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

krishnan · Post by **krishnan** » 27 Apr 2012 17:51

28 were on order

Sohum · Post by **Sohum** » 28 Apr 2012 04:20

US ambassador's impression of HAL on a visit from Feb 2010

Despite these advances, the potential for HAL to
successfully partner with U.S. firms on a truly advanced
aircraft remains untested and suspect. The Hawk program,
which involves the assembly of aircraft from kits supplied by
BAE, is well behind schedule. BAE has told Embassy staff
that the Indian Air Force did not order sufficient spare
parts for the first batch of Hawks that were delivered fully
assembled from England. BAE technicians supervising work at
HAL became aware that parts were being taken from the kits
intended to assemble new aircraft and used instead as
replacement parts for aircraft already delivered. Lack of
controls left BAE unsure what parts were now missing from the
kits. When BAE confronted HAL regarding the problem, the BAE
technical staff was asked to leave HAL. Clearly, despite the
progress evident within the Indian Defense sector, American
firms need to approach partnerships carefully to understand
the management and technological experience of Indian firms.
Cost, schedule and quality will be key challenges for any
company engaging in joint production ventures.

Source: http://cablegatesearch.net/cable.php?id ... at%20light

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 28 Apr 2012 23:34

Video: Walk The Talk with DRDO chief VK Saraswat

Keywords: Agni-5, BMD, Trishul, Pinaka MBRL, Tatra trucks, Rajendra Radar, LCA, Arjun, Dhanush, Akash, BrahMos

Must watch!

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 28 Apr 2012 23:51

From the BAe report on the cannibalisation of Hawks by HAL,and one can believe the report,it appears as if most of our def. PSUs are a a law unto themselves,with little or no accountability as "Mother India",like a dutiful mother/wife always picks up the pieces and the tag!
I mentioned in a recent post exactly what has been posted above,about importing a foreign device (this time however something developed by the PSU itself,BS told to the GOI that it was still under dev. and we urgently needed an import,secretly sold to the firang co.) at enormous cost,and just as in the case of Tatra,when the whistleblower "blew his whistle",was sacked ! UNless there is a genuine conscious effort right from the top to stem the rot,the situ will only deteriorate further and the wholesale sale of the nation's "family silver",will be done at the retail level too! "A fish rots from the head" they say,and the track record of our beloved mendicant of snake oil is the highest example of the watchman allowing "looting and scooting" right under his nose (2G,CWG,Antrix-Devas et al).As long as he is the "head" of the GOI,the rot will continue until the stench is too much for the nation to bear and the offending "fish" (UPA-2) will be thrown into the dustbin!

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 29 Apr 2012 02:32

and one can believe the report

Why??/ even with the general disgust with many of the PSUs one has to still validate??

Bae has played its games with us in the past so why would you believe them??

Also if you do believe it, the problem stated is that the IAF ordered inadequate nos

So if this was being done for the IAF why blame thePSU??

Indaruta · Post by **Indaruta** » 29 Apr 2012 09:09

Shekar Gupta is a a**h*le he likes the sound of his own voice

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 01 May 2012 09:26

A glimpse of what DRDO ISSA does;

My experiences at DRDO

PratikDas · Post by **PratikDas** » 01 May 2012 12:50

chackojoseph wrote:A glimpse of what DRDO ISSA does;

My experiences at DRDO

And yet when push came to shove during Operation Parakram fundamental flaws were exposed.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 01 May 2012 14:40

please do elaborate in detail how you came to the conclusion that parakram exposed flaws in what ISSA does.

chacko, thanks a lot. fascinating article that.

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 01 May 2012 15:49

chackojoseph wrote:A glimpse of what DRDO ISSA does;

My experiences at DRDO

Good one. One more kudos!

Similarly, by 2006 or by late 2007, IAC type awakening, social mobilization was predicted. Atleast after mumbai 26/11, something was expected. But it happened few years down the line, but happened.

