Apart from strengthening conventional prowess, the Army was focusing on dynamic response – that would mean actions below the threshold of an all-out war, as shown during the Balakot air strikes in February 2019 – and plans and capacities were being refined along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

“For years we were told that if air power is used across the international border, it would escalate to a full-fledged war. Balakot demonstrated if you play the escalatory game with skill, military ascendancy can be established in short cycles of conflict that do not necessarily lead to war,” Naravane said.

“If the target country does too little, it faces the prospect of a series of small but cumulatively significant defeats. If it does too much, it risks being held responsible for reckless escalation,” Naravane said.

A few days earlier the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, had asserted that the Balakot air strikes showed there was scope for taking out targets in Pakistan below the threshold of conventional war.

Information Warfare

“The Houthi rebels’ attack on Riyadh airport and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and closer home, the Balakot air strike, saw these short, intense, escalatory cycles of military activity, in full media glare, where sophisticated information narratives played an equally important role,” said Gen Naravane.

Terming it a “technological irony”, he said the so-called Islamic State had shown it was far more adept in leveraging social media and digital technologies than the 21st-century militaries of the US and the UK.

“The rise of non-state actors, such as insurgents, terrorists, transnational criminal networks combined with greater focus on an individual’s status consequently demands that victory needs to be formulated and achieved in a more nuanced way. Victory no longer rests on the ability to inflict massive destruction but on the ability to wrestle popular support from one’s opponent,” he said.

China’s Created An Aura of Might

Militaries “play to the edge” in the “grey zone” now. China through its incremental moves in the contentious South China Sea, for instance, is altering geo-strategic realities in the region without firing a single shot or inviting any retaliatory action.

“China has not been involved in real, hardcore combat for a few decades now; yet the regular showcasing of its military might have created this aura of China being the undisputed military leader in key technological domains – with deterrence logic of its own,” Naravane said.

“Technological leadership need not always be demonstrated through live conflict and war. China has not been involved in hardcore combat for a few decades now, yet the regular showcasing of military might have created this aura of Beijing being the undisputed military leader in key technological domains,” he added.

Lasers and DEWs

Gen Naravane said the Army was looking at lasers and directed energy weapons for possible military use. With the 20th-century icons like the main battle tanks and the fighters gradually on their way out in the future wars, the Indian Army is looking at new technologies like laser and directed energy weapons.

Dwelling at length on the Chinese way of war epitomised by thinkers like Sun Tzu as well as the continuing relevance of Indian philosopher Chanakya’s famed treatise “Arthashastra”, he said the country was developing both “kinetic and non-kinetic responses” to address the threat of “non-contact or grey-zone warfare”, where ambiguity and careful risk escalation are key.

“We are developing kinetic and non-kinetic responses to address the threat. Technology is also tipping doctrinal cycles. Doctrines are now chasing technologies. We are also looking at tapping ‘block chain technologies’ (these allow digital information to be distributed, but not copied),” the Army Chief added.

Rapidly evolving, dual-use technologies present new opportunities and are changing the character of warfare. Armies, have to be extremely agile to the scale and pace of change.

Space, Cyber Warfare

India is strengthening its capabilities in space, cyber and electronic warfare, while also looking to tap blockchain technologies, lasers and directed energy weapons, he said. He said combat was no longer confined to the physical domain and strategic-military competition was playing out in the technological battle space like never before.

Non-contact Warfare

With the geo-strategic realities changing without a single shot being fire is indicative of the changing nature of warfare. However, it is not possible to wish away Main Battle Tanks and fighter aircraft cannot be ruled out totally, says an expert.

He cited China’s example of how Beijing had altered geo-strategic realities and strengthened its position in the South China Sea “without a shot being fired”. Moves in the “grey zone” are ambiguous that leave target countries unsure as to how to respond, he said.

Naravane said “the grey zone and its varied nuances” in the Indian context had not skipped the army’s attention.

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The aim of thE seminar was to expose delegates to Artillery Technology through direct interaction with the researchers, designers, developers, and manufacturers both in the public and private sector.

The speakers included domain experts who were involved in conceptualising artillery operations, framing qualitative requirements, designing and developing to specifications, prototyping, manufacturing and controlling the quality of artillery equipment, ammunition and missiles.

It was the first time that students at the School of Artillery got to hear the best brains in the country about artillery modernisation.

One of the mandates of CENJOWS is to bring the industry and users together for better synergy. The OFB and private industry shared their capabilities and emerging technologies. Industry representatives were able to hear interact with professionals and practitioners of the art of warfare attending courses at the SoA to understand and deliver state-of-the-art equipment, which should perform beyond the soldier’s expectation. The students used the unique opportunity to interact meaningfully with the tacticians, scientists, designers, developers, manufacturers, quality controllers and acquisition experts and squeeze the maximum mileage from this event.

Leading factories of the OFB, ie, the Gun Carriage Factory, Gun and Shell Factory, Cossipore, Ordnance Factory Medak and Ordnance Factory Dehradun who are all involved in the manufacture of components of artillery gun systems or the whole equipment participated with experts. From the DRDO, the two leading laboratories – High Explosives Material Research Laboratory and Armament Research & Development Establishment – sent there speakers. The Director General of Quality Assurance has his best experts in Ammunition and Armamentand the brightest minds in the private industry were there to educate the delegates on the projects that they had undertaken.

With support from the Army Training Command and the Directorate General of Artillery, an all-encompassingagenda was drawn up. There was something of value for all who attended – from AIGs to YOs to LGSC students and even some of the experts from various organisations.

Going beyond the precis, which impart basic knowledge on concepts and theories with facts and figures, IIT graduates, post graduates from foreign universities, officers with rich experience in the Regiment of Artillery shared their thoughts on emerging technologies and latest developments.

The future of artillery is intricately linked to the future of warfare and the future battlefield. As far as the Indian Army is concerned and the threats that it is likely to face in the next two decades, no dramatic changes are foreseen in the role and importance of artillery. If it all, the importance and the need for massive indirect fire is only likely to increase. Short and swift wars are even likely to enhance the requirement of artillery fire. No doubt, dramatic changes are taking place in surveillance and target acquisition, engagement techniques and precision delivery of munitions. These are only enhancing the effect of artillery fire. In today’s battlefield, preponderance of artillery is a battle-winning factor. We must always have an edge of the over the enemy in over ability to plaster him and pulverize him in all engagements.

Rapid changes are taking place in the artillery. The pace was unimaginable 10 or 20 years ago. The OFB is no longer a white elephant. It has begun in-house design and development, which is forcing Indian and foreign companies to team together. The private sector has taken bold steps and committed a lot of resources to producing record-breaking equipment, which is globally accepted. There are hardly any big-ticket land systems, which are not within their capabilities to produce, albeit with foreign collaboration.

Artillery guns are judged on the basis of range, accuracy and consistency. The Bofors gun had set a benchmark in these parameters ever since it was inducted. In the new systems being brought to the market all three sectors – DRDO, OFB and Private Industry – have proved themselves. The seminar was the platform to learn how they had done it.

The adage which says we should have 30 per cent state-of-the-art, 30 per cent current and contemporary and remainder 40 per cent in the final stages of their lifecycle, may not hold true any longer.

The Indian Army is changing bulk of its artillery to the medium class. It will have to start increasing the percentage of precision guided munitions (PGM) at a much faster pace. It is imperative that India produces its own indigenous PGMs and loitering missiles so as to reduce the exorbitant costs involved in importing them. Some armies give more attention to the projectile rather than to the guns that fire them.

Space based surveillance means, new class or radars and UAVs are changing the nature of warfare. Increased detection and identification ranges have introduced stand-off warfare into the military glossary.

The Infantry may be the Queen of Battle, but Artillery is the King of Battle. However, for the King to retain its throne, indirect fire must be able to penetrate and destroy the enemy’s anti-access and area denial networks at longer ranges, thereby creating windows of opportunity for exploitation by the Army.

The delegates heard about emerging and advanced technologies. The instructors, students and delegates were able to see the latest equipment which has not yet been introduced in service. It is good to have state-of-the-art equipment in the inventory, but the aim should be to acquire indigenous technologies for the equipment that the Army needs today. To that end it was very heartening to learn that no effort was being spared to develop capabilities. What the Ordnance Factories and the private sector was doing, was an eye-opener for the delegates and the instructors who attended.

