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

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 19 Nov 2011 23:18

uddu wrote:If this means weight rather than size, then the Arjun can weigh around 40 tons. Far less than the T-90 that weights around 47 tons. Even if Arjun weighs around 47 tons, its going to kill the argument of T-90 being lighter and Arjun heavier... The army can order the mass production of Arjun MKII and remove all the other tanks from service.
...Added later: This may be the reason for higher cost of Arjun MKII. Hopes mass production in thousands of tanks can bring down he cost as well.

Hope DRDO completes all tests quickly and convince ARMY to move fast. If Army goes about its endless "Trials by fire", all these dudes would retire and be long gone... What should be done to "BLACKLIST" Rosbonoexport to stop all these Natasha imports?

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 22 Nov 2011 01:25

More PE deals in defence space likely to take off.

wig · Post by **wig** » 23 Nov 2011 10:13

Now, a steel alloy to reduce cost of missiles, rockets = " DMR 1700" is a corrosion-proof alloy with ultra-high strength, high-fracture toughness

Developed by the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) and the Mishra Dhathu Nigam (MIDHANI), the special alloy, DMR 1700, has ultra-high strength and finds wide applications in space and defence sectors.

The DMR 1700 is set to replace the 250-Grade maraging steel, which is presently used in missiles and rockets. “It is an advanced material that can boost the country’s weapons system and military hardware,” said Dr VK Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister. He was speaking at the 65th annual technical meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) in Hyderabad.

The steel alloy, developed after a two decade-long research, would help reduce the cost of production of missiles and rockets by nearly two-thirds, DMRL director G Malkondiah said.

The DMR 1700 is a low-alloy steel with ultra-high strength and high-fracture toughness. As a corrosion-proof alloy, it can be used in ship hulls. The DMRL has also joined a select group of nations in developing high-purity aeronautical grade of titanium for space and defence applications.

“The DMRL has transferred the technology to the Kerala Metals and Minerals Ltd (KMML) which is setting up a 500-tonne year capacity plant. The product produced by the KMML will be converted into a finished product by MIDHANI for use in space and defence applications,” Saraswat said.

The newly developed titanium was an import substitution product and only four other countries - United States, Russia, Japan and Kyrgyzstan - had the know-how to produce aeronautical-grade titanium, said M Narayana Rao, chairman and managing director of MIDHANI.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111123/nation.htm#12

pralay · Post by **pralay** » 23 Nov 2011 11:34

uddu wrote:
ManuJ wrote:Tucked away in this article:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city ... 786545.cms
""The composite hull combat vehicles will not only offer the same protection that is provided by conventional steel chassis vehicles, but will be 30% less, which means greater convenience for movement. These vehicles will have better maneuverability in terms of amphibious and land operations and ."
Average calculations
If this means weight rather than size, then the Arjun can weigh around 40 tons. Far less than the T-90 that weights around 47 tons. Even if Arjun weighs around 47 tons, its going to kill the argument of T-90 being lighter and Arjun heavier.

40tons for arjun seems quiet unlikely(it will be only the Hull-weight that will reduce),
I think it will be able to bring down Arjun around 50-52 Ton class for sure.
I think that is what FMBT will be.
But, can anyone please tell me exactly what is weight of empty hull of Arjun?

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 23 Nov 2011 21:18

Pipavav Defence Offshore offloads 10% stake to Northrop Grumman news.

Pipavav Defence & Offshore Engineering, formerly Pipavav Shipyard, will sell a 10% stake for Rs600 crore to a global aerospace and defence technology company. The company is expected to provide critical technology necessary to manufacture equipment for the armed forces.

Pipavav expects to finalise the deal by December this year. The company remains unidentified.Market speculation says the most likely candidate is the American defence contractor Northrop Grumman.

Pipavav Defence will issue 81.9 million shares on a preferential basis to an international strategic investor for Rs110 a piece, the company said in a regulatory filing, without divulging the identity of the buyer.

On receipt of news shares of the company went up 10%, to hit Rs62."We will clinch the deal with the investor by December this year," says Nikhil Gandhi, chairman, Pipavav. "All I can say is that the investor is one of the world's biggest defence conglomerates."

Pipavav had signed a memorandum of understanding in February with Northrop to leverage each other's strengths.Northrop is a Fortune Top 500 company, ranking 72. Last year, it recorded sales of $34 billion.

The investor will initially purchase a 5% stake in Pipavav for Rs385 crore, and scale it up to 10% within three months, the company said in the filing.

In September, Pipavav made a major announcement of a joint venture with Mazgaon Dock Ltd to build submarines and warships. The move is now stuck with rival shipyards contesting the selection process on alleged lack of transparency. The venture has been stayed by the ministry of defence which is looking into the charges.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 23 Nov 2011 21:41

DDM has to learn to write one subject in one report. The DMR1700 story has two different subjects: DMR1700 LAUHS steel and titanium.

