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Russia will lease to India in 2010 its new Nerpa nuclear-powered submarine.Russia’s Akula class nuclear-powered attack submarine “Nerpa” will be inducted by the Russian Navy after pre-delivery trials are completed this summer, prior to its formal lease to India later this year.

The Nerpa, armed with conventional weapons, was laid down in 1993 but was launched and started sea trials only in 2008 due to the piecemeal funding of its construction.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had flown to the Komsomolsk-on-Amur -- based naval shipyard and had released USD 300 million to cash-strapped defence enterprise with the orders to deliver the submarine to India by the end of this year. To be inducted as INS Chakra the Shchuka-B class (NATO name Akula-II) nuclear-powered attack submarine is a third generation submarine.

India has paid USD 650 million for the completion of the submarine & is expected to pay USD 50 million annually to the Russian Navy for its lease.The submarine would be handed over to an Indian crew in the port of Vladivostok, Russia’s military base and the main gateway to the Pacific.Russia, India’s close economic and political partner since Soviet days, is one of the world’s major arms exporters.Russia has a fleet of nuclear-powered but conventionally armed submarines besides its strategic nuclear-armed vessels, which are not sold abroad.

INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier of Indian Navy, was decommissioned on January 31, 1997. The ship which played a key role during 1971 Indo-Pak war has now been converted into a maritime museum and anchored off the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

The word Vikrant means valiant or powerful, and the crest of the carrier showed a combination of bows and arrows portraying the fighter planes taking off the carrier to strike the enemy. The motto Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah was taken from Rig Veda which means ‘I completely defeat those who dare to fight with me’.

Vikrant was originally known as HMS Hercules — was to be one of the six Majestic-class light fleet aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy. Her keel was laid down November 12, 1943 by Vickers-Armstrong, of Tyne, England, and she was launched September 22, 1945

In January 1957 she was sold to India, and construction was completed at Harland and Wolff with an extensively modernized design, including an angled deck with steam catapults, a modified island, and many other improvements.

The Vikrant’s initial air wing consisted of British Hawker Sea Hawk fighter-bombers and a French Alize anti-submarine aircraft. On 18 May 1961 the first jet landed on board, piloted by Lieutenant (later Admiral) R H Tahiliani.

India became an aircraft carrier nation with the commissioning of INS Vikrant. It was brought to Bombay on November 3, 1961 and later formed part of the Indian Fleet as a fully operational carrier. It was a light fleet carrier. The first active operation in which Vikrant took part was for the liberation of Goa in December 1961. The first warlike operation of Vikrant was the Indo-Pak war of 1965. In 1965 Pakistan claimed that they had sunk her. At the time, however, Vikrant was in the dry dock undergoing her periodical refit.

In June 1970, the Vikrant was immobilized at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, due to a crack in a water drum of one of the boilers. In March 1971 she was put through trials without use of the damaged boiler by routing steam from the forward machinery to the steam catapult. This enabled her to launch both the Sea Hawks as well as the Breguet Alizé.These modifications turned out to be invaluable, enabling the Vikrant to enter combat despite the cracked boiler against East Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

As soon as the engineering department managed to flash up the unserviceable second boiler and the carrier could give sustained speed of 18 knots for the Hawk squadron also to embark and so they too started flying from the carrier. The grit, devotion and the spirit to achieve the impossible gave one and all total confidence to take on all and sundry. The Carrier with its aircraft was itching to go into action. It was then middle of November 1971. Our ‘Iron Lady’, Prime Minister Madam Indira Gandhi gave the indication to our Chiefs that India may have to go to war with Pakistan. In the mean time Vikrant was quietly moved to Port Blair in Andaman Islands and finally positioned in Port Cornwallis Lagoon. On third December evening Pakistan’s Air Force struck many Indian airfields. Vikrant received orders to sail and strike enemy airfields in East Pakistan at the earliest.

There is no doubt that many of the strikes by Vikrant’s aircraft not only hit many vital targets on shore, damaged and sank many ships and crafts, it instilled fear in the enemy.

