The Indian Air Force has floated a brand new requirement to support the acquisition of nine special mission aircraft for airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Communications Jamming (COMJAM), ground survey and target towing.
According to the request for information sent out to global vendors, two of the nine aircraft should be certified to perform the SIGINT role, since the mission systems required for the SIGINT role commonly demand permanent changes and adaptations to the airframe.
The remaining seven aircraft should be configured by the prime contractor and certified for the multi-mission role, supporting aerial survey, target towing, COMJAM and flaring. These missions will be flown in addition to their original role in carrying passenger and cargo roles.
Nonetheless, all nine aircraft will share the same platform complying with FAA/JAAR or equivalent standards, to save in operations, training, logistics spares and support.Indiais likely to consider the Gulfstream GV platform proposed by IAI/Elta Systems, special mission systems based on platforms offered by Gulfstream (GV) and Bombardier (a special-mission derivative of the Dash-8 Q400 was displayed at Aero India expo inBangalorein 2011.) Other companies likely to be considered are Northrop grumman, Boeing, Raytheon and L-3. Among the European participants BAE Systems, Thales and Saab also offer suitable systems and platform and are likely to bid. For platforms, some of the bidders are likely to consider the Embraer EBR-145, which has already been selected for the DRDO lightweight AEW program. The Indian Air Force already operates five EMB-135BJ Legacy business jets. For the SIGINT mission the IAF operates two Learjet 29A and three Gulfstream III SRA platforms.
GET SET TO TAP HUGE BUSINESS FROM DEFENCE, DRDO OFFICIAL TELLS INDUSTRY
HYDERABAD: Indian industry can easily rake in Rs 100,000-crore worth of business from the defence sector in the next few years, a top scientist at the country’s premier defence research institution said today.
An investment of around Rs 4,000 crore — just on the Indian missile development programme — has led to a Rs 40,000-crore business opportunity for the industry, said Mr Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Speaking at a FICCI felicitation meeting here, Mr Chander said the Indian industry was instrumental in the success of the long-range Agni ballistic missile programme. At least 80 per cent of the missile components were supplied by the domestic industry, he said.
“The domestic industry has emerged as a partner and a friend in the development programme. On several occasions, they have helped, in a crisis. When we launched the Agni programme in 1983, the industry was at a nascent stage. As Agni moved ahead, so has the industry,” the chief architect of the Agni V project, said.
“If we add the opportunities that will flow out of the huge aircraft, missile, tank, radar and other projects that are in the offset mould, the question that crops up is – ‘Can the industry seize the chances. Does it have the production, quality and supply chain to absorb (the business opportunity)?’”, Mr Chander asked the gathering of industrialists, scientists and national executive members of FICCI.
He said Government policies have to be realigned with the emerging needs. There is a need for strengthening research, industrial base and the education system over the next decade, he said.
“The industry has to do much more. It has to focus more on developing sub-systems, assemblies and mass production. It should look at new capabilities,” said Dr V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister.
Stressing the need for fostering trust between the public and private sector, Mr Rajiv Kumar, Secretary-General of FICCI, said there was a need to have a national platform for industries that are contributing to the defence sector.
Ms Sangita Reddy, Chairperson of FICCI (AP), described the Agni V’s success as a significant step in the collaboration between the industry-academia and scientists.
ANTONY TO SEEK HIKE IN DEFENCE OUTLAY TO COUNTER TWIN THREATS FROM PAKISTAN, CHINA
NEW DELHI: India is looking to crank up its defence budget to counter the deepening military nexus between China and Pakistan, which could even extend to it being confronted with a two-front war in a worst-case scenario.
Defence minister AK Antony on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha he would seek a hike in the Rs 1,93,408 crore (around $39 billion) defence outlay in the 2012-13 budget due to “new ground realities and the changing security scenario”.
“The growing proximity ofChinaandPakistanis a cause of worry…I know the gravity of the situation. We have to take a second look at the defence budget in light of the changing threat perceptions,” he said.
