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

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

Post by Shanu »

DRDO developed bullet proof steel goes into production at Essar plant. This is for the first time bullet proof steel is manufactured in India using Indian production designs - to be used for light armoured vehicles.

Indian bullet proof steel produced in Essar plant
The newly-developed bullet proof steel at ESIL absorbs the impact of bullets traveling at a speed of 700 m/sec, with barely a dent on the surface. This steel has hardness levels above 500 (Brinell hardness number) BHN and is extremely tough. Ballistic performance of this product was successfully tested in India and in Germany at the Gujarat Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), as well as at IABG, an internationally-renowned German laboratory.
Gyan
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Gyan »

Can we use titanium (even though it may be raise the cost of BPJ a bit) alloys to lower the weight of BPJ as the weight seems to be a major concern of Army?
Varoon Shekhar
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Varoon Shekhar »

Not to nitpick, but what about "Jackal Steel", that was a DRDO product, wasn't it? And it's still in use somewhere, if not so much for jackets, for vehicles. Anyway, nice achievement at DRDO/Essar!
shiv
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

Shanu wrote:DRDO developed bullet proof steel goes into production at Essar plant. This is for the first time bullet proof steel is manufactured in India using Indian production designs - to be used for light armoured vehicles.

Indian bullet proof steel produced in Essar plant
The newly-developed bullet proof steel at ESIL absorbs the impact of bullets traveling at a speed of 700 m/sec, with barely a dent on the surface. This steel has hardness levels above 500 (Brinell hardness number) BHN and is extremely tough. Ballistic performance of this product was successfully tested in India and in Germany at the Gujarat Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), as well as at IABG, an internationally-renowned German laboratory.
1 foot square rectangles of such steel were displayed at Aero India 2013 as a DRDO- MDN (Mishra Dhatu Nigam) developmen- with small dents indicating where AK 47 rounds had been fired at them. I have an image somewhere. What is new here is that Essar appears to have taken that tech which was on offer and has started manufacturing it.

I doubt if it will find much use in BPJs. Mostly as bulletproof panels on vehicles and aircraft and as part of head protection in Patkas

Hopefully the new FDI policy will bring in manufacturers of bulletproof fabric.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Zynda »

shiv wrote:Hopefully the new FDI policy will bring in manufacturers of bulletproof fabric.
Already here. Apparently, Kanpur based MKU manufacturers high quality armor systems which complies with various International ballistic standards.

http://www.mku.com

But I think in another thread, it was mentioned that our soldiers feel that even state of the art ballistic systems are quite heavy and innovative light weight systems might be needed specifically for Indian conditions. I thought DRDO was investigating using Bamboo fibers vests (& similar systems) which proved promising in initial tests.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Gyan »

Grapevine is that Army wanted BPJs to stop Armour piercing 7.62x54 round at point blank range and was unhappy when the jackets were too heavy due to this demand.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

Gyan wrote:Grapevine is that Army wanted BPJs to stop Armour piercing 7.62x54 round at point blank range and was unhappy when the jackets were too heavy due to this demand.
Video of body armor - thick and heavy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB1uq1T9SHg

Same body armor as above fails with a hi velocity 5.56 round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMYkEMhPsO8
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by sudeepj »

shiv wrote:
Gyan wrote:Grapevine is that Army wanted BPJs to stop Armour piercing 7.62x54 round at point blank range and was unhappy when the jackets were too heavy due to this demand.
Video of body armor - thick and heavy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB1uq1T9SHg

Same body armor as above fails with a hi velocity 5.56 round
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMYkEMhPsO8
Not the same armor, the former is a level IIIA plate and the latter is level III.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

sudeepj wrote:
Not the same armor, the former is a level IIIA plate and the latter is level III.
Yes you're right. Still - good stuff although I'm not sure the entire army can be equipped with this.

Googal tells me that Level III plate weighs 8 lb and I am guessing that a front and back and two sides will probably weight about 10-11 kgs. This may be useful for some frontal assault type situations, and of course COIN.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by sudeepj »

shiv wrote:
sudeepj wrote:
Not the same armor, the former is a level IIIA plate and the latter is level III.
Yes you're right. Still - good stuff although I'm not sure the entire army can be equipped with this.

