Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

[krishna_krishna]

defensive

Rule # 1The restrictions are non-binding obligations to members meaning it depends on the member if they want to enforce or not. Rule #2 it has two classifications cat I and cat II , cat I is explicit for only offensive systems , however Cat #2 line is not clear it could come under it depending upon the interpretation (however see #1)

[sanjaykumar]

A classic of Indian philosophy.


https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/661491793599397888

[Austin]

Shoigu: Russia and India have moved to a mutually beneficial partnership in the military-technical sphere

http://vpk.name/news/143560_shoigu_rf_i ... sfere.html

"In the future, - the creation of multi-purpose transport aircraft, fighter of the fifth generation of a number of projects in the naval field," - reminded the head of the military department

MOSCOW, November 2nd. / TASS /. India and Russia in the sphere of military-technical cooperation went on the relations of the seller and the buyer to a mutually beneficial partnership, announced Nov. 2 Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

"In the sphere of military-technical cooperation, we have reached the level of the close industrial cooperation", - the minister said at a meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission.

"In the future, - the creation of multi-purpose transport aircraft, fighter of the fifth generation of a number of projects in the naval field," - reminded Shoigu.

As the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, for 15 years of a bilateral commission on military-technical cooperation has proved its efficiency. "Parties, it was decided a lot of challenges, achieved impressive results. The Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation is really moved by the relationship of the seller and the buyer to a mutually beneficial partnership," - he stressed.

According to Shoigu, today the Commission will sum up the joint work over the past year and to fix priorities for the documents drafted by experts.

On the joint military exercises

Russia is ready to strengthen cooperation with India in the field of military exercises, said Shoigu.

According to him, military cooperation is an important component of the strategic cooperation between the two countries. Last year, the minister reminded, Russia and India successfully held a joint exercise under the three branches of the armed forces.

"In November and December 2015 the parties planned anti-terrorism and naval exercises that In accordance with the agreements will take place in India. We are ready to strengthen cooperation in this area", - the minister added.

[vishal]

India seals Rs 70,000 cr missile deal with Russia

Extract: (UNI) In what could easily be said the biggest ever defence deal with Russia, India has stitched a contract to acquire S-400 anti-ballistic missile systems from Moscow at a cost of around Rs 70,000 crores, top sources in the Defence Ministry said here today.

[Kakkaji]

Posting in full

PMO Fast-tracks Deals to Equip Forces with Maximum Fire Power

NEW DELHI: After years of somnolence under the lacklustre leadership of A K Antony, which put the combat capability of the armed force­s back by years, the Prime Minister’s Office has now taken direct charge of equipp­ing the forces with maximum fighting capability. After Modi’s surprise announcem­ent in France of an $8 billion Rafale fighter jet deal, bypassing bureaucratic procedure, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar put delayed projects on the fast track.

The PMO keeps an eagle eye on acquisition and upgrades. Sample this. Javed Ashraf, the 1991 batch IFS officer who handles defence and external affairs in the PMO, and follows up on Modi’s itineraries, seeks daily reports from the Defence Ministry on all deals, to remove roadblocks, sources said. IAF Deputy Chief Air Marshal S B S Sinha, who heads the negotiation committee on the modalities of the Rafale deal, briefs Ashraf regularly. The PMO is in a hurry to finalise it before French President Hollande’s visit to New Delhi as the chief guest of next year’s Republic Day Parade.

After Pakistan’s recent nuclear posturing, Modi is set on revamping India’s defence preparedness, by buying hi-tech military hardware from Russia, which he is scheduled to visit in December. Defence Ministry officials indicate a ‘surprise package’ to be announced during PM’s Moscow visit.

Focusing on ‘Make in India’, the PMO is also tightening the screws on the DRDO and its 50 labs, five defence PSUs, four shipyards and 39 ordnance factories to ensure timely delivery in a cost-effective manner.

[Kakkaji]

Government likely to simplify eligibility norms for FDI in defence sector

NEW DELHI: India is looking to simplify eligibility for foreign defence equipment manufacturers to invest up to 100% in Indian ventures as part of the big-ticket reform package to be rolled out before the winter session of Parliament.

