Sudarshan Shakti was no ordinary military exercise

Sudarshan Shakti was no ordinary military exercise. It showed that the Indian Army is ready to embrace network-centric warfare. Avalok Langer reports

A HORDE of cameramen jostled to capture the rising sand cloud as another blast rocked the desert. Four Mi-35 attack helicopters degraded the enemy defences as a line of T-90 and Arjun tanks entered the battlefield, leading the way for an all-out infantry assault. As two helicopters flew in, dropping off a team of para commandos, another swooped to pick up an injured soldier from the desert.

Involving over 60,000 military personnel, 500 tanks, UAVs and IAF fighter jets, Sudarshan Shakti was the largest military exercise India has seen in the past 20 years. But the real military marvel was tucked under camouflaged nets 25 km away: the Joint Operations and Information Room (JOIR). Linked to a standalone server and an array of antennae, the JOIR, set up by the army’s 21 Corps, is the first practical application of network-centric warfare (NCW) at the corps level in India.

Armies around the world are becoming leaner and meaner thanks to technology. In today’s information age, where “one ounce of silicon in a computer can have more power than a tonne of uranium,” according to US cyberwarfare expert Alan D Campen, NCW is the new way to fight.

Imagine a combination of Skype and Facebook enabling a soldier to send video feeds, information, orders and suggestions up and down the chain of command, all in real time. Soldiers pinned down by fire can directly ask for an air strike, guiding the pilot or UAV to the target themselves. UAVs, satellites, human intelligence and multiple services combine to provide the central command with real-time information on the enemy’s movements. NCWenables battlefield transparency, allowing you to seize the initiative by predicting your enemy’s movements and links every aspect of the military to a single command centre.

“For mobilisation, we are dependent on the nation’s infrastructure,” says 21 Corps Commander, Lt Gen Sanjiv Langer, “and in the past few years, India’s infrastructure has developed substantially. We have gained from the information technology revolution that hit India. Combined with better weapons systems, we were able to take stock of our capabilities and set up a joint command centre.”

The JOIR looks like a high-tech set from a Bond movie. It comprises four shipping containers that could be assembled anywhere in two hours flat. Multiple screens line the walls and officers shuttle between maps and workstations. Each station was responsible for a separate set of information. Some access real-time intelligence reports from UAVs, direct satellite feeds for the first time (a separate military satellite is in the pipeline), special forces, radars and enemy intercepts. Another station maintains a constant link with the IAF. Others look at supplies, artillery and enemy degradation. A data wall allows the commanders to view information as and when required, as well as stay in touch with different headquarters and centres simultaneously. The biggest breakthrough is a constantly updated map, with red and blue dots denoting enemy positions — movement and our responses.

“It is an interactive centre, where information flows up and down the command channel,” explains Brig Rahul Bhardawaj. Through radio, real-time visuals and information coming up the channel allows the commander to plot enemy movements on a map, analyse enemy capabilities and structure the army’s response. They are able to provide troops on the ground with supplies, reinforcements, air support and visuals of enemy camps, enabling them to plan their point of attack and even strategically launch rockets 90 km into enemy territory.

“Sometimes there are advantages in entering a field late, we can learn from others’ mistakes,” says a senior officer. The lessons learnt are reflected in the NCWset-up. The Corps HQ is connected through LAN, the only way to hack into the system is physically. Choosing to stay away from civilian networks, the connectivity down the channel is through the army’s own intranet systems, ASCON and AREN.

Imagine a combination of Skype and Facebook enabling a soldier to send video feeds and info, all in real time

“I’m not saying that hacking is impossible, but the system has to be hacked from an army computer. As we develop our NCW capabilities, we will have to develop firewalls and protection systems, that is the only way,” says the officer. To prevent an information overload, data is screened at a Unit, Brigade and Division level before being forwarded to the Corps level. The apex body will remain the Corps and each system will not overlap. “We have opted not to follow the networks-of-networks system. Soldiers out on the field have only a one-to-one link with their respective command centre, they are not connected to the entire network,” explains a senior officer. “Say five soldiers are behind enemy lines, one is captured and is unable to access the kill switch on the radio. The enemy will not be able to tap into the NCWsystem as the soldiers radio set is not connected to the entire system. They provide information up the channel, which is processed on a need-to-know basis. Our system will recognise the change in voice signature and modulation and we will cut off that particular set.”

