El/M-2060P Airborne SAR Reconnaissance Pod

El/M-2060P Airborne SAR Reconnaissance Pod.

The EL/M-2060P is a completely autonomous, self contained, all weather, day and night high-resolution reconnaissance radar system, specially designed for combat aircraft. It produces images that approach photographic resolution. It's capabilities are sustained in poor visibility conditions, under smoke and cloud cover, and against a wide variety of man made camouflage.

The ELM-2060P produces images that approach photographic quality and operate as a true all-weather, day and night sensor capable of penetrating, clouds, rain, smoke, fog and smog. The images produced on-board are transmitted, via a built-in datalink, to the advanced GES for interpretation and extraction of valuable Image Intelligence (IMINT) data.

The data is also recorded on-board for re-transmission or further off-line exploitation on the ground

The system consists of a detachable, pod mounted Synthetic Aperture Radar, externally carried by a combat aircraft, a Ground Exploitation System (GES), and a built in bi-directional data link.

The collected SAR imagery and data undergoes on-board, on-line, real time processing, and is transmitted to the GES for further automated interpretation. As an alternative or parallel mode, the collected data is recorded on board for retransmission or later interpretation on the ground.

The operation of the pod is highly automated, minimizing the load on the pilot. Thus even a single seater aircraft can perform the reconnaissance mission. The high performance combat aircraft platform, enables real time collection and interpretation of intelligence data over more than 50,000 square kilometers per hour.

The EL/M-2060P SAR pod is installed in a standard external store, attached to the centerline hard point of the aircraft. It does not alter the basic configuration of the aircraft, and does not degrade its capability to perform its original combat missions.

In this way any standard combat aircraft can be easily and cost effectively configured for the airborne reconnaissance mission that previously required specially dedicated, extremely expensive and vulnerable airborne platforms.

The EL/M-2060P SAR RECONNAISSANCE SYSTEM can be adapted to various high performance combat aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI,  F-16, F/A-18, JAS 39, Tornado etc.

The concept, developed by ELTA, of adding SAR reconnaissance capability as a standard mission of regular combat aircraft is a break-through that has already created high interest in the defense community. As a result, an agreement to cooperate in the sale of ELTA's SAR reconnaissance system in the U.S. and other world markets was recently signed between ELTA and Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems.

Features

• Range over 300 km
• All-weather reconnaissance
• Stand-off or Stand-in (penetration) missions
• Real-time, on-board SAR imagery generation
• Long ranges and wide area coverage
• Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI)
• Efficient imagery exploitation and reporting
• Flexible mission planning, management and real-time mission re-tasking
• Self-sufficient autonomous system
• Straightforward installation on combat aircraft on existing hard points
• Minimal pilot workload for system operation
• Suited to operation and maintenance by the fighter squadron

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Remembering Captain Vikram Batra, The Smiling Hero Of Kargil

Remembering Captain Vikram Batra, PVC : The Smiling Hero Of Kargil War.

Captain Batra 

Are some people born to be heroes? Are there men, who are destined for greatness? Men who in spite of having all the qualities that would ensure them success in the world, sacrifice it all for others? Every once in while, there have been such men and women in this country's history, men and women who were born to do something extraordinary. Capt. Vikram Batra was clearly one such man - one in a billion!

As a school kid, when a young girl had fallen from his school bus, he had jumped off from the moving bus without any hesitation. Hurt, he had then taken the injured girl to a nearby hospital. He was daring, helpful, he would go out at midnight if anyone asked for his help.  

Capt. Vikram was a brilliant student, always scoring very high grades in school and college. He happened to be an exceptional sportsman, excelling in most sports, with table tennis and skating being one of his favourites. He even played nationals in Table Tennis during his school days. 

Pic from Capt. Batra’s Family Album. 

As if these qualities were not enough in one man alone, he happened to possess a magnetic personality, an aura of positivity that everyone fell in love with. His face always glowed, he was always smiling, and he had a very infectious laughter. A no holds bar laughter. Everyone in the this small town loved him.

The infectious smile of this extraordinary man was soon witnessed and felt by a nation in crises, and the nation too, fell in love. 

