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Thursday, February 25, 2021

From Arjun Mk.1 to Mk.1A to Mk.2: An Evolving MBT Family

The 124 Arjun Mk.1s were delivered to the Indian Army between 2004 and 2012 at a rate of 15 MBTs per annum and each MBT had 63% imported content.

They will be upgraded in phases that will include the incorporation of 14 major upgrades (that are on the Mk.1A variant), plus the installation of multi-aperture and multi-spectral real-time panoramic imaging systems designed to increase 360-degree situational awareness. Arjun Mk.1 weighs 62 tonnes when equipped with a track-width mine plough (TWMP) and has a power-to-weight ratio of 22.4hp/tonne, while the Mk.1A, with 59% imported content, weighs 68 tonnes when fitted with TWMPs, and has a power-to-weight ratio of 20.5hp/tonne.

The Arjun Mk.1A MBT, under development since 2010, features 71 improvements (14 of them being major upgrades) over the Mk.1 variant. User-trials commenced in 2012. The 118 Arjun Mk.1As to be ordered before the end of 2021 will be valued at Rs.8,400 crore, with first deliveries (of five MBTs) taking place within 30 months after contract signature. In addition, orders for support-vehicles like Arjun BLTs and Arjun ARRVs will also be ordered.

Since the prevalence of a nuclear overhang prevents either India or Pakistan from engaging in offensive mechanised manoeuvre warfare inside each other’s territory all along the International Boundary (IB), manoeuvre warfare conducted by both Arjun Mk.1 and Mk.1A MBTs during the next round of military hostilities will be confined to those areas that straddle the Working Boundary (WB) in Jammu, and the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.

To this end, the Integrated Battle Groups (IBG) employing such MBTs will also contain Sarvatra multi-span bridging systems (when operating within the riverine terrain of both the Chicken’s Neck area and the Chhamb-Jaurian-Akhnoor sector of operations) and Rudra WSI helicopter-gunships that will be tasked with the provision of immediate air-support.

The Arjun’s Mk.2 variant will be ordered as its seven pre-production units have already commenced developmental mobility-cum-firepower trials. The Mk.2s will each be built with High Nitrogen Steel (HNS), which will reduce their weight from 67.5 tonnes to 62 tonnes.


The earlier imported COAPS panoramic sight (below) on the Mk.1A variant has now been replaced with an indigenously developed panoramic device (above).

In addition, the powerpack will include a 1,500hp Cummins diesel engine. Consequently, the Mk.2’s power-to-weight ratio will increase from the existing 18hp/tonne to a healthy 25hp/tonne, thereby providing excellent mobility parameters over all kinds of terrain at all altitudes. The cannon will be a smoothbore 120mm one, fed by an autoloader. Hence, up to 250 Arjun Mk2s will be ordered in future. The 464 T-90S MBTs to be licence-built at HVF Avadi too will have an uprated 1,300hp diesel engine from Russia, which too will increase the power-to-weight ratio of the T-90S to 25hp/tonne.

The 37-tonne T-72Ms (Ob’yekt 172M-E4) are each powered by a V46-6 780hp diesel engine that offer a power-to-weight ratio of 20hp/tonne. The 41.5-tonne T-72CIA has a power-to-weight ratio of 18hp/tonne. T-72U’s power-to-weight ratio will go up to 21.7hp/tonne when equipped with the turbocharged 1,000hp V46-6 engine.

The 46-tonne T-90S (Ob’yekt 188S) are each powered by a 1,000hp V-92S2 diesel engine that deliver a power-to-weight ratio of 21.5hp/tonne. A85-3AX-diesel engine capable of producing up to 1,500hp (although it is presently down-rated at 1,350hp) is likely to be ordered from Russia’s Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant, located about 350km south of Nizhny Tagil. This in turn will result in the T-90S’ power-to-weight ratio being hiked to 24 hp/tonne.

The Pakistan Army’s 47-tonne Al Khalid MBT is powered by a 1,200hp 6TD-2 diesel engine that delivers a power-to-weight ratio is 25hp/tonne. The 46-tonne Ob’yekt 478BE T-80UD MBTs, each powered by a 1,000hp 6TD-1 diesel engine, has a power-to-weight ratio is 21.7hp/tonne. The 42.7-tonne Al Zarrar, powered by a 730hp diesel engine, has a power-to-weight ratio is 17.1hp/tonne. The 41.5-tonne Type 85IIAP comes powered by a 730hp diesel engine that offers a power-to-weight ratio is 17.8hp/tonne. The 36.7-tonne Type 69IIAP, powered by a 580hp diesel engine, has a power-to-weight ratio is 15.8hp/tonne.

The PLA Army’s 42.8-tonne Type 96A MBTs are each powered by a 800hp engine that deliver a power-to-weight ratio of 18.7hp/tonne, while the 52-tonne Type 96Bs are each powered by a 1,100hp engine that deliver a power-to-weight ratio of 25hp/tonne.

82 comments:

Pratap said...

Prasun sir,

1) How many T-90 tanks does IA plan to have in total? Are these new 464 tanks in addition to the 1657 units ordered so far?

2) Why are you suddenly unhappy with procurement of 2 different LRSAMs? S-400 will be to us what Arrow 3 is to Israel. It's acquisition is of utmost importance. Barak 8 ER could have been avoided if we had XRSAM available right now, but we don't. So I don't understand the basis of your argument.

3) What is the maximum range of VL-SRSAM?

4) Why is the procurement of truck mounted gun system getting delayed? Will the IA acquire a foreign gun - Ceaser perhaps, or will it go for 2 different guns - lighter Kalyani MGS 4×4 for China front and a mounted version of either Dhanush or the ATAGS for Pakistan front like you said once? What is the reason for the delay?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To PRATAP: 1) Total of 1,657. Nothing more. 2) Because Akash-NG can easily be re-engineered as a 70km-range LR-SAM for the IN & as a MR-SAM for the IAF. The XR-SAM project has been in existence since 1996. 3) Close to 30km. 4) Because the MoD in 2016 decided to give priority to developing home-grown solutions, like Dhanush-52 MGS or even ATAGS MGS. Kalyani MGS was proposed only in 2019.

AniOne said...

Dear Prasunda,

Thank you for the replies to my last query.

1. Came across this tweet.
https://twitter.com/InsightGL/status/1364624917426184192
Please comment on the significance of ALH Dhruv Mk3 for Navy and what does the front bulged out radome carries.

2. This claims: "China Not Keen on Further Disengagement, Withdrawal at Depsang Looks Unlikely–Ajai Shukla" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GOStGB3aNg.
Your insight is requested here.

Regards,

Kunal Jadhav said...

What is the logic of having 2 cylinders at back of tank... Aren't they exposed.. It looks like design flaw...

