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Nilgiri

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IMHO India getting an exception for CAATSA law is a heaven-sent gift for TR. I hope it passes in congress(which is likely IMO) It will show the US hypocrisy at the highest international level. It will show that the US can't enforce its laws and TR has every right to blame the US. It will show that the US become a plaything of various lobbies. It will also show that the real reason behind Turkish CAATSA sanctions is not the procurement of S-400. We will put it on the table whenever we see an American official. The prestige and reliability of the US are getting big hits and I don't think the US will defend Taiwan when push comes to shove. The US guaranteed the territorial integrity of Ukraine under the condition that Ukrain will return Soviet-era nukes to Russia. That didn't end well for Ukraine. The US ran away from Afghanistan after leaving the country in ruins. The US lost Iraq to Iran, Syria to Iran and Russia, half of Libya to Russia. Well, I see a pattern here.

TR being in NATO and getting S-400 also helped India make its case earlier too in certain meetings with US (given the length of time S-400 plan had been around with Russia before for India).

It helped nip the F-35 import lobby within us in the bud too pretty effectively....AMCA is only way to go for us.

TR and IND can help each other out geopolitically without direct consultation....funny thing isn't it.

Anyway US knows India has plenty of options in status quo....it is up to them where they want to take the IND relationship overall. Maintain altitude or increase it....up to them.
 

Ryder

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India will keep Usa at an arms length thats for sure.

General consensus is to contain China I think India in general has a few trump cards and can they largely hold on themselves rather than being completely dependant.

USA will also come with strings attached. If the usa is like look we made you not get sanctioned but due to this you owe us something in return.

India has a strong non aligned foreign policy and has been like this for decades. Even if it has changed to contain China I dont see India going full on into the USA camp as they have their own ambitions and their own interests. Its defence industry is already growing so in the long term it wants to dictate its own terms.

If you want to be seen as a equal player in this game of geopolitics you have to have a say.
 

xizhimen

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IMHO India getting an exception for CAATSA law is a heaven-sent gift for TR. I hope it passes in congress(which is likely IMO) It will show the US hypocrisy at the highest international level. It will show that the US can't enforce its laws and TR has every right to blame the US. It will show that the US become a plaything of various lobbies. It will also show that the real reason behind Turkish CAATSA sanctions is not the procurement of S-400. We will put it on the table whenever we see an American official. The prestige and reliability of the US are getting big hits and I don't think the US will defend Taiwan when push comes to shove. The US guaranteed the territorial integrity of Ukraine under the condition that Ukrain will return Soviet-era nukes to Russia. That didn't end well for Ukraine. The US ran away from Afghanistan after leaving the country in ruins. The US lost Iraq to Iran, Syria to Iran and Russia, half of Libya to Russia. Well, I see a pattern here.
Always got a feeling that US and its European allies never consider Turkey being one of them as an ally, they are just using Turkey as a buffer and a bargaining chip, they will sell Turkey down the river in a heartbeat if need be.
 

Jackdaws

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Is modi corrupt like our president?
I don't know how your President is corrupt. But more than financial corruption, Modi has been corrupting institutions that make a democracy a free and fair nation. Not that previous Govts have not done so, it's the degree to which Modi does it that is staggering.
 

Joe Shearer

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(this is an op-ed published by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), written by Senior Analyst Malcolm Davis)
NOTE: This article was published in the aftermath of the first 'Virtual' summit held earlier this year in March, not the in-person summit last month. What the author laments as a 'Missed Opportunity' later ended up being included in the agenda after all, something that I'll go over in future posts in this thread...

The QUAD Must Go To Space
7 Apr 2021|Malcolm Davis

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A historic first meeting of the leaders of the countries of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue took place last month, albeit via video link, when Prime Minister Scott Morrison, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks. On the agenda were a range of security issues, including how best to respond to an assertive China, the need to work together on responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and the necessity of coordinated responses to the long-term challenge posed by climate change.

