Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 24 Jul 2015 03:44

I love this ambassador. A great one.

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 30 Jul 2015 08:34

http://www.financialexpress.com/article ... al/110345/

Boeing ends contract with HAL
US firm’s decision comes over HAL’s ‘poor quality’ of production

Under a $4.7-million contract signed with Boeing in 2010, HAL was to provide weapons bay doors for eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft that the former would supply to the Indian Navy.

Boeing refused to comment for this story, while senior HAL officials said although “there were problems” (with the Boeing contract), these would be resolved.

arun · Post by **arun** » 31 Jul 2015 16:28

Bharat Karnad writing in the Business Standard says that Defence PSUs should not be mollycoddled by the Government:

Not in the spirit of indigenisation : Notwithstanding the achievements of those such as APJ Abdul Kalam, the govt should stop mollycoddling defence PSUs

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 31 Jul 2015 16:44

Idrw claims iaf is trying to get 20 more rafale.

Debka claims Iran close to ordering 150 j10

shaun · Post by **shaun** » 31 Jul 2015 17:39

dhiraj wrote:http://www.financialexpress.com/article ... al/110345/

Boeing ends contract with HAL
US firm’s decision comes over HAL’s ‘poor quality’ of production

Under a $4.7-million contract signed with Boeing in 2010, HAL was to provide weapons bay doors for eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft that the former would supply to the Indian Navy.

Boeing refused to comment for this story, while senior HAL officials said although “there were problems” (with the Boeing contract), these would be resolved.

I am confused , if boeing had contracted HAL to supply weapons bay door for 8 P-8Is in order to honor offset clause and the contract have already been fulfilled ,then why Boeing need to outsource more weapon bay doors from HAL ??? For their posedion project , they must be having different vendor .

brar_w · Post by **brar_w** » 31 Jul 2015 17:49

Possibly because the Offsets aren't tied to number of aircraft being delivered, but to a percentage of the overall dollar amount of the deal.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 31 Jul 2015 18:05

Zero named sources or direct quotes. High probability of it being a case of presstitution.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 31 Jul 2015 18:56

arun wrote:Bharat Karnad writing in the Business Standard says that Defence PSUs should not be mollycoddled by the Government:

Not in the spirit of indigenisation : Notwithstanding the achievements of those such as APJ Abdul Kalam, the govt should stop mollycoddling defence PSUs

How about having govt owned factory and contractor operated facilities for military production.
So labor and management is private and infrastructure is govt as its very expensive to invest in such infrastructure.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 08 Aug 2015 04:55

From Manu Pubby, yet good news:

Defence ministry to clear Rs 5,000-crore procurement contract for 'Made in India' Akash missile systems

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry is set to clear a Rs 5,000 crore procurement of 'Made in India' Akash missile systems for the air force in a contract that will involve significant private sector participation, with companies like Tata Power SED and Larsen & Toubro likely to get major work portions.

An air force plan to induct seven squadrons of the Akash anti-air missile systems has been cleared at several levels and is likely to get a final approval from the high-powered defence acquisition committee shortly, sources told ET. Fourteen firing units of the missile will be bought for the seven squadrons.

While state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd will be given the main contract under a 'repeat order' - the air force has already contracted for eight squadrons of the missile systems out of which two have been inducted - the major system providers include Electronics Corporation of India, Hindustan Aeronautics, Tata Power SED and L&T

Induction of the system, which has an indigenous content of 96% will also benefit a number of small and medium scale industries that have been participating in the programme.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 11 Aug 2015 02:57

Indigenous Army purchase up, imports dip in past 2 yrs

India is slowly moving towards purchase of military equipment from local manufacturers. The import percentage of military equipment has dropped and the indigenous content has risen over the past two years, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) informed the Lok Sabha on August 7.

At the same time, the budgetary allocation for indigenous research has been reduced during the ongoing fiscal. The locally made equipment constituted Rs 49,531.55 crore or 62. 89 per cent of the total military procurement of Rs 78,753.85 crore made during 2014-15, ending March 31.

The indigenous content has steadily risen over the past two years. It was 53.97 per cent in 2012-2013 and 59.01 per cent in 2013-2014, ending March 31 or just two months before the Narendra Modi-led government took over in May 2014.

