India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

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Sagar G
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

Karan M wrote:Again, you are missing the point. The researching agency is making a method to convert it. This is about whether it makes sense to do so given the losses involved. If you can find a source that addresses this specific point, then that's addressed. None of this addresses that:
Don't take it personally saar but I have a problem with this attitude. Here it's automatically assumed that the persons researching about the same haven't thought about this aspect and they have simply gone ahead and made an uneconomical product. The link says that they are looking for commercialization, every designer is taught to mind the economical aspect of their design i.e. if they want their product to be successful then it has to make economical sense. Now looking that they are commercializing their product it's good enough indicator to me that their product makes economical sense and that's why they are commercializing it. Now if anybody has any problem with this then he/she must come up with data to support their theory other than merely passing negative comment.
Karan M wrote:Employment generation and augmentation dont mention the costs involved.

At best, this can be looked at as a strategic technology wherein we use another source of energy say nuclear power (eg electricity for transportation, power for irrigation/misc items) to create/set up this jatropha based source for other uses which cant directly rely on the former..(vehicles which run on HSD or equivalent)
I agree that they haven't provided enough data about the initial investment required and the running cost but even if it's used only in the strategic sector isn't it good enough to be commended ???
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

Sagar G wrote:Don't take it personally saar but I have a problem with this attitude. Here it's automatically assumed that the persons researching about the same haven't thought about this aspect and they have simply gone ahead and made an uneconomical product. The link says that they are looking for commercialization, every designer is taught to mind the economical aspect of their design i.e. if they want their product to be successful then it has to make economical sense. Now looking that they are commercializing their product it's good enough indicator to me that their product makes economical sense and that's why they are commercializing it. Now if anybody has any problem with this then he/she must come up with data to support their theory other than merely passing negative comment.
Critiquing what they are doing is not passing a negative comment. The researchers are open about why they are doing it. They claim employment, they claim pollution, but they don't claim overall cost/economics. If the economics were so clear cut, they would have advertised it.

Similarly about Jatropha, that program had its origins in some request from defence in part but there were significant doubts about its widespread commercial applicability for several years now. Just because its been developed does not mean that the persons researching about the methods have worked out everything in the entire value chain from the perspective of economics. They were just given a mandate & as researchers, they research & are seeking commercial applications.

Above, I gave you a direct link about the problems with biofuels worldwide (not just India BTW) & fact is biofuels, solar power (the comparison btw) all have gaping holes in their economic implementation & usually requires substantial subsidy & all sorts of compromises from the Govt. Of course all this is in comparison to existing sources of power. If those go belly up, then the economics for the former become the only game there is!

So clearly, the jatropha thing is a useful tool in India's toolbox for addressing energy issues but its probably not the golden pill by any means, in the current scenario. Personally, my concern about biofuels is water. Until and unless we fix that, these things will remain a bit of a niche feel good story.
I agree that they haven't provided enough data about the initial investment required and the running cost but even if it's used only in the strategic sector isn't it good enough to be commended ???
The lack of details speaks volumes, but biofuels generally, the energy we put in versus energy derived from the fuel itself. Plus there are issues of acreage to grow this (non arable land proposed but details not worked out) and water (again, initial yield was bad so they went for new plants/hybrids), plus the investment required for the infra to extract fuel, plus the energy for transportation & extraction.

All said & done, the strategic sector can benefit from such niche technologies, but durairajs original comment (as harsh as it was) about the thermodynamic cycle viz these biofuels still rings true. I'd be glad if it was not, and the CSIR guys worked out a new Jatropha variant to address all the concerns about previous efforts.

It might be a game changer in the rural areas if thats the case. I mean, a stable local source of fuel as versus imports but cost/per energy unit will be the determiner for mass adoption.
Last edited by Karan M on 04 May 2015 16:24, edited 1 time in total.
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

About the plastics issue there is still that same thing.. its all about cost basically, if you put more energy in to get the fuel< cost of imports than former isnt ready for mass adoption. But for strategic gains, its a plus and there any tool in our box is a plus.
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

Sagar G wrote:Ok I dug some info about the same from their site and they are ready to commercialize their technology so they are pretty serious about it.
Waste Plastics to fuel & Petrochemicals

To develop a fully feasible process for the conversion of waste plastics (polyolefin’s) to value added hydrocarbons e.g. gasoline, diesel and aromatics

Salient Features:
The process is completely environment friendly as no toxic substances are evolved or left over

The process has the potential of augmenting the high value petroleum products as well as providing an environmentally sound method for their disposal.

Adoption of these process can help in keeping the urban and semi-urban areas free from plastics as well as generation of employment and improvement in economic status of lower strata of society
A bit more info

WASTE PLASTICS TO FUEL & AROMATICS: An ecofriendly approach:
Plastics are desirable commodities which provide enormous economic benefits to the society. However the non biodegradability of these plastics has made their disposal a serious environmental concern. All the commonly employed disposal methods have inherent disadvantages and are not suitable for the ever increasing amount of waste plastics being generated. The littering of these wastes has resulted in a general deterioration of hygiene in urban areas as well as threat to the biodiversity in earth`s land and marine region alike.

IIP has developed a unique process by which waste plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene which account for 60 % of the plastics being consumed can be converted to either gasoline or diesel or aromatics alongwith simultaneous production of LPG in each case. 1 Kg of clean waste polyethylene can produce either ~ 750 ml of automotive grade gasoline or ~ 850 ml of automotive grade or ~ 500 ml of aromatics which is rich in petrochemical feedstocks like toluene and xylene. The process is completely environment friendly as no toxic substances are evolved or left over.

