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What is C-Dome?

Why in News?

Israel for the first time deployed its ship-mounted defence system, called the C-Dome

About C-Dome:

• C-Dome is a naval adaptation of Israel's Iron Dome air defence system, designed to protect against rocket and missile threats.
• The Iron Dome, operational since 2011, boasts an effectiveness rate of approximately 90%, utilizing radar technology to identify and intercept short-range rockets with its missiles.
• Unveiled in 2014 and declared operational in November 2022, C-Dome employs similar technology to the Iron Dome but is specifically mounted on naval vessels.
• It is installed on Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, which are German-made warships, and utilizes the same interceptor missiles as the Iron Dome.
• Unlike the Iron Dome, which has a dedicated radar system, C-Dome is integrated into the ship's existing radar systems to detect incoming threats.
• C-Dome provides full circular protection for the vessel and maintains a high probability of interception against a wide range of modern maritime and coastal threats.

Key Facts about Iron Dome:

• Iron Dome is Israel's air missile defence system designed to intercept short-range rockets, neutralizing them mid-air.
• It is capable of managing multiple simultaneous rocket threats.
• Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, Iron Dome became operational in March 2011.

Features:

• Powered by missile-defense batteries, ensuring robust defence capabilities.
• Equipped with all-weather functionality, allowing operation day or night.
• Capable of launching a variety of interceptor missiles tailored to different threats.
• Designed to intercept missiles with a range of approximately 40 miles or less.
• Portable design enables deployment on ships or land, allowing flexibility in defense strategies.
• Requires reloading to maintain interception capabilities against ongoing threats.

Iron Dome Components:

• Radar system for detecting incoming rockets.
• Command-and-control system that assesses threat levels and coordinates responses.
• Interceptors that aim to neutralize incoming rockets before impact.

What is a Radar?

• RADAR stands for 'Radio Detection And Ranging,' which uses active transmission and reception methods within the microwave GHz range.
• Radar sensors facilitate contactless detection, tracking, and positioning of objects using electromagnetic waves.
• The radar antenna emits radar waves at the speed of light, which are imperceptible to humans.
• When these waves encounter objects, the signal changes and reflects back to the sensor, similar to an echo, providing information about the detected object.

Strategic importance of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Why in news?

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are undergoing significant military infrastructure upgrades to strengthen India's presence in the region. This enhancement is vital for deploying additional military forces and countering Chinese influence, particularly given China's military developments in nearby Myanmar. Key improvements include extending airstrips for larger aircraft, expanding naval facilities, and constructing essential transport links.

Need for Infrastructure Upgrade

• Enhancement of military capabilities, including facilities for warships, aircraft, and troops.
• Response to China’s military expansion activities, including construction on Myanmar's Coco Islands.
• Extension of airstrips at naval air stations for bigger aircraft like P8Is and fighter jets.
• Upgrading of roads for improved connectivity across the islands.
• Establishment of a container transhipment terminal to support operational requirements.

Recent Infrastructure Developments

• Inauguration of a modern hangar and dispersal system at INS Utkrosh by CDS General Anil Chauhan.
• Introduction of Precision Approach Radar (PAR) at INS Utkrosh for enhanced aircraft landing safety.
• Launch of Naval Communication Network (NCN) Centres at multiple locations to improve operational capabilities.
• Development of the Coastal Circuit to promote island tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Strategic Importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Located on key maritime routes, enabling monitoring of traffic between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• Position as a 'net security provider' in the region, protecting national interests.
• Connection to Southeast Asia, with a significant portion of India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) lying in the area.
• Crucial to maintaining balance in the Indo-Pacific region against Chinese military presence.

Geopolitical Context

• Strategic positioning allows India to create maritime exclusion zones in case of conflicts.
• Monitoring capabilities provide insights into Chinese naval operations in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Japan’s financial support for development projects enhances regional infrastructure.
• NITI Aayog's initiatives aim to bolster economic growth through various development projects.