Stationed off the Andaman & Nicobar islands along with Indian naval ships, INS Bramhaputra and INS Beas, the Vikrant redeployed towards Chittagong^[9] at the outbreak of hostilities. On the morning of December 4, 1971, the eight Sea Hawk aircraft on the Vikrant launched an air raid on Cox’s Bazaar from 60 nm (nautical miles) away. That evening, the air group struck Chittagong Harbor. Future strikes targeted Khulna and Mongla. A PTI message is supposed to have read, “Chittagong harbor ablaze as ships and aircraft of the (Pakistan) Eastern Naval Fleet bombed and rocketed. Not a single vessel can be put to sea from Chittagong.” Air strikes continued until December 10, 1971.

Given naval intelligence that indicated the intent of the Pakistan Navy to break through the Indian Naval blockade using camouflaged merchant ships, the Sea Hawks struck shipping in the Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar harbors, sinking or incapacitating allmerchant ships there.

She was considered important enough by the Pakistanis that they sent the submarine Ghazi all the way to the Bay of Bengal to sink the INS Vikrant.The destroyer INS Rajput Located PNS Ghazi on her Radar and engaged her.Rajput deployed Depth Charges in the identified location of PNS Ghazi.The Submarine was destroyed even before she could spot INS Vikrant.

Vikrant and her aircraft made sure that no supply could reach the enemy by sea. The escape route of Pakistani land forces from East Pakistan by sea was completely cut off. These factors undoubtedly helped substantially to hasten the surrender of Pakistani troops.

Vikrant was given an extensive refit, including new engines and modernization between 1979 and 3 January 1982. Between December 1982 and February 1983 she was refitted again to enable her to operate BAe Sea Harriers which replaced the Sea Hawk. After the retirement of the Breguet Alizé from carrier service in 1989, she received a ‘ski jump’ for more efficient use of her Sea Harriers.

Vikrant was India’s only carrier for over twenty years, but by the early 1990s she was effectively out of service because of her poor condition. Even following major overhauls she was rarely put to sea. She was formally decommissioned on 31 January 1997 and is preserved as a museum at Mumbai.

The Mighty Aircraft carrier INS Viraat now protects the Indian Ocean and Continues to Spread fear among the enemy,the same fear which INS Vikrant had started.

With a proven track record and established technology for manufacture of helicopters and its components, the Helicopter Division commenced series production of Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter) in 2000 – 2001. The ALH is a multi-role, multi-mission helicopter in 5.5 ton class, fully designed and developed by HAL. Built to FAR 29 specifications, Dhruv is designed to meet the requirement of both military and civil operators.

The HAL Dhruv is a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is being supplied to the Indian Armed Forces, and a civilian variant is also available. The helicopter was first exported to Nepal and Israel, and is on order by several other countries for both military and commercial uses. Military versions in production are for transport, utility, reconnaissance and MedEvac roles.

Deliveries of the Dhruv commenced in 2002, a full ten years after the prototype’s first flight, and nearly twenty years after the programme was initiated. The Indian Coast Guard became the first service to bring Dhruv helicopters into service. This was followed by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and the Border Security Force. Seventy five Dhruvs were delivered to the Indian armed forces by 2007 and the plan is to produce forty helicopters yearly. One of only three helicopter display teams in the world, the Sarang aerobatic display team of the Indian Air Force performs with four Dhruv helicopters.

The Dhruv is capable of flying at high altitudes, a crucial requirement for the Army, which requires helicopters for operations in Siachen Glacier and Kashmir. In September 2007, the Dhruv was cleared for high-altitude flying in the Siachen Sector after six-month long trials. . In October 2007, a Dhruv flew to an altitude of 27,500 feet (8,400 m) ASL in Siachen. This was the highest that the Dhruv had flown, and was higher than the 25,000 feet (7,600 m) record set by an IAF Cheetah helicopter in 2005^.

