quote:

Originally posted by waranddeath:
what about - alliances - China,Russia ,Musslims,Venesuella,Cuba countries against
US,EU,india,japan (and what about brazil and south america is that friendly to the west world and nato tell me PLZ)

waran...visit this thread for answers to your question.

India Touts Brahmos Missile to Malaysia

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued June 8, 2006)

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Malaysia Hon’ble Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Hj. Abdul Razak with a high-level delegation visited the BrahMos Weapon Design Complex here today.

Dr. A S Pillai, CEO and MD BrahMos, received the delegation and highlighted the technological advancement made by the country with this high-tech project. The delegation was shown the actual missile hardware and the sub-systems and a presentation was also given to the delegation explaining the technical features of the system.

After seeing the presentation, the Deputy Prime Minister said, “we are very much pleased with the technical progress made by India in high technology projects and are looking forward to stronger defence cooperation with the country based on the memorandum signed yesterday.

“We are very impressed to see the BrahMos weapon systems especially with its 100% flight performance and pin point accuracy in neutralizing the targets,” he said.

-ends-

India leaves manufacturers on tenterhooks with delay

Flight International
13-June-2006
By Nicholas Ionides & Brendan Sobie in Singapore
link

India has again delayed the release of a tender in its next-generation fighter competition and is also yet to open price bids for an army requirement for nearly 200 multi-role light helicopters.

Six manufacturers now expect to receive an invitation to tender (ITT) for the 126-aircraft fighter requirement in the third quarter of this year. The document had initially been scheduled for release last June and manufacturers were later confident they would receive it in December or January, following the completion of a new offset policy.

Industry sources say the Indian air force has not explained the continual delays to the programme, and add that manufacturers are still waiting for the nation’s defence ministry to issue revised offset guidelines for the requirement. US companies have been lobbying against a policy change since late last year, fearing this could make it difficult for them to compete with European and Russian suppliers (Flight International, 29 November–5 December 2005).

The ITT is expected to include the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-29 and Saab Gripen.

Boeing has already discussed potential offset arrangements, including possible co-production of the Super Hornet by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics, says Integrated Defense Systems president and chief executive Jim Albaugh. “I’m hopeful we will see a request for proposals this summer,” he adds. Albaugh says the dollar value of the competition is not yet clear, as “it could be a split buy or it could be a winner-take-all”.

Meanwhile, the Indian army is expected to open bids from Bell and Eurocopter within the next few weeks for the light helicopter requirement, with the service having completed field evaluations of the companies’ 407 and AS550 helicopters in mid-2005. A platform selection had been expected by early this year, but the manufacturers now expect a contract award by late March next year.

India go to war?

Never ...

I know A LOT Of Hindu people and they all say that India has sworn not to wage war unless its on home terf.

Now whether its true or not I do belive that India would not invade/liberate any country unless it was absoloutely necessary.

Plus, India has some amazing arsenal at their hands from Americans all the way to Russian.

I think you're right about that MaJoR...but as Chicom's amibitions grow, so will the Hindu's.

India Test-Fires Privthi Missile

(Source: Indian Government news; issued June 12, 2006)

Prithvi, the country's most sophisticated surface-to-surface missile, was test-fired at 1.40 pm from a range at Chandipur-on-sea near Balasore, to further fine-tune the missile delivery system.

Scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), who conducted the test with army personnel at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), described it as a "user trial".

Prithvi’s trial was tracked by a sophisticated optical tracking telescope, different telemetry stations and a naval vessel positioned in the Bay of Bengal close to the point of impact.

Considered a world-class medium range missile, Prithvi has with a strike range of 150 km or more and has been inducted into the armed forces. The Army had raised two specially trained missile groups, 333 and 355, to handle it.

The 8.56-metre long missile is part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

The other four missiles developed under this programme are Agni, Akash, Trishul and Nag.

Prithvi, which has a launch weight of 4.6 tonnes, can carry a one-tonne conventional or nuclear payload, the sources said.

The missile, with the latest onboard computers and an advanced inertial navigation system, can use both solid and liquid propellants. The Army variant of the missile can cover 150 km in 300 seconds.

