Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

vic · Post by **vic** » 13 Mar 2014 13:59

Compare Pvt Sector and Public Sector telecom or airlines, who is doing it better and cheaper?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Mar 2014 15:42

Its better to reform and divest Public sector i.e sell 49 or 51 percent stake to Private vendor , so that you can have private sector management with existing workforce in PSU ...else in future GOI may end up funding pvt and psu

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 13 Mar 2014 18:55

^^ Good idea and lets begin with OFB, but I would also put the clause that being private it has to compete openly. Otherwise OFB will remain OFB but with a pvt sticker on top of it. Also that overall ownership should remain Indian.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 13 Mar 2014 18:57

vic wrote:DRDO should tie up with Pvt Sector and market their design through them, soon Army brass will be happy to provide a level playing field for Indian products too, if you know what I mean.

DRDO wants private sector participation and has been pushing for it for a long time.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140310/n ... drdo-chief

Time has come for private players to produce arms: DRDO chief
DC | S. Sujatha | March 10, 2014, 20.03 pm IST

Chennai: With increased need for domestic production of arms and ammunition, the government should pro-actively take a call on involving private manufacturers in production of defence equipment, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) director general Avinash Chander has said.

Noting that manufacture of ammunition by private companies is a burning question that the government should address in the coming period, the DRDO chief said it would require some kind of policy drive and legislation changes. “Today, explosives are totally handled under government control. But, I think time has come and we have to look for changes in the policy,” added.

Talking on the sidelines of an event at Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi near Chennai on Monday, he said that the DRDO was looking to induct about Rs one or two lakh crore worth of products manufactured domestically in the next 8 to 10 years.

“Our major thrust area will be ammunition and we are going to create Rs 50,000 cr market for ammunition alone. We want to create more indigenous ammunition and armour to be fired from the tank. We are also going to test the artillery shells this year and after the final user evaluation test, it can be inducted,” he added.

On threat from Chinese equipments, which India purchases mainly due to the lowest tender buying process, Chander said that even the US has identified the threat of Chinese communication equipments and added that the issue could be addressed only by having our own indigenous capabilities.

Noting that cyber warfare has become a real concern to all of them, Chander said that the attacks could be of multiple dimensions. “Malwares getting into the system and corrupting it. Disruption of our communication channels especially at critical times and attack on our economic and installations which are networked,” he added.

He also added the country was looking to create a cocoon of security over imported items to prevent cyber peddling and also focus more on domestic production of electronic items including routers and switches. A cyber command centre was also being planned at the national level, according to the DRDO chief.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 15 Mar 2014 10:41

Austin wrote:Its better to reform and divest Public sector i.e sell 49 or 51 percent stake to Private vendor , so that you can have private sector management with existing workforce in PSU ...else in future GOI may end up funding pvt and psu

What is "workforce in PSU" ???

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 15 Mar 2014 10:45

Austin wrote:Its better to reform and divest Public sector i.e sell 49 or 51 percent stake to Private vendor , so that you can have private sector management with existing workforce in PSU ...else in future GOI may end up funding pvt and psu

Is anybody going to buy an OFB with a bloated headcount who have never known what is accountability ?

My suggestion is that pvt sector to be allowed to work with DRDO. Say DRDO make a new weapon XYZ. Let 1/2/3 pvt sector companies quote and let OFB also quote. Go for the lowest / best bid. The pvt sector gives DRDO a good royalty frot he design and development.

K

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 15 Mar 2014 10:46

vic wrote:Compare Pvt Sector and Public Sector telecom or airlines, who is doing it better and cheaper?

Even when Indian Airlines was the only game in town, they running into a loss. How ???

K

raj.devan · Post by **raj.devan** » 15 Mar 2014 17:41

Karan M wrote:^^ Good idea and lets begin with OFB, but I would also put the clause that being private it has to compete openly. Otherwise OFB will remain OFB but with a pvt sticker on top of it. Also that overall ownership should remain Indian.

