Responding to the clarion call given by Hon’ble Prime Minister for “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken several initiatives to strengthen the indigenous defence ecosystem. A DRDO delegation apprised defence minister Rajnath Singh on 24 August about 108 systems and subsystems which have been identified for designing and development by the Indian industry only. (See list alongside). This initiative will pave the way for Indian Defence industry to develop many technologies towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

DRDO will also provide support to industries for design, development and testing of these systems on requirement basis.  All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, Armed Forces, and other Security Agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable Indian industry. This will allow DRDO to focus on design & development of critical and advanced technologies and systems.

DRDO has been partnering with industry for realization of its systems. Collaborating with DRDO in the development of major weapon systems the Indian industry has matured to a stage where they can develop systems on their own. Indian industry has progressed from a ‘build to print’ partner to ‘build to specification’ partner.

The present industry base for DRDO consists of 1800 MSMEs along with DPSUs, Ordnance Factories and large scale industries.  DRDO has already taken major initiatives through various policies to involve Indian industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), offering its technology to industry at nominal cost and providing free access to its patents. 

“All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, armed forces, and other security agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable Indian industry. This will allow DRDO to focus on the design and development of critical and advanced technologies and systems,” the ministry said in a statement.

Two weeks earlier, the defence minister announced a ban on import of 101 military systems and weapons like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines and cruise missiles in a staggered manner by 2024 to promote India’s domestic defence industry. Following the announcement, the defence ministry has initiated a series of measures to promote the domestic defence industry.

The ministry has set a goal of a turnover of $25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years that included an export target of $5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware. “Responding to the clarion call given by the Prime Minister for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), the DRDO has taken several initiatives to strengthen the indigenous defence ecosystem,” the ministry said.

It said the present industry base for DRDO consists of 1800 MSMEs along with defence public sector undertakings, Ordnance Factories and large scale industries.

“DRDO has already taken major initiatives through various policies to involve Indian industry as development cum production partners (DcPP), offering its technology to industry at nominal cost and providing free access to its patents,” the ministry said.

DRDO Redefining Its Charter of Duties

Aimed at overhauling the existing structures, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up an expert panel for redefining its charter of duties to cater to the future battle scenarios. The panel will take a relook at the aims of all 52 laboratories of the organisationand also carry out a study to minimise overlap of technologies amongst the laboratories, a notification dated August 24 said.

The five-member panel is headed by IIT-Delhi Director V Ramagopal Rao and has been given a deadline of 45 days to submit a detailed report. The other members are S Somnath, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre; Dr Samir V Kamat, Director General-Naval Systems and Materials (NS & M); Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, Deputy Chief of Air Staff; and Benjamin Lionel, Director, Instruments Research and Development Establishment of DRDO.

The decision came at a time when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was working on a self-reliance mantra to reduce military imports.

The DRDO was set up in 1958 and is currently headed by Dr G Satheesh Reddy. He was given an extension recently for two years, ahead of this retirement at the end of the month.

Systems/ Sub systems for Industry to Design, Developand Manufacture

By 2020          

Mini& Micro UAVs                                         
Mini&MicroRoVs                                            
Un-cooled NV-IR sights for weapons (short range)  
Mountain Foot Bridge (Metallic)              
Multi Span Bridge (Metallic)         
Modular Bridge (Metallic)           
Floating Bridge (Metallic)            
Mines Laying and Marking Equipments 
NBC Shelters     
Armoured Engineering Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV)
Multipurpose Decontamination Systems (MPDS)          
Mobile Decontamination System (MDS)                      
Solo Vehicle Based Transporter cum Tilter System 
Special Purpose Transporters upto 80 T Payload    
Loader cum Replenishment (LCR) Vehicles          
Anti-Terrorist Vehicle (ATV)       
Heavy Recovery Vehicle             
IR flare 
Tank Transporter            
Bullet Proof Vehicle       
Missile Canisters            
Missile Assembly Jigs    
Missile Storage Containers
Marine Rocket Launcher    
Single Mode LASER Source(up to 2 kW )               
Blast Doors        
Fire Detection  Systems               
Telemedicine System    
Satellite Navigation Receivers   
TR Modules       
Single Board Computer
Pneumatic Actuator System (upto 450 kgf)         
Stabilization Systems for Ground Based Applications      
Display Systems               
Cable Looms     
Relay Units        
Hardware for Fire Control Systems         
Video converters            
Display Processors          
Navigation Radars           
Blast Sensors      
Optical Blanks ( VK 7, fused Silica)                            
EMP protected Racks  
PCM Decomuntation System     
Tele command System   
Transponder System     
Onboard SCP for Telemetry       
Onboard PCM for Telemetry     
Onboard Antennae for Telemetry           
High Nitrogen Steel        
2xxx, 5xxx,6xxx and 7xxx series Aluminum         
Rotary Joints     
Bearings High speed  ( Miniature)            
Torpedo Tubes
Bus Controllers for 1553, CAN, 1773        
Power PC Back Planes   
Umbilical Connectors    
RF Cables                  
RF Connectors  
MIL – Connectors           
MIL – Relays (Electro Mechanical)           
MIL – Relays (Solid state)                
Pressure Tight and Non Pressure Tight Cable     
RF power Amplifier        
Bulk Up Converters        
EMP Power Line Filters 
EMP Data Filters           
EMI/EMC Filters            
EMI/EMC Gaskets  

