Indian Army: News & Discussion

[Singha]

see my link. loitering missiles are armed drones. in a small form factor nothing but prop driven drones have the endurance and range needed to sortie from far off and loiter over designated box.

but mostly they would be self-destruct type to reduce size and contain cost. a big Reaper with hellfires is a fairly easy target for any roving fighter or gunship with AAMs. so large nos of self-destruct drones is the other option.

[ASPuar]

http://epaper.asianage.com/ASIAN/AAGE/2 ... tml?Mode=1


NSG No. 2 `removed' over official car


NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA and SRIDHAR KUMARASWAMI

NEW DELHI

The Army, however, says no evidence of wrongdoing, officer not facing inquiry
A senior Army officer of the rank of majorgeneral and posted as inspector-general (operations) in the elite National Security Guard (NSG) has been removed from office by the Union home ministry on grounds of “misuse of office”.

The officer, MajorGeneral S. Bharadwaj, is now back at Army Headquarters awaiting a fresh posting. The home ministry confirmed the development to this newspaper late on Tuesday evening. The post of I-G (operations) is considered the second-most powerful post in the NSG after that of the director-general since it is the I-G (operations) who leads the NSG’s counterterror response in the case of a terror attack.

Top government sources said that Maj. Gen. Bharadwaj had been removed from the NSG on grounds of “misuse of office” that includes alleged use of an official car for “private reasons”.

According to government sources, a family member of Maj. Gen. Bharadwaj
was also found to be allegedly misusing office transport for private purposes. “Maj. Gen. Bharadwaj’s removal on moral grounds follows misuse of his official position,” said a government official without elaborating. Army sources confirmed to this newspaper that Maj. Gen.

Bharadwaj had returned to Army duties after his deputation with the NSG in the last week of April. Army sources, however, main
tained that Maj. Gen. Bharadwaj was not facing any inquiry being conducted by the Army and that the Army had not come across any evidence that suggested any wrongdoing on his part.

“As per our information, Maj. Gen. Bharadwaj had written to the home ministry that he would want to revert back to Army duties for personal reasons. He is at Army Headquarters awaiting a posting,” said a senior Army source.

Sounds like more BS to me. I dont know what the nature of 'misuse' of official car was, but a) if true, it is not the sort of violation for which anyone is EVER punished (every government officers vehicle is used by family), b) sounds like victimization.

Will the Army chief have the guts to say that he will not have his senior officers treated like this on deputation?

[ASPuar]

What chances are there that he can take this case with the Armed Forces Tribunal which is like an appellate courts when it comes to Courts Martial?

Sachin, my understanding is, that considering the utter lack of evidence, the MoD is considering dismissing him under the 'presidents pleasure doctrine', which suggests that no explanation be given at all. So there will be no court martial to speak of at all!

I think that it can be challenged in AFT, since AFT has the power and status of a high court, in deciding service matters pertaining to armed forces.

[Juggi G]

After PM Frowns, Service Chiefs Told Not to Talk Out of Turn

[AdityaM]

Army Major caught spying for Pak, tip-off came from US

It is surprising that the americans are monitoring traffic so closely.
And surprises me more that they didnot use this to create leverage with the said officer to make him work for them.

[nithish]

Army prepares for future conflict with largest summer wargame

The Army's largest summer wargame in recent years today concluded in the Rajasthan deserts along the borders with Pakistan, showcasing its ability to inflict maximum damage on enemy targets in shortest possible time.

The elite 1 'Strike' Corps participated in the exercise named 'Yodha Shakti' that exhibited the resolve and the capability of the Indian Army to operate in most hostile weather conditions to achieve decisive victory for the nation, an Army spokesperson said in a press statement.

The final phase of the exercise was witnessed by Army Chief General VK Singh along with South Western Army Commander Lt Gen CKS Sabu, and a large number of senior officers of the Army and Air Force.
Army's Southern and Western Commanders and Western Air Command and South Western Air Command chiefs too were present on the occasion.

Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Singh briefed the Army Chief on the operational readiness, new concepts which were tried and the optimisation of force multipliers.
The Army Chief also interacted with the rank and file of the Strike Corps and expressed his appreciation on their high standard of professionalism, training and motivation.