The 21 Corps NCW set-up will be analysed and a workable model will be established after more tests. All this is part of the new-look army. Foreign Policy magazine has labelled 2011 as the year of India’s military expansion: “India has kept pace with its neighbour to the north and, in some areas, is actually exceeding it.”

India accounts for 9 percent of the world’s total arms transfers, making it the largest weapons importer in the world. India is slated to spend an estimated $80 billion on military modernisation by 2015 and over the next 20 years will acquire 103 new warships, compared to China’s 135. The army has also commissioned four new divisions to be set up along the eastern border, the biggest such expansion in decades.

BUT INDIA needs to move fast, according to the 2010 white paper on China’s Defence; not only is it expanding its navy, it has started the process of putting an NCW system in place under the new doctrine of ‘people’s war under modern conditions’. “Nobody is clear about China’s NCW capabilities, but one thing is clear: inspired by the US model, they are putting all their technology, capability and resources into developing their network,” explains strategic expert Ajai Shukla.

The 21 Corps NCW set-up will be analysed and a workable model will be established after more field tests

Though Pakistan is lagging behind in the race towards network centricity, the threat on our western front remains constant. A system like 21 Corps JOIR could have helped India avoid the Kargil War and 26/11 through better surveillance and faster responses. China’s growing interests in the region continue to antagonise India and in the world of “realistic deterrence”, where war is avoided through mutually assured destruction, we have to keep pace.

While 21 Corps has achieved a first, there are many hurdles in the way. At present, the army’s bandwidth is limited, only audio and visual feeds; the bandwidth needs to be increased. Anti-hacking and cyber warfare systems need to be constantly updated. India is still faced with the problem of cross-border communication deep in enemy territory, a system needs to be developed to enable such communication. India needs to remember the lessons learnt by the US: over-dependence on technology is detrimental, boots on the ground cannot be replaced by technology and even your enemy has networks.

“This exercise is about capability building, making us a leaner and meaner army,” explains Lt Gen Langer. “All these latest technologies create battlefield transparency not only for us, but also for our enemies. However, wars are won by superior plans and a will to win.”

With Courtesy of Avalok Langer

THE PRESIDENT REVIEWS EXERCESE SUDARSHAN SHAKTI

The supreme commander of Indian Armed Forces, Her Excellency Shrimati Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, The President of India alongwith Shri AK Antony, Raksha Mantri, General VK Singh, Chief of the Army Staff and Lt Gen AK Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Command visited the forward areas in Desert Sector today to witness the ongoing EXERCESE SUDARSHAN SHAKTI.

EXERCESE SUDARSHAN SHAKTI, is one of the largest military exercise conducted by the Indian Army in the Southern Sector in recent years, to validate the concept of an enhanced Theatre offensive in a Joint Service environment, as well as operational and transformational effectiveness of SUDARSHAN CHAKRA Corps. This is being done under the backdrop of the study on Transformational and Theatrisation of Combat and Support Services of Indian Army, for which the Army Chief and Southern Army Commander were the main proponents.

The Supreme Commander reviewed the manoeuvers of the SUDARSHAN CHAKRA Corps. During the reviewed, the Supreme Commander alongwith other dignitaries were briefed by Lt Gen AK Singh and Lt Gen Sanjiv Langer, Corps Commander Sudarshan Chakra Corps.

