India Coffee House

[Nilgiri]

 

[Nilgiri]

@Jackdaws , I do give Vajpayee lot of credit for decisions he took.

 

[Joe Shearer]

@Jackdaws , I do give Vajpayee lot of credit for decisions he took.

A point of view. We all have one.

 

[Nilgiri]

GRSE Delivers One Fast Patrol Vessel to Seychelles

SCGS Zoroaster, a Fast Patrol Vessel built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata, a Mini Ratna Category 1 and leading shipyard of the country, was delivered to the Coast Guard of Seychelles, taking the count of warships delivered by GRSE to 107

forceindia.net

SCGS Zoroaster, a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, a Mini Ratna Category 1 and leading shipyard of the country, was delivered to the Coast Guard of Seychelles, taking the count of warships delivered by GRSE to 107.

A press note by GRSE stated, “Delivery of this ship today signifies a breakthrough in the company’s journey towards becoming a global player in the warship-building arena and bears testimony to the trust; foreign countries are reposing in this Indian shipyard’s abilities. Recently, GRSE also bagged an order for construction & supply of one Ocean Going Passenger & Cargo Vessel for Republic of Guyana.”

The Protocol of delivery and acceptance was signed between Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE Rear Admiral V K Saxena, IN (Retd), and Commanding Officer (Desig) Lt. Cdr Aditya in the presence of Director (Shipbuilding) Cmde Sanjeev Nayyar, IN (Retd), Director (Personnel) Cmde P R Hari, and Director (Finance) RK Dash and other Senior Officials of GRSE, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The SCG Ship ‘Zoroaster’, a Fast Patrol Vessel, is a powerful, fuel-efficient platform designed to perform multipurpose operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and search and rescue (SAR). With a maximum speed of 34 knots and an endurance of more than 1500 nautical miles, this 50 m FPV with a water-jet propulsion system and advanced controls has the capability to undertake Maritime Missions of the Seychelles Coast Guard. The ship is also fitted with a 40/60 gun as the main armament. The vessel will also flaunt improved habitability features with fully air-conditioned modular accommodation for 35 personnel. The overall design of the FPV has been developed in-house by GRSE.

GRSE also has the experience of delivering CGS Barracuda, a multipurpose compact Offshore Patrol Vessel to Mauritius Coast Guard, thereby becoming the first Indian shipyard to have exported a warship, way back in 2015, when the ship was commissioned.

Since its inception as a DPSU in 1960, GRSE has built 788 platforms which include 107 warships to Maritime forces, which is the highest number of warships built and delivered by any shipyard in the country, till date.

GRSE has the capability to construct 20 ships concurrently, using its modernized infrastructure and ‘Modular Integrated Construction Philosophy’. GRSE also has a dedicated Ship Repair facility, which is fully geared to undertake refits of ships. Apart from shipbuilding & ship repairs, GRSE has diversified into Engineering Business, with a product profile of Pre-fabricated Steel Bridges, various Deck Machinery Items such as Anchor Capstans, Boat Davits, Pumps etc & Assembly/ Testing/ Overhauling of MTU Diesel Engines.

===============================================

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1361552000786206722

 

[Nilgiri]

Uttarakhand tragedy: 136 missing to be declared dead | Dehradun News - The Times of India

Over a fortnight after the devastating flash floods of February 7, the Uttarakhand government has initiated the process of declaring 136 people missin

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

68 bodies were recovered so far, 136 missing to be declared dead. It likely takes total final death toll to 204.

Very sad, my deepest condolences to all their loved ones. ... RIP, Om Shanti.

 

[Ryder]

Rest in peace

Natural disasters are tragedies that we cant avoid unfortunately we can minimise the casualties but a lot of the times its out of our control.

 

[Nilgiri]

With the Shekhar gupta analysis vids in general, I tend to agree/strongly agree with a lot/most of what he says (though I sometimes staunchly disagree with certain parts or even whole premises too, but that is only natural with any other person in the world).

But it is rare I strongly agree 100% (with him or anyone else more generally).

Here is recent example of one where I do (and pretty much word for word too):

Would like to hear any and all interested members comments on it.

In my case, I got a pretty strong sniff that something was wrong with these spate of arrests/detentions lately from what I saw of them in the news headlines in cursory way (in my limited browsing time).

But I didn't understand (till this video) just how bad the problem is and where exactly the core of it has developed and is metastasizing.

To me there needs to be some way to hold police and lower court judges to account (and anyone else involved where evidence is produced) when they have clearly violated the law and legal procedures themselves.

