India test fires surface to surface ballistic missile

India Saturday successfully test-fired its surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shourya from a test range in Orissa, eastern India, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.

The news service quoted Indian defence ministry sources as saying the 600-km-range supersonic missile was launched at 14:.30 p.m. from a canister in a ground launch mode at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in the coastal district of Balasore in Orissa.

“The launch of the missile was perfect like in text book and followed the path exactly to the pre-defined target in the Bay of Bengal,” S.P. Dash, director of the test range, was quoted as saying.”

The missile, which is meant to give the Indian Army a credible second-strike capability, was first tested from the same defence base on Nov. 12, 2008, according to the report.—NNI

Courtsy: /pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp

India, UK agree to work in defence technology

India and Britain have signed an agreement to pool their science and engineering expertise to work on various projects such as unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced explosives.

A Letter of Arrangement was singed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and its British counterpart Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in London on September 16.

The agreement was signed by DRDO chief V K Saraswat and British chief scientific adviser (CSA) Sir Mark Welland.

Under the agreement, the two countries will explore ways to defend chemical and biological threats through protection, decontamination and medical counter-measures, a British High Commission release said here.

Praising the new agreement, British Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff said, "Science and technology is one of the foundations of our bilateral relationship with India. The signing of this agreement further demonstrates the strength of our long-standing alliance.

"I am delighted that scientists from both countries will be able to share their impressive expertise in this field and have no doubt it will lead to even greater innovation in defence and security technology, benefiting both our nations."

Expressing confidence that the agreement will strengthen technical collaboration between the two countries, UK MOD's Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Sir Mark Welland said the event marks an important milestone in technical collaboration between the two countries.

"I have seen the exceptional dedication, expertise and skill in the DRDO. I know that the UK can look forward to a productive and valuable co-operation with our great allies in India for many years to come," Welland said.

Courtesy:- zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-uk-agree-to-work-in-defence-technology_733234.html

India, Sri Lanka conduct naval exercises

The Indian Navy gained from the Sri Lankan experience with low intensity conflict, while the Sri Lankan Navy learnt to operate more effectively in a multi-force environment on the conclusion of the biggest-ever exercise between the two Navies.

The exercises, “SLINEX II,” which commenced on September 19 and ended on Friday, were aimed at enhancing interoperability.

Involving 6 Indian state-of-the-art vessels of the Eastern Command, and over 1,200 Indian naval personnel, and 11 Sri Lankan vessels and an almost equal complement of personnel, the exercises were keenly watched by the international community and the diplomatic corps stationed in Colombo.

“The Sri Lankan Navy has gained a lot of experience in asymmetric warfare, basically handling attack by small boats,” Rear Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Indian Navy, who commanded the Indian ships, told The Hindu. “We learnt from them how they handle these attacks,” he added.

This manoeuvre was displayed to the press on Friday. A plethora of small attack craft from the Sri Lankan Navy “attacked” the Indian indigenous multi-role frigate with stealth features, INS Shivalik. The frigate first did zig-zag manoeuvres in a bid to throw the small boats off balance with its huge wake. When this did not happen, Shivalik relied on its awesome firepower to “silence” the small boats. Ideally a combination of small arms fire and manoeuvres work well: but that is as long as the small boats do not blow themselves up.

The Sri Lankan Navy said the drill was expected to provide the opportunity for the neighbouring navies to rehearse the concept of joint naval operations and enhance their skills.

The decision to increase mutual defence cooperation and to hold joint naval exercises was taken during the visit of Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar to Sri Lanka in December 2010.

The first exercises were held about six years ago, said the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ashok K.Kantha. In 2005, two Indian vessels participated in an exercise.

But since the Eelam War IV intensified since 2006, the exercises, which were to be held annually, were put off.

The one vessel that generated a lot of interest was Shivalik, which was commissioned in April 2010. It is a product of indigenous design, U.S. engines and a mix of Russian and Indian weaponry. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are also part of its armoury. The frigate is part of the Eastern Fleet.

The other naval ships which took part were Ranvijay, Gharial, Khanjar, Cheriyam and Coradiv, along with integral helicopters and a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka travelled from Colombo to Trincomalee to convey his wishes to the Indian and Sri Lankan Navy personnel, onboard the INS Shivalik on Thursday.

Courtesy:- www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2478888.ece

IAF works to seal 126 fighter jet deal

The commercial bids for a $ 10-billion contract to buy 126 multi-role combat jets will be opened after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) clears pending issues in October, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief NAK Browne said on Thursday.Courtesy

The contest has narrowed down to two European contenders - Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. The opening of the commercial bids has been delayed, causing anxiety among the contestants.

The air chief has now clarified that the DAC, chaired by defence minister A. K. Antony, will meet on October 7 to sort out pending issues.

The ministry hopes to seal the deal at the earliest - by the year end - as it wants the new aircraft to refurbish its dwindling fleet. The combat jet squadron strength has touched a critical low. The IAF hopes to turn even by 2016 when the new aircraft is expected to start arriving.

Browne supports a wider role for private industry in military aviation. Speaking at a seminar on aerospace industry, he talked about the need to check overdependence on foreign buyers. At the moment, the private Indian participation in India's military aviation is nil.

The IAF has a Rs 97,000-crore acquisition plan for maintaining the momentum of modernisation. It hopes that by 2014-15, it will be able to turn the corner. Under the modernisation drive, several new platforms are being added.

The IAF has received C-130 Hercules, a new transport aircraft; C-17 Globemasters have also been ordered.

Courtesy: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iaf-plans-to-seal-combat-aircraft-deal-by-december/1/152363.html

Indian defence companies become new target of cyber criminals:Report

Indian defence companies are increasingly becoming target of cyber criminals as they are vulnerable to breaches of cyber security, according to a report by Trend Micro.

The attacks by criminals in the cyber space are aimed to infect the e-mail addresses as well as the systems.

The report said that cyber criminals send out emails with PDF attachments to companies. Once infected it is very difficult to remove the malicious content from the systems or to detect on what amount of data is being used under such circumstances.

It further said that attack is being done on the Indian defence firms from the past few weeks and was started in the month of July this year.

Apart from India, defence firms in the USA, Japan, Israel have also fallen victim to criminals operating in cyber space.

According to an estimate, cyber crime is an underground economy that is estimated at over USD 100 billion (annually) worldwide.

"In total, the attackers compromised 32 computers; however, there were multiple compromises at several locations. This network has been active since July, 2011 and is continuing to send out malicious documents in an attempt to compromise additional targets.

"While this network has managed to compromise a relatively small number of victims, there is a high concentration of defence industry companies among the victims. Moreover, the fact that specific malware components are created for specific victims indicates a level of intentionality among the attackers,"SAARC Amit Nath Country Manager India and SAARC Amit Nath said.

courtesy: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/indian-defence-companies-become-new-target-of-cyber-criminalsreport/articleshow/10067534.cms