They further emphasized the unique feature of this exercise in the context of jointmanship between the Southern Army and its counterparts SOUTH WESTERN AIR COMMAND (SWAC) wherein, the inter service operability focusing on seamless air-land battle is being tested and re-configured to suit the constantly changing operational requirements. The transformational initiatives spanning operational, conceptual and structural aspects as also organizational structures for absorption of new age technologies, particularly in the fields of precision munitions and targeting, advance surveillance systems, space and network centricity. These are being fielded and trial evaluated during the ongoing exercise. The thrust of the transformational initiative is for the Army to emerge as a modern, lean, agile net enabled force highly responsiveness to emerging challenges facing the nation in the 21st century.

In addition, many new concepts like the employment of the Strike Corps Aviation Brigade, fighting against a backdrop of Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) environment and tailor made logistics system to sustain any offensive are also being practiced and validated.

The President Shrimati Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, applauded the dedicated efforts of the Southern Army and Sudarshan Chakra Corps in their pursuit of excellence and was enthralled to witness the indomitable spirit of the soldier displayed during the conduct of the operational maneuvers in a realistic environment.

While addressing the troops the President was appreciative of Indian Army and said "The Indian Army is the pride of our nation and is seen by the nation as a role model." She urged the Indian Army to continue its quest for excellence and in that EXERCESE SUDARSHAN SHAKTI, would be a major land mark for our Armed Forces to enhance our Combat Potential. The President was hopeful that Army would maintain its highest tradition of dedication, loyalty, courage and sacrifice and would always keep the National flag flying high.

EX SUDARSHAN SHAKTI

SERVICES HAVE TO RECONCILE THEMSELVES THEIR ROLES IN OVERLAPPING SPHERES : ANTONY

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today called upon the Services to ‘act in reconciliation amongst themselves’ while expanding their role on overlapping spheres so that the country can have better and strong Armed Forces. He offered to play ‘a limited role in finding reconciliation’ towards that effort. Shri Antony’s remarks came at a Seminar on Army Aviation here when several speakers advocated a greater role for this youngest army wing.

“Although you (Army Aviation Corps) are going in for force accretion, while enhancing your capabilities and performing your role, you must ensure that there is perfect synergy between Army and Air Force. Services will have to act in reconciliation amongst themselves so that India can have better and strong and Armed Forces. In your attempt at arriving at reconciliation, I will try to play a limited role in finding such reconciliation”, he said.

Shri Antony said, in the current scenario, asymmetric challenges can come through land, air or water and even by cyber space. In such a situation, a joint air, land and maritime campaign will be an essential requirement. He called upon the Armed Forces to adopt a holistic approach to Security as no single wing of our Security Forces can work in isolation. ‘The need for synergy and pooling in of efforts and resources is being felt, like never before’, he said.

Referring to modernization of Armed Forces, Shri Antony said, the government is fully aware that some nations are augmenting their infrastructure and modernizing their military capabilities. He said, instead of unduly worrying about this, ‘we must also continue to improve our infrastructure at a steady pace. At the moment, we are doing that’, he said.

Shri Antony said, the nature of warfare has changed drastically. The challenges range from terrorism, asymmetric threats, internal disturbances to conventional warfare. ‘Wars of the future will be short, limited, but intense’, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff Gen VK Singh complimented the Army Aviation Corps for fulfilling its mandate to a great extent in the last 25 years. Making a prognosis for the future, Gen Singh said closer integration of all resources and assets will be important for success in any theatre of conflict.

The former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash, an ace aviator himself, traced the history of naval and army aviation wings and advocated a realistic appraisal of their role viz. the Air Force taking into account the security dynamics and objectives in a conflict situation.

Two-day bi-annual Senior Maintenance Staff Officers’ Conference from 12 -13 Sep 2011

A two-day bi-annual Senior Maintenance Staff Officers’ Conference from 12 -13 Sep 2011 was inaugurated by the Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarter yesterday. Delivering Inaugural address by, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne highlighted the operational imperatives and Maintenance challenges of the IAF, due to wide spectrum of weapon systems and associated infrastructure. He urged SMSOs to be pro-active and address the issues in right earnest. He emphasized the core values of IAF and vision of “People First Mission Always”. He deliberated on the issues of Modernisation, challenges to security and ethos of IAF. He reiterated the importance of human element and working as a team to gain the synergy in modern times

Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance (AOM) Air Marshal J Neri carried out a brief overview of various fleets and covered actions initiated by Air HQs to enhance maintainability for safe operations.