It is difficult to ensure overall ownership given the complex shareholding patterns of modern corporations.

Take for instance Dassault Aviation which manufactures the Rafale. While 50.55% of the company is owned by the Dassault Group, owned by Serge Dassault and his family, 46% is owned by The Airbus Group, which is registered in The Netherlands and which is its chief rival.

Airbus is itself owned by SOGEADE (which is owned by an entity called SOGEPA which is owned by the French govt), a German group called GZBV, a Spanish group called SEPI (which is owned by the Spanish Government) and by a number of International financial institutions, most of whom are US based.

Even with a minority ownership in Airbus by the French Government, France is just a half percentile away from losing its premier military aviation corporation to a foreign group which itself is 76% owned by American financial investors.

There's always the risk that the Tata or Birla company that has become India's premier supplier of a certain weapons platform, suddenly finds itself in the hands of a foreign group, with the Tatas/Birlas themselves reduced to a 49% ownership.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 17 Mar 2014 11:57

India’s arms imports are now almost 3 times as high as those of the second and third largest arms importers — China and Pakistan.

Pakistan’s weapons import percentages more than Indian figures

vic · Post by **vic** » 17 Mar 2014 12:59

Great news, now in order to maintain our lead, we should also import chaddi and baniyans for special forces, preferably from Italy and Switzerland.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 17 Mar 2014 15:39

Lux Cozi or Amul Macho wont do?

vic · Post by **vic** » 17 Mar 2014 17:17

Lux cozy and Amul shmul will fail Rajasthan heat and Sikkim cold tests, only gora man products displayed in uber showrooms will succeed.

SanjayC · Post by **SanjayC** » 17 Mar 2014 18:01

krishnan wrote:you are getting it wrong, pvt players more than PSU will try to get maximum profits , import from china and others as much as possible and put a made in india stamp. Maybe they might go and buy some foreign companies and use them to get the job done

Why don't these concerns arise when India imports from private players of foreign countries?

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 17 Mar 2014 20:28

chackojoseph wrote:India’s arms imports are now almost 3 times as high as those of the second and third largest arms importers — China and Pakistan.

Pakistan’s weapons import percentages more than Indian figures

This A+B>C+D is a bit simplistic, considering pakis and Chinese aren't at risk against each other but Indians are facing two nuke powers at borders.

Pakis get free doles including from china while China has lots of indegenous capacities that are in expansion mode.

RSoami · Post by **RSoami** » 17 Mar 2014 22:46

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 216377.cms

Italy judge rejects India`s request to recover augusta westland guarantees.

vic · Post by **vic** » 18 Mar 2014 09:28

Good, Italians keep the money and helicopter. We have atlast achieved the pinnacle of success of import policy. Soon the Indian Military will be able to successfully vanquish it's arch enemy - the indigenous defense production.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 18 Mar 2014 09:49

Over the last 10 years

1) We have cancelled the Denel artillery upgrade and Denel anti material rifles

2) Shown significant bureaucratic hold ups in domestic purchases

3) literally added no new capability.

Is the St'and his patrons on India's team??

Now any Govt that comes to power will take at least 5 years to again bring us momentum which was with us in 2004. Pakis will definitely act up since the military balance is in their favour.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 18 Mar 2014 10:07

DRDO set to acquire DO-228 as the new Flight Test Bed | HAL set to roll out modified Dornier

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is all set to acquire a new flight test bed (FTB) in the form of a modified and custom-made Dornier (DO-228) aircraft. The DRDO hopes to reduce the dependency on foreign agencies to carry out the tests, once the desi FTB is rolled out. The platform, being manufactured by Kanpur-based Transport Aircraft Division (TAD) of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), will likely to be with the DRDO by the first week of April. With all modifications, the FTB is expected to cost over Rs 100 crore.
...
...
With the arrival of a new FTB, DRDO hopes that the development time for various projects will come down. "The FTB will come handy for all airborne system evaluations. We hope to test all systems of Tejas, unmanned air vehicles on the FTB. In addition, radars, antennas, radio altimeters, data links and ATOL systems (automatic take-off and landing) will now take the FTB route. So far some limited Indian radars were tested with Israeli help," the official said. DRDO has put two consoles on the yet-to-be-named FTB, with the potential for adding two more.
...
...

