Intro

Agni, Prithvi, Trishulwhenever youre preparing for UPSC, State PSC, IBPS, SSC or LIC youve to prepare these things over
and over again. Sometimes it feels as if Indian Government tests these missiles not only to annoy China and Pakistan but also to
annoy the competitive exam aspirants. Anyways, earlier I gave the compilation for persons in news 2012-13. click me if you
havent read it already. Now here a new article dealing with defense related current affairs (2012-13) and basic stuff.
If you feel any important term is missing, do mention it in the comments below.

Defense exercises
Kinda one of the most important topics for CSAT paper I. Its not that UPSC asks defense exercises every year but just because it
was asked once or twice then it becomes important forever, especially when it has a catchy name hahaha.

Name Country Force

Bold Kurukshetra India, Singapore in UP Army (Tanks)

Cormorant Strike Iii India, Srilanka, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives. (held in Sri Lanka) All 3

Garud Shakti India, Indonesia Army

Indiaex-2012 India, US Navy

Indra India, Russia, bi annual Navy

Iron Fist Only India. In Rajasthan Air Force

Jimex India, Japan Navy

Konkan India, UK Navy

Malabar India, US Navy

Milan India and 14 other countries: Australia, Bangladesh etc. Navy

Passex India, Japan Navy

Pralay India only, in North East Airforce+Army

Red Flag India, US in Nevada Airforce

Shakti India, France in Uttarakhand Army

Shatrujeet India, US in California Army (Infantry)

Shoor Veer Only India, Rajasthan border Army

Simbex India, Singapore Navy

Tropex TROPEX=Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise.India only Navy

Army (Special
Vajra Prahar India, US in Uttarakhand
Forces)

Varuna India, France Navy

Yudh Abhyas India, US in Rajasthan Army (Tanks)

^this is one of the uses of pib.nic.in

Missiles, weapons and vehicles

Agni
Surface to surface missile by DRDO.
Range increases as version increases.

>5000kms.
Agni-5
It is Indias first Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
India is the 7th country to have ICBM. Other 6 are= US, Russia, China, UK, France and Israel.
 North Korea is also developing an ICBM named Taepodong-2.

Agni-4 4000kms

Agni-3 3000kms

Agni-2 2000kms. Pakistans HATF-5 (Ghauri) has range of about 1300 kms.

Agni-1 700kms (some books/magazines say 800 but India 2013 Yearbook says 700 so I keep it 700).

Prithivi

Surface to surface. Short range (150-350)

Range increases as number increases: Prithvi I=150, II=250 and III=350kms
Its naval version is known as Dhanush. Dhanush can be launched from Navy ships.

Aircraft destroyer
Surface to air (SAM)
Akash It can destroy many targets at once, using Rajendra radar system.
Its range is higher than trishul.

Air to air missile to destroy enemy aircrafts.

Astra

Surface to air (SAM)

Trishul Destroy low level flying objects. E.g. from a ship against low flying attacking enemy missiles.

Cruise
290 km range.
Brahmos Only Supersonic cruise missile in the world. (speed close to 3 Mach)
Named after two rivers: Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
 can be used against ship and land targets.
Can be installed on ships, submarines & aircraft and ground vehicles
Can receive navigation signals from both GPS (USA) and GLONASS(Russia).

sub-sonic cruise missile

Nirbhay is Indias equivalent of Tomahawk, a long-range, sub-sonic cruise missile, developed by the U.S.
Nirbhay developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
will travel at a sub-sonic speed (less than the speed of sound).

Navy / Submarine
It is the naval version of Prithvi II missile.
Nuke capable.
Dhanush 350kms

Can be launched from submarines. Range abt 700kms.

K-15 Sagarika Will be used from nuclear powered submarines (like Arihant).

Anti-submarine torpedo
Varunastra

Anti-Tank
The helicopter-fired version of Nag (anti-tank missile).
HELINA Helina =Helicopter + Nag

Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-Tank missile

LAHAT will be used in the upgraded Arjun battle tanks.
 fire and forget anti-tank missile.
can destroy enemy tanks four km away
NAG NAMICA=carrier of NAG missile.
Both of them did not perform well during field trials in Rajasthan.

NAMIKA It is a vehicle to carry and launch NAG missles.

Invar Anti-tank Missiles that can be launched from Arjun T-90 tanks. India will buy these from Russia

Adrushya Anti-tank mine. By DRDO

Tanks and artillery

Arjun Main battle tank. (T90)Kanchan=name of the armour used on this tank.

Ajeya T-72 tank

SARVATRA Mobile bridge laying system. So armys tanks and vehicles can cross rivers.

DAKSH It is a robotic vehicle for disabling IED (explosives).

Pinaka Multibarrel rocket system (it looks like a truck with lot of rockets on its shoulder).

BHIM 155mm artillery gun. (these type of guns are known as howitzer) Bofors is also a howitzer.

BMP-2 Infantry combat vehicle. To transport soldiers in the battlefield.

Rifles/ uniforms
it is a self loading rifle (SLR)
by DRDO.
INSAS
INSAS=Indian small arms system.
Before INSAS, we had ISHAPORE SLR.

Compact communication and electronic warfare suit

Sujav

An equipment for clearing land mines. By DRDO

Baby viper

Indian Radars and Sonars

First understand the difference.