Capt. Vikram Batra in Kashmir.

During the Kargil invasion of 1999 by Pakistan, (at the time) Lt. Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, and his Delta Company were ordered to recapture peak 5140 on June 19, five weeks after the war began. Nicknamed Sher Sha of Kargil, Lt. Batra showed exceptional courage and intellect to capture the peak. He single-handedly killed three enemy fighters in dangerous close-range combat. Regardless of his injuries, Captain Batra regrouped his men to pave the way for Indian soldiers to advance further in the Kargil war.

One of the famous quote of Vikram Batra, PVC 

'Yeh Dil Maange More' is our company's success signal, he said to the camera with a smile. It was the confident smiling visage of this hero that calmed the nation, which made its one billion people believe that everything will be okay.  

The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes for the Indian army. A few days later Lt. Batra was assigned to an urgent mission to recapture peak 4875. With an 80-degree slope to the peak where the Pakistani army sat with a clear view of the climb, this was nothing less than a death trap. In the early morning hours of 7 July 1999, he commanded a mission to rescue an injured officer. During the rescue attempt, he pushed aside his Subedar, saying "Tu baal-bacchedar hai, hat ja peeche."(You have children, step aside) and was killed in action while clearing enemy positions. His last words were, "Jai Mata Di".

It was seventeen years ago that he lost his life fighting for our country, but heroes never die, and PVC Capt. Vikram Batra lives on. His bravery, his sacrifice, his intelligence, his charm, and that infectious smile, they all live on in our hearts. 

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EXCLUSIVE Report By Livefist : New System Spotted On Rustom II MALE As First Flight Looms

EXCLUSIVE Report By Livefist : New System Spotted On Rustom II MALE As First Flight Looms

Rustom II MALE UAV 

Not seen before on any earlier mock-up or on the single existing prototype, spotted a new sensor payload on the belly of the Rustom II MALE UAV, likely its synthetic aperture radar. This was at a two day technology seminar and exhibition, North Tech Symposium at Headquarters Northern Command, Udhampur, J&K today.

New System  (Red Mark)

The Rustom II is expected to make its first flight this month. Scooped this image of the Rustom II UAV during preparatory ground tests at its test base in Southern India, where it will make its debut flight soon.

Full Copyright - LivefistDefence.com

HARD FACTS OF INDO-PAK 1965 WAR

SOME HARD FACTS OF 1965 INDO-PAK WAR

-- By Danvir Singh, Ex Cornel, Indian Army.

Captured Pakistani Patton Tanks

History Distorted: September 06 Celebrated as Defence Day in Pakistan each year to commemorate victory in 1965 war.

Some Facts and Truth:

The 1965 Indo-Pak war saw the deadliest tank battles between the Armoured formations of these two waring nations post WWII. 

Result - Both sides claimed victory.

At the end of the war, this is what the tally looked like:

• India won 1,920 sqkm of territory; Pakistan won 540 sqkm.
• 2,862 Indian soldiers were killed; Pakistan lost 5,800 soldiers.
• India lost 97 tanks; 450 Pakistani tanks were destroyed or captured.

Battle of Haji Pir Pass, 1965 

Haji Pir Pass Under The Indian Tricolour. 

India captured the key Haji Pir Pass - "A Major ingress route for Pakistanis" - and made some big gains in Sialkot and reached the doors of Lahore in Punjab.. 

The Pakistani army managed to repulse a takeover of Lahore, made advances in the deserts of Rajasthan and came perilously close to taking over Akhnoor in the Jammu region..

Tashkent Declaration, 1966

Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent in USSR.

India and Pakistan met at Tashkent in January 1966 where they agreed to withdraw to their pre-war positions.

In my opinion India won the war on the battle field but lost it on the table. Giving away Haji Pir was the gravest mistake. 

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HAL LCH - India’s Indigenously Built Multirole Light Combat Helicopter

HAL LCH - India’s Indigenously Built Multirole Light Combat Helicopter.

HAL LCH During Test Flight. 

