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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
From Kargil to Operation Sindoor, India has scored its point — without escalation
'History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.' — Mark Twain No two operations are fought under similar circumstances, or fought alike. There would be many differences: the Geopolitical environment, the will of the leadership in power and new weapons and equipment, which give rise to new tactics, strategies and doctrines. India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons in May 1998. The 'nuclear haves' of the world condemned it and called us 'irresponsible', 'rogue' nations. On February 21, 1999, the prime ministers of India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration. They committed to 'peaceful co-existence', 'responsibility to avoid conflict keeping in view the nuclear dimension', and to 'refrain from intervention and interference in each other's internal affairs'. Three months later, even before new nuclear doctrines were evolved, Pakistan violated the LoC to occupy the heights in the Dras-Kargil-Siachen sectors. The Pakistan army used the 'jihadi façade', not its 'sponsored proxies'. Our intelligence and surveillance systems failed to detect the intrusion, which added to the political and military surprise. In Operation Vijay, the political mandate to the armed forces was to throw the enemy out of our territory, but not to cross the LoC or international border, primarily due to nuclear fears and international disapproval. In Operation Vijay, the armed forces were poorly equipped. There was no Chief of Defence Staff, nor any integrated systems like the Integrated Air Defence Command and Control System, which exist today. However, at the operational level, the Army, Navy and Air Force did manage to coordinate their activities. But when the armed forces were on top of the conflict situation, India's political leadership decided to accept Pakistan's offer of a ceasefire. Soon after Operation Vijay, I was invited to address a seminar organised by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. I made the following points. One, due to the nuclear factor, economic considerations, risk of high casualties and international pressure, there is a greater likelihood of limited conventional wars in the future. A limited conventional war would be limited in time, geographical area, utilisation of force levels or weaponry. There is space available below the nuclear threshold for such wars. Two, surprise and unpredictability are basic elements of a war. A limited conventional war does not mean limited capabilities. It refers to the use of those capabilities. Three, a war can be kept limited with credible deterrence. There is a linkage between credible deterrence, escalation dominance and escalation control. Four, in any future conflict, a synergised politico-military-diplomatic approach is essential for monitoring and continuous assessment. Ever since the Kargil War, there has been much discussion on the nature of conflicts below the nuclear and conventional war threshold. A new term, grey-zone warfare, has emerged — it is described as a form of conflict that operates below the threshold of traditional warfare, utilising a combination of military and non-military tools, including state-sponsored proxies, to achieve strategic objectives without triggering an open war. It is characterised by ambiguity, deniability, and the use of unconventional tactics like cyberattacks, economic coercion, and disinformation campaigns. Briefly, the key characteristics of grey-zone warfare are: One, aggressors employ non-military or less kinetic tools which may not justify a military response; two, actions may take years, thus reducing opportunities for decisive counter-responses; three, the aggressor evades accountability, making it difficult to pinpoint responsibility and formulate responses. In the past 25 years, Pakistan has avoided a conventional or limited conventional war. But it has continued to use its sponsored proxies (like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed) as an instrument of state policy. After the terror attack on Uri Camp in 2016, the Indian leadership, with superior kinetic capability at its disposal, dropped strategic restraint. The Army carried out a shallow 'surgical strike' across the LoC. In 2019, after the horrific incident in Pulwama, India took yet another step forward. The Air Force struck Jaish's training camp at Balakot deep inside Pakistan. As the targets were terrorist camps, these responses, although provocative, were pitched as non-escalatory. The Pahalgam attack of April 22 hurt the very soul of India. It was impossible for the Indian government not to respond. In addition to several non-military steps, Operation Sindoor, with strong political resolve and the latest defence capabilities, was launched on May 7 to destroy nine terror camps across Pakistan. India made it known that this was a measured, non-escalatory response. When Pakistan escalated the situation and targeted India's civil and military installations, Indian forces neutralised the Pakistani offensive and