The new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power…reports Asian Lite News
President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday formally lowered the threshold for Russia’s use of its nuclear weapons, a move that follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russian territory with American-supplied longer-range missiles.
The new doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukraine fired six U.S.-made ATACMS missiles early Tuesday at a military facility in Russia’s Bryansk region that borders Ukraine, adding that air defenses shot down five of them and damaged one more. Ukraine’s military claimed the strike hit a Russian ammunition depot.
While the doctrine envisions a possible nuclear response by Russia to such a conventional strike, it is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons and keep Putin’s options open.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that the Ukrainian strike in Bryansk marked an escalation and urged the U.S. and other Western allies to study the modernized nuclear doctrine.
“If the long-range missiles are used from the territory of Ukraine against the Russian territory, it will mean that they are controlled by American military experts and we will view that as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia and respond accordingly,” Lavrov said on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brazil without elaborating.
The approval of the document demonstrates Putin’s readiness to tap his nuclear arsenal to force the West to back down as Moscow presses a slow-moving offensive in Ukraine as the war reached its 1,000th day.
Asked Tuesday if a Ukrainian attack with longer-range U.S. missiles could potentially trigger a nuclear response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered affirmatively, pointing to the doctrine’s provision that holds the door open for it after a conventional strike that raises critical threats for the “sovereignty and territorial integrity: of Russia and its ally, Belarus.
Commenting on whether the updated doctrine was deliberately issued to follow Biden’s decision, Peskov said the document was published “in a timely manner” and that Putin instructed the government to update it earlier this year so that it is “in line with the current situation.”
Putin first announced changes in the nuclear doctrine in September, when he chaired a meeting discussing the proposed revisions. He has previously warned the U.S. and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and NATO are at war.
Washington has permitted Ukraine to use the longer-range weapons on targets inside Russia after declaring that thousands of North Korean troops were deployed in the Russian region of Kursk to fight an incursion by Kyiv’s forces.
“I’m unfortunately not surprised by the comments the Kremlin has made around the publication of this new, revised document,” said U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, adding that since the war began, Russia has sought to “coerce and intimidate both Ukraine and other countries around the world through irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior.”
He added that Washington has not seen any reason “to adjust our own nuclear posture, but we will continue to call on Russia to stop bellicose and irresponsible rhetoric.”
A U.S. National Security Council official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity underscored that the arrival of thousands of North Korea soldiers to take part in combat operations against Ukraine was a major escalation by Moscow that demanded a response.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the “irresponsible rhetoric coming from Russia, and that is not going to deter our support for Ukraine.”
“We’re now on Day 1,000 of a conflict. That’s 1000 days of Russian aggression, 1,000 days of sacrifices in Ukraine,” he said at the G-20 summit in Brazil. “We have stood with Ukraine from the start. I’ve been doubling down in my clear message that we need to ensure Ukraine has what is needed for as long as needed to win this war against Putin.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Warsaw that her country would not be intimidated by Russia’s new policy, saying her country made the mistake of cowering in the face of Moscow’s aggression in the past but would not do so again.
In Warsaw, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski described the revised Russian nuclear doctrine as a tacit acknowledgement that Moscow’s conventional forces are weaker than NATO.
The updated doctrine says an attack against Russia by a nonnuclear power with the “participation or support of a nuclear power” will be seen as their “joint attack on the Russian Federation.”
It says any massive aerial attack on Russia could trigger a nuclear response but avoids any firm commitment and mentions the “uncertainty of scale, time and place of possible use of nuclear deterrent” among the key principles of the nuclear deterrence.
The document also notes that aggression against Russia by a member of a military bloc or coalition is viewed as “an aggression by the entire bloc,” a clear reference to NATO.
At the same time, it spells out conditions for using nuclear weapons in greater detail compared with previous versions of the doctrine, noting they could be used in case of a massive air attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, drones and other flying vehicles.
The MHA last week provided 20 companies of CAPF — 15 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and five of the Border Security Force (BSF). ..reports Asian Lite News
Amid the escalating violence in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday decided to provide an additional 50 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to the state government to deal with the prevailing law and order situation, officials said.
