Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

All threads that are locked or marked for deletion will be moved to this forum. The topics will be cleared from this archive on the 1st and 16th of each month.
Post Reply
Vipul
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3727
Joined: 15 Jan 2005 03:30

Post by Vipul »

Singha wrote: time to play dead for a while, be a faithful all-lie and soak up the love from Unkil.
:)
Kakkaji
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3868
Joined: 23 Oct 2002 11:31

Post by Kakkaji »

sunilUpa wrote:
Kakkaji wrote:Why doesn't France do an FMS type agreement with India?
.

DCN did approach French gov. after Scorpene scandal surfaced with a similar proposal. Don't know what is the end result though.
With all the drama about kickbacks etc that has been going on for the last 20 years since Bofors, I think the only way any acquisitions can go through quickly is through Govt to Govt deals. So, IMHO if the French want to stay in the market, they have to offer FMS type deals, with the same price that is charged to the French armed forces.
JaiS
Forum Moderator
Posts: 2190
Joined: 01 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: JPEG-jingostan
Contact:

Post by JaiS »

Which SAMs and radar are being referred to in this news ? Or is it DDM yet again ?


Six US aircraft to join IAF: Air Chief Marshal

GANDHINAGAR: Six C-130 Hercules, America's latest military aircraft and fighter planes, will soon join the fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF) planes, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major said here on Monday.

''India has signed a military agreement with the US to procure C-130 Hercules fighter planes, high-tech radar system, surface to air missiles and other combating equipments,'' the Air Chief said.

Talking to media persons at the headquarter of South-Western Air Comment air base here, the Air Chief said, ''Procurement of these military equipments are at various stages of agreement between the two countries.''
Vick
BRFite
Posts: 753
Joined: 14 Oct 1999 11:31

Post by Vick »

The SAM could be SLAMRAAM and its associated radar for the LLQRM requirement but will have to wait for DefExpo for clarifications.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Post by Austin »

prolly he means anti-SAM decoys/sensors , and not actual sam , we havent purchased any SAM
negi
BRF Oldie
Posts: 13112
Joined: 27 Jul 2006 17:51
Location: Ban se dar nahin lagta , chootiyon se lagta hai .

Post by negi »

Vick can you throw more light on this SLAMRAAM import ? I mean I am totally unaware of US participation in LLQRM tender.

Btw the article's refernce to Surface to air missile can also be a pointer towards L&M's alleged interest in marketing HTK system for BMD system.
Aditya G
BRF Oldie
Posts: 3565
Joined: 19 Feb 2002 12:31
Contact:

Post by Aditya G »

The number is only for combat squadrons. PAF as a whole is 30 sqn.

Nevertheless a sorry state of affairs. I wish IAF had simply gone ahead for fast track acquisition of at least 2 Mirage sqns and 2-3 MiG-29 Sqns.
Kakkaji wrote:
Vick wrote:From DN
What a mess! And what a sad position to be in. A country one seventh the size of India in population, and one-tenth of India's economy, can match or exceed India's armed forces on the field. :(

It appears to me that India's Government/ People have completely forgotten the lessons of 1962. Without defense preparedness, the economic growth will have its legs cut out from under it, with a short, sharp, and painful stroke of the enemy's sword, as it happened then.

Is it a genetic trait among us Indians, that we shall never learn the lessons of history? :cry:
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

JaiS wrote:Which SAMs and radar are being referred to in this news ? Or is it DDM yet again ?


Six US aircraft to join IAF: Air Chief Marshal

GANDHINAGAR: Six C-130 Hercules, America's latest military aircraft and fighter planes, will soon join the fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF) planes, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal F H Major said here on Monday.

''India has signed a military agreement with the US to procure C-130 Hercules fighter planes, high-tech radar system, surface to air missiles and other combating equipments,'' the Air Chief said.