took the next step in escalation dominance. Eleven military installations utilised for escalation by Pakistan were destroyed with precision. And then Pakistan called for a ceasefire. It would be foolhardy to ignore the spectre of a nuclear war in the Subcontinent and assume that the nuclear factor plays no role in limited conventional or grey-zone operations. Nuclear weapons remain a significant escalatory cap that demands close monitoring of the escalatory ladder. The soldiers in us may not appreciate having to give up the opportunity to exploit and strike further when the forces are in an advantageous position. But responsible political leadership, understandably, is less prone to take a nuclear risk. Another problem here is Pakistan's nuclear bogey and attempt to blackmail. It makes the international community sit up and intervene. During Operation Vijay, US President Bill Clinton used the nuclear factor to arm-twist Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Sharif succumbed. Vajpayee did not. During Operation Sindoor, US Vice President J D Vance warned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Pakistan's preparation for escalation. In both situations, India kept its cool, controlled escalation diplomatically and militarily, and achieved its political goal. Lesson: Escalation control requires a confident understanding of the adversary's escalation thresholds. The writer is a former Chief of Army Staff
NDTV
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
For Pak, India's Air Defence Network Is A 'Never Seen Before' Disruptive Tech
New Delhi: How did India hit 13 targets including eight airbases at strategic locations in Pakistan so precisely? How did Pakistan fail so miserably? These questions have left experts around the world looking for answers. The government shared some insights. The Akashteer system explained in 10 points On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, when Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian areas, they met the homegrown impenetrable wall of self-defence called the 'Akashteer' system. It is part of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) of the Indian Air Force. The IACCS was the tip of the spear in the air defence component of Operation Sindoor. The Akashteer stopped all Pakistani inbound airborne drones, missiles, micro UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and other loitering munitions. It prevented them from entering the Indian airspace. The most disruptive element of Akashteer is its ability to absorb data from multiple feeds - weather, terrain and radar intercepts to make real-time decisions, reroutes missions, and execute attacks autonomously. Pakistan defence experts have said they have never seen anything like this before. Akashteer is a completely homegrown product showcasing India's Atmanirbhar Bharat prowess. Compared to Akashteer, Pakistan's air defence (AD) network consists of Chinese-origin HQ-9 and HQ-16. They failed to intercept Indian projectiles spectacularly. Akashteer is a fully autonomous defence system. It provides a common, real-time picture to all involved parties (control room, radars, and air-defence guns), enabling coordinated AD operations. It is a system designed to automate detection, tracking and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones and missiles. The platform integrates radar systems, sensors and communication technologies into a single operational framework. Akashteer gathers data from multiple sources, processes it and allows for automated, real-time engagement decisions. It is part of the broader C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) framework, working in coordination with other systems. Akashteer's brilliance lies not in brute force but in intelligent warfare. Traditional models of AD rely heavily on ground-based radars, human-monitored systems, and surface-to-air missile batteries triggered by command chains. Akashteer breaks that mould as its technology allows for monitoring of low-level airspace in battle areas and efficient control of ground-based AD weapon systems. Akashteer adds a new chapter to India's strategic doctrine indicating a shift from defensive posturing to proactive retaliation against terror threats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that India cannot be blackmailed by nuclear-armed Pakistan and, if need be, India would retaliate to root out terrorism from inside their territory. Akashteer's presence in India's military assets gives confidence of a clear edge over the terror-sponsoring state's AD capabilities. Experts across the world are now terming Akashteer as "a seismic shift in warfare strategy". With this. India has joined the elite club of nations with fully automated and integrated AD C&R capability. In one line, Akashteer has demonstrated that it sees, decides, and strikes faster than anything the world has fielded. The system is vehicle-based, which makes it mobile and easier to handle in hostile environments. The integration of multiple elements reduces the possibility of friendly fire, enabling quick engagement of hostile targets and guarantees safety to friendly aircraft in contested airspace.
