News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Army

  • Have taken necessary measures to safeguard sovereignty: India on reports of Chinese village in Arunachal

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: In a cautious reaction to a report that China has built a village in Arunachal Pradesh, India on Monday said it keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on the country’s security, and takes necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    The Ministry of External Affairs said India has stepped up the construction of border infrastructure, including roads and bridges for the improvement of livelihood of its citizens.

    The response from the ministry came when asked about a report by NDTV channel, saying China has constructed a new village in the disputed region of Arunachal Pradesh and it consisted of about 101 homes.

    The news channel said the report is based on satellite images accessed exclusively by it.

    “We have seen recent reports on China undertaking construction work along the border areas with India. China has undertaken such infrastructure construction activity in the past several years,” the MEA said.

    “In response, our government too has stepped up border infrastructure including the construction of roads, bridges etc, which has provided much needed connectivity to the local population along the border,” it added.

    The ministry also asserted that the government remains committed to the objective of creating infrastructure along the border areas for the improvement of livelihood of its citizens, including in Arunachal Pradesh.

    “Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s security and takes all the necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said.

    In its report, NDTV showed two images of the area where it said the village has been set up.

    According to the channel, the first image dated August 26, 2019 did not show any human habitation but the second one of November 2020 shows a row of structures.

    The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC).

    China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India contests it.

    India and China are locked in a bitter border row in eastern Ladakh for over eight months.

    The army as well as the Indian Air Force have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the entire stretch of the LAC with China including in the Arunachal sector in view of the eastern Ladakh standoff.

    India and China have held several rounds of military and diplomatic talks in order to resolve the eastern Ladakh row, but no significant headway has been made for its resolution.

    Earlier this month, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat visited various forward posts near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh and reviewed India’s operational preparedness.

    He also visited several key installations including “forward most air maintained” posts in Dibang Valley, Lohit sector and Subansiri valley, according to the Army.

  • Army ‘rebalances’ deployment along LAC post Ladakh standoff

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  The Army has reorganised its deployment along the northern borders in view of prolonged tension in eastern Ladakh since May last year. New formations are being made to suit the unique geographical and operational requirements.

    Army Chief General MM Naravane had said on the eve of the Army Day on January 15 that the eastern Ladakh incident has prompted the force to restructure and enhance its capabilities. The Mountain Strike Corps (MCS), also known as 17 Corps, will have three-four integrated battle groups instead of the usual ‘division patterns’.

    The overall structure of the MSC has been shelved in favour of a more suitable and futuristic requirement. “We will have three-four integrated battle groups as part of the MSC,” the Army chief told this paper.

    Talking of reorientation, Gen Naravane said one brigade from the Northeast has been pulled out and that a couple of brigades could also be pulled out to be deployed as per the primary role of the Army, which is to deal with external threats.

    A traditional brigade consists of around 3,500-4,000 personnel and a division comprises 10,000 to 12,000 personnel. As per the broad plan, the Army will have a total of 12-13 integrated battle groups with each consisting around 5,000 personnel.

    Each of these groups will have personnel drawn from every arm, varying as per the task and terrain to facilitate rapid deployment with added firepower.

  • Indian Army has boosted country’s morale during border standoff with China: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the Indian Army has boosted the morale of the country and also enabled the people to hold their heads high during the border standoff with China.

    Singh said this while addressing a gathering here during the ‘bhoomipujan’ and foundation stone laying ceremony of a new Command Hospital.

    “The charismatic (karishmaayi) performance by the Army during the India-China standoff has boosted the morale of the country and also enabled the citizens to hold their heads high,” he said, drawing a thunderous applause from the crowd.

    Army chief General MM Naravane and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present at the programme.

  • Indian Army demonstrates drone swarms in offensive operations during Army Day parade

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army carried out a live demonstration of Drone Swarming capability in attack and support task on Friday, during the Army Day Parade held at Delhi Cantt on 15 January 2021.

    Army showcased a swarm of 75 indigenously designed and developed drones which executed an array of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled simulated offensive missions and close support mission.

    Army said that this demonstration is a recognition of the Indian Army’s steady embrace of emerging and disruptive technologies to transform itself from a manpower intensive to a technology enabled force to meet future security challenges.

    The Offensive Drone Operations is one such project using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) which has been incubated with an Indian Start Up. This project symbolises the beginning of the Indian Army’s tryst with autonomy in weapon platforms and showcases the Army’s commitment towards merging the cutting edge of digital technologies with its human resource.

    Army Chief General MM Naravane on Friday said that Indian Army was playing an important role in Atmanirbhar Bharat, involving the private sector, MSMEs and academia,  with an aim to promote Swadeshi technologies in order to reduce dependence on imports.

    Army chief said, “Under the Make in India initiative, Indian Army has identified 29 projects worth Rs 32,000 crore for its modernisation plan.”

