National Defence Corner

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION PAPERS

2023-02-26T12:40:00.001+05:30

UPSC PYQ

For all examinations practicing PYQs is the key factor which determines your end result. This is the same for the case of UPSC also known as the worlds toughest exam were an insight to previously asked question can give you a lead in cracking the exam.

The link for previous year UPSC exam is given below. Do refer it and achieve good results. All the best for your exams.

https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers

INDIA'S MARITIME SECURITY : LEAD TO BE AN OMNIPOTENT

2022-06-18T16:41:00.002+05:30

INDIA'S MARITIME SECURITY : LEAD TO BE AN OMNIPOTENT

The term used to reference maritime security is समुद्र सुरक्षा (pron. samudri suraksha). The word

samudri means “related to the sea,” and suraksha can simultaneously translate into “defense”, “safety”, or “security” based on the context of its usage

India's 7,516-kilometre-long coastline includes 5,422 kilometres of coastline on the mainland and 2,094 kilometres on the islands belonging to 9 states and 4 Union Territories. The coastline houses 12 major and 200 minor ports, along with 95 landing centres, and is increasingly facing security challenges from adversarial neighbours .

Maritime security involves protecting the nation’s sovereignty from threats arising from the oceans and seas and it includes protecting coastal areas, safeguarding the available ocean resources such as fish, offshore oil and gas wells, port facilities, etc. It also means maintaining freedom at sea for the movement of our ships and facilitating and protecting trade.

Nearly 95% of India’s international trade by volume and over 70% by value is conducted through oceans, which underlines the importance of the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). The Indian economy is hugely dependent on energy imports to the extent of 81% of the total domestic oil consumption and these imports are transported by the sea while offshore oil gas production accounts for 80% of all domestic gas production, hence securing the maritime area is non-negotiable.

The security of Indian coasts is shouldered by the ‘Indian Navy’ and the ‘Indian Coast Guard’. Very few states like GUJARAT have their marine police too. The Home Ministry is pondering over the idea of setting up a ‘Central Marine Police Force‘ (CMPF).

After the 26/11 attacks, costal preparedness is better than earlier but the overall picture is not satisfactory. The conditions have definitely improved with greater fund allocations for coastal infrastructure, including police stations and radar stations along India’s coastline, improved ‘surveillance and domain awareness,’ through the installation of radar stations and identification systems, and the enhancement of coordination through Joint Operation Centres (JOCs). But still there are many things that need improvisation, this matter can't be kept in a cold box.

Recently, the Prime Minister chaired a high-level open debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on enhancing maritime security, becoming the first Indian PM to preside over a UNSC open debate.

PM’s remarks at the UNSC debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security: A Case for International Cooperation”

Five basic principles were outlined by the PM: Maritime trade ,Maritime disputes, Maritime threats , Maritime environment, Maritime connectivity.

IMS Concern

Access to the Indian Ocean is geographically controlled by several chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and Malacca Strait, which are critical for safeguarding the Indian maritime interests. It is, therefore, very important that these areas remain free from the control of inimical interests.

Somalia based piracy has caused universal worry, which has spread its wings as far east as the Lakshadweep. Cooperation between littoral nations is necessary to tackle piracy and India has been at the forefront in this regard.

China’s footprint in the IOR (Indian Ocean Region) is growing, with an expanding Navy and its acquisition of a base at Djibouti, access facilities in Malaysia, and the ‘surreptitious’ base at Gwadar.

China has deployed underwater drone glider in the Indian Ocean in December 2020 with a tag of naval intelligence purpose. This is reminiscent of the issue of the standoff at Ladakh which reflects the deadlock situation between India and China.

Indian coasts have been susceptible to smuggling of items such as gold, electronic goods, narcotics, and arms. The frequent straying of fishermen into neighbouring country waters has not only jeopardised the safety of the fishermen but has also raised national security concerns.

Adding to the above glimpses there is ‘n’ number of cases wherein Indian marine security and rights are somehow affected. Having a long-standing history in dealing with sea disputes, most of the time India has been party to the international disputes as many ships sailed to India and from India.

Line of Actions

By countering such 'n' number of threats India taken several major initiatives that make India's Maritime Security more dynamic. In recently the government has appointed the country's first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC). former Vice Chief of the navy, Vice Admiral Ashok Kumar, as the NMSC in the National Security Council Secretariat under the National Security Advisor.

National Command Control Communication and Intelligence Network (NC3I) has been launched to provide near gapless surveillance of the entire coastline and prevent the intrusion of undetected vessels, the coastal surveillance network project.

The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has been constituted to create an appropriate database of security-related information. A three-tier security grid was installed with the Indian Navy, the coast guard, and the marine police jointly patrolling India’s near-seas.