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ANIONE: 1) They are welcome additions, although they are fully multi-role & are thus likely to be used only for coastal maritime surveillance & SAR. The nose-section radome houses the ELTA Systems-delivered EL/M-2022U naval search radar. 2) To talk about such matters, one needs to look at the GoogleEarth visuals in Depsang here: 35°22'42.19"N, 78° 2'25.65"E

It can easily be seen that there are 2 opposing posts on an east-west axis: one of the IA/ITBP & the other of the PLA-BDR & between them runs the Chip Chap River. In this area, neither has the PLA ingressed into India-claimed or India-controlled territory, nor has the IA/ITBP ingressed into PLA-controlled or PLA-claimed territory. Only the patrolling along a north-south axis along the Chip Chap River has been suspended by the IA due to the standoff. No party there has lost any territorial control to anyone.

To KUNAL JADHAV: Then I guess even this MBT shown here is equally vulnerable:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcKqwt2fL2U&t=2s

aarpee said...

Mr.Prasun
The Pakistani Al-Khalid tank has a 1200 hp engine and and a power to weight ratio of 25 hp/tonne. I suppose it means that this tank is even better than the T-90S I always thought T-90S is superior to but it seems I was wrong.
Even though you have mentioned that in the near future 1350 hp engines will be ordered for our T-90S but we don't know how many and when and our system will make sure it is atleast 5-10 years from now the re-engineing might start and for the whole 1657 T-90S to be rengined it will be 15 -20 years a very sad state of affairs.


aarpee

just_curious said...

Prasun,

1-- what drama is this & why is the govt being suckers..http://idrw.org/nsa-doval-led-secret-back-channels-talks-with-pak-for-months-before-dgmo-pact/#more-248369 .. it will be BAU once FAtF session is over
2-- Why is there no serious effort to have a hard kill system for tanks .. are they not worth the money?

Anway said...

Sir,

Why suddenly.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-pakistan-agree-to-ceasefire-at-dgmo-meet-101614238356585.html

Anurag said...

Seems really underwhelming, this MkIA.

bhoutik said...

i'm flummoxed! how r we being such suckers! whats up with this agreement with pakis!

rad said...


hi Prasun

a myrad of option can be done withthe akash NG
LR AAAM is one of them. any workon that?

Does the Zicon missile have a degree of stealth as it has a layer of plasma around it with those speeds . Now in the same logic how can we put a radar seeker on it ?
how is the seeker configured in these circumastances to actively target a ship[?

DAshu said...

Thank you, Sir,
All Indian MBTs touched under one thread.
ONCE AGAIN achievement of LoC ceasefire, even my on-the-rocks Balvenie are tasting like tamarind now.
Maybe this is the reason the 65-inch chest & co is(are) not uttering a word on PoK in Bengal election till now.

Chanakya Chatterjee said...

Why is everybody here so upset with the ceasefire with Pak ...

Those daily bombardments cost our soldiers lives too, precious, invaluable ones. Why are people in chairs and beds in Ac houses so keen to not let our troops on the border have a few days of peace

We know the pakis, they will break the ceasefire .. we can be and will be alert and let's kick their asses then.

Till then let the civilians and troops on the border get some well deserved peace

Unknown said...

Kunal Jhadav, the two cylinders at the rear of the MBT is a Russian origin addition. The cylinders are storage cylinders for crew personal items. Essentially allowing for the tank crew to have their personal things stored away from the office.

Chanakya Chatterjee said...

Prasunda

The United States Navy and Raytheon are charting a path with GAN versions of the An Spy radar that has exponentially better capabilities than its predecessors esp with regard to quicker and further identification of enemy missiles or UAVs or planes.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/america%E2%80%99s-flight-iii-ddg-51-destroyers-are-giving-navy-new-attack-options-178782

Are india or Israel planning anything like this for the mf star giving the rapidly changing ascm and asbm landscape

AD said...

Dada,

Hope you are doing well. Couple of queries -

1. Is Cummins 1500HP diesel engine of Arjun MK2 indigenously designed and developed? I can recollect you mentioned in an old thread that neither Cummins nor Kirloskar is technologically equipped to design and develop MBT power plant in India.

2. Can you share a comparative analysis between Arjun MK1A/ Arjun MK2 and PLA ZTZ 99A?

joydeep ghosh said...

@prasun da

1. your views on the disengagement on LAC

2. is it true that there was a coup attempt in Bhutan was China behind it

3. Nepal is formally heading for split with ruling party heading for split who control 2 halves of the country.

4.a report says Turkey is developing a unmanned hel that surprisingly looks same as LCH it also says China had successfully coped India Namica design, how did these happen'

5. where are heading in loc n lacwith ceasefire on loc

thanks
joydeepghosh

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To AARPEE: 1,000 T-90S MBTs will be re-engineed & this was explained through IA-issued slides in an earlier thread dealing with IA MBT Modernisation.

To ANURAG: Surprisingly, despite being fired from a rifled-bore cannon the 120mm APFSDS round has a muzzle velocity of only 1,660 metres/second, while the Russian 3BM42 125mm APFSDS round fired from a smoothbore barrel can attain 1,700 metres/second.

To RAD: Regretably, the LRAAM option cannot be exercised & instead the Astra-2 equipped with ramjets will have to suffice as a BVRAAM for engaging hostile combat aircraft, while for engaging lumbering subsonic bombers like China’s H-6, the Astra-2 can also be employed as a LRAAM. In fact, no LRAAMs capable of engaging MRCAs presently exist anywhere. Putting any kind of seeker into hypersonic weapons isn’t any problem since such seekers were on board hypersonic SAMs (for BMD) since the 1970s. Numerous technical & research papers from the US, Russia & China exist online on this issue.

And BTW, yesterday the PAF celebrated 50 years of operating the Mirage family of combat aircraft:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmvpC7kFl9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8JjQStHdbE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju5ZSI_wHc8

To UNKNOWN: LLLLLLOOOOOOOLLLLLZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To JUST_CURIOUS, ANWAY, BHOUTIK, DASHU & CHANAKYA CHATTERJEE: Let’s begin by listening to what others have to say, starting with this MORONIC speculation by a ‘desi patrakaar’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szH_5MV7jDc&t=1s

Then comes a former Pakistani diplomat (Abdul Basit):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2Netuc0hPo

And finally, the DG of ISPR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be9OenuErUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KubpKILyz3U

From the above, the following points emerge: 1) There was never any back-channel pow-wow between anyone from either of the 2 countries for reaching agreement on the ceasefire. The only 2 parties involved over the past 30 days were the DGMOs of the 2 armies. In fact, even Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry was kept in the dark about it & that explains why the DG-ISPR took the trouble on appearing in various Pakistani TV channels yesterday to give the explanations. 2) Why yet another ceasefire that was similarly announced back in 2018 but was violated within 3 months by Pakistan? Because the PA wants to cut its growing manpower & material losses along both its eastern & western fronts, especially after realising that even China had led Pakistan up the garden-path. How so? Because while it was known to the knowledgeable that the PLA will not be able to sustain the winters of Aksai Chin, what emerged as a surprise to Pakistan was the alacrity with which the PLAGF garrisons began de-inducting from Panggong Tso & that too soon after Russia’s state-owned news agencies began publishing figures of PLAGF casualties sustained on June 15 last year in the Galwan River-Valley. In fact, the IA & IAF had recorded 57 CASEVAC missions flown on that day by the PLAGF’s Mi-17s & if one Mi-171 can carry four stretchers, then one can easily do the math to derive the final PLAGF casualty figures. Thus, China has clearly indicated that the PLA is in no way capable of waging even limited war along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. But the IA’s mirror deployment of manpower & materials in Ladakh has now created another headache for the PA: such assets will be maintained within Ladakh & northern Kashmir by the IA for the foreseeable future & consequently, the IA’s available force-strength there can easily be oriented toward the Baltistan area of PoK for offensive operations.

