Mahindra gears up for military march

 (Business Standard) : Taps into group synergies for bigger defence play with expertise in sectors as diverse as auto and infotech, the $12.5-billion Mahindra Group is tapping into group synergies to roll out its next big bet in the Indian defence space.
The Indian Army’s future infantry combat vehicles programme, a $12-billion order to supply 2,600 vehicles, may actually see this playing out on the ground. Mahindras are among the four shortlisted entities, and if selected will actually see group entities Mahindra Satyam and Mahindra Systech collaborating with the defence division. Mahindra Engineering Services, a part of Mahindra Systech, is working on the automotive design aspects, while Mahindra Satyam is creating the information technology backbone, or “battlefield management systems” in the defence parlance. Systech’s role as a key component vendor will increase, once the entire supply chain is put in place.
“We saw defence as an emerging mega trend over a decade back. And, today, Mahindra Defence System (MDS), an operating group under Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) itself, is poised to handle bigger and integrated solutions that are much in demand. We now have the necessary state of readiness to achieve scale and be commercially viable, and can exploit the group advantage,” said Anand Mahindra, vice-chairman and managing director of M&M.
India is planning to spend $80-100 billion in defence capital purchases over the next decade. Currently, 70 per cent of this gets imported, though the political establishment has been trying to gradually open up to the Indian private sector.
But Mahindra was rather conservative while outlining the business prospects. “This is a sector where the opportunity is worth billions of dollars. But unlike retail, there is no predictability of orders or easy foreseeable demand patterns. I see this piece to be at least half a billion dollars for us alone in the near term,” he said.
The plans are not just on paper or restricted to prototypes. Already, 1,000 legacy armoured vehicles of MDS have been rolled out for various government services.
In fact, the Mahindras’ defence play is now becoming far more evolved. Defence Land Systems India (DLSI), Mahindra’s 74:26 joint venture with global defence and security company BAE Systems, has reached an inflection point, with the commercial roll-outs of its mine protection vehicles (MPVs), a first for the Indian private sector.
“It’s not about slapping steel. These MPVs are significantly different from our other auto platforms. We have altered the chassis, which has been supplied by Russian truck manufacturer Ural, and have indigenised the manufacturing to make it custom-made for Indian conditions,” said Mahindra.
The alliance with BAE has helped in technology and product capability transfer from BAE’s South African arm, OMC.
From its Faridabad facility, the first batch of six MPV-I vehicles will be headed for Jharkhand to assist armed forces in counter insurgency operations. Already, states like Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have shown interest. “We are also expecting follow-on orders from Jharkhand,” said Khutub Hai, managing director and chief executive officer of DLSI. “The ministry of home affairs has a requirement of around 300 MPVs, for which request for proposals will be issued shortly.”
“Our vehicles are the most powerful in the category. It seats more people (16+2), as opposed to 10+2 in others. It also has a much higher level of improvised explosive device protection,” explained Hai.
According to Mahindra, BAE is the partner for all initiatives in land systems and depending on demand dynamics, it may even extend to include light artillery weapons like howitzers. But company officials said over the next year, series of initiatives were being planned for a much bigger and diversified interest.
The naval systems piece will get hived off into a wholly owned subsidiary, after which other global joint venture partners are likely to come on board. These partnerships can either be for specific projects or be omnibus in nature. The concentration here will mainly be for niche products of under water weapon systems, but maritime patrol boats could also be looked into. Mahindra Odyssea is already into the powerboats business.
To bridge the gap in defence electronics, M&M is looking at acquiring specialised companies. These buyouts will help integrate the electronics piece with the land, naval and the aerospace verticals. This, in turn, will be the catalyst to develop capabilities for manufacturing complex weapons systems and sub-systems.
Even with BAE, the scope is much larger. The common objective is to leverage India’s low-cost manufacturing and emerge as a hub for a bigger global supply chain. India, however, will be the dominant market to cater to. In this game plan, if required, existing partners or global arms like Navistar and SsangYong can also come on board.

