News Analysis - Defense

Defense

• 1. Massive Increase in China Defense Budget (March 05, 2007)
  Ahead of the National People's Congress (NPC), China revealed a new defense budget that was 17.8 per cent or USD 45 billion higher that last year raising fears in Western and neighboring capitals on its motivations.<More>

• 2. MiG-21s to Stay Longer (February 27, 2007)
  Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief-designate Air Marshal F.H. Major said that the MiG-21s will stay longer through mid-life up-gradation as new aircraft are inducted over the next eight to nine years.<More>

• 3. BrahMos on Naval Aircraft (February 09, 2007)
  The Navy is in the process of fitting its long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft such as IL-38, IL-76 and TU-142 with supersonic BrahMos missiles enhancing their capability to include striking power at identified targets.<More>

• 4. 40 More Sukhoi Jets, 126 MRCA Plan is On (February 09, 2007)
  The Indian Air Force (IAF) clarified that it plans to get 40 more Sukhoi-30MKIs from Russia as well as faster indigenous production of 140 of these fighters in addition to the 126 multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA).<More>

• 5. Treaty to Ban Weapons in Space (February 08, 2007)
  Responding to criticism on its recent test to destroy satellites in space, Beijing said that it was ready to work on an agreement to prevent an arms race in space.<More>

• 6. India, Bhutan Sign Revised Friendship Treaty (February 07, 2007)
  India and Bhutan will sign an updated version of the 57-year old friendship treaty when King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk visits India on a six-day visit that will grant Thimpu more freedom in foreign policy and military procurement.<More>

• 7. Large Fighter Jet Order by Mid-2007 (February 07, 2007)
  A senior defense official said that India would release a tender seeking to buy 126 fighter planes valued at USD nine billion by mid-2007 and coveted by many giants of military fighter manufacturers.<More>

• 8. Over 1000 BrahMos from Russia (February 06, 2007)
  India's Russian partner NPO Mashinostroyenie revealed that it would soon ship over 1,000 supersonic BrahMos missiles to defense forces within the next few years bringing to fruition the 1999 project.<More>

• 9. New Copter-UAV for Navy (February 05, 2007)
  India is trying to create an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter capable of slipping into "danger zones" below the radar.<More>

• 10. Massive Naval War-Game (February 05, 2007)
  The Navy has amassed a large number of ships, submarines, aircraft carrier, and helicopters in the Arabian Sea to conduct a "theatre readiness operational exercise" called "Tropex."<More>

• 11. MiG-35 on IAF Radar (January 31 , 2007)
  The impending 126 IAF fighter aircraft contract is seeing spirited competition from Russia’s MiG-35, the enlarged and more advanced version of the MiG-29/MiG-33 family and seen as a potential replacement for the MiG-29 and Su-27.<More>

• 12. Foreign Defense Contracts (January 29, 2007)
  As part of its new defense procurement policy, India is all set to sign offset agreements with two foreign companies requiring foreign vendors to source one-third of the value of the contract from within India.<More>

• 13. Russia Wants Energy, Military Pie (January 25, 2007)
  Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India to rejuvenate ties hoping to win a strong share of India’s large energy and military budget and also be the Guest of Honor of the Republic Day Parade that showcases Indian military and cultural might.<More>

• 14. Russian Engines and Chinese Planes (January 24, 2007)
  Russia has assured India that it will not allow China to use its RD-93 engines in the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft in planes it plans to sell to Pakistan and is apparently covered in the end0user certificate contracts barring export of technology to Pakistan.<More>

• 15. China Satellite Killer Missile (January 23, 2007)
  After many wishy-washy statements, China for the first time confirmed the successful testing of a satellite killer missile but insisted that it was “peaceful development of outer space” and “opposes the arming of space and military competition in space.” <More>

• 16. New Amphibious Ship is 'Jalashva' (January 20, 2007)
  The Indian Navy took possession of US Trenton and rename it INS 'Jalashva' in the hope that it will greatly enhance rescue operation and troop transportation capabilities.<More>

• 17. Majors at Aero India Expected (January 20, 2007)
  With a planned purchase of 126 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) valued at more than USD 7 billion still undecided, the Aero India in Bangalore this Bangalore is expected to attract major players.<More>