Added to all this is Pakistan’s dilemma in obtaining vaccines for COVID-19. While China’s test-kits & vaccines are highly unreliable as has been proven globally, AstraZeneca has informed Pakistan that the vaccines will not be available from its stockpiles as they are all meant for European distribution & therefore Pakistan has no other choice but to procure the licence-produced vaccines from India’s Serum Institute. So how does one go about it in a face-saving manner? By first agreeing to once again exchange newly-appointed High Commissioners by both countries & as a confidence-building measure, agreeing to a TEMPORARY ceasefire (all ceasefires by definition are temporary & there’s no such thing as a permanent ceasefire). The ceasefire will be maintained for as long as Pakistan continues to import the vaccines from India. That’s what the latest theatrics are all about.

Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun,

What does India gain by agreeing to this temporary ceasefire given that it will be maintained only as long as Pakistan imports the vaccines? why not let the Pakistanis stew in their own juices?

Best Regards
Raj

bhoutik said...

yes but why would we agree to the ceasefire for their benefit?

Anurag said...

"Surprisingly, despite being fired from a rifled-bore cannon the 120mm APFSDS round has a muzzle velocity of only 1,660 metres/second, while the Russian 3BM42 125mm APFSDS round fired from a smoothbore barrel can attain 1,700 metres/second."

- I'm aware of that, sir but it has got more to do with the rather pitiful length (and mass) of the penetrators currently in use with Arjun MBTs than anything else. Less mass means you would need to apply less energy to accelerate the projectile but it also limits the effectiveness, unfortunately.

Anurag said...

Continued from the above -
And velocity alone doesn't matter as much as do the length, design, and mass of the projectile. For example, the M829 series of APFSDS rounds are even slower at ~1550 meter/second yet they are arguably the strongest APFSDS rounds in use anywhere in the world.

DAshu said...

The logical question to followup is what will India achieve by giving a breather to PA when the time is ripe to increase the pressure even more on both fronts. What is the GoI's thinking? The killer instinct is clearly missing.

Ganesh said...

Hello Prasun,

Thanks for the clarity on the recently agreed ceasefire in the western border with Pakistan. Please let me know your perspective on what India gains from this initiative, beyond the usual peace/break/rest in the border for its inhabitants and the defense forces.
With the well assimilated fighting force in eastern border in Ladakh, can they be put to use as a tangible strategy rather than looking at short term tactical gains. Be it permanently stationing them with better facilities and training to pre-empt actions and beyond.
Is the infrastructure development in borders areas (overall) affected by the thaw in the borders. Thanks, Ganesh

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To AD: No, it is the Cummins QST-30 diesel engine, whose details are available here:

http://trishul-trident.blogspot.com/2018/06/given-below-are-weblinks-of-show.html

To JOYDEEP GHOSH: 1) I had already stated last July that during wintertime the PLAGF will start withdrawing & de-inducting & that is what is now happening. 2) No. 3) Let China try to resolve this internal turmoil & get its hands burnt even firther. 4) Unmanned helicopter can be developed even by India by simply installing an autopilot, inertial navigation system & two-way data-links, plus a ground-control station. 5) Ceasefire along the LoC has been in existence since late 2003 & it has been violated only from Gurez down to southern Kashmir. The rest of the LoC from Gurez to Turtuk & the AGPL has never been violated. 6) The PLAGF already operates ther AFT-10 wire-guided ATGM, also known as the HJ-10A, which are fired from both tracked armoured vehicles & wheeled armoured trucks. Hence, the PLAGF does not need to develop a clone of either NAG or NAMICA.

To RAJ: It was clearly mentioned by the MEA spokesperson yesterday that the ceasefire is conditional upon Pakistan’s compliance, i.e. if Pakistan commencing giving covering fire for its terrorist-infiltrators along the LoC or WB, then India will retaliate. Hence, the latest ceasefire announcement won’t last till the next 90 days, rest assured, because as winter recedes & the mountain passes become navigable, infiltration efforts will commence with rigour.

To BHOUTIK & DASHU: Not for their benefit, but for India’s benefit since this temporary lull will enable the J & K UT’s administration to complete constructing 800+ bunkers for those residents residing close to the LoC’s Zero-Line. India will still be the nett beneficiary since the PA will continue to suffer casualties all along the Durand Line.

To GANESH: The IA’s larger footprint in Ladakh & northern J & K UT will be permanent, i.e. instead of just 1 Mountain Division being allocated for the defence of Ladakh, 2 more Mountain Divisions will henceforth be permanently be deployed there, amounting to close to 70,000 personnel when taking into account the permanent deployment of 4 Mechanised Brigades as well. While these will be for defensive purposes, the offensive component is still being worked out, which will amount to another 2 Mountain Divisions plus a reserve element in the form of a Mechanised Division equipped with MBTs & ICVs. Consequently, construction of road/rail transportation infrastructure, accommodation & warehousing infrastructure will henceforth become a big business in Ladakh & will benefit both the natives of the soil as well as migrant labour. In addition, at least 45 new heliports will be reqd to be built for aerial logistics sustenance purposes. And as I had earlier stated, the number of CH-47F Chinook heavylift helicopters operated by the IAF will have to increase to a minimum baseline figure of 60.

aarpee said...

Mr.Prasun
In this thread of yours I could read that 1000 T-72 will be upgraded with 1000 hp engine,APU,TIFCS.
But for the T-90S it is written that the first batch of 310 will be given APS and and new 1350 hp engines not 1000 T-90S.
No timeline maybe next century.

aarpee

hoods007 said...

hi Prasun

any chance of NERA being adopted for arjun mk2 while ditching ERA mk-2 since the latter is dangerous to accompanying infantry.

Manish 2 said...

