India is upgrading its MiG-27 fighters to sharpen their strike capabilities, officials said on Wednesday, even as experts say the recent Mumbai attacks have exposed the country's need to modernise its defence forces. Although the upgrade was planned well ahead of the attacks, officials said the defence ministry wants to speed up modernisation of its forces to tackle any future security threat. The upgrading comes at a time when tension runs high with Pakistan over Mumbai and India is saying it has all options open to deal with "terror outfits" in Pakistan. India is spending $92 million to develop the fighters with precise navigational equipment, better weapons aiming and accurate ranging sensors for hitting ground targets. "The hardware and avionics bit has already been fitted into 40 fighters, and the software is being loaded now," Suranjan Pal, a senior Defence Research and Development Organisation official, told Reuters. With the upgrading, the MiG fighters would last for another 10 years and have autopilot and auto weapon delivery facilities, a senior Indian Air Force official said. India is looking to spend $30 billion on imports over the next five years to modernise its largely Soviet-era arms and is also trying to strengthen its navy by introducing new weapons systems. The MiG-27 aircraft was originally built in the former Soviet Union in the mid-1970s before it was licenced to be produced in India. India, fast becoming one of the world's biggest arms importers, wants to modernise its air force, the fourth largest in the world, to cope with possible security threats in the region, security experts said. "This is something more than it meets the eye, India is now very keen to signal to all the people that are monitoring the country that India is modernising its defence units," C. Uday Bhaskar, a strategic affairs expert told Reuters. "It seems we are now putting all the pieces together." India is also considering upgrading of its other fighter fleet, including Mirage 2000s, Jaguars and MiG 29s, ahead of procuring the new generation Sukhoi-30MKIs, officials said. It has also invited bids for a contract to supply 126 multi-role fighter jets, potentially worth more than $10 billion.

The US is in preliminary talks with India over the sale of missile shield systems to help New Delhi guard against nuclear threats. India's need for greater protection against threats emanating from Pakistan and other volatile countries in the region was highlighted by an escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the Mumbai terror attacks in November last year. The two countries have fought three wars over the last 61 years. Officials at the US embassy in New Delhi told the Financial Times that talks had taken place, mainly at the technical level. They said US defence officials had conducted computer simulations with their Indian counterparts to demonstrate the capabilities of such technology. Experts from India's Defence Research Development Organisation have also watched two live launches of missiles used in the shield system. The development highlights the fast-changing nature of the strategic engagement between Washington and New Delhi, after decades of frosty relations. "India is a partner of ours, and we want to provide it with whatever it needs to protect itself," one US embassy official said. "This fits into the overall strategic partnership we are building." Pakistan said last night it "will have to take counter- measures to respond" to any agreement between the US and India over a missile defence system. "No anti-missile and anti-nuclear shield is completely foolproof," said a senior Pakistani official with detailed knowledge of the country's own nuclear programme. "You must consider the fact that the flying time of a missile from Pakistan to India would be hardly a few minutes. Does that give sufficient time to a system like the Patriot to respond? I believe not." However, India's politicians and defence planners have yet to take a final decision on whether to buy any foreign shield systems as they undertake an expensive modernisation of the army and replace ageing Soviet-era military hardware. "I get the impression the scientists are quite interested, and that some in the strategic policy community . . . see this as a future tool in their kit bag," another US official said. "But India's political leadership and its strategic community need to decide what their interests and threats are." Satish Nambiar, former head of a military think-tank, said acquiring missile shield technology from Washington would be a sensitive move for any Indian administration. "It would have very serious political repercussions here," he said. New Delhi also views China - with which it has an outstanding border dispute - as a potential adversary, although relations between the aspiring Asian superpowers remain polite. India has been working to develop its own indigenous missile defence systems, and has conducted two missile intercept tests in the last two years. (FT.com)

