- 2 hours ago
Iran claimed that an American F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over its southern Iranian territory on Friday.
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00:00Good evening, you're watching India First. I'm Gaurav Sawant. There's massive escalation in the war in Iran.
00:07An F-15 fighter jet of the Americans has been shot down inside Iran.
00:13Big, big story coming in.
00:15U.S. media has now confirmed an F-15E striking Eagle's fighter jet has been shot down in Iran.
00:22According to Iranian media, an American fighter pilot may be in the custody of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
00:32In fact, we'll show you some of the images right now that are coming in from Iran.
00:36According to initial reports, this is an F-15E.
00:40It's a striking Eagle fighter jet. It's been shot down over southern Iran.
00:45The fighter jet was reportedly downed by the IRGC, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
00:51The pilot managed to eject, but he was deep inside Iranian territory.
00:58As soon as that emergency locator beacon, it triggered a signal.
01:04The United States is now sending in its aircraft.
01:08I'm told Apache helicopters, C-130J aircraft.
01:13There are other aircraft. There are other surveillance aircraft.
01:16There are HEPTAs that are going in, trying to hunt for this pilot.
01:21The Iranian news agencies are reporting that U.S. forces attempted to extract the pilot from deep inside Iranian territory.
01:30There's a combat search and rescue operation that's been mounted, but that mission hasn't succeeded so far.
01:37Iranian authorities and agencies are on ground zero.
01:42Apparently, there was some hostile fire.
01:45The American aircraft have now moved back.
01:48U.S. media has also confirmed the sighting during the search of the search and rescue operation that's currently underway.
01:57The image that you see on your television screen, one part of it is the tail fin of the downed
02:03aircraft.
02:04The other part is the ejection seat.
02:07The IRGC on Friday announced that a second F-35 fighter jet was destroyed in the skies over central Iran.
02:16But this has been denied by the United States Central Command.
02:20In the first phase of the war, early phase of the war, the Iranian forces had said that they're downed
02:29an F-35.
02:30Now, that's the most modern fifth-generation stealth fighter.
02:34However, the Americans conceded, or at least some reports from the United States seem to indicate that the aircraft was
02:42winged by the pilot managed to land back safely.
02:45In this instance, in the current instance, the F-15E, that was shot down.
02:53Now, this is very alarming because this would actually change the dynamics of the war.
02:59Every decision that U.S. President Donald Trump may want to take may be impacted by the thought that there's
03:07a fighter pilot in the custody of the Iranians.
03:12This hasn't officially been confirmed.
03:14There are some news agencies that say locals rushed to that area and they recovered the fighter pilot.
03:21There are other reports that seem to indicate that there you see that image of the ejection seat that's lying
03:29there.
03:29The other image that you saw just before that plane crashed, it fired.
03:34Okay, that's another aircraft that's firing flares and chaffes because even as the C-130 goes in, you can see
03:43that's a turboprop aircraft that's going in for search and rescue.
03:48Should there be man-pads or man-portable surface-to-air missiles that Iranians still continue to fight?
03:55So, it's firing flares and chaffes to ensure that it can dodge those incoming surface-to-air missiles.
04:02I quickly want to bring in my colleague Sandeep Unnithan for more on the story.
04:08Sandeep, very preliminary information just as yet since this is just being reported.
04:13What more can you tell us?
04:14What more have you been able to pick up?
04:17Well, you know, Gaurav, those visuals that you just saw on the screen are an HC-130J Combat King 2.
04:24It's a version of the C-130J Hercules which the Indian Air Force also operates.
04:29And that is part of the combat search and rescue teams of the United States.
04:33As you can see, it's firing those flares, as you said, to, you know, decoy man-pads or anything that
04:40could be aimed at it.
04:41And this points to the fact that the U.S. believes that there is a pilot in the vicinity and
04:46they have some of the most formidable C-SAR, you know, platforms specially designed.
04:52They have crews that are designed, you know, they're trained and specially equipped to pick up enemy, you know, pilots
05:00that are downed in enemy territory.
05:01That's why it's called Combat Search and Rescue which means they not only have the ability to search and rescue
05:07and pick up the pilots but also fight their way through enemy territory.
05:10So, a typical aircraft like the Combat King that you see over there would act as a command platform.
05:17It flies over an area where a pilot is down.
05:20It refuels helicopters that fly on with them.
05:24So, each Combat King 2 carries refueling ports to, you know, simultaneously refuel two paveway helicopters, pave hawk helicopters.
05:35Those helicopters land on the ground with commandos, with, you know, para-jumpers and then they start looking for the
05:41pilots.
05:42They safely extract him and bring him back.
05:44So, it's a very comprehensive…
05:45Riskiest operations.
05:46It is, it is, Gaurav.
05:47It is possibly one of the most riskiest operations because unlike special forces operations which are, you know, carried out
05:55in utter stealth, Combat SAR is a very, very tough, you know, fall because, you know, the enemy will be
06:02expecting C-SAR thing.
06:04Exactly as you've seen, you know, that's the reason that they were firing those flares because they know they're extremely
06:11vulnerable.
06:11They're being picked up by civilian, you know, smartphone and quite easily enemy radars as well.
06:18So, it is extremely hazardous flying into enemy territory with those, you know, hefters.
06:23Absolutely.
