Indian Army: News and Discussion

[12arya]

These MoD idiots are inviting a terrorist attack where the terrorists can make easy use of these freely available Army uniform. Looks like the duffers will not wake up until an attack does happen (and I am talking about a major attack like 26/11)

when have our MoD babudom cared for soldiers sir!!!

 

[12arya]

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-army-finds-fresh-china-trouble-spots-2577352
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-army-finds-fresh-china-trouble-spots-2577352

Army finds fresh China trouble spots

Doklam standoff Picture for representational purpose
Abhishek Bhalla
Monday 22 January 2018 5:10 IST


The Indian Army has identified half a dozen potential flashpoints at the India-China border, after the Doklam standoff last year, which need enhanced tactful surveillance fearing Chinese activity that could trigger more confrontations.

According to reviews done by the Army, these spots, mostly in the Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh sectors, could be trouble spots once the winter fades away.

Sources said there are around 24 disputed zones between India and China, which are acknowledged by both the countries. Nearly nine of these are categorised as "sensitive" as China does not recognise these as a disputed.

"Some of these 'sensitive' places that China lays complete claim on and doesn't accept as disputed are the places where face-offs can be triggered after the weather opens up. We have identified 6-7 such spots," said a government source.

The 74-day standoff last year was triggered after Indian troops stopped Chinese road construction in Doklam — a region under dispute between China and Bhutan. It was felt that road connectivity would give China direct access to the Siliguri corridor, giving them strategic advantage, which had to be stopped.

Sources said the Chinese troops are currently around 600 metres back from the point of the standoff. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, during his annual press conference on January 12, had said that Chinese People's Liberation Army troops are still present in north Doklam.

"Chinese tents, temporary toilets and observation posts still exist in Doklam at the site of faceoff. There is a possibility of Chinese movement again," he had said.

General Rawat had also said that a large number of guns, tanks and troop movement in other areas have also been observed.

Army sources said there is no need for any troop mobilisation as the deployment all along the India-China border is more than adequate. "Troop movement can be done quickly if required," said a source.

Indian forces confiscated equipment, including two excavators of a Chinese road construction team on the Arunachal border that had entered one kilometre into the Indian Territory on December 28. The incursion took place near Bising village in Tuting area close to the border but there was no faceoff between the troops. The presence of Chinese workers in Indian Territory was noticed by some civilians on December 28 who informed the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The ITBP brought alerted the Army and a joint patrol team ensured that the Chinese stop work and retreat.

Sources said China could aggressively continue with such road constructions after the winter that could spark confrontations.

 

[12arya]

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-japan-to-introduce-ai-robotics-in-defence-sector/articleshow/62597018.cms
India, Japan to introduce AI, robotics in defence sector

 

[12arya]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/entire-china-could-soon-be-within-indias-nuclear-strike-zone/articleshow/62565039.cms


Entire China could soon be within India’s nuclear strike zone

 

[12arya]

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com...e-more-transparent-report/article10034710.ece
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/indian-defence-procurement-process-should-be-more-transparent-report/article10034710.ece

India’s defence procurement process should be more transparent: Report

NAYANIMA BASU

G R N SOMASHEKAR The US government is planning to sell its latest F-16 Block 70, as well as Sea Guardian drones in a deal worth $22 billion


India needs to broaden its offset policy by amending the Defence Procurement Procedure it says

New Delhi, Jan 17:
India should make its process of procuring defence equipment for the Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force more “transparent, efficient and effective” while not relying on the lowest cost approach, according to a report by the Centre for American Progress.

The report, ‘The United States and India: Forging an Indispensable Democratic Partnership’, was released here on Tuesday in collaboration with the Centre for Policy Research by former Ambassadors Nirupama Rao and Richard Verma.

“An improved procurement process will provide a level playing field and create a conducive environment for India to eventually become self-reliant in defence. US firms will be among the beneficiaries of a better defence acquisitions process and the integration of supply chains and development of joint R&D in defence will create jobs and lower costs in both countries,” the report said. According to the report. India needs to broaden its offset policy by amending the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

Low-cost approach

“India should also reconsider whether its lowest cost approach to defence acquisition is in its national interest, as often the best valued and most capable systems are not the lowest cost ones,” the report added.

Referring to the pending defence pacts that India needs to sign with the US, former US envoy to India, Richard Verma, said that India is a “tough negotiator” and that it should come for negotiations with a “certain confidence” when negotiating sensitive agreements like defence foundational pacts. While India signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US in 2016, the remaining two — Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Information and Services Cooperation (BECA) — are yet to be signed.

These three pacts are crucial for India to sign as it is now being recognised as a ‘Major Defence Partner’ of the US. “There are hindrances on both sides when it comes to defence procurement,” said Rao, who is also Co-Chair at the Center for American Progress Task Force on US-India Relations and India’s Former Foreign Secretary.

Benefits

The report also noted that a defence implementation agreement will potentially enable India to access a wide variety of benefits, including advanced technology, access to certain US intelligence, and secure communications links with US counterparts. The report also recommended that the US government agencies take effective steps to enhance defence cooperation between both countries.

“The US Congress could also be an important player in formalising the understandings reached in US law, so the understandings become ingrained in US policy and subsequent administrations are bound by the commitments,” it stated.

Presently, the US government is planning to sell its latest F-16 Block 70, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, in India in a deal worth $20 billion as well as Sea Guardian drones for $2 billion.

(This article was published on January 16, 2018)

 

[12arya]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...li-defense-techology/articleshow/62446752.cms


'Delhi, Tel Aviv must create joint ecosystem to absorb Israeli defence techology'

 

[12arya]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...ation-fewer-soldiers/articleshow/62601270.cms

Here's how to fix India's defence Budget: More allocation, fewer soldiers

 

[12arya]

http://www.india.com/news/india/ind...-systems-to-bolster-airspace-defence-2855600/

India in Talks With Russia For Triumf Missile Shield Systems to Bolster Airspace Defence

By India.com News Desk Email

New Delhi, Jan 22: India is in commercial negotiations with Russia to acquire five advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for Rs 39,000 crore. The S-400 Triumf missile shield system can detect, track and eliminate enemy’s stealth aircraft, spy planes, drones and missiles at a range of up to 400 km and altitude of 30 km. If the deal gets finalised, it will be among the largest-ever deals of India and Russia.

