SP's Land Forces 1/2023

IndIan army day specIal

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Army Chief General Manoj Pande addressed a press conference ahead of the Army Day on January 15, summarising the year and the current scenario

neetu dhulia

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defence Budget 2023-2024

Message

I wish to compliment “SP Guide Publications” for publishing a special issue on the occasion of The Army Day. The edition provides the readers a comprehensive and informative insight into Indian Army’s achievements over the years. This momentous occasion also provides us an opportunity to apprise about the large number of transformative changes that are underway to make the Indian Army strong and more capable of facing multiple challenges, across the full spectrum of conflict. The Indian Army is well poised to leverage niche technologies and transform into a modern, technologically empowered, Atmanirbhar and responsive fighting force capable of winning future wars with indigenous solutions. Along with the other Services, the Army is moving towards achieving greater inter- agency synergy, jointness and integration while maintaining the highest level of operational preparedness.

I wish the team of ‘SP Guide Publications’ all the very best in their future endeavours. May you continue to engage military minds with fervour and passion.

‘Jai Hind’

(Manoj Pande) General Chief of the Army Staff

The Defence Budget 2023-2024 is `5.94 lakh crore, an increase of about 12.5 per cent over last year

Lt General P.c. Katoch (retd)

Page 6

2022: a Tumultuous Year

As curtains fall on 2022, here is a snapshot of the year gone by and the changed geopolitical world that it leaves behind major General atanu K. Pattanaik (retd)

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missile Systems Procurement

All the proposals for procurement of missile systems are under the Buy (IndianIDDM) category

Lt General P.c. Katoch (retd)

PlUs 75th army day celebration

“we are not ‘downsizing’ but ‘rightsizing’ our army”

In an interview with Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP’s Land Forces, covering a wide range of subjects, General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, talks about how the Indian Army is developing its capability and operational readiness to meet the continuous challenges facing them across the spectrum of conflict

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): First of all, heartiest felicitations for the celebrations of 75 years of our country’s independence. The environment in our country has been so much heartening and logically unique too. can you indicate some 5 Top milestones of our army since independence?

chief of the army Staff (coaS): I think it would be inappropriate to limit the achievements of the Indian Army to just five points. In order to be more contemporary, I will encapsulate what we have done in the past year.

India is perhaps the only country in the world which faces two adversaries along its borders. The unsettled borders extend over varied terrain from vast plains, jungles, des-

erts, mountainous to heavily glaciated terrain. Hence, the spectrum is vast and offers numerous challenges. Our troops, our organisation, our equipment, our strategy and our tactics, enables us to continuously evolve to the emerging threats and challenges.

Our operational preparedness is primarily focussed on India’s desire to ensure stability & dominance along our contested & hostile borders and to effectively counter Proxy War. To retain operational readiness & combat edge, we constantly monitor and review the emerging & future threats to our National security. Our operational requirements continue to guide our procurement of emerging technologies, which act as force multipliers, providing us the much-

needed combat edge over the adversaries.

A new paradigm of recruiting soldiers into the Indian Armed Forces has been initiated with the start of the Agniveer programme. This marks a major milestone for the Indian Army as we intend our organisation to transition from a manpowerintensive to a technologically-enabled and capabilities-oriented one.

To promote gender empowerment and neutrality, we have increased the intake of women by opening up the Sainik Schools, Military Schools, RIMC and NDA for them and expanding their promotion avenues in competitive exams such as DSSC. Indian Army has also started inducting women soldiers into the Corps

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army chief Press conference

The Indian Army has continued to be the crown of the nation, serving and protecting the country over years. Last month on January 15, the Indian Army celebrated its 75th Army Day in line with the 75 years of Independence and Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav that the country is celebrating. For the first time Army Day celebrations

moved out of the National Capital and took place in Bengaluru. This edition covers a sneak peek into the Army Day celebrations that included a display of valour and adventurous aspects of the Army.

The edition also features an exclusive interaction with Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande in which he clarified that the Indian Army is not ‘downsizing’ but ‘rightsizing’, while also covering a wide range of subjects, touching on how the Indian Army is developing its capability and operational readiness to meet the continuous challenges facing them across the spectrum of conflict. All aspects, he stated, are ultimately contributing to enhancing operational effectiveness of a soldier are being addressed.

These encompasses weaponry, situational awareness, communication and protection measures.

The Situation along the northern borders is stable and under control, but remains unpredictable,” stated General Manoj Pande, as he addressed a press conference ahead of the Army Day on January 15 where he summarised the year and the current scenario. A report by Neetu Dhulia from his address is included in this issue.

The Union Budget for 202324 was released on February 1 and in that, the defence budget 2023-2024 is `5.94 lakh crore, an increase of about 12.5 per cent over last year. A total of `1.62 lakh crore has been set aside for Capital outlay that includes purchasing

new military equipment like fighter jets, submarines, warships, missiles and other military hardware. A quick summary of the defence budget by Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) is included in this issue.

As curtains fall on a tumultuous year 2022, Major General Atanu K. Pattanaik (Retd) presents a snapshot of the year gone by and the changed geopolitical world that it leaves behind. A goodbye to an otherwise eventful and some would call a watershed year in the planet’s history, he states.

In view of the recent developments along the Northern borders there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems which will strengthen the Air Defence capabilities. Keeping this in mind, the Defence Acqui-

sition Council recently accorded acceptance of necessity (AoN) for procurement programmes worth `4,276 crores for missile system under the Buy (IndianIDDM) category. A report on this by Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) is also included.

All this and more in this issue of SP’s Land Forces!

Do visit us at Hall C, Stall No. CS1.13 at the Aero India 2023.

Jayant Baranwal Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

PhoToGrAPhs: adgpi / Twitter, PIB

of Military Police, which continues to be extended in Agnipath scheme. We have forwarded a proposal to the government for expanding the role of women by allowing women officers into the Regiment of Artillery, which is a major combat support arm. As we go forward, we will bring about more proactive changes, to remain aligned with the future requirements.

We have just concluded the selection board for empaneling 108 women officers to tenant command assignments in Colonel rank. Posting orders for these empanelled women officers are also being issued so that they assume these command appointments without any delay.