The two-day Conference is meant to dwell over complex maintenance issues in IAF due to different environmental conditions, legacy systems with obsolescence and vintage related problems, state-of-the-art systems and requirement of infrastructure etc.

Representatives from HAL and BEL would interact and present their perspective on Maintenance of equipment supplied by them.

Director General (Aircraft) Air Marshal RK Vashisht, Air Marshal P Kanakraj and other high officials of Air HQs participated in the discussions.

DR. KALAM SEEKS MENTOR'S ROLE FOR FORMER SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOLS

Former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has favoured an active teaching role for retired scientists in schools and colleges. Delivering the inaugural address to an international workshop here today on "Emerging frameworks and issues for Science and Technology (S&T) recruitments," Dr. Kalam suggested scientific organisations to utilize their services. Dr. Kalam said the role of scientific institutions would be vital in the years to come as the share of manufacturing and services sector in India's GDP has risen sharply. To realise the India Vision 2020, envisioned by Dr. Kalam himself, the contribution of these two sectors has to grow up to 94 percent by 2012, he added.

Talking to reporters, Dr. Arun Kumar, Director, Recruitment and Assessment Center (RAC) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), allayed concerns of brain drain with the premier defence research institution. DRDO's attrition rate of 15 percent was lower than 20 percent for the private sector, he said. In fact, the DRDO is attracting talent from abroad and 15 NRI scientists were picked up last year through video conferencing, added Dr. K.V. Raghavan, RAC Chairman.

About 27 experts including seven foreign participants from the US, UK, Germany, Australia and Israel are participating in the four-day workshop that began at DRDO's Metcalfe House. Dr. M. Natarajan, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and Director-General, DRDO, presided over the inaugural session. Dr. W. Selvamurthy, Chief Controller (R&D) – Life Sciences and Human Resources, DRDO, was also present at the inaugural session.

On the occasion, Dr. Kalam released the first issue of RAC's journal 'Good Assessment Practices' and a book 'In search of the right personnel', written by Dr. Manas K. Mandal, Director of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR).

Keynote Address delivered by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony to the seminar on 'Indian experience in force projection,'

Press Release

September 15, 2008

Following is the extract of the Keynote Address delivered by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony to the seminar on 'Indian experience in force projection,' organized by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) here today:

The term 'Force projection' provides an interesting context to the role of all the three wings of the Armed Forces in furtherance of National aims. Let me congratulate CENJOWS for choosing such a significant and relevant topic.

The world has changed drastically in the last century, living as we do, in a more integrated and globalised world. The comfort offered by national boundaries no longer constitute effective defence. On the other hand the quality of life is visibly improving, poverty rates have declined. Regional and international cooperation have grown, the benefits of technology are increasingly enjoyed by many, and a sense of global norms and interdependence has taken root.

India and Indians are increasingly becoming drivers of the global change and prosperity. Our exposure to external world trade has tripled in the last few years, as have our investments abroad. The Indian Diaspora who live and work abroad has also grown significantly. We find there is a new interest on the part of many countries in partnering India on security cooperation.

With its vibrant democracy and strong individualism, India has a natural ability to relate across cultures. We have developed the need and a legitimate interest and capability in securing our supplies of external natural and energy resources. An India specific waiver from NSG is a recognition of India's relevance and profile in world affairs.

For its further growth and prosperity, India clearly needs a secure and peaceful periphery and unrestrained sources of energy. India is strategically located, overlooking the important sea lanes and in a very unstable region of the continent. We have unsettled territorial disputes with our largest neighbours. Some of them are seriously afflicted by terrorism, itself a cause for our concern as a neighbour. This is further aggravated when that terrorism spills over into India, through state sponsorship or otherwise.

