Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 14 Jul 2015 20:14

30,000 crore of purchases approved including 4 more P-8I. - Hindu Business Line

Cybaru · Post by **Cybaru** » 14 Jul 2015 20:22

That is good news indeed. I was hoping we will add 8-12 MQ-4C with the follow on order of P8 to enable much longer ranges of patrol.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 14 Jul 2015 20:31

Govt clears defence proposals worth Rs 30,000 cr

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 14 Jul 2015 21:05

nachiket wrote:MDL can be ordered by the govt. to transfer all designs and knowhow to the selected pvt. shipyard.

The design belongs to Directorate of Naval Design, so they can give to any shipyard they please. Ordering a Type 15A/B or Type 17/A will be cheaper because there are no additional design costs. The Russians wont give the designs free.

In addition, the govt will need to spend to build infrastructure for the selected yards, that they did to upgrade MDL & GRSE infrastructure for Type 17/15A/B and Type 28 respectively. Cochin Shipyard should have adequate infrastructure and spare capacity after INS Vikrant is commissioned.

The 100 mm gun is not as advanced as OTO 76 or 127, LRSAM is a better missile than Shtil, will there be a provision for fitting SRSAM or accommodating Dhruv/Seahawk that are more capable than Ka-28? If design changes are made, then it will cost extra.

If Putin needed money as Ajai indicates, then Modi could've asked for their latest ballistic missile submarines or attack submarines to be made in India than these frigates, that are avoidable.

Bad decision if correct. Lets wait for more news to emerge.

d_berwal · Post by **d_berwal** » 14 Jul 2015 21:33

Kakkaji wrote:
d_berwal wrote:No they are not replacement of Tatra.

These are for Army Supply Corps (ASC).
Thanks d_berwal

What was the ASC using before?

ASC uses majorly following for supply transportation: (I am not putting tank transporters of AC)

AL Stallion 4x4
Tata 715 4x4
Tatra 8x8

6x6 is a per say a new category for ASC in HMV configuration. (other arms do have 6x6 configuration)

HMV with crane etc is a new category in 16-20 ton class.

on a side note: Tatra off-road capability's are almost unmatched and just like bofors we are sitting with complete TOT and blueprints and not utilizing them.. so sad

even US and EU have started using Tatra base chassis for their off road requirements.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 14 Jul 2015 22:09

Deleted

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 15 Jul 2015 00:28

India clears defence deals worth $4.7 billion, buys four Boeing spy planes

NEW DELHI: India cleared the purchase of close to 300 billion rupees ($4.74 billion) worth of new defence equipment on Tuesday, including four maritime spy planes from Boeing Co and hundreds of air defence guns, a defence ministry spokesman said.

The largest order approved was for 428 L-70 and ZU23 air defence guns worth around 169 billion rupees, the spokesman said after a meeting of India's Defence Acquisition Council.

The guns are to be manufactured in India, the spokesman said, part of the government's push to expand the domestic defence industry and end the country's status as the world's largest arms importer.

New Delhi is in the midst of a huge military modernisation programme, and analysts expect it to spend as much as $250 billion over the next decade, attracting western manufacturers who are battling cuts in defence budgets at home.

...
...
The purchase from Boeing, worth 43.8 billion rupees, is a follow-on order from an earlier deal for eight of its P-8I spy aircraft agreed in 2009 and comes as India looks to bolster its navy to check China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
...

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 15 Jul 2015 02:31

Some more details in this article ...

Govt clears defence proposals worth Rs 30,000 cr

The top acquisition committee of the Defence Ministry today cleared proposals worth over Rs 30,000 crore, including that to replace army's 60s vintage air defence guns and for buying four more P81 long-range maritime patrol aircraft for the navy.

The biggest takeaway from the meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, was the acceptance of necessity (AON) for replacing L70 and Zu 23mm guns for army's air defence under Buy-and-Make category. Army will go in for 428 guns at a total cost of Rs 16,900 crore.