One item that should have been on the agenda is closer cooperation on space policy. It was a missed opportunity, given that all four countries are space powers and have a mutual interest in security and stability in the space domain. So, what should the Quad states do in space?

  • First, the Quad states should support the UK-sponsored resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 7 December. Resolution 75/36 seeks to establish new ‘norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours that reduce the ‘risks of misunderstanding and miscalculations with respect to outer space’.

There are no guarantees that greater effort in elucidating ‘norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour’ will lead to new legal and regulatory arrangements that all states will follow. China and Russia are moving rapidly to develop a full suite of counter-space capabilities, and India tested an anti-satellite weapon, or ASAT, in 2019. So, there’s a challenge here given that Western democracies are concerned about the threat from adversaries developing ASATs but are seeking to cooperate with India when it’s doing the same thing.

  • The best response to the ASAT threat is to strengthen international cooperation to place diplomatic pressure on Beijing and Moscow, and work with New Delhi to find alternative approaches to space security while strengthening credible deterrence in space. The enhanced legal frameworks that resolution 75/36 could bring about are just such an outcome. Quad members should support 75/36 and work together to strengthen the legal basis for space diplomacy and regulatory structures that reduce the risk of misunderstanding and constrain opportunities for malicious activity in space.*

  • Second, efforts towards more effective norms of behaviour must be integrated with greater space resilience in the face of emerging threats. Resilience will reinforce deterrence in space, which will make the use of ASATs less likely. This effort must be led with greater cooperation on developing exquisite space domain awareness, or SDA, which seeks awareness of activities in space by states and non-state actors, such as commercial companies, to reduce the risk of misunderstandings, while strengthening attribution and denying anonymity to actors that are behaving irresponsibly. SDA will enhance our ability to manage an increasingly congested and contested space domain.

Australia’s efforts are already well known, with cooperation between Australia and the US focused on the establishment of a C-band radar and an optical space surveillance telescope at Exmouth in Western Australia under Project AIR 3029 Phase 2. Defence project JP 9360 is set to expand that capability, and there are information-sharing arrangements through the 2014 Combined Space Operations (CSpO) initiative that includes the Five Eyes, as well as France and Germany.

Achieving exquisite SDA—an ability to clearly see activities in space, from low-earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous orbit (GEO), on a 24/7 basis—demands technical capabilities such as networks of ground- and space-based space situational awareness sensors. Data from these sensor networks would be integrated in places such as the Australian Space Operations Centre, or AUSSpOC, which sits at the Australian Defence Force’s Headquarters Joint Operations Command.

A step forward for the Quad in space would be to bring India and Japan into the CSpO initiative**, in the same way that France and Germany are members, even though they’re not Five Eyes countries. Such a move would enable greater information-sharing and strengthen Quad members’ space cooperation with Canada, New Zealand, the UK, France and Germany.


Resilience as a means to strengthen credible space deterrence isn’t just about achieving exquisite SDA. The Quad’s cooperation in space should also focus on developing resilient space architectures that embrace greater use of low-cost small satellites to spread space support across disaggregated constellations. That should be complemented by greater government support for the establishment of low-cost, responsive sovereign space-launch capabilities. Launch centres in Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory and at Whaler’s Way in South Australia would be well positioned to support the space-launch needs of Quad members. Nhulunbuy, for example, is close to the equator and thus able to offer lower cost per kilogram into orbit than other launch sites.***

Finally, looking beyond the immediate ‘LEO to GEO’ near-earth environment, there are opportunities for Quad members to work together on the next great milestone in human space exploration—the return to the moon as a step towards eventual human missions to Mars. Australia already supports NASA’s Project Artemis, which aims to return US astronauts to the moon in this decade, and Japan also has agreed to participate, notably with provision of a module to the Gateway lunar-orbit platform.

