National Security Architecture Reforms & Theatre Commands : Discussions
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Security strategy, tri-Service chief high on NDA 2.0 agenda
By Rajat Pandit, TNN | Jun 21, 2019, 10.42 AM IST
Sources said the two "long-pending and long-deliberated measures" figure high on the government's radar screen in the national security arena.
NEW DELHI: Finalization of a comprehensive national security strategy (NSS) and creation of the post of a tri-Service chief are among the “important priorities” of the new Modi-led government, say top sources.
Though there is some skepticism within the country’s security establishment about the utility of having a NSS as well as a new tri-Service chief in the shape of a permanent chairman of the chiefs of staff committee (PC-CoSC), sources said the two “long-pending and long-deliberated measures” figure high on the government’s radar screen in the national security arena.
"A draft NSS is already ready…The final version will, of course, have to be first approved by national security adviser Ajit Doval and the National Security Council (NSC) before it comes up for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security," said a source.
"Similarly, the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs agreed in writing to the proposal for the PC-CoSC over a year ago. In the Modi 2.0 government, there will be a stronger push for systemic reforms in the overall national security architecture, which could not be undertaken in the 2014-2019 timeframe," added the source.
The NSS will be a “formal overarching document” that will lay down India’s long-term national objectives and interests in the face of external and internal threats. “Different ministries, departments and wings of the government will be able to derive their individual goals from the NSS, with the overall aim being to safeguard India’s territorial integrity and strategic autonomy,” said another source.
There have been several attempts in the past to formalise a NSS but all failed to get the government’s final approval. In the latest such endeavour, the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) -- an expert group under the NSC -- had also prepared a draft NSS on the directions of the PMO last year.
Similarly, the post of a tri-Service chief – a four-star general like the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs – has been hanging fire since the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan despite the urgent need to inject some much-needed synergy in planning, budgeting, procurements, training and logistics in the three Services, which often pull in different directions.
The PC-CoSC will focus on “capacity and capability development” in the armed forces, with hard-nosed inter-Service prioritisation required to systematically build military power within budgetary constraints.
The existing CoSC comprises the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs, with the senior-most among them being the chairman by rotation. “The PC-CoSC will have no operational role, with the three chiefs being left free to run their own Services,” said the source.
The proposed post is actually a watered-down version of the original plan to have a chief of defence staff to provide “single-point military advice” to the government, which was found lacking by the political leadership during the Kargil conflict.
Security strategy, tri-Service chief high on NDA 2.0 agenda
By Rajat Pandit, TNN | Jun 21, 2019, 10.42 AM IST
Sources said the two "long-pending and long-deliberated measures" figure high on the government's radar screen in the national security arena.
NEW DELHI: Finalization of a comprehensive national security strategy (NSS) and creation of the post of a tri-Service chief are among the “important priorities” of the new Modi-led government, say top sources.
Though there is some skepticism within the country’s security establishment about the utility of having a NSS as well as a new tri-Service chief in the shape of a permanent chairman of the chiefs of staff committee (PC-CoSC), sources said the two “long-pending and long-deliberated measures” figure high on the government’s radar screen in the national security arena.
"A draft NSS is already ready…The final version will, of course, have to be first approved by national security adviser Ajit Doval and the National Security Council (NSC) before it comes up for clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security," said a source.
"Similarly, the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs agreed in writing to the proposal for the PC-CoSC over a year ago. In the Modi 2.0 government, there will be a stronger push for systemic reforms in the overall national security architecture, which could not be undertaken in the 2014-2019 timeframe," added the source.
The NSS will be a “formal overarching document” that will lay down India’s long-term national objectives and interests in the face of external and internal threats. “Different ministries, departments and wings of the government will be able to derive their individual goals from the NSS, with the overall aim being to safeguard India’s territorial integrity and strategic autonomy,” said another source.
There have been several attempts in the past to formalise a NSS but all failed to get the government’s final approval. In the latest such endeavour, the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) -- an expert group under the NSC -- had also prepared a draft NSS on the directions of the PMO last year.