A large number of non-state armed groups have sanctuaries in our neighbouring states who use these bases and resources to carry out acts of terrorism across India. The combination of these and other issues such as nuclear weapons proliferation compel us to be on constant vigil and preparedness to defend our vital interests and values. Even at a global level though the situation appears stable and tension free it is intricately complicated with divergent ideological beliefs, competing demands for scarce resources and conflicting goals which can become a basis for differences and burst into a conflict.

The real threats to international security would arise from states that would avoid interdependence, particularly with neighbours, and from non-state actors like the Taliban and LTTE.

India's growing integration with the world economy imposes its own responsibilities on our defence forces. The long-term challenge for India, as indeed for every other major nation, is its ability and willingness to contribute to international peace and stability. With a long and distinguished record in UN peace-keeping operations to our credit India has demonstrated her commitment and willingness.

Our quick response to the Asian Tsunami, the Myanmar earthquake and evacuation of Indians from Lebanon and other parts of Middle East, demonstrated India's ability to respond to a crisis anywhere in the world across the spectrum of emergencies, thereby raising the world's expectation from us. This ability will, no doubt, rise with time and with our own economic growth. I would also like to congratulate the armed forces for their role during the initial stages of rescue and relief in flood-hit Bihar.

All operations of this nature would require greatest coordination between the three services and there can be no better forum than the CENJOWS to consolidate the lessons learnt and, as always, useful lessons can be drawn from the presence of distinguished soldiers who have been on the forefront in managing these operations.

Nishant UAV a step closer to Army induction

India's indigenous pilotless aircraft, 'Nishant', has moved a step closer to induction into the Army.
A pre-induction trial carried out by the Indian Army along with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on friday has been successful, DRDO officials said. "The confirmatory trials were successful," they said.
Army troops which would work with the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took out 'Nishant' for trials at Kolar in Karnataka.
"Nishant has completed development phase and user trials. The present flight tests are pre-confirmatory trials before induction into the Services," officials said.
The flight test was witnessed by user (Army) representatives, in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO.
The UAV will give Indian Army capabilities for discrete aerial reconnaissance and target acquisition on land and air. The Indian Army would put 'Nishant' to use in forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir, for gathering electronic intelligence and for electro-optical reconnaissance.
In a battlefield, 'Nishant' can help Army units to direct heavy artillery shelling and for guiding fighter aircraft to fire rockets and drop precision bombs at enemy positions. It can also be used in anti-tank role.
Nishant is one of the few UAVs in the world in its weight class capable of being catapult launched and recovered by using parachute, thus eliminating the need for a runway as in case of conventional take-off and landing with wheels.

Violation of truce rules irks Army

Infuriated with the violation of ground rules of the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the insurgent groups, the Indian Army has decided to tighten the noose round the erring cadres. The Indian Army, in a latest move, met the leaders of the banned National Democratic Front of Bodoland, who are on ceasefire with the Government of India since 2005, and warned them not to move out of their respective designated camps with arms.“We have sent a clear-cut message to the NDFB leaders not to encourage its cadres to move out of their camps with arms. If they continue to do so, they should not expect any ‘mercy’ from us,” said Major General Chander Prakash, General-Officer-Commanding of Army’s Red Horns Division while talking to the mediapersons today at Chaygaon.A team of Army officials, it may be mentioned, recently met the NDFB leaders based in Lower Assam urging them to adhere to the ground rules of the ceasefire agreement.“We have been informed about such movements with arms and now we have decided to keep a close vigil on them,” he informed, adding that strict action would be taken against the violators.Chander Prakash was speaking during the re-dedication programme of a community hall in Chaygaon area organised under the aegis of Gajaraj Corps’ Op Sadbhavana programme.A cultural programme was also organised on the occasion by the local committee.
Meanwhile, a senior Army official informed that Lieutenant General VK Singh, GOC-in-C Eastern Command, who was on a two-day visit to the State, had expressed his satisfaction with the Indian Army’s preparation and high state of readiness for flood relief operations in the State in the wake of the impending monsoons.The GOC-in-C also reviewed the internal security system in the State with specific reference to the status and activities of the terrorist groups still operating in the region.“The aspect of synergizing counter-insurgency operations amongst the Army, the Central Police Organisations and the State police was also dwelt upon during his interaction with GOC 4 corps BS Jaswal and other senior Army officials,” the senior official informed.