After many years a number of new systems are being inducted, which were among the best available. Exposing the users to the development process, would help them to appreciate and exploit the equipment much better.

Some excellent work was being carried out by the DRDO on Pinaka, ATAGS and artillery ammunition. The DRDO has come of age and has transitioned from the time they were trying to discover themselves about 30 years ago. Yet, they have to go through hits and misses. But now they have more hits than misses. There was a time when DRDO was happy working in the background and there was a gap between them and the users.

Finally, Napoleon’s aphorism, “God fights on the side with the best artillery” appears as true today as it did almost three centuries ago.

A detailed report on the Seminar will be published in the April 2020 issue.

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Inaugural Session

Welcome Address. Welcoming the delegates, Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, Director CENJOWS, averred that interaction with troops on the frontline had revealed that night vision devices (NVD) were lacking both in quantity and contemporary quality. China on the other hand, has invested heavily in high technology equipment, including NVDs. India has to urgently increase its night vision surveillance capabilities to ensure optimum security of its borders. Despite the scaling of NVDs for the Indian Army being finalized, the shortfall of large number of NVDs still existed. He hoped that the Indian armed forces would get the required night vision capabilities at the earliest for effective defence of land borders, air space and long coastline, as also to undertake operational offensive operations in all three domains.

Inaugural Address. Lt Gen SS Hasabnis, DEputy Chief of Army Staff (P&S), Army HQ, said that the Indian Army had to be prepared for conventional, multi-domain and hybrid warfare. The Indian Armed Forces have to follow a threat-cum-capability approach when equipping themselves to deal with such warfare. The counter-insurgency/counter-terrorist (CI/CT) operations and Line of Control (LoC) monitoring requires 24×7 effort. Thus, NVDs can make such operations effective during nighttime as well as during bad weather conditions. He also highlighted that surveillance of the battlefield was a tactical level issue till a few decades back. However, it has now moved to the operational level. Also, war fighting has largely shifted to non-conventional operations and this necessitated a modification in surveillance philosophy. We now need to equip soldiers with night vision from sub-tactical level to operational and strategic levels.

Keynote Address. Lt Gen Sanjay Verma, Director General Weapons & Equipment, Army HQ brought out that the technology changes in NVDs had moved very fast. The Army soldiers and Air Force pilots now want latest Generation-3 NVDs. However, there was a gap between perception of industry and the actual requirements of the armed forces, as far as NVDs were concerned. He mentioned that while the Image Intensifier devices (IIDs) progressed from Generation 0 to Generation 3 in 70 years, the Thermal Imaging (TI) devices had changed the dynamics completely. In 2019-20, the Armed Forces were looking for fusion of II and TI techniques into a single device, as also its integration with the weapon so as to exploit the strengths of both technologies in operations. He also exhorted the industry to try and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into II/TI fused devices; and may be go a step further and provide an underlay of digital maps and global positioning system (GPS) feed into such devices.

Theme Address. Maj Gen JS Sandhu, Additional DG Infantry, Army HQ, emphasized that the weapon in the field was as good as the night sight on it. Thus, the critical requirements for NVDs were weapon compatible ranges, ruggedness, easy sustainability and adequate power requirements. The biggest challenge for the soldier was carriage of multiple power banks at remote posts or during patrolling. A common power bank/charging system would greatly help in reducing the load on the soldier especially for special operations. Moreover, NVDs should be able to withstand vagaries of weather, have in-built GPS and laser range finder (LRF), and be easily portable and maintainable. He said that the Infantry arm intends to upgrade the procurement of II and TI sights for small arms and sniper rifles in batches, to ensure timely upgrades with evolution of technology. He also exhorted the industry to interact and engage freely with the procurers so as to clearly understand the user requirements and explain their products comprehensively.

Session  1–Emerging Technologies

Maj Gen AK Channan, Additional DG Perspective Planning & Head Army Design Bureau, chaired the session and explained the importance of having superior NVDs in operational conditions. He said that the there had been a paradigm shift in the surveillance techniques at the sub-conventional level and in border guarding role. In such a situation, efforts must be made to shorten the sensor-to-shooter loop. Also, the next level of technology should aim at the convergence/fusion of all images into a single networked equipment so that commanders are able to get a comprehensive picture of their area of interest. He invited the representatives from the industry to present their products and technologies and stressed that future NVDs also must cater for measures to guard against counter-NVD devices.

Ronen Sharashov from Semi-conductor Devices, Israel spoke on “Infrared Detectors for Defence Applications.” He gave a detailed presentation on the role and significance of using Infra-Red (IR) detectors for airborne, maritime, land and space applications. He explained the extensive range of cooled and uncooled detectors based on a variety of sensing materials across the entire IR spectrum, viz, NIR, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR.

Bhanu Pratap of VVDN Technologies spoke on “Design Manufacturing in Technology Innovation.” VVDN has end-to-end product development capabilities with special refernce to thermal imaging equipment, which includes PCB and Firmware Development, Mechanical Design, Camera Testing, Compliance with State of the art Infrastructure, Video Management System. All cameras are designed, developed and manufactured in India by VVDN with Source Code availability. VVDN has the capability to customize specifications as per requirements. VVDN Technologies utilises AI, machine learning, big-data analytics technologies to produce innovative solutions to complex problems related to national security and defence. VVDN has a global footprint with nine design and delivery centres, four manufacturing facilites and six global sales offices.

Munjal Shah of Paras Defence made a presentation on use of advanced technologies to produce high quality optical products which are the main components of all MVDs. He said that his company had five vertical to offer products and solutions – Defence & Space Optics, Defence Electronics, Heavy Engineering, EMP Solutions and Niche Technologies. In the Defence & Space verticals, their products included IR lenses, optical domes, difractive gratings, multi-fold lenses, large size space mirrors and metal reflectors & mirrors. Munjal Shah explained the exceptional optical performance of coated Germanium lenses of various thicknesses. Theirs was India’s only company manufacturing Diffractive Gratings for Space Hyperspectral Imaging System, ZnS Domes & Windows, Saphire Domes and Gyro Blocks & Coated Resonator Shells. Their latest offering was precision zoom lenses.

Prachi Gupta of MKU Ltd spoke on “Night Vision – The Benefits of Indigenisation.” She explained the higher costs of imports vis a vis benefits of indigenization which allows for customisation, control over quality and after sales service. She recounted MKU’s business activities and strengths in soldier systems. MKU had Class 10,000 clean rooms and used latest Gen-3 technologies. MKU has supplied equipment to over 230 forces worldwide. It has expertise in optics, electronics and product design for II weapon sights, monoculars and binoculars. She explained the features of Netro NV3000, TW4000, TW4100, NC3000 and TM4100 II sights for various weapons, helmet-mounted binoculars, monoculars and so on.

Vinod Yadav of Tata Power SED, speaking on “Technologies and solutions in EO Domain,” gave an expose on the technologies and solutions in the electro-optical domain.

Session 2–NVD Requirements

Air Marshal Anil Chopra, former Head of Flight Test Centre (ASTE), chaired the session and explained that the first requirement was that the soldier must be equipped properly and be able to see the battlefield clearly. Secondly, he should be able to communicate the battlefield picture upwards to his commanders. He, thereafter, asked the officers from the three Services to spell out their requirements for NVDs keeping these imperatives in mind.

Col Amitoz Singh, Colonel Infantry-8, Directorate General of Infantry, Army HQ, spoke on Infantry Requirements. He explained the scales of all types of NVDs and weapon sights, the quantities for which procurement action had been initiated and the technical requirements of each. He spoke of clip-on type II and TI sights for carbine and assault rifles. He laid out a time line of one and half to two years for procurement of first batch of NVDs, followed by staggered purchases of small quantities, but more frequently.

Col Surya Prakash, Colonel Artillery-9, Directorate General of Artillery, Army HQ, spoke on Artillery’s Requirements. He stressed that LORROS had been the bedrock of surveillance, fall of shot correction and recording at the LoC. He wished that the TI devices had foliage penetration capability and recommended that the industry look at combining the electro-optics and radars for comprehensive all weather, uninterrupted surveillance.

