Indian Army: News and Discussion

[12arya]

http://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/what-is-rustom-ii-drone-5077614/

What is Rustom 2 drone?
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed the test flight of its Rustom 2 drone at the Aeronautical Test Range. Rustom 2 is part of the Rustom line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that includes Rustom-I, Rustom-H and Rustom-C.

Rustom II drone has been developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and is part of the Rustom class of drones built by India.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed the test flight of its Rustom 2 drone at the Aeronautical Test Range. Rustom 2 is part of the Rustom line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that includes Rustom-I, Rustom-H and Rustom-C.

The drone was developed for use by all three services of the Indian armed forces, primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The medium-altitude prototype can fly at over 22,000 ft and is a long-endurance (MALE) UAV that has an approximate flight time of 20 hours.

The drone has been modelled on the Rustom-H UCAV with a light airframe. The Rustom 2 is propelled by two 3-bladed NPO saturn engines. It stands 2.4 metres tall with a wingspan of 20.6 metres and a length of 9.5 metres. The UAV’s tail section comes with a T-type vertical stabiliser and a high-mounted horizontal tailplane.

It can fly at around 280 km/h and carry a variety of payloads like Medium Range Electro Optic (MREO), Long Range Electro Optic (LREO), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT) and Situational Awareness Payloads (SAP) that help in performing missions even during the night. MREO and LREO sensors are placed inside a modular payload under the nose for capturing imagery and video.

The drone’s data link developed by Defence Electronics Application Laboratory transmits the ISR data to the armed forces’ ground control station in realtime allowing prompt action.

Rustom 2 can fly missions on manual as well as autonomous modes. The onboard way-point navigation system allows the drone to conduct missions autonomously. The two NPO Saturn MT turboprop engines are fitted under the wings and produce over 450 kilogram-force thrust each.

Several critical systems and components of the drone, like its airframe, avionics sub-systems, flight control, landing gear etc have been made indigenously and some in collaboration with private manufacturers.

 

[rkhanna]

http://www.financialexpress.com/ind...-officers-for-crucial-tasks-official/1078698/

Indian Army looking at larger talent pool, younger officers for crucial tasks: official
The Army has begun putting the measures into effect. The issue was discussed extensively at a meeting of top commanders of the Army last year when it was also decided that the organisation's human resource policy would be reoriented.

The Army has started implementing reforms aimed at readying a larger talent pool for crucial tasks and bringing down the age of those commanding key formations including along the borders with China and Pakistan. (AP)
The Army has started implementing reforms aimed at readying a larger talent pool for crucial tasks and bringing down the age of those commanding key formations including along the borders with China and Pakistan. Top sources in the defence establishment said the idea behind the reform initiative was to bring down the age of commands at all levels and ensure deploying the “right person for the right job” in a timely manner. “We also want longer tenures of brigade commanders, divisional commanders and core commanders,” a top military official told PTI, explaining the implementation of a new promotion policy as part of the overall reform initiative. The Army has begun putting the measures into effect. The issue was discussed extensively at a meeting of top commanders of the Army last year when it was also decided that the organisation’s human resource policy would be reoriented. “The aim of the initiative is to improve overall functioning of the Army,” the official said.

The sources said as part of the new promotion policy, selections for key assignments had been widened to encourage young officers and increase their motivation levels besides ensuring longer tenures at the level of command and director general. The world’s second largest standing Army has been undertaking a series of reforms and procuring various weapon systems to bolster its overall capabilities in the wake of evolving security threats including on India’s borders with Pakistan and China. “The broader aspect of the initiative is to having a bigger talent pool of young officers. A wider selection process is expected to result in better motivational levels among the officers,” said the official, refusing to delve any deeper into the initiative.