The government has begun discussions to bring clarity on what 'state of the art' implies so as to expand the basket of products to become eligible for higher foreign investment and reduce the country's reliance on imports, a top government official said. "We are looking at simplifying the overall framework," the official told ET. "A number of sectoral conditions do not mean much and create unnecessary deterrent."

Allowing foreign manufacturers 100% stake, or even majority ownership in joint ventures, makes sense, and will bring in more FDI. However, the government should ensure that foreign manufacturers hand over codes and passwords for all sophisticated weapons that use critical, advanced digital technology.

[Kakkaji]

Shuklaji in a pontificating mood today (who isn't after BJP's loss in Bihar?)

Ajai Shukla: Mr Parrikar, a message from Bihar

The Bihari voter has spoken and his message is being read as: "We want results, not divisive politics. Deliver reform, or you're out!" Amongst those who heard this on Sunday would be Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, whose realm is simultaneously the country's most complex and - when something goes wrong - the most emotive. In his one year on the job, Mr Parrikar has attempted ground-up reform of a badly broken planning and procurement system. The results have been encouraging. Barring a few helicopters, Mr Parrikar has not succeeded in procuring the kit his military badly needs. His ministry's announcements of big-ticket buys after every meeting of the apex Defence Acquisition Council are mere sophistry; they relate not to contracts signed, but to procedural milestones like "acceptance of necessity", "categorisation", or "financial sanction". The defence procurement procedure (DPP) has many such milestones in each acquisition, but weaponry only reaches the soldiers after completing internal sanctions, trials, price negotiations and contracting. And since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government, no new equipment has come in.

On the plus side, Parrikar has quickly grasped two issues central to long-term equipment policy. The first is that militaries obsess about building immediate operational capabilities and are, therefore, opponents of indigenisation, which yields capabilities in the long-term. That means indigenisation needs to be rammed through even against military advice, and Mr Parrikar has done precisely that in coercing the air force to induct more Tejas fighters. That other lacuna the defence minister has grasped is that our procurement procedures are unworkable since they seek to guard against every wrongdoing. One of the wisest things the defence minister has said is that lack of trust within the ministry is the biggest hurdle for quick procurement.

Yet, this wisdom has galvanised neither procurement, nor indigenisation. The cause is a deplorable lack of understanding of how a defence industry is built. On August 22, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) summoned a few captains of private defence industry, along with bureaucrats from the defence and commerce ministries. The PM's principal secretary, Nripendra Misra, began by upbraiding industrialists for slothfulness in defence production, even though the government had raised the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence to 49 per cent (from 26 per cent earlier), pruned the list of items needing defence manufacturing licences, and increased the validity of a defence licence from three years to 15 years. After an awkward silence, one industry chief asked, "But where are the orders?" It had apparently not struck the PMO or the defence ministry that, since the industry serves a single customer, government orders are essential for manufacture.

If Mr Parrikar wishes to perceptibly improve his ministry's performance, here are five simple measures that different wings of his ministry must implement right away. Step one is for the Acquisitions Wing to identify at least 15 to 20 equipment projects to be tendered out in short order to domestic defence industry under the "Make" category of the DPP. With the defence ministry financing 80 per cent of the project cost, this would unleash a wave of development activity across the industry. So far, only two "Make" projects (the Tactical Communications System; and the Battlefield Management System) are under way; and a third, the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle, was recently tendered. Besides these large platforms, "Make" projects should target small and medium enterprises, where high-tech innovation occurs.

Step Two involves the fast-track clearance of pending acquisition programmes that could galvanise indigenous manufacture, and design and development. Ripe for the plucking are several indigenous shipbuilding projects, such as the one for building four landing platform docks in private and public sector shipyards; and 16 shallow water anti-submarine vessels. So are contracts for land systems like various artillery guns; and for aircraft like the light combat helicopter and light utility helicopter (soon to fly), with clear instructions to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to develop and nurture Tier-1 and Tier-2 sub-vendors.