Indian Army got dozens of Tunguska,100s of T90s INSAS Fire

Indo-Saudi Defense Ties on Upswing, Says Gen. Naidu

Lt. Gen. Milan Naidu, vice chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, who completed a two-day official visit to Riyadh, said relations between the Saudi and Indian military are on the upswing.
“The visit was primarily aimed at fostering deeper understanding, developing mutual confidence and identifying fresh avenues of cooperation in the field of defense relations,” Col. R.S. Yadav, defense attaché of the Indian Embassy, told Arab News.
Gen. Naidu met Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation, Vice Adm. Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah, officiating chief of General Staff, Gen. Qubayel, commander of Land Forces, Prince Khaled ibn Bandar, deputy commander of Land Forces, Gen. Hameed Al-Touri, commander of Air Defense Forces, and Dr. Khalil Al-Khalili, chairman of the Committee on Security Affairs in the Majlis Al-Shoura.
Gen. Naidu also visited the Armed Forces Command and Staff College. “The visit was well received by both sides and is likely to result in increased interactions and better cooperation in the fields of training, technical assistance and military hardware,” Col. Yadav said.
A number of Saudi officers are currently attending training courses in India.
An Indian officer will also be coming to Saudi Arabia next year, Col. Yadav said, adding that Saudi officers have also attended military exercises in India as Observers.
Naidu’s visit follows similar visits to the Kingdom by Pranab Mukherjee, external affairs minister of India, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of Planning Commission. Likewise, Vice Adm. Prince Fahd ibn Abdullah, who is also commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal were part of Saudi delegations that visited India in February this year to attend a symposium on the Indian Ocean and a visit to a defense exhibition.
A series of high level regular bilateral visits, following the visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India in 2006, clearly signifies the desire of both nations to give new dimensions and meaning to the friendly ties

Indian Navy reaches North Pole

The Indian Navy team has done the unthinkable! The Indian team reached the geographic North Pole at 2016 Hrs (local time) on the night of 9th April 2008. Having created many a records in the past including the successful ascent of Mt. Everest in 2004 and ski traverse to the geographic South Pole in 2006, the team of ten officers and men of Indian Navy set out for a historic ski traverse to The North Pole at 90° North. The team reached North Pole yesterday night, thereby doing India and Navy proud. They became first ever Indian Team to have successfully ski traversed to both the geographic poles. With this extraordinary feat, three of the ten members would have also joined the elite club to successfully complete the “Three Poles” Challenge.The Three Poles Challenge includes successful traverse to the North Pole, South Pole and ascent of Mt. Everest, considered to be the third pole. By far, this is regarded as amongst the most daring feats in the genre of adventure sports.Commencing 02 April the team progressed to the desired goal facing numerous challenges enroute. The ski traverse to the North Pole was replete with hazards of high winds, freezing temperatures, polar bears, water leads, pressure ridges and variable sea drift. Heavy Odds not withstanding, the navy’s mavericks have created history. The spirit of selfless desire to achieve such a feat for the country and the navy is in keeping with the highest traditions.The team members exuded pride, exemplary motivation & great emotion during the Phone-in ceremony. The team was congratulated by Vice Admireal Sekhar Sinha, Controller of personnel service, who also conveyed the felicitation message on behalf of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta. The team leader then interacted over the phone with members of the media and described in details the surroundings, details of the traverse and the elation felt on having achieved the rare feat.The team had earlier, left India on 24 th of Mar 08 and commenced the first leg of their journey at Oslo, capital of Norway. From Oslo the team flew to Longyearbyen and then onwards to the Arctic Ice Cap. Interestingly, Longyearbyen has the northernmost airport in the world and is the main township of the Svalbard group of islands. Greater details would be available when the Heroes return back and share their wonderful experiences.*Records Attempted:1. 1st Indian team to Ski Traverse to the Geographic North Pole2. 1st Indians to complete the Three Pole Challenge3. 1st Indian Everest Summiteers to the South and North Pole4. First organization in the world to complete the Three PolesThe team was led by Cdr Satyabrata Dam. Lt Cdr Avinash Khajuria, Surg Lt Cdr Ajay Sharma, MCERA Rajkumar, Petty Officer Medical Assitants Rakesh Kumar and Vikas Kumar, Brijendra Singh, SEA I PT II, LME Ramendra Pandey, Manoj Vats and Sonam Tamchos are part of the 10-member expedition team. Commander Satyabrata notably has been the leader of the previous two successful expeditions to Mount Everest and South Pole also.