The process has the potential of augmenting the high value petroleum products as well as providing an environmentally sound method for their disposal. Adoption of these process can help in keeping the urban and semi-urban areas free from plastics as well as generation of employment and improvement in economic status of lower strata of society like rag pickers etc thereby becoming a boon to the society.
Photu of their setup

Image

Any thermodynamic inspired kamments ???
I really really wish they put up an economic analysis along with such stuff & also the plan (partner/GOI /pvt) for such programs. Otherwise its like a solution waiting for a problem and people will let it wither away. The researchers will move on to other things or leave.
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

A tool that hurts you is useless.
This type of Krishna Menon pressure cookers type of activity should be curbed.
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

To be fair though, this is not DRDO or DPSU activity per se or defence activity in which case it may have been whimsical (if not directly tied to a defence or strategic program), this is CSIR led and entirely within their mandate.

For instance, at Jamshedpur re: similar (if not the same usage of waste plastics etc). We need such stuff, because otherwise even this will be imported at a huge cost.

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/ev ... 32246.html
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

So essentially someone posted a CSIR research project in this thread and successfully wasted quite a few posts.

Non-DRDO related posts should go in Tech Forum.
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

Karan M wrote:Uncertainty dogs a leaderless DRDO

http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 830_1.html

Another FUD article by Honorable Shuklaji.

He sure appears to have an axe to grind.

I would like Satheesh Reddy (age 52) to be appointed DRDO chief and let him have long tenure to bring in change.
pankajs
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by pankajs »

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 171102.cms
Make in India: Navy wants DRDO to develop 100 advanced technologies in 10-15 years - Rajat Pandit
Admiral Robin Dhowan on Tuesday said "a long-term naval technology roadmap" is now in place after extensive consultations with the Defence Research and Development Organization and other stakeholders.

"We have put the 'Make in India' thrust on an overdrive. The focus in the roadmap is on weapons, sensors and cutting-edge technologies, with certain milestones and required timelines," said the Navy chief, talking exclusively to TOI.

As of now, India has achieved 90% indigenisation in the "float" (hull, superstructure) component of a warship through the development of high-grade steel by DRDO and SAIL, among other things. But the "move" (propulsion) and "fight" (weapons and sensors) components lag behind at 50-60% and 30%, respectively.

"The 'fight' component has been made a thrust area, with talks even being held with production agencies like defence PSUs as well as the private sector. Close to a hundred technologies have been identified, which range from guns and missiles to different kinds of radars and sonars," said the Navy chief.

DRDO will certainly have to deliver in the timeframes required to avoid situations like last year's commissioning of 6,800-tonne destroyer INS Kolkata, the largest-ever warship to be built in India, without the critical long-range surface-to-air missile system.

Apart from the warships already on order, the Navy is also gearing up to kick-off two major projects. The first one is the over Rs 50,000 crore Project-75-India to build six new-generation stealth submarines, with both land-attack missile capabilities and air-independent propulsion for greater underwater endurance, to be built in an Indian shipyard with foreign collaboration.

The second is the one to fast-track finalization of the long-pending ambitious plan to indigenously construct the country's largest-ever aircraft carrier, the 65,000-tonne INS Vishal. "The project report (being prepared by the Navy) has to be very thorough ... it cannot be a hasty job. We are also looking at nuclear propulsion but nothing has been frozen yet," said Admiral Dhowan.

"The report will be submitted to the government soon. We would like to leverage the country's shipbuilding capability, both in the private and public sector, for this very important project," he added.

The urgency is essential since the Navy plans to retire one of its two existing aircraft carriers, the ageing 56-year-old INS Viraat, by early-next year. This will leave the force with just the 44,400-tonne INS Vikramaditya, the refurbished Admiral Gorshkov inducted from Russia at a cost of $2.33 billion in November 2013. The 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier or INS Vikrant being built at Cochin Shipyard, in turn, will be ready for induction only by 2018-2019 after a long delay, as reported by TOI earlier.
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

Some good news for local R&D
• BEL has signed a MoU with RCI, Hyderabad to develop and manufacture Inertial Navigation Systems(INS) for various land based appl
ications. This also will be a new business area for BEL.
BEL has signed MoUs with LRDE(Electronics and Radar Development Establishment) for the joint development of next generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) based Surveillance Radars & Fire Control Radars. Prototype development of these Radars is under progress. This initiative is expected to translate into business for BEL in the coming 3 to 4 years.
BEL has planned to diversify into Missile Electronics and has signed a MoU with Research Centre Imarat(RCI), Hyderabad to develop and manufacture RF seekers used in ASTRA Missile program based on ToT from Agat, Russia. BEL has also taken up indigenous development of Integrated Seeker Electronics unit, Ku band synthesizer / exciter and Front end receiver for use in ASTRA Missile. This will be a new business area for BEL.
Committee on Public Undertakings BEL Report 2015
Vipul
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Vipul »

The Indian space agency is set to test its sophisticated, indigenously-built, multi-object tracking radar (MOTR) on a rocket flight next month while formal commissioning is expected to take three months time, said a senior official.

"The MOTR designed and developed by Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) will be tested next month during a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) rocket flight. The formal commissioning of the system is expected to happen three months down the line," SDSC director M.Y.S. Prasad told reporters here.

The space scientists with justifiable pride were showcasing the state-of-the art radar that can track 10 objects simultaneously objects up to 30cm by 30cm at distance of 800 km. In case of objects of 50cm by 50 cm size, the radar can track at a slant range of 1,000 km.

"The Rs.245 crore MOTR can be termed as the classic example of a 'Make in India' project," Prasad said. According to him, a similar radar would cost around Rs.800 crore in the international markets and is mainly used for defence purposes.

"The software for operating the system and analysing the data was developed in-house and around Rs.100 crore value could be put for that," said V.Seshagiri Rao, the former project director. To the best of his knowledge only select group of countries have the capacity to build such radars in the world, Prasad said.

Prasad said Raythaeon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, of the US, Thales, Canada-Europe, Elta of Israel and NEC of Japan have the capability to make such systems.

