The post L&T Advocates for Indigenous 110kN Engine, Seeks Government Support appeared first on IMR.

The post Rafael and L&T Collaborate to Enhance India’s Combat Vehicle Defense  appeared first on IMR.

The post L&T Plans Fighter Jet Production to Address IAF’s Urgent Shortfall  appeared first on IMR.

Having co-designed an indigenous, 25-tonne, light tank, the DRDO has placed a development order on L&T to build the first prototype, say Army sources.

Meanwhile, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) — the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) apex body for capital purchases — has granted an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle agreement, for seven light tank regiments, each equipped with 45 tanks.

The AoN requires L&T — the MoD’s development partner — to build one regiment of light tanks, while the MoD acquires the other six regiments under the “Make” procedure.

The light tank will have a hull, co-developed by DRDO and L&T, that will house an 800 horsepower (HP) engine optimised for high altitudes. The engine will be provided by German firm MTU, which is a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce.

Mounted on this hull will be a 105-millimetre gun turret, procured ready-built from Belgian firm, John Cockerill.

It is intended to marry the DRDO’s expertise in tank design, created while developing the Arjun tank, with the heavy engineering capability of L&T, which is already building the K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery gun system for the army.

The indigenous light tank was initially planned to be built on the chassis of the K-9 Vajra. This, however, was ruled out because the Army placed a weight limit of 25 tonnes on the light tank, while the Vajra’s heavy chassis would take its weight to at least 34-35 tonnes.

The armoured challenge from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakh is centred on China’s new light tank, the agile and versatile ZTQ 105 — also known as the Type 15 –developed by China’s North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) and unveiled during the Zhuhai Air Show in 2016.

The ZTQ 105 has a 105-mm rifled gun that can destroy enemy tanks at ranges of two-to-three kilometres (km). It also fires anti-tank guided missiles to knock out tanks at ranges of five km.

The Indian Army currently uses Russian T-72 and T-90 tanks on the Sino-Indian border. But these hefty, 42-45-tonne main battle tanks are designed for the plains. Movement is difficult for them on steep and narrow mountain roads.

There are also limitations on how much their heavy 120-mm guns can be depressed or elevated, sometimes preventing them from engaging targets on hilltops or in valleys. That is why the Army took only small numbers of T-72 and T-90 tanks into Ladakh to counter the Chinese intrusions in 2020, and used them only sparingly.

In contrast, the Army has a formidable combat tradition of using light tanks in the mountains. In 1944, it used Stuart and Sherman tanks in the battle of Kohima. In 1948, these same tanks pushed back Pakistan forces in the Zoji-la pass. Against China in 1962, the Army used light AMX-13 tanks in the battle of Gurung Hill near Pangong Tso and deployed them in Bomdila and Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh. In the 1971 Bangladesh campaign, French AMX-13 and Soviet PT-76 tanks played a stellar role in the battle of Garibpur.

Although the K-9 Vajra artillery gun is designed for use in plains terrain, the Sino-Indian border tensions in 2020 saw a full regiment of these long-range, self-propelled guns deployed in eastern Ladakh, to increase the army’s long-range firepower.

Their successful deployment prompted the Army to consider diverting significant numbers of K-9 Vajras for use in mountainous terrain. This requires L&T to build 100 more K-9 Vajras; as well as induction of the Ordnance Factory Board’s indigenous 155 mm, 45 calibre Dhanush howitzers, and imported M777 ultralight guns.

To cater for this enhanced firepower, L&T has built 100 K-9 Vajras in Hazira, near Surat, with technology transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha Defense. It handed over the 100th SP howitzer on February 18, 2021, ahead of its contracted date.

Now the MoD is pursuing the “Vajra repeat programme”, which requires L&T to build another 100 K-9 Vajra howitzers. L&T’s proposal is currently before the MoD’s “technical evaluation committee.” The commercial bid is likely to be opened this month.

The post L&T gets order to build prototype of light tank for Sino-India border appeared first on IMR.

According to L&T’s JD Patil, the Light Tank will be ready for testing by mid-2023. “The development is on at full speed,” he said.

The current design being developed by DRDO and L&T is completely ab initio, and not taking Vajra design. While L&T is involved in the development work, it is not assured of a role in the production phase. Developed equipment has to undergo field evaluation trials and emerge successful for the induction clearance, and then production ordering process begins.

The post L&T’s Light Tank Model, Futuristic Systems Displayed appeared first on IMR.

The Army is set to order 100 more K9 Vajra Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer from private defence major Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for their deployment at the northern borders. The threat from a belligerent China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has necessitated this order.