In keeping with India’s rising global stature in recent years, there has been considerable increase in Defence Cooperation activities undertaken by the Indian Army. An increasing number of Friendly Foreign Countries have shown keen interest in engaging with the Indian Army. As on date, we are engaged with 110 countries through Defence Cooperation activities to include Joint Exercises, training, visits, structured engagements, professional competitions and medical assistance.

The Government’s call of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” has truly galvanised all sections of society. The Army too is on course to create a self-reliant defence ecosystem under

the ‘Make in India’ initiative jointly with the private industry, MSMEs, Academia and the R&D labs across the country. With its extensive range of equipment spanning a vast technological spread, it is a key entity in making the ‘Make in India’ pursuit a success. Large number of contracts being concluded now are in favour of domestic vendors.

SP’s: How do you perceive the activities on the Line of actual control (Lac)? coaS: Overall, the situation along LAC is “stable, in-control, yet unpredictable”, wherein forces on both sides continue to remain deployed, with no visible signs of de-

induction. People’s Liberations Army (PLA) continues to maintain its deployment, opposite Eastern Ladakh, thus affecting the normal border management on the LAC. There has been some increase in deployment opposite the Eastern Sector as well. In response, we have maintained a robust posture to deal with any contingency.

With diplomatic and military efforts, effective disengagement has been achieved in the areas of Pangong Tso and Kailash ranges in February 2021, followed by Gogra in August 2021 and most recently at PP 15 in September 2022.

Towards the same, 17 rounds of Corps Commander Level Meetings and 12 related WMCC Meetings have been held till now. Subsequent talks are being scheduled to discuss disengagement in the balance friction areas in Eastern Ladakh. Similarly, the established border mechanisms are being exercised to maintain peace and tranquility along the LAC in all sectors.

SP’s: as per the reports, there is a plan of downsizing of approximately 2 lacs troops. How do you visualise the Indian army monitoring Line of actual control (Lac) and Line of control (Lc) with reduced manpower, particularly in view of chinese hostile threats and unpredictable behaviour?

coaS: The recommendations of the Commit-

tee of Experts (CoE) have been implemented with the strategic objective of enhancing the combat capability by way of modernisation and technological transformation while reducing the revenue defence expenditure.

The aim has been to optimise manpower in the Armed Forces & increase teeth to tail ratio with the purpose of correcting the bias of the defence budget towards revenue expenditure.

We are not “Downsizing” but “Rightsizing” our Army by endeavouring to optimise manpower, which is being substituted by technological infusion and force multiplication achieved by integration of forces.

Finding the right ‘teeth to tail’ ratio is a focus area, wherein we are surgically diluting/removing such functions and manpower which can be outsourced or optimised by joining logistics functions with sister services.

Optimisation of Legacy establishments like Military farms, Station Workshops etc have already been achieved. More restructuring is underway which is in consonance with meeting the requirements of future battlefield.

Coming on to your pointed reference to our operations in the LC & LAC; I would say that the robust counter infiltration posture along the LC and the surveillance grid along LAC is based on an extensive network of surveillance devices and other niche technologies.

“modernisation plans encompass Force modernisation and the development of critical combat capabilities, besides overcoming obsolescence in core capabilities”

(Left) General Manoj Pande is leading the modernisation and technological transformation of the Army with the strategic objective of enhancing its combat capability;

(Right) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handing over indigenously developed Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS) to Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande.

Overall, the impact of ‘Rightsizing’ of Indian Army on the combat units is limited, and I would like to assure you that it would not impinge on the security architecture along our active borders.

SP’s: can you throw light on some of the key pillars of ongoing modernisation programmes with some status updates?

coaS: Indian Army has continuously been upgrading its capabilities as per existing and emerging operational requirements. We are sufficiently prepared for safeguarding our borders. Technology is being suitably harnessed to augment the boots on ground.

The Indian Army’s Modernisation plans are essentially based on developing ‘Force Capabilities’ as per the enunciated National Security requirements.

The procurement has been deliberately planned to cater for induction of modern technologies & innovations to monitor various gaps during winter posture at Eastern Ladakh. These include procurement & deployment of Drones, RPAs, Radars & satellite imagery. In addition to these measures, monitoring and surveillance of gaps by physical deployment of troops & additional equipment like snow cutters, all ter rain and high mobility vehicles have been procured, inducted and deployed.

Modernisation plans encompass Force Modernisation and the development of crit ical combat capabilities, besides overcoming obsolescence in core capabilities in conso nance with the Defence Capability Develop ment Strategy.

The next generation of new platforms, assets & technologies on which the Indian Army is working on, including the following:

l Infantry: New Generation Family of small arms, protection gear, Special Forces Capability, night enablement of all weapons and enhanced surveillance capability.

l Mechanised Forces: Upgradation of legacy fleet, night enablement, ISR, enhanced lethality, new generation of missiles and ammunition with increase depth of penetration & future ready plat forms.

l artillery: Mediumisation, Long range vectors including Missiles, Rockets & Smart munitions, ‘Recce, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition capa bility.

l army air Defence: SR SAM, MR SAM, Upgradation of legacy system, Shift from Guns to Missiles, Better Aerial Targets & Counter Drone Capability, Modern Fire Controller Radars.

l engineers: New family of Mines & bridges, New Generation Plant Equipment.

l signals: New Generation EW equipment, Software Defined Radios, Upgraded Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) & Tactical Communication system.

l Vehicles: All class of vehicles- indigenous, including HMVs, GTVs, Light Vehicles etc.

l aviation: Indigenous solution to the recce, surveillance & firepower requirements.

SP’s: would you like to share any plans towards equipping the Soldier (on the ground) with the latest gadgets and also enabling their net-centricity, a necessity in today’s warfare?

coaS: To enable the cutting edge of the Army, there has been an enhanced focus on the Infantry soldier.

