Indian Army: News and Discussion

[Sridhar]

Fencing scam: CBI books Army engineers, contractors
Jammu, June 11: The CBI has registered a case against some army officers and two private contractors in a Rs 12.5 crore scam related to fencing of a 100-km stretch along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu sector.

"A case has been registered against officers of 5 Engineering Regiment and two private contractors--Anil Gupta and Sunil Gupta--in connection with the scam," CBI sources said today.

Residences of these contractors were also raided and some vital documents were recovered, they said.

The army officers had allegedly conspired with National Co-operative Consumer Federation (NCCF) in 2003-04 when fencing of the International Border with Pakistan was taken up.

Because the NCCF's maximum supply limit was Rs 25 lakh only, a fake firm--Shiva Steel & Wire Industries--was allegedly floated in connivance with the army officers for supply of barbed wire for fencing the border.

According to sources, the order for supply of barbed wire should actually have been placed to Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

Bureau Report

Fencing scam: CBI books Army engineers, contractors

 

[Sridhar]

Blacklisting of firms to hit artillery modernisation: Army chief

New Delhi (IANS): Blacklisting of Singapore Technology along with six other defence firms on charges of bribery would delay the process of artillery modernisation in the Indian Army, Gen Deepak Kapoor admitted Friday.

The development is of particular concern as the army has not been able to purchase a single gun in the last 23 years.

"Till the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) is able to complete the investigations, there will be delay and it will affect the procurement of ultra-light howitzers," Kapoor told reporters here.

Singapore Technology's Pegasus ultra-light howitzer was a leading contender for the Indian Army's order for 140 guns worth Rs.29 billion.

"The Pegasus guns were to be field-tested this summer in Rajasthan. The blacklisting would definitely derail the whole programme," an army official said, requesting anonymity.

The other blacklisted companies are Israeli Military Industries, BVT Poland and Media Architects Pvt. Ltd of Singapore and three Indian companies: T.S. Kishan and Co. Pvt. Ltd., R.K. Machine Tools and HYT Engineering Co.

The CBI had registered a case against the former Ordnance Factory Board director general Sudipto Ghosh in Kolkata May 17 under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The seven companies were mentioned in the first information report (FIR) as those that allegedly gave payoffs to Indian officials.

Although no chargesheet has yet been filed by the CBI, the defence ministry "put on hold" all the dealings with the firms till further orders.

The artillery modernisation programme of the Indian Army has been hanging fire for over two decades and has been mired in controversy. The Swedish howitzer gun Bofors was embroiled in a payoff scandal in the 1980s. In 2004, South African firm Denel was blacklisted derailing the artillery modernisation.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[Sridhar]

Blacklisting of firms to hit artillery modernisation: Army chief

New Delhi (IANS): Blacklisting of Singapore Technology along with six other defence firms on charges of bribery would delay the process of artillery modernisation in the Indian Army, Gen Deepak Kapoor admitted Friday.

The development is of particular concern as the army has not been able to purchase a single gun in the last 23 years.

"Till the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) is able to complete the investigations, there will be delay and it will affect the procurement of ultra-light howitzers," Kapoor told reporters here.

Singapore Technology's Pegasus ultra-light howitzer was a leading contender for the Indian Army's order for 140 guns worth Rs.29 billion.

"The Pegasus guns were to be field-tested this summer in Rajasthan. The blacklisting would definitely derail the whole programme," an army official said, requesting anonymity.

The other blacklisted companies are Israeli Military Industries, BVT Poland and Media Architects Pvt. Ltd of Singapore and three Indian companies: T.S. Kishan and Co. Pvt. Ltd., R.K. Machine Tools and HYT Engineering Co.

The CBI had registered a case against the former Ordnance Factory Board director general Sudipto Ghosh in Kolkata May 17 under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The seven companies were mentioned in the first information report (FIR) as those that allegedly gave payoffs to Indian officials.

Although no chargesheet has yet been filed by the CBI, the defence ministry "put on hold" all the dealings with the firms till further orders.

The artillery modernisation programme of the Indian Army has been hanging fire for over two decades and has been mired in controversy. The Swedish howitzer gun Bofors was embroiled in a payoff scandal in the 1980s. In 2004, South African firm Denel was blacklisted derailing the artillery modernisation.

The Hindu News Update Service

 

[Sridhar]

India promises to shift troops out of Kashmir towns
2009-06-12 16:20:00

India is to phase out the controversial presence of large numbers of its troops in towns across the Muslim-majority Kashmir region, the country's home minister announced Friday.

