Defence 360

The Naga Peace Accord was signed between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Government of India (GOI) on 3 August 2015. While terms of the Accord are shrouded in secrecy, they have indicated that there will be no modification to State boundaries, however, “cultural integration of Nagas will be facilitated through special measures and provide for the financial and administrative autonomy of the Naga-dominated areas in other states”. Recognition would thus given to the “unique history” and culture of the Nagas. NSCN(IM) alteration of their core demands, from complete sovereignty and Greater Nagalim, to acceptance of the constitutional framework with greater autonomy and NSCN(IM)’s/GOI urgency to clear the Accord, was because of NSCN(IM) leaders growing old & infirm – sadly Isaac Swu has since died; a bitter secession battle when these leaders pass away; public pressure; cadres losing faith and breaking away due to disillusionment; ...

A Nervous China said on Wednesday it hoped the rights of its companies and nationals working in India would be safeguarded, reacting to protests against a Chinese employee of a mobile phone company for allegedly tearing up an Indian flag. A large posse of police had to be deployed inside and outside the Noida Sector 63 office of Oppo, the rapidly-expanding Chinese phone company and the main sponsor of the Indian cricket team from next month. “We have seen the report. As far as we know, the company is in touch with the local police. We hope this issue can be resolved properly,” Lu Kang, foreign ministry spokesperson said, when asked to comment about the incident at the regular presser in Beijing. “The Chinese government always asks its Chinese enterprises and staff overseas to abide by local law and regulations and respect local practices and customs,” Lu added. “We also hope that the legitimate rights of the Chinese enterprises and staff will be safeguarded...

In its probe into the alleged transfer of cross-LoC trade funds for terror purposes in J&K, the National Investigation Agency has found at least five companies with links to the Hizb-ul Mujahideen. Top sources told TOI that the scrutiny of around 300 companies/traders engaged in cross-LoC India-Pakistan trade since 2008 has revealed some dubious transactions related to five firms. NIA officials refused to divulge the names of these companies. Sources said that these companies were engaged in barter trade with some Pakistan-based individuals/companies that were under-invoicing the import of California almonds (badam giri) at trade facilitation centres (TFCs) located at Salamabad and Chakkan-da-Bagh in J&K. The under-invoicing led to windfall profits for the Indian companies now under the scanner and that money was most likely used for “terror operations”. NIA suspects that several crores of rupees were handed over to overground workers of Hizb or to sep...

By Prafull Kumar,GDNA For the first time since its introduction into service in December 2016, the Italian Air Force’s ATR 72MP has flown overseas to attend the Langkawi International Maritime And Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia, from March 21 to 25. During the show, the aircraft and its crew will be available to delegations and guests for hosted visits and briefings. Leonardo envisions significant export op portunities for the aircraft in the region due the aircraft’s low cost of operation, ease of maintenance and exceptional versatility in a number of maritime roles. The ATR 72MP, which was developed by Leonardo using the ATR 72-600 turboprop as a base, can perform roles including maritime patrol, search and identification of surface vessels, Command, Control and Communication, ISR, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, SAR (Search and Rescue) missions, the prevention of narcotics trafficking, piracy, smuggling, territorial water security and monitoring an...

By Prafull Kumar,GDNA The People’s Republic of China Airborne Corps receives new Y-12D twin-engine turboprop transport aircraft. The new Y-12D aircraft to replace Chinese aging fleet of Shijiazhuang Y-5 single-engine biplane transport aircraft. The Y-12D is a military version of Harbin Y-12 utility aircraft built by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) with upgraded engines driving four-bladed p ropellers. The Y-12 started as a development of the Harbin Y-11 airframe called Y-11T in 1980. The design featured numerous improvements including a redesigned wing with a new low drag section, a larger fuselage and bonded rather than riveted construction. The Y-12 has a maximum takeoff weight of 5,700 kg (12,600 lb) with seating for 17 passengers and two crew. The aircraft is operated as a light commuter and transport aircraft. Y-12 is replacing Y-5 as the primary choice of airborne troops training.