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 24 Nov 2011 20:52

DRDO Newsletter Nov 2011

PratikDas · Post by **PratikDas** » 25 Nov 2011 07:15

A Sharma wrote:DRDO Newsletter Nov 2011

Is it just me or is the quality of the DRDO Newsletter really good? A quality publication from the DESIDOC team.

karan_mc · Post by **karan_mc** » 25 Nov 2011 08:48

India working on laser weapons

anishns · Post by **anishns** » 28 Nov 2011 06:29

Faulty planning causing MiG crashes: Rakesh Sharma

PSUs like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO) are being run like political and bureaucratic fiefdom, said Sharma.

As a test pilot with the HAL, Sharma said he would send back fighter planes to the laboratories if he detected snags in their parts. But he soon found out that instead of doing research and development on these parts, the laboratories fitted the parts in another fighter plane. "The parts used to keep repeating the full circle consuming time and energy without any result," he said. The HAL does not even have an in-house test-pilot team, he said.

Sharma said that there is a lack of transparency and accountability in PSUs and officers are not held responsible for poor results. He cited micro management of PSUs through constant interventions from bureaucrats and political leaders as hurdles in their efficient functioning. "The bureaucrats do not understand the process of manufacturing and the politicians understand even lesser than the bureaucrats," he said.

So parts sent for failure diagnosis are fitted back on aircraft? Isn't that fraud anywhere else?

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 28 Nov 2011 07:24

anishns wrote:Faulty planning causing MiG crashes: Rakesh Sharma

Mr. Sharma does seem like an avid reader of BR

Anish this is like a joke you tell and it comes back to you from someone else. BR learns about these things from people like Rakesh via BRFites and others who might interact. Not the other way round.

And perhaps the right thing to do would be to say "Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma" rather than the "Mr.". Or just Rakesh Sharma I guess. Rakesh was a colleague of late Sq. Ldr Baldev Singh and my cousin late Wg Cdr Suresh.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 28 Nov 2011 21:38

Defenec PSUs losing out due to high wage rates, says AK Antony.

Defence shipyards have told the government that they were losing out on global tenders to private players because of high wage rates and high cost of material, defence minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha.He was replying to a question on whether Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) are losing out on contracts for indigenously building ships and other naval craft to private shipyards.

"Defence Shipyards quoted for Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels, Barges, Hovercraft, Fast Patrol Vessels, Interceptor Boats, Cadet Training Ships and Fast Interceptor Craft, but lost to private yards," he said.Antony said the major reasons of losing these contracts are higher wage rates for labour and thereby increase in overheads and longer time taken to procure materials by observing laid down procedures which pushes up their prices.

To enhance competition in future, measures such as modernisation of DPSUs and defence shipyards with latest state-of-the-art facilities and introducing modern integrated construction methodology have been undertaken.The design and production facilities have also been strengthened along with induction of manpower both at the skilled worker level and at management level, he said.

Noting that the construction of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) is underway at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), K Antony said Indian Navy has experience in successfully designing different classes of warships. "The experience has enabled the Indian Navy to embark upon the design and construction of IAC at CSL. Inputs have been obtained from abroad in specialised areas of design such as Propulsion System Integration and Aviation Facilities Complex," he said.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 28 Nov 2011 21:39

Maini Global Aerospace raises $10 mn from overseas PE fund.

Maini Global Aerospace (MGA) has raised $10 million from an overseas private equity fund , signalling the growing interestof investors in Indian aerospace and defence companies . MGA - owned by the Maini group , the engineering firm , best known as the maker of country's first ever electric passenger car Reva , will use this first round of funding to build an aerospace manufacturing factory and expand its capacity . "We are bringing in new technology and integrating various processes . It needs to be executed under one roof ," said Naresh Palta , chief executive , Maini Global Aerospace .

Palta is also scouting for additional funding of $50 million to execute outsourced projects from a slewof globalcustomerssuch as Safran , BAE Systems , Eaton , Goodrich , Magellan and Parker Aerospace . MGA has just signed an agreement with the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS ) to jointly explore new technology areas . "We now see a build-up in the Indian supply chain , which wants to become more capable and innovative - not only in supporting Indian aircraft programmes , but in the export market as well," said Wulf Hoeflich , who leads the EADS technology licensing initiative . The Indian firm has also bagged a multi-million dollar contract from German engine maker MTU Aero-E ngines to make components for Eurofighter Typhoon and Airbus planes .

"We recently were selected as amongst theelite 48 Suppliersof MTU, representing almost half of their purchasing volume , out of the supplier base of 1,300 , from 14 countries ," said Palta who was earlier an executive director at public sector major , Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). The investor interest in Indian aerospace and defence companies is slowly catching up .India willspend $100 billion on defence modernisation programmes by 2022, according to consulting firm Frost & Sullivan . "Aerospace and defence is a growth area for investors . One of the biggest drivers aretheoffsets ,"said Sachin Maheshwari , director at private equity firm Zephyr Peacock India Management . An offset agreement is a stipulation made between a foreign supplier and a company ,which requiresthesupplier to purchase a certain amount of goods from that country in exchange for a contract . Maini hasobtaineddefence industriallicenceto participate in thedefence offset programmes which is stated to be a $25billion industry in a year .

