Tag: military capability

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NEWS AND VIEWS (INTERNATIONAL)

 

NEWS-1 (ISRAEL HAMAS WAR)

Israel’s military said it had resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza on Friday after accusing the Palestinian militant group of violating a seven-day temporary truce by firing toward Israeli territory.

 

VIEWS

  • The seven-day pause, which began on Nov. 24 and was extended twice.
  • The terms of the cease-fire were in favour of Hamas. It gives some respite to the Israeli government from both domestic (to bring back the hostages safely at the earliest) and international (to regulate the extent of force and to allow humanitarian aid) pressure.
  • The cease-fire facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid into the shattered coastal strip. But deliveries of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel remain far below what is needed.
  • 105 Israeli hostages held in Gaza were exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
  • Qatar and Egypt have been making intensive efforts to extend the truce.
  • Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza, in response to the Hamas attack on 07 Oct. Israel is preparing to turn the focus of its operation to southern Gaza after its seven-week assault to the north.
  • The cease-fire to some extent has reduced the chances of the escalation of the conflict.
  • Military force is not a permanent solution to the complex problem.
  • The two-nation theory needs to be implemented earnestly.

 

NEWS-2: RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu chaired a roundtable meeting with military officials in Moscow on November 21, 2023. He said that Russian troops are advancing on all fronts in Ukraine. They are occupying and expanding their zones of control.

It was announced that Russia has taken control of Khromove, a small village on the outskirts of Bakhmut in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.

 

VIEWS

  • The war started in Feb 2022. The intensity has been varying.
  • In 2023 the frontline has barely shifted. Both sides keep claiming success.
  • The latest major flashpoint is the war-battered industrial town of Avdiivka.
  • It is likely to be a long-drawn affair. Both sides are adamant and gradually weakening themselves.
  • Israel Israel-Hamas war has taken the spotlight away from it.

 

 

NEWS-3: EUROPE’S DEFENCE SPENDING

 

The Annual Conference of the European Defence Agency (EDA) took place in Belgium in hybrid mode on 30 Nov 23.

Defence companies, militaries and EU chiefs all agreed that Europe is sorely lacking, especially in what is available to support Ukraine.

Many participants pointed to issues from financing to interoperability to research and development.

 

VIEWS

  • Europe is ploughing billions into its defence industry, with record sums being spent since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.
  • Military spending in the European Union has hit a record 270 billion euros ($295 billion) this year.
  • Moscow has announced a massive 68 per cent hike in its military spending for 2024 (almost a third of all of Russia’s government outlays).
  • The EU’s 27 member states spend on average 1.5 per cent of their country’s economic output. NATO’s target is two per cent for its members (22 of which are also EU member states).
  • The United States, in contrast, spends 3.5 per cent of its already higher GDP on defence.
  • Out of all this, maximum gainers are the Defence and arms industry.
  • Collective security is valid, and interoperability is very important.

 

NEWS-4: SPACE WARFARE IN KOREAN PENINSULA

A SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying Seoul’s first domestically made reconnaissance satellite launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10:19 a.m today (01 Dec 23).

Seoul’s satellite is set to orbit between 400 and 600 kilometer above the earth and is capable of detecting an object as small as “30 centimetres” (11.8 inches), according to the Yonhap news agency.

 

VIEWS

  • Two weeks back, North Korea had successfully put its own spy satellite into orbit. This launch of the “Malligyong-1” was Pyongyang’s third attempt at putting such a satellite in orbit, after two failures in May and August.
  • Seoul plans to launch four additional spy satellites by the end of 2025 to bolster its reconnaissance capacity over the North.
  • Until now, South Korea relied heavily on US-run spy satellites.
  • While the South has “succeeded in the launch of a military communications satellite, it has taken much longer for a reconnaissance satellite due to higher technological hurdles.
  • Maybe it is the beginning of space race in the Korean peninsula.
  • Space warfare (a natural extension of air warfare) is the new domain of warfare.

 

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INPUTS TO JOURNALIST: RECENT DEFENCE PROCUREMENT

 

NEWS

The defence ministry has cleared acquisition proposals worth ₹2.23 lakh crore for the armed forces, including:-

97 additional light combat aircraft from HAL.

156 light combat helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

A ₹65,000-crore plan to upgrade the mainstay Su 30MKI fighter jet fleet in service with the air force.

 

Q.  A multi-billion dollar acquisition was approved by DAC. But what is absent is the AoN for MRFA. Do you think the government sees the indigenous LCA Mk2 as a viable option instead of 114 MRFAs??

COMMENTS

  • Over the years the IAF capabilities have enhanced manifold.
  • It is the capacity (war endurance) that needs attention, strength of fighter and combat support platforms.
  • Overall the deterrence capability has not kept pace with the existing threat perception.
  • This aspect needs to be addressed urgently.
  • The government is aware of it and trying to address it.
  • Air platforms of the Air Force are technology-intensive, costly, and take time to procure.
  • While building up the capability and capacity, the most important thing to be kept in mind is that the required minimum deterrence value is to be maintained at all times (either by domestic production or by outside procurement.
  • The lesson from all the recent wars is that self-reliance in defence production is essential.
  • Another major factor to be considered is that a balance is to be maintained between the quality and quantity of platforms.
  • IAF has a drawdown mitigation plan, which is reviewed periodically.
  • The amount of money for defence spending is limited and the wish list is long.
  • The government must have taken a decision keeping all the above factors in mind.
  • They have given preference to the domestic defence industry to build up the numbers.

