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

yantra · Post by **yantra** » 22 May 2011 05:40

Any research happening in the graphene area in Indian Defence R&D? Seems to have a lot of interesting applications.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/c ... 491789.stm

Raghavendra · Post by **Raghavendra** » 22 May 2011 08:14

Indian Navy likely to induct ''Kawach'' rockets in 2013 http://www.brahmand.com/news/Indian-Nav ... /1/13.html

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 22 May 2011 13:48

yantra wrote:Any research happening in the graphene area in Indian Defence R&D? Seems to have a lot of interesting applications.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/c ... 491789.stm

Look into page no.9 of the april issue of DRDO Technology focus.

yantra · Post by **yantra** » 22 May 2011 20:51

Nice! Thanks for the response and pointing it to me - nice focus areas as well!

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 23 May 2011 16:31

Pipavav Shipyard Naval OPV orders not yet confirmed

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 23 May 2011 19:09

Hinduja Group to foray into aerospace business.

The Hinduja Group today said it is keen to venture into the aerospace business and will make an announcement over the next three months.

"We will announce our plan (to enter the aerospace business) over the next three-four months," Hinduja Automotive , Executive Vice-Chairman, V Sumantran, told reporters on the sidelines of a conference here.

"We see a huge potential in the aviation business. We think this (aerospace) sector will continue to grow..." he said.

When asked whether the Group wants to manufacture commercial or defence aircraft, Sumantran said "everything you will know over the next 3-4 months".

Talking on the likely investment, he said "it is difficult to talk about it now as we are still in the process of deciding the scale of the business".

Hinduja Group outfit, Defiance Technologies, has already started work on testing and validation for aerospace systems while Ashok Leyland Defence Systems is doing design and engineering for some sub-systems in India.

Another leading conglomerate, the Anand Mahindra-led M&M, is also foraying into the aerospace segment through the acquisition of two Australian companies -- Aerostaff Australia and Gippsland Aeronautics.

ASPuar · Post by **ASPuar** » 23 May 2011 22:38

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news ... ss/794597/

BSF writes to govt on 'Dhruv' choppers

New Delhi

The Border Security Force (BSF) has written to the Government for replacing indigenous 'Dhruv' helicopters saying they did not fulfil its operational requirement.

"The Advanced Light Helicopters- Dhruv-- are not helpful in our operations like casualty evacuation and troop reinforcements. They are useless for us. Most of the times these helicopters are under servicing and there are issues about its capabilities to fly beyond a certain height," BSF sources said.

"We have informed the Home Ministry in this regard.

The helicopter keeps developing regular snags," they said.

The air wing in these naxal-affected areas is under the command of the Border Security Force (BSF) and is used by the personnel of CRPF, ITBP, SSB and state police forces.

The BSF air fleet at present has six ALH 'Dhruvs' and two more will soon be inducted.

The Home Ministry, meanwhile, has also finalised a deal to lease six additional helicopters from a private vendor after a tender in this regard was floated last year by the government.

"These helicopters will be in place by June this year and will help security forces deployed for anti-naxal operations,"the sources said.

The present fleet of 'Dhruvs' placed in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) are also out of work due to reasons of want of spare parts or requirements of servicing.

The BSF air fleet, according to sources, will also be inducting a large transport plane as the two Avros that it has are non-operational due to technical reasons.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 24 May 2011 00:57

either a ddm or a motivated report.

A chopper used by the more demanding ARmy - is not fit for the BSF????

now there was another article about how overused the dhruvs are because of the shortage. That may be the true reason

Since half the helos are used for mantris and other vermin

Raghavendra · Post by **Raghavendra** » 24 May 2011 08:16

Successful flight test of Rustom UAV in Bangalore http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_su ... re_1546070

Published: Saturday, May 21, 2011, 21:10 IST
Place: Bangalore | Agency: PTI

A successful flight test of 'Rustom 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle' was conducted today.

"Rustom 1" being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO lab engaged in pioneering R&D work in the field of aeronautics, has an endurance of 14 hours and altitude ceiling of 8000 metres," a DRDO release said.

"Rustom 1 has been achieved by converting a manned aircraft into a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) by removing pilot seat and making required electrical, mechanical and aerodynamic modifications", the release said.