The Kargil war gives us much lessons to the IAF to conduct not only Armed Combat air patrol, but mean time support the Friendly Troops who is fighting against the enemy in tough conditions. So IAF put an requirement of Combat Helicopters building in India, The HAL taken the decision to make the dream into reality by flying first LCH prototype by 2010, within three years of program gets sanctioned by the Government. The Indian Air Force is to acquire 65 LCHs and Indian Army is to acquire 114 LCHs.

Overview

HAL LCH on Display During Aero India. 

The LCH is being designed to fit into an anti-infantry and anti-armour role and will be able to operate at high altitudes. It has a maximum weight of 5.5 tonnes, and has a service ceiling of 6,500 metres. The LCH design features a narrow fuselage with stealth profiling, armour protection, and will be equipped to conduct day-and-night combat operations. According to reports, the LCH features a digital camouflage system. The LCH has a two-crew cockpit.

The LCH is probably the most agile design in the world because of its rotor. HAL said LCH is of 5.5 tonne class, like the Dhruv, it is powered by two HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turbo-shaft engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter. The features that are unique to LCH are sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, nuclear, and low visibility features which make the LCH lethal, agile and survivable.

Cockpit and avionics

Cockpit of HAL LCH 

The LCH is to have a glass cockpit with multifunction displays, a target acquisition and designation system with FLIR, Laser rangefinder and laser designator. Weapons will be aimed with a helmet mounted sight and there will be an electronic warfare suite with radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver and a missile approach warning system. The two pilots in the LCH sit one behind the other, compared to side-by-side in the Dhruv.

The LCH's modern sensor suite, developed in cooperation with Israel, consists of a CCD Camera, forward-looking infrared imaging sensors and a laser range finder to facilitate target acquisition in all weather conditions, including at night.

The helicopter is to be fitted with a data link for network-centric operations facilitating the transfer of mission data to the other airborne platforms and ground stations operating in the network, facilitating force multiplication.

Roles

Armed LCH 

LCH is intended for use in air defence against slow moving aerial targets (e.g. aircraft and UAVs), Counter Surface Force Operation (CSFO), destruction of enemy air defence operations, escort to special heliborne operations (SHBO), Counter-insurgency operations (COIN), offensive Employment in Urban Warfare, support of combat search and rescue operations (SAR) operations, anti-tank role and scout duties.It will also be capable of high-altitude warfare (HAW) since its operational ceiling will be 6,000–6,500 metres (19,700–21,300 ft).

Testing

LCH During High Altitude Cold Weather Trail.

LCH During Hot Weather Trial.

• The cold weather trials of the LCH were carried out at Air Force Station, Leh in early 2015. The engine starts were satisfactory in the temperature of -18 °C at 4.1 km altitude. The flights were also carried out to assess high altitude performance and low speed handling.The trials covered engine starts with internal batteries after overnight cold soak at 3 km altitude and 4.1 km altitude.

• In June 2015, the LCH successfully completed hot weather flight trials at Jodhpur with temperatures from 39 to 42 °C. The flight testing covered 'temperature survey of engine bay and hydraulic system', 'assessment of performance', 'handling qualities and loads' at different 'all up weights', 'low speed handling' and 'height-velocity diagram establishment'.

• In September 2015, the hot and high altitude trials of LCH were conducted successfully. The third prototype (TD-3) was taken to Leh for testing. Hover performance, low speed handling capability at extreme heights and temperature along with landing at forward locations were tested. The helicopter became the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen. The helicopter landed at high altitude helipads at 13,600 feet to 15,800 feet.

• The LCH completed basic performance flight testing, outstation trials, and prototype TD-3 fired 70 mm rockets in its weaponized configuration. The Next trails are ATGM firing , Air to Air rocket firing & canon firing. Those trails weapon firing trials will be held during the middle of 2016.

Specifications 

Specifications of LCH.