My recommendations are:-

  • While the domestic production of Tejas would cater to the numbers, there is a requirement for newer-generation multi-role aircraft to maintain a balanced force (till the domestic Tejas MkII and AMCA come up).
  • MRFA aircraft needs to be procured (maybe in the next instalment of defence spending).
  • These should be procured in phases (maybe two to three squadrons at a time.
  • This would spread the expenditure over some time and we would get later and better technology and features.
  • Keeping the diverse inventory of the IAF and the associated challenges it would be prudent to go in for more Rafael aircraft.

 

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Q & A SERIES: INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY, DEFENCE DIPLOMACY AND MILITARY POWER

 

Q-1   Has Indian foreign policy become more assertive about India’s interests? 

A-1

  • The trend for foreign policy is changing worldwide.
  • Multilateralism is changing to mini-lateralism.
  • The engagements between countries have become interest and issue-based.
  • India’s policy has changed from a policy of non-alignment to a policy of equidistance.
  • The engagements are governed by own interests, needs, and gains.
  • The world is accepting Indian stand on various issues.
  • Indian assertion level is appropriate, generally in take it or leave it mode without thrusting it upon others.

 

Q-2   Comments about India’s focus on Asian region and neighborhood.

A-2

  • Focus on Asia and the neighborhood has come a bit late with China having made inroads into our neighborhood adopting the string of pearls policy.
  • We need to be magnanimous in our approach towards our neighbours to retain them with us.
  • Like any other country, our global engagements are based on our interests first and then on ideology and principles.

 

Q-3.  Comments on India’s moral-based foreign policy, with a principled approach, and not using its military power for foreign policy objectives.

A-3

  • In agreement with the statement that “India foundationally remains a pacifist state, following moral based foreign policy, the strength of soft power and principled approach”.
  • It is not necessary to use force and military might to attain one’s foreign policy objectives.
  • Hard power can be used as a soft power as well using Military Diplomacy to achieve one’s objectives.
  • Foreign policy and military diplomacy need to work cohesively.
  • Notwithstanding the above, India has in the past used its hard power to attain its foreign policy objectives. Examples include Bangladesh liberation, Sri Lanka and Maldives operations.

 

Q-4.  India needs to spend more on its conventional military forces, building military capabilities and deterrence, due to its regional and global aspirations.

A-4

  • At the moment India’s necessity to invest in building conventional military power is governed more by its threat perception and need to guard its interests.
  • Regional and or global aspirations come next.
  • Military capability and deterrence are essential to be considered as a major regional power.
  • Military power alone is not sufficient, it has to be backed by economic clout and strength.

 

Q-5   In an age of comprehensive security, is military power by itself adequate?

A-5

  • While it is true that, military power is a significant ingredient of power projection it greatly impacts international dynamics and relations between nations.
  • It alone cannot achieve national objectives. It has to be backed by economic clout and a balanced all-round deterrence capability.
  • Earlier the debate used to be between money being spent on development or military capability.
  • Military power is essential even for unhindered growth.
  • The nature of warfare is changing. Firstly, hostile actions do take place even in no-war scenarios and secondly, the hostilities are not limited to the military alone.
  • New dimensions of warfare have emerged that affect the entire nation and demand a whole of national response.
  • The question of choice is not as simple as “either one or the other”. A balanced approach is required for multi-dimensional holistic capability enhancement.
  • Balance has to be maintained between:-
    • Military power and other tools of statecraft.
    • Conventional military power and other dimensions of warfare.
    • Military capability and capacity to wage war.
    • Quality and quantity of platform, weapons, and war-waging wherewithal.
  • Military capability and adequate deterrence are required first and foremost for safeguarding own interests, thereafter comes regional/global responsibilities and aspirations.

 

Q-6   India with its present stage of development, can ill afford to suffer a military setback, due to loss of deterrence as a result of inadequate defence funding.

 A-6

  • In agreement with the statement.
  • The minimum credible deterrence value of the military needs to be maintained at all times.
  • The minimum deterrence value depends upon, the number of enemies, their military capabilities, and their attitude.
  • In India’s case, the enemy’s capabilities are racing ahead creating a wide gap and the attitude has become more belligerent and aggressive.

 

Q-7. What does a ‘credible military capability’ entail?

A-7

Credible military capability to my mind would entail the following in sequence:-

  • Adequate deterrence.
  • The ability for strategic coercion.
  • Punitive capability.
  • Ability to wage war if required,
  • Adequate war endurance.
  • Ability to provide human assistance and disaster relief (HADR) domestically as well as externally.
  • Capability to exploit Defence Diplomacy.

Collective security is valid not only during the war but also to deal with grey zone operations during the time of peace.

 

Q-8.   What capabilities are required for military hard power to become an effective means of state-craft?

A-8

The military alone cannot achieve the national objectives. Besides aspects mentioned earlier areas which need attention are:-

  • Ability to meet challenges in the nonconventional and new domains of warfare including Nuclear, Biological, Space, Cyber, Electronic, and Information.
  • Any reorganization should be to cater for future challenges in these domains.
  • A robust defence industry and production eco-system are essential.
  • Intangible factors like morale and training are very important along with doctrine, strategy, and tactics.
  • Reach, precision, standoff, and a robust supply chain are equally important.

 

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Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from sources deemed reliable and accurate. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for purposes of wider dissemination.