With this radar, ISRO acquires the capacity to handle its future missions involving atmospheric re-entry of space modules, having a protective eye on its space assets and track space debris.

Currently ISRO uses the space debris data provided by US space agency NASA. The commissioning of MOTR would provide real time data for ISRO.

"The project got the green signal in 2012 with a target to get the radar ready by February 2015 which was achieved," Prasad said.Excepting the radome that houses the radar, all other systems were domestically sourced.

"The radome which is radio frequency transparent was not available in the country," said P. Vijaya Saradhi, group director, management system area.Elaborating on the features of the radar, S.V.Subba Rao said the phased array radar antenna is stationary while its beam generated by 4,608 radiating elements can be steered.

He said the radar weighing 35 ton, 12 metre long and 8 metre tall rectangular could be turned in different directions and will be used to meet the range safety purposes during a rocket launch here.

According to Subba Rao, it is important to track all the targets of a rocket simultaneously for which MOTR would be used. The radar can also be used for vertical wind profiling and also be used at airports.
Hobbes
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Hobbes »

The Indian space agency is set to test its sophisticated, indigenously-built, multi-object tracking radar (MOTR) on a rocket flight next month while formal commissioning is expected to take three months time, said a senior official.
Is there any cross-pollination or cooperation between the radar section of ISRO, DRDO/ LRDE, CABS, SAMEER etc., or do these agencies work independently, possibly wasting significant resources in reinventing the same wheel?
vaibhav.n
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by vaibhav.n »

New Projects DRDO

When asked about the new projects, the Ministry in a written note submitted the following information:

Project Title Cost ( Rs. in Cr)
1. Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 1540.74
2. Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QR-SAM) 476.43
3. Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) for LCA (Uttam) 459.65
4. Satellite based Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Payload “Kautilya” 432.80
5. Electronic Warfare System for Ships, Aircraft and Helicopters for Navy “Samudrika” 342.29
6. Post Development Support of Airborne Early Waning and Control (AEW&C) System 314.32
7. Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite for Jaguar Upgrade 268.27
8. Development of 155/52 Towed Artillery Gun system (ATAGS) 247.90
9. Dornier based Flying Test Beds (Fixed wing, Rotary wing) 173.48
10. Development of Submarine Periscope 163.77
11. Augmentation of Environmental Test Facility for Warheads and Electronics Systems 121.17
12. Advanced Light Weight Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS) 114.42
13. Girishakti 56.80
14. Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) 56.58
15. Prahaar for PGAD 56.30

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STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE REPORT
DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (2014-2015) DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

vaibhav.n wrote:New Projects DRDO

When asked about the new projects, the Ministry in a written note submitted the following information:

Project Title Cost ( Rs. in Cr)
1. Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 1540.74
2. Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QR-SAM) 476.43
3. Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) for LCA (Uttam) 459.65
4. Satellite based Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Payload “Kautilya” 432.80

5. Electronic Warfare System for Ships, Aircraft and Helicopters for Navy “Samudrika” 342.29
6. Post Development Support of Airborne Early Waning and Control (AEW&C) System 314.32
7. Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite for Jaguar Upgrade 268.27
8. Development of 155/52 Towed Artillery Gun system (ATAGS) 247.90
9. Dornier based Flying Test Beds (Fixed wing, Rotary wing) 173.48
10. Development of Submarine Periscope 163.77
11. Augmentation of Environmental Test Facility for Warheads and Electronics Systems 121.17
12. Advanced Light Weight Towed Array Sonar (ALTAS) 114.42
13. Girishakti 56.80
14. Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) 56.58
15. Prahaar for PGAD 56.30

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE REPORT
DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (2014-2015) DEFENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION

Good projects.

Would like to know more about #14 SAAW.
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

SAAW is either a purpose built deep penetrator type munition or a munition dispenser with similar attack capabilities. IMHO.

Meanwhile, some good news (finally!) on ADE UAVs.

Rustom Ready for Take Off
https://www.myind.net/rustom-ready-take
Rustom-1 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is poised to achieve Automatic Takeoff and Landing (ATOL) capability, setting the project up to become as stellar Make-in-India success story.

The Indian Army has been holding off orders for the drone awaiting ATOL capability, which would make the drone easier to operate. Currently, Rustom-1 is externally piloted during takeoff and landing.

Besides, being accident prone, external piloting imposes a short take-off run so as not to tax the pilot, which in turn limits the fuel and payload that the drone can carry. ATOL would allow Rustom-1 to achieve its designed endurance of 8 hours and altitude ceiling of 8000 meters.

Rustom-1 is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO lab engaged in R&D work in the field of aeronautics, as a replacement for the Israeli supplied Searcher-II UAV.

Rustom-1 recently demonstrated its long endurance maritime surveillance capability in the coastal region of South India.

Automatic takeoff is relatively easier to achieve - sensors fitted on the drone detect any drift from the runway centerline and the autopilot immediately corrects the drift. An automatic landing system is more complex, since the UAV has to be automatically aligned to the runway can then brought down along an optimum glideslope.
vaibhav.n
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by vaibhav.n »

Been saying it from the beginning, 8 hours endurance will just not cut it especially as they replace the searchers. If you look at the parliamentary committee report, IA just placed an order for 1600crs for Herons last year.
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

KaranM, Maybe SAAW is a missile based/cluster sub-munition for air fields. Recall S Reddy interview.
Sagar G
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

vaibhav.n wrote:Been saying it from the beginning, 8 hours endurance will just not cut it especially as they replace the searchers.
Rustam 1 was meant only as a TD till IN showed interest in inducting the same and they are the one's who will order it not IA.
Saurav Jha @SJha1618 · May 19

The Indian Navy rather than the Army will be Rustom-I's first customer.
IN knows what it wants and it can be further developed as well.
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

ramana wrote:KaranM, Maybe SAAW is a missile based/cluster sub-munition for air fields. Recall S Reddy interview.
srai wrote:
ramana wrote:{quote="srai"}^^^

Saurav Jha had an illuminating interview with Dr Reddy (RCI). We get a glimpse of things to come.
[url=http://m.ibnlive.com/blogs/sauravjha/29 ... marat.html]Seeking the future: An interview with Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Director Research Centre Imarat{/url}
  • MMW seeker for lightweight PGMs and next generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM)
  • X-band seeker for anti-ship applications
  • Ku-band seeker for anti-aircraft applications
  • IIR seekers with target acquisitions out to 6-7 kms
  • system on chips for smart bombs

I can't read the blog.

