(Press Release | Below MoD's year-end review for 2012 | Unedited)
Augmentation of Nation’s defence preparedness by adding new milestones in defence R&D, capacity building in existing and new strategic areas through upgradation and modernization, further strengthening of coastal security initiatives in different areas particularly in air defence and blue water capabilities and a systematic force projection of our armed forces in India’s neighbourhood and far off Asian region by engaging them through exercises and defence diplomacy were the main highlights of the year.
The year also saw massive welfare measures being undertaken for service personnel and ex-servicemen, scaling of new heights by armed forces personnel in fields like sports and adventure activities. The achievements of defence scientists in developing different soldier support systems like Suicide Risk Assessment Test, BMP Urban Survival Kit, Armour for Mi 17-IV for helicopters and Heavy Weight Anti-Submarine Electric Torpedo – ‘Varunastra’ also marked the eventful year.
New Weapons Systems to Strengthen Defence Preparedness
AGNI-V – India proudly entered the exclusive club as the sixth country on 19 April 2012, when its Long-range Ballistic Missile took to sky on its maiden flight and reached the pre-designated target point over 5000 km away in the Indian Ocean with remarkable accuracy. The missile which was launched from Wheeler Island off Orissa Coast incorporates many indigenously developed technologies. These include the composite rocket motor, state-of-the-art avionics, 5th generation ‘On Board Computer’ distributed architecture, highly accurate Ring Laser Gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS), reliable redundant micro navigation system and the re-entry kit shield that withstands temperature with more than 4000 degree celsius ensuring that avionics function normally by maintaining an inside temperature less than 50 degreescelcius.
AGNI-IV – The 4000 km range nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-IV was successfully flight tested on 19 Sep 2012. The long-range missile propelled by composite rocket motor technology was tested for its cool capability. Launched from road mobile launcher, it reached the predefined target in about 20 minutes.
With Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III andPrithvi P-IIsurface to surface missile and also its naval version Dhanushalready in the arsenal of the Indian Armed Forces, the missile from the production lots were flight tested by the Armed Forces as part of training exercises to ensure defence preparedness. Thus, Agni-I, India’s 700 km range ballistic missile had its flight tests on 13 July and 12 Dec 2012.
The 2000 km range ballistice missile Agni-II and Agni-III with a range of 3000 km were test fired on 09 Aug and 21 Sept 2012 respectively.
The 350 km range surface-to-surface strategic missile Prithvi (P-II) was successfully flight tested on 25 Aug and 04 Oct 2012 from ITR Chandipur, Odisha. While its naval version Dhanush was test fired from a naval ship off the coast of Balasore, Odisha on 05 Oct 2012. The tests were like textbook launches meeting all mission objectives and the missiles reached the target points with high accuracy.
Brah-Mos Block III version with advanced guidance algorithm was flight tested on 28 Mar 2012 from ITR Balasore. The missile flew through the designated 290 kms distance at Mach 2.8 and achieved high precision with steep dive.
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE (BMD)
DRDO has developed a two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability against missiles with range upto 2000 km class. Both the exo and endo atmospheric interception have been demonstrated with direct hits leading to disintegration of target missile.
The Interceptor Missile AAD launched by the Scientists of DRDO on 23 Nov 2012 from Wheeler’s Island, Odisha, successfully destroyed the incoming Ballistic Missile at an altitude of 15 Kms. The target missile, a modified version of Prithvi, mimicking the enemy’s ballistic missile, was launched from Launch Complex III, Chandipur. Long Range Radar and MFC Radar located far away could detect the Missile from take-off and tracked it through its entire path. The total trajectory of the incoming Missile was continuously estimated by the guidance computer and subsequently the AAD Missile was launched at an appropriate time to counter and kill the ballistic missile.
In this mission, a special feature of intercepting multiple target with multiple interceptor was demonstrated successfully.The complete Radar Systems, Communication Networks, Launch Computers, Target update Systems and state of the art Avionics have been completely proven in this Mission.