Talking to media persons at the headquarter of South-Western Air Comment air base here, the Air Chief said, ''Procurement of these military equipments are at various stages of agreement between the two countries.''
DDM man...they are referring to the C-130s self protection system which includes a radar warning receiver, missile approach warning system against surface to air missiles etc and what not.
JaiS
Forum Moderator
Posts: 2190
Joined: 01 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: JPEG-jingostan
Contact:

Post by JaiS »

JC, in that case it is DDMSuperPremium !

India seeks extra Hawks

India plans to buy a further 57 BAE Systems Hawk advanced jet trainers for its air force and navy, adding to the 66 it ordered in 2004. The aircraft will be licence-produced by Hindustan Aeronautics, which is manufacturing 42 aircraft from the original order.

"The Cabinet committee for security affairs will be asked to clear the deal, and it should be completed in a few months,"
says a source close to the defence ministry. The Indian air force requires 40 Hawks from the second order and the navy 17. The deal is expected to be worth about $870 million, with deliveries slated to begin early next decade.

New Delhi will induct its first BAE-built Hawk in a ceremony later this month, and the first HAL-manufactured aircraft will be delivered in March. India inked the $1.75 billion, 66-aircraft order under a deal that took almost 20 years to complete. BAE on 4 February conducted the first flight of India's 22nd of 24 UK-built aircraft - the first Hawk ever to make its debut sortie from the company's manufacturing site in Brough, Yorkshire.

Sources close to HAL say talks between the company and BAE over a possible shift of all Hawk production to India are also continuing. "Discussions are still at the early stages. The companies are talking about forming a joint venture, and it makes sense for HAL, given that it has already invested heavily in facilities for manufacturing the Hawk," says one.

Separately, Washington and New Delhi have confirmed a $1 billion deal for six Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transports intended for India's special forces. US deputy assistant secretary of defense James Clad told Reuters: "This puts us in a new environment. With this sale, India is telling us it's ready to buy top-quality US equipment on its merits. It positions us to be in the Indian defence market for years to come."

The deals are part of a lengthy effort to rejuvenate the Indian armed forces. New Delhi has also issued a request for information to AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter and Kamov for 300 utility helicopters for its air force and army. An earlier army competition for 197 helicopters was cancelled last December as it was about to be awarded to Eurocopter, which denies allegations of irregularities in the tender process.

India is also evaluating the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed F-16, Saab Gripen and Sukhoi Su-35 for a requirement for 126 medium multirole combat aircraft. It is also looking for new maritime patrol aircraft, plus heavy-lift and attack helicopters.
JaiS
Forum Moderator
Posts: 2190
Joined: 01 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: JPEG-jingostan
Contact:

Post by JaiS »

Which armament can be carried by the Hawk for the A2A / A2G role ?

ADVANCED JET TRAINER HAWK-132 TO BE INDUCTED INTO INDIAN AIR FORCE ON 23 FEB 08

On 23 Feb 2008, when the Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri AK Antony formally inducts the Hawk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) into service, an important milestone in the history of the IAF will be reached. This event will mark the fulfillment of a long-standing requirement of the IAF for an AJT that will effectively bridge the gap between the slow jet trainer such as the Kiran and the advanced fighter aircraft currently in IAF’s inventory.

The need for an AJT was first articulated by the IAF in 1982 and ever since has remained high on IAF’s agenda for procurement. The IAF felt that there existed a quantum difference in the skill and judgement levels required of a yong fighter pilot as he transited to state of the art fighters such as the Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000 and MiG-29. The Hawk 132 would adequately serve as lead in trainer for these advanced aircraft.

The Hawk 132 is a variant of the highly successful BAE Systems Hawk It incorporates an open architecture mission computer, glass cockpit and a state of the art avionics suite including a new generation Inertial Navigation System with GPS (INGPS). It is also equipped with several Indian made components such as the communication sets, dentification Friend or Foe (IFF) system and the radio altimeter. In addition to being an advanced jet trainer, Hawk 132 is fully combat capable and can carry air to air missile and air to ground armament. It could also be used as a lightweight fighter.

