US allocates half a trillions for Defense

US allocates half a trillions for Defense

     The Obama's government allocates more than half a trillion dollar to the US defense. The US going to spend nearly $582 billions in next fiscal year or upto 2017 which is the 1.8% of their GDP. The package include $71 billions for Research and Development, $7.5 billions for fight against the Islamic state in Iraq, Syria and Libya. The budget already accepted by the US defense secretary and to be moved on US Congress next week.

    The rival US enemies like China spends some $135 billions and the Russians spending some $70 billions. As same like every year most or half of the funds going to spend for some classified projects. Which include a air force secret project and the known LRS B program. The US air force gets more than $200 billions for operations and maintenance.

    This year US going to spend more than  $7.5 billions to fight against Islamic state. which is much larger than the entire Pakistani defense spending. The amount is increased double than the previous years allocation. The US also have plans to send their troops into Islamic state to launch a ground offensive. US also fortifies it's presence close to Kurdistan as they almost expanded a air base close to Turkey, Syria and Iraq border, controlled by the Kurds.

    Meantime The US special forces continuously working in the above mentioned states, that they were executing special operations and counter terrorism mission. US also briefly expanded a Turkey's abandoned airfield close to Syria, which is act as a primary command center to execute operations against Syria. US has spend most of the money for air strikes against Islamic state.

    US also plans to buy 45,000 of smart munitions for the Air force. The LGB/PGM guided munitions can strike targets more preciously. The US almost stopped using unguided dumb bombs. However as per the US needs the guided munitions amounts is very low. It's reported as per Indian theater, India alone need some 45,000 PGM/LGB's to fight against the Pakistani's. However the US already has tons of PGM/LGB in stocks.

    Details also surface that US going to spend more than $8 billions for Submarine acquisition and refitting program. In 2016 US plans to buy two advanced Virginia class SSN and some SSN payloads like ROV, Seal delivery vehicle and heavy weight Torpedo's. US spending closely $10 billion every year for the Submarine program.

    The Ukraine also gets some good support from US in this year. The US roses the Ukrainian support package from $800 millions to $3.4 billions. During the collapse of Soviet Union the Ukraine gave up all their Nuclear warheads to International community with the assurance of providing security to Ukraine from external threats. However they failed to protect Ukraine, Since Ukraine lost Crimea and most of the eastern Ukrainian lands to Russia.

    As the emerging threats of Cyber warfare US plans to spend $7 billions in 2016. which means they going to spend more than $600 millions per month to fight in the Cyber security. The US defense computers repeatedly breached by Chinese and Russian hackers. and the vulnerable drones against cyber attacks.

    US also committed to provide security and economic assistance to Afghanistan, However Carter didn't revealed how much amount can be spend for the Afghan theater. US plans to arm the Afghan with more support of providing additional COIN planes and attack helicopters to fight against Taliban. Indians on the other side helping the Afghan to overcome from the Taliban.

    The Budget also helps the F 35 program, underwater autonomous vehicles, Rail gun systems, Missile defense systems and space based infrared system. It's believed the US also allocates special funds to the South Chinese theater.

    The US remains one of the Top defense spending country by spending 1.8 % of their GDP which is more than some $582 billions. The amounts is higher than the all other next top ten countries combined budget.

Army Plans to Replace the L 70 and Zu 23 AAA Systems

Army Plans to Replace the L 70 and Zu 23 AAA Systems

Army L 70 40mm AAA gun

        Indian Army is planning to replace the aging Anti Aircraft gun systems, currently the army operates over thousands of Swedish L 70 AAA gun which is a 40mm single barrel gun system. These Swedish guns received their last update in 1995 by an local firm which upgraded the fire control system and helped the guns enjoy a extended shelf life of around 30 years and is now planned to be retired by 2030, the army more than 3000 of these guns.

          The other AAA system serving under the Indian Army is the Zu 23 AAA guns and the army operates nearly 800 such systems, the Zu 23 is a twin barrel 23 mm gun and received its last upgrade in early 2000 which has promised uninterrupted service for at least another 25 years.


        These guns have been effectively used by the Army's Air defence units, clubbed with these AAA batteries, the MANPAD’s have helped the army achieve an unmatched superiority in the battle field against any enemy airborne targets.

         The primary mission of these AAA systems is to protect the soldiers from enemy wings, ranging from enemy helicopters, fixed wing low flying aircraft's to reconnaissance UAV's. Even though these AAA perform the basic function of a CIWS on board a ship it mainly differs in the operational procedure since these AAA systems are always armed unlike the ship’s CIWS.

         The L 70 is a highly capable piece of machinery and can fire up to 150 rounds per minute and enjoys a range of up to 10 kilometres. The Zu 23 system enjoys a very high rate of fire but the range of these systems are limited to around 2.5 kilometre and is capable of firing up to 400 rounds per minute. The AAA systems are a bi booster for the forces in the battle field against an aerial threat since these systems are manually activated and can be fired at the target without any major issues and setup’s unlike the SAM systems which need to be provided with pre-designated information.






         The systems cannot only be used against aerial but can also be used for shelling enemy hide outs, these guns aren’t operated with a usual bullet but have artillery. The Army have used it to strike against Pakistani intruders and some Pakistani soldiers too, middle of the last year army almost managed to demolish some three plus Pakistani bunkers and outposts with the L 70 cannon, which proves it's a good system in peacetime.



          With the battlefield evolving the Army needs an advanced system to fight in the modern battlefield, unlike other tenders, the MoD hasn’t announced the tender, they have acknowledging the delays in procurement, have moved ahead to RFI, and slated to announce the winning bid in a coming few months. Being a $2 billion program it is sure to be classified under the Make in India campaign and will attract lot of competitions.


            An Indian company will be allowed to buy the technology from a foreign company and will be required to reproduce it in India, sketchy details have emerged linking Indian giants Punj Lloyd and Kalyani groups to the program. In a span of two years, MoD will select the winner and may start the manufacturing process before 2020.

        As per some details the Rehinmettal Mantis systems and a land based CIWS model were the leading machines incorporating with the Indian private players to win the huge orders.

Editor Karthik Kakoor 

Land Based CIWS model by Phlanx 

Sky Shield Model

Indian Army Air defence Zu 23 23mm AAA

Rehinmettal 30mm Mantis CRAM