India wants to finalise the major deal in the 2018-19 financial year as the first S-400 surface-to-air (SAM) missile system and other components like all-terrain transporter-erector-launcher vehicles, radar and its associated battle-management system of command post and launchers will be delivered two years after the contract is inked.

“All the five S-400 systems, which can even take on medium-range ballistic missiles, apart from cruise missiles, will be delivered in 54 months. The force-multiplier will change the dynamics of air defence in the region,” Times of India quoted a defence ministry source as saying. The S-400 Triumf missile shield system can be used to protect cities during war or neutralise Pakistan’s short-range Nasr (Hatf-IX) nuclear missiles.

The negotiation with Russia is underway at a time when China has already begun to get deliveries of six S-400 batteries – designated ‘SA-21 Growler’ by NATO – under a $3 billion deal inked in 2014. Meanwhile, Russia, which has deployed the S-400 Triumf missile shield system in Crimea for airspace protection along the Ukraine border, is in talks with Turkey and Saudi Arabia to sell the missile shield programme.

The Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) had reportedly gave its nod for acquisition of the S-400 systems in December that year. India had signed a deal with Russia for five S-400 systems, four Grigorivich-class frigates and 200 Kamov-226T light helicopters during the Modi-Putin summit in Goa in October 2016.

The two countries had signed major deals in the past including the ones for 272 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters (over $12 billion) and INS Vikramaditya ($2.33 billion for the aircraft carrier and another $2 billion for 45 MiG-29Ks to operate from its deck).

Published Date: January 22, 2018 6:34 AM IST

 

[12arya]

http://time.com/5109261/india-china-agni-5-missile-test/
http://time.com/5109261/india-china-agni-5-missile-test/

India's Ballistic Missile Test Is a 'Direct Threat,' a Chinese State-Owned Newspaper Says




India's long range Agni-5 ballistic missile, seen as part of a 65th Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26, 2013.
Pallava Bagla—Corbis/Getty Images
By Eli Meixler
January 19, 2018


India’s test this week of a long range intercontinental ballistic missile with the capability of hitting China’s eastern coastal cities constitutes a threat to regional security, a China’s state-owned newspaper has declared, calling for increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean to counter its regional rival.

The ballistic missile test, India’s fifth, “poses a direct threat to China’s security as well as a big challenge to the global efforts of nuclear-nonproliferation,” China’s Global Times writes. The missile, called the Agni 5, was launched from eastern India on Thursday and traveled 3,000 miles, the New York Times reported, putting China’s coastal cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, in range. India’s last missile test was in Dec. 2016.

The missile is India’s most advanced in its Agni series—the name means fire in Hindi—and is capable of delivering a payload of 1.5 tons, enough to carry a fusion-assisted fissile nuclear warhead, according to the Delhi Defense Review, an India-based security publication. “With a range of ‘easily more than 5,500 km’ [3,400 miles], the Agni-V clearly confers upon India the ability to hold all of China’s Eastern Seaboard cities at risk from Peninsular India,” the journal said.

Other estimates have put the missile’s range at as much as 5,000 miles, with Du Wenlong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Military Science, previously telling the Global Times that India had “deliberately downplayed” the missile’s capacity to “avoid causing concern.”

The test comes months after a military stand-off between India and China over the 34-square-mile Doklam Plateau, a Himalayan pass between China and Bhutan that India perceives as a strategic buffer. The rivals fought a war in 1962 over disputed borders, which have never been formally resolved. India also conducted joint military exercises with Japan this week in the Indian Ocean, a key area where China is attempting to exert greater economic influence as well as flex its muscles as a regional naval power.

“India is trying to build a military system with Australia, Japan and the U.S. in order to keep a closer watch on China,” television military analyst Song Zhongping told the Global Times, adding that China should renew efforts in the Indian Ocean as part of its wide-ranging Belt and Road Initiative.

 

[12arya]

https://thediplomat.com/2017/12/indian-air-force-army-to-buy-15-light-combat-helicopter/


Indian Air Force, Army to Buy 15 Light Combat Helicopters
The Indian Ministry of Defense has initiated the procurement of 15 indigenously built and designed light helicopter gunships.

By Franz-Stefan Gady
December 28, 2017


The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Army (IA) are expected to purchase 15 indigenously built and designed Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), according to a December 22 company statement.

“HAL has received a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 15 Limited Series Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army today,” the statement reads. The IAF is to receive ten, and the IA five.

The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) cleared the purchase of 16 LCHs for the IAF and the Indian Army Air Corps (AAC) as part of a limited series production order in November 2016. The AAC has committed to buying 114 and the IAF 65 light helicopter gunships.

Then Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitley officially kicked-off full-scale production of the LCH at a HAL production facility in Bengaluru on August 26. Initial operating capability of the LCH expected by 2018. Four LCH prototypes are currently undergoing flight testing.

The first flight test of a LCH was conducted in May 2010.

“LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen, 5400 mts [meters] above sea level,” the December 22 statement by HAL notes.

“The LCH, a derivative of the HAL Dhruv helicopter, has been primarily designed for high-altitude warfare – HAL and French engine-maker, Turbomeca jointly designed a special engine optimized for extreme altitudes – and has an operational ceiling limit of 6,000–6,500 meters (19,700–21,300 feet),” I explained previously.

As I reported in September:

The LCHs armament includes a 20 millimeter French Giat-Nexter turret gun, four Belgium-made 70 mm anti-tank guided missiles (or, once operational, the Indian Helina anti-tank guided missile, and MBDA Mistral-2 air-to-air missiles. As of now, the Indian military lacks an anti-tank guided missile to arm the LCH with.