The contract for supply of the Hawk AJT was signed between the IAF and BAE Systems in 2004. The deal envisaged a supply of 66 aircraft, 24 built in the UK and 42 license produced by HAL at Bangalore. IAF pilots and technicians were trained at BAE Systems facilities at Warton and Brough in UK. The initial four Hawk aircraft were flown from Warton to Bidar by a combined team of BAE Systems’ and IAF pilots.

Bidar airfield, located in the North West of Karnataka, approx 150 Km from Hyderabad, was chosen as the main operating base for the Hawk. This base has been a training establishment for budding fighter pilots of the IAF since 1963. To ensure the smooth induction of the Hawk, the Air Warriors under the command of Air Commodore Ramesh Rai have worked tirelessly to put the required infrastructure in place. They were, at all stages, assisted by the local civil authorities and population. The work services included extension of the two runways, improvement in landing facilities and creation of servicing facilities for the technology intensive Hawk aircraft.

The first two aircraft arrived at Bidar on 12 Nov 2007 and were welcomed to Indian skies by Air Marshal GS Chaudhry, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, IAF, Bangalore. Since then, IAF pilots and technicians have been hard at work coming up to operational status on this combat capable aircraft. The formal induction of the Hawk 132 on 23 Feb 2008 by the Honourable Raksh Mantri Shri AK Antony marks the operationalisation of the aircraft. It will be an important milestone in training of future fighter pilots.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Post by Singha »

I expect 90% of PAF and our bison/mig29s will fall apart inside of a week in
sustained combat ops. but thats ok, because with PAF grounded we can make
the falling apart process more permanent by bombing their bases with jags, mig27, mirages and su30s.
JaiS
Forum Moderator
Posts: 2190
Joined: 01 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: JPEG-jingostan
Contact:

Post by JaiS »

Singha,

Replied to you in the Pakistani military thread.
A Sharma
BRFite
Posts: 1207
Joined: 20 May 2003 11:31

Post by A Sharma »

India, Russia to shortlist countries for exporting BrahMos

India and Russia will shortlist countries to which the BrahMos missile system, currently under production for the Indian Army and Navy, can be exported.

"Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos has completed development of the missile systems required for the Navy and Army and is currently producing the systems using Indian and Russian industries," Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh has said.

In an interview to the premier journal 'Indian Defence Review', Singh said the Joint Supervisory Council for the project has already identified the countries to which the BrahMos missile system can be exported.

Observing that the product would be exported to "friendly countries", he said "the two governments will shortlist the friendly countries after carefully considering the security requirements of both India and Russia and the strategic relationship with these countries."

Other similar possibilities were being explored with various countries for futuristic systems and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) "will enter into joint ventures, wherever needed and feasible".

Asked about delays in finalisation of procurements, the Minister said the Defence Procurement Procedures adopted in 2006 "would be revised to address some of these concerns."

Singh said though the process has been simplified and the time taken to finalise procurements reduced, there were concerns about delays in some areas.

He said delays were also encountered in the conduct of trials which have to be done in different environments and terrains. At times, there were problems expressed by the vendors to bring the equipment or platform to India for trials.

"In cases where trials under 'single vendor' situation take place, there are problems at the price negotiation state also," the Minister said.

Maintaining that all these factors have been identified, Singh said the Defence Procurement Procedure would be revised to address these concerns.

To questions on the offset policy and whether it was designed to primarily help the public sector with private sector being a "peripherial player", he said he did not agree with the perception and added that the Defence Ministry's offset policy has provided a level-playing field to defence PSUs and the private industry.

"India has not left it to the foreign vendors to decide fields in which they wish to offer offsets. We accept only direct offsets which will strengthen the defence industry," Singh said.

However, freedom has been given to foreign vendors to decide on their Indian partners, he added.