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Next test of Russia's Bulava missile set for Aug. 27 - source

A state commission has scheduled the next test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile for August 27, a source in the commission told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
The launch from the Borey class Yury Dolgoruky strategic submarine was originally planned for August 20, but was postponed until the submarine was ready for the next round of missile tests.
"The members of the state commission have decided to resume the tests of the Bulava missile and set August 27 as the date for the next test launch for its maximum range from the Yury Dolgoruky nuclear submarine," the source said.
Russia has carried out 15 test launches of the Bulava. Only eight of them were successful.
The first test launch of the Bulava from the Yuri Dolgoruky was conducted on June 28, 2011. Before that the missiles were fired from the Typhoon class Dmitry Donskoy submarine.
The Bulava (SS-NX-30) submarine-launched ballistic missile carries up to 10 MIRV warheads and has a range of over 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles). The three-stage missile is specifically designed for deployment on Borey class nuclear submarines.
The Russian military is planning to conduct four additional tests of the missile before putting it into service by the end of 2011.

RIA Novosti

China deploys N-capable CSS-5 MRBMs on Indian border: US

WASHINGTON (PTI): China has deployed more advanced and survivable solid-fuel nuclear capable CSS-5 MRBM missiles against India as a 'deterrent posture', Pentagon has said warning that a high degree of mistrust continues to strain their bilateral ties.

The PLA has replaced liquid-fueled, nuclear-capable CSS-2 IRBMs with more advanced and survivable solid-fueled CSS-5 MRBM systems to strengthen its deterrent posture relative to India, the Pentagon has said in its annual report on Chinese military build up to the Congress.

The report also says that Beijing is pumping in huge investments on border infrastructure developments laying more roads and rail network along the Sino-Indian border.

"Although this construction is primarily aimed at facilitating economic development in western China, improved roads could also support PLA border defense operations," it said.

Pentagon said that New Delhi remains concerned by China's close military ties with Pakistan and its growing footprints in the Indian Ocean, Central Asia and Africa.

brahmand

Agni-II ready for testing from Wheeler Island

(Time of India) : BALASORE: India is all set to test its 2,000-km range Agni-II missile from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast next week. The test will be conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army.
Defence officials said preparations for the scheduled test are on at the launching complex since the past one week. A team of Army personnel and scores of DRDO scientists are camping here for the crucial test. "Agni-II's user training trial is likely to be conducted any time between August 29 and 30 to give the necessary confidence to the armed forces that the two-stage, solid-fuelled missile can be fired whenever required," said a defence scientist.
The indigenously built weapon is a two-stage solid propelled ballistic missile that weighs 17 tonne and is 20 metre long. It can carry a payload of 1 tonne over a distance of 2,000 km. Agni-II was developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories. The missile is part of the Agni series, which included Agni-I with a 700-km range and Agni-III with a 3,500-km range. While Agni-I and Agni-II have been already inducted, Agni-III is in the process of induction.
Agni-II is a ready-to-fire missile with a launch time of about 15 minutes. The missile uses solid propulsion booster and liquid propulsion upper state. The strap-down inertial navigation system provides the necessary guidance, accuracy and uses an advanced composite structure for protecting the payload during the re-entry phase.
The missile technologists are leaving no stone unturned to make this trial of Agni-II missile successful as the fear of technological glitches haunts them. Agni-II, an already-proven missile, had developed snags twice consecutively during user training exercises in 2009, putting the entire DRDO fraternity in an embarrassing situation.
However, during a similar test on May 17 last year, the missile was claimed to be tested successfully.
The scientist said the DRDO was working on multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles technology for the Agni series of ballistic missiles, which would help the missiles carry a bunch of nuclear warheads in a single payload, each of which can hit different targets along separate trajectories.