The Army’s new doctrine and “pro-active strategy” has also factored in the remote but plausible contingency of grappling with bothChinaandPakistansimultaneously in a two-front war, as was first reported by TOI earlier.
The armed forces had sought a defence outlay of Rs 2,39,123 crore this fiscal that would have amounted to 2.35% of the projected GDP for 2012-13, but ultimately got only Rs 1,93,408 crore to notch up 1.9%.
Now, after Gen VK Singh’s warning about “critical hollowness” in the Army’s operational capabilities to deal with two “inimical neighbours”, the government is doing a serious rethink. “The defence budget has to be enhanced to deal with the new challenges,” saidAntony.
This came after opposition leader Arun Jaitley stressed the importance of shapingIndia’s strategic policy and defence preparedness as per “changing geo-strategic realities”. Though he was “almost sure” there would be no conflict, Jaitley saidIndiahad to be prepared for a “90-day full spectrum war”. “How do we defeatPakistanand how do we holdChina? All this has to be factored in,” he said.
Antonyacknowledged there was need to “speed up” several plans already underway to boost operational military capabilities as well as border infrastructure through strategic road and rail links. “IfChinacan increase its military strength inTibet,Indiacan do the same inArunachal,Sikkimand other areas,” he said.
Two new infantry divisions – with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers – for instance, have been raised that are based in Zakama (Nagaland) and Missamari (Assam), apart from independent armoured and artillery brigades and a joint air defence center.
“In the 12th Plan period (2012-17) also, we will build a new offensive corps, with two specialized divisions for high-altitude areas. The (over Rs 60,000 crore) proposal has gone to finance ministry,” saidAntony.
This new mountain strike corps headquartered in Panagarh (West Bengal) will give India, which for long concentrated on only the land borders with Pakistan, new offensive ground capabilities against China.
Then, India will get aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) and indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant, armed with nuclear-tipped missiles, early next year to add to the nuclear attack submarine INS Chakra already inducted from Russia on a 10-year lease. “In fact, Navy will be getting five new warships every year from now onwards,” saidAntony.
IAF will be strengthened with 270 Russian Sukhoi-30MKIs already being inducted for around $12 billion, the 126 new medium multi-role combat aircraft to be acquired in the almost $20 billion MMRCA project and the 250 to 300 fifth-generation fighters to be built with Russia in the gigantic $35 billion programme.
Besides, apart from transport aircraft like C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules, there will be 120 Tejas light combat aircraft as well as 51 upgraded Mirage-2000s and 63 MiG-29s to add to its combat fleet.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE SEEKS RS 45,617 CRORE HIKE IN DEFENCE BUDGET
NEW DELHI: Assessing growing military ties betweenPakistanandChinaas a worrying factor,India, in a move expected to create ripples in the strategic circles, today announced that it wants to increase its defence spending by some 23 per cent over this year’s already allocated budget.
The Ministry of Defence will pitch for an additional Rs 45,617 crore ($9.5 billion) over and above the already allocated Rs 1,93,407 crore (nearly $38.6 billion). This will include the raising of an mountain strike crops — a first of its kind for the Indian Forces — besides new equipment, warplanes, warships etc.Chinahas a budget of $106 billion, while theUShas one of $740 billion, including its war effort.
Defence Minister AK Antony, while replying to a discussion on the performance of his Ministry in the Rajya Sabha, today said, “We need to have a second look at the Defence Budget…. I feelIndia’s defence budget will have to be enhanced… I will ask for more money.” If there is need to change the yardstick of the Finance Commission on defence spending, it will have to be changed,Antonyasserted as the House listened with rapt attention. The commission favours lowering of the share of defence spending in percentage terms of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Antonysaid, “We have been given Rs 1,93,407 crore this year, but as per the estimated requirement of the armed forces, we would want Rs 2,39,123 crore. We want Rs 45,716 crore more. I have asked the government to provide us more money. The existing budget is good but is still short. As per review of threats, the demand is that the defence budget should be 2.35 per cent of the GDP.”
