Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

AmitR · Post by **AmitR** » 21 Jul 2009 21:35

End-user pact with US is straight, in national interest: Govt

The government on Tuesday rejected opposition charges of comprising national security and sovereignty by going in for the End-user Monitoring Agreement for US defence purchases, declaring that "every thing is very straight."

"Question of bartering of our freedom and sovereignty does not arise. What was being done at the high-end defence purchases is being done now. End-use clause was incorporated earlier," external affairs minister S M Krishna told the Lok Sabha, even as almost the entire opposition, including the BJP and the Left parties, walked out of the House in protest.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS ... 803703.cms

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 24 Jul 2009 12:36

The Real Deal : not first End User Pact, is India’s Most Lax
The Indian Express

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 27 Jul 2009 02:04

Seven new stealth frigates to be built in India.

India’s largest warship builders — Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL), Mumbai; and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata — have prevailed over the Indian Navy’s objections. Business Standard has learned that MDL and GRSE will divide between them the entire order for seven improved stealth frigates, code-named Project 17A.

The navy was insisting that the first two frigates of Project 17A be built abroad, so that MDL and GRSE could learn how to build ships using new modular methods that are preferred by European shipyards. This would have raised the price of Project 17A by more than Rs 5,000 crore.

MDL and GRSE countered that they possessed the technology and the experience for building cutting-edge warships entirely in India.

Each Shivalik class frigate of Project 17 was priced at Rs 2,600 crore, and the navy plans to insist on the same price for Project 17A. Building abroad would cost at least twice as much as building at MDL and GRSE.

But the navy was focusing on early delivery, rather than cost. Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, insisted on presenting before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the advantages of kicking off Project 17A in a foreign shipyard. But Defence Minister AK Antony stepped in to order entirely indigenous production.

At GRSE, a modernisation programme is underway to create the facilities needed for building Project 17A. The Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Rear Admiral KC Sekhar, said a fully equipped modular yard with a 250-ton Goliath crane will be ready in mid-2011. By then, MoD sanctions will be in place and the navy would have completed the design of Project 17B.

Explaining the time-line, Admiral Sekhar said, “The MoD has informally told us that MDL and GRSE will build Project 17A; we are awaiting [formal sanction]. Once the navy finalises the size and design of the new frigate, we will decide our build strategy and costing. Then, hopefully, by the end of 2009, the MoD will issue a Request for Proposals (RfP); GRSE and MDL will submit separate quotes; and then the MoD will place a formal order on the shipyards. Construction should start by end-2011.”

This is the first time that India’s two major defence shipyards are sharing one project between them. And while MDL and GRSE are bidding separately, they are working in close consultation.

Admiral Sekhar points out that both shipyards have a common aim: to construct this largest-ever order of seven frigates without any delays. He explains, “We will have a common design for all seven ships of Project 17A. MDL can be the lead shipyard, since they have more experience in building bigger ships. They can start work on the first frigate; after six months, we will start work on the second one.”

While MDL takes the lead in construction, GRSE will lead the design effort. A month ago, three companies — GRSE; French shipbuilder, DCNS; and Kolkata-based IT engineering company, Vision Comptech — formed a joint venture (JV) to design marine products, including warships, for customers globally. This JV is expected to work with the navy’s Directorate General of Naval Design (DGND) on the design for Project 17A.

If all goes well, say the shipyards, the first Project 17A frigates should be delivered to the Indian Navy by 2016-17.

k prasad · Post by **k prasad** » 27 Jul 2009 10:59

Amazing work that we're coming up with in terms of shipbuilding. I think it is a credit to the men who led these efforts - FH Major, Sureesh Mehta, Kapoor, Natrajan. It Augurs well for us that we now have top men who understand the need for indigenization and are going full steam ahead to push that.