...
...
Other major deals cleared for the navy include that for the upgrade of weapon and sensor suite of the Delhi and Talwar class ships during their mid-life refit at a cost of Rs 2,900 crore. Six ships will see new surface-to-air missile system that would be bought from Russia, besides new radars.

DAC also extended the AON granted in 2012 for four large survey vessels for the navy worth Rs 2,324 crore. The extension has been granted to pave the way for RFP under the 'Make in India' initiative
...

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 15 Jul 2015 02:31

Some more details in this article ...

Govt clears defence proposals worth Rs 30,000 cr

The top acquisition committee of the Defence Ministry today cleared proposals worth over Rs 30,000 crore, including that to replace army's 60s vintage air defence guns and for buying four more P81 long-range maritime patrol aircraft for the navy.

The biggest takeaway from the meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, was the acceptance of necessity (AON) for replacing L70 and Zu 23mm guns for army's air defence under Buy-and-Make category. Army will go in for 428 guns at a total cost of Rs 16,900 crore.

...
...
Other major deals cleared for the navy include that for the upgrade of weapon and sensor suite of the Delhi and Talwar class ships during their mid-life refit at a cost of Rs 2,900 crore. Six ships will see new surface-to-air missile system that would be bought from Russia, besides new radars.

DAC also extended the AON granted in 2012 for four large survey vessels for the navy worth Rs 2,324 crore. The extension has been granted to pave the way for RFP under the 'Make in India' initiative
...

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 15 Jul 2015 03:10

So is the replacement air defence gun that is being procured?

Karthik S · Post by **Karthik S** » 15 Jul 2015 03:29

Are 12 P-8Is sufficient for our need? If we will procure more in the future, then can we order more now and produce the planes in India under ToT as part of MII considering Boeing and TATA already have JV?

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 15 Jul 2015 04:25

Karthik S wrote:Are 12 P-8Is sufficient for our need? If we will procure more in the future, then can we order more now and produce the planes in India under ToT as part of MII considering Boeing and TATA already have JV?

12 P8Is are not sufficient. But it's a question of what we can afford.

It is not economic or realistic to produce P*Is in India any more than producing Boeing 737s. Any MII has to be on the equipment/sensors etc.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 15 Jul 2015 04:29

d_berwal wrote:on a side note: Tatra off-road capability's are almost unmatched and just like bofors we are sitting with complete TOT and blueprints and not utilizing them.. so sad

Sad yes. Sadder is complete lack of strategic vision in the blind men and wimmenz of Hindoostan. Parrikar will eventually discover this Tatra ToT but it will take him time.

srin · Post by **srin** » 15 Jul 2015 09:13

As for replacing the ZSU-23 and Bofors 40/L70, are we going for pure guns (like Rheinmetall skyshield) or gun+missile combo (Tunguska style).

And where does the rumored Sosna acquisition fit here ?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 15 Jul 2015 10:10

OFB has offered an upgraded variant of ZSU-23 and Bofors-L-70

There is one from Punj Lloyd for ZSU-23

http://www.punjlloyd.com/defence/upgrad ... efence-gun

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 15 Jul 2015 20:06

Defence 'Make in India' on a roll: Boeing & Tata announce manufacturing partnership including drones

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 15 Jul 2015 20:33

That gun order is not an upgrade but a replacement of earlier guns - wonder if Rheinmetall blacklist has been removed.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 15 Jul 2015 20:36

The biggest takeaway from the meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, was the acceptance of necessity (AON) for replacing L70 and Zu 23mm guns for army's air defence under Buy-and-Make category. Army will go in for 428 guns at a total cost of Rs 16,900 crore.

428 guns for 16,900 cr, that's almost 40 crore per gun!

vaibhav.n · Post by **vaibhav.n** » 16 Jul 2015 12:16

^^ Because that would include the entire radar/C2 systems for battery and regimental level.