Asked about the grant of Raksha Utpadan Ratna status to select private companies to enable them to participate in defence tenders, the Minister said a Selection Committee has been appointed by the government to recommend Tier-one Indian industry in the private sector for granting such a status.

"The Committee has submitted its report, which is presently under examination," he said.
rkhanna
BRFite
Posts: 1171
Joined: 02 Jul 2006 02:35

Post by rkhanna »

Somebody will have to translate this article (its in Russian)


(Courtesy Irkut on WAFF)

Russia sells India production license for Tu-334, in talks to sell license for Tu-214. The company buying the license is not HAL its HINDAVIA.

http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=51203&cid=25
Rudranathh
BRFite
Posts: 227
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 20:06

Post by Rudranathh »

rkhanna wrote:Somebody will have to translate this article (its in Russian)
(Courtesy Irkut on WAFF)

Russia sells India production license for Tu-334, in talks to sell license for Tu-214. The company buying the license is not HAL its HINDAVIA.

http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=51203&cid=25
Babelfish translation

BY KNOTS and "khindavia of aeronotikal service" signed protocol about the intentions on the creation in India of the license production of aircraft Tu-334

KNOT and "khindavia of aeronotikal service" signed protocol about the intentions on the creation in India of the license production of aircraft Tu-334 BY KNOTS and KAZAN, on 13 February. (ITAR- TASS).

FGUP the "Kazan' aviation production association im. S.P.Gorbunova" (Russia) and "khindavia of aeronotikal service" (India) signed protocol about the intentions on the creation in India of the license production of aircraft Tu-334, it communicates in the press release of the government of Tatarya, published on the outcomes of the visit of Indian delegation.

In the protocol are also reflected questions of participation "khindavia of aeronotikal service" in the investment project concerning the modernization of the production OF KNOTS; the acquisition of aircraft Tu-334 and Tu-214 and their delivery into India; assignment to the Indian company of exclusive rights on sale of aircraft Tu-334 and Tu-214 for the territory of India, Bangladesh and Shri-Lanki; conducting presentation Tu-334 in India in the second half-year of 2008 within the framework of international exhibition.

As it communicated earlier, government RF in 2005 made a decision about the organization of the series production of aircraft Tu-334 and its modifications on FGUP "KNOT im.S.P.Gorbunova". Setting series production that 334 on THE KNOTS is achieved taking into account unification (to 60 per cent.) with the aircraft Tu-214, by already mastered on aviapredpriyatiii in the series production. KNOT on 70 pct. at present carried out preparation Tu-334 for the series production, but the financial support of government RF was necessary for the realization of this project. Cost Tu-334 comprises the order of 20 million dol..

The capacity of aircraft - 102 passengers, flying range - 3000 km on the aircraft are established highly economical engines D -436T. During December 2003 is obtained the certificate according to the standards AP -25. Tu-100 it is new development JOINT STOCK COMPANY "Tupolev" and it is intended for replacing the aircraft Tu-134, Yak-42, Tu-154B and Tu-154M.
Bharadwaj
BRFite
Posts: 459
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 11:09

Post by Bharadwaj »

With the local airlines infatuated with Airbus/Boeing/Embraer one wonders what success this move is going to have. The 334 and 214 don't have a clear defense market either apart from VIP transport.
rkhanna
BRFite
Posts: 1171
Joined: 02 Jul 2006 02:35

Post by rkhanna »

With the local airlines infatuated with Airbus/Boeing/Embraer one wonders what success this move is going to have. The 334 and 214 don't have a clear defense market either apart from VIP transport.
What about military application of these jets.. Once the MTA gets around we will have a medium lift capability. These too could be modified into somehting different. Maybe a AWAC/JSTAR/SIGINT/ELINT platform.
Gerard
Forum Moderator
Posts: 8012
Joined: 15 Nov 1999 12:31

Post by Gerard »

Sanjay M
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4892
Joined: 02 Nov 2005 14:57

Post by Sanjay M »

As I was previously saying, it's the private sector and their migration up the value chain which will provide India with its own homebuilt combat fighters, and not DRDO.

