Chinese hardware used in Indian Army’s combat system a security threat

Mangalore Today / CNN-IBN

New Delhi, April 19: Indian Army’s combat system could be seriously compromised as defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has used Chinese hardware in the systems. The Army’s Deputy Chief Lieutenant General VS Tonk has raised the issue of Chinese hardware being used in the combat systems with the Ministry of Defence.

 

 

The Indian Army has told the Central Government that major components used by the force in Project Shakti have Chinese IT hardware, which makes the entire communication network extremely vulnerable. Project Shakti is the command, control and communication lifeline of the Indian Army and is fielded in about two thirds of the force.

The letter written by the Deputy Chief clearly outlines how major components used in the system made by BEL re of Chinese origin. The Army fears that if a thorough systematic investigation of the Project Shakti hardware was carried out the extent of the vulnerability would further be identified. The presence of electronic Trojans, the Army says has very serious ramifications.

It is important that the components used to develop combat networks be indigenous and under no circumstances can such systems have modules manufactured in countries inimical to national interests especially at a time when BEL is involved in several other projects.

The China threat in combat hardware was raised at top levels of the government with the Vice Chief in a strongly worded letter dated March 23, 2011 told the Defence Secretariat that the use of Chinese hardware tantamount to a dilution of trust the armed forces depose in the PSU.

The integrity and traceability of its supply chain has to be ensured especially since BEL Bangalore in May 2010 had issued a letter confirming that no components used in Project Shakti were of Chinese origin.

BEL offered no comments to questions posed by CNN-IBN on whether remedial measures were carried out or not.

After Bharat Earth Mover Limited (BEML) another controversy involving a defence PSU has only raised further questions on just show these organisations are carrying out their business and sometimes sourcing components compromising security issues.