Nine Years of Modi Government: How India Turning Aatmanirbhar In Defence Sector?

🔊 Listen to this National Defence,
New Delhi, 13 June 2023

Ministry of Defence (MoD): Nine Years of Achievement

The Ministry of Defence has come a long way in achieving one milestone after another in all segments of defence sector during nine years.  In such a short period Aatmanirbhatata in Defence production and manufacture has become heartening reality. From the manufacture of small equipment like the P7 heavy drop system delivering combat stores in inaccessible areas to the building of indigenously built aircraft carrier, Vikrant for the Navy, Indian Defence production has achieved remarkable feat.

Today, India has hopped to find a place among the top 25 defence exporters of the world. India’s defence exports have increased considerably from a mere 2,059 crores in 2015-16 to a whopping ₹ 15,920 crores in the fiscal year 2022-23. The country is exporting defence equipment to around 70 countries. the government has set a defence export target of Rs 40,000 crores by 2024-25.

         The Modernisation of Armed Forces has been undertaken on war footing.  The Defence Ministry has earmarked Rs 7,965 crore for modernisation of the Armed Forces under ‘Make in India’. The integration of Armed forces and establishment of Theatre Commands have reached critical point. Furthermore, all of these proposals are under ‘Make in India’ with focus on design, development and manufacturing in India.

 The contemporary war and battle front have undergone a sea change, with anew domain of space warfare added to the existing domains of land, water, air, and cyber warfare. A Defence Space Research Agency (DSRA) has been set up to facilitate the development of space-based weapons. New startups are coming up in the cyber security, quantum technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR). The Army Design Bureau is a facilitator entity providing financial support to start-ups and MSMEs. The 100th contract of idex has been recently signed. Apart from allowing the local firms, it has been a stepping stone to India’s civil-military fusion.

         Some critical indigenous productions in Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as Face Recognition System under Disguise, AI-Based Intercept Management System (IMS) for the western theatre, iSentinel threat detection and tracking system and finally, the swarm drones have redefined the response to the threats of hybrid warfare. Using such technologies for counter-terrorism will help bring peace to the country.

         The Government has taken several policy initiatives to spur indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment, promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing & technology in the country. These include according priority to procurement of capital items from domestic sources under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020; Announcement of 18 major defence platforms for industry led design & development in March 2022; Notification of three ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 310 items of Services and two ‘Positive Indigenisation Lists’ of total 2958 items of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), for which there would be an embargo on the import for time being.

         In addition to these, the simplification of Industrial licensing process with longer validity period, liberalization of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy allowing 74% FDI under automatic route and simplification of Make Procedure has been undertaken. A Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme involving start-ups & Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has been launched for innovation. Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 has been implemented. DRDO has taken major initiatives through various policies to involve the Indian industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), offering its technology to the industry at nominal or zero cost and providing free access to its patents etc.

          An indigenisation portal namely SRIJAN has been started to facilitate the indigenisation of Indian Industry, including MSMEs.   68 per cent of the capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry in 2022-23, allocating 25 per cent of domestic capital procurement budget for private industry. The Offset policy with thrust on attracting investment and transfer of Technology for Defence manufacturing by assigning higher multipliers have been reformed; and two Defence Industrial Corridors, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have been set up.  Defence Research & Development (R&D) for industry, start-ups and academia has been opened up with 25 per cent of defence R&D budget.

 

1. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
2. MoD Acquisition

• Promulgation of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 with emphasis on indigenisation and Highest Priority accorded to Buy [Indian-Indigenously Design, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM)] category for Defence Acquisition to encourage indigenous design & development capabilities.
• Simplification of Make II procedure allows for suo moto proposals as well as placing order on a single vendor basis as long as the price is lower than the import price.
• Strategic Partnership Model was introduced to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities through private sector.

The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 has introduced major policy initiatives with focus on boosting indigenous defence capability and reduction of reliance on imports under “Make in India” initiative. Salient features of DAP-2020 include:

• Reduction in timelines of procurement to aid Ease of Doing Business.
• Introduction of new categories of procurement e., Buy (Global-manufacture in India), Leasing, Other Capital Procurement Procedure (OCPP).
• Reservation in procurement for Indian Vendors.
• Promoting procurement of Indigenous Software.
• Rationalisation of Trial and Testing Procedures.
• Enhancement in requirement of Indigenous Content.

2. Increasing Role of Women in Armed Forces
   2016. India joined the select few nations in the world that have women fighter pilots in their Air Forces when the first three women fighter pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF) were commissioned in June 2016.
3. First woman officer posted as Defence Attaché in 2019.
4. Induction of Women Short Service Commission (SSC) officers as pilots in Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) stream and in Naval Armament Inspection (NAI) cadre of the Navy was approved in March 2016. Induction commenced in 2017.
5. As a ‘first time’, induction of women below the rank of officers has been started.
6. The Government has promulgated policy on February 25, 2019 to extend the grant of Permanent Commission to Women Officers in the eight arms/services in Indian Army Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Army Air Defence, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps, Army ordnance Corps and Intelligence, in addition to the existing two streams of Judge Advocate General (JAG) and Army Education Corps (AEC).
7. Indian Army is first amongst the three Services to open enrolment of women as Other Ranks in Corps of Military 100 vacancies per year have been sanctioned by government for recruitment of women in Corps of Military Police for the next 17 years.
8. For the first time in 2019, 45 Women ORs got commissioned in Territorial Army.

3. Construction of National War Memorial (NWM)

In September 2015, the Union Cabinet gave its in-principal approval for construction of the NWM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the NWM to the Nation in a solemn ceremonial function on February 25, 2019 in New Delhi. The NWM honours 25,941 Battle Casualties of Independent India. This is the first time that India has built a dedicated central war memorial to the bravehearts in uniform of Independent India.

• Honouring of Battle Casualties at NWM:  A practice has been started since the dedication Ceremony of NWM with effect from 26 Feb 2019 to honour one Battle Casualty every day, whose name has been inscribed at the Tyag Chakra of the Memorial. This is done by inviting one Next of Kin (NoK)/close relative of the Battle Casualty from across the country to the NWM & pay homage at the Obelisk/Immortal flame at
• Swarnim Vijay Varsh: The ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ celebrations have been conducted in a befitting manner. Vijay Parv was conducted at the lawns near National War Memorial on December 16, 2021 as part of the concluding events of the celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the homage and lit the ‘Swarnim Vijay Mashaal’ at the NWM. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled an India Post special day cover and a commemorative stamp marking on the occasion.
• Merger of Amar Jawan Jyoti with NWM eternal flame: Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate was merged with eternal flame at the NWM by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal BR Krishna on January 21, 2022.

4. Sainik Schools
   1. Entry of Girls Cadets in Sainik Schools: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement during his Independence Day 2021 speech that all Sainik Schools, will be open for girls. All Sainik Schools have now started offering admission to girls and around 350 girls have been admitted across all the 33 Sainik Schools. Transformation of Sainik Schools from all-boys’ schools to co-ed schools would further boost personality development in both boys and girls. This step can be seen as a first step towards entry of women in the National Defence Academy.
   2. All India Sainik School Examination by National Testing Agency: National Testing Agency (NTA) was authorised by the Sainik Schools Society to conduct All India Sainik School Entrance Examination 2020-21 (including initiation/public initiation/publicity, registration, admit cards issue, question paper preparation & translation, evaluation, result generation and all the other allied activities).
   3. Expansion of Sainik School through partnership to existing upcoming Government/Private schools on affiliation basis: The Cabinet has approved the scheme of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs/private schools/state owned schools on affiliation basis. At least one school is proposed to be setup in each State/UT in next two years. 21 such schools have been approved and these schools admit students from the academic year 2022-23 onwards. These schools will follow the norms stipulated by Sainik Schools Society.
   4. Opening of New Sainik Schools: Due to the growing demand from many States to open new Sainik Schools, the Government established five new Sainik Schools in the country during last three years e., Sainik School, Chandrapur, Maharashtra (2019); Sainik School, Jhansi, (UP); Sainik School, Mainpuri (UP); Sainik School, Amethi (2020) and Sainik School, Sambalpur (Odisha).

5. Remembering our Warriors

In years preceding 2014, no major writing work was done by MoD History Division. During 2014-2022, several books/publications chronicling the bravery and valour of our soldiers and martyrs brought out.