There are few if any comparable AD guns available in the western world, this could become a single vendor situation.

Static Skyshield 35

Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk2
The Revolver Gun Mk2 is a remotely controlled, networkable, 35 x 228mm air defence gun. It features beltless ammunition feeding. Using clips, two men can replenish the 252-round magazine in about eight minutes. This enables 14 bursts of 18 rounds each. Its rate of fire is roughly 1,000 per minute. The Mk2 is designed to use Rheinmetall’s Ahead ammunition technology and is used in C-RAM modes in Afghanistan.

Although the IA is more likely to go in for the more mobile Skyguard variant.

Gyan · Post by **Gyan** » 16 Jul 2015 15:36

Actually this whole business of Air Defence Guns, SRSAM, QRSAM is being used by Arm Pimps to peddle imports of Billions of USDs. These categories were relevant (in the past) due to such systems being cheaper. But now all these roles can be easily, better, cheaply fulfilled by Akash and if required, Astra. Instead of ordering 600-1000 launchers of Akash we are stuck at an order of only 100-120 launchers. This is the story of Arjun, LCA, Dhanush, Prahaar, Nag all over again.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 18 Jul 2015 08:32

Army rejects US offer of Raven mini-drones for its foot-soldiers

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has virtually rejected the Raven mini-UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) being offered by the US, in a blow to the much-touted bilateral defence trade and technology initiative (DTTI) for joint production of military technologies.

Sources say the Raven RQ-11 does not meet the technical parameters or GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements) laid down by the Army for the hand-launched spy drones to equip all its 382 infantry battalions, as also counter-insurgency force Rashtriya Rifles and mechanised units.

"The Army wants futuristic mini-drones, not the current-generation Raven being offered as the `Cheel' drone to the force. It can give good imagery with clarity only from an altitude of 150-metre above ground level," said a source.

The Army, in turn, wants a man-portable drone which can operate at least 1,000-metre above ground level to ensure it cannot be shot down by enemy rifles or light machine guns. "If there is to be joint manufacturing, it makes sense to go in for a futuristic bird rather than an existing one," said a source.

After the rebuff, the US is now trying to push "another upgraded" drone in a joint collaboration between Raven-manufacturer AeroVironment and Bangalore-based Dynamatic Technologies.

Raven was one of the four "pathfinder projects" identified for co-development and co-production under the DTTI during the Obama-Modi summit here in January. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter inked the expansive 10-year bilateral defence framework last month.

But "project agreements" could be finalized for only two of the pathfinders -- mobile electric hybrid power sources or generators, and chemical-biological warfare protection gear for soldiers.

The Raven proposal has run into rough weather, with the Army sticking to its stand despite pressure to "dilute" its existing GSQRs for the mini-drones. Both the defence ministry and Army on Friday declined to comment on the matter.

Interestingly, as many as 35 Indian vendors have already offered to manufacture the mini-drones as per the GSQRs. The 1.13-million strong Army requires at least 598 mini-UAVs to ensure "battlefield transparency" for its foot-soldiers.

These man-portable drones offer an endurance of two-three hours for an operational surveillance radius of around 10-km. Being stealthy because of their small size, these drones will also be used to equip the Para (Special Forces) battalions for covert missions beyond enemy lines, counter-terrorism operations and `beyond-the-hill' surveillance.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 18 Jul 2015 09:42

IA is right. Raven looks like toy.

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 18 Jul 2015 11:16

^Not being sarcastic, but is there any drone in existence that match the IA GSQRs?

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 18 Jul 2015 11:21

I was wondering about the same thing. IA will have no drones either imported or local as it hunts for its new drones.

rkhanna · Post by **rkhanna** » 18 Jul 2015 11:44

^Not being sarcastic, but is there any drone in existence that match the IA GSQRs?

http://www.asteria.co.in/

their Existing product has an operational ceiling of 300-1000m above ground. Their R&D pipeline is also impressive. A better/improved fixed wing and quadcopter/Octacopter on the way.

