Deal for minesweepers needed by Indian Navy may be in jeopardy

Indian navy needs 24 minesweepers to clear mines laid by enemy warships and submarines. These mines can not only harm ships but they can virtually blockade sea ports and lanes. At present Indian Navy does not have the number, in case of emergency it will not be able to protect even one port.

Keeping this in mind a deal was signed with a South Korean company called Kangnam Corporation to buy 8 such ships. Plan was to import two ships from foreign vendors and then get the rest 6 built with technology transfer at Goa Shipyards. Unfortunately MoD has found out that this company used middlemen in the deal. As readers might be aware that using middlemen is construed as mal-practice by the MoD thus the deal may have to be scrapped.

In 2012 a BJP MP had written to the then defense minister about this deal being crooked and asked him to look into the matter. Among the other bidders for the minesweepers for the Indian Navy was the Italian firm Intermarine which was beaten by the South Korean firm’s bid. In fact, the other bidder went to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) against the selection of Kanganam Corporation. However, the defence ministry and the Indian Navy explained to the CVC that the selection of the South Korean firm was made since they were the lowest bidder.

It is also learnt that Defense Ministry has en-cashed the bank guarantee given by the South Korean Firm. The case has been sent to Attorney General for his views.

Western Naval Command which has only one such warship left in its inventory has been forced to find novel ways of using other ships to carry out these dangerous tasks. they now rely on the portable, ‘clip-on’ side scanners which can be mounted on any of the other ships to perform mine sweeping tasks. “They are good but they are alternate measures. Every ship has a task to do and by making substitutes, there is always an area that you are neglecting,” said an officer. He added, “Today, almost every procurement in our country stands delayed. Minesweeper ships are just one of them.” The last of these minesweepers were inducted in the late 80s. In the two decades which have gone by, there has been little thinking on replacing these ships.

New Chinese road detected on the border.

Indian armies patrol party has spotted a new road link to Pangong. Due to the serious repercussions feared by the army and the general penchant for Chinese to grab Indian territory, army has intensified its patrol along that area. This was spotted on 18th of August since then LAC patrolling has been increased.

Readers might remember the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) advancing several kilometer inside Indian territory at Demchok on July 28th. This lead to a heated argument with the Indo-Tibetan border Police (ITBP) jawans on the Indian side

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has made several attempts to enter into the Indian territory, triggering tension along the international border.

On July 28, the Chinese troops intruded in Demchok in Southern Ladakh after which the Chinese military and soldiers of the Indo-Tibetan border Police (ITBP) had a verbal altercation for about half an hour. The Chinese military later withdrew.

At around April last year China had sent a platoon or more men to set up tents inside our territory in Depsang  in Daulat Beg oldi sector. They stayed put until we had to abandon and remove fortifications from some of our posts in Chumar.

The new Central government in India has already made up its mind to go full throttle to develop border roads on our side facing China. It is evident that GoI has seen through the expansionists theme running through the Chinese government. India is not the isolated victim, same has happened with Vietnam, Philippines and Japan. The common thread is China forcibly and surreptitiously grabbing land and sea area of militarily weaker nations.

Ministry Of Defense admits that nearly 80 critical border roads have been stuck for many years in the due to environmental hurdles. These include crucial GS (General Staff) roads that link border outposts and camps to the main road head. We must take it with a pinch of salt though because MoD is legendary for messing things up. Some years ago they could not find enough workers to work on these roads so blaming every other ministry for their failings is pretty damn easy.

The new environmental minister of India has removed all hurdles plaguing these projects. Some rules have been modified so that construction may be started without clearance from his ministry. Plus the compulsory afforestation rule for every project has been waived off too.

In fact, the Defence Ministry has also been working on a legislation to ensure exemption of strategically significant projects — especially those along the LAC — from green regulations that may be hampering progress.

रक्षा अधिग्रहण परिषद के निर्णयों का विश्लेषण

सबसे पहेले ४०० हेलिकॉप्टर की बात करते हैं . यह हेलिकॉप्टर चेतक और चीता की जगह लेंगे क्यूंकी यह दोनो पुराने हो चुके है. हेलिकॉप्टर का काम उचाई पर हमारे ठिकानो को रसद, वीक्षण, हताहत निकासी और सेना के जवानो को पहुचाने का है . HAL नेअभी तक कोई भी हेलिकॉप्टर इसके लिए निर्माण नही किया है . उसकी योजना अनुसार LUC नामका एक हेलिकॉप्टर बनेगा . उसका कोई भी उड़ता हुया मॉडेल नही है . अत: ४-५ वर्ष लग जाएँगे इसको आने मे . तब तक हमारी सेना उचे पहाड़ो पर क्या करेगी उसका अनुमान आप लगा सकते है. 

इन ४०० मे से HAL को २०० हेलिकॉप्टर का अनुबंध प्राप्त होना लगभग तय है और अगर कोई निजी कंपनी कोई और हेलिकॉप्टर नही लाती है तो पूरे ४०० हेलिकॉप्टर HAL को मिल जाएँगे.

