Indian Army News & Discussions
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sirius4u
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No i dont think so... Subsonic missiles with some maneuverability is same as Aircrafts... There wont be much of a problem in shooting them down unless they are Terrain-Hugging... The latter type of missiles should be harder to bring down... May be thats what you meant...
But any supersonic cruise missile, with speed of over mach 2 are harder to bring down... Anything less than that, its game over...
Simply because its not easy for supersonic cruise missiles to terrain hug... Even Brahmos( land version) has this disadvantage... But it makes up with its speed... So no probs... Only naval Brahmos travels very low at 5-10 meters from water surface which is extremely lethal...
And to your second point, I accept half hearted coz i too have the same idea...Credit goes to its small size and use of composites, hence very low RCS...But i seriously think that I (we) may be wrong...
The reason is any radar would be able to detect it easily unless it flies very low... But to acquire or search for a target, it must loiter high...
Therefore easily seen, easily shot...
Need help from seniors...
KEETARP
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No need to guess or assume
Just look at the arsenal of opponent , you would know whether its Terrain Hugging or not , exactly that's what i meant.
i deliberately left that bcoz i didnt want to point out the name of Missile, and unnecessary people flooding this thread describing country's power.
For rest - We had enough discussion on that front ,
Gambit , Mauryan gave enough info regarding that , its in Brahmos thread - Search it and read .
Just look at the arsenal of opponent , you would know whether its Terrain Hugging or not , exactly that's what i meant.
i deliberately left that bcoz i didnt want to point out the name of Missile, and unnecessary people flooding this thread describing country's power.
For rest - We had enough discussion on that front ,
Gambit , Mauryan gave enough info regarding that , its in Brahmos thread - Search it and read .
sirius4u
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Okay mate... I can understand what you have said... But i need some answers regarding the survivabillity of loitering munitions( Harop in this case ) in enemy territory... Need some info on its chances or tactics for survival...
Steven Henry
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Hello Guys,
USA always interferes in all countries matter and try to help their government.I do not like china.Live and let others to live.
Thanks,
Steven
USA always interferes in all countries matter and try to help their government.I do not like china.Live and let others to live.
Thanks,
Steven
jha
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India, Russia to hold joint military drill
India and Russia will hold a joint military drill nicknamed Indra-2010 with the involvement of more than 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade.
A Russian army delegation is currently in India to finalise the arrangements.
"The INDRA-2010 war games will be held on the Indian soil in autumn, in which 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade will take part," Land Forces spokesman Col Oleg Yushkov here said.
India and Russia have been holding joint war games for several years now with the involvement of all the three services of their armed forces.
In 2007 and 2008, the paratroopers from the two nations had carried out joint anti-terror war games in Agra and Russia's Pskov region bordering on NATO-member Estonia.
Russia, which has raised independent motorised (mountain) brigade in the wake of militancy and its frontiers rolling back to North Caucasus following the Soviet collapse, is keen to learn from India's experience of mountain warfare and training expertise.
India, Russia to hold joint military drill
India and Russia will hold a joint military drill nicknamed Indra-2010 with the involvement of more than 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade.
A Russian army delegation is currently in India to finalise the arrangements.
"The INDRA-2010 war games will be held on the Indian soil in autumn, in which 150 Russian servicemen from the motorised mountain infantry brigade will take part," Land Forces spokesman Col Oleg Yushkov here said.
India and Russia have been holding joint war games for several years now with the involvement of all the three services of their armed forces.
In 2007 and 2008, the paratroopers from the two nations had carried out joint anti-terror war games in Agra and Russia's Pskov region bordering on NATO-member Estonia.
Russia, which has raised independent motorised (mountain) brigade in the wake of militancy and its frontiers rolling back to North Caucasus following the Soviet collapse, is keen to learn from India's experience of mountain warfare and training expertise.
India, Russia to hold joint military drill
RPK
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Indian Army Military Police help line launched - Oneindia News
New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): The Indian Army has launched the Military Police help line here.
Buzz up!
Army Chief General VK Singh inaugurated the facility on Wednesday during the biannual Army Commanders Conference.
Common Military help line telephone number 155200 can now be accessed across the nation to provide assistance to military personnel.
The number that is available at Military Police Control Rooms has been instituted to provide immediate assistance and be instrumental in solving and mitigating crisis being faced by military personnel.