A top Manipur Home Department official said that the 50 companies of the CAPF (around 5,000 personnel) would soon arrive in the state and they would be deployed in the trouble-torn and militancy-affected districts.
The MHA last week provided 20 companies of CAPF — 15 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and five of the Border Security Force (BSF).
The CRPF companies rushed to violence-hit Manipur from neighbouring Assam while the BSF companies came from Tripura.
A Manipur Home Department official, referring to the MHA communication, said that the fresh 50 companies, comprising the CRPF, the BSF and other paramilitary forces, would arrive in the state in a day or two and they would also be deployed in trouble-torn, vulnerable, mixed population, and militancy-hit districts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who on Sunday reviewed the situation in the violence-ridden state, would hold another important meeting on Monday to study the situation and is likely to finalise some new strategy.
Officials in Imphal, quoting the Delhi meeting decisions said that Home Minister Shah directed the senior security officials to take effective steps to prevent violence and maintain peace.
They said that the Home Minister rushed to the national capital on Sunday after cutting short his campaign in poll-bound Maharashtra and held a meeting with top Home Ministry and security officials.
“Chief Security Advisor to the Manipur government, Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, and Director General of Police Rajiv Singh are likely to attend Monday’s meeting virtually from Imphal,” the officials said.
Meanwhile, a protester was shot dead during a clash between security forces and a mob in Manipur’s violence-hit Jiribam district on Sunday night. A police official in Imphal said that a youth identified as K. Athouba, 21, was killed in firing and who actually fired the bullet is under investigation.
However, protesters claimed that the Manipur Police special commando fired to disperse the mob, and the youth was killed in the firing and two others were injured. The police official said that the mob was attacking and vandalising properties of various leaders’ houses and political party offices on Sunday night. They were protesting the killing of three women and three children abducted by militants on November 11.
The offices of the Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena and the houses belonging to Jiribam’s Independent MLA were ransacked by the mobs, comprising men and women. The Manipur government also closed all educational institutions for two days — Monday and Tuesday — in the curfew-bound five districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching.
In the extensive violence and attacks by angry mobs on Saturday and Sunday, more than two dozen houses of ministers, MLAs and political leaders and offices of political parties were attacked and vandalised by mobs in several districts, especially in Imphal East and Imphal West districts. This followed the recovery of six dead bodies in Jiribam on November 15 and 16 near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border and believed to be of the three women and three children missing since November 11 in Jiribam district.
Manipur Police earlier said that in a November 11 encounter with the CRPF, 10 suspected Kuki militants were killed while in another incident, militants kidnapped 10 people, all belonging to the Meitei community and inmates of a relief camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam district’s Borobekra sub-division. According to police, of the 10 kidnapped persons, one person was found alive and rescued and another civilian came back on his own to the police station while the bodies of six others were recovered.
The Committee members expressed their satisfaction with the Indian Coast Guard’s recent achievements…reports Asian Lite News
A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence was held at Chennai on Saturday to review the working of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in ensuring coastal security along India’s vast maritime boundaries, an official release said.
The delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs) was led by MP Shri Radha Mohan Singh, who chaired the meeting. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and ICG also attended the meeting.
The ICG was represented by Director General S Paramesh, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard, who provided a comprehensive overview of the ICG’s operational capabilities, strategic initiatives, and preparedness to address the nation’s coastal security challenges.
According to the release, the discussion focused on ICG’s ongoing efforts to safeguard India’s maritime interests, improve coordination with various stakeholders, and enhance response mechanisms for ensuring maritime safety and security.
During the review, DG S Paramesh briefed the Committee on the various facets of ICG operations, including its extensive surveillance systems, advanced vessel fleet, and specialized response units. The ICG’s role in preventing maritime security threats, such as illegal fishing, smuggling, and human trafficking, was also highlighted.
The Committee members expressed their satisfaction with the Indian Coast Guard’s recent achievements, acknowledging the force’s significant progress in strengthening coastal security infrastructure, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and implementing cutting-edge technologies. They commended the ICG’s proactive role in safeguarding India’s 11,098 km coastline and ensuring the security of vital maritime trade routes.