The capabilities of the Infantry have been enhanced to cater to the present day operational challenges along both Northern and Western Borders. State of art technology is being inducted to further enhance lethality, mobility, survivability and night fighting capability of the fighting soldier. Subscribing fully to the Government

objective of Atmanirbhar Bharat, almost 50 procurement schemes have been initiated and fructified in the last two years with majority being from indigenous defence industry. Today frontline Infantry soldiers have been equipped with modern small arms like Sig Sauer, with the balance to be equipped with the indigenously manufactured AK-203. Additionally, each infantry weapon will be equipped with latest sights

to increase its accuracy & kill potential.

Other forces multiplier like Drones & Counter Drones equipment are being planned for procurement to enhance the lethality of the Infantry Soldier.

Overall, all aspects contributing to enhancing operational effectiveness of a soldier are being addressed. These encompasses weaponry, situational awareness, communication and protection measures.

SP’s: referring to one of your speeches in one of the seminars, you did say that collaboration with Foreign oems is intrinsic towards the journey of our country’s self-reliance. can we request you elaborate on this a little?

coaS: The crux of the speech is that the private Industry must increase resource allocation for setting up testing infra & R&D, form joint ventures with foreign OEMs to induct and develop critical and futuristic technology.

Large firms/DPSUs/OEMs should handhold potential MSMEs/Startups to nurture the budding defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Collaboration with foreign OEMs may result in technological upgradations and competence in a faster timeframe.

SP’s: In terms of welfare, what is the motto of our army today particularly towards maximum possible safety of the lives of Soldiers and the support to their families?

coaS: The men and women of the Indian Army are one of the most professional and selfless in the world and we believe in the motto of Service before Self. Welfare of our personnel is a foremost concern.

Indian Army has always been proactive in providing the welfare measures for the serving personnel, veterans and the dependents. A number of welfare schemes have been launched recently to assist in the provision of second innings for the Veterans, supporting Veer Naris, widows and Next of Kin (NOKs), extending insurance cover to Serving personnel, Veterans and Trainees and providing assistance in education to the wards of retired and serving Army personnel.

We focus on meaningful welfare through empowerment - education, skills and resettlement courses.

I wish to exhort the men and women of this wonderful organisation to continue dedicating themselves to the Nation and that all their aspirations will be fulfilled. SP

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“our operational preparedness is primarily focussed on India’s desire to ensure stability & dominance along our contested & hostile borders and to effectively counter Proxy war”

“The Situation along the northern Borders is Stable and Under control, but Unpredictable” — General manoj Pande, chief of the army Staff

Army

 Neetu DhuliA

dURING THE PRESS CONFER-

ENCE, General Pande also touched upon the Russia-Ukraine fallout, complex relations in the global scenario, the impact of COVID, immediate neighbourhood security challenges, modernisation and transformation of the Indian Army.

“The situation along the Northern borders is stable and under control yet but unpredictable” mentioned the Army Chief. He also said Indian troops deployed along the LAC have been able to maintain a robust posture to defeat any evil design of the adversary in a firm and resolute manner. He asserted that the preparedness level of the Indian Army remained very high standard, “we have adequate forces and adequate reserves in each of the sectors to deal with any contingencies”. The Army chief said both sides have been able to resolve five of the seven issues that were on the table. “We continue to talk both at the military and diplomatic levels,” he added.

He also elaborated on the infrastructure development and all-weather connectively for enabling the troops and the supplies.

“Border roads are extremely critical and in the last 5 years, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed close to 6,000 km of road, pan India, out of which 2,100 km has been along the northern borders”. He also stressed the criticality of the bridges and tunnels, upgradation 7,450 meters of bridges has taken place in the recent past, the number of bridges constructed by the border roads, there are five more are com-

ing up on the Brahmaputra. Another vital development is the Frontier Highway, 1,800 km long, close to the India-Tibet-ChinaMyanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh, which will be connecting various valleys. “Connectivity in the forward area has also improved, with 24x7, all-weather connectivity, Zoji La tunnel and the Z-Morh tunnel will link the valley to Ladakh, operational by end of the year. Atal tunnel is well known for connectivity to Leh, we also have the Shinku-La tunnel along with the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road or Zanskar Highway, which is also in the final stages, offering alternate connectivity. We will have both sides’ connectivity to Ladakh”, he added.

In the context of the habitat in eastern Ladakh, the army chief shared, “we have completed 52,000 habitats for the troops, there are also heated accommodations for 300-500 guns and vehicles. We are also looking at alternate hybrid solutions to meet our energy requirements”.

Referring to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the ceasefire understanding, which came into being in February 2021 is holding well. He added, that cross-border support for terrorism and terror infrastructure, however, remains. In the hinterland,

he mentioned that there is a marked reduction in violence parameters and the people of the state are partnering with the government in several development initiatives. The Army Chief stressed, “Notwithstanding this, we need to remain alert both at the LOC and in the hinterland”. In the Northeast, peace has returned in most of the states. The economic activity and development initiatives have yielded good returns and the dividend of return of peace is also evident.

The Army Chief mentioned that this Army day is also special as this is the 75th year of Indian Independence, “besides the Indian Army carrying out its primary mandate and role. We are also fully aligned to the national vision for the future and are committed to achieving the national goals and objectives that have been set out”.

He marvelled at the limitless potential of disruptive technologies. He mentioned that the year 2023 will be the year of transformation, “we have decided to undertake the transformation of the Indian Army and that essentially spans across five keys domains - starting from the force restructuring and optimisation; modernisation and technology infusion; human resource management philosophy – Agnipath, introduced mid-last year; greater emphasis on joint-ness and integration; refining and improving the system and processes to enhance the operational administrative and logistical efficiencies”.

Taking 2023 as the year of transformation, Indian Army has laid a road map. “We have taken a few initiatives in this regard, we have launched the Army software for Agnipath automation at network-

ing, integrated software that will manage and streamline the Agnipath campaign from hire to retain/retire stages. We have also aligned the project of automation and digitisation, launching another softwareIndra, a data repository, a single window to integrate the database of all record offices for better HR management and decision making, Dhanvantri, Medical data management, will link all military hospitals for planning and management of patients”.

Responding to a question on procurement, Army Chief shared that India is set to manufacture 6,00,000 AK-203 in collaboration with Russia in 128 months.