'Yodha Shakti' fused the synergy of all arms and services of the Army and the land-air synergy between the Army and the Air Force essential for conducting mechanised predominant operations deep inside enemy territory.
"The operations were executed with overwhelming momentum and tempo. State-of-the-art technology provided the cutting edge. The induction of night vision capabilities in the mechanised forces enables a 24/7 dynamic operational capability," the spokesperson said.

The Army Chiefs and other senior officials also witnessed operational manoeuvres including the mechanised forces predominant attack, heliborne operations behind the 'enemy' lines, airborne drop by paratroopers and multiple manoeuvres by the mechanised forces and attack helicopters in the operational depth with intense synergy and integration between the Army and Air Force.
The aerial re-supply to the armoured division deep inside enemy territory provided it with requisite logistics surge capability for enhanced operational reach, the release said.

"As a reflection of the leadership ethos of the Indian Army, the para drop was led by Army Vice Chief Lt Gen P Bhardwaj, a highly experienced and decorated Para Officer," the spokesperson said.
The Army Chief expressed satisfaction at the meaningful training conducted to prepare for the future security challenges to the nation and complimented the operational readiness of the troops that will enable it to achieve a decisive victory in any future conflict, he added.

[Craig Alpert]

Operation Milap: Army plans a key role in Indo-Myanmar joint medical camp

A historic joint Indo-Myanmar medical, dental and veterinary camp organized with coordinated efforts of the Army and the civil administration of both nations at Bokkan, a border town of Myanmar opposite Molcham village of Chandel district in Manipur came to an end today, the 6th May. The two-day camp was arranged by 22 GRENADIERS under the aegis of HQs 26 Sector Assam Rifles, IGAR(South). Under 'Operation Milap' which aims at boosting bilateral relations a camp of such magnitude was arranged for the first time across the border by the Indian Army.
The camp was inaugurated on 05 May by Brig SK Bhanot, Commander, 26 Sector Assam Rifles and several high ranking officials of both nations were present.
About 2400 locals on both sides of the border benefited from the services of the general physicians, specialist doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons of the Indian army. Lectures on aids awarness, anti-malaria precautions and deadly and carcinogenic effects of drugs were also arranged over a period of two days.
A ration retail outlet cum STD booth was also inaugurated by Brig SK Bhanot at remote village of Molcham to provide items of daily needs to the locals at a fair price. Cultural shows, performances by dance troupes and an exhilarating band display by the Indian Army were also held for the locals.
The goodwill and gesture displayed by Indian Army in organizing the event was reciprocated by the officials of Myanmar and representatives of the Myanmarese Army with equal zeal and enthusiasm. The locals of border villages of both nations pledged to live in peace and harmony with each other.

[rohitvats]

<SNIP>

"As a reflection of the leadership ethos of the Indian Army, the para drop was led by Army Vice Chief Lt Gen P Bhardwaj, a highly experienced and decorated Para Officer," the spokesperson said.

<SNIP>

Now how did you fail to highlight this...

[Gerard]

Truth lost? Most military records of Bangladesh war missing

[shukla]

India ‘too late’ in artillery modernisation: Army chief

Singh, who assumed office March 31, said though Indian artillery was in the process of major modernisation, the induction of more powerful guns like 155mm/52 calliber guns of the ultra-light, wheeled and self-propelled varieties was not proceeding at the desired pace.“Are we not late vis-Ã -vis other modern artilleries,” he asked while addressing the Third International Seminar on Artillery Technology organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He stressed that it was “imperative” that India modernised its artillery systematically to compete with the best in the world. “While other advanced nations have leapt far ahead in the field, we are still lagging behind.” The army chief cautioned that any delay in this regard would render the gap between the frontrunners and laggers “impossible to be narrowed” down. “We certainly need to catch up, and catch up fast. We have to take much longer strides and accelerate our efforts,” he added.