Prasunda, what does India gain with this ceasefire arrangement, except for a few hundred bunkers ?
Isn't this an oft repeated blunder, wherein we agree to Paki demands of "peace", or ceasefire, only to be back stabbed time and again ? whenever the paki deep state is in trouble it appears with a bouquet of white flowers, but as soon as their heads get out of the troubled waters, it is business as usual..and we look like perpetual bloody fools...instead of possessing a killer instinct and hammering these pakis till they are dead, we are extending an olive branch to keep them alive only for them to come for us again..
What after these beggars have been given the corona vaccine, probably for free ? again these radical islamists will bad mouth us, and draw false equivalence between us and themselves on global stage..it is irritating that we have to put up with such jokers as bajwa, IKN, that bamboo stick of an NSA, or that swine of a foreign minister they have..what a load of horse shit of an establishment these pakis have to loot their country..it is mind boggling.

rad said...

hi prasun
As an arm chair strategist , the likes have me have ideas that seem to be brilliant till some body like you put some sense into that... lol!!

ok here goes-- The Akash NG with a booster could be deployed near the border at strategic place well camouflaged with a command center and firing unit with a sat link. An Awacs flying well inside indian territory can have a direct control over the airdefence unit and have authourity to fire. The unit will have no emmision .
When any PAF fighter comes within the no escape zone a a salvo of 2 missiles from diferent firing units can be fired in pincer attack. Of course mid course guidance will have to be done by the awacs which is going to be very difficult to jam due to the AESA radar . Moro over the huge aperture of the AESA radar will have enough energy to have a data link to the missile and can have a track via misisle function as well.FEASIBLE??
i have seen many pics of chinese version of the javelin IIR ATGM??
IE hj-12!

just_curious said...

Prasun,

1- what's with biden govt hounding MBS & giving him a royal dressdown of sorts

Anonymous said...

The force in being in Ladakh looks really substantial now. Will this transform into a Mountain Strike Corp or will that be in addition to this? What is the risk of using this force on the Pak front, considering the lasttime during Kargil, PLA took advantage of our distraction?

With the current Gov. defacto accepting the 1959 line (which we had never before accepted), does it mean that we will infact have no furhter issues with China or will they continue to take our terriority at will?

It does sadden me that we have one of the largest armies in the world, the best air force in Asia and yet again China gets what they want.

Vikas

PSS said...

https://theprint.in/opinion/brahmastra/why-the-armys-order-for-118-arjuns-is-its-last-despite-being-indias-most-potent-tank/611917/

This type of articles are funded by russians to create negative perception about Arjun tank.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To HOODS007: No such option is being considered. In any case, infantry does not hang around near MBTs as they have accompanying ICVs.

To MANISH 2: You or I may not require bunkers, but those staying close to the LoC do. Here are some assessments WRT adhering to the ceasefire:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbtT2rPvGYk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKCIgbgaX44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl-QlbTSk6Q

To RAD: The simplest answer is: if at all this is possible, then it would already have been adopted by the world’s developed countries. But this hasn’t happened. Meanwhile, bizarre conspiracy theories are emanating regarding OP Swift Retort & Abhinandan’s release (including one claiming that India had intended to kill Abhinandan with sniper fire at Wagah!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_dLeMqh7S0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEqRooeRgcM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB1LT6bei0E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0T94yWeF5Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THizE1JjHCA

China’s Weapons Showcased at IDEX-2021 Expo in Abu Dhabi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbFMsNhtDuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zUieELq0fs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q67J_UapDaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckcUQwQft7s

China-Developed EXOSKELETON: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ltc5GhWB1Qk

To JUST_CURIOUS: Because the new POTUS wants to reduce KSA’s opposition to a future prospective nuclear deal being reached with Iran. Meanwhile, this is interesting:

Turkey-Pakistan: Secret Army of Mercenary Journalists:

https://www.rieas.gr/images/editorial/medasiajournalist21.pdf

India-Greece Cooperation: Countering the Turkey-Pakistan Nexus:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRbtNj1xe5g

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To VIKAS: The currently-deployed IA force is adequate for any defensive operations, but for staging offensive land campaigns, at least four additional Divisions will be reqd—2 each for Aksai Chin & Sikkim fronts, meaning the reqmt is for not 1 but 2 Strike Corps for waging high-altitude plateau warfare. If an offensive land campaign is to be staged across the LoC into Baltistan, then with the existing assets the IA & IAF can advance northwards by 18km up to Oltinthang. Not beyond that due to the shortage of heavylift helicopters & attack helicopters.

No one from the Govt of India has accepted China’s 1959 claim-line because China itself had gone much beyond westwards from this claim-line back in 1962 & had captured more territory than it had claimed. Consequently, those who are talking about the 1959 claim-line are either delusional, or have not read up enough on what had transpired back in 1962.

To PSS: It will indeed be a tragedy if one falls for the bullshit being peddled by such ‘desi patrakaars’. Because 24 hours ago he had claimed that India had inked the 2003 ceasefire agreement when in reality no such agreement was inked & it was only a verbal agreement made in good faith back then. It was only in 2015 that Pakistan had formally proposed that a ceasefire agreement be inked & ratified by both countries, but India had then refused it. The only thing that ‘desi patrakaar’ got it right in that report is that the Arjun MBTs will not be used in the Thar Desert, but elsewhere due north (which is why I had uploaded the slides above about the future battlefields). And if at all it was possible or logical to derive a light tank design out of the K-9 Vajra, the South Koreans would already have done it for the export market. Since that has not yet happened, it proves my point about the stupidity of such a proposal being peddled around by such ‘desi patrakaars’.

Millard Keyes said...

Well Prasun I am quite convinced that the Desi Patrakaars will soon realise that a pair of humble y front underwear can be converted into portable Kavach personal armour where the y front can accommodate an x ray vision stealth camera - just like the conversion of a SPH into a light tank. How about swallowing special encapsulated explosives that when exited with human excretion can be used as a sticky bomb in emergencies!! Possibilities are endless for these Noble prize winning prospects.

AniOne said...

Dear Prasunda,

Thank you for your insights to my last query.

1. Coming to the geopolitical upheaval going on in Nepal, this is what our dear, Harvard award winner 'Caravan' magazine published,
https://caravanmagazine.in/politics/nepal-matrika-yadav-india-response
what do you make of this. Please give some insights to understand the current situation in Nepal.

2. What's your opinion on Xian MA60 airliner. ( They don't have FAA (US) and EASA (Europe) type certification, and is therefore, not certified for use in the European Union or the US).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fYrb0JF7eM

3. Lastly, farmer protests continue to attract crowds and is now a political platform. My question is will this take away BJP's government appetite of risk taking while bringing in reforms.

Regards

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To AARPEE: The following 2 slides explain it all:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_FbvTDRYQA/XAMsAkJa1hI/AAAAAAAAQYM/I7WBH-RsdQc1ZZYtR1kc4_P2BqJuOv7IQCLcBGAs/s1600/Upgrades-1.jpg

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5h8fPdJyhoU/XAMs3mTWAhI/AAAAAAAAQYk/LE_a1vatnoQH2rDFQxzObCtLipjTlCbUgCLcBGAs/s1600/Upgrades-4.jpg

aarpee said...

Mr.Prasun
In second slide I could see under proposed for TK T-90S
Firepower ATT and DBComp
Mobility APU

For 464/1657 but during OH(Overhaul I presume) but we have recently ordered 464 T-90S.
1)Is it for the existing batches or the new 464 which have been ordered?