Similarly, the post of a tri-Service chief – a four-star general like the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs – has been hanging fire since the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan despite the urgent need to inject some much-needed synergy in planning, budgeting, procurements, training and logistics in the three Services, which often pull in different directions.
The PC-CoSC will focus on “capacity and capability development” in the armed forces, with hard-nosed inter-Service prioritisation required to systematically build military power within budgetary constraints.
The existing CoSC comprises the Army, Navy and IAF chiefs, with the senior-most among them being the chairman by rotation. “The PC-CoSC will have no operational role, with the three chiefs being left free to run their own Services,” said the source.
The proposed post is actually a watered-down version of the original plan to have a chief of defence staff to provide “single-point military advice” to the government, which was found lacking by the political leadership during the Kargil conflict.
Security strategy, tri-Service chief high on NDA 2.0 agenda
In Army Restructuring, Tweaks In Plans Against China - Sniwire News
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India Today Exclusive : Amit Shah seeks to jump start Chidambaram's dream project Natgrid
Natgrid is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu
New Delhi
UPDATED: September 11, 2019 23:22 IST
Amit Shah seeks to jump start Natgrid.
HIGHLIGHTS :
India Today TV has learnt that top officials will make a key presentation to Amit Shah on Thursday morning for its revival.
Natgrid and National Investigation Agency (NIA) were created in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, which claimed over 166 lives. While NIA took off successfully, 11 years on, Natgrid continues to struggle for a start.
However, sources in the establishment have told India Today TV, that Amit Shah has taken interest to not just revive the project but also to have it up and running by the end of the year.
Officers charged with Natgrid turnaround
Sources said that two senior officials have been roped in to oversea Natgrid to ensure that the extensively delayed project sees the light of the day.
The first hire is Saurabh Gupta - a scientist who has contributed to National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Shimla. Saurabh Gupta has been brought in to make key changes in the system, sources said.
The second key official in charge of Natgrid turnaround is Ashish Gupta.
Ashish Gupta is an old hand and has been the joint secretary Natgrid since 2014. However, he has now been charged to revive the project under the aegis of CEO Ashok Patnaik.
Incidentally, Patnaik, who has been at the helm of affairs since 2016, is the son-in-law of former PM Manmohan Singh. But insiders say he wishes to make a mark before his retirement by kickstarting the agency's work.
The agency office at Andheria Mor in New Delhi is almost ready and is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and giant screens. The deadline for finishing the infrastructure and formal inauguration has been tentatively scheduled for December, but a top officer said that "even with an inordinate delay, the project will be ready by March".
What is Natgrid
Natgrid is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
A source said that Natgrid, once fully functional, will help in real-time tracking of a terror operative or suspect.
A source said, "Janamkundli (entire history) of the suspect will be before agency tracking the person. For instance, the identification of mobile number, his current status, bank balance, his travel destination will be known by click of the button."
"So far it is only been seen in movies, but it will be a reality. Now, if a suspect is on a train. We have to dispatch several teams and check manually. But now, real-time tracking will be possible. The railway and airlines will have real-time tracking facility," sources said.
The banks had shown reservation of sharing data, but sources said that has also been taken care of.
Natgrid will have "janamkundli" of each terror suspect criminal, including their mobile number, current status, bank balance, travel details. (Illustration by Tanmoy Chakraborty)
The data of every agency will be collated in Natgrid. For instance, any information collected on LeT chief Hafiz Saeed by various intel agencies will be accessible by 80 agencies.
Once fully processed, the data will track down each and every suspect on a real-time basis. However, the information will be available with certain checks and balances.
Why Natgrid failed to take off
Sources say that even the current crop of officials are perplexed as to why Natgrid failed to take off.
Sources said while the project was need of the hour in 2008, but since it failed to start, mostly all intelligence agencies, state police and central armed police developed their own mechanism.