And the latest one on current Siachen issue, it is going to be a biting climax; result is predicted to swing both sides.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 01 May 2012 16:55

Thank You guys. You like it.

PratikDas · Post by **PratikDas** » 01 May 2012 21:18

Rahul M wrote:please do elaborate in detail how you came to the conclusion that parakram exposed flaws in what ISSA does.

Thank you for asking. Firstly, let me quote what I said, so I can explain.

PratikDas wrote:And yet when push came to shove during Operation Parakram fundamental flaws were exposed.

I'm saying that flaws in the realm of operations research and game theory were exposed during Parakram. This does not necessarily mean that ISSA didn't know what they were doing. I'm inclined to believe the opposite.

Either the ISSA was not commissioned to study an Indian response to sub-scale Pakistani offence, akin to not choosing the sharpest tool in the shed because it is too complicated, or ISSA did study the Indian reaction but any flaws they may have exposed were ignored, or ISSA failed in exposing some basic flaws. I consider the last option as being least possible because some of the problems had already been exposed earlier, e.g. when IC814 was hijacked.

In chronological order, if one were to model the Indian response and the success thereof to sub-scale Pakistani offence,

Not factoring the GoI's delay in responding to a Pakistani offence by proxy, a very plausible scenario even prior to Parakram, is one flaw.
Not factoring GoI's propensity to be conflicted on the course of action, for the lack of strategy, or for fear of international pressure, economic downturn, failure at the polls, etc. is another flaw.
Not factoring the delay in deploying the Army's various units to the locations prescribed by the doctrine of the time is another flaw.

This list is probably not complete either.

Operations research or game theoretic research would certainly include all the major stakeholders, would attempt to model their actions and would attempt to model the time scale of events. ISSA would certainly know these things inside out. We didn't see the fruits of their labour though.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 01 May 2012 23:10

Rahul M wrote:please do elaborate in detail how you came to the conclusion that parakram exposed flaws in what ISSA does.

chacko, thanks a lot. fascinating article that.

My experiences at DRDO

Strategic Decision Making: Applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (Decision Engineering): Navneet Bhushan, Kanwal Rai

Available from the usual shady sources onlee

gunjur · Post by **gunjur** » 02 May 2012 12:07

Few DRDO achievements

IndiaSpend carried out a 10-year study of available figures and found DRDO seemingly achieved a lot, with little. The fact is for approximately $14 billion in 10 years, India has seemingly developed various kinds of missiles, drones, radar systems and carried out all kinds of research and upgradation on armaments and fighting gear.

In contrast, USA's unmanned aerial vehicle projects, the UAV Predator and the UAV Reaper, alone have a total project cost of $2.38 billion and $11.8 billion, respectively. On the other hand, the Trident II, has a total programme cost of $39 billion, the Tactical Tomahawk Cruise Missile has a cost of $6.8 billion and the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) has a total project cost of $5.7 billion, according to http://www.costofwar.com.

few achievements

Missile systems
Surface-to-surface Prithvi II missile was successfully flight tested, that too, with accuracy on June 9, 2011. We already have three versions of Prithvi, with ranges of 150 km, 250 km and 350 km.

Agni I successfully flight tested on December 1, 2011, and Agni II on September 30, 2011. Agni IV was test-fired on November 15, 2011, and Agni V was successfully launched last week.

Long-range, surface-to-air missile, a joint initiative between the Navy and Israel, is complete and under delivery.

Medium-range surface-to-air missile, an initiative between the Air Force and IAI, Israel, was developed.

Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile is developed for the Army, Navy and Air Force and already installed in four ships. It is also being installed in five more naval ships. The installation of Brahmos in Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter planes is in progress.

The indigenously developed Astra Missile is completed, and flight trials on Sukhoi 30 MKI's are completed.
Surface-to-surface missile Prahaar successfully flight tested on July, 21 2011, and has achieved terminal accuracy.

Helina, an anti-tank missile for advanced light helicopters, undertook a flight trial on October 17, 2011.