Such a move would be the first time the armed forces have been pulled out of urban areas in the disputed region since an insurgency against Indian rule broke out in 1989.

The announcement also comes amid sustained protests over last month's suspected rape and murder of two local Muslim women, allegedly by members of the Indian security forces.

Home Minister P. Chidambaran told a news conference in Srinagar, where he has been conducting an urgent review of security, that the army should carry out counter-insurgency operations "far away from towns and cities."

"In the inhabited areas we believe maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of the state police," he said.

India has not officially disclosed how many troops and paramilitiaries it has in its part of Kashmir, but they are thought to number up to 500,000.

Chidambaran did not give a timetable for the redeployment of troops, or the numbers involved, but said: "It will take some time. That is the direction in which we have agreed to move and we will move."

He said the decision was made because militant violence inside Kashmir had dropped, but infiltrations along the Line of Control -- which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan -- were continuing.

"Many infiltrators are neutralised at the borders but there are other infiltrators who successfully infiltrate. They are not coming here as tourists, they are coming here to foment trouble," he said.

The anti-India insurgency in the region has left more than 47,000 people dead by official count since it started in 1989. New Delhi has long accused Pakistan of arming and funding the rebels.

Islamabad denies the charge, but the level of violence has dropped since the two nuclear-armed nations started a peace process in 2004 to resolve all their pending disputes, including Kashmir.

The presence of Indian troops in Kashmir, especially in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley, has long been a major source of tension in the region.

For the past two decades, troops have regularly been accused of human rights violations including rape, murder and torture.

The latest protests in the valley have been in response to the deaths of a 17-year-old girl and her 22-year-old sister-in-law, whose bodies were found in a stream on May 30.

Indian officials initially insisted they had drowned, but the families of the victims have accused the security forces of abducting, raping and killing them. On Sunday, police said forensic tests showed they had indeed been raped.

"If anyone is found guilty, he or she will be punished. The action will be taken based on information available to the state and the central governments," Chidambaran said.

He also said Kashmiri politicians, including state chief Omar Abdullah, had demanded the repeal of laws that give troops sweeping powers to conduct raids, destroy suspected militant hideouts, and even shoot dead suspects.

"I promise to look at the matter. I would have do discuss the matter with the defence minister and the prime minister," Chidambaran said.

Leading Kashmiri separatist Javed Mir welcomed the possibility that troops would be moved out of towns.

"Phasing out the army is a welcome step. It will ease tensions and help in ending human rights violations," he told AFP. "Their presence is a continuous source of tension."

India promises to shift troops out of Kashmir towns

 

[Yusuf]

Would like to know if there are any chances of American howitzers coming to India. Most of the other sources are banned!!

 

[Flint]

Would like to know if there are any chances of American howitzers coming to India. Most of the other sources are banned!!

ST would be the leading contender, but I wonder whether Singapore's lack of field experiene will limit the ability of these guns.

 

[youngindian]

Tajikistan cadets graduating in Dehradun

Memorable four-year stay in India: Tajik GCs

Tribune News Service
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Dehradun Plus
Dehradun, June 13

It was an emotional moment for the nine Gentleman Cadets (GC) of Tajikistan who passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) today.

As the Reviewing Officer of the passing-out parade (POP) General Dr SF Rodrigues (retd) unpinned the flaps, the GCs from Tajikistan became full-fledged officers.

“We will always miss India. It was really a memorable and enjoyable experience during our four-year stay in India,” said Galib Jone of Tajikistan, who became a Lieutenant today.

After the POP, the group of foreign cadets said that India is a country with really good and helpful people.

“From Kanyakumari to New Delhi, we have been to all parts of India. It is beyond any doubt that this country is simply lovable,” said Ahideen, while adding that most Tajik GCs had learnt Hindi too.

He added that the three-year study in the NDA and one-year rigorous training at IMA had been wonderful.

“Besides, giving us love and respect, IMA authorities cooperated with us at every stage.”

Sharing his experience, Furked from Tajikistan said that India is a friendly country and people are simply lovable.

“During our four-years stay in India, we never felt alone. We didn’t face any problem whatsoever because of the extra-cordial attitude of the people,” he remarked.

Another Tajik GC Ahadeen said that he was very impressed with the historical monuments of India.

He also said that if given an opportunity, he would like to visit India again.

Meanwhile, for the cadets who were commissioned into the Indian armed forces on lower ranks, but because of their hard work got selected to the Army Cadet College (ACC) Wing and finally passed out from IMA, today’s POP was very special.