Googal tells me that Level III plate weighs 8 lb and I am guessing that a front and back and two sides will probably weight about 10-11 kgs. This may be useful for some frontal assault type situations, and of course COIN.
This technology uses hardened steel and is fairly cheap. $100 or thereabouts for one plate. One could use it for sentry duties, SWAT teams assaulting small structures etc. For front line troops, I think we would want a lighter plate. Even if the light weight plates cost several hundred dollars, they would pay for themselves in the reduced injuries and lives lost and also increased effectiveness of the soldiers themselves.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

Cost wise it does not look so bad - listed as $80 for the bigger plates - maybe $250 for 4 - or Rs 15000ish. Not bad at all. A few clips of ammo and we are looking 15,000.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Zynda »

I think ceramic inserts are replacing steel plates for protection against higher energy projectiles. Ceramic inserts of course will be lighter but prolly more expensive compared to steel ones.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Gyan »

BPJs will normally be worn by teams going into a known dangerous situation like "Quick reaction team" or Teams re-enforcing an ongoing/imminent firefight. Very unlikely that patrol teams can successfully wear BPJs for any reasonable amount of time unless they are being transported by vehicles or they dump the ammo. As per some Jawans in COIN the basics ie Helmet, BPJs, Shoes, Clothes, one AK, couple of spare mags, hand held radio, water canteen = 20 kg. Throw in UBGL, rounds, handgrenades, night sights, couple of meals, med kit = 25-30kg
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

Gyan wrote: Very unlikely that patrol teams can successfully wear BPJs for any reasonable amount of time unless they are being transported by vehicles or they dump the ammo. As per some Jawans in COIN the basics ie Helmet, BPJs, Shoes, Clothes, one AK, couple of spare mags, hand held radio, water canteen = 20 kg. Throw in UBGL, rounds, handgrenades, night sights, couple of meals, med kit = 25-30kg
There is actual data (from Vietnam) that shows that on long patrols soldiers would often dump/discard even vital stuff like water bottles but hold on to their weapon - which is something that led to exhaustion and losing firefights when ambushed. So I think 10-12 kg of armour is not something that men might wear.

But I think those situations in which a LeT pighadi has been cornered and pinned down - some protection for those in the lead should be readily available whether it is used or not in a particular situation.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Vipul »

Hindustan Shipyard eyes contracts worth Rs 20000 crore in 5 years.

HSL is expecting orders worth Rs 20,000 crore for the construction of ships in the next five years. Some of these orders will be executed with technical support of Hyundai Shipyard of South Korea.

"In a major boost for both Hindustan Shipyard and the Indian Navy, submarine INS Sindhukirti successfully completed its maiden deep dive trails recently after undergoing repairs and modernisation at HSL."

"Repair-cum-upgradation of INS Sindhukirti was the first-of-its-kind exercise undertaken by an Indian shipyard with support from the Navy. Its a noteworthy achievement for Hindustan Shipyard as it emboldens the nation's will and pursuit towards the 'Make in India' campaign," Babu said.

Another submarine INS Sindhuvir will also come at HSL for partial refit work later this year.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Vipul »

1000 multi-function displays for Sukhoi 30 MKI handed over to HAL.
About 1,000 units of indigenously manufactured multi-function display (MFD) for installation in India's frontline Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft has been handed over to state-run HAL.

The displays were manufactured by Samtel HAL Display Systems (SHDS), a joint venture between Samtel Avionics and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Now out of a planned fleet of 272 Sukhoi aircraft with the Indian Air Force, 143 would be flying with India-made MFDs - a critical component of an aircraft cockpit.

SHDS is the only company to receive CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) Type Approval for manufacturing MFDs.

The Samtel-HAL joint venture was set up in 2007 to address the avionics requirements, including test benches and systems for all IAF star platforms - both fixed and rotary wing.

The journey began in 2004, when Samtel signed the contract with Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO, earlier called as DARE) for technology development of Su-30 MFDs.

After 5-6 years of efforts, Samtel was able to fully develop the technology and it was envisaged by HAL and the Ministry of Defense to create a centre of excellence in the form of JV to nurture this home grown technology.