A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence was held in Chennai yesterday to review the working of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in ensuring coastal security along India’s vast maritime boundaries.
The delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs) was led by MP Radha Mohan Singh, who chaired the meeting. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and ICG also attended the meeting, the release said. (ANI)
This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for all the Services of the Indian Armed Forces….reports Asian Lite News
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of its long-range hypersonic missile on November 16, 2024, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha.
This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1500km for all the Services of the Indian Armed Forces.
The missile was tracked by various range systems, deployed in multiple domains. The flight data obtained from down-range ship stations confirmed the successful terminal manoeuvres and impact with a high degree of accuracy.
This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners.
The flight trial was carried out in the presence of senior scientists of DRDO and the Armed Forces.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces and the Industry for the successful flight trial of the country’s first long-range hypersonic mission, and termed it a historic achievement.
In a post on X, the Defence Minister described the event as a historic moment, emphasizing that this major achievement has placed India among a handful of nations with the capability to develop such advanced and critical military technologies.
“India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting a flight trial of a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. This is a historic moment and this significant achievement has put our country in the group of select nations having capabilities of such critical and advanced military technologies. I congratulate Team DRDO India, our Armed Forces and the Industry for stupendous achievement,” Rajnath Singh posted on X.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO also congratulated team DRDO for their active contribution to this successful mission. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also complimented DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful PSQR validation trials of the system…reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Thursday that the flight tests of the guided Pinaka Weapon System have been successfully completed.
An MoD official said that the tests were part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) Validation Trials, adding that the flight tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also complimented DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful PSQR validation trials of the system.
“The induction of this guided Pinaka Weapon System will further boost the artillery fire-power of the armed forces,” the Defence Minister said.
The MoD official said that during these tests, the PSQR parameters that are ranging, accuracy, consistency and rate of fire for multiple target engagements in a salvo mode have been assessed by extensive testing of rockets.
“Twelve (12) rockets from each production agency from two in-service Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies have been tested,” he said.
He added that the precision strike variant for the Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System is a totally indigenous weapon system.
“It is designed and developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment in association with Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Proof and Experimental Establishment with Munitions India Limited and Economic Explosives Limited as production agencies for ammunition and Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen and Toubro for Pinaka launcher and Battery Command Post,” he said.
Secretary, Department of Defence R and D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the trials. He said the rocket system completed all pre-requisite flight trials before induction into the Indian Army.
On November 12, India conducted a maiden flight test of Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM). The flight test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha in November by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). That test was conducted from a mobile articulated launcher. The missile was equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and more reliable performance.
One of the most profound revelations at Zhuhai Air Show 2024 is the J-35A stealth fighter. With the arrival of the J-35 platform alongside the J-20, China will have two operational fifth-generation stealth fighter types in service. This makes it the second country in the world to do so, following in the footsteps of the USA that operates both the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor….reports Asian Lite News
The extraordinary energy and innovation of China’s military-industrial complex show few signs of waning, if exhibits at this year’s spectacular Zhuhai Air Show in southern China, not far from Hong Kong, are anything to go by.
More formally known as the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, the 2024 edition is being held in the coastal city of Zhuhai 12-17 November.
Whether it is jet engines screaming overhead during aerobatic demonstrations, diesel engines propelling heavy armoured vehicles over obstacles, or missiles, drones and other technology sitting resplendent in exhibition halls, this air show is the occasion where China shows off its military and technological prowess.
However, the biennial show is still in recovery mode after the impact of COVID-19 and an increasingly authoritarian attitude towards foreign companies and overseas media.
The largest ever iteration of the show occurred in 2018, when 150,000 trade visitors and 300,000 members of the general public flocked to the six-day show. In the same year, 425 members of the media attended.
However, this year foreign media are not welcome, a similar case to the preceding 2022 edition when just 193 journalists, all from China, attended. Figures for this year’s event are not yet available, but organizers were talking it up as the largest show ever in Zhuhai.