I think this joint venture agreement announced between Boeing and Tata today is just fabulous. If you consider how many Indians joined the mad rush into IT when they found out how much money they could make, I hope there will likewise be a rush into high-tech high-value manufacturing, once Indians similarly see the high margins they can make there. Yes, it's more capital-intensive, but we have more players who now have that capital, and this area is woefully under-exploited vis-a-vis outsourcing opportunities.

High-tech manufacturing is at least as lucrative as IT, especially when you consider the much more limited number of competitors. It would be nice to see more Indian enterprises entering at the upper levels of the value chain, rather than having to migrate up through it slowly, like China.

The creation of that aerospace "ecosystem" (yecch, I hate all these quaint Indian neologisms, but I'll echo them in this case) will quickly mushroom into a manufacturing revolution that will take not just India but also the world by storm. This could be the next IT boom for us -- high-end manufacturing and engineering done much more cheaply than in the developed world.
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Post by sunilUpa »

^^^Groan...it's 9:00 pm, time to switch off BRF and celebrate Valentines day!
Vick
BRFite
Posts: 753
Joined: 14 Oct 1999 11:31

Post by Vick »

sunilUpa wrote:^^^Groan...it's 9:00 pm, time to switch off BRF and celebrate Valentines day!
You mean time to watch "Lost"?
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Post by Singha »

is evangeline lilly still around ? as good a way to celeb v-day as any...
Bharadwaj
BRFite
Posts: 459
Joined: 09 Oct 2006 11:09

Post by Bharadwaj »

rkhanna wrote: What about military application of these jets.. Once the MTA gets around we will have a medium lift capability. These too could be modified into somehting different. Maybe a AWAC/JSTAR/SIGINT/ELINT platform.
An awacs can be theoretically done on either Tupolev airframe but the entire R and D for integration will probably have to be funded by us. With the Embraer I suspect there is an advantage as it is proven for the application
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Sikorsky, Tata Advanced Systems To Make Copter Cabins

Post by sunilUpa »

Sikorsky, Tata Advanced Systems To Make Copter Cabins In India
NEW DELHI -(Dow Jones)- U.S.-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Friday signed an initial pact with Tata Advanced Systems - which is part of the Tata Group - to make cabins for the S-92 helicopter in India.

"Tata Industries believes that this manufacturing facility for the S-92 helicopter cabin will offer productivity gains to Sikorsky while bringing new manufacturing technology to India," the two companies said in a statement.

"This initiative forms an important part of the larger strategy for this sector."
ranganathan
BRFite
Posts: 277
Joined: 06 Feb 2008 23:14

Post by ranganathan »

Hmm this is interesting. I thought IAF preferred AW Eh-101.
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Ordnance Factory develops new anti-material rifle

Post by sunilUpa »

Tiruchirappali: A new anti-material rifle (AMR), capable of rapid interchange of calibres and developed by the Ordnance Factory here, has been formally commissioned into the Border Security Force.

Christened "Vidhwansak," the 30 kg rifle can be selectively used for 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, and 20 mm calibres and can be changed in less than 30 seconds. It has a telescopic sight for pinpoint accuracy and a range of 1,800 metres.

BSF Inspector General (provisions) Virendra, who received the first consignment of 10 AMRs at a function held here on Thursday night, said it was the "most lethal weapon" developed in house by Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappali (OFT) in a record period of three years. The cost of each unit was only about Rs 10 lakh as against Rs 23 lakh or so quoted by foreign suppliers, he said.

The BSF had already placed orders for supply of 100 AMRs, he said. Virendra said the OFT had drawn up plans to induct the weapon in the Indian Army, where the need for such types of rifles was expected to be very high. "Initial trials conducted by an Army unit had also proved encouraging," he added.

He said the OFT had now been asked to a develop a high capability lightweight assault rifle for the BSF, capable of high firing quality position and automatic filling of ammunition, with small and medium range capability.