Citing the example of some artillery equipment, like the Smerch Russian-made multiple rocket launcher, that is still in the process of induction, the army chief said: “The so-called modern weapons are, in fact, already in the process of replacement in the developed countries. Smerch has been in service in Russia since 1990 and we are still inducting it in our army.”

“Such a state is disturbing and most unwarranted, and merits urgent rectification,” he added. Singh said India also needed to upgrade its existing equipment to make it “akin to the state-of-the-art, and provide it with extra life”. He also sought more interaction between the armed forces and the DRDO, India’s premier defence research organisation, for the development of better artillery and missile technology to make the country’s defence self-reliant.

“Such concerted and coordinated efforts would surely lead to a technologically modernised Indian Army in a foreseeable future. However, such an approach can only be successful if there is a high degree of understanding amongst the partners,” he said, cautioning that “an element of ego in any of the partners” will a “great setback” to the partnership.

[aditya.agd]

Can India win the next war with either China or Pakis or with both?????

[Gyle_S]

wow this one is the mother of all questions...

[Sanjay]

A question - what personal weapons are carried by weapons crews - Carl Gustav, 2inch Mortar crews - in the Indian army and what personal weapons are carried by tank crews ?

In Russia, for example, only one firearm is carried between 3 crewmen - an AKSU with 10 grenades between the rest.

[shukla]

India to test M777 lightweight howitzer

The Indian Army is to conduct 'confirmatory' trials of the BAE Systems M777 155 mm/39-cal lightweight howitzer in the western Rajasthan desert prior to acquiring 145 guns via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

Military and defence industry sources in New Delhi told Jane's that the M777 trials with Indian-made ammunition were intended merely to 'validate' the FMS agreement under which India will acquire 145 units with Selex Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems for USD647 million.

Industry sources anticipate the deal being signed by the end of Fiscal Year 2010-11 next March. Thereafter, howitzer deliveries are expected to begin within 18-24 months to equip two mountain divisions for deployment along India's disputed northeast frontier with China.

[sum]

The Indian Army is to conduct 'confirmatory' trials of the BAE Systems M777 155 mm/39-cal lightweight howitzer in the western Rajasthan desert prior to acquiring 145 guns via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

Military and defence industry sources in New Delhi told Jane's that the M777 trials with Indian-made ammunition were intended merely to 'validate' the FMS agreement under which India will acquire 145 units with Selex Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems for USD647 million.

At least this is one IA led artillery trial in the last 25 years which will have a happy ending...

[rajrang]

The Indian Army is to conduct 'confirmatory' trials of the BAE Systems M777 155 mm/39-cal lightweight howitzer in the western Rajasthan desert prior to acquiring 145 guns via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

Military and defence industry sources in New Delhi told Jane's that the M777 trials with Indian-made ammunition were intended merely to 'validate' the FMS agreement under which India will acquire 145 units with Selex Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems for USD647 million.

At least this is one IA led artillery trial in the last 25 years which will have a happy ending...

Why would mountain guns be tested in the desert?

[Rahul M]

for checking usability in rapid reaction forces. combat aviation bde and so forth.

[rohitvats]

Why would mountain guns be tested in the desert?

That is where the Mahajan Field Firing Range is.

[Craig Alpert]

Bulletproof jackets for security personnel still woefully few

..........................
Though both the BP jacket that Karkare donned on 26/11 and the files related to it went controversially missing, most experts who saw images of what he was wearing said that the jacket was woefully inadequate to offer any protection against AK-47 fire.

In the current lot of procurements the MHA is using standards set by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the USA to stipulate the kind of bulletproof protection jawans in the field will get.

Over a period of time, the government is looking to provide "full body protection" or what is also called "360 degree protection" to soldiers. Efforts are also on to develop specifications for an "advanced BP jacket", which would offer protection even against armour-piercing bullets fired by high-calibre weapons.