-ends-

Lockheed Seeks India Partners for F-16 Sale

(Source: DDI Indian Government news; issued June 20, 2006)

US aviation major Lockheed Martin, in the race to sell 126 F-16 jets to the air force, is in talks with Indian firms like HAL and the Tata group for the outsourcing of aircraft components.

Lockheed's director of communications Joseph Stout said in New Delhi that the firm's Advanced Development Programs divisions, which works on research in cutting edge areas like stealth and surveillance technologies, was also keen on forging ties with Indian information technology and research firms.

In an interview to news agency, he said that they had had preliminary talks with firms like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tata and Larsen and Toubro and their teams had surveyed their capabilities and were “encouraged by their capabilities.”

As part of efforts to establish a presence in India, Lockheed was eyeing the prospect of outsourcing components for the F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft, including the hugely successful C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, to Indian firms.

If Lockheed bags the deal to supply 126 jets to the Indian Air Force, the request for proposals for which are likely to be issued soon, a "majority" of the jets will be built by state-owned HAL following the transfer of technology, Stout said.

Stout informed that Frank Cappuccio, the executive vice-president of Advanced Development Programs or Skunk Works which worked on network-centric warfare systems and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), would visit India later in the year to scout avenues for cooperation.

He added that though they had no agreements in place, “it is important for Lockheed Martin to establish a presence in India."

-ends-

American amphibious warship 'Trenton' all set to be inducted into Indian navy

June 29, 2006
link

As the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal comes up at Capitol Hill, back home, another deal is getting close to being sealed. It is New Delhi’s acquisition of the USS Trenton, an American amphibious warship which was offered to the Indian Navy last year. With Washington’s crucial letter of acceptance (LoA), South Block is set to close the deal by early next month.

The warship, currently undergoing a complete refit at Norfolk, Virginia, and capable of carrying close to 1,500 personnel, will be delivered to the Navy in early 2007. Following the Indo-US strategic frameworksigned last year, the ship was offered to the navy as a quick symbolic reflection of the new diplomatic relationship.

A team of Indian officers from all possible warship departments, including engineering, electrical, communications, navigation, aviation and technical, will shortly be sent to the United States to familiarize itself with what will be the navy’s second largest ship after aircraft carrier INS Viraat. Meanwhile, a nomenclature committee has already been set up by the navy to decide on a suitable name for the Austin-class Trenton. It will be finalised soon after South Block signs on the dotted line and sends its approval back to the Pentagon.

The Indian Navy is acquiring the ship, commissioned by the United States Navy in 1971, for Rs 200 crore, a sum that covers training costs for Indian personnel. The navy’s eagerness to induct the Trenton is also seamlessly in line with its post-tsunami ethics of being looked at as a force that can deliver massive amounts of relief material or big troop numbers across large distances. The implications of force projection across the region would be huge, considering that the Trenton will augment an existing amphibious capability of the navy.

The navy has also expressed interest in purchasing six muti-role maritime mission helicopters for use off the warship’s deck, a deal likely to be concluded before the Trenton sails to Indian shores early next year.

India's Longest-Range Ballistic Missile Fails in First Test Launch


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Agni-III Snag Will Be Examined: Pranab

(Source: DDI Indian Government news; issued July 10, 2006)

In response to the latest snag developed during the test fire of the advanced intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-III , the Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the cause of the snag will be thoroughly examined and the faults corrected.

While speaking to the reporters in Berhampore on Sunday night, the Minister said, the reason behind the snag would be explored and the faults corrected.

India's most advanced intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-III was test-fired from Wheeler Island off Orissa coast in presence of the Defence Minister, but it developed a snag and failed to hit the target. (ends)


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DRDO to Conduct More Test Trials of Agni-III Missile [/b]

(Source: DDI Indian Government news; issued July 10, 2006)

Undaunted by the partial failure of test-firing of the country's most powerful and longer reach 3,500 km range Agni-III missile, Defence Research and Development Organisation scientists said more trials of the IRBM missile would be conducted in months ahead to make it fool-proof.

"It was our first experiment with such a long range missile and in the next few days, we will analyse faults in order to rectify them," the scientists told reporters. They said the entire data of the testing of the missile from its launch to a snag developing in the second stage was being analysed and "we are hopeful of rectifying it".