Radar Sonar

RAdio Detection and Ranging SOund Navigation And Ranging

Uses radio waves Uses sound waves

Mostly used above water (air) Underwater.

Slower (because speed of sound is slower than radio waves and depends on medium through which it
Faster response
travels)

1. aerial and naval navigation 1. Locate submarines and mines in the sea
2. air defense 2. underwater surveillance and communication
3. checking weather patterns 3. mapping underwater terrains

Now lets check the DRDO projects related to Radars and Sonars
RADAR Sonar

Revati (3d radar for navy) HUMSA (shipborne)

Rohini (3d radar for airforce) MIHIR (airborne)

Indra Panchendriya, USUSH (Submarine)

Rajendra Tadpole

Darpan

3D Car 3D Central Acquisition Radar

^most of these are given in India Yearbook, thats why important for MCQs.

Aircrafts
(list is definitely not exhaustive)

SU30-MKI Fighter jets, India will buy them from Russia.

Dornier-
Transport aircraft
228
Saras Transport aircraft

Light combat aircraft, Naval prototype 1.Indias first indigenous naval fighter jet (that can be used from aircraft carrier ships
LCA NP-1
such as INS Vikramaditya).

It has STOBAR capability. STOBAR= Ski Takeoff but arrested recovery.TejasLight combat aircraft. (LCA)Kaveri=name of Tejass
engine. It is Indias first indigenous gas turbine engine.

It single seat, single engine, supersonic, light-weight, all-weather, multi-role aircraft.Darin-IIIIt is upgraded version of Jaguar fighter.
Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd.AEWC

Airborne Early warning and control system.

it is a really huge airplane , with high tech radar system.
It can detect enemy aircraft, ships and vehicles at long ranges.

MirageFighter aircraft, From franceMiG-21Russia

By the way, fifth generation air-craft were separately discussed in another article long time back. Click me

Helicopters
Attack helicopter, India will buy them from Russia.Can carry out operation in any weather, any terrain, day n
Mi-17 v5
night + disaster, Search-rescue operations.

Rudra Attack helicopter.

Dhruv, Cheetal,
Utility helicopter= transporting very few men, material etc.
Chetak

AgustaWestland Transport helicopter. From Italy but deal is stuck due to scam.

UAV/Drones
NISHANT, Rustom-
These are UAV= Unmanned Aerial vehicles. Developed by DRDO
I, Lakshya-I

Mini-UAV. CRPF will use it to fight naxals. BSF in counter-insurgency.It looks like that helicopter Mr.Lobo was
NETRA building in 3-idiots (and then he conveniently committed suicide so that Amir Khan could fix it and dance on a
song.)

Harpy, Heron,
These UAV are bought from Israel.
Harop

Submarines
Nuclear submarine. We rented this from Russia.Only US, UK, Russia, France and China had such nuke submarines.
INS Chakra
(we are the sixth one)

INS Arihant Nuclear submarine. Currently undergoing trial.

INS
Submarine, bought from Russia
Sindhurakshak
Navy Ship
INS Sahyadri Stealth frigate.Project 17= Indian navy is building stealth frigates under this project.

Teg, Tarkash, Trikand These are also stealth frigates. India bought these from Russia.These will be used for anti-piracy operations.

Sudarshini Indian navy ship. It is on sailing expedition to ASEAN nations.

INS Vikramaditya Aircraft carrier ship. Originally known as Admiral Gorshkov. India bought this from Russia.

Coast guard ships

Again list not exhaustive, but following names were in news

Samudra
Pollution control
Paheredar

Patrolling. By the way Rani Abbakka ruled over coastal parts of Karnataka, had fought against Portugese in late
Rani Abbakka
16thcentuary.

Dahanu patrolling (mainly Maharashtra coast)

Rajkamal Patrolling

Coast guard vs Navy

Navy Coast guard

Admiral Director general

Overall Maritime-security Coastal security in Territorial waters

Anti-piracy Anti-smuggling

Reports to Defense ministry Same

Help fishermen in distressSearch and rescue

Marine pollution, environment protection

Navy: New bases

Dweep Rakshak Indian Navys new base in Laskhweep islands.

Baaz Indian Navys new base in Andaman Islands.

Blue water navy

It is a really powerful navy, can operate across the deep waters in open oceans. E.g US Navy.
Indian navy also wishes to be a Blue water navy. The purchase/induction of Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines, fifth generation air
crafts etc. are part of that strategy.

Defense PSUs
To run army, navy, airforce, coast guards or any other force you need weapons, vehicles, uniforms etc. so who provides these
materials?= 1) via import from Russia, US, Israel, etc.+ 2) domestic production via DRDO, defense factories and PSUs.
Often, we import stuff from other countries, then our PSUs will refit them to suit Indian terrain and requirements.
Now lets take a look at the organizations related with domestic production
The main boss is Dept of Defense production >Defence ministry
 Under this Department of defense production, youve two type of organizations

Defense factories Make ammunition, explosives, weapons, uniforms etc.

Defense undertaking (or PSUs) HAL, BEL, other shipyards.