China has had a number of dealings with South African weapons manufacturers over the past decade, most of which have not resulted in actual weapons purchases. However, several recent China-made military technologies bear suspicious resemblances to their South African counterparts. In 2008, China acquired a fourth-generation air-to-air missile equipped with a thrust-vector control engine. The PL-10, or PL-ASR, is comparable to the U.S.-made AIM-9X air-to-air missile, or AAM. According to a representative from the South African Denel Group, the PL-ASR is almost a replica of its A-Darter AAM. The Denel representative told the author during an interview in Cape Town that the Chinese had contacted the company in 2001 to explore the possibility of importing fifth-generation A-Darter infrared-guided AAMs, which included a TVC propulsion system and pilot helmet-mounted displays. In the end, Denel did not sell the technologies to China, which it regards as its key competitor in selling air-to-air missiles on the African market. Company engineers were therefore surprised to find that the Chinese PL-ASR is nearly identical to the A-Darter in exterior structure, tail engine and even the diameter of the missile body. The company strongly suspects that China reverse-engineered its A-Darter AAM after acquiring its technological materials. This fits a pattern that China has followed in acquiring military technologies from many sources. When seeking a new technology, China contacts a foreign manufacturer and requests substantial technical information about its product, supposedly with the intent to buy. Instead, Chinese engineers study the materials and imitate the relevant concepts and designs. Something similar occurred in the course of China’s development of a combat helicopter. In 1996 China and South Africa signed a memorandum to jointly develop a combat helicopter, when China was in the process of building its ZW-10 helicopter. After being given a focused inspection of the Rooivalk combat helicopter’s subsystems, China wanted to purchase one helicopter from Denel, but the South African company considered the purchase of a single aircraft the equivalent of giving away its technologies. As a result, Denel decided not to sell China the helicopter and the cooperation came to an end. Another item that appears to have been copied from South Africa is the optical-electronic pod on China’s ZW-9 combat helicopter, which bears a strong resemblance to the Leo-II serial O/E pods produced by the Zeiss Company. Technical experts from the Zeiss Company told the author that about seven to eight years ago Zeiss exported two sets of an earlier variant of the Leo-II O/E pods to China, intended for use on helicopters. According to the source, the Chinese side explained that they needed a large number of this type of O/E pods for civilian helicopters, and therefore would like to purchase two sets initially for testing purposes. The source said the Chinese took no further action after receiving the test pods. Currently, both the ZW-10 and the night version, the ZW-9, are equipped with O/E detectors very similar to those on the Leo-II. China’s interest is not only in the O/E pod technologies used for helicopters. Chinese manufacturers have also engaged in active discussions with South Africa in hopes of acquiring TV video cameras and second-generation thermal imaging cameras used in Denel’s Seeker II unmanned air vehicle surveillance system. The top military technology that China aspires to acquire from South Africa is without doubt the unmanned air vehicle. China’s New Era Group Corporation had several rounds of negotiations with Denel on the possibility of producing in China two types of Denel UAVs, which were on display at the 2006 Zhuhai Air Show, called the Golden Eagle and the Seeker II. China hopes to obtain the technologies to assemble these two UAVs domestically. However, according to a source from the Denel Group, negotiations on the UAV deals have come to a halt and the company has decided that unless substantial progress is made on these negotiations, the company no longer wants to spend time dealing with the Chinese. Denel had a similar experience in trying to negotiate a deal with Chinese company Norinco for its Mokopa anti-tank missiles. The Chinese company expressed an interest in importing Denel’s technologies, but once again the negotiations ended with no result. Since 2007, Norinco has attempted to contact the Denel Group again, saying that it wants to import the company’s G5 155-mm howitzer ammunition handling system. But Denel is not eager to enter into an agreement with China on this project; Chinese-made 155-mm howitzers have already appeared in quite a number of countries in Northern Africa, including Algeria, Sudan and Egypt. The source from Denel did disclose that the company has successfully completed a deal with China for its 35-mm multirole machine gun. This technology in fact was exported to China 10 years ago. China seems to have upgraded this 35-mm gun to an air-defense machine gun. China’s New Era Group Corporation has also been negotiating with Denel for the transfer of African Eagle UAV technologies. The Chinese introductory brochure of the cooperation program claims that the African Eagle UAV is capable of taking a payload of 500 kilograms, which could be six Mokopa anti-tank missiles or two Umbani MK 81 precision-guided bombs. The theoretical combat radius of the African Eagle is 750 kilometers. China also hopes to obtain the South African Angel high-altitude and high-speed UAV attacker system. This attacker UAV is capable of carrying precision-guided weapons and attacking targets 1,400 kilometers away. The UAV is also capable of carrying A-Darter AAMs to launch unmanned aerial attacks. The Angel attacker and reconnaissance UAV is equipped with aperture radar and is capable of conducting tactical reconnaissance missions. It can also be fitted with Mokopa active laser-guided anti-tank missiles to attack armored combat groups. Nonetheless, the source from Denel disclosed that no substantial progress has been made on this project, indicating it may end up as one more failed deal. It remains to be seen whether China’s latest explorations with the company will yield technological information it can convert to its own purposes, however.

