1. Enhancing infra and securing the Indo-Tibet border
2. Development plans for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
3. A&N islands — a strategic goldmine
4. Security at the border
5. Geographic challenges to counter-terrorism in NE
6. Border roads will get completed well before 2021
7. Rail counter to China
8. Indian Ocean region
9. Smart management of coastal and maritime domains
Enhancing infra and securing the Indo-Tibet border
════════════════════════
Army commanders analysed challenges and threats to security in the aftermath of the Doklam stand-off. It was felt China has hidden goals in the region. They revised security preparations. Key formations in the North will be re-organised and infra along the 4,000-km Indo-Tibet border will be boosted to facilitate faster supply.
◙ Changes to administrative command will reorient the army to better respond to another Doklam like situation
▬ Implementation of Shekatkar committee was approved
▬ Changes to JCO and OR ranks will result in lakhs of additional promotional vacancies
◙ Road construction in the northern sector will be vigorously pursued
▬ Organisational changes to ramp up capacity enhancement
▬ BRO will receive additional funding
▬ 4 passes in Uttarakhand (ie. Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla 1 and Tsangchokla) will be connected on priority by 2020
▬ Roadmap for inter-connectivity in central sector and between sectors was discussed
◙ Other border infra will be boosted
▬ 58 military stations will be modernized to smart city standards. All 2000 stations will be done in due course
◙ Army Chief Rawat was unhappy over delays in buying critical weapons and sought priority procurement of arms and ammunition. "Our approach to procurement process needs to be balanced with focus in the right places" — General Rawat — and there should be no compromise on army welfare. DM Sitharaman stated that capacity build-up should be done in a time-bound manner, and agreed with other aspects like army reforms and welfare issues.
Development plans for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
════════════════════════
A spate of announcements show govt's determination to press ahead with development and further militarization of A&N islands. A strategic maritime vision must first have been laid out. Based on this, Niti Aayog has devised sustainable development plans to meet needs of all concerned including island people, local industry, tourism and the armed forces. Optical fibre cable from Chennai to Port Blair—to be completed by 12/2018 for Rs1100cr—will bring broadband connectivity and remove isolation. Solar utility backed with batteries to reduce dependence on diesel—recent 20MW bid was 60% cheaper than diesel.
Development works
◙ Various highway and shipping projects to connect North, Middle and South Andaman, and interconnect 5 islands
◙ 2016 India-Japan joint statement to “develop smart islands”. This will utilize smart cities concepts for laying utilities
◙ Apply experience of the French Reunion Islands for environmental conservation.
◙ Infra to enhance fisheries, food processing and tourism
Continuation of military build-up
◙ Increased runways to operate bigger aircraft
◙ Increased habour areas, depth of channels and other infra to accommodate large vessels.
◙ Port Blair base to become a fully fledged forward base
◙ Civil living infra to support staff and family like housing, schools.
A&N islands — a strategic goldmine
════════════════════
https://plus.google.com/100789863972538583352/posts/gMMyegvAGNn
Indian Ocean region
═══════════════
https://chellaney.net/2015/07/01/worlds-geopolitical-center-of-gravity-shifts-to-indian-ocean/
2. Development plans for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
3. A&N islands — a strategic goldmine
4. Security at the border
5. Geographic challenges to counter-terrorism in NE
6. Border roads will get completed well before 2021
7. Rail counter to China
8. Indian Ocean region
9. Smart management of coastal and maritime domains
Enhancing infra and securing the Indo-Tibet border
════════════════════════
Army commanders analysed challenges and threats to security in the aftermath of the Doklam stand-off. It was felt China has hidden goals in the region. They revised security preparations. Key formations in the North will be re-organised and infra along the 4,000-km Indo-Tibet border will be boosted to facilitate faster supply.
◙ Changes to administrative command will reorient the army to better respond to another Doklam like situation
▬ Implementation of Shekatkar committee was approved
▬ Changes to JCO and OR ranks will result in lakhs of additional promotional vacancies
◙ Road construction in the northern sector will be vigorously pursued
▬ Organisational changes to ramp up capacity enhancement
▬ BRO will receive additional funding
▬ 4 passes in Uttarakhand (ie. Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla 1 and Tsangchokla) will be connected on priority by 2020
▬ Roadmap for inter-connectivity in central sector and between sectors was discussed
◙ Other border infra will be boosted
▬ 58 military stations will be modernized to smart city standards. All 2000 stations will be done in due course
◙ Army Chief Rawat was unhappy over delays in buying critical weapons and sought priority procurement of arms and ammunition. "Our approach to procurement process needs to be balanced with focus in the right places" — General Rawat — and there should be no compromise on army welfare. DM Sitharaman stated that capacity build-up should be done in a time-bound manner, and agreed with other aspects like army reforms and welfare issues.