DRDO is a separate R&D organization that directly reports to Defense ministry. DRDO does the research Development stuff.
Once that is complete, mass production starts with the help of factories / PSUs.
Tagline of DRDO = Balasya Mulam Vigyanam = the source of strength is science. (lolz but first you need money to finance the
scientific research, so then what is the source of strength?)

Defense Undertaking (PSUs)

(list not exhaustive)

Hindustan Aeronautics ltd.

HAWK jet trainer
SU-30 MKI
HAL LCA
Dornier (transport aircraft)
Dhruv (light helicopter)
Cheetal/Chetak (Helicopters)

Bharat Electronics
Sonar, communication devices, electronic systems for tanks, aircrafts.
BEL
Also develops solar cells, EVM (electronic voting machine) etc.

Garden Reach, Kolkata

Shipyards Mazagon, Mumbai (and not Goa)

MIDHANI MIshra-DHatu NIgam ltd.

 Provides high quality metals, alloys, materials required for air-craft, tank, weapons production.

National institute for Research and Development in Defense Shipbuilding.

For self-reliance in defense production related to navy.
NIRDESH Near Kozhikode, Kerala
It is not a PSU but a society.

Private sector
Before 2001, private sector wasnt allowed in defense production. But now
26% FDI is allowed in Defense sector.
Issue: 26% is very low. It doesnt encourage foreign players transfer their defense technologies in India, therefore Commerce
ministry wants this FDI limit to be increased to 74%. for more, click me to read the news article

Exhibitions
AERO india: air force related. 2013s show held in Bengaluru.
Defexpo India: weapons, machines related to Land, Naval and Internal Security. 2012s show held in New Delhi.

Paramilitary forces?
Different books give different definitions of what is meant by Paramilitary forces.
For example, some would say Paramilitary = those fall under Home ministry and not under Defense ministry. E.g. CRPF, BSF,
ITBP etc. Others will counter it saying forces like IB and CBI also fall under Home ministry but by no means theyre paramilitary.
In 2011, Government of India made the formal definition: Paramilitary force =headed by Military officer (and not an IPS officer).
CRPF, BSF, ITPB etc are all headed by Director Generals but these director generals are actually IPS officers (and not military
officers.) Hence going by that definition, we are left with only three real paramilitary forces

1. Assam Rifles
2. Special Frontier Force
3. Coast Guard

Ok then
1. what are CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB? =these are Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
2. Then what are RAW and IB = they are intelligence gathering agencies (internal and external)
3. Then what are CBI and NIA= they are law enforcement agencies.

Organizations
Establishment Years are not important but the chronology is.

originally Catchar Levy.

Also known as Sentinels of North East and Friends of the hill people (kinda too clichd, hence unlikely for
1835 MCQs).
Assam Falls under Home ministry (and not Defense ministry).
Rifles However, its DG is an army officer, hence it is a true/real paramilitary force.(and the oldest one)
It also protects the Indo-Myanmar border. (SSB looks after Nepal, Bhutan border)

Railway protection force. Its evolution can be traced to Indian police Act made in 1861. Under that Act, part of
1861 RPF the British police manpower was deployed for protection of railways.

Territorial army. Falls under Defense Ministry.

This is like a part time job. A member can continue his routine job / business as a civilian and every year he
1920 TA has to render service in Territorial army for a few months.
Similar force in USA = known as National Guards.

CRPF (originally Crown representatives police).

Sardar Patel renamed it to Central Reserve Police force.
1939 CRPF Falls under Home ministry. This is the main fighting force against naxal and internal disturbances.

Under special police establishment Act. Later turned into CBI. (1963)
On TV channels, you often hear Congies giving argument that CBI is independent because doesnt fall under
1941 CBI Home ministry so we are not controlling CBI.
It is a bogus argument because CBI reports to Department of personnel and training, and personnel ministry
falls under Prime Minister. Although for corruption cases, CBI reports to CVC.
 Similar force in USA=FBI.

Home guards. (Army has similar force known as Territorial army). These are Voluntary forces (part time job).
Work: bandobast during election, rioting, traffic, disasters etc.
1946 Home Home ministry frames the policies, functions, training for home guards. The cost of force is shared between
Guards centre +states.

National cadet Corps.

1948 NCC Motto: Unity and Discipline (Ekta aur anushasan.)

Indo Tibetan border police. Setup in the wake of Chinese aggression.

It was also responsible for KASABs security in Mumbai jail. Then they asked crores of rupees and
1962 ITBP Maharashtra Government refused to pay.
Falls under Home Ministry.

Special Frontier Force. For carrying guerilla operations behind Chinese lines.
1962 SFF Falls under Defense ministry.

Originally Special service bureau, now Sashastra Seema Bal.

1963 SSB It protects Nepal and Bhutan border.

Border security force.

During war time, BSF will do the policing work in any enemy territories captured by Indian Army + taking care
1965 BSF of refugees and prisoner of war (PoW).

Research and Analysis wing (RAW)

Doesnt fall under Home / Defense / Foreign ministry. This organization directly reports to PM.
1968 RAW Similar force in USA=CIA, Russia=FSB (earlier KGB), Israel= Mossad, China=MSS.
RAW looks into External intelligence gathering.
IB (Intelligence bureau) under Home ministry looks into Internal intelligence gathering. Before RAW was
 created (1968), this IB used to do both internal and external intelligence gathering.