06:24Yes.
06:25And, you know, for the latest, for the latest information that's coming in, the Americans are scared that the pilot
06:31may have been captured.
06:32There's no official word on this just as yet.
06:34An American pilot flying a mission over the southern part of Iran, his plane was shot down and that pilot
06:43may have been captured.
06:46Some in the Iranian media, at least there are two agencies that claim that the pilot was captured and is
06:52in the custody of the IRGC.
06:55But there's no official word just as yet from the IRGC.
06:59And the other image, you know, these, of course, are much older images that you're seeing of the friendly fire
07:06of the F-15 that brought down the three F-15s earlier.
07:10I want to focus just on today's picture for the moment.
07:13Those are pictures of the C-130 that's carrying out a combat search and rescue operation and firing flares just
07:20now.
07:21Okay, there's more breaking news coming in.
07:22I quickly want to cut across to this breaking news.
07:24The governor of the southwestern Iranian province has said whoever captures or kills the crew of the downed U.S.
07:33jet will be specially commended by the governorate of the southwest province.
07:41Now, this gives you the first indication, perhaps, that the pilot has still not been captured by the Iranian authorities.
07:50Because, Sandeep, this message that's just coming out from the governor of the southwestern province, who says whoever captures or
07:59kills the crew of the downed U.S. jet will be commended by the governor's office.
08:05First indication, that the pilot could still be out there, perhaps still in harm's way, but not captured yet.
08:12Yeah, absolutely, Gaurav.
08:13You know, an F-15 Strike Eagle, if that is indeed the aircraft that went down, has two pilots.
08:18So, it's a bomb truck, it's a fighter bomber.
08:22And if they did eject, it would be two pilots and they would possibly be, you know, they would have
08:28hidden themselves waiting for the rescuers to reach them.
08:32And that explains, you know, the urgency with which the combat search and rescue is underway.
08:37And possibly, the U.S. would have pushed in more special forces over there to try and recover the pilots.
08:43Because this is something that you do not want to give the enemy that is one of your pilots.
08:47Because the pilot will then be paraded, you know, will be forced to say things on television.
08:52As we've seen in the past, it's happened, you know, several times.
08:56They would not want that pilot to be taken as a prize.
08:58So, in the situation, the ejection seat, the image of the ejection seat.
09:03Now, in the fog of war, there's a lot of psychological warfare.
09:07There are older pictures, pictures from elsewhere that may be put there.
09:11So, these are images that have been released by media in Iran.
09:16The images that you see, whether it's that aircraft that's firing flares or that ejection seat that you see there.
09:22Sandeep, all of this would indicate that the pilot at least landed, managed to land.
09:28And whether injured or not, we do not know.
09:30But may have managed to land.
09:32There's a shadow of a person who's, you know, taking a picture on his mobile phone.
09:37Prima face, that may also give an impression that maybe the person who landed, the pilot who landed or the
09:44gunner officer,
09:45you know, the weapons officer with him or the co-pilot with him, they've at least managed to hide for
09:50now.
09:52Absolutely, Gaurav.
09:52And, you know, that is part of the SOP that when pilots go down in enemy territory,
09:56they are, you know, supposed to hide and then make their way to a safe, you know, a landing ground
10:03where they can be picked up by the SAR.
10:05They have weapons.
10:06They have small arms.
10:07Usually, they carry a small assault rifle, some ammunition, some food, some maps.
10:13What all do they carry, Sandeep?
10:14Well, you know, exactly that, what you mentioned, Gaurav.
10:17They carry survival rations.
10:18They even carry radios, for instance, encrypted radios that would help them, you know, like a beacon that would allow
10:24the rescue forces to, you know, home in on their position and pick them up.
10:28They will carry a small weapon, a compact assault rifle, for instance, a pistol for sure, you know, flares even
10:35to kind of signal their position.
10:37But right now, given the kind of pressure that is there on the ground, if the pilots are indeed, you
10:43know, safe, they would be, you know, hiding away from the eyes of the Iranian ground forces that we believe
10:51are headed in their direction.
10:53So, this is a very, you know, tense situation, Gaurav.
10:56It's developing.
10:57You know, one really doesn't know what to make of what's going on right now, except for those stray visuals
11:02that we've been able to capture, Gaurav.
11:04And this would change the dynamics to an extent.
11:08You know, President Trump, if he wants to make it harder, push harder, push in deeper, he would have to
11:15think of the welfare of this one pilot or these two pilots.
11:19Alternatively, would he think that perhaps there's a bigger goal that they have in mind, whether it's to ensure that
11:26Iran's unable to project power beyond its borders, to decapitate the regime, to move in further,
11:32whether to take in Kharg Island, they would bash on regardless?
11:35Absolutely, Gaurav.
11:36You know, such, you know, planes, if you get into a fight, aircraft will be down.
11:42You know, the enemy, however weak he may be, will, you know, choose to strike at you.
11:47He might bring your aircraft down, capture your pilots.
11:49But that doesn't detract from the principal aims of the operation, which, as President Trump said yesterday, was to ensure
11:56that Iran was unable to project power or, you know, dismantle their nuclear weapons program.
12:02That seems to be on course, and that would take the U.S. a couple of weeks now to, you
12:08know, basically do something that will prevent Iran from either, you know, getting nuclear weapons or having the ability to
12:16launch nuclear weapons as in the new stated goals of the U.S. operation are.