• 18. India in New Security Block (January 18, 2007)
  A new four party security block including the US, Japan, Australia, and India is being formed and apparently discussed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Japan with his counterpart Shinzo Abe Indian PM Visit to Japan.<More>

• 19. Advanced Defense Lab in Bangalore (January 10, 2007)
  The Defence Researh and Development Organisation (DRDO) is starting a Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) in its campus in Bangalore and expected to become the most elite laboratory for defense research and development (R&D).<More>

• 20. Indo-Singapore Air Force Exercise (January 09, 2007)
  The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) completed a bilateral exercise in December with the IAF fielding Mirage and Jaguar aircraft and RSAF’s F-16 C/D Fighting Falcons and F-5E Tiger aircraft.<More>

• 21. Madras Regiment for Congo (January 09, 2007)
  The oldest infantry regiment in the Indian Army, the 26 Madras Infantry Battalion Group, drawing its troops from South Indian states, has been selected to represent the nation for UN peacekeeping duties in the Democratic Republic of Congo.<More>

• 22. Israel Plans to Strike Iran (January 08, 2007)
  In what could transform the whole West Asian region into decades of crisis and human suffering, Israel is reportedly planning to launch low-yield nuclear “bunker busters” to destroy Iran’s contentious nuclear sites at Ishafan, Natanz, and Arak.<More>

• 23. Russian Air Defense for Iran (January 05, 2007)
  Ignoring international sanctions on Tehran for its suspected nuclear weapons program, Moscow supplied “at least half” of the contracted Tor-M1 short-range air defense systems valued at USD 1.4 billion to be deployed around strategically sensitive centers.<More>

• 24. Indian Land Ships (December 28, 2006)
  On January 4, the Navy will induct its third landing ship INS Shardul, capable of carrying 11 main battle tanks, 10 army vehicles and 500 troops for amphibious operations and traveling at 15.8 knots to land forces directly on beaches.<More>

• 25. Pak Says N-sites Can Withstand Strike (December 27, 2006)
  Marking the 130th birth anniversary of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, President Pervez Musharraf asserted that his nation will continue to invest in defense capabilities and that its “nuclear and missile power” are protected even from a “nuclear attack.”<More>

• 26. Japan Considering Nuke Deterrent (December 26, 2006)
  In a move that has consequences way beyond the region, a Japanese daily Sankei report says that the Japanese government is apparently considering a nuclear warhead as deterrent to North Korean (NK) nuclear weapons program which is being denied by government spokesperson.<More>

• 27. The Iran Problem for US (December 20, 2006)
  As Tehran civic polls brought in moderate and reformist opponents of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s to power, US policy makers are increasingly concerned about developments and statements from Iran and especially about their nuclear program.<More>

• 28. China-Pak End Exercises (December 19, 2006)
  China and Pakistan ended a 10-day joint military exercise that focused on anti-terror operations to share “each others experiences in planning and conduct of anti-terrorist operations” for mutual benefit and also to strengthen traditional bilateral bonds of friendship.<More>

• 29. BEL Weapon Locating Radars (December 14, 2006)
  The Army will start testing indigenously developed weapon locating radar (WLR) for “internal evaluation” to further the “shoot and scoot” doctrine using self-propelled guns and artillery to loosen up defense before an offensive onslaught into hostile territory.<More>>

• 30. Pak Emergent Defense Player (December 13, 2006)
  With nuclear-test imposed sanctions being lifted and being conferred a major non-NATO ally status Pakistan is being viewed as a serious emergent buyer as it now has access to weapons, aircraft, and missiles. Its export in the USD 3 trillion arms market is only USD 200 million but is expected to grow.<More>

• 31. China’s Threatening Maritime Plans (December 08, 2006)
  Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta warned that China’s maritime plans, co-opting neighboring nations including Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Eastern African nations, could be used against India in the future.<More>

• 32. Armed Forces Act Amendment (December 07, 2006)
  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visiting Manipur said that his government will amend the Armed Forces Act withdrawing extraordinary provisions such as shoot-to-kill thus complying with demands made by many politicians of the North East (NE).<More>

