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A Tribune Special
Unity in diversity |
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On Record
Profile
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A Tribune Special
AIR power is about reach. Reach of the fighter aircraft, but supported and sustained by a complex system of transport aircraft, helicopters, midair refuelers, AWACs, communication assets, ultramodern airbases, and certain other factors. Timely supplies of equipment and weapons, and logistics, constitute the backbone of combat jet operations. Transport aircraft play a defining role as the mobility needed in the combat operations depends on them. At the same time, helicopters also have an independent and highly significant role of their own; they reach where fixed aircraft cannot go. To airlift troops, equipment, weapons, or to evacuate pilots from a combat zone, injured soldiers or stricken civilians, or to act as a gunship in combat or urban environment, the helicopter is the ideal flying machine. Like its combat jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to augment its strength both in transport aircraft and helicopters. Of course, steps are being taken now, and according to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, an RfP for 12 heavy lift helicopters to replace the old Mi 26 is round the corner, while another RfP for timely replacement of the IL 76 fleet with what he called Very Heavy Transport Aircraft (VHTAC) is being finalised. One only hopes that there are no interests this time who oppose the modernisation of the Indian Air Force as well as the Army and Navy. We need not be reminded of poor systems only when situations like the Kargil War, or as this time, the terror attack on Mumbai happen. Replacement of worn out systems, and their augmentation in line with growing requirements is a periodic exercise, and the process must not be tempered with. There are aberrations indeed some times in the acquisition process, but as and when they happen, cases should be isolated and quarantined for investigation. As for the existing fleet, we need to consider this: IAF inducted the AN 32 medium lift aircraft beginning 1984, and the heavy lift IL 76 aircraft beginning 1985 from the erstwhile Soviet Union. As per the manufacturers’ or suppliers’ specifications, both these aircraft have outlived their calendar lives in terms of the number of flying hours as well as the number of landing. Right now, some extension is being given to both these aircraft with newer engines and avionics to make them useful for another 15 years beyond what is technically called the “Total Technical Life or TTL.” It may be noted that while western manufacturers indicate the life of their aircraft by the number of flying hours, the Soviets/ Russians follow the number of landings to measure the life of an aircraft. But the way IAF has innovatively used transporter aircraft, on high altitudes, or even for bombing missions has surprised even the Russians. Necessity is the mother of invention. With limited availability of systems and steadily rising demands in war and peace, Indians have played with sophisticated systems as no one else. For instance, during the Chinese aggression, IAF modified the propeller-driven Fairchild Packet aircraft by adding a third engine on the top of its fuselage for its operations in the thin Himalayan air of North and North-eastern India. It used the Orpheus jet engine of its Gnat fighter aircraft. The experiment was not very successful as the engine was heavy and virtually neutralised the advantage it generated. But the Americans, who had supplied the aircraft to India, caught on, improved upon the idea and installed better jet packs on their own and Indian aircraft. During the Bangladesh crisis leading to the 1971 War, the Indian Army expected a major attack from Pakistan in the western sector. Sure enough, when the Pakistani Army deployed some 30,000 troops in an attempt to cut off Kashmir from the rest of India, IAF used its AN 12 aircraft to carpet-bomb their concentrations, and flattened the attack formations. Aircraft of the 44 Squadron flew night missions in waves of six, unescorted, rolling out nine tonnes of fire from each aircraft. Night fighting capability was zero with both the countries in those days, and the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) was unable to intercept even a single AN 12. Wg-Cdr B.V. Vashisth inspired and led the waves virtually in every mission, setting an unprecedented record. He was awarded India’s second highest gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) while the squadron won three Vir Chakras (VrCs). The Soviets expressed amazement at the war fighting capability of their own aircraft. The magnificent machine, inducted in 1961, was phased out in 1993. IAF has a record though of operating various machines well beyond their limitations, and in the most difficult and inhospitable terrains, whether it is combat or transport aircraft, or helicopters. Routine ferries to Siachen are an example. To do innovations, however, the armed forces must at least have contemporary systems. Strap-on booster shots cannot make up for numbers and the accelerating pace of technology. Some so-called experts say that once the IAF inducts modern machines, the number of aircraft, both combat and transporters, can come down. That’s a strange argument. They forget that others are also going in for newer systems, and rather than simply matching developments around us, it is time to go in for capability-based acquisitions rather than threat-based systems. As pointed out, we purchased our Mirage 2000 and