Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 08 Dec 2009 06:11

Brando wrote:It makes more sense to stick with the aircraft that the IN already has made a commitment to than add another new aircraft to the already limited resources of the IN. With more similar aircraft, training and maintenance etc become cheaper and easier. I don't see why a Long range aircraft like the P-8 cannot be used for "medium" range operations as well given that the P-8's sensor suite is supposed to be much more advanced than the P-3C's and also more versatile. How is the P-3C superior to the P-8 in medium range ASW operations ?

I think that the LM page that says that the P-3C is a front-runner to fulfill the LRMP requirement is simply because the page was not updated. on the same page they mention that the IAF may also be interested in a LOR for the C-130Js, something that’s been already signed for. the P-8I was selected AFTER the C-130J deal came through.

LM offered to lease some refurbished P-3Cs as an interim solution but it was an expensive offer and was rejected by the IN. the P-3C is going to be replaced in USN service by the P-8A, so its in no way whatsoever, superior to the P-8A. the only possible advantage I can even think of may be the lower speeds at which a turboprop may be able to loiter around a region trying to snoop out subs.

as for why the IN is putting out a separate request for a medium-range MPA, it would be simply the up-front unit costs as well as the costs of operating per hour. an ATR-72 or CN-235 with a different sensor suite will be cheaper to buy and to operate than a Boeing 737-700 based P-8I. why pay a premium to buy the P-8I in more numbers to patrol ranges that a smaller turboprop can easily patrol ? the only thing that I'm not happy about is the small number they're looking for..6 medium-range MPA's is absolutely piddly compared to what is needed to maintain a constant patrol of India's huge coastline. they should've ordered something closer to 12-15 with an option for 6-7 more. even that wouldn't necessarily be enough..just see how many P-3Cs Japan operates to keep a tab on Chinese, North Korean and South Korean subs and warships in its territorial waters. even if they have a doctrine that really emphasises marine warfare (for instance all F-2s are dedicated anti-shipping fighters), India's numbers don't match up to the need.

Brando · Post by **Brando** » 08 Dec 2009 10:57

The P-8's have the ability to launch torpedoes for ASW missions. Does anybody have any information whether or not the Indian Navy is going to acquire the Mk-52 High Altitude ASW Weapon Concept (HAAWC) that Lockheed has finished developing for the USN ? Or are there any plans to develop an indigenous alternative ? Because without such a delivery device the P-8's would have to descend close to the surface of the ocean and then release their torpedoes making it extremely susceptible to fleet AA systems. The HAAWC is a add-on kit to existing torpedoes, much like the JDAM kits for BLU-bombs. Apparently, the Raytheon developed system that the USN went for was the Fish Hawk while LM developed Longshot.

High Altitude ASW Weapons Concept

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 14 Dec 2009 14:39

Joint development of missiles

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 18 Dec 2009 17:12

BEL's radar joint venture push hits air-pocket

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 24 Dec 2009 14:51

Transfer of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam to Ministry of Defence and setting up of a new shipyard of international standards by Ministry of Shipping.

The Government has approved transfer of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam from Ministry of Defence (MoS) to Ministry of Defence (MoD) for meeting the national security requirements of building strategic vessels for Indian Navy. For meeting the merchant shipping requirements of shipbuilding and ship repair, Government has given ‘ in principle’ approval to Ministry of Shipping for setting up of a new shipyard of international standard.

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 29 Dec 2009 16:07

India, Russia setting up USD 600 million aircraft JV

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 29 Dec 2009 16:43

Prasun Sengupta reports that Griffin 3 LGB from Israel has been acquired by India. Turns out that his report is a word by word copy paste of a news report in Deagle.com, with only "foreign customer" replaced by the word "India".