By 2021

Multi Spectral Camouflage Net (MSCN)
Unit Maintenance Vehicle               
Unit Repair Vehicle           
Fabric  for Parachutes   
Hardware for Onboard Computers         
Hydraulic Actuation Systems (upto 16 T)
Electro Mechanical Actuators (upto 2T) 
Routers               
Electric Power Conditioners       
Germanium Blanks             
Pressure Transducers   
Solenoid valve (> 10 ms)              
Shelters for Radar & Communication
Antennas for Satellite Communication  Receivers            
Airborne Displays            
Slip Rings               
Miniature Bearings
Slewing Rings    
Pressure Tight and Non Pressure Tight Connectors         
Composite Materials Sea Water Pumps 40TPH & 125 TPH             
Miniature Self-regulating Dual Flow JT Cooler    
Solid State TTR, CTS, TAR Magnetron for OSA-AK-M       
Amplidyne         
Secure Customized 3G/LTE end –Points
(Handsets/Dongles) for Mobile Network             
Pressure Measuring Instrument for Aircraft Application
Air Data Probe for Aircraft Application   
Pumps for Aircraft Application-Hydraulic 
Nose Wheel Steering Manifold 
Angle of Attack & Angle of Side Slip Sensors       
Rotary Actuation Aggregators for Fighter Aircraft Application        
Total Air Temperature Probe     
Potentiometer for Aircraft Application  
Fuel System Components for Aircraft Application            
Marine Desalinations for Life Rafts          
Absorption Type Air Conditioning System Based on Waste Heat Recovery             
24 Gigabit Ethernet switch          
Image Intensified (II)Based Weapon Sights         
Batteries (Ag-Zn , Li Ion, Thermal)               
MicrowaveReceivers     

The post DRDO Lists Systems For Industry to Design appeared first on IMR.

Almost 260 schemes of such items were contracted by the three Services at an approximate cost of Rs 3.5 lakh crore between April 2015 and August 2020. With latest embargo on import of 101 items, it is estimated that contracts worth almost Rs 4 lakh crore will be placed upon the domestic industry within the next five to seven years. Of these, items worth almost Rs 1.3 lakh crore each are anticipated for the Army and the Air Force while items worth almost Rs 1.4 lakh crore are anticipated by the Navy over the same period.

The list of 101 embargoed items comprises of not just simple parts but also some high technology weapon systems like artillery guns, assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, transport aircrafts, light combat helicopters (LCHs), radars and many other items to fulfil the needs of our Defence Services. The list also includes, wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) with indicative import embargo date of December 2021, of which the Army is expected to contract almost 200 at an approximate cost of over Rs 5,000 crore.

Similarly, the Navy is likely to place demands for submarines with indicative import embargo date of December 2021, of which it expects to contract about six at an approximate cost of almost Rs 42,000 crore.

For the Air Force, it is decided to enlist the light combat aircraft LCA MK 1A with an indicative embargo date of December 2020. Of these, 123 are anticipated at an approximate cost of over Rs 85,000 crore. Hence, there are highly complex platforms that are included in the list of 101 items, of which details of three examples are given above.

The embargo on imports is planned to be progressively implemented between 2020 to 2024. The aim behind promulgation of the list is to apprise the Indian defence industry about the anticipated requirements of the Armed Forces so that they are better prepared to realise the goal of indigenisation. The MoD has adopted many progressive measures to encourage and facilitate ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by the defence production entities. All necessary steps would be taken to ensure that timelines for production of equipment as per the Negative Import List are met, which will include a co-ordinated mechanism for hand holding of the industry by the Defence Services.