2)If for the new 464 ordered then during overhaul then that will be 2040 because all new 464 will be delivered by 2028?

3)The T-72CIAS will remain in service for 2040s but that shouldn't surprise anyone because the last T-72 were delivered by HVF in 2009 if I am right?

4)Nothing on Re-engineing of T-90S?

Thank you

aarpee

KIDDO said...

Dear Prasun

Writing in after a while though I have been reading every bit of analysis from your end. U mentioned in an earlier comment, the growing Pakistan-Turkey nexus and the India-Greece co-operative efforts to counter Turkey. Given this situation, how is it that IN still plans to go-ahead with a purchase of Fleet replenishment ships from a Turkish Shipyard.

Seems completely brain-dead to me...why cant the contract simply be shifted to a Hyundai, Daewoo, Mitsubishi or any other European, US or Russian Co which will also have the effect of strengthening bilateral relationship with that country

Pls shed some light on the IN decision to persist with this procurement. Thanks

Rohit Gill said...

Dada one more question about politics , what is the future of congress party ? Congress is totally underperforming under the leadership of nehru Gandhi family they lose election after election even if they win there governments in Madhya Pradesh and Puducherry were toppled, they faced rebellion in Rajasthan from Sachin pilot and in many states they are totally non existent or working as a junior partner of regional parties like Shiv Sena , left , rjd etc. So how will congress survive ?

pm said...

https://youtu.be/MKGFJmfinJE

Sir what do you make of this analysis.

AMIT BISWAS said...

But humare waale to bematlaab ka ek helicopter hi gira diya iss bahane me...

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To ANIONE: 1) It is all explained in that interview. Democracy is still in its infancy in Nepal & a lot more time is reqd for political processes to evolve to a higher state of maturity. 2) The MA-60 therefore can be sold only in China, Africa, South America & the South Pacific. Nowhere else. 3) It will die out in due course, rest assured.

To AARPEE: The newly ordered T-90S will have those enhancements at the outset. For the overhauled T-90s such enhancements will be retrofitted during overhaul. T-72CIA project began back in the early 1990s & lasted till 2009. Last T-72M was delivered by HVF Avadi early in the previous decade. T-90S re-engining reqmt came up only in 2019.

To KIDDO: There was only an MoU between HSL & the Turkish shipyard. No firm contract has ever been signed. Nor will it be in future, rest assured.

To ROHIT GILL: Unless the Gandhi family-members renounce politics, the INC will continue to wither away. The mother, daughter & son all have to fade away from the Indian political scene as they are now more of a liability than assets.

To PM: It is just a hypothesis. What had happened last month was that the Tibet Military District which until now had only 3 Brigades, decided to raise three new Brigades. Nothing alarming as has been theorised.

To AMIT BISWAS: New Abhinandan Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkacuk3F9Do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbIt458JuPM

Life in Muzaffarabad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxrzRFj5OVg

IAF vs PAF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_wF9KECJqU

Altogether 12 gliding PGMs were launched by the PAF but till today the PAF has released video footage of only one H-2 gliding PGM being launched against the IA's FSD at Narian, Jammu. Nor has the PAF been able to obtain any photo from Pakistan's claimed 'Kashmiri Chaahane wallahs' of the Su-30MKI that it claims to have shot down by firing no less than 4 AMRAAMs.

Ved said...

Dear Prasun,

Why didn't any of our SU30mki launch any air to air missile at PAF F16s.

Was any PAF pilot killed when F16 was downed by Mig21?

Anway said...

Sir,

Is this true?

https://www.dailyo.in/lite/politics/morarji-desai-kargil-war-pervez-musharraf-pakistan-raw-kahuta-nuclear-warfare/story/1/3802.html?__twitter_impression=true

bhoutik said...

how would u characterise abhinandan's conduct? do u feel he went overboard with trying to be nice?

Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun sir,
Can we make our own version of SPAAG using k9 hull and DRDO designing the turret, x band radar, vshorad and gun in a redesigned turret?
Best Regards,
Rajarshi

Harish said...

Mr.Prasun

1)Why there is only one prototype of Arjun MK1A?

2)Was the single Arjun MK1A symbolically handed over to the Army by the PM the same prototype?

3)How many Prototypes of Arjun MK2 exist if any apart from Mk1A prototypes?

4)https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pak-went-back-on-its-f-16-promise-to-us-how-india-fixed-the-gaps-with-rafale-101614367538883-amp.html
Why always there is talk about Pakistani commitment to not use F-16s or AIM-120 against India? What are the end user agreement b/w Pakistan and U.S? Please clarify.

Thanks

Harish


Anonymous said...

Hi Prasun,

1. Given the prevailing deficiency in lift capability, on what time horizon do you envision an operation to retake Gilgit and Baltistan?
2. Any retaking of PoK will get the Pakistan Army to launch multiple tactical nukes on our advancing formations, if not an outright nuclear exchange. What would be our counter and contingency planning?
3. We have not yet been able to disenfranchise let alone deport a single illegal Bangladeshi Muslim. Supposedly, more than 40K Hindu persecuting Jihadist Rohingyas have made this country their home, with very little being done against them, despite tracing them. With these realities, and without finding a concrete solution to our 25 crore Islamist problem, does it make sense to embark on the recapture of PoK now or in the near term? Since even if we were to achieve the daunting and obviously glorious military task of recapturing PoK, it would still be merely half the battle won without finding a solution to the sizeable Muslim population it will bring with it.
We lack an understanding of mass psychology, anthropology, sociology, etc. and therefore are too naive to realise that a lasting solution to Kashmir is an altered Hindu majority demographic. Much like what China did and is doing with Xinjiang or Tibet.

Thanks,
Preetesh

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To VED: It was all debated & explained in the thread that was uploaded on December 16, 2019.

To ANWAY: 100% Bullshit. For those who don’t know, Kahuta is only 60km southwest of the LoC. Will anyone site a uranium enrichment plant in such a location?

To BHOUTIK: It all depends on what he was subjected to during his detention. None of us can therefore presuppose anything.

To RAJARSHI: That depends on what kind of SPAAG we are talking about & for whom, because the IA & IAF have differing specifications for their respective SPAAG reqmts. If Rheinmetall’s 35mm cannon is to be installed, then this can be done atop a BMP-2’s hull. Ak an AK-630M cannon is reqd, then a truck-mounted solution is the best.

To HARISH: 1) Because what was reqd by the IA were such add-on enhancements that were tested on various pre-production Arhun Mk.1 vehicles (13 of them in all). 2) Yes. 3) They are being built right now. At least five of them are reqd. 4) Don’t believe such hogwash. For instance, that news-report claims that the IAF decided to order Meteor BVRAAMs only after the drawing lessons from the February 27, 2019 aerial engagements when in reality the contract for the Meteor BVRAAM was inked back in 2016 itself. And those who are reqd to use BVRAAMs know only too well that the no-escape zone for present-generation BVRAAM is between 24km & 46km. It is only the internet fanboys who always WRONGLY ASSUME the BVRAAM is effective up to its maximum flight-range. Similarly, the Meteor may well have a maximum range of 150km, but its effective no-escape range is between 24km & 120km. But then again, such BVRAAMs can easily be spoofed by ASPJ pods or internally-carried mid-band jammers.