A further order for 166 helicopters were placed with HAL since the helicopter is working well in higher altitude areas with the Indian Army The Armed Forces may order 12 ambulances versions for use by the Armed Forces Medical Services for MEDEVAC operations . HAL Dhruv ambulances will have all the emergency medical equipment for the treatment of injured soldiers

In June 2008, the Hindustan Times reported that the Indian Navy had decided against placing further orders for the Dhruv Naval variant, stating it has failed to meet basic operational requirements. However these rumours were put to rest by the recent comments of the defence minister who stated in the parliament that the navy had not rejected the dhruv as eight Dhruv helicopters are already operating in the Utility role. The Anti-submarine version will not be inducted since it did not suit the requirements of the Indian Navy in anti-submarine role.

Hindustan’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) program was first announced in November 1984,the ALHwas designed with assistance from MBB in Germany. The twin 1000 shp Turbomeca TM333-2B turboshafts are mounted above the cabin and drive a four-blade composite main rotor. The ALH makes use of an advanced integrated dynamic system which combines several rotor control features into an integrated module. The civil prototype ALH (Z-3182) first flew on 23 August 1992, at Bangalore, followed by a second civil aircraft (Z-3183), an Army version (Z-3268) and a navalised prototype (N.901) with Allied Signal CTS800 engines and a retractable tricycle undercarriage.Even after the first prototype flew in August 1992, problems arose due to the changing demands of the Indian military, funding, and contractual issues with Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, which was the consultant for design. Further delay was caused by U.S. sanctions after Indian nuclear tests in 1998, which embargoed the engine originally intended to power the helicopter. Then the helicopter used Turbomeca TM 333-2B2 turboshaft producing 746 kW (1000 shp) each and an agreement was signed with Turbomeca to develop a more powerful engine.

HAL is also developing the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) based on the Dhruv platform for the Indian Armed Forces. It will have stub wings fitted to carry up to eight anti-armour missiles, four air-to-air missiles or four rocket pods for 70mm and 68mm rockets. The LCH will also have FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared), CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera and a target acquisition system with thermal sight and laser rangefinder.

Recent versions of the Dhruv entering production use the more powerful Shakti engine developed jointly by HAL and Turbomeca. The first test flight of the Dhruv with the new engine and the weaponised version took place on 16 August 2007.

Major Features

• Designed to perform both utility and attack roles
  

• Twin engine  configuration which allows continued flight virtually throughout the flight envelope
  

• Incorporates a number of advanced technologies – Integrated Dynamic System (IDS) , Anti-resonance Vibration Isolation System (ARIS) , Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) , Hingeless Main Rotor, Bearingless Tail Rotor and Automatic Flight Control System
  

• 7 Dhruv Helicopters were delivered to Indian Defence Forces in 2000-2001

Army is planning to acquire 300 light tanks for deployment in the mountainous regions of the border with China and Pakistan, a move seen as part of efforts to beef up capabilities on the frontiers.

The tanks are intended to be deployed in the mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir in the north and Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the north-east

The tanks are expected to weigh around 22 tonnes and be capable of operating at heights of over 3,000 metres in hilly terrain, they said.

Deployment of the light tanks is being considered as part of mechanised force in the high altitude regions as heavy tanks cannot reach there, they said.

The army wants the tanks to be able to penetrate highly protected armoured vehicles and main battle tanks of the enemy from a distance of more than 2km and also be able to fire high explosive anti-tank shells and guided missiles.

Conventionally, tanks are deployed only in plains and it is very rare to station such armoured detachments in mountainous areas.

Heavy tanks face problems in mobility as narrow and spiralling roads make their movement very slow and the bridges there are also not built to bear heavy load of above 40-45 tonnes, they said.

At present, the only mountainous region in India where tanks are deployed is the Finger Area in Sikkim along the China border.

