NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Ceasefire violations and killings of Indian jawans by Pakistani troops, border incursions by Chinese and commissioning of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) were a few of the highlights of Indian Defence Forces during 2013.
The year also saw self-reliance in advanced missile technology development programme and augmentation of Defence preparedness by addition of new weapons.
In Defence R and D, successful test flight of 5000 km range ICBM Agni-V, launching of long-range cruise missile Nirbhay and continued successful user trials of Agni-II, Agni-III,Agni-IV, Prithvi-II, Supersonic BrahMos and Beyond Visual Range missile Astra marked India’s Defence prowess.
The commissioning of India’s biggest aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya on November 16, preceded by the launching of India’s own IAC-INS Vikrant and induction of deadly Mig-29K squadron into the Indian Navy were also major developments of 2013.
The year gone by also saw systematic force projection of the Armed Forces in India’s neighbourhood and far off Asian Region.
These highs notwithstanding, there were some lows too.
The sudden and unprovoked attack by the Pakistan Army in the guise of armed infiltration along the Line of Control (LOC) in Poonch and later in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir brought disquiet into the region.
Pakistan continued to resort to ceasefire violations and border firing all through the year.
The thaw in India-China border relations was also broken in April when Chinese Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) jawans repeatedly infiltrated into Ladakh Sector on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Despite that, India signed a crucial Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDC) with China during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Beijing in October.
The agreement is expected to bring in a relatively peaceful and intrusion free LAC in the northern sector.
The agreement lays down a protocol to prevent incidents like the intrusion when Chinese troops pitched tents inside Indian territories in August/September.
On July 2, India unveiled the much awaited National Cyber Security Policy to create a secure cyber eco-system in the country.
The devastating fire accident in the frontline submarine INS Sindhurakshak and its sinking under sea in Mumbai Naval Dockyard in August was a big jolt to the Indian Navy.
During the year, India reiterated its expertise in high-end missile technology when the second test flight of over 5000 KM Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-V proved successful on September 15.
The much awaited indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for the IAF also saw the light of the day.
Tejas, a fourth generation fighter aircraft, is meant to meet the requirements of the IAF as its front-line multi mission aircraft.
India launched its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on August 12 at Kochi, marking the end of Phase-I (IAC-I) of the project.
Indian Defence scientists successfully activated the atomic reactor on board INS Arihant in early August.
India finally commissioned its second aircraft carrier 44,500 tonne INS Vikramaditya into the Navy at the Sevmash Shipyard in Severodvinsk of Russia on November 16 when Defence Minister A K Antony commissioned it after its extensive refurbishment and refit over the past few years.
The Carrier, in its previous avtar as Admiral Gorshkov, can carry over 30 combat aircraft/helicopters and has the staying power of operating nearly 45 days in high seas with its 1600 crew and officers.
The Indian Navy inducted the first fully Indian manufactured Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) at INS Dega, Vishakhapatnam, in November.
During the year, the Indian Army conducted bilateral exercises with China, France, UK, Russia and Nepal.
India-China joint exercises Hand-in-Hand 2013 conducted in Chengdu Province of China culminated on November 13.
Exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’, a four week Indo-UK joint military exercise, also aimed at enhancing counter terrorism skills.
In October, Indian and Russian armies conducted a joint exercise, Indra, at Mahajan field firing range in Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
The event saw both sides perform various combat exercises, including anti-terrorist operations.
A joint exercise between India and the French armies was organised from September 9-20 in the French Alps at Grenoble.
During the year, the Defence Ministry ordered a CBI probe into Augusta Westland Contract for 12 VVIP Helicopters.
The Indian Navy held exercises with the Navies of several countries including the US, the UK, Japan and Brazil and South Africa (IBSA), Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Oman.
The 13th Meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Technical Co-operation (IRIGC-MTC) was held in Moscow at November, which was co-chaired by Defence Minister A K Antony and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shiogu.
Keeping in view the rapidly changing geo-political situation and to fulfil its new operational stance, the IAF took a number of steps related to its force level, infrastructure development, force multipliers, training and most importantly, its mindset from a tactical to a strategic entity.
In addition to tying up with Russia for development and manufacture of state-of-the-art 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), India also collaborated with Russia for development of a multi-role transport aircraft.
The Indo-French High Committee on Defence Co-operation, which met in October this year, decided to further strengthen the ties in different fields which include joint R and D in high technology and transfer of technology, Defence equipment collaboration, training and close navy-to-navy interaction in matters like joint exercises and Defence exchanges.
Drawing lessons from 26/11 terrorist attacks on Mumbai in 2008, the Government took a number of steps to close the gaps in India’s vast coastline and strengthen the coastal security apparatus.
Under Phase-I of the Coastal Surveillance Network Project, installation of 36 radar chain to have a gap free Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) was envisaged.
Of late, a worrisome trend has arisen of Private Armed Security Guards on board Commercial ships in international waters as well as territorial waters.
A high-level meeting on Coastal Security recently decided to take up this issue of Private Armed Security Guards with international fora like the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
To further encourage indigenisation and development of Defence industrial base in the country, the Government promulgated amended Defence Procurement Procedure on June 1.
Indian Air Force formally grounded its Mig-21 (FL) fleet in December. Their place will be taken by the LCA fighter version.
The Naresh Chandra Task Force constituted by the Government on national security and higher Defence management submitted its recommendations, which include creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the Indian Armed Forces.
The foundation stone for India’s first National Defence University (INDU) was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Binola, near Gurgaon on May 23.
(UNI)
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