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An apex body of the employees unions said the management 'refused' to consider their 'fair and reasonable demands', including wage revision HAL employees to go ahead with indefinite strike on Monday after talks fail ( )
An apex body of the employees unions said the management 'refused' to consider their 'fair and reasonable demands', including wage revision HAL employees to go ahead with indefinite strike on Monday after talks fail ( )
HSL has a bright future with several orders in pipeline, says CMD
Sunday, October 13, 2019
By: The Hindu
Hindustan Shipyard Limited Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral (retired) L.V. Sarat Babu said the company was poised for a good time ahead after it was successfully made a turnaround due to all-out efforts by the employees.
Addressing the employees here on Saturday, he said they were all set to get orders for five Fleet Support Ships at a cost of Rs 9,045 crore and two Special Operation Vehicles worth about ₹5,000 crore from the Indian Navy.
The HSL had requisite capability, infrastructure and spare capacity for executing construction/refits of submarines, he said disclosing that the yard was putting its best efforts to bid for medium refit and life certification of fourth EKM submarine. The shipyard had also expressed its interest in construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy under the Project 75 (I) in collaboration with Adani Defence System Technologies Ltd. Towards this the yard was in the process of formation of a joint venture.
Mr. Sarat Babu said these initiatives, the HSL expected to sustain its performance in the long run and keep the momentum in future. As part of infrastructure upgradation, implementation of SAP S4/HANA ERP solution was in progress. The unique feature of this ERP system would be integration of design software, Aveva Marine including its 3D features with an embedded PLM in SAP.
Wage revision arrears :
The CMD said despite financial constraints, 60% of the outstanding wage arrears of 2009 had been cleared. Further, leave encashment dues of the retired employees who retired up to March, 2015 had been paid.
In order to boost morale of the employees, pay revision of officers and wage revision of staff and workmen with effect from April 1, 2018, had been considered by the board and the same was submitted to the ministry for clearance.
http://www.defencenews.in/article/H...h-several-orders-in-pipeline,-says-CMD-737407
Sunday, October 13, 2019
By: The Hindu
Hindustan Shipyard Limited Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral (retired) L.V. Sarat Babu said the company was poised for a good time ahead after it was successfully made a turnaround due to all-out efforts by the employees.
Addressing the employees here on Saturday, he said they were all set to get orders for five Fleet Support Ships at a cost of Rs 9,045 crore and two Special Operation Vehicles worth about ₹5,000 crore from the Indian Navy.
The HSL had requisite capability, infrastructure and spare capacity for executing construction/refits of submarines, he said disclosing that the yard was putting its best efforts to bid for medium refit and life certification of fourth EKM submarine. The shipyard had also expressed its interest in construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy under the Project 75 (I) in collaboration with Adani Defence System Technologies Ltd. Towards this the yard was in the process of formation of a joint venture.
Mr. Sarat Babu said these initiatives, the HSL expected to sustain its performance in the long run and keep the momentum in future. As part of infrastructure upgradation, implementation of SAP S4/HANA ERP solution was in progress. The unique feature of this ERP system would be integration of design software, Aveva Marine including its 3D features with an embedded PLM in SAP.
Wage revision arrears :
The CMD said despite financial constraints, 60% of the outstanding wage arrears of 2009 had been cleared. Further, leave encashment dues of the retired employees who retired up to March, 2015 had been paid.
In order to boost morale of the employees, pay revision of officers and wage revision of staff and workmen with effect from April 1, 2018, had been considered by the board and the same was submitted to the ministry for clearance.
http://www.defencenews.in/article/H...h-several-orders-in-pipeline,-says-CMD-737407
The MoD has put of a list of things that can be exported without prior govt. approval :
https://defexpo.gov.in/assets/PDF/Export Booklet.pdf
https://defexpo.gov.in/assets/PDF/Export Booklet.pdf
Waiting for the best doesn’t work, we will take what you produce, Vice Chief of Army assures industry
Lt Gen MM Naravane said that `best’ cannot be the enemy of the `good’ and unless systems are inducted and used in the field, they cannot be improved and developed to global standards.