AKASH AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM - Induction and productionisation of Akash, the medium range air defence system with multi-target, multi directional capability is another shining achievement. The production value of Akash missile systems ordered by Army and Air Force is over Rs 23,000 crores. Orders for two Army regiments and six Air Force Squadrons are under execution.
LONG RANGE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE (LRSAM) - Control and Navigation Tests (CNT) for LRSAM, a joint development Programme between DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI), to develop an Advanced Naval Air Defence System for Indian Navy) were conducted on 16th and 18th July 2012. All Planned mission objectives were fully met in both the tests. The missiles showed good navigation and control performance. DRDO is the Prime Development Agency and IAI the design authority for supply, installation and final acceptance.
NAG ANTI-TANK MISSILE - the fire and forget anti-tank missile with top attack capability is another important missile developed by DRDO. Its helicopter mounted version, Helina, underwent 2 successful flights from ground launcher proving full range of the missile.
LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT–NAVY (LCA-Navy) - had its first flight on 27th April 2012 followed by flights during month of Jun/Jul 2012. Initial Operation Clearance of this aircraft is expected by Dec 2014. LCA, country’s first indigenous modern Light Combat Aircraft with four variants (air force, Navy and their trainer versions), is a precision weapon launch platform to carry a range of Air to Air missile, unguided rockets and bombs. The aircraft is integrated with advanced cockpit, digital avionics and weapons interface, to provide effective point and shoot capability with quick turnaround time. A Shore based Test facility (SBTF); one of its kind in Asia and third in the world; developed by DRDO at Naval Air Station INS Hansa, Goa is now ready for use. Besides testing of LCA-Navy, the test facility will also be used for training of pilots on LCA - Navy and MiG29K aircraft.
AIRBORNE EARLY WARNING AND CONTROL SYSTEM (AEW&C) - In a landmark event the first EMB-145I aircraft fully modified for the indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) landed on Indian soil at CABS (Centre for Airborne Systems, Bangalore, a DRDO laboratory) on 23 Aug 2012.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs) - There have been significant achievements in the field of UAVs. NISHANT, with its ground control system has been made ready for the Army after confirmatory trials. An indigenous Wankel rotary engine has been developed by DRDO jointly with NAL, Bangalore, for powering UAVs like NISHANT. Rotary engine technology, especially suited for such applications, is the first of its kind in India. Orders for Lakshya II pilotless target aircraft; capable of flying in sea skimming mode and tree top heights; are expected from the Services after successful demonstration to them. Similarly, UAV Rustom-I, a forerunner to Mediun Altitude Long Range (MALE) UAV Rustom-2, had series of successful trials. Indigenously designed and developed RUSTOM-1 underwent series of successful test flights. This UAV has the potential to be used for military missions like Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Target Designation, Communications Relay, Battle Damage Assessment and Signal Intelligence. A mini UAV -‘NETRA’, especially suited for Low intensity conflict operations was inducted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). ‘NETRA’ has four high speed propellers allowing it to take off and land vertically. Similarly a fixed wing mini UAV for low intensity conflict was demonstrated to security forces at various locations for surveillance within the range of 10 kms. It is also useful in reconnaissance over hills.
ELECTRONIC WARFARE - There has been a significant achievement in the Electronic Warfare Area which includes integration and testing of country’s first indigenous active array radar, operationalisation of Combat Information Decision Support System (CIDSS) and development and testing of laser based ordnance Disposal System and advanced Laser Guided Bomb Tester. The initial development of Indira-1, a short range 2D system has now been extended to high power 3D system like 3D Central Acquisition Radar and Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) based on phased array. The DRDOs radar warning receivers have been selected to upgrade most of Indian Air Force aircrafts like MiG 21, MiG 29, SU 30MKI, MiG 27 and Jaguars.
