Indian Army

Surveillance in border areas

During the recent study visit of the Committee to Eastern Sector from 4 to 9 November, 2019, they came across a request for high-tech state-of-the-art cameras for surveillance purposes. A requirement of fifteen to sixteen such cameras for the posts over there was placed before the Committee. The approximate cost of the said cameras was anticipated to be around ₹ 80 lakh. In response to the current status of these cameras, MoD replied, “As far as the issue of the surveillance equipment is concerned, we have received those requests. It is not only at Nathu La or Eastern Command but all across our northern borders. We are undertaking this procurement in two ways. One is a central procurement which takes a little longer but which will meet the overall requirement. But to meet the immediate operational requirement, we have something called the Army Commanders’ Special Financial Powers Fund under which the Army Commanders are empowered by such operationally necessary equipment to fill in the gap between what is available today and till such time that the central procurement materialises.”

Bullet Proof Jackets

The Committee desired to be apprised about the current status of authorised and held strength of Bullet Proof Jackets in Army. MoD replied, “As part of drive towards modernization of Infantry, improvement in individual protective gear has been given the highest priority in order to ensure better survivability of the soldier against the enemy and terrorists. An immediate requirement of quantity fifty thousand Bullet Proof Jackets, based upon earlier General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR 878), had been met through Revenue route in March 2016. The contract for procurement of quantity one lakh eighty-six thousand one hundred thirty-eight Bullet Proof Jackets as per revised General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR 1438) had been concluded in April 2018. Forty thousand of these have already been delivered.” And, about the funds regarding them, the reply given was, “₹85.58 crore was the financial outgo on procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets during 2018–19. The projection (Revised Estimate) for Financial Year 2019–20 is ₹ 320.91 crore.” Further on the issue of safety of soldiers, the Committee inquired about feasibility of full body suits. The Ministry of Defence through written reply apprised the Committee that as per the analysis of open source information available, fully body suits are currently under development in some countries. The procurement of fully body suits may be carried out in future based on requirement and further development in the field.

Indian Air Force

Indigenous content on various platforms

Aircraft Shelters

The Committee expressed concern over the paucity in number of aircraft shelters in Air Force. Response submitted by Indian Air Force representatives was,“As far as aircraft shelters are concerned, we are constructing Air craft shelters in a systemic way. Initially our focus was more on Western Border. You will see aircraft shelters are available there. Now focus is increasing on North-East. MoD already has our (?) for that. We are constructing these shelters in a systemic and step bound way. We are constructing two types of shelters. One type we are constructing is New Generation Hardened Aircraft Shelter, to protect aircrafts in case of bombing. Second is Sun Shelters, it means that of course it won’t be able to protect during wartime but during peace time it will protect the aircraft from rain and other weather related activities. Its already constructed in Tezpur and Chabua and we are using them. New Generations shelters are expensive and take time for construction. We are constructing them, in a stepbound way, everywhere we will deploy our fighter aircrafts.

(The above response about shelters was originally given in Hindi and has been translated and paraphrased.)

Trainer Aircraft

The existing strength of trainer aircraft is 260 as against the sanctioned strength of 388. The current strength is given below: -

2. Presently, IAF has 75 BTA. Case for procurement of 38 additional BTA aircraft under the ‘Option Clause’ was being processed. However, the same has been deferred for one year. A case for procurement of 20 additional AJT aircraft from HAL is currently at the Contract Negotiation Stage.

3. Design and Development (D&D) of HTT-40 aircraft is under progress at HAL, Bangalore. HAL has indicated that the development of HTT-40 is expected to be completed by Dec 2019. The procurement of HTT-40 will be initiated after successful development of aircraft.

4. Simulators have also been acquired for the Basic Trainer Aircraft and Advance Jet Trainer aircraft. Presently, IAF has two Fixed Base Full mission Simulators (FBFMS), three Cockpit Procedure Trainers (CPTs) and one Avionics Part Task Trainer (APTT) along with associated equipment and infrastructure for the BTA. Similarly for AJT, three CPTs, three APTTs and two FTDs (Flight Training Display) are installed for providing simulator training. The procurement of simulators is built into the contracts of all aircraft that the IAF is now procuring.