Sanjeev said...

nytimes article around Mumbai electrical blackout being caused by Chinese. Whats your take?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To SANJEEV: Watch & read these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnAs2Ecb7qM

https://www.recordedfuture.com/redecho-targeting-indian-power-sector/

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-northern-command-espionage-case-data-breach-details-1773365-2021-02-26

DAshu said...

ISPR might be inspired by that CCP general.

Sir, with each passing day it is now amply clear that the US accepted its defeat and negotiated an exit deal with the Talibs by giving in everything. Why? How come the US is not able to understand PA's double game? or is it like they don't want to understand at all.

AMIT BISWAS said...

PL15 is better than meteor.....ye log khayali pulao kaise banate hai..it's strange guess.

Ranveer said...

China-North Korea border documentary
https://youtu.be/8wRLQ8MVi0Q

Ranveer

Rajesh Mishra said...

Can the Afghani Government withstand against the Taliban if the US army is withdrawn from there??

just_curious said...

prasun,

your take on this ambitious leap of faith by khalifas-erdogan & IM the dim .. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/turkey-widens-war-tech-hunt-by-tapping-pakistans-china-ties/articleshow/81306689.cms?utm_source=ETTopNews&utm_medium=HP&utm_campaign=TN&utm_content=23

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Have been busy with the ongoing Maritime India Summit-2021:

https://www.maritimeindiasummit.in/pdf/maritime-india-vision-2030.pdf

https://www.maritimeindiasummit.in/pdf/project-investment-catalogue.pdf

Shipbuilding & Ship-Repair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FIbcaSA0_Y

Inaugural Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3MqCQzKrqA

Maritime Heritage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBvueez3SI8

Port-Led Industrialisation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUKRBN_wvig

Investment Opportunities in Goa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e56mUsG4k4

Investment Opportunities in Tamil Nadu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXMxS0YsN_Q

Investment Opportunities in Andhra Pradesh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDC3JWNXgZI

Investment Opportunities in Odisha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0ojLgmjVjU

Investment Opportunities in Lakshadweep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUPqaRSR40s

Investment Opportunities in WB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S5BOOOxrKs

Investment Opportunities in Karnataka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQQ6yIagPUI

Investment Opportunities in Maharashtra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnftH8qTTGo

Investment Opportunities in Gujarat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLcxWOjvi4s

Inland Water Transportation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQGmmmYgsmc

Coastal Shipping Opportunities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N5CuF6X_Cw

Liquid Bulk Cargo Investments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UE6gAb-Ios

Maritime Financing & Insurance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZbstgL2weU

Development of Ports: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P__8RGCQFpM&t=7s

To RAJESH MISHRA: While US Army's ground forces will withdraw, US Army Aviation assets will stay behind to provide ISR & aerial firepower delivery means.

To AMIT BISWAS: The PL-15 BVRAAM has never been offered for export to anyone & has not even been service-inducted by the PLAAF. All images of the PL-15 being carried by the J-20 & other MRCAs are insert missiles only for display.

To DASHU: This might be a credible explanation:

https://theprint.in/opinion/pakistan-agreed-to-ceasefire-because-gen-bajwa-had-a-musharraf-moment/614051/

Bu this is worrisome: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-northern-command-espionage-case-data-breach-details-1773365-2021-02-26

rad said...


HI prasun
the mirage 2000upg crash and loss of 2 test pilots was casued by loose fitting of the inertial nav sysytem by HAL employee, which in turn gave wrong command to the FBW system causing the crash.
how do we counter massed suicide drones shot out by artillery type tube as in chinese videos ? surely we can do the samething?
why has chin a not gone the ramjet way for long range AAMs. it was reported doing so ?. They seem to be doing ok in ramjet missiles , like the kh-31- copy and other anti ship missiles?

just_curious said...

Prasun,

1- Now that the Mk1a deal is signed what is the status on gun testing. It seems to have been put in the cold .. are guns no longer that important.
2 something interesting to note in the recent aero india 2021 was that the MK2 was shown with a podded gun as against one between the wings & canard in 2019. where will teh gun fit in ?
3- news floating around that safran will help GTRE tune its non after burning derated 47kn class engine for UCAV - is this true. Also will this now be possibly used for jaguar re engine program?
4- is rolls royce planning to collaborate with DRDO on a 110kn+class engine ?

AMIT BISWAS said...

In super su 30 project any mutliple ejector is being envisaged for BVR and CCM missile...if yes will it carry more missiles than f 15 .....

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To JUST_CURIOUS: LoLz! Turkey had tapped China as far back as 2004 when it began producing China-designed long-range MBRLs. Then it started importing China-built turbojets for powering its SOM air-launched cruise missiles. And next Turkey-built warships for the Pakistan Navy have China-origin weapon systems & sensors while the eight S-26T/S-30 SSKs being built by China’s Wuchang Shipbuilding Co in Wuhan will have Turkey-origin mission electronics. In other words, the military-industrial complexes of both countries did not suddenly discover one another. 1) All the 20 Tejas Mk.1 SP-series will have the GSH-23 cannon on-board & that’s why the SP-21 has not yet been delivered to the IAF. Final firing trials are still underway. 2) The MWF will have an internally-mounted cannon, but which type is still awaiting finalisation since the MWF’s detailed design is now on-going. 3) That’s the non-afterburning variant of the Kaveri. It can’t be used by Jaguar IS because for manned aircraft like the Jaguar the reqmt is for an afterburning turbofan. 4) No. R-R is committed to the EJ-200 turbofan & hence does not want to get i8nto developing a competing turbofan.

To AMIT BISWAS: Such racks can be incorporated on all existing IAF combat aircraft for as long as an electrical interface mechanism is developed for adapting such racks to the underwing pylons.

To RAD: Nothing has been officially revealed thus far on what led that Mirage-2000UPG to crash. However, the pattern of the crash indicates that the problem lay with the on-board air-data sensors that feed data to the FBW-FCS’s digital flight-control computer. Only way to counter killer-UAV swarms is to have a very high rate of fire from terminal air-defence systems, or go for the best solution, which is directed-energy laser effectors. Maybe the reason why China has been unable to develop ramjet-powered BVRAAMs is because it has been unable thus far to steal IPR-type design/engineering data from the likes of Vympel JSC, Raytheon & MBDA.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

Lots of speculation by Indian & Pakistani media on what led to the recent ceasefire:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaYLgDn10Ik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewbn5AI9Yio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJQebdkvnus&t=1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgdhYobwT1w&t=1s

But does the ceasefire also ensure that cargo-carrying drones will stop flying over the WB in southern Jammu, or that tunnel-digging will stop under the WB in southern Jammu? Not quite, if these are true:

Magnetic Bomb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVRfqftFCZk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rejv0x1wJHM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bx-LMjjK2s

India’s Donation to Taiwan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWexLdkbhI0

CPEC Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE2WPX9C9z4

China’s Future Growth Strategy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMbUUlbZT-o

Xi Jinping’s Quest for World Dominance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FjOIqSuhO8

Moplah Genocide in Kerala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwI6WOpMys

Truth About Ghazwa-e-Hind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuZ8mSCa3WU

Piyush Hundia said...