Key issue in the Natgrid was the right to privacy. Sources said that earlier teams in Natgrid went overboard with checks and balances, hence there were too many hindrances.
Natgrid also suffered from red-tapism, sources said.
While nearly 95 non-governmental experts were hired at exorbitant salaries, most of them had little or no work. An officer said the inside joke was "hummne bahut jalebiyan banayi hain" (we have made many jalebis - an indian sweet dish), suggesting that the despite an experienced team, the project was caught up in successive bouts of red-tapism.
At least four times, tenders were to be put out but were shelved at the last moment.
There is also a belief that the project failed to take off because there was no proper groundbreaking ceremony at the start of the project.
Ironically, now PM Narendra Modi had opposed the project as Gujarat chief minister.
India Today Exclusive: Amit Shah seeks to jump start Chidambaram's dream project Natgrid
Natgrid is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu
New Delhi
UPDATED: September 11, 2019 23:22 IST
Amit Shah seeks to jump start Natgrid.
HIGHLIGHTS :
- Sources say Amit Shah is planning to jump start Natgrid
- Natgrid, a dream project of P Chidambaram, is an integrated intelligence grid
- It will connect the databases of core security agencies
India Today TV has learnt that top officials will make a key presentation to Amit Shah on Thursday morning for its revival.
Natgrid and National Investigation Agency (NIA) were created in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, which claimed over 166 lives. While NIA took off successfully, 11 years on, Natgrid continues to struggle for a start.
However, sources in the establishment have told India Today TV, that Amit Shah has taken interest to not just revive the project but also to have it up and running by the end of the year.
Officers charged with Natgrid turnaround
Sources said that two senior officials have been roped in to oversea Natgrid to ensure that the extensively delayed project sees the light of the day.
The first hire is Saurabh Gupta - a scientist who has contributed to National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Shimla. Saurabh Gupta has been brought in to make key changes in the system, sources said.
The second key official in charge of Natgrid turnaround is Ashish Gupta.
Ashish Gupta is an old hand and has been the joint secretary Natgrid since 2014. However, he has now been charged to revive the project under the aegis of CEO Ashok Patnaik.
Incidentally, Patnaik, who has been at the helm of affairs since 2016, is the son-in-law of former PM Manmohan Singh. But insiders say he wishes to make a mark before his retirement by kickstarting the agency's work.
The agency office at Andheria Mor in New Delhi is almost ready and is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and giant screens. The deadline for finishing the infrastructure and formal inauguration has been tentatively scheduled for December, but a top officer said that "even with an inordinate delay, the project will be ready by March".
What is Natgrid
Natgrid is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
A source said that Natgrid, once fully functional, will help in real-time tracking of a terror operative or suspect.
A source said, "Janamkundli (entire history) of the suspect will be before agency tracking the person. For instance, the identification of mobile number, his current status, bank balance, his travel destination will be known by click of the button."
"So far it is only been seen in movies, but it will be a reality. Now, if a suspect is on a train. We have to dispatch several teams and check manually. But now, real-time tracking will be possible. The railway and airlines will have real-time tracking facility," sources said.
The banks had shown reservation of sharing data, but sources said that has also been taken care of.
Natgrid will have "janamkundli" of each terror suspect criminal, including their mobile number, current status, bank balance, travel details. (Illustration by Tanmoy Chakraborty)
The data of every agency will be collated in Natgrid. For instance, any information collected on LeT chief Hafiz Saeed by various intel agencies will be accessible by 80 agencies.
Once fully processed, the data will track down each and every suspect on a real-time basis. However, the information will be available with certain checks and balances.
Why Natgrid failed to take off
Sources say that even the current crop of officials are perplexed as to why Natgrid failed to take off.
Sources said while the project was need of the hour in 2008, but since it failed to start, mostly all intelligence agencies, state police and central armed police developed their own mechanism.
Key issue in the Natgrid was the right to privacy. Sources said that earlier teams in Natgrid went overboard with checks and balances, hence there were too many hindrances.
