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Doubts are often raised on the ability of CAPF whenever it suffers a setback. It is also suggested that  ex-servicemen from the Army should be inducted into the CAPF. The article argues against such suggestions.

Experience of CAPF

• The allegations that CAPF personnel are not well-trained falls flat when we look into the history of these paramilitary forces.
• Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were in the battlefront in the 1971 India-Pakistan war and won medals.
• As part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka, CRPF personnel fought the militants there.
• In 1965, at Sardar Post in the Raan of Kutch, a small contingent of CRPF repulsed a Brigade strength attack of the Pakistan Army.
• In Punjab, it was the CRPF alongside the Punjab Police that brought the situation under control.
• Credit for peace and tranquillity in the north-eastern States goes in large measure to the CAPF personnel.

Will appointing Army officials as advisers help?

• The Army has never fought against the Maoists.
• It is absurd to appoint Army officials as advisers for anti-Maoist operations in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• What sort of advice can they be expected to render to the experts of the CAPFs in the field who have spent a major part of their lives combating insurgents and extremists?

Versatile force

• The Greyhounds, a specialised commando outfit of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, was able to inflict heavy casualties on Maoists forcing them to migrate to neighbouring States.
• The elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) has played a stellar role in killing some top Maoist leaders and continue to be dreaded by the Maoists.
• The CAPFs have well-established training centres across the country with instructors of high calibre.

Conclusion

The fact that they are able to tackle terrorism in Kashmir, fight the Maoists in left wing extremism-affected States, combat insurgency in the Northeast, ensure smooth conduct of elections and control riots across the country speaks volumes about their versatility .

Defence Minister has recently visited the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka to inspect infrastructure development under Phase II of “Project Seabird”.

Project Seabird

• The largest naval infrastructure project for India, Project Seabird involves the creation of a naval base at Karwar on the west coast of India.
• INS Kadamba is an Indian Navy base located near Karwar in Karnataka.
• The first phase of construction of the base was code-named Project Seabird and was completed in 2005.
• INS Kadamba is currently the third-largest Indian naval base and is expected to become the largest naval base in the eastern hemisphere after the completion of expansion Phase IIB.

Why need such a base?

• During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, the Indian Navy faced security challenges for its Western Fleet in Mumbai Harbour due to congestion in the shipping lanes from commercial shipping traffic, fishing boats and tourists.
• At the end of the war, various options were considered on addressing these concerns
• Upon completion, it will provide the Indian Navy with its largest naval base on the west coast and also the largest naval base east of the Suez Canal.
• The Navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is based at Karwar.

A new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Agni-Prime Missile

• Agni-P is a new generation advanced variant of the Agni class of missiles.
• It is a canisterised missile with a range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km.
• Many advanced technologies including composites, propulsion systems, innovative guidance and control mechanisms and state-of-the-art navigation systems have been introduced.
• The missile strengthens India’s credible deterrence capabilities.

What is the upgrade?

• Agni-P has improved parameters including manoeuvring and accuracy.
• Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility.

What are Agni Missiles?

• Agni class of missiles are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability which also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft.
• The longest of the Agni series, Agni-V, an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of over 5,000 km, has already been tested several times and validated for induction.

An arsenal for peace

• In the last few years, India has also operationalized its submarine-based nuclear launch capability, completing the nuclear triad.
• This is especially important given India’s No-First-Use policy while reserving the right of massive retaliation if struck with nuclear weapons first.