Samtel as a parent company would bring in this technology for lateral deployment on all platforms - Su-30, light combat aircraft (LCA), intermediate jet trainer (IJT), light combat helicopter (LCH) among others and HAL as the other partner would bring in the market for using these displays on all HAL star platforms.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

Vipul wrote: Samtel as a parent company would bring in this technology for lateral deployment on all platforms - Su-30, light combat aircraft (LCA), intermediate jet trainer (IJT), light combat helicopter (LCH) among others and HAL as the other partner would bring in the market for using these displays on all HAL star platforms.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by csaurabh »

I just had a thought. We see some comparisons like India spends xyz $ on science and USA spends abc $ on science. Same goes for military.

However, this 'spending' usually goes into buying scientific and industrial equipment from western countries - either at the component level or entire systems. The USA, through this spending, supports hundreds of manufacturers of high tech items from vacuum pumps to lasers to supercomputers. Additionally, this also keeps huge numbers of engineers in those companies to work to maintain their skills and use them also for commercial applications. The actual 'output' of the scientific research ( or military for that matter ) is not as great as we are led to believe. In fact most of it is quite useless.

The items are made are often in such small numbers that it is not very viable to be cost effective manufacture them via indigenous companies- even if we had the know-how, which often we don't. Thus we gain the equipment at great cost, are reliant on outside know-how to repair it and such like. Further exacerbated by the brain drain from India. This is a very difficult problem to solve.

So when we see comparisons like countries spend x% of their budget on research we need to keep this fact in mind..
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Vipul »

Tata Advanced Systems tying up with Bell Helicopter to compete for $2-billion naval chopper manufacturing contract.

Looking to consolidate its position as a leader in the Indian defence aviation industry, Tata Advanced Systems is tying up with Bell Helicopter of the US to compete against the Mahindra-Airbus combination for a $2-billion naval chopper manufacturing contract.

The mega contract for 100 utility helicopters to be operated from warships will be awarded as a 'Make in India' project. Tata will form a joint venture with Bell to bid for the contract under existing foreign direct investment norms, three people with direct knowledge about the developments told ET.

Tata Advanced Systems tying up with Bell Helicopter to compete for $2-billion naval chopper manufacturing contract

Under the route being followed to get the choppers, Indian companies will lead the procurement bids with a foreign company as a technology partner. TASL will be the lead company in partnership with Bell Helicopter, based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Competition for the new choppers is expected to play out between the Bell 429 and the Airbus AS565, one of which will be selected on technical and commercial grounds.

"The TASL tie-up with Bell Helicopter is likely to be announced formally soon. It will make the competition more or less a direct fight between Mahindra and Tata," people involved in the developments told ET. The Indian Navy is looking for a modern chopper to replace its ageing Chetak helicopters.

While the initial requirement is for 100 helicopters, the number may go up as the navy inducts newer platforms and increases the size of its fleet.

TASL is the leading military aviation player in India and has tied up for or is producing major systems for global giants including Sikorsky, Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Earlier this month, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated a Boeing-Tata venture for producing the fuselage of AH 64 Apache attack helicopters in India. The joint venture was described by Parrikar as the largest foreign investment project in India in the defence sector.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Indranil »

Is HAL's LUH a contender, or is it completely a private affair?
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by sankum »

IN requirement is for twin engine LUH. HAL LUH is not a contender.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by sankum »

HAL can offer naval version of Ka226. Whether it meets IN requirement, Don't know?
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Gyan »

This Naval Requirement neatly creates a category between LUH and ALH. Was Cheetah and Chetak twin engined?
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Indranil »

sankum wrote:IN requirement is for twin engine LUH. HAL LUH is not a contender.
Thank you. Source?
sankum wrote:HAL can offer naval version of Ka226. Whether it meets IN requirement, Don't know?
sankum wrote:HAL can offer naval version of Ka226. Whether it meets IN requirement, Don't know?
Good point. Kamovs are already on board IN ships which can account for something. the Kamovs will also get the third big private player in the fray:Reliance.
Gyan wrote:This Naval Requirement neatly creates a category between LUH and ALH. Was Cheetah and Chetak twin engined?
No, it doesn't. Tata's offering is strictly in LUH class. The twin engines are for added safety. I don't think the navy is wrong for asking a qualitatively better product for its next generation of hepters.
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Post by Gyan »