The sources said under the new policy, corps commanders may be promoted as army commanders if they have at least 18 months of tenure left in their service as against the previous requirement of 24 months. They said the top brass of the Army has also decided to sternly tackle incidents of indiscipline. In August last year, the government had announced major reforms in the Indian Army such as redeployment of nearly 57,000 officers and other ranks as well as ensuring better utilisation of resources. The reform initiatives were prescribed by a committee headed by Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (retd) which had a mandate to recommend measures for enhancing combat capability and re-balancing the defence expenditure of the armed forces to increase the “tooth to tail ratio”. The ratio refers to the amount of supply and support personnel (termed tail) for each combat soldier (or tooth).

IMO the Indian Army from an early stage show cultivate and nuture NCO/JCO talent. They are smarter better than most Lts and in many cases even Captains we have. Their Experience / talent and acumen gets lost. It will also ease the burden on our Officer Cadre. The biggest barrier to this transition seems to be the english language. The Army can remedy this with really smart NCO/JCO's through language schools etc.

 

[WolfPack86]

Update 1 3500 Active Protection System for Main Battle Tanks, 360° protection against anti tank threats
https://twitter.com/indiandefencera?lang=en

 

[WolfPack86]

Update 2 55-70 stealth UAV for recon purpose for Indian Army 1500 km range

 

[Adioz]

“We also want longer tenures of brigade commanders, divisional commanders and core commanders,” a top military official told PTI,

Media will be media.
Don't Drink and Drive

 

[Suryavanshi]

Media will be media.
Don't Drink and Drive

TBH we need to eugenics program to purge these media motherfuckers.

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

TBH we need to eugenics program to purge these media motherfuckers.

I am thinking of starting crash course classes for these Jarnailists.

Starting from the basics to covering up advanced stuff in 1 weeks time.

:biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

Today i did some good exercises in the gym and i too feel like my Core commander as i am in command of my core.

 

[ezsasa]

So next year's target for Ballistic Helmet Procurement is 175000

From Indian army website.
list does not contain BPJ's though...

 

[tharun]

Army Issued RFI for the "The Outline Trade Procurement Plan"

 

[sthf]

Indian Army looking at larger talent pool, younger officers for crucial tasks: official

Lack of a capable NCO corps is dragging Indian services down. The friction between officers and other ranks are increasing everyday.

From my own observation, a quarter if not more men who are joining the army as OR are graduates and more. I personally know a few of them. They too attempted NDA & CDS but fell short marksmarks .

Society is changing much faster than the reforms happening in the services.

 

[rkhanna]

Actually we have a very capable NCO/JCA Core. Unfortunately they never get utilized or recognized by the upper echelon's because bias dictates that they cant add value and thinking is an "educated" mans game and only if you speak english are you educated.

The down side is that their natural (those who have it) leadership and strategic acumen are never fully/formally developed to be leveraged as value add.

But get deployed on the front lines along the LOC and every single Officer relies on his NCO for guidance and executing ops. A large number of them will not move a muscle without checking with their senior most NCO's first.

 

[Jay99]

Russia's unstoppable nukes: Putin reveals new nuclear missiles that cannot be intercepted and can strike almost anywhere in the world


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5449331/Putin-Russia-nuclear-invulnerable-interception.html

 

[Suryavanshi]

Russia's unstoppable nukes: Putin reveals new nuclear missiles that cannot be intercepted and can strike almost anywhere in the world


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5449331/Putin-Russia-nuclear-invulnerable-interception.html

Hope chinese don't get their hands on these

 

[12arya]

Actually we have a very capable NCO/JCA Core. Unfortunately they never get utilized or recognized by the upper echelon's because bias dictates that they cant add value and thinking is an "educated" mans game and only if you speak english are you educated.

The down side is that their natural (those who have it) leadership and strategic acumen are never fully/formally developed to be leveraged as value add.

But get deployed on the front lines along the LOC and every single Officer relies on his NCO for guidance and executing ops. A large number of them will not move a muscle without checking with their senior most NCO's first.

