New Delhi: Even as the government focused on boosting indigenization in the Defence Sector in keeping with the slogan “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” border tensions continued to take centre stage along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the terrorist menace from across the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan. The year 2021 also saw the tragic death of the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and his wife in a helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu and the search is on for his replacement with the front runner being the present Army Chief General M.M. Naravane who had succeeded General Rawat to that post.
The 13 rounds of talks with China on the border failed to break the prevailing tension with no signs of de-escalation. According to the annual report of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), China’s attempt to change the status quo in several areas in Eastern Ladakh was “provocative”. The report said “unilateral and provocative actions by the Chinese to change the status quo by force in more than one area on the Line of Actual Control have been responded to in adequate measure.”
Since tensions in Ladakh started last May, there has been an enhanced troop deployment of more than 50,000 in the sector. Not just Ladakh, China has been making aggressive moves in the Eastern sector bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim over the past year.
Referring to the situation at Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, the defence ministry said post a heightened situation on the Line of Control (LoC) for over five years, Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) reached an understanding in February 2021 to achieve mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the LoC, which continues to sustain. However, the year-end review described the situation in the hinterland as dynamic and fragile but under control.
“Inimical elements re-energised their attempts at disrupting peace in the valley by selective targeting of minorities and non-locals. However, proactive measures in the non-kinetic domain and intelligence-based kinetic operations by the security forces have been able to counter the nefarious designs of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist outfits,” the MoD’s year-end review said.
The year 2021 saw 165 terrorists neutralised by the security forces in which 39 security forces personnel also laid down their lives. Meanwhile, upgradation and development of infrastructure along the Northern Borders are being carried out in a holistic and comprehensive manner, including roads, tunnels for all-weather connectivity, the year-end review said.
“Four strategic railway lines, additional bridges across the Brahmaputra, up-gradation of bridges on critical Indo-China border roads and storage for supplies, fuel and ammunition. Major efforts have also been undertaken to identify dual-use infrastructure,” the review said.
Meanwhile, the government launched several initiatives to make India self-reliant in the field of Defence manufacturing. Focusing on Atmanirbharta in Defence, the aim was to boost domestic manufacturing and making the country a net exporter in this field. ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ were given a major impetus during planning and procurement of equipment for Indian Army, wherein, the endeavour was to support the emerging defence industry in the Country.
The year 2021 saw the induction of LCA (Tejas), Arudhra and Aslesha Radars, Astra Air to Air missile, Akash Surface to Air missile system, Advance Light Helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter etc. systems were added in IAF’s inventory proving IAF’s commitment to the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The MBT ‘Arjun’ Mk-1A was handed over to the Indian Army by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 14 and Ministry of Defence (MoD) placing an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for Indian Army on September 23.
The year 2021 saw the Prime Minister handing over to Indian Navy on November 19 Advanced Electronic Warfare System ‘Shakti’, designed and developed by Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) Hyderabad a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Another major step in boosting the nation’s maritime strength was the successful maiden sea voyage by Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ in August giving immense confidence in the largest indigenously designed platform of Indian Navy. The target has been to commission the aircraft carrier by August 15 this year. The year 2021 also saw INS Visakhapatnam, first ship of Project 15B, delivered by Mazagon Dock Limited to Indian Navy on October 28 in Mumbai and commissioned into Indian Navy on November 21 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. In addition, two sophisticated and potent submarine platforms Karanj and Vela were commissioned on March 10 and November 25 respectively, with over 75 percentage of indigenous content, having state-of-the-art weapon fit to strengthen the security apparatus in the Western Seaboard.
Another significant highlight of the year 2021 was that of Defence Minister handing over five Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed products to the Armed forces and other security agencies as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The Minister also handed over six Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements to seven public and private sector companies.
In a major boost to air power, the air version of BrahMos supersonic missile was successfully test fired from supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I on December 8. The DRDO-developed supersonic missile assisted torpedo system was successfully launched on December 13.
In a move to provide autonomy and enhance efficiency, and unleash new growth potential in Ordnance Factories, the Ordnance Factory Board was converted into seven new Defence Public Sector Undertakings while safeguarding the interest of all stakeholders. The new Defence PSUs became operational from October 1, 2021.
(More to follow….)