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Mar 2014 10:36

Kersi D wrote:Is anybody going to buy an OFB with a bloated headcount who have never known what is accountability ?

If you give it to a banker they can sell it off as Toxic Asset

If GOI is serious to sell of a part of OFB to say a private strategic partner or a group of it .....they need to reform the OFB first , cut of extra flab of workforce and close off non-productive factories or consolidate it to make it attractive for Pvt investors to pump in their money .... it needs political will to do that and thats spanning across any govt.

rkhanna · Post by **rkhanna** » 18 Mar 2014 13:49

[If you give it to a banker they can sell it off as Toxic Asset]

Lol The OFB is a far cry from a Toxic Asset. Considering its a Monopoly with substantial Real Estate assets and a ready consumer base (Army + AF +Navy + Police + Paramilitaries)

The OFB would make a very juicy LBO target...but alas..we live in India

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 20 Mar 2014 08:46

The Scam Saga- What will the new government inherit?
Neelam Mathews
March 3, 2014

Defense Minister A.K Antony, is likely to go down in the history of India's defense as the most ineffective and perhaps most disliked in the military for his apathy to defense requirements resulting in some cases, in tragedy and insecurity of the forces he commands. A recent instance is the submarine battery issue resulting in the death of two young men.

Antony has gone ahead and proven how not to move on papers and in his zest to come out clean, how to freeze the world's largest democracy's defense modernization program. We've become the laughing stock today. For anybody who loses a contract or has a stake, all it calls for a 'complaint,' to put a project on hold.

Isn't it time for us to have some confidence in our own systems, in our own technical evaluation, in our people rather than declaring a project frozen following a news report abroad? It's time for some guidelines. Time to know when to freeze a project, when to blacklist.

Time to stop thinking hazy. For instance, why did we prevent Finmeccanica from participating in Defexpo rather than just Agusta Westland? Does that mean any project associated with that company will be on hold? Are they? And what about ALL others including US companies that somehow embroiled as suppliers in major projects in the west? Will they be stopped from participating too? As an official said: "All men are brothers!"

And ofcourse, the latest -Rolls Royce. Why are we releasing information to the media first without connecting with OEMs- our partners? There is no clarity. Does it now mean that we will look at alternate engines for the Hawk? And, further punish our military desperate for trainers? In the process, also punish innocent Bae Systems - wonder what the contract says on how much we have to shell out to them under such circumstances! The sage continues, as do questions.

And to top it all, what will the new government inherit? What policy will they follow? One hopes they have a backup plan on how to handle this legacy being handed to them. Else, we'll be in a bigger soup than we are in today.And only those with an agenda will benefit.
The new government will have to show it has the guts to stand on its own feet and make decisions on its own without having to depend on other countries to teach us to think.

tushar_m · Post by **tushar_m** » 20 Mar 2014 13:57

Antony freezes defence buys ahead of polls

It will take at least two months for the new government to take over at the Raisina Hill, but the defence ministry has already pulled down the shutter on major capital acquisitions, brushing aside suggestions by major defence contractors to commit on either the $20 billion Dassault Rafale fighter deal or the purchase of six more C-17 Globemaster heavy lift aircraft from Boeing.

South Block sources said defence minister AK Antony had left it to the next government to take a call on hardware acquisitions and was unwilling to give any future commitment to any country or defence contractor. Last month, Antony publicly stated that his ministry had no money left to buy the 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) from Dassault, as it had exhausted 92% of its capital outlay.

It is understood that after Antony’s statement the French aircraft major sent feelers to the highest levels in the Indian government that it was willing to sign a contract for sale of Rafale without any financial commitment.

Rafale was the lowest bidder for the MMRCA contract in 2012 but the deal remains at a negotiating stage.