    The Indian Army is investing heavily into Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Weapon Systems, Quantum Technologies, Robotics, Cloud Computing and Algorithm Warfare to achieve a convergence between the Army’s warfighting philosophies and military attributes of these technologies.

    The Indian Army has undertaken a wide array of technology initiatives in coordination with Dreamers, Start-ups, MSMEs, Private Sector, Academia, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). 

  • Indian Army has shown immense grit to match Chinese aggression in eastern Ladakh: Top commander

    By PTI
    UDHAMPUR: A top Indian Army commander on Friday said the force has shown immense grit and determination to match the Chinese aggression in eastern Ladakh and gave a befitting reply, adding talks on the military standoff are being held with the PLA from a position of “equivalence”.

    “Today, I am extremely satisfied with all the actions that the northern command has taken towards the end of August last year now, we are in a position of operational advantage and are negotiating with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from a position of equivalence,” General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-In-C) Northern Command, Lt Gen Y K Joshi told reporters here.

    Around four months back, Indian troops occupied a number of strategic heights in the Mukhpari, Rechin La and Magar hill areas around the southern bank of the Pangong lake after the PLA attempted to intimidate them in the area on the intervening night of August 29 and 30.

    The Indian Army has been holding onto the heights despite objections from Chinese military.

    Gen Joshi said the northern command is facing a triple challenge posed by China, Pakistan and the internal security situation.

    “At northern command, we are contending with a triple challenge. Firstly, we have a western adversary Pakistan which has not yet relented from using terror as a state policy at the northern border we have seen the Chinese belligerence along the LAC third is the internal security situation,” he said.

    “We all got involved in the fight against the (COVID-19) pandemic. It was followed by the PLA act in Ladakh which had us totally occupied… we had our hands full with the job,” the general said.

    The Chinese tried to change the status quo in eastern Ladakh which is being contested with resolve by the Indian Army, he added.

    Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a bitter standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks have not produced any breakthrough yet.

    Gen Joshi said the internal security situation is stable and under control but has propensity to flare up any time.

    “We are upholding the idea of India”, he added.

  • Army’s revised SOP leads to surrenders of terrorists; Four units receive COAS commendation

    By PTI
    AWANTIPORA: The Indian Army has changed its standard operating procedure (SOP) for anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir to now focus on ensuring surrenders during live encounters notwithstanding the threat to the lives of its personnel — a policy that has helped save the lives of 17 youths in the last six months.

    On the occasion of Army Day on Friday, four Rashtriya Rifles (RR) units working under the Victor Force, which combats terrorist activities in south Kashmir and parts of central Kashmir, were awarded the coveted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Unit Citation.

    The units — 50 RR, 44 RR, 42 RR and 34 RR — have been involved in multiple counter-terrorism operations and have ensured seven surrenders since September last year when it was decided to make efforts to bring the misguided youths back to the mainstream.

    The citations to the four units drawn from Kumaon, Rajput, Assam and Jat regiments of the Army were presented by Chief of Army Staff Gen M M Naravane in the national capital.

    Videos of some of the surrenders, accessed by PTI, show that in spite of grave risks, the Army brought parents of the terrorists to the encounter site and convinced them to drop arms.

    In one of the videos, a terrorist, Zahid, has an emotional reunion with his father, who is seen weeping and telling his son that it is a rebirth.

    General Officer Commanding of the Victor Force Major General Rashim Bali, who has been supervising surrenders during live encounters, feels that this has generated tremendous goodwill among the local population.

    This has given a reassurance to the local terrorists that the avenue of their return to the national mainstream is open.

    “For those who want to join the national mainstream, we are committed to accept surrenders, even by putting our lives at great peril,” he said.

    At the same time, Major General Bali made it clear that relentless operations will continue against those who pick up guns and resort to violence.

    In some of the videos, surrendered terrorists could be seen praising the Army for providing them an opportunity to shun the path of violence.

    The new strategy of the Army came into effect last year when Shoiab Ahmed Bhat of the Al Badr terror group expressed his desire to lay down arms during an ongoing encounter.

    He was part of the group which had killed a jawan of the Territorial Army in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, but this did not deter the Army personnel in ensuring his surrender and handing him over to police after questioning.

  • Drone operations feature for first time at Army Day parade

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Drones of the Indian Army carried out mock kamikaze attacks and first-aid delivery exercises as the service showcased its latest assets during the Army Day parade at the Cariappa ground here on Friday.

    This is for the first time drones featured at the parade that also had detachments of the upgraded anti-aircraft weapon system Schilka, BrahMos missile system, infantry fighting vehicle BMP-2, T-72 bridge laying tanks and multi-rocket launcher system Pinaka.

    Army Chief Gen M M Naravane conferred gallantry awards and unit citations at the event, which was also attended by Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat.

    Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year in recognition of Field Marshal K M Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander in 1949.

    Around 75 drones of the Indian Army carried multiple mock operations, including kamikaze attacks, first-aid delivery and parachute payload delivery exercises, at the event.

