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

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 13 Jan 2015 21:09

Heads rolling is only a start. There needs to be major surgery done on the DPSUs on the whole. Thank the Lord we have woken up.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 13 Jan 2015 21:23

Victor wrote:Heads rolling is only a start. There needs to be major surgery done on the DPSUs on the whole. Thank the Lord we have woken up.

You have no information either way about the reason behind his contract termination.

So, no need to indulge what is nothing but rank speculation at this time. ramana has posted a more plausible reason above.

disha · Post by **disha** » 13 Jan 2015 21:38

How is it that it is "sacked" when termination of extended contract is the right word.

Sometimes contracts are put in place to ensure continuity while a suitable appointee is found and in place. And given that a new government coming in, the new GOI might have given a longer lead time initially in the contract to ensure just that. Looks like GOI is feeling more confident and hence come back and said to Sri Chander that they will terminate the contract by Jan 31.

"Sacked" is when they are not on extended contracts and are "regular" employees and terminated immediately!

Looks like this Govt. is not even caring two hoots on perception. And the journos are caught sucking their thumbs trying to figure out what to do. It will be interesting to see DDM rallying behind Sri Chander against GOI (for what?) - here the GOI is saying this is the way we will execute, take it or leave it.

member_28108 · Post by **member_28108** » 13 Jan 2015 22:36

laser cannon to bring down drones in works : DRDO
Published January 13, 2015 | By admin
SOURCE : IDRW NEWS NETWORK ( INN)

Artist impression

DRDO has confirmed that it has recently undertaken a project for the development of a self-contained HMV-mounted laser weapon system for detection/tracking and physical destruction of UAVs up to a range of 5 km under normal environmental conditions.

Preliminary system design architecture and technology gaps have been identified and efforts are being made for international collaborations for fast-track development in the project.

100 kW Class Directed Energy Laser Weapon System is very powerful Laser which DRDO is developing said Defence Expert Vinayak Shetty when he first heard about it and it will have ability to take down much more then UAV’s thanks to such a powerful Laser said Shetty. he further explained that only Last year U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin to design, build and test a 60-kilowatt electric laser to be integrated and tested in a truck-mounted weapon system demonstrator which will have ability to counter rockets, artillery, mortars and unmanned aerial threats.

Chinese companies recently developed a powerful anti-drone laser for use in urban areas. 10 kilowatt lasers has ability to target mini-UAVs like quad copters and hand launched drones which could be used by terrorists to scout out attacks, or act as impromptu bombers on Urban areas. Laser has a range of 2km and a 50 metre altitudes.

US Navy is currently fielding the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), a 15-50kW laser on board USS Ponce which is an Austin-class amphibious transport dock of the United States Navy which has ability to target drones and enemy missiles .

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 13 Jan 2015 22:54

disha, our media is socialistic against the gov and capitalistic against their customers.
sacked->termination

Sumair · Post by **Sumair** » 13 Jan 2015 23:06

powerful autonomous defence minister getting his way...

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 13 Jan 2015 23:09

Sumair wrote:powerful autonomous defence minister getting his way...

Now, that would be interesting!

Someone finally taking a holistic view of entire set-up from MOD level and encompassing all aspects of national security - R&D, Services, Production et all.

HKumar · Post by **HKumar** » 13 Jan 2015 23:27

sacked is probably right. Some reports mention of him getting 'the' call while waiting to board a flight. Interestingly most news sites used the same PTI source but also,for some reason, most carried very similar headline.
Regardless of the faults of DRDO, Avinash Chander deserved a more gracious bye-bye. He has worked his entire life in the service of country and unless he has done something really bad, he deserves a better send off.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 13 Jan 2015 23:37

I'd wait to see what the GOI actually says, the media is so messed up, its hard to take any proclamation what they say about GOI correctly.

http://www.business-standard.com/articl ... 009_1.html

Amid rumours of dismissal, DRDO chief denies knowledge

With the media citing top government sources in reporting the termination of employment of the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) chief, Avinash Chander, the man in the eye of the storm says he has received no official intimation of a removal.
---

I wonder what the reality is. Hope this is not another "coup story"

HKumar · Post by **HKumar** » 13 Jan 2015 23:48

wow...the Indian media is really this dysfunctional???

most media are crediting PTI for the story but PTI itself has not nothing on the 'sacking'.

HKumar · Post by **HKumar** » 13 Jan 2015 23:52

Shiv Aroor has posted the termination letter

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/555 ... 41/photo/1

Ramu · Post by **Ramu** » 13 Jan 2015 23:55

#BreakingNews Top sources confirm to @writetake that Def Min Manohar Parrikar had no clue about sacking of DRDO Chief Avinash till ACC meet.