Large Su-34 Fleet In Russian Aircraft Plan

(Aviationweek) : Money alone cannot reinvigorate an air force after years of neglect—that is the painful lesson the Russian military is learning as it and the domestic industry work to modernize the country’s air force.
The influx of funding in the past two years has undoubtedly benefited industry, triggering a reversal of fortunes. But it also has brought to the forefront a raft of new problems, including how to meet the timetable for replenishing the air force fleet.
The size of the appetite for fighters was underscored by Russian air force chief Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, who says the service is looking to field five squadrons of Su-34s, or around 120 aircraft. The fighter program languished in development for years; the first operational unit was only established recently, more than a decade late. Four of the aircraft were handed over last year and six are due to be delivered this year, with 12 to follow each year thereafter.
But Zelin is concerned about fielding plans for the Su-35, Russia’s latest fighter, which is seen as an important element in the fleet renewal plan and also as a capability gap-filler until the fifth-generation T-50 arrives. The Su-35 program has suffered development delays, in part because of a ground accident with the third prototype three years ago that destroyed the aircraft, but also due to concern in the service that the Su-35 will not meet the Russian air force’s specifications. The fighter was initially designed for the export market when Russia’s industry was unable to secure funding at home.
Pressure is mounting on the Su-35 program also because of the aggressive time line that has been set for the T-50, which Zelin describes as the service’s top fighter priority. Two aircraft are in flight trials and United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) President Mikhail Pogosyan promises two more will be delivered this year. Plans call for the first preproduction T-50 to be handed over in 2013, with the production standard aircraft to become available in 2014-15.
But behind the scenes, military officials worry that the T-50 development and production milestones cannot be met, and they feel the Su-35 needs to be fielded quickly to address immediate equipment concerns.
In many respects, the Su-35 also serves as a technology pathfinder for the T-50. Both use the same Article 117S engines and their radar technology shares a heritage. The Su-35’s Irbis-E has a 350-400-km (220-250-mi.) detection range for targets with a 3-sq.-meter (33-sq.-ft.) radar signature and is both electronically and mechanically scanned. It has the ability to track up to 30 targets simultaneously and engage eight at the same time.
The Su-35’s laser targeting pod in particular could act as a trailblazer for the T-50. Plans call for the stealth fighter to use the large Article 110KS pod developed by UOMZ, although it would compromise the aircraft’s low observability. The Su-35, on the other hand, will likely use an internally mounted system, with a low radar cross section, that could migrate to the T-50.
Also helping to bolster the arsenal in the near term is a pending order for additional Su-30s. The Russian air force is expected to buy 28 Su-30SMs, the Russian version of the Su-30MKI Irkut has sold to the Indian air force. The Su-30SM would retain Western equipment from companies such as Thales and Safran in a rare departure from Russia’s emphasis on using domestic suppliers, says an industry official. The yet-to-be-announced contract for Su-30SMs also is expected to include an option for 12 aircraft, potentially to meet a not fully defined requirement from Russia’s navy aviation arm.
The concerns about fielding time lines go beyond the combat aircraft realm. Zelin notes that the Il-476 transport is due to be in service in 2013 but says,“we would like to have it earlier.” The current development activity will not allow that.
The fleet replacement worries are further illustrated by the troubles with the Tu-22M bombers belonging to the Russian navy’s air arm, which now fall under control of the air force. Obsolescence of engine parts has created a maintenance nightmare for the fleet and prompted the military to restart parts production of critical powerplant components. Zelin sees progress on this front and says that once the situation is improved the aircraft may be reassigned to the navy.
But there are limits to Russia’s appetite for new equipment. Despite the hopes of industry players such as MiG that the Russian air force will buy into a light fifth-generation fighter program, that does not look promising. Zelin suggests that more likely would be the acquisition of MiG-35s, which were initially developed for India. However, he tempers the prospect by noting that the issue is secondary to the T-50.