The army wants the tanks to be able to penetrate highly protected armoured vehicles and Main Battle Tanks of the enemy from a distance of more than two kilometres and also be able to fire high explosive anti-tank shells and guided missiles. China has made rapid strides in building infrastructure close to border with India. Viewing the developments with concern, India has also lately started matching up by improving roads and other transportation network.

India has also strengthened defences in the Finger Area by converting its positions into a permanent post to keep watch over troop movements. The army earlier used to send in only regular patrols and had a few traditional defensive positions in the area.

Process for acquisition of the tanks has been initiated with the Request for Information (RFI) being issued for the same.

Defence Minister A K Antony made it clear  that efforts were being made to bolster capabilities along the China border.

“Just as China is doing, we are also trying to strengthen our capabilities in our part of the country. Earlier, we were not doing anything but in the last few years, our government is also strengthening our capabilities in our areas by strengthening Army, Air Force and the infrastructure,” he said.

Conventionally, tanks are deployed only in plains and it is very rare to station such armoured detachments in mountainous areas. Heavy tanks face problems in mobility as narrow and spiralling roads make their movement very slow and the bridges there are also not built to bear heavy load of above 40-45 tonnes.

At present, the only mountainous region in India where tanks are deployed is the Finger Area in Sikkim along the China border. The Indian army has been maintaining a squadron of heavier T-72 and T-55 tanks there since mid-80s.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization , also called “the (North) Atlantic Alliance”, is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on April 4, 1949. The NATO headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, and the organization constitutes a system of collective defense whereby its member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party.

NATO is an Alliance that consists of 28 independent member countries.

Albania,Belgium,Bulgaria,Canada,Croatia,CzechRep,Denmark,Estonia,France,

Germany,Greece,Hungary,Iceland,Italy,Latvia,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Netherlands,

Norway,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,Spain,Turkey,United Kingdom & United States.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the organization became drawn into the Balkans while building better links with former potential enemies to the east, which culminated with several former Warsaw Pact states joining the alliance in 1999 and 2004. On April 1, 2009, membership was enlarged to 28 with the entrance of Albania and Croatia.^[5] Since the September 11 attacks, NATO has attempted to refocus itself to new challenges and has deployed troops to Afghanistan as well as trainers to Iraq.

The Berlin Plus agreement is a comprehensive package of agreements made between NATO and the European Union on December 16, 2002. With this agreement the EU was given the possibility to use NATO assets in case it wanted to act independently in an international crisis, on the condition that NATO itself did not want to act—the so-called “right of first refusal”. Only if NATO refused to act would the EU have the option to act. The combined military spending of all NATO members constitutes over 70% of the world’s defense spending, with the United States alone accounting for about half the total military spending of the world and the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy accounting for a further 15%.

The September 11 attacks caused NATO to invoke Article 5 of the NATO Charter for the first time in its history. The Article says that an attack on any member shall be considered to be an attack on all. The invocation was confirmed on October 4, 2001 when NATO determined that the attacks were indeed eligible under the terms of the North Atlantic Treaty.^[23] The eight official actions taken by NATO in response to the attacks included Operation Eagle Assist and Operation Active Endeavour. Operation Active Endeavour is a naval operation in the Mediterranean Sea and is designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction as well as to enhance the security of shipping in general. It began on 4 October 2001.

Despite this early show of solidarity, NATO faced a crisis little more than a year later, when on February 10, 2003, France and Belgium vetoed the procedure of silent approval concerning the timing of protective measures for Turkey in case of a possible war with Iraq. Germany did not use its right to break the procedure but said it supported the veto.

On the issue of Afghanistan on the other hand, the alliance showed greater unity: On April 16, 2003 NATO agreed to take command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The decision came at the request of Germany and the Netherlands, the two nations leading ISAF at the time of the agreement, and all nineteen NATO ambassadors approved it unanimously. The handover of control to NATO took place on August 11, and marked the first time in NATO’s history that it took charge of a mission outside the north Atlantic area. Canada had originally been slated to take over ISAF by itself on that date.