Z_Collin · Post by **Z_Collin** » 27 Jul 2009 11:59

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, insisted on presenting before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the advantages of kicking off Project 17A in a foreign shipyard. But Defence Minister AK Antony stepped in to order entirely indigenous production.

zimbul mallu doing good job.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 27 Jul 2009 13:02

Yes,indigenisation is all very well,and the decision to go ahead with the follow on frigate construction at home commendable,but from our track record ,expect the inevitable delays and we will now have two shipyards that can blame each other! Will there also be accountability and sackings/resignations of babus/technocrats responsible as we are seeing in Russia,where the shipyard head that is restoring the Gorshkov was earlier sacked and the chief Russian missile designer also made to resign after another failure of the Bulava missile? He underestimated the complexity of sub-launched naval missiles,being a designer of land launched missiles,according to Russian sources.

I am quite sceptical of these two yards delivering the ships on time.Just see how the Scorpene sub-building project is also badly behind time,acknowledged by the DM himself.Had we built the first two abroad they would've been in service by now.In actual fact,India has built/assembled only 2 subs of the Sishumar U-209 class in the past and the first true sub built in India is actually the Arihant,as even though it might have a significant amount of Russian tech in it,is an entirely new class of sub.A great achievement.But this is a programme so crucial to the nation's defence that it would've received complete tech support and funding.

For the warships to arrive on time,all decisions pertaining to weapon systems ,machinery and sensors aboard must be finalised before the ships are started.In a programme as large as this,in order to avoid obsolescence,one has to have time also to develop cutting edge weapon systems and better sensors than used in past warships.Here however,size and weight has to be spcified beforehand as a modular approach is reportedly being adopted where a larger amount of fitting out is already completed in modular sections,as in subs,by the time the ship is launched.Previous projects like the Brahmaputras languished because of the failue to successfully develop the Trishul missile and the frigate was commisioned without any SAM system!

The only silver lining in the announcement is that of a foreign yard being roped in for setting up a design facility,which resolves a major issue,of speedy designing and delivery of drawings in time.We know how the absence of such drawings has affected the Gorshkov modernisation! The decision seems to have succumbed to pressure to keep our ancient PSUs and their overstaffed yards flush with funds for worker tea-breaks! The number of shipyard workers in a country like Korea and India working on one such frigate must be compared to see how inefficient our yards are right now.The big Q is still,how are the yards going to be modernised? Who is going to help us do it? MD suffers from a lack of space,which is hampering shipbuilding the modular way.So unless the yards are mdoernised before the work starts,I'm afraid that the IN is going to be proven right in due course of time.Acquiring the technology of shipbuilding the modern high-tech way is as important as getting a modern high-tech warship built on time.We are woefully behind China in the sped with which it builds its warships and catching up with China's capability is almost an impossible dream,just keeping pace with it should be the minimum goal.

Jaylal · Post by **Jaylal** » 27 Jul 2009 13:26

And to that I say;

The road to indigenization must not wait. In a time where no real maritime threats are imminently visible, we need to be trying to consolidate our know-how in ship/sub building. If GRSE and MDL get familiar with designing these modern warships from scratch, our gain is a capability that cannot be bought from any seller at any price.

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 27 Jul 2009 14:04

What I infer from severe delays by DRDO in doing things on time is that India should restructure/trim DRDO heavily and fire non-performing assets in agency. They should be given voluntary/forced retirement so as to pave the way to fresh new, talented, enthusiastic and brilliant engineers from universities and industries in India to start working on cutting edge of defense. Something on style of private companies elsewhere in the world. It is very clear that DRDO prospects and payscale attracts miniscule amount of brilliant engineers who would prefer and join private sector. Trimmed DRDO which has some brilliant guns should be kept to identify the future areas to work on and pass on their existing knowledge to younger generation. On any account the current system is not working..What say folks.

Reference :

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/news ... wsid=11016

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 27 Jul 2009 14:10

ashish, you also need a mechanism to reward performers.
if you can't, you have no job hanging the threat of sacking.

btw, the last few posts were not about DRDO.