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 14 Jan 2015 00:03

NDTV says BARC chief Shekar Basu will take over DRDO

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 14 Jan 2015 00:04

This seems designed to be another "VK Singh vs Dalbir Singh" sort of controversy which will end up in a blame game. How can the Def Min not know?? Wow.

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 14 Jan 2015 00:17

From HT: The government on Tuesday sacked Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander, putting up the exit order on the Department of Personnel and Training website even before informing him.
Shocking. HT uses the rather harsh headline of "booted out". Something serious must have come to light.

More from IBN: The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "approved the termination" of the contract of Avinash Chander with effect from January 31, an official notification said.

Cosmo_R · Post by **Cosmo_R** » 14 Jan 2015 00:40

IIRC, Modi was hell bent on getting under 35s into DRDO and publicly lamented the lack of upward mobility. AC did not get the message and when he asked for extensions for 4 retiring scientists, NM blew his stack.

In the end, it seems AC thought he could ignore NM's directive. It's a message to the other PSUs. I'd love for that 'confidential document' that is supposedly making the rounds to be posted online.

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 14 Jan 2015 01:17

I'd wait for official confirmation of all such controversies before jumping to conclusions. A year back, this same media told us salacious tales of VK Saraswat, how he was doomed, corrupt, GOI angry this , that. After NaMo came, media took only specific points of his overall public speeches to claim he was unhappy w/PSUs, etc. Now, VK Saraswat is a member of NITI Aayog. Think on that.

Saraswat and AC worked closely together on the IGMP.

I wouldn't trust what the current english media makes of any GOI decision or what they claim NaMO says or thinks as anywhere near the truth.
Could AC be removed? Possibly. But are the reasons the same as the so called media trots out? Very doubtful.

All this under 35, this, that is sheer media speculation at this point.

Further, the reports by writetake are not very enthusing. He is amongst the few reliable journos amongst the so called DDM, most of which revel in TRP driven madness (grandmothers crossing the LOC anyone) and his claim that Parrikar didnt know about this, if true, only reiterates the shoddy state of affairs at the MOD and the long way we have to go.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 14 Jan 2015 02:52

HKumar wrote:Shiv Aroor has posted the termination letter

https://twitter.com/livefist/status/555 ... 41/photo/1

AC has been CCed. As of Jan 13, 2015.

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 14 Jan 2015 05:49

Different angle from Telegraph:

Missile boss unnmade by "Make in India".

The country's top military technocrat was today sacked as the head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after the Modi government found his outfit was unwilling or unable to fall in line with the "Make in India" policy.

And another from New Indian Express:

Officials, who are privy to the development, maintained that the Prime Minister’s Office had received a series of complaints from young DRDO scientists saying repeated extensions of the top scientists’ contracts were delaying their promotions.

Find this improbable but if true, it does highlight the seniority-based culture. People should not expect to be promoted just because they have been around for a while. Why make an example of Chander for this?

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 14 Jan 2015 06:26

either way this nonsense of one person occupying multiple positions should stop

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 14 Jan 2015 09:33

Unfortunately the culture of allowing people as consultants etc is also very bad and continues. The presence of these "consultants" will seriously dampen the spirits of the people who are actually in the hot chair and are answerable. Top people parachuted from outside will be more interested to hear from the "consultants" due to their seniority, fame etc than hear to the people holding the position and that is the normal tendency in all the PSU organisations.

Murugan · Post by **Murugan** » 14 Jan 2015 10:17

It is written "Termination of Contract" w.e.f. 31st Jan 2015. Nowhere it is written he is sacked.

If he was on 'contract', it can be terminated by either party by giving such notice. Also if he was on 'contract' he was not an employee and must be under different laws

Media is culprit

member_22733 · Post by **member_22733** » 14 Jan 2015 10:21

Is it the usual 'un named source' that is going on here?

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 14 Jan 2015 11:33

Who knows. There could have been a falling out between Chander and GOI policy but I do wish this was handled better with more discretion.
We have already had several controversies w/the new GOI, and giving anyone any ammo to target them on lack of coordination or being authoritarian (though its well within their rights to remove anyone) or smacking of UPA/VKS or NDA/Naval Chief etc is not exactly positive. They could have just managed this better.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 14 Jan 2015 11:42

Karan M wrote:Who knows. There could have been a falling out between Chander and GOI policy but I do wish this was handled better with more discretion.

Who knows, may be govt want to send a loud and clear message to others. Even for same ends, different means connote different messages and this time govt wanted to appear as "ruthless."