Shaurya Missile, with a range of 700 km, was launched on September 24, 2011, and has achieved accuracy.

Aeronautics
The medium-altitude, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Rustom I was indigenously developed and has seen successful flight tests.

The Airborne Early Warning and Control System was indigenously produced and took its first flight on December 6, 2011. It includes active electronic and radar scanning antenna and is considered a major milestone. India is now one of the select countries that have this system.

Electronics
Rohini, the three-dimensional surveillance radar system, was developed for the Air Force. It is built in accordance with the latest digital technology and would increase airspace awareness manifold.

Revathi, another surveillance radar system, is developed for Navy with highly optimised structure and accuracy.

These are a few important achievements of the DRDO in 2011. However, the list does not end here. The specialty of DRDO lies on other aspects of the defence services as well.

Data Analysis and Pattern Recognition has been developed and handed to the Navy. This is aimed at creating a database that would analyse data mining and statistical testing.

Varuna, an interceptor, has been installed and given to the Navy. It can detect and intercept the activity of 500 radar emitters simultaneously.

Stride, a convoy jammer system is developed and used by the Army and paramilitary forces. It can prevent detonation of radio controlled improvised explosive devices or IEDs.

110 Arjun Tanks have been handed to the Army till now, compared with the 124 demanded previously. A total of 90 per cent of the Arjun Tanks were indigenously developed at the Indian Ordinance Factory in Avadi, Chennai, by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, a wing of the DRDO. It is estimated to cost approximately Rs 2,500 crore. The remaining 14 tanks would be handed over by mid- 2012.

Power output of T 72 tanks has been upgraded from 780 hp to 1,000 hp to enhance mobility.

INSAS rifle and LMGs have been redesigned to increase lethality. The Army has already carried out user trials.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 02 May 2012 14:32

chetak wrote: Available from the usual shady sources onlee

Why Shady?

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 03 May 2012 20:27

Pipavav-Mazagon Docks JV gets government nod.

Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd has been chosen as partner for formation of joint venture with state-owned Mazagon Docks Ltd to build warships for the Indian Navy.

The approval is pursuant to the defence ministry approving the guidelines for setting up joint venture companies by defence PSUs (DPSUs), Pipavav Shipyard said that it has received permission from the foreign investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for foreign direct equity investment and the necessary licence to build warships for the Indian Navy.

''The company has obtained all statutory clearances required for warship building for defence sector. The clearance will help Pipavav bid for all future warship projects like frigates, destroyers, aircraft carriers, LPDs, submarine, corvettes of the Indian Navy,'' the company said in a filing with the stock exchanges.

''For building warships you need to have three things - world class facility, defence production licence and FIPB approval. So now we have all three of them in place and will be bidding for any opportunity in this field. There is a lot of potential in this field and we are proud to have Northrop as our partners which gives us an edge above the rest to build complex warships," said Nikhil Gandhi, non-executive director and chairman of Pipavav Defence and offshore Engineering Co Ltd.

The company had, last month, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Northrop Grumman Overseas Service Corporation, Delaware, USA. Northrop is one of the largest defence companies in the segment with an expertise in defence systems, airspace management systems, navigation systems, precision weapons and marine systems.

The defence ministry on Wednesday conveyed its decision to allow Mazagon Dock Ltd, the country's premier defence shipyard, to partner Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd, the company said in filing with the Bombay Stock exchange (BSE).

Mazagon Docks, meanwhile, is in the process of building the first of the six Scorpene submarines, which will be delivered by June 2015, with the sixth submarine being constructed by September 2018.

