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Previously, Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) was the AHSP for majority of defence items designed, developed and manufactured by various DPSUs and private industries. Under the existing procedure, certain bottlenecks were experienced by the industry to bring timely improvements in their products and technologies in line with changing times. To remove these bottlenecks, the ministry has decided to liberalise the AHSP procedures and make it industry-friendly, according to an MoD release on Tuesday.

The Indian defence companies, which have developed products, systems, subsystems, components on their own indigenous capabilities (except critical stores), will now be allowed to own and account for their final designs and specification as AHSP. In case of any change in the sealed particulars, a simplified mechanism representing all the concerned stakeholders, including the industry, will take a decision. The DGQA will notify the detailed procedure in this regard within two months, the ministry said.

The DGQA has also been asked to examine all AHSPs with them and rationalise the entire list within two months.They have been further advised to transfer the AHSP to the industry at the earliest. It will be another significant step of the government to further encourage ‘ease of doing business’, it added.

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Dr E V Ramanna Reddy, additional chief secretary, commerce and industries department, said in a statement: “The policy objectives of Karnataka Aerospace and Defence Policy 2022-27 is to attract investments to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore in the aerospace and defence sector during the policy period of five years.”

“The other objective is to create additional employment opportunities (direct and indirect) for 60,000 persons during the policy period of five years. It is also to develop Karnataka as the aerospace & defence manufacturing hub, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and space applications for both Indian market and exports and to strengthen R&D infrastructure for achieving innovative and cutting-edge technologies,” the statement added.

The policy is also aimed at enhancing the facilitation mechanism for ease of doing business through an industry-friendly policy framework, he said.

Karnataka was the first state to announce an aerospace and defence policy in 2013 and it amended the policy in 2016.

“It has been a leader in the aerospace and defence industry due to the presence of a strong ecosystem. As a result, over the years, leading global players have set up their presence in Karnataka. These establishments over the years have contributed to the strong aerospace and defence ecosystem in Karnataka. 67 per cent of all aircraft and helicopter manufacturing for defence services is done in Karnataka,” Reddy said.

Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said in June that the government was developing phase-2 of the aerospace and defence park in Haralur near Kempegowda International Airport in over 1,200 acres.

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Towards this end to promote self-reliance, the ministry of defence has scrapped proposed foreign deals close to Rs 60,000 crore worth of ‘Buy-Global’ cases in the last four to five months, additional secretary (defence production) Sanjay Jaju said at a seminar organised by industry chamber PHDCCI. India is saddled with the strategically-vulnerable position of being the world’s largest arms importer. As long as foreign OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are in India, and as long as they are designing and manufacturing within the country, the Indian government is completely equitable, said Jaju.

“I have friends from global OEMs like Lockheed Martin sitting right here. It is not a commentary on foreign OEMs because we are ownership agnostic now… India does not differentiate between foreign OEMs and L&Ts (domestic companies) of the world. For us, all of you are equal,” Jaju said.

“All our policies are designed in a manner in which all of you get equal opportunities. But one point that is now coming is that going forward, possibly we will not be importing anything. One can say that at the outset,” he said. “A little bit of a difficult situation for the Lockheeds (foreign OEMs) of the world but I think you can substitute it with a string of projects… To design and develop the systems within our country,” he added.

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The defence ministry on 28 March said it plans to procure military equipment worth Rs 5 lakh crore from the domestic industries in the next five to seven years in line with its policy of promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt put out the projected figure of procurement from domestic sources while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

In August 2020, the ministry announced that India will stop the import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems by 2024.

A second list, putting import restrictions on 108 military weapons and systems such as next-generation corvettes, airborne early warning systems, tank engines and radars, under a staggered timeline was issued in May last year.

In December, the ministry released a list containing 2,500 items, which have already been developed indigenously.

It also released a list of 351 equipment that will be developed within the country by December 2024.

The minister in his reply mentioned the lists and the government’s priorities.

“The positive indigenisation list comprises defence equipment which will be designed, developed and manufactured over a period from 2020 to 2025,” he said, adding that the it was not possible to assess at this juncture the actual on account of the decision to not import the items.

“However, as per available projections, it is estimated that over approximately Rs 5 lakh crore worth of equipment included in both the positive indigenisation lists will be procured from domestic industry over the next five to seven years,” he said.

In the last few years, the government has taken a series of measures to boost domestic defence manufacturing.