Those indulging in Bad faith and/or criminal application here (most ironically in a system supposed to combat crime and deliver justice) need to be made examples of and punished suitably. There is no other way.

Maybe @Saiyan0321 , joe or another can explain how that even works (or is supposed to work) under current framework (or if the framework itself needs reforming with ample due deference to the challenge presented by the level of corrupted reality.... and how that might look like if so)...as I am not well versed in that w.r.t the region (which I expect it to hold true for at broad level) especially.

It is important that enough laypeople are made aware of and approach such things with "if Shoe was on the other foot" principle as far as possible...as this is most directly accessible/explainable to most regular folks IMO (having argued with/debated an increasing number over the years...and being a regular joe myself who's opinions and positions have been influenced or even changed by such strong potent higher principle).

You cannot just do "Chalta hai" approach in these matters (of highest fundamental first principle investing core basic rights at the individual level), especially when its politically convenient (as though this is any kind of argument over a basic principle).

You also cannot complain when it is done to your side (or has been done to your side before) and is/was wrong just by politically inconvenience.

It is indeed the open road (if left unchecked and not countered long enough) to majoritarian mobs, extreme collectivist authoritarianism from that and then ultimately totalitarian evil.

I understand even more now so now what @Joe Shearer valid concerns are about there being a slow coup taking shape.

@VCheng @Jackdaws


=======================================
Even more thug-babus coming up (I do thank Mr. Gupta/print for taking these developments head on and concisely for folks like me with limited time):

Worldwide (IMO) people are (relatively) getting increasingly attracted to the wielding of a stick and seeing the stick in action....rather than recognising the sanctity of the larger principle of what exactly is being beaten upon...and how it may one day be their turn by the established precedence set.

It is quite alarming to me that seemingly more than ever before that frustration, anger, apathy are all being manipulated and misdirected to get a small emotional rush....with no basic thinking to the long term dependency and what an overdose would do.

This is why again I feel all opposition forces (of whatever stripe) to creeping authoritarianism (of whatever stripe) must as far as possible use the honed "if the shoe were on the other foot" argument first...rather than spread too thinly trying to counter everything weakly and predictably.

I feel (from personal experience, sure tells you who is a friend and who isn't more than anything else) it will be this subconsciously nuanced but focused harnessing of "do onto others as you would want them to do to you" is what will determine the long term contours of civilised, rational existence.

What is it that nearly all humans know deep down as right over wrong....no matter how different we all are and disagree on so much.... Surely that will always be there?

 

[Joe Shearer]

With the Shekhar gupta analysis vids in general, I tend to agree/strongly agree with a lot/most of what he says (though I sometimes staunchly disagree with certain parts or even whole premises too, but that is only natural with any other person in the world).

But it is rare I strongly agree 100% (with him or anyone else more generally).

Here is recent example of one where I do (and pretty much word for word too):

Would like to hear any and all interested members comments on it.

In my case, I got a pretty strong sniff that something was wrong with these spate of arrests/detentions lately from what I saw of them in the news headlines in cursory way (in my limited browsing time).

But I didn't understand (till this video) just how bad the problem is and where exactly the core of it has developed and is metastasizing.

To me there needs to be some way to hold police and lower court judges to account (and anyone else involved where evidence is produced) when they have clearly violated the law and legal procedures themselves.

Those indulging in Bad faith and/or criminal application here (most ironically in a system supposed to combat crime and deliver justice) need to be made examples of and punished suitably. There is no other way.

Maybe @Saiyan0321 , joe or another can explain how that even works (or is supposed to work) under current framework (or if the framework itself needs reforming with ample due deference to the challenge presented by the level of corrupted reality.... and how that might look like if so)...as I am not well versed in that w.r.t the region (which I expect it to hold true for at broad level) especially.

It is important that enough laypeople are made aware of and approach such things with "if Shoe was on the other foot" principle as far as possible...as this is most directly accessible/explainable to most regular folks IMO (having argued with/debated an increasing number over the years...and being a regular joe myself who's opinions and positions have been influenced or even changed by such strong potent higher principle).

You cannot just do "Chalta hai" approach in these matters (of highest fundamental first principle investing core basic rights at the individual level), especially when its politically convenient (as though this is any kind of argument over a basic principle).

You also cannot complain when it is done to your side (or has been done to your side before) and is/was wrong just by politically inconvenience.

It is indeed the open road (if left unchecked and not countered long enough) to majoritarian mobs, extreme collectivist authoritarianism from that and then ultimately totalitarian evil.