Associated with the return to the moon, the Artemis Accords have been established to promote more responsible behaviour in space, and they reinforce the centrality of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. India should sign the Artemis Accords as a first step and then work with Australia, Japan and the US to develop a more ambitious program of lunar exploration.****

The Australian Space Agency’s ‘Moon to Mars’ initiative promotes opportunities for Australia’s commercial space sector to directly support Project Artemis. It’s time to expand these efforts by considering how Australia, Japan, India and the US can engage in closer cooperation on and around the moon. Establishing a regular dialogue on space cooperation would chart a path for the Quad to the moon, Mars and beyond in coming decades.


++++​

All in all, a pretty thorough presentation of an Australian perspective on the QUAD's prospects in Space cooperation. Since the March meeting, and following the September in-person summit in Washington, several things have been moving. I will post other articles (along with my observations/commentary) regarding them later on. For now, some comments on the particular topics I've marked with '*'s:

* I tend to agree. Whatever India had to demonstrate in an undeniable way, such as the ability to accurately locate & track objects in Low Earth Orbit moving at a relative speed of approximately 10 km/s (about ~30 Mach). the ability to build a Direct-Ascent missile system capable of reaching the desired altitudes (test was at roughly ~300km altitude, though the missile is theoretically capable of up to ~1,000km altitude) at the desired speeds, the ability to develop a Kinetic Kill Vehicle (KKV) for a hit-to-kill interception, or the ability to develop a IR guidance, course-correction & software system that can guide said KKV on to a blindingly fast-moving target - India has already done so with the 2019 test. No potential adversary like China can afford to not take this into account when coming up with their postures & plans toward Indian assets in space.

I would argue that any further kinetic testing of ASAT weapons on our part is no longer necessary. Any further tests that seek to validate new technologies (such as a Multi-Kill Vehicle rumored to be in development by DRDO) can be done so using Point-In-Space testing like what Russia does, where simulated targets are hit instead of real ones. Four countries (USSR/Russia, US, China & India) have already conducted kinetic destruction of orbiting satellites - and that is already 4 countries too many. The risk of debris posing serious threats to space assets is indeed high and must not be exacerbated to the maximum extent possible.

** Exactly that has happened (at least with regard to India) following the Modi-Biden bilateral meeting in September. The Bangalore-based NEtwork for space object TRacking & Analysis (NETRA) of India's ISRO signed an MoU with the USSPACECOM-led Combined Space Operations Centre (CSPoC), based out of Vandenberg Space Force Base, toward sharing of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data against both natural & man-made threats to assets in space.


It's not known whether India's nascent Defence Space Agency (DSA) will seek to become a full member of the CSPoC initiative at a later stage, however, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Bipin Rawat, the head of India's Armed Forces recently visited the Peterson Space Force Base at the invitation of the Joint Chiefs, signaling a likely increased military cooperation in the space domain at the highest levels of command:


*** I wonder if, given the extreme degree of modularity & cost-effectiveness of India's upcoming SSLV solid-fuel rocket, perhaps an arrangement could be made to build/position some of these rockets (in 'knock-down' kits, shipped to NT) at the Arnhem Space Centre at Nhulunbuy, Australia - in order to get a nice boost to the payload capacity, and perhaps sell some to the Aussies to kick-start their independent launch capability :)

**** I second that notion. Given ISRO's inherent inefficiencies as a State-run company & the nascent stage of India's Private-sector industry, co-op via Artemis Accords may be beneficial in short term - however, going our own way MAY reap greater benefits in the long term. But will require SERIOUS investment toward the 'colonization' of space on the part of the Indian Government, something which may not be done at least before 2040.

Either way, here's a very good piece written by Chaitanya Giri, Fellow for Space & Ocean Studies Program at the Gateway House:


To sign off, a pretty good video on the potential future of Lunar colonization by the major powers:

ISRO's inherent inefficiencies as a state-run company? Now I've heard everything.
 

Gessler

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I don't know how your President is corrupt. But more than financial corruption, Modi has been corrupting institutions that make a democracy a free and fair nation. Not that previous Govts have not done so, it's the degree to which Modi does it that is staggering.