The construction of all six submarines is concurrently in progress at MDL, with work completed on the six submarines ranging from 2.45 per cent to 54.84 per cent, according to the ministry.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 04 May 2012 14:45

DRDO 'Heated Gloves' bags national award in polymer category

Neela · Post by **Neela** » 07 May 2012 19:02

chackojoseph wrote:DRDO 'Heated Gloves' bags national award in polymer category

Chackojo-ji, please correct the temperatures mentioned in the post - decimal points are missing I think.
200 C should be 20.0 C and 22-280 C should be 22.0 to 28.0 C

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 07 May 2012 19:45

neela,

u r correct.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 07 May 2012 21:55

Development of Robot - Daksh

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) - 'Daksh' has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to defuse Improvised Explosive Devices (lEDs). It has stair climbing capability. It is equipped with a manipulator arm which can handle suspected object upto 20 kg from a distance of 2.5 m. Portable X-Ray system confirms the presence of IED and on-board Water Jet Disrupter is used to defuse it on site.

Army has placed a Limited Series Production Order of 20 Daksh, nine have already been delivered.

The project Daksh was sanctioned in November 2002 at a total cost of Rs.3.5 Cr.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri A K Antony in a written reply to Dr.ShashiTharoor in Lok Sabha today.

Roperia · Post by **Roperia** » 18 May 2012 12:53

MDL calls for early decision on Project 75 India

With the Indian Navy likely to issue request for proposals (RFPs) for the long awaited follow-on Project 75 India submarine build effort, pressure is building for a quick decision on two counts. On the one hand, the Indian Navy's submarine strength is on a downslide and operational availability continues to be a concern. On the other, there is a conscious effort to ensure that the redundancy encountered following the HDW episode in the 1990s is not repeated again.

In fact, providing testimony to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence recently, Mazagon Dock Ltd Chairman Vice Admiral (Retd) H.S. Malhi said, "Our Hull shops, particularly for the submarine construction, we will start oiling after we finish these six (Scorpenes). So, it will help us if we get the repeat order. So, our request as CMD would be that if that is ordered early on us, we will be able to retain the expertise because it takes a long time to build up expertise on submarine construction. We have already suffered in the past when there was a gap between the SSK and Scorpene. So, we would not like that to repeat. That is a request. That is all from my side."

The first of the six Scorpene submarines being constructed at MDL is to be delivered by June 2015 and the final one by September 2018. MDL is concurrently building all six submarines. According to figures supplied to Parliament, the present status of work completed on the six submarines ranges from 2.45 per cent to 54.84 per cent.

Our babus are learning by experience, it's the best way but the costliest as well.

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 18 May 2012 16:12

Roperia wrote:Our babus are learning by experience, it's the best way but the costliest as well.

Please don't defame our baboo(ns), the person you quoted is Retd. Vice Admiral not any baboo(n).

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 18 May 2012 16:47

^^^^ Not quite correct. MDL does want the pdn lines and new knowledge up and running. If they don't go for project - 75 I, then at least, they should be given few more orders.

If it dosen't happen, hopefully DCNS gets another order from somewhere and they sub contract it to MDL. IIRC, I was told by MDL spokes person that DCNS preferred to make subs assemblies in India and send to Brazil than getting it done there.

Also, a lot of Pvt industries have assimilated a lot of knowledge and expertise in this project. All will be lost if no further orders come.

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 18 May 2012 17:45

^^^Roperia quoted an ex navy guy and then concluded that our babus are learning from past mistakes which I think is not the case. I don't have anything against MDL, additional orders means business for them and technological capability for India, between has any sub design been selected for project 75I ???

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 18 May 2012 20:02

lakshmikanth wrote:
I guess they should switch to good old Linux or some sort of derivative which is made completely secure. I am sure our ITvity folks have more than the skills necessary to do that, they should look into the tapping those skills.

The Bharat OS has already been developed which is a linux derivative.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 18 May 2012 20:08

Sagar G wrote:^^^Roperia quoted an ex navy guy and then concluded that our babus are learning from past mistakes which I think is not the case. I don't have anything against MDL, additional orders means business for them and technological capability for India, between has any sub design been selected for project 75I ???

That (in bold) is correct technically.

