Friday 28 February 2020

Balakot airstrikes Message

Ministry of Defence

Balakot airstrikes was a message that cross-border terrorism will not be a low-cost option for the adversary, says Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh;
Diplomatic and financial pressure is working but Pakistan has to do more: Rajnath Singh

Posted On: 28 FEB 2020 2:52PM by PIB Delhi

The surgical strike of 2016 and Balakot airstrikes of 2019 were not just military strikes but a strong message to the adversary that terror infrastructure across the border cannot be used as safe haven to wage low-cost war against India. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing a seminar titled “Air Power in ‘No War No Peace’ Scenario”, organised by Centre for Air Power Studies on the first anniversary of Balakot airstrikes, here today.

Recalling sacrifices of Armed Forces in the service of the country and paying tributes to the martyrs of Pulwama attack, he said the Nation will never forget their sacrifices.

Raksha Mantri said India’s out-of-the-box response reflected in the Balakot airstrikes forced the rewriting of many doctrines across the LoC and the adversary has to think 100 times for any future misadventures. He added that the responses displayed India’s defence capability and affirmed its right to defend itself against terrorism.

Shri Rajnath Singh described Balakot airstrikes as a singular event of military precision and impact, saying that it teaches the leadership to think strategic rather than tactical. “Our approach to terrorism was and will remain a judicious combination of clinical military action and mature and responsible diplomatic outreach,” he said. Raksha Mantri assured the nation that the Government will respond appropriately to any threat to India’s national security in the future as well. He said, the Government has initiated major structural changes to tackle any future threats and it will take some time for the entire set up to be fully operational. He urged all stakeholders to contribute in making these changes effective and efficient.

Raksha Mantri highlighted that the world stands shoulder to shoulder with India in fighting the terrorism. Stressing the importance of collective diplomatic and financial pressure to thwart cross-border terrorism, he said, “We have recently seen the impact of collective diplomatic and financial pressure on Pakistan. Terrorists like Hafiz Saeed who were treated like VIPs and heroes, have been put behind bars. We realise that this is not enough and unless Pakistan is made accountable, it will continue with its previous policy of duplicity and deceit. All attempts are being made to work in this direction.”

Shri Rajnath Singh termed hybrid warfare a reality, saying that a mix of kinetic and non-kinetic tools is a genuine threat. He emphasised the need to reorient the training of soldiers to meet the challenges posed by hybrid warfare, assuring Government support in this regard. Referring to various aspects of hybrid warfare, namely expanding battle space, time compression and technology infusion, he said, “In such a scenario, artificial intelligence, high-speed weapons and space-based sensors & tools will have a significant impact.” He stressed on the need to imbibe new technologies and use existing capabilities in innovative ways.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat said, geopolitics around the globe is changing and India is witness to a number of skirmishes in the region. He called for maintaining credible deterrence in land, air and at sea at all times, saying that the three Services must work together concurrently to deal with any potential threats. “Credible deterrence comes from the will of the military leadership and intent of the political class while taking tough decisions. This was amply shown after Kargil, Uri and Pulwama attacks,” he added.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria said, in 2019, the Government took bold decision to strike at the heart of terrorist training camps inside Pakistan. Use of air power in a sub-conventional scenario was a paradigm shift, he said. He lauded the political and diplomatic efforts to quickly deescalating the situation. He described Pakistan’s response after 30 hours as an effort to satisfy the domestic audience. Appreciating the coordination among various organisations in carrying out the successful airstrikes, he said, there was a calibrated effort to ensure that there were no civilian casualties. He lauded the political leadership for equipping the Indian Air Force with latest technology in recent times. “We had an edge over Pakistan Air Force in terms of Beyond Visual Range Missile capability at the time of Kargil. We allowed that to slip and thereafter it took a decade and half in our struggle to acquire better capabilities,” he said. He also stressed on building indigenous capabilities.

The focus of the seminar was on employability of the air power in situations that necessitate exertion of national will against an adversary, in a no war no peace scenario. Secretary Department of Defence and R&D Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Director General of Centre for Air Power Studies Air Marshal K K Nohwar (Retd), former Chiefs of Air Staff, scholars, serving and retired officers attended the event.

ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA

Wednesday 26 February 2020

First Anniversary of Balakot Air Strikes

Ministry of Defence


Posted On: 26 FEB 2020 8:28PM by PIB Delhi

On the first anniversary of Balakot air strikes, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff flew a five aircraft mission at Srinagar Air Base along with aircrew from Squadrons that had participated in the operations on 26th and 27th February last year. The CAS flew a MiG-21 Type 69 aircraft along with the Commanding Officer of 51 Sqn, Gp Capt Kamran Nazeerin a formation comprising of one MiG-21, two Mirage-2000s and two Sukhoi-30 MKIs.

26 February 2019 was a momentous day as it bore testimony to the professionalism and operational preparedness of men and women of the IAF who successfully executed a very complex mission and achieved their objectives under extremely challenging conditions.

On this day, the IAF salutes the spirit, tenacity and sacrifice of its brave Air Warriors and assures the Nation of its unstinted resolve.  The IAF stands shoulder to shoulder with other Defence Services   in discharge of its sacred duty of defending the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.

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AB/THANGA/JAI

Thursday 20 February 2020



ON THE WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

Sunday 16 February 2020

47 Squadron of Indian Air Force Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Ministry of Defence


Posted On: 16 FEB 2020 3:50PM by PIB Delhi

No. 47 Squadron of Indian Air Force currently stationed at AF Station, Adampur, completed 60 years of its glorious service to the nation. To commemorate the occasion, Diamond Jubilee celebrations were organised at Air Force Station Adampur on 14-15 February 2020. On this historic occasion, the aerial display by the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team, IAF vintage Flight, Air Devils and performance by the Air Warriors Drill Team enthralled the audience. A large number of serving officers, dignitaries and veterans were part of the celebrations.

The Squadron was formed on 18 December 1959 at Air Force Station Halwara. It has operated Toofani, MiG-21 FL and MiG-29 fighter aircraft. The crest of the unit is a figure of a kneeling ‘BLACK ARCHER’ with a drawn bow, depicting poised readiness. The motto of the unit, “Karmani Vyapurutham Dhanuhu” is translated as “My bow is always stretched for its task”.

The Squadron took part in both 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and won numerous accolades. The Squadron continues to maintain its operational edge and has actively participated in Op Safed Sagar, Op Parakram and the operations post Balakot Strike in Northern sector. The Black Archers are the proud recipients of the Presidents Standards in 2009 and are ever ready to face any challenge, to achieve greater heights in service to the nation.     

Wednesday 5 February 2020

Production of Tejas Fighter Planes

Ministry of Defence


Posted On: 05 FEB 2020 3:47PM by PIB Delhi

In addition to 40 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas aircraft [20 in Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) and 20 in Final Operation Clearance (FOC) version with 16 fighters & 4 trainers in each], Government has planned to manufacture improved 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft with enhanced capabilities for Indian Air Force (IAF).

The production of 16 fighters in IOC has been completed in March, 2019 and the production of 16 fighters in FOC and 8 trainers has been undertaken by HAL.

Several new features have been included in LCA Mk1A aircraft to enhance the combat capabilities in terms of avionics, radar, weapons, air to air refuelling etc.Flight testing of Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft has been planned to be completed by 2022.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri S. Muniswamy in Lok Sabha today.

ABB/SS/Nampi/Savvy

Defence Production Policy

Ministry of Defence


Posted On: 05 FEB 2020 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

Draft Defence Production Policy was placed in public domain and is not yet finalised.

In DPP-2016, under Government funded Make-I category, development of prototype of defence products/platforms projects not exceeding development cost of Rs.10 Crore and procurement cost of Rs.50 Crore are reserved for MSMEs. Similarly, under industry funded Make-II category of development of prototype of defence products/platforms, projects not exceeding development cost of Rs threecrore and procurement cost of Rs50 crore are reserved for MSMEs.  The iDEX initiative is also aimed at supporting MSMEs, Start-ups, Individual Innovators etc. by providing them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D. Under the iDEX scheme, a maximum of Rs.1.5 crore funding is available to a participant for development of a prototype.To ensure timely payments to MSME vendors, Trade Receivables electronic Discount System (TReDS) has been implemented in Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Defence Investor Cell has been opened in Department of Defence Production (DDP) to address the issues being faced by industries especially MSME vendor.

As per data furnished by 79 companies in Defence and Aerospace sector, so far (i.e. till December, 2019), FDI inflows of over Rs1,834 crore have been reported in Defence and Aerospace sector after 2014.  FDI is allowed in Defence sector under automatic route upto 49% and above 49% through government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

The parameter used in estimating self-reliance is to enhance the share of procurement from Indian vendors in the overall procurement plan.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh Vermain Lok Sabha today.