When the missile veered off course, the scientist had been closely monitoring the trajectory of the missile, they said.

Prior to the launch of the missile, DRDO scientists had carried out cold sea bed trials of critical components and subsistence of missile and this would enable pinpointing of the snag. "We will have to carry out more tests of the missile in the coming months," the scientists said.

According to defence sources, the launch of the nuclear-capable missile, designed to hit targets at a distance of 3,500 km, from the integrated test range at Wheeler Island was "successful" but its second stage did not separate and it fell into the sea.

They said the missile went up vertically to a height of about 12 km before the snag developed. The sources attributed the problem to a "design failure".

The surface-to-surface missile had blasted off from a fixed platform as Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and top defence scientists looked on.

This was the first launch of the Agni-III, the most sophisticated product of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme that started in 1983.

The testing of the missile has been repeatedly put off since November 2004 for a variety of reasons, including once for technical problems.


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India Tests Long-Range Nuclear-Capable Missile

(Source: Voice of America news; issued July 9, 2006)

NEW DELHI --- India has tested a sophisticated, long-range nuclear-capable missile that dramatically boosts the range of targets it could hit.

Defense officials say the new Agni-3 missile was test-fired Sunday from an island in the eastern state of Orissa. The word Agni means "fire" in Hindi.

The missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead, has a range of 3,000 kilometers. Officials, who did not want to be named, said the test was successful.

Uday Bhaskar, deputy head of the government-funded Institute of Defense Studies, says the Agni-3 will boost India's strategic capability. "The Agni test of today would serve to establish India's credibility, in terms of its missile systems," he said. "So, to the extent that India is working toward a credible, minimum deterrent… I would interpret today's test as enhancing the credibility of India's delivery systems."

India conducted nuclear tests in 1998, and has since carried out a series of missile tests to fine-tune its delivery systems for nuclear weapons.

Its existing arsenal includes several short-range and medium-range missiles, capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. Many of the existing missiles can target Pakistani cities, while the Agni-3 will be able to hit targets deep inside China.

Since becoming independent in 1947, India has fought wars with Pakistan and China. But India's relations have warmed with Beijing in recent years, and tensions with Pakistan have abated, since they began a peace process two years ago.

Defense analysts say the Angi-3 tests should not be seen as "country-specific," but as part of India's overall defense capability.

The Agni-3 missile test comes just days after North Korea sparked an international outcry by test-firing seven missiles.

Bhaskar says he does not expect India's tests will provoke similar concern. "It is important to see the characteristics we associate with countries, both in terms of the regional context and the global grid, so I would like to think that India's missile test would not be seen through the same filter as any other country," he noted.

Analysts say New Delhi has established itself as what they call a "responsible" nuclear power that has no track record of proliferating nuclear technology.

North Korea is considered a so-called "rogue nation" by the United States, and its nuclear and missile proliferation postures have been a source of concern for the wider international community.

-ends-

India Wants More Defence Cooperation with Germany

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued July 14, 2006)

The Minister of State for Defence Shri M Pallam Raju has said that upgradation of defence ties with Germany will be mutually beneficial to both India and Germany.

Addressing the Indo-German Colloquium on ‘Responsibilities in the International Relations and Opportunities of the Bilateral Cooperation’ in Stuttgart, Germany, the Minister said that present defence cooperation between India and Germany is limited to availing of courses, staff talks and procurement of spares.

He said India has interest in German EW systems, radars, electro-optic devices and recovery vehicles. Shri Raju said increased training cooperation between the two countries will serve to enhance interaction between the armed forces of both the countries. Indo-German defence cooperation has largely been dominated by equipment acquisition. As such, there is a need to move towards joint development ventures or technology transfers through which we can achieve long term self-reliance with respect to maintenance product support.

The Minister was of the opinion that India has strong research and technological skills which when combined with superior German manufacturing capabilities can be a winning combination in this arena of defence cooperation.