In May last year, the government announced increasing the FDI limit from 49 per cent to 74 per cent under the automatic route in the defence sector.

India is one of the largest importers of arms globally.

According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion (one billion is equal to 100 crores) in capital procurement in the next five years.

The government now wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has decided to support domestic defence manufacturing.

The Defence Ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years that included an export target of USD 5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware.

The government on Monday said that a total of Rs 3,343 crore has been received as foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector since 2014.

In response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the defence sector needs continuous investment for capacity enhancements and the creation of state-of-the-art technologies.

“During the period from 2001-2014, a total FDI inflow of about Rs 1,382 crore was reported and from 2014 till date, a total FDI of about Rs 3,343 crore has been reported,” he said.

To a separate question, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said the “term ‘Matryr’ is not used in Indian Armed Forces.”

He was asked about the definition of martyr and whether the government has stopped the use of the word for those who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.

Asked whether the government is considering a system of conferring letters of acknowledgement from the President and the Prime Minister’s Office on the families of armed forces personnel killed in action, Bhatt said no such proposal has been received for consideration.

To another question, Bhatt said the government created the Defence AI (Artificial Intelligence) Council (DAIC) in 2019 for providing necessary guidance to enable and effect the development of an operating framework for the adoption of the application of AI in the defence sector.

He said all the three services have established institutional mechanisms in the form of AI Sub Committee and Joint Working Group on AI.

“As part of the data management framework, the services have formulated data policy and appointed data management officers,” he said.

Bhatt also said that the budget allocated and utilised in the past three years for the research and development of indigenous defence aircraft was Rs 3,280 crore and Rs 2,835 crore respectively.

He said 100 per cent rate of success has been achieved for the various research carried out for the development of indigenous defence aircraft.

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In an address at the annual convention of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, on 18 December, that India has very clearly conveyed to the US, Russia, France and many of its partner countries that military platforms and equipment required by the Indian armed forces to deal with myriad security challenges have to be manufactured in the country.

“We have told every friendly country that we want to produce the military platforms, weapons and ammunition in India itself keeping in mind the security of the country,” he said.

“We have conveyed this message to the US, Russia, France and others as well and we do not hesitate to communicate this message,” he added.

The defence minister said the message to the countries producing military equipment has been that: “Come Make In India, Come Make for India and Come Make for the world”.

Singh said, following his talks with French Defence Minister Florence Parly on 17 December, it was agreed that a major French company will produce “an engine” in India by joining hands with an Indian company under the strategic partnership model. He, however, did not elaborate.

The defence minister also referred to the government’s decision to not import 209 military equipment under a staggered timeline to promote the domestic defence industry and indicated that the items under the list may touch 1,000.

“When I talk about ‘India Beyond 75’, I believe that this ‘positive list’ will be around 1000 items in this decade. I am very positive about this,” he said.

The defence minister also talked about the need for “fair competition” between private and public sector companies and described the corporatisation of the over 200-year-old Ordnance Factory Board as the biggest reform in the defence sector after Independence.

“At present, India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing market is worth Rs 85,000 crores. I believe it will increase to one lakh crore in 2022,” he said.

In August last year, Singh announced that India will stop the import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems by 2024.

A second list, putting import restrictions on 108 military weapons and systems such as next-generation corvettes, airborne early warning systems, tank engines and radars, was issued a few months later.

In May last year, the government announced increasing the FDI limit from 49 per cent to 74 per cent under the automatic route in the defence sector.

Ordnance Factory Medak Developing New Combat Vehicles

The Ordnance Factory Medak (OFMK) is developing two modern command and control modern vehicles for both the artillery and the infantry wings of the Indian Army with the CCPTV or Command Control Post Tracked Vehicle for the former already undergoing trials and is likely to be inducted within a few months, said General Manager Alok Prasad on 13 December.

The Command Combat Vehicle for the infantry is in the developing stage as also a special Armed Vehicle Track – Night Recovery for the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) wing.

The upgradation of the BMP armoured vehicle too is underway, he said, while announcing the launch of the exhibition of the factory products.

OFMK is geared for making the ‘Namica’ – launch vehicle for Nag, futuristic combat vehicles and vehicles with night vision capabilities, armed engineering reconnaissance vehicles and the likes.

The launch vehicle for the Pinaki missile is also manufactured by them.

MBDA Fined for Delay in Offset Obligations

Five years after India signed an agreement with France to procure 36 Rafale jets at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) made European missile maker MBDA pay a fine of nearly 1 million euros (around Rs 8.5 crore) for delay in fulfilling its offset obligations.