Globally, India is the largest buyer of weapons and military equipment, accounting for 15 per cent of all such international imports, said a report by Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) in March.

Sources say indigenous products will see a further rise as Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has accepted a report of a high-level expert committee tasked with suggesting changes in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). It has made recommendations to attract investment, build local confidence and allow “Make in India” and is under study at the MoD.

Headed by former Union Home Secretary Dhirendra Kumar, the committee wants the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to do pre-audit of deals rather than raise objections later. Its report submitted to the MoD also lays down the level of indigenisation and the method of calculating the local content in each defence equipment.

Valuable foreign exchange is needed for import and makes the forces dependent on foreign suppliers.

Modi has promised major changes in the policy allowing greater private participation while firmly saying “Make in India” will get preference. New Delhi’s main suppliers of military equipment such as the US, Russia, France, Israel and UK have responded with a positive intent. However, they now await changes in the DPP that will clarify the terms and conditions of setting up units in India.

member_24684 · Post by **member_24684** » 12 Aug 2015 10:03

18 Defence Contracts Signed With Foreign Vendors Last Year: Defence Minister

The government has signed 18 contracts with foreign vendors including those from USA, Russia, Israel, Germany, France and UK for procuring missiles, rockets and simulators etc in the last financial year.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Rajya Sabha that 18 contracts were signed between May 2014 and February 2015 with foreign vendors.
"Contracts are executed as per terms and conditions incorporated therein. The 18 contracts were signed by designated officers as per provisions of DPP 2013 which do not require the presence of Defence Minister at the signing," he said.

He added that Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) provides for direct dealing with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or authorised vendors or government sponsored export agencies (applicable in case of countries where domestic laws do not permit direct export by OEM).

It also states that vendor is required to give full details of any agents, technical consultants, authorised vendors that may have been appointed by them for marketing of this equipment in India.

"These details should include the scope of work and responsibilities that have been entrusted with the said party in India," he said.

NDTV

Can somebody list the All contracts

searched the US contracts directory. 2014, 2015

It lists FMS includes - MAWS, MK 46 Torpedo's , and parachute system

from here dated July 2014

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a not to exceed $564,700,000 modification (P00273) to FA8625-11-C-6597 to fund six India foreign military sales C-130J-30s, field service representatives and three years of post-delivery support after the first aircraft delivery. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $2,067,370,707. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2020. This contract is 100 percent FMS for India and $50,900,000 will be obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WLNNC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

nash · Post by **nash** » 13 Aug 2015 19:35

In a move that is likely to open up over $3.5 billion as investments into the Indian defence and aerospace manufacturing sector, the defence ministry has brought major retrospective changes in the offsets policy, giving foreign companies much more flexibility in choosing partners and allocating work shares.

Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/art ... aign=cppst

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 15 Aug 2015 02:02

USA offers to jointly make fighter jets with India

New Delhi: The US on Friday offered to produce fighter aircraft jointly with India to promote deeper military ties as it spoke about the Indian Air Force facing a "critical shortage" of front-line fighter jets.

Talking about the new developments in bilateral military ties, the American Ambassador here, Richard Verma, noted that India faces a critical shortage of front-line fighter aircraft for keeping India's air space safe.

"Defence cooperation can help to counter this challenge and I see no reason why the US and India can't produce fighter aircraft together," he said at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.

Countries like the UK, Germany, Sweden and France, too, are looking to join hands with India to manufacture fighter aircraft as the country faces a depletion of its air strength due to modernisation delays.

Referring to US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter's visit to India in June, Verma said both countries had established a new aircraft carrier working group to support India's indigenous programme.

"I'm happy to report that the first meeting of that group took place this week in the US," he said.

Verma stressed that US has committed to deepening its maritime security relations with India and, in March and again in April, the leaders of the US and Indian navies met and discussed how to improve maritime domain awareness.

"Now, we are into the planning stage of our 2015 Malabar joint naval exercise. We want to continue this exercise to deepen our maritime security relationship with India," he said.

Referring to the recent "cross border terror attacks," Verma said the US condemns such acts in "the strongest possible terms" and stands with the people of India and all free people in fighting the curse of terrorism.

