Vietnam expected to receive Brahmos missile

Vietnam expected to receive Brahmos missile

Vietnam Peoples Navy is the first foreign customer who expected to receive the world's lethal anti shipping cruise missile Brahmos. Sources confirmed that, the contract would be finalized before the end of this year.  Both Russia and India agrees to export the Missile to Vietnam who is a friendly nation to both Nations.

The same source also said that, Air launched version of Brahmos A already completed the ground trails. the airborne carriage trails commenced soon by following the final test launch scheduled by end of this year. The Brahmos A program almost delayed by more than a year, where DRDO and HAL said test launch may occur in end of 2015.    

Vietnam is the most pro Russian country who relies on Soviet and Russia for it's military needs, who also threatened by the Chinese with the disputed Island issue. Vietnam requesting the Brahmos missiles for it's front line naval ships, who currently using older Styx missile, Vietnam operates more than six Molniya class missile corvette's. Similar like Indian Navy's veer class missile corvette. Vietnam plans to replace those Styx missiles with Brahmos missile.

Sources said, Vietnam requesting the Brahmos since years, when the official talks started in early 2013, Later the talks actively progressed by both Indian and Russian officials. Since 51% of the missiles stakes under Indian custody, India needs to take the final decision. However India also willingly to share the Brahmos to Vietnam, after Vietnam given few of the oil fields to Indian state firm ONGC.

China protested the Vietnamese move of giving oil fields to India, saying "transferring rights in the disputed Island to foreign country make bigger problems". Refusing the Chinese threat, ONGC get the contract from Vietnam to explore the oil deposits. who already stated working on the fields.

India revamped it's relationship with Vietnam later 2000 only, However which creates stronger basement to counter Chinese threat. The relationship went another level in later years, as once the Indian foreign minister openly said that " Vietnam is one of the Pillar of India's act east Policy ".

The current government keen to expand the relationship into higher level  and hosted the Vietnamese Prime minister in India early 2014. During the meet Indian PM offered the Brahmos missile to Vietnam, also expressed deeper maritime relationship with Vietnamese Navy. In this field both navy's conduct regular port visits, Joint patrols and Naval exercise.

Indian Govt also allowed the navy to provide assistance and training to Vietnam navy to work with newly acquired Kilo class submarine from Russia. Also given $100 million credit line to buy new warships from India. India is in final talks to supply four large patrol vessel to Vietnamese navy. as Indian PM promised in earlier 2014.

Vietnam operates six modern kilo class submarines and few Russian frigates and missile corvette's. all those are modernized with newer Klub missiles. Vietnam also operates K 300 P Bastion coastal missile battery, The missile used in the K300 is the Oniks missile, predecessor of Brahmos missile.  

Show off in South China Sea, India Joins with Pacific Nations and US

Show off in South China Sea, India Joins with Pacific Nations and US

    As China slowly making it's stance in south China sea, countries like Philippines and Vietnam shows it's restrain by conducting naval patrol close to Chinese artificial island in south China sea, that won't prevent the Chinese constructions, even the US tries some tricky maneuvers over the island, not only in south China sea, China already makes it's tough stance in Japanese Senkaku Diaoyu Island, and the known ADIZ zone in east China sea,and they continuing their advancement in far south China sea by claiming Spratly and Paracel Islands.

    China almost gained full power in South China sea, where they can defeat any foreign Navy's or Allied forces, if those countries didn't stop the Chinese advancement, then they could loose their tiny islands for no reason, and China fields his massive army nearby their door steps, Not only in south China sea, China slowly moving into Indian Ocean and almost managed to lease a Maldivian island, the Island named Atolls, initially China says that atoll island used only for tourism and research purpose and it's clear they can mass the forces in case of any possible skirmish with India or US Navy. the US has a base in Indian Ocean named Diego Garcia,also in Bay of Bengal China has a Island which was ceased from Myanmar, named Coco Island.