May be the wrong thread to discuss this but I will say this about Indian politics...every Govt seeks to bend the institutions to their will to a degree that is proportional to their strength in the ruling coalition. Modi's NDA is just the strongest, heck they don't even need a coalition to run the Govt, BJP alone has all the necessary numbers. A Govt like previous UPA which is dependent on coalition partners' support cannot act as freely as BJP can, limiting their ability to work around the institutions - and certainly not for lack of trying. But then again, a coalition govt as such will have limited power to push major necessary reforms as well - like Privatization, which BJP is able to do. So benefits are also there.

That said, the nation's institutions aren't exactly pillars of efficiency or law & order. The institutions (read: bureaucrats) themselves are mostly corrupt to the core, barring a few bright individuals.
 
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Jackdaws

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May be the wrong thread to discuss this but I will say this about Indian politics...every Govt seeks to bend the institutions to their will to a degree that is proportional to their strength in the ruling coalition. Modi's NDA is just the strongest, heck they don't even need a coalition to run the Govt, BJP alone has all the necessary numbers. A Govt like previous UPA which is dependent on coalition partners' support cannot act as freely as BJP can, limiting their ability to work around the institutions - and certainly not for lack of trying. But then again, a coalition govt as such will have limited power to push major necessary reforms as well - like Privatization, which BJP is able to do. So benefits are also there.

That said, the nation's institutions aren't exactly pillars of efficiency or law & order. The institutions themselves are mostly corrupt to the core, barring a few bright individuals.

True. If I remember correctly Congress had 200+ seats individually in UPA 2 so it's not as if their Govt. was ever threatened. But yes, not in 3.5 decades has a Govt. had absolute majority. So you are right about that.
 

SavageKing456

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I think it would be better if we remove democracy as a whole,Indians can do better without democracy and we flourish it with indian culture,I don't think democracy suits us.
 

Gessler

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Cross-posting from a discussion I had with someone regarding this topic on another website:

Their point of view:

India lost on the gas fields as china assiduously wooed enough folks on the council of guardians or the ayatollahs and also the political top brass...

Farzad B was the canary in the coal mine (given Iran's increasingly usurious demands tailored to boot India out) and now chabahar is close to gone too..

for me the Abraham accords frankly formalise the already extensive informal links that Bahrain, UAE and Oman had with Israel (not to mention the wide underground connections the Saudis have). Along with Morocco, Egypt, Sudan (pre-coup)...that merely gives a formal/semi-formal stamp to what was mostly geo-political reality since years now....

On 2 counts I think these accords might turn out to be a kinda damp squib (Gessler, please do point out where my assumptions could be wrong)

1. Economic aspect: Barring oil/gas and may be ammonia/hydrogen in the future, the economic contribution by these arab states could be frankly limited..history also bears witness to this and is not very encouraging either...

2. military aspect: For the most part I am inclined to think even including the reasonably capable egyptian forces, middle eastern armed forces are of 'limited use' in a real conflict (to be charitable)...how the dice will fall will depend greatly on if the US is willing to 'walk the talk'...if I was a betting man, I would wager the US will not 'walk'

the abraham accord will certainly help Israel sell stuff and may be the larger arab states economically in a more limited way, the larger geo-political aspects are going to be a let down i feel. we are dealing with a region that has not credibly won a war against any enemy since 1683 (and even before..the last proper victories came during Suleiman the great)

China has built extensive freight train corridors till London literally in one unbroken line from Yiwu on the eastern coast to Urumqi in Xinjiang through Kazakhstan to Turkey to Prague till London. If China can stay on as the biggest gas, gypsum, ammonia and hydrogen importer from the middle east then the 'mid-east' quad dynamics are unlikely to materialise.


Iran has also been linked to the 'rail silk road' already through Mashad-Tehran-Ankara leg. Iran views India as being in the 'US camp' and won't help barring cash sales on oil and gas I assume.

best not to keep high hopes on this 'mid east quad'....

PS: Given most chinese investments have not gone well such as CPEC or the infra deals in the horn of africa....it needs to be seen how the next chinese gambit unfolds...