Please post the interview here.

Thanks in advance.
ramana
Seeking the future: An interview with Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Director Research Centre Imarat
Friday , September 12, 2014 at 14 : 58

The brainchild of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Research Centre Imarat is India's premier missile sub-systems laboratory. With a vast forested campus RCI is the jewel in DRDO's missile crown and is today an institution doing cutting edge research and development in missile guidance systems, control and actuation, onboard computing and even batteries. Moreover under the leadership of its current director Dr G Satheesh Reddy, RCI is graduating to full systems development for precision guided munitions (PGMs). Dr Reddy, a DRDO 'outstanding scientist', has numerous awards to his credit and is a leadinglight in the field of military navigation and sensing technology today. Geek at Large caught up with him in his RCI office...

SauravJha: Dr Reddy, do you feel that India's delivery capability is potent enough over ranges of 5000 kms or more, given that we presently lack a global navigation satellite system of our own and must rely on foreign constellations for updates to remove accumulated errors in the inertial navigation system (INS)?

Satheesh Reddy: Jamming or spoofing over the entire trajectory of 5-6000 km is not really a feasible proposition for anybody given the altitude and the orientation of the missile antenna. Moreover you would note that we are fielding systems that can receive multi-constellation updates. Receivers can also be designed to work in jamming conditions by employing things like null steering antennas. Yes it is possible that the signal itself may be turned off over a stretch approaching the target. Nevertheless the ring laser gyroscope (RLG) based INS used in our long range missiles gives sufficient accuracy for credible strategic deterrence on its own under any circumstances.

Image
Fig 1: Ring Laser Gyroscope based INS + satellite receiver

SauravJha: Talking about tactical systems, what kind of optical gyroscopes are they using at the moment?

Satheesh Reddy: Fibre Optic Gyroscopes (FOG) mostly. Akash uses a FOG for example. In fact FOG technology is quite mature and FOGs arebeing produced in numbers. 200 FOGs for instance were recently delivered for the Akash program. FOGs are also being used for Tanks. We have FOGs of bias drift less than 0.01 degree per hour at the prototype stage currently. These are meant for ship based applications.

SauravJha: And what would you say about the state of RLG technology at RCI?

Satheesh Reddy: Well, it's 'state of the art'. World standard navigation grade RLGs are quite mature here.

Image
Fig 2: New MEMS based INS with satellite receiver

SauravJha: Where are these RLGs built?

Satheesh Reddy: They are built in and around the RCI campus.

SauravJha: Under a government owned company operated (GOCO) format?

Satheesh Reddy: Similar. Our first GOCO facility is actually the one that builds electrohydraulic servo valves.

SauravJha: Will the proposed new detector facility also be built on this campus?

Satheesh Reddy: No not here. In any case we aren't really being denied high accuracy focal point arrays (FPAs) nowadays.

SauravJha: Dr Reddy, the recently unveiled missile autonomy mission will see the development of tactical missiles that would clearly need seekers for the end game. In that context would you tell us more about the radio frequency (RF) seeker technology being developed here in RCI?

Satheesh Reddy: On the RF seeker front, we have quite a few developments taking place. We have developed a millimeter wave (MMW) seeker that is being produced by private industry. This MMW seeker is capable of both lock-on-after-launch(LOAL) and lock-on-before-launch(LOBL) configurations.

Image
Fig 3: MMW seeker

SauravJha: What is the MMW seeker meant for?

Satheesh Reddy: It is meant for PGMs and for the next generation anti-radiation missile (NGARM).

SauravJha: PGMs of the kind?

Satheesh Reddy: Like the lightweight PGM under development here in RCI at the moment. This PGM has already been test-fired from an unmanned aerial vehicle and a sizeable number can also be carried by a missile like the Prithvi or by an aircraft like the Su-30 MKI. The Prithvi configuration can be used for attacking runways for example.

Continuing on the RF seeker front, RCI is also developing a Ku-band seeker for anti-aircraft applications. This is a scaled down version of an existing active radar seeker developed by us and is a requirement for the Astra. System qualification is expected to commence early next year.

An X-band seeker for anti-ship applications is also being pursued very seriously and trials will be held in the first quarter of 2015.

SauravJha: Turning to IIR seekers, Dr Reddy what is the status of the new seeker for the Nag? Will it satisfy the Army's requirement of achieving target acquisition at a range of 4 km even in the most trying desert conditions?

Satheesh Reddy: That seeker is headed for trials this year. It can actually be used out to 6-7 kms in better conditions.

Image
Fig 4: New IIR seeker

SauravJha: And has work begun on a two colour seeker?

Satheesh Reddy: Design work is under way. We expect it to head for developmental trials in 2016.

SauravJha: Dr Reddy, what is the state of atomic interferometry in India?

Satheesh Reddy: Work has started in Academic and Research institute s. The focus is currently on cold atoms etc.

SauravJha: Coming back to RF seekers, how would you characterize India's current manufacturing capability in this sphere?

Satheesh Reddy:There are at least 5-6 domestic companies now both private and public who are doing credible RF seeker work. With four of them right here in Hyderabad. BEL also has a very good RF practice. As I told you earlier the MMW seeker is already being produced by our companies.