Step Three relates to policy reform in the department of defence production, where Mr Parrikar faces unbending resistance from his ministry bureaucrats, who are resorting to the artifice of "death by committee" - i.e. slowing down reform by channelising it repeatedly through committees. Even so, the Dhirendra Singh Committee has submitted a reasonable report that moots identifying private sector "strategic partners" in each of six areas, including aerospace, warship building, armoured vehicles, etc. With one or two strategic partner at hand for each field, the procurement cycle could be slashed dramatically. The "strategic partner" model must be quickly implemented, preventing monopolies, while creating 12 to 18 large defence players for an acceptable level of competition. Following the Dhirendra Singh Committee, the Aatrey Committee is finalising norms for selecting "strategic partners". With this done, no time should be lost in selecting "strategic partners" and kicking off projects.

In Step Four, Mr Parrikar must instruct his moribund "department of ex-servicemen's welfare" to consciously drain the swamp of disaffection within the large pool of ex-servicemen across the country, which has cost the BJP a traditional constituency: ex-servicemen. The defence minister must order his bureaucrats to weigh the consequences of appealing adverse judicial verdicts. Currently, the objective is to win the case at all costs, even by dragging to the Supreme Court a poor veteran who might have a perfectly valid plea, but no money to pursue it. Alongside this, Mr Parrikar needs to swiftly resolve the One Rank, One Pension agitation. The government has issued a notification, which ex-servicemen groups have rejected. The movement will inevitably gather momentum and further alienate the community.

Lastly, Mr Parrikar should go with his own conviction and take up the case for appointing a chief of defence staff. The CDS, a five-star rank officer, appointed for a three-year tenure, would oversee manpower and equipment planning of the army, navy and air force. Currently, the three services jostle for money and turf and, with no overall commander to prioritise between competing service demands, the tri-service 15-year equipment plan is a worthless wish list that is unrelated to the availability of funds. A CDS would also provide unified command in war, and the ministry with single-point advice in peace. Last year, at a public function, Mr Parrikar promised to send his proposal for a CDS to the National Security Council by June 2015. Like so many other promises, this remains unfulfilled.

[srai]

^^^

...
Yet, this wisdom has galvanised neither procurement, nor indigenisation. The cause is a deplorable lack of understanding of how a defence industry is built. On August 22, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) summoned a few captains of private defence industry, along with bureaucrats from the defence and commerce ministries. The PM's principal secretary, Nripendra Misra, began by upbraiding industrialists for slothfulness in defence production, even though the government had raised the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence to 49 per cent (from 26 per cent earlier), pruned the list of items needing defence manufacturing licences, and increased the validity of a defence licence from three years to 15 years. After an awkward silence, one industry chief asked, "But where are the orders?" It had apparently not struck the PMO or the defence ministry that, since the industry serves a single customer, government orders are essential for manufacture.
...

If India wants its private players to be involved then they need to place larger orders and not like the current practice of piecemeal ordering 20 of this or 40 of that with no firm intent beyond that (unless for upgraded version etc). Bottom line is these companies need to amortize their investments and make profits. A minimum viable order is required at the onset.

[brar_w]

Boeing and Tata Announce Aerospace Joint Venture in India

To co-produce aerostructures and pursue integrated systems development opportunities
To produce Apache fuselages
Accelerates momentum for “Make in India”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 9, 2015 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Tata Advanced Systems today announced a joint venture (JV) that will manufacture aerostructures for aircraft and collaborate on integrated systems development opportunities in India.

The JV will initially create a manufacturing center of excellence to produce aerostructures for the AH-64 Apache helicopter and to compete for additional manufacturing work packages across Boeing platforms, both commercial and defense. Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems intend to grow the JV partnership in the future with a focus on opportunities to collaborate on development and selling of integrated systems.

“This partnership will capitalize on India’s industrial capability, innovation and talent to contribute to Boeing’s long-term competitiveness and position us for future growth in the global marketplace,” said Chris Chadwick, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “It is a demonstration of our commitment to further accelerate our partnership with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.”

