Cavalier India Defence Training Academy

The two US Predator drones are operating out of the Indian Navy's INS Rajali airbase and were inducted under a lease agreement with the American vendor in the third week of November. File photo of a US Predator drone. Indian Navy has inducted two American Predator drones on lease from the US to carry out surveillance in the Indian Ocean region. Capable of carrying out surveillance for more than 30 hours, the drones are operating out of Indian Navy's INS Rajali airbase. These drones have been inducted under a lease agreement with the American vendor. As part of the deal, the vendor has deployed a team to guide the personnel operating the Predator drones. In fact, the American Predator drones could also be made available to Indian forces deployed along the LAC in eastern Ladakh where India and China are engaged in a military standoff. Over the past few months, India and the US have been working closely in opposition to Chinese aggression in eastern Ladakh. Under this partnership...

Latest satellite imagery shows China is tracking the depths of Pangong Tso as well through new techniques used for anti-submarine warfare by navies around the world. Pangong Tso lake in eastern Ladakh (Image | go2ladakh) Since the time the Indo-China border standoff began, the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) has been keeping the surface of Pangong Tso under surveillance through high-speed patrol crafts such as Type 305 and Type 928D boats copied from Swedish CB-90 boats . But latest satellite imagery shows China is now tracking the depths of Pangong Tso as well through new techniques used for anti-submarine warfare by navies around the world. On July 31, India Today OSINT team had reported the presence of at least 13 boats between Finger 4 and Finger 8. The boat squadron was boosted by at least eight new boats from a major base at Rimutang to Kunrak Fort and Finger 5 , barely 2.5 km from Finger 4 . And now, latest satellite images from depth areas, especially Chin...

Bactrian Camel The Indian Army has decided to include an animal working for centuries in these adverse environmental conditions to patrol and carry goods in the cold desert of Ladakh. In Leh-based DRDO's Institute of Defence Institute for High Altitude Research (DIHAR), local two hump camels, Bactrian Camels, are being prepared for the Army. DIHAR officials say that Bactrian Camel is working brilliantly in the environment of Ladakh. Bactrian camels have been joining caravans from China, Tibet, Mongolia to Central Asia for centuries, crossing cold deserts and ice. Bactrian camel has been showcased in many artifacts of Central Asia in the third century. Bactrian Camel Italian traveler and businessman Marco Polo traveled on the Silk Route several times from 1271 to 1295. Marco Polo introduced Europe to Bactrian Camel. The Indian Army is currently training Bactrian camels with common camels at DIHAR's lab in Leh, and the results are very encouraging. DIHAR scientist Sarangi says th...

The Tibetan community in Ladakh and BJP Secretary Ram Madhav came together to pay tribute to Nyima Tenzin, who was killed on the night of 29-30 August in Chushul. Nyima Tenzin | File photo Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan-Indian hero of the elite covert paramilitary unit Special Frontier Force (SFF) who was killed on the night of 29-30 August in eastern Ladakh, was given a final farewell with a 21-gun salute Monday.  The 51-year-old soldier died after he stepped on to a 1962 vintage anti-personnel mine near the southern bank of the Pangong lake, Army sources had said. The incident occurred around the time when the Indian Army launched a major operation and outflanked the Chinese in capturing dominating features near the southern bank of Pangong Tso in the Chushul sector.  On Monday, the Tibetan community in Ladakh came together to pay tribute to the soldier who belonged to 7 Vikas battalion of the SFF, which is also known as Establishment 22. Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav attended the f...

(Representative Image | Credits: Freshers LIVE) The Russian-origin air defence systems are used by both the Indian Army and the Air Force and are supposed to be used when the enemy fighter jets or choppers come close to own locations or deployments during hostilities.  The Indian side has also enhanced its surveillance through the deployment of radars and surface to air missile systems to keep track of the enemy air movement there. While building up in the Eastern Ladakh sector including areas such as Galwan valley and Patrolling Point 14, the Indian forces had observed that a number of Chinese choppers had tried to come inside Indian territory near the flashpoints. ( Russian made Igla-S MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defence System) deployed by the Indian Army at China border | Image: IAS4Sure)   Source: TOI  

Representative Image   Saluting the brave Galwan valley martyrs, Times Network , India's premium broadcast network, releases a special documentary, 'Gallantry at Galwan — A Tale Of Valour' this Independence Day. Marking two months to the deadly Galwan clash which witnessed the heroic sacrifice of 20 brave soldiers, who valiantly fought the Chinese transgression into the Indian territory, the special documentary scheduled for telecast on August 15, at 1:00 pm on TIMES NOW, TIMES NOW WORLD and Mirror NOW brings forth the story of grit and raw courage of these soldiers. The 45-minute-long succinct account of factual events that took place in the intervening night of June 15-16 in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh, the documentary analyses the bloodiest engagement between Indian and Chinese troops in 45 years and aims to inform the viewers about the history of ongoing border dispute between the countries and reflects on how tensions unfolded over the years. Acc...