I understand even more now so now what @Joe Shearer valid concerns are about there being a slow coup taking shape.

@VCheng @Jackdaws


=======================================
Even more thug-babus coming up (I do thank Mr. Gupta/print for taking these developments head on and concisely for folks like me with limited time):

Worldwide (IMO) people are (relatively) getting increasingly attracted to the wielding of a stick and seeing the stick in action....rather than recognising the sanctity of the larger principle of what exactly is being beaten upon...and how it may one day be their turn by the established precedence set.

It is quite alarming to me that seemingly more than ever before that frustration, anger, apathy are all being manipulated and misdirected to get a small emotional rush....with no basic thinking to the long term dependency and what an overdose would do.

This is why again I feel all opposition forces (of whatever stripe) to creeping authoritarianism (of whatever stripe) must as far as possible use the honed "if the shoe were on the other foot" argument first...rather than spread too thinly trying to counter everything weakly and predictably.

I feel (from personal experience, sure tells you who is a friend and who isn't more than anything else) it will be this subconsciously nuanced but focused harnessing of "do onto others as you would want them to do to you" is what will determine the long term contours of civilised, rational existence.

What is it that nearly all humans know deep down as right over wrong....no matter how different we all are and disagree on so much.... Surely that will always be there?

It was clear that the system was broken. I am glad that Shekhar Gupta put it out in readable English and enabled it to be given wide publicity.

 

[Zapper]

File photo of a Su-30MKI | AP


In its outreach towards the strategically located Persian Gulf region, India is making its maiden entry into a multilateral air combat exercise in the United Arab Emirates.
Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force, from March 3-27 at Al-Dhafra airbase, UAE. This year, the IAF is participating with its six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 Globemaster III and one IL-78 tanker aircraft.
"The Indian Air Force is participating for the first time in Exercise Desert Flag-VI along with air forces of United Arab Emirates, United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain," said an IAF officer, who added that ten countries are taking part in the wargames.
The IAF's participation is an indicator of India's growing military ties with the Arab world. In December, last year, General M.M. Naravane had visited UAE and Saudi Arabia. It was the first-ever visit by an Indian army chief to Gulf nations.
Besides, UAE and Saudi Arabia have shown interest in India's Akash air defence missiles systems and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and New Delhi is seriously considering the proposal.
An IAF official said that while C-17 Globemaster will provide support for induction/ de-induction of the IAF contingent, Su-30 MKI aircraft will undertake long-range ferry, routing directly from India to the exercise area with aerial refuelling support from IL-78 tanker aircraft.
"The aim of the exercise is to provide operational exposure to the participating forces while training them to undertake simulated air combat operations in a controlled environment," the officer said while adding that the participating forces will get an opportunity to enhance their operational capabilities along with the mutual exchange of best practices.
Incidentally, UAE's Al- Dhafra airbase had provided fuel support to the first five Rafale jets of IAF, during their 7000 km long journey to India from France.
IAF maintained that the large-scale exercise involving diverse fighter aircraft from across the globe will provide the participating forces, including IAF, a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, experience, enhance operational capabilities and interoperability.
"Exercising and interaction with the participating nations in a dynamic and realistic warfare environment will also contribute to strengthening international relations," an IAF officer said.
After taking part in the US military's "Red Flag in 2016, Israel's "Blue Flag" in 2017 and "Pitch Black" of Australia in 2018, Ex-Desert Flag will be IAF's fourth multi-lateral wargames. Over the last decade, IAF has regularly hosted and participated in multi-national operational exercises, wherein collaborative engagements are undertaken amongst the best air forces of the world.

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2...ilateral-wargames-in-persian-gulf-region.html

 

[Zapper]

The Indian contingent

 

[Zapper]

6 Su-30 MKI's, 1 IL-78 tanker and 2 C-17s to participate in Exercise Desert Flag

 

[Nilgiri]

Also opened here:

IAF set for first-ever drill in strategic Persian Gulf region

(I post in this section because UAE is hosting the multi-nation exercise) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/iaf-set-for-first-ever-drill-in-strategic-persian-gulf-region/articleshow/81284925.cms NEW DELHI: In the first such endeavour in the strategically-located Persian Gulf region...

defencehub.live

 

[Raptor]

India Signs 1st Export Deal For BrahMos Cruise Missiles With The Philippines – Reports​

ByAakriti Sharma
March 3, 2021
The Philippines will be the first country to receive the Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile, considered the world’s fastest supersonic missile.
The two countries have signed an agreement for a potential supply of the weapon, which would boost the Philippines’ coastal defense, according to reports.

Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic (faster than the speed of sound) missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, fighter jets, or land.
The Straits Times has reported that Philippine Defence Undersecretary Raymund Elefante and Indian Ambassador Shambu Kumaran on Tuesday signed an implementing agreement at Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Asian country will be procuring defense material and equipment from India.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was quoted by The Straits Times as saying: “We are buying the BrahMos missiles”. He did not reveal any further details of the procurement.
The agreement has been described by the defense secretary as a guide for the Philippines and India on “policies and procedures in the defense procurement” and will also serve as a “legal framework for the procurement under the government-to-government modality”.
Ambassador Kumaran and BrahMos Aerospace chief executive and managing director Sudhir Mishra had met the Philippine Army and Philippine Marines officials on separate occasions in January this year.
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is a product of a consortium of Indian and Russian industries. They have been designed, developed, and produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by India’s state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia.
The name BrahMos represents “the fury” of India’s Brahmaputra river and “the grace” of the Russian river Moskva.


The earliest versions of the supersonic cruise missiles have been in service with the Indian Navy and the Indian Army since 2005 and 2007 respectively. Known as the stand-off range weapons, these types of the missile are fired from a range sufficient to allow the attacker to evade defensive fire from the adversary.
Last year, India had tested an extended range of around 400 kilometers, as compared to its initial range of 290 kilometers, with more versions of higher ranges above 1,000 kilometers currently under development.
Since the missile system can be used as both coastal defense and ground attack, it would provide the Philippine military firepower in the face of threats from Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has been at the receiving end of China’s expansionist plans in the South China Sea. It has recently expressed concerns over China’s new Coast Guard law, which allows the Chinese agency to open fire at foreign vessels at the slightest suspicion.
The latest agreement on the BrahMos missile marks the strengthening of strategic ties between India and the Philippines under the Modi government’s Act East Policy. Don McLain Gill, an international affairs researcher, has suggested Manila may use this partnership to get out of China’s increasing influence in the region.


“China has significantly increased its military capabilities and coercive measures in Southeast Asia, particularly in the disputed South China Sea where Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines also have territorial claims.
China’s expansive claims coupled with its growing assertion and disdain for a rules-based order leave little room for negotiation between it and the other claimants,” he writes for Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
At the same time, the current deal marks India’s increasing defense footprint in the Indo-Pacific. New Delhi had earlier extended a $100-million defense-related line of credit to Manila. The Economic Times has reported that the arrangement was concluded following a foreign ministers-level meet in November 2020.
The two sides had agreed to implement the arrangement through “military training and education, capacity building, regular goodwill visits and procurement of defense equipment”.
The strategic ties have been growing since 2018 when a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on defense and logistics was signed. Another MoU on sharing white shipping information—non-military/non-government shipping vessel information—was inked in 2020.

 

[Zapper]

https://eurasiantimes.com/india-sig...irYn4iIjDgx1KQx7pXHYy91H-1BJq_AZUCxIIUVvtJUjt

 

[Zapper]

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/s...-india-for-worlds-fastest-supersonic-missiles

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplu...dia-for-world039s-fastest-supersonic-missiles

@Paro @Milspec @Gautam @Nilgiri @crixus @Jackdaws @Raptor @SHOX @Cobra Arbok @Indos

 

[Zapper]

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/philippines-india-line-up-brahmos-deal

 

[kaykay]

Great. This was long due...hope Vietnam and others will join the party as well.

 

[Paro]

@Nilgiri and other mods. Not getting notifications when being tagged on new threads. By fluke im running into them.

 

[Paro]

Its a start. In a decade India will be exporting a large number of Radars & SAM systems. Drdo just reached a mature stage in rocket systems I believe.

 

[Nilgiri]

Map Graphics found at the link

Agalega: A glimpse of India’s remote island military base

Satellite imagery reveals the transformation of an Indian Ocean island into a strategic outpost. Many questions remain.

www.lowyinstitute.org

SAMUEL BASHFIELD

Satellite imagery reveals the transformation of an Indian
Ocean island into a strategic outpost. Many questions remain.

The small, remote Mauritian island of North Agalega, located in the south-western Indian Ocean, 1,122 kilometres north of Mauritius, is currently a hive of construction activity. India sought access to the islands in 2015 to develop as an air and naval staging point for surveillance of the south-west Indian Ocean – in a sense redolent of facilities other nations operate, such as the joint US-UK base at Diego Garcia.