Basic Information about A&N Islands

• Comprises two main island groups: Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands.
• Separated by the Ten Degree Channel, which is 150 km wide.
• Home to active volcanoes and significant geographic features like Saddle Peak.
• Renaming of islands reflects historical significance and national pride.

In conclusion, the ongoing upgrades in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are crucial for enhancing military capabilities and countering regional threats. The strategic location of these islands makes them a central element in India's defense and foreign policy, particularly in relation to its "Act East Policy" and "Neighborhood First" initiatives.

Vitual Assets and Terror Financing

Why in the news?

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has identified shortcomings in the enforcement of its standards related to virtual assets (VAs) and virtual asset service providers (VASPs).

More on news

FATF is actively monitoring changes in the cryptocurrency sector and has established global, binding standards aimed at preventing the misuse of virtual assets for money laundering and terrorist financing. In February 2023, FATF agreed on a roadmap to enhance the implementation of its standards concerning virtual assets and VASPs.

Virtual assets refer to any digital representation of value that can be traded, transferred, or utilized for payment. Examples include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. These do not encompass fiat currencies, which are government-issued currencies.

VASPs are defined as any natural or legal entity conducting transactions on behalf of another party as a business, including:

• Exchanging virtual assets for fiat currencies.
• Transferring virtual assets.

VASPs include entities such as cryptocurrency exchanges, ATM operators, wallet custodians, and hedge funds.

Reasons for use of Virtual Assets in Terror Financing:

• Anonymity: Virtual assets are deemed high-risk due to the anonymity they provide and the decentralization of peer-to-peer online transactions. This allows criminals to obscure their location and the origins or destinations of transactions by using VPNs.
• Absence of Global Standard Regulations: VASPs operating in one jurisdiction may provide services to customers in another jurisdiction with varying Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) obligations, leading to significant regulatory gaps.
• Lack of Clear Regulatory Framework: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pointed out the absence of a robust regulatory framework for virtual assets, creating risks for investors and potential threats to financial stability.
• Crowdfunding with Virtual Assets: Terrorist organizations utilize crowdfunding platforms and social media to raise funds globally, taking advantage of virtual assets for anonymous and borderless financial transactions.

How do the FATF Standards apply to virtual assets?

Countries need to:

• Recognize the money laundering and terrorist financing risks associated with the sector.

Virtual Asset Service Providers need to:

• Obtain a license or register with relevant authorities.
• Be supervised similarly to other financial institutions.
• Implement preventive measures akin to those required of financial institutions, including customer due diligence, record-keeping, and reporting suspicious transactions.
• Collect, hold, and securely transmit originator and beneficiary information during transfers.

Regulation of Virtual Assets and VASPs in India:

• PMLA Compliance: As of March 2023, India has subjected Virtual Digital Assets Service Providers (VDASPs) to AML-CFT regulations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.
• Registration with Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU IND): VDASPs are required to register with FIU IND and adhere to reporting and record-keeping obligations.
• Permanent Secretariat: India has proposed the establishment of a permanent secretariat to enhance efforts in combating terror financing.
• ‘Travel Rule’ for VASPs: India has implemented a ‘travel rule’ that mandates the secure collection and transmission of originator and beneficiary information for VASPs.

Way Forward

• Effective global implementation of FATF standards will create a level playing field and hinder criminals from exploiting jurisdictions with weak oversight.
• In 2018, G20 member countries committed to implementing FATF standards on AML/CFT for VDAs at the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meetings.
• Preventive measures by financial institutions, such as customer due diligence (CDD), record-keeping, and suspicious transaction reporting (STR), are essential for ensuring transparency in virtual asset transactions.
• Strengthening Financial Intelligence: Accurate and interconnected financial intelligence can expose the structure of terrorist groups and individual terrorists' activities.
• International Cooperation: Collaboration among law enforcement authorities and the financial sector is vital for addressing these cross-border challenges.
• Technological Upgradation: The evolving threats of money laundering from emerging technologies necessitate advanced countermeasures, including big data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Weaponisation of Space

Why in the News?