NEW DELHI: Assuring a pragmatic way ahead for indigenously developed military systems, the Vice Chief of Army Staff has said that forces are now open to inducting locally produced arms even if they don’t meet the `best’ parameters as improvements can be carried out on the go.
Referring to a long standing dilemma for the domestic defence development ecosystem, Lt Gen MM Naravane said that `best’ cannot be the enemy of the `good’ and unless systems are inducted and used in the field, they cannot be improved and developed to global standards.
“I would like to give this commitment and assurance on my part that whatever you produce, we will take. Let it be Mk1 (the first version), the improvements will continue and there will be a Mk II and a MkII,” the officer said at a Defence Attaches Conclave in the capital.
The senior officer touched upon a long standing sore point for the industry and research bodies that have been arguing that the force requirements are too stringent to meet and are often based on foreign standards, making them difficult to match. Several weapons developers have raised concerns that the armed forces keep updating their requirements for weapons platforms.
“In the past, there have been cases where developers have taken time to reach the requirements set by the forces. However, by the time the work is done, the forces revise their requirements upwards as they observe foreign origin equipment. It has been impossible in many cases to catch up as our systems do not even get inducted,” a senior scientist told ET.
Promising to change this approach, Lt Gen Naravane assured a gathering consisting of defence attaches, military officers and representatives from the private and public sectors that the forces will induct locally developed systems and use them.
“Unless we take it, experiment on it and use in the field, how will be we know what it is all about…. My assurance to you is that we fully support indigenous efforts,” the officer said, adding that the Army sees the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a key partner for this.
In the recent past, the defence ministry has approved several policies to promote indigenous development, including funding of research, opening up its test ranges for private companies and earmarking several technologies for procurement only by Indian companies.
Lt Gen MM Naravane said that `best’ cannot be the enemy of the `good’ and unless systems are inducted and used in the field, they cannot be improved and developed to global standards.
NEW DELHI: Assuring a pragmatic way ahead for indigenously developed military systems, the Vice Chief of Army Staff has said that forces are now open to inducting locally produced arms even if they don’t meet the `best’ parameters as improvements can be carried out on the go.
Referring to a long standing dilemma for the domestic defence development ecosystem, Lt Gen MM Naravane said that `best’ cannot be the enemy of the `good’ and unless systems are inducted and used in the field, they cannot be improved and developed to global standards.
“I would like to give this commitment and assurance on my part that whatever you produce, we will take. Let it be Mk1 (the first version), the improvements will continue and there will be a Mk II and a MkII,” the officer said at a Defence Attaches Conclave in the capital.
The senior officer touched upon a long standing sore point for the industry and research bodies that have been arguing that the force requirements are too stringent to meet and are often based on foreign standards, making them difficult to match. Several weapons developers have raised concerns that the armed forces keep updating their requirements for weapons platforms.
“In the past, there have been cases where developers have taken time to reach the requirements set by the forces. However, by the time the work is done, the forces revise their requirements upwards as they observe foreign origin equipment. It has been impossible in many cases to catch up as our systems do not even get inducted,” a senior scientist told ET.
Promising to change this approach, Lt Gen Naravane assured a gathering consisting of defence attaches, military officers and representatives from the private and public sectors that the forces will induct locally developed systems and use them.
“Unless we take it, experiment on it and use in the field, how will be we know what it is all about…. My assurance to you is that we fully support indigenous efforts,” the officer said, adding that the Army sees the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a key partner for this.
In the recent past, the defence ministry has approved several policies to promote indigenous development, including funding of research, opening up its test ranges for private companies and earmarking several technologies for procurement only by Indian companies.
Fibre Optic Gyro based Inertial measurement units for under water applications probably torpedoes. Designed and manufactured in India by Data Patterns.
Probably for directional controls via the tail fins :
Probably for directional controls via the tail fins :
Since everyone is forgetting this point. I made a video cut and uploaded.
IAF Chiefs contradicting each other. He is saying they want 10 sqd of Mk2.