Development plans for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
════════════════════════
A spate of announcements show govt's determination to press ahead with development and further militarization of A&N islands. A strategic maritime vision must first have been laid out. Based on this, Niti Aayog has devised sustainable development plans to meet needs of all concerned including island people, local industry, tourism and the armed forces. Optical fibre cable from Chennai to Port Blair—to be completed by 12/2018 for Rs1100cr—will bring broadband connectivity and remove isolation. Solar utility backed with batteries to reduce dependence on diesel—recent 20MW bid was 60% cheaper than diesel.
Development works
◙ Various highway and shipping projects to connect North, Middle and South Andaman, and interconnect 5 islands
◙ 2016 India-Japan joint statement to “develop smart islands”. This will utilize smart cities concepts for laying utilities
◙ Apply experience of the French Reunion Islands for environmental conservation.
◙ Infra to enhance fisheries, food processing and tourism
Continuation of military build-up
◙ Increased runways to operate bigger aircraft
◙ Increased habour areas, depth of channels and other infra to accommodate large vessels.
◙ Port Blair base to become a fully fledged forward base
◙ Civil living infra to support staff and family like housing, schools.
A&N islands — a strategic goldmine
════════════════════
https://plus.google.com/100789863972538583352/posts/gMMyegvAGNn
Indian Ocean region
═══════════════
https://chellaney.net/2015/07/01/worlds-geopolitical-center-of-gravity-shifts-to-indian-ocean/
Doklam effect: How India plans to counter threats to border security from China
indiatoday.intoday.in
8
2
- FULL ARTICLE >>
India’s new Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to celebrate Diwali in Port Blair – the only tri-services command in India. Her visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) is yet another confirmation that the current government is willing to increase the strategic profile of ANI. A series of surprising and positive announcements from the government in the past two weeks is poised to transform the islands from a neglected military outpost to a vital strategic asset.
For decades, Delhi has debated the costs and benefits of developing the islands and its utility. The financial costs are significantly high with serious environmental constraints. The presence of indigenous tribes and concerns for their welfare has been a key factor challenging island development. However, the security environment in India’s maritime domain has changed drastically. After years of neglect, the Modi government is finally making a push to develop the ANI. The need to develop these islands, their strategic importance, and their potential as a tourism hotspot has long been known and argued for. Despite various attempts by previous government to undertake feasibility studies and develop the islands, not much had materialised.
One of the first projects sanctioned under this government has been the submarine optic fibre cable running between Chennai and Port Blair. This project will allow the islands to have considerable bandwith for telecom and internet services both for e-government initiatives and tourism. The islands currently have poor digital connectivity adding to the remote and secluded characteristic of the ANI. The project is slated to be completed by December 2018 and will reportedly cost 1102.38 crore. Along with digital connectivity, the state of physical connectivity, especially between the islands, is particularly pitiful. There is a significant amount of work still required to develop the islands in areas as basic as electricity and water to elevate the conditions of these islands.
The NITI Aayog has been tasked with the planning and management of sustainable developments of five islands, Smith, Ross, Aves, Long and Little Andaman. An important step towards undertaking a holistic approach in developing the islands has been the establishment of the “Island Development Agency” in 2017 chaired by Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, with Admiral D.K. Joshi, former Chief of the Indian Navy, as the Vice Chairman. The fact that Admiral Joshi was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of the islands just two months later signals the existence of a greater strategic thinking in developing the islands.
Given their close proximity to the Malacca Straits and Southeast Asia, the Andaman and Nicobar islands have always been strategically important . Busy shipping routes such as the Ten Degree Channel are remarkably close to the islands. India’s presence in these islands therefore expands the Indian Navy’s reach into Southeast Asia, consolidates its presence over the Malacca straits, and provides potential to further expand into the Southern Indian Ocean. Despite its advantages, the islands have unfortunately been sidelined in India’s maritime strategic role. One of the key factors challenging the use of these islands for strategic purposes has been the lack of a strategic maritime vision.