इसका फायेदा यह होगा की हमारी बहुत बचत होगी और हम किसी के भरोसे नही रहेंगे (एंजिन और कुछ एवियानिक्स के अलावा) किंतु HAL की कार्य प्रणाली बहुत ही घटिया है उनके द्वारा निर्मित अधिकतर आयुध 3rd क्लास होते है तथा १ साल का काम वो ४ साल मे करते है .
अतः मेरी इच्छा है की टाटा, अशोक Leyland इत्यादि अगर हेलिकॉप्टर का निर्माण करे तो बेहतर होगा .

दूसरा बड़ा फ़ैसला और मेरे हिसाब से बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण फ़ैसला Active Towed Array Sonar के संदर्भ मे लिया गया है जिसके लिए मैं बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ . आप यकीन नही करेंगे किंतु हमारे नये यूधपोत इस सोनार के ना होने के कारण पनडुब्बी के लिए आसान शिकार हैं और चीन का पनडुब्बी बेड़ा बेहद खतरनाक और विशाल है .
DRDO ने कई वर्षों तक हमारी नौसेना को मूर्ख बनाया और अंत मे हाथ खड़े कर लिए.

तीसरा फ़ैसला भी बहुत अच्छा है ४० अर्जुन tank पर आधारित catapult artillery सिस्टम खरीदने के लिए एक प्रस्ताव को मंजूरी दे दी. आप शायद भीम नामकself-propelled howitzer के बारे मे जानते होंगे कुछ वर्ष पूर्व T-७२ tank के उपर Denel कंपनी का तोप लगा कर एक बहुत ही शक्तिशाली self-propelled howitzer बिल्कुल तैयार था किंतु Denel के विरुद्ध कुछ मामले सामने आए और यह प्रॉजेक्ट धरा का धरा रह गया .

चौथा और बहुत ही बड़ा फ़ैसला chinook और अपाचे हिलिकॉप्टेर के विषय मे है, chinook एक बहुत विशाल हेलिकॉप्टर है जिसका विश्व मे कोई सानी नही है mi-26, रूस द्वारा निर्मित हेलिकॉप्टर का सर्विस रेकॉर्ड बहुत घटिया है . तथा यह फ़ैसला भारत के महामात्य के अमरीका दौरे को ध्यान मे रखते हुए किया गया है.
Apache मेरे हिसाब से दुनिया का बेहतरीन लड़ाकू हेलिकॉप्टर है जिसने अनेक यूधभूमि पर आपना लोहा मनवाया है


एक और फ़ैसले से मै बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ इंडियन आर्मी ने स्पाइक anti-tank guided missiles की खरीद पर ज़ोर दिया था किन्तु अमरीका ने अपने बहुत की ख़तरनाक javeline missile ka साथ मे निर्माण करने का प्रस्ताव रखा है यह हमारे लिए बहुत लाभदायक हो सकता है अत: स्पाइक की खरीद अभी स्थगित कर दी गयी है .

किलो क्लास पन्नडूबी के मध्य जीवन उन्नयन का निर्णय भी नौसेना के लिए लाभदायक सिद्ध होगा.हमारी नौसेना के पन्नडूबी गिनती मे बहुत कम और पुराने हो चुके है जो किसी भी प्रकार चीन का मुकाबला करने मे और हमारे विशाल सागर क्षेत्र और तट रेखा की सुरक्षा के लिए परिपूर्ण नही है. रक्षा मंत्री ने कुछ दिन पूर्व स्कॉर्पीन पन्नडूबी को जल्द से जल्द सेवा मे लाने का भी आदेश दिया था , इन फ्रांसीसी पनडुब्बियों को  4-5 साल पहले ही सेवा मे आ जानी चाहिए थी किंतु हमरे लचर रक्षा उत्पादन उद्योग के चलते वह आज भी निर्माण चरण मे ही अटकी हुई है.

तेजपुर स्थित 4 कोर ,3 कोर दीमापुर आधारित और 14 कोर लेह आधारित के तहत चीन सीमा पर तैनात सेना के जवानों के लिए मोबाइल संचार प्रणाली का नेटवर्क स्थापित किया जाएगा . युद्ध और शांति के दौरान बिना संचार व्यवस्था के सेना की कार्य क्षमता नगण्य हो जाती है. तथा दुश्मन सबसे पहले हमारी स्थिर संचार व्यवस्था को निशाना बनाएगी.  