The Minister of State for Defence said that despite substantial growth in overall trade between India and Germany, India’s exports to Germany are currently at a low level as compared to other countries. Indian exports to Germany often face constraints due to denial of market access and high standards, regulations maintained by Germany as well as EU. He said these regulations take the form of non-tariff barriers and restrict trade between the two countries and therefore, there is an urgent need to resolve such issues first so that the existing potential could be exploited to its full extent through enhanced trade in goods, services, investment and other areas of economic cooperation.

The Minister said an important area of convergence between India and Germany in today’s globalizing world, is to jointly promote comprehensive reform of the United Nations system. Today’s political realities, including the unvarying support and participation in the UN and its programme by countries such as Germany and India must be reflected in a reformed UN, including an expanded Security Council, the Minister added.

The two-day Indo-German Colloquium was organized by Konrad Adenauer foundation. Shri Raju is currently on a week long official visit to Germany. The Minister will also attend an Indian Film Festival at Stuttgart as the Guest of Honour. Germany has declared year 2006 as ‘India Year’.

-ends-

India, Russia Sign Contract For Three Warships

(Source: DDI India Government news; issued July 19, 2006)

Russia will build three stealth warships for India under a Rs 5114 crore contract signed in New Delhi.

The signing of the contract came nearly two weeks after the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the purchase of three more Russian stealth warships and 28 submarine-fired cruise missiles in a move aimed at bolstering the Navy's fighting potential.

The three Russian Krivak-class frigates would be acquired at a cost of Rs 5114 crore. The first one would be delivered five years after the signing of the contract and the subsequent two within 12 months after the delivery of the first warship, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had told newsmen after a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mukherjee had said the purchase of the three Russian frigates was a follow-up order to the purchase of three of the same type of warships in the late 1990s.

Indian Navy has already inducted three Krivak-class warships that were re-christened Talwar-class.

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Bell Helicopter Optimistic About Army Program in India

(Source: Bell Helicopter; dated July 17, web-posted July 20, 2006)

FARNBOROUGH Air Show --- Bell Helicopter remains optimistic in its pursuit of the Indian Army Reconnaissance and Observation Helicopter Program. The Bell 407 has been short-listed for this buy of 197 helicopters.

If Bell is awarded the program, the first 60 helicopters would be delivered from Bell facilities and the remaining 137 manufactured in cooperation with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore.

Jay Ortiz, Bell’s 407 Campaign Director in India stated, “The 407 program offers India a low-risk opportunity to increase its industrial cooperation with the United States.” The program contains a 30% offset requirement and Ortiz is confident Bell can easily meet this requirement.

Bob Fitzpatrick, Bell Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales said, “We view India as an emerging strategic market and Bell Helicopter, as part of its overall strategy, plans to establish a larger presence in India.” Bell is currently exploring partnerships with Indian companies to establish a training facility as well as a regional repair and overhaul center. Additionally, Bell would transfer technology to manufacture single light helicopters to Hindustan Aeronautics.

Earlier this year, HAL assembled one Bell-407 for civilian use. According to Ortiz, the HAL officials were impressed with how quickly and easily the 4 man crew was able to assemble the aircraft.

The Indian Army is expected to evaluate the commercial propositions in the 3rd quarter of the year with final selection in the 4th quarter.

Indian MoD Details Status of Missile Programs

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued Aug. 2, 2006)

Prithvi and Agni strategic missile systems, with their variants have been inducted in the Indian Armed Forces.

Development of Akash and Trishul surface to air missiles and anti tank missile Nag, is complete and Users have been requested to place orders.

The supersonic cruise missile BrahMos has gone through successful flight trials for the Indian Navy and Army from ship and land mobile platforms respectively. Production orders have been received. There is no missile project by name “Sagarika”.

The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme started in 1983 consists of five missiles – Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul and Nag. Strategic systems Agni and Prithvi have been completed alongwith their variants for the services.

With regard to Trishul Akash and Nag, there were certain technical problems and all these have been subsequently solved.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Dr Vijay Mallya in Rajya Sabha today.