• 33. Update on Missile Programs (November 30, 2006)
  Defense Minister A.K. Antony updated the Parliament that the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos has been inducted into the Defense forces and the Trishul anti-Missile project completed while the Akash and Nag missile programs are behind schedule.<More>

• 34. High-Tech Upgrade for Army (November 28, 2006)
  The Indian Army is planning major upgrades to their personnel’s standard battle gear with new uniforms, multi-function weaponry, sensors to monitor their health parameters, and latest communication network for instant access to information on the battlefield.< Hawk Jet Trainers Next Year (November 28, 2006)
  The first two of the 66 Hawk Advance Jet Trainers (HAJT) ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2004 is reportedly in final stages of testing at the BAE Systems and will fly by year-end and slotted for delivery by September next year.<More>

• 35. Successful Test of Interceptor Missile (November 28, 2006)
  Adding to its defensive missile capability, India announced that it had tested an interceptor missile successfully to destroy an incoming Prithivi-II and claiming to have “acquired the capability of air defense against the incoming ballistic missile threat.” <More>

• 36. Navy’s New Capabilities (November 21, 2006)
  The Indian Navy has invested in several new equipment and capabilities including stealth, new aircraft carriers, ship lift system, and refueling capabilities and says that most of these projects are on target.<More>

• 37. Bush Wants WMD Deals Stopped (November 21, 2006)
  Fearing further North Korean (NK) proliferation missiles and nuclear weapons, like the Nodong missile to Pakistan (now being paraded as Ghauri) in return for nuclear weapons technology, the US said that it considered these transfers “a grave threat.”<More>

• 38. EADS Developing IAF Components (November 17, 2006)
  European Aerospace (EADS) and Indian Defence Company Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) plan to develop a state-of-the-art missile-warning sensor for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to be integrated into future Defensive Aids Suite (DASS) of IAF.<More>

• 39. Pak Tests Ghauri V Missile (November 17, 2006)
  Pakistan Defense Ministry announced that it test-fired its 1,300 kilometer nuclear-capable missile Hatf-V codenamed Ghauri-V and as part of “a training exercise held to test the operation readiness of a Strategic Missile Group equipped with Ghauri missile.”<More>

• 40. Army’s “No” to Siachen Deal (November 13, 2006)
  After sending several signals and veiled messages, the Indian Army finally came out and said it is opposed to demilitarization on Siachen citing potential takeover of heights by Pakistan or China and thereby scuttling any political temptation to reach a deal.<More>

• 41. Siachen on Indo-Pak Agenda (November 08, 2006)
  Responding to Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri's statement that the two countries were close to an agreement on Siachen, an External Affairs spokesperson said that Pakistan is aware of India ’s “terms on which an agreement can be reached.”<More>

• 42. LAC Sanctity & Peace (November 02, 2006)
  Ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to India later in November, senior Army officers of India and China met behind closed doors to ensure that “good relations and the growing peace” along the long Line of Actual Control (LAC) is maintained.<More>

• 43. Priorities for the Navy (November 02, 2006)
  The new Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta emphasizing reach, technology, and endurance as the important factors that would govern the next generation navy that can protect the growing economy, provide disaster relief, and ensure regional security.<More>

• 44. Honorable Citation for Army in Lebanon (October 31, 2006)
  The 4 Sikh Regiment, that participated in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), received the Force Commander’s Unit Citation for commendable service during the war in South Lebanon.<More>

• 45. Indo-US Anti-Terrorism Exercises (October 30, 2006)
  As part of the ongoing “Malabar” series of exercises, Indian and US Navies will practice expeditionary maneuvers off the Konkan coast in addition to a simulated joint semi-urban anti-terrorism exercise by in Belgaum, Karnataka.<More>

• 46. Navy plans joint exercises with U.S., Russia (October 25, 2006)
  In continuation of its policy to practice naval skills and operate in the backyards of friendly nations, the Indian Navy revealed plans to hold exercises with the United States and Russia in quick succession next year in the Pacific Ocean.<More>

• 47. Army Plans Bunker & Fence Mending Along LoC (October 25, 2006)
  After foiling a spurt of infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir in the last few days, the Army has set itself a winter deadline to fix bunkers and anti-infiltration fence damaged by the October 2005 earthquake.<More>

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