That's exactly what I am trying to say that we always go for best products from all over the world rather than using Indigenous products or variants which can reasonably fulfill the requirement. ALH is twin engined, but it is slightly heavier and LUH is single engined and is slightly lighter. Smacks of Agusta Westland or Pilatus type of GSQRs.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by sankum »

Naval utility helicopter tender scrapped, made bigger

IN luh official tender could not be searched on web, Will search it on my hard drive.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 715366.cms
Defence ministry readies war chest, eyes $8.3 billion parked with PSUs
Faced with a dismal allocation in the annual budget, the defence ministry is looking to unlock a virtual treasure chest of funds lying unused in public sector units (PSUs). An internal study has revealed that outstanding advances to these enterprises — money usually given towards the end of the financial year from the capital budget — have swollen to $8.3 billion over the years.

Paper version also says S-400 can save 40,000 cr because it will do the job of all those projects
shiv
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

shiv wrote:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 715366.cms
Paper version also says S-400 can save 40,000 cr because it will do the job of all those projects
Image

What does this mean - from the deadwood version
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Varoon Shekhar »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6kFiRjHgBw

Is this authentic, and is the item indigenous? Aerial hovercraft
shiv
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

Varoon Shekhar wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6kFiRjHgBw

Is this authentic, and is the item indigenous? Aerial hovercraft
Doesn't appear Indian. Probably paid news by someone who is trying to get export orders.

More likely a Paki could use it to cross the LoC. need to watch out for that. Imagine 3 guys on hoverboards getting into Pathankot and doing their job. Don't know its payload capacity - but the man appears vulnerable to simple rifle fire if he can be spotted. But he may be impossible to spot. Another thing is a useful terrorist would have to carry at least 20-30 kg. However a soosai bomber with just 2 kg RDX flying onto a soft target could create mayhem.

Will Google for manufacturer and status. Looks like a great terrorist tool - useless for army. Expect China to manufacture
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by shiv »

SaiK
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Post by SaiK »

$233 billion over the next 11 years. #changsanShibber!

Now don't tell Kaveri has meager funds. If you still nod, come in line front of my pellet gun.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation ... 84378.html


It should be #MakeInIndia rather buy.
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

Great report. Multiple new programs and their existence known and status detailed for the first time!

[A]Atulya ADFCR appears to be a replacement of the existing Reporter/Flycatcher style radars with a dual system - both search and a Ka band FCR!
There is a Bharani MK2 radar - which is a new program & if the picture posted is correct, appears to be a variant of the Aslesha radar. IA had ordered some two dozen or more of Bharani Mk1 which was a 2D unit.
[C]There is a new IA 3D TCR program - which appears to have drawn on the work done on Ashwini & Arudhra systems, and is a 3D AESA. Will clearly replace the existing 3D TCR based on the Rohini of which the IA ordered some 20+ units as I recall..
[D]A new Aslesha Mk2 program, which will fit in between the Ashwini (180km) and Aslesha (70km) ranges for the IAF. The Aslesha had some 20 + units ordered by the IAF.
[E]Ashwini and Arudhra progress - Arudhra is ready for user trials & Ashwini apparently is also near that stage. Some 8 Arudhra & 18 Ashwini have an indent from the IAF in phase 1.
[F]MMSR program is now subsumed into the QRSAM program, which systems prototype fabrication is in progress.
[G]Regarding AEW&C, the progress is also detailed - the ECCM trials were remaining & some extended modes (370km IIRC) were underway.
[H]Uttam proto has been engineered and a test array has been programmed for various A2A modes and is under testing from the usual test bed (Same approach as on AEW&C).
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by malushahi »

^^^ look who's here!
Karan M
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Karan M »

All credit to Rahul M - I had lost my password. :)
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Re: India's R&D in Defence DRDO, PSUs and Private Sector

Post by Kailash »

SMEs can participate in defence through HAL & DRDO
Saurabh Gupta | 31 Aug, 2016
Articulating that the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should progress with defence indigenisation programme with increased Research & Development (R&D) having innovative approach as it would only ensure and enhanced their participation with armed forces through defence undertakings such as HAL and DRDO, said Air Marshal P P Khandekar, AO-in-C (Maintenance), IAF on Tuesday.