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 8 in)
• Rotor diameter: 13.3 m (43 ft 6 in)
• Height: 4.7 m (15 ft 4 in)
• Disc area: 136.85 m² (1,472 ft²)
• Max. takeoff weight: 5,800 kg (12,787 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × HAL/Turbomeca Shakti turboshaft, 1,067 kW 

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 330 km/h (178 knots, 207 mph)
• Maximum speed: 280 km/h (145 knots, 167 mph)
• Range: 700 km (297 nmi, 342 mi)
• Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
• Disc loading: 39.59 kg/m² (8.23 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 327 W/kg (0.198 hp/lb)

Armament

Weopen configuration of LCH.

• Guns: 1 × 20 mm M621 cannon on Nexter THL-20 turret
• Hardpoints: 4 (two under each wing)
• Rockets: 4 × 70/80 mm rocket-pods.
• Missiles: 4 × two-round MBDA Mistral air-to-air missiles, anti-radiation, and 2 × four-round Helina, LAHAT anti-tank missiles.
• Bombs: 4 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs including Gravity bombs, cluster bombs and grenade launchers.

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Source : Wikipedia  (HAL LCH article)

The Incredible Story of Col. Narendra Kumar Who Secured The Siachen Glacier for India.

The Incredible Story of Col. Narendra Kumar Who Secured The Siachen Glacier for India.

Col. Narendra Kumar 

In the army, they knew him as ‘Bull’ Kumar, awed as his mates were by the strength of his thick, muscular neck. Col Narendra Kumar earned this sobriquet at the National Defence Academy, then in Dehradun, during the first boxing match he fought. His rival was a senior cadet, S.F. Rodrigues, who went on to become the chief of army staff. Col Kumar lost the bout, but the ‘Bull’ epithet stuck.

Since then, Col Kumar has done everything in his long military career to justify the name his colleagues gave him. Like the bull, he loves a challenge, sniffs it even before others can see it, and goes at it in a single-minded pursuit, indifferent to consequences, full tilt, tail up. It was these qualities of his that ensured the Siachen glacier became an integral part of India.

The heroic story of Col Kumar dates to 1978, when he took a major expedition to the inhospitable glacier. This was six years before India launched Operation Meghdoot to thwart Pakistan’s designs on the Siachen glacier. No doubt, he knew the mountains well, commissioned as he had been into the Kumaon Regiment and consequently having spent the better part of his military career surrounded by troops born and bred in the rugged hills of Kumaon. Yet glaciers aren’t just stunningly beautiful mountainscape: they can numb, daze and kill you. Col Kumar, posted as the commandant of the army’s High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg then, knew he was heading into uncharted territory. “This was the first major expedition into the unknown,” he says, reminiscing about it in his flat in Delhi. “We had some reports that the Americans were showing Siachen as part of Pakistan in their adventure maps.”

Narendra Kumar tells the story of all those years in the cold

What Kumar and his team planned was to reach the glacier’s snout, its lowest point, where the ice melts into water, and then trek up the 77 km of treacherous crevasses, mountains, passes and snow-covered peaks to reach the source. The colonel knew the stakes were high, that this mission could decide the future of India’s strategic outreach and establish a critical wedge between Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and the swathe of Indian territory the Chinese had occupied in the aftermath of 1962. “Our equipment wasn’t the best, we didn’t have any maps,” he recalls. “We were going in blind and all we had was a rough idea of the peaks which had been named by the British decades ago.”

Bound to each other by thick ropes, trekking across the harsh terrain for weeks on end, Col Kumar became the first Indian to climb the Sia Kangri peak, which offers a majestic view of the Siachen glacier. But there was also a surprise awaiting the team—a Japanese mountain expedition facilitated by the Pakistan military had a presence there. After a “sit-rep” (situational report) was dispatched to the army headquarters, the team went from peak to peak, staying ahead of snow avalanches to chart the area.

Bull Kumar led other expeditions till 1984, losing four toes to frostbite. His sacrifice wasn’t to go waste.

Cut to 1984: intelligence information convinced the army headquarters that the Pakistanis were planning to militarily occupy Siachen and the heights of the nearby Saltoro ridge. There was evidence: in the autumn of 1983, a team from the Indian army’s elite Ladakh Scouts had sighted a Pakistani special forces unit from the ssg in the Siachen area. This prompted the area army headquarters to immediately draw up plans for a major operation in the summer of 1984. The fourth battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was assembled and equipped for Operation Meghdoot, which had as its bulwark Kumar’s maps, films and his knowledge of the area.