One of the most profound revelations at Zhuhai Air Show 2024 is the J-35A stealth fighter in People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) markings. There had been rumours last year that the PLAAF was interested in this brand new fighter platform, and the examples that are appearing this week in Zhuhai are likely to be initial operational training and evaluation aircraft, according to Rick Joe, an expert on the PLA and a regular contributor to The Diplomat publication. He told ANI that he doubts the J-35A is yet operational in any frontline capacity.
The J-35A bears a lot of external similarities to the American-designed and built F-35 from Lockheed Martin. With the arrival of the J-35 platform alongside the J-20, China will have two operational fifth-generation stealth fighter types in service. This makes it the second country in the world to do so, following in the footsteps of the USA that operates both the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor.
What then is the role of the J-35A in the PLAAF?
Joe told ANI, “I see the J-35A as a lower-cost, medium-weight, not-quite-as-long-range complement to the J-20/J-20A. However, its role does not particularly differ, i.e. the J-35A is likely still an air superiority aircraft primarily, with a secondary strike role like the J-20.”
The analyst also expects the J-35A to be as well-equipped as the J-20/J-20A in terms of sophistication of weapons, avionics and prioritization of signature reduction. The twin-engine J-35A is slightly smaller than the J-20, and some manufacturing techniques should ensure it is cheaper to build than its brethren.
With the arrival of the J-35A developed and manufactured by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Joe does not expect J-20/J-20A procurement to slow at all, however. Indeed, the arrival of the J-35A “may be due to a desire to further increase fifth-gen procurement rates as soon as possible, on top of the expansion of J-20/J-20A procurement rates that we’ve seen CAC [Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group] undergo in recent years”.
Of course, the PLAAF’s J-35A fighter is piggybacking on the J-35 for the PLA Navy (PLAN). The navy will acquire the carrier-borne J-35 version to operate off its growing fleet of aircraft carriers. Joe speculated that, by procuring a conventional J-35A, then the air force can leverage development and future operational costs otherwise borne solely by the PLAN.
An export version of the J-35A is also likely (perhaps to be called the J-35AE), with Joe saying that such a version “may be more appealing to overseas customers, because PLA procurement guarantees an upgrade and sustainment pathway”. Many in Pakistan have been claiming for some time that Islamabad will buy the J-35A, even though there has been no hard evidence or announcements from official sources that the platform has been procured to date.
Returning to the PLAN’s J-35 version, Joe believes it is currently in advanced testing.”They’re very secretive, so it is hard to say what they are doing at this stage, but I would not be surprised if the PLAN had a couple of airframes in initial operational test and evaluation, and it probably will not take too long for carrier compatibility flight testing to commence at sea.” This commentator said the J-35 would be compatible with new catapult-equipped carriers as well as two older Russian-style carriers that have only a ski jump ramp.
The J-35A was not the only fighter to debut at this year’s Zhuhai Air Show.
Another making its maiden appearance was a J-15T fighter of the PLAN. The latest in a family line of carrier-borne fighters, the J-15T is designed to operate on catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) carriers such as the newest Fujian, which is yet to be commissioned into the Chinese navy.
The J-15T appearing at Zhuhai appears to be a late prototype, according to Joe, as it uses domestically manufactured WS10 engines rather than Russian AL-31 jets. Also in attendance at this year’s extravaganza is the J-15D, which is a specialist carrier-borne electronic warfare version of this fighter. Indeed, PLAN aviation is out in force in Zhuhai, for a Z-20J anti-submarine warfare helicopter also participated.
The Z-20, a Chinese copy of the successful American Black Hawk helicopter family, is expanding into a number of different variants, and the Z-20J is important to the navy as it slots in size between the compact Z-9 and large Z-8 families.
Of interest, Russia sent its new fifth-generation Su-57 fighter to perform an aerial display in the skies over Zhuhai too. The Russian Air Force also dispatched its Russian Knights aerobatic display team to perform for the Chinese public. The appearance of the former, especially, speaks of the close relations between China and Russia, as well as cash-strapped Moscow’s attempts to find buyers of the aircraft.
Some were hopeful that China’s mysterious H-20 stealth bomber would put in an appearance, but it is probably too early in its development for this to occur. Instead, to tease and tantalize, computer-generated images showed a video of a hypothetical H-20 working alongside J-35A fighters.