Dear Prasun-ji,

I'm an businessman and the CFO of a Company https://shycocancorp.com/
We believe, ours is a revlotunary product with the R&D, design and manufacturing in India with more than 90% of manufacturing cost by value is from Components made in India.
We are unable to secure any loans from banks since we are less than 1 year old and no other private person is willing to fund us as the product is not well known - we cannot be well known until we spend on marketing and product development. Despite having all the necessary approvals to prove the efficacy of the device.
Had it been a product made in Nordic or US company, they would have gotten funded like crazy and the governments would have endorsed it as well.

This is our problem - we focus on too much on noise and emotions rather than focusing on building platforms / innovating products / solving issues

I really hope we be that Country again !!

Wish all of us, Best of Wisdom.
Piyush Hundia

PS - I will understand if you don't publish this comment.

hoods007 said...

hi Prasun

you had mentioned in one of your comments that Russia put pressure on china on ladakh issue because Russia wants india to join the Eurasian custom union wants to build a gas pipeline from central asian states through Xinjiang to ladakh to rest of india. Is this pipeline a better idea then the one connecting oman to gujrat? or both these gas pipelines will be needed to meet indian energy needs or the reason ladakh pipeline is being considered is that the oman-india pipeline is in permanent limbo.

just_curious said...

Prasun,

1- now US is back to wooing pakis?wot for? will it be back to http://idrw.org/us-does-not-view-its-relationships-with-india-and-pakistan-as-zero-sum-proposition-official/#more-249183
2-what will Trudeau do now--http://idrw.org/canadian-mp-jagmeet-singhs-co-brother-jodhveer-dhaliwal-seen-leading-attacks-against-indian-diaspora-during-tiranga-maple-rally/

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

West Container Terminal Better Deal For India, Explains Admiral
Jayanath Colombage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jzZd9LN23c

Everything one wants to know about Chabahar FTIZ:

Chabahar Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af0h2DdEB_o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGgxw0sH9BA

Investment Opportunities in Kerala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on2Sb0aPSE4

Australia’s Shattered China Dream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RndFL8HsaOo

To JUST_CURIOUS: 1) The US needs Pakistan for creating trouble inside Iran, whenever reqd. 2) Indian diaspora are all Canadian citizens who0 enjoy the same freedoms, privileges & protection as any other Canadian citizen. India has nothing to do with the well-being or welfare of Canadian citizens.

To HOODS007: There cannot be a pipeline from Oman or Iran to anywhere in Gujarat since the agreement on the extended continental shelves of India & Pakistan has not yet been finalised. In addition, seabed-=based pipelines are far more expensive than pipelines laid on land.

rad said...

hi prasun
what is the actual quantum of desi material inthe brahmos missile? as russia has 49 % and still is supplying the ramjet and the seeker the most critical components ,?

in some reports godrej and boyce is making the ramjet , but in others russia is supplying . It makes no sense to russia to allow us to make the whole misisle as they hold theIPR

will the mig 29 have to go to russia for the integration of the astra? lke the su-30mki?
Have we started receiving the latest version of teh r-77 and r-73 ie r74? . BY that do we have an edge over the amraam , f-16 combo.

Anonymous said...

1. Will Astra MK2 be based on SFDR technology? If yes, then what is the difference bw Astra MK2 & Astra MK3?

2. By when will Astra MK2 & Astra MK3 enter full scale production?

3. Will SAAW PGM be modified by integrating a turbojet just like Israelis have developed Spice 250-ER from Spice 250?

Thanks!
AMAN

Anonymous said...

Prasun Dada

Many thanks for your response on an earlier thread.

1. https://theprint.in/opinion/if-china-pakistan-came-to-peace-table-bjps-failed-national-security-strategy-helped-too/615433/?amp&__twitter_impression=true

The level of compromise that the top echelons of the secularised Indian Armed forces is laid bare in this. Although, it should have been in no doubt when an ex-Naval Chief rebelled against an earlier attempt to abolish Art 370. Shocking to say the least.

And here is https://twitter.com/rwac48/status/1367291283669086208?s=19 another instance where the same man is Tom tomming a USG funded report.

No doubt, our security apparatus has many failings but critiquing taking steps towards a long term future where we can win back what was rightfully ours cannot is downright malicious. While the Chinese would wait even centuries to win back their lost territories, these glorified secularist mercenaries want us to give away our lands without much fan fare. No wonder, his daughter was recently found mocking Hindus as weak meek Yoga practitioners who would cease to exist without the saving grace of the Sikhs a most ridiculous proposition. While this man himself, if some are to be believed had an alleged bad involvement with Khalistani ideological infiltration into the Indian Army (is it true?)

2. All the talk of a coalition of the willing de-fanging Pakistan was just that- mere talks. The US/West will not undertake any such actions till the possibility of a Hindu Rajyam India exists. The Brits actively sided with the Pakis on more occasions than one even during and post partition. The two are conjoined at their butt through something known as Mosaic Distinction. While the clash of civilization of Judeo-Christian West and Islam is important, it is superseded by the hate for polytheistic world systems. Besides, it is polytheistic world view which is the central challenge to any monotheistic system which is the West today.

This also explains why the US and their "non-state actors" such as NGOs, Think Tanks, Foundations and certain publications have since 2016 drumming up anti-Hindutva sentiments with Modi taking the brunt of it being India's first Hindu Nationalist PM.

3. All those talks of China winning without a single shot was just that- wishful thinking.

Meanwhile, as you had pointed out Russia played a pivotal role in ensuring PLA troops pull back. Full points to us for leveraging this. But as part of the Russian demand is Laying of oil and gas pipelines through Aksai Chin. Does this mean, Russia will support a retaking of Aksai Chin as and when possible?

4. We may have erred right from 1947 in dealing with China what with maps literally handing away Aksai Chin and other areas to China on a platter. But this should not stop us from correcting these mistakes just as the China has no qualms over changing their claim lines of the LAC or abiding by ICJ rulings.

^Ashish

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

While India's national security establishment remains clueless about the methodology of crafting a national security strategy & the consequent operational vectors flowing out of it (hence the picnicking now underway in Kevadia), the US has issued directives for crafting a follow-on national security strategy with the Indo-Pacific as its pivot, as the following document reveals:

Interim National Security Strategic Guidance: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NSC-1v2.pdf

Sound common-sense would have suggested that the annual combined commanders' conference be held at a tri-services institution like the United Services Institution, or the College of Defence Management.