Nope. IMO the p-75I will be terribly late. Only Amur with VLS fits the bill. So its a single vendor situation. We don't know what others are offering.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 18 May 2012 20:42

Arun, What is the submarine fleet projections of the IN?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 21 May 2012 00:22

Defence Research and Development Organisation develops affordable cochlea implant

BANGALORE: Here's an indigenous cochlear implant to enable severely hearing-impaired people to hear. Scientists at Bangalore's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab -- Defence Bio-engineering and Electro-Medical Laboratory (Debel) -- under the leadership of Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Vishakapatnam, developed this surgically implanted electronic device.

It will convey sound to people severely hard of hearing due to loss of sensory hair cells in the cochlea. "The implant, also known as the bionic ear, will be available for clinical trials within four months. After trials at five centres in the country, the implant will be used for commercial production," said chief designer V Bhujanga Rao of NSTL and DRDO scientist VK Atre.

Atre said: "These are three distinct groups of potential users. They may have lost hearing due to diseases such as meningitis. The implant will serve different needs and have different outcomes."

As per DRDO estimates, nearly 1 million people in India need cochlear implants. "Every year, around 10,000 hearing-impaired children are born. Unfortunately, an imported cochlear implant is very expensive -- priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh. Only the affluent can afford it," DRDO scientists said.

As per initial estimates, the DRDO implant will be available for around Rs 1 lakh. Bhujanga Rao collaborated with scientists from Bangalore, Advanced Numerical Research and Analysis Group (Hyderabad), and Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam, to develop the device.

sum · Post by **sum** » 23 May 2012 09:24

From Tarmak007:

The AeSI has selected Mr Muthukrishnan Kannan of RCI for the prestigious Swarna Jayanthi Award for his outstanding contributions valuable contributions in the development of Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) of various class for missiles, aircrafts, ships and submarines. He has been the group head of INS division since 2010. He has also headed the INS team for BrahMos Cruise Missile and was the project lead for Indigenous Navigation Systems for Naval Ships.
In his present designation as Group Head, INS division he plays a pivotal role in many ongoing projects such as development of Ring Laser Gyro (RLG) based INS+GPS+GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) systems. The technology is used in Agni-iii, HAL Tejas, and Shaurya missile. He was also responsible for development, testing, performance evaluation and delivery of INS for Brahmos Missiles.
As a systems developer Kannan was responsible for the Development, testing, Performance Evaluation and Delivery of Navigation System for AD (AD-1 and AD-2 are being developed as intercept ballistic missiles with a range of 5000 kilometers) Mission as well as the Prototype System Development and Flight Performance Evaluation of the system. He was also involved He was the project leader for “Indigenous Navigation System for Naval War ships i.e. a system purpose is also to serve as a Master INS system for ship-launched versions of missiles.
Kannan passed B.E in electronics and communication from Madurai Kamraj University and M.E in avionics from Anna University and joined RCI (Research Center Imarat) on June 1997 with the designation a “scientist B”. He has been in RCI ever since. He became a “C” scientist in 2000, D grade scientist in 2004 and an E grade scientist in July 2008. The distinguished scientist also has a plethora of publications to his credit. A few of them are Quick Reaction Strap down INS for Brahmos, INS+GPS integrated system for canisterized missiles, Micro machined Accelerometer Systems. Some of his commendable achievements are the designing and development of the first DTG based integrated INS+SATNAV scheme & system (for Programme AD), which turned out to be the precursor for the other versions of Integrated INS+SATNAV systems developed for all the other strategic and tactical missile programmes of DRDO. Another achievement was the development of DTG based Quick Reaction INS for the Indo-Russian Joint Venture BrahMos missile project. He was also involved in periodic re- calibration of BrahMos INS.
Kannan Muthukrishnan has also received Agni award for excellence in self reliance for the year 2008 for contributions towards development of Navigation system for Air Defense (AD) missile as well as well as award of RCI for the year 2010.He is also a life member of Astronautical Society of India and Sensors Research Society.