CITY TO BE HUB FOR NAVAL WARFARE SYSTEMS SOON
With an initial investment of Rs 100 crore, the 74:26 joint venture between Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and Israeli major Rafael Advanced Defence Systems will lead to setting up of a 4-5 acre naval warfare systems manufacturing facility in the city. The JV is expected to be operational by July. Once fully operational by financial year 2013-14, it is expected to reach an annual turnover of about Rs 200- 250 crore from the development of naval systems.
The JV aims at expanding the portfolio of Mahindra’s already existing Naval Systems Facility towards developing critical and sophisticated naval systems.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Brigadier (retd) Khutub Hai, chief executive, Mahindra Defence Systems said, “The Naval Systems Facility is a separate company, fully owned subsidy of Mahindra. We have been looking around for an international partner for a strategic venture in naval systems. Last year, we finalised the talks with Rafael. The MoU was signed in March. We have applied to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for approval which should materialise in about a couple of weeks. Rafael will invest 26 per cent of the initial investment and then it will be a JV.”
The JV is expected to expand the existing portfolio of the Naval Systems Facility from sea mines and the company’s legacy – Anti Torpedo Defence System (ATDS) – to more sophisticated ATDS for submarine and surface ship besides electronic warfare (EW) systems. “It is a high-technology driven system and requirements are likely to come up for the Indian Navy soon. We want to position ourselves as one of the leading suppliers of this system. We are also working on a range of naval EW systems. Rafael will bring in Unmanned Surface Vehicle. In Phase I, we will focus on a range of naval warfare systems besides our own legacy product. In the second phase, if we are selected by the MoD for manufacturing Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV), some products from Rafael such as remote controlled weapon station, active protections system will also come to the JV,” said Hai.
The JV will transform the current facility of the Naval Systems Division from existing 31,000 sq feet rented location in Chinchwad to an all new facility likely to be spread over 4-5 acres with a shop-floor of about 40,000 sq feet in the first phase. The exact location is yet to be finalised.
UAV RUSTOM-1 ATTAINS FLYING ALTITUDE OF 11,500 FEET
BANGALORE: Capable of undertaking various military missions and intelligence gathering tasks, the indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Rustom-1 today demonstrated its ability to fly at an altitude of 11,500 feet with a heavier take-off weight.
“Indigenously designed and developed Rustom-1 made a successful flight today morning at Kolar with attainment of about 11,500 feet above ground level and speed of above 140 kmph during 2 hours and 10 minutes of cruise,” DRDO officials said here.
It was the 14 successful test flight of the UAV. Developed by DRDO’s Bangalore-based lab Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Rustom had its maiden flight in November 2009.
PS Krishnan, Director ADE, after witnessing the flight, said the mission was successful and all the parameters were achieved by the UAV, which weighed around 690 kgs. Its total performance was satisfactory, he said.
Underlining the highlights of the flight, he said the UAV used a ‘lean mixture control system’ in the engine for flying at high altitudes and its take-off weight was also the heaviest so far.
During the flight, Rustom also achieved the maximum altitude of 3.5 kms and flew upto its extended range of about 50 kms, which was tried out for the first time.
“The waypoint track was perfect and so were take-off, landing and other parameters of the aircraft,” the officials said.
Rustom-1 has the potential to conduct military missions like reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition, target designation, communications, battle damage assessment and gathering signal intelligence.
Once fully developed, it will be able to attain the maximum altitude of 22,000 feet with an endurance of 12-15 hours and operate within a range of 250 kms, the officials said.
ANTONY TO SEEK HIKE IN DEFENCE OUTLAY TO COUNTER TWIN THREATS FROM PAKISTAN, CHINA
NEW DELHI: India is looking to crank up its defence budget to counter the deepening military nexus between China and Pakistan, which could even extend to it being confronted with a two-front war in a worst-case scenario.
Defence minister AK Antony on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha he would seek a hike in the Rs 1,93,408 crore (around $39 billion) defence outlay in the 2012-13 budget due to “new ground realities and the changing security scenario”.
“The growing proximity ofChinaandPakistanis a cause of worry…I know the gravity of the situation. We have to take a second look at the defence budget in light of the changing threat perceptions,” he said.