With an aim to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities, Prime Minister put forward the vision of SAGAR (‘Security and Growth for all in the Region’) in 2015.

India has been championing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) idea, and in 2019, India launched Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and set up an Indo-Pacific wing in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The Ministry of Culture launched Project MAUSAM in 2014 to re-connect and re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean world. Focused efforts to further projects such as this and others like the Kerala government’s ‘Spice Route’ will strengthen India’s maritime interests in the IOR.

India, which is historically non-aligned, is now entering into “issue-based alignments” with other players of the Indo-Pacific region, as reflected by the Quad initiative, which includes USA, Japan and Australia.

What’s next......

The outcome of the whole discussion evaluates the current position as a valley situation for India whereby an adjacent country i.e. China is constantly expanding its involvement in the Indian seas in the name of research or development. Though its concealed target is to indirectly conquer other states under their dominance which makes it very clear that Indian maritime security is actually at stake as its three ways are covered by the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. Coastal security exercises like sagar kavach need to be conducted regularly, in order to generate awareness about threats emanating from the sea as well as to develop synergies among the concerned agencies.For ‘securing maritime’ security India has to put all the efforts into it with an evolutionary approach and participate in the race of survival of the fittest. Right now India is doing same thing, security forces are operating very intrusive. And these transactions helps India in becoming omnipotent.

- AYUSH SRIVASTAVA

Twitter - @An_Eagle_Views

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Indian Diplomacy : Explication of skirmishes

2022-05-05T21:25:00.000+05:30

The principles of India’s foreign policy and its objectives are closely interlinked with each other. India desired peaceful and friendly relations with all countries, particularly the big powers and the neighbouring nations. While signing a peace agreement with China; India advocated adherence to five guiding principles known as Panchsheel.

The success of India’s policy lies in the fact that it has well adjusted with the changing times and circumstances and its core principles have stood the test of time. Recently we have seen that how India changes stance very aggressively but without disturbing any covalence relations.

Indian diplomats have their hands full drafting ripostes to statements of concern issued by other countries on India’s domestic troubles: from Jammu & Kashmir to the hijab ban, non-renewal of foreign NGO licences and the Russia Ukraine war.

The unflinching faith in the peaceful settlement of international disputes is one of the core elements of India’s foreign policy. This principle has been included in the Constitution of India, under the Directive Principles of State Policy as well as in the Charter of the UN.

India is always against foreign military intervention for resolving international problems. This principle continues to be the cornerstone of India’s policy. India has played a leading role in the resolution of the Korean conflict and supported negotiated settlement of Palestine Israel issue ,border problems with neighboring countries.

At present also we have seen that how India abstained in the resolutions of United Nations assembly for setting the neutral stage , so that India form covaleniant relations with Western countries. But many countries raised questions on the credibility of India also at the same we were getting our first batch of S400 from Russia . So this batches raises more pressure on us but we eliminated those issues by our diplomatic relations .

Ultimately, India seemed to reconcile with the world as it was rather than the world it hoped for. Ideas that first emerged during the Cold War, including diversifying external dependence and balancing opposing interests, continue to influence Indian foreign policy today. It is thus crucial to broaden our understanding of India’s Cold War past to effectively evaluate its present role as a key player not only of the “Asian century " but also the " Western century".

This is the era of modernization where the things are getting change at very high pace. The way of defensive & offensive are getting improvise. At the same point Diplomatic relations & diplomacy talks plays crucial role in the stability of the powers. In coming years diplomacy will be the more afflictive weapon that helps in becoming the super power . And India is on the same projection , by which India will be global leader i.e., VISHWA GURU ( ववगु ).

- AYUSH SRIVASTAVA

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DRDO develops next Generation RWR for Super Sukhoi

2021-06-27T18:30:00.002+05:30

Next Generation Radar Warning Receiver for Super Sukhoi

The DRDO has developed a next Gen Radar Warning Receiver for the upcoming Super Sukhoi program.It will be soon integrated by Hindustan Aeronautics(HAL) on a Su-30 fighter jet to complete the certification process in a period of one year.This whole activity will be carried out in three phases.

NCC vacancy in Indian Navy

2021-06-27T18:01:00.002+05:30

According to Indian Navy’s NCC SPECIAL ENTRY SCHEME 49TH COURSE (APR 2021):
SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION (NT) FOR MEN & WOMEN

The Vacancies are as follows:

(a) NCC MEN:50 (45 for General Category and 05 for Wards of Battle

Casualties of Army personnel only).

(b) NCC Women:05 (04 for General Category and 01 for Wards of Battle Casualties of Army personnel only).

