INDUS-X, which stands for enhanced strategic and defence partnership between India and the U.S., was launched on June 21 last year.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

“The India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem has advanced the commitment of the two strategic partners to building a defence innovation bridge under the Critical and Emerging Technology Initiative,” the U.S. has said on the partnership’s first anniversary.

INDUS-X, which stands for enhanced strategic and defence partnership between India and the U.S., was launched on June 21 last year by the U.S. Department of Defence and the Indian Ministry of Defence during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, DC.

“In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced both countries’ commitment to build a defence innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET),” the Department of Defence said in a press release on June 21.

The iCET was launched by Prime Minister Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the QUAD summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022.

“INDUS-X has strengthened private sector cooperation between the United States and India by facilitating partnerships among defence technology companies, investors, and researchers,” the press release said.

“The third INDUS-X Summit will take place in Silicon Valley in September 2024 with a focus on harnessing private capital for defence innovation,” it said, citing a recent announcement by the White House.

The summit will be co-hosted by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University. The India-U.S. defence and strategic ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.

The two countries have inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and also provides for the sale of high-end technology from the U.S. to India.

In October 2020, India and the U.S. sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) pact to further boost bilateral defence ties. The pact provides for the sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.

Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant
| Photo Credit: AFP

Israeli defence exports rose to a record $13.1 billion in 2023, a government report said on June 17, citing hundreds of contracts signed at various defence firms.

Some 36% of exports came from missile, rocket and air defence systems, followed by radar and electronic warfare, weapon stations and launchers at 11% each, with crewed aircraft and avionics at 9%, the Defence Ministry said.

Defence exports, which totalled $12.5 billion in 2022, have doubled over the past five years.

The Ministry said defence exports had become a central priority as part of an effort to strengthen security-strategic relations worldwide, enter new markets, remove bureaucratic barriers and reduce regulation.

“While our industries are primarily focused on providing the defence establishment with the capabilities to support our troops and defend our citizens … they are also continuing to pursue areas of cooperation and exports to international partners,” said Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

New generation ballistic missile Agni-Prime was successfully flight-tested by Strategic Forces Command & DRDO off the Odisha coast on April 3, 2024. Photo: X/@DRDO_India

India successfully flight tested the new generation ballistic missile Agni-Prime from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

The Defence Ministry said the test-flight was carried out on April 3 evening.

It said the test met all the trial objectives validating its reliable performance, as confirmed from the data captured by a number of range sensors deployed at different locations.

“Strategic Forces Command (SFC), along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), conducted the successful flight-test of new generation ballistic missile Agni-Prime from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha at around 1900 hours on April 3,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The launch was witnessed by the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Chief of Strategic Forces Command and senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Army.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, SFC and the Armed Forces for the successful test.

He stated that the successful development and induction of the missile will be an excellent force multiplier for the Armed Forces.

Chief of Defence Staff General Chauhan and Chairman DRDO Samir V. Kamat appreciated the efforts of the SFC and DRDO for the successful flight test.

New Delhi:

The defence ministry on Wednesday trashed reports which claimed that the new Sainik Schools were allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological affiliations.

Online media platform ‘The Reporters’ Collective’ in a report claimed that the government handed over 62 per cent of the new Sainik Schools to people associated with Sangh Parivar, politicians from the BJP and its allies.

“Articles have appeared in certain sections of the press insinuating that new Sainik Schools are being allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological affiliations. Such insinuations are unfounded,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

It said a rigorous selection process was followed to finalise institutions to run the new Sainik Schools.

“The scheme for new Sainik Schools is well thought out. The selection process itself is rigorous, checks and balances have been built in to ensure continuing adherence to the objectives and strong incentives are in place to provide financial support to deserving students,” the ministry said.

“The political or ideological affiliation or otherwise of the applicant institution does not influence the selection process,” it said.

“Attempts to politicise or distort the objectives and implementation of the scheme by casting aspersions on it, are unwarranted and misleading,” the ministry added.

In the first phase, the government has initiated the scheme of setting up 100 new Sainik Schools across the country, in partnership with NGOs, state governments and private sector which are working in the education sector.

The ministry said over 500 applications have been received and scrutinised.

“As on date, approval has been accorded to 45 schools. This includes both existing schools and schools proposed to be built,” it said.

“Approval to these schools is given provisionally. Continuation of approval is based on annual inspection by the school inspection committee. Hence, the scheme provides for a continued adherence to achieving the identified standards,” it said.