MBT ARJUN MK-II -Arjun Mk-II the advanced version of India’s first main battle tank Arjun, commenced its user trials in record time of 2 yrs. The Arjun Mk-II incorporates 89 improvements over the Arjun Mk-I, of which, two regiments are already in service.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Smerch Rockets - Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint Venture with M/s Rosoboronexport, Russia and M/s Splav “SPA”, Russia to manufacture five versions of SmerchRockets based on the technology received from Russia. The SmerchRockets are technologically superior having a range of 70-80- kms. With formation of this Joint Venture, a new Chapter in the Indo-Russian Friendship has commenced.
Joint Venture for Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) - Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the aerospace major, signed the Preliminary Design Phase (PDP) Contract on 12 October 2012with the United Aircraft Corporation - Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA), the Russian partner and their JV-Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) for the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project as a follow on contract of the General Contract signed between the three parties in May 2012. “With this HAL and UAC-TA will start the preliminary designwork immediately at Moscow.
CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH INDUCTIONS/ACQUISITIONS
Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Inducted into IAF
Mi-17 V5 helicopter was inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 17 February 2012. This helicopter falls in the category of armed helicopter, with substantial and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines that will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher altitudes.
Mi-17 V5, an upgrade of Mi-17 in the medium-lift category, is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and on-board Navigation Systems. It is a glass cockpit variant; the first of its kind to get inducted into the IAF. It has onboard weather radar, state of the art autopilot and is compatible with the latest Generation (Gen-III) Night vision Goggles. With this, the helicopter can undertake all-weather, day and night operations in any kind of terrain. The helicopter is also equipped with a Bambi-Bucket that can be used for fire fighting. It is also fitted with a powerful winch–a feature useful in the Disaster Relief Operations in restricted areas where landing is not possible.
INS Chakra
Indian Navy inducted INS Chakra to itsunder water fleet on 04th April 2012 at Vishakhapatnam. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony inducted the submarine into the fleet of Eastern Naval Command. This four plus generation Russian origin submarine is capable of fulfilling multiple roles and will go a long way in strengthening Navy’s blue water operating capability.
INS Sahyadri
The third of the follow-on class indigenous stealth frigate was commissioned on 21 July 2012 at Mazagaon Dock Limited, Mumbai by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony. Conceived and designed by Indian Navy Design Team this Shivalik class frigate will be mainstay frigate of the Navy in the 21st Century.
INS Teg and Tarkash
The First and Second of the three Talwar-class stealth frigates constructed at Yantar Shipyard, Kalinigrad Russia were inducted into Indian Navy on 27 April and 09 November 2012 respectively by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command. These multi-role stealth frigate with advanced combat suits are fitted with formidable array of weapons and sensors onboard the Ship including the super-sonic BrahMos missile system and advance surface-to-air missile system.
Commissioning of Indian Coast Guard Ship H-187, H-188 and H-189
To provide a boost to coastal security Indian Coast Guard Ship H-187, the first of the series of twelve Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), was commissioned at Okha on 11 June 2012 by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, DG Coast Guard. The 21 meter long ACV (hovercraft) designed and built by GriffenHaverwork Limited (GHL), UK displaces 31 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots. The ACV is capable of undertaking multi-farious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and responding assistance to small boats / crafts in distress at Sea.
The second in the series, H-188 was commissioned at Haldia by Inspector General of Coast Guard Shri Rajendra Singh on 20 Nov 2012.
The third ACV in this series, H-189 was commissioned in Mumbai by Vice Admiral SK Sinha FOC-in-C Western Naval Command. With the commissioning of H-189, the force level of Indian Coast Guard has gone up to 77 ships and First Attack Boats and with the planned induction the force level would be doubling by 2018.
Commission of Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudra Paheredar’
Indian Coast Guard Ship 'SamudraPaheredar', the second of the series of three Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) being built by M/s ABG Shipyard, Surat was commissioned by Admiral NirmalVerma, the then Chief of the Naval Staff in July 2012.