12:22And, you know, Gaurav, here it must be said that the U.S. aims and objectives through this war have
12:28constantly shifted.
12:29It wasn't the first, these were not the stated goals initially.
12:32It was regime change, and now it's come to something totally different.
12:36So, you know, in the light of the shifting aims and objectives, one must just look at what exactly is
12:44going on in the ground right now.
12:45You know, this would change the dynamics of this war to a very large extent.
12:50A pilot falling into the enemy hands or being out there behind enemy lines is one of the worst things
12:58that could happen in an operation, Sandeep.
13:00Absolutely, Kaur.
13:01And, you know, the thing is that when pilots land, they're captured by the enemy, they become propaganda tools.
13:06Though they're very strict provisions of the Geneva Accords, which mandate the fact that pilots are not to be used
13:13for propaganda, they're not to be mistreated or ill-treated.
13:16These have happened in wartime.
13:18We've seen that, you know, during the Vietnam War, for instance, John McCain, one of the most celebrated U.S.
13:25senators, was actually captured by the Vietnamese, by the North Vietnamese.
13:29He was kept in custody.
13:30He was tortured.
13:30There were many other pilots who were similarly displayed.
13:33You know, they were paraded through the streets of Saigon.
13:36So, those kind of things do happen in warfare, Gaurav.
13:39It's very unfortunate.
13:40So, the U.S. will be trying their best to deny Iran the custody of this pilot to ensure that
13:47he's taken back safe and he's brought back, if there is a pilot or pilots, whoever they may be, to
13:52ensure that, you know, Iran does not have a propaganda tool with which to fight the U.S.
13:57Because that will then, you know, it's all about the headlines, it's all about the kind of visuals that come
14:03out.
14:04The U.S. would not want something like this to come out at a very delicate stage like this.
14:07You know, the pressure this would mount, the pressure this would mount on the U.S. president and the Pentagon,
14:15it, you know, and as an aside, so when we were covering the Kargil war in 1999, remember wing commander,
14:22then squad leader Nachiketa, Mick 27, he was shot down over Batalik and captured by the Pakistanis.
14:28Or group captain Abhinandan, very recently during 2019, he was captured, but that time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and we
14:39learned that much later, didn't we Sandeep, where in a speech much later, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan was
14:47warned, all missiles were aimed at Pakistan, and Pakistan was told, either you return Abhinandan immediately, or aaj ki rat
14:56hogi katl ki rat.
14:58So instead of going on a bent knee to Pakistan to return our person, we threatened to obliterate, if I
15:04may use President Trump's terminology, parts of Pakistan's military establishment in case Abhinandan wasn't returned.
15:12Yes, yes, Gaurav, and precisely for this reason that the way he was being paraded around, in violation of all
15:19conventions, especially the Geneva Convention, which prohibit, you know, the ill treatment of pilots, prisoners of war.
15:27Pakistan has had a history of doing that, we know what they did with Captain Saurav Kalia and his, you
15:33know, men who were patrolling the heights of Kargil.
15:36So Pakistan has had a history of doing that, so this was India's way of, you know, threatening retaliation, in
15:41case they did the same with wing commander, you know, Abhinandan in 2019.
15:46So, you know, again, captured pilots become war trophies, they become prizes for the adversary, then to parade them around,
15:54and try and, you know, break the will of the enemy at a time when, say, the United States is
15:59planning these ground offensives.
16:02A pilot like this would become a symbol warning the United States that, look, we have one of your pilots,
16:08we could do the same if there are ground forces.
16:11So that kind of sows, you know, the doubt in the American public, in the minds of the people, because
16:17at the end of the day, in democracies like India, maybe in the United States,
16:20Absolutely. It is, people are the center of gravity.
16:24Every life matters, and that's the thinking, whether it's a democracy, you know, like India and others.
16:32I also want to bring into this conversation, Dr. Vail Awaad, the senior journalist and an expert on West Asia,
16:38who joins us on this broadcast.
16:40Dr. Awaad, this would, in your view, impact the overall battle, or it's just one pilot who's out there, may
16:48have been captured or not, we still do not know.
16:50The governor of the southwest province has kept a reward. Any information leading to the capture of the pilot will
16:56lead to a reward.
16:57Your reading of the situation, Dr. Awaad.
17:05Dr. Awaad, can you hear me?
17:08Okay, give me a moment. We'll try and reestablish that link with Dr. Vail Awaad in just a moment.
17:13Let me get you some of the top developments of the day, U.S. and Israel.
17:17They've carried out a series of coordinated strikes on Iran's B1 bridge in Karaj, and a number of other vital
17:25assets and vital points deep inside Iran.
17:28Now, this B1 bridge in Karaj was a vital link between Tehran and the northern part of the country.
17:34The bridge was hit in twin strikes on Thursday.
17:38Now, this led to massive structural damage to the bridge.
17:42It led to a collapse of a major section of the bridge, and there were some casualties.
17:48Tehran pledged retaliation.
17:50Iranian media has published a list of major bridges across the GCC region, the Gulf region,
17:57as potential targets, including key links in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Bahrain corridor, and even in Jordan.
18:07Tehran has warned these bridges will also be targeted.