French aerospace major Dassault Aviation manufactures the jets, while MBDA supplies their missile systems. Both companies have been under scrutiny ever since the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled its report on the Management of Defence Offsets in Parliament last year. The national auditor had called out the two firms for not honouring the offset clause of offering high technology to India under the Rafale deal. As per the agreement, 50 per cent of the total contract value has to be reinvested in India as offsets between September 2019 and September 2022. This compensatory clause is aimed at giving a boost to ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector, primarily through transfer of technology.

The MoD’s stern action is expected to send out a clear message to foreign firms — fulfill your offset obligations or pay a hefty fine. However, the country needs to firm up its offset policy to make foreign defence entities do the needful in terms of investments and setting up of research and development facilities. It’s a matter of concern that defence ranks a lowly 62nd among 63 sectors receiving FDI, as pointed out by CAG.

BEL to Export 3D Naval Radar

International clients are on the roster of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the export of L-Band 3D Air Surveillance Radar RAWL-03 manufactured by it. RAWL-03 antenna is compact and can be accommodated on wheeled vehicles and ships.

“This is a cost effective Long Range Air Surveillance Radar perfect for early detection and tracking of air and surface targets, thereby enabling engagement of fire control systems to neutralise the targets. We want to market this to foriegn countries as well and the talks are on. The RAWL-03 comes in both ship and land-based configurations. We have showcased this to the Indian Navy and the process of induction is on. In 2018 we co-developed the radar with Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab,” a senior official from the BEL said.

Though it is not revealed which countries have exhibited interest in the radar, the official stated that the international clients include France, Germany, the UK, Canada, Sweden and developing markets in Africa and South America.

The radar has an instrumentation range of 400 kilometers. “We can detect all sorts of air targets including missiles, helicopters and aircraft upto 400 kilometers. The radar provides three dimensional target data along with doppler data. The advantage of the 3D radar over 2D radar is its estimation of height of the target in addition to direction and range. We started working on this radar in 2015 and it took almost two years to realise its completion. It weighs around 4 tons and incorporates the latest Signal Processing techniques,” he added.

HAL Signs Rs 2,400-crore Contract With BEL for LCA

HAL signed a contract, on 16 December, with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for development and supply of 20 types systems for the LCA Tejas Mk1A programme. 

The five-year contract, spanning from 2023 to 2028, is valued at Rs 2,400 crore and involves supplying critical avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), flight control computers and night flying LRUs. This is the biggest ever order that HAL has placed on any Indian company boosting ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.

The order for supply of these systems for 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter fleet will be executed by two divisions of Bharat Electronics Limited at Bengaluru and Panchkula (Haryana). All the contracted items will be delivered by BEL to HAL in a ready-to-board condition.

Deliveries under 83 Tejas Mk1A order to Indian Air Force (IAF) will commence from 2023-24 onwards. The homegrown fighter is slated to be equipped with indigenous flight control computers, air data computers which would also be supplied by BEL under this contract.

These systems have been designed and developed by various labs of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru.

HAL’s Launches MiG-29K Upgrade Programme

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility Aircraft Upgrade Research & Design Centre (AURDC) has launched a new upgrade programme for MiG-29K of Indian Navy to enhance its lethality through the integration of Laser Pod and new laser guided bomb. MiG-29K is directly procured by the Indian Navy from RAC-MiG, Russia.

The upgrade programme involves integration of indigenous mission computers, laser pods, indigenous air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The facility has also initiated integration of indigenous weapons like ASTRA and general purpose bombs on MiG-29K of the Indian Navy.

“The upgrade programme envisages integration of indigenous mission computers, laser pods, indigenous air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Successful integration will add additional lethality to the aircraft in terms of increased range, improved day/night situational awareness, night attack capability, accuracy of target hits etc,” R Madhvan, chairman and managing director, HAL said.

The aircraft cannot be operated with non-Russian origin weapons without extensive modifications. Integration of indigenous weapons or western origin weapons on MiG-29K is extremely challenging due the absence of aircraft design data/ documentation/ architecture, etc.

“In the past, AURDC has successfully carried out upgrades and weapon integration programmes to enhance the combat capability of Su-30MKI aircraft and several other imported platforms. Working very closely with other R&D centres of HAL and Defence Research and Development Organisation, the division is mitigating the obsolescence issues and future aircraft upgrade requirements,” Madhavan said.