Pawan Kumar Solanki and K Venketashan from the ACC were on cloud nine today. “We are extremely happy to become officers. Our hard work has finally paid off.”

Solanki’s father Om Parkash was equally delighted. “Serving in the army is the only profession which is known for honesty,” he said while hugging his son.

K Venketashan’s father Kakkil was so happy that he had tears in his eyes.

He said, “Due to some physical problems, I couldn’t join the armed forces but my son has fulfilled my dream.”

 

[Pintu]

That is a Great article and great find YoungIndian and Kudos for you finding it, it is a very good step towards having our foot hold in CAR.


Regards

PS: Please provide the link

 

[youngindian]

the link pintu da The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Dehradun Plus

 

[Vinod2070]

I think Tajikistan can be our foothold in the CAR. They are friendly to India for all the help rendered against the Taliban.

 

[youngindian]

yes vinod sir and i think we have an airforce base camp in Tajikistan

 

[Yusuf]

India already has an air base there and has stationed a squadron of MiG 29s there. Tajikistan has been a friendly country since it's independence from the USSR.

Besides the IMA regularly trains cadets from friendly countries like Nepal etc.

Indian training experience has been used even by the US to train it's troops in COIN ops, though not at the IMA.

 

[Vinod2070]

This Tajikistan air base is a bit of a mystery.

One hears conflicting reports about it all the time, about it's existence, operational stage, mandate etc.

Any authentic info on this?

 

[A.V.]

the ayani air-base still dosent hold any mig29s it only has a few helis a military hospital and a functional runway last heard the work on the hangers are complete but surely no indian mig 29s stationed there

 

[Yusuf]

It's there mate and Pakistan made a big noise about it when it got operational saying it jeopardized it's security. But Tajikistan looked the other way. India is investing in that country heavily and their leaders do drop in regularly in India.

 

[Yusuf]

It's the Farkhor Air base. It used to be a military hospital, but in 2003 India signed an agreement with the Tajiks to develop it into a military base. It became operational in late 2006 or early 2007. It stations IAF assets as well as Army.

 

[Vinod2070]

Yes, I read about it when it was first announced and then a lot of conflicting reports, so not sure if and India India will have something real there that can be used in case it is needed in a war scenario.

As Invi said, right now it doesn't appear to pack any real punch.

 

[Rage]

Brothermen,


I can confirm that the Farkhor airbase 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of the capital Dushanbe exists and that it is India's first overseas military base. The agreement for the construction and operation of the airbase by the IA and IAF was signed between India and Tadjikistan in 2003, ratified in 2004 and stipulates that the Indian Army will have a permanent presence there and will help to combat any external threat to the country. The base has been used for counter-terrorism operations against Islamist terrorists in Central Asia and enables the option of targeted strikes against sites in Pakistan when necessary. Confirmation of that fact is available in this document: TripAtlas.com: The New Great Game , which references the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.


The following news reports also state that, post renovation, the base is expected to host a fleet of 12 to 14 MiG-29 fighter bombers, and that a third hangar being renovated there will be used by Tajikistan airforce personnel being trained by the IAF under another defence cooperation agreement:


India to deploy MiG-29 fleet at Tajikistan air base | India Defence
Asia Times Online :: South Asia news - India's foray into Central Asia
Transitions Online: The New Central Asian Player


That's not all. There also exists the Ayni airbase (not to be confused with Farkhor), 10 km. west of the capital Dushanbe, that India has already completed refurbishment of under a trilateral agreement with Tadjikistan and Russia. In early 2007, there were reports that Antony was awaiting a formal mandate on force levels from the Cabinet Committee on Security prior to moving airforce platforms to Ayni.


The report also stipulates:

"Under the trilateral agreement, India, Russia and Tajikistan will have command and control of the air base by rotation and a contingent of Defence Services personnel is already in Ayni after military contractors completed construction last December."


It further states:

"India has plans to put a squadron of Mi-17 V1 helicopters at Ayni with logistical support coming from Russia in the landlocked Tajikistan. While Russia is operating fighters from this base, New Delhi does not want to commit fixed-wing platforms for Ayni. The Indian Air Force has already given flying training to Tajikistan air force personnel under the agreement."


I quote the article here in its entirety for your better perusal:

Tajik air base is ready, gives India its first footprint in strategic Central Asia

Shishir Gupta
Sunday , Feb 25, 2007 at 0237 hrs IST


NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 24:

India's first ever air base in Central Asia at Ayni in Tajikistan is now ready and the Defence Ministry has sought a mandate from the Cabinet Committee on Security to begin operations.