Recently, Russia exercised its veto power against a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution aimed at keeping outer space free from weapons. This resolution was jointly proposed by the United States and Japan.

About UNSC resolution:

• The vetoed resolution sought to affirm that nations which have ratified the 1967 Outer Space Treaty are obligated not to place any weapons of mass destruction in orbit around the Earth or install them on celestial bodies.
• Russia's rejection of the resolution highlighted its focus solely on weapons of mass destruction, neglecting other types of weaponry that could be deployed in space.

About Weaponisation of Space:

• Weaponisation of space refers to the deployment of weapons in outer space, turning it into a potential battlefield. Such weapons could target both satellites in orbit and installations on Earth.
• In contrast, militarisation of outer space pertains to the use of space resources to support military operations conducted on land, sea, or air.

Important Global Initiatives for Peace in Space:

• Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS, 1959): Established to oversee the exploration and utilization of space for the benefit of all humankind.
• Outer Space Treaty (1967): Prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in outer space.
• Rescue Agreement (1968): Covers the rescue and return of astronauts and objects launched into space.
• Space Liability Convention (1972): Holds the launching state liable for any damages caused by its space objects.
• Launch Registration Convention (1975): Requires the registering of space objects by the launching state and notifying the UN Secretary-General.
• Moon Agreement (1979): Prohibits military bases, installations, and weapon testing on the Moon.
• India is a signatory to the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention.
• India has signed the Moon Treaty but has not ratified it.
• India actively participates in COPUOS.

Steps taken by India to enhance space capabilities:

• Defence Space Agency (DSA): Established in 2018 to improve coordination among military space activities.
• Mission Shakti: India's inaugural Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test conducted in 2019 to safeguard its assets in space.
• IndSpaceEx: The first simulated space warfare exercise aimed at evaluating threats and developing a joint space warfare doctrine.

Emerging Challenges with Weaponisation of Space:

• Arms Race and Deterrence: Major powers like the US, China, and Russia are forming military units dedicated to space operations, marking space as a new domain for warfare.
• Debris and Congestion: Conflicts in space could lead to significant increases in space debris, resulting in long-term damage to the space environment.
• Dual-Use Technologies: Many technologies used in space (like launch vehicles and satellites) have both civilian and military purposes, complicating the distinction between peaceful and military uses.
• Outdated Outer Space Treaty (OST): The treaty was established under different geopolitical conditions and may not effectively address current challenges.

Way Forward

• International Cooperation: Initiate discussions for a legally-binding treaty to prohibit the weaponisation of outer space. This treaty could ban all types of weapons, including Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and conventional weapons.
• Space-Domain Awareness: Invest in space-domain awareness and establish diplomatic agreements like the ‘Combined Space Operations Initiative’ (CSpO) for sharing information on space activities.
• Mitigating Space Debris: Improve Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to monitor all objects in space, including debris, and to develop anti-collision measures.
• Enforceable Space Law: Create laws that impose immediate diplomatic, political, and economic consequences on states violating responsible space behavior, like the proposed Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) resolution.

Related News

• Sweden Joins Artemis Accords: Sweden has recently become the 38th country to join the Artemis Accords, which were launched in 2020 by NASA in collaboration with the US Department of State and other founding nations.
• About Artemis Accords: These accords are based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and comprise non-binding principles aimed at guiding civil space exploration in the 21st century.
• Commitment of Signatories: Signatories are expected to share national space policies, develop interoperable exploration infrastructures, preserve space heritage, mitigate orbital debris, and ensure safe disposal of spacecraft.

Recently, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held discussions regarding the increased use of veto power within the UNSC. Since its inception, veto powers have been exercised more than 300 times.

• Reasons for Growing Use of Veto Power: Permanent members often utilize the veto to protect national interests or uphold foreign policy principles.
• Increase in Global Conflict: Events such as Russia's annexation of Crimea and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict have led to more frequent use of the veto.
• Political Polarization: For instance, the United States frequently employs its veto to support Israel.