5. When inquired about the plan to cover the paucity in trainer aircraft, MoD replied, “Case for procurement of 38 additional Basic Trainer Aircraft under the ‘Option Clause’ was being processed. However, the same has been deferred for one year. A case for procurement of 20 additional Advance Jet Trainer aircraft from HAL is currently at the Contract Negotiation Stage. Design and Development (D&D) of HTT-40 aircraft is under progress at HAL, Bangalore. HAL has indicated that the development of HTT-40 is expected to be completed by Dec 2019. The procurement of HTT-40 will be initiated after successful development of aircraft.”

6. The Committee categorically desired to be updated on the present status of critical stall and spin trials of HTT 40. MoD replied,

i. Current status of HTT 40. On 01 Feb 10, while seeking Acceptance of Necessity(AON) from the Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) for 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft as a Make by HAL project, the timeline projected by HAL for the development of HTT-40 was three years (February 2013) for the first flight and five years (February 2015) for the certification. HAL achieved the milestone of first flight in May 2016 with a delay of over three years.

ii . Flight trial status. Rotary balance wind tunnel test for spin has been completed by ONERA, France. Spin gantry fitment for undertaking spin flight has been completed. The Sea level trials have been completed in December 2018 and spin flight tests are under progress.

iii. Aero Engine Status Engine electronic control (EEC) has become obsolete. For the production versions of the aero-engine for HTT-40 ac a new EEC/twin channel FADEC needs to be developed. M/s Honeywell has quoted a time frame of 24 months from T0 for this task. Presently the flight testing is being done with Cat ‘B’ EEC.

iv. Project Timeline. As per Hindustan Aeronautics Limited initial project report on HTT-40, a total of 350 test flights were envisaged. As on 24 September 2019, 325 test flights have been completed on two prototype aircraft. The critical phase of proving the spin characteristics of the aircraft has started. The aircraft is modified with a spin gantry for deploying spin parachute in case of emergencies. HAL has conveyed that six turn spin to the right was carried out towards spin testing. The spin testing for six turn spin to the left is currently under progress. HAL would need to not only demonstrate the full six turn spin, using conventional (in-spin for entry and anti-spin for recovery) inputs for entry and recovery but also demonstrate the same on a production standard aircraft without instrumentation, telemetry and gantry (for spin recovery chute). Any unforeseen challenges in this phase could delay or even derail the HTT-40 program as experienced in the IJT program.

v. A review of the programme was conducted on 07 August 2019. In the meeting it was decided that HAL will complete spin trials and obtain certification of HTT-40 and IAF will initiate a case for revalidation of /approval of Acceptance of Necessity as per para 72 (Buy-IDDM) of DPP-2016.The planned date for completion of certification is April 2020. IAF would progress the case after successful completion of spin trials and certification of HTT-40.”

Air Force Bases

The Committee wished to be informed in detail regarding the status of Air Force Bases. MoD replied, “Indian Air Force has 53 Air Force bases, out of which 46 have night landing facilities. Provision of night landing facilities at any base depends on feasibility of conducting regular night operations from that base. Presently there is no plan to conduct regular night operations from few bases. Night landing facilities is planned to be provided at some Air Force Stations under MAFI project Phase II. Post completion, all IAF airfields except Leh, Thoise, Kargil and Barrackpore would have night operations capability. However, limited night operations can be conducted at these airfields as well, using Mobile Airfield Lighting System (MAFLS).” On modernization of Airfields, MoD replied, “The IAF is in the process of upgrading the navigational facilities at all its airfields under the Modernisation of Airfield Infrastructure (MAFI) project to improve the operational environment and enhance aerospace safety in two phases. Contract for Phase-I of turnkey was signed with M/s TATA Power (SED) on 16 March 2011 for modernisation of 30 airfields in five batches of six airfields each. The contract deliverables are expected to be completed by December, 2019. The implementation of MAFI Phase-II that involves 37 airfields of IAF, Navy and Ministry of Home Affairs has also been approved under Option Clause. Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) has already submitted its recommendations. The case is at Committee on Financial Approval stage.” On the manner in which modernization is being carried out, MoD replied, “Under Project MAFI, IAF airfields are being provided with CAT II ILS coupled with CAT II Airfield lighting system (AFLS), improved navigational equipment such as VOR & TACAN and Air Traffic Management System (ATMS). The infrastructure provided under Project MAFI has enhanced operational capability of IAF including capability to undertake night as well as poor weather operations.”