What to believe?

http://www.deagel.com/news/Griffin-3-La ... 06155.aspx

Griffin 3 Laser Guided Bomb Kit Sold to Undisclosed Customer
News >> Missiles & Munitions >> Sales & Contracts

Released on Wednesday, June 10, 2009

IAI Seals Deal to Provide GRIFFIN 3 Laser Guided Bomb Kit

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has recently signed a contract worth tens of millions of dollars to provide a foreign customer with the GRIFFIN 3, the Next Generation Laser Guided Bomb (NGLGB) Kit. The GRIFFIN 3 Kit is an advanced guidance kit which is attached to a general purpose or penetration aerial bomb.

Itzhak Nissan, President and CEO of IAI, said: "The GRIFFIN 3 is a product which stands out in its exceptional accuracy and ability to ensure maximum penetration of a general or penetration aerial bomb".

The GRIFFIN System provides much better hit accuracy than previous generation kits, even in high wind conditions or when aiming for a moving target.

Another important feature of the GRIFFIN 3 is its trajectory shaping capability, which, when used with a penetration warhead, is integral to achieving maximum penetration.

The GRIFFIN 3 has an optional GPS guidance feature to enable dual guidance capability, and is one of a wide range of IAI's laser guided munitions. Others include LAHAT, a lightweight missile for helicopters, armored vehicles, and tanks; Nimrod, a longer range laser guided missile; and Fire Ball, a laser guided rocket kit.

Now here is the one by Prasun:

http://**************/2009/0 ... riefs.html

Sunday, June 14, 2009

....

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has recently signed a contract worth tens of millions of dollars to provide India with GRIFFIN 3, the Next Generation Laser Guided Bomb (NGLGB) Kit. The GRIFFIN 3 Kit is an advanced guidance kit which is attached to a general purpose or penetration aerial bomb. Itzhak Nissan, President and CEO of IAI, said: "The GRIFFIN 3 is a product which stands out in its exceptional accuracy and ability to ensure maximum penetration of a general or penetration aerial bomb". The GRIFFIN System provides much better hit accuracy than previous generation kits, even in high wind conditions or when aiming for a moving target. Another important feature of the GRIFFIN 3 is its trajectory shaping capability, which, when used with a penetration warhead, is integral to achieving maximum penetration. The GRIFFIN 3 has an optional GPS guidance feature to enable dual guidance capability, and is one of a wide range of IAI's laser guided munitions. Others include LAHAT, a lightweight missile for helicopters, armored vehicles, and tanks; Nimrod, a longer range laser guided missile; and Fire Ball, a laser guided rocket kit.

....

Gaur · Post by **Gaur** » 29 Dec 2009 17:05

^^
Well, it is not for no reason that he is called chorgupta.

K_Rohit · Post by **K_Rohit** » 29 Dec 2009 18:48

Aditya G wrote:Prasun Sengupta reports that Griffin 3 LGB from Israel has been acquired by India. Turns out that his report is a word by word copy paste of a news report in Deagle.com, with only "foreign customer" replaced by the word "India".

What to believe?

Ankit Desai · Post by **Ankit Desai** » 30 Dec 2009 00:53

India, Russia setting up USD 600 million aircraft JV

While Bangalore based state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will fork out USD 300 million, Russia's United Aircraft Cooperation (UAC) will invest a similar amount for the joint venture which will start rolling out the aircraft by 2017.

The Indian Air Force is expected to order at least 35 and Russian Air Force as many as 100 medium lift transport aircraft.

Ankit

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 04 Jan 2010 03:27

US defence boss to visit with deals in mind - SUJAN DUTTA

New Delhi, Jan. 2: US defence secretary Robert Gates is slated to visit India in about a fortnight with the objective of lifting bilateral military relations from a policy-alignment plane to a commercial platform that will translate into larger contracts for American companies.

...
A top defence ministry official confirmed this week that the Defence Acquisitions Council had authorised the outright purchase of howitzers from BAE Land Systems, based in the US, through the Pentagon’s Foreign Military Sales route. However, India was not closing other options to acquire ultra-light howitzers.

Despite the growing closeness in military relations with the Pentagon, there is still some degree of hesitation in New Delhi in awarding contracts in larger numbers for three principal reasons.