Representative Image The Army is now undertaking a major study headed by a senior Lt-General on advanced "niche and disruptive warfare technologies", which range from drone swarms, robotics, lasers and loiter munitions to artificial intelligence, big data analysis and algorithmic warfare. Sources on Friday said the aim of the "holistic study", which comes amidst the ongoing military confrontation in eastern Ladakh with China, is to bolster the conventional war-fighting capabilities of the 13-lakh strong Army as well as prepare for "non-kinetic and non-combat" warfare in the years ahead. China, of course, has been assiduously working to develop futuristic warfare technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI)-powered lethal autonomous weapon systems, towards its overall endeavor to usher in a major "revolution in military affairs (RMA) with Chinese characteristics". Indian Army's new land warfare doctrine in 2018 had stressed the need to shar...

Humvee and American Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle are the two others who are also being considered by the Indian Army to deliver such vehicles. Photo of a Tata Defence Combat Light Armored Multi Role Vehicle Seeking to provide highly mobile armoured protection vehicles to its soldiers in high altitude terrains like Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army is looking to choose from three different vehicles including the indigenous Tata Wheeled Armoured Protection along with American Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle and Humvee. The Indian Army has a need for armoured infantry combat vehicles for quick movement of troops in the Eastern Ladakh area where the Chinese have deployed their armoured personnel carriers in large numbers. The force is looking at the three options which include the Tata WhAP and the American Stryker and Humvee, defence sources told ANI. The options are being evaluated by the force at the moment and a decision in this regard would be taken soon, they said. Sources said duri...

The Indian Navy deployed a range of its frontline warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region(IOR) to send a clear message to China when the border tension escalated manifold in the wake of the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15. INS Jalashwa, deployed by the Indian Navy for Operation Samudra Setu, entered Tuticorin harbour early morning.(PTI) The Indian Navy’s clear message to Beijing through its aggressive deployment of almost all frontline warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region following escalation in the border row in eastern Ladakh has been “registered” by China, top defence sources said on Tuesday. The Indian Navy deployed a range of its frontline warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to send a clear message to China when the border tension escalated manifold in the wake of the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15. The sources told PTI that the government adopted a multi-pronged approach involving the Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy a...

Representative Image Amid the ongoing border dispute between India and China, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided its indigenously-developed drone - Bharat - to the Indian Army to conduct accurate surveillance in high altitude areas and mountainous terrain along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. "The Indian Army requires drones for accurate surveillance in the ongoing dispute in the Eastern Ladakh area. For this, the DRDO has provided them with the Bharat drones," defence sources told ANI. The Bharat series of drones, developed by a Chandigarh-based laboratory of the DRDO, can be listed among "world's most agile and lightest surveillance drone indigenously developed by the DRDO". DRDO sources said, "The small yet powerful drone works autonomously at any location with great accuracy. The unibody biomimetic design with advance release technology is a lethal combination for surveillance missions". The dr...

There is finally some good news in Eastern Ladakh with the mutual disengagement of Indian and Chinese soldiers from the areas of Galwan and Hot Springs. The contentious areas of Pangong Tso and Depsang are yet to be addressed, but with the stalemate along the border having been broken, the differences between the two sides can be narrowed. Irrespective of how the current crisis plays out, it carries one major lesson. Our strategic differences with China will come into sharper focus as China grows more powerful and assertive, and this competition could increasingly play out along the unsettled Line of Actual Control (LAC). The brutality of the clash at Galwan on June 15 has demolished the existing protocols and agreements that guided the conduct of soldiers, and we could see a hotter LAC in the coming years. Indo Tibetan Border Police Jawans at a parade in Chandigarh Dealing with China in the future will require a comprehensive strategy that combines our diplomatic, economic, and milita...

Representative Image Indian Air Force is attentive along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh region. High altitude and difficult terrain of the northern frontiers of the Himalayas need special skills and aircrafts to meet the challenges. Indian Airforce with new acquisitions is more confident in the region. AIR correspondent reports that ever since the stand off between India and China in the eastern Ladakh along the line of actual control  Indian Airforce has ascertained its position in Ladakh region. Indian Air Force attentive along LAC in Eastern #Ladakh region https://t.co/nYt32eGBpZ — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 8, 2020 Indian Air Force has the advantage of experience on its side to not just to defend but even to attack if the need arises. Indian Airforce is effectively discharging dual roles, ever since the stand-off in the Eastern Ladakh region. Cargo aircrafts like Globe Master, Hercules are doing transportation while Sukhois, MiGs are  ...