Gp Capt AK Wahi, Group Captain Operations (Space), Air HQ, spoke on Air Force requirements. He explained the peculiarities of the airborne medium, citing that there was a huge problem of too many light sources, as opposed to their absence in the ground environments. He said that NV goggles had huge limitations in fog, mist and smoke, which could have disastrous consequences in the airborne operations, but the pilots could land in total darkness using FLIR. He recommended panoramic (110 degrees) coverage for NVGs, runway and cockpit modifications to suit both, IR and visual modes and better cameras for IR on aircraft.

Capt (IN) Robin Chakravorty, Captain SR (Gun), Directorate of Staff Requirements, Naval HQ, spoke on Indian Navy’s Requirements. He explained the NVDs required for naval ships, aircraft and Special Forces. He stressed on the imperative of all-round field of vision for NVDs, along with stability in roll, pitch and yaw axes for naval platforms. Further, the NVDs must be able to function in multi-spectral domain, to cater for all conditions.

Session 3–Challenges In Combat Operations

Maj Gen (Dr) GD Bakshi, chaired the session and emphasized that the night and all weather fighting ability would be the most critical component of revolution in military affairs (RMA) in future battles. Highlighting the necessity of having NVDs of mixed/different ranges to meet the requirement of varying terrain like high altitude, jungle, riverine or deserts having their own peculiarities, he asked the officers from the Army and central armed police forces (CAPFs) to bring forth the challenges faced in their domains during combat operations.

Col Gurpreet Singh, Colonel Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), Directorate General of Mechanised Forces, spoke on “Mechanised Forces in Night Operations.” He briefed the audience about battlefield environment and various conflict scenarios which were ever evolving with varying factors of space, probability and high visibility. He highlighted the night enablement and timely connectivity at night as core issues for mechanised forces’ operations.

Brig AN Kukreti, Brigadier Infantry B, Infantry Directorate, Army HQ, spoke on “Enhancing Infantry Operations by Night.” He emphasized the requirement of NVDs for foot soldiers in terms of improved detection, recognition, identification, day & night continuous capability, integration, maintenance & sustenance, reduction in size, weight, cost and power consumption and, lastly, ease of operations. He recommended that future night sights should be modular, with a common basic structure and add-ons based on requirements, for enabling better flexibility and easy upgrades.

NS Jamwal, Inspector General, Frontier HQ, BSF Jammu, gave a presentation on “Challenges in Border Management at Night.” He comprehensively covered all the borders of India, their peculiarities, challenges in dominating them, the electro-optical gadgets available and problems faced by the BSF.

Session 4–R&D and

Maintenance Support

Lt Gen Anjan Mukherjee, Consultant Ordnance Factory Board former DG Artillery, chaired the session and spelt out that major sustenance issues for NVDs were lack of infrastructure, SMTs/STEs, literature, expertise and spares. There was also a need for adequacy of resources, low sustenance cost and obsolescence management of NVDs. Hence, there was a need to build a relationship with the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) beyond the contract stipulations so that their expertise and assistance was available for sustenance until the equipments were in service.

HK Sharma, Principal Scientific Officer, CQA AVA, Avadi, spoke on Quality Control of Night Vision & Electro-optic Devices. He gave out the classification of NVDs and their components requiring quality checks. He went into details of various parameters – image quality, response, noise, resolution, accuracy, geometric, operational and spectral. He also explained the quality test and their procedures.

Benjamin Lionel, Outstanding Scientist and & Director, Instrument Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) DRDO, spoke on  “Latest Developments in Night Vision Devices in India.” He touched upon the design, fabrication, thin film coating and assembly of day and night II and TI optical systems and progress made in dual mode (day & IIR) seekers and Infrared Search & Track Systems.

Sourabh Bhaskar, Works Manager, Ordnance Factory Dehradun (OFD), spoke on “Manufacture of NVDs, sights and EO Equipment.” He explained the facilities available and work being carried out by OFD. OFD  was working on latest dual band thermal imaging fusion technology with Low Light Level sensor in consultation with IIT. OFD was also working on manufacturing of 12.7 mm SRCG (Stabilized Remote Controlled Gun) for the Indian Navy through transfer of technology and development of LIGHTS (Laser Illuminated Guidance & Homing Targeting system) and CAMOPS (Compact Airborne Multi Sensor Optic Payload System) Project.

Maj Gen SS Suhag, Additional DG EME, Army HQ, spoke on  “Sustainment challenges in Electro-optics equipment.” He said that since India’s private industry was progressively becoming technically advanced, especially in the field of NVDs, there was a need for the industry to set up forward repair bases at major Army locations. He felt that annual maintenance contracts (AMCs) based on component replacement approach, particularly for foreign sourced items, were a major drain on Army’s revenue budget. He, therefore, proposed to build in-house repair facilities, particularly for card and ICBs with active collaboration of Indian private players, so as to break the monopoly of foreign propriety vendors.

Valedictory Session

Valedictory Address. Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, Director CENJOWS pointed out that after scaling, the requirement of NVDs for Infantry alone was above 4 lakhs. Thus overall requirement for the three Services was not only huge, but massive. In addition, the BSF patrolling the 4096 km long border with Bangladesh required large numbers of NVDs for better border management. He felt that the formulation of GSQRs/PSQRs must be prepared by consensus of all stake holders, with due inputs and technological advice of industry. Towards this, he reiterated that CENJOWS had a mandate to bring the industry and users on the same platform and exhorted the industry to use CENJOWS as the via-media for interacting and sending suggestions to relevant users and policy makers in the Government.

Vote of Thanks. Maj Gen Ravi Arora, Chief Editor IMR and Seminar Coordinator, concluded the seminar by thanking the participants and sponsors of the event.

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Global Artillery Systems Market is estimated to reach $19.13 billion by 2025; growing at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2017 to 2025. Artillery systems include large military weapons built to fire munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry’s small arms. With improved technology, lighter, more mobile field artillery are developed for battlefield use. The demand for the artillery systems is mainly driven by the expected procurement of key defence spending nations that are presently involved in conflicts, and developing economies involved in territorial disputes as well as countering insurgencies. Additionally, the need to keep a sufficient inventory of second line of fire artillery systems for militaries around the globe and high demand for training systems are likely to have a positive impact on demand of the Artillery Systems. 

Current Scenario: Indian Artillery

The Indian Army’s artillery modernisation plan envisages procuring 2,800 guns by 2027. The plan included procuring 1,580 towed guns, 814 truck-mounted guns, 100 tracked self-propelled guns, 180 wheeled self-propelled guns and 145 ultra-light howitzers.

Indian Army’s artillery modernisation has now turned indigenous with the focus on ‘Make in India’. After buying two artillery gun systems from foreign sources in the last six years, India is now going to buy India-made guns on a large scale to boost Indian industry in the private sector and technology in the public sector.

At a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council in December 2017, the government gave the go-ahead to procure 20 guns each of the 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) from the Tata Power SED and Bharat Forge. That would make a regiment each of the two-gun systems.

The November 2016 deal for the M777 is priced at nearly Rs. 5,000 crore and was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security. While the BAE Systems has begun delivery of the M777 guns to the Indian Army, a total of 25 guns would be delivered from the US in a fly-away condition. The rest 120 M777 guns would be assembled, integrated and tested at a facility in India, set up in partnership with the Mahindra Group.

Current Artillery Stock

The howitzers that can be helicopter-lifted were first proposed to be bought from BAE Systems about 10 years ago and the procurement has been made, even as the US arm of the global defence manufacturer was preparing to shut down its production facility for the guns. Both the K9 and the M777 guns have already been inducted into the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery in November 2018.

The Regiment of Artillery has hitherto been equipped with Field, Medium, Self-Propelled, Light and Medium Regiments. Field Regiments possess either 105 mm Indian Field/Light Field Gun or 122mm Field Howitzer. The Medium Regiments possess 130 mm Medium Gun, 155 mm Bofors Medium Gun (39 calibre) and a few regiments of 155 mm (45 calibre) Soltam Guns. The Self-Propelled Regiments are equipped with 130 mm ‘Catapult’ and the Light Regiments are equipped with 120 mm Mortars. The 105 mm, 120 mm Mortar, Soltam and the Catapult is made in India, while the 130 mm is being upgraded to a 155 mm (45 calibre) Gun under a ‘Make’ project.