The new order for 100 more 155mm/52 calibre Vajras will be a repeat for the South Korean guns that are manufactured indigenously by L&T at its facility in Gujarat. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued to L&T soon after which the cost negotiations will be carried out.

In 2017, L&T won the Rs 4,500-crore contract to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra under the ‘Make in India’ initiative for which it signed a transfer of technology contract with South Korean company Hanwha Corporation. L&T had delivered all the guns ahead of schedule with the last being handed over in February last year.

According to L&T, K9 Vajra guns have more than 80 per cent indigenous work packages and above 50 per cent indigenisation (by value) at the programme level.

The company says it replaced 14 critical systems in the Korean ‘K9 Thunder’ with indigenously developed and produced systems for the trial gun fielded for user evaluation trials.

The Army is looking for 200 more Vajras but could not have placed a repeat order higher than the original. The new order will be for 100 howitzers and a subsequent order could be placed at a later date once the second order is delivered. The Army’s plan is to eventually have 300 of these guns that were initially bought for the deserts.

With tensions and unarmed combat breaking out at the LAC in May 2020, the Army decided to deploy three of these tracked howitzers in Eastern Ladakh as a trial measure. These guns were fitted with winterisation kits that would enable the howitzers to work in sub-zero temperature even though they were designed to operate in deserts.

The gun system proved its mettle following which the Army deployed a full regiment (20 guns make one regiment) of these howitzers in Eastern Ladakh to add to its fire power.

The winterisation kits consist of nine items including specialised oil, lubricants, heating systems and small changes to the gun’s fire and control system, besides others.

Vajra Trials

The Vajra trials in 2017 by the Army were carried out in deserts and not in high-altitude areas where the howtizer’s systems work differently in rarefied atmosphere and extreme cold.

But when the guns were deployed in Ladakh for trials they performed well surpassing the Army’s expectations.

Two units of K9 were sent to Thar Desert, Rajasthan for firing and mobility test, and competed against Russian 2S19. K9 Thunder achieved all parameters set by the Army while the Russian counterpart failed to do so.

The Army has already bought 145 M777 lightweight howitzers from the US to be deployed exclusively in the mountains. These lightweight howitzers are easily transportable by the Chinook helicopters and can be moved from one valley to another with ease.

Procurement History

Samsung Techwin (later Hanwa Techwin) and Larsen & Toubro announced their partnership to produce the K9 Thunder in India at DEFEXPO 2012. As per the agreement, Samsung Techwin transfered key technologies and the vehicle is manufactured under license in India using 50 per cent of the domestic content such as FCS and communication system.

In September 2015, the Indian Ministry of Defense selected Hanwha Techwin and Larsen & Toubro as preferred bidder to supply 100 K9 Vajra-T to the Indian Army. On 6 July 2016, India agreed in purchasing 100 K9 Vajra-T for $750 million. On 29 March 2017, the Government of India approved budget of $646 million for purchasing 100 K9 Vajra-T. A formal contract of $310 million was signed between Hanwha Techwin and Larsen & Toubro in New Delhi on 21 April 2017.

K9 Vajra-T consist 14 major Indian manufactured systems, 50% of component by value, which include Nub ammunition capable FCS and its storage, communication system, and environment control and NBC protection system. Additional systems were installed such as GPS (Gunner’s Primary Sight) for direct firing capability, and South African APU, which was proven for desert operation—Korean APU was under development phase during Indian trial. The vehicle’s overall design was modified to suitable for operation in desert and high temperature condition, including the change of firing rate to 3 rounds in 30 seconds.

In February 2020, it was reported that IIT Madras along with IIT Kanpur, Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) were working on redesigning an existing 155 mm shell using ramjet propulsion that can cover 60 km+ range. It will be compatible with K9 Vajra-T. The shell will use precision guidance kit for trajectory correction. IIT Madras is ensuring that Munitions India can manufacture the shells.

In May 2021, it was reported that India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation is working with Larsen & Toubro on a light tank using the K9 chassis with 105mm or 120mm gun system to counter China’s Type 15 tank. The light tank variant was opted out as the estimated vehicle weight exceeded 30 ton, limiting the places to operate.

Maritime Air Domain

The Indian Navy has fast-tracked the process of purchasing 26 fighter jets for its two aircraft carriers after evaluating the trial report of the two shortlisted contenders — F/A 18 Super Hornet of Boeing and the Rafale of Dassault Aviation.

The Super Hornets are US-made while the Rafale is manufactured by France. The Navy needs 26 jets for the two aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

The Navy has carried out trials of both the aircraft from its shore-based facility, INS Hansa in Goa, which is a replica of an aircraft carrier deck.