To RAD: Even if 90% of the missile is fabricated & machined in India, the raw materials like special alloys have to be imported, just as it is with the case of HAL-built Su-30MKI. Hence, from whichever angle one looks at it, such 'desi' production in no way implies a high degree of indigenisation being achieved. Similarly, if 98% of a foreign-origin diesel engine is produced in India with locally-sourced raw materials, the foreign OEM will still continue to supply high-precision components (like rubber washers, ball-bearings etc etc) without which the hardware will become inoperable. Hence, in reality, all talk about indigenisation has been, is & will remain, TOTAL HOGWASH. Why should MiG-29UPG or Su-30MKI have to go to Russia? Russia (and not India) already possesses the entire mission avionics integration test-rigs for such platforms & consequently all that is reqd is for the Astra BVRAAM's applications software to be integrated with that of the weapon management system of the MiG-29UPG & Su-30MKI in Russia. No R-74s or R-77s are being ordered from Russia now.

To AMAN: 1) Yes. Astra-2 BVRAAM is real, while Astra-3 is the figment of imagination of internet fanboys. That's the difference. 2) It can always be done, since new-generation turbojets of the type reqd can easily be built at low-cost with 3-D printing of the type available in India as well as from the Czech Republic.

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To RAD & AMAN: These may refresh your memories:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-KF747nbqQ/XlnGc2kKomI/AAAAAAAASr4/Fn2R3TnOyvwiNuDWu2Qd4VlXXxBfQx2UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Astra-2%2BBVRAAM%2Bwith%2BSFDR-1.jpg

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQf0TQJIewo/XlnJ-piG7II/AAAAAAAASsI/h7BdxFJ-9agaP9ZWFyyqtluWrnzTqNvmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Astra-2%2BBVRAAM%2Bwith%2BSFDR-3.jpg

And for those wanting to know more about the PLAGF's ZTZ-96B & ZTZ-99A MBTs:

ZTZ-99A MBT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_KKv081okU

ZTZ-96B MBT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rZRDlTl66s&t=23s

Taiwan's Brave Eagle LIFT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjgOF_kqa3A

Gen V P Malik's Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY_F_AooSow

Fencing of Gwadar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4t2yA2Dwb0

Excellent Presentation on India-Taiwan Economic Ties: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqs0juZDzBo&t=22s

Millard Keyes said...

I am so surprised how little Indians know about the Western society. Ashish for example still lulls on a religious angle!! Mate as old Hindi films used to say- Kaan khol kar sun lo - unlike South Asia, religion plays zero role in any part of the society in the West. In fact, all of the Western society has abandoned God for a long time. Small pockets of religiosity exists in the US and other countries but they have zero input in any foreign policy. Western societies are some of the most hedonistic, carefree and secular in the world and despite believing in pagan beliefs most non Western people are more spiritual/religious than their Western counterparts. Therefore to draw a Hindu vs Abrahamic faith etc is not only archaic but totally flawed and dumb and it is this kind of dark ages mindset that is causing religious upheaval in South/West Asia. The only god that controls the West and its policies- $$$ signs.

Himanshu Yadav said...

Is our military preparing for Akhand Bharat civilization long-term?

https://www.news18.com/news/india/rss-chief-mohan-bhagwat-advocates-akhand-bharat-says-pak-in-distress-ever-since-since-partition-3473213.html

I feel West would be VERY scared of seeing undivided Dharmic civilization rise from the ashes again.

Elites of the world trying to hide the fact that whole world embraced Sanatan Dharma before small group of people tried to keep Dharmic knowledge to themselves and keep rest of the population ignorant???

https://haribhakt.com/kaaba-a-hindu-temple-stolen-by-muslims/

Trump offered us opportunity to reclaim Gandhara but why didn't we take it???

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/22/world/asia/pakistan-trump-afghanistan-india.html

just_curious said...

Prasun,

1--Chabahar Day.. while it's more of an advert for chabahar.. what is your assessment now that uzbeks & Khazaks are onboard & india trying to link it to INSTC how will this pan out? what will china do? its stakes in Gawadar, its $400 bln deals(are these for real?)with Iran & Russia, will they hijack it? Also why are tajiks, kyrgyz & Turkemstan are staying away or atleast not shown great interest? Can afghans be used to influence them?
2-- you mention US needs pakis to trouble Iran, on one hand they want to talk to them again but on the other they want to keep them on tender hooks what game is this?

gaurang said...

For your views https://youtu.be/iwp_FedbaAI

Kaustav said...

Prasunda

Good Morning, The building blocks of a SPAAG OFB developed 30mm AK630M or 12.7mm Air Defence Gun (or upg L-70/ZU-23) system and Add SAMAR (R-73 or other IR Astra derivative) ....voila....No More Korean BIHO system?! WTF is going on?! Please enlighten Sir, why does the IAF get into the act & why is it so difficult to develop a proprietary mobile Air Defence system for the Army when all building blocks are available with multiple options?

radha said...

hi prasun
there is a clear pic of the r-73 missile in a surface based launcher wihthte PM in the fore ground . have we adopted the r-73 in that role ? . How is the fre control data a fed to the missile forlock on/?.
that would be deadly silent missile for base protection?

rad said...


hi praasun
is it possible to fabricate the ramjet of the brahmos and the sfdr missile by our selves unknowingly just for the sake of learning how to do it alone without any help.
we can extrapolate the design and make a ramjet missile like the french ASMP. Of course it will be a duplicate exercise given the brahmos.
what stops us from putting a nuke warhead on the brahmos?

Prasun K. Sengupta said...

To HIMANSHU YADAV: LoLz! The era of civilisational states had ended in the 18th century with the advent of nation-states. Consequently, Akhand Bharat today has to be re=defined as India being a net security provider & economic powerhouse for the IOR—a fact-of-life often glossed over by all those imbeciles who often cry wolf over the creation of Pakistan, but always shy away from including Kailash-Mansarovar in their definitions of Akhand Bharat. Such doublespeak itself exposes the intellectual bankruptcy of such imbeciles.

To JUST_CURIOUS: 1) All 4 CARs along with Afghanistan, India & Iran are on board as far as the future of Chabahar is concerned. Consequently, the utility & financial feasibility of Gwadar goes down considerably. 2) It is known as the stratagem of keeping the pot boiling but without spilling any water inside the pot.

To RAD: Question of doing such things unknowingly does not even arise since Godrej & Boyce has received the engineering documentation from BrahMos Aerospace for fabricating the ramjet propulsion system, while the Astra-2’s ramjets are DRDO’s in-house design & do not require any external assistance. Russia is obligated under international treaties to not export any WMD to anyone.

PK said...

Hello parsun sir

Then according to prophecy all Indian sub continent will convert to Islam voluntarily.

Then what will happen to Hinduism and all other religions.

What are your veiws on these interpretation of Maulana on ghazwa e hind