Natgrid also suffered from red-tapism, sources said.
While nearly 95 non-governmental experts were hired at exorbitant salaries, most of them had little or no work. An officer said the inside joke was "hummne bahut jalebiyan banayi hain" (we have made many jalebis - an indian sweet dish), suggesting that the despite an experienced team, the project was caught up in successive bouts of red-tapism.
At least four times, tenders were to be put out but were shelved at the last moment.
There is also a belief that the project failed to take off because there was no proper groundbreaking ceremony at the start of the project.
Ironically, now PM Narendra Modi had opposed the project as Gujarat chief minister.
India Today Exclusive: Amit Shah seeks to jump start Chidambaram's dream project Natgrid
Amit Shah seeks to jump start Chidambaram's dream project Natgrid
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Friday chair a high-level meet to jumpstart National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), a dream project of former home minister P Chidambaram, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail.
India Today TV has learnt that top officials will make a key presentation to Amit Shah on Thursday morning for its revival.
Natgrid and National Investigation Agency (NIA) were created in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, which claimed over 166 lives. While NIA took off successfully, 11 years on, Natgrid continues to struggle for a start.
However, sources in the establishment have told India Today TV, that Amit Shah has taken interest to not just revive the project but also to have it up and running by the end of the year.
Officers charged with Natgrid turnaround
Sources said that two senior officials have been roped in to oversea Natgrid to ensure that the extensively delayed project sees the light of the day.
The first hire is Saurabh Gupta - a scientist who has contributed to National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Shimla. Saurabh Gupta has been brought in to make key changes in the system, sources said.
The second key official in charge of Natgrid turnaround is Ashish Gupta.
Ashish Gupta is an old hand and has been the joint secretary Natgrid since 2014. However, he has now been charged to revive the project under the aegis of CEO Ashok Patnaik.
Incidentally, Patnaik, who has been at the helm of affairs since 2016, is the son-in-law of former PM Manmohan Singh. But insiders say he wishes to make a mark before his retirement by kickstarting the agency's work.
The agency office at Andheria Mor in New Delhi is almost ready and is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and giant screens. The deadline for finishing the infrastructure and formal inauguration has been tentatively scheduled for December, but a top officer said that "even with an inordinate delay, the project will be ready by March".
What is Natgrid
Natgrid is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
A source said that Natgrid, once fully functional, will help in real-time tracking of a terror operative or suspect.
A source said, "Janamkundli (entire history) of the suspect will be before agency tracking the person. For instance, the identification of mobile number, his current status, bank balance, his travel destination will be known by click of the button."
"So far it is only been seen in movies, but it will be a reality. Now, if a suspect is on a train. We have to dispatch several teams and check manually. But now, real-time tracking will be possible. The railway and airlines will have real-time tracking facility," sources said.
The banks had shown reservation of sharing data, but sources said that has also been taken care of.
Natgrid will have "janamkundli" of each terror suspect criminal, including their mobile number, current status, bank balance, travel details. (Illustration by Tanmoy Chakraborty)
The data of every agency will be collated in Natgrid. For instance, any information collected on LeT chief Hafiz Saeed by various intel agencies will be accessible by 80 agencies.
Once fully processed, the data will track down each and every suspect on a real-time basis. However, the information will be available with certain checks and balances.
Why Natgrid failed to take off
Sources say that even the current crop of officials are perplexed as to why Natgrid failed to take off.
Sources said while the project was need of the hour in 2008, but since it failed to start, mostly all intelligence agencies, state police and central armed police developed their own mechanism.
Key issue in the Natgrid was the right to privacy. Sources said that earlier teams in Natgrid went overboard with checks and balances, hence there were too many hindrances.
Natgrid also suffered from red-tapism, sources said.
While nearly 95 non-governmental experts were hired at exorbitant salaries, most of them had little or no work. An officer said the inside joke was "hummne bahut jalebiyan banayi hain" (we have made many jalebis - an indian sweet dish), suggesting that the despite an experienced team, the project was caught up in successive bouts of red-tapism.