He said assault rifles are required for sentry duty, since they can be used in close quarter fights, as well as for use of protective forces deployed by the BSF along sensitive borders.

Virendra said about 50 per cent of the Rs 2,300 crore modernisation programme of the BSF, which commenced in 2002, had been completed. The weaponry procurement would include cannons and light machine guns, he said.


link

AoA...BSF is getting some serious firepower!. Can't wait for this baby to enter IA service.
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Race heats up for 2.5-bln-dlr Indian artillery deal

Post by sunilUpa »

Race heats up for 2.5-bln-dlr Indian artillery deal

Burried in the above report,
Indian security officials have also been discussing buying Israeli anti-aircraft missiles :?: Air-AIr or SAM?, as well as a contract to upgrade a fleet of Russian-built MiG-29 fighters.

A source from the office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh confirmed the two projects were raised in talks late Thursday, and said the deals -- with a combined value of 1.13 billion dollars -- had been approved.
Which Israeli missile? Derby/Python for Mig-29 or SAM?
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Post by sunilUpa »

OFB is releasing lot of info...
The OFB is developing 5.56 mm Excalibur rifles, 100-120 km air bombs, :?: CRN- 91 naval guns, AK 630 naval guns, 84 mm rocket launcher Mark-3, armoured engineering reconnaissance vehicles and nuclear biological chemical recce vehicles and combat free fall parachutes.

It is also evaluating upgradation of 155 mm artillery guns and 105 mm mounted guns, and enhancing the mobility of T- 72 tanks.

The OFB chairman claimed that Kalantak micro assault rifles that are under development would be the best in the class and become the next generation gun of the foot soldier. The gun will replace the Insas that is currently in use by the armed forces.
link

Is Kalantak :roll: bullpup INSAS? Could BRfite visiting Defexpo 2008 find out?


Tatas May Be Driving Against Land Rover
NEW DELHI: Tata Motors will soon be pitted against the famed British Land Rover, the company it is all set to acquire along with Jaguar. Both companies are competing for the Light Specialist Vehicle (LSV) for the Indian Army.

While Tata Motors has developed the Tata LSV — a Humvee type all new military vehicle, which is close to its Safari SUV platform— Land Rover is showcasing its Defender for the Indian Army, which floated an open tender last year to have a four-wheel multi-purpose vehicle in its fleet.

Land Rover Global Government & Direct Sales (manager) John C Wright told ET: “We have put out our Defender range, which could be tailored for all markets and meet the requirements of the Indian defence sector.
JCage
BRFite
Posts: 1562
Joined: 09 Oct 2000 11:31

Post by JCage »

Aditya G wrote:The number is only for combat squadrons. PAF as a whole is 30 sqn.

Nevertheless a sorry state of affairs. I wish IAF had simply gone ahead for fast track acquisition of at least 2 Mirage sqns and 2-3 MiG-29 Sqns.
Kakkaji wrote:
True. Vivek Raghuvanshi is not one known for any detailed research.

PAF has some 395 combat aircraft listed. Assuming a high initial 80% serviceability, thats some 316 aircraft, divided by 16 per squadron- assuming 4 flights per squadron, thats approx 19.5 squadrons. Against the PAF, the situation isnt as grim. The IAF has gained several enhancements to its capabilities in recent years which have enhanced its punch. The MKI for eg is better than any A/C being inducted or to be inducted in the PAF.
Sanjay M
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4892
Joined: 02 Nov 2005 14:57

Post by Sanjay M »

Two momentous deals in the history of Indian aerospace have just been signed between Tata and Boeing, and also Tata and Sikorsky. Yet hardly any Indians are commenting. Too busy eating crow, no doubt.

These are the things that will vault Indian aerospace into the 21st Century.

I'm absolutely ecstatic that these agreements have been signed. Now India will have a truly mixed arsenal and component base, from all the major powers - Russia, Britain, France, and the USA.