18:11Tehran is now targeting the American, several American-linked assets in the region.
18:16Iran, for example, claimed that it was targeting Amazon's interests in Bahrain, including the cloud computing facility,
18:25calling it a direct response to the attack on Iranian companies, including a steel mill.
18:31A drone strike has hit Kuwait's Meena al-Ehmadi refinery.
18:36Look at those images, massive fire being reported at key units, and this raises fresh concerns over critical energy security
18:45infrastructure,
18:46and the potential of an impact on global oil supplies.
18:51But in midst of this, another India-bound LPG tanker, Green Sanvi.
18:57Now, Green Sanvi has crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
19:00It becomes the seventh India-bound LPG carrier to transit the choke point at the Strait of Hormuz since the
19:08West Asia war began.
19:11I quickly want to bring into this conversation John Rosamondo, a geopolitical and national security strategist who joins us from
19:20Washington, D.C.
19:21Dr. Vail Awad also with me on this story.
19:25John Rosamondo, your reading of reports that an F-15 pilot or pilots may have been downed, captured in Iran,
19:37or may still be at large with these missions mounted to rescue them.
19:41What are you picking up, sir?
19:43Well, I mean, this is a war, so, you know, there are always hazards.
19:47I think you go back to the 1991 Persian Gulf War, where I think it was upwards of, you know,
19:5430 American fighters or so forth were shot down,
19:58and we had many Americans who were taken prisoner of war in that war.
20:04So I think it's just a reminder that, you know, the Iranian-era defenses are degraded, but they're still not
20:12out of, you know, the fight.
20:15That's a very interesting point, because Dr. Vail Awad, so far, President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hexat,
20:22they were repeatedly claiming that Iran's air defenses had been taken down,
20:28that B-2 bombers were flying over Tehran, and they were flying with impunity, Sandeep.
20:33But it just goes on to show that, while that may be good propaganda, the story on ground is different,
20:39Sandeep.
20:40Absolutely, Gaurav. You know, and so much has happened in the last one month, which has, you know, forced the
20:45world to sit up and take notice.
20:46And one big thing, which I keep repeating, is the fact that it's not just about the numbers of targets
20:52that have been hit by the U.S. and Israel.
20:54It's about the resilience of the Iranian C-2, the command and control, which has, you know, managed to keep
21:01up a steady pace of firing ballistic missiles,
21:04and cruise missiles, and, of course, Shahid drones.
21:08Now, that is something that the U.S. has not been able to disrupt, even after one month of repeated
21:14bombing.
21:14That is something that a lot of countries will be looking at very closely to study,
21:18how a small, inferior military, like Iran's, has managed to protect its command and control,
21:25and to ensure that it has the ability to fight, you know, an extended war of attrition.
21:30So, let me also bring John Rosmondo into this conversation on this aspect.
21:36President Trump or Secretary of War Pete Hexat, are they exaggerating their successes and downplaying their losses?
21:46Because when they say the B-2 bombers are flying over Tehran with impunity, 13,000 sorties flown, 16,000
21:53targets taken down,
21:54great numbers, tactically, you may be doing well, they may be doing well, but strategically, Iran retains the advantage, doesn't
22:02it, sir?
22:03Well, I think that our goal is more long-term.
22:07I mean, I think that, you know, as we call the castration strategy, which is what the people of the
22:13Defense Intelligence Agency call it,
22:15by killing all of the leaders of the regime, they're aiming for a more of a long-term fracturing of
22:23the IRGC into warlordism and into, you know, competing factions and so forth.
22:30But in the near term, yes, their mosaic defense, where they have every single unit of the IRGC in Iran's
22:4031 provinces acting autonomously,
22:43yeah, so far it's working, but will that be working six months to a year and a half from now
22:49as their internal fractures become more stressed?
22:53So six months to a year and a half, but does America have the stomach to stay in this fight
23:01for six months or a year and a half, sir?
23:04Well, I think that the focus is more in terms of psychological operations and so forth.
23:11Maybe, you know, major operations will be wound down, whatever President Trump has next.
23:18But I'm sure there will be kind of like what we had after the 91 Gulf War, where the U
23:23.S. Army, U.S. Air Force kept a no-fly zone
23:28and kept attacking, you know, Iraq's infrastructure and attacking Iraqi, you know, missile defense sites and things of that sort.
23:41Okay, but it's the ground operations, if they get sucked in, then that is where Iran may have that tactical
23:48advantage.
23:48But we'll talk about that in greater detail because the United States appears to be steadily laying the groundwork for
23:54a possible ground operation inside Iran.
23:58A formal and a final call may not have been made just as yet, but the number of troops that
24:04are being sent to the area,
24:06the number of weapons and systems that are being put in place.
24:10President Donald Trump has escalated the rhetoric about warning that much more will follow if Iran refuses a deal on
24:21the military front.
24:22There are key assets that are on the move from USS George W. Bush, the aircraft carrier, to USS Boxer
24:28and Tripoli,
24:30both carrying the Marine Expeditionary units and that signals a very clear build-up.
24:35The U.S. Marines, are they preparing to carry out an amphibus assault operation because they're carrying out drills at
24:43Diego Garcia,
24:44which is being seen as a preparation for ground incursions.
24:48We get you more in this video.
