Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali- The Unbeatable Gorkhas

They are fearless, fierce, loyal and brave. Their courage is their hallmark.  Their war cry - Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali – can curdle the blood of the enemy. Meet the Gorkhas. "Better to die than be a coward" is the motto of these remarkable soldiers who have made a distinguished contribution to the Indian Army. The Gorkhas have completed 200 years of soldiering in India under the British, and, later, the Indian flag.

To understand the glorious 200-year- old history of Gorkha Rifles, let us take you to a quiet cantonment town in the foothills of Himalayas. Subathu in Himachal Pradesh is home to the First Gorkha Rifles and houses the 14 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC).  It was on April 24, 1815 that the first organised body of Gorkha soldiers took to arms under the British East India Company at Subathu in Himachal Pradesh. The unit that was raised on that day still serves with the Indian Army and is today known as the First Battalion, The First Gorkha Rifles or 1/1 GR in short.

History:

200 years ago, Subathu witnessed the first encounter between the East India Company and soldiers from the Kingdom of Nepal during the Gorkha War of 1815. Impressed by the fighting qualities displayed by the Gorkahs of Nepal during this war, Sir David Ochterlony was quick to form the Gorkha Regiment. The British started a Gorkha (Nusseree) battalion in the Shimla hills. Before long, this battalion had made its mark in the battle for Bharatpur in 1826. In 1850, the battalion was named the 66th Gorkha Light Infantry and later renamed the First Gorkha Light Infantry. It became the First King George's Own Gorkha Rifles in 1910 (MALAUN REGIMENT). After independence, the designation changed to the present one. The regiment's other battalions were raised after 1959. The FIRST GORKHA RIFLES has a proud combat record and has always lived up to its reputation.

The Glory Continues

Be it war or counter terrorism operations, the soldiers of the Gorkha Rifles have proved themselves with their valour and self-sacrifice. The competition to become a part of this regiment is tough. The training to become a true soldier of the motherland is even fiercer. The recruits undergo forty five weeks of rigorous training. To a layman, they may look like supermen who can jump, climb, crawl to extraordinary lengths and breadths.  Their strength is not just physical. Mental  endurance is the key to sail through testing times. They are trained to succeed. Their passion to live and die for the nation is commendable. The successful recruits earn great honor for their family and village. And above all, they are the Nation’s Pride.

The Gorkha Rifles, which began as one unit then known as the 1st Nusseree Battalion, is today seven regiments strong. The Indian Army has the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 11th Gorkha Rifles as its regular infantry regiments apart from Gorkha troops serving in the Rashtriya Rifles, Artillery and the Territorial Army units.

MAN MADE ISLANDS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA WORRY INDIA

Chinese aggression in the South China Sea region has raised eyebrows in New Delhi. Recent satellite images released by Airbus Defence and Space show that China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in the contested territory of Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Chinese moves have been greeted with concern not only in India but also in the United States.

The satellite images published in mid-March this year clearly show work in progress on the runway on reclaimed parts of Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly archipelago, which China contests with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

These images also indicate that reclamation work on Subu Reef in the Spratly archipelago is creating landmasses that, if joined together, could create space for another 3,000-meter (3,281-yard) long airstrip.

It is not just India, but also the United States, which is keeping a tab on these developments. The US military commander for Asia, Admiral Samuel Locklear said China, which claims most of the South China Sea, could eventually deploy radar and missile systems on outposts it is building, that could be used to enforce an exclusion zone should it move to declare one. 

China’s aggressive posture in the South China Sea is fuelling regional apprehensions. Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, and even Australia and Japan are anxious. 

South China Sea region is a strategic waterway that is imperative for Delhi's Asia-Pacific outreach as well as energy investments. India is in the process of ramping up engagement across economic spheres in the ASEAN region, including oil blocks in Vietnam in the SCS region. Delhi is looking to boost its presence in the Asia-Pacific region following PM Narendra Modi's visit to three small but strategically significant Indian neighbors.

China’s recent activity in the South China Sea is not the only matter of concern for the Indian authorities. Its naval strength is more than that of India. China is well aware of the fact that the Indian Ocean has some of the busiest sea lanes globally. China’s 80 per cent business flow is through the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy has a strong hold on this part of the ocean. The developments in Spratly Islands are also seen as a pressure tactic by China.   

China has already hinted that the islands could be used to safeguard China’s national sovereignty in future and that there is nothing wrong with using military force to protect one’s national sovereignty when it is threatened by other nations. 

THE MIGHTY MARVEL: INDIAN NAVY’S MOST POWERFUL DESTROYER

The India Navy’s new stealth destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam is the lead ship of Project 15 B. The ship has been conceived as a follow up of the Kolkata class and is amongst the most technologically advanced guided missile destroyers of the world with state of the art weapon/sensor package. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design, the ship has been constructed by Mazagaon Dock Ltd., Mumbai.

The ship is one of the few warships in the world to have a Multi-Function Surveillance Threat Alert Radar to provide target data to Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile system. She is also equipped with 76mm and 30mm gun mounts for defence against incoming air-borne and surface threats at medium and close range.

Weighing 7,300 tonnes, INS Vishakhapatnam has room to accommodate 50 officers and 250 sailors. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fittings.

In consonance with the national vision of ‘Make in India’, INS Vishakhapatnam has significantly higher level of indigenization as compared to its predecessor. Some of the major equipments/systems developed indigenously and fitted onboard include :

• Indigenous rocket launcher for anti-submarine warfare
• Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launcher for  anti-submarine warfare
• Combat Management System
• Foldable Hangar Door
• Close in weapon system
• Boat Davits
• Integrated Power Management System
• Bow Mounted Sonar
• Early warning System

The ship can truly be classified as a Network of Networks as it is equipped with Ship Data Network (SDN), Automatic Power Management System (APMS) and Combat Management System (CMS).

The production of the first ship of the P15B class commenced on 23 January, 2013 and the keel was laid on 12 October, 2013. Production of the second ship has also commenced on 29 July, 2014.