The test flight was conducted at the airfield belonging to the M/s Taneja Aerospace (TAAL) located near Hosur. Many improvements have been carried out since the last flight, in terms of piloting, landing and taxiing,it said.

The flight was a precursor to one with payloads as required by the Services.

"The complete sequence of events went off well to the total satisfaction of the scientists and technical personnel of the Bangalore’s Aeronautical Development Establishment who have developed the UAV," the release said.

Prahlada, chief controller of research and development (aeronautics programme), said "with the successful accurate flying of Rustom 1,ADE is geared up for integration of payloads with the Aircraft within next three months, to demonstrate performance of payloads and necessary secure data-link to the users."

ADE's Rustom 1 UAV undergoes 2nd flight test before payload integration http://machinist.in/index.php?option=co ... 9&Itemid=2

Written by James
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Bangalore: The "Rustom 1" UAV being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO lab engaged in pioneering R&D work in the field of aeronautics, underwent it's second successful flight test at around 12 noon on 21st May 2011.

Dr Prahlada, Chief controller Research and Development (Aeronautics Programs), informed that with the successful accurate flying of Rustom 1 today, ADE is geared up for integration of payloads with the Aircraft within next three months, to demonstrate performance of payloads and necessary secure data-link to the users.

The "Rustom 1" has an endurance of 14 hours and altitude ceiling of 8000 meters.

Many improvements have been carried outs since the last flight, in terms of piloting, landing, taxiing etc. The flight was a precursor to the flight with payloads as required by the Services.

The test flight was conducted at the airfield belonging to the Taneja Aerospace (TAAL) located near Hosur.

The Rustom 1 has been achieved by converting a manned aircraft in to a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) by removing pilot seat and making required electrical, mechanical and aerodynamic modifications.

Dr Prahlada congratulated all the team members of Project team led by Shri PS Krishnan, Distinguished Scientist and Director ADE. The flight was witnessed by Shri PS Krishnan, Director, ADE, Shri G. Natarajan Assoc director, ADE, Mr G. Sreenivasamurthy, Project Director, R1, ADE amongst other dignitaries.

The complete sequence of events went off well, to the total satisfaction of the scientists and technical personnel of the Bangalore's Aeronautical Development Establishment who have developed the UAV. Lt Col Thappa from the Army was the external pilot for total mission flight.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 24 May 2011 18:39

somewhere Austin commented on the corrupt US MI complex which has run out of control (no disagreements here) and mentioned how the Russian system was not bad at lower cost

A fifth of Russia's state defence spending is stolen every year by corrupt officials, dishonest generals and crooked contractors, Russia's chief military prosecutor said in an interview published on Tuesday.

"Huge money is being stolen - practically every fifth rouble and the troops are still getting poor quality equipment and arms," chief military prosecutor Sergei Fridinsky told Russia's official gazette, Rossiiskaya Gazeta. "Every year more and more money is set aside for defence but the successes are not great," he said, adding that kickbacks and fictitious contracts were being used to defraud the state.

for these guys the sale of the T 90s must be the coup of the year-

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 25 May 2011 01:20

FDI in defence still in limbo.

At present, a maximum of 26 per cent is allowed in the defence sector. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (Dipp), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, had proposed a 100 per cent FDI cap in order to enable global defence entities to set up manufacturing units in the country. However, the proposal had faced severe resistance from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). According to senior officials in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Defence is against raising the limit to 100 per cent or even 74 per cent. However, it had supported the idea to increase the cap to 49 per cent.

Gaurav_S · Post by **Gaurav_S** » 25 May 2011 14:10

Not directly related

DFS to save state cops from bullets

link

Gujarat police will have the unique advantage among all police force in the country to have its bullet-proof helmets and jackets tested in its own state, thanks to the Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS) in Gandhinagar, which on Tuesday became the first forensic science laboratory in the country to test bullet-proof jackets and helmets.

Uptil now, all testing of such jackets and helmets was carried out at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Chandigarh, the only one of its kind in the country.

The state police had to wait for up to six months to get its bullet-proof equipment tested at TBRL since such material from across the country, including the defence forces, is tested there.