Mig 29 aircraft in response to Pakistan’s acquisition of F16 aircraft, Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, C³I computers and other systems from the US in 1982. It takes our system long — around seven years to acquire an aircraft —and if every time we were to buy something in response, we would be nowhere. India is a large country, with hostile neighbours and hostile elements in neighbouring countries. India also has a large coastline that requires constant patrolling and offensive measures against infiltration. The armed forces can fight, but the political system has to have the will to make sure that the Navy has the best ship, the Army the best gun, and the Air Force the best aircraft. And well in time. Armed forces play a decisive role in peacetime also. Besides deterrence emanating from their strength, they are the best and most organised means to alleviate suffering in any major natural disaster. But for the IAF, many Indians would die every year. This role need never be under-estimated. It is worthwhile here to quote Deputy National Security Adviser Shekhar Dutt, who is also a former Defence Secretary. He told the National Seminar on Aerospace Technologies (N-SAT) held in September by the India Strategic defence magazine that India needs a “high-end capability air force” be it in combat jets, transport aircraft and helicopters, or advanced systems. “The sheer expanse of our geography, which includes land borders with five countries and a 7,500+ km coastline along with our Exclusive Economic Zones, makes monitoring and protecting our sovereign territory a significant challenge. It makes control of the airspace above our territory and maritime approaches especially crucial.” Warning that “we are living in a volatile region” – and he mentioned this in September, well before the Pakistani terrorists attacked Mumbai – he observed: “ Our defence preparedness and, I daresay expeditionary capability, for undertaking operations to protect our strategic interests has to evolve accordingly. This aspect becomes important as water, energy and maritime resources will increasingly become issues of future conflicts. “ India needs an air force with a high-end capability that will ensure the confidence of victory. India also needs a strike capability that will allow India more scope to determine the pace and parameters of hostilities, impose major costs on an adversary contemplating hostile action against us, along with providing requisite support to Indian forces deployed anywhere.” One only hopes that Mr Dutt’s observations are followed. As for the aircraft, the IL 76 has served India well. It added a new dimension to air power in the Indian subcontinent and boosted the reach of the IAF. IAF deployed the aircraft within three to six months of their induction, and landed it at a short runway of 5,500 feet in northern airfields while the manufacturers asked for a minimum runway length of 7,500 feet. During Operation Brasstacks in 1986-87, one IAF pilot conducted a record 28 missions in seven days on IL 76 to land BMPs for the army in tough mountainous terrain. The first testing ground for India’s new strategic reach due to the transport aircraft was evident in Sri Lanka and Maldives operations. AN 32s provided unhindered support for the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), and later, on November 3, 1988, the IL 76 and AN 32 aircraft were pressed into service to ferry troops to Maldives within hours of a request from President Moumoon Abdul Gayoom to tackle a coup attempt. India had consulted world powers, and there was support from Washington, Moscow, London and even Bahrain in the Gulf for the Indian mission. Five IL 76 and 30 AN 32 transporters were used in the Malidives operation. It is time to get these aircraft replaced. If we make the choice now, the induction of the new machines could begin by 2015, by which time the security scenario would predictably be more complicated. In a realistic sense, we are already behind schedule in this regard. Going by the Chief of Air Staff, India could be inducting bigger and better aircraft than the IL 76, in the 70+ tonne category. On offer in this regard is the US-built C 17 Globemaster, which, according to its manufacturer Boeing, is being brought to the Aero India 2009 in February for display and flight demonstrations. The aircraft has a record of landing on a small 3,000-foot runway, although it generally needs more than 7,500 feet to take off with full load. It has, however, demonstrated that it can take off with a 40-tonne load in just around 1,500 feet. The IL 76 has a load factor of less than 50 tonnes, or just about the capacity of ferrying one tank. The IAF has already signed with the US Lockheed Martin to buy six Hercules C 130J special operations aircraft, which can land and take off fully loaded from grassy football ground size patches. There is an option for six more, and IAF is also coordinating acquisition of one additional C 130J, albeit with less capable avionics, for the Border Security Force (BSF). The BSF is also looking for two smaller C 27J Spartan aircraft from Italy’s Finmeccanica. Similar aircraft are also needed by the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), the aviation wing of India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing. Notably, it were the ARC aircraft which were used to ferry NSG commandos from New Delhi to Mumbai when the terrorists attacked there on November 26, 2008. While aircraft could be acquired with funds from different organisations like the BSF, their operations should be concentrated with the IAF or the ARC. Experience shows that it is difficult