Central Industrial security force. Protection of airports, PSUs, nuke labs and powerplants.
CISF is a cost-reimbursement force meaning its cost is borne by the client and not the taxpayer. E.g. if
1969 CISF airport is getting CISF cover, then air port has to pay them (so ultimately air-passengers have to pay.)
Infosys is the first private company to get CISF protection.

Special protection group. Setup after Indiras assassination. Provides security to PM, and his family.
1985 SPG

Rashtriya Rifles. Counter insurgency in Kashmir. It is part of Army (hence defense ministry).
1990 RR

Rapid Action force

Made from CRPF
It was setup mainly for controlling riots. But nowadays also used in disaster Management, anti-naxal ops, UN
1992 RAF peace keeping ops.
Vajra= riot control vehicle of RAF.
Falls under Home ministry.

Combat battalion for resolution action. Made from CRPF. To fight naxals.
2008 COBRA Similar force of Andhra police Is known as Grey-hounds.

National investigation agency. After 26/11 attacks. Just like CBI, this one also reports to Personnel Ministry.
2009 NIA

Lets try to consolidate some important stuff from above table

Defense ministry vs Home ministry

Defense ministry Home

1. Internal security=CRPF, RAF, COBRA, Assam Rifles(NE), CISF

1. Army: Rashtriya Rifles, Territorial army
(PSUs, Airports etc.)
2. Navy
2. Border security=SSB (Nepal Bhutan), BSF (Pak, Bangla), ITBP
3. Airforce
(Tibet), Assam Rifles (Myanmar)
4. Coast guard
3. Law Enforcement=CBI, NIA: but they dont report to home ministry
5. For special ops: Marcos (Navy), Garuda (Airforce), Ghatak
4. Intelligence=IB (internal) + RAW (external) but RAW falls directly u
(Army), Special Frontier Force.
PM.
6. NCC
5. For special operations=NSG

Special forces across world

For Surgical operations like airplane hijack, terrorist/hostage situation.

NSG India

SAS UK

Delta Force US

GSG-9 Germany

GIGN France

Shar-et-matkal Israel
Mock questions
1. Which of the following is not a UAV?
a. Nishant
b. Rustom
c. Netra
d. Dhruv
2. Which of the following has highest range in kms?
a. Prithvi
b. Brahmos
c. Dhanush
d. Agni-V
3. Which of the following country doesnt have ICBM missiles?
a. India
b. China
c. USA
d. South Korea.
4. Which of the following is not a Surface to surface missile
a. Agni
b. Prithvi
c. Trishul
d. None of above.
5. What is the FDI limit in Defense sector in India?
a. 0
b. 26
c. 49
d. 74
6. What is NIRDESH?
a. State of the art electronic communication system for Navy
b. An organization for making India self-reliant in defense technology
c. Joint naval exercise between India and USA
d. None of above
7. Correct statement
a. Garden Reach shipbuilders= Andhra
b. Mazagon dock= Goa
c. Both A and B
d. None
8. In terms of range, find correct order: from lower to higher?
 a. Agni V, Sagarika, Dhanush, Brahmos
b. Sagarika, Dhanush, Brahmos, Agni V
c. Brahmos, Dhanush, Sagarika, Agni V
d. None of above.
9. Find the odd term
a. Helina
b. Nirbhay
c. Sagarika
d. Nirdesh
10. Find the odd sequence
a. Indra, Rajendra, Mihir, Revati
b. Mihir, Panchendriya, USUSH, Rajendra
c. Indra, Rajendra, Rohini, Revati
d. None of above.
11. incorrect Match
a. Mirage=Russia
b. J31=Japan
c. SU30-MKI=S.Korea
d. All of above.
12. Kaveri is an engine Developed for
a. INS Arihant
b. Light combat aircraft
c. T90 Arjun tank
d. none of above
13. Which of the following ship can be used during oil spills?
a. Sahyadri
b. Arihant
c. Chakra
d. Samudra Paheredar
14. Correct Match
a. Dweep Rakshak:Indian Navys new base in Andaman
b. Baaz: Indian Navys new base in Maldives.
c. Both A and B
d. None
15. First private sector company to get CISF cover was
a. TCS
b. WIPRO
c. Satyam
d. infosys
16. Which of the following is not a central armed police force?
a. BSF
b. CRPF
c. CISF
d. Rashtriya Rifles
17. Which of the following is not a central paramilitary force?
a. Assam Rifles
b. Special Frontier Force
c. Coast Guard
d. NSG
18. Which of the following doesnt report to home ministry
a. RAF
b. CRPF
c. SSB
d. RAW

Main article stop here. Now just some filler material.

Operations

this is too cliched for the MCQs.

Operation Why Force year

Blossom Evacuate Indians from Libya navy 2011

Black Tornado Kill terrorists responbile for 26/11 NSG 2008

Evacuate Indians during Israel-Lebanon

Sukoon Navy 2006
conflict.
Madath, Sea Waves, Castor, Gambhir,
Relief after 2004 tsunami Navy 2004
Rainbow, Rahat

It was US operation in Afghanistan but India

Enduring Freedom navy escored American ships through straight Navy 2001
of Malacca

Talwar Navy 1999

Vijay(99) Kargil war Army 1999

Safed sagar Airforce 1999

Cactus To prevent coup in Maldives All 3 1988

Pawan Peace keeping in Sri Lanka Army 1987

Meghdoot Capturing Siachen glacier Army 1984

Triden, Python Attacking Karachi port Navy 1971

Capture of Goa, Daman and Diu and Anjidiv

Vijay (61) Army 1961
Islands
Polo Hyderabad freedom Army 1948

Now Some more misc. GK that is not much important for MCQs.

