India

Due to the strained relations that India has with its neighbouring countries and the growth of the uncertainty worldwide created by international terrorism, the Indian government has been investing heavily in upgrading its defence capabilities in recent times. Currently, India is one of the top military spenders in the world. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Fact Sheet released in March 2014, India was the world’s largest importer of major conventional weapons, for the period 2010–14. India’s imports of major arms increased by 140% over the periods 2005–2009 and 2010–14. This trend continued, as reflected in the Financial Year’s (FY) 2016-17 defence budget, which was projected to reach Rs 249099 crore (i.e. some 38.1 billion US dollars).

Due to the strained relations that India has with its neighbouring countries and the growth of the uncertainty worldwide created by international terrorism, the Indian government has been investing heavily in upgrading its defence capabilities in recent times. Currently, India is one of the top military spenders in the world. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Fact Sheet released in March 2014, India was the world’s largest importer of major conventional weapons, for the period 2010–14. India’s imports of major arms increased by 140% over the periods 2005–2009 and 2010–14. This trend continued, as reflected in the Financial Year’s (FY) 2016-17 defence budget, which was projected to reach Rs 249099 crore (i.e. some 38.1 billion US dollars).

Historically the Army receives the highest amount of allocated funds, when compared to other branches. It is indicative that in the FY 2016-17, the Army was expected to receive 56.08% of the total budget, the Air Force 21.46% and the Navy 15.83%. The remaining funds were to be allocated to other local authorities responsible for defence administration, Research and Development (R&D), the Directorate General of Ordnance Factories (DGOF), etc. This trend was also followed through the period 2013-2016 with marginal fluctuations.

*DGOF: Directorate General of Ordnance Factories
*DGQA: Director General of Quality Assurance

Modernisation of the Indian Land Forces remains one of the key focus areas of the Indian Ministry of Defence. Among others, the Indian Army continues to receive indigenously manufactured T-90 tanks. The local manufacturer of the tanks is the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), located at Avadi in Chennai, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. More on that, a new futuristic Main Battle Tank is being conceptualised, while a number of BMP-II and older T-90s are been upgraded. The associated upgrade includes, among others, the installation of enhanced communication, night fighting capabilities, transmission systems and weapon platforms.

The modernisation process of the Indian Navy, includes among others the construction of 6 submarines based on the Scorpène design (Kalvari class). Under a technology transfer agreement, the state-owned company Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, will manufacture the submarines. On the 12th of January 2017, Khanderi, the second of Kalvari class submarines was launched. Four other submarines will follow at intervals of nine months.

Additionally, MDL is also handling two more projects for the Indian Navy, namely the construction of seven destroyers (3 P15A and 4 P15B) and four frigates (out of the 7 P17A ordered). By early 2017, all 3 P15A had been commissioned, while only 2 of the P15B had been launched. On the other hand, the contract for the construction and delivery of the 4 frigates was signed in 2015 between MDL and the Indian government, with construction expected to commence in early 2017.

Moreover, during 2015-2016, there were 14 warships under construction in the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) facilities, which included two Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes (ASWC), eight Landing Craft Utility (LCU) ships and four Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (WJFAC).
 
Additionally, India is currently manufacturing an aircraft carrier. Approval for the construction of the aircraft carrier was given in May 1999, but the first of the 2 planned floating airfields, namely the INS Vikrant, is expected to be inducted into the Indian fleet in 2018. The second (INS Vishal), will be further delayed (into the 2030s), as it has been suggested that this will actually be nuclear powered.

India has been upgrading in recent years, several of its aircraft assets. More specifically, in March 2015, Dassault Aviation and Thales delivered the first 2 upgraded Mirage 2000s to the Indian Air Force. The upgrade included improved radar, avionics, a new electronic suite, weapons and a modern generation glass cockpit. Under the “Make in India” policy, the rest of the Mirage 2000 fleet (51 in total) was agreed to be upgraded in Bangalore by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with the complete support and involvement of Dassault Aviation and Thales teams. Additionally, also in 2015, the 1st Indian MiG-29 fighter jet modernized by HAL, took off into the sky. In total, some 62 Indian Air Force MiG-29 aircraft are to undergo this upgrade. The modernisation process is to be carried out in India, while specialists from MiG Corporation, will provide the necessary advice, technical assistance and know-how to HAL.

Another large aircraft procurement by India was concluded in November 2015, when the last Pilatus PC-7 aircraft was delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF), closing a process which began in February 2013. In May 2012, the Indian Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Pilatus for the delivery of a total of 75 PC-7s.
 
Undoubtedly, the biggest ever procurement of the Indian Air Force, was that of the 36 Rafale aircraft. After a lengthy process and several negotiations, in September 2016, France and India signed a contract for the acquisition of the 36 aircraft. The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft able to operate from both an aircraft carrier and a shore base and as of June 2016, 152 such aircraft had been delivered to various customers, including predominantly the French Air Force.

Moreover, it is worth noting that the rotary wing capabilities of the Indian Air Force have already seen a major boost with the gradual acquisition and induction of upgraded Mi-17 V5, which have better avionics, weapon systems and improved performance. Furthermore, India also procured in 2015, 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and 22 AH-64E Apache multirole combat helicopters from Boeing. The total value of the deal is estimated at some $3 billion. When operational, these helicopters will enhance India’s capabilities across a range of military and humanitarian missions. India is the 14th nation to select the Apache and the 19th nation to select the Chinook aircraft.