My response:

"There is merit to your arguments, though I will make the following observations:

1) The Economic impact of the 'Mid-East Quad' would be felt in the way as put by Jyoti Malhotra in The Print article. Broadly speaking: Israeli tech and R&D (in several critical fields from energy, agriculture to AI), GCC capital investment, Indian market scale plus US investment & strategic heft.

The parties will have to play to each's own strengths. What you said about GCC's contribution being minimal beyond Energy is true, but then again that's what is spurring their willingness to invest considerable amounts into a world not as dependent on fossil fuels as it is today. There's also the fact that they are relatively small populations and don't need to consume much for themselves, so they'll remain an energy exporter (in one form or the other) for the foreseeable future, never really a consumption-driven market economy. Same is more or less true for Israel as well (though their exports are different).

That's where India comes in.

2) Well I don't think there IS any military aspect to it, at least not yet. Even if there would be, the US, Israel & perhaps in future India would be the 'fighting arms', not the GCC with their, dare I say, half-baked conscripts imported from Africa, Bangladesh & elsewhere with no loyalty or will to fight & die for their country because, well, it's not their country.

That said, they might not really need to. The GCC (and Israel) face existential military threats from only two possible parties: Iran & Turkey. With US support, neither is really a problem...as of whether US will continue to provide support, well...

On the one hand, you can make the argument that with deals like AUKUS, the complete reorganization of the Marine Corps (read; Force Design 2030), QUAD etc, the US is now fully back in the game of 'Containment'. On the other hand, you can make the argument that US is now fully shifting its strategic focus to the Pacific where the real threat to US hegemony lies. And rightfully so.

However, I'm of the opinion that sooner or later, the 'Containment' strategy WILL move Westward. The First & Second Island Chains & the critical chokepoints at the straits connecting the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, and China's inability to control them are the reason for BRI/Silk Road's existence.

As the noose begins to tighten around the maritime networks that govern the vast majority of China's trade (and by that I mean the reinforcing of American/Allied control of the routes), the CCP will find itself with two options:

  1. Starting a War in the Pacific with the intention of creating an end-state that is more favorable to Chinese interests OR
  2. A major push for overland trade unlike any we've seen before. And that will include new or renewed Alliances between China and several regional powers (Iran, maybe Turkey, and of course Pakistan).

If it's gonna be a war in the Pacific, it's gonna be a war. But if China instead decides to look West, so will the 'Allies'. For example, the original Cold War's premise was simple: Don't let the Soviets invade Europe. But it didn't take long before the strategy evolved into the 'containment of Communism' (another way of saying containment of Soviet political & military influence) everywhere from the Middle East & Afghanistan to Korea & Vietnam.

And in a globalized world of interconnected economies & trade, I'd venture to say this region-specific focus isn't going to last. Do keep in mind that the widening of the focus area need not necessarily include military means. That said, the US probably has no plans of giving up its substantial presence in the GCC as a bulwark against Iran.

+++

On that note, I'm also interested in imagining what kind of role India would probably play in the Middle East by the 2030-2040 time period - as the world's No.3 economy with an annual defence spending probably above $150 billion, plus with a substantial Naval power (both surface & sub-surface), India COULD be in a position to project serious power in the region in support of critical trade & strategic partners like UAE & Israel. Possibly in collaboration with the US & UK, both of which have similar interests to that end.

Due to the large Indian expatriate population in the UAE (about a third of the total population, 40% of which are white-collar professionals), it's certainly closer to home and in having an active interest in the region's stability. The video shared by Arpit Kanodia above** is good perspective on the matter.

** The video, watch from 4:20 for the relevant part:


++++

On to the matter of China's BRI/Silk Road...I have to wonder the viability of these projects long term. Going through mountainous terrains of politically & socially unstable/volatile countries, I'd like to see which way the pendulum swings...between increasing economic unviability on one side (compared to trade over sea routes + over land of relatively stable countries with flat geographies like GCC) & debt-trap economics on the other.