- HAL is yet to reach 8 per year LCA production because of the outsourcing problem.
- LCA mk2 is more of reality as compared to MRFA.
- We haven't seen interest in the LCA mk2 from industry compared to JVs with foreign OEMs for MRFA.
- The industry should focus on around 400 aircraft (LCA mk2 + Htt-40 + MRFA)
- DRDO and industry can realise AMCA in the next decade.
- Radars have been a huge success.
- IACCS is fully Indian which is the backbone of IAF.
- We have world-class indigenous BVR missiles and PGMs now.
Defence FDI through automatic route may be hiked to 74%
The country allows up to 49% foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence in the automatic route and it needs government approval to go beyond the cap.
By Deepshikha Sikarwar, ET Bureau | Updated: Oct 22, 2019, 11.46 PM IST
The government may also ease the export policy for foreign defence manufacturers looking to set up base here.(Representational photo)
New Delhi : India plans to widen its doors to foreign funds in the defence sector to boost local production of armaments and cut down on imports. The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) and the defence ministry are in talks to ease many conditions to encourage foreign investors to set up shop here. It may also restructure the offset and export policies. “Discussions are on over further liberalisation,” a government official, privy to the deliberations, confirmed to ET.
The country allows up to 49% foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence in the automatic route and it needs government approval to go beyond the cap. This round of liberalisation is expected to raise the limit for automatic clearance to 74% along with relaxation in other conditions. “We are examining what we can offer. What kind of relaxation can be taken up,” the official said.
India was the largest importer of arms from 2012 to 2016, showed data released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) last year.
In the defence sector, any foreign investor proposing to set up a manufacturing base here requires a licence and a procurement order from the government. Clearance for the licence is needed from both the defence ministry and DPIIT. This makes duplication of work and experts believe it can be subsumed into one. “For the ease of doing business, the FDI approval process can also be subsumed in the licensing process. Another layer for a separate FDI approval process can be done away with,” said Akash Gupt, partner at PwC.
With regard to the offset policy, changes such as allowing a group company’s offsets also as part of the company placing the order could be considered. Under the defence offset policy, the foreign supplier has to source or purchase at least 30% the contract value locally.
The government may also ease the export policy for foreign defence manufacturers looking to set up base here. Some conditions specified in the licence may be relaxed like allowing exports to other countries, barring enemy nations.
The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has undertaken several relaxations in the FDI norms. In last one on August 28, allowing automatic approvals for 100% FDI in mining and sale of coal among other relaxations. Barring some sensitive sectors or select ones such as real estate, cigarettes and lotteries, the FDI policy has been liberalised substantially.
Defence FDI through automatic route may be hiked to 74%
The country allows up to 49% foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence in the automatic route and it needs government approval to go beyond the cap.
By Deepshikha Sikarwar, ET Bureau | Updated: Oct 22, 2019, 11.46 PM IST
The government may also ease the export policy for foreign defence manufacturers looking to set up base here.(Representational photo)
New Delhi : India plans to widen its doors to foreign funds in the defence sector to boost local production of armaments and cut down on imports. The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) and the defence ministry are in talks to ease many conditions to encourage foreign investors to set up shop here. It may also restructure the offset and export policies. “Discussions are on over further liberalisation,” a government official, privy to the deliberations, confirmed to ET.
The country allows up to 49% foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence in the automatic route and it needs government approval to go beyond the cap. This round of liberalisation is expected to raise the limit for automatic clearance to 74% along with relaxation in other conditions. “We are examining what we can offer. What kind of relaxation can be taken up,” the official said.
India was the largest importer of arms from 2012 to 2016, showed data released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) last year.
In the defence sector, any foreign investor proposing to set up a manufacturing base here requires a licence and a procurement order from the government. Clearance for the licence is needed from both the defence ministry and DPIIT. This makes duplication of work and experts believe it can be subsumed into one. “For the ease of doing business, the FDI approval process can also be subsumed in the licensing process. Another layer for a separate FDI approval process can be done away with,” said Akash Gupt, partner at PwC.