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The second group led by the Belgian Baron de Caters with four bi-planes and two monoplanes reached Calcutta on 12 December 1910. Jules Tyke, the pilot of the group, made a 12-minute flight at Tollygunge Golf Club, a Calcutta suburb. On 21 December 1910, Baron de Caters took off with a lady passenger, Mrs. NC Sen, daughter-in-law of great social reformer Keshav Chandra Sen. This was followed by a rally on 28 December, which was attended by thousands of Calcuttans.

The third group was the Bristol and Colonial Aeroplane Company that arrived last and was led by Faranell Thurstan, along with well-known French pilot, Henri Jullerot with three aeroplanes of “Boxkite” variety (Humber-Sommer Biplane). On 6 January 1911, Jullerot made an impressive flight in front of a mammoth crowd at Calcutta Turf Club that included General O’Moore Creagh, C-in-C Indian Army, Sir Douglas Haig, the Chief of Staff in India and other principal military officers. These demonstration flights made these officers think about the relevance and potential of military aviation. According to Flight magazine dated 4 March 1911, over two million people witnessed the demonstration (Calcutta’s population in 1901 was nine million) giving an exhibition flight over the Calcutta Maidan Racecourse on one of the Bristol biplanes. The racecourse was specially lent to the British and Colonial Aeroplane Co’s Commission for flying demonstrations, and this is the only occasion upon which flying exhibitions have been given upon it. The Viceregal Party, the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Norman Baker, the Lieut.-Governor of Bengal, and a crowd of about half a million people were present to witness the display.

 India in the Great War

Indian Army, including the British Army units, were just sufficient for maintenance of law and order within and on the borders of India as well as the provision of a field army capable, should the necessity arise, of undertaking a campaign beyond the borders for purpose of defence against external aggression. The Army in India was in no sense maintained for meeting the external obligation of an imperial character. It can be said that the force was not a potential reserve to the armed forces of the British Empire.

It was for the first time that an Indian corps of two divisions was formed to strengthen the British Expeditionary Force (Indian Expeditionary Force ‘A’) and was sent to Europe. Massey and his three colleagues, along with Captain Duncan Le Geyt Pitcher (39th Horse), happened to be at Farnborough and were attached to various RFC squadrons. Pitcher and Reilly were attached to No.4 Squadron and were involved in operational flying. Massey was appointed in command of No. 1 Reserve Aeroplane Squadron at home (UK), the other two were made flight commanders in two other squadrons. It was practically the end of aviation in India but only temporarily.

Nearer home, the Turks threatened Suez and an Indian Expeditionary Force (Expedition ‘B’) was dispatched to Egypt. Massey, Reilly and a party of RFC personnel embarked for Egypt, where they were joined by a detachment drawn from Indian Central Flying School to form an aviation unit intended to support the Indian Expeditionary Force defending the Suez Canal. A second detachment was formed from personnel drawn from India, Australia, and New Zealand to support British Expeditionary Force (Indian Expeditionary Force ‘D’) in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). These detachments were used to support Indian Army operations in the field. The funds for both these detachments came from the Indian Exchequer though these operations did not take place in India itself.

An Air Force for India

Simultaneously, along with aircraft for defence of North West Frontier, the Viceroy had suggested the establishment of an aviation school in India for flying training of Indian Army officers. Both these suggestions were rejected by the War Office on 2 October 1915. War Office expressed its inability to spare instructors and aircraft for the school as well as difficulties in procuring spares and equipment. It ruled that training requirements would continue to be met by the existing training institutions in the UK. It, de facto, also led to the demise of the Indian Central Flying School at Sitapur, which had become inactive from August 1914 onwards.

Though the Government of India had surrendered to the Air Ministry, it tried to retain some control over Indian Army officers sent for flying training to the UK. It wanted that these officers should either return to India on completion of training or be replaced by a suitably experienced officer from the UK. To facilitate this exchange, the Government of India once again argued for ‘the establishment of an aviation school in India’ at which Indian Army officers could be trained.

The British Government rejected both these proposals. The War Office informed the Under Secretary of State for India on 2 October 1915 that: “It will not be possible for the War Office to supply instructors and aeroplanes to establish a Flying School in India, as every available instructor is already fully occupied in the training establishments. Should there be any officers on the Indian establishment who are desirous of, and recommended for, employment in the Royal Flying Corps, they could be sent to the United Kingdom for training.” Further, it stated: “As soon as the total number of trained pilots in the Indian Army exceeds the number required in India, with (Indian Expeditionary) Force D, and with Indian troops elsewhere, it would be necessary to ascertain in each case whether, having regard to the exigencies of the Service, it would be possible to provide a relief. Until then, however, the Council lay stress on the principle that every officer who graduates as a pilot must entirely be at their disposal, irrespective of the establishment from which they are drawn.

At the end of the Great War, the Government of India did not try to resurrect its pre-war proposal for the formation of Indian Flying Corps although Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force) had absolutely no objection to the formation of an Australian Flying Corps (established in 1912 but commenced training in 1914), Royal Canadian Flying Corps (established in 1917) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (established in 1923) and recruiting Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders directly into the RFC/RAF during the War and even thereafter. The only exception was India, this in spite of fairly good showing by the few Indians who had served with the Royal Flying Corps with one of them being awarded Distinguished Flying Cross. The after-effects of the Great Mutiny of 1857 still clouded the British mind and they could not just accept the Indians to be in the technical arms of the army like artillery and engineers and, of course, the Royal Flying Corps.

Indians in the First World War

The second Indian and the first Sikh to be commissioned in the RFC was Lieutenant Hardit Singh Malik. A student at Balliol College at the beginning of the war, Malik sought immediately to join the British Army but his application was turned down because of his being a non-European. After graduating and obtaining his degree in 1915, he applied once again but his application was rejected this time, too. Having failed to get his commission, he joined the French Red Cross as an ambulance driver in 1915 and served there for a year. While in France, he was accepted for the French Aéronautique Militaire (French Air Service). On learning this news, his former tutor at Oxford wrote to Major General Sir David Henderson, Director General of Military Aeronautics, who set the matter right.

The London Gazette of 6 April 1917 records “3rd Cl (class) Air Mechanic Hardit Singh Malik” was commissioned as a Temporary Honorary Second Lieutenant with the RFC on 16 April 1917. After training, he served with Nos. 28 and 11 squadrons on the Western Front and No. 141 Squadron in the UK flying Sopwith Camels, probably the most iconic British aircraft type of the War. He obtained his first kill on his very first operational mission on 18 October 1917. On 26 October 1917, he was a member of formation that raided the home aerodrome of Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary “Red Baron”. The formation was attacked by vastly numerically enemy formation. Malik managed to drive one enemy aircraft out of control – he was not granted this kill.  But four other aircraft were onto him and at least one of them shot at him. His aircraft had as many as 450 bullet holes, two of them entering Malik’s leg. Malik crashed in friendly territory and lost consciousness. Pulled out from the wreckage and carried to the hospital, he recovered but lived with those two bullets in his leg for the rest of his life. Malik described the episode as “a most foolhardy operation.” After his convalesces, he rejoined 28 Squadron in January 1918 and saw action in Italy. He, thereafter, was transferred back to England where he flew Bristol Fighters on Home Defence duties from Biggin Hill airfield that became a legend during WWII. He returned to France in mid-1918 for a brief tenure with No. 11 Squadron. After the Armistice, he returned to India hoping to join Royal Air Force but had to forgo this choice as he was told that Indians were not welcome in the Royal Air Force.

The longevity of pilots during the First World War was just 4-6 weeks. Malik was the only one of the four to beat this aircrew survival odds in that he survived more than this period of intensive operation.

Malik qualified and joined Indian Civil Service and went on to serve as free India’s first High Commissioner to Canada and later as ambassador to France.

Malik never flew without his turban. In the latter part of his career, he used a specially designed helmet that fitted over the turban and was accordingly nicknamed “Flying Hobgoblin.”