Russia delays delivery of three stealth frigates: Antony

NEW DELHI (PTI): The acquisition of three Talwar class stealth frigates for Indian Navy from Russia has been delayed by one year to 14 months, government said Wednesday.

It also said the delivery of aircraft carrier "Gorshkov", which has been named 'INS Vikramaditya' is expected in December next year.

"Rosoboronexport (the Russian company) has intimated that the delivery of ships would be delayed by 12 months for the first ship, 11 months for the second ship and 14 months for the third one," Defence Minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha.

On delivery of arms from Russia, Antony said, "A contract was signed with Rosoboronexport in 2006 for acquisition of three Talwar class follow-on ships and the delivery schedule for these three ships was April 2011, October 2011 and April 2012."

In a written reply, he said that two major cases of shipbuilding project with Rosoboronexport, 'Gorshkov' aircraft carrier and Talwar class warships, have been delayed.

"The induction of Gorshkov was rescheduled due to additional works such as renewal of almost all equipment and systems, hull structures, cabling and application of long-life paint to afford greater protection to its steel plating and formulation of detailed scope of harbour, sea and aircraft trials," he said.

On Talwar class ships, Antony said, "The delays are primarily on account of non-availability of adequate skilled manpower at the shipyard to undertake concurrent construction of these vessels and the delays in delivery of Russian-origin equipment."

The issues relating to delay of supply of defence equipment from Russia are taken up in various bilateral fora such as High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC), Indo-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGCMTC) meetings and in the Project Review Meetings, he said.

brahmand

S Korea receives 3 more F-15K Slam Eagles

(BNS): The South Korean Air Force received three F-15K Slam Eagle aircraft from Boeing at Daegu Air Base.

"We are pleased to receive the latest three F-15K Slam Eagles, F-15K 51, 52 and 53, from Boeing. The F-15K is one of our most important assets in defence of the peninsula. We are satisfied with the continued on-schedule, quality deliveries of our F-15K Slam Eagles from Boeing," Lt. Col. Tae Uk Kim, Commander of the 110th Squadron, 11th Fighter Wing, ROKAF, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

Boeing delivered the first six of 21 F-15Ks it is producing under the Next Fighter II contract in 2010, followed by two in April and two more in May. The remaining eight aircraft will be delivered through April 2012.

The F-15K is an advanced variant of the combat-proven F-15E. Equipped with the latest technological upgrades, it is extremely capable, survivable and maintainable.

The aircraft’s service life is planned through 2040, with technology insertions and upgrades throughout its life cycle. Boeing completed delivery of 40 Next Fighter I F-15K aircraft to the South Korean Air Force in October 2008.

brahmand

Russia’s State Arms Program Provides Construction of Ten Yasen Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines

Russia’s State Arms Program 2011-2020 provides construction of ten Project 885 Yasen nuclear-powered attack submarines, reports ITAR-TASS referring to a source in Military Industrial Committee at Russian Government.
The mentioned submarines will be armed with supersonic cruise missiles, such as Onyx, rocket torpedoes, and torpedoes. “Use of different munitions is provided, both nuclear and conventional”, pointed out the source.
Initially, Russian Navy was supposed to receive 30 Yasen-class subs, but later purchase amount was reduced down to 6 subs due to lack of financing. As is expected, the first Project 885 submarine SSN Severodvinsk would be delivered to the Navy till the current year is over. That submarine was laid down in 1993. Presently, Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk) builds the second Yasen-class sub keel-laid in 2009 – SSN Kazan – under upgraded project Yasen-M.
Hull length of Yasen-class submarines is 119 meters; displacement is 13,800 tons; endurance is 100 days; max speed is 31 knots; armament includes ten 650-mm and 533-mm torpedo tubes and 24 launchers for “ship-to-ship” and “ship-to-land” missiles. In addition, submarines of this project will be armed with cruise missiles with operational range of hundreds km.