On April 13, 1984, Operation Meghdoot finally got under way. Air force choppers, their engines clattering in protest at being pushed to the limits of technological possibility at incredible heights, began to drop soldiers at Bilafond La which is today part of the Siachen Base Camp. For the first time in history, India had stamped its claim on the Siachen glacier. The sturdy Kumaonis then trekked up the glacier to secure the two major passes—the Sia La and Gyong La—even as the Pakistanis were scrambling their troops into the region. The Kumaonis moved up the Saltoro ridge, overlooking the approach from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and Sia Kangri to establish posts that would give India the command of the glacier. With hands veritably frozen around their 7.62 mm rifles, Indian troops battled the elements to establish a military foothold in what would become the world’s highest battlefield.

“At times, you face impossible choices on the glacier. We always moved in pairs, bound to each other by rope. At one point, my buddy fell into a crevasse. For 45 minutes, I grappled with the idea of dying with him or cutting him loose and saving my life or to hang with him till the cold killed us both. I am glad that I never cut the rope.” In those 45 minutes, the buddy crawled up, the duo living to continue their foray from peak to peak.

To the west of the glacier were hostile Pakistani troops; on the east and to the north stood the Chinese. Had Col Kumar been given a clearance, he’d perhaps have climbed the K2 peak in the Karakoram ranges as well. But to reach K2, he’d have had to traverse the Shaksgam valley, which the Pakistanis had illegally ceded to China. So, India halted its advance on reaching the northernmost tip of the Siachen glacier, settling in on its frozen waste.

And The Sweet Victory. 

As Indian troops established more posts, a key base on the glacier was named Kumar Base: perhaps the only living Indian army officer to enjoy this singular honour. India’s claim to Siachen was confirmed. But the “Refrigerated Combat” against the elements and Pakistan had only just begun.

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New Images From India’s AMCA Programme

New Images From India’s AMCA Programme

AMCA flying over Himalayas. 

India’s 5th Generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is progressing well now in its second phase of development with several parts of the aircraft and configuration locked.

Just chanced upon this new image from the AMCA’s stealth structures workshop at the National Aerospace Laboratory, providing an updated view of the engineering going into the serpentine intakes of the concept jet.

Work going on Air intake .

The above image follows the series of photographs and technical illustrations accessed over the years, depicting the engineering approach to the AMCA’s low-observability surfaces. Some of the previous ones: (below)

AMCA with a view of its weapons bay with beyond visual range weapons, and the bay door mechanism.

Lay out of Air Intake.

Weopen bay layout. 

Now These are Weopen bay design with various Weopen configuration. (Courtesy - Aeronautics Development Agency)

Launching BVR AAM 

And this is a full AMCA mission scenario simulator is up and running at the ADA lab in Bengaluru. Here it is: ( Though we posted the Simulator pic before anyone else months ago on our fb page)

AMCA mission scenario simulator.

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The Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) : An advance and lethal indigenous carbine

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) : An advance and lethal indigenous carbine.

A MSMC submachine gun on display. This has a red dot sight on the upper receiver.

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine (MSMC) is an Indian submachine gun designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment and manufactured by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli of the Ordnance Factories Board. It is also known as Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC) as of 2014. MSMC was born from the INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) program, which originally included three weapons - the 5.56mm INSAS assault rifle, the 5.56mm INSAS squad automatic / LMG, based on the rifle, and a compact carbine. The INSAS assault rifle and LMG are already in service with Indian armed forces.

MSMC on Display During DefExpo

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is intended for Indian Special Operation troops, but it also can make a good Personal Defence Weapon for vehicle and gun crews and other non-infantry personnel operating in combat zones. MSMC is a replacement for aging second World War Sterling 9mm carbine, will be issued to Officers, JCO and drivers etc. who are manning the 9mm carbine in Army.