India refurbished the Ayni air base, 10 km north-east of Dushanbe, at the cost of over Rs 80 crore under a trilateral defence agreement with Tajikistan and Russia. With its runway extended, perimeter fencing secured and aircraft hangars built, the Ayni airbase is ready after a delay of nearly two years. Lying dilapidated since 1985, this airbase was used by the former Soviet Union during its Afghan campaign.

Official sources have told The Sunday Express that the Chiefs of Staff Committee has already put its stamp of approval on operating the base. However, Defence Minister A K Antony has asked the CCS for a formal mandate on force levels before the Indian Air Force moves its platforms to Ayni.

Under the trilateral agreement, India, Russia and Tajikistan will have command and control of the air base by rotation and a contingent of Defence Services personnel is already in Ayni after military contractors completed construction last December.

Ayni’s use is limited by the fact that India has no direct access to Tajikistan with part of Kashmir and Northern Areas being controlled by Pakistan. Under the circumstances, the Indian team will have to work with the Russians, who already have a motorised division stationed in Tajikistan, for all logistical help and support.

India has plans to put a squadron of Mi-17 V1 helicopters at Ayni with logistical support coming from Russia in the landlocked Tajikistan. While Russia is operating fighters from this base, New Delhi does not want to commit fixed-wing platforms for Ayni. The Indian Air Force has already given flying training to Tajikistan air force personnel under the agreement.

Conceived in 2002 under the NDA regime, the Ayni air base allows India rapid response to any emerging threat from the volatile Afghanistan-Pakistan arc including a terrorist hijacking like the IC-814. It also gives New Delhi a limited yet significant capability to inject special forces into a hostile theatre as and when the situation demands.

The other aspect is India’s role in the energy security calculus in the region with prospects of Central Asian natural gas reaching the subcontinent and negotiations with energy-rich countries like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Energy security is now a major concern with the Strategic Policy Group under Cabinet Secretary discussing the issue with the service chiefs, Home, Defence and Foreign Secretaries on February 7.


Tajik air base is ready, gives India its first footprint in strategic Central Asia

 

[Soham]

The following article offers quite an insight into the reasons behind the Tajik airbase.
Just a mild confusion.. We have two Tajik airbases right ?

India's foray into Central Asia
By Sudha Ramachandran

BANGALORE - Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov's five-day visit to India that ended on Thursday might not have grabbed much media attention in New Delhi, but it is in Tajikistan that India is taking quiet strides toward furthering its ambition of becoming a global player: India's first military base abroad will become operational in Tajikistan soon.

During Rakhmonov's visit, the two countries signed pacts on strengthening cooperation in the fields of energy, science and technology, foreign-office consultation, and cultural exchange. India also offered to rehabilitate the Varzob-1 hydropower plant in Tajikistan.

Two days before the Tajik president's visit, the India-Tajikistan joint working group (JWG) on counter-terrorism met in Delhi. At the JWG meeting, the two sides agreed on bilateral mechanisms



to exchange information on various aspects of terrorism, including the financing of terrorism, that affect their two countries. India also offered to provide Tajikistan with counter-terrorism training.

This cooperation is, however, just the tip of the iceberg. Less visible and more significant is the India-Tajik cooperation at Ayni Air Base, near the Tajik capital Dushanbe. Work on the base is expected to be completed next month, and the base will become operational by the year's end.

India is constructing three hangars at Ayni, two of which will be used by Indian aircraft. India will station about 12 MiG-29 bombers there. The third hangar will be used by the Tajik air force. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is also stationing trainer aircraft under a 2002 defense-cooperation agreement whereby India has been training the Tajik air force.

Neither New Delhi nor Dushanbe officially admits to an Indian air base at Ayni. Delhi maintains that it is only renovating this base. The first reports of India's intentions surfaced in 2002, and speculation gathered momentum in 2003 and into April this year when reports indicated that India's base at Ayni would become operational by end-2006.

India and Tajikistan were on the same side during the Afghan civil war in the 1990s. Both opposed the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and backed the Northern Alliance. In the late 1990s, India set up a 25-bed hospital at Farkhor, near Afghanistan's northern border, where injured Northern Alliance fighters battling the Taliban were treated.

According to Rahul Bedi, Jane's Defense Weekly's correspondent in Delhi, India supplied the Northern Alliance with high-altitude-warfare equipment worth US$8 million. The Northern Alliance also received input on strategy from Indian "advisers". Technicians from the Aviation Research Center of the Research and Analysis Wing (India's external intelligence agency) repaired the Northern Alliance's Soviet-made Mi-17 and Mi-35 attack helicopters. It was out of Tajikistan that India channeled this help to the Northern Alliance.