[sathyaC]

Temperature control suits for Jawans soon

http://idrw.org/?p=1682

Summer this season has been worst in decades but not much will improve in further years to come but a Indian army jawan who has to stand in this blazing heat in Rajasthan where temperature are hovering above 45®c while keeping an eye on Indo-Pakistan border can hardly complain over heat , Recent War Games in Rajasthan where Indian Army fielded Main battle tanks to practice its new “Two Front War ” doctrine where a tank crew in a T-72 MBT without an Air condition have to face 10®c more than the outside weather temperature due to cramped condition and hot engine just running behind the tank ,it can be exhausting and even the best trained Tank crew or a battle hardened jawan will suffer fatigue due to rising temperature . But that is about to change Dr T.P Baburaj head of Defence Institute of physiology and allied sciences under DRDO has been working on a Temperature Control Suits both for Tank crews and Army Jawan, DR Baburaj explains “ Due to heat stress and lose of excess body fluid and limited fluid intake can lead to Multiple organ failure , so we are working on two different types of Body suits for our soldiers ,one is an Air cooled suit for our Jawans which is still under testing in “ Human Climatic Chamber” in its premises where different temperatures can be created in the chamber to test the suit , and we have also successfully tested a Water cooled suit for Tank crew in Mahajan range Rajasthan , Water cooled suit with water has the fluid keeps the skin temperature down , and water in suite is maintained at 25 to 30®c by a small unit which is connected to the suit . Dr T.P Baburaj team is also working on Air cooled undergarments for Jawans .we at idrw.org only wishes them best of luck in their endeavor.

[karan_mc]

Hope they bring Civilian version of this suit soon , i am pretty sure i will die in next summer ,this heat is not bearable

[viveks]

India to test M777 lightweight howitzer

They'd better move quickly on this one! Long time...dilly dallying!...EDITED!

[chetak]

This is the type of drive and initiative that the IA can do without.

The gentleman seems to have been doing it even whilst in active service !!!

Hope they catch the little sob and cut off his drive shaft.


http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/may/16 ... busted.htm

Auto thieves led by ex-army officer busted
By: IANS Date: 2010-05-16 Place: Ghaziabad

Police Sunday claimed they had busted a gang of auto thieves headed by a retired Indian Army officer who is now on the run.

Lt. Col. M.P. Singh, who left the army about 18 months ago, was running the gang for about a decade, Senior Superintendent of Police Raghuvir Lal said.

Police recovered 11 luxury cars along with fake documents after questioning one of the gang members.

Three others, the retired officer included, were on the run, Lal said. A police sub-inspector, Pankaj Verma, has been suspended for failing to arrest the former army officer.

The gang was busted following a tip, police added.

The arrested man has been identified as Nagad Narayan alias Ram Singh, a resident of Afaur Tola in Bihar. He confessed that he prepared forged documents for the stolen vehicles.

"Some customers who came to know they had been sold stolen cars surrendered them to the police voluntarily," Lal said.

[chetak]

Received by email. Source unknown.

Look at how we treat our own fallen, soldiers and security personnel and police included.

Some "environmentalists" even successfully objected to building of war memorials.

Anyone really want to know how our "airhostesses" treat jawans on the Army chartered flights to ferry the soldiers back to civilization from Leh etc?

The respect and regard accorded to fallen (& serving) soldiers in western countries is something we can learn a lot from. I guess we need to get as old and mature as they have..

I am sending this to you as I believe you will feel the import of this to its very core. As a battle-hardened soldier who has commanded troops in the face of the enemy, you will be able to appreciate this more than any civilian can imagine.

This is sent to me by Bill Doherty, a godly man. He retired from PanAm as a 747 pilot.


He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have anH.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“Is there an escort?” I asked.

“Yes, I already assigned him a seat.”

“Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early," I said..

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.

“My soldier is on his way back to Virginia,” he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.

I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers.

The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .

The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. “I'm on it,” I said. I told her that I would get back to her.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher.. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the
dispatcher and the following is the text:

“Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on
to the family. Thanks.”

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, “You have no idea how much this will mean to them.”

Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.

“There is a team in place to meet the aircraft,” we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family
from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, “Take your time.”

I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, “Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement.

We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife and
daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.”

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of “God Bless You,” “I'm sorry, thank you, be proud” and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of America.

[VinodTK]

India, Russia to hold joint military drill

The INDRA-2010 war games will be held on the Indian soil in autumn, in which 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade will take part," Land Forces spokesman Col Oleg Yushkov here said.