Taking part in Indian Mil RFP as we speak. Tied up with a major Indian Conglo that has a defence division to co-sell to the Military. Unable to say more but as an FYI Tata and L&T's efforts in Micro UAV development have failed big time.

member_22539 · Post by **member_22539** » 18 Jul 2015 12:25

^Neat. Thanks for the info. I hope whatever is chosen is made in India. It seems at least this GSQR wasn't the product of someone's fantasy or brochure diving.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 19 Jul 2015 03:49

In a first, DRDO transfers technology to private player

In a path-breaking decision, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved a proposal by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for transfer of technology (ToT) for commercial production of its Lakshya pilotless target aircraft (PTA) to private sector defence manufacturer Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

The L&T will pay a royalty to DRDO for every Lakshya PTA produced and sold by it. Prospective customers for Lakshya include foreign militaries, including those of Singapore, Malaysia and Israel.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 19 Jul 2015 09:57

The mini-drone is the perfect opportunity to under the Buy-and-Make (or whatever it is called) where indian companies will make prototypes with the government paying 80% or so of the development cost and then down selecting the best one for production. The armed forces have to get out of the habit of putting out RFPs to buy ready made products.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 19 Jul 2015 10:06

vaibhav.n wrote:^^ Because that would include the entire radar/C2 systems for battery and regimental level.

Do we really new completely new and separate radar/C2 systems for every layer of air defence? One for Akash, one for SPYDER, one for AAA etc. I'm sure there's opportunity to consolidate.

Although the IA is more likely to go in for the more mobile Skyguard variant.

Hmm. This is what the pakis and the Chinese have (via reverse engineering).

srai · Post by **srai** » 19 Jul 2015 13:43

^^^

If you rely on 70% imports then yes every new foreign equipment is going to require its own C2/radars. You could try to integrate but that will cost you extra!

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 19 Jul 2015 21:44

Old news being confirmed by the Indian ambassador to Russia. No specifics yet on who will be the Indian partner, and where and when in India are these going to be built.

India, Russia to jointly build 200 military choppers

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 19 Jul 2015 22:02

This may be a better thread for this discussion

RamaY wrote:Upon further thinking (a rare thing)...

The bottom line of military acquisitions is what should be the fundamental criteria?

If a technology or platform is available within Make-In-India then it should get preferential treatment. Please note that I said "Make" in India so it applies to foreign manufacturers who have their Mfg setup in India.

Question/risk is:Is this enough to ensure that India will not move forward to next Ambassador (and premier Padmini) era, where there will be no product innovation or efficiency for decades?

Another question is can IAF be allowed to define the requirements in such a way that all Make In India products are disqualified to bid due to these strange requirements?

For example, can IAF set a requirement of say 45mile range for a missile in order to force a foreign acquisition when as all make in India missiles have say 40mile range?

Then the law should also force IAF to give the Make India Contender a reasonable period (in the missile's case 2-3Yrs) to meet the required criteria while supplying the existing missiles for first 2-3Yrs with stringent & hefty financial penalty clauses (so there is no false promising) if the Indian manufacturer fails to deliver the extended range missile in stipulated period.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 20 Jul 2015 03:09

Kakkaji wrote:Old news being confirmed by the Indian ambassador to Russia. No specifics yet on who will be the Indian partner, and where and when in India are these going to be built.

India, Russia to jointly build 200 military choppers

No specifics yet on who handles the spares and what the deal is to ensure Russia ensures proper availability.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 20 Jul 2015 04:56

IAF moves proposal to acquire 48 Mi 17 choppers from Russia to strengthen transport fleet

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has moved a proposal to spend $1.1b (Rs 6,980 cr) to acquire more mediumlift choppers from Russia in a move that would go against the grain of the 'Make in India' concept but offer a vital addition to its transport fleet.