A nice topographical map that illustrates the geography point:"

middle-east-3d-render-topographic-map-color-frank-ramspott.jpg
 

Nilgiri

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The United States on Wednesday became the 101st member country of the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA), as US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry signed the ISA framework agreement to catalyse global energy transition through a solar-led approach.

Kerry described the US membership as a major step towards the rapid deployment of solar power, as he formally signed the framework agreement at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.


It has long been coming, and we are happy to join the International Solar Alliance, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the lead in making, said Kerry.

We worked out the details and this is a process we are pleased to be a part of. This will be an important contribution to more rapid deployment of solar globally. It will be particularly important for developing countries, he said.

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav welcomed the US as the 101st member of the ISA.

This move will strengthen the ISA and propel future action on providing a clean source of energy to the world, said Yadav.

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@VCheng .......John Kerry still kicking around heh...
 

Nilgiri

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There has been some visits by high profile legislators from US to India recently, CAATSA+waiver was part of the discussions (indeed may have been the main objective):


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=====================================
This thread will later be archived in QUAD thread.
 

Nilgiri

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In the latest push as part of a long-running effort to build an advanced avatar of the F-16 in India, Lockheed Martin is looking to shift the manufacture of certain parts and subsystems of its Legion-ES infrared search and track (IRST) sensor system and Sniper advanced targeting pod to India, and says it is working with the Biden Administration to secure the required licenses. The announcement came at the company’s 8th annual suppliers conference in India and is the latest element in an overall ‘Make in India’ thrust that foreign vendors are looking to achieve in country.

Company representatives confirmed to Livefist that requests for quotations (RFQs) are to be sent out to prospective Indian suppliers by the end of this year. The Legion-ES (ES = embedded system) is Lockheed Martin’s latest offering in the IRST21 product line, while the Sniper is an electro-optical targeting system for precision guided weapons. Both the Legion-ES and Sniper are part of the F-21 fighter package that Lockheed-Martin has pitched to the Indian Air Force for its 114 MRFA program, which envisages a large license build venture on Indian soil. Should Lockheed Martin secure the U.S. licenses to build advanced pod parts in India, it add to a sizable list of work already outsources to Indian manufacturers and joint ventures in country.

“Our joint venture Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad established over a decade ago produces major aerostructure components for the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. This is the sole supplier of these components to Lockheed Martin and is an integral part of our global supply chain. Recently, TLMAL reached the milestone of having manufactured and delivered the 150th C-130J empennage. Our other joint venture, Tata Sikorsky Aerospace Limited (TSAL), also established over a decade ago, manufactures aerospace components for commercial helicopters & aircraft and has expanded to include aircraft engine components for aerospace industry companies as well. It is also fully integrated into the global supply chain. As of now, TSAL has delivered 157 S-92 cabins to date,” a Lockheed Martin representative said.

At present, more than 70 Indian suppliers have been integrated into Lockheed Martin’s global supply chain. The two LM joint ventures in India are fed by more than 500 suppliers, including over 140 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), allowing the two JVs to generate more than $600 million worth of exports thus far and produced over $200 million in Indian industry revenues. Lockheed Martin says it has has invested over $100 million thus far in manufacturing equipment, tooling, IP at these two JVs.

At the recently concluded Lockheed Martin suppliers conference, 135 companies of all sizes including large, MSMEs and start-ups participated and received the opportunity to showcase their company to key stakeholders from the government and industry. More than 250 delegates participated in person while more than 200 delegates participated virtually through Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers CII Hive platform.

Livefist did a walkaround on the F-21 offering with Lockheed Martin’s then leadership in 2019 when the souped up F-16 was unveiled to the Indian market:


While India’s MRFA program remains a while away, Lockheed Martin has had a substantial recent run in the country. A dozen C-130J Super Hercules tactical transports are currently in service at two Indian Air Force squadrons since deliveries began a decade ago, with a case being made for at least a dozen more to be added to the fleet. The Herc has had a typically busy time in IAF service, most recently lighting up television screens during the inauguration of a ‘road-turned-runway’ as part of the highway-airstrips project in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on site in the type:

FETVZvLVcAEnO8p-1024x748.jpg


New Lockheed Martin-built airframes are also inbound into the Indian Navy in the form of the first of 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters. The Indian Navy took delivery of the first examples at San Diego in July this year, with a third handed over in October. The aircraft are expected to begin arriving in India early 2022. The MH-60R will be a contender for the Indian Navy’s huge NMRH (naval multirole helicopter) acquisition that looks to procure 123 airframes. You can read more about that program here.