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is a gas operated weapon, utilizing rotary bolt locking and a gas piston, located above the barrel. The receiver appears to be made from sheet steel, with outer polymer housing with integral pistol grip. The magazines are inserted into the pistol grip. Buttstock is of telescoped type. Safety / fire mode selector is ambidextrous and conveniently located above the trigger. Standard iron sights are complemented by the Picatinny rail, which can host a wide array of additional day and night sighting equipment.

MSMC 

The other technologies that have been incorporated in the MSMC include a unique semi bullpup weapon feed system behind the trigger mechanism, noise reduction technology and the integration of laser spot designator for close quarte battle. The MSMC by having more compact, pistol-type layout, which also offers better balance and better manoeuvrability, especially in confined spaces. Army asked to do some improvements in the weapon. The two pin assembly, quick fitting suppressor and polymer magazines need some work. Scientists at ARDE and Small Arms Factories are working to make them even better.

The new round appears to be of same concept that experimental American Colt MARS, as it has bottlenecked case 30mm long, loaded with light, pointed bullet with steel penetrator core. The bullet weight is 2.6 gram and muzzle velocity from 300mm carbine barrel is listed as 650 m/s, resulting in muzzle energy value of 550 Joules - similar to modern pistol cartridges and can hit accurately to 200m. The cartridge, known as 5.56x30 MINSAS, offers effective range of about 200 to 300 meters, with good penetration against body armour. The aim was to defeat enemy soldiers protected with soft-body armour at a range of 200m. It can fire 700-900 rounds/min.

The ammunition for MSMC was of a conventional type with the bullet cylindro-ogival for better ballistics. A steel insert has been introduced on the tip of the bullet to achieve better penetration power and it enhanced the ammunition performance to a level superior than that of its contemporaries. The early carbines for this round, known as MINSAS, were based on the INSAS rifle, lightened and scaled down for shortened round.

MSMC During Trail With Indian Army. 

A Closer Look (Screenshot from Discovery Show)

The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) has developed the final version of the MSMC with the aid of Ordnance Factories. As of now, the Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is in its final stages of trials by Indian military. According to ARDE, the MSMC will be given to the Armed Forces for trials in various terrains. Several tests will be carried out on this new carbine and its induction is likely in less than a year once the trials are deemed satisfactory. The DRDO's Directorate of Quality, Reliability and Safety has been placed in charge of tracking the weapon's progress. 50 MSMCs are scheduled to be issued for user trials in 2016. “Final trials are underway to ensure 99.7% reliability for the new carbine.” said an ARDE scientist.

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Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat – A Hero of the 1962 Indo-China War, whose valour impressed even the Chinese commanders

Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, whose valour impressed even the Chinese commanders.

RiflemanJaswant Singh Rawat (MVC)

The story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, MVC. a soldier who's valour was celebrated even by his enemies.

Jaswant Singh Rawat was an Indian rifleman soldier who won the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) posthumously at the Battle of Nuranang. Rifleman (RFN) Jaswant Singh, number 4039009, was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles.

Rifleman Jaswant Singh is considered the hero of Sino-India War in 1962. According to a local legend,he single-handedly fought the Chinese army for three days. (battle that started on 17th November 1962 and continued for the next 72 hours). It was the last phase of the war in November 1962, and due to a lack of resources, his company was asked to fall back. But, Jaswant Singh remained at his post. With the help of two local girls, Sela and Nura, Jaswant Singh set up weapons at three different spots and fired them non-stop for three days. Thinking a big contingent was firing at them, the Chinese Army stayed put.

Memorial of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat 

As the time passed, the Chinese Army grew frustrated, as they knew no way to counter the purported attack of the Indian Army. It’s said that Jaswant Singh managed to kill more than 300 enemy soldiers before the Chinese captured the man supplying him rations and told them about the lone rifleman who opposed them. The man spilled the beans. The Chinese then surrounded Jaswant Singh from all sides. Nura was captured and Sela died in a grenade burst. Jaswant Singh, realising he was about to be captured, shot himself.