With regard to the offset policy, changes such as allowing a group company’s offsets also as part of the company placing the order could be considered. Under the defence offset policy, the foreign supplier has to source or purchase at least 30% the contract value locally.
The government may also ease the export policy for foreign defence manufacturers looking to set up base here. Some conditions specified in the licence may be relaxed like allowing exports to other countries, barring enemy nations.
The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has undertaken several relaxations in the FDI norms. In last one on August 28, allowing automatic approvals for 100% FDI in mining and sale of coal among other relaxations. Barring some sensitive sectors or select ones such as real estate, cigarettes and lotteries, the FDI policy has been liberalised substantially.
Defence FDI through automatic route may be hiked to 74%
S. Jha's long rant on indegenisation :
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
Saurav Jha on Twitter
NIT-T scholar’s radome design tops DRDO contest
Trichy: The radome designed by a research scholar at the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, (NIT-T) has come first in the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) dare to dream contest.
The radome, a structural, weatherproof enclosure that protects a radar antenna, designed by V Krushnakanth, research scholar in the ECE department, shields the aircraft’s radar from getting detected by enemy radar. His was awarded commendable certificate and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh from defence minister Rajnath Singh last week in the 41st DRDO Directors Conference in New Delhi on Technology Leadership for Empowering India. The project stood first among 3,000 odd projects presented at DRDO’s dare to dream contest – a scheme to foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace. The front nose cone of an aircraft accommodates radar for scanning and identifying targets for bombing. This needs to be protected from enemy radar from identification. His design on selective frequency can make the radar in combat aircraft invisible from enemy radars.
“Signals coming from radar is the main source of detection by enemy aircraft. The radome designed by me will only allow reception of selective electro-magnetic frequency and thereby remains undetected by enemy radar,” said Krushnakanth.
“The radome is designed in such a way that it will allow only certain electro-magnetic frequency. “This basically means we can see others but enemies should not see us. Our radome works in specific frequency which will be known only to us,” he said. Saying that there has not been much research in this area in the country, he said the exposure he gained in CSIR - National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru, as project assistant before joining NIT-T helped his work in the area. Saying his guide S Raghavan was a driving force, he said that he is planning to take up projects under DRDO apart from exploring the possibilities on doing post-doctoral research.
Trichy: The radome designed by a research scholar at the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, (NIT-T) has come first in the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) dare to dream contest.
The radome, a structural, weatherproof enclosure that protects a radar antenna, designed by V Krushnakanth, research scholar in the ECE department, shields the aircraft’s radar from getting detected by enemy radar. His was awarded commendable certificate and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh from defence minister Rajnath Singh last week in the 41st DRDO Directors Conference in New Delhi on Technology Leadership for Empowering India. The project stood first among 3,000 odd projects presented at DRDO’s dare to dream contest – a scheme to foster innovation and technology development in defence and aerospace. The front nose cone of an aircraft accommodates radar for scanning and identifying targets for bombing. This needs to be protected from enemy radar from identification. His design on selective frequency can make the radar in combat aircraft invisible from enemy radars.
“Signals coming from radar is the main source of detection by enemy aircraft. The radome designed by me will only allow reception of selective electro-magnetic frequency and thereby remains undetected by enemy radar,” said Krushnakanth.
“The radome is designed in such a way that it will allow only certain electro-magnetic frequency. “This basically means we can see others but enemies should not see us. Our radome works in specific frequency which will be known only to us,” he said. Saying that there has not been much research in this area in the country, he said the exposure he gained in CSIR - National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru, as project assistant before joining NIT-T helped his work in the area. Saying his guide S Raghavan was a driving force, he said that he is planning to take up projects under DRDO apart from exploring the possibilities on doing post-doctoral research.