Royal Air Force in India

The move of No. 31 Squadron from the UK to India heralded the arrival of Royal Air Force in India (RAFI) and the beginning of military aviation in the country. By September 1917, the Squadron had 34 Henri Farmans, 26 BE2Cs and 2Es, one Maurice Farman and some FE2Bs. With so many aircraft that were well over its establishment, it was not surprising to see that in the same month, No. 114 Squadron was raised at Lahore with D Flight of No. 31 Squadron along with its several BE2Cs, 2Es  and Maurice Farmans. Were two squadrons sufficient to meet the task of looking after North West Frontier? It would be but interesting to see the evolution and build-up of Royal Air Force in India till its departure on India getting its independence on 15 August 1947.

One important and significant facet of work done by Nos. 31 and 114 squadrons was that throughout 1916-1918 they had been to locate, photograph, and report on the suitability of a variety of landing grounds along the frontier region; resulting in the adoption of several ‘airfields’ for forward operations. By 1919, a number of these landing grounds possessed basic necessities like fuel, ammunition and some basic equipment required for emergency operation of aircraft. These landing grounds were guarded by local army units.

Nos. 31 and 114 squadrons were tasked for reconnaissance and army cooperation basically in the North West Frontier.

Operations in North West Frontier

The Indian Government had asked for aircraft for this purpose in 1915 and No.31 Squadron arriving in India by the end of the year. It was July 1916, when the Squadron had its full compliments of three flights and had settled down in Indian operating conditions, it was deployed for watch and ward duties in the North West Frontier.

‘The Pathans, who were used to leisurely shooting at British troops from safety of the mountain tops, fled from these deadly machines that soared over their hiding places, cutting down the tribesmen with bombs and machine guns,’ wrote Barry Renfrew.

Further success followed in 1917 when the aircraft bombed villages that the army had never been able to reach in parts of Waziristan. The political officers felt the positive impact of these air actions. These early bombing raids devastated Pathan villages and did massive damage to the impoverished tribes’ meagre possessions. The Squadron’s reconnaissance and bombing effort was duly appreciated by the Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sir AA Barrett. In his report on the operations undertaken against Mahsuds during the period March to August 1917, he referred to ‘the valuable work performed by the aeroplanes of the 31st Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, both in reconnaissance and bombing the enemy’ during an operation ‘to destroy the village of Nanu, at the head of the Splitoi Valley.’ Subsequently, ‘several raids were carried out by aeroplanes of 31st Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Shingai villages in the Takhi Zam and others in the Badda Toi were bombed and in a particularly successful raid on 26th June, nine hits were scored on Makin and six on Marobi, the home of Mulla Fazl Din, the titular chief of the tribe. These raids involved considerable risks. Engines were liable to failure in the high temperature prevailing, distances from the base at Tank were long and hills up to 8,000 feet had to be crossed. These risks were well repaid by the results obtained which undoubtedly contributed largely to the general desire for peace displayed by all sections of the tribe.’

Birth Pangs of the Indian Air Force

The unwritten policy of recruitment to the British Army, and that included Royal Flying Corps and subsequently Royal Air Force, was that the applicant for entry must be of pure European descent and the son of natural-born or (except for a boy) naturalized British subject. This policy was formalized vide Air Publication 958 Kings Regulations (First Edition, HMSO, 12 August 1924). However, the sudden outbreak of the First World War forced the British to relax their policies. The War Council in 1917 decided “to allow ten places each year at Sandhurst to natives of India, as well as granting of the permanent King’s Commission to the twenty Indian officers on Viceroy commissions and temporary commission to further 200 Indians.”  A few Indians, though not of European descent, saw service with the Royal Flying Corps. These officers performed as well as their British counterparts. It was clarified by the War Office in December 1918 that: “We are taking Indians into the Royal Military College for training for commissions in the Indian Army only. It is not correct to say that “there is no position in His Majesty’s Army from which the Indians will in the future be debarred by reason of his race”, for we are not going to let Indians command white men in British Regiments. A similar stance was also adopted by the Admiralty. The only exception was grant of commission to the medical officers who did serve the British and Gorkha units (these were considered at par with the British Army units) during the First World War and thereafter.

The First Taste of Actual Operation

The outbreak of trouble in 1937 in Waziristan gave the new force its first chance in active operations. Initially, the pilots were employed in ferrying and inter-communication duties between Peshawar and the operational stations of Miranshah and Manzai, but by September. ‘A’ Flight was ordered to move to Miranshah for actual operations. Flight Lieutenant Haynes led the Flight with other pilots being Mukerjee, Awan, Engineer and Narendra. Harjinder Singh recalled that on “reaching Miranshah, the RAF Squadron (5 Squadron) eyed us with ridicule and suspicion. However, it was not long before they realized that we were made of sterner stuff than they had imagined and the only difference between us was one of colour. Our pilots started flying as many sorties as were humanly possible between sunrise and sunset. The result of these sorties proved outstanding.”  The fact that the Flight flew 337 hours in one month – the feat had not been matched by any of the RAF flights till then – speaks volumes of intensity of effort and hard work of all Indians. The Flight flew a total of 1400 hours during the period of three months that it was at Miranshah. Hancock flew down to Miranshah to personally congratulate the Flight’s personnel for stupendous flying effort and maintaining 100% serviceability. This was in stark difference to the state of affairs in No. 5 Squadron which went through a very difficult phase during the period that Indians were at Miranshah. ‘Every Indian felt that the hour of trial had come and “this was our golden opportunity.’”

In the first week of December 1937, orders were received for the Flight to return to Peshawar. ‘A’ Flight wanted to continue their good work but were over-ruled by Air Headquarters. The other news that really brought cheers to the Indians was that the airmen’s scale of pay was to be doubled. Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes made during the creation of the Indian Air Force related to the pay of airmen in the various trade groups. These rates of pay were at first in general much too low for the standard of education and culture expected of a recruit, and many of the men could have earned far more in civilian life. Dissatisfaction with the conditions of service arose and many men had to be discharged in the earlier years. With this increase of pay and the improvement of living conditions to an equitable level ensured that any reasons for dissatisfaction immediately disappeared.

India’s Coastal Defence

The deployment for coast defence was not restricted to Nos. 27 and 60 Squadrons. No.1 Squadron had already been briefed on 20 August regarding the high possibility of a war breaking out. The Squadron got down to intensive practice in dive-bombing and front machine-gun attacks. On 26 August 1939, orders were received by the Squadron to deploy a flight of six Harts and Audaxes at Drigh Road, Karachi for operational duties in cooperation with the Royal Indian Navy in case Germany declared war on Britain. This Flight was named as ‘Q’ Flight. Simultaneously, No.27 Squadron RAF deployed four Wapitis at Juhu, Bombay as ‘V’ Flight; four more to St Thomas Mount, Madras as ‘Y’ Flight. No.60 Squadron, now equipped with Blenheim bombers at Ambala, sent two aircraft to Dum Dum, Calcutta as ‘Z’ Flight and another three to Drigh Road, Karachi, as ‘H’ Flight.

Expansion of the Indian Air Force From 1 to 10 Squadrons

The War had nearly bankrupted Britain and its military strength had started winding down. The situation in India was no better. By mid-1920s, Britain had nearly 1/3rd of its infantry numbering around 60,000 deployed in India. In 1927, the War Office conceded that India could not provide enough troops to meet the ‘minor’ and ‘major’ threats on its North West Frontier. The War Office prepared a plan for dispatch of eleven divisions from Britain. It was manifest nonsense, for such a force could only have been raised by conscription.  The Government of India could not pay for their deployment with the defence budget reducing every year. Until 1933, the cost of all troops stationed in India was paid by the Indian taxpayer and nearly one-third of the Indian government revenue was spent on defence. However, in 1933 in an attempt to quiet nationalist objectors, the British government began to subsidize the Indian defence budget – a subvention amounting to two million pounds annually under what was known as Garran Award. The RAFI also got a one-time grant of six hundred thousand pounds for re-equipping four squadrons.

If India had agreed to the offer of 12 Squadrons, then the capital expenditure for raising these squadrons would have come out of the Indian exchequer; the operating cost was to be in any case was India’s responsibility. Further, as per the terms accepted by the Indian Government when Britain agreed to deploy RFC/RAF in India in 1915, the operational control of all RAF units in India was to be with the RAF and not with the Government of India and these assets could be deployed even outside India, if so required. It is a little-known fact that Britain wanted India to pay 40 million pounds for deployment of elements of Indian Army abroad for the defence of Empire during WW1, in which over a million Indians were deployed. The War Office would not relent claimed payment from India for the Indian troops sent to China in 1927.