    So the point is, there is a need of Multi national alliance, which can stop Chinese aggressive maneuvers, The US is always poised to counter the Chinese advancement, however they didn't get enough support from nearby countries, before the Victim country tries to confront the Chinese advancement, US goes first and makes the issue as Headline, that was proven many times, flying it's advanced P8 A plane over the ADIZ, later only countries like Japanese and South Korean performed counter maneuvers,

    India never tries to enter such global events, however that's no more, the new government almost takes a side in the Global events, to counter react any Chinese aggressive movements, after satellite pictures appeared of Artificial island construction, India send a flotilla of warships to conduct friendly surveillance with Philippines Navy, later they went to Vietnam and continue their patrols with Vietnamese Navy, India's major interests in the South China sea is the Natural deposits inside the Vietnam waters, where ONGC signs a agreement to explore the deposits, earlier last year the Navy Chief Joshi sounds that, India can deploy it's Naval forces in South China sea to protect Indian interests, that's the first strong message sent to China in recent years,

    Recently, The Chinese Officials acknowledged the New Australian PM's comment about South China sea, Prime minister Malcolm said "China to ease off on island construction in the South China Sea if it wants a reduced US presence in the region". He also says "Australia enjoyed very good relations with China, but described Beijing's South China Sea foreign policy as counter-productive".  and China reacted as Australia should respect Chinese interest in South China sea,

    Also the US Senate Armed Service Committee, expressed that the Pacific command should increase surveillance flights over Chinese illegally claimed islands, they also said Preventing the Chinese from further militarizing those features a range of options including freedom of navigation exercises and US is  considering those options now.  Means in coming days, The US Could increases it's surveillance flights over illegal Chinese Islands, that makes small skirmishes in south china sea, 

   As India also showing it's increased interests in global politics, India and US almost drafting a plan to stop Chinese advancement in both South china sea and Indian Ocean, the alliance included Australia, Japan and South Korea, these countries can perform Scheduled exercise near those disputed waters, which gives benefits to all Pacific Nations and India.

Is India finding the perfect solution for countering the Chinese aggression

 Is India finding the perfect solution for countering the Chinese aggression.?

           The tensions are high in the South China Sea, China is in full expansion mode and has shown little change in its aggressive maneuver throughout South China Sea even after repeated heated escalations with America and Japan. Chinese forces have repeatedly intercepted American and Japanese aircrafts flying in the region and each side has cried of extremely risky manoeuvres being made and this escalation has threatened to set off an International incident. China has raised alarms in India’s power corridors over its heightened presence in the backyards of India. The ‘Pearl of String’ through which China is proactively gaining a strong foothold across IOR and South China Sea has raised eyebrows not only in India but as far as in America and threatens to set off the critical balance of power which for long has been maintained in the Asian region.

         Countering China is one of the foremost agendas for the nations sharing borders with it and seems countries have realized the ever growing China can’t be countered unless a mutual consent for the same is forged. America has now teamed up with Japan and Indonesia and is now looking forward have India in the fray. India is the sole nation with the ability to take on the Chinese. The smaller countries sharing borders with China have their own tales to be narrated to the International community. Vietnam, Myanmar, Loas and Nepal have faced the wrath of Chinese policies over time. The Tibetan issue has been a long standing problem for which Nepal has always been stretched by China.

          South China Sea which is part of the vast Pacific Ocean has been a long contested battleground where China, Vietnam and Philippines have fought for long to have a foothold of the resource rich waters. Philippines shares a warm relationship with USA and has had the mighty US Navy at its disposal if needed. At the other end Vietnam was left in unknown waters after its long civil war in which America has memories and US been reluctant to take up Vitenam’s stand. Vietnam is looking out to India to help save the wrath of China. India had shared a warm diplomatic relation with Vietnam and since India set its agenda to counter the Chinese onset, it picked up Vietnam’s cause.

         The military relationship between India and Vietnam date back to 1978, India was one of the very few nations which backed Vietnam in its war against Cambodia. A more coherent relationship was setup in 1992 and the nations agreed to setup co-operations for renewed economic ties, oil exploration projects , agriculture and manufacturing industries. India adopting the ‘Look East’ policy the defence ties between the countries received a major boost. Since then India has proactively supported Vietnam by supplying weaponry and has helped impart a higher degree of training for the Vietnam forces.

          It is time India looks at renewing its presence in the troubled waters. This has been echoed by US, Admiral Harry Harris, Commander Pacific Fleet,US Navy asked India to look out for the troubled waters and went to request India’s role in crisis in International waters. Increasing its presence in the South China Sea should be one of the main agenda’s Indian Navy has to be considering but a deployment would surely draw bitter reactions from across the border, after all the area is disputed. But what the Navy can be aiming at is to conduct “Joint naval exercises” with Vietnam which could be named as a friendly gesture, under which the Vietnamese would be imparted training in naval warfare. India’s role in the resurgent Asia has been notable but not really noticeable, India needs to mark its position across the continent and has to guarantee its allies its stand be it peace time or be it a troubled situation.