AVIC, China’s premier state-owned aerospace company, displayed a full-size mock-up of a sixth-generation fighter at Zhuhai, but this was nothing more than a fantasy item.
China is known to be working on a sixth-generation fighter, tentatively called the J-XD, but it is so secretive that visitors can be certain it does not resemble the fake fighter on display this year at Zhuhai.
Also new was a mock-up of a PL-15E air-to-air missile with a folding tail. This is significant, Joe said, because it would enable the J-20 and J-35 to carry six such missiles in their internal weapons bay, rather than the current four that they can accommodate. It is unclear if the PL-15E has been updated in terms of propulsion and guidance, but China is known to be developing another new beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Again, up to six such missiles are expected to be carried by the J20 and J-35.
China is renowned for producing a dazzling array of drones, and one highlight this year is a CH-7 stealthy flying-wing unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by the China Aerospace and Technology Corporation (CASC). Video footage of one undergoing flight testing at some unknown location was the first definitive evidence of the CH-7 since a model of the design with 22m wingspan appeared at Zhuhai 5-6 years ago. A mock-up of the CH-7 was exhibited alongside a YJ-21E anti-ship missile, a hypersonic weapon that can be launched by the UCAV and which was unveiled at Zhuhai Air Show 2022.
Whilst on the topic of unmanned technology, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) sailed its high-speed 500-ton unmanned surface vessel (USV) to Zhuhai for the show. This adds a new dimension to the air show, since vessels can now tie up in the water at the venue.
Christened the Orca and officially known as the JARI-USV-A, this USV is 58m long, has a beam of 23m and can sail more than 4,000nm. It employs a trimaran hull, and can be used for missions such as strike, air defence, missile interception, anti-submarine warfare and autonomous combat.
Its armaments include a remote-controlled weapon station, a vertical launch system for anti-ship missiles and air defence missiles, as well as rockets.
The Orca even has a stern flight deck that can land a drone or perhaps a small helicopter. Returning to land, another important debut is the HQ-19 air defence system belonging to the PLAAF. This is the Chinese equivalent of the American THAAD system, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence.
Mounted on a heavy 8×8 truck chassis, the HQ-19 is a Chinese system designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles. Six missiles are carried in cylindrical canisters on each launcher vehicle, and the weapons are launched from a near vertical angle.
(241112) — ZHUHAI, Nov. 12, 2024 (Xinhua) — A China’s J-35A stealth fighter jet takes part in a performance during Airshow China in Zhuhai, south China’s Guangdong Province, Nov. 12, 2024. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, kicked off in Zhuhai on Tuesday.
Among the highlights, China’s J-20 and J-35A stealth fighter jets, as well as Russia’s Su-57 fighter jet, staged flying shows one after another. This is the first time that the three types of stealth fighters from China and Russia have been exhibited at the same time in Airshow China. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Hyping it up, Chinese commentators claim the HQ-19 has robust countermeasures capabilities, and that it can intercept both ballistic and hypersonic missiles. However, China remains coy on its range and intercept altitude. The fact that it is appearing in Zhuhai indicates that it has already entered PLA service.
Another interesting air defence system on display is the HQ-17AE unmanned ground vehicle. This 8×8 chassis is bristling with dozens of two different types of surface-to-air missiles, as well as radars and electro-optic system to pinpoint incoming targets. It seems optimized for defending against drones and loitering munitions. China is also pursuing other armaments to counter drones.
One is the CS/SS2A land-based close-in weapon station, a self-propelled PLB-625E antiaircraft gun, and an 8×8 truck that boasts a high-energy microwave weapon system.
Elsewhere, other land systems from state-owned Norinco also appeared at Zhuhai Air Show 2024. Based on a common 8×8 chassis is a variety of new vehicles.
The SH16A is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer variant, while the VN23 is an 8×8 fire support vehicle armed with a 125mm cannon in a turret. The VN22B is a 6×6 vehicle armed with a 105mm cannon.
China has enjoyed a lot of success selling armoured vehicles, particularly to Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and Iraq was recently confirmed as a buyer of the VN22 6×6 armoured personnel carrier.