The Japanese Invasion of Burma and the Role Played by the Indian Air Force

Just before the occupation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the Japanese on 23 March 1942, a Lysander of No. 28 Squadron made a trip to its lone airstrip at Port Blair – airstrips at Nicobar and Campbell Bay were constructed by the Japanese through forced labour a little later.

Japanese had stationed 13 flying boats at Port Blair for reconnaissance in the Bay of Bengal. Port Blair had also a few fighters. As the ground situation in Burma deteriorated, Calcutta became within range of the Japanese bombers and the orders were given for the port to be cleared and the ships spread over the Bay of Bengal, irrespective of the proximity of the Japanese fleet. The situation was such that, if reconnaissance could be prevented, this immediate tonnage of shipping might reach other harbours. The RAF sent two of its three Hudsons to attack Port Blair. It was a hazardous mission, likely to be disastrous to the crews, but essential because so much depended on it. The gallant aircrew in a determined low-level attack strafed the seven flying boats moored in one line and left two of them burning, one sinking and the rest damaged. Neutralization of the remaining flying boats was a necessity as it was imperative that the remaining surviving aircraft remained on or under water. The mission was even riskier than the first one as Japanese would be expecting the attack and would be ready to tackle the same. During the repeat attack, one Hudson was shot down and the second damaged by the Japanese fighters. The attack ensured that the Japanese remained unaware that seventy of the Allied vessels were making their passage to safety in the Bay of Bengal.

The next flight to Nicobar Island, a reconnaissance mission, took place only in early 1944 when Mosquitoes of Photo Reconnaissance Force flew a round trip of just 2,300 miles.

Operation Buccaneer was planned for taking over of Andaman and Nicobar Islands by an amphibious force. These islands would have provided a base for future amphibious landings on the Burma mainland and for bombing the new Bangkok-Moulmein railroad, which gave the Japanese in Burma direct overland connections with the Gulf of Thailand.  However, with Operation Overlord getting priority for resources, this operation was put on the black burner and was never proceeded with.

Though JAAF maintained considerable air activity over the immediate battle area, combined with attacks on Maymyo, Toungoo and Bassein, Rangoon area was left alone enabling the first stages of military evacuation to proceed unhindered. Akyab had its first heavy raid on 23 March and seven days later, Toungoo fell followed by Prome on 2 April. It was like dominos falling one after another.

The Japanese carrier-borne aircraft bombed Kakinada and Vishakhapatnam on 20 April 1942 leading to mass exodus of the population from the cities.

The Reconstitution of the Royal Indian Air Force into Two Independent Air Forces

On 25 April 1947, in the third Defence Committee meeting Mountbatten, circulated Liaquat’s paper on the bifurcation of the Armed Forces along with comments by Auchinleck and Sardar Baldev Singh. Mountbatten justified the presentation of paper over-riding the views of the C-in-C and the Defence Member as he required the Committee’s views on the future form of government in India. Baldev Singh emphasised that division of the forces should follow the political decision in favour of Pakistan and if it preceded such a decision, it might have serious consequences. Liaquat agreed with Baldev Singh’s suggestion but he insisted and stated that “there must be a plan in readiness to go ahead with the separation if Pakistan was accepted.” The Committee also discussed the likely administrative complications that might arise due to partition. Mountbatten expressed the opinion that the Armed Forces could either complete nationalisation by June 1948 or complete separation by the same date without undue risk. Any attempt to carry out both by that date would invite trouble. He suggested that Hindustan and Pakistan should pool their forces under a Federal General Headquarters until their separation was completed. He agreed that there must be a plan to divide the Armed Forces. Auchinleck stated that there were certain uncertain factors which might arise due to separation of the country and it was not possible to plan the division of the armed forces till the situation became clear.

The decisions of the Committee are of special significance in that it was the first time that the issue of division of the Armed Forces was discussed and there was, thereby, acceptance of the principle of such a division. More importantly, by discussing the division of the Armed Forces, the Defence Committee had de-facto prejudged the issue of partition of the country.

June 1948 was still far away and the debate on the division of the armed forces, perhaps, would have carried on for some more time. But with announcement, on 3 June 1947, of Mountbatten Plan to partition the country and fixing the date the very next day for transfer of power to be 15 August 1947 – a period of just 72 days – caused a lot of frenzy with the realty striking hard on everyone.

“A History of Military Aviation in India 1901-47” by Air Marshal Bharat Kumar will be published in March 2020 by IMR Media.

The post MILITARY HISTORY : A History of Military Aviation in India 1901-1947 appeared first on IMR.

                “Indian industry must build MRO capability with reverse engineering” said Air Marshal RKS Shera, the then Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, IAF while addressing an industry association event on 21 January. The IAF has challenges to maintain ageing aircraft and Indian industry needs to build capability, he added.

                Military aviation overhaul is quite different from civil aviation with depth of overhaul in the military being much higher. Shera said that about 700 vendors were engaged with IAF Base Repair Depots (BRDs) and, therefore, industry had far more opportunities before it. He emphasised that industry, R&D and academia need to come under one roof to find path-breaking solutions in MRO. Upgrades of Mi-17 helicopters offered huge opportunities to Indian industry, he said. The ‘life enhancement programmes, which are a continuous requirement of the IAF, will be critical to stimulate the MRO Industry.

                JD Patil of Larsen & Toubro Ltd highlighted that policy reforms by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), such as delicensing of many items, gave a level-playing field to the private sector with defence public sector undertakings (DPSU) and global OEMs. Announcement of defence corridors and access by the private sector to test ranges and government labs to pursue their R&D efforts would help start-ups and established MSMEs, he added. Meanwhile, domain experts were of the opinion at Aero India 2019 that MRO and simulator opportunities would be the growth drivers of Indian military aerospace industry.

Civil Aviation Growth and MRO Demand

                Currently, North America is the largest MRO market, accounting for around 40 per cent of the world market. Asia-Pacific, China and India combined represent 22 per cent of the market. However, India handles only 1 per cent market of the global MRO business. Total MRO spend is expected to rise to US$ 116 billion by 2029, up from US$ 81.9 billion in 2019 as per the Global Fleet & MRO Market Forecast 2019-2029 by Oliver Wyman’s Aviation Competitive & Market Intelligence team. China, with its 300 MRO companies, generated over US$ 3.0 billion of its nearly US$ 7 billion MRO requirement in 2019. China offers tax breaks, better infrastructure, cheaper labour and a bigger market. China’s fleet of commercial aircraft stands at 3,376, which is over five times India’s fleet of 604. These numbers will grow to 7,209 and 1,547 respectively by 2029. The Indian MRO market will grow from current US$ 2 billion to 4 billion.

                Currently only 10 per cent of the MRO work for domestic scheduled carriers is done in India. Up to 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been permitted for MRO industry. Singapore has had a viable MRO industry and spare parts base for many global civil aircraft players. Thailand is also emerging as an MRO base. Indian industry has good models to emulate in Asian neighbourhood. The revenue from aircraft heavy maintenance and modifications has the second highest share. In India, very few companies provide heavy maintenance service. If the defence MRO industry to come of age, the civil MRO has to succeed too.

Military MRO Market

                The revenue generated from defence aircraft MRO has finally started going up. The prime reason facilitating this has been IAF’s large fleet size. Moreover, navy and army have their independent fleets, which further increases the size and demand for aviation MRO. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) provides aircraft MRO for Kiran variants, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, MiG-21 Bison, Dornier Do-228, HS-748, An-32 and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. The revenue generated from engine overhaul has the highest market share.

                In view of the military flying risks involved, the militaries focus more on the periodic maintenance of the fleet. Technology advancement is rapid in military aviation, with several upgrade contracts, which is also propelling the growth of the military aviation MRO market. Engine MRO is an extremely important part of MRO and also the most expensive one. The increasing complexity of the engine and it parts gets high priority and the militaries focus on frequent engine maintenance and periodic checks, irrespective of whether it is flying or on the ground.