1. History of Kargil War, 1999 compiled.
2. A draft history ‘Role of Indian Armed Forces in World War-I’ written.
3. A book on Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees compiled and published.
4. Battle accounts and other related write-ups for the prestigious project ‘National War Memorial, New Delhi’.

          

6. Digitisation in Defence

     Several initiatives have been taken to use greater e-initiatives in MoD to increase efficiency, reduce costs and enhance transparency and accuracy of information. These include:

1. MoD LAN implementation: The MoD Local Area Network (LAN) which includes air-gapped Internet and Intranet networks has been operationalised in Department of Defence (DoD), Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) and Department of Defence Finance (DDF). Extension of LAN to Department of Defence Production (DDP) underway, which will enable greater use of digital applications in MoD functioning.
2. Automation of process of Granting NOC by MoD for conducting aerial surveys: In a first of its kind initiative in the MoD, a portal for online Geographical Information System (GIS)-based application form for taking permission of MoD for aerial survey has been developed and launched in January 2020. The portal modnoc.ncog.gov.in This will greatly streamline defence clearance for developmental projects requiring aerial survey clearance.
3. Grant of NOCs online: As an initiative on digitisation in Defence, the DoD has made it mandatory for all NOCs to be granted online. The Department has made it mandatory that all applications for seeking NOC for aerial survey, power projects and Research Survey Exploration Exploitation (RSEE) activities shall be made online.
4. Promoting domestic manufacturing by Canteen Stores Department (CSD) & its automation: MoD, in October 2020, decided that from now on procurement of direct imported items shall not be undertaken by the CSD to give impetus to domestic manufacturing and promote local products. Also, the online portal (https://afd.csdindia.gov.in) for purchase of Against Firm Demand (AFD-I) (like cars, motorcycles, etc.) items from the canteens was launched in January 2021. The objective of the online portal is to serve around 45 lakh CSD beneficiaries, including serving and retired persons from the Armed Forces and serving civilian defence employees.
5. Digital Payment in CSD: Hundred per cent digital payment has been achieved for all major items in CSD e., AFD items. As far as non-AFD items are concerned, the digital payment is approximately 99 per cent.

7. Defence Cooperation

Several initiatives have been taken to enhance defence cooperation for furthering India’s national security and strategic objectives.

1. Major Exercises

• Exercise Gagan Shakti 2018: The IAF conducted pan-India Exercise Gagan Shakti-2018 between April 08-22, 2018. The aim of the exercise was real-time coordination, deployment and employment of air power in a short and intense battle scenario.
• Military Exercise ‘INDRA-2017’: The first ever India-Russia Tri-Service Military Exercise ‘INDRA-2017’ was held in Russia between October 19-29, 2017.
• Coastal Security Exercise – ‘Sagar Kavach’: The Coastal Security Exercise – ‘Sagar Kavach’ was executed by Andaman & Nicobar Command on June 19-20, 2019.
• ‘Operation Sajag’: Monthly coastal security drill ‘Operation Sajag’ was conducted on June 20, 2019 to enhance the coastal security through extensive checking and verification of documents and crew passes of all fishing boats and craft at sea.

1. Meetings and Dialogues

• The first Command and Control Compatibility Board (CCCB) meetings have been held regularly since 2019 for operationalisation of Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) with the United States.
• The inaugural India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Defence Cooperation was institutionalised on February 27, 2019.
• The India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue was institutionalised on November 30, 2019.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited Russia between November 5-7, 2019 for the 19^th meeting of India Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC M&MTC).
• The India-Australia Foreign and Defence Secretaries 2+2 Dialogue was institutionalised on December 09, 2019.
• The First Indian-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting was institutionalised and held on January 15, 2021 in New Delhi.
• A meeting was conducted between Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister of the Republic of Ukraine on February 04, 2021 on the sidelines of ‘Aero India-2021’ in Bengaluru (held between February 03-05, 2021) to discuss various bilateral defence cooperation issues.
• Defence Minister of Kazakhstan, Lieutenant General Nurlan Yermekbayev visited India between April 07-09, 2021. During the bilateral meeting between the two Defence Ministers, views were exchanged on further strengthening of defence cooperation between two countries including training, exercises, capacity building, defence industrial collaboration and other possible methods of mutual interest
• The India-Australia bilateral Minister’s level Dialogue was held on September 10, 2021 in New Delhi followed by the 2+2 Ministerial Meet on September 11, 2021.

1. Make in India/Enabling Defence Exports

• An Agreement on Cooperation in the field of manufacturing of Kalashnikov small arms in India was signed with Russia on September 18, 2019.
• A meeting was conducted between Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Strategic Industries Mr Oleh Urusky on December 21, 2020 to discuss mutual collaboration and investment in India in Defence Industries and high-end Defence Technologies during the latter’s visit to India between December 21-23, 2020.
• Approval of the CCS was obtained on August 18, 2021 for entering into an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the Republic of Indonesia for Export of BRAHMOS Missile System.

8. Delegation of Financial Powers
9. As part of reforms in Defence Financial Management, steps have been taken to delegate further powers to the Service Headquarters to augment their operational capability as below in the last five years:
   • Emergency powers for procurement of ammunition & spares (Oct 05, 2016)
   • Enhancement of Financial Powers of Vice Chiefs upto Rs 500 crore on October 26, 2018 and November 02, 2018 respectively.
   • Special Emergency Powers to Service Headquarters (SHQs) on March 14, 2019.
   • Increase in Financial Powers for Capital Procurement to Rs 300 crore for SHQs and Rs 2,000 crore for MoD on February 19, 2019.
10. During the period 2016-18, the Defence Services were progressively delegated higher financial powers for both routine as well as emergency procurements with the aim to reduce procurement time-frames and enhance defence preparedness. On the capital side, the Services now have powers to accord AoNs for individual schemes costing up to Rs. 300 crore, a sharp jump from Rs 50 crore during 2015-17. On the revenue side, the Services are now authorised to clear proposals amounting up to Rs. 500 crore at their level. Further, in March-April 2019, the emergency powers were invoked to authorise the Vice Chiefs of the three services for procurement of operationally critical Arms, Weapons, Ammunitions, Spares and Missiles.

9. Major achievements in Defence Land and Estates sector

1. The Land Management System (LMS)

• Land Management System (LMS) has been developed by Department of Defence in conjunction with DGDE and Armed forces. The software, apart from capturing the textual details of all proposals relating to Defence management, integrates these textual details with relevant GIS-layers which include satellite imagery of the area with separate layers for each phase of land survey, the details of leased properties, assets of Cantonment Boards, various amenities, etc. With integration of Geographical Information System (GIS)-based tool, it has improved the decision-making process. The portal was formally launched by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on November 19, 2020.
  1. Survey of Defence Lands
• The entire defence land has been mapped on the GIS-based Land Management system through separate layers for each phase of survey. The MoD has now deployed emerging and innovative technologies for survey, demarcation and identification of encroachments on defence lands. The entire Phase II survey of defence land was completed on December 31, 2021 in record time
• An innovative method for identification of encroachments through “Change Detection software” based on Time Series satellite imagery has been developed in association with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
• A Centre of Excellence on emerging land survey technologies is proposed to commence shortly at the National Institute of Defence Estates Management, Delhi Cantt.
  1. E-Chhawani Portal
• e-Chhawani project aims to provide online citizen services across the 62 Cantonment Boards to more than 20 lakh users across the country through common portal. The portal has been inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on February 16, 2021. The portal is accessible in six regional languages , Bangla, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam, besides English and Hindi.

1. Accommodation Policy for Battle Casualty

Policy regarding retention of Govt. accommodation for a period of 01 year instead of 03 months in respect of Service Personnel who are invalidated due to Battle Casualty has been issued on November 27, 2019.

10. Gallantry Award Portal

The Portal was inaugurated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2017. The Gallantry Awards portal is a repository of all information of the awardees, has motivational videos and interviews, information on war memorials and museums, war history, e-Books and e-Magazine, apart from participatory features like ‘Gallantrypedia’ where citizens get an opportunity to share the stories/images/videos of any awardee available with them. 