"At the same time , the challenge is that the orders get lumpy , there is no clarity whether you can get them . The sales cycle is long and you can't predict the growth ," added Maheshwari who has evaluated several aerospace and defence companies . This year US-based New Enterprise Associates and London-based Elephant Capital injected private equity funding of . 125 crore in Delhi-based Air Works India Engineering for a minority stake . Last year Warburg Pincus outbid rival Bain Capital to pick up an equity stake in Bangalore-based QuEST Global for $60 million which designs software for GE, Rolls Royce and Airbus . Venture capital firms such as Aureos Capital and Sidbi have pumped in a total funding of . 60 crore in the past five years in Bangalore-based Hind High Vacuum Company (HHV) which is tapping the aerospace and defence industry .

Maini has bagged an outsourcing contract worth up to $10 million from Marshall Aerospace , subcontractors for Boeing , the world's largest aerospace company . It is also working with state-owned aerospace firm HAL to make components for projects such as SU-30 fighter aircraft , Dornier aircraft , Cheetah and Chetak helicopters .

Indranil · Post by **Indranil** » 30 Nov 2011 05:24

Reached this article from a link in Livefist ... but I felt that this is pertinent.

Time to Act on the Defence Industry Front

shiv · Post by **shiv** » 30 Nov 2011 07:11

cross post

Cybaru wrote:Thats pretty good. Those are a lot of trainers. I presume the whole Al-55 thing has put IJT out of comission... Do we know whats happening there ?

I have some new information although not directly about IJT, but the information impacts ALL Indian test aircraft. I was talking to *** ** ***, and he commented that in Australia the air certification authority of Oz does not interfere or ask questions about prototype aircraft testing. That testing is done (presumably) at the risk of the entity that is doing the testing. So if an accident occurs during testing the company can move on quickly.

In India the news is different. Licence raj (my interpretation of the situation) extends right into prototype aircraft testing. That means that no aircraft can be flown without approval from the DGCA (Directorat General Civil Aviation) The DGCA has to approve the ground testing, ground runs etc before it gives permission for the first flight. Now if an accident occurs after this, the incident is taken right back into the purview of the DGCA even if it is a prototype that has just been certified to make its test flights.

In fact that is exactly what happened to the Saras. The investigation was completed, cause determined, Germans/Russians/Martians consulted and the next prototype building started, but DGCA is sitting on it. In fact (and this is yet to be confirmed or denied) the DCGA can demand repeating of all ground tests even if all was well making it both prolonged and costly. In fact I was told by someone on the golf course about a year ago that the Saras was awaiting a DGCA decision. The people who tell me this are usually retird DRDO types who I meet reasonably regularly and the attitude was like a person who has sent an application in triplicate to Delhi and is waiting for papers to move and can do nothing about it. This is an experience that a lot of industrialists and businessmen have in India. That is why the likes of Niira Radia have employment

But what incentive is there for HAL to bribe DGCA? And naturally when one government dept cannot bribe another the file will not move at all.

The two conversations I had suddenly connected up in my mind and I can now surmise what is happening to the IJT. The first two acidenst were minor ones on runways and were not "crashes" as such and the DGCA was probably not involved. The last accident where 2 pilots bailed out has now probably landed at DGCA doorstep and the papers will not move for 4 years ensuring that the IAF will not get its basic trainer.

I just wonder (and this is normal for India) if there is some babu oor minister or file pusher at DGCA who an be bribed by a foreign seller of trainer aircraft to ensure that the IJT file does not move at all. It would be ironic if we sit here and curse HAL while it is the DGCA screwing things up...

tsarkar · Post by **tsarkar** » 30 Nov 2011 08:37

shiv wrote:That means that no aircraft can be flown without approval from the DGCA...

For military aircraft & upgrades to them, the certification comes from Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification. Saras is a civil aircraft from a civil developer (NAL under CSIR under Ministry of Science & Tech), hence it folds under DGCA.

AdityaM · Post by **AdityaM** » 30 Nov 2011 09:35

just got to know, my colleagues dad heads drdo laser weapons

PratikDas · Post by **PratikDas** » 30 Nov 2011 12:45

Does he have a scintillating personality?

karan_mc · Post by **karan_mc** » 01 Dec 2011 09:27

DRDO robot birds to spy on enemies

Picture shows IIT student developed robot bird

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 07 Dec 2011 07:20

We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/tod ... 494614.ece

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 07 Dec 2011 09:06

Surya wrote:We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/tod ... 494614.ece

Very good interview. Looks like a capable Director has finally come to OFB.