The helicopter’s advanced electronic warfare suite is supplied by SAAB South Africa, whereas the LCHs modern sensor suite has been developed in cooperation with the Israeli’ defense industry. The gunship also features a data-link for network-centric operations.

The LCH participated in the IAF’s `Iron Fist 2016′ exercise in March 2016 test firing its weapons systems including missiles.

The 5.5-ton helicopter gunship, “is a multipurpose weapons platform and can be used against enemy tanks, armored personnel carriers, slow-moving aircraft, surface warships and even submarines. The LCH can also be deployed in search and rescue missions and battlefield surveillance.”

The LCH features a narrow two-crew armored cockpit. Per-unit cost is estimated at $18-20 million. In comparison, one of the latest variant of Boeing’s Apache gunships, the AH-64E comes in at around $35 million.

 

[12arya]

http://www.atimes.com/indian-army-continues-battle-indecisive-government/
http://www.atimes.com/indian-army-continues-battle-indecisive-government/

Indian Army continues to battle an indecisive government
By Vijay Oberoi January 2, 2018 7:49 PM (UTC+8)

Last year started on a controversial note when General Bipin Rawat assumed command of the Indian Army, superseding two army commanders senior to him. Considerable discussion followed as, with some exceptions, the government has usually stayed on the straight and narrow path of seniority. While the government tried to give many excuses, there was considerable skepticism in military circles as well as the media.

As Army Day (the day an Indian general took command of independent India’s army) rolled by on January 15, 2017, the prime minister graciously tweeted: “We remember with great pride all the sacrifices made by our army. They put their lives at risk so that 125 crore [1.25 billion] Indians live peacefully.”

However, a couple of months later, his government swooped down on a peaceful gathering of protesting military veterans demanding removal of anomalies in the “One Rank, One Pension” (OROP) scheme – a long-standing demand that all military retirees of the same rank get the same pension, irrespective of their retirement dates. So, was it a genuine shabash (congratulations) or another jumla (fake promise)?

Rotating defense ministers
The present government seems to like juggling defense ministers. In three years India has had four, including one incumbent twice, but in name only, as his first charge was the Ministry of Finance. Manohar Parrikar, after taking over on November 9, 2014, remained in office for just about two years before returning to his home state. Arun Jaitley became a caretaker defense minister once again for about six months, thus wasting a year for such an important ministry.

Parrikar, despite being a lightweight in the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), tried his best to bring about urgently needed changes. But even he couldn’t rein in the well-entrenched bureaucracy. He failed to satisfy either the military veterans or the serving personnel as modernization plans were kept pending. He could not resolve anomalies in pay and allowances, either.

He fell into the bureaucratic trap of setting up a host of committees, whose recommendations are languishing. These include the Justice Reddy Committee for OROP anomalies, the Promotion Policy Committee and many others. Even the high-powered Shekatkar Committee’s recommendations have been only partially accepted, while the real hard-nosed ones have been quietly buried.

The current military leadership also seemed to be taking knee-jerk reactions in response to a hyperactive discourse on social media. To obviate grievances being aired by soldiers on social media, the army chief instructed all formations to have a grievance box. This move drew adverse reactions, as the army has always had a highly elaborate and fair system of dealing with grievances.

The end of a severe winter coincided with an upsurge in violence in the Kashmir Valley. The Jammu and Kashmir state government was visibly helpless and was more concerned with the upcoming elections in Srinagar and Anantnag. The police and Central Armed Police Forces had constraints and, therefore, failed to take strong action. It was left to the army to contain the local violence as well as neutralize insurgents.

It was also another wasted year for joint endeavors by the three services, despite the army pushing for it. The air force continues to be highly obdurate, without any cogent reasons; the bureaucracy is loath to give up its current role of being the virtual joint headquarters; and the political leadership is blasé, as it has only elections and vote banks on its mind. Consequently, a Chief of Defense Staff and joint structures continue to be a major weakness at all levels.

What is worrying is that instead of a reduction of operational tasks, the army keeps getting deeper into the morass of counterinsurgency operations as well as border defense at the same time. Although Indian Army soldiers are well trained, well led, and physically and mentally tough, these repetitive tasks take their toll and affect morale adversely.

The political leadership seems to have no plans to change this situation by other means, although the strength of all types of police forces, administrators, and subordinate staff keeps increasing, as do their pay and allowances, while the army plods on with antiquated equipment, reduced emoluments and ever-increasing tasks.

Lack of modernization
Despite its high numerical strength, the Indian Army continues to be a hollow army. Consequently, its ability to undertake various types of military operations on the modern battlefield stands greatly reduced.

There are three major reasons for this state of affairs.

The first is the abysmally low defense budget, which has been dwindling every year and now stands at just 1.5% of gross domestic product. The second is complicated procurement procedures. Despite eight Defense Procurement Plans having been issued in nine years, there is no change in the situation.

The third reason is that while the prime minister’s “Make in India” policy resonates in discussions, media reports, committees, election speeches and the like, precious little action is visible on ground. The government manufacturers carry on in their lethargic ways and the Defense Research and Development Organization has produced little, despite huge time delays and cost overruns.

The coming of the new defense minister, the fourth in three years, has also been marked by controversy. The army was ordered to clear garbage left by tourists in the mountains. While the army hierarchy meekly accepted it, there was a furor among the veterans. Why are local civil-government institutions and officials shirking their responsibilities?

A month or so later, the defense minister again tasked the army to construct four footbridges across local train lines in Mumbai. It was a political move to bail out both the railways and the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, which were twiddling their thumbs after an accident on a pedestrian bridge.

It is a mystery why the army accepted this task. The bottom line is that no real change has taken place in the Indian Army in 2017.