The trial team submitted its report to the Naval headquarters recently after carrying out extensive trials at its Goa-based facility. The evaluation process is at an advanced stage.

The two contenders in the tender have given extensive details of their planes to the Navy and all the issues would be taken into consideration before arriving at the plane to be shortlisted for the carrier-based operations.

The jets are required for operations on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier as the MiG-29s are found to be sufficient only for the operational readiness requirements of the first aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya.

INS Vikrant is without an element of fighter aircraft as trials are supposed to be conducted by the end of this year. The Navy earlier required 57 planes for operations on both the carriers, but the requirement was cut short by more than half in support of indigenous planes.

The Navy is looking at getting the 26 aircraft within three years of the order being placed. Out of the 26, the Navy wants eight two-seaters for training purposes. However, the Rafale is a single-seater, while the Super Hornet comes in both configurations.

One advantage that the Super Hornet has over the Rafale is the foldable wings, which reduce its wing span from 44 feet to 30 feet, making it more flexible to be accommodated. The Super Hornet can carry four anti-ship missiles compared to one on the Rafale. The Super Hornet with a maximum take off weight is 29,900 kg, while the Rafale is 24,500 kg.

Sources said once the Navy zeroes in on the choice, it will likely be a government-to-

government deal like the one for getting 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force.

The navy is looking at an aircraft that can operate from both STOBAR (Short take off- but arrested recovery) and CATOBAR (Catapult Take-off but arrested recovery) aircraft carriers. The STOBAR carriers come with a ski-jump ramp while the CATOBARs are flat deck. Indian Navy’s two carriers INS Vikramaditya and newly inducted INS Vikrant are both STOBAR carriers. The third carrier under planning is likely to be a CATOBAR and keeping that in mind, the navy’s requirement is to have a fighter jet that can operate from both, as the current MiG 29s are limited to the two STOBAR carriers of the Indian Navy.

A CATOBAR carrier can have a bigger impact as it increases range, has more weapons and can operate a variety of aircraft.

Super Hornet and Rafale are suited for CATOBAR carriers but the tests that have taken place are from the navy’s shore-based facility in Goa that has a ski-jump and is identical to the two aircraft carriers India has.

The original Navy plan was to buy 57 fighters but there have been delays. Sources said now the navy is speeding up the process for the critical acquisition of at least 26 aircraft. The Navy currently has a fleet of 40 plus MiG 29 K aircraft but will need replacement at some point of time. With 18-20 aircraft operating from each carrier if a third one indeed gets a go-ahead surely more fighters would be needed. In the Indian Navy’s plans is a third carrier, even though it might be a distant dream as of now. The MiG 29 Ks were inducted in 2010 and the first squadron commissioned in 2013 to operate from INS Vikramaditya.

More BrahMos Missiles for Warships

The Ministry of Defence, on 22 September, signed a Rs 1,700-crore deal with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for acquisition of dual-role capable surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles for deployment on warships of the Indian Navy.

“Providing further impetus to atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) signed a contract with BAPL for acquisition of additional dual-role capable surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles at an overall approximate cost of Rs 1,700 crore under the ‘buy-Indian’ category. Induction of these dual-role capable missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of Indian Navy fleet assets,” said a statement from the MoD.

A combination of the names of Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers, BrahMos missiles are designed, developed and produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia. The first test launch of the initial version of Brahmos took place in 2001. Various types of the BrahMos, including those which can be fired from land, warships and the Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, have already been developed and successfully tested and inducted since then.

The MoD further said: “It is notable that BAPL is making crucial contribution to augment the new generation surface-to-surface missiles with enhanced range and dual-role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks. This contract is going to give further boost to indigenous production of critical weapon system and ammunition with active participation of indigenous industry.”

BrahMos is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine. Its first stage brings the missile to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The liquid ramjet or the second stage then takes the missile closer to three times the speed of sound in cruise phase. The missile has a very low radar signature, making it stealthy, and can achieve a variety of trajectories. The ‘fire and forget’ type missile can achieve a cruising altitude of 15 km and a terminal altitude as low as 10m to hit the target. The enhanced range version of the missile has a range of 4,000km, as compared to the original range of 290km.

Cruise missiles such as BrahMos, called ‘standoff range weapons’, which are fired from a range far enough to allow the attacker to evade defensive fire from the adversary. These weapons are in the arsenal of most major militaries in the world.

Diving Support Vessels

Two Diving Support Vessels (Nistar & Nipun) being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Vishakapatnam for the Indian Navy, were launched on 22 Sep 22.

The Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) are first of the kind, ships indigenously designed and built at HSL for the Indian Navy. The vessels are 118.4 metres long, 22.8 metres at the broadest point and will have a displacement of 9,350 tons.

These ships would be deployed for deep sea diving operations. Additionally, with Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) embarked, the DSVs are designed to undertake submarine rescue operations, in case requirement exists. Furthermore, these ships will be capable of sustained patrolling, conducting Search & Rescue operations and carrying out Helicopter Operations at high seas.

With approximately 80 % indigenous content, the DSV project has generated considerable local employment opportunities and has also promoted indigenisation which in turn will aid in boosting India’s economy.

Third Aircraft Carrier – INS Vishal

The Indian Navy’s second aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, will be fully operational by the end of 2022 and it is likely to move forward with the third aircraft carrier, INS Vishal targeting the year 2030. The added capabilities being envisaged for future carriers could boost our capacity building in terms of maritime security as follows:

 Incorporation of technologies such as the Electromagnetic Air Lift System (EMALS), which was disseminated to India by the US defence company, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Inc. in 2017.

 The Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system is used in advanced aircraft carriers for the purpose of ‘catapulting’ aircraft (especially heavy-weight fighters) and ‘assisting’ their landing back on the carrier using arrestor wires.

 A nuclear power plant to cater to all the energy needs on board and for prolonged deployment.

 Space for housing more fighter aircraft and carrier-borne blade folding AEW aircraft.

 Could fly aerial drones and dock autonomous underwater and surface vehicles.

To counter the recent threats from China and to neutralise the hegemony being demanded by China over Indo Pacific region, getting an upper hand at sea is the way forward for India. By just choking the Malacca Straights in the far east, India can counter China effectively during the discourse of an incident. Deployment of carriers at critical points in oceans could become a game-changer during the time of hot pursuits. Henceforth, India needs to have strategic dominance across Indian Ocean Region for maintaining its interests. With the third carrier, we can ensure the availability of two carriers for deployment at any given time.

These aircraft carriers are slightly cheaper alternatives than overseas military bases. To the  Indian Navy, it assures that in some conflictual situations in the Indo-Pacific region, these fighter aircraft carriers will be available on the ground. They can be deployed for combat requirements and provide a long range of surveillance that cannot be provided by a shore-based asset.

The post Army to Repeat Orders for K-9 Vajra-T Guns appeared first on IMR.

The Army is also trying to fast-track the remaining trials of the indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 155mm/52 calibre howitzers, which were used for the ceremonial firing at the Red Fort on Independence Day.

The new order for 100 more 155mm/52 calibre Vajras will be a repeat for the South Korean guns that are manufactured indigenously by L&T at its facility in Gujarat.

In 2017, L&T won the Rs 4,500-crore contract to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra under the ‘Make in India’ initiative for which it signed a transfer of technology contract with South Korean company Hanwha Corporation.

According to L&T, K9 Vajra are delivered with more than 80 per cent indigenous work packages and above 50 per cent indigenisation (by value) at the programme level.

The company says it had started indigenisation, right from the inception of the programme, by replacing 14 critical systems in the Korean ‘K9 Thunder’ with indigenously developed and produced systems for the trial gun fielded for user evaluation trials.

L&T had delivered all the guns ahead of schedule with the last being handed over in February last year.

Plan is for 200 more Vajras

“We have got the clearance from the Ministry of Defence to order for 100 more Vajras. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued to L&T soon after which the cost negotiations will be carried out. We will fast-track the process and hope to have the deliveries started soon,” a source in the defence and security establishment said.

There could be another order for 100 more Vajras after the new one is executed and that the Army’s plan is to eventually have 300 of these guns that were initially bought for the deserts.

But with the tensions breaking out at LAC in May 2020, the Army decided to deploy three of these tracked howitzers in Eastern Ladakh as a trial measure. These guns were fitted with winterisation kits that would enable the howitzers to work in sub-zero temperature even though they were designed to operate in deserts.

The gun system proved its mettle following which the Army deployed a full regiment (20 guns make one regiment) of these howitzers in Eastern Ladakh to add to its fire power.

“We have already bought winterisation kits for the existing 100 Vajras. The new ones are being bought for the mountains and will come with winterisation kits,” another source explained.

The winterisation kits consist of nine items including specialised oil, lubricants, heating systems and small changes to the gun’s fire and control system, besides others.

Vajras were originally meant for deserts 

When the Army did the trials for Vajras before it placed the order in 2017, it was carried out in deserts and not in high-altitude areas where the howtizer’s systems work differently in rarefied atmosphere and extreme cold.