Field formation, in terms of no. soldiers= corps > division > brigade > battalion > company > platoon > section.
In gallantry awards: Param Vir > Maharvir > Vir.
Ashok chakra = equivalent of Param Vir charka, given for bravery in peacetime. (e.g. given to police officers who martyred during
26/11).
Medal of Honor = American equivalent of Param Vir Chakra.
Highest rank in Indian Army is not General but Field marshal. So far only two field marshals: Cariappa and Manekshaw. In
American system, these two are five star generals and rest (e.g. V.K.Singh, Bikram Singh, ) are four star generals.
India= RAW (external intelligence) , IB (internal) Similarly UK = MI5 (internal intelligence) and MI6 (external intelligence).

Nirbhay Missile: essential facts

 GS4: SHOULD DADA THAKUR OBLITERATE DR.DANG USING NIRBHAY MISSILE OR TAKE HIM TO COURT OF LAW?

Surface to Surface missile.

Missile type Can carry both nuclear and conventional explosives.
Two stage flight
Subsonic cruise missile= Less than the speed of sound

Max. Speed? 0.7 mach = 858 kmph (according to wolfram-alpha)

 American Tomahawk missile
Similar? Pakistani Babur (Hatf VII) missile. (700kms)

800+ km
Range Flight duration- 1 hour.

Designer? DRDO

Fuel? Aviation kerosene.

At Balasore, Odisha
Testing @
2013, March: #EPICFAIL.
2014, October: Success, hence this stupid article.

Lorry, ship, aircraft, submarines

Platform Land and sea versions to be ready in next 3 years.
Sea versions to have range of 200 to 2000 kms.

Special features of Nirbhay?

Nirbhay designed from pilotless Lakshya drone (0.68 Mach speed). Therefore, it has features of both a missile and an aircraft.
Like the Lakshya drone, it can be remotely controlled, can be brought back after mission is over.
Nirbhay takes off vertically like a missile. But after reaching 800 mts height, it turns horizontally, spreads wings like an aircraft, and can fly
upto 800-1000 kms range.
Can carry multiple payloads to attack multiple targets.
Seeker system: to lock-on the target, after launch.

Loitering Missile Nirbhay can circle over an area for many minutes and pick out the target.
Tree Top Missile Nirbhay can fly at very low altitude to avoid detection. Enemy aircrafts, anti-missile technology cant destroy it easily.

Because of all these features, missile is aptly named Nirbhay -sanskrit word for Fearless.

Make in India angle?

Nirbhay is Indias first long range subsonic missile.

80% of Nirbhay parts are indigenous built.
After 2022, India will not have to import any missiles.

What is Cold start doctrine?

In conventional Military power, India far superior than Pakistanis.

But Paki got nuke bomb and proxy war tools. So conventional military power faces some limitations.
So, India developed cold start offensive doctrine- it is not official but experts believe it exists.

Cold start doctrine involves following:

1. Limited BUT Precise strikes in enemy state to prevent (nuclear) retaliation.

2. Capture small but strategic territories in Pakistan- which can be traded for concessions later on.

Why Cold Start?

Cold start saves a country from the limitations of conventional military mobilization or massed offensive doctrine. Lets understand with
Op.Parakram:
2001, 13th December: Terrorists attack Indian Parliament. Indian responds with Operation Parakram- full military mobilization at border for
10 months from January to October 2002.

Op Parakram: Full military deployment

Good Bad

Took almost a month to mobilize entire army. Such time-lag helps Enemy approach UN or foreign
Boosted morale of army
ally for help and reinforcements.

Terrorist infiltration declined significantly, due to India lacked the next step or exit plan After Op. Parakram. Government did not want a full
heavy military presence at border. scale war with Pakistan and 10-month deployment cost thousands of crores.

Pak sponsored terrorism came under international Godhara riots (2002) opened a new front and India too came under international media scrutiny.
media scrutiny It became difficult for Government to focus on two fronts- internal riots and border tension.

Pakistan got a convenient excuse for nuclear proliferation i.e. India threatens us by posting entire
army on border, so we need truckload of nukes to deter them.

India awaited US response. But they did not reveal the cards for a long time. Further escalating
costs without result.

Moral of the story:

Coercive diplomacy and full military mobilization are not the perfect tools for Indo-Pak situation.
Cold start / surgical strikes / punitive actions are ideal tools against Pakis.
2004: Indian army has adopted limited war doctrine.
Though India doesnt officially acknowledge cold start doctrine but recent military exercise prove that it exists- for example: Op. Vijayee Bhava
(2011), Op. Sudarshan Shakti (2011).

