Operational Preparedness

Northern Borders. As part of diplomatic and military efforts concerning ongoing standoff along the LAC, 20 rounds of Corps Commander Level Meetings and 14 related Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meetings were held with the Chinese.  Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. Indian Army has exercised the established border mechanisms to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in all sectors.

LoC & Counter-Terrorist Ops. After the understanding of February 2021, between the Directorate Generals Military Operation of India and Pakistan, the situation along the Line of Control improved significantly compared to pre-understanding violence levels. Relentless operations conducted in synergy with other agencies resulted in successful and incident-free conduct of international and national level events such as G-20 meetings and Amarnath Yatra with 4.45 Lakh yatris visiting the shrine. Synergised counter-terrorist operations also resulted in elimination of 34 terrorists and apprehension of four terrorists in the hinterland. 18 infiltration bids were eliminated on LC in which 36 terrorists were killed besides recovery of large war-like stores.

North East. The balanced posture of firm and compassionate outlook by the Indian Army & Assam Rifles in militancy affected North Eastern part of the country is evident through both tangible & intangible outcomes. This is reflected by results in operations against militant groups, mainstreaming of militants and the critical decision of the Government of India to reduce areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA-1958). Since 1 January 2023, synergised efforts by Army, Assam Rifles and State Police resulted in neutralisation of three cadres, apprehension of 233 cadres, surrender by 186 cadres of various militant groups and recovery of 271 weapons of different types. Security Forces also continued with the earnest endeavour to reduce the drug menace in the region. Indian Army along with Assam Rifles, Police & Civil administration, successfully recovered narcotics & contraband worth Rs 1,567.55 crore during the year in the hinterland as well as India-Myanmar Border.

Manipur. Indian Army and Assam Rifles have played a key role in controlling the internal security situation in Manipur and saving precious lives, property and evacuating approximately 35,000 internally displaced population to safety. Security Forces have been assisting the civil administration and other security agencies with a neutral and transparent approach to restore peace and normalcy in the State.

ALSO READ: JOINT OPERATIONS – Tri-Services Joint Exercise AMPHEX 2021

Year of Transformation

2023 was the Year of Transformation for the Indian Army. The process of transformation hinges on the five pillars- ‘Force Structuring & Optimisation’, ‘Modernisation & Technology Infusion’, ‘Systems, Processes & Functions’, ‘Human Resource Management’ and ‘Jointness & Integration’.

Force Restructuring & Optimisation. Efforts towards jointness and integration preceding Theaterisation are being made with renewed impetus.

Reorganisation of Early Warfare (EW) and Electronic Intelligence units under EW Brigades has been formalised. Raising of additional EW Battalions is under progress.

Reorganisation of Surveillance and Target Acquisition (SATA) units is underway.

Outsourcing of Non-Core Services is under progress to realign combat manpower for core tasks.

Modernisation & Technology Infusion. A roadmap has been put in place for Upgrades, New Acquisitions & infusion of Niche technology. The right balance between ‘Conventional’ and ‘New’ capabilities is being maintained. A focussed approach is being followed to ensure timely & pragmatic trials.

Conclusion of 85 Capital Contracts. A total of 85 Capital Contracts worth Rs 12,343 crore have been concluded in current Financial Year. This will boost the Capability of Indian Army in the domain of mobilisation, firepower, communication/non communication, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) & Drone/Counter-Drone Systems.

Induction of Niche Technology through iDEX. Four Projects worth Rs 70 crore have been contracted this year, thereby paving the way for the induction of Niche Tech in communication, ISR & stealth Technology. It is also a step towards providing impetus in developments favourable to defence eco system.

Exploiting 5G/6G and Artificial Intelligence. Indian Army has collaborated with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to develop advanced electronics and infrastructure, aligning with Digital India and Make in India initiatives. 5G laboratories have been established at various locations including Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE). In addition, Military grade 5G and 6G laboratories are being established at various locations. MCTE has been developed as a key Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence.

Emergency Procurements. The EP were utilised to augment capability along the Northern and Western Front besides catering for training aggregates. The equipment procured under the EP are being fully exploited by field formations to refine their operational philosophy, TTPs and maintenance support requirements. In Financial Years 2020-22, 68 projects, worth Rs 6,592 crore were procured while 73 projects, worth Rs 11,000 crore have been procured in the Financial Years 2022-24.

System, Processes & Functions. The following has been achieved under the pillar of System, Processes & Functions:

Right-sizing and Ease of Doing Business. Digital initiatives have been undertaken in a major way to effect improved efficiencies in domains of Operational Enablement.

National Logistics Policy & PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The Indian Army has been an important partner in the Prime Minister Gati Shakti National Master Plan and formulation of NLP. Efforts have been made to align initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army to the national vision. 180 Officers have been trained on Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi platform and additional training with BISAG-N is being planned. A Tri- Services Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Infrastructure Portal akin to PM Gati Shakti is being created under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.

The post DEFENCE REVIEW 2023 – Army’s Operations and Transformation Milestones appeared first on IMR.