Whilst on the topic of artillery, Norinco showed a new 8×8 truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher. It features two pods, each with five 300mm long-range rockets.
Summarizing the event in Zhuhai, Joe commented, “Overall, we are seeing the usual pattern where the aircraft and systems they display at Zhuhai are ones that we have mostly known about for a while and/or are either in service for a while or on the cusp of entering service.”
However, that does not diminish the unique chance at Zhuhai to get close up to new in-service PLA equipment as well as future technology, in a country that jealously guards military secrets and displays a sense of paranoia when it comes to revealing its latest defence equipment. (ANI)
The exercise will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points and critical coastal infrastructure including the coastal population…reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Navy is set to conduct the fourth edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’ on November 20 and 21, as per an official release.
The fourth edition of Sea Vigil will span an unprecedented scale, both in terms of geographical reach and the magnitude of participation, with involvement of 06 Ministries and 21 Organisations/ agencies.
The Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase of the exercise is being conducted by Naval Officer-in-Charges of all coastal states and Union Territories (incl Lakshadweep and Andman and Nicobar Island) since end October 24, where in thorough audit of complete coastal defence and security infrastructure is being carried out, the release stated.
This year, National Security Council Secretariat officials will also be part of Indian Navy led CDSRE teams for the first time, along with personnel from State Marine Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, etc.
The exercise will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points and critical coastal infrastructure including the coastal population. This year participation by other Services (Indian Army and Air Force) and planned deployment of large number of ships and aircraft have enhanced the tempo of the exercise, the release stated.
Originally conceptualised in 2018, Sea Vigil was designed to validate and enhance measures adopted to bolster Coastal Defence, post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Encompassing the entire 11,098 km coastline and vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million square kilometres, this comprehensive exercise will engage complete coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing community and coastal populace, simultaneously.
One of the aims of the exercise is to raise awareness amongst coastal communities about maritime security, and thus, involvement of fishing communities, coastal populace, and students from NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides will add to the fervour of the endeavour, the release stated.
While coastal security exercises are conducted by individual coastal states and maritime security agencies regularly, Exercise Sea Vigil coordinated by the Indian Navy stands out as a national level initiative that provides a holistic appraisal of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities.
The exercise offers a significant opportunity to assess current preparedness of all maritime security agencies, identify their strengths and weaknesses and enhance the nation’s overall maritime defence framework.
Serving as a precursor to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), conducted biennially by the Indian Navy, Sea Vigil-24 will serve as an essential measure in reinforcing India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime boundaries and ensuring coordinated efforts among all stakeholders in Coastal defence. (ANI)
Biden said supporting veterans and their families is not a partisan issue, and he noted that Congress has easily passed legislation looking to address issues facing veterans and their families….reports Asian Lite News
United States outgoing President Joe Biden on Monday expressed deep gratitude to veterans for their dedication to the nation, emphasizing the importance of honouring commitment of those who have served.
Speaking at the Veterans Day ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, Biden noted that this would be his last Veterans Day as commander-in-chief. “It has been the greatest honour of my life to lead you, to serve you, care for you [and] to defend you just as you defended us,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., attended the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the speech at the Memorial Amphitheater, the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
Biden took inspiration for his remarks from Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address delivered on March 4, 1865. Biden, too, called to “bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”
Biden said supporting veterans and their families is not a partisan issue, and he noted that Congress has easily passed legislation looking to address issues facing veterans and their families. This covers issues like addressing exposure to toxic substances. The president has worked with Congress to expand veterans’ access to health care, address veteran homelessness and support education and workforce opportunity for veterans and their families.
“Biden announced that under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, also known as the PACT Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs will expand the number of cancers covered to all veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan. That base — called K2 — was polluted by jet fuel and more. The PACT Act makes it easier for effected veterans to qualify for care. “We’re committed to getting this rule in place by the end of my term,” Biden said. “Folks, this matters. Too many veterans have served only to return home to suffer from permanent effects of poisonous chemicals,” the statement added.
Veterans are an inspiration to America, the president said. “We think about all that our veterans have given to our nation, serving and sacrificing in uniform, just as they serve and sacrifice here at home — as educators, firefighters, law enforcement officers, construction workers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, doctors, nurses, elected leaders and so much more,” Biden said. “They routinely put aside differences and work together.”
