January 1 - 15, 2017
DEFENCE
Defence Ministry proposes Foreign Collaboration for Arms Manufacture in India
To give a boost to the ‘Make in India’ programme, the Defence Ministry is in the process of outlining a proposal for manufacturing of top-of-the line fighters, warships and battle systems by facilitating collaboration between Indian and foreign arms manufacturers. Through this proposed “strategic partners” policy, which is still awaiting approval, it is expected that long-term tie-ups and transfer of technology would be possible.
The proposal hopes to go beyond the present “screwdriver technology” wherein, foreign firms outsource few components to their Indian partners without sharing niche technology. It is anticipated that the Defence Ministry would identify key private sector Indian players and put them in touch with major foreign defence players. Further, post the agreement to a joint venture between these players, the ministry would sign a long-term agreement with them, thereby assuring them of dedicated orders and therefore in the process hopefully ensuring technology transfer and long-term commitment of the foreign firm to manufacture in India.
Launch of Khanderi
Khanderi, the second of Indian Navy’s Scorpene class submarines, was launched on 12 Jan 17 by the Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri, Dr Subhash Bhamre. The submarine is expected to be delivered to the Navy by the year end. She has been christened after her illustrious predecessor, an erstwhile ‘Foxtrot’ class submarine decommissioned in 1989, in accordance with the traditions of the Navy. The construction of the six Scorpene submarines is presently being progressed at Mazagon Dock Shipyard Limited (MDL), under Project 75 with Transfer of Technology from M/s DCNS, France. The first of the class, Kalvari, is currently undergoing sea trials and is likely to be commissioned into the Navy this year. These submarines will form the core of Navy’s conventional Submarine Arm.
The Indian Navy currently operates 14 conventional submarines, most of which have completed more than 20 years of service. The older generation Sindhughosh and Shishumar class submarines, which were inducted in the mid-1980s, are at the end of their service life, which directly impinges on their availability and combat capability. The induction of the Scorpenes has also been delayed by more than four years. Consequently, the Navy’s submarine arm suffers from both obsolescence and reduced fleet strength. The Government has, not yet, announced further replacements for the ageing submarine fleet. While the Scorpenes will bring much needed modern teeth to the combat capability of the Navy’s submarine arm, they will not provide the necessary numbers to bolster force levels. The continuing and creeping advance of the Chinese navy and their collusion with the Pakistan Navy in this region requires urgent addition of modern submarines into the Indian Navy if it has to retain the advantage in any potential future conflict. It however remains to be seen as to how the Government proposes to meet this challenge which has the potential to blunt the combat edge that the Indian Navy currently enjoys in the IOR.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Rise of SIMI Under Different Name
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has indicated that some radical elements within the proscribed ‘Students Islamic Movement of India’ (SIMI) are trying to forge links with individuals in the recently banned ‘Islamic Research Foundation’. Government of India has issued an alert to the states outlining such a possibility. According to reports, in the recent past, person to person contact and group interactions has increased in certain areas which are known to be the breeding grounds for militants in different states. SIMI, which was banned 16 years ago and still has large number of supporters, could plan its revival under a different name bringing together likeminded radicals. In this context, it may be noted that following the government ban on Islamic Research Foundation on November 15 under Unlawful Activities Act for five years, Kerala and Chattisgarh based Islamic fundamentalist organisation ‘Popular Front of India’ (PFI) had organised rallies in different places in support of Zakir Naik.
US-India Cooperation in Counter Terrorism
Senior Director for South Asian Affairs in the US National Security Council, Peter Lavoy in a recent interview to PTI acknowledged that Counter Terrorism cooperation between India and the United States under the eight years of Barak Obama administration, was ‘incredibly successful’. He added that this cooperation has not only diminished the threats of terrorism in both the countries but also foiled several terror plots. Lavoy also highlighted that US India consultation about terrorist threats has not only helped India and the US but has helped to identify and mitigate several threats to the region.
The NIA Court Frames Charges against Abu Jundal
The NIA Special Court framed charges against Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal for conspiring to commit terror acts in India, promoting enmity among different communities and other offences in a case related to post-2008 Mumbai terror attack. Abu Jundal is charged under section 153 A (1) (promoting enmity between different communities) of IPC and several sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act including Sections 18 and 20. Court proceedings are scheduled to begin on January 31, 2017. Abu Jundal was last year sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case.
Two Persons with 800 Detonators Arrested in Assam
The Indian Army and Assam Police in a joint operation arrested Rahim Badshah (30) and Abdul Sahid (25) at Shantipur Beparipara, a border village of Assam on January 15, 2017. Total 800 detonators were seized from their possession along with a pistol and ammunition. The consignment was meant to be delivered to militants groups in Meghalaya’s Garo hills.