 

[12arya]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/deserter-gives-indian-army-the-slip-again/article22492677.ece


‘Deserter’ gives Indian Army the slip again
Special Correspondent
Bengaluru, January 22, 2018 23:47 IST
Updated: January 22, 2018 23:47 IST

A 26-year-old soldier, branded a ‘deserter’, who was caught by army officials after months, managed to give them the slip again at the Bengaluru city railway station last week.

After a frantic search for the missing soldier in and around Majestic, the officials approached the city police seeking their help to track him down.

In a complaint, S. Barnabas Sunderdas, a senior officer from Madras Regiment, said he, along with his colleagues, had tracked down Naveen P., a soldier hailing from Chennai and serving in Ambala Cantonment, from where he had escaped.

According to Mr. Sunderdas, Naveen had served in the army for eight-and-a-half years and was now termed a deserter. After months of searching, the officials found Naveen at his relatives’ house in KGF and he was being taken back to Ambala for trial, the official said.

When officials were escorting Naveen and his father Pannerselvam to board a train, he took advantage of the crowd and pushed the officials and escaped. The officials tried to chase him, but Naveen disappeared into the crowd. The officials alerted their seniors and took up search operations in Majestic area, but in vain. The city railway police have taken up a case under Section 224 of IPC (Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension) and are investigating.

 

[12arya]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/punj...ndeep-singh/story-qAYIR17vVKYvLzdxHeryBJ.html

Sepoy Mandeep Singh’s brother vows to join Indian Army to avenge killing

Mandeep Singh was killed in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
Avtar Singh
Hindustan Times, Sangrur

Sepoy Mandeep Singh

Sepoy Mandeep Singh, 23, who was killed in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday, has left behind an angry and inconsolable family.

As father Gurnam Singh sat unmoving in a corner, too shocked to speak, the sepoy’s younger brother, Jagdeep Singh, 20, vowed to join the Indian Army to avenge the killing.

• 
  
  Sepoy Mandeep Singh’s family (HT Photo)
  “I am proud of my brother who has sacrificed his life for the country. I will also join the army to kill the country’s enemies,” Jagdeep said, adding that he spoke to his brother over phone two days ago. Residents of Mandeep’s native village of Alampur in Moonak sub-division, around 70km from Sangrur, are also in shock since hearing the news about 11.30am.
  
  Mandeep, who had last visited home on leave in February, was to reach the village to make arrangements for the wedding of his sister next month. He had joined the 22 Sikh regiment around three years ago. His uncle Nirmal Singh is also an ex-serviceman.
  
  “My nephew was a brave soldier. He wanted to buy a Bullet motorcycle when he visited home next to make arrangements for his sister’s wedding,” said Nirmal. He added, “In the recent past, two to three jawans are being killed on the border every day. The government must resolve the issue with Pakistan.”
  
  “Mandeep’s body will reach the village either on Sunday evening or Monday morning,” said Jasvir Singh, Lehra SHO. Later in the day, naib tehsildar Hamir Singh and some police officers visited Mandeep’s house to offer condolences.

 

[12arya]

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/editorial-dna-edit-defence-disquiet-2577611


DNA Edit: Defence disquiet

Defence , Reuters

Written By
DNA
Tuesday 23 January 2018 8:05 IST

Home Minister Rajnath Singh made it abundantly clear that it will not stand by as a mute spectator even as state and non-state actors from Pakistan carry out their insidious designs in India. The Indian establishment realises very well that only by following the maxim of an eye for an eye will Pakistan learn the folly of its ways.

However, hard talk needs a follow up of hard action, and that is a tough task considering the impoverished state of military infrastructure in this country. A life-threatening shortage of ammunition, especially bullets, continues to bedevil the Indian Army. In fact, after the surgical strikes of 2016, the army was forced into emergency, unplanned purchases to make good on the ammunition shortages. This is unpardonable if India is to ever be prepared to wage battle on two and a half fronts. One against Pakistan, one against China and the half-bit against anti-state elements like Naxalites operating from its hinterlands and jungles. Had the Indian defence ministry been a peak performer, low on bureaucracy and high on delivery, many roadblocks for the Indian Army would cease to exist.

However, a bureaucrat-riddled ministry and one unpopulated by army officers means that pressing matters are given the short shrift and impediments that should be cleared on a priority basis are tackled at a snail-like pace. Additionally, many of the bureaucrats working within the ministry have little or no expertise when it comes to weapons’ procurement. Thankfully, things have been changing for the better. Under Nirmala Sitharaman, the Indian Army’s long-standing demand for small arms was met as the Defence Acquisition Council cleared procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines worth Rs 3,547 crore. Decisions like these will go a long way in resuscitating the sinking morale of Indian soldiers.

 

[12arya]

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...-firms-offers-50-projects-118011800919_1.html


Govt simplifies Make in India rules for defence firms, offers 50 projects
The ministry is offering around 50 potential projects with an assurance of orders on prototype completion and foreclosure protection
Gireesh Babu | Chennai Last Updated at January 18, 2018 17:09 IST

Representative image

The Ministry of Defence has released the second part of the simplified Make-II, the Make in India policy for the defence sector, in order to attract more private industries for manufacturing arms and ammunition. It has also initiated a first of its kind industry meet in Chennai and launched a Defence Investor Cell to facilitate industry participation. Under the simplified form, the industry can approach the defence departments on its own with products and ideas, which will then be considered by the concerned defence agency. So far, the industry has been supplying products that have been sought by the divisions according to their requirement. Another feature is that once the prototype is submitted and the department agrees to the product and its quality, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued and there is a guarantee that the product will be purchased, said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. ALSO READ: Blow to Make in India and Navy as Modi govt scraps minesweeper project "This will allay the concerns of the industry that whether the product will not be purchased even after spending time and developing it for defence," she said. Sitharaman was speaking at a first of its kind Defence Industry Development Meet in Chennai for forging a partnership with the industry for defence production. Make-II deals with industry-funded projects primarily for import substitution, subsystems, and others. If it is an MSME (Micro, small and medium enterprise) or start-up, it will have government support if the prototype is under an outer limit of Rs 30 million.