Addressing a Seminar on "MSME Role in Indigenisation of IAF Requirements - Combating Challenges and Creating Capabilities with MSMEs" under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi on Tuesday, Khandekar said that currently MSMEs participation with armed forces was possible through the two entities and therefore, these should take advantages of the two windows with quality of manufacturing utmost in their mind.

Khandekar was addressing the Seminar which was organized as a Curtain Raiser to publicize a workshop on MSMEs role in Indigenisation of IAF requirements to be held at Lucknow on 14th of next month under the joint aegis of HAL, DRDO and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Seminar is likely to discuss and understand in detail the capabilities MSMEs posses and sensitize the local industry with the Indian Air Force requirement for future collaborations. There will also be display of equipment by BRD units of Indian Air Force.

The stakeholders that are likely to attend the forthcoming seminar consists of Senior Indian Air Force officers, representatives from DPSUs, state government officials, defence think tanks, local SMEs and captains from the Indian industry including leading Indiana and International organizations.

In the Curtain Raiser event of the Chamber here today among those that were also present included the Vice President, PHD Chamber, Anil Khaitan; Co-Chairman, Defence Committee, PHD Chamber, Maj R S Bedi (Retd.) and its Secretary General, Saurabh Sanyal.
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Post by Kailash »

India Rejects DCNS Proposal to Locally Produce API Sub Tech
NEW DELHI — India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has decided not to give DCNS of France permission to develop a local, fully owned subsidiary to manufacture air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarine systems on the advice of state-owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which is developing its own AIP systems, according to a senior MoD official.

DRDO had "impressed" upon the ministry that DCNS wants to bring to India the same technology that DRDO is developing, said the MoD source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

DCNS is the first overseas company to have sought clearance to invest 100 percent through FDI by setting up a fully owned subsidiary in the defense sector.

The Indian government in June this year changed the FDI laws to make it easier for overseas companies to receive permission for a 100 percent FDI in the defense sector.

However, Arun Prakash, a retired Indian Navy admiral, disagrees with the ministry's decision.

"If we keep a cool head, we should allow this (clearance of DCNS proposal) to proceed uninterrupted. This is most valuable and arcane technology, and there is a lot we can do with it in the future," Prakash said.

Bernard Buisson, the managing director of DCNS India, did not comment on the proposal's rejection, despite repeated requests.

No MoD officials would comment on the DCNS proposal; nor would they comment on whether reports of the leakage of vital data pertaining to six Scorpene submarines being produced under license by DCNS at Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) could have led to the proposal's rejection.

"I do not think cancellation of the ongoing project will solve any problem or mitigate the setback faced by the Indian Navy (because of the leak)," said Amit Cowshish, a former MoD financial adviser.

A senior Indian Navy official noted that the homemade AIP system is at a "project definition" stage, the prototype is being developed and once ready will be fitted in the last two French Scorpene submarines being built at MDL.

Early this year, DCNS had sought a license with 100 percent FDI to set up a company to undertake design and industrialization studies, research and development activities, manufacturing, and maintenance in relation to AIP systems for submarines. The DCNS proposal was deferred in March by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, the body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which assigns FDI licenses.

The Indian Navy is to float a $12 billion tender next year for the purchase of six AIP-enabled subs under Project P 75I. DCNS is aggressively chasing the program.

The tender will be given to a domestic shipyard, which in turn will tie up with an overseas company to build the six subs.

Along with DCNS, Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Navantia of Spain, Saab of Sweden, Rubin Design Bureau-Amur Shipyard of Russia, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries of Japan are in the race for the program.

"DRDO fears that with DCNS getting 100 percent FDI approval then it could become easier for DCNS to sell its AIP technology for the forthcoming tender of six Submarines with AIP technology," said a senior naval analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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