YEAR END REVIEW 2024

YEAR END REVIEW 2024

2024 witnessed some path-breaking achievements & breakthroughs as Ministry of Defence (MoD), marched ahead with renewed vigour to make India a strong, secure, self-reliant & prosperous nation, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Rajnath Singh assumed the office of Raksha Mantri for the second consecutive term in June this year and under his leadership, the Ministry reaffirmed its resolve to work in the priority areas to realise the vision of self-reliance in Defence. Some of the major highlights of 2024 include:

India-China border consensus

India and China achieved a broad consensus to restore the ground situation in certain areas along the LAC. Both countries have been holding talks at diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result, a broad consensus was developed on the basis of equal and mutual security. Raksha Mantri, during the Chanakya Defence Dialogue on October 24, 2024, described the consensus as proof that continuous dialogue brings solutions.

Aatmanirbharta in Defence

 

During the field trials conducted in the desert terrain, the Light Tank demonstrated exceptional performance, efficiently meeting all the intended objectives. In the initial phase, the tank’s firing performance was rigorously evaluated and it achieved the required accuracy on designated targets.

Major Inductions/Commissioning

Major Acquisitions

To provide substantial boost to the Indian defence industry and reduce foreign spending significantly, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) and Defence Procurement Board (DPB), during 2024 (upto November), accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 40 Capital Acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 4,22,129.55 crore. Out of these, AoNs for Rs 3,97,584.34 Crore (i.e. 94.19 %) have been accorded to be procured from indigenous sources. These include:

Major contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defence Budget

In the Union Budget of FY 2024-25, MoD has been allocated Rs 6.22 lakh crore (approx. US $75 Billion), the highest among the Ministries. The allocation to MoD for FY 2024-25 is higher by approx. Rs one lakh crore (18.43%) over the allocation for FY 2022-23 and 4.79% more than allocation of FY 2023-24. Out of this, a share of 27.66% goes to capital; 14.82% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness; 30.66% for Pay and Allowances; 22.70% for Defence Pensions, and 4.17% for civil organisations under MoD. The total allocation comes out to approx. 12.90% of Budgetary Estimate of Union of India. 75 per cent of the defence capital procurement budget has been earmarked for domestic industry.

Gaganyaan Programme

The Gaganyaan Programme was launched by the Government for demonstrating Human Spaceflight capability in Low Earth Orbit, wherein, a manned spacecraft will be launched safely to LEO for an orbital mission of 5 to 7 days followed by safe re-entry and recovery on earth. The Prime Minister revealed the names of four IAF astronauts to the nation and awarded them with the ‘Space Wings’ in February 2024. The four IAF astronauts are: Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Presently, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair are undergoing space training at NASA for Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station scheduled in 2025.

Defence Cooperation

The year saw Ministry of Defence take defence cooperation with its friendly countries to the next level through visits of the dignitaries and military exercises. Raksha Mantri, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Chief of Defence Staff, three Service Chiefs and Defence Secretary undertook visits to various nations with the aim to strengthen defence ties with them. Major events of Raksha Mantri include:

OROP 10^th Anniversary

November 07, 2024 marked the tenth anniversary of One Rank One Pension (OROP). OROP was implemented as a significant step towards addressing long-standing demand and reaffirming the nation’s gratitude to the heroes. It is a tribute to veterans and ex-service personnel who dedicated their lives in protecting the nation. Over the decade lakhs of pensioners and their families have benefitted from the landmark initiative. OROP also represents the government’s commitment to the well-being of the armed forces.

Appointments

INDIAN ARMY

Operations

Infrastructure

Tri-Services Synergy

Modernisation and Aatmanirbharta

 

Digitisation and Automation

Military Diplomacy

 

Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief Ops

    

Women Empowerment

UN Peacekeeping

Ecology Restoration & Conservation

Operation Sadbhavana

INDIAN NAVY

SHIPBUILDING PROJECTS

With over 133 ships/submarines having been built and commissioned in India to date, the Indian Navy continues to propel the domestic shipbuilding industry’s growth by supporting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The IN remains the key pillar that supports the growth of Indian shipbuilding sector, with 63 of the 64 warships planned to be inducted in the Navy being built in India, orders for 62 more ships and submarines being in the final stages of approval, and steadfast focus on achieving higher indigenisation content across weapons, sensors and equipment.

The ships/ submarines which have been commissioned/ delivered and those scheduled for delivery this year are as follows:-

 

NAVAL AVIATION

 

OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS/ EXERCISES

 

EXERCISES WITH FOREIGN NAVIES

 

ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

Sri Lanka

Maldives

Mozambique

Seychelles

Mauritius

HADR & SAR OPERATIONS

WELFARE AND EMPOWERMENT

IN has taken significant steps for becoming a true gender-neutral and inclusive force, both in letter and in spirit. IN has commenced induction of women into all branches, and all avenues for career progression are now available for women in the IN. In the last two decades, newer ships have been inducted into the Navy that cater for gender specific needs of women, and their appointment onboard warships commenced from December 2020.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES

INDIAN AIR FORCE

Inductions

Sustenance of IAF fleet

Self-Reliance Efforts by IAF through IGA/ JV

Tri-services Integration.

Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief

Defence Cooperation

Pan IAF Exercises:

Air Defence

IAF Agniveer Women in Tri-services Contingent in RDP 202

A Tri-Services women contingent participated in RDP-2024, which comprised of forty-eight IAF Agniveervayu women.

Agniveer Women Drill Team

Thirty Agniveervayu women were trained specially to perform drill in coordination with music. Within five months of training, their first public performance was conducted at India Gate on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 Jul 2024.

INDIAN COAST GUARD

Launches

Procurement

Major Projects:

Anti-smuggling & Narcotics

Coastal Security

Aid to Civil Authority

Search & Rescue

Search and Rescue data for 2024 as on November 30 is as follows: –

01 Jan – 30 Nov 24

Missions

158

Life Saved

141

Air Sorties

113

Ship Sorties

256

Medical Evacuation

22

 

International Cooperation

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE PRODUCTION

Defence Exports

iDEX

DEFENCE ACQUISITON

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 has been driven by the tenets of Defence Reforms announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by promoting indigenous design, development and manufacturing of defence equipment, platforms, systems and sub-systems. A number of initiatives have been taken in Defence procurement to give a thrust to Atmanirbharta in Defence while also simplifying the procedures. These include:

 

DEFENCE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

Measures to promote research include:

BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION

NATIONAL CADET CORPS

Key Initiatives

Training

Service Training

Youth Exchange Programme

Through the programme, the NCC offers cadets unique opportunities to connect with peers from across the world, broadening their horizons and promoting cultural understanding. The 2024 Republic Day Camp, the largest YEP event to date, brought together 24 countries from every inhabited continent. With 16 Heads of Delegations, 14 Staff Officers, and 219 cadets, this event underscored the spirit of international cooperation and cultural exchange, reflecting the true essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – ‘The world is one family’. The outgoing YEP also witnessed 16 officers and 98 cadets from lndia travelling to countries such as the UK, Vietnam, Singapore, Russia, Bhutan and Kazakhstan etc., further strengthening global ties and fostering international camaraderie.

Social Service & Community Development Activities

Nation-building is a cornerstone of NCC training, focusing on instilling values of civic duty, responsibility, and national pride. Through activities like community service, environmental campaigns, and blood donation drives, cadets are encouraged to actively contribute to society.

DEFENCE ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT

Project DTS 2.0

Defence Travel System was primarily started to cater as an alternate solution for travel warrants of officers & PBORs. The system has since been extended to train tickets, air travel and foreign ticket booking through authorised agents. Facility extended to civilians also i.e DAD, Coast Guard & DRDO. Online submission of TA/DA claims for DAD and Army Officers has also been implemented in 2022-23. Currently, DTS has been upgraded to DTS 2.0 in 2024.

DTS 2.0 represents a critical upgrade. It is being built on the more robust Spring Boot Framework and WildFly Application server, ensuring compatibility with latest software versions.  This upgrade also includes high configuration servers at both the Data centre (DC) and Disaster Recovery (DR) sites, alongside a dedicated reported server. Additionally, DTS LITE has been introduced as a crucial component of DTS 2.0, acting as a bridge between the DTS portal and PAO office automation systems like DOLPHIN, FALCON, and TULIP. It would ensure an efficient and accurate processing of expenditure related demands, better redressal of user issues & providing a more reliable & efficient service overall.

OROP-III

Ministry of Defence vide their letter No. 1(2)/2023/D(Pen/Pol) dated 10.07.2024 has issued orders for revision of pension/family pension of Armed Forces Personnel under OROP scheme w.e.f. 01.07.2024. Revision tables have been notified vide GoI, MoD letter dated 04.09.2024. Accordingly, CGDA has carried out the revision and ensured payment of revised pension to defence pensioners through SPARSH in the month of Sep’2024 itself.

Raksha Pension Samadhan Ayojan (RPSA)

RPSA are held every year at identified locations. 7 RPSAs were organized during the calendar year 2023-24, and 3 RPSAs out of the 7 planned in the year 2024-25 have been held up to Nov’ 2024. Number of cases resolved during period are more than one thousand.

Digital Life Certificate (DLC 3.0) campaign

DAD is a major stake holder in DLC Campaign promulgated by DoP&PW. All the SPARSH Service Centres at 200 locations across the country have been geared up to facilitate pensioners identification with emphasis on Face Authentication Technology. Mega DLC campaign was held at Hyderabad on 12th and 13th Nov 2024, where more than 1000 pensioners attended.  DLCs in r/o approx. 22.85 lakh Defence Pensioners have been generated till 22.11.2024.

SAINIK SCHOOLS SOCIETY

The Government has approved the initiative of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode with NGOs/Trusts/Private schools/State Government schools in a graded manner, starting from Class 6 onwards. As on date, Sainik Schools Society has approved 45 new Sainik Schools under partnership mode, of which Memorandum of Agreement has been signed with 41 schools.

Forty (40) of these schools have started functioning from academic session 2024-25. Among the 40 schools is Sainik School, Jaipur which was formally inaugurated by Raksha Mantri in September 2024. The 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode are apart from the existing 33 Sainik Schools already functioning under the erstwhile pattern.

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