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BrahMos Aerospace has been asked to carry out performance security which is similar to the security deposit that means a financial guarantee that the company needs to furnish as the successful tenderer for the due performance of the contract that already has been carried out.

This is a landmark win for India’s Defence Industrial complex in a global competition. The Indian offer is supported by Russia, which has developed the 290-km missile with India and continues to supply key played parts, notably the engine which powers Brahmos to Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound. 

This will be amongst the most significant Indian exports of offensive military equipment to an ASEAN country and marks a big moment in India’s Act East Policy. This marks the success of Indian outreach efforts to countries similarly threatened by Chinese expansionism. 

Negotiated with the Government of India, it includes the delivery of three batteries, training for operators and maintainers as well as the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package. Conceptualized as early as 2017, the Office of the President approved its inclusion in the Horizon 2 Priority Projects in 2020,” the Secretary stated.

“The Coastal Defense Regiment of the Philippine Marines will be the primary employer of this modern strategic defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Secretary Lorenzana added. There’s often been tension in the waters around Philippines because of aggressive Chinese naval presence and its territorial claims over the Spratly Islands.

BrahMos Aerospace, an India-Russian joint venture, produces the supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms. BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

Brahmos missile regiments are deployed by India close to the borders where it faces threat of external aggression. It is the world’s fastest cruise missile, which with its manoeuvre capability is virtually impossible to intercept. It’s high level of accuracy is also proven.

Protracted Negotiations

The contract is for the shore-based variant of the anti-ship missile system and it will bolster Philippines’ defence capability amid increasing Chinese aggression.

In November, Chinese coast guard ships blocked and used water cannons on two Philippines supply boats heading to a disputed shoal occupied by Filipino marines in the South China Sea. This led to a warning from the Philippines government that its vessels are covered under a mutual defence treaty with the United States.

Negotiations for BrahMos between India and the Philippines had been going on for the last few years, but hit a roadblock in December 2020, with Manila citing budgetary limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In March 2021, India signed a key enabling pact with the Philippines that had paved the way for government-to-government deals on defence equipment, including BrahMos.

Apart from the Philippines, Vietnam could be the next BrahMos export customer as talks between the two countries have progressed. India has offered BrahMos to countries that have been facing increasing Chinese maritime adventurism in areas of the South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region. Dr. Sudhir Kumar Mishra, former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the BrahMos Aerospace Limited recently while speaking to the media had said that as per NATO’s studies only Two BrahMos hits can sink any big class of warships and smaller warships can be taken down by one BrahMos hit.

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In an order dated September 28, the defence ministry said: Government of India has decided to transfer, with effect from October 1, 2021, the management, control, operations and maintenance of these 41 production units and identified non-production units to seven government companies (wholly owned by the government of India).

According to the order, the name of the seven defence PSUs (also called DPSUs) are:

1. Munitions India Limited.
2. Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited.
3. Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited.
4. Troop Comforts Limited.
5. Yantra India Limited.
6. India Optel Limited.
7. Gliders India Limited.
   The OFB is currently a defence ministry entity and supplies critical arms and ammunition to the three armed forces and the paramilitary.
   As part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) package, the central government had announced, on 16 May 2020, that it would improve autonomy, accountability and efficiency in ordnance supplies by corporatisation of the OFB.

Prime Minister’s Message

In a video address, on 1 October, to dedicate seven new defence companies to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to the self-reliant India campaign, said the goal is to make the country the world’s biggest military power on its own.
He mentioned that the target should be that the companies not only establish expertise in their products but also become global brands. He urged that while competitive cost is India’s strength, quality and reliability should be its identity.

He said the world saw the strength of India’s ordnance factories at the time of World War I and that they used to have better resources and world-class skills, but the companies were ignored in the post-Independence period, leading to the country’s dependence on foreign supplies.

“After Independence, we needed to upgrade these factories, adopt new-age technology. But it was not given much attention. Over time, India became dependent on foreign countries for its strategic needs. These new seven defence companies will play a big role in bringing change in this situation,” he said in his video address.

“Today, there is more transparency, trust, and technology-driven approach in the defence sector of the country than ever before. For the first time after Independence, so many major reforms are happening in our defence sector and instead of stagnant policies, a single-window system has been arranged,” he said.

“These seven defence companies will play a major role in changing this situation,” he said.

