Author: Defence Street Editor

Border Roads Organisation opens strategic Zoji La Pass after a closure of only 68 days
- Connectivity to Ladakh & Gurez Valley restored
New Delhi, 16th March Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened strategic Zojila Pass on the Greater Himalayan Range on 16 March 2023. The pass at 11,650 feet which acts as a gateway between Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir was kept open for traffic till January 06, 2023 through relentless snow clearance operations amidst tough weather conditions, ensuring that the Pass remained closed for only 68 days this year as compared to 73 days last year and 160-180 days in the yesteryears.

Since the first week of February, 2023, the snow clearance operations were undertaken from both sides of the pass by Project Beacon and Vijayak, located in J&K and Ladakh respectively. After sustained efforts, the connectivity across Zoji La Pass was initially established on March 11, 2023. Thereafter, efforts were made to improve the road conditions to create safe passage of vehicles.

Likewise, Razdan Pass which provides the only road connectivity between the Gurez Sector and the Kashmir Valley has also been successfully reopened on 16 Mar 2023 after a gap of just 58 days. Other important passes at Sadhna, Pharkiyan Gali and Zamindar Gali have been kept open throughout the winter season.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM, DGBR commended the Karamyogis of Project Beacon and Project Vijayak in achieving this feat.

Lt Gen Chaudhary said, “Early opening of the Zojila and Razdan Passes will facilitate augmentation of supply of essential goods and services for people of Ladakh and Gurez Valley.”

The DGBR further said that the trial movement of vehicles has been conducted successfully today and the decision to open the road for civil traffic will be taken by the Civil Administration after the conduct of joint inspection.
March 16, 2023
Exercise La Perouse – 2023

New Delhi, 16th March. Indian Navy’s indigenously built guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker, INS Jyoti participated in the third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse conducted from 13 – 14 March 2023. The exercise was conducted in the Indian Ocean Region, and was aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimising maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.

In addition to Indian Naval ships, the exercise witnessed participation of HMAS Perth from the Royal Australian Navy, FS Dixmude and FS La Fayette from the French Navy, JMSDF ship Suzutsuki from Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force along with Type SH 60 J Helicopter, HMS Tamar from the Royal Navy and USS Charleston the the United States Navy. The two day exercise provided all the participating navies an opportunity to undertake complex and advanced naval operations involving replenishment at sea, surface warfare drills, anti-air and air-defence exercises, cross deck helicopter operations and tactical manoeuvres in a joint manner suitable for seamless maritime operations.

INS Sahyadri, is an indigenously designed and built guided missile stealth frigate fitted with state-of –the art weapons and sensors, which makes her capable of detecting and neutralising air, surface and sub-surface threats. INS Jyoti is a fleet tanker capable of providing prolonged sustenance at sea to the fleet. Both the ships are a part of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and function under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

March 16, 2023
Defence Acquisition Council approves proposals worth Rs 70,500 crore for the Armed Forces & Indian Coast Guard under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category
- BrahMos missiles, Shakti EW systems & Utility Helicopters-Maritime, valued at Rs 56,000 crore, cleared for Indian Navy
- Long Range Stand-Off Weapon for the Indian Air Force gets the nod; To be integrated on SU-30 MKI aircraft
- 155mm/52 Caliber ATAGS, along with High Mobility & Gun Towing Vehicles, to be procured for Indian Army
- Indian Coast Guard to get Advance Light Helicopters MK-III from HAL
- Over Rs 2.71 lakh crore worth of procurement cleared in FY 2022-23; 99% to be sourced from Indian industries
New Delhi, 16th March. A meeting of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), held on March 16, 2023 under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition amounting to over Rs 70,500 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}. Out of the total proposals, Indian Navy proposals constitute more than Rs 56,000 crore, which largely includes indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, Utility Helicopters-Maritime etc.

While this additional procurement of BrahMos missile system will enhance the maritime strike capabilities & Anti-Surface Warfare Operation, the addition of Utility Helicopters will multiply the operational readiness of the Indian Navy in the domain of Search & Rescue operations, Casualty Evacuation, Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) etc. Similarly, Shakti EW systems will equip and modernise the frontline Naval ships to counter any Naval Operations by the adversaries.

Accordance of AoN for Medium Speed Marine Diesel Engine under Make-I category is a significant step as, for the first time, India is venturing into the development & manufacturing of such engines indigenously to achieve self-reliance & leverage the capabilities of the Industries towards the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. To keep pace with the emerging technologies and counter the adversaries in the Western and Northern front, the necessity of the new weapons and its integration with the delivery platforms was felt by the Government. To achieve the same objectives, the DAC accorded the approval to Indian Air Force’s proposal for Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) which will be indigenously designed, developed and integrated on SU-30 MKI aircraft.