In addition, it will provide an excellent facility for the civil police and the public to contact the Army Military Police to provide first hand information of any situation where military persons are involved or has potential to affect the military persons.
The telephone number has been allotted in coordination with department of telecommunication and can be accessed locally and from outside the locality by prefixing the STD code of that station.
The facility has been activated presently at some of the metro cities and state capitals, and is likely to be extended across the nation soon. (ANI)
New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): The Indian Army has launched the Military Police help line here.
Buzz up!
Army Chief General VK Singh inaugurated the facility on Wednesday during the biannual Army Commanders Conference.
Common Military help line telephone number 155200 can now be accessed across the nation to provide assistance to military personnel.
The number that is available at Military Police Control Rooms has been instituted to provide immediate assistance and be instrumental in solving and mitigating crisis being faced by military personnel.
In addition, it will provide an excellent facility for the civil police and the public to contact the Army Military Police to provide first hand information of any situation where military persons are involved or has potential to affect the military persons.
The telephone number has been allotted in coordination with department of telecommunication and can be accessed locally and from outside the locality by prefixing the STD code of that station.
The facility has been activated presently at some of the metro cities and state capitals, and is likely to be extended across the nation soon. (ANI)
sudhir007
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sudhir007
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LiveFist - The Best of Indian Defence: Indian Army Scouts For Hovercraft Troop Transports
The Indian Army is looking to acquire an unspecified number of armed military hovercraft, technically Air Cushioned Vehicles Troop Carriage (ACV-TC) for use in the Eastern theatre. The Army wants hovercraft that can cruise at 25-40 knots with 80 fully equipped combat troops (excluding crew) along with their battle loads, three-days of logistics requiremements, and vehicles in lieu of troops when necessary. The Army has specified that contending hovercraft should be able to operate in marshy land, sand bars, mudflats, mangroves, tidal creeks, swamps, weed choked lakes, lagoons, backwaters, islands and coastal areas.
The Indian Army is looking to acquire an unspecified number of armed military hovercraft, technically Air Cushioned Vehicles Troop Carriage (ACV-TC) for use in the Eastern theatre. The Army wants hovercraft that can cruise at 25-40 knots with 80 fully equipped combat troops (excluding crew) along with their battle loads, three-days of logistics requiremements, and vehicles in lieu of troops when necessary. The Army has specified that contending hovercraft should be able to operate in marshy land, sand bars, mudflats, mangroves, tidal creeks, swamps, weed choked lakes, lagoons, backwaters, islands and coastal areas.
Prometheus
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Agartala: The Centre has decided to construct 509 new Border Outposts (BOPs) and complete the unfinished barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangla international borders, a top official said Tuesday.
Of the 509 new BOPs, 126 would be constructed along the Indo-Pak border and the rest 383 would be constructed along the Indo-Bangla border to strengthen border monitoring and border management, Secretary of Border Road Management, E A Ahmed told reporters.
Ahmed arrived here yesterday and visited Khanthlang, a remote hill top tribal hamlet in North Tripura district, bordering Chittagong Hill Tract of Bangladesh, and Akhaura checkpost here. He held meetings with the Chief Secretary, S K Panda and other top officials at the Civil Secretariat.
He announced that the Akhaura checkpost would be upgraded as the fourth integrated checkpost of the country by extending the facilities of customs, proper security, cargo godowns and others required for entry and exit of citizens of India and Bangladesh.
Ahmed said construction of two such integrated check posts have started in Indo-Pak and Indo-Nepal border and one more checkpost would be built on Indo-Nepal border and adding that the Akhaura checkpost would be the fourth integrated checkpost in the country.
He said construction work for Akhaura checkpost would start in July and would be completed by fourteen months.
Ahmed said of the 856 km Indo-Bangla border in Tripura, fencing was completed in 650 km and the rest would be completed by 2012. He added that flood lighting was done in 200 km border areas and monetary sanction has been given for flood lighting for additional 518 km.509 new outposts to be constructed on international border
Of the 509 new BOPs, 126 would be constructed along the Indo-Pak border and the rest 383 would be constructed along the Indo-Bangla border to strengthen border monitoring and border management, Secretary of Border Road Management, E A Ahmed told reporters.
Ahmed arrived here yesterday and visited Khanthlang, a remote hill top tribal hamlet in North Tripura district, bordering Chittagong Hill Tract of Bangladesh, and Akhaura checkpost here. He held meetings with the Chief Secretary, S K Panda and other top officials at the Civil Secretariat.