The hardy Mi 17 V5, it seems, will continue to rule the Indian skies as 48 of the choppers are likely to be procured under a repeat order. The new choppers, which will serve in terrains ranging from the desert to high-altitude locations along the China and Pakistan border, will be added to the IAF fleet of 139 Mi 17 V5s that form the backbone of the IAF transport operations.

Sources said the Air Force recently moved the plan that includes maintenance facilities for the choppers as well as an offset obligation of 30%. The operationally proven choppers are much-needed replacements for the older Mi 8 transporters that have reached the end of their service life.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 21 Jul 2015 02:43

What does the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky Aircraft deal mean for India?

Mumbai: Lockheed Martin Corp.’s landmark deal to buy United Technologies Corp.’s Sikorsky Aircraft for over $8 billion could make F-35 fighter jet maker Lockheed also bid in Indian defence deals for military helicopters.
Lockheed Martin agreed to buy Sikorsky unit, Bloomberg reported on Monday.

The acquisition will pave the way for Lockheed Martin to expand its play in India from military fixed-wing platforms to also military rotaries for upcoming tenders like naval utility helicopters and other mission-specific requirements, according to Rahul Gangal, partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, a global strategy consulting firm.

Lockheed Martin is competing for an order for more than $2 billion worth of maritime aircraft. “Sikorsky will have a stronger balance sheet, as well as access to complementary product and payload technologies to make stronger product offers to India. India will also find legal structuring of technology transfer and compliance better as both have demonstratable past track record,” Gangal said.

Lockheed Martin, based in Bethesda, Maryland in the US, and Sikorsky are trying to tempt India with an offering that includes the more capable MH-60R helicopter to fight against ships coupled with the basic MH-60S helicopter to help lower costs, Bloomberg reported separately on Monday, quoting George Barton, vice-president for business development at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors.

India is poised to kick off the competition for a contract to make at least 75 naval helicopters. The maritime helicopter market is unique in that countries have to protect the sea-lines of communications,” Barton said in an interview to Bloomberg at the Euronaval maritime conference at Le Bourget on the northern outskirts of Paris.

Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky, who developed the MH-60R for the US Navy and sold the system to Australia last year, see Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand among potential buyers, Barton said.

Deba R. Mohanty, chairman and chief executive of defence and technology consultancy Indicia Research and Advisory, pointed out that for Lockheed Martin, this actually asks for a realignment of defence business in India and a next phase of collaborative arrangements between Lockheed Martin and prospective Indian partners is not ruled out.

“Buying out of one global giant by another normally denoted two implications. Firstly, it consolidates business, and thus deeper penetration in global market as a formidable supplier. This is a positive for India. Secondly, it also creates challenges of multilateral diplomacy in arms trade. This also has implication for India,” Mohanty said.

In December last year, the Indian Navy had selected Sikorsky aircraft to fulfill the service’s multipurpose helicopter requirement for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare (ASW/ASuW).

Negotiations will now begin to procure 16 S-70B Seahawk helicopters, with an option for eight additional aircraft, along with a complete logistics support and training program, Sikorsky had said in December.

Sikorsky Aircraft is a one of the leaders in the design, manufacture and service of military and commercial helicopters; fixed-wing aircraft; spare parts and maintenance, repair and overhaul services for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft; and civil helicopter operations. Sikorsky helicopters are used by all five branches of the US armed forces, along with military services and commercial operators in 40 nations.

The products of Sikorsky include Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters for defence and S-76 and S-92 helicopters for commercial aviation.
On the other side, Lockheed Martin is the largest US weapons maker.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 21 Jul 2015 10:13

Kakkaji wrote:IAF moves proposal to acquire 48 Mi 17 choppers from Russia to strengthen transport fleet

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has moved a proposal to spend $1.1b (Rs 6,980 cr) to acquire more mediumlift choppers from Russia in a move that would go against the grain of the 'Make in India' concept but offer a vital addition to its transport fleet.