The ministry is offering around 50 potential projects with an assurance of orders on prototype completion and foreclosure protection. The new Make-II will reduce the timeline by almost 50 per cent, said Defence Production Secretary Ajay Kumar. The timeline will come down from around two to four years to one to two years. ALSO READ: Defence ministry simplifies pvt firms' role in developing weapon prototypes The dependence on the import of defence products has been reduced in the past three years and efforts are underway to further reduce imports and enable Indian firms to export to other companies, she said. Every year, the country procures around Rs 1.25 trillion worth of defence products, of which the public sector manufacturers and ordinance factories manufacture around Rs 500-550 billion and procurement is around Rs 450-500 billion. The rest of the requirement is addressed through imports. The micro, small and medium industry in the country is supplying around Rs 50 billion worth of products and they have a potential to increase it to Rs 100 billion by 2020, said Kumar. The minister proposed a plan to develop a corridor for the defence segment in South India, with L&T Shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli, the six ordinance factories in Tamil Nadu, the small manufacturers' cluster in Coimbatore and Hosur and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in Bengaluru. ALSO READ: Defence ministry clears Rs 35.47 bn rifle buy under "fast track" process Sitharaman also announced that the Defence Expo biennial event would be held in Chennai this year. The event, which is delayed, will be held from April 11 to 16, in a place provided by the state government between Chennai and Mahabalipuram, the defence minister added. Usually, it is held towards the end of February and, most of the time, in Delhi

 

[12arya]

The great American arms bazaar
Varghese K. George
January 22, 2018 00:02 IST
Updated: January 21, 2018 23:51 IST

Donald Trump’s attempt to rework the commercial-strategic equation spells an opportunity for India
In a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg at the White House earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump made up the name of a non-existent fighter plane, “F-52,” while lauding the F-35 fighter sale in a new defence deal with America’s NATO ally. While the gaffe yielded a heavy round of Twitter humour at the expense of Mr. Trump, what has not been adequately noticed is the significance of weapons sales in his diplomatic pitch throughout. He has been an aggressive salesman for American defence manufacturers during his foreign tours and to visiting heads of foreign countries in his first year in office. Promoting the sale of U.S. arms could soon become a key result area for the country’s embassies around the world, according to a Reuters report earlier this month. Arms supply has been a key tool of U.S. strategy for years. Mr. Trump wants to make arms sale itself a strategy.

The existing policy
Arms transfers by the U.S. happen primarily through Foreign Military Sales, Direct Commercial Sales, and Foreign Military Financing, all controlled by stringent laws, the most important of them being the Arms Export Control Act. The U.S. government sells defence equipment worth about $40 billion every year under Foreign Military Sales. Direct Commercial Sales are worth around $110 billion a year, in which a foreign buyer and the American seller negotiate the deal directly. Foreign Military Financing is done through American grants. Of the roughly $6 billion under that head, $3.7 billion goes to Israel each year. Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan have been other significant recipients of Foreign Military Financing in recent years, followed by 50 countries that receive smaller amounts totalling $1 billion. Arms supplies to foreign countries is critical to the U.S. for at least three reasons: it is a key leverage of global influence, it reduces the cost of procurement for the U.S. military by spreading the cost, and by employing 1.7 million people, the defence industry is a key component in the country’s economy and consequently, its politics.

But the sale of weaponry, traditionally, is guided less by commercial considerations rather than strategic ones. The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the Department of State is the lynchpin of this process; the other players are the Department of Defence, the White House and the U.S. Congress. Each proposed sale is vetted on a case-by-case basis and approved “only if found to further U.S. foreign policy and national security interests”, according to the Bureau’s policy. The actual process of a sale could be long-winded, and could take months even after it is approved in principle, an example being the ongoing negotiations to acquire 22 Guardian drones for the Indian Navy from American manufacturer General Atomics.

“We are very concerned that our partners have the ability to buy what they seek, within their means,” a U.S. official explained. “So we assess the capability. If someone asks for [the] F-35, we have to ensure that they have the money, the capability to operate it and protect the technology as well as we can. So if we conclude that we cannot sell F-35s, we have at least 10 different types of F-16 fighters that we match with the capability and importance of the partner country.” The process of initial assessment of selling arms to any country involves the State and Defence Departments. There are around 100 military officers attached to the State Department and around the same number of diplomats assigned to the Pentagon, who help in such decisions. It is also sought to ensure that the systems sold to one country do not end up with a third party.

The White House, through the National Security Council, plays a key role in this process. Once all of them are on the same page on a particular proposal, Congressional leaders of the House and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations are informally consulted. Once they are on board, the sale is formally notified. Significant sales require a tacit approval by lawmakers.

Changes Mr. Trump wants
Mr. Trump has not hidden his disapproval for the American strategy, which he thinks has been a big failure. His views on defence partnerships are in line with this thinking. He wants to reduce the Foreign Military Financing to the least, except for Israel. He wants American partners to buy more weapons from it, and it is also a move towards reducing trade deficits with key partners such as South Korea and Japan. He is hammering NATO partners to ramp up defence spending and believes that all these partners have taken the U.S. for a ride. He has little patience for linking human rights to arms sales. The fact also is that the actual practice of American arms supplies does not often live up to its professed objectives. The Central Intelligence Agency’s clandestine weapons supplies for Syrian rebels reached the Islamic State and al-Qaeda for instance, and Mr. Trump has ordered the discontinuation of the programme. So, overall, the President is pushing for a liberalisation of U.S. arms sales to partner countries, guided less by any grand strategic vision, but by commercial and domestic political calculations. He is seeking to flip the equation between commercial and strategic calculations behind arms sales in favour of the first.