India plans more frequent joint exercises with US Navy

As a major force for stability in the Indian Ocean, India will continue regular joint exercises with the US and other major navies with increasing frequency for enhancing maritime security, says the Indian ambassador to the US. “As a responsible maritime power, India is a major force for stability in the Indian Ocean,” ambassador Ronen Sen said at the opening session of a workshop on “The Indian Ocean Region Today” at the US National Defence University here Tuesday.“We have regular joint exercises with almost all major navies in the Indian Ocean, including the US Navy,” he said. “These exercises will continue, with increasing frequency, with the objective of achieving inter-operability and enhancing maritime security.”“India remains committed to an Indian Ocean region that is stable and peaceful,” said Sen, citing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s inaugural address at the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium hosted by the Indian Navy last February in New Delhi.Manmohan Singh had said: “We would like to cooperate with all like-minded countries so as to ensure the freedom of the seas for all nations, and to deepen trade and economic linkages between Indian Ocean Rim countries.”Expressing serious concern about the maritime challenges posed by the increase in piracy, terrorism, trafficking of narcotics, arms, and also human beings, Sen said: “India has unfortunately faced these threats, much before their global nature was fully recognised.”The bomb blasts, which claimed hundreds of lives in Mumbai in 1993 were caused by explosives smuggled by sea, he said, recalling that the ship, Alondra Rainbows, a hijacked Japanese owned and Panama registered ship, was captured, after a tense stand-off, by the Indian Navy in 1999.Noting that the Indian Ocean accounts for around 70 percent of the world’s natural disasters, the envoy said India remained willing to offer training and capacity building in prediction, modelling and early forecasting of such natural disasters.The Indian and the US navies had cooperated closely in relief operations after the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in end-December 2004, together with those of Japan and, to some extent, Australia, he recalled. In July 2005, an India-US Disaster Response Initiative was announced.“India has vital stakes in stability and security in the Indian Ocean,” Sen said, noting the country is located at the natural junction of important sea-lanes of communications, and strategic choke points, such as the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Hormuz.The maritime area around India is among the busiest in the world, with over 100,000 ships crossing it every year. Currently, 90 percent of India’s trade, by volume, and about 75 percent, by value, move by ship, he said.By 2025, India is poised to become the third largest global importer of oil. Much of this will be by sea. India is the third largest fish producing country in the world. However, its annual catch is only about 8.5 million tons, against a potential of at least 40 million tons a year.Across the Arabian Sea are states, which are vitally important sources of India’s energy needs, apart from being home to nearly 4.5 million Indian expatriates, Sen said. To its north, India is separated from Central Asia by less than 40 miles. The Indian Ocean is a natural outlet to the world for energy rich Central Asia.Across the Bay of Bengal are India’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) neighbours, he said.“We have long been a Dialogue Partner of Asean, and a Summit Partner since 2002. We have been actively engaged in the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), which is the only political and security dialogue forum in the region,” Sen said.