“When the Ladakh crisis started, we had to rethink our strategy. We put these guns in Ladakh for trials and they performed well surpassing our expectations. And hence, we have decided to go in for more,” a third source said.

Sources explained that the Army is looking for 200 more Vajras but could not have placed a repeat order higher than the original. They added the new order will be for 100 howitzers and a subsequent order could be placed at a later date once the second order is delivered.

Because these are powerful tracked howitzers, the Army can deploy them extensively in the mountains too giving it more firepower.

The Army has already bought 145 M777 lightweight howitzers from the US to be deployed exclusively in the mountains. These lightweight howitzers are easily transportable by the Chinook helicopters and can be moved from one valley to another with ease.

The post Army to order another 100 K9 Vajra howitzers from L&T appeared first on IMR.

The event was flagged off by BHVS Narayana Murthy, the Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG-MSS) of the DRDO at TASL’s Vemagal facility in Karnataka. The event was participated by Bharat Electronics Ltd, Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency, L&T and multiple MSME partners in the programme. TASL has also supplied 49 Akash Launchers earlier to the Indian Army.

Sukaran Singh, the managing director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TASL said, “The successful delivery of the 100th AAFL is a major milestone for TASL and the Indian defence manufacturing sector. It marks the successful establishment of serial production after completing product development. The repeat order of AAFL being executed shows the user’s continued satisfaction and confidence in the operational performance of the indigenously developed and produced AAFL system.”

Jayant Patil, the Whole Time Director (Defence and Smart Technologies) at L&T said, “L&T has remained singularly focused on offering indigenously designed, developed and manufactured defence systems to our armed forces. Delivery of the 100th AAFL system, a major milestone toward the iconic Akash missile programme, epitomises the contribution made by the Indian industry toward the vision of an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.”

He added that this milestone is a testimony to the core strengths and hard work by the Indian industry teaming up in a public-private partnership to deliver a force-multiplying Akash Air Defence system to the Indian Air Force.

The AAFL is a multi-technology weapon launch platform for air defence missiles, jointly developed under the IGMDP Programme of the DRDO by TASL and L&T and produced collaboratively. It comprises a self-powered and fully-automated electro-mechanical launching system mounted on a trailer and towed by a prime-mover. It is a fully ruggedized all-weather day and night system capable of operating in harsh environmental and terrain conditions.

The post Tata, L&T deliver 100th missile launcher for IAF’s Akash project appeared first on IMR.

Submarine launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a relatively new concept with few nations around the world having the capability to operate such systems. They are also a complex design and development project given that the drone will need to navigate through water before taking to the air for flight.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) signed a memorandum of understanding with NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) at the `Drone Mahotsav’ event held in the capital, on 27-28 May 2022, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This will comprise of an underwater component and an airborne component and will be one of the most futuristic product development efforts to come out of India. Globally, the United States has deployed this capability on their submarines to close a viable ‘kill chain’ for their underwater launched weapons to target surface and land targets,” sources said. The Indian Navy had recently floated a requirement for such a system through the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) Technology Development Fund.

L&T brings in its significant capability in underwater systems to the project, having worked extensively on Indian nuclear armed submarines of the Arihant-class. NewSpace Research, which recently closed a Rs 150 core series ‘A’ funding from Indian venture funds, is already working on different UAV projects. This includes a joint development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to develop a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) UAV and an air launched swarm drone system.

The post L&T signs up with start-up to develop submarine launched UAVs appeared first on IMR.

Submarine launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are a relatively new concept with few nations around the world having the capability to operate such systems. They are also a complex design and development project given that the drone will need to navigate through water before taking to the air for flight.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) signed a memorandum of understanding with NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) at the `Drone Mahotsav’ event held in the capital which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This will comprise of an underwater component and an airborne component and will be one of the most futuristic product development efforts to come out of India. Globally, the United States has deployed this capability on their submarines to close a viable ‘kill chain’ for their underwater launched weapons to target surface and land targets,” sources said. The Indian Navy had recently floated a requirement for such a system through the Defence Research and Development (DRDO) Technology Development Fund.

L&T brings in its significant capability in underwater systems to the project, having worked extensively on Indian nuclear armed submarines of the Arihant-class. NewSpace Research, which recently closed a Rs 150 core series ‘A’ funding from Indian venture funds, is already working on different UAV projects. This includes a joint development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to develop a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) UAV and an air launched swarm drone system.

The post L&T signs up with start-up to develop submarine launched UAVs appeared first on IMR.