At least four times, tenders were to be put out but were shelved at the last moment.
There is also a belief that the project failed to take off because there was no proper groundbreaking ceremony at the start of the project.
Ironically, now PM Narendra Modi had opposed the project as Gujarat chief minister.
India Today Exclusive: Amit Shah seeks to jump start Chidambaram's dream project Natgrid
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Friday chair a high-level meet to jumpstart National Intelligence Grid (Natgrid), a dream project of former home minister P Chidambaram, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail.
India Today TV has learnt that top officials will make a key presentation to Amit Shah on Thursday morning for its revival.
Natgrid and National Investigation Agency (NIA) were created in the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, which claimed over 166 lives. While NIA took off successfully, 11 years on, Natgrid continues to struggle for a start.
However, sources in the establishment have told India Today TV, that Amit Shah has taken interest to not just revive the project but also to have it up and running by the end of the year.
Officers charged with Natgrid turnaround
Sources said that two senior officials have been roped in to oversea Natgrid to ensure that the extensively delayed project sees the light of the day.
The first hire is Saurabh Gupta - a scientist who has contributed to National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Shimla. Saurabh Gupta has been brought in to make key changes in the system, sources said.
The second key official in charge of Natgrid turnaround is Ashish Gupta.
Ashish Gupta is an old hand and has been the joint secretary Natgrid since 2014. However, he has now been charged to revive the project under the aegis of CEO Ashok Patnaik.
Incidentally, Patnaik, who has been at the helm of affairs since 2016, is the son-in-law of former PM Manmohan Singh. But insiders say he wishes to make a mark before his retirement by kickstarting the agency's work.
The agency office at Andheria Mor in New Delhi is almost ready and is equipped with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and giant screens. The deadline for finishing the infrastructure and formal inauguration has been tentatively scheduled for December, but a top officer said that "even with an inordinate delay, the project will be ready by March".
What is Natgrid
Natgrid is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of the Government of India to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
A source said that Natgrid, once fully functional, will help in real-time tracking of a terror operative or suspect.
A source said, "Janamkundli (entire history) of the suspect will be before agency tracking the person. For instance, the identification of mobile number, his current status, bank balance, his travel destination will be known by click of the button."
"So far it is only been seen in movies, but it will be a reality. Now, if a suspect is on a train. We have to dispatch several teams and check manually. But now, real-time tracking will be possible. The railway and airlines will have real-time tracking facility," sources said.
The banks had shown reservation of sharing data, but sources said that has also been taken care of.
Natgrid will have "janamkundli" of each terror suspect criminal, including their mobile number, current status, bank balance, travel details. (Illustration by Tanmoy Chakraborty)
The data of every agency will be collated in Natgrid. For instance, any information collected on LeT chief Hafiz Saeed by various intel agencies will be accessible by 80 agencies.
Once fully processed, the data will track down each and every suspect on a real-time basis. However, the information will be available with certain checks and balances.
Why Natgrid failed to take off
Sources say that even the current crop of officials are perplexed as to why Natgrid failed to take off.
Sources said while the project was need of the hour in 2008, but since it failed to start, mostly all intelligence agencies, state police and central armed police developed their own mechanism.
Key issue in the Natgrid was the right to privacy. Sources said that earlier teams in Natgrid went overboard with checks and balances, hence there were too many hindrances.
Natgrid also suffered from red-tapism, sources said.
While nearly 95 non-governmental experts were hired at exorbitant salaries, most of them had little or no work. An officer said the inside joke was "hummne bahut jalebiyan banayi hain" (we have made many jalebis - an indian sweet dish), suggesting that the despite an experienced team, the project was caught up in successive bouts of red-tapism.
At least four times, tenders were to be put out but were shelved at the last moment.
There is also a belief that the project failed to take off because there was no proper groundbreaking ceremony at the start of the project.
