China ship with 22 labs spied on India

India detected a Chinese spy ship disguised as a fishing trawler in the Indian Ocean a few months ago. By the time ship figured in the Indian radars, it had operated already for about 22 days and was positioned off-the cost of Little Anadaman - an area which is considered sensitive and crucial in the ongoing battle for supremacy over the Indian Ocean region between India and China.

Immediately after detection an Indian Navy Ship was sent after it. However, since the Chinese ship was in international waters, no punitive action could be taken against it. The Indian Naval ship, instead, tailed the Chinese ship sending out a clear message that India was aware of its actual mission. In order to avoid the Indian Navy tail, the Chinese Ship moved towards Sri Lanka and docked at the Colombo. Inquiries by the Indian security agencies revealed that ship as many as 22 Laboratories on board.

A report sent up to government, which NDTV has access to, claims that the Chinese ship was mapping the Indian Ocean and picking up crucial Bathymetric data. Other Laboratories on board the ship were designed to collect data on the currents of the Indian Ocean, the temperature at various depths and also very crucially, underwater obstructions and obstacles. Bathymetric data is crucial for submarine and Carrier based operations. Information about ocean currents, on the other hand, is crucial if torpedoes are to be used

Special Forces, UAV's To Be Used Against Maoists

Friday, September 02, 2011

By : Defence News Admin

Specialised India Reserve Battalions would soon be raised to implement and safeguard various development projects in Maoist-affected areas and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) would also be used against the rebels, parliament was told Tuesday.

Specialised India Reserve Battalions would soon be raised to implement and safeguard various development projects in Maoist-affected areas and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) would also be used against the rebels, parliament was told Tuesday. Answering a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State of Home Affairs Jitendra Singh said the battalions will have two components – security companies and engineering companies. 'The government of India has approved raising of Specialised India Reserve Battalions in the naxal (Maoist) affected areas to implement various developmental projects, including infrastructural facilities and also to provide security and technical assistance to such projects,' said Singh. Responding to a separate query, Singh told the Lok Sabha that 27 mobile towers were attacked by Maoists this year till Aug 15, compared to 45 last year and 66 in 2009. According to the minister, UAVs will soon be deployed in Maoist-affected areas to track their movements. However, it is not possible to give a time line. ‘The government has adopted two-pronged approach in this regard – development and the maintenance of law and order,’ he said.

Arjun Mark-II Will Cost Rs 37 crore (US $8 million) Per Tank

The Arjun Mark II, an upgraded version of the Mark I pictured here, will roll out by 2015, says Antony.

Answering a question in parliament today, Defence Minister AK Antony put the price of the Arjun Mk II at Rs 37 crore per tank. The Arjun Mk I had been produced by Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi for about Rs 16-18 crore per tank.

The official release about Antony's answer in parliament today to a question on the price of the Arjun is attached below

Limited technical trials with some major and minor improvements on Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Mark-I, as part of MBT Arjun Mark-II, have been carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the deserts of Rajasthan.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the proposal for placement of indent for 124 Nos. of MBT Arjun Mark-II on Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai. Placement of indent by the Army on Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is being further processed.

The likely estimated cost of each MBT Arjun Mark-II with ail major/minor improvements will be approximately Rs 37 crore.

The first batch of MBT Arjun Mark-II is likely to be productionised by 2015.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Naveen Jindal in Lok Sabha today.