He announced that the Akhaura checkpost would be upgraded as the fourth integrated checkpost of the country by extending the facilities of customs, proper security, cargo godowns and others required for entry and exit of citizens of India and Bangladesh.
Ahmed said construction of two such integrated check posts have started in Indo-Pak and Indo-Nepal border and one more checkpost would be built on Indo-Nepal border and adding that the Akhaura checkpost would be the fourth integrated checkpost in the country.
He said construction work for Akhaura checkpost would start in July and would be completed by fourteen months.
Ahmed said of the 856 km Indo-Bangla border in Tripura, fencing was completed in 650 km and the rest would be completed by 2012. He added that flood lighting was done in 200 km border areas and monetary sanction has been given for flood lighting for additional 518 km.509 new outposts to be constructed on international border
sudhir007
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Indian Army to Buy Laser Range Finders | India Defence Online
India Defence Online, New Delhi The Indian Army has decided to procure Electronic Theodolites with Laser Range Finder (LRF) for Field Branch Artillery units and the Request for Information (RFI) has been released.The Electronic Theodolites with LRF will assist the survey process of the gun units of the Indian Army. The last date to submit the details is 15th June 2010.
The RFI is proposed to identify the potential vendors who can offer details of the Electronic Theodolites with LRF along with its cost per unit.
The main specifications that need to be furnished by the vendors includes the overall dimensions and weight of the Electronic Theodolites with LRF including all accessories, the maximum and minimum range of Laser Range Finder including accuracy and range display capability, details of the display unit and the kind of user interface and display facilities provided for data and results.
The RFI also seeks to know the details of the North Finding Module which should include accuracy, resolution, field of view and magnification. The RFI enquires into the systems capabilities for angular measurements in both degree and mils as well as angular measurements in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The vendors must also provide details of software support and the capacity of the internal memory to store data. Besides, the details of the power pack and its spare must be included.
Electronic Theodolites have a reasonable structure and practical function and they are easy-to-use with excellent performance and reliable quality. Electronic Theodolites are used for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks. It is a key tool in surveying and engineering work particularly on inaccessible ground.
India Defence Online, New Delhi The Indian Army has decided to procure Electronic Theodolites with Laser Range Finder (LRF) for Field Branch Artillery units and the Request for Information (RFI) has been released.The Electronic Theodolites with LRF will assist the survey process of the gun units of the Indian Army. The last date to submit the details is 15th June 2010.
The RFI is proposed to identify the potential vendors who can offer details of the Electronic Theodolites with LRF along with its cost per unit.
The main specifications that need to be furnished by the vendors includes the overall dimensions and weight of the Electronic Theodolites with LRF including all accessories, the maximum and minimum range of Laser Range Finder including accuracy and range display capability, details of the display unit and the kind of user interface and display facilities provided for data and results.
The RFI also seeks to know the details of the North Finding Module which should include accuracy, resolution, field of view and magnification. The RFI enquires into the systems capabilities for angular measurements in both degree and mils as well as angular measurements in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The vendors must also provide details of software support and the capacity of the internal memory to store data. Besides, the details of the power pack and its spare must be included.
Electronic Theodolites have a reasonable structure and practical function and they are easy-to-use with excellent performance and reliable quality. Electronic Theodolites are used for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks. It is a key tool in surveying and engineering work particularly on inaccessible ground.
sudhir007
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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR PROCUREMENT OF AIR CUSHIONED
VEHICLES TROOP CARRIAGE – ACV (TC) BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE,
INDIA
1. Ministry of Defence, India is interested in procurement of AIR CUSHIONED
VEHICLES TROOP CARRIAGE – ACV (TC) for its defence services. Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) interested in supplying the equipment may
furnish information related to the queries given in succeeding paras.
2. Is the ACV (TC) capable of transporting 80 fully armed and equipped men
in addition to crew with their battle loads and three days logistic requirements ?
When not carrying troops to its maximum capacity, is it able to carry vehicles in
lieu, within the constraints of its carrying capacity?
3. Can it traverse over water and land irrespective of depth of water and
surface conditions? It should be able to operate in marshy land, sand bars,
mudflats, mangroves, tidal creeks, swamps, weed choked lakes, lagoons,
backwaters, islands and coastal areas.