Three-month effort

It took the DFS three months and lakhs of rupees to set up the facility to test bullet-proof jackets and helmets. DFS already had a ballistic firing range, which was modified according to the standards of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at Washington DC in the US. The NIJ standard establishes minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armour against gunfire.

Giving details about the facility, DFS Additional Director Dr M S Dahiya said, “We have followed international testing standards while setting up this facility to test bullet-proof jackets and helmets for the Gujarat police. Right from the time the stock is removed from the packing till the time it is tested, the entire process will be videographed to maintain transparency.”

Two officers of the company providing the helmet/jacket, two police officers, besides members of the government purchase committee and two FSL experts and three observers will be present during the testing, Dahiya said.

Testing standards

For testing the helmet, firing will be carried out from five metres, while for the jacket it has been fixed at 15 metres. The conditions set for the testing are that the helmet/jacket should not break when fired at, nor should the bullet penetrate it. To check whether penetration happens, plasticine, a special material, is used as backing.

Different firing weapons — AK-47, revolver or carbine — will be used as per the requirement. The helmet will be fired at four times from different angles, while the jacket will be shot at six times to test its efficacy.

DFS Director Dr J M Vyas said, “Ours will be the first forensic science laboratory in the country to test bullet-proof equipment. There are two advantages for the state. One testing of equipment for Gujarat police will be done on priority here with no waiting period. Secondly, organisations from other states too will come here to test their equipment, thereby earning revenue for the state.”

Ours will be the first forensic science lab in the country to test bullet-proof equipment. This will be beneficial to the state
—Dr J M Vyas, DFS Director

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 26 May 2011 02:55

OT...but Gujarat ought to be a model state from where other states in India should learn from. My own state of Kerala should take a leaf out of their book...especially in work ethic.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 26 May 2011 20:18

Wipro, EADS subsidiaries tie-up for aerospace, defence manufacture news.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 27 May 2011 21:16

ABG Shipyard cleared to build warships for Indian Navy .

India's ABG Shipyard Ltd, the country's biggest private shipbuilder, has received government clearance to build warships and support vessels for the Indian Navy. The shipyard received a licence Wednesday that will now allow it to build submarines, attack craft and propulsion systems for the Indian Navy, chief financial officer Dhananjay Datar said.

The licence also allows the company to build weapons, equipment and assemblies for the navy, army and air force, Datar said.

The licence was granted to ABG's shipyards at Surat and Dahej, both in Gujarat.

ABG is the second private sector shipbuilder to win such a licence after Pipavav Shipyard Ltd.

''This opens up a major opportunity for defence shipbuilding, which is one of our long-term objectives,'' Datar said.

With India's defence upgrade and acquisition programme moving apace local shipbuilders are increasingly eyeing government-funded defence shipbuilding contracts as a viable commercial option.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 30 May 2011 06:26

Indian inventor develops ‘climate-controlled’ jacket to heat or cool wearer

The climate-controlled jacket that weighs a little more than 1kg has been successfully tested by the Indian army in the Siachen glacier where temperatures are as low as -40C in winter.

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 30 May 2011 06:50

hope this makes it to production ASAP

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 02 Jun 2011 11:42

DRDO lists recent achievements in run up to outstanding achievement awards 2010

Sudarshan has orders

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 02 Jun 2011 12:05

DRDO AWARDS 2010 for outstanding contribution announced

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 02 Jun 2011 13:22

VinodTK wrote:Indian inventor develops ‘climate-controlled’ jacket to heat or cool wearer
The climate-controlled jacket that weighs a little more than 1kg has been successfully tested by the Indian army in the Siachen glacier where temperatures are as low as -40C in winter.

Some thing like this was demonstrated by CSIR back in the mid 90s as well where the user was shown reading a news paper in a cool +65 deg C room. This IIRC was to have been used with the Arjun. I wonder what happned to that.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 02 Jun 2011 13:34

chackojoseph wrote:DRDO AWARDS 2010 for outstanding contribution announced

The report says
"Development of PINAKA – Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System was achieved with the successful transfer of technology to production agencies, two regiments of PINAKA (worth Rs 1300 crores) have been raised by Army which is likely to place orders for another two regiments."