-ends-

India Defense Briefs

(Source: India Ministry of Defence; issued Aug. 24, 2005)


-- Purchase of Transport Warship from USA
Government has approved the acquisition of Landing Platform Dock (LPD), USS Trenton along with four Landing Craft Mechanised (LCMs) and associated package for the Indian Navy from the USA at a cost of USD 48.2 million.
The ship would provide the Indian Navy enhanced amphibious capability. In addition, the LPD can be deployed for disaster relief operations. It can also function as a command and control platform during mishaps at sea like offshore oil installation fires and maritime air accidents.
No technical know-how for the construction of such a ship in India is envisaged under the present acquisition. However, the induction of LPD would help in gaining user experience apart from providing essential design inputs for the indigenous construction of LPD.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Naveen Jindal in Lok Sabha today.


--Funds for Development of Brahmos Missile
The Indo-Russia Joint project for development of BrahMos missile is not facing any shortage of funds. The project is fully supported by both Indian and Russian Governments, with necessary funds.
The Indian Army has already placed orders for the production of BrahMoS missile system and the induction will commence in 2007.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Hansraj G Ahir and Shri Dalpat Singh Parste in Lok Sabha today.


--Arjun Tank
The Arjun Main Battle Tank is ready. The project “Main Battle Tank, Arjun” was sanctioned in May 1974. General Staff Qualitative Requirement was finalized in October 1985 and project was completed in March 1995.
The indent for 124 tanks was placed by users in March 2000. These are currently under production at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi. Tank-Ex has been built by Defence Research and Development Organistion (DRDO) to demonstrate a possible method to upgrade T-72 tanks, with a modular turret as a proactive step.
DRDO is involved in development of weapons and platforms as per the requirements of the users. To make the weapons user-friendly, users are involved in the project right from the developmental stage.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Ravi Prakash Verma and Shri Anandrao V Adsul in Lok Sabha today.


--Divya Drishti Project
The “Divya Drishti” project for surveillance of enemy planes is not likely to complete as per its schedule. Alternative arrangements are being evolved for meeting the technical requirements and objectives of the projects.
It is a joint project of DRDO and Signal Intelligence Directorate. Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) was a prime production agency responsible for procurement of sub systems. A contract was placed by ECIL to a private firm for procurement of some sub-systems which could not materialize as dealings with the firm have ceased. No payment was made to the firm.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Shisupal N Patle and others in Lok Sabha today.


--CBI Investigation In Scorpion Submarine Deal
The CBI was entrusted with the investigation of the War Room leak case in February 2006. After conducting investigation, the CBI has filed charge sheet in the matter. The CBI had also arrested certain individuals in connection with the case.
During the course of investigation conducted, the CBI did not find till now any reference to the Scorpene Project.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Amar Singh in Rajya Sabha today.

-ends-

Indian Government Sets New Rules for Defense Purchases

(Source: India government DDInews; issued Aug. 28, 2006)

As the country moves towards the threshold of floating international tenders for mega armament acquisitions worth billions of dollars, watchdog Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has issued new directives on defence purchases.

Under the directives, CVC has asked the Defence Ministry to avoid single-vendor situations in any deal except in very exceptional cicumstances, and inclusion of Standard Contract terms in Request for Proposals.

The Commission has also told the defence ministry not to deviate or dilute qualitative requirements after the request for proposals has been made.

The CVC directive comes as the Defence Ministry is about to float international tenders for purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft, a deal which industry sources say could be biggest ever deal by India, running up to or more than USD 15 billion.

It is not the only mega defence deal coming up. In another big-ticket deal worth more than USD 700 million, the Army is to sign an agreement for purchase of 197 helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs.

Two firms, Bell Helicopter of the US and European consortium EADS, the owner of Eurocopter, have been short-listed and evaluated.

Another big ticket deal would be for the purchase of new 155mm guns upgraded to 52 calibres. India is opting to buy 400 of these upgraded guns whose induction is almost 12 years behind schedule.

The army has already conducted three test trials and an unprecedented fourth one is currently on between the Swedish Bofors guns and Israeli Soltam guns.

Pointing out repeated failures and losses incurred by the defence ministry in not conforming to its laid out purchase norms, CVC has made it mandatory that in all new deals, the ministry ensures advances are paid to suppliers against bank guarantees confirmed by select Indian banks.