The hardy Mi 17 V5, it seems, will continue to rule the Indian skies as 48 of the choppers are likely to be procured under a repeat order. The new choppers, which will serve in terrains ranging from the desert to high-altitude locations along the China and Pakistan border, will be added to the IAF fleet of 139 Mi 17 V5s that form the backbone of the IAF transport operations.

Sources said the Air Force recently moved the plan that includes maintenance facilities for the choppers as well as an offset obligation of 30%. The operationally proven choppers are much-needed replacements for the older Mi 8 transporters that have reached the end of their service life.

I think Mi 8 / Mi 17 is one of the Russian equipment which we should buy without asking for any competitive bids. It is really good. I believe that AN 32 & Il 76 too are good except for the problem of getting good quality spares.

K

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 21 Jul 2015 21:17

Chhota Bhai has moved fast:

Pipavav joins hands with Russia's JSC to refit submarines

NEW DELHI: Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering today announced the signing of a multi-crore agreement with Russia-based JSC Ship Repairing Centre Zvyozdochka for medium refits and life certification of eight EKM 877 submarines in India.

Kakkaji · Post by **Kakkaji** » 23 Jul 2015 21:08

Chhota Bhai on hyper drive:

Reliance firm ties up with Singapore's Augur in defence business

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani-led Reliance Unmanned Systems has signed a pact with Singapore-based Augur Overseas Operation to manufacture aerostats and airships in India.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 24 Jul 2015 03:20

Why Russian manufacturers are better placed to produce weapon platforms in India

Going by the mainstream media reports both in India and Russia, prominent coverage is being given to the US overtaking Russia as the biggest arms supplier to India. The reports make it look like the prospects of bilateral Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation are bleak. Further oil is being poured in the fire of this misconception by academics relying on obsolete information, but which perfectly fits into the scheme of the ‘sanctions crippled Russia’ rhetoric.

In this climate of negativity, Indian Ambassador P.S. Raghavan’s interview to the Press Trust of India came as a ‘big bang.’ The ambassador unveiled the agreement for manufacturing 200 Kamov helicopters in India. Responding to the question about dilution of India’s defence cooperation with Russia Ambassador Raghavan said,

“This (India-Russia ties) is a huge, broad based relationship, getting broader every day… If two countries decide to manufacture 200 helicopters in India with transfer of technology, and licence production, this is big bang.”

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement at his joint press conference with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2014 that Russia has been and will remain India’s “primary” defence partner, Ambassador Raghavan also noted that more joint projects are in the pipeline and will be announced when they are firmed up.

According to the latest media reports, Russia has picked Anil Ambani’s Pipavav Defence Shipyard for building 3-4 Talwar Class stealth frigates of improved Project 11356 under a government-to-government deal exceeding $3 billion. Earlier, Russia has built six stealth frigates of this class for the Indian Navy.

My recent visit to St. Petersburg to attend the biannual International Maritime Defence Show (IMDS-2015) in early July and my interactions with officials of the Russian military industrial complex (MIC) left a strong impression that their naval shipbuilders have taken Modi government’s ‘Make in India’ challenge not only seriously, but also with enthusiasm.

“Under the Indian Government’s policy of ‘Make in India’ in key defence sectors, the Russian shipbuilding industry is ready to provide ‘critical’ and sensitive technology to India,” Deputy Director General of the state arms exports corporation, Rosoboronexport (ROE), Igor Sevostyanov declared on the sidelines of IMDS-2015.

“We already have a rich experience of cooperation in the production of military aircraft in India, beginning from MiG-21, MiG-27 and now Sukhoi Su-30MKI,” he added while also mentioning the licensed production of T-90 main battle tanks in India

Sevostyanov, however, declined to comment on the reports about the talks on the lease of second nuclear submarine to the Indian Navy.

“Russia has never refused to give India, what it asked for (its defence)”, Sevostyanov said, while interacting with a group of Indian journalists.