For Artillery modernisation, in addition to the ongoing Dhanush Gun System and K-9 Vajra-T Gun System, AoN for procurement of 155mm/52 Caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) along with High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) and Gun Towing Vehicles (GTVs) for the Indian Army was accorded by the DAC. It also accorded AoN for procurement of Advance Light Helicopters (ALH) MK-III from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Coast Guard. The Helicopter will be able to carry a suite of surveillance sensors which will enhance the surveillance capabilities. It will also give full night capability and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability for operations of the Indian Coast Guard.

Including today’s proposals, the total AoN granted for Capital Acquisition in the Financial Year 2022-23 is over Rs 2.71 lakh crore, out of which 99% of the procurement will be sourced from Indian industries. Such quantum of indigenous procurement will galvanise the Indian industries towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
March 16, 2023
Seminar on Emerging Disruptive and Futuristic Technologies

New Delhi, 16th March. In keeping with the requirement of staying ahead of the curve in the field of military technology, Base Repair Depot (BRD), Palam organized a seminar on ‘Emerging Disruptive and futuristic Technology and their Application in Military Domains’ on 16 Mar 23 at New Delhi. Held under the aegis of Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force, the chief Guest of the event was Air Marshal Vibhas Pande AVSM VSM, AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command. The event was also graced by Director Gen (Aircraft), Assistant Chief of Air Staff Engineering (A), Assistant Chief of Air staff (MP) from Air Headquarters and many other eminent and distinguished guests from not only the IAF but also from sister services, academia/DPSUs and civil agencies. After the Welcome address Air Cmde SS Rehal, AOC BRD, Palam, Air Marshal Vibhas Pande AVSM VSM inaugurated the seminar and delivered the key note address. He said “Digitization is the most disruptive technology that has happened to this world”, and, “For all the disruptive and futuristic technologies, interconnection is of utmost importance to use them effectively for our military applications”.

The first session of the seminar, with the theme “Interconnection and Decentralized Decisions” was chaired by AVM PS Sarin, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Engineering (A). This session was aimed at understanding the nature of emerging, disruptive and future technologies and their application in the Armed Forces. Gp Capt Vikas Dhankar was the first speaker who spoke on “Understanding Emerging Disruptive Technologies for Utilization in Future Warfare”. Prof Jaijit Bhattacharya, President of Center for Digital Economy Policy Research thereafter spelt out the “Strategic Options for Indian Defence Forces in the Emerging Futuristic Technologies and Autonomous Systems”. The topic of “Leveraging IoT/IoP within the Constraints of IW/Cyber Requirements in the IAF” was covered by AVM (Dr) D Vatsa (Retd) who is the Advisor of Cyber Security and Critical Technologies, Data Security Council of India, NASSCOM. Ms Shimona Mohan, Research Assistant in the Center for Security, Strategy and Technology at the Observer research Foundation thereafter dwelled on “Effective and Ethical Military AI and Challenges in Maintenance of AI Weapon Systems”.

The second session of the seminar themed “Technology Assistance and Common Consciousness” chaired by AVM SK Jain, Assistant Chief of Air staff (MP) sought to bring the requirements of the Armed Forces and the capabilities of the defense manufacturing ecosystem into unison. Mr Yogesh J Inamdar, Associate Vice President and Head of IoT and Automation, Digital Manufacturing, Bharat Forge Ltd set the ball rolling by elucidating on “Industry 4.0 – How it can Revolutionize Manufacturing and Product Distribution in the Defense Sector”. Thereafter, Smt Hemavathy M, Principal Scientist, Central Research Laboratory, BEL spelt out “BEL’s Vision for Indian Defence Forces in general and IAF in Particular with Focus on Block Chain Technology”. Gp Capt Manish Chand from the IAF’s Unit for Digitisation, Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Application Networking thereafter spoke on the IAF’s experiences with “Operational Decision Support System using Intelligent Automation”.

The seminar thus focused on bringing experts of various varied technological fields under one platform with the aim of looking at ways on usage of technology as a force multiplier for the Indian Armed Forces. The colloquium holds significance since it was a unique effort on looking at the ways to revolutionize the Indian Armed Forces war waging capabilities and operational readiness with the support and involvement of our indigenous Defence Manufacturing ecosystem in keeping with the clarion call of “Atma Nirbar Bharat”.

March 16, 2023
Two-day workshop on ‘Human Factors Engineering in Military Platforms’ organised by DRDO concludes in New Delhi

New Delhi. The two-day workshop on ‘Human Factors Engineering in Military Platforms’, organised by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in New Delhi, concluded on March 16, 2023. The workshop was organised by Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, a DRDO laboratory, to address the need and future roadmap for implementation of Human Factor Engineering in product life cycle of indigenous products.