11. Project SPARSH – the largest digital pension platform
    1. An end-to-end pension automation software named Project SPARSH has been rolled out for all Defence Personnel including civilian. This is the largest digital pension platform of the Government of India. SPARSH provides a single digital platform for all stakeholders, including Record Offices, Pay & Accounts offices (PAOs) and Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA) Pension Allahabad thereby significantly reducing time delays and paperwork.
    2. The average sanction time has been brought down to 17 days in the new system from over 6 months earlier.
    3. Thirty-two lakh legacy pensioners being paid by multiple Pension Disbursing Agencies [Banks, Defence Pension Disbursing Offices (DPDOs), etc.) are also being migrated. Approximately three lakh pensioners have been migrated till date.
    4. Around 800 Bank branches of State bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) are functioning as Service Centres to enable access to pensioners. A large number of offices in Defence Accounts Department (DAD) all over the country are also functioning as Service Centres.
    5. The disbursement of pension is done directly into the Bank accounts of the pensioners.

12. Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) hospitals upgraded to Postgraduate (PG) hospitals

In-principle approval of upgradation of AFMS Zonal Hospitals to PG Teaching Hospitals, which includes both MD/MS programmes under aegis of National Medical Commission (NMC) and Diplomate of National Board (DNB) PG programme under the aegis of National Board of Examination (NBE) have been obtained on 12.03.2020. This will help in increasing the number of specialists in the country. The PG students of these hospitals/colleges will also be utilised for the better patient care in the Service hospitals under these programmes.

13. Celebrations for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

All the departments and organisations under the MoD have planned and conducted various events starting from March 2021. Some of the important themes are:

• Events focusing on Aatmanirbharta in Defence, like the handing over of indigenously developed defence equipments by Prime Minister Shri narendra Modi to the Tri-Services during the Rashtra Raksha Samarpan Parv in Jhansi (November 2021). Creation of seven new Defence companies carved out of Ordnance Factories Board is another milestone in this direction
• Events involving Jan Bhagidari like the Puneet Sagar Abhiyan by NCC and interaction programs with fishermen organised by ICG. Jan Sanwad Utsav organised by Zila Sainik Boards for Veterans and Ex-servicemen.
• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Initiatives by Sainik Schools and NCC for curating inter-state student/cadet interactions focusing on national integration.
• Motorcycle rallies, mountaineering expeditions, cyclothons and boat races by the Armed Forces and, flag hoisting at 75 mountain passes, 75 days’ motorcycle expedition by BRO to create patriotic fervour among the masses
• A three-member team from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling successfully completed an expedition to Antarctica. In first of its kind endeavour, the team displayed the Indian Flag, measuring 7,500 square feet, at Union Glacier Base camp (Antarctica).

 

14. Other Achievements
    23. Budget provision in Defence: Defence Modernisation got a historic push in the Union Budget 2022-23. In the Union Budget 2023-24, the Capital Investment Outlay has been increased steeply for the third year in a row by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore, which would be 3.3 per cent of GDP. This will be almost three times the outlay in 2019-20.

Accordingly, the Capital Allocations pertaining to modernisation and infrastructure development of the Defence Services has been increased to Rs 1,62,600 crore representing a rise of Rs 10,230 crore (6.7%) over FY 2022-23. Also, the increase in the Capital Budget since 2019-20 has been Rs 59,200 crore (57%). This increase is a reflection of the Government’s commitment towards sustainable augmentation in the area of modernisation & infrastructure development of the Defence Services.

1. Commitments towards infrastructure strengthening in the Border Areas, particularly the Northern Borders.The Capital Budget of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been increased by 43% to Rs 5,000 crore in FY 2023-24 as against Rs 3,500 crore in FY 2022-23. Also, the allocation under this segment has doubled in two years since FY 2021-22. This will boost the Border infrastructure thereby creating strategically important assets like Sela Tunnel, Nechipu Tunnel & Sela-Chhabrela Tunnel and will also enhance border connectivity.
2. Recognising the crucial role of Research, Innovation and Technological development towards capacity building of the Armed Forces as well as fueling India’s Mission of Aatmanirbharta

• Towards strengthening Research and Development in Defence, the allocation to DRDO has been enhanced by 9%, with a total allocation of Rs 23,264 crore in BE 2023-24.
• To further foster innovation, encourage technology development and strengthen the Defence Industrial ecosystem in the country, iDEX and DTIS have been allocated Rs 116 crore and Rs 45 crore respectively representing an enhancement of 93% for iDEX and 95% for DTIS over 2022-23. This will fulfill the Ministry of Defence’s vision to leverage ideas from bright young minds across the country.
• The Union Budget 2023-24 has announced a National Data Governance Policy to unleash innovation and research by start-ups and academia. This will enable access to anonymized data which will further boost the Defence Start-ups and iDEX scheme.
• The Union Budget 2023-24 has also announced that the revamped Credit Guarantee scheme for MSMEs which will take effect from 1st April 2023 through infusion of Rs. 9,000 Crore in the corpus. This will enable additional collateral-free guaranteed credit of Rs 2 lakh crore. Further, the cost of the credit has also been reduced by about 1 per cent. This scheme will give a further fillip the MSMEs associated with the Defence Sector.

1. Budgetary provision to comprehensively raise the overall ease of living for our esteemed veterans

• The Defence Pension Budget registers a notable jump of 15.5 % in FY 2023-24. In absolute terms, this amount is Rs 1,38, 205 Crore in BE 2023-24 against Rs 1,19,696 crore in BE 2022-23. Further, RE 2022-23 allocations at Rs 1,53,415 crore records a significant jump of 28%, amounting to Rs 33, 718 crores. This includes an amount of Rs 28,138 Crore to meet the requirement on account of revision of Armed Forces Pensioners/ Family Pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP).
• Towards the Government’s commitment in transforming Healthcare outreach to our veterans, Defence Budget 2023-24 registers a notable increase of 52% in the allotment for Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) with BE allocation of Rs. 5431.56 Crore in FY 2023-24 against Rs. 3582.51 Crore in FY 2022-23. This enhancement will ensure ‘Cashless Health Services’ and improved ‘Service Delivery’ to our veterans and their dependents across India.

1. Welfare of Agniveers

• The Union Budget 2023-24 has provided Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) status to the Agniveer Fund.  

1. DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

Appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of Department of Military Affairs (DMA) remains the most significant and transformative defence reform undertaken by any Government since Independence. A decision was taken by the Government in December 2019 to create the post of CDS. Further, a Department of Military Affairs (DMA), headed by CDS as its Secretary, was also created within the MoD. General Bipin Rawat was appointed the first CDS w.e.f. December 31, 2019.

• Joint Services Study Groups (JSSG):Under DMA, the Logistics structure is being fully revamped to make it more efficient. In this regard, three Joint Services Study Groups (JSSG) are developing common logistic policies for services that will enhance all supply chain functions such as planning, procurement, inventory-maintenance, distribution, disposal and documentation. A pilot project based on the establishment of Joint Logistic Nodes (JLN) each at Mumbai, Guwahati and Port Blair has already rolled off.
• A concerted effort is being made to move forward from a Single Service approach to integrated planning and execution. Towards this, three Joint Doctrines have been formulated in the last one year, while four new joint doctrines namely Capstone, Space, Cyber and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) are at an advantage stage.
• In order to enhance Combat Capability and balance defence expenditure, more than 270 logistic installations of the Indian Army have been closed or scaled down, resulting in substantial savings to the exchequer, besides increasing the “Teeth to Tail” ratio.
• A holistic review of the training methodology is also underway to modernise, integrate and rationalise training as also ensure optimal utilisation of infrastructure and resources. Ten subjects have been fixed for conducting joint training among the three services.  Of these, joint training has already started in Five areas.
• Keeping in mind the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Department of Military Affairs released the first Positive Indigenisation List of 101 items in August 2020 and the Second Positive Indigenisation List comprising of 108 items on 31 May 2021. Third list containing 101 items was released in April 2022. These selected items will only be procured from domestic industry. These lists comprising major combat platforms, advanced weapon systems, armament and ammunition to make India self-reliant in Defence Sector. These lists besides signalling nation’s resolve to cut down import of defence hardware, are also a recognition of the growing capability of domestic industry in defence manufacturing, built over the last six years based on a number of transformational steps initiated by the Government.