CVC has directed that performance bonds and warranty bonds are also taken after similar confirmation. The defence ministry, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General, has lost crores of rupees in transactions with Russian suppliers by not taking bank guarantees and performance bonds.

The Commission has also made it mandatory that all offers be solicited from original equipment manufacturers and prohibited the engagement of any agent or payment of agency commission by the seller.

It has also told the government to include in the defence procurement manual transparent requests for proposals both from indigenous and foreign procurements with clear pre-qualification, short-listing and contract award criteria.

Further, CVC has also said that there should be clear timeframes for each stage of contract processing to cut delays and bring in accountability.

Both the CVC and Comptroller and Auditor General have been unsparing in their criticism of the defence ministry getting into single vendor situations.

They have sharply criticised the previous NDA government for entering into single-vendor deals like those for purchasing the SU-30MKI, T-90s and advanced trainers.

-ends-

India to Fast-Track Procurement of New Combat Aircraft

(Source: ddi Indian government news; issued Oct. 3, 2006)

Keeping in mind the threat perception in the region, Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee said that the government will issue request for proposals for purchasing 126 multi-role aircraft for replacement and upgradation in the air force.

Replacements would be made as the government was aware of the need for upgradation of the ageing fleet, he told reporters in Kolkata on the sidelines of a seminar “Defence - industry partnership in human resource development.”

Keeping in mind the threat perception in the region, the ministry would induct 126 additional aircraft for which the Request for Proposals would be issued, he said.

Mukherjee said some state governments were not carrying out rehabilitation of ex-servicemen in accordance with the norms laid down.

States like Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh had allotted substantial land to ex-servicemen and preference was given to them in various state government jobs, he said.

The seminar was organised by CII and Directorate General of Resettlement

-ends-

Indian Navy Chiefs Discuss Transformation Goals

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued October 16, 2006)

The Naval Senior Officers' Conference, which commenced in New Delhi today, was inaugurated by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash. Apart from addressing a host of other issues, there are three discernible themes that provide the underpinning to this year's SOC.

The first of these is safety consciousness. The Navy is acutely conscious of the stringent demands in an extremely complex, technologically advanced and very expensive equipment intensive environment for a high standard of human interface - whether by way of operators, maintainers, or logistic personnel. Several innovative and far-reaching measures have been initiated to ensure that safety remains foremost in the Navy's consciousness and to arrest any nascent tendency towards neglect in this regard. Taking into account the mishaps in recent times, the Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash stressed, "The safety roadmap will ensure that our operations are not only effective, but also conducted safely."

The second theme revolves about the completion of the Navy-wide effort (that was begun a few years ago) to provide a firm intellectual and theoretical foundation upon which the edifice of a resurgent Indian Navy, shaped to address the realities of the twenty-first century, would be built. This 'foundation' comprised three capstone documents. The first was the "Maritime Doctrine", released in 2004, which is essentially a 'doctrinal primer'.

The second was the "Maritime Capability Perspective Plan", a classified blueprint of the force-level structure of the Navy for the next decade and a half. This was reviewed and accepted by the Commanders' Conference that was held from the 4 May this year.

The final segment of the 'trilogy' entitled "Freedom of the Seas: India's Maritime Strategy", which is a classified document, will be released by the Raksha Mantri, Mr Pranab Mukherjee during the SOC on 17 Oct. These three documents represent the triumvirate of current naval thinking and their publication marks three extremely important milestones along the development path being traveled by the Indian Navy.

The third theme of this year's SOC is the bold acceleration of the process-of-change undertaken by the Indian Navy. Parivartan, as the Navy likes to call it, clearly enunciates and guides the overall direction and orientation of the process of 'Difficult Managing Change'. For this purpose, the Navy has published a set of three guidance-documents.

The first - and the overarching one - is entitled the "Vision Statement of the Indian Navy". The second is an introductory-primer entitled "What Does Transformation Mean for the Indian Navy?' which provides the contextual meaning of term 'Transformation', and identifies the drivers of 'Transformation' vis-à-vis the Indian Navy. The third - and the most contemporary one - is the "Strategic Guidance for Transformation", which was released today by the Navy Chief.