:  NavalToday

Iran Unveils New Marine Missile, Torpedo

(Defenseworld) : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled a short range marine missile and a torpedo system on Tuesday as Iran marked its annual "Defence Industry Day," state media reported.

      "Qader (Able) missile, built by the capable hands of Iranian experts, is a marine cruise missile with a 200 kilometre (120 mile) range, possessing high destructive ability which can be used against coastal targets and warships," the state television website reported.

      Ahmadinejad also unveiled a torpedo system called "Valfajr (The Dawn) to be used by submarines.

      It has a payload of 220 kilograms (485 pounds) and can be used in shallow and deep water, the website said, adding that the unveiling ceremony was held at Malek Ashtar University in Tehran which has close links to the Revolutionary Guards, the elite military force.

      Ahmadinejad said Iran's arsenal was not aimed at any nations and would only be used to fend off possible aggressions.

      "We do not want to use our military might to conquer lands and dominate humanity," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying in the unveiling ceremony.

      "The best deterrence is that enemy does not dare aggression and must be so certain of a decisive response that it does not contemplate" an attack, he added.

Israel to deploy third Iron Dome following more intercepts

(FlightGlobal) : The Israeli air force will deploy its third Rafael-produced Iron Dome mobile air defence system in September, the nation's government has announced.
Using a current two batteries, the air force has succeeded in intercepting 90% of the BM-21 Grad 122mm and Kassam rockets that have been launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip.
They have destroyed 20 rockets that had assumed a trajectory likely to come down on populated areas, while others judged as not posing a risk were ignored.

Israel fielded its first Iron Dome near Ashqelon in early April.
According to an emergency plan its air force will by the end of 2013 operate nine systems, to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells.
The US administration recently approved a special $205 million budget for the emergency procurement.
Each Iron Dome system features a tracking radar, battle management and weapons control unit and a missile firing unit armed with interceptors capable of tackling threats over a range of up to 70km (38nm).
These are intended to avoid collateral damage by detonating the target's warhead well away from the defended area.
According to foreign sources, Singapore has already purchased the Iron Dome system, with other countries also showing interest following its successful real-life intercepts.
Raytheon, on 16 August, announced that it has teamed with Rafael to offer the equipment for use by the US military.
"Iron Dome complements other Raytheon weapons that provide intercept capabilities to the US Army's counter rocket, artillery and mortar initiative at forward operating bases," said Mike Booen, vice president of Raytheon missile systems' advanced security and directed energy systems product line.

Army plans mountain strike corps to counter China

New Delhi: The Indian Army is planning to set up a mountain strike corps and is talking to various states against the backdrop of a Chinese build up of military infrastructure on its side of boundary.
“We are in talks with the governments of states including Assam, West Bengal and Bihar for setting up the Mountain Corps headquarters, which would require at least 4,000 to 5,000 acres of land,” senior army sources said here.
Around 10-12 locations in these states have been identified by the army to set up the formation, they said.
The Mountain Strike Corps is being planned by the army after it established two new Mountain Infantry Divisions for the northeastern region.
The two new divisions, with 1,260 officers and 35,011 soldiers, have their headquarters in Zakama in Nagaland and Missamari in Assam.
The army is also looking to deploy ultra-light howitzers and light tanks along the Line of Actual Control in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The IAF, on its part, has already based Sukhoi-30MKI fighters at airbases like Tezpur and Chabua. Eastern sector advanced landing grounds (ALGs) like Pasighat, Mechuka, Walong, Tuting, Ziro and Vijaynagar as well as several helipads in Arunachal Pradesh are also now being upgraded, much like western sector ALGs like Daulat Beg Oldi, Fukche and Nyama in eastern Ladakh.
All these developments come against the backdrop of a major build-up of military infrastructure by China all along the border, which includes five fully-operational airbases, an extensive rail network and over 58,000-km of roads in Tibet Autonomous Region.
PTI / First post