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Situation in Iraq
After the resumption of military operation in Mosul in late December last year, Iraqi Security Force (ISF) and its coalition partners could make some forward movements during the first half of January 2017, leading to predictions about the eventual liberation of Mosul from the clutch of Daesh. This is despite the comments made by a top United States military general that it would take “two years” to clear this outfit from Mosul and Raqqa. However, the Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) after a fierce battle, recaptured the University of Mosul from Daesh’s control. It is suspected that the chemicals found in the university campus might have been part of “ISIS's rudimentary chemical weapons programme”.
These developments notwithstanding, the overall situation in Iraq is no better as the terror group continued to demonstrate its capability to stage attacks in and around Baghdad during early and mid-January. Early this month, more than 20 people were killed in a bomb blast in Baghdad and Sadr City; a predominantly Shiite neighbourhood. The repetitive targeting of such places, showcased the staunch sectarian approach of Daesh, not only in ideology but also in its operations. Civilians have been staging protests in Baghdad calling on the government to provide adequate security. Questions are being raised whether Iraq’s security forces will be able to prevent Daesh’s terror activities in different parts of the country, including those territories which have been retaken. Alongside the security challenges, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi will undoubtedly face political upheavals in the days to come.
Istanbul Nightclub Attack
The year 2017 did not begin on a good note for Turkey as 39 people inside a nightclub in Istanbul were killed in a terrorist attack in the early hour of 1 January. Daesh claimed responsibility and in its usual manner, the group heralded the attacker of the caliphate attacked one of the most famous nightclubs, where Christians celebrated their pagan holiday”. The attack on the New Year revelers brought to the fore the vulnerability of Turkey in the face of terrorist groups which have repeatedly targeted different locations in the country. That terrorist could target such sophisticated venue in a city like Istanbul also highlighted possible intelligence failures since there were warnings about a potential strike on crowded places in major Turkish cities. Furthermore, the rising concern with regard to lone actors performing such tasks, with or without direct orders from Daesh leaderships, has been reinforced by this incident
In 2016 also, Turkey witnessed similar brazen attacks, most of them were claimed by either Daesh or The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Interestingly, Turkey, till the recent times, used to be one of the most preferred transit point for thousands of foreign fighters who travelled towards Syria and Iraq. But attacks of this nature could be considered a backlash for Ankara’s military policies, particularly in Syria and for heightened security arrangements along the border areas of Syria due to which movements of Daesh fighters have become difficult. This is also an emerging trend which a few European countries and the US witnessed during 2015 and 2016. Currently, Turkey is simultaneously facing security challenges from different elements, including the sympathizers of the exiled leader Fethullah Gulen who was accused of being the mastermind behind the thwarted coup attempt in July last year. As aptly commented by an expert, the Istanbul attack “further exposed the fault lines in a country that is increasingly tearing apart amid terrorist attacks and political instability”. While Daesh will continue to remain a major threat to Turkey, the potential of PKK to strike the country in a similar fashion should not be undermined.
Attack in Jerusalem
The relative calm which the city of Jerusalem enjoyed in the recent months was shattered when a Palestinian youth drove his truck into a group of young Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers killing four of them on 8 January. In Israel, attacks by the Palestinians using cars, trucks, buses and tractors are not a new practice. However, as terrorists and sympathizers of Daesh are increasingly turning to this method, the Jerusalem attack is also being considered to be inspired by Daesh. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the incident in the following words, “This is part of the same pattern inspired by Islamic State, by ISIS, that we saw first in France, then in Germany and now in Jerusalem. This is part of the same ongoing battle against this global scourge of the new terrorism”.
Some studies conducted in Israel considered 2014-2015 as ‘peak years’ during which the Palestinians supported Daesh. Although there are still significant number of Daesh sympathisers within sections of the Palestinians, this does not tantamount to their direct connection to the outfit. But as Daesh has successfully franchised its brand the world over, there will definitely be elements who would want to use this name when such attacks take place. Another inference that could be drawn out of this particular attack is the relevance of social media campaign of Daesh. In one of its recent editions, Rumiyah, the English language propaganda magazine, Daesh urged its operatives, supporters and sympathisers to use trucks. An excerpt from the magazine under the heading 'Just Terror Tactics” read: “being an essential part of modern life, very few actually comprehend the deadly and destructive capability of the motor vehicle and its capacity of reaping large numbers of casualties if used in a premeditated manner”. While Israelis and Palestinians are embroiled in their decades-long conflict, Daesh will continue to look for potential sympathisers who can carry out attacks inside Israel.