E6eYDsDUUAE3BEs-1024x548.jpg


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NEW DELHI/TOKYO: India and Japan are working on ways to release national reserves of crude oil in tandem with the United States and other major economies to dampen prices, seven government sources with knowledge of the plans told Reuters.

US President Joe Biden has asked China, India, South Korea and Japan for a coordinated oil stocks release as US gasoline prices soar and his approval ratings plummet ahead of next year's mid-term congressional elections.

The request came after the US government was unable to persuade Opec+ to pump more oil with major producers arguing the world was not short of crude.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida signalled his readiness to release stocks over the weekend.

Three government sources said on Monday they were holding consultations with the United States on the release of oil from strategic reserves.

Japan, the world's fourth-biggest oil buyer, is restricted on how it can act with its reserves - made up of both private and public stocks - which typically can only be used in times of shortage.

One Japanese source said the government was looking into releasing from the portion of the state-held stocks outside the minimum amount required as a legal workaround.

Japanese officials are also looking at private stocks that are part of the national reserve, which some advisers argue can be released without restrictions, a second source said.

Japanese oil companies' reserves have been tapped during the 1991 Gulf War and following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters.

Brent crude was down 0.7% on Monday due to impending lockdowns in Europe and plans to release oil.

Japan's oil reserve held 145 days' worth of daily petroleum consumption at the end of September, according to official data, well above the minimum 90 days required by law.

Japanese private companies including refiners hold about 175 million barrels of crude and oil products as part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), enough for around 90 days' consumption, according to state agency Jogmec, also exceeding the minimum 70 days' requirement.

India holds about 26.5 million barrels of oil in the SPR.
 

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India has put its plan to acquire 30 Predator armed drones from the US on the back burner, on account of its focus on indigenous development and manufacturing, as well as the prohibitive cost involved. HT learns that the Pentagon has been informed of the decision.

Although the Narendra Modi government on February 9 banned the import of drones, acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles for defence and security purposes are exempt, but still require special and specific clearances. “As of now, the Predator deal is off,” said a top South Block official who asked not to be named.

Spearheaded by the Indian Navy, India was planning to acquire 30 Predator armed drones for use across services (10 each for the navy, air force and army) at the cost of at least $3 billion from US-based General Atomics. The Indian Navy already has taken two surveillance Predators on lease from the US company and uses them for conducting reconnaissance of India’s maritime and land borders with China and Pakistan.

The decision to put the acquisition on hold was taken as India already has some capability in armed drones; it is currently upgrading the Israeli Heron drones. The Predator platform with armed payload, as in missiles and laser-guided bombs, costs nearly $100 million apiece, but the platform has an endurance of nearly 27 hours.

The Indian Navy uses it for maritime domain awareness from Gulf of Aden to Sunda Straits in Indonesia.

While the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is expected to unveil its medium altitude long endurance (MALE) drone latest by March, the country’s national security planners are looking at futuristic high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) technology for surveillance and targeting capability.

India has already demonstrated its capacity and capability for the manufacture of swarm drones, as was showcased in the Beating Retreat ceremony this year.

Besides DRDO, private Indian companies are also involved in the development of drones that are cheaper to operate compared to the Predator and pack similar lethality.

While the Indian Navy and Army have significant use for the drones for domain awareness, the Indian Air Force was sceptical of Predators due to congested air space, and the presence of surface to air missiles and radars in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The Air Force is in favour of purchasing more fighter aircraft.
 

crixus

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What kind of decision makers we have , if they have to put it on hold why they leased two predators and spend money and resources on training .
I dont know which platform they have which can take their place
 

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