But frankly, I'm more excited about the civilian/business prospects than about mere warplanes, which rarely get used in anger anyway. I'd better get some damn stock in Tata, because I feel that high-end manufacturing is the next big Indian boom. The IT pasture is being grazed to the maximum, with all the attendant repercussions in that sector, distorting wage scales, inadequate trickledown and broad-based development. Meanwhile, vast areas of technological opportunity are being overlooked and underexploited, in areas such as hi-tech manufacturing. India needs supply-side economics to help lift it up, and the higher margins of hi-tech manufacturing should be a good lure for Indian tech players to crawl out of the protective IT coccoon and diversify into newer and broader opportunities, where serious competition is as yet still sparse.

I don't want to start at the bottom of the value chain and crawl my way up, Chinese style. I want us to move in directly at the top, using our low-cost, quality engineering as the thin end of the wedge to gain footholds. We will even develop amazing niche skills and specializations to dominate in as well.

We need an Embraer! I'm hoping we'll get one through Tata, HAL, or somebody similar.

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/c ... 228455.htm
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Post by sunilUpa »

Sigh...while both are important deals, what is 'momentous' about it? They will manufacture parts as per the specs of Boeing/Sirkosky, which in other words is also known as 'Contract manufacturing'. It would have been momentous if Boeing/Sikorsky had used any of Tata's original design or invention in to their products (for example how Eurocopter/HAL incorporate anti-vibration tech of Lords in to their Helicopters)

Well it all depends on ones own standard to define what 'momentous' is I guess. For those who are totally incapable of innovation/original invention even contract manufacturing would appear 'Momentous'.

Sigh...Thank God majority of us are out of this mentality!
ranganathan
BRFite
Posts: 277
Joined: 06 Feb 2008 23:14

Post by ranganathan »

Exactly, When the saras goes into production that would be a momentous day for Indian aviation. Heck Mahindra building a 5 seater plane in collaboration with NAL is a bigger news.
Vick
BRFite
Posts: 753
Joined: 14 Oct 1999 11:31

Post by Vick »

DRDO wants private cos, Armed Forces to share cost
[quote]However, the move to involve the Armed Forces by asking them to invest 20% of the project cost has come in for criticism. “The military’s business is to fight the war. It (funding development programmes) will dilute its purpose,â€
Sanjay M
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4892
Joined: 02 Nov 2005 14:57

Post by Sanjay M »

Gentlemen, this is about building a sustainable aerospace community. It's hard to start out at the top - you have to work your way up.

Your reaction is like saying of the 1980s, "big deal about getting some silly software outsourcing contract from Texas Instruments. Who cares, it's just a contract."

The contracts lead to bigger and better things. Your "so what" mentality misses the deeper point, here. Our major conglomerates are getting into high-end aerospace manufacturing, and as they prove their talent and their worth, they'll suck in more business their way. This can only lead to bigger and better things.

These contracts give us exposure to a very high-end, discriminating market. These are high-margin goods, and we should want to gain credibility in making them. Our cost advantage could help to re-energize that market, and drawn in many more customers.
shetty
BRFite
Posts: 147
Joined: 15 Jun 2006 17:09

Post by shetty »

sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Post by sunilUpa »

Ok here is the PIB release from OFB chairman,
The Ordnance Factories have started offering warranty on their products including small ammunition, bombs, rockets and weapon systems, Disclosing this at a news conference on the eve of the 5th DefExpo, 2008 here today, the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB) Chairman Shri Sudipta Ghosh said all the 40 ordnance factories spread across the country have recently earned the ISO-9002 certificate. Refuting concerns about the quality of OFB products, Shri Ghosh assured that the malfunctions, if any, are attended to by experts or the product is replaced to the customers’ satisfaction.