The prime minister hoped that the new companies would play an important role in import substitution. An order book of more than Rs 65,000 crore reflects the increasing confidence of the country in these companies, he added.

Noting that the decision on reform of the OFB was pending for the last 15-20 years, Modi said works stuck for decades are being completed and India is taking new resolutions to build a new future. “In the 21st century, whether a country or a company, its growth and brand value is determined by its research and innovation. From software to the space sector, India’s growth, India’s new identity is the biggest example of this,” he said.

“Therefore, I also make a special request to all the seven companies that research and innovation should be a part of your work culture….You not only have to match the world’s biggest companies, but also take the lead in future technology,” he added.

Modi said the government has given full functional autonomy along with giving a better production environment to all the companies, adding it has also been ensured that the interests of the workers of these factories are fully protected.

Service Conditions

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and representatives from the defence industry associations were present on the occasion. Singh has already clarified that there will be no change in service conditions of nearly 70,000 employees of the erstwhile organisation and the decision to corporatise the OFB is driven by efforts to boost India’s defence manufacturing sector.
Each of the new DPSUs is required to frame rules and regulations related to service conditions of the absorbed employees, the order noted.

Each of the DPSUs should also seek an option for permanent absorption from the employees on deemed deputation to that respective DPSU, within a period of two years, it stated.

The service conditions of the absorbed employees would not be inferior to the existing ones. A committee would be constituted by DDP (Department of Defence Production) for guiding the new DPSUs in this regard so that the absorption package given is attractive, the order mentioned.

All the employees of OFB (Groups A, B, and C), belonging to the production units and also the identified non-production units, are to be transferred en masse to the new DPSUs on terms of foreign service. They will, however, not be provided with any deputation allowance (deemed deputation) initially for a period of two years from the appointed date, an official order stated.
The MoD has set a target of achieving a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 crore in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2024. This includes exports worth Rs 35,000 crore. The new companies will take over the existing OFB orders to the tune of Rs 65,000 crore.

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In a major boost to Defence Production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and towards achieving self-reliance in the critical field of Defence equipment, Goa Shipyard has placed a maiden order on Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for supply of an upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM), the Main gun onboard most Warships of the Indian Navy.

The order envisages supply, installation and commissioning of the entire system – Upgraded SRGM and accessories for Triput Class Frigates of the Indian Navy, which will be manufactured by the Haridwar unit of BHEL.

The upgraded SRGM is a state-of-the-art weapon system having additional features such as capability to manage different types of ammunition to engage fast, manoeuvring and non-manoeuvring, radio controlled targets. The upgraded SRGM has the capability to fire advanced Ammunition with higher range and programmable ammunition.

BHEL has been a reliable supplier of critical equipment and services in the Defence and Aerospace sector for over three decades with the aim of making a major contribution towards self-reliance in these sectors.

Towards this, BHEL has established dedicated, intricate manufacturing and inspection facilities at its manufacturing plants, for production, installation & commissioning and lifecycle support of various products and components. The initiatives taken by BHEL will be a driving force towards the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan of the Government of India.

LCA-Mk2 to Roll Out Next Year

The configuration for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2 has been frozen and steel cutting is expected to begin soon while configuration for the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has been frozen and preliminary design completed, Dr Girish S. Deodhare, Programme Director (Combat Aircraft) & Director, ADA, said at a seminar in New Delhi on 12 September.

“The detailed design is complete. In fact, we are in the critical design review stage and metal cutting should start very shortly. Roll-out of the aircraft (Mk2) is planned next year and the first flight in early 2023. We are well on track to achieve these goals,” Dr Deodhare said.

The aircraft features enhanced range and endurance including an onboard oxygen generation system, which is being integrated for the first time, Dr. Deodhare said.

Heavy weapons of the class of Scalp, Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 will also be integrated on the Mk2. The LCA-Mk2 will be a heavier and much more capable aircraft than the current LCA variants.

The Mk2 is 1,350 mm longer featuring canards and can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared to 3,500 kg the LCA can carry.
In February, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 48,000-crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to supply 83 LCA-Mk1A to the Indian Air Force. In August, the HAL signed a $716 million deal with GE Aviation of the U.S. for 99 F404 aircraft engines and support services to power the Mk-1A. The Mk2 will be powered by a more powerful GE-414 engine.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has one squadron of the LCA in initial operational clearance and deliveries of the second squadron in final operational clearance configuration are under way.