The Chinese forces cutoff Jaswant Singh's head and took it back to China as a war souvenir. After the war was over, the commander of the Chinese forces, impressed by the late Jaswant Singh's show of bravery, returned his head along with a brass bust made of the soldier. It is now installed at the site of the battle. He was posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery. Jaswant Singh's display of valour, and his love for his nation has proved to be a great source of inspiration to Indian soldiers since.

The Honour 

For their work in the field, 4 Garhwal Rifles was awarded the battle honour ‘Nauranang’ the only one bestowed during the 1962 war. Jaswant Singh’s comrades Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi (posthumously), Rifle Man Gopal Singh were awarded the Vir Chakra.

Inside the Hut.

Personal Belongings of Singh. 

Regardless of what the real story of Jaswant Singh was, for locals, the jawans who are posted for his upkeep and all travellers who pass by – he remains the guardian ghost of India’s Eastern Border – the man who saved Arunachal Pradesh from the Chinese. The silver lining in what was otherwise a disappointing battle. 

Singh & His Memorial.

Locals have even constructed a Buddhist temple at the spot. Even though Jaswant Singh was decorated (posthumously) with a Mahavir Chakra, the Indian Army continues to treat him with the fanfare of a serving officer.A hut constructed over the spot where he was martyred, houses a bed which is constantly made by one of the army jawans posted at the post, his shoes are regularly polished and letters by his well wishers are presented to Jaswant Singh every day and taken away the next day after he’s gone through them..

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The Story of IAF MiG-25 over Islamabad

The Story of Indian Air Force MiG-25 'RB' over Islamabad, Pakistan. 

This is the story of the fastest, highest flying aircraft to ever don the tri-colour roundel of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is dedicated to the men of Nos 102 Squadron 'Trisonics' who flew and maintained these big beautiful birds.

The Sukhoi Su-30MKI IAF's mainstay fighter with the Mig-25.

India aquired 12 Mig-25 Foxbats fron the Soviet Union in the 80's. Of the 12 Foxbats, 10 are MiG-25R and 2 MiG-25U(trainers), they form the No.102 Trisonics Squadron in Bakshi-ka-Talab (Bareilly). In 1987, when there was a confrontation between the Pakistani and Indian armed forces, there were some gaps in the Indian intelligence on the location of Pakistan's armoured division and southern strategic reserve.

In May 1997, an Indian Air Force Mig-25 reconnaisance aircraft made headlines after it was detected in Pakistani Airspace.

Artistic impression of Mig-25 over Islamabad by Saurav Chordia

IAF Mikoyan MiG-25RB reconnaissance aircraft created a furore when the pilot flew faster than Mach 2 over Islamabad following a reconnaissance mission into Pakistan airspace. The Foxbat broke the sound barrier while flying at an altitude of around 65,000 feet over Islamabad to pique the Pakistanis where otherwise the mission would have remained covert at least to the general public. The sonic boom was heard through most of Islamabad and created quite a ripple. The Pakistan Government considered the breaking of the sound barrier as deliberate act to make the point that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had no aircraft in its inventory which can come close to the cruising height of the MiG-25. The PAF to their credit did scramble their F-16s to intercept our cheerful intruder but to no avail. The F-16 goes up to only 55,000' and by the time the F-16s would get up to that altitude the MiG-25 could easily be 125 kms away even at its cruise speed. To the observer on the ground a sonic boom sounds like a loud repeated thunder clap you normally associate with a thunder storm.

IAF pilots flying the Mig-25 wore pressure suits to deal with the altitudes. One of the camera portholes can be seen on the right.

The Pakistani airforce later issued a statement that an Indian MIG-25 had violated its air space and they either could not, would not, intercept it. Pakistani Foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan said that the airspace violation by an Indian Mig-25 fighter jet could not be repulsed, because Pakistan did not have any aircraft or missile or other defence capability to intercept aircrafts at 72,000 feet. Pakistan armed forces alleged that the aircraft was photographing very sensitive sites. They used this as an excuse to lobby for a hike in the defence budget. Questions were raised in Parliament, India said the intrusion into Pakistani airspace was accidental. This incident highlighted the fact that Pakistan has nothing in its inventory that can shoot down the Foxbat.

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