 

III. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

• New Defence Public Sector Undertakings: To provide autonomy and enhance efficiency, and unleash new growth potential in Ordnance Factories, the Ordnance Factory Board have been converted into 7 new Defence Public Sector Undertakings while safeguarding the interest of all stakeholders. The new Defence PSUs have become operational from 1^stOctober, 2021. The Government has decided to retain indents/orders worth more than Rs. 62,000 crore, pending with OFB post corporatisation, to ensure continuity in supply of strategic arms and ammunition to the Services.
• Two Defence Industrial Corridors (DICs) have been established at Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to boost Defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country with intent to attract investment of Rs. 10,000 Crore in each DIC. To give further impetus to the growth of Defence Industrial Corridors, both the DICs have been integrated with the Prime Minister’s ‘Gati Shakti’ National Master Plan.
• Raksha Mantri launched the fifth edition of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC 5) on 19th August 2021, as part of iDEX.  The Challenges launched will act as a bridge between the requirements of the Armed Forces & Defence PSUs, and the solution providers, i.e. MSMEs, Startups, individual innovators, R&D institutes and academia.
• In a big boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, and as a first for iDEX, the Indian Navy signed a Rs. 13 crore contract to procure country’s first indigenously developed Robotic Lifebuoys under the iDEX challenge “Unmanned Surface Vehicles” in 2021. The contract was bagged by a Startup – Saif Seas, based at Visakhapatnam.
• The Government has approved a Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 500 Crore (2021-22 to 2025-26) to push innovation and support startups in Defence & Aerospace sector. This will enable more than 300 startups to participate in the new design and development projects.
• The first contract for setting up first facility for manufacturing of 24 types of spares of Air Force, in Hyderabad have been concluded on 13th August 2021 under the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on “Mutual Cooperation in Joint Manufacturing of Spares, Components, Aggregates and other material related to Russian/Soviet Origin Arms and Defence equipment.
• Aero lndia-21 was successfully conducted on three days from 03rd – 05th February 2021, as the world’s first hybrid Aerospace and Defence (A&D) exhibition since the impasse on public gatherings due to the Novel Coronavirus.  Despite the numerous challenges posed due to Covid-19, Aero India witnessed 26,000+ visitors physically over three days and 5+ lakh visitors virtually. A total of 710 exhibitors put up their stalls/pavilions towards promotion of their products and capabilities in the A&D sector.

1. DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has taken the following major policy decisions and initiatives/achievements during the last eight years to bring about much required relief to the Ex-Servicemen and their dependents:

 

(i) PENSION

 

• Government of India had taken historic decision to implement One Rank One Pension (OROP) in November 2015 and issued orders on November 07, 2015 for implementation of the OROP. Government has implemented the OROP since October 2018. Accordingly, 20.60 lakh Ex-Servicemen out of 25 lakh Defence Pensioners have been. A sum of Rs 10,795.4 crore has been disbursed as arrears to 20,60,220 Defence Forces Pensioners on account of implementation of the OROP. The yearly estimated recurring expenditure is about Rs 7,123 crore.
• The Government has revised the pension of Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners under One Rank One Pension (OROP) w.e.f. July 01, 2019. Pension of the past pensioners would be re-fixed on the basis of average of minimum and maximum pension of Defence Forces retirees of calendar year 2018 in the same rank with the same length of service.
• The Armed Forces Personnel retired up to June 30, 2019 {excluding pre-mature (PMR) retired w.e.f. July 01, 2014} are covered under this revision. More than 25.13 lakh (including over 4.52 lakh new beneficiaries) Armed Forces Pensioners/family pensioners have been benefitted. Pension for those drawing above the average shall be protected. The benefit would also be extended to family pensioners, including war widows and disabled pensioners..
• The estimated annual expenditure for the implementation of the revision is approx. Rs 8,450 crore @31% Dearness Relief (DR). Arrears w.e.f. July 01, 2019 to December 31, 2021 have been calculated as over Rs 19,316 crore based on DR @ 17% for the period from July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and @31% for the period from July 01, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Arrears w.e.f. July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2022 have been calculated as approx. Rs 23,638 crore
• as per the applicable dearness relief. This expenditure is over and
• above the ongoing expenditure on account of OROP.
• In February, 2020 a long pending demand of pre-2006 retired Honorary Naib Subedar (HNS) was met by the Government. The benefit of revision of pension of post-January 2006 retired Havildars who were granted Honorary rank of Naib Subedars has been extended to pre-2006 retiree Havildars as well who were granted Honorary rank of Naib Subedars. Approximately, 75,250 pre-2006 retired HNS have benefited from this decision.
• It has also been decided to do away with the condition of minimum requirement of seven years of continuous service for grant of enhanced rate of Ordinary Family Pension for Armed Forces personnel who died/invalided out even with less than 07 years of qualifying service. They will now be eligible for enhanced rate of OFP for 10
• It has been decided that the life certification of retiring pensioner either physically or otherwise (through biometric or life certificate) is not required for release of gratuity, commuted value of pension, Ex-gratia payments, monthly pension etc. where the payment is to be disbursed through System for Pension Administration (Raksha) popularly called as SPARSH application.
• Government has taken a decision in September 2021 to enhance income criteria for grant of family pension to children/siblings suffering from mental or physical disability and accordingly such child/sibling shall be eligible for family pension for life, if his/her overall income from sources other than family pension remains less than the entitled family pension at ordinary rate i.e. 30% of the last pay drawn by the deceased Govt. servant/pensioner concerned plus the dearness relief admissible thereon. The financial benefit in such cases shall accrue with effect from 08.02.2021.
• A dedicated Raksha Pension Shikayat Nivaran portal designed to speedily redress pension, including family pension-related grievances of ESM and their dependents (https://rakshapension.desw.gov.in) has been launched on January 14, 2022. The portal will enable processing of grievances quickly by the DESW. Through the portal, an SMS and e-mail will be forwarded to the applicants on their registered mobile number and e-mail, intimating confirmation of registration of grievance and for tracking its status.

• WELFARE

 

• In the Financial year 2021-22, an amount of Rs 320 crore has been allotted for the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) in January 2022. This will clear all the backlog in respect of the 1.58 lakh applications of Education Grant pending since May 2018 worth Rs 284 crore and 7,583 applications of Marriage Grant pending since February 2020 worth Rs 36 crore.
• The nomenclature of the Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (ABCWF) has been changed to Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) for extending the benefits also to the battle casualties of the Air Force and Navy in May 2020. The additional ex-gratia amount has also been enhanced from the existing Rs 02 lakh to Rs 08 lakh for all Battle Casualties, except Battle Casualties with disability less than 60 per cent where the amount has been enhanced from Rs 01 lakh to Rs 04 lakh per casualty.
• The rate of Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) has been increased from Rs 24,000 per year to Rs 30,000/- per year for boys and from Rs 27,000 per year to Rs 36,000/- per year for girls e.f. FY 2019-20.
• The rate of financial assistance to 100 per cent Disabled Children of Ex-Servicemen/Widows under the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (Funded out of AFFDF) has been increased from Rs 1,000 per month per child to Rs 3,000 per month per child e.f. August 01, 2021.
• Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) services have been successfully on-boarded on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Bharat & Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) mobile portal.
• Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) have been formed in Arunachal Pradesh and UT of Ladakh to look after the welfare of Ex-Servicemen fraternity within the State/UT.
• Cheshire Homes look after leprosy patients, mentally challenged patients, and chronic spastic/paraplegic and tuberculosis patients. The grant amount of Rs 9,000 per annum per inmate has been enhanced to Rs 15,000/- e.f. April 01, 2021 by the KSB to Cheshire Homes in Delhi and Lucknow and Raphael Ryder International Cheshire Home, Dehradun.

(iii) RESETTLEMENT

                                             

• Employment for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) in areas other than security jobs: Guidelines have been issued on February 06, 2020 to provide manpower by Ex-Servicemen for ‘Technical Services’ to Government Establishments/Complexes through DGR Empanelled State ESM Corporations. 
• Notification regarding grant of ESM status to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) officers who took premature retirement after completing initial period of engagement was issued on February 16, 2020. This will make the entry through Short Service Commission more attractive.
• The long pending demand for use of military ranks by SSC officers after release from service has also been accepted by the Government. Decision has been taken allowing the SSC officers of the Army to use their military ranks after release.

BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION

 

• BRO constructed 7451 Km of roads since Apr 2014 in difficult, remote border areas of the country. This includes new construction, improvement from single lane to double lane and from double lane to four lanes.
• Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated 15 roads (12 roads on 17 Jun 2021 & three roads on 28 Dec 2021) to the Nation for a total length of 357 Km in the State/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Ladakh and J&K completed in year 2021.
• Koyul-Photile-Chisumle-Zurasar Road. This 80.30 Km long road connects Koyul-Photile-Chisumle-Zurasar in the UT of Ladakh and provides assistance in accelerating the economic cum social development of the nearby areas by connecting them with Leh-Loma axis.

(ab) Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road. This 49 Km stretch of Balipara-Charduar-Tawang Road from Km 50 to Km 99 in the State of Arunachal Pradesh is the part of main induction route of Indian Army to Khrimu/Tawang region and link to strategic international border with China..

(ac) Hapoli-Sarli-Huri Road (Huri Axis). This 40 Km stretch of Hapoli-Sarli-Huri Road (Huri Axis) in the State of Arunachal Pradesh

(ad) Chisumle-Demchok Road. This 52 Km long road connecting Chisumle-Demchok in Eastern Ladakh is the World’s Highest Motorable road recognised by Guinness Book of Records and provides quick tactical switching of forces in this sector.

(v) Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated 30 roads (27 roads on 28 Oct 2022 & three on 03 Jan 2023) to the Nation for a total length of 893 Km in the State/UTs of Rajasthan, Punjab, J&K, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh completed in year 2022. The list of these roads is attached as

• Barmer-Chohtan-Kelnore Road.
• Pouni-Kalakot-Rajouri Road
• ) Rajouri-Kandi-Budhal Road.
• Hazibal-Zamindar Gali-Machhal Road.
• Phobrang-Marsimikla-Hot Spring Road. This 76 Km long road in the UT of Ladakh provides connectivity to Eurgo village, Phobrang, Tsoksalu and Hot Spring.
• Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road. This 84.32 Km long road in the UT of J&K provides major land route connectivity for the induction of forces and logistic support to the Armed Forces positioned in Ladakh for the defence of the Nation’s borders. Bhaironghati-Nelong Road.14 Km long road in the State of Arunachal Pradesh provifidng connectivity from Along to Yingkiong & Pasighat to Yingkiong via Pangin, Boleng and further Yingkiong to Tuting.

Bridges

 BRO has constructed 23440 m of bridges since Apr 2014 in difficult, remote border areas of the country. Some of the important bridges which have been completed and dedicated to the Nation are as under: (i) Bhini Bridge (ii) Deopani Bridge. (iii) Hussainiwala Bridge. (iv) Diffo Bridge (v) Bein Bridge V Basantar Bridge vi. Ujh Bridge. Vii Col Chewang Rinchen Setu on DS-DBO Road vii Sisseri Bridge.  Ghodawala Bridge. Tarnah-I Bridge. (ac) Tarnah-II Bridge. ( Kasowal Bridge Madun Bridge.

• Darcha Bridge. This 360 m long Darcha bridge at Km 143.61 on Manali-Sarchu-Leh Road in the State of Himachal Pradesh has provided connectivity to remote areas of the Himachal Pradesh and UT of Ladakh.
• Siang Bridge. This 162 m long Siang bridge at Km 65.539 on Along-Yingkiong Road in the State of Arunachal Pradesh has improved connectivity in the far-flung areas on the Nation’s border.

 (ad) Maney Chu Bridge. This 60 m long Maney Chu bridge is located at Km 10.40 on Dikchu- Sanklang Road in the State of Sikkim, which is the alternate road to North Sikkim Highway connecting certain remote villages enroute, leading to positive changes in social fabric of the area as a whole.

(ae) Simang Bridge. This 165 m long Simang bridge located at Km 45.34 on Along-Yingkiong Road in the State of Arunachal Pradesh facilitates induction of heavy Military equipment to the LAC of Indo-China Border for smooth induction of Army and Defence troops and Veh/Eqpts to forward post of IB.

(af) Rigong Bridge. This 80 m long Rigong bridge at Km 41.50 on Migging-Tuting Road in the State of Arunachal Pradesh is a vital means of communication to the towns on either side of Rigong Asi River such as Tuting, Yinkiong, Boleng, Pangin and Along.

(ag) Km 99.3 Bridge. This 60 m long bridge is located at Km 99.3 on Darbuk-Shyok-DBO Road in the UT of Ladakh, which has strategic importance for the Armed Forces and is required for sustaining and deploying the forces in Sub Sector North and along the LAC.

(ah) Zangla Bridge. This 60.25 m long Zangla bridge is located at Km 125.816 on Nimu-Padam-Darcha Road in the UT of Ladakh, which acts as a harbinger of modernity and economic prosperity to the beautiful Zanskar region which so far was connected to Leh only via a long winding and challenging road through Kargil.

(aj) Patsio Bridge. This 60 m long Patsio bridge is located at Km 160.275 on Manali-Sarchu Road in the State of Himachal Pradesh, which is an alternative axis to Leh. The road is strategically important as it enables war of logistics to troops located in forward areas of J&K and Ladakh (UT).

Tunnel Projects Underway: Work is under progress on the following 12 tunnels: –

• Sela Tunnel
• Nechiphu Tunnel
• Sela-Chabrela Tunnel.
• Sungal Tunnel.
• Naushera Tunnel
• Two Cut & Cover Tunnel on Taliha-Nacho Road.
• One Cut & Cover Tunnel on Hapoli-Sarli-Huri Road (Huri Axis). (Shinku La Tunnel

 

 

 (e) Upcoming Tunnels. Eight more tunnels are under advance planning by BRO. The details are as under: –

(i) 8200 mtr Key La Tunnel in UT of Ladakh.

(ii) 2200 mtr Hamboting La Tunnel in UT of Ladakh.

(iii) 7000 mtr Saser La Tunnel in UT of Ladakh.

(iv) 5290 mtr Tanglang La Tunnel in UT of Ladakh.

(v) 15260 mtr Lachung La Tunnel in UT of Ladakh.

(vi) 13800 mtr Baralacha La Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh.

(vii) 1400 mtr Donkyala Tunnel in Sikkim.

(viii) 9800 mtr Brahmaputra Road cum Rail Under Water Tunnel in Assam.

Airfields Presently, BRO is maintaining five Airfield i.e. Thoise, Leh, Kargil, Srinagar and Awantipur. Apart from this, reconstruction and upgradation work at Bagdogra and Barrackpore Airfields in West Bengal are being undertaken by BRO and works are at an advanced stage of construction with high standards of quality being achieved. Highlights of Bagdogra and Barrackpore Airfields

 

INDIAN COAST GUARD (ICG)

Major Procurements by Indian Coast Guard

• 16 Advance Light Helicopter have been inducted in Indian Coast Guard and are operating from four Squadrons of Odisha, Gujarat, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
• Contract for supply of 10 Drones concluded with M/s Sagar Defence Eng. Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai and all 10 Drones have been received post successful trials & training and are operating from ships at sea.
• Contract for supply of 18 OPVs, 26 FPVs, 01 PCV, 04 Hovercraft, 49 Interceptor Boats and 12 non commissioned craft viz Harbor Craft, Auxiliary Barge & work boats were concluded with various Indian shipbuilding yards and all 110 Ships and Craft have been received and are operating from various ports of India under jurisdiction of Coast Guard Regional Commanders

              Major Miles Stones Achieved

1. Contract for setting up 38 Radar stations in various coastal states with M/s BEL Bangalore
2. Contract for Mid-Life upgradation of 17 Coast Guard Dornier aircraft concluded with M/s HAL(TAD) Kanpur.

       Major Achievement

1. 5667 lives have been saved at sea in last nine years.
2. First ever Dornier Aircraft with all women air crew took off from Daman for sea surveillance in Western Seaboard.
3. The first ever Two women officer Dy Comdt Shirin Chandran and Dy Comdt Anuradha took over Command of Air Cushion Vehicle and piloted out the Hovercraft form Mandapam to Chennai covering a distance of 500 km.
4. The first ever Women Officer Dy Comdt Nidhi Gupta participated in UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in Nov 2022.
5. Contract for supply of 9000 Tons (approx) Indigenous steel for construction of Coast Guard Ships have been signed with Steel Authority of India Ltd. 5.