      By Prafull Kumar,GDNA Some 2,500 soldiers of the Russian Airborne Forces took part in large-scale military exercises in the Crimean peninsula, that Russia annexed in 2014. In course of the command-and-staff exercise of the Russian Airborne troops held at the Opuk range in Crimea, a battalion tactic group of the Novorossiysk airborne-assault (mountain) division was airdropped with armament and military hardware. Up to 40 scouts of the reconnaissance unit jumped from Il-76 aircraft from the altitude of 1,300 meters using the Arbalet-2 special parachute systems. The main forces (more than 300 servicemen) were airdropped from the altitude of 800 meters using D-10 parachutes. The servicemen also carried out the seaborne operation and landed on an unequipped coast as well as airdrop operation from helicopters.

By Prafull Kumar, GDNA The Security Service of Ukraine has received and operationalised a first SandCat Armored Vehicles developed by Israek’s Plasan defence company. The first SandCat Armored Vehicle was spotted during festivities on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Security Service of Ukraine. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko also took part in festivities on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Security Se rvice of Ukraine. The SandCat is a composite armored vehicle designed by Plasan. It is based on a commercial Ford F-Series chassis shortened to a 2.84 m (112 in) wheelbase by Manning Equipment of Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Driven by a powerful yet highly energy-efficient V8 6.7L turbo diesel engine mounted on a modified Ford chassis, the 4×4 SandCat’s acceleration, speed and maneuverability enable it to get in and out of tight situations fast – even when it’s carrying up to 12 fully equipped fighters. The SandCat is able to ford...

Another iconic naval platform is now set for retirement after aircraft carrier INS Viraat. The Soviet-origin Tupolev-142M aircraft, which helped the force keep a hawk-eye on enemy warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for almost 30 years, will be decommissioned later this month. The world’s largest and fastest turboprop aircraft, aptly named the ‘Albatross,’ the Navy had inducted eight TU-142Ms since 1988. “They were the backbone of our long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) and anti-submarine warfare operations. But only three are fully operational now. They will now be retired at the naval air station INS Rajali in Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu at a ceremony on March 29,” said an officer. The TU-142Ms are being replaced by the 12 Poseidon-8I long-range patrol aircraft- eight have already been inducted- acquired from the US for $3.2 billion. Packed with radars and armed with deadly Harpoon Block-II missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets an...

The Indian Navy has launched a global search for maritime fighter jets it plans to operate from future aircraft carriers and is awaiting response from top military contractors on what they have to offer. The navy wants 57 multi-role carrier-borne fighters (MRCBF) and the potential order could get bigger with an option clause to buy more jets. The hunt for new deck-based fighters comes at a time when the navy is left with just a solitary aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, following the decommissioning of Viraat on Monday. The navy issued a request for information for the multi-billion dollar MRCBF project in January, giving aircraft manufacturers a four-month deadline to respond. By May, the foreign firms have to answer queries on technical parameters, budgetary estimates, likely level of indigenisation, transfer of technology and schedule of deliveries after a contract is inked. French, Swedish, Russian and American firms are likely to compete for the proje...

      Indian Prime Minister Mrs.Indira Gandhi and foreign minister Sardar Swaran Singh with Soviet                                                                                 leader Leonid Brezhnev By Debasis Dash The humiliating defeat of India in 1962 Sino-India war and the following bonhomie between its archrival Pakistan and the communist eastern neighbor China, India was left to fend herself in the emerging cold war in south Asia. Despite the United States’ arms embargo on Pakistan and India, it actively supported Pakistan during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The help was part of then US president Richard Nixon and the then secretary of state Henery Kissinger’s “Quiet Diplomacy”.The broad idea was to lend an unofficial diplomatic and militar...

By :    ÖZGE NUR ÖĞÜTCÜ/JP Uzbek-Chinese political discussions took place in Beijing on 25 th  of January, 2017. Mostly current state of bilateral relations, international and regional developments were on the table. Also both parties evaluated the process since signing the comprehensive strategic partnership which was signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Uzbekistan in June 2016 and discussed about the future visits at the “high and the highest levels”. The same day intergovernmental committee’s subcommittee on cooperation in the security sphere also took place in Beijing. High level contacts between two countries have been ongoing in the last couple of years and Uzbekistan hosted the annual summit of the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2016. In the force of many actors such as South Korea, Japan, European Union, Asian Development Bank, World Bank and so on investing in Uzbekistan, it is possible to see China’s increasing i...