“Russian-Indian joint venture (JV) IndoRussian Rifles Private Ltd (IRRPL) will be able to deliver initial 5,000 components by March this year. About 70,000 weapons will come up first in 32 months, indigenous content will be in the range of 5-70 per cent, and we will have a completely indigenous weapon available to us”.

Indian Army is looking forward to the commissioning of women into the artillery units, the Army Chief mentioned. “a proposal for induction of women personnel into artillery units has been forwarded to the government”.

This year Army Day parade will be held at MEG & Centre in Bengaluru. This is the first time when Army Day is being held outside the National Capital. The parade will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at the MEG War Memorial by the Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande. The Chief will then review the parade and award gallantry awards for individual acts of bravery and sacrifice. SP

Chief General Manoj Pande addressed a press conference ahead of the Army Day on January 15, summarising the year and the current scenario

(Left-Right) Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande addressing the media during the annual media interaction on the occasion of the Army Day

“we have adequate forces and reserves to deal with any situation at the borders”

PhoToGrAPhs: Neetu Dhulia / sP Guide Pubns

defence Budget 2023-2024

lt GeNerAl P.C. KAtoCh

(retD)

aCCORDING TO THE BUDGET papers for 2023-2024, the total size of the Defence Budget 20232024 is `5,93,537.64 crore – or `5.94 lakh crores for ease of reference. In 2022-2023, the defence budget allocation was `5.25 lakh crore which figuratively speaking implies an increase of about 12.5 per cent over last year.

A total of `1.62 lakh crore has been set aside for Capital outlay that includes purchasing new military equipment like fighter jets, submarines, warships, missiles and other military hardware. In 2022-23, the budgetary allocation for Capital outlay was `1.52 lakh crore although the revised estimates for 2022-2023 show the actual expenditure as `1.50 lakh crores. The Capital outlay of `1.62 lakh crore this year indicates an increase of `10,000 crores or 6.7 per cent over last year. However, how much of this would get absorbed by inflation, rising procurement costs vis-à-vis the numbers required and in paying installments of previous deals, only time would tell.

According to 2023-24 Budget documents, an allocation of `2,70,120 crore has been made for Revenue Expenditure that includes expenses on payment of salaries and maintenance of establishments. The budgetary allocation of Revenue Expenditure in 2022-23 was `2,39,000 crore, which indicates an increase of `31,129 crore in this year’s budget.

A separate amount of `1,38,205 crore has been allocated for defence pensions, which compared to last year’s allocation of `1.19 lakh crores indicates an increase of 15 per cent. This could be because of payment of one rank, one pension (OROP) which the Supreme Court has directed the government to pay since 2019. Moreover, defence pensions also include pension of civilian-defence employees of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) allocation for which an amount of `22,812 crores is shown.

The outlay for the Ministry of Defence (Civil) has been pegged at `8,774 crore while an amount of `13,837 crore has been set aside under capital outlay. The total Revenue Expenditure including the pension outlay has been estimated at `4,22,162 crore.

The Capital Budget for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been pegged at `5,000 crores against `3,500 crores allotted in FY 2022-2023, which is good. However, this should be viewed in comparison to China’s continued border infrastructure development which is far ahead of us. We must pay special attention to end connectivity of our border roads as well (https://www.spsmai.com/experts-speak/?id=1272&q=EndConnectivity-of-Border-Roads). Moreover, the 14 strategic railways planned to connect our borders have yet to take off.

The Finance Minister announced ‘Vibrant Villages’ in her speech, which she had announced during her budget speech last year as well but did not cover any progress made over the past one year. These plans anyway are to upgrade existing villages, some of which are far behind the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and nowhere equivalent China’s ‘Border Villages’ which augment the defence potential of the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA).

As per the norm, all three Services had made presentations to the MoD earlier and sought more funds, which would have been sent to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). How closely these projections would have been examined despite the continuing India-China standoff remains questionable

in absence of a National Security Strategy (NSS) and without a Comprehensive Defence Review. The general view anyway is that war is not an option for China (which should relate to all out war – not opening 2-3 fronts) and our policy of appeasement by not calling China the aggressor and giving more financial gains through bilateral trade (more than before 2020) is working well.

The Finance Minister naturally had to present a budget that would get the best political dividend to the government considering the General Elections in mid-2024, preceded by elections in 10 States this year including the Union Territory of J&K. But then, we are talking of a $5 trillion economy and a 7 per cent growth rate although the UN has downgraded our growth rate this year to 5.2 per cent and the IMF to 6.2 per cent.

We cannot match China’s defence expenditure but have we found the right balance between national security, economy and development is the question? The Army is looking for more drones of all types, light tanks, more firepower and surveillance and monitoring systems. The Navy needs to get INS ‘Vikrant’ operational with its full air complement and more submarines, the P-75(I) included. The IAF needs to get the S-400 systems deployed and add more fighter jets to make up the depleting number of operational squadrons required. In addition, projects like the Tejas MK2 Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) for fifth-generation fighter jets must keep progressing. How much of the above in terms of numbers can be procured from the Capital

outlay, in addition to meeting other operational requirements, would depend on share of the individual Service and the priority allotted for procurement. We are not a country like Japan that has hiked its defence budget by 26 per cent this year faced with the booming China threat despite having no land border with China. In comparison, we share a 3,488 km long border with China which is not demarcated and hostile neighbours like China, Pakistan and their antiIndia nexus. The general belief that the LAC has stabilised may be wishful thinking. Finally, the Armed Forces will have to make do with what is allotted – prioritise and keep hoping portion of what is allotted does not lapse. In between there would be periodic political statements that there would be no dearth of funds for defence. SP



The Defence Budget 2023-2024 is `5.94 lakh crore, an increase of about 12.5 per cent over last year

2022: a Tumultuous Year

 mAjor GeNerAl AtANu K. PAttANAiK (retD)

mESSI WINNING THE FIFA World Cup for Argentina will be remembered for long as the signature event of 2022, as the year winds down to its closing days. The match was mesmerising, professional to the core, captivating till the last, and left fans in the stadium and in front of screens across the world dazed and euphoric. A cheerful goodbye to an otherwise eventful and some would call a watershed year in the planet’s history.