We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri
Pratim Ranjan Bose

“We have planned comprehensive modernisation plans for manufacturing and support infrastructure for all factories. We have plans to invest approximately Rs. 6,000 crore during the 12th Plan period,” says Mr S. D. Dimri, Director General - Ordnance Factories and Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), in an interview to Business Line.

Under his stewardship, OFB commenced bulk production of Pinaka rockets and A&E division developed a number of new products such as practice versions of Anti-submarine Rocket RGB-60, RGB-12, Rocket 140 mm and Shell AK-100 for Indian Navy.

Mr Dimri, a capable and efficient administrator has versatile experience in the manufacturing of small arms ammunition, medium and high calibre ammunition, fuze production & troop comfort and protective clothing.

What is the present manufacturing capacity of OFB's factories? What are your plans for green-field and brown-field expansions?

The manufacturing systems of the OFB cover a wide range of fields, including, engineering – both metallurgical and chemical, textiles, leather and optical technology. The factories cater to the need of the armed forces and are mainly engaged in the manufacture and supply of arms, ammunition, battle field tanks, armoured as well as heavy vehicles, and clothing and accessories. The factories have core competency in manufacturing highly sensitive chemical compositions, propellants, explosive, missiles, fuzes, rifles, machine guns, Under-barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), fire control system, active and passive night vision devices, parachutes, tents, uniforms, etc.

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.

Look, long-term capacity is a relative term, depends upon product mix and flexibility of P & M infrastructure. We always ensure that capacity is sufficient to meet current as well as future requirement of Indian Armed Forces. For example, we are augmenting capacity for brown-field projects worth Rs 1,044 crore for mine protected vehicles, armoured vehicle engines, T-72 tank variants, spares for T-72 overhaul to meet enhanced requirements of Indian Armed Forces. We have outsourced low-end products worth Rs 3,500 crore approximately in the last fiscal from private sector, allowing them to grow and helping us to take the role of solution provider and system integrator at higher end of the supply chain.

Thus, we were able to register an impressive growth rate of 29 per cent in the last fiscal. We are changing our product mix towards many of the rockets and missile systems, from traditional arms and ammunitions. We can proudly say that Ordnance Factories are now manufacturing modern armaments involving intricate design and technological expertise of the highest order, contributing to the self-reliance.

We are coming up with Nalanda project for the bi-modular charges and Korwa project for Carbines. Both are green-field projects. The Government has also sanctioned a dedicated proof range at Multai in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh for testing of in-house developed products. We have planned comprehensive modernisation plans for manufacturing and support infrastructure for all factories. We have plans to invest approximately Rs. 6,000 crore during the 12th Plan period.

We are investing heavily in the modernisation of our plant and machinery. We are directing our efforts to build new products, variants and indigenise imported items. We are inducting competent fresh blood to take charge of new initiatives. We are exposing our officers to best practices abroad, by training and visits. We will ensure that OFB creates capacity, agility and flexibility to meet any future challenges. We are making Ordnance factories future ready.

Can you share some details regarding OFB's order book position?

Our order book position is healthy. OFB's order book is over-flowing with higher demand for its traditional products. As on date orders of approximately Rs 50,000 crore is in hand. OFB will be taking up many new products such as new generation assault rifles, CQB carbine, 155/52 artillery guns, 155/52 mounted gun system, 155 mm sensor fuzed munitions, Smerch rockets, grad rockets, successor to L-70 AD gun, very short range air defence missile, Latest generation ammunitions for 84 mm rocket launcher through technology transfer.

We would like to make most out of the opportunities coming from offset regime. Through our own and collaborative R&D, we will be coming up with many product upgrades and variants, that will sustain the growth momentum. We have increased our supplies substantially to the para-military forces touching Rs 1,000 crore thus diversifying our customer base. We intend to fulfil enhanced demand from Para-military Forces which would help us to grow further.

Can you throw some light on OFB's in-house R&D cell?

OFB was mandated to produce military hardware using technology either developed by DRDO, the designated Defence Research & Development Organisation or imported from overseas suppliers identified by the defence forces. Scope of research and development in Ordnance Factories was limited to process improvement and minor product improvements.

Ordnance Factory started developing new products and upgrades by enlarging the scope of in-house R&D and also resorted to collaboration with advanced technology provider to supplement inadequacy of available R&D infrastructure post 2002. The Ministry of Defence in 2006 delegated full powers for investment on R&D project. New R&D Policy was formulated by OFB in July 2007 to overcome deficiencies of present R&D set up.

About 12 development centres in addition to the R&D set up of the factories have been established in different locations with specific expertise in different generic areas.

Now, OFB is vigorously pursuing R&D. Ordnance Factories have successfully come up with many new products such as Commanders' thermal imaging night sight for T-72, driver night sight for BMP–II, indigenous barrel for T-90 tank and mine protected vehicles, bullet proofing of vehicles, water bowser (2 KL), base bleed for 155 mm ERFB, A-7 ammunition for AK-47 for Indian Army, CRN-91 with Optronic sight, Chaff Launcher Kavach MOD-I & II, anti-submarine Rocket RGB-60, RGB-12, Rocket 140 mm and Shell AK-100 for Indian Navy, 100-120 Kg Aerial Bomb for Indian Air Force, Air –lifting apparatus for MI – 17 helicopters Indian Air Force and Sea king of Indian Navy, platform for AN-32 aircraft, and long barrel 0.32 Bore revolver named ‘Anmol' for Civil Market.