@rkhanna, completely agree. and stuff like this (mentioned in below article) is still happening in our army. this is wat piss me off. young guys r dying evryday and oldies with their wives, messing up the lives of their subordinates & families spectacularly. despite all this sh*t, our jawans and young officers r displaying amazing service ethos and that shud b appreciated.

http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/military-arrogance-of-seniority/
Military: Arrogance of Seniority

Starred Golf - Caddie on the Left is Displaying Three Stars while the Middle One Shows Two Stars

Search for recognition is one of the pursuits which all human beings indulge in and continuously strive for. For professionals, promotions and advancement in career are important aspects of their aspirations. In the services, rank achieved is a conspicuous and well-recognised measure of a soldier’s professional competence and an indicator of his progression. As rank fixes one’s place in the services hierarchy, senior officers have every reason to be proud of their achievement. They are justified in deriving a sense of justification from the heavy brass they carry on their shoulders. In a steep pyramid-like organisation, promotions do not come easily.

Senior commanders and their wives remain surrounded by their staff officers and cronies. They make no effort to walk up to the juniors to exchange pleasantries. At times one gets an impression that the senior brass considers it below their dignity to mix with subordinate officers.

However, it is equally important that they carry their rank with due dignity and composure. They should neither carry them to ridiculous limits nor flaunt them in an unbecoming manner. Increasing arrogance of seniority is clearly discernible in stratification of social events and indiscriminate flaunting of flags and stars, as discussed below.

Social Discrimination

There was a time when senior officers and their wives made use of social occasions to interact with junior officers and their wives to get a feel of their morale and establish informal rapport with them. On the other hand, junior officers and their wives learnt a great deal by watching the way the senior officers and their wives conducted themselves. Thus, social functions were considered to be excellent occasions to build cohesion in an informal manner. Additionally, military norms, ethics and values were passed on to the new-inductees.

Unfortunately, social functions have become highly stratified events. There is no interaction between the seniors and the juniors. Separate areas are earmarked for them. Exclusive seating for VIPs has become a standard practice. Senior commanders and their wives remain surrounded by their staff officers and cronies. They make no effort to walk up to the juniors to exchange pleasantries. At times one gets an impression that the senior brass considers it below their dignity to mix with subordinate officers.

There are three reasons for this obsession for exclusivity. One, senior officers get special treatment in terms of quality of liquor and food. Two, they get hospitality free whereas they should be paying for their drinks and food like the other officers. Finally, the current top brass is so self-seeking that it has no concern for others’ sensitivities and social niceties.

Earlier, all guests were treated at par and served the same food and drinks, irrespective of their rank. The only privilege that a senior officer enjoyed was that he was served his drink by the waiter and did not have to walk up to the bar like others. Today, not only the type of whisky but also the goblet – crystal for seniors and Borosil for others – are rank based.

Today, not only the type of whisky but also the goblet – crystal for seniors and Borosil for others – are rank based.

A few months ago, an Air Force Station had organised a social evening after an event and invited a large number of officers from the services. Prior to the serving of dinner, an announcement was made requesting all officers of one-star rank and their wives to have dinner in the hall while the others were asked to move to the tents on the side. It was such an insulting move that many officers and their wives walked out without dinner. One fails to understand how such petty mindedness has crept in the services’ culture. If a Brigadier or a General has dinner along with others, will it lower his dignity?

At a post-tournament dinner at an officers’ institute, the Army Commander, after showing his face for a few minutes, withdrew to an exclusive chamber along with his ‘Nav Ratnas’ (Major Generals) to enjoy the evening and exclusive hospitality. Others were left outside to interact with each other – a reminder of the grand old Mughal tradition of ‘Diwane Khaas’ and ‘Diwane Aam’.