In January 2004, NATO appointed Minister Hikmet Çetin, of Turkey, as the Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) in Afghanistan. Minister Cetin is primarily responsible for advancing the political-military aspects of the Alliance in Afghanistan. In August 2004, following U.S. pressure, NATO formed the NATO Training Mission – Iraq, a training mission to assist the Iraqi security forces in conjunction with the U.S. led MNF-I

On July 31, 2006, a NATO-led force, made up mostly of troops from Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey and the Netherlands, took over military operations in the south of Afghanistan from a U.S.-led anti-terrorism coalition.

For fifty years the world lived under the shadow of the Cold War, fearing a fatal confrontation between the American and Soviet Union. Millions of individuals lived and suffered under the seventy-year reign of the USSR, crushed under the dead weight of a stagnant empire. But the ascension of Mikhail Gorbachev to the supreme leadership of the Soviet Union in 1985 began a tumultuous period that culminated with the fall of the realm founded by Lenin and Stalin. On Christmas Day in 1991, the Hammer and Sickle Flag of the Soviet Union was lowered for the last time above the Kremlin and replaced with the Russian flag. As the world watched in amazement, the Soviet Union disintegrated into fifteen separate countries. Its collapse was hailed by the west as a victory for freedom, a triumph of democracy over totalitarianism, and evidence of the superiority of capitalism over socialism. The United States rejoiced as its formidable enemy was brought to its knees, thereby ending the Cold War which had hovered over these two superpowers since the end of World War II. Indeed, the breakup of the Soviet Union transformed the entire world political situation, leading to a complete reformulation of political, economic and military alliances all over the globe.

The answer that led to this monumental historical event is a very complex one, and can only be arrived at with an understanding of the peculiar composition and history of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was built on approximately the same territory as the Russian Empire which it succeeded. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the newly-formed government developed a philosophy of socialism with the eventual and gradual transition to Communism. The state which the Bolsheviks created was intended to overcome national differences, and rather to create one monolithic state based on a centralized economical and political system. This state, which was built on a Communist ideology, was eventually transformed into a totalitarian state, in which the Communist leadership had complete control over the country.

However, this  proved problematic for several reasons. First, the Soviets underestimated the degree to which the non-Russian ethnic groups in the country (which comprised more than fifty percent of the total population of the Soviet Union) would resist assimilation into a Russianized State. Second, their economic planning failed to meet the needs of the State, which was caught up in a vicious arms race with the United States. This led to gradual economic decline, eventually necessitating the need for reform. The ideology of Communism, which the Soviet Government worked to instill in the hearts and minds of its population, never took firm root, and eventually lost whatever influence it had originally carried.

By the time of the 1985 rise to power of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s last leader, the country was in a situation of severe stagnation, with deep economic and political problems which sorely needed to be addressed and overcome. Recognizing this, Gorbachev introduced a two-tiered policy of reform. On one level, he initiated a policy of glasnost, or freedom of speech. On the other level, he began a program of economic reform known as perestroika, or rebuilding. What Gorbachev did not realize was that by giving people complete freedom of expression, he was unwittingly unleashing emotions and political feelings that had been pent up for decades, and which proved to be extremely powerful when brought out into the open. Moreover, his policy of economic reform did not have the immediate results he had hoped for and had publicly predicted. The Soviet people consequently used their newly allotted freedom of speech to criticize Gorbachev for his failure to improve the economy.

Gorbachev’s decision to not use military force to put down revolutions in Eastern Europe further eroded the power of the Soviet Union during 1989 and 1990. The fall of the Berlin Wall and communist governments throughout the old Soviet Bloc generated demands for reforms to the Soviet government as well. Non-Russian minority groups throughout the Soviet Union agitated for independence during this period. The Baltic Republics led the way in demanding freedom from Soviet occupation.