Similarly, the US defence major Boeing, after announcing that it was closing down the production of C-17 in 2015, used diplomatic-military channels to convey that it could hold on to six heavy-lift aircraft out of the 14 available for sale to India if New Delhi signed a letter of intent even without financial commitment. India already has 10 C-17 strategic lift aircraft, with the option of buying six more of the hugely versatile machine, which is at the heart of New Delhi’s military deterrence vis-à-vis Beijing.

“When the offer was conveyed to defence ministry, the minister let it be known that he was opposed to giving any commitment and wanted the new government to take the call on future acquisitions,” said a senior official.

Antony, for his part, has decided against contesting the Lok Sabha polls and plans to move to Kerala this month.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 20 Mar 2014 16:22

Good riddance.

No Tejas, no Arihant, no howitzer, no MMRCA no Scorpene. Even the Vikramaditya is not battle ready. We must thank our neighbors that they have been so generous with us to not take advantage of our weaknesses.

JTull · Post by **JTull** » 20 Mar 2014 16:22

Brilliant! When in doubt, sit on your hands.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Mar 2014 17:05

putnanja wrote:DRDO set to acquire DO-228 as the new Flight Test Bed | HAL set to roll out modified Dornier

this will probably bite them badly later. small and cheap and agile/scrum sounds good on paper, but as our projects increase in scope and tempo, the need for a bigger plane with better room and power will be sorely felt.

I was thinking a couple of EMB-145 would have been better choice...reasonable capex and opex but big enough to power a AEW radar sized antenna if needed for evals.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 20 Mar 2014 19:13

Indian Design & Development Management Board for and development in aerospace meets

These gents are expected to figure out future of Indian aviation. Its a good move for future defence projects. Hopefully, they do not just fixate on NFGA, Saras, etc. Hopefully, on 6th and 7th gen technologies may be discussed in future.

nash · Post by **nash** » 21 Mar 2014 07:28

Good initiative and good to see manufacturing partner is there from the beginning.

It should include private sector also in all D&D activities.

Lastly, chacko ji i think design is missing in the headline.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 21 Mar 2014 12:59

Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin: "In the military-technical cooperation with India we are heading for an accelerated transition from relations" buyer-seller "to comprehensive cooperation"

Russia's strategic partner in the sphere of military-technical cooperation over the years has been and remains India. On what projects are being realized today with the country, in what ways is Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation, what are its prospects told "Interfax-AVN," Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin.

- Alexander, you have worked a long time in India, a witness and participant in many programs of cooperation between our countries. As in India evaluate the Russian-Indian cooperation in the PTS?

- Indeed, the work in India is linked almost all my diplomatic career, starting from the far 1971 For such a long period of international relations have undergone truly tectonic changes. Segodniya our old and faithful friend - the great India - steadily gaining power and authority as a rising global power. It has become one of the world's major arms importers. In this political and military leadership is considering diversifying sources of military procurement. This approach is understandable and logical. However, it does not mean the inevitable revision or devaluation of military-technical cooperation between our countries.

In India, highly valued the experience and achievements of bilateral cooperation in this key area. Let me remind you that it is developing for the past six decades. During this period, the Indian armed forces were 70% completed with weapons and military equipment of the Soviet and Russian production, the total amount of purchases that exceeded $ 57 billion

Only in 2013 sales to India through the "Rosoboronexport" amounted in value in excess of $ 3.6 billion All this gives grounds to say that the Russian-Indian relations in the sphere of military-technical cooperation has been and remains one of the pillars of our specially privileged strategic partnership. And let not our competitors allegedly ranting about the weakening of the tight connection.

- In recent years, India has repeatedly favored arms manufacturers from other states. Why, in your opinion, is this happening?

- As I said, the world does not stand still, and India is also quite not the same as it was in the 1950s. It can be compared with a rich heiress, whose status allows you to choose almost any "suitors". In the field of defense, the Indian leadership maturely assess national interests and priorities of the country, choosing from the available options, what to some extent corresponds to both the opportunities and challenges facing or objectives. Again, this is quite natural, and we are not jealous.