for the BSF, which comes under the Union Home Ministry, to employ pilots at commercial rates in accordance with the civil aviation rules from the civil market. IAF trains its pilots and it is mandatory for them to serve in accordance with rules. Also, IAF needs transport aircraft in numbers. For a country of India’s size, a dozen aircraft like the C 130J are not enough. And transfer of technology is worth under offsets rules if the orders are sizeable. Maintenance is easier then. IAF is also buying 45 Indo-Russian Multi-role Transport Aircraft (MTA) through HAL, but the plans for the development of this medium-capacity aircraft are yet to be finalised. However, IAF has signed an agreement with Russia to buy 80 more Mi 17 helicopters in a follow-on order. These are time-tested machines. But again, its plans to buy lighter helicopters to replace the old Chetak and Cheetahs are delayed along with those of the Indian Army. The acquisition is now time-critical. India cannot afford another surprise like Kargil or Mumbai. If the government can order the armed forces to fight, the leadership must also ensure that our officers and men have the cutting-edge capability. Transporters, carrying men, fuel or electronic warfare systems, are the backbone of the combat pilot. n The writers are defence analysts. This article is in continuation of their article, “IAF: A peep into the future” (Perspective, December 14, 2008)
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Unity in diversity
One
of the salient features of the Indian democracy and Indian Constitution is that is assumes unitary character in diversity. If we consult the pages of the Constituent Assembly Debates, our forefathers and great scholars were boasting about this unique feature of the world’s largest democracy.
History is witness to a series of events which occurred in free India. One can refresh his memory by quoting those events that whenever a moment of crisis came India stood united and divisive and disruptive forces had to eat the humble pie and were badly crushed by the strong will shown by the country. Soon after India attained Independence, the newly created Pakistan sent “Kabalis” in Kashmir to take forceful possession of the valley. India showed extraordinary unity and determination. And our forces repelled that aggression and defected the nefarious designs of Pakistan. I was a small lad at that time, but history would endorse what I have written above. In 1962, China committed aggression rather stabbed our back under the garb of the slogan ‘Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai’ and we had to suffer humiliation due to our unpreparedness. We were totally taken aback. Some good also emerged from this aggression. India resolved that in future we will be self-sufficient not only in arms and weapons but also food and necessaries of life. I vividly remember that our mothers and sisters donated their gold, ornaments, jewels and whichever commodity was very dear to the ladies for the honour and independence, unity and integrity of the country. In 1965, India again because the target of aggression by Pakistan. However, as India was united, we emerged victorious. Of course, on paper, Pakistan gave the impression of having a stronger military force vis-à-vis India. In 1971, there was the Bangladesh war of Independence. We were united. The country fought the attack with full determination. As a result, Pakistan’s evil designs were not only foiled but it had to lose East Pakistan, which was almost half of its territory. Then came the Kargil conflict. It was a crude attempt by Pakistan to encroach upon our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Its internal designs were different from the apparent ones. India again showed its mettle and Pakistan had to suffer humiliation. Its image in the comity of nations took a severe beating and suffered an all-time low in the international community. Worthy of mention in this context are some happenings within the country to buttress the argument. The attack on Parliament by the terrorists on December 13, 2001, the Akshardham incident in Gujarat, on New Delhi’s Red Fort, Mumbai serial train blasts followed by countless bomb blasts in various parts of the country including those in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Guwahati and on Mumbai’s Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, Taj Mahal hotel, Oberoi Trident hotel and Nariman House on November 26 all show the extent of terrorist menace in the country. Whenever these incidents take place, all political parties sink their differences and resolve to fight terrorism with more vigour. They also issue a stern warning to the terrorist organisations that the foundation of strong India cannot be weakened by such cowardly acts. The point for consideration before the people is that when the country has been demonstrating unprecedented unity and emerging stronger after every terrorist attack, why cannot it remain so in times of peace? In times of peace, when there is no external or internal aggression, India looks losing its grip. Divisive forces start raising their heads in the shape of communal disturbances, North-South divide, East-West divide, North-West differences and so on. Our politicians start playing a negative role by giving provocative speeches which are against the national interest. Innocent people are killed for no fault of theirs. What crime have they committed? Life has no substitute. The government, by announcing a grant of Rs 5 lakh towards compensation to the next of the kin, cannot provide succour to the bereaved family. Unfortunately, law is not moving in the right