Nearly two years after rumblings of a disruptive virus began emerging from China, the world entered 2022 with hope that the deadly virus simply melts away. The lockdowns, the disruptions in global supply chains, the economic hardships afflicting billions across the globe with job losses, the painful bans on travel and tourism, and the enduring struggles of hundreds of thousands of medical professionals to save lives seemed eternal. And then the miracle vaccines emanating from multiple laboratories to provide the much-needed respite gave us hope. The last big surge of Omicron variety that started in India around mid-January 2022 dissipated without inflicting the anticipated extent of damage. By middle of March, life started returning to normalcy, slowly at first, with a tinge of disbelief.

But even while the Omicron was peaking in India, an ugly war began in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. That devastating war continues till date, with no amicable end in sight, no agenda for peace talks and possibly little interest from both sides to seek a quick resolution. Of course, it must be understood that two sides we are referring to are not Russia and Ukraine but Russia and the US led west. Ukraine is merely a pawn in the global reset that is under works.

That reset in the geopolitical, economic and energy power blocks is a direct fallout of the Ukraine war, though these consequences were perhaps unintended. Surging global energy, food, and fertiliser prices due to the conflict are getting in the way of economic pragmatism. The era of freespirited globalisation, free markets, free flow of finance, and technology transfers in manufacturing enabled by revolution in infotech so triumphantly announced by the Thomas Friedman in his tome “The World is Flat” is over. Observant experts believe the world has now entered a period of “resource nationalism,” with Europe having very limited energy options, Russia’s forex reserves lying idle, and the US restricting technology exports to China which over the past three decades had turned into itself into ‘the World’s Factory.’

Financial sanctions by themselves are shocking and an unprecedented barrage was unleashed on Russia as soon as the war started. Russian forex parked in American and European banks to the tune of $600 billion were frozen and Russia denied use of SWIFT payment system and settlements through the BIS. But as the west has now realised, Russia has basically weathered the storm. While many of Russia’s former international partners have reduced or cut ties with the country, Russia has broadly kept its oil production and exports at close to pre-invasion levels by increasing exports elsewhere, including to China, India, and Turkey. So, if the sanctions may result in an estimated 4 per cent contraction in the

Russian economy, we are probably looking at 30 to 35 per cent contraction in Ukraine’s economy. Inflation in Ukraine is running at over 26 per cent against Russia’s 1.4 per cent.

Russia cut gas flows to the EU by around 80 per cent between May and October 2022. Unsuspecting Europeans now ferry LNG across the Atlantic from the USA at over five times the pre-war prices. Industries in the Euro-engine Germany are shuttering due to high gas prices. In a sense

de-industrialisation of the Eurozone has set in. Driven by high energy prices, the EU annual inflation was 11.5 per cent in October 2022. A year earlier, the rate was 4.4 per cent. The eurozone and most EU countries will head to an economic recession in the last quarter of 2022, according to the European Commission’s autumn economic forecast.

Another significant fallout of the war is that the world is getting more militarised, a dream scenario unfolding for arms manu-

facturers. The German budget this year will allocate 100 billion euros ($109 billion), which is more than double the entire 2021 defence bill of 47 billion euros. Just a few days back, Japan has said it would begin a once-unthinkable $320 billion military build-up. So is the case with Taiwan, South Korea, and a host of NATO countries. Of course, the five largest companies in the world that manufacture weapons are all American: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics. The arms dealers’ share price rose by 23 per cent following the outbreak of fighting in Ukraine.

It is not just the dealers making profit. Over the past months, reports have emerged showing how members of the US Congress stand to personally profit off the war with lawmakers or their spouses holding stock in arms dealers such as Lockheed Martin or Raytheon Technologies. Likewise, politicians in the UK such as members of the House of Lords made tens of thousands of pounds by owning shares in BAE Systems, the largest British weapons manufacturer and sixth in the world.

With return of coal as an ineluctable energy source, the climate goals are in the backburner. There is little global interest in tackling the famine, refugee crisis, interminable coups, and lawlessness unleashed by radical Islamists in Africa. Taliban has returned with a bang, just announcing a closure of universities for women. Worse, as the year draws to a close, the threat of the COVID virus is back with a huge surge of the BF.7 variant in China. The Indian Health Ministry has just issued an ominous precautionary guideline.

A bright spot in this global doom is India. Projected to grow at over 7 per cent with inflation under control, India would be at the Center Stage as it chairs the G20 and the SCO. Armed with a young working population, a sustained vaccination campaign, pragmatic industrial rejuvenation under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and astute foreign policy that navigates the choppy waters of Big Power Rivalry, India must carefully chart its destined course. SP

As curtains fall on 2022, here is a snapshot of the year gone by and the changed geopolitical world that it leaves behind

IllusTrATIoN / PhoToGrAPhs: sP

Guide Pubns, Wikimedia/Carletonliisa,

HenSoLdT SPeXer 2000 3d mKIII radar

Very short-range Air Defence VshorAD and C-uAs radar

oNE OF THE THINGS the current conflicts have taught us is that the military hardware we are used to, especially ground-based machines like tanks and troop carriers, are utterly useless when no antiair support is around. The sky is filled with drones, loitering munitions, and other types of aerial threats. That were less the case a few years back.

Therefore, HENSOLDT optimised its SPEXER 2000 3D MkIII radar to give the soldier the best situational awareness in any mission. SPEXER 2000 supports the soldier with a multi-mission air defence solution that can keep up with a unit on the move closing out the danger of a static battle. SPEXER 2000 is the latest innovative product of the SPEXER radar family. It is HENSOLDT’s answer to the new threat scenarios, while porting the capabilities from classical threats and focusing on the

detection and classification of all targets in parallel. It contributes to the local air

picture and turns the classical and future threats into targets.