Afghan Defence Minister in Kashmir

Afghanistan's Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, currently on a week-long visit to India, Friday visited disputed Kashmir province to witness Indian counter militancy operations.
Upon his arrival in Srinagar, the minister accompanied by a six- member delegation, was briefed by top military commanders at Badamibagh here.
Badamibagh is the headquarters of Indian army's 15th Corps, engaged in fighting Muslim militants for past 19 years.
Minister Wardak was given a presentation on the way Indian army conducts its anti-militancy operations, official sources said.
Around sixty to seventy thousand people have been killed in the militant struggle for an independent Kashmir.
Indian officials say militancy has been largely contained and a near normal situation prevails in Kashmir now.
They are expecting biggest ever rush of tourists in years to scenic Kashmir this year.
Wardak's visit to Kashmir, first by an Afghan Minister in 3 decades, is loaded with lot of symbolism, observers here say.
The very fact that the Afghan defence minister is being taken to Kashmir indicates the significance of the visit and the underlying message that will go across to Pakistan.
Indian troops have been fighting Kashmiri militants for last 19 years.
Many of the militant groups were backed by Pakistan and some of them with links to Taliban.
However, there has been no evidence of Taliban or al-Qaeda militants' presence in Kashmir.

Army orders for 3,000 HAPO bags to fight high-altitude sickness

Maintaining its position along the Actual Ground Position Line, the Indian Army battles on the highest terrains in Siachen glacier region where the inclement weather is its biggest adversary. The forbidding terrains have claimed more casualties then the enemy's bullets.Despite improved living conditions and hi-tech communication facilities, army personnel stationed at higher terrains often fall prey to high-altitude pulmonary oedema (Hapo). Hapo is a condition where water collects in lungs of the infected and takes a life-threatening form. The only remedial measure for this illness is to immediately evacuate the soldier to lower altitudes and pump in fresh oxygen. But at these posts, where every move is a laborious exercise, where a helicopter evacuation is at the mercy of the weather gods, the survival options are minimal.Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) in Bangalore has unveiled a unique solution for those affected by Hapo. It has developed a life-saving Hapo bag. Patients affected by Hapo can wait in these magical bags, till evacuated to safer climes. Hapo normally sets in when soldiers posted at high altitudes of about 3,000 metres are exposed to the feral elements. Water accumulation in the lungs of the patient leads to a rise in the carbon-dioxide levels in the body. Once tucked into a Hapo bag, the patients’ condition is reversed. The bag absorbs carbon dioxide from the body by increasing pressure, temperature and pumping in oxygen, DEBEL director V C Padaki explained.The Hapo bag has been extensively field-tested and the Army has ordered around 3,000 Hapo bags costing one lakh rupees each. Debel, a DRDO unit, which developed the Hapo bag has transferred the technology to three private industries in Pune, Rajkot and Kolkata. “We have transferred knowledge to these three private industries who have been our development partners. They are now manufacturing the bags. Around 1,100 Hapo bags are in the process of being delivered to the Army. The entire lot will be made by the end of the year. This will help the Army reduce its casualty rates,” Padaki said.Padaki said DEBEL is not interested in exporting or selling these bags to private parties involved in mountaineering expeditions. “We are trying to meet the requirements of the Army alone. That is our priority.” The unique feature of the Hapo bag is the ability to rejuvenate the patient in debilitating conditions. “The person can easily be inside the bag for a week. This helps if the unit is caught up in bad weather and the patient cannot be transferred to lower altitudes or given immediate medical help,” averred one of the scientists.Once an officer or jawan is nestled inside the life-saving bag, the Army unit can think of options to evacuate him. Presently, a foot pump needs to be operated to keep the patient stable. Debel is experimenting with other viable options like the hand pump, which can be operated by the patient himself. The one-man portable Hapo chamber is meant for operations in Kashmir, Siachen, Ladakh, Himalayan posts and the North East. The cost of the imported bags varies from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh per piece. “The Hapo bags developed by Debel have been designed for the Indian soldier. A lot of foreign exchange can be saved due to this indigenous effort,” Padaki affirmed.