The Army’s new doctrine and “pro-active strategy” has also factored in the remote but plausible contingency of grappling with bothChinaandPakistansimultaneously in a two-front war, as was first reported by TOI earlier.
The armed forces had sought a defence outlay of Rs 2,39,123 crore this fiscal that would have amounted to 2.35% of the projected GDP for 2012-13, but ultimately got only Rs 1,93,408 crore to notch up 1.9%.
Now, after Gen VK Singh’s warning about “critical hollowness” in the Army’s operational capabilities to deal with two “inimical neighbours”, the government is doing a serious rethink. “The defence budget has to be enhanced to deal with the new challenges,” saidAntony.
This came after opposition leader Arun Jaitley stressed the importance of shapingIndia’s strategic policy and defence preparedness as per “changing geo-strategic realities”. Though he was “almost sure” there would be no conflict, Jaitley saidIndiahad to be prepared for a “90-day full spectrum war”. “How do we defeatPakistanand how do we holdChina? All this has to be factored in,” he said.
Antonyacknowledged there was need to “speed up” several plans already underway to boost operational military capabilities as well as border infrastructure through strategic road and rail links. “IfChinacan increase its military strength inTibet,Indiacan do the same inArunachal,Sikkimand other areas,” he said.
Two new infantry divisions – with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers – for instance, have been raised that are based in Zakama (Nagaland) and Missamari (Assam), apart from independent armoured and artillery brigades and a joint air defence center.
“In the 12th Plan period (2012-17) also, we will build a new offensive corps, with two specialized divisions for high-altitude areas. The (over Rs 60,000 crore) proposal has gone to finance ministry,” saidAntony.
This new mountain strike corps headquartered in Panagarh (West Bengal) will give India, which for long concentrated on only the land borders with Pakistan, new offensive ground capabilities against China.
Then, India will get aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) and indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant, armed with nuclear-tipped missiles, early next year to add to the nuclear attack submarine INS Chakra already inducted from Russia on a 10-year lease. “In fact, Navy will be getting five new warships every year from now onwards,” saidAntony.
IAF will be strengthened with 270 Russian Sukhoi-30MKIs already being inducted for around $12 billion, the 126 new medium multi-role combat aircraft to be acquired in the almost $20 billion MMRCA project and the 250 to 300 fifth-generation fighters to be built with Russia in the gigantic $35 billion programme.
Besides, apart from transport aircraft like C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules, there will be 120 Tejas light combat aircraft as well as 51 upgraded Mirage-2000s and 63 MiG-29s to add to its combat fleet.
INDIA’S STAND ON SIACHEN SAME: ANTONY
NEW DELHI:Indiatoday cleared its stand on de-militarisation of Siachen Glacier as proposed byPakistanPresident Asif Ali Zardari saying it will insist on actual ground authentication of the troop positions before a pullout is considered from the 2,600 sq km glacier located at the northern most tip ofJammu and Kashmir.
Indian Defence Minister AK Antony, while replying to a discussion on the functioning of the Defence Ministry in the Rajya Sabha today, said the country’s stand on Siachen remains the same. “Indiais clear. We want authentication of the present positions (held by Indian troops). This is a pre-requisite before we can proceed further”.
“Some people have said we are hardening our position, some say we have softened the position. We are standing where we were”,Antonyclarified. The minister’s words seem to put things in perspective as to howNew Delhisees the issue, especially after Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani contended last week thatIndiahad hardened its position on the Siachen issue as compared to the 1989 stance it had adopted.
New Delhi has always insisted it will pull back troops only after joint “authentication” of the frontline all along the 109-km Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL), that is the name of the de facto border on the glacier. The AGPL has never been marked on the ground or on any document accepted by both sides. IfPakistanviolates a de-militarisation treaty, it would enjoy easier access to Siachen, leavingIndiaat a serious disadvantage.New Delhiwants iron cast international guarantees against any violations.