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 27 Jul 2009 14:25

Well it is a truth that one should always know the fact that if they consistantly fail to meet the deadlines eventually their time will run out. This is how company research runs in rest of the world. DRDO should also award the performing teams rightly with added pensions and spot bonus on each successful project on time. However, the agency should also know when to say "no" on the type of equipment they can build within a specific timeframe because failing to do so severely hampers the armed forces efforts to stay on cutting edge.

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 29 Jul 2009 06:21

Rolls-Royce Eyes Business In India

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 30 Jul 2009 05:21

Establishment of Institute of Defence Design and Technology

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 31 Jul 2009 05:20

India plans to build 100 warships

Tata, Israeli co in defence systems JV

Lockheed eyes more deals after India-U.S. defence pact

Western suppliers approached for India's next basic trainer

Hindustan Aeronautics has issued a request for information to companies including Embraer, Finmeccanica, Grob, Korea Aerospace Industries and Raytheon to help in the design and development of a new turboprop trainer for the Indian air force and navy.

Meanwhile, HAL's plan to obtain initial operational clearance for its Sitara intermediate jet trainer is not likely to be realised before 2010. The project had been due to deliver 12 limited series production aircraft to the Indian air force by 2006, but a late decision to integrate Russia's NPO Saturn AL-55I engine led to delays. The first flight of an AL-55I-powered Sitara took place on 9 May.

arun · Post by **arun** » 31 Jul 2009 11:17

X Posted.

Excerpted Gorshkov / Vikramaditya related aspects from interview of outgoing Russian Ambassador to India, Vyacheslav Trubnikov:

'More upgrades will hike the Gorshkov's price'

Jyoti Malhotra / New Delhi July 31, 2009, 0:50 IST

A consummate Russian diplomat, Vyacheslav Trubnikov is returning home this week after having served as serving as Russia’s ambassador to India for nearly five years. The period has seen several highs and lows in the bilateral relationship, including the building of the first civil nuclear power plants by Russia and nagging problems over defence spares and equipment. Edited excerpts from an interview with Jyoti Malhotra. ……………

Then why is there so much bitterness, for example, in the purchase of the aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov; even Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has admitted that…

Yes, I accept there has been some bitterness on both sides. But at the same time both sides want to come to consensus because we understand that the Gorshkov or INS Vikramaditya is absolutely essential for India. We could have taken it back to our own Navy and returned the money to India, but we did not do it. I am absolutely sure that some people in our Navy want it back, but we understand that this is the flagship of India’s eastern fleet. We are responsible enough to understand that India must get this aircraft carrier. India understands this too. The question is tha of price and timing of delivery.

So what happened over the years?

The discussions between the two sides started when ‘Gorshkov’ was only a boat, without any equipment. You have to realise that the final price (of the aircraft-carrier) and the time of its completion, ultimately depend on the character and quality of the order placed by the buyer, which includes the refit, the equipment on board and its necessary upgrades. And usually the appetite changes as you eat.

Are you saying the Indian side kept changing its order?

Not changing, but the Indian Navy was eager to get the best, the most modern equipment.

So the Navy’s appetite kept increasing, they wanted more and more..

Yes.

... But this constant back and forth, officials traveling up and down and the long delays?

The major reason is that the contract was signed when the Russian side, the plant Sevmash, badly needed money and wanted to sign the contract, while the Indian side wanted to buy an absolutely modern aircraft carrier at lower than the cheapest price. After the contract was signed (in 2004), both sides began to understand exactly the enormity of the task they had undertaken to do. But the realisation came a little late.

The Indians complain that the Russians are constantly changing the price.

Yes, we are changing the price, but if the value of the dollar changes, should we stick to the same figure? If the price is in our favour, do you think the Indian side would pay more? I don’t think so. It is a serious commercial discussion.

Reports are that it will cost around $2.2 billion?