India, US look to reinvigorate trade and technology initiative
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - Jane's Defence Weekly
India and the United States have sought to reinvigorate their joint military trade and technology programme through the signing of a 'statement of intent' to support near- to long-term targets, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The MoD said the statement was signed in New Delhi during a Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by the Indian MoD's Apurva Chandra, the Director General of Acquisitions, and Ellen Lord, US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
The MoD said that a "significant achievement" of the DTTI meeting was the signing of a "Statement of Intent with respect to key deliverables in the near, medium and long terms
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - Jane's Defence Weekly
India and the United States have sought to reinvigorate their joint military trade and technology programme through the signing of a 'statement of intent' to support near- to long-term targets, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
The MoD said the statement was signed in New Delhi during a Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) meeting between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by the Indian MoD's Apurva Chandra, the Director General of Acquisitions, and Ellen Lord, US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
The MoD said that a "significant achievement" of the DTTI meeting was the signing of a "Statement of Intent with respect to key deliverables in the near, medium and long terms
Defence ministry eases rules for exporting components to select nations
2 min read . Updated: 24 Oct 2019, 06:42 PM IST by Elizabeth Roche
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (PTI)
NEW DELHI : Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday eased certain export restrictions for companies wanting to sell components to select countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK and the US in a bid to achieve India’s target of reaching $26 billion in defence exports.
A statement from the defence ministry said Singh approved the issuance of two open general export licences (OGELs) for the “export of certain parts and components and intra-company transfer of technology to select countries." The OGEL is a one-time export licence to be granted to a company for a specific period – ie two years initially.
“It will give a boost to defence exports and enhance ease of doing business. The application for grant of OGEL will be considered by Department of Defence Production (DPP) on a case-to-case basis," the statement said.
The move by the ministry follows a demand from Indian exporters, it said. “The countries allowed under the OGELs are: Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Poland and Mexico."
“The items permitted (for export) under OGEL includes components of ammunition and fuse setting device without energetic and explosive material, firing control and related alerting and warning equipment and related systems and body protective items," the statement said. “Complete aircraft or complete unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and any components specially designed or modified for UAVs are excluded under this licence," it said.
“The transfer of technology to the countries is subject to the condition that the export is an intra-company transfer from an Indian subsidiary (applicant exporter) to its foreign parent company and/or to subsidiaries of the foreign parent company.
The OGEL is a one-time export licence to be granted to a company for a specific period (two years initially).
A net importer of arms, India has been looking to scale up domestic defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ programme, attracting foreign investment into the country as well as boosting production of sophisticated hardware at home. The defence ministry is also looking at engaging the Indian private sector to produce armaments indigenously with departments like the Defence Research and Development Organisation signing licensing agreements for Transfer of Technology (ToT) with companies including startups of late.
According to the defence ministry statement, “India has made significant strides in improving its defence exports. These have grown seven-fold over the last two years and reached to Rs10,500 crore in 2018-19."
Defence ministry eases rules for exporting components to select nations
2 min read . Updated: 24 Oct 2019, 06:42 PM IST by Elizabeth Roche
- Defence ministry approves the issuance of 2 open general export licences for the export of certain components and intra-company transfer of tech to select countries
- The move is in a bid to achieve India’s target of reaching $26 billion in defence exports
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (PTI)
NEW DELHI : Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday eased certain export restrictions for companies wanting to sell components to select countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK and the US in a bid to achieve India’s target of reaching $26 billion in defence exports.
A statement from the defence ministry said Singh approved the issuance of two open general export licences (OGELs) for the “export of certain parts and components and intra-company transfer of technology to select countries." The OGEL is a one-time export licence to be granted to a company for a specific period – ie two years initially.
“It will give a boost to defence exports and enhance ease of doing business. The application for grant of OGEL will be considered by Department of Defence Production (DPP) on a case-to-case basis," the statement said.
The move by the ministry follows a demand from Indian exporters, it said. “The countries allowed under the OGELs are: Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Poland and Mexico."
“The items permitted (for export) under OGEL includes components of ammunition and fuse setting device without energetic and explosive material, firing control and related alerting and warning equipment and related systems and body protective items," the statement said. “Complete aircraft or complete unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and any components specially designed or modified for UAVs are excluded under this licence," it said.
“The transfer of technology to the countries is subject to the condition that the export is an intra-company transfer from an Indian subsidiary (applicant exporter) to its foreign parent company and/or to subsidiaries of the foreign parent company.