“This agreement to establish a JV will propel the growth of the Indian aerospace sector by leveraging the world-class competencies of TASL and its supplier eco-system, as well as provide access to India’s world-class manufacturing capability, skilled talent and competitive cost structures,” said S. Ramadorai, chairman, Tata Advanced Systems.

“Over the last 12 months, we have doubled our sourcing from India and are committed to continue that journey,” said Pratyush Kumar, president, Boeing India. “Our commitment was demonstrated by Boeing Chairman Jim McNerney’s presence at the recently concluded aerospace Innovation Summit in New Delhi and this JV is a clear example of Boeing’s long-term commitment to Make in India.”

“TASL is one of the select few in the private sector in India undertaking manufacturing and assembly of both aircraft and helicopters. The resulting scale and expertise at which the company now operates makes it well-positioned for large-scale systems integration work in India’s aerospace and defense sector,” said Sukaran Singh, MD & CEO, Tata Advanced Systems.

Boeing and Tata group companies have established partnerships in India to manufacture aerostructures for Boeing’s commercial and military aircraft. Tata Advanced Materials has delivered composite panels for the power and mission equipment cabinets and auxiliary power unit door fairings for the P-8I long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. TAL Manufacturing Solutions is manufacturing complex floor beams out of composite materials for the Boeing 787-9, the most modern aircraft with exceptional environmental and fuel-efficient capabilities. TAL Manufacturing Solutions has provided ground support equipment for the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter.

[Cain Marko]

Time for Modi Govt to put the hammer down and increase defence budget to match neighboring levels, increase to at least match US levels as % of GDP. This would

1) Allow more flexibility with OROP
2) Give R&D much needed breathing room
3) Make purchases of interim, urgent equipment possible

[Karan M]

Relevant parts in bold, composite handling capabilities increasing,

Boeing and Tata group companies have established partnerships in India to manufacture aerostructures for Boeing’s commercial and military aircraft. Tata Advanced Materials has delivered composite panels for the power and mission equipment cabinets and auxiliary power unit door fairings for the P-8I long-range maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. TAL Manufacturing Solutions is manufacturing complex floor beams out of composite materials for the Boeing 787-9, the most modern aircraft with exceptional environmental and fuel-efficient capabilities. TAL Manufacturing Solutions has provided ground support equipment for the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter.

Should help with LCA and AMCA too.

[vasu raya]

Night-vision startup Tonbo bags multimillion dollar contracts

It is now the only Indian company whose night vision systems will be featured for the Indian Navy’s 12.7 mm remote controlled gun platforms.

The Navy will deploy the platform on ships to fight against pirates and terrorists. Mr. Lakshmikumar said Tonbo had also become the electro-optics supplier of choice to bidders on the Indian Army’s Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle programme. The almost $10 billion (Rs.66,210 crore) project is slated to be the largest indigenous defence programme.

[member_22539]

^CNBC "Make in India" episode on Tonbo

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK4vM6m-RCc[/youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK4vM6m-RCc

[VinodTK]

Modi's UK visit - HAL in talks with BAE to manufacture weaponized Hawks

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is likely to manufacture the combat version of military aircraft Hawk in the coming months. HAL and BAE Systems discussed this in London during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK.

Sources privy to the discussions between HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju and BAE Systems CEO Ian G King, said: "Raju travelled with Modi and met King.Among the most important things discussed was the manufacturing of weaponised (combat) Hawks."

Manufacturing discussed:

They added that, among other things, research, manufacturing and transfer of technology were discussed as well as purchase of 20 more trainers Hawks to meet Indian Air Force's requirement.

HAL already manufactures the Hawk without weapons as the armed forces -IAF in particular -need it only for advanced jet training. In all, 99 Hawks are operational with the IAF and Indian Navy .

"The purpose of this negotiation is also keeping in mind HAL as a company with export possibilities," a source said.

HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar neither confirmed nor denied the information.