"There can be no place, no accommodation and no justification for violence on innocent people. As (US) President (Barack) Obama said during his visit to New Delhi, the US and India are united in this fight and the two countries will continue our focus for a better future," Verma said.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 29 Aug 2015 06:41

Some key acquisition decisions were to be taken today, but postponed

One of the major deal that was to be discussed was the Navy's over Rs 15,000 crore proposal for 100 plus naval utility helicopters under "Buy and Make" category for which top Indian firms like TATA, Reliance Group, Mahindra and others would be vying for.

Another important proposal was IAF's requirement for Russian-made 48 new Mi17 choppers. The deal will be for over Rs 6,000 crore.

An earlier story said more orders for Akash from the IAF, Pinakas for the Army, and clearance to move forward with P75I for the Navy were on the table today, but the meeting was cut short.

Hopefully, next week.

Ankit Desai · Post by **Ankit Desai** » 01 Sep 2015 21:19

Govt clears defence projects worth Rs 15,000 crore

The defence ministry on Tuesday cleared several military modernization proposals worth over Rs 15,000 crore, ranging from the Rs 7,000 crore acquisition of 48 more Mi-17V5 helicopters from Russia to the Rs 4,700 crore induction of seven additional indigenous Akash missile squadrons.

.....however, deferred decisions on two mega proposals — the Rs 80,000 crore Project-75-India for the construction of six advanced stealth submarines and the Rs 15,000 crore project for 110 naval utility helicopters. Both the long-pending proposed projects are to be undertaken in India with foreign collaboration.

"The two projects need more deliberations," said an officer.

-Ankit

srin · Post by **srin** » 01 Sep 2015 22:23

From same link:

The DAC also gave the go-ahead to the induction of seven squadrons of the Akash-2 surface-to-air missiles, which have a 25km range against hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones & subsonic cruise missiles, into IAF.

Akash-2 ? Please, please let this not be DDM !

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 01 Sep 2015 22:35

Akash-2 cannot have range smaller than Akash-1. Seems to be DDM.

srai · Post by **srai** » 01 Sep 2015 23:39

Akash-2 is undergoing R&D for the next 3 years. So obviously one can rule it out

The third batch order of 7 Akash squadrons by the IAF is for Mk.1 as reported by Anantha Krishnan on oneindia.

MI2Watch: Akash to be BEL’s star at show; more IAF orders likely

Written by: Dr Anantha Krishnan M

...

Military sources confirm to OneIndia that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to place additional procurement orders on BEL (49 firing units) in a phased manner. The IAF might immediately procure seven squadrons of AMS (consisting of 14 firing units.) The configuration of the seven new squadrons is likely to be similar to those being deployed currently. [translation: Mk.1]

Already commissioned in IAF arsenal

During an exclusive interview to OneIndia, Nataraj Krishnappa, General Manager (Missile Systems), BEL, said that the first order for AMS (worth about Rs 1200 crore, two squadrons) was placed by IAF in 2008. These squadrons have already been supplied, installed and commissioned.

"A repeat order from the IAF for six more squadrons of AMS (worth around Rs 3500 crore) came in December 2010 and four squadrons of the same have been already manufactured. All six squadrons will be completed ahead of schedule in 2015," says Nataraj, heading one of the most-talented teams in BEL.

...

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 02 Sep 2015 14:43

Rafale deal to Akash missiles: 6 major takeaways from the Defence Acquisition Council meet

arun · Post by **arun** » 05 Sep 2015 07:20

India’s Fighter Acquisition Troubles :

The price exacted due to such grandiose requirements and ambitiously outlined industrial offsets comes in IAF combat aircraft strength, which continues to dwindle as age, serviceability issues, and lack of concrete orders take their toll.

The obvious mismatch between security mandates and capabilities on hand amplifies the pressing need to identify future jet fighter solutions and expedite the procurement process. But instead, India’s woeful defense acquisition practices serve to impede progress toward meeting future air power requirements.

Even when the government attempts to cut through its own labyrinthine process to expedite a foreign military procurement, nothing is ever easy for defense acquisition in India.

From here:

Clicky

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 09 Sep 2015 22:37

Make in India: Government places defence order worth Rs 2 lakh crore

In the last one year, Rs 2 lakh crore worth order has been already placed under buy and Make in India category. This itself precludes a larger role of foreign investors and gives greater flexibility to domestic industry to participate in defence order," DIPP Joint Secretary Shubhra Singh said while speaking at Electronica India.