        India has responded to the calls by Vietnam, to boost its economy and have its share from the resource rich waters of the South China Sea Vietnam considered drilling the sea beds and exploring oil reserves. This would not only reduce its dependence other nations but would also guarantee a living for its citizens. Lacking the needed resource for the demanding project, Vietnam looked for India’s help for exploring oil. Answering Vietnam’s call, India put in charge ONGC, a PSU(Public Sector Undertaking) for helping Vietnam complete this ambitious project. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) recently signed agreements with the Vietnamese government to setup off shore facilities which would enable the firm to explore oil blocks in the South Chinese Sea. Under the agreement Vietnam offered India two oil-exploration blocks which are located in disputed South China Sea waters, this has drawn a flank from Beijing. Wanting to make its presence felt China raised its concern through diplomatic channels and threatened any developments in the disputed waters would be delt with force.

          The chosen oil blocks are in the Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone of which the Spratly Islands is an integral part. The claim of Vietnamese over these islands has been recognised by the UN but Chinese differ to this and have named the Islands as Nanshu Islands. Vietnam recently purchased the advanced Kilo class submarines from Russia which have been armed with Klub cruise missiles which can be used to nullify land based threats. Vietnam had minimal knowledge of the Submarine operations, it was again towards India that Vietnam inclined. Responding positively for Vietnam’s request, India imparted training to Vietnam submariners and made them aware of the complicated methods involved in operating a submarine.

        When questioned about India’s stand towards China aggression, Indian Navy said India won't really hesitate to send its force to secure any Indian interests across the globe, be it the South China Sea or the Pacific Ocean but if India’s interests are in distress the Navy will react and it doesn’t matter to use the force.

       Strengthening Vietnam’s presence in the South China Sea is one of the priorities for the Indian government. India has now opened a $100 credit line to support Vietnam’s growth. India is now planning to supply Vietnam with modern naval platforms using the credit line. Arming the Vietnamese will serve India in unique way. One for India gains a reliable partner to counter China, two to guard it’s off shore facilities which it is likely to set up with the Vietnamese. The BrahMos missile has been one of the topic which is being linked to the plans. India has acknowledged its interest in arming Vietnam with the BrahMos and if chosen, Vietnam will be the first nation to receive the world’s fastest anti-shipping missile.

Article By Karthik Kakoor

With Mighty Navy, India warns China over South China Sea

With Mighty Navy, India warns China over South China Sea

Indian Ships in Vietnam Port

       South China Sea is one of the most after sought areas. The area is filled with vast areas of oil reserves and natural gas, but all of these areas are in the territorial waters of Vietnam and Philippines. The South China Sea under the Chinese control has failed to fetch any of these reserves. China has time and again shown its presence in the area by projecting its power using its Navy. Vietnam has already started exploration in this water with the help of India thus setting off a race for the South China Sea.

          China has tried with its might to take control of the oil fields. China has also explored options to either buy or lease these oil rich fields. But Vietnam has turned down this request and has shown loyalty to Indian exploration companies and the tempo has been reciprocated by Indian companies which have already started looking options to explore these fields. 

      Indian Navy has helped secure these oil fields which have only set off bells in Beijing. China has tried to check India’s onward move to the open sea and has sought to setup Naval bases in Islands across South China Sea. China has conducted various Naval exercises along the Spratley Paracel Islands, and has also released statements about disputes in the area.

 
       China has setup the ADIZ zone which prevents any American Patrol near the troubled South China sea, where American have bases in Philippines and Taiwan and have used to conduct scheduled patrols over the Horizon to prevent Chinese presence in that area.  America has time and again provoked the control of China by flying over the ADIZ zone. China has warned India about exploring oil reserves in the disputed waters and has time and again said any activities in the troubled waters will only provoke action by the Chinese navy.

 
       But Recently India too has warned China that it would use its naval force to secure its interest in South China Sea and Chinese Military watchers too have expressed concerns over the activities of Indian Nay along the troubled Spratly and Paracel Islands.





     But the message has been aired clearly to China "India will not hesitate to use Naval Power to protect its economic interest in South China Sea if the need arises"

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (C) shakes hands with his counterpart Narendra Modi (R) as Dung's wife Tran Thanh Kien looks on during Dung's ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on 28 October 2014. Reuters/Adnan Abidi

Indo Vietnam Naval Officials on board a Vietnam Naval Ship

Editor Karthik Kakoor