4. Is it able to clear obstacles such as sand bars, bets, dhois and mudflats
of heights up to 0.5 m?
5. Is it able to negotiate bank slopes of upto 1 in 9, when fully laden?
6. Does the ACV(TC) have non stop operational range greater than 250
nautical miles and endurance more than 12 hours, whichever is more?
7. Can the ACV have provision for the following weapon systems:-
(a) Mounts and arrangements for mounting 2 x12.7 PKT Guns and
smoke generators (for self protection including anti aircraft role), operation
of which should be controllable from the control cabin.
(b) Mounts for 4 x 7.62 / 5.56 mm LMG, 2 x 7.62 mm MMG and 1 x
Auto Grenade Launcher.
page-2
8. Can the ACV achieve following minimum speeds at full payload under
ambient conditions:-
(a) Cruising speed - 30 Knots.
(b) Full speed - 40 Knots.
(c) Speed over land - 15 Knots.
9. Is the craft provided with suitable equipment for communication within the
craft and arrangements for fitting in-service UHF, VHF and HF communication
sets, as applicable?
10. Does the craft have auto navigation facilities including night navigation,
DGPS, navigation radar as applicable, radio direction finder and gyrocompass?
11. Does the craft have capability to mount latest night vision devices for
night surveillance?
12. Have equipment such as water current meter, echo sounder or any other
latest suitable equipment to gauge depth and display bed profile been
provided? An easy arrangement should exist to submerge these equipments in
water to obtain necessary measurements.
13. Does the ACV(TC) incorporate latest fire fighting and safety sensors /
equipment including anti flooding equipment?
14. Does the cabin for crew and soldiers have following facilities:-
(a) Separate cabin for crew, and for soldiers which could be bolted if
required.
(b) Adequate all round observation and visibility from inside the cabin.
(c) 10-12 portholes to permit use of personal weapons from the cabin.
(d) Air conditioning/cowls for air intake, as applicable.
(e) Ergonomic seating.
page-3
(f) Cabin should be provided with four toilets, four bath facilities and
four wash basins.
for More detail check
http://www.ciidefence.com/pdf/RFI/RFI_Procurement_Air_CushionedVehicles_Troop.PDF
VEHICLES TROOP CARRIAGE – ACV (TC) BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE,
INDIA
1. Ministry of Defence, India is interested in procurement of AIR CUSHIONED
VEHICLES TROOP CARRIAGE – ACV (TC) for its defence services. Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) interested in supplying the equipment may
furnish information related to the queries given in succeeding paras.
2. Is the ACV (TC) capable of transporting 80 fully armed and equipped men
in addition to crew with their battle loads and three days logistic requirements ?
When not carrying troops to its maximum capacity, is it able to carry vehicles in
lieu, within the constraints of its carrying capacity?
3. Can it traverse over water and land irrespective of depth of water and
surface conditions? It should be able to operate in marshy land, sand bars,
mudflats, mangroves, tidal creeks, swamps, weed choked lakes, lagoons,
backwaters, islands and coastal areas.
4. Is it able to clear obstacles such as sand bars, bets, dhois and mudflats
of heights up to 0.5 m?
5. Is it able to negotiate bank slopes of upto 1 in 9, when fully laden?
6. Does the ACV(TC) have non stop operational range greater than 250
nautical miles and endurance more than 12 hours, whichever is more?
7. Can the ACV have provision for the following weapon systems:-
(a) Mounts and arrangements for mounting 2 x12.7 PKT Guns and
smoke generators (for self protection including anti aircraft role), operation
of which should be controllable from the control cabin.
(b) Mounts for 4 x 7.62 / 5.56 mm LMG, 2 x 7.62 mm MMG and 1 x
Auto Grenade Launcher.
page-2
8. Can the ACV achieve following minimum speeds at full payload under
ambient conditions:-
(a) Cruising speed - 30 Knots.
(b) Full speed - 40 Knots.
(c) Speed over land - 15 Knots.
9. Is the craft provided with suitable equipment for communication within the
craft and arrangements for fitting in-service UHF, VHF and HF communication
sets, as applicable?
10. Does the craft have auto navigation facilities including night navigation,
DGPS, navigation radar as applicable, radio direction finder and gyrocompass?
11. Does the craft have capability to mount latest night vision devices for
night surveillance?