Make Scheme

IN is pursuing a total of 38 Make projects under Chapter III of DAP 2020. Presently, 26 projects are being steered under Make-II category, 10 projects under Make I category and two projects under Make III Category. In addition, Eight Make II joint projects are being steered with IA and IAF as lead services. Under Make II, AoN has been accorded for 12 projects. Prototype development contracts have been concluded for nine projects (for a cost of Rs 400.84 Cr) and 03 project are at EoI stage. Remaining 14 projects are under various stages of feasibility study/ AIP stage. Under Make I, AoN has been accorded for 02 projects, remaining 08 projects are under various stages of feasibility study/ AIP stage. Under Make III, there are two projects and presently both are at feasibility study stage.

Technology Development Fund

In order to introduce cutting edge technology on board IN platforms, 25 projects are being pursued under the ‘Technology Development Fund’ scheme. Contract has been concluded for 10 projects at a cost of Rs 34.92 Cr. One project is at CNC stage, EOI evaluation is in progress for eight projects, and six projects are at pre-AoN stage.

Joint iDEX Challenges

Exchange of various iDEX proposals by both India and US startups under ‘India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)’ initiative was commenced in July 2023. Two proposals pertaining to maritime domain were launched by   Raksha Mantri in presence of US Ambassador to India Mr Eric Garcetti during the NIIO Seminar.

iDEX Scheme: IN is progressing 41 problem statements under Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) and Open Challenge (OC) categories through 59 startups.

Induction of Niche Technologies

A wide range of niche technologies are being inducted to enhance long range precision attack capabilities. Loitering Munitions in land and sea based versions are being inducted to enhance the targeting capabilities. Additionally, containerised missile systems are being inducted to enhance the operational capability and to augment flexibility in operations.

‘Swavlamban 2023’

Swavlamban 23 seminar was scheduled at Bharat Mandapa, Pragati Maidan from October 04 to 05, 2023.  Day 2 of the seminar focused on interactive session on indigenisation and armament. A dedicated interaction session was scheduled in Session II on the theme, ‘Discussion on Swavlamban 2.0 – Indian Navy’s Indigenisation Roadmap’. The target audience was primarily manufacturer/ import/ export/ service industry in Defence sector. Nearly 300 industry partners participated in the aforementioned session.

Indigenisation

Navy has transformed from a ‘Buyers Navy’ into a ‘Builders Navy’, with aircraft carrier, destroyers, stealth frigates, corvettes, submarines and other war vessels being constructed in our country. Today, of the 66 ships under construction 64 are being built in India. Further, AoN has been accorded for 24 ships and submarines that are all planned to be constructed in Indian Shipyards. At present, IN has achieved approximately 90% indigenisation in the Float segment, 60% in the Move segment, and 50% in the Fight segment. Indian Navy is committed to becoming a fully  Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047. As on date, we are on track towards this goal, and 80% of the IN Capital Budget in CFY 2023-24 has been earmarked for domestic procurements in support of GoI vision of ‘ Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

New Shipbuilding contracts in 2023

Five shipbuilding contracts at a total value of Rs 41,742.37 Cr have been concluded with Indian shipyards. Conclusion of five shipbuilding contracts within span of six months is testimony to the importance being accorded to the Indian Navy by the Govt of India. Construction of 25 ships will generate a total employment of 346.30 lakh man-days over the next one decade and engage numerous MSMEs in the shipbuilding activity.

Commissioning/ Delivery of Ships

The ships/submarines which have been commissioned this year, as also the status of shipbuilding projects underway are highlighted below:-

INS Vagir, fifth Submarine of Kalvari class, was commissioned on 23 January 2023.

Maldivian CG Ship Huravee, a Trinkat Class Fast Attack Craft was returned to India by Maldives post handing over INS Tarmugli to Govt. of Maldives in May 2023. The ship, post refit, was re-commissioned into Indian Navy as INS Tarmugli on 14 December 2023.

INS Imphal, the third Ship of Project-15B successfully completed her sea trials followed by Final machinery trials on 25 August 2023. The ship was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 October 2023 by MDL, Mumbai. The ship is planned to be commissioned on 26 December 2023.

Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first of the four Survey Vessel (Large) ships was delivered to Indian Navy by GRSE on 4 December 2023. The ship would be commissioned in January 2024.

The third GRSE ship of Project P17A Frigates, Vindhyagiri (Yard 3024), was launched on Aug 17, 2023 at GRSE, Kolkata

The fourth ship of Survey Vessel Large, i.e. Sanshodhak (Yard 3028) was launched on 13 June 2023 at L&T Kattupalli.

Two ASW Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) namely Androth (Yard 3035) and Anjadip (Yard 3030) were launched on 21 March and 13 June 2023 respectively at GRSE, Kolkata.  Three more ASW SWC namely Mahe (Yard 523), Malvan (Yard 524) and Magrol (Yard 525) were concurrently launched on 30 November 2023 at CSL, Kochi.

The last of the seven P17A ships, i.e. Mahendragiri (Yard 12654) was launched on 1 Sep 2023 at MDL, Mumbai.

1st Diving Support Craft A-20 (Yard-325) was launched on 31 August 2023 at Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd, Kolkata.

The post DEFENCE REVIEW 2023 – Indian Navy Modernisation and Indigenisation appeared first on IMR.