Source: https://joinindianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/Portal/NotificationPDF/NCC_49.pdf

Rafale will be on time: France.

2020-05-25T21:37:00.001+05:30

No delay in supply of Rafale fighter jets

According to latest reports the French ambassador Emmanuel Lenain has said that there will be no delay in the delivery of 36 Rafale fighter jets to India and the timeline for supplying the fighter jets will be strictly respected.
He also said that France is also helping the Indian Airforce to arrange the fairy flight of the first 4 Rafale from France to India and there is no reason to speculate that the schedule will not be maintained.
Out of the 36 Rafale jets 6 will be twin seater trainers with almost all the features.The IAF has already spent around 400cr rupees to create the required infrastructure at the 2 basis that will operate the Rafale fighter jets.

After South China Sea, China looks to claim'Whole of Antarctica'.

2020-05-24T20:07:00.000+05:30

China looks to claim the 'Whole of Antarctica',after the SCS.

Antarctica

When the US is cutting back and delaying its activities in the antarctic, both China and Russia are silently expanding their operations.

Peter Jennings the executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has said that China's interest on Antarctica is not limited to the short term and both Russia and China are using the cover of scientific research to claim over the continent for its minerals and military advantages.

Note:Content obtained from original sources

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US Navy wants T45 replacement:Naval Tejas perfect candidate.

2020-05-23T18:34:00.001+05:30

Naval Tejas perfect candidate for the replacement of T45 of the US Navy.

The US Navy has begun it's search for a new trainer to replace it's Boeing T45 and the competitors in the acquisition program includes Boeing's T7A, Lockheed Martin's T50A and Leonardo's T100.

But non of these jets have been developed for carrier based operations and they have not been modified to demonstrate carrier based landings and takeoffs.

Top experts have said that India's Naval Tejas

program has already demonstrated the
required capabilities and also has a two seater naval variant as demanded by the
US Navy and it makes Naval Tejas the perfect candidate if India responds to request for the information send out by the US Navy.

Covid19 delays INS VIKRANT by 6 months:2021

2020-05-21T21:57:00.002+05:30

Covid-19 delays INS VIKRANT by 6 months.

The basin trail of the first indeginous aircraft carrier of India was initially scheduled to begin from the 12th of March2020 which was moved to April due to several construction delays and as per latest reports the lockdown will also result in a delay of 6 months and the basin trail is expected to extend further to 2021.

Cochin had already missed multiple deadlines in this critical project and the way the Chinese navy is expanding the Indian shipyard also needs to face this project.

Note:Content obtained from original sources.

IAF has shelved 3 major foreign acquisition projects

2020-05-20T19:37:00.000+05:30

The Indian Airforce has shelved its 3 major foreign acquisition projects

According to recent reports IAF has shelved its 3 major foreign acquisitions projects worth over 8000cr rupees which includes procurement of 38 Pilatus basic trainers from Switzerland worth 1000cr rupees, 20 hawk trainers from UK worth over 2000cr rupees and plans to upgrade its 80 Jaguar fighter jets with Honeywell engines from the US.

The IAF Chief said that the Indian Airforce is going with HAL and some other engine related upgrades and it will buy 70 of these indeginous trainers.

Note: Content obtained from original sources.

450 aircrafts of IAF(Rafale class)

2020-05-19T19:40:00.000+05:30

Indian Airforce(IAF) has decided to procure 450 fighter jets for its north and west frontiers which includes 36 Rafale fighter jets,200 variants of LCA Tejas,114 multi role fighter jets-Rafale from Dassault aviation and 100 5.5 AMCA Stealth fighters.
IAF Chief's' Rafale class' contradicts the statement of Chief of Defence Staff which stated the the IAF will replace the 114 MMRCA will be replaced with different variants of LCA Tejas.
Dassault also confirmed ,Rafale is the front runner in the competition and IAF is not willing to replace it with locally developed platforms.
This all proves that the present economic situation have not dented the plan for procuring 114 Rafale fighter jets under the Make in India initiative.

Make in India

2020-05-18T23:01:00.001+05:30

The covid pandemic has affected the the Indian economy drastically due to which Indian government will promote make in India program by developing indeginous defence products.This was clear when defence minister Nirmala Sitaram proposed a budget to help private defence companies to produce indeginous defence items which will be banned from exports.The Indian government will now promote indeginous products made by in India rather than foreign defence companies to produce a defence product for them.

This might be a setback for the Indian airforce as its 114MMRCA tender might not be approved. In that case the MWF/Tejas Mark2A might be the alternative choice of the the Indian airforce.This might be a setback for the airforce as both the aircrafts were meant for different roles in the Indian airforce.