12. Have equipment such as water current meter, echo sounder or any other
latest suitable equipment to gauge depth and display bed profile been
provided? An easy arrangement should exist to submerge these equipments in
water to obtain necessary measurements.
13. Does the ACV(TC) incorporate latest fire fighting and safety sensors /
equipment including anti flooding equipment?
14. Does the cabin for crew and soldiers have following facilities:-
(a) Separate cabin for crew, and for soldiers which could be bolted if
required.
(b) Adequate all round observation and visibility from inside the cabin.
(c) 10-12 portholes to permit use of personal weapons from the cabin.
(d) Air conditioning/cowls for air intake, as applicable.
(e) Ergonomic seating.
page-3
(f) Cabin should be provided with four toilets, four bath facilities and
four wash basins.
for More detail check
http://www.ciidefence.com/pdf/RFI/RFI_Procurement_Air_CushionedVehicles_Troop.PDF
RPK
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Indian Army chief to visit Bhutan
Indian Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh will arrive in Bhutan next week on a five-day visit, official sources said Friday.
This will be Singh's first official foreign visit after he took over as the head of 1.3 million-strong Indian Army March 31.
During his June 7-11 visiti, the army chief is expected to meet Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the sources said.
He will also have a meeting with his Bhutanese counterpart Maj. Gen. Batoo Tshering.
India is Bhutan's largest trade partner and has contributed generously to its infrastructural development.
India also provides military training to the Bhutanese forces and maintains a permanent military training presence in the Himalayan Kingdom.
In fact, Singh was an instructor in the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) headquarters in Bhutan.
Indian Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh will arrive in Bhutan next week on a five-day visit, official sources said Friday.
This will be Singh's first official foreign visit after he took over as the head of 1.3 million-strong Indian Army March 31.
During his June 7-11 visiti, the army chief is expected to meet Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the sources said.
He will also have a meeting with his Bhutanese counterpart Maj. Gen. Batoo Tshering.
India is Bhutan's largest trade partner and has contributed generously to its infrastructural development.
India also provides military training to the Bhutanese forces and maintains a permanent military training presence in the Himalayan Kingdom.
In fact, Singh was an instructor in the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) headquarters in Bhutan.
sudhir007
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New MoD policy to boost Indian arms industry
Facing sustained criticism for its continuing dependence on foreign weaponry, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is finalising an ambitious policy for building up India's defence industry, both public and private. The MoD Secretary for Defence Production, R K Singh, has told Business Standard that the country's first-ever Defence Production Policy mandates that weaponry and military systems will be identified several years into the future, to allow Indian companies the time needed to develop and manufacture them. The identified systems will be allocated to specific Indian defence companies as development projects. The MoD will lay down clear time targets and provide 80 per cent of the cost that will be incurred.
"We have consulted the army, navy, air force, the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO), academia, Ficci, CII and Assocham… and noted their comments," says R K Singh. "The new policy will come up before the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) for consideration on June 11. Then the Defence Acquisition Council (the ministry's apex body on equipment acquisition) will clear it. Within two to three months, the new policy will be implemented."
The current rulebook for defence procurement - the Defence Procurement Policy of 2008 (DPP-2008) - already lays down a "Make" procedure, which allows the MoD to allocate and fund projects through Indian industry. However, this has not yet led to any domestic orders for defence equipment, partly because equipment requirements have never been identified in advance, to give Indian industry the lead-time to develop them.
Pointed to this fact, the Secretary for Defence Production asserted, "But now it is going to happen. We have to make it happen…. because now our industry has the strength. It is interested. We will ensure that the 'Make' procedure becomes very friendly. More and more equipment will now come into the 'Make' procedure."
Explaining the working of the new policy, Secretary R K Singh says Indian defence companies will be encouraged to register their technological capabilities in an MoD databank. When a need is anticipated for the army, e.g. a futuristic Main Battle Tank, the MoD will survey the industry and identify at least two major companies, to which it will award development contracts. These two prime contractors, working with a tailor-made consortium of companies, will develop a separate tank prototype and the MoD will select one, or even both, for mass production.
A similar system of competitive development contracts is followed by the US defence establishment.
The new Defence Production Policy is rooted in the MoD's realisation that its longstanding acquisition model of building weaponry in India, through Transfer of Technology (ToT), has failed to generate indigenisation. Real indigenisation, the MoD now believes, comes from designing weaponry, not just manufacturing foreign designs.