"We understand that guns and rockets will be fitted to the aircraft. The HAL made versions will have air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, besides integrated avionics," the source said.

[Viv S]

Cross-posting from Artillery thread -

The previous off-the-shelf purchase was priced at $885 million (up from $660 million) for 145 guns. We're now apparently getting a licensed production deal with the possibility of exports for $700 million. While the details haven't been released yet, prima facie the MoD seems to have done a good job.


With gun assembly plant, defence gets a ‘Make in India’ project

The ministry had given BAE Systems, the manufacturer of M777 artillery guns, till October 31 to submit its offset agreements with local companies

In what is likely to be the first major ‘Make in India’ project in defence, the defence ministry is about to sign a deal with the US government to assemble 145 BAE Systems M777 155mm/39mm calibre lightweight howitzers in India.

Estimated to be worth $700 million, the deal is being done through the Foreign Military Sales route and a draft Letter of Acceptance (LoA) has been agreed upon between the Pentagon and the defence ministry.

The ministry had given BAE Systems, the manufacturer of M777 artillery guns, till October 31 to submit its offset agreements with local companies.

This includes the Indian company to whom BAE Systems will transfer its M777 assembly, integration and test (AIT) facilities from Hattiesburg, Mississippi (US).

BAE Systems has entered into MoUs with over 40 Indian companies to fulfill the offset requirement, which are 30 per cent of the contract value. The Indian partner for the AIT facilities, where 70 per cent of M777 gun’s assembly will be completed, is yet to be announced.

“Several companies have the capabilities to perform such work and BAE Systems is evaluating proposals. Establishing an AIT facility in India will lay a foundation to expand future work content in India, potentially leading to M777s for India and for possible export,” Mark Simpkins, Vice-President & General Manager-India, BAE Systems, told The Indian Express.

The LoA is expected to be inked later this year, nearly eight years after the M777 purchase was mooted during the UPA-1 regime. The Army hopes to get the first guns within six months of the signing of the LOA, so it can work out the Range Table Development and start training the artillery units.

The draft LoA — which contains delivery schedules, guarantees, after-sales technical services and spares support — was sent by Pentagon in August this year after defence ministry issued a letter of request in June. A fresh LoA had to be negotiated after an earlier LoA was cancelled in October 2013 due to differences over gun’s pricing. Price had become a major factor after defence ministry’s delay in placing the order of the M777 gun. With no other global orders, BAE Systems had, in 2013, suspended its facilities at Barrow-in-Furness, northern England, where around 30 per cent of the gun is fabricated.

According to defence ministry sources, the overall price for M777 now is around 6-8 percent above the price previously offered in 2013. But the previous LoA did not have any provision for assembling the guns in India. With the AIT facilities included now, defence ministry sees the current deal as a totally different one.

Weighing only 4,200 kg, the M777 gun is a lightweight howitzer which can be carried via a sling on the Chinook helicopters. India had signed the deal for 15 Chinook helicopters during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in September.

The light weight of M777 guns comes from its barrel made out of Titanium and other proprietary metallurgical technologies held by the United States. Even for the guns which will be assembled in India, the barrel will continue to be manufactured at the US government facility at Watervliet Arsenal near New York.

The acquisition of M777 guns has acquired utmost priority because of shortfalls of artillery guns needed to equip army’s new Mountain Strike Corps on China border, which is currently being raised as per schedule. The shortfall in combat equipment for units deployed on China border in Eastern Command was on the agenda of the army commanders’ conference earlier this month.

According to some senior army officers present in the conference, the lack of artillery guns – particularly the delayed acquisition of lightweight M777 howitzers – had led to a heated discussion about their availability

.

[sudhan]

IMHO, it is unrealistic and unpractical to plot a circle with radius as 400kms to understand the effective range of the S-400. The S-400 will not use the 40N6 interceptor for every bandit. A more realistic picture can be obtained with a radius of ~220 kms..