Strictly speaking, India implemented contracts with our foreign competitors affected only a few specific sectors. The range and volume of Russian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of military-technical cooperation are not comparable with these individual purchases. But we certainly can not rest on our laurels, relying on the fact that India will always meet their military-technical needs with supplies from Russia. Such a naive approach nowadays is untenable. So we're heading to the accelerated transition from the former relationship, "the seller - the buyer" to expand the complex interaction with India, involves the joint development and production of weapons and military equipment.

Shining example - work of the Russian-Indian joint venture "BrahMos", which produces the world's best supersonic cruise missiles. Specialists of the two countries have been cooperating successfully in other projects, including - promising multipurpose fighter (MIT) and multi-role transport aircraft (MTS). Russia's active participation in held in New Delhi in early February, the international exhibition "DefEkspo 2014" confirmed the huge interest in this direction by the Indian partners, and clearly showed - we have something to offer them.

- You mentioned the joint projects to develop a promising multipurpose fighter and multi-role transport aircraft. How are things going with their practical implementation?

- Collaboration on the project promising fighter is based on an intergovernmental agreement on October 18, 2007 from the Indian side it involves corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and from the Russian - "Rosoboronexport" and Aviation Holding Company "Sukhoi".

The project includes the design and development of new generation fighter, which will have such advanced features as stealth, supersonic cruising speed, high maneuverability, highly integrated avionics, enhanced warning system about the situation, the internal accommodation of aircraft weapons, perfect warning system and electronic warfare. The program envisages creation of an advanced multirole fighter and integration of advanced engine with increased thrust.

Supposed to cooperate in joint marketing fighter in third countries. Planned orders for the Indian Air Force - 144 aircraft. Serial production of the first fighters of the new generation - 2020-2022 gg.

Currently approved passport export image plane, signed a general contract on the general conditions of its implementation, harmonized technical requirements for the fighter and the division of the project. The Parties shall hold consultations on the preparation of the contract for development work (OCD).

Our talks and work on this important project going well. If its joint implementation is delayed due to the fact that India has to reallocate financial resources for other purchases, the cost of which unexpectedly increased, the blame for such delays Russian side there is no reason.

The draft joint development and production of multi-role transport aircraft carried out on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement signed in November 2007 and provides, inter alia, the creation of the joint venture on a parity basis in India. In 2008, the head of the Executive of the Indian side - state corporation HAL - handed over a draft contract for the first phase of conceptual design of MTS. In 2011 a branch of the joint venture in Moscow. General contract for the project was signed in May 2012, and a contract for preliminary design - in October of the same year.

In accordance with the contract for design work, a joint Russian-Indian project team. Since the beginning of December 2012, Indian specialists, consisting of 35 persons started joint work with Russia on the basis of JSC "UAC-TA" in Moscow, and in September 2013 completed this milestone. Hand went to consultation on the draft contract for OCD.

So, summing up, I must say - cooperation on these two advanced projects moving forward, and the results are coming soon.

- What can you say about one of the most famous Russian-Indian projects - the Su-30MKI? The press has recently mentioned the need to modernize these aircraft.

- Delivery program of India and the licensed production in this country of Su-30MKI is among the most significant joint projects in MTC. It is carried out by intergovernmental agreement and a general contract signed in 2000 to more than $ 3.34 billion contract, which are involved in the implementation of "Rosoboronexport" Corporation "Irkut" corporation and HAL, provided the transfer of licenses and technical documentation and delivery of technological units for the production of 140 Su-30MKI.

The project is divided into four phases. The first aircraft produced entirely in "Irkut" corporation, and then transferred to the state corporation HAL flyby and supplies to the Indian Air Force, and each subsequent phase would increase the amount of work produced in India.

The success of the program can be judged from the fact that in 2007 and 2012. were signed two additional contracts for the delivery of 82 sets of technology. All contractual obligations are fulfilled by the Russian side in the near future.