Cold Start: Benefits/ pro-arguments

1. Stops enemy from nuclear attack.

2. Creates an operation tempo- once Cold start begins, Political leaders cant halt it.
3. Completes Indian objective before UN/USA/international community intervenes.
Cold start: limitations / anti arguments

1. To counter Indias Cold start, Pakis will develop small and portable nuke weapons because they can be transported / hidden easily.
2. But given ISI-nexus, terrorists can grab such weapons.
3. Then itll be far more difficult to stop nuke attacks on Indian cities.
4. After 26/11/2008 attack on Mumbai, India did not launch cold start attack on Pakistan. Two interpretation:
a. Cold start is Theoretical exercise, and Real world application will either fail or give mixed result, hence Government did not try. OR
b. Without political will, no doctrine can succeed.
5. Point 4 leads to next limitation: Cold start only envisages what we will do but there is no plan on : when we will do it? e.g. after ___ no. of
Indians are killed by a single terrorist attack /ceasefire violation, then well definitely erase all nuclear facilities in Pakistan.
6. Some experts believe Indias Cold Start doctrine is army-centric because the three Indian defense services dont have robust joint-
structures for coordination. So, in real-life scenario, Cold-start will be an #EPICFAIL.

Anyways, back to the original topic:

Nirbhay in Cold Start?

Recall Nirbhays special features: Drone-like + attack missile + low flying + no radar detection. Such missile can-

1. Attack Paki nuclear establishment.

2. Attack incoming Paki tank columns.
3. Surgical attack on a specific area within densely populated cities of Pakistan e.g. house of Hafeez Syeed or Dawood Ibrahim- that too before
Paki radars or jets can detect Nirbhay.

Thus, Nirbhay will be a force Multiplier for Indias Cold Start Doctrine. Although Nirbhay alone is insufficient, we need modernization
in other areas as well.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

When? 1987

Who? Voluntary association of 37 countries

Notable members: Canada, France, Germany, Japan, US, UK.
What is the Purpose of MTCR?

WMD: Weapons of mass destruction 3 types Nuclear, chemical and biological.

MTCR aim to limit technology transfer that can be used for launching WMDs. For example
UAVs
Missiles that can carry 500kg payloads for atleast 300 kms.
MTCR uses Common export policy guidelines, National export licensing and foreign monitoring to limit their transfer, although there is no
formal treaty or international binding agreement.

Nirbhay vs. MTCR

1988: India tested first Agni missile.

1989: USA led MTCR forbade India from getting further missile technology.
Later, USSR collapsed, We were forced to become self-reliant.
Nirbhay: Desi subsonic cruise missile with range 800-1000 kms. So, weve not violated MTCR.

Good for India? Experience building. New weapons can be developed using the research data.

Bad for India? Lot of time and money wasted because we had to go by trial-error.

Pakistans Babar (cruise) and Shaheen (Ballistic) missile developed using Chinese technology.
MTCR violated because in the 90s, China promised to comply with MTCR, without joining as a member.

Good for Pak? Atleast they did not have to waste time and money doing trial-errors like India.

Bad for Pak? No experience-building. So their engineers and scientists will always have to steal and smuggle technology in future.
Hard to get warranty/replacement/ after sales service because its a smuggled Chinese technology!
[Block-1] Airforce

Jet: Rafael MMRCA

In future wars, we need fighter jets to cripple the advancing Chinese or Pakistani columns first, before our (large but slow moving) Army and
naval formation can attack them.
At present, Indian Airforce (IAF) has 34 fighter squadron, we need atleast 44 squadrons to be combat effective against China and Pakistan.
 Prospective IAF force in 2020 [Exact figures not important]

Role Aircraft No. Squadrons

Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 280 15

Air
superiority
MiG-29 50 3

Mirage 2000 50 3
Air Combat
(MMRCA)
MMRCA (Rafael) 126 ~7-11

Air combat
Tejas 125 7
(Light)

Strike Jaguar 119 6

Total ~740 ~45

We are working on fifth Generation fighter aircraft (FGCA) project with Russia, but that is unlikely to finish before 2020.
So in the meantime, we need a fourth generation Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) aircraft such as Rafael.
 Rafael acquisition: Chronology of Events:

Tender invited for purchase of MMRCA.

Eurofighter (British Aerospace)

2007-21 Rafael (Dassualt, France)
F-16 Superviper (Lokheed Martin)
F/A-18 Super hornet (Boeing)
MiG-35 (Russia)
JAS-39NG Gripen (Sweden)

Other companies failed to clear sectional cutoffs so, we begin negotiations to buy 126 Rafael fighter jets from at a cost of $10 billion
2012 Dollars.

2014Feb. Defense Minister AK Antony postponed the purchase citing financial reasons and need to curb fiscal deficit.

New Defense ministry Manohar Parrikar agreed to fast track negotiation. Although delay has escalated the cost from $10 billion to
2014Dec. $20-30 billions.

Rafael deal likely to be completed in 2015. Salient features are likely to be:

IAF to fly this jet for 40 years, Dassult will help in maintenance.
2015 Industrial Offset: Dassult will have to outsource some of its work to Indian companies, so that 50% of the deal money returns
back to India. French labour union opposed to this, fearing jobloss.
Transfer of Technology: France will give 18 jets right away and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will build the remaining 108 planes
in India, under Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement. Thus total 126 jets.