direction apparently because of the forthcoming elections. Everyone wants to extract maximum political mileage of these incidents. The media — print and electronic — is doing its bit, but repeatedly showing or mentioning about the dastardly attacks by the terrorists. No body wants to apply balm to the wound of cancer. The roots of wounds of diversity are going deeper day by day. Where is the wrong? From the preceding analysis, it can be safely concluded that India will emerge strong when we face external aggression or internal calamity but in peacetime we will flourish and bloom when usually we become damp and victim of disruptive forces. Does infringement to our independence suit us? We will have to reverse our cheap thinking. We will have to eschew for all times that narrow thinking would not serve the interests of this great country. Tolerance, mutual love and respect for all religions and communities are highly essential. This is the only way to achieve unity in diversity. Otherwise, we will fall like a house of cards. It is not too late. Wisdom can prevail any moment. Let the nation, leaders, patriots, statesmen and all right-thinking people find out a permanent solution of the problems confronting the country. n The writer is a former Judge
of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Member, Punjab State Human Rights Commission
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On Record Karnal
Singh, Joint Commissioner of Police, currently heads the Special Cell of the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Delhi Police. A 1984 batch IPS officer, he is known for his genteel nature. He does not look like a typical tough cop. But when you ask him whether the Batla House encounter in New Delhi was fake, the tough cop in him surfaces, fiercely rubbishing such reports. A post-graduate from IIT Kanpur, Singh played a pivotal role in the computerisation of crime/criminal records, personal information system and centralized payrolls of Delhi Police personnel. In 1992 as DCP (North-West), he was commended in the magisterial enquiry for handling major riots in Ashok Vihar and as DCP (Crime & Railways) (1997-99), his team was mainly responsible for the encounter of dreaded UP mafia Sri Prakash Shukla. Karnal Singh, who completes five years as Head of the Special Cell this month, in an interview to The Sunday Tribune, recalls this journey with many highs during which his team cracked many important cases along with nabbing Sher Singh Rana, the main accused in the Phoolan Devi Murder case and Brijesh Singh, wanted in several cases of gruesome murders. Excerpts: Q: What are the lessons the Delhi Police has learnt in the A: We have trained our men to handle various situations including hostage crisis, explosions, car bombs or fidayeen attack. The Quick Reaction Team (QRT) under each police station (120) of the city has been formed for immediate reaction besides 102 QRT teams in reserve. The security of markets, metro stations and railway stations has been enhanced . We are encouraging each market association to instal CCTVs and are developing information about miscreants through the ‘eye and ear’ scheme, checking of cyber cafes, PCOs and tenant verification schemes. Q: Courts have now emerged as terrorist targets. Last week it was the Tis Hazari court. Work had to be abandoned even at the High Court after a hoax terror attack call. A: The security of the courts is being upgraded. Head constables and officers attending courts as witness or investigating officer will carry arms in the courts. The QRT will be deployed in all courts. Security will be tightened after talks with advocates and court officials. Q: Is your Cell well equipped to tackle terror? A: Yes. We have neutralised and nabbed several terrorists besides hundreds of dreaded criminals this year alone. We have bulletproof vehicles, MP 5, AK 47s and other hi-tech weapons needed in case of emergency. Q: Should your Cell concentrate more on terror activities rather than going after petty criminals? A: Is Brijesh Singh, tracked and arrested by us, a petty criminal? He has been hoodwinking the law for two decades. However, even during the process we do not lose sight of the main target — terrorists and anti-national elements. Our Cell has also been launching joint operations with J&K police to prevent terrorist activities. Q: Isn’t Delhi a soft target for terrorists? Why did we fail to prevent the bomb blasts earlier? A: Terrorists have to succeed only once but we, as defenders, have to be successful every time. However, we were able to solve these cases within days. There were bomb blasts in Liberty and Satyam Cinema on May 22, 2005 and nine days later we had apprehended the people behind it. Similarly, the case related to the October 29, 2005 Diwali eve blasts in Delhi was solved within 12 days. Once again, the September 13 bomb blasts case was solved by September 19 due to the diligence of our officials. Q: What has been the most satisfying moment for you as Head of Special Cell? A: The recent breaking of Indian Mujahideen module involved in September 13 blasts in Delhi and other blasts in Jaipur and Ahmedabad. This module has been operating for the last three years in the country and with the arrest/killing of its members, we could crush the module. However, the loss of our brilliant officer, Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma during this operation rankles us all. Q: How real is the threat of terror attack in Delhi? A: It is very real. It is a dream of every terrorist organisation to hit the national capital to get the maximum publicity. However, we are here to thwart their nefarious
designs.