The HAL has already set up a second assembly line to ramp up production from eight aircraft a year to 16. Order for 83 Mk-1A is expected to be completed by 2028-29, Dr. Deodhare said.

Preliminary Design Review of AMCA Completed

According to Dr Girish S. Deodhare, Programme Director (Combat Aircraft) & Director, ADA, the the configuration of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) had been frozen, preliminary service quality requirements finalised and preliminary design review completed. The initial design of the AMCA was started way back in 2009.

“We are moving to critical design review by the middle of next year with the roll-out planned in 2024 and first flight planned in 2025,” he said at a seminar on 12 September, in New Delhi.

The AMCA would be a twin engine stealth aircraft with an internal weapons bay and a diverterless supersonic intake, which has been developed for the first time for which the design is complete.

It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with internal carriage of 1,500 kg of payload and 5,500-kg external payload with 6,500 kg of internal fuel.

The AMCA will have stealth and non-stealth configuration and will be developed in two phases, AMCA Mk1 with existing GE414 engine and an AMCA Mk2 with an advanced, more powerful engine to be developed later along with a foreign partner, Dr. Deodhare added.

The manufacturing and production of the aircraft will be through a special purpose vehicle, which will also have participation of private industry.

Simultaneously, the project for development of a twin-engine deck-based fighter jet meant to fly from the Navy’s aircraft carriers is also making progress. On the various programmes under way, Dr. Deodhare said there was commonality of systems and technologies.

Aerostructures of Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II to be Built in India

Aerospace major Boeing has awarded a contract to India-based Dynamatic Technologies for manufacturing assemblies for its tactical fighter ‘F-15EX Eagle II’. This is a first instance in which aerostructures for F-15EX Eagle II will be made in India. Besides, the contract will given a boost to the ‘Aatmanirbhar’ programme and strengthens US-India collaboration on aerospace and defence industrialisation.

Accordingly, Dynamatic Technologies will supply the F-15EX aerostructure assembly requirements from FY22. The company will manufacture these aerostructures from their manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
According to Boeing India President Salil Gupte: “We see tremendous potential for India to contribute to the global aerospace industry as an industrial and technology partner.”

“The award of aerostructure assemblies for the latest and most advanced version of the F-15 aircraft family is a reflection of Boeing’s focus on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a testimony to the world class capability of our industrial partners in India.”

Army Taps Tonbo Imaging for Specialised Sights

The Army has placed orders with with a Bengaluru-based firm – Tonbo Imaging – for specialised sights under emergency procurement to help some of its elite units operating in both urban warfare and at the borders. The order for two set of sights as part of a spate of emergency procurement being done was placed “recently”.

One contract is for about 600 pieces of multi-functional thermal imaging binoculars for target acquisition and the other is for multi mission-sight, which can be mounted on the helmet and also the weapon.

The contract value is for over Rs 100 crore and the procurement is being done by the Infantry Directorate, adding that while earlier the Northern Command had procured one of these sights for its soldiers in smaller batches, this time the Army Headquarters is doing it.

They also said that there would be a larger procurement order in play if the systems, which have to be delivered in 12 months, perform according to expectations.

The multi-mission sights are lighter and more tuned for close combat.

Tonbo Imaging is one of the few companies in the world to manufacture such systems. Some of their products are deployed at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the ongoing Ladakh standoff for surveillance operations.

When the company initially began commercial operations around 2012, it focused on the global market. Five countries were buying their products before India bought from Tonbo. Founder Arvind Lakshmikumar’s prior work with US’ DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) helped him get recognition of products early on in the US market.

Rolls-Royce, HAL Pact for Adour Engine Parts

Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a “Make in India” agreement, on 14 September, to manufacture parts for Rolls-Royce’s Adour engines that will support the UK-headquartered company’s international defence customer base.
Variants of the Adour engine power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Jaguar fighters as well as its fleet of Hawk advanced jet trainers (AJT). The IAF has the world’s largest serving fleets of both these aircraft. HAL has manufactured and supported Adour engine variants, under licence from Rolls-Roy­ce, over several decades.

However, Rolls-Royce now aims to strengthen the spares and maintenance eco­system for Adour engi­nes in India. Rolls-Royce and HAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Aero India 2021, in February, to establish an Authorised Maintenance Centre for Adour at HAL to support international military customers and operators.