Addressing the Naval commanders during his inaugural address, the Admiral stated, "Great changes will be brought about in the Navy in coming years. With change being inevitable, we can either embrace it, or have it thrust upon us. That is the reason I have laid great emphasis on issues of transformation, formulating new doctrines and concepts."

These are the main themes that are expected dominate much of the deliberations and proceedings of SOC - 2006. It is clearly obvious that these themes incorporate issues that are of fundamental import to the Navy and to the country and although they will continue to be deliberated-upon in the next several conclaves of the Indian Navy's senior leadership, it is particularly fitting that discussions and debate on them should be initiated in the current Senior Officers Conference, which will be the last that is presided over by Admiral Arun Prakash, the Chief of the Naval Staff, and the individual who has ushered these initiatives in the Indian Navy.

-ends-


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India Extends Development Phase of Trishul Missile

(Source: Indian Ministry of Defence; issued Oct. 17, 2006)

The work on the Trishul Anti-Missile Defence system, which forms part of the bouquet of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) is in progress and is likely to be completed by December 2007.

Responding to a query from media persons on the sidelines of the Naval Commanders’ Conference here today, the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the Project’s completion date was to get over by December 2006 and on the suggestion of DRDO he had extended the same by one year on September 29, 2006. “Therefore, there is no question of shelving the project”, he said.

A number of milestones have been achieved by the Indian defence scientists while working on the Trishul Project. These include guidance and control of missile in the sea skimming mode against sea skimming target over the sea; intercept of air target by warhead system, showing accuracy and efficacy; integration of surveillance radar, tracking radar, missile guidance system and launcher in one vehicle system. Besides as required by the Air Force, higher altitude and longer range have also been demonstrated.

The status of IGMDP was reviewed by the Guided Missile Board(GMB) chaired by the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, Shri. M. Natrajan in its 29th Meeting on November 11, 2005. The review indicated that there was a need for establishing long term production requirement in addition to proving the system for Services which merits further PDC (Probable Date of Completion) extension of IGMDP.

Talking to newspersons, Shri. Natrajan said the Trishul missile is a common missile that can be used by the Army, Air Force and the Navy. Giving a broad overview of the IGMDP, he said the Programme encompasses five projects such as Trishul, Prithvi, Nag, Agni and Akash.

Of these, Agni has been developed and inducted. Prithvi was designed as an artillery weapon for 150 Km range. It has been upgraded for Air Force for use up to 250 Km and it has also been modified for naval applications. He said Akash has done pretty well and the anti-tank missile, Nag, has been accepted by the Army.

-ends-

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U.S.-India nuclear deal wins Senate OK

By Foster Klug
Associated Press
Published November 17, 2006
subscriber link

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Thursday moved to reverse decades of U.S. anti-proliferation policy, voting overwhelmingly to endorse a plan that would allow the U.S. to ship civilian nuclear fuel and technology to India.

Senior lawmakers from both political parties championed the proposal, handing President Bush an important victory on one of his top foreign policy initiatives.

Proponents say it strengthens a relationship with a friendly Asian power that has long maintained what the United States considers a responsible nuclear program. The vote was 85-12.

Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware said the endorsement pushes America "a giant step closer" to a "major shift" in U.S.-Indian relations.

"If we are right, this shift will increase the prospect for stability and progress in South Asia and in the world at large," he said.

Bush, in a statement issued during a trip to Asia, praised the Senate for endorsing his plan, saying it will "bring India into the international nuclear non-proliferation mainstream and will increase the transparency of India's entire civilian nuclear program."

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) called the plan a "lasting incentive" for India to shun future nuclear arms tests and "to cooperate closely with the United States in stopping proliferation."

Even with the strong approval by the Senate, however, several hurdles remain for the measure.

First on that list, lawmakers in the House, which endorsed the plan by a large vote margin in July, and the Senate must now reconcile their versions before the next congressional session begins in January. That bill would then be sent to Bush for his signature.

Critics argued that the plan would ruin the world's non-proliferation regime and boost India's nuclear arsenal. The extra civilian nuclear fuel that the deal would provide, they say, could free India's domestic uranium for use in its weapons program. Pakistan and China could respond by increasing their nuclear stockpiles, sparking a regional arms race.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) called the agreement a "horrible mistake" that "provides a green light" for India to produce more nuclear weapons.