    The first detachment of the parade was of the upgraded anti-aircraft weapon system Schilka and it was commanded by Captain Preeti Chaudhary of the 140 AD regiment (self propelled).

    Marching contingents of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Mahar Regiment, Garhwal Regiment and Jat Regiment also participated in the parade.

    Thirteen Army officers of the Northern Command, eight officers of the Eastern Command, one officer each of the Southern Command and the Central Command received unit citations from the Army chief, while 15 Army personnel were awarded the Sena Medal.

    Army Day is celebrated in the national capital, as well as in all the six Army Command Headquarters.

  • Don’t test Indian Army’s patience: Gen MM Naravane sends clear message to China, Pakistan

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a strongly worded message to China and Pakistan, Indian Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said that no one should try to test the military’s patience with regard to defending the country’s borders.

    “We are committed to finding the resolution of our disputes through discussions and political efforts but no one should commit the mistake of testing our patience,” he said in an address at the Army Day parade in Delhi’s Cariappa Parade ground.

    While there is palpable tension with China along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, with armies of the two countries deployed in standoff position, Pakistan is resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and is resorting to a proxy war in Kashmir.

    Naravane assured the countrymen that the sacrifice of soldiers in Galwan Valley will not go in vain. 

    In May last year, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army unilaterally tried to change the status quo at multiple locations along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

    On June 15, 2020, violent clashes took place which led to casualties on both sides.

    While 20 Indian soldiers were martyred, China did not make its count public despite admitting to casualties. 

    Naravane also said that the army had eliminated over 200 terrorists in Kashmir in the last year alone. 

    “Around 300-400 terrorists are waiting in training camps near the border to infiltrate into the Indian territory. Number of ceasefire violations went up by 44 per cent last year, which shows the nefarious intentions of Pakistan,” he said.

    Talking about the insurgency in the Northeast, the Army Chief said there has been some improvement on that front.

    “Over 600 terrorists have surrendered and seized a large of cache of arms and ammunition. With the help of the Myanmar Army, we conducted operations and got huge success,” Naravane said.

    Naravane also talked about the challenges surrounding the modernisation process and said there have been Capital procurements and steps have also been taken to develop future military technologies.

    “We have procured arms and ammunition worth Rs 5,000 crore under emergency and fast track schemes and under capital procurement, we have signed contracts of Rs 13,000 crore this year,” he added.

    Works on new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, unmanned systems, directed energy weapons, and swarm drones are continuing in collaboration with the institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)

    Indian Army has identified 29 projects worth Rs 32,000 crore for its modernisation initiative as part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

  • Objective is to win future conflicts with home-made weapons: Gen Rawat on LCA Tejas order

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: After the government on Wednesday approved a deal to procure 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said that it is a boost for the Centre’s Make in India initiative and that the ultimate objective is to reach a stage where the country can win conflicts with home-made weapon systems.

    “Our ultimate objective is to engage in and win future conflicts with home-made solutions,” Rawat said.

    “Our focus will remain on indigenisation and efforts to progressively support Atmanirbhar Bharat is our mission. We hope to see our Air Force touch the sky with glory with aircraft that has major components including engines that are Made in India,” Gen Bipin Rawat said.

    READ HERE: Biggest indigenous procurement, CCS approves procurement of 83 HAL manufactured fighters costing Rs 45,000 crore

    The Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crores to buy 83 LCA Tejas Mark1A fighter jets.

    The deal to be signed in the next few days with HAL would strengthen the Indian Air Force’s fleet of homegrown fighter jet ‘LCA-Tejas’ and overall combat capability.”

    This deal will be a game-changer for self-reliance in the Indian defence manufacturing,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted to announce the final approval given to the mega-deal.

    Singh said that the indigenous content of the LCA-Tejas was 50 per cent in the MK1A variant and it would be enhanced to 60 per cent by the end of the programme.

    The deal would be a major boost for the IAF and help it to arrest the fall in the number of its fighter aircraft squadrons.

    Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A variant is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft. This aircraft, which is equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Refuelling (AAR), would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force. 

  • Indian Army officer develops ‘microcopter’ for tracking terrorists inside buildings

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: An Indian Army officer has indigenously developed a ‘microcopter’ which can be used by the Army to carry out surveillance inside a building or room in which terrorists are hiding.

    The microcopter has been developed by Lieutenant Colonel GYK Reddy.

    The trials of the microcomputer have been successfully carried out by a Para Special Forces battalion in Jammu and Kashmir and further improvements are being carried out on the micro drone.

    Indian Army has signed a contract for acquiring the Switch drone for surveillance along the borders. The vertical take off and landing drone has the capability to fly for two hours at a maximum altitude of 4,500 metres, according to Mohit Bansal, Idea Forge. The firm had also developed the Netra drone a few years ago with DRDO.

    These were displayed at an event to showcase the internal innovation by the Indian army in Delhi.