Image
Fig 5: Electro-mechanical actuator (linear)

SauravJha: Dr Reddy to wrap up, what are the kind of munitions expected to have system on chips for their onboard computing requirements?

Image
Fig 6: System on Chip

Satheesh Reddy: Well, things like smart bombs.
[/quote]


SAAW is a smart bomblet referred to in above interview for Prithvi to attack runways.
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

Somebody had posteds the link to DSA Jan 2015
In it on page 46 is an interview with OFB General Manager Mr. M.C. Bansal
D GOF and Chairman, Ordnance
Factory Board MC Bansal is a
Mechanical Engineer from IIT,
Roorkee and MBA in Financial
Management. He belongs to
1976 batch of IOFS
. He has a
distinguished career graph at OFB working in
various departments and capacities. He has
visited many countries viz France, Austria,
Russia, Sweden, Finland and Germany. He is
recipient of prestigious ‘Ayudh Ratna Award’. In
this exclusive interview he shares his views and
vision with DSA readers.

Indian Ordnance Factories are part of a large
industrial setup under control of OFB which in turn
reports to the Department of Defence Production,
Ministry of Defence. It is a conglomerate of 41 factories,
9 Training Institutes, 3 Regional Marketing
centres and 4 Regional Controllerates of safety
.
OFB is mandated to manufacture world-class
products meeting the exacting specifi cations and
quality parameters. Reliability in quality and
delivery are very important for OFB. Ordnance
Factories have always stood in support of
Indian Armed Forces particularly ARMY in times
of crises and peace. Rightly Ordnance Factories have
been christened as Fourth Arm of Defence.
Despite a history of 213 years and impressive
record of meeting military hardware and equipment
needs of Army, Ordnance Factories are a vibrant and
responsive organisation. Ordnance Factories today
consider themselves a young Organisation as these
factories have been constantly modernising and a
drastic change has come in the product profi le of
the Ordnance Factories over the years. New product
introductions have been planned keeping in view the
emerging requirements of Armed Forces, specially
keeping in view the long-term perspective plan of
the Army. Also after identifying the gaps in process
technology, a focused plan has been made for the
modernisation and technology induction in core
competency areas of OFB which are ammunitions
and explosives manufacturing, armoured vehicles
and variants and large calibre weapon systems.
Defence and Security Alert: What are the key
initiatives at OFB for turning it into a vibrant
organisation as India’s emerging military
industrial complex?
Ordnance Factory Board: OFB has grown in stature
with impressive technological capability for undertaking
the latests ophisticated Land Systems Solutions.
OFB is the single largest supplier to Indian Army and
Ordnance Factories are also major suppliers of
intermediate chemicals, warheads and propellants
used in the Missile programmes and also to ISRO
for advanced aluminium alloys used in the space
programmes. Over the years, OFB has developed
valuable skills and strengths in terms of fully
integrated multi-technology capabilities: core
competencies in the production of ammunitions,
armoured vehicles, artillery equipment, explosives
and small arms and a vast pool of skilled human
resources. I am confi dent that the Army which
has reposed faith in OFB for supply of Arms and
Ammunitions shall not be left wanting.
The key initiatives are focus on R&D, modernisation
in core competence areas, inducting and nurturing
empowered young workforce. From making almost
everything in-house in the past and a virtual total
backward integration, OFB is moving forward to
become a complete combat solution provider.
New strategic initiative is directed on leveraging
its existing strengths and further reinforcing core
competency areas by very aggressive modernisation
of its infrastructure and focused capacity-expansion
plans; at the same time drawing increased
product support and developing synergy with
Indian Industry; drawing technology support and
concurrent working with DRDO for new product
development and product upgrades; and if required,
strategic alliance with foreign collaborators in key
technology areas. The aim is to emerge from a mere
manufacturer and technology recipient through
Transfer of Technology (ToT) to an integrator of
major platforms for Defence use and turn into a
complete combat solution provider.


DSA: What are the major R&D initiatives
and achievements of OFB?


OFB: The mandate for R&D in Defence
has been with DRDO and OFB till 2006
was focusing mainly on modification
and upgrade of existing products on
feedback from users. However, beginning
2006, OFB has laid stress on in-house
R&D. Our R&D infrastructure today is
backed by 12 R&D centres having well
defined areas of responsibility in specific
product category.


I am proud to inform that OFB has
indigenously developed Dhanush 155 mm
45 Calibre Gun system capable of firing
upto 38 km (against 30 km of Bofors
39 Calibre gun system) with cutting
edge auto-laying and electronic sighting
technology.
Dhanush is a unique model of
synergised approach for development of a
complex system involving all stakeholders
viz user, manufacturer and designer.
We are planning to supply 114 guns in
next 2-3 years to support its acquisition
programme for 414 numbers.

OFB has also
undertaken upgunning of 130 mm gun to
155x45 calibre and is planning to offer
the system by October, 2015.
Alongside,
OFB is also ready for user trials of 130 mm
CATAPULT Gun mounted on Arjun MK-I
Tank chassis with advanced
features to add to the fi re
power.
Also through in-house R&D efforts
new ammunitions items have been introduced
for Army, Navy, Air Force and Paramilitary
Forces. For Air Force, OFB has developed
and productionised various Reduced
Danger Zone (RDZ) air dropping bombs. For
Indian Navy also OFB has developed indigenised
RGB 12 and RGB 60 rockets.OFB is concentrating
on its R&D efforts in developing and
productionisation of next generation of Artillery
Platform to make the country self-reliant in 52
Calibre gun systems too.


Through synergy of R&D efforts DRDO and OFB
are in process of developing Joint Venture Protective
Carbine (JVPC), Under Barrel Grenade Launcher
(UBGL), Multi Calibre Assault Rifle, 40 mm Air Bursting
Ammunition, Anti-Tank Mines Adrushya MK-II,
Multi-mode grenades etc.
Besides, OFB is now
actively involving in academic and professional
institutes of repute for development of a series
of new products including electronic fuzes
and smart ammunitions.