The OGEL is a one-time export licence to be granted to a company for a specific period (two years initially).
A net importer of arms, India has been looking to scale up domestic defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ programme, attracting foreign investment into the country as well as boosting production of sophisticated hardware at home. The defence ministry is also looking at engaging the Indian private sector to produce armaments indigenously with departments like the Defence Research and Development Organisation signing licensing agreements for Transfer of Technology (ToT) with companies including startups of late.
According to the defence ministry statement, “India has made significant strides in improving its defence exports. These have grown seven-fold over the last two years and reached to Rs10,500 crore in 2018-19."
Defence ministry eases rules for exporting components to select nations
50 India Inc representatives to accompany Rajnath Singh to Russia to explore JVs
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be accompanied by one of the largest industry delegations during his visit to Moscow next week, with Indian companies seeking to form joint ventures with Russian equipment suppliers to set up manufacturing facilities here.
The minister, who will be in Moscow from November 5-7 for the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) meeting, is set to review all major ongoing projects with Russia, including progress on the construction of two frigates for the Indian Navy and the supply of S 400 air defence systems.
Sources said that besides senior bureaucrats including the defence secretary and the DRDO Chief, over 50 representatives from the Indian defence industry will also be in Moscow for a meeting with Russian companies. A big item on the agenda is identifying potential partnerships that will enable manufacturing of Russian military parts and components in India.
The industry delegation includes representatives from L&T Defence, Adani Defence, Alpha Design Technologies, SMPP Private Ltd and Zen Technologies. Senior officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are also likely to attend the meeting, with a review of the ongoing project to manufacture Kamov Ka 226T light helicopters in India for the army and air force set to be conducted. While technical details of the helicopter project have been worked out, the next step of awarding the contract to a HAL-Kamov combine is yet to take place. The visit will also include officials from the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which has been nominated by the government to construct two of the Project 11356 class frigates.
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be accompanied by one of the largest industry delegations during his visit to Moscow next week, with Indian companies seeking to form joint ventures with Russian equipment suppliers to set up manufacturing facilities here.
The minister, who will be in Moscow from November 5-7 for the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) meeting, is set to review all major ongoing projects with Russia, including progress on the construction of two frigates for the Indian Navy and the supply of S 400 air defence systems.
Sources said that besides senior bureaucrats including the defence secretary and the DRDO Chief, over 50 representatives from the Indian defence industry will also be in Moscow for a meeting with Russian companies. A big item on the agenda is identifying potential partnerships that will enable manufacturing of Russian military parts and components in India.
The industry delegation includes representatives from L&T Defence, Adani Defence, Alpha Design Technologies, SMPP Private Ltd and Zen Technologies. Senior officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are also likely to attend the meeting, with a review of the ongoing project to manufacture Kamov Ka 226T light helicopters in India for the army and air force set to be conducted. While technical details of the helicopter project have been worked out, the next step of awarding the contract to a HAL-Kamov combine is yet to take place. The visit will also include officials from the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which has been nominated by the government to construct two of the Project 11356 class frigates.
India, US join hands for making warfighting gear: drone swarms, virtual reality training aids, ultralight small arms
By Ajay Shukla.
Business Standard, 25th October 2019
Besides several co-development projects, the two countries are cooperating on India's second aircraft carrier
Seeking to galvanize the US-India defence partnership, the two countries on Thursday signed a “Joint Statement of Intent” (SoI) that formalised their intention to co-develop a range of cutting-edge warfighting technologies and systems for their militaries.
US Under Secretary of Defense Ellen Lord said the technologies being discussed include “things such as virtual augmented reality (VAR), air-launched unmanned airborne systems (UAS), networked operations, brand-new weapon and light-weight ammo (ammunition) designs.”
Lord is in Delhi for the 9thmeeting of the India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which she co-chairs with India’s Secretary for Defence Protection, Subhash Chandra. The DTTI was set up in 2015 to fast-track defence ties.
During Thursday’s DTTI meeting, both nations agreed to co-develop three specific projects in the near-term, two in the mid-term and two long-term projects. Lord clarified that “near-term” meant about six months.