As for the modernization of the fleet of Indian Su-30MKI, it carried the Indian Air Force with the direct participation of the HAL and Defence Research and Development Ministry of Defence of India (DRDO). From Russia, where it is planned to upgrade the prototype aircraft, the main executor of works is a company "Sukhoi". During the consultation process in general agreement on the technical parameters of the aircraft and upgrade options. Continue to discuss the technical and commercial aspects, the division of the project, preparation of contract schedule.

Of great interest is the ongoing project of integration missile "BrahMos" in the armament of the Su-30MKI, which began in November 2008, already proposed by the Russian participants agreed technical specification adapted plane defined procedure, schedule and responsibilities of the parties in the course of work. In October 2010, the Indian side handed over a draft contract.

In December 2012 the "Rosoboronexport" and JV "BrahMos" signed a contract to perform conceptual design to adapt the missile for the Su-30MKI. Contractor under the contract is the company "Sukhoi". According to statements by management of "BrahMos", the project has successfully promoted, and this year will begin flight tests of air version of the missile, intended to arm the Su-30MKI.

- Can the success of the PTS transformed into work in other areas, such as civil? It is known that Russia now attaches great importance to the development and civil aircraft.

- These features are sure to have. Potential for mutually beneficial cooperation is very great. It is no secret that the company "Sukhoi Civil Aircraft" in talks with major Indian carriers on the promotion and operation of the Russian aircraft Sukhoi Superjet-100 (SSJ-100) in India. In February 2011, the ship was in international air show Aero India 2011 in Bangalore, and a year later - in the international air show India Aviation 2012 in Hyderabad.

Responses allow specialists optimistic about the prospects of our aircraft in the Indian civil aviation market, especially against the background of the country are seeing rapid growth in regional passenger traffic.

It is important that the Russian side did not lose the initiative, acting aggressively and flexibly, taking into account the high level of competition. From this perspective, we can only welcome the active participation of leading Russian companies and enterprises in the exhibition held in Hyderabad, India Aviation 2014, within which was a presentation of SSJ-100 aircraft for the aviation authorities of India and foreign aviation companies, and negotiations were held with prospective customers Plane the timing and financing schemes supplies aftermarket organization, training flight and technical personnel.

Simultaneously Corporation "Irkut" is actively seeking partners for connecting Indian aviation companies on international cooperation in the production and promotion of the Indian market and the region of the main prospective MS-21 aircraft. In 2012 she presented the layout of the aircraft cabin at the exhibition India Aviation 2012, and in 2013 - held a series of presentations for the MS-21 aviation authorities of India and Indian airlines.

In this separate activity Obediennoy Aircraft Corporation is finding an industrial partner in India the number of companies with significant financial resources and manufacturing experience in the field of high-tech products. On this subject held talks with representatives of private business, and with officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Thus, the necessary preconditions for the promotion of Russian aircraft to the Indian market. There is every reason to hope that these efforts will be successful.

- It is known that India is planning to start work on creating his own project of civil aircraft. In your opinion, whether Russia can take part in this work?

- In India, really prepares targeted program for financing the development and establishment of a national passenger aircraft. It provides a choice of a foreign partner on the basis of an international tender for the serial production and transfer of rights to the design and construction of aircraft state corporation HAL. Given the experience of cooperation with the KLA HAL, connection Russian partners in the project seems to be very reasonable.

In general, this trend bodes very attractive prospects that was, in particular, it is recognized by both parties at the November 2013 meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation. I am convinced that the further strengthening and expanding cooperation in the field of civil aviation between Russian and Indian companies and organizations in our common interest and will bring bilateral cooperation in high-tech industries to a new level.

http://www.aviaport.ru/digest/2014/03/20/279599.html

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 31 Mar 2014 19:09

http://idrw.org/?p=35649
India asks U.S to Sell mine-resistant vehicles to be left behind in Afghanistan

In a bid to avoid a Sukma like disaster — where 16 paramilitary security personnel were killed in a Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh — the government has decided to approach Washington to purchase state-of-the-art mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles, which the US forces will leave behind in Afghanistan after they pull-out of the country this year.