More such equipment for import embargo would be identified progressively by the DMA in consultation with all stakeholders.

A due note of this will also be made in the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) to ensure that no item in the negative list is processed for import in the future.

In another relevant step, the MoD has bifurcated the capital procurement budget for 2020-21 between domestic and foreign capital procurement routes. A separate budget head has been created with an outlay of nearly Rs 52,000 crore for domestic capital procurement in the current financial year.

Clarification

Consequent to release of the negative list of items for import by the MoD on 9 August 2020, certain queries were raised by industry with respect to inclusion of some of the items like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A, Pinaka Rocket System and Akash missile system, which are manufactured in India. It was highlighted that such systems, etc, were developed with qualitative requirements framed by the defence forces. Such systems were also available in the international market.

Nomenclature of such weapon systems have been included in the negative list of imports to ensure that the Defence Services did not go in for procurement of similar systems ex-import. It was also highlighted that for a product to be considered as an indigenous system, the percentage of indigenous content has to meet minimum laid down specifications. Hence, manufacturers were also required to ensure indigenisation and decrease import content to the permissible limits.

Comments

This is a big step towards self-reliance in defence. It also offers a great opportunity to the Indian defence industry to rise to the occasion to manufacture the items in the negative list by using their own design and development capabilities or adopting the technologies designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces in the coming years.

The post Import Embargo as Part of Atmanirbhar Initiative appeared first on IMR.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh, on 13 August, launched four products each by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML), two by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and one each by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), as part of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ week celebrations. The products are mentioned below.

List of Products Launched

•             Prototype of Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) developed by Ordnance Factory Medak in association with DRDL, Hyderabad.

•             Fully indigenous 14.5 mm Anti Material Rifle being manufactured with the existing facilities at Ordnance Factory Trichy

•             Upgraded Commander’s Thermal Imager Cum Day Sight for T90 Main Battle Tank by Rifle Factory Ishapore

•             Prototype of 8.6×70 mm Sniper developed by Rifle Factory Ishapore

•             150 Ton payload capacity Dump Truck, one of the biggest Electric Mining Dump Trucks by BEML

•             Super Giant Mining Excavator of 180 Ton Capacity by BEML

•             GAUR, the BEML Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle by BEML

•             Heliportable 100 HP Dozer by BEML

•             150th Do-228 aircraft by HAL

•             Linear Variable Differential Transducer by BEL

•             1kW Transmitter Aerial Switching Rack by BEL

•             The Konkurs Launchers Test Equipment by BDL

•             Portable Pedestrian (Assault) Bridge by GRSE

•             Gearbox for the Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels project by GSL

•             Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle by MDL

Modernization of facilities at Opto-electronics Factory (OLF) Dehradun will serve the purpose of manufacturing of high-end opto-electronic products for T-90 tanks.

BEL has launched a fully indigenised Maareech Integration facility for manufacturing, integration and testing of Anti Torpedo Defence System Maareech which has been designed by DRDO.

HAL has handed over the 500th AL-31FP overhauled engine to the IAF which are mounted on its most lethal frontline fighter aircraft Su-30MKI. It has been done by the Koraput Division of HAL.

BEML has set up Industrial Design Centre at Bengaluru as part of its new infrastructure creation. The Centre is first of its kind in India, focusing on implementing factors of Industrial Design and Human Factors as a part of developmental strategies for setting the global benchmarking in Industrial Design and Ergonomics in Products. It is proposed to develop this facility further as a national facility and would be offered to the industry in the next stage.      

GRSE has enhanced the capability at its Raja Bagan Dockyard to meet the production requirement for the ongoing prestigious P17A project.       

ALSO READ Draft Defence production policy published – Indian Military Review

New infrastructure has been created in the defence sector in the shape of  foundation laying of Seeker Facility Centre (SFC) at BDL, a new modular facility for manufacturing of Missile System (RF Seeker) that will reduce import dependence for seekers and Foundation Laying for Warheads Production Facility at BDL for manufacturing and testing of indigenously developed warheads required for Konkurs-M, Invar, Akash, Astra missiles etc. The facility being modular will cater to all futuristic missile warheads with incremental modifications.

A new state of art Steel Preparation Shop (SPS) at GSL has been inaugurated today that will enable indigenous construction of high technology Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) hull mine counter-measures vehicles (MCMV) along with other supporting infrastructure for the country.

MIDHANI under its Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development Policy has set up a state-of-the-art Skill Development Centre and christened it as “Centre of Excellence – Special Materials.” This facility will primarily focus on Promoting applied research for the development of Special Materials used in aerospace, defence, nuclear, space and other strategic areas.