It would be irresponsible of me to comment. Price negotiations are now entering the final stage. What is important for India is also the time of delivery. But the point is that if India wants additional equipment, the carrier will cost even more. So if both sides stop and decide, okay no request from India and no increase in price from our side, then we can finalise price and delivery.

Business Standard

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 01 Aug 2009 17:42

Soviet warship turns into India's white elephant

ashish raval · Post by **ashish raval** » 01 Aug 2009 18:14

I sincerely wish that this is the last major a/c carrier purchase by India in my lifetime. We have learned hard lesson not to accept gifts from future.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 01 Aug 2009 19:53

GOI could have taken help from the South Korean, French, or English ship building companies and have build at least two (50,000 ton class) flat tops for the money that is being shelled out, and purchased the aircraft from Russia or US. Allowing India to pack the ships with the desired electronic equipment and weapons packages. This approach would have allowed the Indian shipyards to learn the required skills to build and maintain aircraft carriers.

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 02 Aug 2009 09:32

MiG-29 upgrade may be delayed

As per the contract, 54 single-seat fighters and eight trainers are being refurbished.

While six aircraft will be upgraded by the MiG-29’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the remaining aircraft will be refurbished with kits supplied by RSK MiG at the IAF’s 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Nasik. As per the original schedule, the first upgraded MiG-29 was scheduled to fly into India in March 2010.

However, officials from the OEM told The Hindu that there will be a delay of at least eight months in the arrival of the first upgraded aircraft. The Russians are attributing this to a delay in the IAF finalising the ‘buyer furnished equipment.’

The delay will translate into a year-long delay in the start of production aircraft at 11BRD. Fourteen aircraft are scheduled to roll out of 11BRD between April 2010 and March 2011.

sunilUpa · Post by **sunilUpa** » 04 Aug 2009 04:14

Double Order from India and UAE for Fincantieri

The Indian Navy, on the other hand, has exercised its option for a second fleet tanker which was included in the contract signed in 2008, with delivery in the last half of 2011, a sister ship to the first fleet tanker currently under construction and due for delivery in 2010.

Fincantieri has been following the Indian market closely. Following delivery in 2007 of the Sagar Nidhi, an oceanographic vessel for the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) of Madras, the company has continued its co-operation – drawing on the strength of its experience building the Cavour, the flagship of the Italian Navy – with the shipyard of Cochin for the design of the engine, technology transfer and the provision of complementary services for the construction of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) currently under construction. Fincantieri has completed the functional and detailed design of the propulsion system and assistance at the Indian shipyard is soon due to start up.

Commenting on the announcement of the orders, Giuseppe Bono, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri said: “We are beginning to reap what we have sown. These important orders constitute for our Group a significant signal of recovery in the naval export market, especially in view of the current crisis. They come on the heels of the recent awarding of the first orders in the Littoral Combat Ship program which involves our shipyards in the USA, and confirm that the company was right to take the strategic decision to be present in all sectors, from civilian to military.”

Since January this year Fincantieri has gained orders in the naval sector for a total value of over 500 million Euros.

-- The Indian fleet tanker on the other hand will be 175 metres long, 25 m broad, for a height of 19 metres and have a displacement at full load of 27,500 tonnes. Powered by two diesel engines of 10,000 kW the ship will be able to reach a maximum speed of 20 knots.

As for the first fleet tanker, the propulsion system will be made up of a shaft with an adjustable pitch propeller and the vessel will have a flight deck for medium-heavy helicopters (up to 10 tons). Thanks to her double hatches, it will be possible to carry out refueling of four ships at the same time. She will be able to accommodate approximately 250 people, including crew and supplementary personnel.

