INDIA: Building a Modern Arsenal in India

[desiman]

Pakistan warns against ‘massive’ Indian arms build-up

Islamabad: Pakistan voiced concern Wednesday over a "massive" arms build-up by rival India, warning that it could destabilize the regional balance.

The National Command Authority (NCA), which oversees the country's nuclear assets, at a meeting took note of developments "detrimental" to the objectives of strategic stability in the region, an official statement said.

"India continues to pursue an ambitious militarisation programme and offensive military doctrines," the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.

"Massive inductions of advanced weapon systems, including installation of ABMs (anti-ballistic missiles), build-up of nuclear arsenal and delivery systems... tend to destabilise the regional balance," it said.

"This relentless pursuit of military preponderance will have severe consequences for peace and security in South Asia as well as for the Indian Ocean region. Pakistan cannot be oblivious to these developments."

Pakistan conducted nuclear weapons tests in May 1998 in a tit-for-tat response to similar detonations by India.

The two countries have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, two of them over Kashmir, which is divided between the South Asian neighbours and claimed in full by both.

Tension between the two flared in the wake of the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

 

[desiman]

Indian defence forces to replace 50 percent weaponry


India’s premier industry institution, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and the consultancy firm KPMG, have conducted a study which has found that fifty percent of Indian military equipment is ‘obsolete’. The current finding only corroborates the Indian Army’s recently made statement in the Parliament, admitting that it had just over fifty per cent of the required capability.

As per the standards laid down by the Indian Defence Ministry, 30 per cent of the equipment should be “state-of-the-art”, 40 per cent should be “mature” and only 30 per cent “obsolete”. According to the CII-KPMG study, only 15 per cent equipment is “state-of-the-art”, 35 per cent “mature” and 50% “obsolete”.
According to the study, due to the dire situation which the Indian Armed Forces is facing, India is set to undertake one of the largest procurement cycles in the world. The current cycle, which includes the acquisitions drafted under the long-term integrated perspective plan (LTIPP), is expected to include procurements worth $100 billion by 2022. The thrust area where the Indian government must focus and give its inputs includes the procurement process, the need for a defence industrial strategy for India and tax and regulatory incentives. The report also suggested improvement in the predictably and flexibility of the procurement process and reduction in bidders’ costs.

Defending the Ministry’s procedures and policies in terms of procurement, Defence Minister A.K. Antony made a surprise statement addressing an industry seminar, saying that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would implement a new procurement policy this year. He added that the new Defence Procurement Policy 2010 (DPP-2010) would be more effective and faster than the current DPP-2008.

Defence Minister A.K Anthony also clarified that there is room for the private and public sector to co-exist in the defence sector and that there is no policy bias working against the private players.

However, the report points out that the Defence Ministry does not provide even established private vendors with its long-term equipment procurement plan, thereby denying the private industry the lead-time to develop the equipment needed in the future. A KPMG survey states that 85 per cent of the member-companies of CII’s defence and aerospace division believe that the playing field is loaded in favour of the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs).The report recommends that the private sector should be extended the same tax benefits that DPSUs enjoy.

The CII-KPMG has also exposed the Indian Defence sector scenario for the future and criticised the state of defence procurement procedures. The report predicts that by 2022, India will purchase Rs 4,50,000 crore ($100 billion) worth of military equipment. Another Rs 44,000 crore ($9.7 billion) will be spent by 2016 on India’s homeland security. The report highlights that India’s private sector gets just 14 per cent of this business. Foreign arms corporation’s service 70 per cent of the annual shopping list of the Ministry of Defence and the rest goes, usually without competition, to MoD’s business empire of eight defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) and 40 ordnance factories (OFs).

 

[desiman]

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.

 

[desiman]

Army Modifies its War Doctrine

The Indian Army is adding a lethal edge to its war doctrine, which aims to deal with fourth-generation warfare, greater strategic tactics and joint operations with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. The Army Training Command in Shimla is currently where the new doctrine is being revised.