Biden urged the nation to follow the example of veterans in this regard. “This is the moment to come together as a nation, to keep faith in each other,” he said. “The world is dependent on each of you and all of us, to keep honouring the women and the men and the families who have borne the battle, to keep protecting everything they fought for. Keep striving to heal our nation’s wounds. Keep perfecting our union.” (ANI)
The ballistic missile is expected to be tested in the next few days by the Defence Research and Development Organisation..reports Asian Lite News
At a time when defence forces are looking at creating a rocket force, India is all set to soon test fire a new long-range anti-ship ballistic missile which would be able to hit moving warships or aircraft carriers at distances of over 1,000 kms.
The ballistic missile is expected to be tested in the next few days by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, defence sources told ANI.
The anti-ship ballistic missile would be capable of being launched from both warships and shore-based locations, the sources said. The missile system is being developed for the Indian Navy and would give it the capability to take out enemy vessels from a long-range, the sources said.
Indian forces have been increasing the number of ballistic missiles in their inventory with Pralay ballistic missiles being ordered by both Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
The numbers are going to be gradually increased with the induction of short and medium-range missiles in the three serv
ices which would give them the capability to sustain long-term conflicts. In recent times, there has been a large-scale use of ballistic missiles in conflicts where even non-state actors have been seen firing hundreds of ballistic missiles on enemy locations in just one night.
The Indian forces have been in conflict with China in northern borders which has a huge rocket force and which has a huge inventory of such long-range weapons in conventional or non-nuclear roles. Indian forces have held detailed discussions on the need for the creation of such an organisation with a large size inventory to meet all security challenges. (ANI)
During the trial at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, the operational system defeated a range of infrared heat-seeking missiles being fired simultaneously…reports Asian Lite News
RAF pilots are one step closer to being equipped with a cutting-edge laser self-protection system, following 100% successful live-fire trials. The laser is being designed to be fitted to a range of RAF aircraft including the intelligence gathering Shadow R2 and A400M transporter, ready to rapidly detect and defeat threats such as missiles.
During the trial at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, the operational system defeated a range of infrared heat-seeking missiles being fired simultaneously. 100% of threats were quickly defeated using a laser with pinpoint accuracy, which has been designed and developed by the Team Pellonia partnership between Leonardo UK, Thales UK, and the MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
Defence Secretary, John Healey said, “Identifying, tracking and defeating threats from the air in seconds is crucial to having the edge over those who try to do us harm. We’re equipping our Armed Forces with the very latest technology to keep them safe and give them the advantage on operations. This high-tech laser is another excellent example of joint working between our Dstl experts and the UK’s defence industry.”
The system works by Thales’s Elix-IR threat warning system quickly detecting and identifying the launch of missiles, using a series of algorithms to filter out background clutter so that only valid threats are tracked, classified and declared.
Once the threat(s) has been classified, an alert is sent to the Leonardo’s Miysis directed infrared countermeasure which moves to track the incoming missile and directs a jamming laser onto the missile with ultimate precision.
Threats are defeated faster than the time it takes to read this sentence. This UK engineered capability gives the MOD the latest generation best-in-class protection, whilst enjoying full operational independence, and offering the same freedoms to export customers.
The live tests were witnessed by senior military officers from a number of NATO nations.
Dstl’s Chief for Air Survivability, Mark Elson, said, “The UK defensive aids system is the culmination of MOD’s detailed understanding of changing threats alongside years of sustained defence investment in science and technology nurtured within Dstl. This has been aligned with the development capabilities of our commercial partners through Team Pellonia. The design of the system has the agility to protect platforms now and into the future, providing long-term operational advantage to the UK and our allies. This is enabled through Spiral Development which provides capabilities such as the Dstl developed jamming waveform that defeats the guidance of the missile threat.”
Dstl’s research programme and partnerships like Team Pellonia help boost UK economic growth, sustaining 700 jobs at Thales in Glasgow and 1,250 specialist roles at Leonardo in Edinburgh, supporting both the local as well as national economies.