Today, India faces a drastically altered maritime security environment. China’s expansion into the Indian Ocean, a military base in Djibouti and routine deployment of submarines to the region is changing the existing security architecture. Delhi cannot afford to keep debating the development of the islands. The emerging Sino-Indian competition in the Indian Ocean only accentuates this necessity. The Indian Navy desperately requires to elevate the conditions of the islands to advance its own maritime ambitions and goals. There is a need to upgrade military facilities in the islands such as extension of runways, increased harbours size and depth and appropriate infrastructure to base larger assets. There is also a need to upgrade the Port Blair base to a full-fledged forward operating base. These developments not only require military infrastructure but also civilian to support staff and their families, including access to water, electricity, housing and schools.
The Indian government has taken some active steps to improve connectivity within the islands with the announcement of a number of highway and shipping projects in October 2017. These projects aim to provide seamless connectivity between North, Middle and South Andaman and improve existing infrastructure. Although this is a very positive development, much more is required to truly realise the commercial and strategic potential of these islands. Given its budgetary restrictions, it is not necessary that Delhi has to undertake the development on its own. India can explore a collaborative approach with its friends and partners in the region, synergising existing initiatives to develop these islands.
The 2016 India-Japan joint statement mentioned the bilateral cooperation to “develop smart islands”. Although details on such an initiative are yet to emerge fully, collaboration is most certainly aimed at the sustainable development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, borrowing from the concept of a smart city. Delhi and Tokyo are doing a number of projects on infrastructure development and this collaboration must be extended to the islands without doubt. India must also discuss such collaborations with France on upgrading energy facilities and environment conservations on the Andaman’s, and learn from Paris’s experience in developing the Reunion Islands.
India has thus far kept the islands in solitude and limited interaction with its international partners. Having drawn up the intent and will to develop the Andaman’s, Delhi will now have to build its smart islands with cooperation from its maritime partners. The strategic development of these islands is no longer an option but a necessity.
REPLY Oct 23, 2017 - 4. Security at the border
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High mountains form natural buffers against armed conflict but are impossible to fence off. Riverines and jungles hinder mass mobilisations but do not deter small armed insertions. Desert regions are desolate, difficult to man or fence and are ideal for large scale ground offensives. Movements there can be detected and responded in time. Plains are easily traversed and need to be fenced and actively guarded. Border populations make it difficult to control cross-border criminal activity (eg smuggling, human trafficking) and make them vulnerable to attacks like cross-border shelling and terrorism.
TOPOGRAPHY
============
High mountainous terrain : North and NE facing China and Pakistan
Desert terrain : NW facing Pakistan
Jungle terrain : NE facing Myanmar & Bangladesh
Marshy terrain : Gujarat and Rajasthan facing Pakistan
Riverine : Assam and Bangladesh; J&K and Pakistan
Plains : Punjab and Pakistan; WB and Bangladesh
Islands : Andaman and Nicobar islands
Coasts : Western and Eastern seaboards
BORDER SECURITY
==============
Border security will have a mix of technologies from smart fencing, laser walls, flood lights, cameras & sensors (thermal, motion), ground penetrating radar, aerial drones (passive or armed), speed boats, hovercrafts, helicopters and seaplanes.
Fencing---------------
Indo-Pak border is 3323 km long (see link 1)
◙ Rajasthan
804 km Thar Desert esp in Shahgarh bulge of Jaiselmar district
—⌲ extremes of temps, high winds and shifting dunes mean fencing doesn't last long
—⌲ 32km not fenced but will be
233km Rann of Kutch terrain nr Barmer district
—⌲ salt marshy, gets submerged and subsides under pressure.
—⌲ difficult to build fences, inaccessible as roads are difficult
—⌲ people affected by salt & prone to snake and scorpion bites.
◙ Gujarat
96 km Sir Creek is strip of water, salt marsh terrain
106 km Rann of Kutch
394 km White Rann desert
—⌲ Sir Creek, 64km of RoK and total of 242km not fenced.
◙ Jammu and Kashmir
1225 km border, of which 200km Jammu-Pak international border & 740km LOC.
—⌲ mountainous, forested, riverine & populated stretches
—⌲ 78 river intersections, debris in river, overflowing river during winter or rainy season, eg. Chenab river surges from 4.5k to 600k cusecs, and water level changes by as much as 50 feet
—⌲ gaps in fencing where this is infeasible. Laser wall is a good option.
