the strike force too far, Especially where there is large theater of operation. unless of course there is no correct official count available.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/nov...hilka_zsu-23-4_air_defense_weapon_system.html

 

[Adioz]

A quick check from wikipedia indicates that that Indian army had received just about one hundred shilkas from the erstwhile sov. union. Even assuming that all the shilkas are in working condition 100 shilkas can't get the strike force too far, Especially where there is large theater of operation. unless of course there is no correct official count available.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/nov...hilka_zsu-23-4_air_defense_weapon_system.html

Going by the ratio of "2-4 Shilka : 1 Tank battalion (regiment in Indian parlance)" that is mentioned in the document cited by @Vorschlaghammer , for the 67 Indian Armoured regiments, we can estimate 134-268 Shilkas => We are at least 34 Shilkas short.
Still, these are old Soviet formations, and thereby indicative. We still don't know how the Army organises AD with Shilka: if its provided in a similar ratio.

BTW, wondering how many QRSAMs we will need per Tank regiment.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...urveillance/story-1RkfCa7dzbd7K1JK0Oy0nM.html

Indian Army sets sights on 120 high-tech drones to boost surveillance

The army’s existing unmanned systems’ fleet comprises medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs, and the smaller Searcher Mark II tactical drones
Updated: Dec 24, 2017 22:22 IST
New Delhi, Hindustan Times

The army plans to buy high-tech unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strengthen its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and improve the effectiveness of its military operations.

The force is laying the groundwork for acquiring more than 120 high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAVs, a senior officer told HT. Such UAVs can fly at over 60,000ft and remain airborne for over 30 hours. The army’s existing unmanned systems’ fleet comprises medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs, and the smaller Searcher Mark II tactical drones. medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAVs can fly at over 35,000ft and feed airborne intelligence for over 45 hours compared to Searchers that operate at 15,000ft for nearly 20 hours.

“The higher you go, the more you see,” said Lieutenant General Subrata Saha (retd), army’s deputy chief till March 2017. “The precision afforded by HALE UAVs comes with top-end technology that can be expensive.”

The army is waiting for local vendors to respond to a request for information (RFI) for 60 short-range remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) that can operate for 10 hours at 15,000ft. India is in talks with US for the possible sale of 22 Guardian UAVs at a cost of $2 billion. An RFI for UAVs, a naval variant of Predator B drones, was issued to the US Office of Defence Cooperation on November 14.

Talks on the UAVs, manufactured by US’ General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, progressed only after India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016. General Atomics chief executive (US and International Strategic Development) Vivek Lall, an American of Indian origin, has spearheaded efforts to allow the export of Category 1 UAVs to the first non-NATO country.

Lall was a part of the Ivanka Trump-led US delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad in November.

The IAF has projected a requirement of over 100 armed UAVs.

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//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/62221507.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

The Army's 77 Mountain Brigade also known as 'Chindits' today celebrated it's 75th Raising Day Platinum Jubilee at its Counter Insurgency training center at Harchura near Balipara in Sonitpur district.

Inaugurating the programme, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Red Horn Division Maj Gen P S Behl said the Brigade was established during the World War-II on June 10, 1942 at Sagar in the state Madhya Pradesh by the legendary Brig Orde Wintage.

The Chindits, known officially as the Long Range Penetration Groups, were special operations units of the British and Indian armies, which saw action in 1943-1944, during the Buram Campaign of World War-II.


Chindit is a corrupted form of the Burmese mythical beast Chinthe or Chinthay, statues of which guard Buddhist temples.

The first Chindit unit, the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade, was gradually formed in the area around Jhansi in the summer of 1942.

 

[Vinod DX9]

Will spike on lch be a good idea? Israeli media indicates so

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet approves encashment of accumulated leave to certain Defence Services Personnel who died or were invalidated out while in service between 30 December 1991 to 29 November 1999 with less than 15 years of service


The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved leave encashment up to 180 days in respect of those Defence personnel who died or were invalidated out of service between 30.12.1991 to 29.11.1999 with less than 15 years of service.