During a seminar, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor indicated that the Indian Army has identified five thrust areas that will drive the new doctrine. The first is the preparation needed for the task of conventional wars, with the added eventuality of `a two-front war’ breaking out with China and Pakistan. There is now “a proportionate focus towards the western and north-eastern fronts”, said Gen Kapoor. This is the result of the creation of a new South-Western Army Command in 2005, to add greater strength along the western front. This counters the stark military asymmetry with China in the eastern sector.
The second area of thrust include the need to optimize India’s capability to counter both military and non-military facets of asymmetric and sub-conventional threats like Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) terrorism, cyber warfare, electronic warfare and information warfare.

The third aspect of the new war doctrine focuses on the need for armed forces to substantially enhance their strategic reach and out-of-area capabilities to protect India’s geo-political interests, stretching from Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait.

The fourth aspect of the new doctrine emphasizes on interdependence and operational synergy among the Army, Navy and IAF must become the essence of strategic planning and execution in future wars. General Kapoor added that joint operations, strategic and space-based capability, ballistic missile defence and amphibious, air-borne and air-land operations must be addressed comprehensively to create this synergy.

The last facet of the doctrine aims to achieve a technological advancement and to bring in information warfare and electronic warfare into the operational plan of the Indian Army.

 

[remarker]

“Is war around the corner?”

Few month’s back, Bharat Verma, Editor of the Indian Defence Review, in an article, had predicted that China may attack India by 2012. Frankly, at that time, I did not agree with this prophecy, .

hey desi

Bharat verma is right i cant say about year

but yes he will be right in future

we have to make our force more advance and we have to increase our numbers

 

[desiman]

hey desi

Bharat verma is right i cant say about year

but yes he will be right in future

we have to make our force more advance and we have to increase our numbers

Well i hope he is not right because war wont be good for India specially now that we are growing fast. Rather than numbers we need to focus on modernizing our forces and using modern tactics.

 

[Hulk]

Well i hope he is not right because war wont be good for India specially now that we are growing fast. Rather than numbers we need to focus on modernizing our forces and using modern tactics.

No one can predict a war and that includes Bharat Verma too. I do not feel it is happening and what we can do to prevent it from happening is making sure we have credible defense.

 

[desiman]

No one can predict a war and that includes Bharat Verma too. I do not feel it is happening and what we can do to prevent it from happening is making sure we have credible defense.

Well said

 

[desiman]

India's Next Chief of Army Staff

Lt Gen VK Singh, Chief of Army Staff Designate takes over on March 31. He issued a statement today saying, "I am grateful for this honour and the responsibility which our leaders have bestowed on me. I shall carry out my duties well to lead one of the world’s finest Army. It will be my endeavor to lead the brave men while keeping up with the best tradition of the Indian Army and upholding the Indian Constitution."

 

[Supersonic26]

India's Next Chief of Army Staff

Lt Gen VK Singh, Chief of Army Staff Designate takes over on March 31. He issued a statement today saying, "I am grateful for this honour and the responsibility which our leaders have bestowed on me. I shall carry out my duties well to lead one of the world’s finest Army. It will be my endeavor to lead the brave men while keeping up with the best tradition of the Indian Army and upholding the Indian Constitution."

thanx buddy. Bit of off topic question i want to ask. What happened over night that most indian members got banned? Including you buddy? reply when you are unbanned.

 

[desiman]

Im back guys and will be posting a huge amount of articles here soon. Watch out for the latest news on the MRCA deal, got some amazing insights. Hope all of you have been well.
Regards
DD

 

[desiman]

IAF's Vayu Shakti Firepower Demo This Month

In a first ever display of its precision strike capability by night, a mammoth fire power demonstration (FPD), codenamed ‘Vayu Shakti-2010’, showcasing the operational capabilities of IAF by day, dusk and night will be held at the sprawling Chandan Air-to-Ground Range, Pokharan on February 28.