Ironically, now PM Narendra Modi had opposed the project as Gujarat chief minister.
India Today Exclusive: Amit Shah seeks to jump start Chidambaram's dream project Natgrid
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval ready with India’s new military doctrine
The unclassified part of the report will be made public after the Narendra Modi government or the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) accepts the fundamental document defining the Indian military posture.
Updated: Sep 19, 2019 10:25 IST
By Shishir Gupta.
New Delhi.
The much-awaited report has been mostly completed and some finishing touches are being put to it before its submission next month(Mohd Zakir/HT PHOTO)
India’s Defence Planning Committee (DPC), headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, is expected to submit the National Security Strategy (NSS), effectively the country’s military doctrine, to the government in October, focusing on future war fronts, the requirement (if any) of naval expeditionary forces, and the projection of comprehensive national power.
The much-awaited report has been mostly completed and some finishing touches are being put to it before its submission next month, three senior officials involved in the exercise said on condition of anonymity. The unclassified part of the report will be made public after the Narendra Modi government or the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) accepts the fundamental document defining the Indian military posture.
The DPC was formed in April 2018, but the report was held up pending the announcement of a new post of chief of defence staff (CDS), the single point military adviser to the government. The announcement of the creation of the post was made by PM Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day last month. The first Indian CDS is expected to be current Army chief General Bipin Rawat with a tenure of two more years.
While the defence ministry is tight-lipped about the report, the draft NSS is expected to define India’s position on no first use (of nuclear weapons) in the current context as well as other red lines that could lead to strategic escalation.
The report is also expected to define the military threat to India in terms of the possible number of fronts. For instance, the Indian military today is readying itself to face threats simultaneously on two fronts, north and the west, in a worst-case scenario. It is this definition that will be used by the defence ministry to decide the quantity of ammunition to be kept in ready stock. As of now, India is prepared with ammunition inventory for a 10-day intensive war.
The NSS document will also spell out the Indian naval posture in the coming years, including the requirement for an expeditionary force. The Doval committee will also answer whether the Indian Navy requires more aircraft carriers worth billion of dollars or development of air bases in any of the 611 islands under India in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to venture deep across the Indian Ocean or the Persian Gulf, even the South China Sea. For instance, the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Islands Command could easily project Indian might into the South China Sea with the existing air bases being upgraded and naval bases being equipped with jetties to handle larger warships. The A & N Command sits on the mouth of Malacca Straits with Banda Aceh in Indonesia a mere 163km away as the bird flies from Campbell Bay in Nicobar.
Although the Indian Navy has been calling itself an expeditionary force in the new millennium on paper, the NSS will define where there is any need to keep Rs 20,000 crore carriers without any distant enemy in near future.
With the CDS expected to take over all tri-service structures including Special Operations, Cyber and Space Commands, the NSS will also define the role of stand-off and anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons in future wars, keeping in mind the Indian doctrinal posture.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval ready with India’s new military doctrine
The unclassified part of the report will be made public after the Narendra Modi government or the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) accepts the fundamental document defining the Indian military posture.
Updated: Sep 19, 2019 10:25 IST
By Shishir Gupta.
New Delhi.
India’s Defence Planning Committee (DPC), headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, is expected to submit the National Security Strategy (NSS), effectively the country’s military doctrine, to the government in October, focusing on future war fronts, the requirement (if any) of naval expeditionary forces, and the projection of comprehensive national power.
The much-awaited report has been mostly completed and some finishing touches are being put to it before its submission next month, three senior officials involved in the exercise said on condition of anonymity. The unclassified part of the report will be made public after the Narendra Modi government or the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) accepts the fundamental document defining the Indian military posture.
The DPC was formed in April 2018, but the report was held up pending the announcement of a new post of chief of defence staff (CDS), the single point military adviser to the government. The announcement of the creation of the post was made by PM Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day last month. The first Indian CDS is expected to be current Army chief General Bipin Rawat with a tenure of two more years.