24:59While Donald Trump says the war could be wrapped up in the next two to three weeks,
25:04his most dangerous option is still on the table.
25:10From reinforcing ground presence in the Gulf to reiterating threats,
25:14the United States has kept all signs in the open that a ground operation in Iran is not just possible,
25:21but probable.
25:26The U.S. is steadily reinforcing its ground and naval posture in the Gulf.
25:31While the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group is undergoing maintenance,
25:35the USS George H. W. Bush is in transit to the region.
25:39Backing them up, the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remains operational in the area.
25:45Meanwhile, the USS Tripoli Amphibus Ready Group is already deployed in the region with 3,500 Marines and soldiers.
25:52Now, the USS Boxer, with a second Marine Expeditionary Unit, with about 2,500 Marines, is also inbound.
26:03The elite paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division further boost American presence.
26:08These additional deployments will add to the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in West Asia.
26:14Already more than usual.
26:16The United States Marines has conducted an amphibious assault training at the Diego Garcia base,
26:22raising concerns over a possible ground military operation.
26:30After bombing a major bridge near Tehran, Trump has threatened that much more is to follow,
26:36warning Iran to strike a deal before it is too late.
26:41In another post, he hailed his military, saying they haven't even begun destroying what's left in Iran.
26:49According to U.S. media reports, Trump was recently briefed on ground troop options
26:53that included seizure of Iran's enriched uranium and ramping up recruitments on Khark Island.
27:02The question is, will these preparations be brought to play,
27:06or will Washington use them to corner Iran into a deal?
27:13Bureau Report, India Today.
27:25Iran, too, is ramping up its military preparedness amidst fears of a possible U.S. ground invasion.
27:31It's strengthening its defenses in all key sites, including oil hubs like the Khark Island.
27:37Reports claim Tehran has launched a massive recruitment campaign,
27:40including controversial efforts involving minors, child soldiers.
27:46But they, of course, are there in support roles.
27:48I want to bring in Mr. Rosmondo once again into this conversation.
27:52Ground operations next.
27:54Is it just a matter of time, sir, in your view,
27:56the way Americans are amassing men and material in the area of operation of CENTCOM?
28:03Well, as a former top diplomat from the first Trump administration said to me recently,
28:10President Trump doesn't move things if he doesn't plan on using them.
28:14So I think that, you know, Khark Island is a diversion, you know,
28:19try to get the Iranians to hoard all their troops.
28:22So they're kind of like the Allies did during World War II with saying that we were going to invade
28:28France and Kalei.
28:30But I think the real target are the islands and the Strait of Hormuz
28:36because President Trump wants to get the flow of oil in and out of the straits to reassure the markets.
28:45And if the United States is able to regain control of those islands,
28:49then it can defang a lot of Iran's ability to cause mischief.
28:55So the last 30 seconds I have on this part of the show, Sandeep,
28:58it would indicate that the Americans and especially the A-10 warthogs that are there
29:02go along the Strait of Hormuz, take the mouth and some of the vital assets and vital points along the
29:08coast?
29:10Possibly, Gaurav, because, you know, that's what the warthogs do.
29:13They have very good closed air support platforms.
29:16They're heavily defended from ground fire.
29:18And that would be the ideal platform to operate in areas where you have relative air superiority,
29:24but you have a very large proportion of troops on the ground armed with, you know, various weapons and, you
29:30know, rockets and other.
29:31That would indicate an A-10 operational task.
29:34The Iranians are also putting out that video saying they're recruiting, they're ready and they're waiting.
29:39That's the video Iran has put out of recruiting more youngsters to be prepared for ground operations.
29:45And we'll track that story very closely.
29:47Hello and a very warm welcome to a special edition of Battle Cry.
29:50I'm Gaurav Saaband.
29:52The world is in turmoil, but India is silently sailing ahead, quietly and firmly.
30:01A cryptic social media post by Union Defence Minister Rajdath Singh,
30:06Shab nahi shakti hai aridaman.
30:10Aridaman is not a word.
30:12Aridaman symbolizes power.
30:15This cryptic post led to celebrations across the strategic community in India.
30:22Aridaman is the name of India's third indigenously built nuclear-powered submarine, the SSBN.
30:30Now let me tell you a little more about the pride of the nation,
30:33the third of the Arihant class of nuclear submarines, INS Aridaman SSBN.
30:40Now you'll wonder what is SSBN?
30:41For those not familiar, SSBN is standard NATO or naval classification code for a type of submarine.
30:51SSBN stands for Ship Submersible Palistic Nuclear.
30:56The SSBN INS Aridaman has been developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre indigenously in India.
31:06The nuclear-powered submarines are being built under India's Advanced Technology Vessel or ATV program at Vishakhapatna.
31:14Incidentally, INS Aridaman is bigger and deadlier than its two predecessors, the INS Arihant and the INS Arihant.
31:24The INS Aridaman is armed with nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
31:29INS Aridaman is expected to bolster India's sea-based nuclear deterrence.
31:35It's meant to enhance both India's strike potential, the second-strike capability and survivability.
31:43In line with the country's nuclear doctrine, this is part of India's triad.
31:50INS Aridaman is bigger and better compared to the predecessors, INS Arihant and INS Arihant.
31:58INS Aridaman is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes, double the capacity of INS Arihant.