Rolls-Royce underscores a three-point aim in the current initiative. The first is to equip Indian manufacturers with the knowhow, pro­cesses and experience to build complex parts that require a lot of high-technology processes. That would en­hance current capabilities and serve to make India atmanirbhar (self-reliant). Secondly, exporting parts from India would enhance supply chain efficiency and benefit Rolls-Royce’s global operators. Thirdly, since the Adour engines will continue to fly in India for the longest time, a self-sufficient supply chain would be in place to support those older engines.

Thales to Provide Emerging Technologies for Armed Forces

Leading French defence major Thales Group is planning to focus significantly on addressing requirements of the Indian armed forces for new-age cyber security solutions, artificial intelligence and advanced capabilities in big data analytics.

Chairman and CEO of Thales Group Patrice Caine said the company has been looking at expanding its overall footprint in India, particularly in the areas of emerging technologies that will be crucial for the armed forces.

The Indian Army, the Navy and the Indian Air Force have been focusing on acquiring futuristic technologies like nanotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, swarm drones and robotic technologies to deal with future security challenges.

Thales Group is aiming at expanding its overall footprint in India in a number of segments, including in areas of cyber security, artificial intelligence and digital solutions.

India is expected to spend close to $300 billion in the next five years in procuring defence equipment and almost all major global defence firms are eyeing a slice of it.

India is now considered as a key country for sourcing various raw materials for the company’s global production line and it is going to double procurement from the country in the next five years.

Thales is part of the French firms that provided key components for the Rafale jets procured by India. As part of Thales’ offsets commitments under the Rafale deal, the company helped Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in producing modules for the RBE2 radar.

Thales has been providing avionics and other equipment to the state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for over four decades and is involved in supplying equipment for various other key military projects.

Present in India since 1953, Thales has offices in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Mumbai, among others. Over 600 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India.

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Tata Motors announced, on 25 August,  the roll-out of its 1500th GS800 (General Service 800) Safari Storme SUVs specially made for the Indian Armed Forces. The milestone GS800 Safari Storme was rolled out of the company’s manufacturing plant in Pune, Maharashtra, and is part of the 3192 vehicles that the company is supplying to the Indian Army. So far, Tata Motors has already delivered over 1300 units of the 4×4 SUVs, and with the addition of the recent lot, we believe the company will soon complete 50 per cent of its delivery target.

Commenting on the successful roll-out of the 1500th Tata GS800 Safari Storme, Vernon Noronha, Vice President, Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors Limited said, “We, at Tata Motors, take immense pride to roll-out the 1500th GS800 Safari Storme of the 3192 order for the Indian Army. This modern SUV – Tata GS800 is specially customized to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. The continued faith bestowed by the country’s security forces in Tata Motors is a reflection of our pedigree & aspiration to serve the nations challenging requirements on the front lines.”

Cobham to Buy UK Rival Ultra in $3.6 bn Deal

Defence firm Cobham said, on 16 August, that it had agreed to buy Ultra Electronics in a deal valuing its UK-listed rival at 2.57 billion pounds ($3.56 billion), setting out commitments aimed at allaying any potential concerns over national security.

Cobham, which was taken private by U.S. private equity firm Advent last year, said it will safeguard and support the UK’s national security and create new manufacturing and engineering jobs and apprenticeships. It will also protect existing jobs, maintain a UK headquarters and boost investment.

In order to protect Ultra’s businesses and stakeholders, Cobham said it will engage with the British government to agree details of its binding commitments – including their duration and form.

The deal will help Cobham tap the maritime defence market, where Ultra sells sensors and torpedo and radar systems, mainly to Western customers. Ultra also makes a range of defence communication equipment and forensics software.

BrahMos Missile Production Centre to be Set Up in UP

The Uttar Pradesh government, on 24 August, said the “next generation state of the art” BrahMos missiles will be manufactured in the state with the BrahMos Aerospace company planning to set up a plant in the Defence Industrial Corridor.

BrahMos Aerospace had sought 200 acres of land for the project in the Defence Corridor for setting up its BrahMos missile plant. About 500 engineers and technical people will get direct employment in the BrahMos production centre, which will be built by investing Rs 300 crore on the land to be allotted at Lucknow node. About 5,000 people will get indirect employment and 10,000 people will get work through the production centre.

“Research and development work will also be done in these centres. More than 100 BrahMos missiles are planned to be built in the next three years. Due to the BrahMos production centre, many other well-known companies working in the defence sector in the UP Defence Corridor will come to the state,” a statement issued by the government said.