While the defence ministry is tight-lipped about the report, the draft NSS is expected to define India’s position on no first use (of nuclear weapons) in the current context as well as other red lines that could lead to strategic escalation.
The report is also expected to define the military threat to India in terms of the possible number of fronts. For instance, the Indian military today is readying itself to face threats simultaneously on two fronts, north and the west, in a worst-case scenario. It is this definition that will be used by the defence ministry to decide the quantity of ammunition to be kept in ready stock. As of now, India is prepared with ammunition inventory for a 10-day intensive war.
The NSS document will also spell out the Indian naval posture in the coming years, including the requirement for an expeditionary force. The Doval committee will also answer whether the Indian Navy requires more aircraft carriers worth billion of dollars or development of air bases in any of the 611 islands under India in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea to venture deep across the Indian Ocean or the Persian Gulf, even the South China Sea. For instance, the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Islands Command could easily project Indian might into the South China Sea with the existing air bases being upgraded and naval bases being equipped with jetties to handle larger warships. The A & N Command sits on the mouth of Malacca Straits with Banda Aceh in Indonesia a mere 163km away as the bird flies from Campbell Bay in Nicobar.
Although the Indian Navy has been calling itself an expeditionary force in the new millennium on paper, the NSS will define where there is any need to keep Rs 20,000 crore carriers without any distant enemy in near future.
With the CDS expected to take over all tri-service structures including Special Operations, Cyber and Space Commands, the NSS will also define the role of stand-off and anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons in future wars, keeping in mind the Indian doctrinal posture.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval ready with India’s new military doctrine
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat to be new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee
1 min read . Updated: 26 Sep 2019, 06:28 PM IST
A file photo of Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat will take over as the new Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on Friday, succeeding Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, who retires from service by end of this month.
The Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) comprises chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and the senior most member is appointed its chairperson.
"The Air Chief will be handing over the baton of the Chairman COSC with to the Army Chief on Friday," a senior defence ministry official said.
The Chairman of COSC is tasked with ensuring synergy among the three services and evolve common strategy to deal with external security challenges facing the country.
Rawat, the first Army Chief to hold the post since Gen Bikram Singh (2013-14), could possibly be the last in the post as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that his government will go ahead and appoint a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who will replace the present tri-service committee.
The Army chief is also slated to retire at the end of 2019.
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa had taken charge of Chairman of COSC from then Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on May 29.
Gen. Rawat had assumed charge as Chief of Army Staff on 31 December 2016.
He has tremendous hands-on experience of serving in combat areas and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades.
Before becoming Army Chief, he handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the Northeast.
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat to be new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee
1 min read . Updated: 26 Sep 2019, 06:28 PM IST
- Gen Rawat could possibly be the last in the post as PM Modi had announced that his govt will go ahead and appoint a CDS, who will replace the present COSC
- Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat is also slated to retire at the end of 2019
A file photo of Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat will take over as the new Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee on Friday, succeeding Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, who retires from service by end of this month.
The Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) comprises chiefs of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and the senior most member is appointed its chairperson.
"The Air Chief will be handing over the baton of the Chairman COSC with to the Army Chief on Friday," a senior defence ministry official said.
The Chairman of COSC is tasked with ensuring synergy among the three services and evolve common strategy to deal with external security challenges facing the country.
Rawat, the first Army Chief to hold the post since Gen Bikram Singh (2013-14), could possibly be the last in the post as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that his government will go ahead and appoint a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), who will replace the present tri-service committee.
The Army chief is also slated to retire at the end of 2019.
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa had taken charge of Chairman of COSC from then Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on May 29.
Gen. Rawat had assumed charge as Chief of Army Staff on 31 December 2016.
He has tremendous hands-on experience of serving in combat areas and at various functional levels in the Indian Army over the last three decades.
Before becoming Army Chief, he handled various operational responsibilities in many areas, including along the LoC with Pakistan, the LAC with China and in the Northeast.