[Manish_P]

South Korea's Hybrid Bi Ho air defence system shoots for exports

South Korea's Doosan DST is marketing its latest Hybrid Bi Ho (Flying Tiger) self-propelled (SP) air defence system to the Asia-Pacific region and is one of two mobile air defence systems recently shortlisted by the Indian government.

[ramana]

Why am I not surprised?

Looks like India will keep every duffer in business except its own DRDO and OFB.

This looks like a joke from Hunger Games.

[Singha]

by 2023 we would surely have the zircon, brahmos-A and nirbhay in FOC condition if we dont goof up. plus smaller weapons like ARDE LBG

an opportunity here to buy in say around 12 of these beauties. we will cross germany in mid 2020s and approach japan...we will need global reach and power in ten years. imagine what 120 x zircon could do to a SAG or 120 x nirbhay to a industrial area.

--
Russia has indicated that it intends to restart production of the massive supersonic bomber at the Kazan Aircraft Production Association in 2023. Russia intends to produce more than fifty new Tu-160s—which would be built concurrently as the new Russian PAK-DA stealth bomber is being designed. But, as always, there is the ever-present question of how Russia will pay for the new Blackjacks let along a new PAK-DA. “According to the plans, serial production of the aircraft [Tu-160] new version is to be implemented starting from 2023,” Russian deputy defense minister Yuri Borisov told reporters during a visit to the Kuznetsov factory. “The PAK DA project will be somewhat shifted beyond [2023], otherwise there is no sense in it.”

[Paul]

It actually makes sense to bring smaller players like SoKo who have advanced technologies to offer but limited geopolitical pull. They will not have an political agenda as baggage.

It will put Russia on the backfoot. It might also be a quid pro quo for the SoKos making massive industrial investments in Electronics and Shipbuilding sectors.

This move has Modi's prints all over it...even though he is not exactly on the good books of the forumites this month

[member_22539]

This move has Modi's prints all over it

Yep and out of the box as per the usual style of NaMo.

...even though he is not exactly on the good books of the forumites this month

Only a very vocal minority (I know who I sound like)

[Karan M]

Why am I not surprised?

Looks like India will keep every duffer in business except its own DRDO and OFB.

This looks like a joke from Hunger Games.

The 7Km MANPADS which is the primary SAM for this system may just be a tad too limited..

HJ10 being fielded/in development by PRC is 8-10 km (likely lower limit)...our own HELINA is 7-8km.. what is the point of buying a SAM system with limited range?
SoKos primary threat is obsolete NoKo. We have bigger issues.

Pantsir is 20km range f.e.
http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150411/1020755480.html

It actually makes sense to bring smaller players like SoKo who have advanced technologies to offer but limited geopolitical pull. They will not have an political agenda as baggage.

It will put Russia on the backfoot. It might also be a quid pro quo for the SoKos making massive industrial investments in Electronics and Shipbuilding sectors.

This move has Modi's prints all over it...even though he is not exactly on the good books of the forumites this month

But buy something truly modern.

[Karan M]

IMHO, it is unrealistic and unpractical to plot a circle with radius as 400kms to understand the effective range of the S-400. The S-400 will not use the 40N6 interceptor for every bandit. A more realistic picture can be obtained with a radius of ~220 kms..

The picture is useful as an example to see the reach against an AWACS for instance. The real location deployments may be entirely different so as far as realism goes.. its just to give folks an idea, nothing more..

[Karan M]

Not at all positive on this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K30_Biho

The radar appears 2D direction and range estimator only. The gun is actually EO guided (an issue with obscurants and bad weather). Further the radar is x-band and over a decade old.

This radar is behind items India makes like the Aslesha, 3D with higher power and capability against low RCS targets, let alone the MMSR in development.

http://www.lignex1.com:8001/en_US/produ ... ode3=&skey

Further it is too low power to detect small RCS targets and the South Koreans themselves were looking for Israeli radars.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/april_20 ... 04141.html
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140409001223

IMO yet another case of IA Requirements in all likelihood being swamped by developments.

[John]

What is the other system that is in contention? Not sure why we cannot slap together system with gsh-6-30, EO, Shikari FCR and Mistral?