Golf Cap with Stars Indicating Rank of the Player

Protocol golf is another innovative measure that displays haughtiness of seniority. In case senior commanders want to play golf after a conference, the golf course is declared off limits for others. It is a disgraceful sight to see 4 to 5 commanders playing golf on an 18-hole golf course with staff officers who are detailed to accompany them. It shows arrogance of the poorest order. Do the senior commanders find it demeaning if Colonels and Majors are also playing at the same time? Arrogance of rank cannot be carried to such limits.

Flaunting of Ranks

It must never be forgotten that badges of ranks worn by the soldiers represent national symbols – the Ashoka Lion and the five-pointed Indian Star. The nation has bestowed its greatest honour on its soldiers. Every officer understandably takes pride in his rank by displaying the stars and flying the flag that he is entitled to. However, it must be done with due decorum and as per the laid down norms. Their sanctity should never be demeaned. Of late, a tendency has been discernible amongst the senior officers to flaunt their stars and flags in most unbecoming manner.

…a garden umbrella at a divisional tennis court had two stars prominently displayed on it to indicate that it was exclusively reserved for the Divisional Commander and his wife.

Although display of star plates and flags on private cars is forbidden, many officers feel insecure without their use and openly flout the orders. There are many commanders who insist that the mules that they ride in mountainous terrain must be duly embellished with stars and flags – a ridiculous sight indeed. Similarly, it was a shocking sight to see a Chief flying his flag and displaying four stars on his golf cart in New Delhi.

Recently, a photograph was circulated on the internet that showed golf caddies wearing jackets with stars prominently displayed on their backs to indicate ranks of the players they were assisting. Can there be a more ludicrous demonstration of disgraceful obsession with ranks?

Another absurd practice that has gained currency in the recent past is to present golf caps and tee-shirts to all participants with their ranks duly indicated through embossed/embroidered stars. It is a comical sight to see officers playing golf with their ranks duly advertised. It appears that senior officers are unable to swing their clubs unless adequately supported by the trappings of their ranks.

In another case, a garden umbrella at a divisional tennis court had two stars prominently displayed on it to indicate that it was exclusively reserved for the Divisional Commander and his wife. As human ingenuity has no limits, there are numerous such examples wherein display of rank has been carried to preposterous extent.

Senior commanders would do well to remember that humility is the hall mark of a good leader and a meta-virtue. A self-effacing demeanour indicates maturity and not meekness or timidity.

Many senior officers complain that they never demand such displays and that some over-enthusiastic juniors take initiative of their own accord. This explanation holds no water at all. Unless the junior officers are convinced that their initiative would fetch them a pat, they would never take the risk. Additionally, senior commanders can always order stoppage of such practices if they so desire. The fact is that they relish such treatment as it boosts their ego, gives them a ‘kick’ and makes them feel special.

Finally

Informal interaction between officers of different ranks should always be governed by the dictum that ‘a good senior does not flaunt his seniority all the time while a good junior does not forget his juniority at any time’. That should be the basis of healthy social equilibrium.

It must never be forgotten that the officers who fail to make to higher ranks are not incompetent. It is just that the steep pyramid-like structure provides limited promotional avenues. Many brilliant officers suffer due to the shortage of vacancies and retire as Colonels. Supersession impacts their psyche and they show signs of social withdrawal. Instead of reassuring them, social discrimination adds to their discomfort through shameless display of inequities. Worse, ‘social apartheid’ is widening the gulf between the top brass and the others.

Senior commanders would do well to remember that humility is the hall mark of a good leader and a meta-virtue. A self-effacing demeanour indicates maturity and not meekness or timidity. Humility is all about maintaining one’s pride about one’s worth and achievements, but without arrogance. It is an old saying that ‘those who achieve the most flaunt the least’.

 

[12arya]

apparently the male officer belongs to SF

https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-toda...jors-lands-them-in-trouble-1180586-2018-03-02

Alleged affair between two Army Majors lands them in trouble
HIGHLIGHTS

• Two Army majors may face action for an alleged affair.
• Both the officers were posted in Kashmir at the time of the affair.
• Matter came to light after complaint from wife of the officer.
• She provided photos and CD as proof but the officers have denied the charges.