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat to be new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee
New tri services Special Operations Division meant for surgical strikes, carries out wargames near Pakistan border
By Ritesh K Srivastava, Updated : Sep 29, 2019, 19:38 PM IST, Source : ANI
Commandos of Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the wargames, during which counter-terrorism operations and other drills were performed on situations that can emerge while tackling terrorism.
Naliya/Gujarat: Preparing itself for carrying out future surgical strike-type actions against terrorists, the tri-services Special Operations Division carried out its first wargames near the Pakistan border in Gujarat.
"The first exercise codenamed 'Smelling Field' of the Armed Forces Special Operations Division was carried out in Naliya in Gujarat. There are important Air Force and Army bases in and around the Naliya town which is part of the Kutch district," Defence sources said here.
During the wargames, in which commandos of Army, Navy and Air Force took part, the Special Forces operatives practiced counter-terrorism operations and other drills on situations that can emerge while tackling terrorism.
The drills concluded on Saturday in Naliya and now the newly raised division will carry out more such exercises to prepare itself for future operations, sources said.
The AFSOD is led by Maj Gen Ashok Dhingra, who is the first Chief of the Force.
"The exercise was conducted somewhere in Gujarat to test the skills of the teams," official sources said.
All three special forces wings will be trained together in the Special Operations Division, which will help reduce costs connected to training, logistics and administration.
Special forces of all three wings normally function separately but the AFSOD will now help bring the three under a common command and control structure.
New tri services Special Operations Division meant for surgical strikes, carries out wargames near Pakistan border
By Ritesh K Srivastava, Updated : Sep 29, 2019, 19:38 PM IST, Source : ANI
Commandos of Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the wargames, during which counter-terrorism operations and other drills were performed on situations that can emerge while tackling terrorism.
Naliya/Gujarat: Preparing itself for carrying out future surgical strike-type actions against terrorists, the tri-services Special Operations Division carried out its first wargames near the Pakistan border in Gujarat.
"The first exercise codenamed 'Smelling Field' of the Armed Forces Special Operations Division was carried out in Naliya in Gujarat. There are important Air Force and Army bases in and around the Naliya town which is part of the Kutch district," Defence sources said here.
During the wargames, in which commandos of Army, Navy and Air Force took part, the Special Forces operatives practiced counter-terrorism operations and other drills on situations that can emerge while tackling terrorism.
The drills concluded on Saturday in Naliya and now the newly raised division will carry out more such exercises to prepare itself for future operations, sources said.
The AFSOD is led by Maj Gen Ashok Dhingra, who is the first Chief of the Force.
"The exercise was conducted somewhere in Gujarat to test the skills of the teams," official sources said.
All three special forces wings will be trained together in the Special Operations Division, which will help reduce costs connected to training, logistics and administration.
Special forces of all three wings normally function separately but the AFSOD will now help bring the three under a common command and control structure.
New tri services Special Operations Division meant for surgical strikes, carries out wargames near Pakistan border
NSA gets teeth, Secretariat put in government business rules - The Economic Times
Looks like day to day administration & party affairs has been outsourced to "Dy PM" & heir apparent Amit Sah, foreign policy to Jaishanker, national security, defence & intelligence to Doval. Only the finance ministry doesn't have an overlord.
Looks like day to day administration & party affairs has been outsourced to "Dy PM" & heir apparent Amit Sah, foreign policy to Jaishanker, national security, defence & intelligence to Doval. Only the finance ministry doesn't have an overlord.
C Uday Bhaskar (@theUdayB) Tweeted:
Yes indeed looks like an opportunity missed for the root&branch restructuring of higher defence management that is imperative...for more effectively addressing nat security challenges. Greater pity that no pol party is reviewing the matter objectively. CDS announced but locus? Arun Prakash on Twitter ( )
Yes indeed looks like an opportunity missed for the root&branch restructuring of higher defence management that is imperative...for more effectively addressing nat security challenges. Greater pity that no pol party is reviewing the matter objectively. CDS announced but locus? Arun Prakash on Twitter ( )