During debate Thursday, supporters beat back changes they said would have killed the proposal by making it unacceptable to India.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) proposed a condition that would have required India to cut off military-to-military ties with Iran before allowing civil nuclear cooperation.

India HIV problem may soon spiral out of control - U.N.

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India must get on top of its HIV epidemic by next year or risk seeing it spiral out of control, the man who controls the richest private anti- AIDS fund in the country and a senior United Nations official warned.

"The signs are still ominous," Ashok Alexander, the director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's $258-million Indian HIV-prevention project, told Reuters in an interview.

He said the rising prevalence of HIV in more than 100 districts in which the foundation operates showed that a decade of government efforts had not slowed the virus, which is now estimated to have infected 5.7 million Indians.

"The huge challenge is scaling up prevention efforts. 2007 is when we need to have done this by," added Alexander, who has repeatedly said India's epidemic is at a tipping point. "It's very urgent."

Alexander, speaking at the foundation's New Delhi offices on Friday, said old-fashioned and inefficient management within the government's National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was the main obstacle to success.

Denis Broun, India coordinator for the U.N.'s HIV-prevention agency, UNAIDS, said that in the worst-case scenario, the virus could spread to infect 3 percent of India's billion-plus population in the next 5 to 10 years, up from 0.9 percent now.

India already has more HIV-positive people than any other country, UNAIDS says.

The AIDS-causing virus is presently thought to be largely confined within a sexual triangle of poor, male migrant workers, the prostitutes they visit, and their wives back home.

For that reason, the Gates Foundation spends much of its efforts telling the first two groups to use condoms.

WIDESPREAD IGNORANCE

Broun said India must aim to get 80 percent of its prostitutes to insist on their clients using condoms if the number of new infections each year is to drop significantly below the estimated 400,000 annual deaths from AIDS in India.

Safe sex messages from the government and NGOs are currently heard by about a quarter of Indian prostitutes, Broun said.

If India fails to convince many more of the importance of condoms, the country's repeatedly delayed efforts to get ever more people with AIDS on life-prolonging antiretroviral drugs are doomed to forever lag behind new infections.

"We have slow growth -- it's not an explosion -- but it's enough to make any expansion of the treatment program unsustainable, financially and technically," Broun told Reuters by telephone.

Alexander, who worked at consultancy firm McKinsey & Co. for nearly two decades, praised India's recently finalized HIV strategy, which will see it spending $2.5 billion over the next five years on prevention and treatment.

But whether it will be carried out effectively is far from assured, he said.

He was not surprised by a recent poll of Indian parliamentarians showing widespread ignorance of HIV, with nearly two-thirds wrongly believing it could be spread by sharing clothes with an infected person.

"The interesting counterpoint is that the same thing was done with sex workers in Mumbai and they scored over 90 percent," he said. "Your average Mumbai commercial sex worker is probably the most informed in the country when it comes to HIV."

Indian AF to Buy 80 Mi-17-1v Helicopters

(Source: Oboronprom; dated Oct. 16, web-posted Nov 14, 2006)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) indends to purchase 80 Mi-17-1V medium transport utility helicopters, the Indo-Asian News Service reports today.

The news agency quoted Chief of IAF Air Staff S.P. Tyagi as saying that the procedural formalities will be over within a few months and the deliveries are to commence in 2007 and will be over within a year. Mr. Tyagi did not mention the Mi-171V helicopters costs but according to market sources, these could be around Rs.30 billion ($662 mln). The Chief of IAF Air Staff also said that the IAF intended to buy 126 multi-purpose fighters.

At the same time the Indian Land Force plans to acquire 197 helicopters.

The Mi-17-1V is a derivative of the Mi-17 helicopter. It gained a good reputation operating in hot, high and humid conditions. It is intended for troops and cargos transportation, fire-fighting, medical evacuation and search and rescue operations, and can also be quickly converted into a combat vehicle.

At present rotorcraft play a major role in the IAF. They used helicopters not only for carrying supplies for military men dislocated in mountainous areas, but also for SAR operations in case of natural disasters. (ends)