HEADLINE = Weapons of destruction: Russia remains Indias prime vendor

INTRO = When it comes to weapons of offensive warfare, Russia still gets first
dibs in the Indian defence markets.

Until a few years ago, Russian weapons manufacturers were the unquestioned
rulers of the Indian defence sector. That changed with Indias defence
diversification programme. With India looking westwards, a bunch of countries
especially Cold War untouchables US and Israel started nibbling away at
Moscows market share.
But in one key area offensive weapons platforms Russia continues to be
Indias preferred vendor. This is in stark contrast to the defensive weapons,
transport aircraft and communication gear that New Delhi has sourced from
western and Israeli companies.
The Russian philosophy of offensive warfare means the Russian military forces
require weapons that can kick in the door early on in a conflict. With Russian
weapons you dont sit around waiting for the enemy to come to your doorstep,
but in fact go hunting for the enemy.
AERIAL WARFARE
Each time there is an intrusion into its airspace, the IAF scrambles the Sukhoi Su30MKI Flanker for interception. Whether its an unidentified aircraft, drone or
weather balloon, the Sukhoi is the interceptor of choice vectored towards the
intruder.
Clearly, the IAF doesnt want to take chances by scrambling the older MiG-21,
which being a pure interceptor should be ideal for the task. Nor does it send the
multirole and very capable French Mirage-2000 for such tasks. Without
exception, its always the Flanker. With a final figure of 300 or more Sukhois, this
wolf of the skies is the best example of a combat aircraft that has captured the
imagination of millions of Indians.
Also in the offensive mode is the MiG-29 Fulcrum, a multirole fighter that
provided combat air patrol (CAP) during the 1999 Kargil War. The Fulcrums
presence on the Indian side of the border ensured that IAF MiG-21, MiG-27 and
Mirage-2000 aircraft were able to mount round the clock attacks on Pakistani
positions while the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) watched helplessly.
The PAFs American made F-16s that ventured close to battle zone fled in haste
after being painted by the MiG-29s radar or after the Fulcrum achieved missile
lock on the F-16s. Aggressive CAPs by the Fulcrums allowed the IAF to attack
with impunity, ensuring a quicker end to the war.
The F-16 is one of the most successful jets in modern aviation, but its success
was because it only faced poorly motivated and small air forces such as Iraq.
When faced with a modern combat jet in the hands of highly professional IAF

pilots, the F-16s could only hide, not offer combat. Yet another example of a
Russian jet tailored for offensive warfare.
On the other hand, when it wanted additional strategic transport aircraft, India
opted for the American made C-17 Globemaster, becoming its second largest
operator, plus six C-130J Hercules transporters for its special forces and the
Border Security Force. However, both acquisitions were a quid pro quo for the US
removing the pariah tag via the Indo-US nuclear deal.
In fairness, the C-17 can lift 30,000 kg more than Indias IL-76 Ilyushins, although
the Russian strategic transport aircraft has a range thats nearly 1000 km more.
The Globemasters extra capacity came in handy while ferrying over 4000
Indians from Yemen in April 2015.
MISSILE WARFARE
Air defence missiles come under aerial warfare, but their modern iterations are
potential game changers and deserve a separate category.
Indias existing air defence systems are not just outdated but they belong to the
middle of the 20th century. For offensive defence, India is now looking at the S400 Triumf. It belongs to a class of missiles only possessed by Russia that
have strategic capabilities because of their long range and supersonic speed.
An S-400 missile based around Delhi can bring down a Pakistan aircraft over
Lahore within seconds of launch, thereby complicating the enemys operation.
The S-400 is a rare example of a missile defence system that can be employed in
offensive mode.
The deal was supposed to go through during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit
to Russia in December 2015, but seems to have got stuck. The usual suspect is
Indias laborious defence acquisition bureaucracy, but it could also be price.
The India-Russia BrahMos supersonic missile with a range of 290 km is another
game changer. Its highly destructive power can ensure quick elimination of wellprotected enemy targets such as aircraft pens and communications bunkers. The
BrahMos will be the first weapon to be launched in the event of hostilities, which
makes it yet another offensive weapon from Russian stables.
On the other hand, when it comes to purely area defence, India is developing
surface to air missiles especially the medium range MRSAM and long range
LRSAM with Israeli help. These missiles are designed to bring down enemy
aircraft and missiles between 50 km and 100 km.
If enemy missiles are able to evade the layer covered by the MRSAM and LRSAM,
Indias own Akash SAM will protect battlefield assets within a radius of 40 km.
Incidentally, the Akash was perfected with assistance provided by Russias NPO
Mashinostroyeniya.
LAND WARFARE

The Indian Army is overwhelmingly a Russian weapons-based service. It is the

largest foreign operator of the T-90, the most lethal and well-protected tank in
the world. Its ability to cross defences once considered impassable has
earned it the sobriquet of the Flying Tank. India plans to have up to 1600 of
these land leviathans, which form the core of its armour spearheads.
The army also has hundreds of Russian BMP armoured personal carriers which
are part of its strike forces.
Russia seems to have missed out in Indias artillery sector. Providing heavy fire
support for Indias Russian tanks will be western guns. The Bofors 155 howitzers
from Sweden performed with devastating accuracy during the Kargil War, but
additional guns could not be procured because of kickbacks in the deal worked
out by Indian and Swedish Prime Ministers.
For the next generation of artillery guns too, India has decided to go West, with
the US made M177 howitzers to be inducted into Indias new mountain divisions.
Future cannons will come from Samsung-Techwin of South Korea.
Communication systems of the Indian Army are almost totally supplied by
American companies.
NAVAL WARFARE
The Indian Navy has had a long and fruitful partnership with Russian
companies for attack vessels. From the flagship aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya
and its complement of MiG-29K fighters to the fleet of destroyers, frigates and
missile boats, the navy relies on Russia. For those not in the loop, Vikramaditya is
the largest warship ever built for export.
It seems nothing has changed since the 1960s when India first acquired the Osa
class missile boats. These boats attacked Karachi harbour during the 1971 War,
and the city burned for a week. Interestingly, the missile boats were meant for
shore defence but in an example of Indian ingenuity, the Indian Navy
unleashed the Osas in shore attack mode.
As many as 10 of the navys 14 submarines both diesel and nuclear powered
are of Russian origin. During the Kargil War, INS Sindhurakshak since lost in an
accident in port was lurking off Karachi waiting for the signal to launch its Klub
missiles in a reprise of the 1971 War.
The next generation of offensive vessels Kilo class diesel submarines, Arihant
class n-subs and Talwar class stealth frigates are also of Russian design or
make.
Again, when it comes to maritime transport, India has chosen Japans US-2
amphibious aircraft over the Russian Beriev Be-200 Altair. Although the Beriev is
a proven design and is popular worldwide Portugal, Greece and Israel among
other countries have used it for fire fighting Indias decision seems
understandable in the backdrop of growing strategic ties with Japan.

You get the picture when it comes to weapons required for offensive warfare,
Russia seems to be the obvious and natural choice.