Public Sector Defence Aerospace Industry In India

                Indian aerospace industry today is on the threshold of entering into a new era with self-reliance in defence production. The Indian manufacturing sector is internationally competitive with international quality standards, efficiency and manufacturing facilities. Major aerospace companies are setting up manufacturing facilities in India. HAL has played a major role in the defence aviation of India through design, manufacture and overhaul of fighters, trainers, helicopters, transport aircraft, engines, avionics and systems. HAL is now ranked 34th in the list of world’s top 100 defence companies. HAL has made supplies to almost all the major aerospace companies in the world like Airbus, Boeing, IAI, IRKUT, Honeywell and Ruag, etc. Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) is a network of 52 defence laboratories in India and has great unfulfilled potential. BEL manufactures a wide repertoire of products in the field of radars, naval systems, defence communication, electronic warfare, optical electronics, among others.

Private Sector Aerospace MRO Players

Boeing, Airbus and Air India have MRO facilities at Nagpur. MRO services for GE aviation engines are at Mumbai. HAL and Pratt &Whitney Canada have engine overhaul facilities at Bangalore. Air Works India (Engineering) Pvt Ltd provides aviation services. The company offers line maintenance, aircraft cabin interior, commercial aircraft asset management and safety management solutions. Air Works is CEMILAC and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) certified for MRO services and provides maintenance and warranty support programmes on behalf of OEMs to defence establishments in India for airframe-related MRO. Max Aerospace & Aviation Ltd at Juhu airport and Hyderabad Aircraft Maintenance Company (HAMCO) at Hyderabad overhaul avionics and electrical and airframe services. Taneja Aerospace & Aviation Limited (TAAL) is part of the Pune-based Indian Seamless Group. TAAL was established in 1994 as the first private sector company in the country to manufacture general aviation i.e. non-military aircraft.

CEMILAC Clearance

                Airworthiness is the continued capability of the aircraft/equipment to perform satisfactorily and fulfill mission requirements, throughout the specified life in the prevailing environments with acceptable levels of safety and reliability. All airborne items need to be certified and approved for airworthiness before use on military aircraft. CEMILAC, is the regulatory body under DRDO located in Bangalore whose primary function is certification and qualification of military aircraft and airborne systems. It has 14 regional centres located across the country. It is the single window for quality certification. Military systems MRO will require CEMILAC clearance.

Maintenance Command (MC) & Base Repair Depot (BRD)

                MC is responsible for maintenance of IAF equipment. MC plans for repair agencies including inventory management of spares. It also coordinates with supply agencies. Various BRDs come under MC. BRDs are the IAF agencies that carry out major repairs and overhaul. Since the BRD is responsible for repair, it does its material planning and storage of spares required for repairs. BRDs carry out provisioning and storage of 3rd and 4th line spares, and also of 1st and 2nd line in a few cases. They transcript unfulfilled demands to HQ MC/Air HQ. MC and BRDs greatly support indigenistaion and interface with domestic industry and for sourcing many items for its own overhaul tasks. The government has decentralised provisioning and procurement to Equipment Depots (ED) under MC in coordination with BRDs. A manual of indigenisation has been issued by HQ Maintenance Command.

IAF Overhaul Requirements

                It is a challenge to maintain old aircraft and legacy systems. Each aircraft and system has a finite life and needs either overhaul or replacement. Overhaul schedules are different. Industry will have to take mostly the major overhauls. Overhaul processes require special jigs and tools. They also require expertise. The quantum of flying being undertaken in each fleet is known and requirement of overhauls can be predicted. There is, therefore, some amount of clarity in the task and job required for overhaul. It will make it is easier for industry to do logistic and economic planning based on such predictions. Industry would have to be competitive and ensure time and cost savings vis-a-vis overhauls carried out abroad. Success of the industry could also relieve the IAF of some non-core activities. Foreign manufacturers will also benefit by setting facilities with Indian partners in terms of cost savings and supporting their other global customers for similar systems.  The depth of military aircraft overhauls is much higher.  IAF operates nearly 240 Mi-17 variants. There are civil variants of this platform. This could be  a great starting point.

Rotable Repairs

                Rotables is a term used in IAF for items which are capable of being economically repaired and reused. These can be replaced at an IAF field unit or by an appropriate repair/overhaul agency for repair/overhaul. The sub assembly must be removable and replaceable. The items have a reasonable turnover, and have a defined life that is based on ‘Time Between Overhaul’ or ‘Mean Time Between Failure'(MTBF). Line Replaceable Units (LRU) not fulfilling the above criteria may still be considered as a rotable based on the criticality of the item. This is important for electronic equipment where there is a high rate of obsolescence.

IAF Spares Requirement

                In the absence of significant local aerospace industry, for decades IAF had no choice but to import spares from OEM. There also was not much flexibility as the OEMs were unsure and unwilling to either set up shop or tie up with local manufacturers for want of expertise and quality control. Indian industry is today making international grade systems for the space and automobile sectors. Manufacturing is of exacting standards and tolerances and there is significant civil and military sector demand. There is, thus, scope for tie ups to manufacture and repair spares locally.

Cat D Repairs

                State of all items is designated by Category. Cat ‘A’ being fully functional and Cat ‘E’ being beyond economical  repair. Repair of Cat ‘D’ items require relatively more industrial processes. Sending items to foreign OEM takes a long time and entails larger inventory. Also, it costs significant foreign exchange. There is, thus, great scope for local industry to try and identify and indigenously repair these items even if it means seeking OEM expertise in some cases.

Door-to-Door Repair

                High serviceability of any aircraft and system is crucial for optimum operational utilisation. World over, the concept of door-to-door repair has evolved. The manufacturer signs a contract to pick-up the item requiring repair from the user airbase and delivers/replaces with the serviceable item at the airbase. Such contracts greatly save time and improve item availability. The cost of collection and delivery and float management is factored into the contract. There is great scope if MRO facilities are set up in India.   

DPP – Make In India Push

                The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016, which came into effect from April 2016, focuses on giving a boost to ‘Make in India’  initiatives by promoting indigenous design, development and manufacturing of defence equipment. A new category of procurement ‘Buy Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)’ has been introduced and accorded top most priority for procurement. Preference has been accorded to ‘Buy Indian’ and ‘Buy and Make Indian’. Requirement of indigenous content has been enhanced or rationalised. The ‘Make’ procedure has been simplified with provisions for  funding of   80 per cent of development cost by the government to Indian industry and reserving projects not exceeding development cost of Rs. 10 crore (government funded) and Rs. 3  crore (industry funded) for MSMEs. The responsibility of quality assurance of raw material used in aerospace defence products rests with DPSUs, DGAQA. etc.  All these and armed forces have their own laboratories or test facilities at various locations across the country to check the defence products. The strategic partner route will open up manufacture and procurements of aircraft and systems  made in India. Production of parts will get technological fillip. The setting up of aircraft production will certainly create MRO opportunities.

Ease of Doing Business & Economy of Scale

                The government is constantly working towards ease of doing business and setting up industry. De-licensing of many items has given a level playing field for the private sector. The creation of more defence corridors will help industry get facilities at more geographical locations and exploit local labour and engineering pools at places that are more favourable. Access to  government testing facilities and test ranges will help startups and MSMEs who cannot afford to create such facilities. IAF is currently the fourth largest air force in the world. IAF has or will have large fleets of Su-30MKI, Jaguars, LCA, An-32, Mi-17s, etc. Larger fleets offer greater scope for indigenisation and MRO in India. There are also commonality of items in some fleets.

Opportunities and Challenges

                Availability of low-cost MRO manpower has given India an added advantage from the rest of the MRO hubs in the world such as USA, Europe, Singapore and others. One of the biggest growth restraints for the market has been high taxes and custom duties levied on the MRO sector, which has made them comparatively costlier in India than abroad. MRO services in India incur 18 per cent GST compared to zero in Sri Lanka, and 7 per cent in Singapore and Malaysia.  For an industry with 6-7 per cent operating margins, combined with 15 to 30 per cent airport royalties and hangar rentals, it makes poor economic sense. This needs immediate review.