[srai]

What is the other system that is in contention? Not sure why we cannot slap together system with gsh-6-30, EO, Shikari FCR and Mistral?

Some 15-years ago DRDO's AD gun project was cancelled. Now there is "desperation" trying to modernize old guns and RFIing for imported ones. There are lots of opportunities being wasted for whatever reasons. Instead of building up on successes, some elements try to squander hard won know-hows. What's the long term national vision/goal and how are GoI and armed forces moving towards that vision? How long does India plan on remaining as the top arms importer? Is that something to be proud about?

[Mahesh_R]

Why am I not surprised?

Looks like India will keep every duffer in business except its own DRDO and OFB.

This looks like a joke from Hunger Games.

Recently had a discussion with a senior research scientist, he was very critical of current govt not providing any funds for research.
Govt openly advocate of buying it from the market than doing the research and creating on our own...

Most of the research projects are on HOLD due to lack of funds....

[Prem]

It may be that present GOI want to get all they can for immediate military preparedness sake . India's Security environment gonna deteriorate considerably in next few years and God forbid another traditional nincompoop get installed at the helm by UPA type government. Danger ahead approaching fast as Paki are gonna get real desperate in a year or two and Chinese will try to undermine US supremacy in the Pacific/ IO region. In such scenario,A gun in Hand will be better than 4 in DRDO lab.

[srai]

Why am I not surprised?

Looks like India will keep every duffer in business except its own DRDO and OFB.

This looks like a joke from Hunger Games.

Recently had a discussion with a senior research scientist, he was very critical of current govt not providing any funds for research.
Govt openly advocate of buying it from the market than doing the research and creating on our own...

Most of the research projects are on HOLD due to lack of funds....

Government is in power for around 5 years before re-election. In that timeframe if it needs to show progress acquiring off-the-shelf stuff is one way to show quick progress and take credit for it. R&D can take decades. Its success bears fruit for future government in power. People, for the most part, don't remember who initiated them but fondly remember under whose watch it got inducted. Anyways, this is my IMO

[Paul]

Like I said in the Space program thread, all government servants have immense good will for the CongI garnered by Nehru and Indira. This is carrying over till now.

[Kakkaji]

Chhota Bhai putting pieces in place, for grabbing a big share of the defense pie:

Reliance Group gets DIPP's nod for defence manufacturing

MUMBAI: Anil Ambani moved a step closer to realising his defence ambitions as the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) gave 11 conditional licences sought by eight subsidiaries of the Reliance Group for defence manufacturing, according to a list from the latter.

After the approval from DIPP, the nodal agency for foreign direct investment, Reliance Group now needs security clearance from the home ministry to go ahead with its plans of setting up manufacturing capability of aircraft, helicopters, missiles, night vision naval and land systems.

Group head Ambani is personally driving the defence business, and the group is in the process of completing the acquisition of Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co, which marked its foray into the sector. The facility acquired from Pipavav Defence will see large programmes for refit and life extension of submarines, production of new frigates, landing platform docks and aircraft carrier. Reliance Defence also has strategic plans to set up maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrades of various platforms.

Has Chhota Bhai run any of his businesses successfully since splitting from his brother?

[vishvak]

X-posting viewtopic.php?p=1937653#p1937653
See the link video 1 hour 12 minutes for the next few minutes till the end. Very much related to this discussion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ0JL0asHZA

The Russians acknowledge openly that 5th Gen fighter project was not possible without deep knowledge from past Soviet era. Same for how FGFA/PAK-FA has been truly project that has improvised the industry standards and now such tech can be introduced in wide number of other projects going onwards.

While Russians, and Americans, have made Gen 5 fighter jet, there is no push even to learn and make policy about continuing and supporting ALL projects that are researched and developed in India. For example, logistics are ready for Arjun tank but for enough number of orders it is awaiting. Then there is tangential possibility of scientists leaving for greener pastures like post Soviet Union collapse some scientists had to work outside Russia to even earn monthly salary and then such features will show outside the country and we might as well have to buy some products that we ourselves overlooked!

