Expecting the IA to place a huge order (in the range of around 500+) for the Arjun MKII after which the indigenous content can go up substantially.
DRDO chief has mentioned that the indigenous content in the Tejas will go up to 80% which is the target now. That's a very good move. In Joint ventures one is not expected to think about indigenous production of more than 50%. The other party may not agree for the same. A combination of Agni and Prithvi missiles do have 15 percent, which taken in terms of the latest missiles will be less than five percent of import content. Over a period this will also disappear.
Peoples expectations of DRDO to invent even nuts and bolts exists. Hope the private sector is mature enough to provide components rather than doing the screw driver technology that HAL was doing with regard to Sukhoi.
"Arjun's missile firing control system, laser target designator, engine transmission, suspension unit and running gear (track) are all foreign," said an Army officer.
{Sirji, rather than crying, let army order 500+ tanks and see the indigenous content go up. Even the engine itself can be indigenous. No one will set up huge manufacturing units for just 124 tanks}. Since the MK-II trials are concluded. Let's hope for some good news on this front from the army.
One more thing that i observed is that the private sector today have little experience in developing and manufacturing on their own. Many of the systems that they build today are designed and developed by DRDO. Some odd ones out like Mahindra and Tata. In many of the contracts what's being seen is that they are just importing foreign designs to be build here in India and indirectly acting as agents for supplying foreign content for armed forces in the name of indigenous activity. In some areas where we don't have expertise like in the area of Large Amphibious vessels, its a positive move. In other areas where we have expertise but still trying to import patrol vessel designs and trying to make it here, is just not acceptable. Hope the Private shipyards will not only learn in building stuff but also start to export whatever expertise they gain from such joint ventures.