32:06So, Aridaman is designed to carry either eight of the K-4.
32:11K-4 are long-range missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometres or up to 20 K-15 missiles.
32:19Now, K-15s have a range of approximately 750 kilometres.
32:24So, depending on the mission, these are the missiles the submarine can carry.
32:29The nuclear submarine is powered by an upgraded 83-megawatt pressurised power reactor or the PWR.
32:37It is acoustic, it has acoustic dampeners.
32:42It's called anechoic, anechoic acoustic dampeners.
32:46It too, and also has an advanced sonar suite.
32:49So, that also enhances its survivability, remains underwater undetected, the silent predator, the silent killer lurking underwater.
33:02INS Aridaman will permit India to maintain continuous at-sea deterrence and strengthen India's second strike capabilities, a cornerstone of
33:11our nuclear defence strategy.
33:13Indian Navy, like we mentioned, operates two other SSBNs, INS Arihant.
33:18Arihant, incidentally, was commissioned in August 2016, and INS Arighat commissioned in August 2024.
33:26The country, incidentally, is also building two more SSBNs, larger and more lethal.
33:33The Navy also, of course, has an ambitious plan to build fully, indigenously designed nuclear attack submarines, the SSNs, by
33:422036 and 2037.
33:44We'll get you more on that story.
33:45But, the images that you see on your television screen are a very proud day for the nation.
33:51Quietly, INS Aridaman is commissioned, joins the fleet, the strategic forces.
33:58Now, the country is also celebrating the commissioning of INS Taragiri.
34:03The INS Taragiri is a Project 17A advanced stealth frigate, armed with the Brahmo supersonic cruise missiles.
34:11Now, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned this advanced stealth frigate, INS Taragiri, at Vishakhapatnam.
34:18Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, were among the attendees.
34:26Now, take a look at Taragiri.
34:286,670 ton displacement, Project 17A, stealth frigate.
34:33Now, this embodies the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, a make in India.
34:39Built by the Mazagau Docks Limited shipbuilders.
34:42Now, this frigate actually represents a generational leap over the earlier design of the Project 17A.
34:50So, this is sleeker.
34:52It has a significantly reduced radar cross-section, and that adds to the stealth.
34:59It gives it enhanced stealth.
35:01The indigenous content exceeds 75%, and according to the shipbuilders, more than 200 micro, small, and medium enterprises, companies, MSME
35:11companies, were a part of this project.
35:14INS Taragiri is designed for high-speed, high-endurance, versatile, multi-dimensional maritime operations.
35:21The ship's weapon suite is believed to be world-class.
35:25It features supersonic surface-to-surface or ship-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and specialized anti
35:33-submarine warfare suite.
35:34Now, these systems are seamlessly integrated, according to the Navy, through a state-of-the-art combat management system.
35:42And what does this do?
35:43This ensures that the sailors on board, the crew, they can respond to any threat, whether it comes from the
35:51skies, whether it comes from the surface, sea, or a submarine threat.
35:57Within split seconds, a decision can be taken.
36:00Before I get you more on the Navy stretching its sea legs, let's listen in to Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.
36:49And joining me for more on this major development, our Vice-Admiral Sanjay Mahindru, former Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.
36:56Former Chief of the Strategic Forces and the First Commanding Officer of INS, Arihant.
37:02Sir, welcome also with me, my colleague, friend, senior journalist and author, Sandeep Unnithan.
37:09Admiral Mahindru, your thoughts on the commissioning and that rather cryptic post of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.
37:17Shabd nahi, shakti hai, arid daman.
37:24Thank you, Gaurav, for the question.
37:27Certainly, the commissioning of RNS, Arihant, as we have learned from the cryptic message of the respected Raksha Mantri,
37:36is an extremely significant event for the country and the Navy.
37:41As a country, through this commissioning, we have reaffirmed our commitment to our nuclear doctrine of no first use,
37:49because by strengthening sea-based deterrence, we have strengthened the ability for a retaliatory strike, which is a critical part
37:59of no first use.
38:02As a Navy, we have shown that we have achieved a high degree of consistency and maturity in nuclear submarine
38:12design and construction.
38:14As a Navy, we have also shown that we have gained a high degree of confidence and predictability in the
38:24conduct of trials, which are extensive in case of nuclear submarines.
38:29So, in each way, I think it is an extremely significant day today and we must rejoice in this event.
38:39Oh, absolutely. What a great day for the country, Sandeep.
38:44And I want to know your thoughts, Sandeep.
38:46You've tracked the ATV project for the India Today magazine since 2008, if I remember correctly.
38:51The third submarine is now a part of the Strategic Forces Command.
38:56What a day. What a journey, Sandeep.
38:58What a day and what a journey indeed, Gaurav.
39:00You know, this is a project that India has, you know, been planning for many, many decades.
39:07From the late 1960s, the project actually began in 1984.
39:11But the first steel on the INS Arihant was cut in 1998, shortly after the Pokharan 2 nuclear tests.
39:19And the big milestones were, of course, as you mentioned, the INS Arihant launch in 2009, the commissioning in 2016,
39:26and after that, it went on deterrent patrol.
39:29So, these submarines are a class apart, Gaurav.
39:32They are India's most advanced, not just defense technological projects, but the greatest technological projects that India has ever accomplished
39:43since independence.