The tensions in the Soviet Union came to a head in August 1991 when a group of right wing military and KGB leaders staged a coup in Moscow while Gorbachev was on vacation in the Crimea. Boris Yeltsin gained international acclaim when he occupied the Russian White House and faced down the threats of the leaders of the coup. At one point Yeltsin climbed atop a tank and rallied the people to oppose the coup. Lacking organization and support by the military itself, the coup collapsed after three days. Gorbachev was forced to greatly reduce the power of the Communist Party in order to prevent further attempts to seize power. Unwilling to consolidate his power by using brute force, Gorbachev was unable to reestablish real control over the nation following the coup.

Although Gorbachev was the nominal chief of state, Boris Yeltsin now had immense popular support and wielded more substantial power. Over the next four months, Gorbachev and Yeltsin negotiated the transition of power made inevitable by the will of the people. Although Gorbachev tried to preserve some form of socialism and strongly urged that the individual Soviet republics retain close relations, he was unable to convince either Yeltsin or representatives from the republics. On December 1, 1991 all non-Russian republics of the Soviet Union declared independence. On that historic Christmas Day of 1991, the long and sad history of the Soviet Union came to a final and peaceful end.

The Geneva Conventions consist of four treaties that set the standards in international law for humanitarian treatment of the victims of war. The singular term Geneva Convention refers to the agreements of 1949, negotiated in the aftermath of World War II, updating the terms of the first three treaties and adding a fourth treaty.

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are at the core of international humanitarian law, the body of international law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects.

They specifically protect people who are not taking part in the hostilities (civilians, health workers and aid workers) and those who are no longer participating in the hostilities, such as wounded, sick and shipwrecked soldiers and prisoners of war.

The Conventions and their Protocols call for measures to prevent or put an end to all breaches containing stringent rules to deal with what are known as “grave breaches”. Those responsible for grave breaches must be sought, tried or extradited, whatever nationality they may hold.

protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons, their honour, their family rights, their religious convictions and practices, and their manners and customs. They shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof and against insults and public curiosity. Women shall be especially protected against any attack on their honour, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution, or any form of indecent assault. Without prejudice to the provisions relating to their state of health, age and sex, all protected persons shall be treated with the same consideration by the Party to the conflict in whose power they are, without any adverse distinction based, in particular, on race, religion or political opinion. However, the Parties to the conflict may take such measures of control and security in regard to protected persons as may be necessary as a result of the war. -An article from the Geneva convention

The Geneva Conventions entered into force on 21 October 1950.
Ratification grew steadily through the decades: 74 States ratified the Conventions during the 1950s, 48 States did so during the 1960s, 20 States signed on during the 1970s, and another 20 States did so during the 1980s. Twenty-six countries ratified the Conventions in the early 1990s, largely in the aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and the former Yugoslavia.

Seven new ratifications since 2000 have brought the total number of States Party to 194, making the Geneva Conventions universally applicable.

The Geneva Conventions apply at times of war and armed conflict to governments who have ratified its terms.  When the Geneva Conventions apply, governments must surrender a certain degree of their national sovereignty to comply with international law. These laws may not be entirely harmonious with their national constitution or their cultural values. Despite the advantages offered by the Conventions to individuals, political pressures may cause the governments to be reluctant in accepting its responsibilities.

India has at last acheived success in Indeginously developing a Battle Tank which can stand to the requirements of our Defence Forces.Built by its very own DRDO(The Defence & Research Organisation),India has got its First Indeginously built  Main Battle Tank,namely,The ARJUN.

Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun is a multi-laboratory programme of DRDO with CVRDE as the lead Laboratory. It is a state-of-the-art tank with superior fire power, high mobility, and excellent protection. Twelve Mk 1 prototypes of MBT Arjun have been manufactured and their performance tests have provided satisfactory results. Some of the breakthroughs achieved by CVRDE during the development of MBT Arjun are in Engine, Transmission, Hydropneumatic Suspension, Hull and Turret, and Gun Control System.

The rifled 120 mm ARJUN gun together with the newly developed super velocity ammunition, can defeat any contemporary armour used in tanks. The electro-slag refined gun steel tube is autofrettaged to withstand higher gas pressures. A thermal jacket prevents irregular temperature distribution on to the tube due to the weather influences.