Mint
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Bhay binu hoi na preeti': Air Marshal AK Bharti quotes Ramcharitmanas at Operation Sindoor briefing to warn Pakistan
In a poignant moment during a press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti recited a verse from the Ramcharitmanas, underscoring India's shift from restraint to assertive action in the face of ongoing provocations from Pakistan. The verse, drawn from Tulsidas's epic and popularised by poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, reads: Vinay na maanat jaladh jad, gaye teen din beeti. Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoi na preeti Translated, it conveys that when Lord Rama's humble requests to the ocean went unheeded for three days, he realised that without instilling fear, love or respect does not arise. The moral implication is clear — humility is noble, but it must be balanced with resolve when necessary. The placement of the verse during the briefing about the official update on Operation Sindoor served as a deliberate and pointed message. The poetic reference signals India's growing frustration with repeated provocations and its decision to adopt a firmer military posture when restraint fails to yield results. Operation Sindoor, launched in response to continued cross-border support for terrorism, was discussed at length during the Armed Forces' joint update. Officials confirmed that India's Integrated Air Command and Control System effectively intercepted Pakistani attempts to strike Indian military assets. During the briefing, the Indian Armed Forces reported that all objectives of Operation Sindoor were achieved, with all pilots returning safely. They emphasised that India's actions were directed at terror infrastructure and that it was Pakistan's military involvement that escalated the conflict. While India and Pakistan have since reached an understanding to suspend military actions on land, air, and sea, the tone of Monday's briefing — especially with the invocation of Lord Rama's words — left no ambiguity. The poetic symbolism was used to articulate India's evolving strategic doctrine: peace is preferred, but not at the cost of passivity. The invocation of the Ramcharitmanas verse by Air Marshal Bharti encapsulates India's message: while the nation values peace and patience, it will not hesitate to act decisively to protect its sovereignty and citizens when provoked.
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First Post
09-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Did India down Pakistan's AWACS? Why losing this surveillance jet could be a big blow to enemy
Amid an escalating standoff, India reportedly shot down Pakistan's AWACS, the Airborne Warning and Control System. These surveillance jets are critical to air combat, and losing one of them delivers a big blow to the neighbour read more The Pakistan Air Force operates a fleet of nine Saab 2000 Erieye Airborne Early. Some reports in the media say one such aircraft has been shot down. Image courtesy: Saab The India-Pakistan standoff has escalated. On Thursday night, the Indian forces began a counteroffensive after drones and missiles from across the border attempted to hit the Indian military installations along the western and northern borders. There were blackouts in 15 cities amid the barrage of projectiles, targeted at Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Rajasthan. India once again thwarted the attack. It destroyed drones and missiles. But that is not all. The Indian forces reportedly shot down Islamabad's Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. This could deliver a blow to Pakistan's air surveillance and battlefield coordination capabilities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AWACS was shot down inside Pakistan's Punjab province, according to a report by India Today. However, there has been no official confirmation about this. What are AWACS? AWACS, the Airborne Warning and Control System, is a mobile, long-range radar surveillance and control centre, which is critical for air defence. The radar system is usually mounted on a large aircraft platform and is used to detect, track and monitor aerial and surface contacts over vast distances. It's like a flying command station that directs fighter jets and air defence systems, and also conducts surveillance during combat. The AWACS doubles up as an early warning system that coordinates air operations. It sends real-time intelligence to command centres and interceptors on land, at sea and in air. This airborne system is crucial to modern warfare, as it performs multiple roles and is dubbed the military's 'eyes in the skies'. The system was originally developed by the US Air Force and mounted on a modified Boeing 707 aircraft, referred to as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. What are the key functions of AWACS? AWACS monitor a nation's airspace in real-time. The aircraft provides situational awareness of friendly, neutral and hostile activity, and command and control of an area of responsibility. It helps in early detection, tracking hostile drones, missiles and aircraft before they enter the radar range of ground stations. The AWACS also work as an airborne control tower for friendly aircraft and guides them toward or away from targets or threats. It helps in electronic surveillance by intercepting the radio frequencies of the enemy, jamming signals, and detecting communication patterns on the battlefield. AWACS are essential to aerial combat in modern warfare. Image courtesy Saab How do AWACS operate? According to the US Air Force, the original E3 Sentry is a modified commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome fitted above the fuselage of the two struts. This dome – called the 'radome' or 'rotodome' – helps in long-range detection of more than 375.5 kilometres. The radar, combined with an identification friend or foe, or IFF, subsystem, can detect, identify and track enemy and friendly low-flying aircraft by eliminating ground clutter returns that confuse other radar systems. Today, other countries develop AWACS inspired by this model. The aircraft is equipped with multiple workstations, where specialists track threats, assign aircraft to intercept, and coordinate missions in real time, according to a report by Moneycontrol. The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system, or AWACS. Image courtesy: US Air Force AWACS have secure satellite communication and data links for seamless coordination with fighter jets, ground-based radars, surface-to-surface missiles and even naval ships. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several advanced AWACS are fitted with self-protection jammers and countermeasures. They have radar warning receivers, flare dispensers and decoys to dodge the threat of missiles, the report says. What AWACS does Pakistan have? Pakistan reportedly has nine AWACS aircraft. It purchased four Saab 2000 Erieye planes from Sweden in 2006. Between 2017 and 2002, it added more Erieye planes to its arsenal. The last of the aircraft was delivered to the country on July 2, 2024. From China, which supplies it with major military equipment, it bought four ZDK-03 AWACS in 2008, which were retired last year. Saab 2000 Erieye boasts of an effective surveillance area of 500,000 sq km horizontally and over 60,000 ft vertically. Its radar detects and tracks objects quickly with high precision and a high update rate. S-band technology ensures top performance in all weather conditions, aerospace company Saab says on its website. With only the Erieye operational, this is the AWACS India likely shot down. Pakistan purchased Saab 2000 Erieye planes from Sweden in 2006. Image courtesy: Saab What does the loss of AWACS mean for Pakistan? The shooting down of AWACS could be another setback for Pakistan as tensions escalate with India. It would impair the Pakistan Air Force's air surveillance, as this system is critical to identifying incoming threats. The India-Pakistan standoff is being fought in the skies, and taking down AWACS gives New Delhi yet another upper hand. It reflects India's aggression – it is not only intercepting threats and foiling attacks, but also disabling enemy assets. With inputs from agencies
Globe and Mail
17-02-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Factory Automation Market: Valued at $224.1 Million in 2024, Projected to Reach $403.8 Million by 2032
Factory Automation Market Research Report Information By Type (Fixed Automation, Programmable Automation, Flexible Automation, Integrated Automation), By Technology (SCADA, Programmable Automation Controller (PAC), PLC, Distributed Control System (DCS), Human Machine Interface (HMI)), By End User (Manufacturing, Automotive, Packaging & processing, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics & Others), And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific & Rest Of The World) – Forecast Till 2032 The Factory Automation Market was valued at USD 205.0 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 224.1 million in 2024 to USD 403.8 million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Automation is increasingly being leveraged to reduce human labor by integrating mechanization technologies and control devices into industrial processes. PC programming and modern robots are playing a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and productivity. Several industries, including oil & gas, chemicals, textiles, and medical sectors, are embracing automation techniques to optimize production processes. Key Drivers of Market Growth Increasing Productivity with Minimal Manufacturing Costs: Factory automation enables companies to boost efficiency while reducing operational expenses. Growth in Industrial Robotization: The integration of automated control systems and robotics is expanding across multiple industries. Rising Adoption of Carbon-Free Strategies: Governments and businesses are investing in eco-friendly automation solutions to meet sustainability goals. Expansion in End-User Industries: The automotive, oil & gas, and medical sectors are increasingly implementing automation solutions to improve operational efficiency. Advancements in AI and IoT: The growing use of AI-driven predictive maintenance and IoT-connected automation systems is transforming industrial operations. Key Companies in the Factory Automation Market include ABB Emerson Electric Co. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation General Electric Rockwell Automation, Inc. Omron Corporation Honeywell International Inc. Schneider Electric SE Siemens AG Yokogawa Electric, among others Market Segmentation The Factory Automation Market is segmented based on component, type, end-user, and region. By Component: Hardware (Sensors, Controllers, Industrial Robots, Drives) Software (SCADA, HMI, Manufacturing Execution Systems) Services By Type: Fixed Automation Programmable Automation Flexible Automation By End-User Industry: Automotive Oil & Gas Chemicals Textiles Medical and Pharmaceuticals Others By Region North America: High adoption of AI-driven industrial automation in the United States and Canada. Europe: Strong industrial base in Germany, France, and the UK, with a focus on Industry 4.0 initiatives. Asia-Pacific: Rapid automation adoption in China, Japan, and India, driven by manufacturing sector expansion. Latin America: Growth in automation investment in industrial hubs. Middle East & Africa: Emerging demand for smart factory solutions in growing industrial sectors. With the rise of Industry 4.0, the adoption of smart automation technologies, robotics, and IoT-driven systems is expected to accelerate. The market is poised for significant expansion, driven by cost optimization, sustainability efforts, and technological advancements. Related Report: VoLTE (Voice over LTE) Technology Market - Global Green Data Center Market - About Market Research Future At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research Consulting Services. The MRFR team have a supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services for our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.
