Starting this week, I’ll compile (weekly) information about #NIIO#TDAC & #SPRINT from information available in various press releases,articles, speeches and books. The 🧵 this week is about the launch of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation and it’s structures…
#NIIO was launched by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh on 13 August 2020. Dedicated structures were created for the end users to interact with academia & industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence
The Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 (DAP 20) envisaged Service HQs setting up IIOs within existing resources. @indiannavy already had a functional & dynamic Directorate of Indigenisation. NIIO was to build upon these indigenisation initiatives, as well as focus on ‘innovation’
#NIIO is a three-tiered mechanism headed by #VCNS. Its apex body, the Naval Technology Acceleration Council (NTAC) meets every 06 months. NTAC has nominated as well as ex-officio members + reps of academia & industry + selected persons of technical eminence.
A working group under the NTAC (NIIO WG) implements the projects. This WG is Co-Chaired by two 2⭐️ officers & meets every 02 months / more often if reqd. ACNS(Staff Requirements) & ACOM(Modernisation) are the two co-chairs.
A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (#TDAC) was created de novo for accelerated induction of emerging disruptive technology in the ‘to fight’ component. [Navy divides the indigenisation initiatives into ‘to float’, ‘to move’ & ‘to fight’]
#TDAC is focused on innovation through academia & industry interaction, and, channelling in-house innovations by naval personnel. With fast-paced change in technology, quick induction of niche technology for the war- fighting component was needed.
The Officer-in-Charge TDAC, in addition to heading the ‘innovation’ component of NIIO, also acts as the Member Secretary of NTAC as well as the NIIO WG.
TDAC , a dedicated cell focused on innovation, was created within the NIIO to (1) Interact with the academia and the industry (2) Channel in-house innovations by naval personnel, and (3) Focus on quick induction of niche technology for the war- fighting component
TDAC was intentionally kept small and nimble. Initially, a complement of OIC + 04 officers was planned. The 04 officers were to represent the specializations of Navigation, Gunnery and ASW, in addition to one officer from the Electrical Branch
It was anticipated that this would broad-base the in-house expertise available. However, realizing that a ‘demonstrated innovative mindset’ was more important, provision was made for any officer with the right aptitude to be posted regardless of the branch / specialisation
TDAC also has an ‘extended arm’ called VISTAR which includes selected disruptive thinkers (regardless of rank) in the Navy. They are encouraged to directly contact Naval Headquarters on matters regarding innovation. This unorthodox hierarchy-less approach has shown good results
Over 30 IPR applications were filed by naval personnel in the very 1st year after NIIO was set up. As per an article by @CaptDKS “these innovations would make any dedicated R&D organisation stand tall amongst peers”
The list includes inventions for warfighting (Mine Detection System, Torpedo Counter Measure Systems, Missile Decoys & Ship Detection Algorithms), medical innovations (Nebulizer, low-cost digital stethoscope and many others), and, dual-use items (deck paint, marine life jackets)
TDAC also engages with the academia & industry in addition to in-house innovations. An online monthly interaction with the industry through @SIDMIndia has been instituted. This is on the last Friday of every month and focused on a different topic / theme in every interaction
Deep tech startups are also being recognised as 'lnnovation Industry Partners' & are provided handholding to better understand naval requirements. This is in addition to MoUs with industry bodies. NIIO aims to move beyond a buyer-seller relationship and see industry as partners.
“While many complain that the Indian private sector may not have capability to meet the defence needs, the approach taken by the Indian Navy indeed helps build the private sector capability”
For interaction with the academia, TDAC has MoUs with a number of premier educational institutions. To engage young minds, the 'Indian Naval Students Technical Engagement Programme' (IN STEP) provides a 05 month online internship for students to work on naval problem statements
In the next week’s update, I shall cover ‘SPRINT’ - an ongoing NIIO initiative. To whet your appetite, I will also tweet some snippets about the major SPRINT projects through the week n/n
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
As per a quote (by @Arun_Golaya 😉), “If a tool like propaganda or a fool like Munir could win a war…Pakistan would be a superpower”.