Asking Islamabad to end cross-border terrorism, the Consul General of India in Toronto said all the bases of terror outfits in Pakistan must be demolished to maintain international peace and security. "Islamabad must end cross border terrorism, stop harbouring and training terrorists, and demolish Lashkar-e-Tayiba camps completely," Preeti Saran, Consul General of India said while addressing over 100 top executives of Canadian companies at a function on Thursday. "Today the biggest challenge before the international community is to ensure that terror outfits like the LeT are completely dismantled. The sponsors, trainers and financiers of such crimes must be condemned for converting our neighborhood into an epicentre of terrorism. Otherwise this Frankenstein will consume the world," she said. She said that Pakistan must hand over "conspirators of Mumbai attacks" to face trial in India and comply with its promise to stop terrorist groups from functioning inside its territory. There was a need for global strategies to fight terrorism, and international community must follow uniform standards, Saran added. Referring to the current global meltdown, she said that this could be used as an opportunity to introspect and forge a new partnership to deepen economic and educational ties particularly in the field of nuclear energy, infrastructure, and clean coal technology.

The Government of India has selected The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) to provide eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft to the Indian navy. The P-8I is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy. India is the first international customer for the P-8. Boeing will deliver the first P-8I within 48 months of the contract signing, and the remaining seven by 2015. "The men and women of The Boeing Company are pleased that India has selected the P-8I," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "This aircraft will provide outstanding capabilities tailored to India's unique maritime-patrol requirements." The P-8I is a true multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that features greater flexibility and a broader range of capabilities than MPAs currently in service. The P-8I can operate effectively over land or water while performing anti-submarine warfare missions; search and rescue; maritime interdiction; and long-range intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. The P-8I provides India with speed, reliability, persistence and room for growth to satisfy the country's requirements now and well into the future. The aircraft features an open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment. "Throughout the negotiations, both sides worked diligently to give India the most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare aircraft in the world today," said Vivek Lall, Boeing IDS vice president and India country head. "The result of these efforts will bring the Indian navy advanced technology that is unmatched in maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and the reach and capability it needs to defend India's vast coastline and maritime waters." A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (http://www.boeing.com/ids/) is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide. For related photo illustration, visit http://www.boeing.com.