I thought IA raised its first Pinaka regiment in 2000 and has been raising 1 regiment (atleast that was the plan) every year. which should mean TEN regiments and not a measly 2 regiments.

Paging Rohitvats!!!

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 02 Jun 2011 13:36

LRDE site talks about "Low level Light Weight 3D Radar - ASLESHA", BEL also talk about this, which means they manufacture it. This seems to have multiple uses like base protection, high value target protection, offsite monitoring etc. Effectively increases surveillance capability without having to keep our more powerful radars on 24x7.

has it been inducted by IAF or IA, could help IN bases too. Gurus...

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 02 Jun 2011 13:47

chackojoseph wrote:DRDO AWARDS 2010 for outstanding contribution announced

Kudos to DRDO, They are picking up momentum, what they need is a little more encouragement from the users. St. Antony and his King should now focus on OFBs.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 03 Jun 2011 12:20

cheenum wrote:
chackojoseph wrote:DRDO AWARDS 2010 for outstanding contribution announced
The report says
"Development of PINAKA – Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System was achieved with the successful transfer of technology to production agencies, two regiments of PINAKA (worth Rs 1300 crores) have been raised by Army which is likely to place orders for another two regiments."

I thought IA raised its first Pinaka regiment in 2000 and has been raising 1 regiment (atleast that was the plan) every year. which should mean TEN regiments and not a measly 2 regiments.

Paging Rohitvats!!!

First Pinaka Regiment in 2000? Where did you get that from? IIRC, IA was to induct 2 regiments (which it has) worth in 2007-2012 Defense Plan and further couple of regiments worth (the number slips me) in next 5-year defence plan.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 03 Jun 2011 12:28

^^^ explains OFB's 1000 rockets per year form Pinaka's

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 03 Jun 2011 15:06

DRDO creating a roadmap "Defence technology Vision 2050": Dr VK Saraswat

Last 3 paras are very vital.

gakakkad · Post by **gakakkad** » 03 Jun 2011 16:07

chackojoseph wrote:^^^ explains OFB's 1000 rockets per year form Pinaka's

pinaka can deliver 250 kg payload with a range of 40-120 km. Can it possibly be used to deliver tactical nukes ? since the porki psy ops division claims that their haft can deliver a sub kiloton payload.

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 03 Jun 2011 16:15

gakakkad wrote:
chackojoseph wrote:^^^ explains OFB's 1000 rockets per year form Pinaka's

pinaka can deliver 250 kg payload with a range of 40-120 km. Can it possibly be used to deliver tactical nukes ? since the porki psy ops division claims that their haft can deliver a sub kiloton payload.

As far As I know, Pinaka Max range in 40KM with 214mm rocket with 100kg payload. a Wider diameter and longer rocket is in the works with 100KM range but there is not too much news in Public Domain.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 03 Jun 2011 17:14

Gupta said ‘Pinaka’ rockets manufactured at Ordnance Factory at Ambajhari have been well-received by the Indian Army and the OFB currently manufactures 1000 rockets per year. The army has a demand five times higher the current capacity and OFB is considering increasing its capacity to meet the demand.

The system has a maximum range of 39–40 km and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds, neutralizing a target area of 3.9 km2

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 03 Jun 2011 17:26

It depends on how far away we are from the enemy line, such that we would not have to cross that line for few days or without NBC suite or vehicle. Also, depends on the maal design, and efficiency, and test data that we got from shakti (x), which ever had the 0.3 Kt wala.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 03 Jun 2011 20:55

rohitvats wrote:First Pinaka Regiment in 2000? Where did you get that from? IIRC, IA was to induct 2 regiments (which it has) worth in 2007-2012 Defense Plan and further couple of regiments worth (the number slips me) in next 5-year defence plan.

Rohit, every mention of Pinaka on the web talks about first regiment in 2000. I always had my doubt as the MBRL launchers i have seen were all either DRDO ones or few army ones and no mention of a regiment name or which Artillery Brigade it belongs to. so my Pooch to you.
1) How many Pinaka Regiments does IA have (c) 2011?
2) Which Artillery Brigade do they come under?