Last but not least she will feature a double hull, which can guarantee greater protection of the fuel tanks against the risk of pollution in case of collision or damage, in accordance with the new Marpol environmental protection regulations of the International Maritime Organization.

sunilUpa · Post by **sunilUpa** » 04 Aug 2009 04:19

Indian Armed Forces Getting What They've Asked For UAVs

The Indian Defence ministry has approved another major induction of UAVs for armed forces, with surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions becoming critical on the western and eastern fronts as well as along the huge coastline.

The Indian Army is going in for two more “troops” (six to eight birds each) of advanced Heron UAVs from Israel for Rs 1,118 crore, after getting the nod from the Defence Acquisitions Council headed by defence minister A. K. Antony. The 1.13-million strong force has also projected a requirement of seven “troops” of the Rustom drones being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation and Aeronautical Development Establishment in a Rs 1,000 crore project with Israeli help. As a MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) drone, Rustom will be capable of operating for 24 hours, with a 300-km range and a 10,000-metre maximum altitude. The Army is already inducting the indigenous Nishant and Lakshya UAVs.
Similarly, the Indian Navy’s case for two more Israeli UAVs at a cost of Rs 386 crore has also been approved, in addition to the ongoing Rs 1,163 crore joint project between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and DRDO for NRUAVs (naval rotary UAVs). Thev Navy is already using its UAV fleet of eight Searcher-II and four Herons for maritime surveillance up to 200 nautical miles. With Army planning to induct these miniature spy drones right down to the battalion-level by 2017, it’s keen they also be capable of carrying explosives for “hard kill” of “light targets”.

Apart from regular infantry units, Para (Special Forces) battalions will also get “stealthy” drones for covert missions beyond enemy lines and counter-terrorism operations. The armed forces had gone in for a major infusion of Israeli UAVs after the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2002 Operation Parakram in the wake of Parliament terror attack. At present, they have more than 100 UAVs, primarily Israeli ones such Searcher-II and Heron, as also some “killer drones” designed to detect and destroy enemy radars by functioning like cruise missiles. While the aim in the 11th Plan (2007-2012) period is to also induct armed drones like the American ‘Predators’, which are being successfully used to take on Taliban in Af-Pak region with their ‘Hellfire’ missiles, the eventual objective is to have full-fledged UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles). The plan, as of now, is to further boost the snooping capabilities of armed forces as well as fully-integrate UAVs with weapon platforms for delivering precision-guided munitions

Purchase of Attack Helicopters for Air Force

Three vendors had submitted their proposals in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) relating to procurement of Attack Helicopters for the Indian Air Force that had been issued on May 23, 2008. During technical evaluation, it was found that all the three proposals did not comply with all the requirements stipulated in the RFP. Hence, the RFP was withdrawn on March 09, 2009. A fresh RFP has already been issued on May 25, 2009.

This information was given by Minister of Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Smt Maneka Gandhi in Lok Sabha today

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 04 Aug 2009 05:47

Armed forces to get more snoop-power

India's defence budget stays at Rs 141,703 crore

Tata Advanced Systems helicopter cabin facility to be completed by 2010

dinesha · Post by **dinesha** » 05 Aug 2009 12:45

Govt ignores CAG request for MRSAM (Barak-II) contract files

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 06 Aug 2009 19:27

IAF FLIRting with US

The units delivered under this award will be installed on C-130J Fixed Wing Surveillance Platforms in support of Indian Ministry of Defense airborne missions.

and it contains one huge para of risks and uncertainties, sure sounds scary!

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 06 Aug 2009 21:59

Kailash wrote:IAF FLIRting with US

The units delivered under this award will be installed on C-130J Fixed Wing Surveillance Platforms in support of Indian Ministry of Defense airborne missions.
and it contains one huge para of risks and uncertainties, sure sounds scary!

That "para" is meant only for investors. Not for the buyer/user.

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 07 Aug 2009 11:52

Star SAFIRE III brochure

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Aug 2009 18:11

from livefist.