The spadework for the acquisition has already begun through the foreign military sales route with Pentagon inclined to sell “excess defence articles” to India rather than be captured by Taliban forces after the drawdown.
While South Block has asked its officials to prepare for the specifications of the MRAPs, there are five categories of some 3,800 vehicles currently in Afghanistan. Called Cougar or Buffalo, these more than 14-tonne vehicles with V-shaped hulls, have minimised the US forces casualties in improvised explosive device blasts and ambush, both in Iraq and Afghanistan.

US has given some 20 such vehicles to Pakistan under the coalition support programme. The V-shaped hulls that can deflect blasts from more than 150 kg IEDs — routinely used by Indian Maoists — have a six-inch thick bullet-proof glass, can run on flat tires and have a maximum speed of up to 100 kmph.

“The Americans first offered the MRAPs to defence ministry some years ago without avail. This time the request has come from home ministry as these vehicles will help in transportation of troops as well as improve patrolling on the main highways in south Chhattisgarh,” said a senior ministry of external affairs official.

Although the casualties in the Tongpal ambush were partly due to violation of standard operating procedures by the security forces and in spite of actionable intelligence, it was decided at a high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde that troopers needed extra protection with Maoists using planned attacks and area weapons. It was then that the MEA was alerted to approach Pentagon for sale of MRAPs under the bilateral Homeland Security programme.

abhik · Post by **abhik** » 31 Mar 2014 20:13

^^^
Would be an excellent buy. Wish the Army had done the same and got some much needed kit like M109 artillery etc instead of waiting for new gold plated maal.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 31 Mar 2014 20:14

+1
I am great fan of uncle's boneyards. plenty of useful kit to be harvested there.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 31 Mar 2014 20:20

abhik wrote:^^^
Would be an excellent buy. Wish the Army had done the same and got some much needed kit like M109 artillery etc instead of waiting for new gold plated maal.

No money to be made from FMS

vic · Post by **vic** » 31 Mar 2014 20:53

Fms is a single vendor non competitive sweet heart deal.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 31 Mar 2014 21:04

^^^^^

A nation is free to negotiate directly with the vendor.

IIRC India went the FMS for the C-17, but directly for the support. ?????

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 02 Apr 2014 12:44

Defence Minister A K Antony has been severely criticised for his handling of the ministry. Is it indecisiveness or is it incompetence?

Mr Antony is a very good human being. He is very honest, he has great regard and concern for the armed forces.

His problem is that the people who are in the ministry -- the bureaucracy -- tend to exploit things that don't happen.

For example -- if you were to say 'Sir, this will result in a major scandal', whether it results or not -- obviously, you have scared the man.

When your integrity and honesty is very high, you are absolutely upright, the first thing you will say is 're-examine it'. After that, the bureaucracy will send that file for re-examination and for 6 months it won't come back and there will be no decision.

http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/s ... 0402.htm#3

Sanjay · Post by **Sanjay** » 03 Apr 2014 05:02

Following on from a discussion on the aviation thread, is there any information on the indigenous content (% by item) of items like the T-72, Milan, Konkurs, T-90, BMP-2 and ammunition manufactured in India ?

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 03 Apr 2014 05:27

vic wrote:Fms is a single vendor non competitive sweet heart deal.

".... and may help lower unit costs by consolidating purchases for FMS customers with those of DoD. "

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/cpic/ic/off ... _sales.htm

+ Offsets

-No bribes

Bottom line:

DoD unit prices

No bribes

On time delivery

Cons:

Sanctions

Back doors

EUMA

Price/quality wise = sweetheart deal. Sanctionability , not so much.

But Pakis have used US equipment against us despite FMS restrictions.

Best bet. Buy local. If not, buy something that works, does not further corruption and actually works and is delivered on time on a contractual basis.