The new radar is pretty different from its predecessors, although the configuration, using a fixed panel AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Antenna), provides a 120° (±60°) sector electronic scanning in azimuth being able to detect LSS targets like drones. However, the new radar adds a key function, a “On-The Move” capability, which made it the sensor of choice for the German Bundeswehr “Qualifizierte Fliegerabwehr” programme aiming at providing German forces with an anti-drone protection. The sensor is being integrated with Kongsberg’s Defence & Aerospace AS Protector RCWS (Remotely Controlled Weapon Station) armed with an H&K 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher fitted with airburst ammunition, the defensive system to be installed on a Boxer 8×8 armoured vehicle. Ten such vehicles should be acquired, to be provided

to the German contingent, that will be the framework element of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in 2023. The new radar not only keeps all 2nd generation functions, adding the one, the move capability and elevation coverage up to 90°, but it is also much smaller and lighter. The dimensions of the X-band AESA antenna provides the same performances, are 600x500x200 mm (versus 1,000x700x200 mm), its weight being 35 kg (versus 73 kg) “and its compactness considerably favours its integration into vehicle platforms, one of the most obvious uses of the new radar.”

As all SPEXER, the new family product features a very intuitive smartphone-like human-machine interface, on which the operator can see all kind of targets detected and classified by the radar, over 300 targets can be tracked in parallel, a 1 Gbit Ethernet LAN link to command and control systems being available. SP

(Top) SPEXER 2000 3D MKIII RADAR;

(Above Left-Right) Small-SPEXER 2000 3D MkIII RADAR; Medium-SPEXER 2000 3D MkIII Radar.

SPeXer 2000 is the latest innovative product of the SPeXer radar family. It is HenSoLdT’s answer to the new threat scenarios, while porting the capabilities from classical threats and focusing on the detection and classification of all targets in parallel.

missile Systems Procurement

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oN JANUARY 10, 2023 the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accorded acceptance of necessity (AoN) for procurement programmes worth `4,276 crores for man portable Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) missile system, HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), BrahMos missile launchers and Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs).

The Ministry of Defence issued a statement saying:

l “In view of the recent developments along the Northern borders there is a need to focus on effective Air Defence (AD) weapon systems which are man portable and can be deployed quickly in rugged terrain and maritime domain. Procurement of VSHORAD, as a robust and quickly deployable system, will strengthen the Air Defence capabilities.”

l “The DAC accorded AoN for procurement of HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and associated support equipment which will be integrated to the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). This missile is an essential part of weaponisation of ALH for countering enemy threat. Its induction will strengthen the offensive capability of Indian Army.”

l “Further, the DAC granted approval for procurement of BrahMos Launcher and Fire Control System (FCS) for the Shivalik class of ships & Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) for Indian Navy. With their induction, these ships would have enhanced capability of carrying out maritime strike operations, interdicting and destroying enemy’s warships and merchant vessels.”

All the three proposals - two of the Indian Army and one of the Indian Navyare under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. This is a continuation of the policy emphasis on self-reliance in military hardware and for buying this equipment from Indian companies. 68 per cent of the budgetary allocation for capital procurements for the Armed Forces in the current fiscal is earmarked for ‘Make in India’ procurement categories of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).

The Indian Army has been using the Igla-M since the 1980s and acquired more Igla-M under emergency procurement as well in recent years. The VSHORAD programme was originally meant to be routed through a foreign supplier. After a longwinded global competition, the Russian bidder was declared the winner. But that programme was aborted and rebooted as ‘Make in India’ procurement. VSHORADS is designed and developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with multiple industry partners.

On September 27, 2022, DRDO conducted two successful test flights of VSHORAD missile from a ground-based portable launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The AoN accorded is for the VSHORAD (IR Homing) missile variant. The man portable VSHORDS is designed for anti-aircraft warfare and neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges. It incorporates miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) to increase mid-air maneuverability and integrated avionics.

HELINA is an abbreviation for Helicopter launched NAG Air-to-Surface Missile system with extended range. It is launched from twintube stub wing-mounted launchers on board HALs ‘Rudra’ and Light Combat Helicopters (LCH). It is structurally different from Nag and is guided by an infrared imaging seeker (IIR) operating in a lock-on-before-launch mode for target engagement. On February 19, 2021, the Army variant HELINA and Air Force version ‘Dhruvastra’ successfully demonstrated their capabilities in a series of multi-mission user trials from HAL’s ‘Rudra’.

On April 12, 2022, HELINA was test fired from Dhruv Helicopter platform in Pokhran. HELINA has a range of 7 km and the missile weighs only 43 kg which will not cause any burden in limiting conditions of the rarefied atmosphere in high altitude. The missile can penetrate 800mm thickness of armour which means it can effectively target light and medium weight tanks. The missile is priced at under `1 crore and the Army’s initial demand reportedly is 500 missiles and 40 launcher tubes. The weaponisation programme for the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has received a boost with the approval for the HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missile procurement.

BrahMos is known to be the fastest antiship cruise missile currently in operation.

The land-launched and ship-launched versions are already in service. An air-launched variant of BrahMos appeared in 2012 and entered service in 2019. While the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system will be retrofitted on the three Shivalik class frigates (the first lot of Indian made stealth warships), it will be incorporated into the build programme for seven under construction Nilgiri class warships which are also known by the official nomenclature of NGMV, the follow-on of the Shivalik class under Project17A. The BrahMos missile will give precision land attack capability to these warships.

Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMVs) are a planned class of anti-surface warfare corvettes for the Indian Navy. Under this programme the Indian Navy intends to acquire six advanced missile vessels. Ships in this class will be armed with anti-ship missile or land-attack missile like BrahMos. Ships in this class will feature advanced stealth features like low radar cross section (RCS), infrared (IR), acoustics and magnetic signatures. Following a request for information (RFI) issued by the MoD, Cochin Shipyard won the bid on February 23, 2021 to construct 6 x NGMVs at a cost of `10,000 crore.