Army For New Commanders Sight On T-90s

The Indian Army has decided to replace the main commander's sight on all current and future T-90S main battle tanks, and has issued a request for information for this. The T-90's PNK-4S commanders sight, manufactured by Russia's JSC Rostov Optical-Mechanical Plant (ROMZ), has been found to be far below what the Army wants, and it has therefore put out an RFI for an advanced thermal-imager based panoramic night sight.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Aug 2009 18:16

Can they standardise the T-90 suite with that of Arjun , it has a TI system

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Aug 2009 18:17

Arjun ?! perish the thought. why should chi chi T90 touch sdre arjun?

and it seems neither did the thales-catherine sight do well
http://www.strategypage.com/dls/article ... 232423.asp

and there aint no space to fit a more powerful cooling back due to the legendary 'compactness' of the revered machine

this is just one of a long list of T-90 failures. we inducted the tank years
before it demoed a missile firing capability per reports. I still havent seen
pic of a T-90 firing missile in exercise, so maybe we didnt buy any.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Aug 2009 18:22

The missile firing capability is the USP of T-90 , i saw in one IDEX (Abu Dhabi ) demonstration video of T-90 firing the missile against the target.

JaiS · Post by **JaiS** » 11 Aug 2009 09:10

From,

Interview of Alexey Fedorov

Russia's United Aircraft reaches maturity

As well as the MS-21 midsize airliner and Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet, he says the following projects are active: the long-delayed Ilyushin Il-112 light cargo aircraft; a medium cargo aircraft in development with India; the revamped Il-76 known as the Il-476; an as yet unnamed short/medium-range widebody airliner; and the just agreed relaunch of the Antonov An-124 outsize freighter.

khukri · Post by **khukri** » 14 Aug 2009 16:56

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i= ... =ASI&s=LAN

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 20 Aug 2009 18:54

Rafael agrees huge deal with Indian Army - report

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 22 Aug 2009 05:29

‘Lack of incentives driving away FDI in defence sector’

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 23 Aug 2009 22:58

Workers fight for C-17

AmitR · Post by **AmitR** » 23 Aug 2009 23:46

Gerard wrote:Rafael agrees huge deal with Indian Army - report

Sorry for being behind on this.
What happened to the Akash missile?
I believe that it passed the IAF user trials and order for 100 missiles was placed. But the Army rejected it.

dinesha · Post by **dinesha** » 05 Sep 2009 20:18

Report: India, Russia Near New Deal on Carrier
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i= ... =EUR&s=AIR

"We hope to solve all the issues by the middle of October by signing an additional agreement," said the head of state holding giant Russian Technologies, Sergei Chemezov, Russian news agencies reported

Ankit Desai · Post by **Ankit Desai** » 29 Sep 2009 22:34

L&T will bid to build Navy's second submarine line

"Our shipyards in Hazira and Kattupalli have the capability to take up construction of vessels of about 7,000 to 9,000 tonnage and even warships of the size three or four times these vessels," Naik said.

Ankit

khukri · Post by **khukri** » 10 Oct 2009 01:38

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... -warm.html

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 10 Oct 2009 23:58

India needs to modernise military inventory: Minister (Interview)

Craig Alpert · Post by **Craig Alpert** » 15 Oct 2009 03:58

India, Russia to Extend Military Cooperation Till 2020

Antony, who arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit, had over one hour long tête-à-tête with Serdyukov, instead of the initial 30 minute one-to-one session.
Gorshkov upgradation, modernisation of the older fleet of Sukhoi Su-30 warplanes, serial production of T-90S main battle tanks in India and under the transfer of technology were among some of the issues reviewed by Antony and Serdyukov, Defence Ministry spokesperson Irina Kovalchuk said

According to sources some of the slipping projects like Gorshkov upgradation would now be extended beyond the current programme.
The focus would be on the joint design, development and production of a hypersonic version of BrahMos cruise missile, multi-role transport aircraft for the military and fifth generation fighter aircraft, which would provide India an access to cutting-edge technology.