Nikhil T · Post by **Nikhil T** » 24 May 2012 22:44

Pune ammunition factory develops rocket systems

Pune:The Ammunition Factory Khadki here on Thursday handed over the first lot of 'Kavach' naval decoy system and anti-submarine rockets for induction into the Indian Navy-a step that will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

Receiving the decoy system, Naval Armament Inspectorate Director General Rear Admiral Brijesh Jhang praised the synergy between the Indian Navy and the Ordnance Factory Board in developing products indigenously.

"The Indian Navy had ASW (anti-submarine weapons) imported from erstwhile USSR. Disintegration of USSR led to drying up of the supply pipeline thereby affecting our inventory level while our ships continued to have the launchers.

"Therefore to meet our armament requirement Ordnance Factory Board and Indian Navy took up the challenge to indigenise these ASW rockets and achieve self-reliance in this field," he said.

While handing over to the Indian Navy both the Kavach decoy systems and the anti-submarine rocket high explosive version, B.N. Singh, senior general manager of the ammunition factory said these strategically important products would enhance the defence preparedness of the navy.

This has been possible owing to the special focus laid down at Ammunition Factory Khadki on research and development," Singh said.

The rockets are made available with 1.5 km and 6 km range while the factory has been successful in developing three versions of naval decoy systems having ranges of 12 km, 5 km and 1 km.

These rockets are fired to act as decoys against incoming guided threats to naval ships. All the three versions are launched in different situations based on incoming threats.

Kudos!

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 24 May 2012 22:52

DRDO selects two cos to commercialise 3 flight critical products.

Alpha Design Technologies, Bangalore, and Data Patterns India, Chennai, have been chosen to commercialise a set of three flight critical products of the DRDO.

IFF (identify friend or foe) is carried on all commercial and military flights to make out if a nearby aircraft is friendly or hostile.

The indigenous suite has been developed by Bangalore-based Defence lab, the Centre for Air-Borne Systems.

Launching the suite on Wednesday, Dr V.K.Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Director-General, DRDO, said the Indian IFF was a modern Mk 12 version. It was a by-product of CABS's Airborne Early Warning & Control System. It would be mounted on land systems, systems, fighter and civil planes, aerostats, unmanned air vehicles and medium and long range surface to air missiles.

The suite of an interrogator, transponder and their combine cost the developers around Rs 1.8 crore and would cost less than imported suites.

The Director of CABS, Dr S. Christopher, said in the coming years, the Army, Navy and the Air Force would require several thousand IFF units besides civil aircraft.

Mr S. Rangarajan, CEO of Data Patterns, and Col. Shankar of Alpha Design Technologies were present. The two companies will bid for upcoming orders.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 25 May 2012 02:09

Excellent.. after GAGAN, a sat based networking could immediately dispatch sukhois or LCAs or MMRCAs on sensing a Foe!

net net net

Snehashis · Post by **Snehashis** » 29 May 2012 14:18

X Posting

HAL Signs Tripartite Agreement On Multirole Transport Aircraft

HAL Statement: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has signed a tripartite General Contract with United Aircraft Corporation -Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA), their Russian partner and their JV, Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) for the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) project.

HAL will carry out the design & development of its workshare of MTA at Aircraft R&D (ARDC) Centre at Bangalore while its Transport Aircraft Division (TAD) at Kanpur will manufacture the prototypes. Serial production will take place at Kanpur where dedicated facilities are being set up. HAL's other R&D Centres and manufacturing divisions will share development of systems & LRUs and manufacture of components, sub assemblies and composite structure. HAL will showcase its expertise in design of aircraft as well as systems, manufacturing & flight testing while jointly working with the Russian team in Moscow as well as in India.

The Indian and Russian governments had earlier signed an Inter Governmental Agreement for joint design, development & production of MTA on 50:50 sharing basis and had decided to form a JV between HAL, UAC-TA & Rosoboronexport to execute the project. The primary objective is to achieve self-reliance in design & development and production of aircraft of this size and also to manage the programme with international collaboration and a large number of global suppliers.

The aircraft will be designed for the roles of cargo/troop transportation; para-drop /air drop of supplies including Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES). The joint effort seeks to meet a requirement of 100 aircraft for the Russian Air Force, 45 aircraft to the IAF and 60 for export. Total requirement for the present is 205.