First, India is unhappy with the level of US military support to Pakistan. Within its defence establishment, senior sources point out that Pakistan uses military hardware received from the US on the plea of fighting the Taliban to reinforce its conventional capabilities against India. They cite the purchase of Harpoon anti-ship missiles that were tweaked for ground-strike purchases.

Second, defence minister A.K. Antony is wary of entering into agreements and contracts with the US that could provoke allegations that India was vesting more importance in its military relations with the US despite so long relying mostly on Russian hardware and engaging in defence co-operation with 45 countries.

Third, senior defence officials cite a history of sanctions that have thwarted India’s indigenous efforts in defence research and development.

...
A top defence ministry official said this week that the LSA was still “under examination”. The likelihood of the agreement, proposed four years back, being clinched shortly is remote. It is more likely that the two sides would get closer to agreeing on the Cismoa.

...

dinesha · Post by **dinesha** » 09 Jan 2010 10:28

Govt set to ink record $2.2bn arms deal with US:10 C-17 Globemaster-III
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 425123.cms

sum · Post by **sum** » 09 Jan 2010 10:33

dinesha wrote:Govt set to ink record $2.2bn arms deal with US:10 C-17 Globemaster-III
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 425123.cms

Wow, US really has our ruling elite in their grip.

Every new damn deal is American ( with no provision to ensure Pak is blocked out of American weapons)

arun · Post by **arun** » 09 Jan 2010 15:37

dinesha wrote:Govt set to ink record $2.2bn arms deal with US:10 C-17 Globemaster-III
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 425123.cms

Boeing Press Release X Posted:

India Submits Letter of Request for Potential Boeing C-17 Order

LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan. 8, 2010 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that the U.S. government has received a Letter of Request from India's Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Air Force regarding the potential acquisition of 10 C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifters.

"Boeing is very pleased that the Indian government has expressed interest in acquiring the C-17 to modernize its airlift capabilities, and we look forward to working closely with them," said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "We believe the C-17 can fulfill India's needs for military and humanitarian airlift to help it meet its growing domestic and international responsibilities."

The C-17 conducted demonstration flights in February at Aero India 2009 in Bangalore, where members of the MOD and Indian Air Force had the opportunity to see the aircraft's capabilities in action. The Indian Air Force wants to replace and augment its fleet of Russian-made AN-32 and IL-76 airlifters.

"Nations looking to modernize their airlift capabilities turn to the C-17 because it has the highest reliability and mission-capable rate of any airlift aircraft," added Tommy Dunehew, Boeing Global Mobility Systems vice president of Business Development. "It is available right now, without any development risk. Plus, the C-17 is an acquisition success story, with deliveries on or ahead of schedule for the past decade."

A tactical and strategic airlifter, only the C-17 can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances and deliver them directly to small austere airfields anywhere in the world. It can land combat-ready troops on semi-prepared runways or airdrop them directly into the fight. The C-17's ability to back up allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a payload of up to 170,000 pounds, the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet or less. ....................

Boeing

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 10 Jan 2010 03:05

Curious , can the C-17 be used to drop huge amount of SFWs and are we getting few hundreds from USA?

arun · Post by **arun** » 10 Jan 2010 08:10

^^^ No idea if the C-17 can drop SFWs, however it was reported back in Sept. 2008 that India was looking to buy 500+ SFW’s :

India - CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapons

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 12 Jan 2010 17:46

Refueler tender cancellation will delay plans: Naik

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 14 Jan 2010 08:16

Antony says defence market too big for public, private sector to flourish

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 19 Jan 2010 04:07

Everyone is asleep in MOD, GOI and the Armed Forces. National Security is a joke. Why can we not clone Arihants in the dozens, LCA in the hundreds, Arjun in the thousands, Akash in the thousands, Ships in the hundreds, Brahmos in the thousands?

Under the pretext of quality, armed forces/MOD reject lethal Indian products thereby letting down security. Why does it take so long to decide on the engine for the LCA? Haggling for bribes? Why can we not work day and night and get the Arihant operational, the Indegenous Aircraft Carrier completed, the Shivalik and sister ships operational.