In October 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the affiliation of 100 schools in government and private sectors with Sainik School Society under the Ministry of Defence.

The ministry said a strict evaluation process was followed to scrutinise the applicants.

Explaining the process, it said a school evaluation committee composed of the concerned district magistrate as chairperson and principals of nearby existing Sainik Schools/ Navodaya Vidyalayas was set up.

“Physical inspection of the applicant school and verification of the credentials is done as per laid down criteria,” it said.

“An Approval Committee which comprises the Joint Secretary (Sainik Schools Society) as chairperson, Secretary CBSE and an eminent educationist as members accord the final recommendations,” the ministry said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The defence ministry on Wednesday signed two contracts with a combined value of Rs 8073 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the acquisition of 34 advanced light helicopters and associated equipment for the Indian Army and the Coast Guard.

Out of 34 Dhruv Mk-III helicopters, the Army will get 25 and the Coast Guard will receive nine, according to the ministry.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had cleared the two procurement projects last week.

“Consequent upon approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts for a combined value of Rs 8073.17 crore with the HAL on March 13 for acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with operational role equipment for Indian Army (25 ALHs) and Indian Coast Guard (09 ALHs) under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category,” the ministry said.

It described the acquisition under the Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category as a significant move towards indigenisation in defence manufacturing.

The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility) — the Indian Army version — is designed for search and rescue, transportation of troops and casualty evacuation among other roles.

It has proved its performance in high-altitude regions like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh, the ministry said in a statement.

The ALH Mk III MR (Maritime Role), the ICG version, is designed for maritime surveillance, search and rescue, rappelling operations and also for transportation of troops.

It has proved its mettle even in adverse atmospheric conditions over sea and land, the ministry said.

“The project will generate employment of an estimated 190 Lakh man-hours during its duration. It will also entail supply of equipment from more than 200 MSMEs and 70 local vendors will be involved in the indigenisation process which is likely to have a positive impact on employment generation in this sector,” it said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India is in the process of formulating joint military doctrines in sync with its efforts to enhance synergy among the three services and other key wings of the defence establishment to effectively deal with future security challenges, officials said on Monday.

The defence ministry has already been working on an ambitious plan on theaterisation process to ensure jointness among the three services.

Various aspects relating to the joint doctrines were brainstormed at a conference on September 22.

“This historic, first such, conference was aimed to synergise and bridge gaps in understanding between headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the three services in the formulation of doctrines, as also review the progress of joint doctrines being formulated,” the defence ministry said.

It also helped in sharing best practices and ongoing initiatives on doctrinal issues, it said in a brief statement on Monday.

The ‘joint doctrine review’ conference was chaired by Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine Organisation and Training).

The conference spanned over two sessions, brainstorming the joint doctrine formulation process. It reviewed the ongoing as well as future joint and service doctrines on diverse subjects such as cyberspace, amphibious and space.

“The conference was successful and achieved its stated aim,” the ministry said.

It was attended by subject matter experts from the Doctrine Development Agencies of HQ IDS and the three services as also members from reputed think tanks.

Officials said the government has been making forward movement in the theaterisation plan as well.

According to the theaterisation plan, each of the theatre commands will have units of the army, the navy and the air force and all of them will work as a single entity looking after security challenges in a specified geographical territory under an operational commander.

At present, the three services have separate commands.

The theatre commands are being planned to integrate the capabilities of the three services and to ensure optimal utilisation of their resources.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Defence Ministry on Friday cleared procurement of various weapons systems and platforms including Dhruvastra short range air-to-surface missile and 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 45,000 crore.

A total of nine procurement proposals were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officials said.

“All these procurements will be made from Indian vendors under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDMM)/Buy (Indian) category which will give substantial boost to the Indian defence Industry towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’,” the defence ministry said.

To enhance protection, mobility, attack capability and increase survivability of mechanised forces, the DAC accorded the approval for procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), the ministry said in a statement.

The DAC cleared also cleared the procurement of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles for swift mobilisation and deployment of artillery guns and radars.

The DAC further approved procurement of next generation survey vessels for the Indian Navy, the ministry said.

It said a proposal of the Indian Air Force to ensure avionic upgrade of Dornier aircraft to improve the accuracy and reliability for operations was also given Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). The AoN is the initial approval.

“The procurement of Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile as a potent Indigenous Precision Guided Weapon for indigenously built ALH Mk-IV Helicopters has been cleared by the DAC,” the ministry said.

“The AoN for procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was also accorded,” it said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Union Budget presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday allocated ₹5.94 lakh crore for the Defence Ministry, a 13% increase year-on-year from last year’s budget estimates.