Impact of Overuse of Veto Power:

• Affects humanitarian efforts by delaying peacekeeping forces and humanitarian aid.
• Leads to deadlocks, where one member's objection halts progress, creating diplomatic paralysis.
• Undermines the credibility of the UNSC, making it appear ineffective in maintaining world peace.
• Erodes multilateralism, prompting states to seek alternative forums or take unilateral actions, diminishing international cooperation.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)

Why in news?

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has been renewed by the Central government to cover eight districts in Nagaland and three districts in Arunachal Pradesh. Currently, AFSPA is active in parts of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, while it remains enforced in Jammu and Kashmir under the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act of 1990. It was previously revoked in Tripura in 2015, Meghalaya in 2018, and Mizoram in the 1980s.

About AFSPA, 1958:

• Purpose: The Act grants special powers to armed forces in areas deemed disturbed in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura in the North Eastern region.
• Declaring Disturbed Areas: The Governor or the Central Government can declare regions as disturbed through an official notification, indicating conditions that necessitate armed intervention.
• Definition of Disturbed Area: An area classified as disturbed is one where violent conditions prevail, justifying the deployment of armed forces.

Special Powers of the Armed Forces under Section 4:

• Authority: Commissioned officers and equivalent ranks in the armed forces gain special powers under AFSPA, which must be exercised cautiously.
• Use of Force: Armed forces can open fire or use force that may result in death against individuals violating laws regarding assembly and weapon possession after issuing necessary warnings.
• Arrest and Search: With reasonable suspicion, armed forces can arrest individuals without a warrant and enter or search premises without prior authorization.
• Legal Protection: Soldiers operating under AFSPA are protected from legal actions unless authorized by the Central Government.

Debate on Repeal of AFSPA

Arguments for Repealing AFSPA:

• Colonial Legacy: AFSPA is likened to the Rowlatt Act, allowing arrests based on mere suspicion without due process.
• Fundamental Rights Violations: The Act infringes on citizens' rights under Articles 14, 19, 21, 22, and 25 of the Indian Constitution.
• International Law Breaches: The application of AFSPA contravenes international agreements like the UDHR and ICCPR.
• Lack of Accountability: It provides extensive powers to soldiers with immunity from prosecution unless the central government permits.
• Militarization Concerns: Critics argue that AFSPA fosters a military-dominated governance model, undermining democracy and civilian governance.
• State Autonomy Erosion: As law and order is a state subject, the act diminishes states' authority, especially in peaceful contexts.

• Safeguarding Borders: AFSPA is deemed necessary for the effective defense of national borders against insurgencies.
• Constitutional Validity: The Supreme Court upheld the Act in the Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights case, emphasizing necessary precautions to prevent misuse.
• Counter-Insurgency Effectiveness: Proponents assert that AFSPA is vital for combating insurgent activities, particularly in conflict zones.
• National Security: The Act facilitates a unified response to terrorism and insurgency, which may not be achievable by individual states alone.

• Judicial Oversight: The Supreme Court in the Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families vs Union of India case ruled that AFSPA does not grant absolute immunity to the armed forces.

Committees Related To AFSPA

• Justice B P Jeevan Reddy committee (2004): Recommends the incorporation of AFSPA in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
• 2nd ARC 5th Report (2007): Recommended the repeal of AFSPA since it would remove the feeling of discrimination and alienation
• Santosh Hegde committee (2013): Act must be properly reviewed every six months to see if its implementation is necessary
• Justice Verma Committee (2013): Recommended that any sexual violence against women by members of the armed forces must be brought within the purview of the ordinary criminal law.

Way Forward

• Trust and Confidence Building: Implementing a bottom-up governance approach to empower local communities and foster better relations between citizens and the government.
• Prioritizing Peace Accords: To repeal AFSPA, the government should first work towards establishing formal peace agreements with insurgent groups, facilitating rehabilitation.
• Improved Connectivity: Enhancing infrastructure in the North East will positively affect security dynamics and contribute to the gradual removal of AFSPA.
• Human Rights Adherence: Strengthening human rights standards will enhance the effectiveness of counterinsurgency operations.