What is up with the Scorpenes? If the French are being cute why don't we walk out of the contract, cancel negotiations on the Mirage 2000 upgrades, reject the RFP for the Eurofighter and the Rafale? Are we little children? National security is not a joke, People especially the armed forces need to get serious about it. Why do we cry at the 13th hour? What use is oxygen to a corpse that is already in rigor mortis.

All Indians must hang their heads in shame at the poor management of national security by our elected representatives armed forces and GOI babus.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 19 Jan 2010 04:49

Quite alarming thinking about what China can do. They don't talk, but they just do it.

Gaur · Post by **Gaur** » 19 Jan 2010 05:12

Vivek,
Admirable sentiments but we are not talking about buying balloons for a 5 yr old. True, things are bad. But why so much love for armed forces? MOD, I can understand, but the only fault of armed forces is that they do not voice their grievances in the public and force the Govt to take action. In short, they play by the book which will get you nowhere in India.

Vivek K wrote:Everyone is asleep in MOD, GOI and the Armed Forces. National Security is a joke. Why can we not clone Arihants in the dozens, LCA in the hundreds, Arjun in the thousands, Akash in the thousands, Ships in the hundreds, Brahmos in the thousands?

Really? Is it in the hands of Armed Forces to decide that? And even if it was, do we have the industrial infrastructure to build weapons at your desired rate? No. So whose fault is that? Armed Forces? Do you now want IN to start making shipyards?

Vivek K wrote: Under the pretext of quality, armed forces/MOD reject lethal Indian products thereby letting down security. Why does it take so long to decide on the engine for the LCA? Haggling for bribes? Why can we not work day and night and get the Arihant operational, the Indegenous Aircraft Carrier completed, the Shivalik and sister ships operational.

And selecting engine is in the hands of IAF? Right.

And I guess, according to your statements, making Arihant, IAC etc operational are also in the hands of Armed Forces?
I guess its the IA which is blocking Arty procurement for decades?

What is up with the Scorpenes? If the French are being cute why don't we walk out of the contract, cancel negotiations on the Mirage 2000 upgrades, reject the RFP for the Eurofighter and the Rafale? Are we little children? National security is not a joke, People especially the armed forces need to get serious about it. Why do we cry at the 13th hour? What use is oxygen to a corpse that is already in rigor mortis.

All Indians must hang their heads in shame at the poor management of national security by our elected representatives armed forces and GOI babus.

Err..if French are acting cute, why are we supposed to reject RFP for Eurofighter? Can you illuminate us on this?

I think people have little knowledge about how arms are procured. You think that Armed forces ask for something and the MOD and Finance Ministry just agrees to orders it the next day? IA was asking for WLRs from the 80s, how many did we have in Kargil? This is IA's fault. This is not Pakistan. Armed forces have little say in these matters.

As I had said before, the only fault of Armed forces is that they do not cry Bloody Murder in the public press and force the Govt to act. But that is slowly changing for the good.

Nikhil T · Post by **Nikhil T** » 19 Jan 2010 06:43

^^^ Gaur, lets start being objective here - the Armed Forces cannot be absolved of any blame (however miniscule) in the indigenization process.

Gaur wrote:
Vivek K wrote:Everyone is asleep in MOD, GOI and the Armed Forces. National Security is a joke. Why can we not clone Arihants in the dozens, LCA in the hundreds, Arjun in the thousands, Akash in the thousands, Ships in the hundreds, Brahmos in the thousands?
Really? Is it in the hands of Armed Forces to decide that? And even if it was, do we have the industrial infrastructure to build weapons at your desired rate? No. So whose fault is that? Armed Forces? Do you now want IN to start making shipyards?

Sometimes, it is. Remember the DG-Mechanized Infantry repeatedly playing down the Arjun's performance to the point that the MoD conducted international evaluations? Remember sabotage/"comparative trials" - who did that? Remember how many times goal posts were shifted for key projects - ADS, Akash, LCA ??
If the correctional measures are to be taken, lets begin by not treating anyone as a holy cow. My last post on this topic.