[Vayutuvan]

Like I said in the Space program thread, all government servants have immense good will for the CongI garnered by Nehru and Indira. This is carrying over till now.

More than them, Rajiv Gandhi, during his first years as a PM, did give a fillip to lots of careers in DRDO and associated labs. I have family and friends who were working in DRDO labs (several of them) in awe of him at that time for his vision and down to earth quick decision making and science friendliness. That was the time when Sam Pitroda got $30 million to develop a switch. As time went by, I think he came under the influence of Sonia Gandhi's social climbing mentality. Big B was also quite down to earth and patriotic an MP.

I think the Bofors purchase became a scam due to Italian influence.

[Gyan]

After Rajiv Gandhi, indigenisation has been ad hoc attempts without any National focus. For instance, per Ratio of Nominal GDP, allocation of Rs. 560 crore to LCA in 1983 means that we should allocate Rs. 30,000 crore to AMCA today.

[Kakkaji]

India, Japan to finalise aircraft pact during Shinzo Abe's India visit

NEW DELHI: India and Japan are set to firm up an agreement to jointly produce amphibious military aircraft during the upcoming visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, in what could be the first defence deal between the two countries.

The US 2 amphibious aircraft, that has applications for search and rescue, surveillance as well as intelligence gathering, will be produced in India not only for domestic orders but will also be pitched jointly for exports in the region and beyond.

[Kakkaji]

Can reverse defence import-indigenous ratio in 5 years: Manohar Parrikar

NEW DELHI: The import-indigenous ratio of military hardware can be turned around to 70 percent homegrown against the current 70 percent imports through incremental steps over the next five years, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.

"Annually, you reduce the foreign component by 10 percent so that in four to five years, you reverse the ratio - from 70 percent import you go to 70 percent indigenous content" Parrikar told noted security expert Nitin Gokhale, who has just launched BharatShakti.in website, in an interview.

"It is not easy to change mindsets. But the armed forces have been given clear indication that they have to give priority to Make in India and indigenisation and dependence on foreign source should be reduced. Of course, if there are some technology issues, we can still go ahead and get that but the trend is that by next year the ratio of 70:30 (imported to indigenous content) should change by at least 10 percent," Parrikar said.

In this context, he noted that in a major boost to Make in India, almost 70 percent of defence contracts worth Rs.90,000 crore ($13.5 billion) signed in the past one year, fall in the Buy Indian or Buy and Make in India category.

"Amongst the major issues that he has addressed are issues that have the MSME sector vexed with the government stating its intention of selecting strategic partners in various major sectors of defence production. His remarks will ease a lot of ruffled feathers,

Amongst other issues are a new promotion policy for the top military leadership, how far is it from the Rafale deal being inked, DRDO, the road map for HAL's Light Combat Aircraft, the fifth generation fighter aircraft project with Russian, submarines and the army's continuing officer shortage. He also shared his views on OROP and the scheduled DEFEXPO at Goa.

"The interview is an informative and a comprehensive account of the RM's thrusts so far and prognosis of what India will do
will do with its US$ 100 billion wallet for military modernisation in the next few years," Gokhale said.

Parrikar makes a lot of promises. Let us see how many he can actually fulfill.

[srai]

^^^

If under the "Buy and Make in India", you make every major import offsets to be 70% then that would quickly make the ratio "70:30" in favor of so-called "homegrown" content

[Gyan]

With IAF importing even microlights, Parrikar is all talk and no decisive action.

[member_29172]

5 years comes to approx 2021, sounds good, not sure if it'd be reversed but yeah the proportion might be reduced. Wonder if he was serious or if it was just a snippet quoted out of context. I guess lots of JVs are gonna pop up soon. Making products is one part, accepting the product by the IA,IAF dramaqueens is another.

[JE Menon]

Yeah, at least there is talk. Don't pull down the crab trying to get out of the box.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... ls&tbm=nws

Even if four of these materialise, it's a success.