6. Rs. 14,849.81 Cr worth of contrabands have been seized at sea in last nine years.
7. 266 number of medical evacuation have been carried out from ships in distress at sea.
8. In order to mitigate emerging maritime challenges and tide over the shortage of ship’s underwater hull repair infrastructure, last nine years have seen a visible and positive progress made by ICG in terms of development of captive maintenance facilities. well as generation of employment and boosting the local economy.

9. With an aim to encourage entrepreneurship and promoting MSMEs in ship repair sector, more than 20 MSME firms have been registered for retrofitting and refits.

 

 NATIONAL CADET CORPS (NCC)

2019. Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) in NCC: Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) has been incorporated in the curriculum of NCC to develop greater national awareness and international understanding in cadets. In order to regulate the Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) of National Cadet Corps (NCC), Ministry of Defence has approved guidelines for visits under Youth Exchange Programme (YEP) on December 10, 2019. These guidelines, inter-alia, lays down that in case there are lady cadets in the Delegation, at least one lady officer will be mandatory.
2020. Expansion of NCC: A scheme for expanding NCC by one lakh cadets dedicated to the border and coastal areas of the country was approved by Ministry of Defence, following the Prime Ministers announcement regarding the same on 15 August 2020. So far, 1,283 schools and colleges have been identified out of which 896 are in border areas, 255 in coastal areas and 132 in Air Force Talukas.
2021. NCC Digital Forum: Online Digital Platform developed by NCC with the help of MyGov for sharing cadet experiences during NCC training has been launched on December 24, 2020. Further, an NCC mobile app of training was launched in August 2020 which includes précis and training videos for online institutional training at the unit level. This online app will greatly benefit NCC cadets and ANOs to access training material online.
2022. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for dress allowances in NCC: On February 2021, the Government approved the transfer of Dress Allowance under DBT to all Wing Cadets of Army, Navy and Air Force, in lieu of retention clothing and accoutrement, into bank account of newly enrolled NCC cadets. This will bring in transparency and timely release of allowances to NCC cadets.
2023. Mapping of NCC, NSS, NYKS, Scouts and Guides: In order to map the presence of organisations like NCC, National Service Scheme (NSS), Bharat Scouts and Guides, etc. across India a portal named YUVASHAKTHI has been developed by the Ministry with the assistance of Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application & Geo-Informatics (BISAG).
2024. Framework for use of simulators in training: A Directive on Framework to implement simulation-based training across all military domains was issued on September 10, 2021. It will help synergise exploitation of simulators by the three Services and the Indian Coast Guard. The goal of the directive is to reduce live equipment utilisation by approximately 20 per cent over next five years.

 

Defence Research & Devloment Organization (DRDO)

Remarkable Technical Achievements

• Handed over Main Battle Tank Arjun Mk-1A
• LCA Tejas Mk1 for IAF- Final Operational Clearance (FOC)
• LCA Navy onboard Indian Aircraft Carrier on INS Vikramaditya and on INS Hansa
• Supersonic Cruise Missile ‘BrahMos’ with increased indigenous content and improved performance, was successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on 20 Jan 2022
• BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines on 28 Jan 2022 for supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System to Philippines.
• MoD signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd for acquisition of additional dual role capable Surface-to-Surface BrahMos Missile under ‘Buy-Indian’ category.
• DRDO undertook two new projects of Akash variants of medium range Surface-to-Air Missile in 2016 — Akash Mk1S and after developing and inducting into Indian Air Force and Indian Army..
• A new version ‘Akash Prime’ equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy was successfully flight tested in 2021. In comparison to the existing Akash
• DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of the Indian Army version of MRSAM missile on 27 Mar 2022 against high-speed aerial targets
• DRDO undertook Long Range – Land Attack Cruise Missile (LR-LACM) which is the NIRBHAY cruise missile configuration with requirements of canisterisation and deployment from land and ship-based launcher in 2021.
• Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile QRSAM System based on-the-move air defence system has been developed for Indian army.
• Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) for Indian Navy
• Air-to Air Missile ‘Astra’ which is beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile with modern guidance and navigation techniques was successfully flight tested from Su-30 MKI platform off Odisha coast during 16-19 Sep 2019
• Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW): Two flight tests of indigenously-developed SAAW was carried out jointly by DRDO and Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2021
• Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) ATGMs Helina (Army Version) and Dhruvastra (Air Force Version) develoed
• Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
• NAG Missile: A 3^rd generation, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) with day & night operation capability has been developed by DRDO.
• Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) is a 3^rd generation ATGM with ‘Fire & Forget’ and ‘Top Attack’ capabilities and the missile can be used by day and night.
• Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
• Enhanced Range 122mm Caliber Rocket
• Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV TAPAS-BH, a multi-mission UAV is being developed to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles for the Armed Forces.
• Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System for IAF
• Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite ‘Shakti’ handed over to Indian Navy
• Medium Power Radar (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for Indian Air Force
• Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) ‘Uttam’  which is a multi-function, multi-mode radar, adaptable to various fighter has been successfully flight tested.
• DRDO conducted an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’ from Dr APJ Abdul kalam island in Odisha on 27 Mar 2019. A DRDO developed Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Interceptor Missile engaged a Live Indian satellite orbiting in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a ‘Hit to Kill’ mode.
• Anti-Drone (D4) System capable of real time search, detection, tracking and neutralization (soft/ hard kill) of drones (micro/small UAVs) flying in the area of responsibility and provide object details (optical / thermal) and RF spectrum display on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed and deployed at Republic Day Parade, Beating Retreat, Independence Day and Defence Expo during 2022.
• Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System
• Advance Light Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS)
• Advanced Light Weight Torpedo (ALWT)
• ‘Mareech’ Advanced Torpedo Defence System
• Advanced Chaff Technology
• Composite Sonar Dome
• DRDO conducts successful maiden flight of AFWT Demonstrator
• DRDO developed  NBC Drugs-2017 which is a kit form for CBRN emergencies.

Emerging Technologies:

• DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs) are working in the areas of a key advanced technology artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies & smart materials respectively.
• Demonstration of Quantum Key Distribution between two cities: A joint team of scientists from DRDO and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi for the first time in the country successfully demonstrated Quantum Key Distribution link between Prayagraj and Vindhyachal in Uttar Pradesh, a distance of more than 100 kilometres in 2022.

Infrastructure facilities

• Inauguration of Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at DRDO Hyderabad
• DRDO Skill Development Centre for Fire Safety Training Hon’ble Raksha
• Flight Control System Integration Complex

Corporate Initiatives for nurturing Defence Ecosystem in collaboration with Enabling Industry and Academia

Enabling Industry 

DRDO has taken major initiatives through various policies to involve the Indian industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), offering its technology to the industry at nominal or zero cost and providing free access to its patents etc.

• Development cum Production Partner (DcPP)
• Transfer of Technology (ToT): A total of 1070 ToTs have been signed during last nine years.
• SOP for Industries to Access DRDO Test Facilities on payment basis has been formulated and hosted on DRDO website, utilised by a large number of Indian
• Technology Development Fund. TDF Scheme is being executed to encourage participation of public/private industries especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and startups to promote self-reliance in defence technology as part of make-in-India initiative.
• TDF-Manthan was organised at Vigyan Bhawan during Aug 2022 to bring all stakeholders together to define the way ahead for the scheme to successfully utilise these opportunities. TDF-Manthan was organised in four sessions.
• Dare to Dream: The Kalam Vision, Dare to Dream 4.0 (a pan India contest for promotion/support to innovators/startups against the defined requirement launched) was launched.

DRDO Industry Academia – Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE). DRDO has promulgated a policy & mechanism for collaborative directed research in developing critical and futuristic technologies for defence and security applications through a network of These centres are established at some of the premiere institutes in the country such as IITs, IISc and some Central Universities. The DIA-CoEs act as national nodes and nurtured the research cells in other institutions. Currently there are 15 DIA-CoEs in the country, as listed below, for collaborating under approximately 65 research verticals with DRDO, Industry and Academia: – 

• DIA-COE, IIT Delhi
• DIA-COE, IIT Bombay
• DIA-COE, University of Hyderabad
• DIA-COE, Mizoram University
• DIA_KCOE, Central University of Jammu
• DIA-RCOE, IISc Bengaluru
• DIA-COE, Bharthiar University, Coimbatore
• DIA-SVPCOE, Gujrat University
• DIA-RCOE, IIT Madras
• DIA-COE, IIT Kharagpur
• DIA-COE, IIT Hyderabad
• DIA-COE, IIT BHU
• DIA-COE, IIT Jodhpur
• DIA-COE, IIT Kanpur
• DIA-COE, IIT Roorkee

There is a total of 167 ongoing projects with 27 institutes through these DIA-COEs, which have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 600 Cr, out of which 15 projects were sanctioned in the year 2022 with a total cost of Rs. 75 Cr.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed with the following think tanks and academia:

• Vivekanand International Foundation for mutual cooperation towards enhancing role of technology for strengthening national security and integrating strategic development of defence R&D and technology.
• IIT BHU, NIT Kurukshetra, JNU, Andhra University and DIT University Dehradun to encourage institutional cooperation in mutually identified areas of defence research.