The non-salary revenue outlay has gone up by 44% from ₹62,431 crore the previous year to ₹90,000 crore in the Budget Estimates of 2023-24. The hike is particularly significant given the huge increase in operational commitments, with major force accretion and sustenance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and stocking up of spares and ammunition since the 2020 stand-off with China.

“This will cater to sustenance of weapon systems and platforms, including ships and aircraft, and their logistics; boost fleet serviceability; emergency procurement of critical ammunition and spares; procuring and hiring of niche capabilities to mitigate capability gaps wherever required; progress stocking of military reserves; and strengthening forward defences, amongst others,” the Defence Ministry said.

The Ministry said as a precursor to the hike in the non-salary revenue segment, the government during the mid-term review had enhanced the operational allotment for the current financial year by ₹26,000 crore, which is 42% of the present allocation. This unprecedented increase in the Revised Estimates 2022-23 has ensured liquidation of the entire carry-over liabilities during the current year, thereby ensuring that there is no dent in the next year’s operational outlay of the services, it stated.

“The enhanced allocations in the Budget will also cater to training aids and simulators for Agniveers and ensure that they achieve the set standards of training for induction in the defence forces,” the Ministry added.

Capital expenditure for military modernisation also saw a 6.7% rise by ₹10,230 crore year-on-year to ₹1.62 lakh crore. There was also a major hike in the allocation for defence pensions on account of the revision of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. Allocation for the Defence Research and Development Organisation is ₹23,264 crore, a 9% increase year-on-year.

The overall revised estimates for 2022-23 for defence stood at ₹5.85 lakh crore and this year’s allocation represents a 1.5% increase. Of this year’s defence budget, ₹2.7 lakh crore is for revenue expenditure, ₹1.38 lakh crore for pensions and ₹22,612 crore for defence (civil).

More funds for BRO

The capital budget of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has gone up by 43% to ₹5,000 crore from ₹3,500 crore in 2022-23. “The Ministry of Defence is committed towards infrastructure strengthening in the border areas, particularly the Northern Borders,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. The BRO is close to finishing some key infrastructure projects in the eastern sector and improving all-weather connectivity along the LAC.

Of the ₹1.62 lakh crore set aside for capital expenditure, a 6.7% increase year-on-year, ₹37,242 crore has been earmarked for the Army, ₹52,804 crore for the Navy and ₹57,137 crore for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This represents a year-on-year increase of 16.32% for the Army, 10.96% for the Navy and 2.79% for the IAF. Budget documents show that the Defence Ministry has returned about ₹2,370 crore from the capital component, a major part accounted for by the IAF, which has unspent funds of ₹1,837 crore.

Capex for defence received a nominal 7% increase compared with the 33% rise in the country’s overall capital expenditure commitment, according to Gaurav Mehndiratta, partner and head, Aerospace and Defence, KPMG in India. “We believe the capex allocation misses a commensurate reflection of the government’s impetus on defence manufacturing,” he said.

New beneficiaries

The revised estimates of 2022-23 for pensions shot up by ₹33,719 crore to ₹1,53,415 crore following the Union Cabinet’s approval for the revision of the OROP scheme last December, which was pending since July 2019. The revision will benefit more than 25.13 lakh veterans and family pensioners, including over 4.52 lakh new beneficiaries.

The government has said arrears will be paid in four half-yearly instalments except for beneficiaries in some special categories who will be paid in one instalment. The estimated annual expenditure for the implementation of the revised scheme has been calculated at approximately ₹8,450 crore, including Dearness Relief (DR) at 31%. Arrears from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022 have been calculated at approximately ₹23,638 crore as per the applicable DR, the government said, adding that this expenditure is over and above the ongoing spend on account of OROP.

Agniveer Corpus Fund

In line with the provisions of the Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces, the Budget has announced the creation of a non-lapsable dedicated Agniveer Corpus Fund. This will cater to the Seva Nidhi severance package to be given to Agniveers on completion of four years. Individuals would have to contribute 30% of their monthly income to the fund during service, which will be equally matched by the government. The government will also pay to the subscriber interest, as approved from time to time, on the contributions in the account and the entire payout will be tax-free.

Defence Budget Estimates (2023-24)

Total allocation: ₹5.93 lakh crore

Revenue allocation: ₹2.7 lakh crore

Capital expenditure: ₹1.62 lakh crore

Pension: ₹1.38 lakh crore

Civil: ₹22,612 crore

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