Else face the Augusta Westland / Vikramaditya/MiG 29/SU 30 disasters.

Moi, I'm for max local. Problem is AKA-47, MoD, OFB, PSU cabal

JMT

tushar_m · Post by **tushar_m** » 03 Apr 2014 20:35

Japan set to sell US-2 plane to India, first sale of hardware used by military

As many as 15 maybe purchased "old news"

Now easy to process

Japan to relax arms export ban

tushar_m · Post by **tushar_m** » 04 Apr 2014 10:00

IAF floats RFI on intermediate trainer

The inevitable has happened. With the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd HJT-36 intermediate jet trainer delayed beyond the IAF's planned induction schedule, a global RFI has been floated requesting global OEMs to pitch their products for a possible future acquisition. The IAF currently has Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II trainers for basic training and Hawk Mk.132 trainers for advanced lead-in training. With its ageing Kirans on their way out, the IAF desperately needs new intermediate Stage-II trainers to fill the yawning gap. HAL's HJT-36 was to have joined the training fleet in June 2012, but has been delayed for a plethora of reasons, including a series of accidents and so-far insurmountable odds in proving crucial safety and recovery features in field trials.

In the RFI, the IAF has stipulated that the aircraft should be easy to fly and have good control response/agility. The flying qualities should preferably conform to Mil-F-8785C and Mil Std 1797-A. The aircraft should demonstrate the following qualities: (a) Stalling. An unmistakable natural stall warning should be available, irrespective of the configuration. (b) Spinning. The aircraft must be resistant to spin but it should be possible to perform intentional spin up to six turns to either side and recover safely thereafter. The aircraft behaviour in the spin should be predictable and consistent. (c) Aerobatics The IJT should be capable of performing loops, barrel rolls, rolls, combination manoeuvres and negative ‘g’ flight without adverse effects on the engine and aircraft structure. The aircraft should be capable of sustained inverted flight for at least 30 seconds at sea level at maximum take-off power.

The aircraft has also been specifically described as a counter-insurgency platform in the RFI. To that end, the IAF has also stipulated that the aircraft should be capable of carrying at least 1000 kg of external load. The aircraft should be equipped with a minimum of five hard points and each hard point on the wing should be stressed to carry at least 300 kg stores. The aircraft should be free from buffet, dutch roll, snaking and wing rock during air to ground weapon training. The aircraft should be capable of employing the following armament: (a) Gun. A light weight gun/ gun-pod with adequate ammunition for at least five seconds of firing time. (b) Rocket Pods. Reusable rocket pods. (c) Bombs. Should be able to carry at least 4x250 kg retarded or ballistic bombs. The stations should be capable of employing Carrier Bomb Light Stores (CBLS) type of dispensers for carriage of practice bombs (25 lbs and three Kg).

Given concerns over the performance of the HJT-36, the IAF has gone into great detail over the flight envelope requirements of the desired aircraft. According to the RFI, the aircraft should be safely operable accelerations of up to +7.0 g and -2.5 ‘g’ in Normal Training Configuration* (NTC). With external stores (other than empty Drop tank) the aircraft should be cleared for operations at accelerations up to +5g and -1.5g. Service ceiling should be at least 9000m. In the NTC, the maximum speed in flight must not be less than 750 kmph CAS and the ac should not display any marked compressibility effects up to 0.75 M. The maximum sustained speed at sea level must be at least 700 kmph in NTC and 550 kmph at maximum AUW. In clean configuration, the 1’g’ stalling speed must not exceed 175 kmph with all services retracted. In the NTC, the IJT should have a glide ratio of 1:12 or better.

Vendors likely to respond to the RFI by April 4 include Yakovlev, Alenia Aermachhi, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Boeing, Saab, Northrop-Grumman and Beechcraft.

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 06 Apr 2014 05:41

Antony's Red Flag on Deals to Slow Bullish Successors

What sort of legacy is this man leaving behind?? Is he our worst ever defence minister??