The Way Ahead

                The National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016) and the opening up of defence MRO sectors needs to be harnessed. MRO providers are also turning to state-of-the-art technology such as automation to offer high-quality maintenance, thus, keeping their competitive edge. India has the potential to become a major MRO hub. Initiatives to set up MRO facilities are aligned fully with the ‘Make in India’ drive of the government. Significant manufacturing, maintenance and repair facilities have already been set up by some OEMs in India in partnership with Indian firms. These include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems, Thales and GE among others. They are already sourcing many items from the Indian private sector. Technical wherewithal, manufacturing expertise and skilled human resources are well established. IAF fully supports indigenisation and setting up MRO facilities at all levels. The government must support setting up MROs by giving tax (GST and import duty) concessions to local investors, to make it cheaper to do MRO in India. Many air forces in South East Asia operate similar aircraft to IAF’s, such as the Su-30. Rafale is operated by Egypt and Qatar. India must translate the changes into reality, to become a game-changer hub for the MRO industry in Asia.

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The themes chosen for the joint training exercise were both, live & contemporary affecting both the nations. The objective of the exercise was to build and promote positive relations between armies of India and Sri Lanka through focus on sub unit level training on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in urban and rural environment under United Nations mandate. The joint training exercise also signified the strength of India-Sri Lanka relations in the field of military cooperation and engagement, which is vital for refining the interoperability and operational preparedness.

The joint exercise was designed for incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations peace keeping operations through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises. The primary focus of the joint training exercise was on field craft, battle drills and procedures as also the ability to operate jointly with seamless interoperability.

As member nations of the United Nations, the participating contingents gained immensely through joint operability and enhanced military and diplomatic association.

The joint training exercise concluded with a 48-hour long culmination exercise which showcased the standards achieved by the contingents during the joint training and demonstrated the commitment as well as capabilities of the participating armies in working closely with each other to maintain world peace under the United Nations flag.

Both the contingents displayed high degree of professionalism while practicing various counter terrorism drills which has been a great learning experience for both the contingents. The standards displayed by the contingents delivered a strong & reassuring message with regards to the intent, commitment & capability of both the armies towards maintaining world peace and upholding the mandate of United Nations.          

Exercise Surya Kiran-XIV

The 14th edition of bilateral annual military exercise Surya Kiran-XIV between Indian and Nepal Army was conducted from 3 to 16 December at Nepal Army Battle School (NABS), Salijhandi, Rupendehi district of Nepal. The 13th edition of the joint military exercise was held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand in June 2018.

The aim of this exercise was to conduct a battalion level combined training between Indian Army and Nepal Army with a scope to enhance interoperability at military level in jungle warfare, counter terrorist operations in mountainous terrain, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, medical and environmental conservation including aviation aspects.

As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in jungle and mountainous terrain were conducted. Both the Armies also shared their valuable experiences in countering such situations and also refine drills and procedures for joint operations wherever the need arises.

The training culminated with a 72 hours outdoor exercise in which troops of both contingents carried out drills of counter insurgency operations.

Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2019

The eighth India-China joint training exercise ‘Hand-in-Hand 2019’ with the theme “counter terrorism under United Nations mandate”was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya from 7 to 20 December 2019. The Chinese contingent from the Tibet Military command comprising of 130 personal and the Indian Contingent of similar strength participated in the 14-day long training exercise. The exercise was planned at the company level with respective Battalion HQ controlling the training.

The aim of the exercise was to practice joint planning and conduct of counter terrorist operations in semi urban terrain. The exercise schedule was focused upon training on various lectures and drills associated with counter-terrorist handling and firing with each others’ weapons, special heliborne operations and case studies of various operations carried out in counter-terrorist environment. Two tactical exercises were held during the training; one on counter terrorism scenario and the other on Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

The exercise sent a strong signal to the world that both India and China well understood the emerging threat of terrorism and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in countering this menace plaguing the world.

Exercise Indra 2019

Exercise Indra 2019, a jointtri-services exercise between India and Russia was conducted in India from 10-19 December 2019 simultaneously at Babina (near Jhansi), Pune and Goa. Two of the world’s greatest armed forces joined hands and successfully conduct the exercise with professionalism to imbibe the best practices from each other, jointly evolve and drills to defeat the scourge of terror under the United Nation mandate.

The aim of the exercise was to enhance interoperability and develop an understanding in order to effectively tackle common security challenges.

Indra initially began as a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian and Russian Federation navies in 2003. The exercise has now assumed a tri-service scope with corresponding maturity and gradual increase in complexity and level of participation.

Company sized mechanised contingents, fighter and transport aircraft as well as ships of respective Army, Air Force and Navy participated in the exercise of ten days duration. The exercise consisted of a five-day training phase consisting of a comprehensive training curriculum.

As part of the exercise, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter terrorism operations were conducted. Both the countries also shared their valuable experience in countering such situations and refine drills and procedures for joint operations.

Tactical operations end drills such as cordon house intervention, handling and neutralisation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), prevention of arms smuggling through the sea route and anti-piracy measures were practiced. The training phase was followed by a 72 hour validation exercise. Indra 2019 culminated on 19 December with an Integrated Fire Power demonstration and the Closing Ceremony.

The esprit-de-corps and goodwill stood out during the exercise, which facilitated further strengthening of bonds between the defence forces of India and Russia.

In the second edition of Exercise Indra Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) Ships Yaroslav Mudry, Viktor Konetsky and Yel’nya took part in Indra 2019. The Naval component of the exercise was conducted off Goa from 10 to 19 December2019.

The naval component of the exercise was held in two phases. The harbour phase was held at Goa from 10 to 15 December 19 and encompass planning conferences, professional interactions, cultural visits, sports fixtures and formal calls between Flag Officers and Senior Officers of the participating navies. The Sea Phase of the exercise was conducted in the Arabian Sea from 16 to 19 December. The focus area for the exercise at sea was on Underway Replenishment, Air Defence Drills, Surface Firings, Visits Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and other tactical procedures.

The Indian Navy was represented by INS Aditya, a fleet support ship and INS Tarkash, a frontline guided missile frigate. In addition, Dornier and P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft, MiG-29K fighter aircraft and other integral rotary wing helicopters also participated in the exercise. The Indian Army fielded a Ghatak Platoon in the validation exercise on 18 December, whereas an assortment of Su-30MKI, Jaguar, Mi-17 helicopters and an Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft participated from the Indian Air Force. 

Exercise Indra 2019 helped in strengthening mutual confidence and interoperability and also enabled sharing of best practices between the armed forces of both countires.

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Both countries agreed to further enhance defence and security cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and sought to prepare the ground for Australian prime minister Scott Morrison’s visit to India in January 2020.

Both sides came close to concluding negotiations on an agreement for reciprocal access to military facilities for logistics support that was expected to be signed during Scott Morrison’s visit.

With joint exercises and defence cooperation between India and Australia on the upswing, the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) – a bilateral pact to facilitate military of each country reciprocal access to food, water, fuel, spare parts and other components – will remove the need for protracted negotiations for reciprocal access to logistics support every time a manoeuvre is held. India currently has Logistics Exchange Memorandum Agreement with the United States and is also negotiating Acquisition and Cross Service Agreement with Japan.

One of the biggest developments in the security dialogue between India and Australia was New Delhi’s assumption of a larger role in the Indo-Pacific. It will boost cooperation between the two sides in security, defence, counter-terrorism and trade.

“The two sides welcomed the recent progress made in deepening bilateral, political, economic, security and defence cooperation. They discussed recent regional and global developments. They also exchanged views on achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” said the government in a statement.

The two sides also emphasised the need for enhanced collaboration to counter the threat of terrorism and violent extremism through increased information sharing. The 2+2 meeting provided opportunities for the two sides to review the status of their bilateral relationship in the context of emerging scenarios.

One aspect of military exchanges and deep deployment remains stretching of resources that may not match the trade dimension in the region. Australia and India, at least a section of policy makers and strategic community, are of the view that both countries should have increased and deeper trade engagement. Australia is also a votary of India being included in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a forum of 21 Pacific Rim countries.

While India has bilateral exchanges and exercises with the Australian Defence Forces, New Delhi did not extend invitation to Canberra to join the 2018 Malabar naval exercise with Japan and the US. Australia pulled out from Malabar after taking part in 2007 Malabar.

The annual interaction also assumes significance since India took part in the first-ever ministerial-level meeting of the four Quadrilateral countries – Australia, India, Japan and the US – in New York in September 2019 with all countries subscribing to freedom of navigation and over flight in the South China Sea and centrality of ASEAN to the Indo-Pacific region.

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