In my last🧵I had demolished their propaganda ‘Dirty Tricks’ in mainstream media. I now cover the academic discourse on #OperationSindoor. 1/n
Unlike the media / SM which is time constrained to BREAK the news, thereby sometimes getting news wrong (intentionally or inadvertently), think tanks / academics (even when covertly biased) *have* to be responsible. A think tank without credibility is just an ‘ink tank’. 2/n
A reputed think tank risks permanently damaging its credibility by putting out unverified news. Their coverage is thus more analytical & less about regurgitating unverified claims. Most authors are also backed by years of research & academic rigour. These are a better source. 3/n
As per a pun I made up, the TRUTH is somewhat like Osama Bin Laden - it can’t stay hidden for long. Not even in Pakistan. Not even with the active support of the Pakistan military/government!
In this🧵 I cover the modus operandi of 🇵🇰 propaganda & how it is now unravelling. 1/n
Initially, most western media outlets parroted the 🇵🇰 propaganda. This changed in the face of growing evidence and after the biased reports (@BBCWorld @CNN @washingtonpost @nytimes et al) were called out on SM. They too are now changing to try and maintain some credibility. 2/n
Modus Operandi was simple - the articles were written mostly by Pakistani or Chinese ‘journalists’ (?) quoting unnamed officials. In some cases, an Indian co-author was co-opted (sometimes even *after* publication as the article drew flak) to bolster the claim of neutrality. 3/n
On a more serious note, since @clary_co is a professor, let me point out Counter Air Operations (CAO) doctrine to him with HIS country’s stated views. It is hoped that he will then not mislead his students & spread propaganda just because he is married to a 🇵🇰 national. 1/n
Counter Air Operations have long been considered the best form of Air Defence (see, for example, the views of PM Churchill during WW2). Attacking airfields can disable enemy aircraft - preventing them from launching attacks & disrupting their ability to support ground forces. 2/n
More importantly, CAO makes the available air assets virtually redundant since their ability to operate is itself impacted. You may have the best 5th gen fighters. They serve little purpose if *unable* to even take off. An aircraft in a hanger is useless. 3/n
IMHO, *even if* their equipment had performed well, Pakistan was in no state to take on India in a long war. They reverted to preserving a “Fleet in Being” (equivalent) in all Services. So what is a ‘fleet in being’? 1/n
This is a naval strategy where a fleet avoids battle & yet tries to remain a threat thus tying up enemy resources. By existing & staying operational, it influences the enemy's actions without direct confrontation. The weaker side ‘acts’ belligerent without actually fighting. 2/n
The French Navy in the American Revolutionary War (1778-83) is an example. Similarly, Germany’s High Seas Fleet in WWI when outmatched by Britain avoided all-out battle after Jutland (1916). Yet, their fleet’s existence limited the British in projecting power freely. 3/n
Based on the chatter on social media & even some news channels, there appears to be some confusion between CCS, NSC (and even SPG) as far as their roles & composition go.
Let me clarify.
All the information below is available in the public domain. 1/n
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a *cabinet committee*. It is, by definition, a *political* body comprising the PM, RM, HM, FM & EAM. It is the highest decision making body on issues of national security. 2/n
The National Security Council (NSC) is an executive body tasked with advising the prime Minister of India on matters of national security. In addition to the 5 ministers above NSA (Member Secy), CDS, ANSA, Vice Chairman NITI Aayog etc are members of the NSC. 3/n
Lots of chatter about ‘Atmanirbhar’ Vs ‘Operational Readiness’ issues due to @BahadurManmohan article. Quite a few people have commented. Some have asked me (1) My views & (2) Why the @indiannavy has been more successful than sister services.
🧵 1/n
@KesariDhwaj @JaidevJamwal
It’s a tough call.
Of course, operational readiness is foremost…BUT (that’s a big but) IMHO, long term thinking is needed. For that #Atmanirbhar is the only way. If we compromise now, 20 years later a similar debate will still be on. At some time one has to say - No more! 2/n
Sometimes good outcomes can result from Hobson’s choices. It happened with the IN decades back & the Navy emerged the stronger for it. Similarly, the other services are at an inflection point now…the decision made now would impact ‘operational readiness’ for decades to come. 3/n