KiranM · Post by **KiranM** » 20 Jan 2010 07:53

Something of interest to Indian acquisitions from US.
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/usa ... #more-4665

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Jan 2010 08:00

C17 / IL76 could be used to deliver a pallet of explosives by opening the rear ramp and having the plane nose up while pallet's drogue parachute is deployed. same idea as seen in "Avatar". it will fall in some approximate area depending on skill and practice levels of
the pilot minus prevailing unpredictable winds and delivery altitude (has to be high for safety).

but we do not have a dedicated device like sher khan moab or russian tu160 delivered bear-bomba.

I think its adequate to use the Avatar idea - it will be special occasions only.

bart · Post by **bart** » 20 Jan 2010 12:26

Singha wrote:C17 / IL76 could be used to deliver a pallet of explosives by opening the rear ramp and having the plane nose up while pallet's drogue parachute is deployed. same idea as seen in "Avatar". it will fall in some approximate area depending on skill and practice levels of
the pilot minus prevailing unpredictable winds and delivery altitude (has to be high for safety).

but we do not have a dedicated device like sher khan moab or russian tu160 delivered bear-bomba.

I think its adequate to use the Avatar idea - it will be special occasions only.

C130 is more suited to that actually. Its what the USAF use to deliver their daisy-cutters. I it probably wont be practical to release such weapons from a very high altitude so the turboprop is fine most of the times.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Jan 2010 14:47

northrop-grumann was proposing a 30,000lb GPS guided Moab-2 in the bush era, that could be released from any altitude, being a guided bomb with fins.

Marut · Post by **Marut** » 20 Jan 2010 14:49

^^
Singhaji,
IAF has already done something like that in the '71 war. AN-12s carpet bombed Pakistani troops in Kashmir during night. I am sure the An-32s have been simulated in these scenarios as well.

http://airmarshalashokgoel.blogspot.com/2009/03/indian-air-force-and-its-transport.html wrote: The most remarkable achievement of the An -12 fleet was its modification to a “Bombing Role” just before the 1971 Bangladesh War.
The Indian Army had expected a massive attack from Pakistan on the western borders, and indeed, at one time, the Pakistani Army concentrated some 30,000 troops around Kashmir to capture it. Sure enough, this happened, and IAF saved the day by deploying the modified An-12s to bomb Pakistani positions and troop concentrations.
Aircraft of the No. 44 Squadron flew night missions, unescorted, and did intense carpet bombing, rolling out nine tones of fire from each aircraft. They were always in waves of six aircraft, and fortunately, all returned home safely and smilingly.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Jan 2010 17:01

sandeep unnithan reported this in India today. the dog and pony circus goes on as if we have 15 yrs to wait for a court settlement on the marriage between a pony and a mare. "indians have this odd urge to be seen as fair and reasonable"

I cant find his article online but here is the same from another source:
http://indiadefenceonline.com/1583/sele ... i-project/

Selex of Italy Challenges MOD Decision on MAFI Project

A recent legal imbroglio will adversely affect the plans of the Indian Air Force (IAF) concerning the modernisation of its airfields. The Italian firm, Selex Sistimi Intergrati SPA, has legally challenged the Indian government’s move to declare Tata Power Strategic Electronics Division [SED] as the winner in the $260 million modernization of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) project.

Selex Sistimi Intergrati SPA, part of the Italian major Finmeccanica, has asked the Delhi High Court to quash the decision of the Indian Defence Ministry to declare Tata Power SED as the lowest bidder. While the Italian company alleges that there were lapses in the procurement process, the Indian Defence Ministry claims that no procedural lapses occurred in the procurement process and that the bid of Tata Power SED was the lowest at $238 million as, against the $248 million which Selex which quoted.