The 95m long indigenous PCV displaces 4300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 20.5 knots with an endurance of 6500 nautical miles.The ship’s primary role is pollution response at sea and is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated pollution response and control equipment for mitigating oil spills, which include containment equipment like hi-sprint booms and river booms, recovery devices like skimmers and side sweeping arms. The ship is capable of unhindered oil recovery operations with storage tank capacity of 500 KL in addition to inflatable barges.
The ship is installed with modern Integrated Platform Management System and Power Management System, which makes it unique for unmanned machinery operations. It is also fitted with Dynamic Positioning System for fire fighting and pollution response operations and an infra-red surveillance system for night surveillance.
Commissioning of First Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) ‘Rani Abbakka’
The Indian Coast Guard Ship Rani Abbakka, the 1st of a series of five Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) built at M/s HSL, was commissioned at Visakhapatnam by the then Minister of State for Defence Dr.MM PallamRaju,on 20 Jan 2012.
The 50 meter indigenous IPV displaces 300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 31.5 Knots with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles.The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Machinery Control System (IMCS), and an indigenously built Gun Mount with Fire Control System. The ship is designed to carry one Rigid Inflatable Boat and two Geminis for Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement and Maritime Patrol.
Commissioning Of ICGS ‘Dahanu’
Coast Guard Station Dahanu, the third Coast Guard station in Maharashtra, was commissioned by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at Dahanu on 22 March 2012.
The station is part of ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security along the Indian coastline. The station at Dahanu will help augment patrolling along the north Maharshtra coast and prevent illicit activity such as infiltration and smuggling.
Commissioning Of ICGS Krishnapatnam
Coast Guard Station Krishnapatnam, the third Coast Guard Station in Andhra Pradesh, was commissioned in Andhra Pradesh by Dr MM PallamRaju, the then Raksha Rajya Mantri on June 18, 2012.
The establishment of a Station at Krishnapatnam is part of the ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security in the coastal states of the nation.
Commissionig of Coast Guard Station Karaikal
Coast Guard Station Karaikal, the fifth CG station on the Puducherry - Tamil Nadu coastline was commissioned by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at Karaikal on 25 July 2012.
The station is part of ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security along the Indian coastline. The station at Karaikal will help augment patrolling along the east coast and prevent illicit activities such as infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing.
Commissioning of Naval Base INS ‘DweepRakshak’ and ‘BAAZ‘
Naval base INS ‘DweepRakshak’ was commissioned in Lakshadweep Islands and INS ‘Baaz’ was commissioned in Andaman Islands (Campbell Bay) in 2012. Commissioning of these full fledged naval bases was another milestone in the commitment of Indian Navy in maintaining effective coastal surveillance and defence capability. The positioning of radar stations and other surveillance measures will add positive control over movement of Ships and intelligence gathering.
COASTAL SECURITY INITIATIVES
Inauguration of StaticSensors Project in Mumbai and Porbandar
With the inauguration of the Static Sensors Project of Coastal Surveillance Network by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on 25 Aug 2012, the coastal security mechanism got a big boost. Shri Antony said that the patching up of National Automatic Identification System Network (AIS) and Vessel Traffic System (VTS) of Gulf of Khambat, along with the Coastal Security Network, will help us in identifying a friend or foe in our waters.
Under Phase I of Coastal Surveillance Network, Coastal Static Sensors will be put up at 46 locations. Out of these, the mainland radars are expected to be operationalised later this year, while those on the island territories will become operational next year.
Kerala Cluster of Coastal Radar NetworkCommissioned
The Remote Operating Station (ROS) of the coastal surveillance sensor chain of Kerala cluster was inaugurated by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard at the Coast Guard District Headquarters No 4 Fort Kochi on 15 Sept 2012. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Muralidharan highlighted the efforts of BEL the agency who executed the project, Department of Lighthouses and Light Ships , MTNL, BSNL, and ISRO in seeing the project through.