2016 First 18 Rafaels will be delivered.

Rafael: the salient features

Mainly for Group discussion level at CDS-SSB

good Bad

1. Spectra electronic warfare system to protect itself from incoming missiles.

2. Comes in one-seater and two-seater versions.
1. Rafaels stealth system is outdated compared to some of its rivals.
3. Can be equipped with air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-ship missiles,
2. Rafael doesnt have STOVL facility (Short take off and vertical
precision guided bombs.
landing) like F-35-B, in similar price range.
4. Can carry upto 20,000 pounds of ordinance.
3. Brazil was also interested in buying Rafael, but after problems
5. Helmet mounted sight and display for active and passive targeting.
AESA-scanners and HUD (Heads up display) during trials, they
6. Its RBE2 radar can track 8 targets simultaneously.
opted to buy Swedish Gripen jet.
7. Saturn UHF anti-jam radio, with voice-encryption facility. This provides
4. Rafael was selected (Mainly) because it was the lowest bidder
seamless communication between pilot vs. ground stations, AWACs and
among others.
Navy ships.
8. can be refueled in flight 5. but if we include the cost of spareparts, maintenance, transfer of
9. can fire 2500 cannon-rounds per minute. technology agreement- the final bill will be far higher than its rival
companies.
10. India is familiar with French technology: Dassult Ouragan in the 50s,
Mirages served well in Kargil war.
UAV: Panchi with Wheels (DRDO)

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Nishant Panchi

Launched using catapult Panchi is UAV Nishants new version with wheels.
Lands using a parachute So, it can take-off and land from air-strips like a regular aircraft.
Nishant can be used for surveillance and correcting Can do all functions of Nishant, while staying in air for a longer period, because Panchis
artillery fire. weight is lighter than Nishant.

More chances of radar detection Panchi has smaller cross-section, low chances of radar-detection, compared to Nishant

UAV: Global Hawk Drone (USA)

Technical name high altitude, long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

Mfg. USA. India may purchase it during Obamas visit on 26th January parade.
Indian also interested in buying Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy lift helicopters

non-combat drone, for surveying ocean and coastal areas- 24/7.

Type Americas largest unmanned aircraft system

Jet: Naval LCA (NP1)

Naval version Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). 4th plus(+) generation aircraft.
It needs hardly 200m airstrip. Can be used from air-craft carriers such as INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorchakov)
Has facility of Hands-free Takeoff using Ski-jump platform.
Test flight done in 2014, December.

Helicopter: Dhruv

Why in News? During SAARC-Kathmandu visit, Modi gifted a Dhruv Mark-III Advanced Light Helicopter to the Nepal Army.

Features of this helicopter

Can work in all weathers

Hindustan Aeronautics has built it, using Shakti Engines.
Can play multiple roles: logistics, rescue and attack for Army, navy, Airforce and coast guards.
 Dhruv has infrared jammers, radar and missile detectors. It can fire anti-tank NAG missiles.
Dhruv was used Operation Rahat and Surya Hope for Uttarakhand floods in 2013.

Helicopter: S-70B

It is the naval version of the US Armys Black Hawk helicopter.

S-70B is an attack-helicopter for both anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
Manufactured by USAs Sikorsky company.
Why in News? Indian navy aims to buy 16 such multi-role helicopters for Rs.6,000 crores.

Airdefense: Schilka system

Who? Russians designed this system in 1970s, with four 23mm guns
Purpose: low-level air-defense for Indian Army.
Recently, BEL made following upgrades to Sachilka system
24/7 all weather tracking system
AC cabin for crew
Fire detection and modern communication faciltiies.
Filter for NBC attacks (Nuke, biological and chemical)

Airdefense: Akash Missile

Designed by DRDO and testing by Indian Air Force (IAF) at Chandipur near Balasore in Odisha.
Medium range (25 kms), surface to air missile (SAM). Can destroy cruise missiles and fighter jets.
Can carry payload upto 60kg.
Akash can simultaneously track and attack several targets simultaneously, with help of a ground radar Rajendra.
Both Indian army and Airforce use Akash missile system.
Other surface to air missiles are: Astra, Trishul.

Computerized Pilot Selection System

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalams brainchild, jointly developed by DRDO and allied research agencies.
To conduct pilot aptitude tests for Indian Airforce, in a more scientific manner using computer system.
Will help reducing flying accidents by pilot error.

[Block-2] Indian Army and Missiles

Indian Missiles in News

List not exhaustive

Missile range and features

Prithvi 1 150 km, surface to surface

Prithvi 2 250 km, surface to surface

Brahos 290 kms, Supersonic cruise missile. India and Russia have jointly developed it.
Brahmos-II will be a hypersonic missile.

Range of 290 kms and supersonic speed of 2.8 Mach speed.

Brahmos Brahmos mini missiles weight just 1.5 tonnes- quite lighter than the regular version.
Theyre designed for navy submarines (Project 75I) and airforce (Su-30MKI)
Mini
India-Russia planning to sell them to friendly nations in near future.

Prithvi 3 350 kms. Its naval version called Dhanush

Agni-1 700 kms. All Agni series missiles are surface to surface.

800+ kms. Subsonic cruise missile, similar to USAs Tomahawk missile.