◙ Punjab
505 km. divided into 3 sectors: Fazilka to Firozepur ✴Gurdaspur to Pathankot ✴ Tarn Taran to Amritsar (Attari sector)
—⌲ Riverine and plains, river Ravi and tributaries, farmlands, villages, towns, cities and army cantonment
—⌲ Wall not always possible. Fencing is easily done, except for riverine sections.
Laser walls------------------
Infra-red and laser beams mesh are shone along the border. Signals from intrusion (or breaks in beams) are tracked by satellites capable of seeing through night, fog and rain, and then monitored by BSF. These will secure porous riverine and treacherous borders. 12 systems were active as of April 2016. Aim is to cover the entire Indo-Pak border with either a fence or a laser wall.
KVI-101S system
Capability upgrade on previous system. It has IR sensors, hack-proof encryption and smart technologies (see link 2). This enables it to work in marshy terrains; in all weathers; to distinguish human intrusion from animal; and act autonomously (ie capable of intelligent interventions).
Security devices------------------------
▬ Strong flood lights eg solar power with rechargeable batteries and diesel generator backup.
▬ Remotely operated cameras
▬ Sensors based on acoustic, seismic, inductive and infrared methods. Seismic distinguished human vs vehicles. Inductive detects moving metal objects. IR detects human body heat
▬ Radars if well designed
Premises and personal protection
▬ Unattended ground sensors are expensive imported kit and best for premises
▬ Night vision devices eg. googles and hand held thermal imagers are in short supply. They are best for patrols/ personal protection
▬ Security dogs are essential adjunct to mechanical devices (see link 3).
Drones--------
Drones are cheap and can scan large areas. There are 2 methods.
▬ Very high in sky or loiter drones (loiter UAVs) can scan vast distances (ie. over 60km) by avoiding line of sight issues
▬ Swarm of mini drones backed by BSS systems (surveillance centres) provide detailed scope of vicinity and avoid black spots.
REPLY Oct 23, 2017 - 5. Geographic challenges to counter-terrorism in NE
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REPLY Oct 23, 2017 - 6. Border roads will get completed well before 2021
════════════════════════
Lack of good infra in border areas with China—a mistaken policy decision of previous govts— is an enormous burden to military and locals. Poor roads hamper military logistics, and migration out of these areas will no doubt encourage future encroachment from China side.
Tardy & pathetic border road construction----------------------------------------------------
Road construction has been severely criticized by CAG, incl decade long delays- eg. 22 out of 73 roads had been built till 2016, whereas target for full completion was 2012!! Moreover many completed stretches were substandard for military movement. CAG has slammed poor planning, tardy execution, contract mismanagement and financial irregularities by BRO. BRO is responsible for 61 roads (or 3400km out of 4600km).
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/cag-slams-poor-construction-of-strategic-roads-for-china-front/articleshow/57587606.cms
Greater flexibility to BRO---------------------------------
Govt has recently given greater powers to BRO— ie. discretionary limits (Rs10cr->100cr) & executive power like forest clearance and stone quary mining. ❡ The cumulative effect of BRO administrative and technical sanctions will manifest in a year or two as time and cost curtailment are achieved ❡.
Change in pace during NDA govt----------------------------------------------
Marked improvement was seen in 3 years till 2016-17, ie. formation cutting has increased from 107 to 147 km/year and surfacing has increased from 174 km to 233 km/year. Good news is that only 270km of formation cutting remains for 100% connectivity. This means road surfacing can happen at both ends. To date, 27 BRO roads have been completed and 21 roads allow movement in some shape or form.
Detailed BRO directive------------------------------
❡With these changes the entire tendering process can be completed at CE/ Ass DG level for majority of the contracts❡.
MOD along with military will identify roads & fix priorities on Roll-On basis and delegate execution to different levels of BRO.
— powers delegated to Chief engineer & Task force commander with monitoring to be done with software
— increased procurement of equipment to Rs100cr (from Rs10cr) and ability to revise equipment norms at lower levels
— ability to execute tenders for CE (10cr->100cr) and Ass DG (Rs20cr->Rs300cr) & engage big companies on turnkey basis
REPLY Oct 23, 2017 - 7. Rail counter to China
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India's rail counter to China's border game is likely to be ready in a few years' time
REPLY Oct 23, 2017 - 8. Indian Ocean region
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Mylink
REPLY Oct 24, 2017 - 9. Smart management of coastal and maritime domains
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REPLY Oct 24, 2017 - Update on development of A&N
REPLY Feb 5, 2018
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