A female officer and a special forces commando may face action for allegedly having an "illegitimate" physical relationship as they been indicted by an Army inquiry and disciplinary measures have been recommended against both, sources told MAIL TODAY.

After the matter came to light, the Major-rank officer from the Para (special forces) and the lady officer, who is also a Major, have been attached to a unit in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Based on the orders issued by the Udhampur-based Northern Command, both the officers have been attached to a unit in Jammu and Kashmir for facing disciplinary action for having illegitimate physical relations," sources in the Army's Northern Command said.

The investigation over the affair between the two officers was initiated after the wife of the Major filed a complaint against them with the Army chief and his wife, who is the head of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and deals with issues related to family matters of officers and men.

The Major's wife has also sent alleged intimate videos and photographs of the two officers to prove the relationship between them.

"There is enough persuasive evidence against the Major (male officer) and the Major (female officer) and both are blameworthy of having entered into relationship against the norms and ethos of the Indian Army," the Northern Army Command directed on the court of inquiry proceedings against the officers.

Sources said the lady officer and the Para commando allegedly came in contact when their units were sent to Kashmir to cool the situation in the aftermath of the killing of terrorist commander Burhan Wani by the Indian Army.

While the female officer's brigade had been shifted to Kashmir, the male officer had been sent there for a brief period from his actual location in southern India in the end of December 2016.

After the complaint was filed by the officer's wife, the Army authorities ordered a court of inquiry into the allegations under the aegis of a mountain brigade in Himachal Pradesh with the deputy commander of the brigade as its presiding officer.

Both the officers have denied the charges against them in the court of inquiry and have termed the complaint made by the wife of the Major as "frivolous and baseless".

Sources in Army's Northern Command said the wife of the major has submitted six photographs and one CD as proof of the allegations of sexual relations between the two officers in her complaint.

In the complaint filed by the commando's wife, she has said that she came to know about her husband's extra marital affair in February 2017 when her daughter was only seven months old. In the complaint, she has alleged that the officer has left her on the roadside without any support and she is not even aware of her husband's whereabouts.

The lady officer has been involved in various operations and was awarded the Army commander commendation for her operational services in 2012.

In this case, senior Army authorities took immediate steps to address the complaint made by the officer's wife. Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat has also issued clear instructions to the commanders that no leniency should be shown in initiating investigations in cases of "moral turpitude".

Sources said in such cases, even if the relationships are consensual, they will not be allowed as the top brass feels the force is like a big family and showing leniency in such cases may affect its moral fabric. The price can be heavy and could include loss of pension and even rank, they added

 

[12arya]

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/army-officers-not-to-be-shown-appraisal-grading-5079519/

Army makes important changes in CR forms, grading not to be shown to officers
The Army HQs has justified the change made in the CR form now by saying that there has been a trend of 'inflationary' reporting in the CRs. This means that officers were being given higher grades which appeared unrealistic.

In a major policy change pertaining to the Confidential Reports (CRs) of Army officers, the Military Secretary’s (MS) branch has announced that the box grading received by an officer from his immediate appraiser will not be shown to him/her henceforth. The MS Branch of the Army Headquarters has notified these changes in a policy letter issued on February 20, 2018 and addressed to all Commands of the Army. The letter, accessed by The Indian Express, states that the several changes in the CR form will come into effect from June 1, 2018.

As per the new policy the grading given to an appraisee by his appraiser, known as the Initiating officer (IO) in Army parlance, will now not be shown to him. ‘The IO/FTO (First Technical Officer) box have been shifted from the ‘open portion’ to the ‘closed portion’, the letter states. It was in early 1990s that a policy change took place and the grading given to an officer in his CR was made available to him to see before he signed his CR form. The Army HQs has justified the change made in the CR form now by saying that there has been a trend of ‘inflationary’ reporting in the CRs. This means that officers were being given higher grades which appeared unrealistic.