Nirbhay is based on Lakshya Drone system, hence can be controlled remotely. It is Nuclear capable, with land and sea variants
Nirbhay planned in future..
Nirbhay is a Loitering missile, tree top missile (hard to detect on radar), seeker missile (can lock on target after launch).
Agni-2 2000 kms. Test fired in 2014, November.

Agni-3 3000 kms

4000 kms. Test fired in 2014, December. Although Hindu is gone crazier than usual in covering this topic during December 2014 so it
Agni-4 ought to be the most important topic for next prelims. But since UPSC already asked Agni-4 in in CSAT-2014, so less likely to re-
appear again in CSAT-2015.

Above 5000kms
It is Indias first Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Agni-5 India is the 7th country to have ICBM. Other 6 are US, Russia, China, UK, France and Israel.
Taepodong-2: North Koreas ICBM.

Agni-4

Both Prithvi and Agni are Surface to surface missiles.

20 meters tall. Two stage solid fuel engine.
Can carry nuclear weapons upto 1 tonne. Range 4000 kms
Has heat shields so missile can even withstand above 4000C temperature, When it re-enters earths atmosphere
RINS: Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS), to correct inflight disturbances.
Agni missiles are designed by DRDO and tested by Armys Strategic Forces Command (SFC), At Odishas Wheeler Island.

Chinese JL-2 missiles

Chinese
USAs strategic concerns
missiles

Can be launched only from Missile silos. USA can destroy silos using conventional missiles.
Dongfeng-5A This missile needs lot of pre-launch preparation because it uses liquid fuel, giving sufficient time to USA forces to
launch a preemptive strike.
 10,000 kms range.
Dongfeng-31A But, difficult to hide from USAs Global Hawk drones (India also interested in buying those drones!)

Upgraded version of Dongfeng 31A, to reach most American and European cities. Later DF-41 missiles with 12,000 kms
Dongfeng-31B range to reach every American city.

USAs Asian pivot policy to increase military presence in the region by 2020- particularly to deter China and North Korea.

Now, China aims deploy Julang (JL-2) long range nuclear missiles on its submarines. Range: 7350 kms.
This will help China launch a second strike on Alaska and Hawaii. IF USA destroy all its nuclear weapons on land.

[Block-3] Indian Navy

Dismantling of INS Vikrant begins

Aircraft carriers of Indian Navy

Vikrant (UK) Vikrant (Desi) Virat Vikramaditya

Who? HMS Hercules (Britain) built at Kochi Britain Admiral Gorchakov(Russia)

Joined? 1961 2013 1987 bought in 2004, got in 2013

Retired 1997 ?? 2017-18 ??

In service? NOPE TRIAL PHASE YES YES

Story of INS Vikrant

1961 to 1997: INS Vikrant served in Indian navy, participated in blockade of Pakistan during 1971s war.
2014: Navy sells INS Vikrant to a Mumbai company for scrap metal at 63 crore rupees.
Bombay Highcourt rejects PIL to convert Vikrant into a naval museum.
Maharashtra Government says it doesnt have enough money to maintain this vessel as a museum, better just scrap it.
TheHindu goes more emotional than usual, running same news story for almost 2 weeks in December 2014. Hence topic automatically
becomes important for competitive exams.

Navy: Misc. Developments

Late 80s: Submarine commissioned in Indian Navy

INS Sindhuratna 2013, August: Submarine caught fire, 18 personnel killed. Admiral DK Joshi resigned taking the moral
responsibility.
2014, Dec: New Defense ministry Manohar Parikkar says inquiry yet to finish.

This project will Build 6 diesel-electric powered stealth submarines in India.

Project 75I With Anti-air-independent propulsion system to prevent enemies from detecting submarines.
Will have Land attack capability using Brahmos Mini missiles.

Air-Independent It contains 2nd generation hydrogen fuel cell, so submarine can recharge its batteries underwater, without
coming on surface. This prevents enemies from detecting our submarines
Propulsion DRDO will fit the AIP system on Scorpene submarines . And later in Project 75-I submarines.

Hull mounted sonar. NG stands for new generation.

HUMSA-NG These Sonars will help our navy to detect enemy-divers trying to attack Indian harbors.

INS Kolkata Largest Anti-submarine warship, built by India.

[Block-4] Defense exercises and Misc. developments

Defense Exercises held in November 2014

Navy, Coast guard and Airforce

Defense of Gujarat To prevent repeat of 26/11 terrorist attack.
To combat smuggling, trans-national crimes and terrorism.

Indian and Chinese Army, Held at Pune, 4th Edition.

Hand in Hand Focus: Counter-terrorism. Confidence building and future joint operations as UN peacekeeping forces.

Joint Indo-Russia airforce exercise.

Avir Indra Location: Halwara, Punjab.

Misc. developments

TRV Torpedo recovery vessel. This ship sank at Visakhapattanam coast in 2014, November.

Navy Day Celebrated on December 4. To mark the success of Operation Trident, in which Indian navy devastated Karachi harbour.

Armed Forces Flag Day Observed on December 7, since 1949.

INS Sukanya, Deepak etc. Delivered fresh water to Maldives after countrys desalination plant got damaged.
Binola, Haryana Government will setup Indian national defense university here.

Xiaomi Chinese Mobile company. It forwards IMEI, address book, text message to its Beijing server.
Hence IAF (Airforce) ordered personnel not to use this phone due to security reasons.