[Brando]

The Indian Army is to conduct 'confirmatory' trials of the BAE Systems M777 155 mm/39-cal lightweight howitzer in the western Rajasthan desert prior to acquiring 145 guns via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.

Military and defence industry sources in New Delhi told Jane's that the M777 trials with Indian-made ammunition were intended merely to 'validate' the FMS agreement under which India will acquire 145 units with Selex Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems for USD647 million.

145 guns to support 10 divisions of Mountain Infantry ? Isn't that just too little ? Also, without adequate air-lift capability, in terms of helicopters, how are these guns going to be rapidly deployed ? Testing a tried and proven weapon is merely an exercise in futility. The real test would be rapidly deploying and supplying these guns at altitude.

Is there any mention of any follow on orders for the M777s by the Indian Army ??

[rohitvats]

^^^Those are the initial numbers. Some formations in NE will get those.

[Singha]

a gang of car thieves led by a ex-Col of the IA has been nabbed in ghaziabad. over the last 10 yrs they claim to have lifted 1000 costly cars and
sold off many to serving high officers in army for less price by taking them to jharkhand and procuring fake papers from some korrupt RTO there. infact the Col is said to have started this gang when he was in service.

teams have fanned out to various cantonments to locate the stolen cars.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 938650.cms

[shukla]

Oman army to hold joint military exercise in India

Oman's military and naval forces will visit India for a joint military exercise next year, according to India's Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
Antony was speaking to the Indian Diaspora at the Indian Embassy on Monday night after arriving in Oman earlier in the evening for a two-day visit to the Sultanate to reinforce India's bilateral security ties in the Gulf region.

"The bilateral relations between India and Oman are centuries old. We consolidate our relations on a regular basis while exploring newer avenues of mutual cooperation," the Indian Minister added.

[shukla]

a gang of car thieves led by a ex-Col of the IA has been nabbed in ghaziabad.

Thats deeply saddening.. not sure what makes me more sad, that the an ex-Col was involved in such theft or the fact that he had to turn to it in the first place..

[shukla]

Army looking after external and 'internal' threats..

Army proposes dedicated training facility for anti-Naxal ops

"The Army has already trained 46,343 personnel from central police forces like CRPF for anti-Naxal operations. A dedicated training establishment will take this process forward in a cohesive way,'' said a senior Army officer.

This came even as the five-day Army commanders' conference kicked off here on Monday, with the top brass of the 1.13-million strong force slated to discuss the Naxalism problem on Tuesday. The Lucknow-based Central Command, in fact, will make a presentation on `The Naxal situation: likely developments and resources required'.

Already over-stretched in counter-insurgency duties in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the north-east, even as they prepare for their primary task of countering external aggression, the armed forces remain opposed to being dragged into anti-Naxal operations as well.

Army plans to raise Arunachal and Sikkim Scouts for China border

Already in the process of raising two new mountain infantry divisions for Arunachal Pradesh, the Army is now also moving ahead with its long-standing plan to raise "home and hearth'' battalions for the unresolved border with China. The Army commanders' conference, chaired by General V K Singh, on Monday discussed raising of battalions of "Arunachal and Sikkim Scouts'' on the lines of the Ladakh Scouts, which played a stellar role in dislodging Pakistani intruders during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

The proposal for the new Arunachal and Sikkim Scouts' battalions, which could have 5,000 soldiers each, will soon be sent for final approval to the government. "Like the experience with the Ladakh Scouts has shown, people hailing from high-altitude areas are better adapted for being deployed at such heights,'' said a senior officer. "They are hardy, know the terrain and acclimatise better. Moreover, they can help other Army units in understanding the local language, culture and area better,'' he added.

[Singha]

should be 15000 each. people need jobs, are strong and fit and willing to put up a fight.

[ParGha]

I wonder who their parent regiments will be? Assam for Arunachal and Gorkhas for Sikkim?

[atreya]

should be 15000 each. people need jobs, are strong and fit and willing to put up a fight.