She said that among 25 sectors identified for Make in India campaign, defence and aerospace are being increasingly looked upon as one of the most promising segments to push indigenous manufacturing.

"... over next seven years, there is expected spend of $130 billion on defence forces and additional $110 billion on homeland security. This is a type of opportunity before domestic manufacturers and also for foreign investors," Singh said.

chaitanya · Post by **chaitanya** » 11 Sep 2015 07:47

Government approves $400-million plan to procure armed Heron TP drones from Israel

NEW DELHI: The government has quietly approved the purchase of 10 missile-armed drones from Israel — a crucial acquisition that will enhance India's cross-border military strike capability. The $400-million proposal for buying armed Heron TP drones from Israel was cleared last week.
...
Senior defence ministry officials told ET on the condition of anonymity that the project has been accelerated under directions from the highest levels of government and that armed drones may join service within a year. The armed forces had proposed buying the same armed drones in 2012.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 11 Sep 2015 07:57

"FAILED TO get political clearance"...wtf was UPA, was it even an Indian Govt?

On another note, 10 drones sounds about enough, they can be used only against opponents with limited to zero AD capabillity. Can give us huge advantages in J&K as well. Loiter around areas for hours.

member_26535 · Post by **member_26535** » 11 Sep 2015 08:30

Are we going to buy this ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAI_Eitan

===
The IDF does not comment on the arming of drones, but reports describe the Eitan being used for “armed roles” with missiles “attached to wing hardpoints,” as well as for target acquisition.[16] The Eitan allegedly scored notable kills in Operation Protective Edge in 2014
======

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 11 Sep 2015 08:36

^Pricey things aren't they at around 40 million dollars each? Cost as much as an LCA Mk.1/2, but they can do what the LCA cannot do, so I guess its more than worth it. But still, if we had the Rustom 1/2 up and firing missiles earlier, we could have avoided this and had a bigger fleet, as surely they would cost significantly lesser. This is what happens when you under-invest in indigenous development.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Sep 2015 09:55

i read somewhere (reddit) due to higher peer-to-peer ISP fees in India, most of the indian ISPs find it cheaper to send off their traffic to dubai, singapore, australia via undersea cables and then have them re-route it back using their international peering to the other ISP in India.

looking at how careless GOI has been in employees using public email addrs and the ever convenient stuff like dropbox, google docs , office 365 etc (despite namo giving an advisory to end this practice), I would imagine NSA and many others has truckloads of gear sucking up all GOI did - not just in defence, but valuable foreign policy and industrial espionage kind of work. VPN over public networks is also no use against such "nationally backed" players.

I hope our ernet and other defence networks are totally not in that mode and use buried cables in india only, not even submarine cables that go along the coast from say mumbai to kochi to vizag because these can be tapped. due to the distributed nature of works in our DRDO "complexes" they sure need to share data in all forms incl files , voice calls.......hope its totally secure network and no connection to outside networks off same hosts.

cellphone calls are also surely monitored by satellites and other classified payloads lurking around with orbits passing over india.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Sep 2015 10:04

rustom program was started very late vs israeli and other leading uav powers and I have felt it was underfunded. this is further money outgo that could have been used for the rustom2 were it nearing IOC.

afaik the Eitan was not on sale due to khan pressure on israel as its a "strategic" thing similar to global hawk. khan will probably try to keep that money for itself selling watered down global hawks to EU and MQ4c BAMS-minus-minus to IN.

they do not want us having too many tools to lash out at the munna.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 11 Sep 2015 10:59

give enough dinero and israel will give you all the tools you can employ, better still do proper local funding and the results will come. however the upa turds no matter how much super comprehension folks polish them, seem to have deliberately held off capabilities which could punish pak, from arty to eitans and what not. besides its not like these 10 UAVs will change complex of conventional war. but they can be invaluable for stopping infiltratrion in its tracks if a UAV is up monitoring things. they'll probably be so high the average MANPADs wont be effective either. the sh!theads in UPA probably refused to consider it thinking it was escalation. they were all too ok with indian soldiers getting killed. not too happy with us getting tools to smack jihadis around. political sensitivities indeed.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 15 Sep 2015 09:13

This Heron TP acquisition delay, drip feeded domestic programs with funding, multiple projects being put on hold based on anonymous complaints and the ever present gravvy trains were all CBMs of UPA I/II to Shitistan... Akthooo...