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 14 Jan 2015 12:45

Entirely possible, however Chander has kept a clean, record and has contributed significantly to the IGMP. So hard to tell at this point. More productive to see who replaces him i guess.

durairaaj · Post by **durairaaj** » 14 Jan 2015 13:33

The Government could have been considerate and softer in handling the termination of Mr. Avinash Chander (AC)'s contract. While its premature to expect any meaningful response to know why this happened from the GOI blackbox, one could hazard a guess based on the last major event that took place in our country. It could be related to John Kerry's visit and Defence co-operation. AC might have opposed some of the clauses in defence cooperation, which may be similiar to the opposition raised by Dr. Anil Kakodkar (who was termed as 800lb Gorilla then) during nuclear deal.

member_28640 · Post by **member_28640** » 14 Jan 2015 13:38

RM Parrikar clears the air.. Termination decision was taken by him in order to infuse young blood into the leadership.. probably a person who is 45-50 and can lead the organization for a longer time ...

Parrikar said he was of the view that the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO's) chief's post should be held by a young person and not by someone on contract.

"His (Chander's) tenure ended in November. After that, he was on contract," Parrikar said, adding there was no controversy on the issue.

please to read more ..
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-new ... 06625.aspx

member_27581 · Post by **member_27581** » 14 Jan 2015 14:18

No doubt AC deserves a more graceful exit.

On a different note can he be absorbed as a faculty in any of the engineering colleges, his experience can be very useful in igniting the research mindset right from the colleges

ravip · Post by **ravip** » 14 Jan 2015 15:55

Speculation on
Does anyone remember India Today article written by Sandeep unnithan on K-15 missile, k-x and air launched missile. In this article he had stated the rift between scientists working on k series and agni series missile. The k series missile scientists wanted to develop long range missiles based on k series, which was endorsed by ADM Arun Prakash. Were as on the other hand stiff resistance was provided by V.K. Saraswat & team in defence of continuing prithvi and agni series missiles. As reported the k series missile scientists were not under DRDO but under navy directly reporting to PMO.
Speculation off.

http://m.indiatoday.in/story/the-secret ... 20488.html
The secret 'K' missile family
Sandeep Unnithan Saturday, November 20, 2010

SLBMs, by definition, are more compact and advanced than their land-based counterparts. The Agni-III is 17 m long and has a range of 3,500 km. The K-4 has an identical range but is only 10 m long and boasts of superior solid-fuel rockets. Hence, two years back, the DRDO unveiled the Shourya, the land-variant of the B-05. The test met its performance parameters and impressed visiting army officials but there has been no word on a likely induction date. Officials say a turf war is the likely reason. The K-missiles are indigenously developed by a programme staffed by AT scientists but report to the ATV chief and the National Security Adviser. The Agni and Prithvi missiles are wholly DRDO-developed and are handled by the DRDO chief.

"The K series of missiles seem to have done better than the Agni programme and this may be the way to go forward," says Rear Admiral Raja Menon (Retd). Enthused by the programme's success, the ATV project submitted a detailed report to then NSA M.K. Narayanan four years ago. The classified report prepared by former navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash remains the only comprehensive internal assessment of India's strategic missile programme. It listed all the flaws in the strategic missiles in service-the Prithvi's liquid fuel and serious doubts over the Agni's accuracy.

The most important glitch: the bulky Agni could not be compacted for carriage on the Arihant class. It meant India would have to support multiple missile production lines. The report recommended the standardisation of India's nuclear missile delivery on the K series of "universal" land and sea-based missiles-the K-15 to substitute all the Prithvis, the K-4 and its successors to replace the Agnis. The report has been buried and the matter seemingly settled in favour of the DRDO when this year, the government greenlighted development of the 5,000-km range Agni-V.

The Prithvi, however, is living on borrowed time. Armed forces officials concede that the Indian version of the Scud is bulky, short-legged and may have outlived its utility. Inducted in 2004, the missile is liquid-fuelled, has a maximum range of only 350 km and is accompanied by a procession of multiple support vehicles, including missile propellant refuelling trucks. The Shourya has only a launcher and a command vehicle. "A moving Prithvi convoy can be easily spotted by satellite. It is simply the worst strategic missile to ever have been inducted and its short range means it is tremendously destabilising," says one official. In sharp contrast, the Shourya is solid fuelled. Its "wooden round" means the missile can be stored for up to 10 years and fired with little preparation. The Shourya has a range twice of that of the 350-km range Prithvi-III.

Present DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat, who incidentally developed the Prithvi missile, rubbishes such suggestions, saying that the Shourya is a futuristic missile, but it is too early to write off the proven Prithvi. "The process from validation to induction of a strategic system is almost as long as the development cycle," says former DRDO chief M. Natarajan. "It is important that we have a proven missile for over a decade before we gradually start replacing older stocks," he adds.

The "K" programme meanwhile continues to steam ahead from its headquarters in the drdl campus on the outskirts of Hyderabad, jokingly referred to as Missile-abad. In May this year, national security adviser Shiv Shankar Menon inaugurated a limited series production facility to assemble the K-4 and K-15. On the drawing board is an air-launched stand-off strategic missile designed to be carried by a Su-30MKI. Newer options for the strategic arsenal.