DSA: Short supply of ammunition to Army from
OFB has been under criticism. What are the
plans of OFB to meet the requirements of Army
for Ammunitions?


OFB: Ammunitions and Explosives manufacturing
in Ordnance Factories is one of the core areas and
involves lot of backward and forward integration.
OFB not only meets the requirement of Armed
Forces but also supplies ammunition to the State
Police Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces as well as
Civil Trade and Export. OFB has supplied around
Rs 18,000 crore worth of ammunition in the last
five years. However, due to enhanced requirement
and based on critical shortages, the requirement
of ammunitions has gone up manifold and OFB
needs to supply in future ammunition worth around
Rs 9,000 crore per annum.
In order to cater for this,
OFB has taken a massive expansion plan not only
in ammunition and explosive group of Factories
but also in the hardware supplying factories. These
include 125 mm tank ammunitions, Bi-modular
Charge Systems (BMCS) for 155 mm Gun, Pinaka
rockets etc. Besides this, modernisation action
has been initiated to replace old explosive plants
with PLC controlled automatic explosive plants
for better quality and reliability. For overcoming
shortages of tank ammunitions especially in
Kinetic Energy Ammunition FSAPDS (Fin Stabilised
Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot) category, OFB is
the technology recipient from Russia and is gearing
up to manufacturing the same and make supplies
to Army beginning year 2015-16. Also efforts are
on in association with DRDO, to develop and
productionise indigenous version of Kinetic Energy
Ammunition for tanks with higher armoured
penetration capability.

looks like some able hand is at the helm. And is involving industry, academia and stakeholders....

Note the ammo requirments jumped from Rs. 18K crores over five years to Rs. 9K crores per year!!!!

Shows what clean mundu AKA was doing!
vaibhav.n
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by vaibhav.n »

Under DTTI, the project is being called Uniform Integrated Protection Ensemble - Increment 2 (UIPE I2), and will see US companies collaborating with an Indian partner for the new-generation clothing for soldiers.
UIPE is primarily CBRN clothing part of the Soldier Integrated Protective Ensemble (SIPE) program. US Army Soldier Systems has already taken our the RFP's the same.

Eventually, Ground Soldier System “Increment 1” was renamed as Nett Warrior.


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 350500.cms

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stor ... er-system/
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

A new class of cobalt based superalloys that can rival nickel based superalloys
In a series of publications, the research group at department of materials engineering led by Professor K. Chattopadhyay has discovered a new class of cobalt based superalloys that are free of tungsten. These alloys having ordered g ’ precipitates in fcc matrix exhibits much higher yield strength both at room temperature and high temperatures (upto 900°C) compared to existing cobalt based superalloys and has potential to compete with nickel based superalloys. Being a tungsten free alloys, these newly developed alloys have lower density and possess higher specific strength.

Cobalt based alloys have superior hot corrosion and sulfidation resistance compared to nickel based superalloys due to high chromium content and low diffusion of sulfur in the matrix. But these alloys have much lower high temperature strength due to the lack of stable microstructure unlike nickel based superalloys. This makes them unsuitable for use in hot section parts of the turbine engine. Earlier a Japanese group from Tohoku University reported microstructure similar to the Ni based super alloys by the addition of tungsten (W) in Science (2006). .An earlier but less well known report also exist that had been carried out by C S Lee for his PhD thesis in Arizona state university (USA) in 1971. These alloys have similar strength values to that of commercial nickel based superalloys. The main drawback for W containing alloy is the amount of W used (~15 to 25 wt%) that increases dramatically the density of the alloys (>9.8 gm.cm-3). This makes the alloy unsuitable for aircrafts and in applications where the strength to weight ratio is crucial. Since then intense search for a cobalt based alloys with similar microstructure without the presence of tungsten did not yield result.

The present discovery carried out by research students: Surendra Makineni and Nithin Baler under the guidance of Professor K.Chattopadhyay is based on Co-Al-Mo-Nb alloys. This is further fine-tuned by addition of Ta, Ni, Ti, Cr etc. to achieve microstructures that are stable up to 900°C [1]. These superalloys have broken new grounds and some of these alloys show much higher yield strength (> 700 MPa) at 870°C compared to the existing nickel base superalloys and Co-Al-W based alloys mentioned earlier. These have densities in the range of 8.1 to 8.6 gm.cm-3 that is equivalent to nickel based superalloys and much lower than Co-Al-W based alloys.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

How do these new Cobalt alloys compare to Hastelloys? Any one ready to compare?
Sagar G
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

^^^ Saar new development onlee so will take years for them to materialize into a product. DMRL had developed 3rd gen superalloy way back in the late 90's, so that's what is probably going into our new engine programme.
ramana
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

Sagar G wrote:A new class of cobalt based superalloys that can rival nickel based superalloys
In a series of publications, the research group at department of materials engineering led by Professor K. Chattopadhyay has discovered a new class of cobalt based superalloys that are free of tungsten. These alloys having ordered g ’ precipitates in fcc matrix exhibits much higher yield strength both at room temperature and high temperatures (upto 900°C) compared to existing cobalt based superalloys and has potential to compete with nickel based superalloys. Being a tungsten free alloys, these newly developed alloys have lower density and possess higher specific strength.