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 15 Sep 2015 09:46

^The new MOD system of ending the lowest bidder system for every acquisition (particularly big ones with strategic implications and hence more competition and backstabbing) will go a long way in improving things. Companies (private ones in particular) will get large orders and guaranteed deals, where someone else won't steal the prize at the end of the race.

This going to create a paradigm shift in procurement and greatly encourage indigenous production and research.

Even when it comes to graft, no multinational can match the hold of the likes of Reliance, hence even with all the corruption, indigenous (partial/full) products will end up getting orders.

Gyan · Post by **Gyan** » 15 Sep 2015 11:45

HAL was required to put in internal Rs. 400 crores to produce 8 (?) prototypes and then GoI gave order for another 10 (+2?) for Rs. 1500 crores (which includes reimbursement of internal funding). Hence for indigenous make in India we give only Rs. 1500 crore for R&D, manufactering line (including of engines) and 20 Rustom-2s. Which means roughly USD 10 million per Rustom but USD 40 million per Heron.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Sep 2015 13:44

IBNlive
Pentagon creates 1st country specific cell for India to speed up defence ties, co-develop hi-tech military equipment

The Pentagon has established a first-ever country special cell to speed up its defence ties with India and accelerate the process of co-development and co-production of hi-tech military equipment in the country.

Established soon after Defence Secretary Ashton Carter assumed Pentagon's leadership role in February, India Rapid Reaction Cell (IRRC) is headed by Keith Webster, Director, International Cooperation Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
India is the only country to have a specific cell of its kind inside the Pentagon.

Currently, seven persons are working on this cell, representing various wings of the US Department of Defence. Given the new thrust on India-US defence relationship under Carter, officials say there is quite a few on the waiting list who have shown keen interest in working at the Pentagon's India Rapid Reaction Cell.

"The purpose of India Rapid Reaction Cell is to work all the initiatives that we have ongoing under (India-US) DTTI (Defence Trade and Technology Initiative) - both the initiatives that for example came out of the joint statement between the (US) President and the Prime Minister in January (in New Delhi) to move quickly and timely and be through, which in my opinion requires dedicated support to ramp up the operational tempo," Webster told PTI.

"We are embarking on some new initiatives and the operational tempo is not declining at all," he said. In the next coming months, a series of high-level exchanges are scheduled to take place, including that of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to the Pentagon. Defence and Strategic relationship would be a key topic of discussion when US President Barack Obama meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.

India Rapid Reaction cell, he said, has been instrumental in accelerating the DTTI projects and has started the process to send some new proposals to India for co-production and co-development.
The mobile hydroelectric initiative and for-the-next-generation initiatives required negotiations, conclusion and signing of bilateral agreements.

"Statistically, such a negotiation between US and India which was done before many times takes on an average a year and half to three years. We were done within three months on the US side with India," he said, adding that the documents were finally signed by the Indians last month.

Similar fast-track progress is being made on the other initiatives announced during Obama's trip to India in January. In a joint statement, the two countries announced four products for co-produced - next-generation Raven unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 'roll-on, roll-off' intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance modules for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, mobile electric hybrid power sources and uniform integrated protection ensemble increment-2 (chemical, biological warfare protection gear for soldiers).

In addition, Obama and Modi announced that working groups will be set up to explore development of aircraft carrier technologies and jet engines.

The India Rapid Reaction Cell is looking into another 25 proposals that has come from American defence industry for co-development and co-production.

The cell received these proposals after Under Secretary of Defence Frank Kendal, who is the US-lead for DTTI, wrote in a recent letter to the US industry, urging them to come up with proposals and ideas for ambitious and path-finding projects by the end of August.

"I encourage industry partners to continue identifying opportunities that offer exclusive co-development and/or co-production in India, meet expressed Indian interest, including 'Make in India' and have potential for global market sales," Kendall wrote in his letter.