In Kerala, the feed and data from the four coastal surveillance radars at Mount Dilli in Ezhimala, Ponnani, Vypin and Kollam will be available at the ROS Fort Kochi. Two more additional sensors will be installed at Alapuzha and Azhikode in the phase two of the project.
Step towards Eastern Coast Sensitisation
Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Chain of Static Sensor at Vishakhapatnam on 23 Nov 2012, which will provide real time surveillance cover up to 25 nautical miles along the coast line. Post 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the emergent need to strengthen coastal security was recognized by the Government and on recommendation made by the Group of Ministers, Indian Coast Guard was delegated to implement the project. With the inauguration of Eastern clusters at Vishakhapatnam, the phase-I of implementation of CSN at mainland is completed.
EXERCISES / INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
• Exercise YUDH ABHYAS is part of joint exercises between the Indian and United States Armies since 2005, agreed upon under the New Framework of India-US Defence Relationship. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise graduated to a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).
The seventh edition of Yudh Abhyas commenced on 05 March 12 in two locations under the South Western Command. The US Army contingent is from the US Army Pacific (USARPAC), part of their Pacific Command (PACOM). The Command Post Exercise has an engineer brigade headquarters with its planners from both sides, while the Field Training Exercise comprises troops of 2nd Squadron 14th US Cavalry Regiment from 25th Infantry Division,Hawaii, along with a platoon of Strykers, and a similar sized Indian Army contingent of mechanized infantry.
• Navies of India and Japan conducted routine passage exercises ‘PASSEX’ during the visit of Japanese ships to Indian ports this year.
• INS Sudarshini sets sail for ASEAN Sailing Expedition from Kochi on 13 Sept 2012. This expedition was organised to celebrate India’s warm ties with the countries of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Admiral DK Joshi flagged off the six months voyage, a unique collaborative venture of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs. The voyage commemorates 20 years of dialogue partnerships. During the course of voyage, 12,000 nautical expedition of INS Sudarshini will visit 13 ports in nine countries in South East Asia.
• The 15 nation Naval Exercise ‘MILAN-2012’, a biennial congregation of Littoral Navies of the Asia-Pacific region, hosted by the Indian Navy, commenced at Port Blair, in Andaman and Nicobar islands, on 01 February 2012. It significantly contributed in strengthening cooperation among the Navies of 14 countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
• ‘Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX)’ was held on 07-08 February 2012 at Vishakhapatnam by Eastern Naval Command. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, who inaugurated the exercise, spent two days with the Indian Navy and he was given a glimpse of the expansive scope and scale of the Indian Navy’s annual exercise.
• Indian and Indonesian Armies participated in the ‘Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare Training Drill’in March 2012.Training together to counter the scourge of insurgency in various contemporary scenarios including jungle warfare, the operational part of the first-ever platoon-level joint training exercise – EX GARUDA SHAKTI – of the armies of India and Indonesia, concluded successfully at the Indian Army's elite 'Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School’ (CIJWS), Vairengte in Mizoram.
• Exercise ‘Shoor Veer’ is based on the integrated theatre battle concept
under South Western Army Command with the elite Strike Corps in the lead,
supported by Chetak Corps and all other relevant elements of South Western
Army.
The Army and IAF has tested new battle fighting concepts and
doctrines during the exercise with real time pictures of the battle zone
provided to a centralized command and control centre from fighter jets,
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and attack helicopters, waging war in
network centric environment and massed tank drills backed by long range
artillery guns.
More than 300 combat vehicles including main battle tank
T-90, T-72, long range 150mm artillery guns, multi barrel rockets and about
60000 troops has taken part in this massive major exercise in Rajasthan.
A major highlight of the joint exercise was the integrated air-land
war-fighting machinery and the synergy between the Indian Army and IAF.
• Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise ‘PRALAY’ in the North East on 29 February 2012.