The security establishment and Congress will not easily accede to major changes in existing U.S. laws in order to further Mr. Trump’s ideas. However, Mr. Trump holds the last word on defining what U.S. national interests are, and his thinking could turn out be an opportunity for India, one of the largest importers of major arms. India has bought $15 billion worth of defence equipment from the U.S. over the last decade, but Indian requests for arms often get entangled in the U.S. bureaucracy for multiple reasons. The honorific title of ‘major defence partner’ notwithstanding, the traditional American propensity to link sales to operational questions such as interoperability and larger strategic notions dampens possibilities. India’s robust defence partnership with Russia is a major irritant for American officials.

If Mr. Trump manages to emphasise the commercial benefits of arms sales, and de-emphasise the strategic angle, it could lead to a change in the dynamics of the India-U.S. defence trade, and bilateral trade in general. India, always wary of military alliances, will be more comfortable with weapons purchases as commercial deals. For America, India could be a reliable, non-proliferating buyer of its arms. The U.S. also has a trade deficit with India. It was the out-of-the-box thinking of a President that led to the India-U.S. civil nuclear deal. With his unconventional thinking, could Mr. Trump offer F-35s to India?

 

[12arya]

http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/30/2017-a-year-when-indias-defence-research-and-development-organisation-armed-forces-gained-more-st-1740240.html


2017: A year when India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, armed forces gained more strength
By Hemant Kumar Rout | Express News Service | Published: 30th December 2017 03:08 AM |

Scientists at the DRDO. (Express File Photo)

BHUBANESWAR: It was a year of happenings for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the armed forces. Apart from enhancing safety and security of the country, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, modernisation of the Armed Forces, supporting indigenisation and manufacturing of defence equipment were the main features.

The country’s premier agency had achieved many milestones in its strategic missile programme.
Successful flight trials of indigenously developed first long range sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay, Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) and supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from fighter jet Sukhoi-30 MKI besides dedicating Naval submarine INS Kalvari to the Nation were highlights of the year.

While with the remarkable success of 1000-km range Nirbhay trial on November 7, India demonstrated its capability to develop long range cruise weapon systems, successive trials of homegrown interceptor missiles in both exo and endo atmospheric regions strengthened the Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield.

• 
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Nirbhay, country’s first indigenously designed and developed cruise missile, achieved grand success during fifth trial saving the project from being scrapped after three failures and one partial success.
DRDO also conducted three successful flight tests of its newly developed short range QRSAM. QRSAM is a highly mobile air defence system which can destroy multiple targets at a distance of 25 km. Though the missile is yet to get a formal name, it is expected to supplement the surface-to-air missile Akash, capable of hitting targets 30 km away.

Supersonic cruise missile BrahMos being test fired for extended range on Saturday. | Express Photo Service
World’s fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos created history on November 22 as fitted with advanced seeker software, the high speed missile was successfully flight-tested first time from frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI marking a major milestone in enhancing the precision strike capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Earlier on March 11, while maiden test of extended-range BrahMos was a copy book success, its Block-III version was successfully test fired on May 2. The technology upgrade came after India’s full membership to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) which removed caps on the strike range of BrahMos. The range of the missile has been now enhanced from 290 km to 450 km.

Meanwhile, work has begun to integrate the BrahMos missile on 40 Sukhoi combat aircraft which is expected to fulfil critical needs of the IAF in the wake of evolving security dynamics in the region. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.

After 15 years in the making, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), Astra completed its developmental trials this year .The indigenously built missile capable of detecting and destroying highly manoeuvrable targets, moving at a supersonic speed, will soon be inducted in the armed forces.

The third generation ‘fire and forget’ Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) Nag has also completed developmental trials paving the way for its induction in the armed forces. The indigenously developed missile equipped with Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) seeker was flight tested thrice from a range in Rajasthan on June 13 and September 8 and it successfully hit targets under different conditions. Surface-to-air missile ‘Akash’ was successfully test fired for the first time with a home-made radio frequency seeker against target Banshee. The missile was successfully flight tested five times between November 28 and December 5.

In July, the DRDO had signed a pact with the Army for developing a medium-range surface to air missile (MRSAM) which will be capable of shooting down ballistic missiles and aircraft. The missile capable of engaging multiple aerial targets at a range of more than 50 km will be produced in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

On March 2, Navy successfully conducted maiden firing of an Anti-Ship missile from first of the indigenously built Kalvari class submarines in the Arabian Sea. All six Kalvari class submarines being built in India will be equipped with this anti-ship missile, which has a proven record in combat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the naval submarine to the nation in December describing it as a prime example of ‘Make-in-India’.

DRDO scientists received appreciation for the successful user trial of 4000-km range Agni-IV missile on January 2 but drew criticism for the failures of Agni-II and K-4 missiles on May 4 and December 17. This year, DRDO and Strategic Forces Command (SFC), a specially raised missile-handling unit of the Army had conducted at least 27 trials of 12 missiles - Agni-IV, Agni-II, PDV interceptor, AAD interceptor, BrahMos, Akash, Astra, Prithvi-II, QRSAM, Nag, Nirbhay and K-4.

The first ever tri-services exercise INDIRA between India and Russia was conducted in October. Another flagship event of the year was the first ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by all-women crew on Indian Navy sailing INSV Tarini, which was flagged off on September 10 and is expected to return to Goa in April 2018.

INS Kiltan (ANI Twitter Photo)
INS Kiltan, the third ship of Project-28 Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvette was commissioned on October 16. This is the first major warship with entire superstructure made of carbon fibre reinforced composite material.

The first DRDO designed and developed Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) system, aboard Embraer-145 aircraft, was inducted in the IAF in February. The state of the art Active Electronically Scanned Array-based radar system can detect airborne objects from far off distances and provide early warning to the Air Defence Command and Control Centres.