Cabinet approves enhancement of the age of superannuation of Medical Officers of Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for enhancement of the age of superannuation in respect of

(i) General Duty Medical Officers of Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles from 60 to 65 years and

(ii) Specialist Medical Officers of Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles of the Ministry of Home Affairs from 60 to 65 years.



Cabinet approves Cadre Review of Indian Defence Accounts Service, IDAS
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Cadre Review of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) under the Ministry of Defence. The decision provides for an increase of 23 (twenty three) posts which includes 1 post at Apex Scale, 6 posts at HAG level, 6 posts at SAG level and 10 posts at JAG level and reduction of 1 post at HAG+, 12 posts at STS level and 10 posts at JTS level.


Cabinet approves creation of 7 posts of Principal Director and 36 posts of Director on regular basis in the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its approval for 7 posts of Principal Director and 36 posts of Director on regular basis in the Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Service, Ministry of Defence as part of restructuring .

Cabinet approves conferment of Central Group ‘A’ Service and Cadre Review of Group 'A' Executive Officers of SashastraSeema Bal
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved conferment of Central Group 'A' Service and Cadre. Review of Group 'A' Executive Officers of SashastraSeema Bal (SSB) with net creation of 19 posts of various ranks from Assistant Commandant to Inspector General ranks to enhance the operational and administrative capabilities of SSB.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
27-December, 2017 14:45 IST
Rank Parity

The Government is fully sensitive to the concerns expressed by the Armed Forces from time to time, including those relating to rank equation, allowances and benefits. The Government has already clarified that there has been no downgradation or change in the existing equivalence of the service ranks vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts.

In recognition of the unique aspects of Defence Service, a number of facilities and benefits in cash and kind are admissible to Defence Service personnel, including tax concessions available in Canteen Stores Depot, concession vouchers for travel in Railways and by Air, apart from compensation granted by way of various allowances for unique risks and hardships borne by the Defence personnel. A list of 28 risk and hardship related allowances and 31 other allowances and concessions available to the Armed Forces personnel and the revised rates at which the same are payable following the decision taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission has been uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Defence and can be found at mod.gov.in/def/sites/default/files/Revisedrates.pdf.

As regards ration, the Seventh Pay Commission had recommended that the provision of free rations and the grant of Ration Money Allowance to officers of Defence Forces posted in peace areas should be withdrawn. The Government vide its resolution No.11-1/2016-IC dated 06 July 2017, decided that Ration Money Allowance will continue to be paid to them by direct credit to their bank accounts.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Defence
27-December, 2017 14:39 IST
Girls in Sainik Schools

Admission of girl children has been approved in respect of Sainik School, Chhingchhip, Mizoram from academic session 2018-19 on a pilot basis.


Students of Sainik Schools are recruited to NDA and other defence services. The details of number of Sainik School students entering into defence services in comparison to non-Sainik School students during the last three years and the current year is as under:

Year
Total NDA intake
Sainik School Students in NDA
Total Indian Naval Academy (INA) intake
Sainik School Students in INA
Total Officers Training Academy (OTA) intake
Sainik School Students in OTA

2014
614
129
865
63
834
24

2015
602
144
677
47
804
9

2016
542
159
688
44
817
20

2017
302
58
651
62
763
27

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri R Gopalakrishnan and Shri Chandra Prakash Joshi in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Defence
27-December, 2017 14:43 IST


Welfare Schemes

Government allots petrol pumps, gas agencies etc. to the families of martyrs for their livelihood.As per the existing Government policy there is provision of reservation of 8% for distributorship of LPG Agency under Government Personnel (GP category) and Retail outlets (Petrol and Diesel) under Combined Category 1 (CC1 category) for Defence Personnel, Central Para Military Forces / Special Forces, Central Government / State Government employees and Central / State Government PSU employees which also includes the dependants of the persons who are killed in various military operations.