The letter states,” Aspects of inflationary trend in CRs and onerous responsibilities of reporting officers in ensuring objective assessment have been reiterated from time to time. However, it has been observed that inflationary trend in CRs continues to exhibit a steady rise,”. The policy letter adds that the issue came up for discussion in the Army Commander’s Conference held last year and thus the changes in the CR forms were being incorporated.

Lt Gen HS Panag (retd), former Northern and Central Army Commander said that there has been experimentation with the ‘open’ versus ‘closed’ system in the past too but there has not been an optimum result. “We have not been able to bring down inflationary reporting with the open system because of a lack of moral courage to tell the appraisee the truth regarding his performance. However, I doubt that a partially closed system, as it seems to have been recommended now, will also work,” he said.

Another important change which has been made in the CR form is in grading of certain personal qualities of the officers. These were known as ‘Star Qualities’ due to an Asterisk mark on them, signifying their importance. The special mark emphasising their importance has now been removed. This change will only be for officers above six years of service to the rank of Colonel.

Amendments have also been made in the chain of reporting for officers (Major to Colonel) of technical arms and services. Henceforth, if the IO /FTO and the Reviewing Officer or Higher Technical Officer (HTO) are the same then no figurative assessment will be made and only a pen picture of the asessee will be given. For officers of the rank of Brigadier and above, the box grading has been removed from the technical report in the CR forms.

In another important move amendments have been made in nthe form to achieve uniformity in recommendations for important career courses like Higher Command (HC), Higher defence Management Course (HDMC) and National Defence College (NDC). This has bene done because in internal assessements of the CRs it has been observed that a number of the reports were kept under observation due to incomplete or incorrect endorsement. Thie changes have also been made for the Command and Staff stream endorsement

 

[12arya]

https://www.thebetterindia.com/133069/ola-cabbie-cadet/

Ola Cabbie to Army Cadet: Chance Encounter Changes Pune Man’s Life!
In less than ten days, this young man is set to pass out OTA and assume charge as a junior commissioned officer ready to command his battalion.

 

[FOXBAT ALOK]

M777 ultra-light howitzer Test Fire Today
http://indiandefencenews.info/y-4/

 

[rkhanna]

Russia's unstoppable nukes: Putin reveals new nuclear missiles that cannot be intercepted and can strike almost anywhere in the world


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5449331/Putin-Russia-nuclear-invulnerable-interception.html

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...uclear-powered-cruise-missiles-crash-and-burn

U.S. Has Been Secretly Watching Russia's Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missiles Crash and Burn

So basically the US has been watching this development for sometime and its still very much in the R&D phase.

Russia is learning the China Photoshop/Hollywood Edit public relation strategy. Please take it with a pinch of salt.

 

[Bahamut]

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...uclear-powered-cruise-missiles-crash-and-burn

U.S. Has Been Secretly Watching Russia's Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missiles Crash and Burn

So basically the US has been watching this development for sometime and its still very much in the R&D phase.

Russia is learning the China Photoshop/Hollywood Edit public relation strategy. Please take it with a pinch of salt.

It is just a differences in terminology

To be fair, reactor technology has significantly improved since the SLAM project ended in 1964. On top of that, Russia has invested significant manpower and resources into development of smaller nuclear power sources to help support expanding civil and military activities near and above the Arctic Circle, though there are significant concerns about whether these systems are reliable and safe.

But it doesn’t change the fact that a nuclear-powered cruise missile will be carrying some amount of radioactive material and that the Russians almost certainly do not expect it to survive the trip, even when it works properly. It's worth noting that what the U.S. government has recorded as "crashes" may be flight tests the Russians have deemed successful. Russia would have to test the weapons repeatedly in order to prove the design is reliable, especially as testing matures and the prototypes' flight envelopes expand.

It from the article