SPYDER Low Level Quick Reaction Missile system, equipped with Python 5 and Derby missiles, has also been inducted into the IAF. This system provides a comprehensive response to the saturation attacks with multiple target engagement, thus boosting the short range air defence capability. Among the indigenously developed air launched weapons, flight trials of 500 kg General Purpose (GP) Bomb was conducted from Su-30 MKI in May besides the thermobaric bomb from MiG-27 aircraft and captive flight trials of Stand-off Anti Tank missile from Mi-35 helicopter.

A timeline

• December 28 and March 1 - Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor test fired fromKalam Island off Odisha coast
  
  
• June 4, July 3 and December 22 - QRSAM test fired from Integrated Test Range atChandipur
  
  
• December 17 - Submarine-launched K-4 missile could not be launched from pontoon
  
  
• November 29 to December 5 - Surface-to-air missile Akash test fired five times
  
  
• November 22 - Maiden air launch of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from Sukhoi-30MKI successful
  
  
• November 7 - Subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay clears crucial test
  
  
• September 11 to 15 - Air-to-air missile Astra completes developmental trial
  
  
• September 8 and June 13 - Anti-tank missile Nag completes developmental trial at thewestern range in Rajasthan
  
  
• June 2 - SFC conducts user trial of nuke capable Prithvi-II missile
  
  
• May 4 - SFC carries out user trial of Agni-II missile
  
  
• May 2 - Block-III version of BrahMos missile test fired
  
  
• April 21 - BrahMos cruise missile test fired from warship Teg
  
  
• March 11 - Maiden test of extended range BrahMos successful
  
  
• March 2 - Navy conducts test of an anti-ship missile from INS Kalvari
  
  
• February 11 - Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) interceptor successfully destroysincoming missile at exo-atmospheric region
  
  
• January 2 - User trial of 4,000 km Agni-IV achieves grand success
  

 

[12arya]

https://swarajyamag.com/world/india...oning-partnership-that-can-only-grow-stronger

India-Israel Relations: A Burgeoning Partnership That Can Only Grow Stronger
by Ashok Sajjanhar - Jan 23, 2018, 9:54 am

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen prior to a delegation-level talks, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. (Ajay Aggarwal/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)


Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s just-concluded visit to India can be described as highly productive and successful – both on optics and substance. Prior to his arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called the visit “historic and special”. This was Netanyahu’s first visit to India, coming 15 years after the first visit by an Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, in 2003.

Two aspects of the visit are particularly remarkable. First, it was a long six-day visit. Normally, heads of state and government visit even the friendliest of countries for a maximum of three or four days. That the Israeli Prime Minister decided to invest so much time, effort, energy and commitment to its relationship with India is indeed exceptional. Second, the visit came a little more than six months after the momentous and path-breaking visit by Prime Minister Modi to Israel in July 2017, the first ever by an Indian prime minister to that country after establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.

Relations between the two countries have been expanding across a variety of sectors in a robust manner for 25 years now. It is however incongruous that despite the rapidly expanding ties, exchange of visits at the highest political level did not take place. Before the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government took power in 2014, the only presidential visit from Israel was that of Ezer Weizman in 1997, which was followed by prime minister Sharon’s visit in 2003. All that changed with Modi’s assumption of power. A spate of visits both ways has been witnessed over the last three years. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin visited India in 2016. Indian president Pranab Mukherjee went to Israel in 2015. He however balanced this tour by also visiting Ramallah. Modi himself did not pander to any such demand or niceties and de-hyphenated the relationship with Israel and Palestine by visiting only Israel in July last year.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of diplomatic relations has hence witnessed both the heads of government visiting each other to provide a significant impetus to the bilateral partnership. It was earlier said that India treats Israel as a mistress: that it is happy to have an affair with it behind the curtains, but is not prepared to acknowledge this relationship in the open. With these two high-profile, back-to-back visits, this narrative has been shattered once and for all. The relationship has now emerged in the open as a regular partnership with a lot of promise.

Before the visit commenced, several naysayers and doubters said that the inbuilt contradictions in India’s support for the Palestinian cause and relations with the Arab and Islamic world will make this relationship a non-starter. To cap it, it was said that India had voted in the United Nations against the resolution to designate Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that would be seen by Israel as an unfriendly act. Netanyahu laid all apprehensions on this score to rest at the very beginning of his tour when he said that one negative vote in the United Nations will have no impact on this blossoming relationship.

It is imperative that for the partnership to realise its full potential, both India and Israel behave as mature democracies and try to understand and appreciate the compulsions of each other on a variety of regional and international issues. The long hiatus in upgrading the political relationship to the highest level occurred because of India’s reluctance in acting in a manner that could compromise its interests in West Asia. India is heavily dependent on the Gulf to meet its energy requirements through import of oil and gas as well as for the significant remittances sent home by the large eight-million-strong diaspora working in that region. Safety and security of the Indian diaspora is also a matter of concern for India.

The country’s hesitation in fully normalising relations with Israel was also dictated to a significant extent by domestic political considerations as the government did not want to be seen as doing anything that would be construed adversely by the large domestic Muslim population. It would be essential for Israel to be mindful and cognisant of this background so that no misunderstanding or misplaced expectations derail the smooth progress of this propitious bilateral engagement.

The two sides have done well to focus on the huge potential that exists in taking the partnership to the next level. Defence is an area that had emerged even before diplomatic relations were established. Israel had come to India’s help in the wars in 1962, 1965 and 1971, as also after 1992, during the Kargil conflict in 1999. Israel has emerged as the third-largest supplier of sophisticated defence equipment to India and is likely to rapidly go up the ladder in the coming years. It is understood from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s tweet that the US$ 500 million Spike anti-tank missile deal, which was surprisingly rejected by the Defence Research and Development Organisation on the eve of the visit, is back on track probably as a government-to-government contract.

Israel is now collaborating with India not only in the supply of sophisticated defence equipment, but also in co-designing, co-production and manufacturing of these systems under the ‘Make in India’ programme. In addition to meeting India’s expanding needs in this field, it will also help in creating jobs and technological upgrades in the country. It will also boost innovation in this sector.