The defence ministry will establish a huge Air Force base close to the international border in Rajasthan, moving aggressively to secure the country's western frontiers. The 300-km range supersonic cruise missile BrahMos will be stored at this base, defence ministry sources said. The ministry is acquiring land in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts, where the Indian Air Force will store some of its most sophisticated long-range missiles. The base will be the IAF's biggest practice station. Defence Estate Officer KJS Chauhan confirmed the acquisition process of 29,562 acres at Hanumangarh, around 120-125 km from the border with Pakistan. The IAF has a station in Jodhpur, about 350 km from the border. According to defence ministry sources, IAF has two projects proposed for the land: Project Richard and Project Thukrana. Project Richard involves setting up a missile base. The BrahMos missiles will not only be stationed but also stocked there. Under Project Thukrana, the defence ministry will set up an air force practice station, the biggest close to an international border in the country, ministry sources said. Mugdha Sinha, who was collector of Hanumangarh till last week, said, "Hurdles for the acquisition have been almost sorted out with farmers." The defence ministry will spend more than Rs220 crore towards compensation and rehabilitation of the residents of Moter, Dhandhusur, Bannasur, Bangasur and Dheerdeshur villages.

Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Naval forces Rear Admiral Ahmed Mohammed Al Sabab will be in India on a three-day visit beginning tomorrow. During the visit, the Rear Admiral is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Admiral Sureesh Mehta, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, and other senior Defence Ministry officials, to discuss the defence relations between the two countries. "The UAE Navy chief will arrive here on January 6 and will be meeting the Navy and the Army chief along with senior defence officials," Navy officials said. Later on during the visit, he is expected to visit Mumbai and meet the Western naval Commander Vice Admiral Jagjit Singh Bedi there. He will also visit the Bombay dockyards, officials said, to look at the modern facilities developed by the Indian Navy there. A graduate of the Pakistan Naval Academy, the UAE Navy chief has held various staff and command appointments, which include head of operations, administration and deputy director of joint operations directorate of the UAE Navy.

Facing an acute shortage of officers, the Indian Army is now considering increasing intake from the National Cadets Corps (NCC) into the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, a senior official said Monday.NCC director general R.K. Karwal Tuesday said that the government could increase the intake of NCC cadets in IMA from 64 to 80. The IMA annually takes in upwards of 1,000 cadets in two batches. "Alarmed over the shortfall of officers, the government is also likely to hike the intake of NCC 'C' certificate holders into the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, from 79 to 100,” he said while addressing a conference ahead of the NCC Republic Day Camp. The OTA takes in 600 cadets every year. The army faces a shortage of around 11,200 officers. Karwal added that since 2007, the NCC is working on a scheme to raise the enrolment of cadets, a majority of whom would be girls. The NCC strength would also go up from the present 1.3 million to 1.5 million in five years, he added. Vice President Hamid Ansari will Jan 8 inaugurate the annual NCC Republic Day camp, in which 1,950 cadets from across the country will be participating. It will conclude with the Prime Minister’s Rally Jan 29.

A group of clerics and religious scholars have issued a fatwa or edict that says jihad will be obligatory for every Pakistani citizen if India attacks the country. The fatwa was announced at a conference organised by the Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz at Jamia Naeemia seminary in Lahore on Monday. The meeting, chaired by Federal Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, was arranged to discuss Pakistan's security concerns. Besides declaring that jihad would be obligatory for all Pakistanis in case of an attack by India, a communiqu issued by the clerics said the Pakistan government should end its support to the United States in its war on the western border in case of hostilities with India. The conference demanded that Pakistan should shrug off the Indian pressure and adopt a courageous and independent stance befitting a sovereign state. The clerics called on the government to expose Indian conspiracies hatched against Pakistan before the world. The communiqu said the clerics and scholars reaffirmed the belief that the basic purpose of Pakistan's nuclear capability was to ensure the security of the country against any foreign aggression.

ntelligence agencies have traced the origins of the fake currency that is being used to fund terror activities in India. Intelligence Bureau officials have information that fake Indian currency is being printed in Karachi, Quetta and Lahore, under the patronage of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence. IB officials have already warned the Centre about fake currency making inroads into the Indian economy through Nepal and Bangladesh. The IB believes that the ISI and its allies use the sea to dispatch fake currency worth hundreds of crores of rupees into India. Terror handlers ensure that any would-be terrorist from Pakistan entering India to participate in subversive activities must carry fake currency. IB sources say the ISI's fake currency racket is currently limited to denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.