"Look at what has happened historically," says Singh. "The (Indian defence) industries which came up, with some exceptions, are manufacturing products that were designed abroad, not here. Our industry has been in the habit of taking transfer of technology and building on licence until the product dies a technological death. There is no expenditure on R&D and no technology absorption. And since the most important components come from abroad, the vendor can turn off the switch any time. If India wants to emerge as a world power, we have to start developing our own products. That is what our industry will have to learn in partnership with the MoD."
It remains unclear how large a foreign component will be allowed in defence systems developed under the new Defence Production Policy. While the current "Make" procedure allows 70 per cent foreign component, Business Standard learns from MoD sources that the current thinking is to bring this down to "less than 50 per cent", along with the provison that the Intellectual Property Rights of the foreign component must reside in India.
Indian private companies are treating the new policy with some scepticism. "The MoD has always manipulated policy to favour the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), which are the main beneficiaries of the old ToT practice," points out the CEO of a private Indian company that is active in defence. "Throwing out ToT and demanding real R&D will leave the DPSUs in the cold. Then we'll see whether the policy stays or goes."
Facing sustained criticism for its continuing dependence on foreign weaponry, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is finalising an ambitious policy for building up India's defence industry, both public and private. The MoD Secretary for Defence Production, R K Singh, has told Business Standard that the country's first-ever Defence Production Policy mandates that weaponry and military systems will be identified several years into the future, to allow Indian companies the time needed to develop and manufacture them. The identified systems will be allocated to specific Indian defence companies as development projects. The MoD will lay down clear time targets and provide 80 per cent of the cost that will be incurred.
"We have consulted the army, navy, air force, the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO), academia, Ficci, CII and Assocham… and noted their comments," says R K Singh. "The new policy will come up before the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) for consideration on June 11. Then the Defence Acquisition Council (the ministry's apex body on equipment acquisition) will clear it. Within two to three months, the new policy will be implemented."
The current rulebook for defence procurement - the Defence Procurement Policy of 2008 (DPP-2008) - already lays down a "Make" procedure, which allows the MoD to allocate and fund projects through Indian industry. However, this has not yet led to any domestic orders for defence equipment, partly because equipment requirements have never been identified in advance, to give Indian industry the lead-time to develop them.
Pointed to this fact, the Secretary for Defence Production asserted, "But now it is going to happen. We have to make it happen…. because now our industry has the strength. It is interested. We will ensure that the 'Make' procedure becomes very friendly. More and more equipment will now come into the 'Make' procedure."
Explaining the working of the new policy, Secretary R K Singh says Indian defence companies will be encouraged to register their technological capabilities in an MoD databank. When a need is anticipated for the army, e.g. a futuristic Main Battle Tank, the MoD will survey the industry and identify at least two major companies, to which it will award development contracts. These two prime contractors, working with a tailor-made consortium of companies, will develop a separate tank prototype and the MoD will select one, or even both, for mass production.
A similar system of competitive development contracts is followed by the US defence establishment.
The new Defence Production Policy is rooted in the MoD's realisation that its longstanding acquisition model of building weaponry in India, through Transfer of Technology (ToT), has failed to generate indigenisation. Real indigenisation, the MoD now believes, comes from designing weaponry, not just manufacturing foreign designs.
"Look at what has happened historically," says Singh. "The (Indian defence) industries which came up, with some exceptions, are manufacturing products that were designed abroad, not here. Our industry has been in the habit of taking transfer of technology and building on licence until the product dies a technological death. There is no expenditure on R&D and no technology absorption. And since the most important components come from abroad, the vendor can turn off the switch any time. If India wants to emerge as a world power, we have to start developing our own products. That is what our industry will have to learn in partnership with the MoD."
It remains unclear how large a foreign component will be allowed in defence systems developed under the new Defence Production Policy. While the current "Make" procedure allows 70 per cent foreign component, Business Standard learns from MoD sources that the current thinking is to bring this down to "less than 50 per cent", along with the provison that the Intellectual Property Rights of the foreign component must reside in India.
Indian private companies are treating the new policy with some scepticism. "The MoD has always manipulated policy to favour the defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs), which are the main beneficiaries of the old ToT practice," points out the CEO of a private Indian company that is active in defence. "Throwing out ToT and demanding real R&D will leave the DPSUs in the cold. Then we'll see whether the policy stays or goes."
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