Meanwhile, the current legal tussle will only delay the modernization of the airfields, for which the MAFI project was proposed and expected to be executed at the earliest. The modernisation of airfields is of paramount importance, as IAF has acquired new platforms like AWACS and the U.S. made C 130J. Since the new aircrafts will be advanced and equipped with modern avionics, the ground systems would have to be compatible with it. The acquisition of 126 Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), which India is currently negotiating to procure, will also lose its potential and significance if the airfields are not modernised. Another area where the MAFI programme will be applied is the North-East of India, along the Indo-Chinese border, where the airfields need upgrading.

As for the MAFI project, global bids were floated in 2008 for the $260 million project, under which 30 airfields will be modernised in a time bound manner within three years from the date of contract signature. The MAFI program involves the supply and integration of equipment, numbering in thousands, and all the vendors were told that the winner will have to prove the equipment at a Model airfield along with the necessary quality certification for all supplied equipment as per the Turnkey Project Procurement Procedure under the Indian Defence Procurement Procedures (DPP 2006).

The MAFI project includes the following:-

- Supply, testing, integration & sustenance of Instrument Landing System (ILS)
- Distance Measuring Equipments (DME)
- Digital VHF Omni Range (DVOR)
- Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN)
- Air Traffic Management System (ATM)
- CAT 2 Airfield Lighting system.

Besides challenging the Indian Defence Ministry regarding the discrepancies in the procurement process, Selex of Italy has alleged that the equipment offered under the MAFI program were not tested before the commercial bids were opened. However, the Defence Ministry has clarified that the Technical Evaluation Committee of the Ministry had cleared Tata Power’s equipment to be technically acceptable.

With the added obstacle of the current litigation, IAF will suffer yet another setback of not having its airfields ready to prove the combat worthiness of its modern fleet. IAF has urged the Indian government to make amends in the procurement policies so that acquisitions and upgrading projects are not disrupted.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 20 Jan 2010 17:03

from india defence online

Delays hamper GRSE corvettes project

The Indian Navy’s highly anticipated high-tech stealth warship being crafted at the state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata is suffering further delays.

The Indian Navy’s order for four anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvettes from GRSE is termed Project 28 and it is two years behind schedule.

The cost of Project 28 has inflated from a sanctioned amount $560 million ( $140 million per corvette) to an estimated $1.4 billion now.

However, GRSE will not bear the brunt of this financial aspect.

For GRSE, the Project 28 is a cost-plus contract wherein the actual cost of construction of the first ship will be the basis for paying for the entire project.

The main cause of delay has been the stringent standards of stealth for every piece of equipment on board set for the suppliers. Hence, they have struggled to develop engines, transmission, air-conditioning and power-generating systems.

Since the Indian Navy has indicated that the machinery must work silently and that the majority of parts must be sourced or produced locally, GRSE is finding it tough to live up to the Navy’s expectations. The Indian Navy has clearly indicated that no compromise will be made in terms of standard for Project 28.

The Project 28 corvettes are 2,500-tonne warships that will protect Indian Navy battle groups and coastal installations from enemy submarines that pose threats.

The challenge of Project 28 has been to minimise vibrations and noise from the ship’s machinery, propellers and from water swirling past the hull thereby increasing the stealth factor.

Presently, the Kirloskar group has delivered the engines and so has DCNS of France. The French firm supplied the Raft Mounted Gearbox, which negates noise satisfactorily. However, other electronics are still being developed as per the stipulated operational requirements.

The corvettes being developed in Project 28 will be heavily armed but silent so that it can lurk undetected. It will have an Otomelara Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) on the bow which can release 76 millimetre shells onto aerial and surface targets.

They will also consist of two Indigenous Rocket Launchers (IRLs) that can fire at both submarines and ships. Submarines can also be engaged through the six torpedo tubes. Two AK 630 Gatling guns, one on either side, can shoot down attacking aircraft. Finally, vertically launched missiles are likely to be mounted for engaging surface targets.

The Indian Navy is one of the world’s fastest growing navies and it will be inducting 100 warships over the next decade. Its fleet of 120 vessels is the fifth largest in the world.