The retail outlet dealerships and LPG distributorships allotted to the families of martyrs in Jammu & Kashmir are 42 and 19 respectively. Details of the schemes available at Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) for widows / Next of Kin of Ex-servicemen are as under:-

· Allotment of Class V ‘B’ Surplus Vehicles Scheme.
· Tipper Attachment Scheme.
· Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booth.
· Allotment of Safal Fruit & Vegetable Booth.

The above schemes are applicable for all and beneficiaries can apply as per the eligibility and guidelines. Further, monetary benefits / compensation are paid to the Widows / Next of Kin of soldiers.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Jugal Kishore in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Defence
27-December, 2017 14:42 IST
Re-Employment of Armed Forces Personnel

Government provides non-monetary benefits such as travel concessions, health amenities, housing facilities, re-employment and pension concessions to serving and retired defence personnel including their family members. The details of the benefits are as under:

Travel Concessions:-
The service personnel and their dependents including father, mother, brothers and sisters, if otherwise dependent on service personnel, are entitled for LTC from Duty Station to Home Station and back once in a year.

The service personnel and their dependents consisting of wife and dependent children are authorised for LTC from Duty Station to anywhere in India once in alternate year. In case the said concession is availed by personnel, the concession of travel entitlement from Duty Station to Home Station will be forgone. Retired defence personnel are not entitled for LTC.

The Chakra series Gallantry awardees and widows after their demise are granted complimentary Card passes for travel in trains.

The Chakra series Gallantry awardees and widows after their demise are offered concession in Economy Class Fare by Air India.

Health Amenities:
In the case of Serving personnel & their dependents all medical facilities (both in and out-patient treatment) except for in-patient treatment for dependents with psychiatric ailments, is provided as per the guidelines.

Ex-Servicemen & their Dependents are provided medical facilities under Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) through ECHS Polyclinics, Government and empanelled hospitals.
Housing Facilities:
All serving defence personnel are entitled for house / HRA as per the existing regulations. Retired defence personnel can retain authorised accommodations upto three months post retirement but are not entitled to housing facility thereafter.

Reemployment:
Reservations are provided in Government jobs, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Nationalised Banks//Financial Institutions to Ex-servicemen. Reservations are also provided in Central Public Sector Enterprises and Nationalised Banks to dependents of servicemen killed in action.

Pension Concessions:
Serving personnel on completion of requisite Qualifying Service are entitled for pensionary benefits. In case of death after retirement, the wife/eligible member of the family is entitled for family pension subject to fulfilment of conditions. In case of death of a service personnel while in service, the wife/eligible member of the family will be entitled for family pension i.e. ordinary Family Pension/ Special Family pension/ Liberalised Family Pension or Dependent pension depending upon the attributability or aggravation of death to or by service.

Provisions for re-employment of Ex-servicemen in jobs already exist. The details of reservation available to Ex-servicemen is as under:

In Central Government Ministries / Departments:
· 10% Direct recruitment posts upto the level of Asst. Commandant in Central Para Military Forces.
· 10% Direct recruitment posts in Group ‘C’.
· 20% Direct recruitment posts in Group ‘D’.

In Central Public Sector Enterprises:
· 14.5% in Group ‘C’ Posts.
· 24.5% in Group ‘D’ Posts
· (including 4.5% for disabled ESM/ dependents of servicemen killed in action).

Nationalised Banks:
· 14.5% in Group ‘C’ Posts.
· 24.5% in Group ‘D’ Posts
· (including 4.5% for disabled ESM/ dependents of servicemen killed in action).

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Smt Poonam Mahajan in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Defence
27-December, 2017 14:39 IST

Availability of Arms

Armament systems in Indian Army are categorized as Small Arms, Mortars, Field Guns, Medium Guns, Howitzers, Armoured Platform based Armament, Missiles and other long range vectors. These categories are based on parameters such as calibre, range desired / achieved etc. The authorization and holding of arms and ammunition is as per the operational requirement of the Indian Army. Adequate reserves have been authorized to cater for contingencies. There are adequate stocks of arms and ammunition with the Indian Army and it is well equipped for meeting any operational requirement.