Naval Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation & TDF to work jointly on identified niche technologies

 

 

INDIAN ARMY

1. Infrastructure Development

• In order to address the adverse infrastructure differential along Northern Borders, 12 new roads have been taken up with MoD for inclusion in roll on plan of Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• Further, to align limited budgetary allotment for development of roads a synergistic effort on lines of “Whole of Nation Approach” has been adopted which has led to development of our priority roads through other ministries viz Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

2. Re-location of Institute of Military Law from (Kamptee) to New The Institute of Military Law (IML) was re-located from Kamptee (Nagpur) to New Delhi on 07 Jan 2021. The Institute imparts legal training to officers of the Army, Air Force, Navy and other forces including Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Border Security Force (BSF) and even officers of friendly foreign countries.
3. Increase in the Ratio of Honorary Subedars and Subedar Majors are conferred the Honorary Ranks of Lieutenant and Captain on Independence Day and Republic Day, for their meritorious and distinguished service. This increase in the ratio for conferring honorary ranks of Lieutenant to 15:1,000 from 12:1,000 has boosted the morale of all ranks in the Army.

4. Entry of women in Army: The Army has also opened its doors for women. It is ensuring inclusive measures to administer all necessary administrative, training and policy changes to enable the same. The landmark changes will herald gender parity and are historic steps towards a gender neutral and modern Defence

5. Induction of Women in other Ranks.
   • Indian Army is first amongst the three Services to open enrolment of women as Other Ranks in Corps of Military
   • 100 vacancies per year sanctioned by government for recruitment of women in Corps of Military Police for the next 17 years.
   • First batch of Women MP has completed training and joined Indian Army Recruitment process for second batch is in progress.

6. Operation SADBHAVNA. Operation SADBHAVANA projects are being undertaken in Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in the North and North Eastern States of the country to address the basic needs of the local population, mostly in rural and remote areas. The focus of OP SADBHAVANA is to improve the overall core social indices of Education, Women & Youth Empowerment, and Healthcare, with simultaneous thrust on capacity building through implementing community/infrastructure development projects.

7. Aid to Civil Authority – Management of COVID-19.

 

• Operationalisation of 1,000-bedded COVID Hospital, e., Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Hospital (SVPH). Three thousand five hundred and ninety-nine COVID-19 positive patients have been admitted/treated.
• Operationalisation of COVID Care Centre on Isolation facility on Rails at Shakurbasti Railway Station in Delhi was established w.e.f. 24 Jun 2020 to 24 Aug 2020. Total of 398 mild to moderate COVID-19 patients (civilians) received treatment in the isolation facility.
• Operationalisation of COVID Hospitals at Muzaffarpur and Five hundred-bedded COVID hospitals were established at Patna and Muzaffarpur in Bihar. Four hundred eighty-four patients have been treated in Muzaffarpur and 141 patients treated in Patna facilities.
• Quarantine Facility at Narela. It has a housing capacity of 1,500 COVID-19 suspect persons. 20761 civilians were quarantined, including 1,592 COVID-19 positive cases.

8. Human Rights Directorate has started functioning e.f. 01 Jan 2021 under the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). This Directorate is handling the following charters:
   • Human Rights Violations. Dealing with the cases/allegations of Human Rights Violations against the Indian Army
   • Marital Discord. Monitor Marital Discord Cases in respect of Officers/Junior Commission Officers (JCOs)/Other Ranks (OR) of the Army.
9. Swarnim Vijay Varsh

To commemorate 50 Glorious Years of 1971 War and creation of a new state, Bangladesh, Swarnim Vijay Varsh was celebrated all across the country. A grand event was organised by the Army in the premises of National War Memorial in New Delhi   from 11-16 Dec 2021. Contingent of the Indian Army along with the other Services participated in Swarnim Vijay Diwas parade at Bangladesh on 17^th Dec 2021 to commemorate the 50^th year of Victory in 1971 War and creation of new state of Bangladesh. President Shri Ram Nath Kovind witnessed the parade as a special invitee. 

10. Modernisation of the Army

           Modernisation of the Army is progressing at a faster pace especially facilitated by the emergency procurement powers granted to the three Services. AKASH System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Main Battle Tank Arjun, BrahMos Missiles system, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) helicopters are fine examples of Indian industry’s indigenously designed Hi-Tech and modern equipment. A total of 62 contracts valued at Rs 93,253 crore were signed during the last 3-4 years.

INDIAN NAVY

 

• Since 2014, 27 ships and 06 (six) submarines have been commissioned into the Indian Navy. All 33 platforms were constructed in Indian shipyards. Among these platforms constructed indigenously, INS Vikrant (first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier) and INS Arihant (first indigenous Nuclear submarine) are major highlights.

• 61 out of 63 ships/ submarines under construction are being built in Indian Background on Scheme.

 

 

• Indian Navy is committed to become fully AatmaNirbhar by 2047. till date over 130 ships have been built and commissioned in India.
• In the last nine years, an average of 65% of the total expenditure has been focused towards Indigenous procurement and is expected to increase up to 80 % in the future.

• The Navy is also steadfastly striving for rapid modernisation of the Force through indigenous route.
• The spares of all Foreign origin equipment are also being progressively indigenised. IN is aiming to achieve 100% indigenization of Naval Ammunition, wherein, Conventional Ammunition by type have been indigenized by 90%. The balance, which includes niche technologies such as fuze, primers, etc, are being sourced from Indian Industry. With regards to guided weapons, such as missiles and torpedoes, indigenization is being taken up progressively through DRDO and Indian production agencies.

 

 

• Commissioning of INS Vikrant

• INS Vikrant is the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier and the most complex warship ever built by our country. It is a matter of pride that the ship has been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited.

• The Carrier was Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 02 Sep 22 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The construction of the Carrier is a big boost to the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ vision of the Government of India. The Carrier is presently, undergoing Air Certification and Flight Integration Trails with Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft for achieving the ultimate aim of being ‘Combat ready’. As part of the aviation trials, landing of LCA (Navy) has been completed onboard the ship to showcase ‘AatmaNirbharta’ in India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate indigenous Aircraft Carrier with indigenous Fighter

Upgradation/ modernisation of the Navy, 221 Capital contracts were concluded, since 2014, worth Rs. 1,73,845.52 Cr under non-delegated powers.

{Major cases : MPVs, Next generation Missile Vessels, Cadet Training ships, Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels,  BrahMos Missiles, Klub-S Land attack missiles, Containerised Anti-Ship Missiles, ASTRA BVR AAM, Weapons and Expendables for P8I, Loitering Munition Systems, Indigenous Sonar USHUS-2, ATAS, VSHORADS, Support Infrastructure for BRAHMOS, Laser Ordnance Disposal System (LORDS), SMASH 2000+ and FCS}.

 

• Entry of Women into NDA. Entry of women candidates into NDA has been introduced from 2022, wherein women officers are being inducted as Permanent Commissioned officers. Three vacancies have been allocated at NDA for women candidates of Navy and the first batch has joined in Jun 22.
• Women ‘Agniveers’. With the commencement of the ‘Agnipath’ Scheme, recruitment of women as sailors in the Indian Navy commenced for the first time as Agniveers/ sailors with training scheduled to commence from November 2022 Out of a total 2585 Agniveers which successfully completed their training in INS Chilka, 272 were women. as per service requirements.

• Permanent Commission to Women Officers. IN has given Permanent Commission to 58 SSC women officers to date.

• Appointment to Frontline Combat Platforms/ Forces. Women officers are being appointed onboard warships, at par with male officers. Women are also being inducted into Naval Aviation as Pilots and Naval Air Operators, MARCOS (Marine Commandos), RPA Pilots, Provost Officers and for Diplomatic assignments.