Let me share our latest success story. At present, in the 7.62 mm calibre, our Central and Para-military Forces (CPMFs) are primarily using the imported AK-47 and other AK series rifles. The indigenously developed 7.62 mm Trichy Assault Rifle can substitute these. Thus, the user will have an option to choose an indigenous weapon meeting their operational requirements with two variants, one with fixed butt, the other with foldable butt. This weapon uses A7 ammunition developed by Ordnance Factory Varangaon.

This can be fired in single shot, automatic and burst fire mode. The weapon can be fitted with 40 mm Under Barrel Grenade launcher. The weapon has been provided with latest Picaatiny rail to enable easy fitting of reflex/ holographic/ laser sights. Performance wise, our weapon is better compared to AK-47, as this can fire 800 rounds per minute as compared to 700 rounds per minute by AK-47. Further, the weapon is shorter in length and lighter as compared to AK-47. It is pertinent to mention that 7.62mm Trichy Assault Rifle will have an inherent advantage of engineering support from OFB and also easy availability of spares.

Can you throw some light on your imports and exports? Which are the countries you export to at present and how do you see your exports moving forward?

OFB has exported its products to Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Israel; Middle East nations such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE; European countries such as Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Sweden, France, Switzerland, and the UK; African countries such as Kernya & Botswana; North and Latin American countries such as the US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Suriname.

Our export list includes small arms & ammunition, mortars & ammunition, light field gun & ammunition, demolition stores, passive night sights and mine protected vehicles, brake parachutes etc. Our strength lies in the medium and high calibre ammunitions.

In many parts of the world, there is a need for the 84 mm mortar & 105 mm gun system. Considering the fact that we have variants of 105 mm gun including vehicle mounted one, OFB would be able to supply the same, once Indian Army completely switches over to the high Calibre ones. We have been exploring avenues for long term partnerships for exports with some South East Asian countries.

Further, we must meet the requirements from our friendly neighbouring countries. At present, our export is a negligible percent of total turnover, as our capacities are all booked for Indian Armed Forces. Our decision to export cannot be at the cost of our supply to own Armed Forces. When our order books are overflowing, we have to first meet internal needs. Thus, we have been not able to significantly increase our exports recently.

Do you have plans for entering into joint ventures with foreign manufacturers for your arms and ammunitions?

OFB is ready to share its technology, products and solutions with like- minded nations for making the world a safer place. OFB welcomes joint development, joint testing and trials, joint production, joint marketing and joint product improvement over the life cycle of the equipment based on complementary strengths.

With offset regime in place, OFB is looking forward to delivering many sub-systems to the need of the leading overseas players with a stake in India. OFB aspires to strengthen itself by synergy with concerned agencies to emerge as a complete combat-solution provider. OFB believes, together we can make our Earth a better and safe place to live in.

suryag · Post by **suryag** » 07 Dec 2011 12:35

ramana wrote:
Surya wrote:We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/tod ... 494614.ece

Very good interview. Looks like a capable Director has finally come to OFB.

We're making Ordnance factories future ready, says OFB Chairman Dimri
Pratim Ranjan Bose

<snip>

Now, OFB is vigorously pursuing R&D. Ordnance Factories have successfully come up with many new products such as Commanders' thermal imaging night sight for T-72, driver night sight for BMP–II, indigenous barrel for T-90 tank and mine protected vehicles, bullet proofing of vehicles, water bowser (2 KL), base bleed for 155 mm ERFB, A-7 ammunition for AK-47 for Indian Army, CRN-91 with Optronic sight, Chaff Launcher Kavach MOD-I & II, anti-submarine Rocket RGB-60, RGB-12, Rocket 140 mm and Shell AK-100 for Indian Navy, 100-120 Kg Aerial Bomb for Indian Air Force, Air –lifting apparatus for MI – 17 helicopters Indian Air Force and Sea king of Indian Navy, platform for AN-32 aircraft, and long barrel 0.32 Bore revolver named ‘Anmol' for Civil Market.

Didnt Col.Shukla say the same(the bolded part) about the T-90 ?

PratikDas · Post by **PratikDas** » 07 Dec 2011 13:38

He didn't say it. MSN Rao, General Manager of HVF Avadi said it and Ajai Shukla simply quoted him. However, since MoD hasn't said anything so far, it must not be true if some BR Russophiles are to be believed. Now Mr S. D. Dimri, Director General - Ordnance Factories and Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is corroborating the story.

There are only three possibilities:

ToT of the gun barrel was never part of the T-90 deal [which I think is impossible]
ToT was part of the deal but never took place. [India might or might not have been compensated for it]
ToT took place but so late that OFB had already figured out how to make the barrel by then.