The Government has approved a proposal for manufacturing of ammunition for Indian Army by Indian Industry. Request For Proposal (RFP) under Open Tender Enquiry for the said proposal has been issued on 25th & 27th March 2017.

While no formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for transfer of latest technology in arms and ammunition have been signed with any country, the issue of access to modern defence technologies is an important aspect of our defence cooperation with foreign countries.

Making up of stocks of arms and ammunition to desired level is a continuous process, the requirements for which are identified every year and procurements are undertaken accordingly. Some of the measures to ensure adequate availability of ammunition include placing of a Five-Year Roll on Indent on OFB, finalization of Ammunition Road Map in respect of certain identified ammunition and procurements thereof. Further, financial power has been delegated to the Army to meet any emergent requirement and to enable them to maintain military preparedness at all times.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Smt Supriya Sule and others in Lok Sabha today.

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[SanjeevM]

Government clears local manufacturing of 8 types of Ammunition

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...-types-of-ammunition/articleshow/62184468.cms
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/government-clears-local-manufacturing-of-8-types-of-ammunition/articleshow/62184468.cms



Salient feature

Do we know which are the possible Indian companies that can go for ammunition production? Reliance defence seems to be one as they entered into a contract with Russian company earlier this year. Which could be the other companies?

 

[Chinmoy]

Do we know which are the possible Indian companies that can go for ammunition production? Reliance defence seems to be one as they entered into a contract with Russian company earlier this year. Which could be the other companies?

Reliance going for Ammo production is a far fetched idea. May be some mid level co's could come up for that. The amount of emphasis being laid upon MSME by current government could also mean a consortium of these in this sector.

 

[SanjeevM]

Reliance going for Ammo production is a far fetched idea. May be some mid level co's could come up for that. The amount of emphasis being laid upon MSME by current government could also mean a consortium of these in this sector.

Reliance Defence Partners With Siberian Firm To Make Ammunition In India ...
https://www.bloombergquint.com › ...

http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/c...ership-with-serbias-yugoimport/article9731272

 

[Chinmoy]

Reliance Defence Partners With Siberian Firm To Make Ammunition In India ...
https://www.bloombergquint.com › ...

http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/c...ership-with-serbias-yugoimport/article9731272

Reliance is more interested in heavy duty manufacturing like artillery shell and tank ammo which India imports a lot. But for small arm ammo, I am not sure whether they would be interested or not. Moreover one would get only three type of manufacturing license. So Reliance would go for more heavy duty manufacturing with larger market share.

 

[Hindustani78]

File photo for representational purpose only.
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 27


http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/army-generals-to-get-longer-tenures/520121.html

The Indian Army has changed its promotion policy allowing Generals to serve longer tenures and officers to get promoted at a younger age to the ranks of Major General and Lieutenant General.

The Army has also changed the rather stringent requirement of two-year residual service for selection as Army Commander. There are just seven such posts, including Vice Chief.

The new policy announced on December 23 indicates that the Army has changed the sluggish promotion formula that dodges senior ranks. This in turn shortens the tenures to just 12 months at the level of the Divisional Commander, who is a Major General and has some 15,000-18,000 troops under his command. The same is the issue with the rank of Corps Commander, who is a Lieutenant General and gets only a 12-month tenure. This means too many changes.

With the change of policy, the annual number of vacancies of promotion from Brigadier to Major General will be curtailed to 33, instead of the existing 44. In case of promotion from Major General to Lieutenant General, the vacancies will be curtailed from 12 to nine per annum. This will mean officers will have longer tenures of some 18 months and also that relatively younger people will be promoted while others get sidelined.

In the Army, the rank of Major General is achieved by the age of 53 or 54, while the rank of Lieutenant General is on an average achieved by the age of 56. The target is to reduce this age profile by at least one year, ensuring longer tenures in top posts and continuity in policy-making.

The policy of having a minimum of three years of residual service to become a Corps Commander shall remain unchanged.