Amid the ongoing dispute with China over boundary issue, the Indian Army is going to place another order of 72,000 Sig 716 assault rifles from the United States. Sig Sauer Assault Rifle The order for the second batch of the assault rifles would be coming after the first lot of 72,000 rifles, has already been delivered to the Army for use by troops in Northern Command and other operational areas. "We are going to place an order for 72,000 more of these rifles under the financial powers granted to the armed forces," Defence sources told ANI. The Indian Army had received the first lot of Sig Sauer assault rifles to boost its counter-terrorism operations. India had acquired the rifles under the fast-track procurement (FTP) programme. The new rifles will replace the existing Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56x45mm rifles used by the forces and manufactured locally by the Ordnance Factories Board. As per the plan, around 1.5 lakh imported rifles were to be used by the troops in ...

In the midst of India's tense border standoff with China, US aerospace major Boeing delivered the final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters to the Indian Air Force around two weeks ago, and the entire fleet is now part of the assets deployed in key air bases along the Line of Actual Control, officials said on Friday. Boeing said it completed delivery of all 22 Apache and 15 Chinook military helicopters to the IAF and is fully committed to meet the operational needs of the Indian armed forces. The AH-64E Apache is one of the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopters and is flown by the US Army. The Chinook is a multi-role, vertical-lift platform, primarily used for transporting troops, artillery, equipment and fuel. Boeing delivered 22 Apache and 15 Chinook military helicopters to the IAF India signed a multi-billion dollar contract with Boeing to procure 22 Apache helicopters and 15 Chinooks for the IAF in September 2015. Another contract for the acquisition of s...

The latest ban on 59 China-linked apps has sent a signal to the West that India is prepared to take bold decisions to protect its security and sovereignty against an increasingly belligerent neighbour.   US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo In banning 59 apps of purported Chinese origin – a move that was, presumably, made in retaliation to the disturbing events that unfolded on June 15 that lead to the deaths of twenty Indian soldiers at the Sino-Indian border in Eastern Ladakh – Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a definitive statement that India was prepared to employ unconventional means to resist undue pressure from China. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has displayed a remarkable degree of aggression on numerous fronts. From the boundary dispute in the Himalayas, to maritime encroachment in the South China Sea, to the controversial national security law passed in Hong Kong, and, more recently, in inflaming territorial discord with Bhutan, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has...

Representative Image The Indian Army has deployed its elite para special forces troops in Ladakh for operational roles if needed amid the ongoing standoff between India and China at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh, according to reports. The special forces units were moved to Ladakh from various parts of the country and are already carrying out exercises in the region. They can be effectively used against the Chinese if and when needed and have already been deployed in forward areas. They have also been briefed about the roles they might be required to undertake. Indian Army Deploys Its Elite Para Special Forces In Ladakh For Operational Roles, Amid China Standoff https://t.co/49iVs3WMfn — Swarajya (@SwarajyaMag) July 2, 2020 The Indian Army is equipped with 12 regiments of Special Forces and hold special command over various landscapes like mountains, deserts and forests. They are known to regularly practice war games at high-altitude areas in Leh. The famed special force...

After the government allowed the armed forces to go in for emergency procurements to do away with shortages of critical equipment, the Indian Army is planning to place an order for acquiring more Excalibur precision-guided Artillery ammunition which can hit targets at 50 km range. Representational image After the government allowed the armed forces to go in for emergency procurements to do away with shortages of critical equipment, the Indian Army is planning to place an order for acquiring more Excalibur precision-guided Artillery ammunition which can hit targets at 50 km range. The Excalibur ammunition was inducted last year by the Army to acquire the capability to hit enemy positions close to populated areas without causing collateral damage on the western sector under emergency financial powers. "Now the financial powers have been again given to the armed forces and there are plans to place repeat orders for the Excalibur ammunition used by the Ultra Light Howitzers which can ...

Representational image In a positive move, Indian and Chinese armies have arrived at a consensus to "disengage" from all friction points in eastern Ladakh at a marathon meeting of top military commanders of the two sides on Monday, official sources said. The talks were held in a "cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere" and it was decided that modalities for disengagement from all areas in eastern Ladakh will be taken forward by both the sides, they said. The Indian delegation at the nearly 11-hour talks was led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by commander of the Tibet Military District Maj Gen Liu Lin. The talks were held in the midst of escalating tension between the two countries following the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15. #Army Chief Gen M M Naravane to visit #Leh to review ground situation | L...