Nov 14, 2010

India, Russia Expand Defence Cooperation

India and Russia unfolded a new chapter in defence cooperation with an extensive joint `Indra' counter-terrorism exercise involving combat drills in a semi-urban and mountainous environment. The 10-day "battalion-level'' exercise was held at Chaubattia near Ranikhet in Uttarakhand, involving a large Russian contingent of 257 personnel from its Southern Command. This exercise is the third in the Indra series. Indian 99 Mountain Brigade and Russian 34 Independent Mountain Infantry Brigade were the main participants  While the first was held at the Mahajan ranges in Rajasthan in 2005, the second was conducted at Pskov in Russia in 2007, it is now proposed to increase the frequency of these exercises with the next one being held in Russia in 2011.

The exercise reportedly enabled greater synergy between the forces and a clearer understanding of the doctrine practiced by each nation to combat terrorism, thereby further cementing the relationship which has existed between the two nations. The exercise also witnessed many tactical exercises by both the armies which included use of state-of-the-art technology to enhance the ability to retain their supremacy in combating unconventional methods used by insurgents/terrorists.

As per the Ministry of Defence press release, the Russian Army were especially impressed by the drills and tactics evolved by the Indian Army to conduct people-friendly surgical operations. While the previous two exercises were based on airborne maneuvers, the exercise this year is the first time that such a large number of troops from both sides are training together on Counter Insurgency / terrorism operations.

This exercise was conducted in three phases to improve the interoperability and imbibe lessons at small team levels; levels at which success is imperative to combat terrorism. During the culmination phase on the last two days a realistic simulated joint operational exercise was conducted involving surveillance, acquiring and assessing of intelligence; joint planning; multi-directional induction of forces in small teams maintaining stealth; regrouping into joint task forces and joint teams; followed by a series of counter-terrorist operations. The operations simulated involved coordinated cross-country movement over approx 20 km; orchestrated sweep searches over the intended areas of operations; detection and isolation of terrorist hides; elimination of terrorists holed inside without collateral damage and employment of special teams, both vehicle and heliborne, to exploit fleeting opportunities. The exercise provided an opportunity to troops at both levels to understand each other’s maneuvers and tactics, as also build confidence amongst each other for conduct of any future joint tasks and operations between the nations against terrorism. There is no doubt, the exercise achieved what it had set out to achieve. [Based on MOD India Press Release].

            While it is commonly known that Russians have been providing big ticket platforms to the Indian Air and Naval forces, the most favourite weapon of the Indian infantry is the AK 47 or the Kalashnikov. Popularly called as the AK, troops deployed for counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations prefer this extremely reliable and versatile assault rifle. The Russian sniper rifle Dragunov with night sight is also quite popular with the Indian infantry.

On the strategic technology cooperation front, the Tenth Meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) was held in New Delhi attended by Indian Defence Minister Shri AK Antony and the Russian Defence Minister Mr. AE Serdyukov. The Indian delegation included Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri RK Singh, Shri VK Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. The Russian delegation included representatives from the Russian Ministry of Defence and the Russian Defence Industry. The IRIGC-MTC was established in 2000, with a view to further bilateral defence cooperation between India and Russia. The Commission is supported by two Working groups – on Military Technical Cooperation and Shipbuilding, Aviation and Land Systems respectively and seven sub-groups.

The Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) and the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) were in focus. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the Shareholders Agreement for formation of a Joint Venture Company for the development and production of the MTA. Further, both sides agreed to expedite modalities for the proposed project for the joint design, development and production of the FGFA.

“India hopes to get 45 MTA and also finalize the FGFA, … all the issues we have discussed and solved between our two countries… now it is in the final stages of the Indian government, some technical formalities between the governments is needed and I am sure we will be able to complete very soon…within a few months,” Shri Antony later told a joint press conference. “As per this agreement India will receive approximately between 250-300 most modern FGFA”. he added. “We have very good big plans and we have very serious projects and work before us. And this, as I said, will be a big challenge and we will try to do our best in order to prove that our bilateral cooperation can give us very good practical results,” said Mr. Serdyukov.

The FGFA is expected to be super-manoeuvrable with supersonic cruising ability, long-range strike and high-endurance air defence capability costing or around $100 million. "We are looking to induct 200 to 250 FGFA in phases from 2017 onwards,'' confirmed IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik in the run up to the Air Force Day.  ACM Naik said 30-tonne FGFA will be a "swing-role fighter, with very advanced avionics, stealth to increase survivability, enhanced lethality, 360 degree situational awareness, smart weapons, data-links, high-end mission computers.''

The Joint Commission also reviewed the status of several other ongoing and proposed projects, including the licenced production of T-90 Tanks and the establishment of the repair and overhaul facilities for various Russian origin defence equipment in India.

The scope for military technical cooperation between both countries is defined through an umbrella inter-Governmental agreement; and Agreement on a long term programme for military and technical cooperation for the period 2011-2020 was signed during the visit of the Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh to Russia in December last year. Both Ministers agreed on the need to enhance interactions between the Armed Forces of both countries. The Russian Defence Minister also stated that the Chief of Defence Forces of Russia would visit India in November this year and that the Russian Navy Chief would visit in January 2011. [Based on MOD India Press Release].

Indo Russian defence cooperation is expanding even as newer players including the United States and European countries are now vying for training and military cooperation with India. The basis of this cooperation is the long term strategic partnership that the two countries have enjoyed despite a brief period of coldness in the 1990’s. The Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) is particularly important for it covers the various platform deals that both the countries have with each other including aircraft carrier, the nuclear submarine Nerpa [though not officially covered in the press release], aerial platforms as the SU 30 MKI and now the FGFA and MTA joint development agreements. Some contentious issues such as delays in provision of the Gorshkov and cost escalation as well as lack of support in terms of spares and assemblies for ongoing projects have also been discussed from time to time. After the Gorshkov now it appears that the Nerpa Akula II will also be delayed.

NOV 2010

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