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Profile Yes, I am a magician. You will see magic on December 8 when results of the Assembly elections are declared”, said Ashok Gehlot 10 days before the Rajasthan Assembly elections. He may not be an ace magician like his father but his words indeed proved magical. When votes were counted, the Congress was way ahead of the BJP. Gehlot was sworn in as the 23rd Chief Minister of Rajasthan on December 13 — his second term as the state’s Chief Minister.
Had Gehlot not been lucky in politics, he might have ended up as a magician. His father, Babu Laxman Singh Gehlot, was a renowned magician and young Ashok accompanied him on several trips, learning, in the process, some tricks. So much so that his friends started calling him Jadoogar (magician) but Ashok never wanted to become one like his father. He was keen to be a doctor, but ended up as a student of economics. His entry into politics was just by chance. Indira Gandhi had visited Jodhpur soon after the Bangladesh war and Gehlot was among the crowd gathered to cheer her. He virtually jumped before her yelling “Madam, see this, listen to us” in his effort to draw her attention to the plight of Bangladesh refugees. Indira Gandhi turned back and exchanged a few words with 20-year-old Ashok. She was impressed by the young man’s determination, confidence and dedication for a cause. This was the turning point in Gehlot’s life; he took a plunge into the uncertain world of politics and became president of the
Rajasthan unit of NSUI in 1974. His first break came in 1980 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Jodhpur. He became the youngest MP when he was only 29. Indira Gandhi inducted the young man from Rajasthan in her government as Deputy Minister in 1982. The people of Jodhpur elected him in 1984, 1991, 1996 and 1998 general elections. He was defeated once by Jaswant Singh of the BJP. Besides a ministerial stint in the Indira Gandhi government, Gehlot was a member of the Rajiv Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao
governments as well. Apart from acquiring wide experience in administration, Gehlot has gone through the mill in the organisation as well heading the Rajasthan unit of the Congress twice. Cutting short Gehlot’s term in the Central government, Rajiv Gandhi sent him to head the Rajasthan PCC in 1985 to revamp the state unit. Narasimha Rao again sent him to Rajasthan in 1994 as the state Congress chief with an eye on the 1996 elections. The reward came when the Congress romped home with a massive majority in the State Assembly. The choice of Gehlot to head the government was obvious. While in 1996 the Congress swept to power with 156 seats, it was down to 56 in 2003. Vasundhara Raje was crowned the undisputed leader with 120 seats in the BJP’s bag. In addition, there were charges flying thick and fast that Gehlot’s Cabinet was packed with corrupt people. But no one accused Gehlot of corruption. His image remained that of ‘Mr Clean’ and it remains so as he became the Chief Minister for the second time. Gehlot is yet to build a house of his own; nor does he own a car. He never keeps gifts, mementoes and awards for his personal use but sells them and the money is spent for public welfare. He knows some of the tricks of the trade that he has learnt from his father and uses them to collect funds for welfare schemes. n
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Karnal
Singh