Actually, there is a 4th and 5th possibility to give the Russophiles some credit:

4. MSN Rao and S.D. Dimri are lying.
5. The author of the Business Line article, Pratim Ranjan Bose is very emotional and his interpretation of the facts cannot be trusted

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 07 Dec 2011 19:13

^^^ most likely is option 3.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 07 Dec 2011 21:13

Most likely they figured on making their own version of the barrel based on their experieince. probably to handle the barrel burst issues earleir.

All those ordnance gives the DRDO a lot of leeway in packaging new weapons using standard already manufactured explosive packages.

anti-submarine Rocket RGB-60, RGB-12, Rocket 140 mm and Shell AK-100 for Indian Navy, 100-120 Kg Aerial Bomb

Nikhil T · Post by **Nikhil T** » 12 Dec 2011 12:40

DRDO building robots

CHENNAI: Going futuristic with unmanned fighting systems, the Defence Research and Development Organisation said it is developing robots to function as soldiers.

"We are in the process of developing robots that can work like soldiers. They are working on the data and artificial intelligence that is needed in the process," Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Director General of DRDO and Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister, told a press conference here.

Earlier, Saraswat inaugurated Bharat Earth Movers Limited - Combined Vehicles Research and Development Establishment Technology Centre, Suspension Test Facility and Combat Vetronics technology Centre for CVRDE, the DRDO lab which is making India's Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun.

Stating that India needs to produce aircraft landing gear indigenously, he said organisations like BEML should take the initiative, while CVRDE should get into transmission systems.

"DRDO should join hands with defence PSUs to open offset labs," he said. "There is no major design centre to develop landing gear. This institution along with BEML should take the initiative to start making landing gears. That will be useful for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and aircraft. And one day we shall have our own commercial aircraft also."

Observing that DRDO was good in designing and prototyping, but has a 'syndrome' of lacking in converting the technology into production, he said collaborations with PSUs are the solution.

Chief Controller (R&D) of Armament and Combat Engineering S Sundaresh said future MBTs should be light weight and set an example to the world. CVRDE director P Sivakumar said trials of MBT Arjun Mark-II would commence from October 2012.

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 12 Dec 2011 18:51

^^ same news from BS
DRDO to develop robotic soldiers for Army

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 13 Dec 2011 05:48

BEML, CVRDE joint tech centre to speed up defence R&D.

In a bid to speed up research and development and industry collaboration on defence projects Government-owned BEML Ltd and the Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), a defence research unit, have jointly set up a technology centre inside the latter's campus at Avadi, Chennai.

The newly named BEML Technology Centre was inaugurated by Dr VK Saraswat, scientific advisor to the defence minister and secretary, defence R&D. Interacting with the media he said the centre would synergise the capabilities of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and BEML in various projects.

Some of the projects that were jointly developed and delivered together include the launch and recovery system for the Underwater Autonomous Vehicle, and testing of torque convertor and quality assurance and quality control for the Arjun Main Battle Tank.

Dr Saraswat said the BEML has extended its support to the CVRDE to develop the Arjun tank's sub-systems, documentation, and development of Bhim tanks.It will also extend its coordination for projects taken by the CVRDE such as the landing gear project.

According to VRS Natarajan, chairman and managing director, BEML, the company would depute engineers to the centre to work on various projects. The joint initiative, he said, would help DRDO design and develop defence projects in a short span of time.

vic · Post by **vic** » 13 Dec 2011 09:10

Vipul wrote:BEML, CVRDE joint tech centre to speed up defence R&D.

In a bid to speed up research and development and industry collaboration on defence projects Government-owned BEML Ltd and the Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), a defence research unit, have jointly set up a technology centre inside the latter's campus at Avadi, Chennai.

A very good move

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 13 Dec 2011 09:24

India in elite club with AUV launch

With the development of an indigenous autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) at a cost of Rs 38 crore, India has made its entry into an elite league of nations comprising the US, Russia, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Having been involved in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and seen some success, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed the testing of the AUV, a remotely-operated vehicle.

And that these vehicles can help the Indian Navy insurveying waters, thereby lending the long-felt aid to keep at bay “foreign” vessels or submarines with potential risks, sources said, is the plus point.

“The project has achieved all the objectives we envisaged. The project primarily meant for defence research with Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad, as the concurrent engineering partner,” Manu Korulla of DRDO, the project director (AUV), told Deccan Herald. “It is very small in size and operates around a mother ship from where it is launched, controlled and recovered,” ECIL said.

Stating that this will be useful for any underwater surveillance and intelligence gathering, ECIL said: “The AUV is first of its kind being developed and produced by ECIL. It will also facilitate carrying of payloads if the missions require it to.” Sources said these intelligent underwater vehicles required inter-disciplinary efforts in the fields of hydrodynamics, control and guidance et al and that they will prove to be an important part of the Navy.