Innovation is an area where Israel has been the clear global leader. It has the second-largest number of startups, next only to the United States. This is particularly commendable considering the difference between the two countries in terms of size, population, gross domestic product and so on. Innovation in technology, water management, agriculture and other sectors are areas where both countries can cooperate to mutual benefit and advantage.

Several agreements covering a wide array of areas including cyber security, metal batteries, oil and gas, film production, space, solar and thermal technologies and so on were signed between the two countries. In addition, several contracts between the private sectors of the two countries were signed. Netanyahu came to India at the head of a large 130-strong business delegation from 102 companies. It was reported that talks on entering into a Free Trade Area will also commence. This would help in significantly enhancing the volume of bilateral trade from US$ 5 billion at present to the targeted level of US$ 10 billion in the near future.

Prime Minister Modi devoted abundant attention, time and care to be with Netanyahu during the latter’s stay in the country. This was limited not only to receiving him at the airport by setting aside protocol, as he had done for Barack Obama (2015), Sheikh Hasina (2017), United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Zayed Al Nahyan (2016 and 2017), but also accompanying Netanyahu to Gujarat, sharing the stage with him at Raisina Dialogue even though Modi was not scheduled to speak at the event, and on several other occasions. This sent out a clear message about the importance and significance that Modi accords to the visit.

Personal chemistry and bonhomie of course plays a useful role in advancing relations between two countries, but this is possible only when there is a wide congruence of mutual interest. As is evident, there is a broad commonality of interest between the two countries. Although it is a hyperbole to say, as Netanyahu commented that relationship between India and Israel is a “marriage made in heaven” (he had used the same expression during his recent visit to China), it is nevertheless true that it is a win-win partnership for both the countries. India needs technology, innovation, defence equipment, cooperation in counter-terrorism, training in intelligence gathering and so on from Israel, all of which are required to make India a secure, stable and prosperous nation with a better standard of living for its people.

For Israel, in addition to the huge market for its manufactured goods and technology as well as defence products (it supplies about 40 per cent of its annual production to India) that India represents, the significant intangible benefit is also the recognition and acceptance it receives from the largest democracy and rapidly growing economic power. More than 30 countries of the United Nations do not recognise Israel. Being accepted as a friend by India hence holds special value and significance for the Jewish state.

Cultural connections and people-to-people contact are a significant element of India-Israel partnership. India is one of the few countries in the world where Jews have not faced anti-Semitism. Jews have come to India in different phases over the last 2,000 years and lived in different parts of the country without facing any discrimination. Notwithstanding their small numbers, Jews have made a sizeable contribution to the cultural, artistic, military and literary life in India. Names of some of the better-known Indian Jews are Lt General JFR Jacob, Leela Samson, Nissim Ezekiel, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, cine actors David, Sulochana and Nadira.

Netanyahu pulled out all stops to woo the Bollywood film industry by hosting the marquee event, “Shalom Bollywood”, in Mumbai, which was attended by the Bachchan clan and several of the high and mighty of the film industry. Netanyahu invited them to shoot their films in the beautiful locales in Israel. Two films starring Alia Bhatt, Jacqueline Fernandez and Sushant Singh Rajput were shot a few months ago in Israel and are likely to be released later this year. Bollywood's embrace of Israel will not only create jobs in Israel, but will also provide an impetus to tourism in that country.

All this synergy and congruity notwithstanding, there are issues like Palestine and Iran, on which both countries have divergent views. China and Pakistan will also provide a challenge, but of a lower magnitude. It would be expedient for both India and Israel to take these differences in their stride and not allow them to muddy or strain their bilateral ties.

Counter-terrorism, security, defence, cyber-security, agriculture, innovation, water management, films, people-to-people contact and so on are some of the significant areas in which relations between the two countries can grow rapidly. The countries would do well to provide their undivided attention to strengthening and expanding this partnership. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit will play a colossal role in taking bilateral ties several rungs up the ladder.

The author is a former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. He is currently President, Institute of Global Studies.”

 

[12arya]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...er-terrorism-at-unsc/articleshow/62582094.cms

India, US and Afghanistan target Pakistan over terrorism at UNSC

The US had said that the status quo regarding continued terror safe havens in Pakistan is not acceptable and insisted that Islamabad join its efforts to bring a resolution to the conflict. UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan needs to change its "mindset" of differentiating between good and bad terrorists, India said at the UN Security Council, urging it to focus on challenges posed by terrorism emanating from the safe havens from across the border.

Indian Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin told the Security Council that it is India's vision to see Afghanistan regain its place.

He added that New Delhi remain committed to work closely with its regional and international partners to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

Earlier, the US told the UN Security Council that the status quo regarding terrorist safe havens in Pakistan is not acceptable.

The US had said that the status quo regarding continued terror safe havens in Pakistan is not acceptable and insisted that Islamabad join its efforts to bring a resolution to the conflict.

"We seek to work cohesively and effectively with Pakistan, but cannot be successful if the status quo, one where terrorist organisations are given sanctuary inside the country's borders, is allowed to continue," US deputy secretary of state John Sullivan told the ministerial meeting.

Afghan deputy foreign minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai too reiterated the presence of terrorist safe haven in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan continued to be in denial.

Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, responding to Indian ambassador, raked up the case of Jadhav, who was captured in March last year and sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged spying, an accusation that India has dismissed as concocted.

"Those who talk of changing mindset need to look within, at their own record of subversion against my country as our capture of an Indian spy has proven beyond doubt," Lodhi told the members of the UN Security Council, without naming Jadhav.

 

[12arya]

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-signed-defence-deals-worth-rs-2-40-lakh-cr-in-last-4-years-subhash-bhamre/articleshow/62355290.cms


India signed defence deals worth Rs 2.40 lakh cr in last 4 years: Subhash Bhamre