अंत मे 118 अर्जुन MK2 Tanks की खरीद का है DRDO की मंशा यह थी की अर्जुन कम से  कम 300-500 के बीच मे हो ताकि आपूर्ति लाइन ठीक से काम करे और मुनाफ़ा भी दे . हो सकता है की सरकार और सेना पहले इन Tanks को उपयोग करके देखना चाहती हो फिर और नये अर्जुन MK2 ख़रीदेगी. हो सकता है की इस समय अर्जुन पूरी तरह  से परिपक्व नही हुया हो किंतु हम अगर इसको उपयोग मे नही लाएँगे तो कैसे पता चलेगा इसकी क्या कमियाँ है और अगले संस्करण मे कैसे उसे और सुधारा जाए. कोई भी Tank पहले संस्करण से बिल्कुल सही नही बनता है. आप  किसी का भी उधारण देख सकते है चाहे वो इज़्रेली मेरकावा हो या फिर जर्मन लेपर्ड.
हर देश ने धीरे धीरे घर मे निर्मित वस्तु को सुधारा है. अगर कल रूस हमे टी-90 देने मे असमर्थ भी हो फिर भी हमारे पास अपने घर मे बना अर्जुन होगा तथा टी-90 के मुक़ाबले यह सस्ता भी होगा आगे चलकर . 

जैटली जी ने शुरआत अच्छी करी है आशा करता हूँ की उनके आदेशो पर तीव्रता के साथ अमल भी किया जाएगा .

Two Bangladeshi among five arrested in India

Five Chakma youths including two from Bangladesh have been apprehended with huge quantity of arms and ammunition in the Indian state of Mizoram.

A senior official of Border Security Force (BSF) in Agartala said the arrests were made on Thursday.

Their detention reinforces the assertions that Mizoram is being used as a corridor by gun runners, and insurgents of northeast India and Bangladesh for transporting arms and ammunition and drugs from Myanmar and Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) inside Indian territory.

“Aizawl frontier BSF along with Mizoram police during search of a vehicle on the airport road apprehend five Chakma youths,” said BS Rawat, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of BSF.

He said five M-16 rifles, 5100 round of live cartridges of M-16 and AKs, 10 cell phones and Indian rupees 60,000 and documents were found on them.

For the complete story click here

Tata to build aerostructure for Pilatus

In a major boost to manufacturring sector as laid down by the roadmap introduced by the new PM, we have learnt that Switzerland based Pilatus Aircraft Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have entered into an agreement for manufacturing aerostructures( which includes the airframe of the plane with fuselage, cockpit, fins, rudders, wings etc).
The Swiss company supplies the PC-7 MkII Trainer aircraft to the I.A.F. 

I.A.F has already put in an order fro 75 such aircrafts.

"We are delighted to enter into a relationship with TASL, which is known for its high quality aero structure assembly capability, proven to many prestigious international aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Tata is without doubt a partner of choice for Pilatus in the continued expansion of its portfolio of international subcontractors. The partnership is also important in the context of Pilatus' offset obligation resulting from the sale of the PC-7 MkII Training Aircraft System to the Indian Air Force", CEO of Pilatus Aircraft, Markus Bucher, stated in a press release.

"We are pleased to enter into a partnership with Pilatus, known for its technology leadership and excellence in the business jet and trainer aircraft segment. It is a matter of pride for us that Pilatus has found Tata Advanced Systems to be the partner of choice in its global supply chain. This significant initiative is testament to the strong performance demonstrated by Tata Advanced Systems in recent years to become a supplier of choice for Aerostructures manufacturing. Our desire is to further strengthen this partnership with Pilatus to develop capabilities for complete aircraft manufacturing in India, which will meet the needs of the Indian Defence Forces." TASL chairman, S Ramadorai, said.

What should we expect from PM Modi's visit to Japan

With PM Modi's visit to Japan, what should we expect???

1) Japan pressing for bullet train project.

2) Would Japanese lawmakers back Indian Civil Nuclear Deal???<Abe is one person>

3) With the Liability law proving a bridge too far for most companies, would Japanese shy away too???

4) Can the Japanese bring their manufacturing sector to India and make it a hub??

Japanese expect that strong Modi Government would expedite the process for ongoing big ticket projects such as Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor including smart community projects, Dedicated Freight Corridor (the new construction of railways dedicated for freight transportation) and Chennai Bangalore Industrial Corridor. Japan wants to see implementation of these major economic projects accelerated, as well as prompt resolution of investment-related concerns.

5) With huge Chinese army in an eyeball confrontation with our Army over a big land mass, how much room PM Modi has for maneuver .(No American Army Base here and Chinese def minister statement is categorical about use of army anytime)
6) Investment in Indian Infra is it lucrative enough?? (Over zealous courts and weird tax laws)
In 2003 only 250 Japanese companies were operating in India and now there are 1100, unfortunately Japanese see the chronic problem of Indian infrastructure as an impediment to rapid scaling up of investment.
7) Will the Japanese agree for joint production of US-2 aircrafts in India, if we agree to no sale to third party?
8) What is the strategic vision vis-a -vis China, is there a common ground to act upon or it is just castle in the air??

9) Japanese economy is slowing down again with an ageing population and draconian labor laws.
This an area where India can be of help by providing cheap labor and a huge population. Thus a company invested in India can make more profits even though Indian labor laws are not the best either.