The first of three “near-term” projects is an “air-launched, small UAS”, which is a drone swarm that is launched from an aircraft to overwhelm enemy defences.
“There are some small, very innovative companies here in India that have technology that could be applied to air-dropped UAS and swarming. There is a high level of interest on both sides,” stated Lord.(That NewSpace company working with HAL ?)
The second “near-term” project is the “lightweight small arms technology” project. This involves building rifles, carbines and machine guns from lightweight polymer cast material. Even the ammunition is cast from plastic, to reduce weight. US firm, Textron, is already working on this technology. It would partner an Indian firm to develop and build small arms for India.
(This is the second time an American official is mentioning this. Previously it was a US mil General. @Milspec remender our little convo about polymer cased ammo ? Maybe there has been some movement on this front.)
The third “near-term” project is in the field of “intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR),” which is command and control software that enables coherent battlefield command.
(Well this was reported by Livefist :
LIVEFIST: India to Acquire Raytheon Sentinel ISTAR Aircraft )
Of the mid-term project, the first, which relates to “maritime domain awareness”, is termed “Sea Link Advanced Analysis”. Its software analyses shipping passing through an area, such as the Indian Ocean, and differentiates innocent commercial shipping from hostile warships. This uses artificial intelligence (AI), for which skilled Indian software engineers would co-develop the algorithms.
(With IN's information fusion centre for maritime domain awareness is up and running, this can be done relatively easily.)
The second mid-term project is called “Virtual Augmented Mixed Reality for Aircraft Maintenance (VAMRAM).” This is a teaching aid for technicians learning how to maintain a combat aircraft. It involves wearing a VAR headset to walk through the maintenance experience. Several Indian start ups already have the capability to build and customise VAR.
Among the long-term projects, the co-development of “terrain shaping obstacles” involves slowing enemy manoeuvre forces by increasing the lethality of traditional obstacles like mines and barbed wire.
Finally, the second long-term co-development project is called the “Counter UAS rocket artillery and mortar” or CU-RAM. This involves developing highly accurate weapons systems to physically neutralise enemy drones or drone swarms.
“This is an area that the US is focusing on and it is interesting to Indians so we believe there are a lot of technologies that could be exchanged there,” said Lord.
Lord explained there is far more US-India cooperation than the seven projects specified in the Joint Statement of Intent. “Aircraft carrier technology cooperation (ACTC) is one of the key areas that we are looking at. It is not on the Statement of Intent, but all projects are not mentioned there”, she said.
Navy sources say ACTC is less about incorporating US systems and platforms into India’s next indigenous aircraft carrier, and more about learning from the world’s premier aircraft carrier operator – the US Navy. They say ACTC is about learning carrier design and operating processes, maintenance cycles and the organisation of combat operations on board the aircraft carrier.
Lord admitted that the DTTI has faced criticism in the past. This was due to lack of progress on four high-profile pilot projects that were identified for co-development during President Barack Obama’s visit to India in January 2015.
These included the co-development of Raven micro-UAS; mission-specific interiors for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft; a mobile electric-hybrid power source, and protective clothing for soldiers in a nuclear contaminated battlefield. None of these have seen the light of day.
Lord also revealed that a joint working group set up to collaborate on developing high-performance, aerospace jet engines has now been scrapped.
“We could not come to an understanding of what exportable (engine) technology would be useful to the Indians. And we did run into a challenge in terms of the US export control,” she admitted.
Broadsword: India, US join hands for making warfighting gear: drone swarms, virtual reality training aids, ultralight small arms
By Ajay Shukla.
Business Standard, 25th October 2019
Besides several co-development projects, the two countries are cooperating on India's second aircraft carrier
Seeking to galvanize the US-India defence partnership, the two countries on Thursday signed a “Joint Statement of Intent” (SoI) that formalised their intention to co-develop a range of cutting-edge warfighting technologies and systems for their militaries.