In another milestone in the OFB’s history of over 200 years, the OFB Chairman will hand over the first batch of an upgraded Pinaka rockets, developed in collaboration with the DRDO, to the Indian Army on February 27. The Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Milan Naidu will receive the rockets at a ceremony at Ordnance Factory, Chanda in Maharashtra. The OFB will supply 300 Pinaka rockets to the Army this year and 1,000 next year. The Ordnance Factory, Trichy, only yesterday handed over at a ceremony the first consignment of 10 Anti-Material Rifles to the BSF.

Revealing plans for the future, Shri Ghosh said the Ordnance Factories are open to the idea of joint ventures as foreign vendors scout for partners to fulfil the offset clause in defence purchases above 300 crore rupees stipulating for ploughing back 30 percent of the contract money into the country. The 40 Ordnance Factories, participating in a big way in the DefExpo, the Naval and Land-based weapon systems exposition, will showcase their products alongside major foreign companies in a bid to grab a slice of the emerging markets, he added. Shri Ghosh said the OFB has raised its R&D budget over the years to upgrade an array of guns, rockets, launchers, tanks and APCs. Towards this end, about 20 engineers are undergoing training abroad, he said.

Keeping itself abreast of the changing patterns in modern warfare, Shri Ghosh said the OFB is upgrading existing land systems to adapt to a net-centric environment. Several new products are being developed either inhouse or in collaboration with the DRDO and foreign partners. OFB is also developing new ammunition with longer range for the artillery in various calibres. The new or upgraded weapons and systems which have already been evaluated, include the 155 mm ERFB BB Ammunition, 130 mm Cargo Ammunition, Kavach Launcher Mark-2, Mine Protected Vehicles, 5.56 mm Excalibur Rifle, Anti-Material Rifle, 100-120 kg Air Bomb, CRN-91 Naval Gun, T 90 tanks, AK 630 Naval Gun, 84 mm Rocket Launcher Mark-3, Pinaka Rocket, Armoured Ambulance, Armoured Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle, NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical) Recce Vehicle and Combat Free fall Parachute. The new products and upgrades under evaluation include the 155 mm artillery gun upgrade, 105 mm mounted gun, 130 mm artillery upgradation to 155 mm calibre gun, T-72 mobility upgrade, Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) on T-72/T-90 chassis, 40 mm L70 gun upgrade, 35 mm Skyshield Air Defence Gun, 5.56 mm carbine, Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), 5.56x30 mm protective carbine, 5.56x45 mm ‘Kalantak’ Micro Assault Rifle, 105 mm HE BB Extended Range ammunition, 155 mm Cargo ammunition, Light Specialist Vehicle, Armoured Amphibious Dozer and Namica.

Shri Ghosh said that many of the new products developed or under evaluation would be displayed at the DefExpo. The OFB chairman said that the Kalantak Micro Assault Rifle would be the best in the class and become the next generation gun of the foot soldier. The OFB will cross a turnover 6,900 crore rupees this year and expect it to jump 10 percent annually to touch the 10,000 crore rupees in less than 5 years, he added.
link
Sanjay M
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4892
Joined: 02 Nov 2005 14:57

Post by Sanjay M »

ranganathan wrote:Exactly, When the saras goes into production that would be a momentous day for Indian aviation. Heck Mahindra building a 5 seater plane in collaboration with NAL is a bigger news.
Who's going to buy that 5-seater, anyway? As if international customers will risk their necks on Indian-made aircraft. We have no brand-name there -- yet.

It's better for India to establish a name for itself in components manufacturing, and then move towards their own OEM brand names, once the reputation for quality and reliability are established.
ranganathan
BRFite
Posts: 277
Joined: 06 Feb 2008 23:14

Post by ranganathan »

Which idiot will buy TATA made cabin other than Indian armed forces? These are just Sops to get india to buy their product. Nothing meaningful in these useless cabin and sink deals. HAl has been building such thins under license for a while but the experience of building LCA or ALh is completely different.
sunilUpa
BRFite
Posts: 1795
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 04:16

Post by sunilUpa »

Cool it guys..
Post Reply