Army Wants Additional Akash Batteries and Dhruv Helos

The Indian Army has sent proposals worth around Rs 14,000 crore to acquire two regiments of the Akash-S air defence missile system and 25 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs).

The proposal is with the Defence Ministry and a decision on the approval is expected soon at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Akash-S missiles are a new variant of the Akash missile system with a new indigenous seeker which helps in improving the accuracy in taking down enemy aircraft and cruise missiles at distances up to 25-30 kms, they said.

The missiles are capable of performing in extreme cold weather conditions in Ladakh and would meet all the requirements of the Indian Army in mountainous and other regions along the boundaries with China and Pakistan.

The DRDO has also recently tested the Akash-New Generation variant of the Akash missile systems which allows the troops to use it for longer range intersection of enemy targets and capability to operate at very high altitude locations along the Northern Borders.

The Army is also looking at acquiring 25 ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopters for its aviation squadrons.

Armed Forces’ Revenue Procurement Powers Expanded

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on 7 September, approved the expansion of financial powers to the armed forces for revenue procurement to cut delays in making purchases for operational preparedness and quickly meet requirements of the field formations.

The delegated financial powers of vice chiefs of the services have been increased by 10 percent subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 500 crore.

The primary focus of the enhanced delegation of financial powers is to empower field commanders and other officials to procure equipment and “war-like stores” in a speedy manner for urgent operational necessities and meeting essential sustenance requirements.

A new schedule on the hiring of aircraft and associated equipment has been introduced for the Indian Air Force which includes the hiring of air-to-air refuellers.

The financial powers of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs Of Staff Committee (CISC) as CFA has been enhanced substantially and aligned with that of the vice chiefs of the services.

New CFAs have been added namely Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Master General Sustenance, ADG (Procurement)/DG Air Operations/DG Naval Operations, etc in service headquarters and in the field formations on account of reorganisation/ restructuring/ functional requirements.

New financial powers have been introduced for Navy and the Indian Air Force for their field commanders in line with the existing “Army schedule on ‘Army Commanders Special Financial Powers’”.

For the Indian Navy, powers for replenishment of disaster management equipment and materials have been delegated to the command level for immediate response to natural disasters and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

Navy, BEL Ink Contract for Anti-drone System

The Indian Navy, on 31 August, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for India’s first locally made naval anti-drone system (NADS) with both “hard kill” and “soft kill capabilities”, the ministry of defence said in a statement. The deal comes two months after small drones were used to target the Jammu air force station on June 27, the first-ever offensive use of drones to target an Indian military facility.

BEL will sign similar contracts with the army and the Indian Air Force, the statement said.

The anti-drone system will give the military both “soft kill” and “hard kill” options to tackle the new and fast-emerging aerial threat. The first refers to jamming the hostile drone, while the second involves a laser-based kill system. The indigenous anti-drone system has been developed by the DRDO and manufactured by BEL. The DRDO said its counter-drone technology could provide the armed forces with the capability to swiftly detect, intercept and destroy small drones that pose a security threat.

“The NADS can instantly detect and jam micro drones and use a laser-based kill mechanism to terminate targets. It will be an effective, all-encompassing counter to the increased drone threat to strategic naval installations,” the statement said.

The system was deployed for VVIP protection duties during Republic Day 2020, the visit of US President Donald Trump to Motera stadium in Ahmedabad, Independence Day 2020, Republic Day 2021 and Independence Day 2021. DRDO demonstrated its counter-drone technology to different security agencies at the Hindon air force station in January 2020 and at the National Security Guard (NSG) campus in Manesar in August 2020 and January 2021.

Mahindra Defence Systems Bags Contract for ASW Suite

Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, on 27 August, said its group firm, Mahindra Defence Systems Limited (MDS) had bagged a contract worth ₹1,349.95 crore for manufacturing of Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Defence Suite (IADS) for modern warships of Indian Navy.

“IADS is a high-end underwater equipment that uses latest technology. It is designed to detect and protect warships from underwater threats. It is a versatile system capable of operations from all sizes of warships – small, medium, and large. The complex array of sensors in water undertakes surveillance, and provides inputs for signal processing and analysis, to enable necessary action,” the statement said.

Mahindra Defence will be supplying 14 IADS systems for the Indian Navy warships, it added.

“The IADS comes with an integrated capability for detecting enemy submarines and torpedoes at extended ranges as well as diverting incoming torpedoes fired by enemy submarines,” the Ministry said.

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