DPSUs sign Contracts and MoUs with Industry Partners

Department of Defence Production (DDP) has signed four contracts of Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) and three under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). iDEX aims to create an ecosystem which fosters innovation and encourages technology development in defence by engaging R&D institutes, academia, industries, startups and individual innovators. The iDEX framework was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018. iDEX is being implemented by Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), a Section 8 company formed for this purpose, with Rs 50 crore support each from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), both of which are Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs).

More than 700 startups and innovators responded to the three rounds of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC), out of which over 55 startups/ individuals have been selected to receive innovation grants in 15 technological areas under DISC 1, 2 and 3, through the Prototype funding guidelines called “Support for Prototype and Research Kickstart” (SPARK), which entail provisioning of grants up to Rs 1.5 crore to the Startups on the basis of milestones through multiple tranches.

 For 44 winners identified under DISC 1 & 2, till date, 28 contracts have been signed and first tranche/second tranche has been released to the winners for prototype development.

 Under DISC 3, a total of 14 winners from three challenges (one each from Army, Navy and Air Force) were approved by the DIO Board on 3 Feb 2020. Out of the 14 winners, the first batch of four winners – three winners from Army challenge and one from Air Force challenge have been cleared for signing the SPARK Grant Contract. All the four contracts were signed on 14 August 2020.

MDL signed MoU for indigenous overhauling of main motor of SSK Class submarines with Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd. Presently overhaul of the main motor of SSK class submarines is carried out in Germany by a foreign firm. MDL is in the process of developing an Indian company, Medha Servo Drives Pvt Ltd, to undertake the same in India. This would be aligned with the aims and objectives of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, apart from savings in time and cost (which are as yet not quantifiable). Success of this effort could even lead to indigenisation of the main motor of submarines, which would be an extremely significant achievement. It was envisaged that MoU with the firm would be signed before 14 Aug 2020.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) signed a MoU with IIT Goa for Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT-CFD and other technology-related fields. Key outcomes envisaged from the MoU with IIT-Goa are as follows:-

•             Collaboration and undertaking joint research and development programs/projects in Naval ship building design, Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing and Composites.

•             Share equipment, personnel and R&D facilities to facilitate research activities related to projects undertaken in the above mentioned technical areas.

•             Evaluate and decide acquisition of new systems/equipment for Projects undertaken in the above mentioned technical areas.

•             Facilitate internship of students of IIT-Goa with GSL.

•             Technology up-gradation training programs for GSL personnel.

•             To combine collective knowledge and technical expertise to develop new business opportunities in the above mentioned technical areas.

 An MoU on development of UAVs was signed between BEML and IIT, Kanpur. BEML signed another MoU on development of AI products with NASSCOM, Bengaluru .

HAL issued Expression of Interest (EoI) for indigenization of 46 items for Russian project under Make-II having total value of Rs. 100 crores.

BEL Issued EOI/ RFP for Indigenisation of the following five items having total value of Rs. 31 crore:

•             Brazing wire: Brazing wires are special alloys, presently being imported, are required for Vacuum Brazing Process.

•             Motion Platform, 6 degrees of freedom & Payload 1000-2000 kg: Critical sub-assembly for Vehicular Simulators, presently imported.

•             Dummy Weapons for Small Arm Simulators: Critical components for various Small Arms Simulators, not available indigenously.

•             Single Board Computer (SBC) – Printed Circuit Board (PCB): Presently these PCBs are imported. SBC is used in current and future projects, hence indigenization is required, for cost savings & long-term maintenance.

•             Design & Development of 62X Day Zoom Lens. There is a huge requirement for Army, MHA and Other agencies for long range day surveillance equipment. Day Zoom Lens is a part of this equipment being imported. Indigenization will achieve self-sustainability for manufacturing this item and avoids imported content.

BDL Issued EOI/ RFP for Indigenisation of 11 items under Make-II having total value of 15 crore. Components and sub-assemblies of naval products like, under-water connecters, contactors, Ring Laser Gyro, Pressure Transducer, Free Gyro, Heli Receiver, ATGM components & sub-assemblies like Amplifiers, Communication Unit, Transducer Sub-assemblies and Octol for War head of SAM missiles are ready for releasing RFP under Make-II. By indigenisation of the above saving of Rs. 15 crores will be achieved.

The post DEFENCE PRODUCTION: Atmanirbhar in Defence Week Observed appeared first on IMR.