Indian Navy officials plan to spend $4 billion a year on new capabilities and roughly 60 per cent will be devoted to acquisitions of naval hardware.

Currently, 32 warships and submarines are under construction in the country’s shipyards. Work on 75 more ships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates and amphibious vessels will be initiated soon.

Nihat · Post by **Nihat** » 20 Jan 2010 18:04

The relayed Delivery Schedule was for 2012 , does the delay an add on to that Implying that Corvettes will take as long as 2014 for Induction into IN.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 20 Jan 2010 18:11

looks to me same as ajai shukla's article.

Riza Zaman · Post by **Riza Zaman** » 22 Jan 2010 02:43

Not sure if this has been posted before or not ... interesting read and cites BR as a source

http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/110/and062508.pdf

India and the United States: A Different Kind of Relationship

Testimony before
House Committee on Foreign Affairs:
Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
United States House of Representatives

June 25th, 2008

Dr. Walter K. Andersen
Associate Director
South Asia Studies
Johns Hopkins University
School of Advanced International Studies
Washington, D.C.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 22 Jan 2010 19:56

X post

DNW:
Burgeoning Indian-Israeli Military Ties
There Comes a Point When Washington May Set a Limit

One of the world's biggest powers and one of its smallest countries have discovered enough in common to forge a thriving friendly relationship based largely on mutual defense interests.

This week, Israel's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, spent three days in Delhi, less than a month after his opposite number, the Indian chief of staff Gen. Deepak Kapoor visited Israel.

It was the first time any Israeli chief of staff had ever visited New Delhi.

The frequency of these visits denotes the burgeoning relationship between the two armies on several levels.

First, Israel has become India's No. 1 supplier of arms and ammunition, overtaking Russia. India accounts for roughly half of Israel's exports of defense items and about one-third of India's import list.

Second, after purchasing the Israeli Arrow anti-missile missile's Green Pine radar, Gen. Kapoor has said his government also wants to buy the missile itself, though not the Arrow 2 which is in service with Israel's Defense Forces, but Arrow 3 and Arrow 4, the Super Arrow which is still in development.

The Indian army chief's purpose in visiting Israel in November was for a rundown on the joint US-Israeli Juniper Cobra 10 exercise for testing defenses against ballistic missiles. This war game was watched avidly by the world's generals and strategists as the most comprehensive and advanced maneuver ever conducted by any army on this subject.

Gen. Kapoor was tireless in his requests for briefings on the lessons drawn from the unique two-week exercise.

US components in an Israeli military item limit its sale

Some of India's most pressing requests pose Israel with dilemmas, DEBKA-Net-Weekly's military sources note. On the one hand, New Delhi appears to be winding down its military procurements from Russia and turning increasingly to Israel. On the other, Israel is bound by overriding commitments to its senior ally, the United States.

When Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh visited Moscow on Dec. 7, he ended a spat over India's purchase of a retired Soviet aircraft carrier, the Admiral Gorshkov - undelivered because of delays and cost overruns for its refurbishment. Even if Singh agreed to hand over the extra $1.2 billion demanded by Moscow to cover the costs, it was clear to both sides that this was India's last arms purchase from Moscow for the time being.

But although Israel's defense industry stands to gain from this cutoff, the more sophisticated the arms on India's shopping list, the more American components and technologies they contain. This means that their transfer to a third country is subject to Washington's veto and both Jerusalem and New Delhi will become increasingly dependent on US permission in the pursuit of their arms transactions.

The case of the Super Arrow is a good example. The United Sates has invested advanced technology in the development of the system as well as covering 60 percent of the costs of research, construction and operational testing of this advanced missile interceptor.

Israel has strong strategic ties with Singapore

Rather than approving an Israeli sale, Washington might decide to supply India with the Super Arrow itself, although thus far, the United States defense industry has never shown interest in entering the Indian arms market. So Israel might be given the go-ahead for Arrow 4 on certain conditions. The US and Israel too might ask India to carry part of the cost of development on behalf of one of the two parties or as an extra.