39:45They are such versatile technology platforms.
39:49Think of it, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine that hides under the sea and launches long-range submarine-launched
39:57ballistic missiles that shoot out into space and come back to strike at enemies.
40:027,000 tons is how big the Arihant is.
40:06The Arihant, of course, is lighter, 6,000 tons.
40:08The S-5, which will eventually join the fleet in the 2030s, is over 13,000 tons.
40:16And all of this, Gaurav, is being done in utter secrecy, completely away from the public gaze.
40:23They are some of our most important defense platforms.
40:27They are strategic assets.
40:28India is only the sixth country in the world to have developed this capability, this capacity to build its own
40:35nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, Gaurav.
40:38When you look at these images, they fill you with a sense of immense pride, immense joy and satisfaction.
40:46Admiral Mahindrao, from Arihant to Arih Dhaman, how far have we traveled in terms of the nuclear submarine capabilities, sir?
41:00We have come a long way from where we were with Arihant to where we are today with Arih Dhaman.
41:07I will cover this under three aspects.
41:10Firstly, look at the timelines.
41:13In Arihant, we took almost eight to nine years from her launch to her commissioning.
41:19In case of Arihant, we reduced it to just about seven years.
41:25And in case of Arih Dhaman, we have brought this time to five years.
41:31Now, that is a significant reduction in time from launch to commissioning, means that we have to complete the outfitting,
41:40conduct trials in harbour and sea.
41:43The second aspect is that we have now established a longer-range missile, the K4 missile, which has a range
41:53of 3,500 kilometers.
41:56You will remember when we commissioned Arihant, there was a great furore to say that the range of the missile
42:02is so little that it hardly qualifies as an SSBN.
42:06I think we have put all such talk to rest.
42:11Now, we have SSBN, which has a substantial range of its SLBMs and numbers have also doubled from the Arih
42:21Ghat's 4 to 8.
42:24And third achievement, of course, is the enhanced indigenization of the boats.
42:31While in Arihant, we had approximately 55 to 60 percent indigenization, in case of Arih Ghat, we achieved about 70
42:42to 75 percent indigenization.
42:44And I am certain that in Arihant, we would have touched 80 percent indigenization.
42:50So, in all these ways, I think we have moved a long way from Arihant to Arihant.
42:58That's so heartening to hear, sir, Sandeep, from Arihant in 2016 to Aridaman in 2026.
43:05Three nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable missiles.
43:08Look at the amount of F that would give us in, you know, the area of responsibility in the Indian
43:15Ocean region, Sandeep.
43:17Absolutely, Gaurav.
43:18You know, and the fact is that with three submarines, now you can maintain what is known as continuous at
43:24-sea deterrence patrols, CASD.
43:27With two, which is what we had until now, with two nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, you could barely manage
43:33a continuous at-sea deterrence.
43:35With three, you become a lot more comfortable.
43:38And with four, you are assured of a continuous at-sea denial, sea deterrence capability.
43:44So, that is where the, you know, Aridaman really fits in, into the nuclear warfighting strategy.
43:50It's a very important pillar of India's no-first-use doctrine.
43:53And, of course, that it's virtually invulnerable as a pillar of our second-strike capability, Gaurav.
44:01Because that was what will make the enemy think twice before trying any mischief with India.
44:08Admiral Mahindrao, what signal would this send out to India's adversaries in your appreciation?
44:13You've commanded a nuclear submarine.
44:16You've sailed in submarines, anyway, sail in combat at all times.
44:22What your appreciation, sir?
44:26Gaurav, I think it sends very clear signals to our adversaries.
44:31We live in an era of nuclear lawlessness, where there is no arms limitation treaty.
44:38The United Nations, by itself, as we have seen in Epic Fury, has lost its teeth.
44:44And we live in a very tough neighborhood, surrounded by two neighbors who are nuclear powers,
44:50and with whom we have long land-border disputes.
44:54So, the signal to them is very clear, and to anyone else who may have eminical views towards our country,
45:02that we ourselves have no ambitions to aggress or transgress on anybody else's territory.
45:11But it is a clear warning that we are capable of defending our interests in all conditions,
45:19conventionally, as far as we can do so, and even in the terms of nuclear deterrence.
45:29Sandeep, having three nuclear-powered submarines, and made-in-India nuclear-powered submarines,
45:35these submarines lurking underwater, whether it's North Arabian Sea or South China Sea
45:41or anywhere in the world, any adversary would think twice before launching any misadventure against India?
45:48This would set us a league apart?
45:51Absolutely, Gaurav.
45:52And, you know, the fact is, as Admiral Mahindru mentioned, that these are very important in today's era of lawlessness,
45:58where nations are threatening each other, where, you know, the adage of the strong do as they please,
46:06and the weak must suffer as they must.
46:08Our founding fathers understood this very clearly, Gaurav, and that is the reason we have a nuclear weapons program.
46:14And the Ari Dhaman is the manifestation of that nuclear weapons program,
46:20that you have the Arihant-class submarines as the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.
46:26Once an Arihant-class submarine sails out at sea, it's almost impossible to detect.
46:31And given the kind of advances that are being made in technology today,
46:34you're seeing the ease with which targets are being picked up on the surface of the sea,
46:39on the surface of the land and being destroyed by powerful adversaries.
