In August 1985, the Ministry of Defence approved the construction of a naval base at Karwar at an initial estimated expenditure of Rs 350 crore. In 1989, a consultant was appointed to draw a master plan and detailed project report for Phase-I-A and I-B of the project. The consultant submitted his report in 1990. However, the project could not progress further due to financial constraints. Based on the final project report, the Ministry of Defence approved in October 1995 the construction of Phase-I of the project at a projected cost of Rs 1294.41 crore. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2005.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr KB Krishna Murthy in Rajya Sabha.

Four prototypes of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) have been manufactured and completed 1361 flight tests amounting to more than 1320 flying hours towards evaluation and certification. The design certification of skid variant ALH has already been achieved in March, last year. Further flight evaluation is required for certification of wheeled version and is planned for completion by the end of February, this year.

Limited series production of ten helicopters has been launched and two of them are ready for delivery to Army. Delivery to other customers such as Indian Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard is also planned to commence during the current production year. An expenditure of Rs 534.26 crore has already been incurred against the sanction of Rs 536.05 crore accorded in November 1998.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Dr Karan Singh and Mr CM Ibrahim in Rajya Sabha.

As a measure of rehabilitation, the widows/next of kins of Kargil martyrs have been paid an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh each and have been sanctioned liberalised family pension equal to the last pay drawn by the deceased soldier. No separate budget provision has been made for resettlement of widows of Kargil martyrs.

The widows of Kargil martyrs have also been given an amount of Rs 5 lakh for housing and Rs 1 lakh per child or Rs 2 lakh per family for education of children from the National Defence Fund.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Rama Shankar Kaushik in Rajya Sabha.

The first instalment of T-90 tanks from Russia is likely to be received shortly. Out of the total number of T-90 tanks to be acquired, some will be assembled in India. This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Kalavenkata Rao in Rajya Sabha.

The Air Force has adequate air-space surveillance capability along the frontiers. The resources of Indian Air Force and Civil Aviation are being optimally combined for effective air-space surveillance. Methods for improving the surveillance capability are further being addressed, keeping in view the fact that the radar surveillance of the entire air-space of the country requires immense resources.

To improve the security of airspace, the government has constituted a Government Committee on Airspace Management (GCAM) to look into all aspects of airspace surveillance and management. This committee would also look into the integration of civil and military radars and the requirement for additional surveillance equipment.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Narendra Mohan in Rajya Sabha.

Territorial Army (TA) and some units of Navy and Air Force similar to TA were in existence at the time of Independence. In 1949, the projected strength of the Territorial Army alone was 1.3 lakh. Over the years, the territorial equivalents of the Navy and Air Force have ceased to exist and some of the TA units have been converted into regular army units. The current strength of the Territorial Army stands at 32,200 personnel.

The role of Territorial Army, in 1951, was to relieve the regular army of static duties, provide coastal defence and anti-aircraft units and provide field formations and units for the regular army, as and when required.

These function have undergone certain modifications over the years to suit the changing internal and external security environment. The present functions of the TA include carrying out static security duties, internal security duties and aid to civil authorities, as and when required.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Karan Singh in Rajya Sabha.

Headquarters, South Western Air Command (HQ SWAC) has been relocated from Jodhpur to Gandhinagar for effective command and control over its units. Gandhinagar is more centrally located in the area of operations of HQ SWAC as compared to Jodhpur which is located towards the northern limits of jurisdiction of HQ SWAC.

Jodhpur is located approximately 100 Km from the nearest point on the international border and has adequate security arrangements.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Gopal Singh G Solanki in Rajya Sabha.

The induction of the upgraded aircraft in Indian Air Force (IAF) is planed to commence this year. The existing MIG-21 aircraft of the IAF will be upgraded with modern radar and avionics systems. The upgradation will substantially enhance the operational capability of the MiG-21 Bis aircraft in its stated role in the IAF inventory.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr CM Ibrahim and Dr Karan Singh in Rajya Sabha.

The number of defence personnel killed and wounded in J&K operation (1947-48) was 1104 and 3152, in India-China war (1962) 3250 and 548, in Indo Pak war (1965) 3264 and 8623, in Indo-Pak war (1971) 3843 and 9851, in operation Pawan (Sri Lanka) 1157 and 3009 respectively.

The number of soldiers killed and wounded in first World War were 53,486 and 64,350 and in Second World War - 24,338 and 64,354 respectively.

The Indian government has been regularly contributing towards Common wealth War Graves Fund since 1917. At present, India’s annual share of contribution is Rs 2.40 crore approximately for upkeep and maintenance of graves of Indian soldiers buried abroad.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Swaraj Kaushal in Rajya Sabha.

The Group of Ministers which examined the National Security System has recommended interalia the setting up of a National Defence University (NDU). A committee under the Chairmanship of Mr K Subramanyam has been set up on July 23, 2001 to examine the establishment of the University. A sub-group of the committee and officials from the Ministry of Defence undertook visits to the NDUs of USA and China. Decision will be taken based on the report received from the committee.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan and Mr Kapil Sibal in Rajya Sabha.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been interacting with the Government on various defence procurement related policy matters including the participation of private industry in the manufacture of defence equipment. It has requested that Industry be permitted to partake in the Government’s objective of achieving 70% self-reliance in defence by the year 2005.

The CII also made certain suggestions regarding licensing mechanism and procedures for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals, permission for joint ventures/technical tie-up between Indian industry and foreign investors. It has also requested for involvement of private industry in the procurement of equipment by Armed Forces, providing information to the industry about technological requirements of the Armed Forces and R&D support to private industry.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr Rumalla Ramachandraiah in Rajya Sabha.

The proposals have been received from Service Headquarters to declare Bhuj district as a ‘Field Area’ so that some of the concessions which are admissible in field areas could be made available to the personnel who suffered loss of life and property due to earthquake. The matter has been considered by the Government. Under the existing orders, "Field Area" is an area where troops are deployed near the border for operational requirements and where imminence of hostilities and associated risks to life exist. The status of area cannot be changed by occurrence of a natural calamity with the objective of giving some benefits to the personnel affected by the tragedy. The proposal, therefore, was not agreed to. However, taking into consideration the exceptional circumstances and the dedicated work done by the defence service personnel posted at Bhuj, it has been decided to grant suitable honorarium to such personnel.

This information was given by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes in a written reply to Mr P Prabhakar Reddy in Rajya Sabha.