According to the RFI each NGMV of about 2,200-2,800 tonnes would have: complement of 11 officers, 2 trainee officers and 80 sailors; minimum range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km) (1,000 nmi, 1,900 km full speed); speed performance of 25 knots (46 km/h) (max speed of 35 knots, 65 km/h); eight surface-to-surface missiles; full-fledged surface-to-air missile (SAM) system with point defence capabilities, 15 km range; MR gun system, and; radar and electro-optically (EO) guided close-in weapon system (CIWS) with 360-degree anti-missile defence. SP

GeNerAl P.C. KAtoCh (retD)

All the proposals for procurement of missile systems are under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category

next Generation missile Vessels (nGmVs) are a planned class of antisurface warfare corvettes for the Indian navy.

Under this programme the Indian navy intends to acquire six advanced missile vessels.

(Left) Successful flight tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VShORADS) Missile by DRDO; (Top Right) Anti-Tank Guided Missile helina;

(Above Right) Indian Navy successfully demonstrated the accuracy of an Extended-Range Land Attack Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile from the stealth destroyer INS Chennai.

B05Ya01 combat module for armoured Vehicles Upgrade

THE LIGHT-WEIGHT CATEGORY COMBAT vehicles (IFV, airborne assault vehicles, APC) are able to determine the combat potential of a country’s armed forces due to their application versatility. Infantry fighting vehicles (BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3) and airborne assault vehicles (BMD-3, BMD-4) are the most common hardware of land forces and airborne troops.

Currently a huge fleet of such combat vehicles is in service both with the Russian army, as well as abroad. These vehicles have been produced for several decades and presently their weapon systems do not meet modern requirements. However, their life cycle is quite long and reaches 30–40 years.

Many countries are keep on upgrading the main fleet of their combat vehicles. In Russia, a BMP-2 mechanical module was selected as a basis for designing a uniform combat module weighing below 3 tons for upgrading Russian combat vehicles.

Russian infantry fighting vehicle BMP-2, being the main combat vehicle of multiple countries’ land forces, was adopted for service in 1980 and used to exceed most of its foreign counterparts in terms of combat capabilities. Nowadays BMP-2 still basically meets the modern requirements.

The analysis of current state and development tendencies of weapons and fire control systems shows that BMP-2 weapon system cannot meet modern requirements in a number of parameters.

The firepower of a combat vehicle is determined by its weapon system. Thus, the increase of combat efficiency may be achieved by weapon system modernisation. BMP-2 has a high weapon system upgrade potential. The challenge of increasing the firepower of existing BMPs providing their superiority over other modern vehicles has been successfully met by KBP Instrument Design Bureau.

The upgrade was implemented on a serially produced BMP-2 turret with 2A42 automatic cannon (without changing the mechanical module and turret internal layout). The design concept implies the following :

l mounting two “Kornet-E” ATGM launchers on the turret sides, each launcher equipped with independent electromechanical vertical drive and carrying two ready-to- fire missiles;

l replacement of standard BPK-2-42 sight with combined gunner’s sight equipped with independent LOS stabilisation system and incorporating optical, IR and laser rangefinding channels, as well as missile guidance channel;

l installation of onboard digital computer with sensors system;

l installation of TV-IR target autotracker;

l installation of 30 mm grenade launcher with independent electromechanical vertical laying drive and 300rds feed magazine;

l installation of commander’s panoramic sight with independent LOS stabilisation system and incorporating optical and laser range-finding channels;

l installation of high-precision digital weapon stabiliser. The weight of add-on equipment installed does not exceed 500 kg, including around 260 kg of extra ammunition: 30 mm grenades and ATGM.

The specifications of upgraded BMP-2 with new B05Ya01 combat module are improved as a result of KBP offered upgrade package:

– due to introduction of day/night FCS, the system provides accurate firing with all types of weapons, including guided, at moving and stationary targets, round-the-clock engagement of all types of targets from stationary position, on the move and afloat at the range up to 4000 m with automatic cannon, up to 2100 m with automatic grenade launcher, up to 5500 m with 9M133-1 ATGM. Besides, 9M133M-2 ATGM with tandem shaped-charge warhead and 9M133FM ATGM with HE warhead and 9M133FM-3 ATGM with HE warhead and proximity fuse, recently designed by KBP, allow firing at range up to 8 km.

– “Kornet-E” ATGM penetration capability, increased up to 1100–1300 mm, allows reliable engagement of modern advanced tanks fitted with add-on ERA. Besides, HEF warhead of the missile is able to destroy concrete fortifications and strongpoints. Due to standoff range targets engagement capability the upgraded BMP-2 are sure to prevail in combat with enemy tanks and IFVs.

The improvements implemented in “Kornet” ATGM (9M133M-2,9M133FM-3) provide for considerable enhancement of its performance without increasing weight and dimensions. These improvements ensure:

– destruction of modern and advanced tanks taking into account their armour protection growth tendency;

– engagement of any armoured vehicle at stand-off range;

– engagement of low altitude assault and reconnaissance aircrafts (including drones);

l installation on two stabilised launchers of BMP-2 ICV of four ready-to-launch guided missiles significantly increase fire rate when firing ATGMs. It rules out the necessity to reload the guided missile launcher during the combat, which increases the survival potential of the crew and of the entire combat vehicle, since stopping of a CV for ATGM reloading during a combat makes it a perfect target;

l implementation of TV-IR-auto target tracker enables to increase the accuracy of target tracking 3–6 fold in comparison with manual tracking. The human is excluded from aiming circuit, the results of aiming become independent on psychophysical state of the gunner, which is dramatic in stressful battlefield environment. Accurate target tracking becomes a granted technical specification, which enable to decrease the requirements towards the gunner training level and reduces the training period of the gunners. Automatic target tracker adds the FCS a qualitatively new feature, putting to life the “fire-and-forget” principle when firing a guided missile. At the same time the missile cost is significantly lower than that of a missile with a seeker which fulfils the function of the auto-tracker;

l the possibility of KORNET ATGM launch in an elevated mode (above bore sighting line) almost excludes the possibility of detecting the missile by the enemy;

l laser guidance mode of the ATGM with orientation of the missile within the laser beam provides for high jamming-immunity against all types of active jamming, since the jammer cannot be behind the ICV and send the same encoded messages;

l to overcome systems of targets’ active protection and to provide for guaranteed engagement of crucial targets salvo launch of 2 ATGMs riding on one laser beam is provided;

l significant increase of automated gun and grenade launcher firing accuracy with all types of ammunition is provided due to the development of original firing algorithm, which most fully takes into consideration all the factors: range to the target (measured by laser rangefinder or input manually) speeds and movement directions of the CV and the target, wind velocity, air pressure

and temperature, charge temperature, muzzle velocity deviation from normal value, target elevation, pitch and roll angles, angle of jump. During this automatic generation of firing settings is carried out due to the fact, that ballistic computer is included into the firing circuit. Effective firing range of a 30-mm projectile increases from 1100–1400 m up to 1800–2000m.

