India's allies speed up delivery of weapons, ammunition
By New Straits Times - June 30, 2020 @ 12:39pm
AS India remains in a prolonged standoff with China, its allies have committed to speed up delivery of urgently needed weapons and ammunition for the Indian armed forces.
France has promised to deliver additional Rafale jets in July, an in-service Israeli air defence system is expected soon, precision artillery rounds will be sent by the United States, and Russia will make early deliveries of ammunition and weapons worth US$1 billion.
The commitments were made after top-level bilateral talks and emergency financial powers given to the armed forces to prepare for a prolonged standoff in eastern Ladakh.
The first set of cutting-edge Rafale fighter jets is expected to reach India by July 27. Four fighters will reach the Ambala air base but sources said France has now made a commitment to send additional Rafales in the first batch.
A total of eight aircraft are nearing certification but it is unclear how many additional fighters could be delivered early.
The Economic Times reports that the planes will be flown by Indian pilots who have been trained in France and will be fully combat ready when they arrive.
General view of Kargil along the Srinagar-Leh Highway. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP)
Sources said that in support of early delivery, France has committed that it will deploy its aerial re-fuelers to ensure that the jets make it to India without stops.
Key defence supplier Israel is expected to deliver a much-needed air defence system that will be deployed along the border.
Sources said that the unnamed air defence system is likely to come from the current holdings of the Israeli defence forces and would supplement the Ladakh sector. This would be useful as the Chinese side is said to have deployed its newly acquired Russian S-400 air defence system in the sector as well.
India's largest defence supplier Russia has also pledged urgent delivery of weapons, ammunition and missiles that India asked for during the recent visit to Moscow by defence minister Rajnath Singh.
A detailed list has been shared by India for several dozen requirements that would cost in excess of US$1 billion and a commitment has been received from Russia of delivery within weeks.
Given that most land-based systems such as tanks and armoured carriers are of Russian origin, India is looking for a variety of ammunition that will be required in the event of a larger conflict.
The air force is looking for urgent supply of air-dropped bombs and missiles while the army requires anti-tank missiles and man-portable air defence systems for the border.
A military convoy drives towards Leh along the Srinagar-Leh Highway. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP)
India's newest strategic partner, the US, has already been helping out with vital intelligence and satellite imagery that give military planners clarity on the border situation.
Sources said that the US has invited India to share a list of all requirements with a commitment to be of assistance at the earliest.
In particular, additional Excalibur artillery rounds have been ordered on an emergency basis.
The precision attack rounds with a range of over 40 km are used in a variety of artillery guns in the Indian inventory, including the M 777s that are designed for mountain warfare.
These rounds are known for their accuracy and damage potential and have been tried and tested by the army.
By New Straits Times - June 30, 2020 @ 12:39pm
AS India remains in a prolonged standoff with China, its allies have committed to speed up delivery of urgently needed weapons and ammunition for the Indian armed forces.
France has promised to deliver additional Rafale jets in July, an in-service Israeli air defence system is expected soon, precision artillery rounds will be sent by the United States, and Russia will make early deliveries of ammunition and weapons worth US$1 billion.
The commitments were made after top-level bilateral talks and emergency financial powers given to the armed forces to prepare for a prolonged standoff in eastern Ladakh.
The first set of cutting-edge Rafale fighter jets is expected to reach India by July 27. Four fighters will reach the Ambala air base but sources said France has now made a commitment to send additional Rafales in the first batch.
A total of eight aircraft are nearing certification but it is unclear how many additional fighters could be delivered early.
The Economic Times reports that the planes will be flown by Indian pilots who have been trained in France and will be fully combat ready when they arrive.
Sources said that in support of early delivery, France has committed that it will deploy its aerial re-fuelers to ensure that the jets make it to India without stops.
Key defence supplier Israel is expected to deliver a much-needed air defence system that will be deployed along the border.
Sources said that the unnamed air defence system is likely to come from the current holdings of the Israeli defence forces and would supplement the Ladakh sector. This would be useful as the Chinese side is said to have deployed its newly acquired Russian S-400 air defence system in the sector as well.
India's largest defence supplier Russia has also pledged urgent delivery of weapons, ammunition and missiles that India asked for during the recent visit to Moscow by defence minister Rajnath Singh.
A detailed list has been shared by India for several dozen requirements that would cost in excess of US$1 billion and a commitment has been received from Russia of delivery within weeks.
Given that most land-based systems such as tanks and armoured carriers are of Russian origin, India is looking for a variety of ammunition that will be required in the event of a larger conflict.
The air force is looking for urgent supply of air-dropped bombs and missiles while the army requires anti-tank missiles and man-portable air defence systems for the border.
India's newest strategic partner, the US, has already been helping out with vital intelligence and satellite imagery that give military planners clarity on the border situation.
Sources said that the US has invited India to share a list of all requirements with a commitment to be of assistance at the earliest.
In particular, additional Excalibur artillery rounds have been ordered on an emergency basis.
The precision attack rounds with a range of over 40 km are used in a variety of artillery guns in the Indian inventory, including the M 777s that are designed for mountain warfare.
These rounds are known for their accuracy and damage potential and have been tried and tested by the army.