At the end of two days of deliberations by stakeholders from Armed Forces, CAPF, Industry and DRDO, a panel discussion was chaired by Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri Dr G Satheesh Reddy. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat; DG Armoured Corps Lt Gen Karanbir Singh Brar; DG ITBP Shri Anish Dayal; ADG Infantry; ADG, Army Design Bureau; ADG, Warship Design Bureau; Director Generals of DRDO and senior officials from Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), MKU, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) were also present.

Recommendations related to inclusion of chapter on Human Factors Engineering (HFE) in design document for all indigenous products and formulation of policy with the involvement of users were made. Generation of Anthropometry database of Indian soldiers and creation of Indian Standards were emphasised by all the panel members.

The Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri suggested inclusion of Human Factors Engineering (HFE), as desirable parameters in Preliminary Services Qualitative Requirements (PSQRs). DIPAS has been entrusted with the responsibility to drive implementation of HFE through interaction with stakeholders and formulation of required policies and standards.

The DRDO Chairman emphasised that inclusion of HFE in design and development of indigenous products will be a leap forward towards realising the vision of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in Defence.

March 16, 2023
Northrop Grumman Offers Battle Management, Command and Control Expertise for US Navy’s E-XX TACAMO Program

Northrop Grumman offers battle management, command and control expertise for US Navy’s E-XX TACAMO program. Credit: Northrop Grumman

MELBOURNE, Fla., 15th March. Northrop Grumman Corporation is leveraging its weapons system integration and battle management leadership to compete for the U.S. Navy’s E-XX TACAMO fleet of aircraft systems.

The Navy’s E-XX TACAMO aircraft will be based on the C-130J platform, and provides connectivity between the National Command Authority and ballistic submarines capable of delivering nuclear weapons. The Navy currently operates a fleet of E-6B Mercury aircraft to provide survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the National Command Authority and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. The Navy intends to replace the E-6B fleet with the E-XX to modernize this critical strategic deterrent mission.

“Our extensive experience integrating aircraft and mission systems, combined with our expertise in creating operationally-ready solutions in support of the nuclear enterprise, makes Northrop Grumman the optimal partner to deliver the Navy’s E-XX TACAMO weapon system” said Janice Zilch, vice president, multi-domain command and control programs, Northrop Grumman. “As we’ve demonstrated with the Navy’s E-2 programs, we have been a longtime partner in helping the Navy meet its operational requirements. We will bring this expertise in helping the Navy deliver the E-XX TACAMO on time and optimized for this strategically important mission.”

For more than six decades, Northrop Grumman has delivered on the development, production and modification of the Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye system as the prime contractor, and continues to provide total mission assurance with proven solutions that are secure, survivable, multi-layered systems designed for total weapon system security.

“Our team has vast knowledge and expertise in delivering critical command and control, and nuclear enterprise capabilities,” said Henry Cyr, director, multi-domain command and control capture programs, Northrop Grumman. “We perform challenging work that has a real-world impact. You can see that on our legacy platforms, the platforms currently in operation, and the platforms we will deliver tomorrow.”

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 95,000 employees define possible every day.

March 16, 2023
Kimberly Ross and Mary Winston Join Northrop Grumman Board of Directors

FALLS CHURCH, Va., 15th March. Northrop Grumman Corporation has elected Kimberly A. Ross and Mary A. Winston to its board of directors.

“Kimberly and Mary are proven global business leaders, and we’re thrilled to have them join our board,” said Kathy Warden, Chair, Chief Executive Officer and President, Northrop Grumman. “Their deep experience, serving in senior executive leadership and board roles with large public companies, will be valuable as we continue to position our company for near and long-term global growth.”

Ross was chief financial officer of WeWork in 2020 and chief financial officer of Baker Hughes Company from 2014 to 2017. Prior to this, she was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Avon Products, Inc. from 2011 to 2014, and executive vice president and chief financial officer of Royal Ahold N.V. from 2007 to 2011.

Winston is president and founder of WinsCo Enterprises, a financial and board governance consulting firm. She was interim chief executive officer of Bed Bath & Beyond in 2019. Previously, she was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Family Dollar Stores from 2012 to 2015, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Giant Eagle from 2008 to 2012, and executive vice president and chief financial officer of Scholastic Corporation from 2004 to 2007.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 95,000 employees define possible every day.

March 16, 2023
Exercise Sea Dragon 23

New Delhi, 16th March. A P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Guam, USA on 14th March to participate in ‘Exercise Sea Dragon 23’, the third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft, conducted by the US Navy.