The FPD will demonstrate the day and night employability of air power by frontline fighter aircraft of the IAF including Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Mig-21 and Mig-29. The transport aircraft include AN-32, Embraer and IL-76, while Mi-17 1V and Mi-35 attack helicopters will constitute the rotary wing ingredients.

For the first time AWACS will be used to monitor the mammoth exercise while an unmanned aerial vehicle will stream live video images of the target destruction. In addition to the 65 aircraft participating from all IAF Commands, 30 standby aircraft in air and an equal number on ground will make it one of the biggest participation by IAF aircraft in any such FPD ever.

Mock radar sites, tanks, marshalling yards, terrorist camps, runway, BMP (infantry fighting vehicles), blast pens and convoys are among few of the targets that pilots will seek to destroy. Para-drop and troop insertion of Garud - IAF’s Special Forces to neutralize a terrorist camp will also be on display.

 

[desiman]

The only professional opinion on India's fighter deal - Its the Gripen

Opinion: Gripen hard to beat in Indian MMRCA contest - Jane's Defence Business News

While there is no shortage of fighter aircraft procurement programmes currently under way, the most eagerly anticipated contest is undoubtedly India's medium multirole combat aircraft (MMRCA) requirement for at least 126 aircraft.

The six contenders have now submitted their proposals: Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault's Rafale, Eurofighter's Typhoon, Lockheed Martin's F-16, Russian Aircraft Corporation's (RAC's) MiG with the MiG-35 and the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Arguably each aircraft stands a fighting chance of securing the lucrative USD10 billion contract.

India continues to have a close relationship with Dassault, which supplied the Indian Air Force (IAF) with Mirage 2000 fighters in the 1980s. However, given the IAF's emphasis on future upgrades for its MMRCA aircraft, the lack of operators of the Rafale is likely to be seen as a significant issue.

The Rafale and the Typhoon could also struggle with the issue of cost. Both are relatively large twin-engined platforms, which will significantly increase operating costs compared with the single-engined MiG-21 fleet it will replace.

The MiG-35 is seen by many as a strong contender. India has a very close relationship with Russia, which has provided the majority of its equipment over the past 30 years. However, over the past year India's relationship with Russia with regards to arms contracts has soured.

The two US contenders seem well placed in terms of price and capability as India seeks to establish closer military bonds with Washington. However the F-16 is hindered by the fact that Pakistan already operates the type. Furthermore the aircraft is already being phased out by the US Air Force.

The Boeing Super Hornet does not suffer from these issues. However, one unresolved issue with regards to both US platforms is the authorisation of technology transfer.

Saab holds a strong hand with the Gripen. The aircraft is single engined, which will keep operating costs low, upgrades are already being defined under the Gripen Demonstrator programme and acquisition costs are highly competitive.

 

[desiman]

Government seeks greater private role in defence manufacturing
February 22nd, 2010

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) The government Monday reiterated that it sought a greater role for the private sector in the defence manufacturing sector but this would not be at the cost of the public sector.
“We want the private sector to play a more prominent role in the defence sector. We are revising our Defence Procurement Policy. Our aim is to motivate private companies to invest more financial and human resource in R&D,” Defence Minister A.K. Antony said while addressing the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) directors’ conference here.

“However, any increased role for the private sector will not be allowed at the cost of the public sector,” he said, adding: “We want the public sector and the private sector to prosper mutually and not in isolation of each other.”

He also noted that there can be no compromise on transparency and fairness in defence dealings.

Saying that the government was committed towards achieving self-reliance in the production of weapons systems, Antony added: “We cannot continue to be eternally dependent on imports to meet our requirements.”

“Innovative thinking, particularly in R&D is a must, if DRDO is to meet its mandate of providing the world’s best equipment for our armed forces. For this, DRDO will have to become a forward-looking and a receptive organisation and not remain rooted to old mindsets,” the minister contended.

 

[yashraj]

We missed you DESIDOG or should i Say DESIMAN!!!!!!!!!!!

It's really great to have u Back...........