Indian defence news

It’s been 20 years since India stunned the world with Pokhran II. It wasn’t the fact that India had nuclear technology, but the realisation that India was able to conduct these tests without the rest of the world not having a clue as to what was going on in a remote location in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, despite having the place under constant satellite surveillance. In an exclusive interview with Chethan Kumar, Colonel Gopal Kaushik, formerly of the 58th Engineering regiment, talks about those groundbreaking tests. “Before we start, I want you to assure me that my location won’t be made public,” Colonel Gopal Kaushik (retired) said, sitting in his living room, somewhere in South India. Twenty years after the regiment he was commanding – the 58th Engineers Regiment – ensured the successful nuclear tests that put India on the map of nations with nuclear arms capability, he still has some untold stories. Code named Operation Shakti, the 1998 tests in Pokhran were the second time Indi...

New Delhi has to consider its deterrence requirements and perceptions in Beijing and Islamabad. Since the early 2000s, the BrahMos missile system has made India’s military arsenal a formidable one. A product of a joint Indo-Russian initiative, the weapon allows India to deliver a payload at Mach 2.8 to 3 velocity from 300 to 400 kilometers away. In fact, it is considered to be the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile. India’s current inventory includes land, air, ship, and submarine-launched variants of BrahMos, which has, to this point, been classified as a conventional missile by the U.S. Naval Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC). Given the nuclear capabilities of China, along with the technological feasibility of delivering a nuclear warhead with the weapon system, it is likely that India will add a nuclear capability to BrahMos to fulfill its deterrence requirements against China. In turn, Pakistan may perceive this development as an Indian attempt to pursue a cou...

Indian and Japanese defense contractors, next to two European and two U.S. firms, are submitting design proposals for Taiwan’s future submarine fleet. Six companies have reportedly submitted design proposals for the Republic of China Navy’s (ROCN) future fleet of domestically-designed and produced diesel-electric attack submarines (SSK). This includes two European and two U.S. firms, as well as an Indian company and a Japanese defense contractor, according to local media reports. The Indian team that submitted a design proposal is drawn up from naval engineers working on the Indian Navy’s SSK fleet, which includes the Sindhughosh-class (Russian-made Kilo-class), Shishumar-class (German Type 209), and the new Kalvari-class (Scorpene-class) boats, whereas the Japanese team consists of retired engineers from Mitsubishi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries — Japan’s two principal sub makers. Interestingly, the Japanese team submitted its proposal at the special request of a U.S. defense ...

Russia’s state-owned helicopter manufacturer may produce several dozen flying machines for the Indian market. The deal is currently underway, according to an industry source. Russian Helicopters is prepared to sign a contract to export 48 Mi-17-V5 helicopters to India. A source within the company confirmed to Sputnik that the deal, which the company is preparing in cooperation with Russia's Rosoboronexport agency, is currently underway: "We are looking forward for the buyer's final decision to sign the contract. After that we can start executing it," the source added. The Mil-17-V5 military and transport model, which is equipped with the new Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft engine, is part of the Mil-17 family of multipurpose helicopters. A total of 12,000 Mi-17s have so far been delivered to clients in 110 countries. https://sputniknews.com/military/201807121066269846-russia-india-helicopters/

NEW DELHI: India and Indonesia close on the heels of PM Narendra Modi's visit to Jakarta has launched initiative to develop port in Sabang in Aceh province to enhance maritime connectivity as part of Indo-Pacific strategy being in put in place by both sides. A joint team led by foreign ministry officials of both countries visited Sabang this week to explore collaboration to develop strategically located deep-sea port. The team also explored potential to enhance connectivity between the Provinces including Aceh in Sumatera Islands of Indonesia and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This was a follow up to the Shared Vision on Maritime Cooperation in Indo-Pacific released during Modi’s May 29-30 visit. The Indian team was led by Pradeep K Rawat, Ambassador of India to Indonesia and included officials and business delegates from Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Indonesian team was led by officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia and had senior officials from other gove...