The exercise scheduled from 15th-30th March, would stress on coordinated anti-submarine warfare amongst the participating countries. The complexity and scope of these exercises has increased steadily over the past years to include advanced ASW drills.

Ex Sea Dragon 23 will test the capabilities of participating aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater targets, whilst also sharing mutual expertise. The Exercise would witness representation by an Indian Navy P8I, along with P8A of the US Navy, P1 from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force and P3C from the RoKN.

The Exercise aims to achieve high levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies, which is based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific.

March 16, 2023
Boeing Forecasts Resiliency and Increased Growth for Aircraft Finance
- 2023 commercial aircraft financing to reach near pre-pandemic levels
- 100% of commercial deliveries funded by third parties for the past three years
Boeing Reports Resiliency and Increased Growth for Aircraft Finance, 2023 Commercial Aircraft Finance Market Outlook shows another year of recovery and increased demand from aircraft financiers and investors. (Boeing image)

SEATTLE. Boeing on 15th March released the 2023 Commercial Aircraft Finance Market Outlook (CAFMO) showing another year of recovery and increased demand from aircraft financiers and investors.

“With production and delivery increases and the reopening of certain regional markets, we forecast aircraft financing needs to reach near pre-pandemic levels in 2023,” said Rich Hammond, vice president of Customer Finance at Boeing. “This positive trend reaffirms that our industry’s fundamentals are strong and aircraft financiers and investors are well positioned as travel continues to recover.”

The 2023 CAFMO is Boeing’s annual review of aircraft financing trends and assesses near-term market dynamics and financing sources for new commercial airplane deliveries.

An introductory video, presentation and regional financing data is available at www.boeing.com/CAFMO. Select highlights include:
- In 2022, the majority of Boeing airplanes were funded with cash due to strong operational performance and de-leveraging efforts by customers.
- While cash funding will continue to play a significant part in delivery financing, the use of capital markets, bank debt and export credit is expected to expand.
- 2022 capital markets activity was lower compared to its heightened activity recorded in 2021.
- Export credit agencies supported nearly 5% of Boeing deliveries in 2022.
- Lessor-supported deliveries will remain stable but may face competition from other financing sources.
The Boeing 2022 Commercial Market Outlook, a separate annual 20-year forecast addressing the market for commercial airplanes and services, reflects that the global market is recovering as Boeing projected in 2020. Demand for domestic air travel has made a strong recovery across a number of regions, with international traffic gaining momentum as restrictions ease, tracking to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023 to 2024.

Caution Concerning Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this presentation may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “targets,” “anticipates” and similar expressions generally identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future plans, business prospects, financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable when made, but that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements, including the COVID-19 pandemic and related industry impacts; the timing and conditions of 737 MAX or other airplane model regulatory approvals, lower-than-planned production rates and/or delivery rates, and increased considerations to customers and suppliers; economic and geopolitical conditions in the United States and globally; general market and industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers; reliance on our commercial customers, our U.S. government customers and our suppliers; the overall health of our aircraft production system, as well as the other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in The Boeing Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
March 16, 2023
Commemoration of Birth Anniversary: Late General Bipin Rawat

New Delhi, 15th March. On the occasion of his 65th birth anniversary on 16th March, the Indian Navy fondly remembers Late General Bipin Rawat, the first Chief of Defence Staff of Indian Armed Forces. General Rawat, a visionary leader, a scholar soldier and a military reformer, was known for his professionalism, principles, conviction and decisiveness. In a distinguished career spanning over four decades, General Rawat’s achievements were remarkable in all spheres of military and national security affairs.

As the first CDS and Secy DMA, General Rawat rallied for organisational and structural reforms to integrate the Armed Forces. Path-breaking transformational initiatives and civil-military synergy will remain his legacy. General Rawat’s enthusiasm lead the Armed Forces to turn Agnipath – the biggest HR transformation by the Armed Forces since Independence, from an idea to reality.

To acknowledge and honour Gen Rawat’s contribution to the transformational Agnipath scheme and towards enhancement of Tri-Services synergy and jointmanship, following two trophies are being instituted by the Indian Navy:-

(a) General Bipin Rawat rolling trophy for the ‘Women Agniveer Trainee standing First in Overall Order of Merit’. This trophy is scheduled to be presented by the Chief of the Naval Staff during the ‘Passing Out Parade’ of the first batch of Navy Agniveers on 28 March 2023 at its premier sailors training centre, INS Chilka.

(b) General Bipin Rawat Rolling trophy for the ‘Most Spirited Officer’ undergoing the Naval Higher Command Course (NHCC) at Naval War College (NWC), Goa.

March 15, 2023