Training

About the training programme of first batch of Officers and technicians which is underway with French Air Force on Rafale, the reply was given “Advanced training of IAF personnel was conducted by the French Air Force (FAF) and commenced from September 2018 for one Indian Air Force pilot, one AE officer and six technicians. Pilot Training was at FAF Base, Saint Dizier and Ground crew training was completed at FAF Base, Mont de Marsan. Two additional pilots joined the advanced training in France from March 19. This team has completed the advanced training phase and commenced training on Indian Rafale aircraft at Conversion Training Center (CTC) at M/s Dassault facilities, Merignac from 30 September 2019.”

Indian Navy

Ships

Shortfalls are there in Aircraft Carriers, Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs), Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), Fleet Support Ships (FSSs). Cases for induction are being progressed to meet capability shortfall. Currently, Acceptance of Necessity is given for 41 ships and six submarines as shown, the cases for which are at various stages of acquisition. There is a need to accord impetus for replacement of ageing ships. This is being done by induction of modern surface ships like Indigenous aircraft carrier, four Destroyers of Project 15B and seven Frigates of Project 17A. There is a severe capability gap of Mine Counter Measure Vessels, LPDs for expeditionary operations, survey ships and Diving Support Vessels. Induction of 12 new MCMVs, four LPDs, four survey vessels and two Diving support ships are being progressed to meet these capability shortfalls. 18 (Conventional) + 6 (SSN) submarines are planned but the existing strength is 15 and 1 is available on lease. In this connection, the following information was presented:

It was further informed that the existing 13 conventional submarines are between 17 to 31 years old. The delayed construction of Six Project 75 submarines at Mazagaon Docks, Mumbai is being closely monitored and the first is undergoing sea trials. Due to delays in the submarine projects, the Defence Ministry has approved Medium Refit cum Life Certification or MRLC of six older submarines, so that the force levels do not decline drastically. The first MRLC has already commenced in Russia in Jul 16 and is on schedule. Contract conclusion for MRLC of second submarine, Sindhuraj, is held up since the Russian Side has not been able to submit requisite Bank Guarantees and Integrity Pact as a result of the sanctions imposed by the US Govt on them. It has been recommended to the MoD that Corporate Guarantee of the JSC USC, a 100% Federal owned Enterprise firm backed by FSMTC could be accepted and Fast Track approval of the Competent Authority accorded for Contract conclusion. This would facilitate departure of the submarine to Russia by Jun 17. The Russian Side indicated M/s L&T as their preferred partner for undertaking MRLC of the third Submarine Sindhuratna in India. While the Navy also recommended issuance of Request for Proposal(RFP) to L&T, approval of Ministry of Defence is awaited. An early decision in this regard is essential since the Submarine’s refit is scheduled to commence from end 2017.

Aircraft

Details regarding aircrafts and helicopters

Naval Airfields

The Navy is progressing a comprehensive case for upgradation of security infrastructure of its Naval Airfields. This Project will leverage technology to provide seamless 24X7 surveillance, physical barriers, real time incident alerting and swift response through a robust and secure Command and Control System. Six Naval Air Stations are being addressed in Naval Airfield Integrated Security Systems (NAISS) at a projected cost of procurement of ₹ 500 crore. The case has been taken up with MoD to progress the case under the Revenue to Capital route.