Cobalt based alloys have superior hot corrosion and sulfidation resistance compared to nickel based superalloys due to high chromium content and low diffusion of sulfur in the matrix. But these alloys have much lower high temperature strength due to the lack of stable microstructure unlike nickel based superalloys. This makes them unsuitable for use in hot section parts of the turbine engine. Earlier a Japanese group from Tohoku University reported microstructure similar to the Ni based super alloys by the addition of tungsten (W) in Science (2006). .An earlier but less well known report also exist that had been carried out by C S Lee for his PhD thesis in Arizona state university (USA) in 1971. These alloys have similar strength values to that of commercial nickel based superalloys. The main drawback for W containing alloy is the amount of W used (~15 to 25 wt%) that increases dramatically the density of the alloys (>9.8 gm.cm-3). This makes the alloy unsuitable for aircrafts and in applications where the strength to weight ratio is crucial. Since then intense search for a cobalt based alloys with similar microstructure without the presence of tungsten did not yield result.

The present discovery carried out by research students: Surendra Makineni and Nithin Baler under the guidance of Professor K.Chattopadhyay is based on Co-Al-Mo-Nb alloys. This is further fine-tuned by addition of Ta, Ni, Ti, Cr etc. to achieve microstructures that are stable up to 900°C [1]. These superalloys have broken new grounds and some of these alloys show much higher yield strength (> 700 MPa) at 870°C compared to the existing nickel base superalloys and Co-Al-W based alloys mentioned earlier. These have densities in the range of 8.1 to 8.6 gm.cm-3 that is equivalent to nickel based superalloys and much lower than Co-Al-W based alloys.
Yes are as good as alloys I said.

Now make in commercial sizes.
Sagar G
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

^^^ Better than Hastelloy X, comparable to Nimonic 90.
Sagar G
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

India developing atomic clocks for use on satellites
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing rubidium-based, high-precision atomic clocks for use in its next series of navigation satellites, ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar said on Wednesday.

The ISRO is building the seven-satellite regional navigation constellation. The four that are up use European atomic clocks. These satellites, meant for civil and military uses, need to show the exact position and time of persons and objects on earth. So, they should keep extremely accurate time as they send signals.

The ISRO’s Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad is developing prototypes of atomic clocks, along with the CSIR’s National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi, Dr. Kiran Kumar said on the sidelines of an event organised by the Metrology Society here.

“We still have to make qualified and flight-worthy versions. Our next generation navigation satellites will carry our own clocks” when they start replacing the IRNSS-1 series after their life of 10 years, he said. The IRNSS has commonly been called India’s own local ‘GPS.’

A senior scientist says the atomic clock figures among the top critical technologies to be developed indigenously.

Each navigation spacecraft carries an active and two stand-by clocks. The home-made ones need to be compact and fuel-efficient in space.

Dr. Kiran Kumar said the regional navigation fleet was expected to create many entrepreneurs and applications that would use position-based information.

The ISRO would drive navigation in the country with chipsets and other smart products.

A Hyderabad company was making a dongle-like tool that could be plugged to a laptop or a tablet PC.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Sagar G »

India to have 70 super computers for high-level research
The government has begun the process of having 70 super computers in the country, which will enable high-level research in different fields for not only government agencies but also the private sector.

The super computer will help India do research in different fields ranging from climate, defence and other areas, which a normal computer is ill—equipped for.

The computer would have a capacity (speed) of half petaflop to 20 petaflop, but by the time the project reaches its full peak, the speed of the super computers can go up to 50 petaflop. A petaflop is a measure of a computer’s processing speed and can be expressed as a thousand trillion floating point operations per second.

“The project, which costs around Rs. 4,500 crore is in its nascent stage. It will come up with association of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Information and Technology (DIT). These super computers will be in different parts of country,” Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary of DST, said.

The government has formed modalities to discuss nitty-gritty of the project. However, sources pointed out that it is expected to take seven years for the project to complete.

“We will be having these computers across the country where scientists can come and do their research... These can do calculations which your normal desktop or laptop cannot. It can help in defence simulation, computing, biology and material science and earth science,” Sharma said.

He said even scientists/researchers other than those affiliated to government institutions can use the super computers. “Many companies have scientists doing their research. They need not go abroad for their research and can instead use these super computers,” Sharma said.


However, there are challenges before the plan is undertaken at a full—scale level. First would be building both software and hardware infrastructure for such a large—scale project and making applications for these super computers.

More importantly, having manpower for running these super computers would also be a challenge as it would require training them.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by member_28108 »

If there are multiple supercomputing centers it will actually be beneficial provides supercomputing facilities on one hand and also provides good manpower employment and thus a net benefit to both researchers and society.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Vipul »

Tata to Tebma, everyone wants a piece of the defence business.

Indian companies—big and small, known and unknown—want a piece of the defence equipment business and have applied for industrial licences from the ministry of commerce to locally manufacture military equipment, including airplanes and warships.

The list of companies, now up on the website of the ministry, makes for interesting reading.

For instance, among the applicants is telecom infrastructure company Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd (HFCL), as famous for its outrageous bids for telecom licences in the late 1990s as for its run-ins with the stock market regulator. Both are now behind the company, which is seeking an industrial licence to make airplanes, weapons and ammunition.The office of Mahendra Nahata, managing director of HFCL, did not respond to queries.

There are several other small companies in the race to manufacture defence equipment. Here’s a sample: Tebma Shipyards Ltd (seeking permission to build submarines), Chowgule and Co. Pvt. Ltd (warships), Neco Defence Systems Ltd (unmanned aerial systems), Maini Precision Products Pvt. Ltd (rocket launchers), Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd (aircraft and spacecraft parts), Ois AeroSpace Pvt. Ltd (aircraft sub-systems), Solar Industries India Ltd (helicopters), Titagarh Wagons Ltd (armoured vehicles), Modest Infrastructure Ltd (warships) and JSW Projects (unmanned aerial vehicles).

Besides these companies, there are bigger and better known entities eyeing a piece of the action as well, making the battle more intense. Companies such as Bharat Forge Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd, the Tata group, Larsen and Toubro Ltd, the Godrej Group and the Mahindra Group are fairly well entrenched in the business and are looking for more opportunities.

Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group and the Adani Group’s Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Ltd are the latest to enter the race.
The scramble is partly the result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on defence equipment as part of his Make in India campaign.
“We are reforming our defence procurement policies and procedures. There would be a clear preference for equipment manufactured in India… We are expanding the role of the private sector, even for major platforms,” he said in February.

India is the world’s largest importer of defence equipment, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. It spends around $24 billion a year on defence equipment.

Kabir Bogra, associate partner at law firm Khaitan and Co., said many Indian companies see defence equipment as an opportunity to redefine themselves and develop new revenue streams.

“Further, Bharat Forge, Pipavav, Tata and a few others with historical linkages to the armed forces now have an opportunity to leverage their vast manufacturing bases and expertise. Foreign vendors looking to invest in India need partners who can provide the relevant scale of manufacturing and match the capital costs,” he said.

Bogra pointed out that Indian businesses can also provide the necessary guidance to offshore partners in navigating regulatory and legal hurdles.
“Therefore, an Airbus tying up with Tata is a mutually beneficial relationship. With respect to smaller companies engaged in precision engineering, it’s a significant opportunity for them to upgrade their skills and technical know-how and be able to become suppliers in the global supply chain and expand their markets,” Bogra said.

Opportunities in defence manufacturing are equally relevant for both big and small players, he said.“From a sustainability perspective, we believe that a large percentage of the ventures will be successful since the small and mid-sized businesses cannot afford to waste this opportunity,” added Bogra, who specializes in defence contracts.

The scramble can also be explained in terms of the near-term opportunities on offer. On 17 February, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved plans to build six nuclear-powered submarines and seven stealth warships at a cost of about Rs.1 trillion.

There is more in store. India’s defence spending is expected to hit $620 billion between 2014 and 2022, with half of it going into capital expenditure, potentially turning a leading buyer of expensive arms into an arms supplier.

Driven by both domestic and external demand, the annual opportunity for Indian companies—both public and private sector—is expected to reach $41 billion by fiscal 2022 and $168 billion between fiscal years 2014 and 2022, according to a report by industry lobby Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and financial services firm Centrum Capital Ltd.

In August last year, the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in defence manufacturing was raised from 26% to a composite cap of 49% (FDI and foreign institutional investment).Rahul Gangal, partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, said aerospace and defence were emerging as an attractive business segment for small and medium enterprises as they see significant indigenous supply gaps they can fill.“They find comfort not only in India’s continued uptick in military spend but also in its strong and renewed focus on local manufacturing and sourcing—especially with the new government’s Make in India initiative. Companies are also getting attracted to this segment as defence manufacturing is justifiably considered the cutting edge of technology and usually benefits manufacturers with subsequent technology adaptations in civil businesses,” Gangal added.

Another reason for the rush is offsets—a policy that requires any foreign arms manufacturer securing an order worth more than Rs.300 crore from India to source components worth 30% of the value of the order from India.The offsets opportunity is expected to be worth $15 billion in the next 10-15 years, assuming that several proposed purchases are completed on time, according to KPMG.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by raj-senthil »

S Christopher appointed DRDO chief

Eminent scientist S Christopher was today appointed as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for a two-year term.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved appointment of Christopher as Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development-cum-Director General, DRDO for a period of two years from the date of taking over the charge, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said.

Christopher is presently Distinguished Scientist and Programme Director (airborne early warning and control system) and Director, Centre for Air-Borne Systems in the DRDO.

Another scientist G S Reddy was appointed as the Scientificc Adviser to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for a two-year term. Reddy is Distinguished Scientist and Director, Research Centre Imarat, and Programme Director of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) in the DRDO.

The Department of Defence Research and Development (DoDRD) has remained under additional charge of Defence Secretary since January 30 this year, after Avinash Chander's contract was curtailed by the government.

Chander contract as Secretary, DoDRD-cum-DG DRDO and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri was terminated with effect from January 31. His contract would have otherwise ended in May 2016.

Established in 1980, the DoDRD advises the government on scientific aspects of military equipment and logistics and the formulation of research, design and development plans for the equipment required by the three Services.

Recently appointed Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar was on Monday given the additional charge of the Secretary, DoDRD.

Former Defence Secretary R K Mathur, who completed his two-year term on Sunday, was handling the additional charge of DoDRD before Kumar.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Abhay_S »

@SJha1618 scientist G S Reddy was appointed as the Scientificc Adviser to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for a two-year term
1 retweet 1 favorite

@SJha1618 S Christopher was today appointed as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for a two-year
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

Brilliant. Christopher Saar is ex-LRDE (made the BFSR into a success) and then moved to CABS for the AEW&C. Proven track record. And a non missile guy will hopefully put more thrust on sensors!

GS Reddy is probably next in line after Christopher to take the DRDO top spot. He is an INS/ specialist.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

KaranM, Looks like they ruled out those already on extension and picked on seniority date.
See the age table in Business Std article by Shuklaji.


Good to see consistency.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

Yes indeed. However, I wish Dr Christopher got a longer turn at the top - 2 years is not enough.
Met him ages ago, and he was a man on a mission even then. The BFSR is DRDO's first landmark success, with some 1400 units ordered by a surprised IA. The AEW&C is an incredibly complex program (even France, UK import their AEW&C platforms judging them to be too much of an effort to develop and drive) but we have on the threshold of induction thanks to his and his teams efforts.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Cosmo_R »

Karan M wrote:Yes indeed. However, I wish Dr Christopher got a longer turn at the top - 2 years is not enough.
Met him ages ago, and he was a man on a mission even then. The BFSR is DRDO's first landmark success, with some 1400 units ordered by a surprised IA. The AEW&C is an incredibly complex program (even France, UK import their AEW&C platforms judging them to be too much of an effort to develop and drive) but we have on the threshold of induction thanks to his and his teams efforts.
What's he up to now?
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by ramana »

Head of CAB as per news report of his selection.
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