 

1. Transition to MBD Op Philosophy. The Indian Navy transitioned to the ‘Mission Based Deployment’ philosophy in July 2017 to expeditiously address both traditional and non-traditional threats in the IOR, simultaneously protecting and promoting our national interest in the maritime domain.
2. New Naval Ensign and Crest. The new Naval Ensign drawing inspiration from the Royal seal of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unveiled on 02 September 22 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister during the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Vikrant. Further, the new design of the Naval crest, removing the fouled anchor, has also been promulgated shedding the vestigial linkages of the colonial past. Accordingly, the President’s Standard has also been amended to usher in the new changes. 

 

3. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav (AKAM). Eight IN ships were concurrently deployed to seven foreign ports in six continents, to commemorate 75^th years of India’s Independence and hoist the National Flag, as part of AKAM celebrations.

4. Lokayan 22. IN Sail Training Ship (STS) Tarangini was deployed to West Europe as part of Lokayan 22 from April – November, 20 The ship participated in Tall Ship Race conducted between Belgium and Denmark and commemorated Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav (AKAM) at London, UK during the deployment.

5. Anti-Piracy Patrol. IN has maintained a continuous presence in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia as part of Anti-Piracy Operations, wherein 3,440 ships with over 25,000 seafarers have been safely escorted by Indian Navy, since commencement of the operation in 2008. Till date, 97 ships (60 since 2014) have been deployed in the region for Op PoG.

6. Operation SANKALP. Maritime Security Operation code-named Op SANKALP in the Gulf Region was pursued to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels (IFMVs) transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. Since June 19, 2021, IN has deployed 27 warships and escorted approximately 305 Lakh Tonnes of cargo onboard 375 IFMVs.

 

7. Op Rahat (30 Mar – 19 Apr 15). Op Rahat was one of the largest evacuation operations conducted by the Indian Navy. IN ships Mumbai, Tarkash and Sumitra, were deployed for the operation which spanned over a period of two weeks from 30 Mar to 19 Apr 15. The operation resulted in the evacuation of 3074 personnel from Yemen, including 1783 Indians and 1291 foreign nationals.

8. Op Nistar (24 – 29 May 18). A very severe cyclonic storm Mekunu crossed the Yemeni island of Socotra on 24 May 18 leaving 38 Indians stranded on the island.                          INS Sunayna deployed on Mission Based Deployment evacuated 38 stranded Indians and ferried them to Porbandar.

9. Anti-Narcotics Operations. . Since Mar 21, six Anti-Narcotics Operations have been undertaken by the IN. In Apr 21, INS Suvarna seized 300 kgs of narcotics worth 3000 Cr and in Feb 22, 750 kgs of narcotics was seized by INS Tabar amounting to over Rs 2000 Cr. Recent Anti-Narcotic operations carried out by IN ships include the following:-

 

10. Joint Logistics Node at Mumbai. Consequent to the directions given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister during CCC – January 2017, the Service HQs identified the areas for Inter-service synergy at Regional Command level. Accordingly, Government sanction letter was issued in Oct 20 and a Joint Logistics Node {JLN (Mbi)} was established in Western Naval Command, Mumbai wef 01 Apr 21 with IN as the lead service.

11. Digital India. Concentrated efforts are being made towards digitalisation initiatives. Following software modules have been implemented:-

• System for Pension Administration (SPARSH). System for Pension Administration (Raksha) for generation of online ePPOs iro retiring civilian personnel has been implemented. All the pension cases of civilian personnel are pro-cessed through SPARSH and 987 ePPOs have so far been issued to the retired civilian personnel resolving prolong delays associated with the legacy system.

INDIAN AIR FORCE

1. IAF is striving towards self-sufficiency by promoting ‘Make in India’ since long through focused, sustained and evolved indigenisation programmes. IAF is committed to progressively reducing India’s reliance on foreign manufactured defence equipment and to continue to strive in supporting the country’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

MAJOR INDUCTIONS

• Light Combat Aircraft.

 

• IAF has two operational LCA squadrons.
• IAF is also procuring LCA Mk 1A for which contract has been signed with HAL on 25 Jan 21

 

 

• Mi-17 V5 Helicopters. Mi-17 V5 helicopters have been procured from JSC Rosoboron-export Russia (ROE) in two contracts and induction was completed by September 2015.
• Rafale. Government of India signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with France for procurement of Rafale aircraft on 23 Sep 2016. The delivery of the aircraft commenced in Sep 2019 and all aircraft have been ferried to India.

 

• C-130J. Induction of second batch of C-130J ac was completed in Sep 17. The final C-130J was received in 2019 and operationalised.

• Apache Attack Helicopter. The delivery of Apache AH-64E (I) from USA commenced from July 2019 and the Apache Sqns were operationalised in Jun 20.

 

 

• Heavy Lift Helicopters (Chinook). Delivery of Chinook helicopters commenced from 25 March 2019 and all have been operationalised in IAF.

• Induction of ALH MK IV. IAF has also inducted ALH MK IV Heptrs in its inventory in Sep 2016.

 

• Airborne Early Warning And Control System (AEW&C). The Netra aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2017.
• Boeing-777-300ER. Two Boeing 777 300ER aircraft for VVIP operations were inducted into the IAF wef Mar 21.
• Airbus A-321    Four out of the six aircarfts are being currently utilized.

 

• Light Combat Helicopter.     LCH the first indigenous Multi Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by HAL inducted into the IAF on
  03 Oct 22 at AF Stn Jodhpur
• MRSAM (Shaurya).      MRSAM is being jointly developed by IAI, Israel and DRDO.
• MPR (Buy). Three MPR (Buy) radars were inducted. These inductions were in addition to the 12 MPR (Buy) inducted previously to replace the older generation PSM 33/TRS-2215/P40 radars.

• LLTR (Buy).   Nineteen radars have been inducted.

• Aslesha MK-I. A total of 52 radars have been inducted. These were inducted to plug the radar gaps at low levels in the forward areas & mountainous regions.

• Induction of MI-17 V5 Simulators. Two full motion simulators of MI-17 V5 have been inducted for training of aircrew at Sarsawa and Bagdogra.

MAJOR UPGRADATIONS

• Integration of BrahMos Air to Surface Missile on Su-30 MKI Aircraft.

 

• Su30 MKI with BrahMos Missile

• Brahmos Surface to Surface Missile firing by IAF. IAF successfully fired the first Brahmos Surface to Surface Missile on 27 May 16 at Pokhran Field Firing Range.
• Astra Missile on Su-30.
• Mirage 2000 Upgrade in Air Defence Configuration
• MiG-29 Upgrade.
• MAFI Phase-II. A contract for Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure Phase II was signed with M/s Tata Advances System Ltd (TASL) on 08 May 20. MAFI Phase-II is a follow-on program based on MAFI Phase-I which included up gradation of 30 airfields of IAF and has completed in Dec 2019. MAFI Phase-II includes 37 airfields out of which 24 are of IAF, 9 of Indian Navy and 02 each of ARC and ICG.
• D-29 for MiG-29 ac. Internal Radar Warner Jammer (RWJ) D-29 for
  MiG-29 ac was successfully developed by DRDO.

• Trial of Dhruvastra missile. Successful firing trials of Dhruvastra missile were carried out by ALH Mk-IV at 41 Wg AF, Jaisalmer from 10 Feb 21 to 20 Feb 21. EW Suites of ALH, Apache and Chinook helicopters were operationalised.

• Enhancing Launch Capability of Modern Platforms.  The C-130J Squadrons achieved operational status for NVG operations in May 19 thereby enhancing the potential of of the modern transport fleet. 
• MICA Air to Air Missile firing from Mirage 2000 I/TI Aircraft. Subsequent to upgradation of Mirage 2000 aircraft, it fired the first MICA Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVR AAM) in Sep 16. With this milestone, IAF has operationalised a highly potent Air Defence capability.
• Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS)  
• Jaguar DARIN-III Upgrade.

Empowerment of women in the IAF.

• Induction of women Officers in Combat Role
• Induction of women Agniveervayu. 120 women candiates have been planned to be inducted as Agniveervayu in first batch (Intake 01/2023).

Subscribe National Defence on YouTube. Click here!