The MTA project preliminary design will start immediately after signing the follow-up contract on preliminary design on which tripartite discussions have been concluded.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 30 May 2012 20:26

BEL produces cockpit sub-assembly for Boeing aircraft.

State-owned defence undertaking, Bharat Electronics Ltd. has produced a cockpit sub-assembly for Boeing's EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, the public sector unit announced on Wednesday.

On May 3, Boeing delivered to the US Navy the first EA-18G to feature the sub-assembly, according to a press statement released by the Bangalore-based defence PSU.

The sub-assembly provides cockpit flood-lighting compatible with the aircraft's Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS). Other EA-18G parts produced by BEL include a complex-machined stowage panel for the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System connector cable, and an avionics cooling system fan test switch panel with an NVIS-compatible floodlight assembly.

"BEL's work on P-8I, Super Hornets and Growlers is another example of how Indian companies are becoming a part of the global supply chain while Boeing helps them expand their opportunities across the global aerospace industry," Dennis Swanson, Vice President of International Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India, said.

A number of the cockpit sub-assemblies will also be installed on Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets combat aircraft, according to the press release.

Boeing awarded BEL an initial contract for this work in March 2011. The contract included options to renew annually for up to four years. Boeing recently exercised an option to renew the contract for another year.

tejas · Post by **tejas** » 31 May 2012 00:53

^^^ You have to be $hitting me

Cockpit lighting and a stowage panel for a cable.

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 03 Jun 2012 21:52

I have a feeling a lot of the "Offsets" are going to be in the same vein as above. like Tata and Augusta Westland producing helicopter cabins like the seats and seat belts....and calling it "Defense production"....utter nonsense.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 03 Jun 2012 22:03

tejas wrote:^^^ You have to be $hitting me Cockpit lighting and a stowage panel for a cable.

A lot of companies in Bangalore are doing "sheet metal" work for boeing and airbus. Stowage boxes and panels onlee. This is the sum total of "offset work" that can be expected now or in the future because of motivated and badly drafted agreements. A lot of fakers have benefited as usual.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 03 Jun 2012 22:14

devesh wrote:I have a feeling a lot of the "Offsets" are going to be in the same vein as above. like Tata and Augusta Westland producing helicopter cabins like the seats and seat belts....and calling it "Defense production"....utter nonsense.

Reliance may be getting into "offset" work for the rafale in a big way. Factories are to come up in Gujarat from what panwallas at reliance are saying.

tejas · Post by **tejas** » 04 Jun 2012 06:08

MoD actually did allow tech. transfer in lieu of offset work. If certain badly needed/domestically unavailable tech. can be obtained this would be far superior to the nonsense we are seeing above.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 04 Jun 2012 09:48

tejas wrote:MoD actually did allow tech. transfer in lieu of offset work. If certain badly needed/domestically unavailable tech. can be obtained this would be far superior to the nonsense we are seeing above.

The nonsense we are seeing is because India is incapable of absorbing technology above a certain level. "Absorbing" tech means an entire new class of machinery and shop floors have to be set up with associated upgrades in materials, supplies etc. For a jump in tech one may need an unknown number of extra factories to supply the high tech raw material/component items for making that new "high tech" item.

For example if someone agreed to do "tech transfer" of an Electro optical device we would need the tech to absorb the detector/sensor and the electronics, maybe dedicated chips that do the job, the mounting of the stabilizers, the special lenses perhaps the special casing/transparent cover that houses the device, and special composites/alloys to make it strong and light.

So if we wanted to do this for say Rafale, we would not be able to set up all the associated infrastructure for 3-4 years even with assistance, and that would delay the project. So "offsets' will be something we can do now and today, like metal sheets, glove compartment boxes and toilet seats.

The idea that what India is currently manufacturing is a joke is because that is about how "advanced" we are. It is a joke but getting serious is not as easy as might be imagined.