l air defence firing effectiveness increases significantly: kill probability by automatic gun when firing against “helicopter” and “low-flying attacking aircraft”-type target increases dramatically and its value approaches that of specialised gun and missile air defence systems of closed ranges with much lesser expenditure of ammunition. Thus, the principle of ICV versatility is fulfilled by adding air defence capacities without additional expenditures; l effective engaging of enemy’s personnel at ranges up to 2100m, including that behind the accidents of ground and in trenches due to the implementation of low ballistics armaments (AG-30M automatic grenade launcher) with new GPD-30 rounds;

l the opportunities of CV commander increase due to installation of night vision panoramic sight with technical view, implemented on ICVs for the first time. The commander has all-around field of view in horizon and in vertical plane the field of view is increased up to 60 degrees, maximal angular velocity of the bore sighting line increases from 6 to 20 deg/sec. This allows to increase the stream of targets detected by the CV by 2.5 times, increase TD accuracy for the gunner by 10 times and to fully backup his tasks as well as to carry out engagement of aerial targets in automatic mode. BMP-2 upgrade meets the requirements towards future infantry combat vehicle for the nearest 20–30 years, and upgraded BMP-3 ICV can be successfully used till year 2030–2040.

The upgrade features a systematic approach and leads not simply to enhancement of separate technical specifications of the system, but has enabled to create a vehicle with qualitatively new features, which can successfully compete with foreign counterparts on the weapon market. A modular design principle has been implemented in the combat compartment. The customer can choose the set of equipment on his own either full or partial.

B05Ya01 CM (combat module) is also meant for BMP-1 upgrade of (after the chassis is upgraded to up to the level of BMP-2), BMP-3, BMD-3 airborne combat vehicle, BTR-90 APC and has passed the trials on their chassis KBP mastered serial production of upgraded BMP-2 combat compartment. SP

New combat module is meant for upgrading different armored vehicles

75th army day celebration

INDIAN ARMY CELEBRATED ITS 75th Army Day on January 15, 2023 in Bengaluru. It was the first time that the Army Day was held outside the National Capital in order to increase the participation of people, especially the youth in ‘Knowing their Army’.

Showcasing the valour and adventurous facets of the Indian Army, a ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ was organised. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh graced the event, which was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Vice Chief of

the Army Staff Lt General B.S. Raju, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command Lt General Ajai Kumar Singh and other senior dignitaries.

‘Shaurya Sandhya’ commenced with a standing salute to the Chief Guest and a breath-taking fly-past by Advance Light Helicopter-WSI, Army Aviation Helicopters and Microlight Aircraft of Army Adventure Wing followed by a thrilling show of equestrian sports of Tent Pegging and Six Bar Jumping. The display of adventure activities included Army Aviation Combat Demonstration and Special Team

Operations. The ‘North East Warriors’ put on an awe-inspiring display of Martial Arts while the daredevil Para Troopers enthralled the gathering with Sky Diving. The skillful and daredevil performance of the Army Service Corps Motorcycle Display team ‘Tornadoes’ was a treat to watch for the audience, while the Taekwondo team captivated one and all with their stunts. The Para Motor display by the elite Para Troopers displayed the indomitable spirit and unflinching valour of the Armed Forces. A performance by the Military Band added to the colour of the event. SP

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First Fuselage For indian army

Island off the coast of Odisha on November 2, 2022. The flight-test was carried out with participation of all BMD weapon system elements located at different geographical locations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and other teams associated with successful flight trial of AD-1. He termed it as a unique type of interceptor with advanced technologies available with a very few nations in the world. He exuded confidence that it will further strengthen the country’s BMD capability to the next level.

troops which included Special Forces, Artillery and Armoured vehicles. AMPHEX 2023 successfully demonstrated the amphibious capabilities and validated the excellent coordination that exists between the three Services to undertake the full spectrum of amphibious operations.

successFul training launcH oF sHortrange Ballistic missile, pritHvi-ii, carried out oFF odisHa coast

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) has delivered the first fuselage for six AH-64 Apache attack helicopters ordered by the Indian Army from its state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad. Boeing had completed the deliveries of all 22 AH-64E Apache helicopters to the Indian Air Force in 2020. TBAL has produced and supplied Boeing’s Apache final assembly plant in Mesa, Arizona with over 190 fuselages. More than 90 per cent of the parts used in these aerostructures assemblies are manufactured within India through over 100 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) suppliers in support of the government’s vision for ‘Make in India’.

drdo conducts FligHt-test oF pHase-ii Ballistic missile deFence interceptor Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful maiden flight-test of Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor AD-1 missile with large kill altitude bracket from APJ Abdul Kalam

tri-services ampHiBious exercise, ampHex 2023

A successful training launch of a ShortRange Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II was carried out on January 10, 2023 from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. A well-established system, Prithvi-II missile, has been an integral part of India’s nuclear deterrence. The missile struck its target with high accuracy. The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile SP

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The biennial Tri-Services Amphibious Exercise, AMPHEX 2023 was conducted at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh from January 17 to 22, 2023. AMPHEX is aimed at joint training of elements of all three services in various facets of amphibious operations to enhance interoperability and synergy. AMPHEX 23 was the largest ever AMPHEX conducted till date. The participating forces undertook complex exercises in all domains of amphibious operations over five days. Indian Army participated in the exercise with over 900

Lt general ajai Kumar singh assumed the command of Southern Command on November 1, 2022. He was commissioned into the Seventh Battalion of the Eleventh Gorkha Rifles in December 1984.

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