The DRDO, Korulla, said answering a specific query: “Further, technology will be transferred to industry through mission mode projects based on specific application and requirements.”

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 13 Dec 2011 09:38

Bhim tanks? so is that denel 155mm turret back on Arjun?

vic · Post by **vic** » 13 Dec 2011 09:42

http://www.business-standard.com/india/ ... y//456726/

'Many players will compete for semiconductor facility'

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad November 26, 2011, 0:19 IST

The Centre’s proposal to set up a foundry for chips that are used in commercial products, including computers, would receive a huge response from prospective companies, said VK Sarswat, scientific advisor to defence minister.

He also said the foundry facility at Chandigarh, which has been upgraded to 180 nano meter resolution, would commence full production by 2012-13 and the chips produced here would be able to meet some of the requirements of the defence establishment.

The chips used for commercial applications require higher levels of resolution and the first foundry to make such chips in India is expected to become a near-term reality once the department of IT successfully completes the ongoing process of identifying the developer.

Apart from this, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in association with other governmental agencies, is building the new-age electro optical nano semiconductor foundry, he said.

Does it mean IIR and night vision sensors and chips???

On the new research initiatives that are under way in warfare systems, Saraswat said the DRDO and the Department of Atomic Energy had been spearheading the research on development of laser weapon systems. "A lot of work is going on on these weapons of the future. We are yet to move from the physics portion of research to engineering and product development stage," he said.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 13 Dec 2011 15:53

Aerostats: So that Indian Army can watch from above

Realising the importance of securing its own eyes in the sky, India is developing two more aerostats.

The aerostats, which would be designed and developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), will be an add-on to the tried-and-tested Akashdeep aerostat.

After Akashdeep—which was successfully tested up to 1-km altitude at Agra—the target altitude for the upcoming aerostats will be 3km and 6km.

The proposed aerostats, which can be used as gap-fillers for radars, are likely to have the capability to carry out surveillance up to a radius of 450km-500km.

Akashdeep has a surveillance capacity of up to 100km.

Apart from the armed forces, the paramilitary forces too can use the aerostat for surveillance activities during night and in low-visibility conditions, apart from having the capability to intercept a variety of communications.

Akashdeep, which was demonstrated at Aero India, 2011, is capable of carrying electro-optic and communication intelligence system (COMINT) payloads for surveillance.

The aerostat’s gimbals, with 360° azimuth freedom, can carry out steering, scanning and tracking with high precision.

The ADRDE, a Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratory based in Agra, would also be making improvement on Akashdeep by improving its fabric and a few other features.

India requires about a dozen aerostats to act as gap-fillers on the border areas and had bought two Israeli EL/M-2083 aerostat radars.

One of them was damaged in 2009 and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India had pulled up the Indian Air Force for the mishap. This damaged aerostat would be made operational only by 2012.

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 13 Dec 2011 18:24

vic wrote:http://www.business-standard.com/india/ ... y//456726/

'Many players will compete for semiconductor facility'

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad November 26, 2011, 0:19 IST

Apart from this, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in association with other governmental agencies, is building the new-age electro optical nano semiconductor foundry, he said.

I think this is an authentic answer to one of queries raised by Ramana. Our maturity in developing miniaturized sensors completes one facet of developing all type of ordnance that includes submunition.

On the new research initiatives that are under way in warfare systems, Saraswat said the DRDO and the Department of Atomic Energy had been spearheading the research on development of laser weapon systems. "A lot of work is going on on these weapons of the future. We are yet to move from the physics portion of research to engineering and product development stage," he said.

Sometimes, you don't have to make any gripping argument assembling facts to bring forth or see what is happening behind the screen. It would be just obvious. All we have to realize is though we can see a single wheel spinning, there could be several associated wheels spinning together in the background which may not be obvious at the initial instance.

What you do when the world around you is unstable and waging N war becomes reality. You adapt. You adapt not only to survive. You adapt to wage a acceptable & conductible N war. How that it becomes acceptable? When the ills of N weapon are removed. People express dismay when they hear that SFC response includes so called conventional. Can it get more obvious?

member_21074 · Post by **member_21074** » 13 Dec 2011 18:44

We are yet to move from the physics portion of research to engineering and product development stage," he said.

Well this is comforting to know that they are confident about the physics research part.
We also need our own domestic capability to manufacture complex foundary equipments.

We have many home grown semiconductor design houses, which work on service model. They will be more than willing to work on defence contracts.
A combination of productive physics research,foundary equipment manufacturing capability, design houses and market can be implemented as a sustainable business model which can cater to defence and commercial requirements.

I hope i am not getting too optimistic

.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 14 Dec 2011 15:49

Whistleblower told to shut up for web-leaking DRDO graft

Social networking websites are not alone in facing the government's ire over content. Now, the Telecom Ministry is swiftly moving to crack its whip on those blogs which are blowing the whistle over corruption in government departments.