Webster said after the review of these 25 projects is completed, the Pentagon would submit another set of proposals of pathfinder projects to India in the coming months for co-development and co-production

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 15 Sep 2015 13:47

in other words, the role of russia will continue to diminish in our future projects wherein we need foreign technology.

the israelis, agile and alert cats they are, will probably take 25% while big gorilla grabs 75%.

kit · Post by **kit** » 15 Sep 2015 15:27

the Americans know they have a window of opportunity to integrate india into their chain rather than letting India be another china which is self dependent and follow a diverse foreign policy

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 15 Sep 2015 16:10

>>in other words, the role of russia will continue to diminish

Not likely GD in absolute terms. The pie is bigger, however, and market share growth is probably not likely to match the growth in the size of the pie. Reading between the lines of various press items, serious big ticket items are being worked on with Russia. Money will be flowing in both directions - to the US and to Russia - and co-production is a major thrust. European defence manufacturers will also participate energetically. What appears to be actually happening is this: India is now quite flush with cash, there is a real impulse to make in India, and every outside supplier sees that the choice is between co-production or no-production. A web of inter-dependencies is being created, complex to maintain and manage, but potentially with great strategic advantage. India will be a friend of all, and no one will want to be its enemy; I'm sure you see what I mean.

member_29172 · Post by **member_29172** » 15 Sep 2015 18:18

Maintaining an isolationalist policy Atleast for the next 5 years is in our best interest. These western ponzi schemes about cooperation and joint defense are highly suspect. What people here miss is that India has the same population as China which means the people here can be used as some stupid canon fodder while the western morons sit back and enjoy.
It's a monster created by them, it's their responsibility. West has done nothing other than creating more headaches for us by propping up terrorist states and systematically supporting them in un, politically and through their media propaganda. It seems absurd for India to go out of her way to extend the hand of cooperation. If anything we need to join the China-russia axis, as its more beneficial for our national interest.

Right now political integration of Muslim majority indian subcontinent and economic development of India is tantamount for our long term survival. THAT is what matters

It's clear from the unsc drama that these idiots just can't be trusted, it's not ok or fair to let them do as they please because they have to look after their "national interest". What about India letting go of her national interest so that the deal with Iran could be made?

These idiots only understand the language of denial and force, that's the only way to go if India wants to be a power on her own. We are screwing up our national interests and pretty much sacrificing ourselves for peanuts. Take out the troops from UN, put them to India's use and do what is good for our country. I don't care if australia is nuked tomorrow by China, it's none of our business. Australia is part of the western community, they'll take of care of themselves.

the high and mighty us army is only good at fighting tribals from failed states, for all their trillion dollar trinkets ,they should fight a real enemy for once.

We should definitely protect south eastern countries though as having a better relationship with them is in our national interest. Heck put the UN troops in Vietnam and south china sea, that sea must remain independent. The superior westerners couldn't even ensure that , giving it away on a golden platter like Tibet.

I am fed up with this bs, hopefully someone who actually influences our foreign policy is reading this thread.

kit · Post by **kit** » 15 Sep 2015 18:25

Bereft of Indian money the Russian R&D in defense is likely to suffer and prolong it for at least some time ..it might never recover at all ..the Americans know it and is probably trying to wean Indians away from Russia . .. and they need to do this before oil prices recover in maybe a few years from now ..interesting

member_29172 · Post by **member_29172** » 15 Sep 2015 18:33

JE Menon wrote:>>in other words, the role of russia will continue to diminish

Not likely GD in absolute terms. The pie is bigger, however, and market share growth is probably not likely to match the growth in the size of the pie. Reading between the lines of various press items, serious big ticket items are being worked on with Russia. Money will be flowing in both directions - to the US and to Russia - and co-production is a major thrust. European defence manufacturers will also participate energetically. What appears to be actually happening is this: India is now quite flush with cash, there is a real impulse to make in India, and every outside supplier sees that the choice is between co-production or no-production. A web of inter-dependencies is being created, complex to maintain and manage, but potentially with great strategic advantage. India will be a friend of all, and no one will want to be its enemy; I'm sure you see what I mean.

mass manufacturing and innovation hasn't set in from what I read. But still the make in India is push is certainly a step in the right direction. It's not a lip service either which is even better. I am not too comfortable with greater defence trade with us, they mix political drama and their fake democratic values into business deals. After the drama in the past, they might do it again in times of emergency , especially when our interests are more likely to diverge in the near future. The next priority should be a transport aircraft and a bomber.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 24 Sep 2015 04:07

Since everyone was focused on the Apache/ Chinook deal yesterday, this news item was missed:

Government clears Rs 8000 crore IAF's Integrated Air Command & Control System

NEW DELHI: The government has cleared the proposal for a nearly Rs 8,000-crore project for IAF's Integrated Air Command and Control System ( IACCS), which aims at integrating all ground and air sensors.