Furthermore, at some point, Israel and India will have to decide whether their expanding arms trade makes them strategic allies or merely trading partners.

In the past, Israel supplied highly sophisticated hardware in the Super Arrow class only to strategic partners. In recently years, a strategic partnership has been established between Israel and Singapore whereby Israel's military industries supply most of the island's electronic defense systems and are now developing a fleet of unmanned warships.

DEBKA-Net-Weekly's military sources report that a similar strategic alliance is evolving between Israel and South Korea. Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi has dropped in on Seoul in the course of his current Asian tour.

Washington may object to a specific transaction, but has no real trouble with Israel's military ties with Singapore and South Korea.

India's case is in a different category; its standing in Washington is still undecided. A decision on this by the Obama administration will determine the extent to which Israel-Indian defense ties can develop.

If they are seriously after Arrow, then where does that leave PAD? Realistically speaking how long will it take to purchase and have an Arrow system operational? Then where does that leave PAD? I have a feeling that Arrow is being used to defend against the ALL Chinese threats, which appears to be looming for a showdown soon?

tejas · Post by **tejas** » 22 Jan 2010 23:32

Debka's analysis and $ 3.50 will get you a small flavored coffee at Starbucks here in Umrikah. I wouldn's hang my hat on anything they say. Other than seeker technology, we don't need much more from the Israeli's for our BMD system.

Dmurphy · Post by **Dmurphy** » 26 Jan 2010 22:14

Indian Research Agency Agrees to Tech Transfers

DRDO signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Jan. 25 with seven private-sector companies under a program with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) lobbying group - the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment and Commercialization (ATAC) Program.
...
DRDO signed MoUs with Jyothy Laboratories Ltd. and Alkali Metals Ltd. for multi-insect repellant; Jyothy Laboratories for wool care; Vantage Security for explosive detection gear; Deltapure Water India Ltd. and Ariva Group for a reverse osmosis-based water purification system; MGM Associates for a high-altitude pulmonary edema chamber; and GSC Glass Ltd. for electrochromic windows.

neeraj · Post by **neeraj** » 27 Jan 2010 21:23

http://chhindits.blogspot.com/2010/01/e ... ppers.html
Cabinet clears VVIP choppers - 12 AW-101 helicopters from Augusta Westland

sum · Post by **sum** » 27 Jan 2010 21:26

neeraj wrote:http://chhindits.blogspot.com/2010/01/e ... ppers.html
Cabinet clears VVIP choppers - 12 AW-101 helicopters from Augusta Westland

I broke this story in Mail Today, in July 2008, that the Government was going ahead with commercial negotiations with Agusta Westland, despite deviations found in the chopper, and a single vendor situation was emerging. The single vendor situation was averted, but the deal has landed with Agusta.

Wah, deviations and single vendor situations are OK if VVIP transport is involved but poor armed forces have to jump through hoops to get even the most urgent equipment!!!

arun · Post by **arun** » 28 Jan 2010 12:36

X Posted:

Bhaskar wrote:US okays howitzers worth $647 million for India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 506969.cms

arun · Post by **arun** » 29 Jan 2010 12:07

X Posted:

Craig Alpert wrote:Govt scrambles to plug gaps in coastal security

{......... Snipped} ICG is also going in for a major upgrade of its air wing, with 42 new aircraft already sanctioned by the government. Apart from 12 Dorniers and 30 helicopters, the force is also going to induct six medium-range maritime surveillance aircraft, for which Beriev-200 and Bombardier-Q400 have been shortlisted for trials in a Rs 1,100-crore project.{Snipped ..........}

I must say I am surprised not to see the ATR 42 but instead the Bombadier Dash 8 Q400 and the Beriev 200 for the Indian Coast Guards medium-range maritime surveillance aircraft contest. I was expecting that the ATR 42 would be the front runner given the intended tie up between HAL and ATR.

VinodTK · Post by **VinodTK** » 01 Feb 2010 05:37

Defence Ministry goes easy on blacklisted firms