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) -January 04-10, 2010

• India to contribute 25% to fifth generation fighter aircraft

January 06, 2010

Reports noted that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the biggest Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has negotiated for a 25 per cent work share in the design and development of Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) with the Sukhoi Corporation of Russia. HAL’s work will include ‘critical software, including the mission computer, navigation system, most of the cockpit displays, the counter measure dispensing (CMD) system, and modification the aircraft to enable it to a twin-seater plane. In 2007, India and Russia had signed an Intergovernmental Agreement for the joint development and joint production of the aircraft. The FGPA, known as PAK FA in Russia, is expected to cost around $8-10 billion and both sides are expected to induct around 250 planes each.

• MoD cancels 6,000 cr mid-air refueling contract

January 07, 2010

Reports noted that Indian MoD has cancelled the 6,000 crore contract to purchase six mid-air refuelling aircraft. The cancellation comes after the Finance Ministry’s objection over the competitiveness of the bid, in which the European consortium, EADS was selected over its Russian rival. Indian Air Force, after over a two year long evaluation process, “had recommended the government to buy the Airbus A330 multirole transport tanker aircraft as it believed that the European aircraft was technologically more capable than the Russian IL-78 aircraft in the fray.”

• India issues letter of request to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Aircraft

January 07, 2010

In what could be the biggest defence deal so far between New Delhi and Washington, Indian MoD has sent letter of request to the US government, enquiring about the possibility of acquiring 10 C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift aircrafts. Vivek Lall, India country head of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems said his company “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.” Although financial details are yet to be known, each aircraft, as per the US Air Force, costs US $202.3 million. If the deal fructifies, India will buy the aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, under which it is expected to pay the price which the US pays to Boeing, plus some service charges. According to Boeing, the C-17 has a “payload of 1,60,00 pounds, can take off from a 7,600-foot airfield, fly 2,400 nautical miles, and land on a small, austere airfield in 3,000 feet or less”.

Weekly Defence News Review (WDNR) - December 07-13, 2009

NATIONAL

Boeing places P-8I offset orders over $600 million on Indian companies

December 07, 2009

Vivek Lall, India country head of Boeing Integrated Defense System told that his company has “started to place contracts worth over $600 million with Indian companies,” as part of offset obligations accruing from the P-8I contract. The said contract valued about $2.1 billion, was signed in January 2009, under which the US major will supply eight long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircrafts to the Indian Navy by 2015. The first plane is expected to be delivered within 48 months from the date of contract signing. The contact involves 30 per cent offsets. Indian companies who have been awarded contracts include Electronics Corporation of India (ECL), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).

France faces stiff competition from Israel for IAF Mirage upgradation

December 10, 2009

Reports noted that Israel has shown keen interest in upgradation of Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) Mirage fighters and offered a price which is 40 per cent less than that of France, the original supplier. A delegation led by General Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel’s defence services chief, has made presentations in this regard to the high officials, including IAF Chief, Air Marshal PV Naik during his recent visit to India. It is reported that Israel Aerospace Industries-led upgrade could cost Rs. 96 crore per plane compared to Rs. 152 core demanded by France’s Dassault Aviation and Thales. It is expected that France could consider its offer prices in the face of competition from Israel.

Eurojet and General Electric submit Tejas Offset proposals

December 12, 2009

Reports noted that European military engine consortium Eurojet and America’s General Electric (GE) have submitted their offset proposals concerning the engine of the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) had issued in July 2009 a Request for Proposal (RFP) to these vendors for supply of 99 engines for the indigenous Tejas. The contact is valued at $750 million. Under the offset policy, global vendors are mandated to provide offsets amounti ng to at least 30 per cent of contract’s value. The offsets can be discharged either though direct purchase of Indian defence goods/services or by investing in Indian defence industrial and/or R&D enterprises. For Tejas, Eurojet’s EJ200 engine is competing with GE’s F-414 engine. Both the companies have reportedly got the approval from their respective authorities to meet the key requirements of India’s MoD.

Nuclear-capable Dhanush test fired Successfully

December 13, 2009

Reports noted that India successfully test fired a nuclear-capable, ballistic missile 'Dhanush'. The missile, with a range of 350 km, and a payload of 500 kg, was fired from a naval ship, INS Subhadra off the Orissa coast at around 11.30 am on November 13. It can hit both sea and shore-based targets. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dhanush is a naval version of Prithvi missile. The successful test of the missile comes after a failed first ever night trial of Agni-II missile, conducted on November 23.

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan gets first AWACS aircraft

December 08, 2009

Pakistan on December 8 inducted the first of the four Saab-2000 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AWACS) aircrafts. The aircraft, procured form Sweden, landed at one of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF’s) Main Operating Bases. “ Besides detection of High and Medium altitude flying aircraft, this state-of-the-art system is also capable of detecting low level flying objects over land and sea at extended ranges; the system is capable of picking even the surface targets over the sea” noted an official statement issued by PAF.