Some reports saying that a scientist associated with INS Arihant will be heading DRDO. Can this speculation be one of the reasons for unceremonious exit???

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 14 Jan 2015 16:55

Unnithan's article is dubious to say the least. Saraswat scoffed at the claims in it pointing out that the K series missiles actually carry dead weight/mass since they have to manage the undersea launch bit. With MARVs and MARVs, the Agni series will remain the workhorse.

No, this is probably the result of some fall out between Chander & the GOI - hope it was not on him digging his heels in on something like the nuke deal.

I just hope it doesn't negatively affect a lot of DRDO programs which are finally delivering with missile programs being the spearhead. The sort of work thats going on at ASL, RCI, DRDL, ADE, LRDE needs to be carefully progressed not yanked out midway. Continuity (as was between VKS and AC) is vital. Lets see. If the next head is from BARC, hopefully he may have worked with ECIL, since it works on many DRDO programs (missile/sensors) and that should have helped. Very little to go on at this point.

member_23694 · Post by **member_23694** » 14 Jan 2015 17:30

oh, nowerday's the media "Govt owes an explanation why DRDO Chief's tenure has been cut short. ". WHY ?

Govt. gave extension and then Govt. withdrew the extension. Fine. No one complained then so why the complain now. Has anyone in the government said anything negative against AC.
The media nowerday's believes in just using extreme words which is the problem and consider the government to daily come to there door steps and provide explanation for everything.
Come one move on , this is a new government and sources does not work here so the DEMAND for explanation for everything

A Sharma · Post by **A Sharma** » 14 Jan 2015 18:00

DRDO Newsletter Jan 2015

Sid · Post by **Sid** » 14 Jan 2015 18:18

Dr Avinash Chandar deserves a little better exit then how all this drama happened, given his long service for India.

DM could have politely asked him to put down his papers and made news public via another channel. On the contrary maybe he refused such a request forcing GOI's hand in this matter.

But whatever the reason is, this could have been handled in a much better way.

Sagar G · Post by **Sagar G** » 14 Jan 2015 18:22

What a disgraceful behaviour by GoI !!! If they wanted to put some "younger guy" then they could have done it when Chander had retired. Why do it after extending his tenure through contract and then suddenly even without informing anyone (not even the DM) you leak the news through pimp media ??? I find this "younger guy" argument bunkum since no young guy (35 or less) will ever head DRDO or for that matter any government body. Seniority based promotion is how the government works and even Modi won't be able to change that no matter how many speeches he gives for the same. There is something else which is responsible for his sacking and I doubt we will get to know that through GoI.

Ashokk · Post by **Ashokk** » 14 Jan 2015 18:32

Removed DRDO Chief to Bring in Younger Scientist: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Sources have linked the sacking to the government's displeasure at DRDO's latest innovation, a battery-controlled silver chariot built with costly materials for a temple in Maharashtra.

HKumar · Post by **HKumar** » 14 Jan 2015 18:54

absolutely shameful behavior on part of RM Parrikar and PM Modi. The man - Avinash Chander has worked his entire career for the country more than Modi and Parrikar's political career put together. Its downright pathetic that the RM had no clue this was going down. He made a good attempt of taking fire for the PM but this stinks on many levels - no communication between PM and RM, bungling babus, inflated egos in not acknowledging the service of this man, plain clumsiness and incompetance. More disgusting are spins and govt fed reports from media ('sources say') that tarnish the man's reputation.

Parrikar wants a 'slightly' younger man than AC - So much for young blood. its 'slightly younger' blood.

If they wanted him to go - they could selected a 'slightly younger' leader, told AC in person, written an appreciation letter and sent him home. He would been unhappy about it wouldn't have disgraced the man and PO-ed the staff and country ( at least the ones who appreciate his contribution)

@writetake is reporting that Missile Complex folks have written to PM expressing their unhappiness over the sacking....

Victor · Post by **Victor** » 14 Jan 2015 19:03

As much as I dislike the PSUs, I agree that this was a disgraceful way to let someone like Chander go. This may have sent the correct message but the way it was handled doesn't reflect well on the GoI and that is worrying. Going by Modi's past, I find it hard to believe he would stoop to this level. Parrikar too. My suspicion points to some babus who made sure it would stink and I expect they will be removed too.

nash · Post by **nash** » 14 Jan 2015 19:14

I think Plan was to do it in a graceful manner but somewhere someone leak something and its all went for toss.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 14 Jan 2015 19:18

THere is more to Chander's exit than meets the eye. GOI will not spill the beans as it could have unforseen results. It will come out evetually. We will see.