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 03 Jun 2011 21:04

gakakkad wrote:
chackojoseph wrote:^^^ explains OFB's 1000 rockets per year form Pinaka's

pinaka can deliver 250 kg payload with a range of 40-120 km. Can it possibly be used to deliver tactical nukes ?

No.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 03 Jun 2011 23:54

You can get TSP's NASR if you so desire!

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Jun 2011 00:16

^^^He is looking for a system that works!

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 04 Jun 2011 01:08

DRDO's 20 most potent weapon systems.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 04 Jun 2011 13:22

cheenum wrote:
rohitvats wrote:First Pinaka Regiment in 2000? Where did you get that from? IIRC, IA was to induct 2 regiments (which it has) worth in 2007-2012 Defense Plan and further couple of regiments worth (the number slips me) in next 5-year defence plan.
Rohit, every mention of Pinaka on the web talks about first regiment in 2000. I always had my doubt as the MBRL launchers i have seen were all either DRDO ones or few army ones and no mention of a regiment name or which Artillery Brigade it belongs to. so my Pooch to you.
1) How many Pinaka Regiments does IA have (c) 2011?
2) Which Artillery Brigade do they come under?

I must confess that I've not followed the topic very closely but from what ever I've read, there are two regiments of Pinaka. Though, I've read reports on the net of 3 regiments with first having being raised in 2000 - which seems incorrect because AFAIK, Pinaka was still in develoment stage till 1999 (with Kargil war used as a real testing ground). While even BR page on Pinaka says that first regiment was raised in 2000, that is hard to accept because the same page has a photo of Pinaka as part of DRDO contingent in 2005 Republic Day Parade.

So, IMO, there are two regiments with further to be raised in next 5-year defence plan. As for the brigades, there was a pic of Pinaka launcher which had the formation formation sign of one of the artillery divisions.

Added later: Please see this link from livefist:

http://livefist.blogspot.com/2010/01/ex ... -from.html

The formation sign on the vehicle is that of an artillery division...I think it is the Pune based 41st Artillery Division.

Also, while the above report says that 2 Regiments are in place and further two will be raised (Or, would have been raised) in 2010 itself, I really doubt that.

Finally, did some googling on the induction of first Pinaka Regiment...AFAIK, it was raised in 2009. Pinaka matured as a product by 2006. Though, there was a test unit identified/dedicated to interface with DRDO and this may be getting confused as the first Pinaka Regiment. My guess is, it was 121 Rocket Regiment - the same unit under who auspises the system was tested in Kargil.

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 04 Jun 2011 14:03

Rakesh wrote:^^^He is looking for a system that works!

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 04 Jun 2011 14:45

rohitvats wrote: So, IMO, there are two regiments with further to be raised in next 5-year defence plan. As for the brigades, there was a pic of Pinaka launcher which had the formation formation sign of one of the artillery divisions.

I think it is time to update BR page and Wiki too? my doubt stemmed from my research on RD Parade, no announcement by L&T/BEML or the launch vehicles etc. With two regiments currently, and 1K Pinaka rockets being manufactured per year we should be in a position to add 1 regiment every year. This would help us implement the 100 Guns Concept for IA.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 04 Jun 2011 15:18

^^^One regiment per year was the original plan when such a system was envisaged. Expect good action on this front in the 2012-2017 Defense plan.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 04 Jun 2011 16:07

rohitvats wrote:^^^One regiment per year was the original plan when such a system was envisaged. Expect good action on this front in the 2012-2017 Defense plan.

Three factors have delayed Rapid Induction of Pinaka MBRL
1) OFBs capacity limitation to manufacture only 1K rackets (which is now, god know how many patakas they made five years ago
2) IA inducting a good number of SMERCH MBRLs (28+14=42) which was supposed to be provided to the three Strike Corps
3) Desi Jugaad to extend the life of Grad MBRLs and better rackets for Grad based on Pinaka experience.

Apart from all this, there has been this Piss process with TSP which has delayed many modernization plans of IA (Arty saga, Arjun saga etc).

As Rohit said, in the next Five years, with OFB increasing production, we should see sizeable # of MBRLs (including P-II) joining the ranks of IA artillery Regiments.