On the other hand,Pakistanresists “authentication” as a pre-requisite to de-militarisation. This was its stance during the last round of Defence Secretary-level talks in May 2011. An authentication would legitimise the AGPL which, in turn, regulariseIndia’s claims.Pakistanwants demilitarisation, withdrawal and authentication to proceed simultaneously. Last month, after General Kayani’s call for a mutual withdrawal,Islamabadannounced it would stick to its traditional position.
It was in April 1984 that the Army and the IAF gained control of the glacier in a joint operation ‘Megdhoot’. Since then Pakistan Army has made a few major attempts to evict the Indians.
Antonyinformed the House that the 13th round of Defence Secretary-level talks on Siachen will take place in the second week of June. “Don’t expect dramatic results. It is a complicated issue”, he added.
DEFENCE WITNESSES TO BE EXAMINED IN SAGAR SAHANI MURDER CASE
PUNE: Four out of the 11 suspects facing trial in the ransom and murder of 22-year-old Sagar Sahani, told the special court here that they will examine defence witnesses.
Nitin Modha, Prasad Shetty, Jitendra Modha and Ravetsingh Badoria told special judge S P Tavade that they will examine defence witnesses when their statements were recorded under section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Lawyer Vidhyadhar Koshe representing the suspects will file a list of defence witnesses before the court on May 11. Special public prosecutor Vikas Shah has closed evidence in the case after examining 54 witnesses.
Sagar was kidnapped on August 14, 2005 and was allegedly murdered on August 24, a day after the family paid Rs 15 lakh as ransom in Mumbai, through hawala channels after negotiating with Dubai-based gangster Aabid Ali. His body was found on the Mumbai-Vapi highway on August 26.
INDIA RAISING OFFENSIVE CORPS FOR CHINA BORDER: ANTONY
NEW DELHI: Admitting the “mistake” of not developing capabilities on the borders withChina, Government today said it is gearing up through a slew of steps to tackle the changing threat perception including the formation of an offensive Corps.
Defence Minister A K Antony pitched for a hike of around Rs 45,000 crore in defence budget as he observed that the allocation of Rs 1,93, 407 crore was not sufficient to meet the growing challenges.
Terming the growing military ties betweenPakistanandChinaas a “cause of worry”, he said the armed forces have been issued a new directive to change their strategy to meet the challenges.
“Threat perception today is not similar to the threat perception ten or twenty years ago. Dynamic changes are taking place. But I assure the House that we are also changing our strategy,” he said in reply to a discussion on performance of his Ministry in the Rajya Sabha.
“Now we have given a new directive to our armed forces to meet the new challenges in the context of the new threat perception faced by the country,” the Defence Minister said.
Observing thatChinahad developed military infrastructure inTibetandIndiashould have also done so inArunachal Pradesh,Sikkimand other parts of the country, he said, “In the past we did not perform our duty. That is our mistake. Now we have learnt our lessons.”
On the need for hike in defence budget,Antonysaid, “After analysis of the threat perception, we have found that the picture is problematic. We will need to have a second look at the defence budget….
“We have been given Rs 1.93 lakh crore this year but as per the estimated requirement of the armed forces, we would want Rs 2.39 lakh crore. We want Rs 45,716 crore more. I have asked the Government to provide us more money.”
On steps taken by the Government to strengthen defence capabilities,Antonysaid, “Under 12th Defence Plan, we have sent a proposal to Finance Ministry to raise an offensive Corps with two special divisions and it is in final stages. The force-level has been increased substantially.”
He said the Government had earlier approved raising of two mountain divisions along with a Special Forces battalion, an artillery brigade and an armoured regiment for deployment in the northeast sector.
Taking part in the discussion, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said a new axis has emerged betweenChinaandPakistanin the last few years which was evident fromChina’s altered stand onJammu and Kashmirand its involvement in building at least two nuclear reactors forPakistan.
The BJP leader said in terms of these changing geo-strategic realities, “our defence strategy has to be planned, particularly when you find Chinese troops present in PoK and in other areas.
“The kind of military cooperation between the two countries which is going on, the kind of road building across our border which is going on,” Jaitley said.
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