US Under Secretary of Defense Ellen Lord said the technologies being discussed include “things such as virtual augmented reality (VAR), air-launched unmanned airborne systems (UAS), networked operations, brand-new weapon and light-weight ammo (ammunition) designs.”
Lord is in Delhi for the 9thmeeting of the India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which she co-chairs with India’s Secretary for Defence Protection, Subhash Chandra. The DTTI was set up in 2015 to fast-track defence ties.
During Thursday’s DTTI meeting, both nations agreed to co-develop three specific projects in the near-term, two in the mid-term and two long-term projects. Lord clarified that “near-term” meant about six months.
The first of three “near-term” projects is an “air-launched, small UAS”, which is a drone swarm that is launched from an aircraft to overwhelm enemy defences.
“There are some small, very innovative companies here in India that have technology that could be applied to air-dropped UAS and swarming. There is a high level of interest on both sides,” stated Lord.(That NewSpace company working with HAL ?)
The second “near-term” project is the “lightweight small arms technology” project. This involves building rifles, carbines and machine guns from lightweight polymer cast material. Even the ammunition is cast from plastic, to reduce weight. US firm, Textron, is already working on this technology. It would partner an Indian firm to develop and build small arms for India.
(This is the second time an American official is mentioning this. Previously it was a US mil General. @Milspec remender our little convo about polymer cased ammo ? Maybe there has been some movement on this front.)
The third “near-term” project is in the field of “intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR),” which is command and control software that enables coherent battlefield command.
(Well this was reported by Livefist :
LIVEFIST: India to Acquire Raytheon Sentinel ISTAR Aircraft )
Of the mid-term project, the first, which relates to “maritime domain awareness”, is termed “Sea Link Advanced Analysis”. Its software analyses shipping passing through an area, such as the Indian Ocean, and differentiates innocent commercial shipping from hostile warships. This uses artificial intelligence (AI), for which skilled Indian software engineers would co-develop the algorithms.
(With IN's information fusion centre for maritime domain awareness is up and running, this can be done relatively easily.)
The second mid-term project is called “Virtual Augmented Mixed Reality for Aircraft Maintenance (VAMRAM).” This is a teaching aid for technicians learning how to maintain a combat aircraft. It involves wearing a VAR headset to walk through the maintenance experience. Several Indian start ups already have the capability to build and customise VAR.
Among the long-term projects, the co-development of “terrain shaping obstacles” involves slowing enemy manoeuvre forces by increasing the lethality of traditional obstacles like mines and barbed wire.
Finally, the second long-term co-development project is called the “Counter UAS rocket artillery and mortar” or CU-RAM. This involves developing highly accurate weapons systems to physically neutralise enemy drones or drone swarms.
“This is an area that the US is focusing on and it is interesting to Indians so we believe there are a lot of technologies that could be exchanged there,” said Lord.
Lord explained there is far more US-India cooperation than the seven projects specified in the Joint Statement of Intent. “Aircraft carrier technology cooperation (ACTC) is one of the key areas that we are looking at. It is not on the Statement of Intent, but all projects are not mentioned there”, she said.
Navy sources say ACTC is less about incorporating US systems and platforms into India’s next indigenous aircraft carrier, and more about learning from the world’s premier aircraft carrier operator – the US Navy. They say ACTC is about learning carrier design and operating processes, maintenance cycles and the organisation of combat operations on board the aircraft carrier.
Lord admitted that the DTTI has faced criticism in the past. This was due to lack of progress on four high-profile pilot projects that were identified for co-development during President Barack Obama’s visit to India in January 2015.
These included the co-development of Raven micro-UAS; mission-specific interiors for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft; a mobile electric-hybrid power source, and protective clothing for soldiers in a nuclear contaminated battlefield. None of these have seen the light of day.
Lord also revealed that a joint working group set up to collaborate on developing high-performance, aerospace jet engines has now been scrapped.
“We could not come to an understanding of what exportable (engine) technology would be useful to the Indians. And we did run into a challenge in terms of the US export control,” she admitted.
Broadsword: India, US join hands for making warfighting gear: drone swarms, virtual reality training aids, ultralight small arms