Major Acquisitions

P15A Destroyers — All three P15A ships, INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai have been commissioned in Aug 14, Sep 15 and Nov 16 respectively. P28 Corvette— The first three ships, INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt and INS Kiltan have been commissioned in Aug 14, Jan 16 and Oct 17 respectively. The fourth ship is likely to be delivered in end 2019. The time overrun was attributed to delay in development of steel, delay in development of indigenised weapons and sensors and delay in completion of trials for critical equipment like Diesel Generators, AC Plants etc. Cost overrun is attributable to the increase in costs of developmental Projects, and introduction of new/ state of the art equipment/ systems. IAC Indian Aircraft Carrier — The delivery schedule of IAC has been revised from Dec 18 to Feb 21. The main reasons for time overrun are due to non-availability of Russian equipment for the Aviation Facilities Complex (AFC). With the experience of ‘Vikramaditya’, the ‘form & fit’ of the vessel has been finalised and many emerging technological advances/ new generation equipment has been incorporated in the IAC. NOPV — The contract for construction of five NOPVs was concluded with M/s Reliance Naval Engineering Limited (then M/s Pipavav Shipyard Limited) on 27 May 11. The delivery of the first ship was scheduled in Nov 14 followed by delivery of remaining ships every six months. The project was delayed initially view change in design partner and subsequently view design issues. The shipyard has been plagued with financial constraint and eventually was taken over by Reliance Group in Jan 16. However, the finances have further deteriorated and therefore lead lending bank M/s IDBI- has approached NCLT for financial resolution in Aug 18. The case is still pending at NCLT with next hearing scheduled on 20 Nov 19. Post changeover of management, the Shipyard has changed the delivery timelines on seven occasions. It is pertinent to mention that at present pace of work and with ongoing financial constraints, the latest committed timelines are not likely to be met. Being a fixed cost project, there has been no cost overrun. P75 submarines — The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 06 Sep 05 approved construction of six Scorpene class submarines at MDL, under Project 75 with M/s Armaris, France (later M/s DCNS and now M/s Naval Group (NG)) as the main collaborator. The first submarine of the Project was commissioned in Dec 17 and the second in Sep 19. The balance submarines of the Project are under various stages of construction and planned to be inducted by 2022. P17A Frigates — P-17A ships are the follow-on ships of P-17 class. The seven P-17A ships will have enhanced stealth features and advanced indigenous weapons and sensors. The Acceptance of Necessity for the project was accorded in June 09 for construction of seven ships at MDL & GRSE. Subsequently in Sep 11, Defence Acquisition Council had decided that MDL would be the lead yard and four/ three ships would be built at MDL/ GRSE respectively. The Cabinet Committee on Security sanction of P17A was accorded on 10 February 15 and contract was signed with MDL and GRSE on 20 February 15. The ships are planned to be delivered from 2021–24. FIC Fast Interceptor Crafts — The contract for acquisition of 80 FICs was signed with M/s Solas Marine Lanka Pvt. Ltd, Sri Lanka with delivery schedule ranging from Jul 12 to Apr 17. The FICs were delivered in batches, with each batch consisting of 04 FICs. All 20 batches have been delivered by the Shipyard with the last batch’s delivery on 28 Mar 17 against original schedule of 02 Apr 17. The project has been delivered within contracted schedule. Being a fixed cost project, there has been no cost overrun. LCU Mk-4 — The contract for eight LCU MK IV ships was concluded with M/s GRSE on 29 Sep 11. The delivery of the first ship was scheduled in Aug 14 followed by delivery of one ship every three month. The first vessel was delivered on 30 Sep 16 after a delay of 25 months. The delays are particularly attributed to insufficient resource allocation by the shipyard. Being a fixed cost project, there has been no cost overrun. (Editor’s Note — As of December 30, 2019,7 out of 8 LCUs had been delivered to Indian Navy) FO-WJFACs Follow On Water Jet Fast Attack Craft — The contract for four FO-WJFACs was concluded with M/s GRSE on 01 Mar 13. The delivery of the first ship was scheduled in Mar 15 followed by delivery of one ship every three month. First three vessels of the project have been delivered. The first ship was delivered on 16 Apr 16 and the third ship in Apr 17. The delays are particularly attributed to insufficient resource allocation by the shipyard. Being a fixed cost project, there has been no cost overrun. Cadet Training Ships — The contract for construction of three CTS, two under Main Contract and one under Option Clause, was signed with M/s ABG Shipyard, Dahej on 27 Jun 11 and 30 November 2012 respectively. The vessels were to be delivered to the Indian Navy by December 2014, June 2015 and May 2016 at Kochi. The project progressed satisfactorily till about Sep 14 for all the three ships and thereafter the progress slowed down due to financial constraints of the shipyard. An overall progress of 20.22 %, 12.27 % and 6.7 % was achieved for the three vessels and the Shipyard was subsequently shutdown in Jun 15. As no progress was made on CTS Project since June 15 the contract with M/s ABG Shipyard Limited was terminated on 22 Sep 17 post approval of the Competent Authority The concerned banks i.e. IDBI and Andhra Bank have been requested for invocation of BGs. Survey Vessel Project — Contract for construction of six Survey Vessels was signed with M/s Alcock Ashdown Gujarat (AAGL), a Gujarat Govt PSU, on 28 Dec 06. The delivery of the first ship was scheduled in Mar 09 followed by delivery of one ship every three months. The first ship, INS Makar was delivered in Sep 12 after a delay of almost 44 months. Post delivery of the first ship, the project has been at an impasse due to cash flow issues and financial constraints of the shipyard. The shipyard has been unable to renew and revalidate Bank Guarantees. Delivery of only one vessel (worth ₹ 109 Cr) has taken place. Being a fixed cost project, there has been no cost overrun. A case for foreclosure of contract is under progress.

Joint Staff

National Defence University