46:44So this is a very, very important leg.
46:46It's a secure, survivable leg of our nuclear triad.
46:52And, of course, it sends out a very powerful signal to our adversaries
46:55that if you ever attempt to strike us with nuclear weapons,
47:00then you will have retaliation, which is swift and which is assured.
47:05Let me bring in Admiral Mahindra once again.
47:08On a bigger picture, sir, when you look at lawlessness all around,
47:13when the sea is right now, it's virtually might is right.
47:19Sea lanes of communication should be open, but they aren't.
47:22Does having a nuclear-powered submarine and nuclear weapons,
47:28does it bolster India's position as a net security provider in the region,
47:34not just the submarines, but our entire might at sea?
47:43Most certainly, I think this event further strengthens the Indian Navy's image
47:50as a net security provider and as the first responder in our area of operations.
47:56Firstly, by being more confident and assured of making nuclear submarines,
48:02we will then be able to construct and operationalize our SSNs faster.
48:08And these boats will ensure that the sea lanes of communication,
48:13whose importance has been very demonstrated in Epic Fury,
48:17will remain open as they provide confidence to all seafarers
48:22that anyone iniquity to them will not be allowed to carry out their designs.
48:29It also allows us to keep the choke points free from anybody's bad eyes.
48:36If they want to stop trade along the choke points,
48:39certainly we will be able to reach there faster
48:41and make sure that no one is able to then do anything which is adversarial.
48:48I think the map that you showed a week ago,
48:52when you were hosting the conclave in Bombay with CNC West,
48:57with the Indian Ocean on top rather than down,
49:02is an important map to look at.
49:05Our country needs to understand that we are blessed
49:08with the 70,000 million square kilometers of the Indian Ocean,
49:12which opens so many opportunities and such a lot of abundance
49:16that we must ensure that our maritime strength grows from one rung to the next
49:25and keeps us on the path of growth and economic strength.
49:33Admiral, since you mentioned that conversation I had with Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan,
49:39Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command,
49:41and the two maps we showed,
49:43I want our viewers to look at that map
49:46and that question I posed to Admiral Swaminathan.
49:51Re-imagine India.
49:53The way we look at India traditionally,
49:55the Himalayas on top and the seas,
49:59you know, in peninsular India,
50:01just turn that map around.
50:03Is that the way we need to appreciate our country and our power?
50:08Listen in to my conversation,
50:10with a small portion of my conversation,
50:12with Admiral Swaminathan.
50:14I want to show us a map.
50:17And this map is more for the rest of the country to re-imagine India.
50:24Now, how do we imagine India right now?
50:27We imagine India like that.
50:29That's the way we've been traditionally taught we are.
50:33Is it time for us to imagine India like that?
50:37That will project our real maritime power.
50:43We've had this conversation a long time back, by the way.
50:48So, thank you so much for showing this map.
50:51You know, this is something that the Indian Navy has been showing
50:55wherever it can and to whoever cares to see it
50:57for many years, for the longest time of our conversation.
51:02We'd like to see India.
51:03You know, we are naturally oriented to looking towards the north
51:07and saying, that's the north and this is the south.
51:08But the fact is, you know,
51:10it escapes our attention very easily
51:12that we are surrounded by such a huge ocean mass.
51:16And therefore, you know,
51:18this is the picture that we need to see
51:19because all the outflows from India,
51:22all our intellectual energies,
51:24all our cultural associations,
51:26all our trade links,
51:27they need to flow out from the peninsula of India.
51:28And I think this is a very good depiction of how important the seas that surround us
51:34is to our security and our national well-being.
51:38When we say Shannoh Varuna,
51:41we need to appreciate this is how we need to look at India.
51:46Isn't it, Sandeep?
51:47Future generations, that's how we'll realize our real power.
51:51Absolutely, Gaurav.
51:52Well, you know, the seas are important not just for the survivable second strike deterrent,
51:57but also for our trade, our maritime commerce.
52:00In fact, our economic well-being depends solely on our access to the sea lanes of communication,
52:07being open all the time.
52:09And that's why, you know, we've invested so heavily on the Navy.
52:12We have the kind of platforms, we have a blue water navy,
52:16we have aircraft carriers, and of course, nuclear-powered submarines.
52:19Now, this is all part of the larger strategy of keeping the sea lanes of communication open.
52:26The fact that that map you just showed us
52:29tells us how important the seas are for India's growth,
52:33for India's very survival as, you know,
52:36a very, very important member of the Committee of Nations.
52:39And, of course, the world's third largest economy by the end of this decade.
52:44None of this would be possible if we didn't have the access to the seas
52:47and, of course, safe and secure seas, Gaurav.
52:50That's a very significant point that you make.
52:52And this is one aspect that we must understand and appreciate.
52:57To be a strong economic power, we have to be a very strong military power.
53:04And our Navy has to be very strong to ensure we command the seas.
53:09Thanks, Admiral Mahindru and Sandeep for joining me here on this Battle Cry special broadcast.
53:15Many thanks.
53:15We'll be tracking these developments very, very closely.
53:19But that is all I have for you on this special broadcast.
53:22Many thanks for watching.
53:23News and updates continue on India Today.
53:25Stay with us.
53:26See you next time.
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