It is Tajikistan's geographic location that has drawn India to this former Soviet republic. Tajikistan shares borders with China, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. A narrow stretch of Afghan territory separates Tajikistan from Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The significance of this region for India's security is immense. It is close to areas where scores of camps for jihadist and anti-India terrorist groups are based, and it is in the proximity of territory where Pakistan and China are engaged in massive military cooperation. Besides, Tajikistan is in Central Asia, a gas-rich region in which India has growing interests.

There are several reasons underpinning India's interest in a base at Tajikistan, one being the Pakistan factor. The Pakistani incursion at Kargil in 1999 laid bare the failure of Indian intelligence and opened India's eyes to the need for a military presence outside its borders, Phunchok Stobdan, research fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, told Asia Times Online. Such a presence in Tajikistan, India realized, would enable it to monitor anti-India activities in the region.

After the fall of the Taliban regime, India was determined not to lose the foothold it had gained in Afghanistan thanks to its ties with the Northern Alliance in the late 1990s. Delhi was anxious not to allow Pakistani influence to grow again in Afghanistan. This was behind India's decision to remain at Ayni/Farkhor after the fall of the Taliban, say Indian intelligence sources. A military base in Tajikistan is attractive as it also enhances India's options in the event of war with Pakistan. From Tajikistan, India would be able to strike Pakistan's rear.

It is its presence at Ayni that has enabled India to play a significant role in Afghanistan's reconstruction and stability since 2002. Since Pakistan does not allow India overland access to Afghanistan, India has had to channel its economic and relief assistance to Afghanistan through Farkhor. The IAF airlifts supplies to Ayni, which are then transported to Farkhor and onward to Afghanistan by road.

India's growing military profile in the region might have been prompted by the need to counter Pakistan's influence, but there is more to Ayni Air Base than India-Pakistan rivalry. A base at Ayni enables India to project power in Central Asia. It is testimony to the fact that India is no longer content with a geostrategic role in South Asia; its ambitions extend outside the region as well.

India's foray into Central Asia is also fueled by its interests in the region's vast gas reserves. India is among the actors in the "New Great Game" - the scramble for Central Asia's resources. Bedi points out that "though India remains powerless to engineer or overtly influence the 'New Game', its size, military and nuclear capability make it a not altogether insignificant part of the complex jigsaw puzzle".

Not surprisingly, India's "forward policy" in Central Asia has generated unease in Islamabad and Beijing. Pakistan has perceived India's air base at Ayni as part of the Indian attempt to "encircle Pakistan".

As for China, steps are afoot to counterbalance India's rising profile in Tajikistan. Stobdan points out that Chinese-Tajik cooperation is growing. Visits by senior Chinese leaders to Tajikistan have been followed up with generous military assistance to that country. While growing Chinese engagement with the Tajiks is perhaps motivated more by the increasing US presence in the region, India is no doubt a factor weighing on Chinese minds.

India has come under pressure over Ayni Air Base from an unexpected quarter - Russia, its friend of several decades during the Cold War years. Russian arm-twisting seems to have resulted in India agreeing to joint maintenance with Russia of Ayni Air Base. While economic consideration might have played a role in India considering joint maintenance of the base, arm-twisting seems to have forced the decision.

India's new friend the United States, however, is not very worried about Delhi's foray into Central Asia, as it sees India's growing profile there as a check on Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

India has become the fourth power after Russia, the US and Germany to have a base in Central Asia. As a small but not insignificant player in the "New Great Game" in Central Asia, India announced that it had interests beyond its immediate neighborhood. With the air base at Ayni, India has signaled that it is a keen contestant in Central Asia's "great base race" as well.

 

[Rage]

The following article offers quite an insight into the reasons behind the Tajik airbase.
Just a mild confusion.. We have two Tajik airbases right ?

That's right. The Farkhor military base, larger and more comprehensive, will be jointly operated (with India as primary operator and of a majority of hangars) between India [the Army and Air Force] and the Tadjikistani Air force.

The Ayni airbase, smaller but more strategically situated, will provide a limited, although significant belvedere to inject special forces into a hostile region in response to any emerging threat, particularly from the volatile Afghan-Pakistan arc, and will be rotationally operated by the air forces of India, Russia and Tadjikistan - although the Foreign Office has indicated (as early as 2007) that fixed-wing platforms will not be committed there.