Russia also does not rule out creation of several shipbuilding joint ventures in India.

The history of India-Russia naval cooperation goes back to 1960s, when Russia’s oldest submarine design bureau Rubin and oldest shipyard Admiralty, both in St. Petersburg, built the first four Foxtrot class (Kalvari class) diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy.

The Rubin Marine Engineering Design Bureau is a major centre for developing conventional and nuclear submarines and other naval ships. Now Rubin is waiting for India’s tender for the P75-I project for the indigenous construction of 6 new generation diesel-electric submarines.

“Along with the Admiralty Shipyard we will field our new generation Amur submarine with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system allowing it to remain under the sea for a longer time,” Rubin Chief Executive Igor Vilnit said.

According to Vilnit, this submarine could also be equipped with AIP being developed by India. “If India wishes, we can also have provisions for installing Brahmos cruise missiles on this submarine.”

He believes that at least one submarine would have to be built in Russia’s Admiralty Shipyards so that Indian engineers and workers could learn the art of making hi-tech submarines, meanwhile the Indian shipyard could be equipped with necessary machinery.

Admiralty Warf Chief Executive Alexander Buzakov noted that they make four submarines in a year, while in the beginning it could take up to four years building one submarine in India.

Both Rubin and Admiralty Shipyards have a 50-year long history of cooperation with India, when the Soviet Union supplied the Indian Navy with its first Foxtrot class submarine INS Kalvari. So far it has supplied 14 submarines including 10 Kilo class submarines.

“Our cooperation is forward looking. To become a great power in Indian Ocean, India will have to increase the ratio of its nuclear submarines in its subsurface fleet. If our governments take a political decision, we are also ready to help in this,” Vilnit said. Russia’s most potent Borei class nuclear submarine is also designed by Rubin.

At the same time with the help of Rubin, the Zvyozdochka submarine and ship repairing plant is modernising the Indian Navy’s Sindhughosh Kilo class type submarine in Severodvinsk. So far, four submarines have undergone refit after which they can attack not only with torpedoes but also destroy enemy ships and costal installations with Club cruise missiles. One Kilo class submarine is undergoing mid-life refit at Vishakapatnam in India, with help from Zvoyzdochka.

Zvyozdochka General Director Nikolai Kalistratov dreams of creating a submarine repair centre in India, where not only Indian naval submarines, but also Russian built submarines in service with other foreign navies could be repaired.

Frigates, destroyers and submarines, both conventional and nuclear are major assets of the naval force, but modern warfare is an art of integration of battle assets.

Russia’s Morinformsistema-Agat is deeply involved with the Indian Navy in developing its combat management system. Its CEO and Chief Designer Georgy Antsev said many Indian Naval ships including Rajput class destroyers are equipped with combat management systems of his company. He is also enthusiastic about closer cooperation with India in integration of assets, including in costal defence.

He also did not rule out the possibility of integrating the Indo-Russian fifth generation fighter aircraft being developed jointly, with the naval assets.

Like many Russian defence industry people, Antsev also complained about the red tape in India, saying, “What should take one year, takes five.” However, he noted that since the Modi government came to power, things have started moving faster.

To cut the long story short, the India-Russia defence partnership is not limited to bulk supplying of arms, but an institutionalised system geared to make India a great power capable of defending its national interests on land, in air and sea.

One thing is for sure that with growing awareness of threats and challenges to India’s maritime security in Indo-Pacific region, Russia will remain New Delhi’s prime partner in developing Indian Navy’s long strategic reach.

member_26622 · Post by **member_26622** » 24 Jul 2015 03:28

Like the closing statement > To cut the long story short, the India-Russia defence partnership is not limited to bulk supplying of arms, but an institutionalised system geared to make India a great power capable of defending its national interests on land, in air and sea.

Hip Hip Hurray to 'Great Power' capable of 'defending'