MBT Arjun is provided with excellent mobility, superior fire power and protection and the features are quite comparable to contemporary world tanks. The Kanchan armour, hydro-pneumatic suspension, armament system, Integrated Fire Detection & Suppression System, system engineering and system integration of complex weapon platforms are some of the significant indigenous technologies of Arjun, developed by DRDO labs.

Armed with a 120 mm rifled gun, the Arjun is believed to be capable of firing APFSDS (Kinetic Energy) rounds, HE, HEAT, High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) rounds at the rate of 6-8 rounds per minute and the Israeli semi-active laser guided LAHAT missile. In addition, it is armed with a 12.7 mm AA machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The Arjun can carry 39 rounds in special blast-proof canisters. Loading is manual.

The Arjun’s rifled main gun is a rarity, main battle tanks of most other countries have smoothbore guns as standard. The British Challenger 2 is the only other MBT equipped with a rifled gun. Trials were conducted with the smoothbore Rheinmetall 120 mm gun.

The turret has been designed with the ergonomics of Indian Army troops in mind. The typical crew consists of a gunner, commander, loader and driver. It is protected by a laser warning system and smoke launchers for counter measures. To further enhance combat survivability, the tank has an auto-fire detection and suppression system. Ammunition is also stored in watertight containers to reduce the risk of fire.

The engine and transmission are provided by German companies MTU and Renk respectively. The water-cooled engine generates 1,400 hp and is integrated with an Indian turbocharger and epicyclic train gearbox with four forward and 2 reverse gears. A local transmission is under trials and will envisions to ultimately replace the Renk-supplied unit.The tracks which were being supplied by German company Diehl are now being manufactured by L & T, an Indian company. The cooling pack has been designed for desert operations. The Arjun has a lower ground pressure than the lighter T-72, due to its design.

The Arihant class submarine is a  Nuclear Powered ballistic Missile Submarine being developed for the Indian Navy. Arihant meaning “Slayer of Enemies” is India’s first Indigenously built submarine. The hull of the lead vessel of the class, , was introduced to the public on July 26, 2009 at a “launch” ceremony, which consisted of floating it by flooding the dry dock. Presently, the ship is no more than a floating hull, as no nuclear reactor, sensors, or weapons have been fitted and will not be for at least another year, at which point the trials will commence.

The Arihant class is India’s first indigenously designed and built submarine. 3 submarines of the class are expected to be in commission with the Indian Navy by 2015. The Arihant class vessels were designed as a part of India’s US$2.9 billion project to design and build nuclear-powered submarines.

Declaring that India has achieved a “historic milestone in the country’s defence preparedness” with the launch of the submarine, the Prime Minister said, “We don’t have any aggressive designs nor do we seek to threaten anyone.

With the sea trials, India has announced to the world that it possesses underwater platforms capable of launching nuclear weapons, completing its nuclear triad (land, air and sea) capability and strengthening its strategic deterrence.

It also made its entry into an elite club of nations comprising the US, Russia, France, the UK and China , which possess capabilities to develop nuclear submarine.

The 6000-tonne submarine is powered by an 85 megawatt capacity nuclear reactor and can acquire surface speeds of 22 to 28 kmph (12-15 knots) and submerged speed upto 44 kmph (24 knots). It will be carrying a crew of 95 men and will be armed with torpedoes and missiles including 12 ballistic missiles.

INS Arihant can also be armed with cruise missiles. The DRDO is already working on an equally secretive Sagarika project for a 700-km K-15 missile, capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

With new Potent weapons in its Arsenal,India is trying hard to upgrade its Defence structure in order to Defend itself from any form of attack (if comes)from its unstable Neighboring Countries.

From the past,India is Known to have a No first use policy or a defensive policy but at the same time its making sure that if it gets hit,it is ready to give back a Powerful punch which will break the Backbone of the Enemy once in for all.

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