Satellite imagery shows major airfield and port developments are well underway, reportedly worth some US$87 million. Comparing the most recent images from Google Earth to the same location as seen in 2014 shows a new 3000-metre runway – capable of hosting the Indian Navy’s new Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft – and considerable apron overshadows the existing airfield in the middle of the island.

India regards the new base to be essential for facilitating both air and surface maritime patrols in the south-west Indian Ocean, and as an intelligence outpost. This recent satellite imagery now indicates the scale and capabilities of this new facility. The project entails a new airport, port and logistics and communication facilities and – potentially – “any other facility related to the project”. So far, project details have been tightly held by both India and Mauritius.

The imagery shows what looks like barracks and fields which could be used as parade grounds or sporting facilities located near the north end of the runway. These images do not readily show evidence of fuel storage facilities, or communications and intelligence installations – such as radomes. Such equipment and facilities are expected to be visible in future imagery.

North Agalega Island is some 12 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide, with a total population of less than 300 people. Until recently, it was virtually cut off from the world, with a rudimentary jetty and a small airfield barely fit for light aircraft.

The island is a former slave plantation, and the name of its main town of Vingt Cinq (twenty five in French) is thought to refer to the number of lashes slaves would receive as punishment.

The jetty and port facilities India is constructing are also noteworthy. A port is being constructed at the north end of the island (which now includes accommodation for up to 430 Indian workers and it is assumed that these buildings will be retained and repurposed once construction concludes). The latest images show the original jetty in addition to the considerable port development (two longer jetties) stretching closer to the deep water.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated the agreement with Mauritius inked in 2015 would “go a long way in ameliorating the conditions of the inhabitants of this remote island” – while also enabling Mauritian Defence Force operations. India had also hoped for a similar arrangement in the Seychelles.

This development is a manifestation of Modi’s 2016 vision for the Indian Ocean, articulated as Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Under SAGAR, New Delhi aims to work together with Indian Ocean regional governments to “engineer virtuous cycles of cooperation”.

But more importantly, this facility in Mauritius will provide an important staging point for India’s new P8I fleet, which recently conducted its first joint patrol with France from nearby Réunion. This was followed by India signing an agreement with Japan which provides India access naval facilities at Djibouti. Agalega will also facilitate maritime patrols over the Mozambique Channel – now a popular passage for large commercial ships, particularly oil tankers. The staging point will also allow the Indian Navy to observe shipping routes around southern Africa, which now account for a significant portion of China’s energy imports.

The island will presumably also provide a useful location for communications and electronic intelligence facilities.

Map reproduced with the permission of CartoGIS Services, Scholarly Information Services, The Australian National University

India has long had a close security relationship with Mauritius, anchoring its prominent role in the south-west Indian Ocean. The relationship is bolstered by ethnic ties and a shared Hindu religion with many Mauritians. This has led commentators to describe Mauritius as the “Little India” of the south-west Indian Ocean – evidenced in part by Indian funding of major infrastructure projects, and provision of lines of credit. Indian officials also occupying some key security positions in the Mauritian government, including the roles of National Security Advisor and head of the Mauritius Coast Guard.

This base on Agalega will cement India’s presence in the south-west Indian Ocean and facilitate its power projection aspirations in this region.
In recent years, India has sought to further develop its military access to the south-west Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel by building a new naval and air facility on Seychelles’ remote Assumption Island. In 2015, Modi signed an agreement with the Seychelles President to develop Assumption Island for military use. But the deal generated considerable political opposition in the Seychelles. A revised deal was signed in 2018, but the recently elected Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan has canned the project over sovereignty and environmental concerns. These developments will only bolster India’s resolve to militarise Agalega.

Parallels with the Chagossian experience – a people forcibly removed from the Chagos Archipelago in the early 1970s to make way for the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia – sound alarms for ethnic Creole Agaléens and their supporters.

As the Chagos example tragically demonstrated, in the eyes of some military planners, “islanders and a base would not mix”. How Mauritius manages the construction and eventual Indian military use of Agalega will have immense consequences for the Agaléens.

This base on Agalega will cement India’s presence in the south-west Indian Ocean and facilitate its power projection aspirations in this region. As new imagery of Agalega is publicly released in the coming months the full scale and capabilities of this facility will be better understood.


This article is part of a two-year project being undertaken by the ANU National Security College on the Indian Ocean, with the support of the Australian Department of Defence.

@AlphaMike @anmdt @Vergennes @Kartal1 @Paro et al.