Defence sources said the Cabinet Committee on Security, which met here yesterday, cleared the proposal that was sanctioned by the Defence Acquisition Council in November last.

Once the system is in place, the air headquarters will get a composite air situation picture since it will be integrating Air Force, Army, Naval and civilian radars.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 24 Sep 2015 09:31

Parrikar calls for defence exports worth $1 billion

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.in/2015/09/p ... ports.html

By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 24th Sept 15

In New Delhi on Wednesday, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar startled the defence industry by targeting the export of $1 billion (Rs 6,600 crore) worth of DRDO-developed indigenous defence equipment in two-to-three years.

This represents a ten-fold increase over current export levels. On November 28, 2014, the government revealed in parliament that defence exports were: Rs 512 crore in 2011-12; Rs 447 crore in 2012-13, and Rs 686 crore in 2013-14.

In 2014-15, exports are likely to be only marginally higher. On July 24, Minister of State for Defence, Rao Inderjit Singh, told parliament that exports during the year had included Cheetal helicopters and Stallion trucks to Afghanistan; a Dhruv helicopter and bullet proof jackets to Nepal; Dhruv helicopter spares to Ecuador; Sukhoi-30 avionics and MiG fighter and helicopter spares to Malaysia; hull mounted sonars to Myanmar, and other odds and ends.

The defence minister has often talked up the need for higher exports. He has told parliament that a “Defence Export Strategy has been formulated and put in public domain. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing NOC (no objection certificates) for export of military stores has been simplified and made online.”

At last year’s DRDO awards function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for empowering younger scientists, an implied criticism that led on in January to the removal from service of Dr Avinash Chander, the DRDO’s chief who had already received two service extensions.

This year, Parrikar fired a warning to the DRDO’s “cluster heads”, the seven director generals who direct R&D in the organisation’s seven technology verticals.He said the cluster heads should “avoid duplication, or overlapping of activities by laboratories for greater economic efficiency”.

Parrikar went on: “Cluster in-charge has a very important role to play. They should not think, ‘This is my last two years, why should we speed up development’”.

Speaking before Parrikar, the DRDO chief, Dr S Christopher had asked the defence ministry to quickly approve the hiring of 436 more scientists, which the DRDO had requested. Noting that DRDO’s strength had remained stagnant since 2001, he said, “A top-heavy organisation with a narrow base is not appropriate.”

Christopher pointed out that the annual DRDO budget of five to six per cent of the defence allocation was inadequate for developing new equipment for the forces, when China was spending 20 per cent of its budget on R&D. He said that India’s military had so far ordered Rs 1,79,071 crore worth of equipment developed by the DRDO.

In a shot across the bows of the air force and the army, Parrikar pointed to the navy’s success in establishing a “close interface” with the DRDO. He called for a similar level of interface between the DRDO and the army and air force.

Christopher made an intriguing revelation while listing out the DRDO’s achievements during the year, mentioning the development of “air independent propulsion” (AIP) for submarines, which he revealed would soon be tested.

AIP is a state-of-the-art propulsion system that makes submarines quieter, and gives them longer endurance since they need not surface for as long as two weeks. In contrast, conventional diesel-electric submarines must surface far more often, since they require air to run their engines. When surfaced, they are vulnerable to detection.

The defence ministry is currently processing the acquisition of six AIP-equipped submarines under Project 75I. With the DRDO claiming to have developed AIP, it might well lobby for Project 75I vessels to have indigenous AIP.

Amongst the awards presented to DRDO laboratories and personnel was one for the successful design of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), with a range of 3,500 kilometres. This SLBM, which is being developed for India’s underwater nuclear deterrent, will replace the K-15 missiles that currently equips Arihant-class nuclear submarines. The K-15’s range is just 750 kilometres.

The longer range K-4 missile would add greatly to the survivability of Arihant-class submarines, which could fire them from longer ranges without needing to venture too close to enemy shores.