Weekly Defence News Report (WDNR) - February 08-14, 2010

• India releases three joint military operational doctrines

February 09, 2010

General Deepak Kapoor, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), and the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee released three joint operational doctrines: Joint Doctrine for Sub Conventional Operations, Joint Doctrine for Electronic Warfare and Joint doctrine for Maritime Air Operations. “Since wars would be fought not only in air, on land and sea but also in cyberspace, on electronic fronts, along information highways and media fronts”, the Doctrines emphasise on enhancing joint fighting capabilities of the Indian armed forces. Formulated by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), a tri-service body under the Ministry of Defence, the “doctrines would fundamentally shape the way Armed Forces plan, think and train for military operations.”

• Indian to launch defence satellite

10 February 2010

Reports noted that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are developing a satellite “with sensors to pick up conversations and detect espionage activities” across the borders. The 100-crore satellite, to be placed in the lower-orbit by a polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV), is likely to be launched in 2014. Among the components, Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) and Defence Electronics and Research Laboratory (DLRL) will jointly develop the electronic warfare system of the satellite, and Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) will manufacture the radar.

• HAL demands $10.5 million compensation from BAE for AJT Hawk troubles

February 10, 2010

Reports noted the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the largest defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence has demanded $10.5 million compensation from UK’s BAE Systems for the ‘troubles’ in assembling Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) Hawk. In 2004, India had signed a contract with BAE systems, under which 24 aircrafts were to be delivered off-the-shelf, and 42 to be assembled by HAL. During the assembly, the HAL however faced problems in re-tooling and re-designing the components supplied by BAE, resulting in delay in its schedule.

• HAL, Boeing sign $4.5 million offset deal

February 12, 2010

US company Boeing and HAL signed a $4.5 million offset deal, under which the Indian company would supply weapons bay doors for the P8-I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft. India had earlier signed a deal with the US major for supply of eight P8-I in a deal worth $2.1 billion. Under the India’s defence offset policy, Boeing is required to provide offsets of 30 per cent of the contract’s value to Indian defence industry.

Weekly Defence News Review (WDNR) - November 23-29, 2009

NATIONAL

• Agni-II missile fails in night trial

Reports noted that first ever night trial of the 2000 km plus, nuclear capable Agni-II missile failed to achieve desired results. The missile, fired at around 7.50 PM on November 23, from the Wheeler Island, off the Orissa coast, tumbled into the sea after a snag was developed just before the second stage separation. The lift off and the first stage separation was reportedly smooth. The test was a part of user’s trial and conducted by the Army officials with the DRDO scientists present to provide necessary logistical help. This is the fist time in the history of DRDO’s missile programme that trial was conducted in the night.

• Mahindra Defence Systems to bid for $3.5 bn defence projects

Reports noted that Mahindra Defence System (MDS), a unit of Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) would bid for defence projects about $3.5 billion over the next seven years. These projects would come mostly from artillery systems and armoured vehicles, said Kutab A Hai, CEO, MDS. He also said that his company, which has formed a joint venture company with UK’s BAE System, will try to generate up to $430 million by 2016. In January 2009 the two companies announced that they have got a clearance from Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to set up a JV in India, in which the British company would hold 26 per cent equity shares and rest by its Indian partner.

• DRDO to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicle

Reports noted that India’s premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would design and develop an indigenous unmanned combat vehicle (UCAV). Quoting the head of the organisation, Dr V K Saraswat, the report said, the UCAV “will not only do surveillance, but will also help detect the target and destroy the identified object”. The project will be led by its Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), with private sector participation. In the mean time, ADE is also developing a medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (MALE), codenamed Rustom. Its prototype, developed by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd, was however crashed in its first ever trial in November 16, 2009.

• Tejas trainer makes successful maiden flight

Reports noted that the first flight of the two-seater trainer version of Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas was successful. The flight test, conducted on November 26th, “covered an altitude of 9 km and a speed of 0.85 Mach,” according to a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) official. The trainer is likely to replace Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) HPT-32.

• UK offers India to upgrade Jaguar; discusses HAWK AJT problems

A three-member British delegation led by the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Mr. Quentin Davies met India’s Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju in New Delhi on November 27th. Mr. Davies told his country was eager to help India in the upgradation of the Jaguar fighter jets and overcome problems related to licensed production of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the ongoing Defence Cooperation between the two countries. Shri Pallam Raju said that all the three Services have been holding Joint Exercises every year alternately on each other’s soil and territorial waters. Mr. Davies said that the UK Forces have participated in Joint Exercises with India despite being overstretched due to commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq while a number of such exercises with other countries were not held. Shri Pallam Raju informed the visiting dignitary that India was ready to sign a General Security Arrangement (GSA) with the UK while an MoU on Host Nation Support (HNS) was under examination of an inter-ministerial committee.

INTERNATIONAL

• Japan considers F-35 Purchase

Reports noted that Japan is considering to buy about 40 F-35 fighter jets as the future mainstay of its air force (see image of F-35; source: Lockheed Martin). Earlier it had proposed to buy F-22 Raptor, considered to be the most advanced with radar-evading capability, to replace its aging F-4EJ fighter fleet, but failed to acquire as America announced a plan to halt its production. Each of the F-35 is likely to cost Japan an estimated $101 million.