I wonder what kind of regiment it would be? As in a regular regiment or pre-2000 Ladakh Scouts type.
PS: What was the difference between the structure of Ladakh Scouts and a regular regiment before 2000 (when it was converted)?

[rohitvats]

should be 15000 each. people need jobs, are strong and fit and willing to put up a fight.

I wonder what kind of regiment it would be? As in a regular regiment or pre-2000 Ladakh Scouts type.
PS: What was the difference between the structure of Ladakh Scouts and a regular regiment before 2000 (when it was converted)?

Pre-1999 Ladakh Scouts had Wings instead of Battalions (Indus and Karakoram Wings - iirc, each equal to a battalion) and Officers were seconded to the Scouts. Post regularization, LS has it's own officers and is like any other Regiment of the Army. What I don't know is whether these troops have been posted outside of Ladakh post regularization?

As a side note, Ladakh Scouts have a real glorious history - right from 1947 to 1999. Some of most hardy troops you'd come across and amongst the best in Mountain and High Altitude Warfare. It is after all in their genes. In prior conflicts - 47/65/71, they have achieved far more than can be expected from such a small body of troops. This is even more acute given the meagre resources given to these formations. Here it must be added that Officers commanding these stout, brave and hardy men in each of the above conflicts showed initiative and daring. The troops were more than happy to follow their leaders.

Captain Amrinder Singh, while covering the operations of 10 Battalions during Kargil, on purpose left out the exploit of the two Wings of the Ladakh Scouts - his reasoning was that operations by the Scouts of IA border on the realm of Special Operations (in line with SF) and not advisable to be discussed.

[atreya]

Pre-1999 Ladakh Scouts had Wings instead of Battalions (Indus and Karakoram Wings - iirc, each equal to a battalion) and Officers were seconded to the Scouts. Post regularization, LS has it's own officers and is like any other Regiment of the Army. What I don't know is whether these troops have been posted outside of Ladakh post regularization?

Thanks for that. I also vaguely remember reading somewhere that their ROLE was different too. Unlike regular battalions, they were allotted less/no heavy weapons, because their role was only scouting. Am I right?

I agree that they had a glorious history. As BR puts it, they "covered themselves with glory" in conflicts. They are some of the hardiest soldiers of the IA and can easily rank as the best mountain climbers in regular Army (SFF being equally good, but in the Special Forces realm)

[putnanja]

Army averts major avalanche tragdey in Ladak

An Infantry Division in the Northern Sector conducted a rescue operation to save 73 precious civilians lives. In the afternoon of 18 May a landslide occurred 2 km short of Changla Top (Ht 17350 ft), in which 75 civilians and a large Number of vehicles trapped under huge heaps of snow
...
...

[rohitvats]

Some time back (couple of weeks, maybe), I had read a report which stated that BEML had received order for ~800 Tatra trucks. The order is to be completed in 24 months period. Was just wondering - now why does the IA need such a huge number of Tatra Trucks in such a short time?

[Rahul M]

the new formations ? could be simpler explanations though, replacement of some old type(all nissans and shaktimans have been replaced ?) all of a sudden.

[vaibhav.n]

Some time back (couple of weeks, maybe), I had read a report which stated that BEML had received order for ~800 Tatra trucks. The order is to be completed in 24 months period. Was just wondering - now why does the IA need such a huge number of Tatra Trucks in such a short time?

@rohoitvats
I remember reading something in the ASC College Journal about the increasing logistical strain on the divisional ASC Battalions with respect to an ever increasing amount of tonnage hauled each year especially in the northern areas(advance winter stocking) and for the corps divisions. I guess with the increasing stress on C4ISR assets and other tech toys. What you have to carry to war is also increasing.

can someone help me out with these:

1.The army parachute units were, fully/partly mechanised, is this capability still retained with the remaining units or it is a thing of the past?
(I do remember unit BMP's in agra as a kid)

2. Whenever i read of wargames validating the CSD concept they seem to stress on 'vertical envelopment of paratroops' quite akin to the VDV's role in supporting the soviet OMG's. Is this a standard feature for all wargames in the past too 90's or only the CDS ones.