A summon was recently issued to a former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) employee, threatening to block his website after getting a complaint about objectionable content posted on www. corruptionindrdo.com.

In its letter dated November 30, the Telecom Ministry has asked whistleblower and former DRDO employee Prabhu Dandriyal, to appear before a committee to present his point of view. Under rule 7 of the Information Technology Rules, 2009, a five- member committee comprising officials of central ministries, including from home, law and telecom, was set up for examining the request for blocking information.

"A complaint has been received stating that classified information as well as objectionable material regarding DRDO have been uploaded on the website by you and the website should be blocked.You are requested to present your point of view before the committee on December 9," the letter added.

Department of information technology director Prafulla Kumar said the ministry does not act on its own to issue summons or block websites. "A complaint was received in this particular case and we issued the summons to both the parties - the owner of the website and the complainant.The committee members will give both the parties a fair hearing and then they will decide the next course of action," he said. The panel had in the past not recommended the blocking of any website since the ministry "believes in the freedom of expression", he added.

Dandriyal claims the sole objective of his website is to expose the corrupt elements in the DRDO and protect national security interests. "The information against corruption in DRDO uploaded on this website by me is backed by appropriate documents, letters and evidence gathered through the Right to Information Act. If anybody wishes to challenge the authenticity of this information, they are welcome to contact me to seek further details," said the disclaimer on his website.

"I was blowing the whistle over serious irregularities, whether it is related to procurement, recruitment or any other manipulation.Because of the expose, they are pressuring me to shut down the website," Dandriyal said.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 14 Dec 2011 23:35

DRDO to float commercial arm.

With an eye to translate some of the technologies developed by its labs into products for the markets, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will float a commercial arm. With a string of nearly 50 national laboratories, engaged in diverse areas of work to meet the needs of Defence forces across the country, the DRDO feels it has a good repository of technologies that have potential for civilian use and could fetch it some revenues in the bargain.

While the Department of Space has a successful commercial arm in Antrix Corporation to push its technologies and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research a full-fledged technology commercialisation wing, the DRDO and, in a way, the Department of Atomic Energy, given their nature of research demands, were more inward-looking and focussed on meeting internal needs.

The Director-General of DRDO, Dr V.K. Saraswat, said a database of the available technologies within the DRDO network that have potential applications for the civilian markets as well as exports was being created. This would help give a focus to the commercial arm and also spawn entrepreneurship and opportunities in the private sector.

The DRDO is working jointly with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on a project called Accelerated Technology Assimilation and Commercialisation. The objective is to support a specific industry to take its technology/products to commercial scale, while fulfilling the demands of the Defence sector.

The Commercial arm would leverage in-house DRDO technologies and products. Citing a recent example he said a bio-digester developed in-house as a toilet for soldiers in the high altitude Siachin region is now finding its way into railway coaches, tourist buses, small homes and extensively in Lakshadweep islands. There are a handful of agencies which are making them for customised use now, Dr Saraswat, who is also Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister told Business Line.

There are several spin off technologies of the DRDO, that have turned into such products as a pacemaker, light-weight polio boots, titanium implants, jackal steel material for bullet-proofing of vehicles, etc.

Dr Saraswat said there was a need to strengthen the capacity base in the private sector as the Defence offsets would throw up huge opportunities for domestic industry. Particularly, wide scope is seen in the aerospace, electronic manufacturing and civilian aircraft sectors.

Keywords: Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO, commercial arm, Accelerated Technology Assimilation and Commercialisation

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 15 Dec 2011 11:02

Missiles to get smarter with onboard desi chips

Indian missiles are set to go lighter and smarter with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the verge of launching a System on Chip (SOC) component, to be embedded on to the onboard computer (OBC). The SOC will give a tech advantage to the scientists to either increase the range of the missile or the warhead, depending upon the mission. The processing speed also will go up 6-7 times with SOC.

A five-member team of young scientists are eagerly waiting for the final product, which will replace the PCB-based hardware consisting of various integrated components (IC) on single board. A missile typically carries a huge number of such ICs making the total weight of the OBC close to 4-5 kilos. The SOC with its power supply unit and connecters will weigh less than 200 grams.

DRDO hopes to get the first block of SOCs in December and later test it the on short-range air-to-air Astra missile by mid-2012.

chackojoseph · Post by **chackojoseph** » 15 Dec 2011 19:10

ADA Director bags National Design Award 2011

vic · Post by **vic** » 16 Dec 2011 10:00

Kanson wrote:
I think this is an authentic answer to one of queries raised by Ramana. Our maturity in developing miniaturized sensors completes one facet of developing all type of ordnance that includes submunition.

Can you elaborate a bit?

What you do when the world around you is unstable and waging N war becomes reality. You adapt. You adapt not only to survive. You adapt to wage a acceptable & conductible N war. How that it becomes acceptable? When the ills of N weapon are removed. People express dismay when they hear that SFC response includes so called conventional. Can it get more obvious?

Are you talking about single stage fusion device?