US offers to co-develop new Javelin missile with India

US Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, who arrives in India on a two-day visit on Monday, has masterminded a proposal that could dramatically boost US-India defence relations. The US department of defense (Pentagon) has written to India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), proposing the two countries collaborate in jointly developing a next-generation version of the Javelin anti-tank missile.

India has been offered a specific share of the development programme and requested to respond by a specific date. If India chooses not to participate, the Pentagon would go ahead with the programme on its own.

Last year, Carter had proposed US companies join hands with Indian partners in setting up manufacturing facilities for five major systems in India. These include the MH-60 Romeo multi-role helicopter, built by Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin; a delivery system for scatterable mines; and the M-45 127-mm rapid-fire naval gun. Later, the US proposed co-producing the Javelin missile, built by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

New Delhi has not yet responded to the proposal. Now, Carter has raised the ante with his proposal for co-developing the next-generation Javelin.

India has a successful co-development project with Russia for the BrahMos cruise missile, and with Israel for the long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) and medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM). But with the US, India has only bought equipment over the counter. American equipment has not even been manufactured in India with technology transfer, far less co-developed.

Speaking anonymously, US officials confirmed the co-development proposal would be on Carter’s discussion agenda during his meetings in New Delhi on Tuesday. Carter would meet a host of Indian officials, including National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.

Senior MoD sources told Business Standard the US co-development proposal for the next-generation Javelin had been received and was being evaluated.

A senior DRDO source confirmed the US offer. “DRDO welcomes co-development of advanced weapon systems, provided there is real technological collaboration involved. India needs to fill its technology gaps and co-development should ensure both partners build upon their mutual strengths,” he said.

Carter’s proposal is part of a 15-month-old American push to intensify its defence relationship with India. Earlier, in response to New Delhi’s interest in the Javelin, the US state department had said fulfilling India’s requirement would “alter the regional military balance”. Worse, Washington refused to transfer key technologies New Delhi insisted upon as a part of the deal.

That approach changed dramatically since June 2012, when then US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta nominated Carter to break down the bureaucratic barriers in Washington that impeded the US-India defence relationship, which Washington had determined was pivotal to America’s future in Asia. A formal mechanism called the DTI — tellingly, the US called it the defence trade initiative, while India referred to it as defence technology initiative — was set up. Carter co-chairs the initiative, along with Shivshankar Menon.

A close watcher of the Pentagon says Carter has pushed the US bureaucracy hard to change its approach towards India. Earlier, US officials regarded India as just another non-NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) country, one with which America did not even have a formal alliance and which was unwilling to sign cooperative agreements with the US. “Before Carter got to work, releasing technology to India required a comprehensive justification to be made out. By April 2013, Pentagon officials needed to justify why a particular technology could not be released to India,” said the Pentagon watcher.

Now, the Javelin is a focus area for Carter. At one stage, MoD was close to buying a rival missile, the Israeli Spike, for its $1-1.5-billion tender for 8,400 missiles and 321 launcher units for the army’s 350-plus infantry units. But the MoD, wary of a single-vendor buy, ordered a “technology scan” to ascertain whether there was no missile in the market other than the Spike.

The FGM-148 Javelin, jointly built by US companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, is the world’s premier man-portable, anti-tank missile. It gives infantrymen, highly vulnerable to enemy tanks on the battlefield, a weapon with which to destroy heavy armoured vehicles from a distance of 2.5 km.

But the Israeli Spike, while not nearly as capable, is likely to be a good deal cheaper. If the MoD chooses price over capability, the Spike is likely to emerge the winner. “But if the MoD agrees to Washington’s co-development proposal, the Javelin would become the clear frontrunner for the $1-1.5-billion Indian contract. That is now a realistic prospect,” says a member of the US defence industry.

Business Standard

Agni-V missile successfully test launched from Wheeler Island off Odisha coast

India on Sunday conducted a second test flight of its indigenously developed nuclear- capable 'Agni-V' long-range ballistic missile, which has a strike range of more than 5000 km, from the Wheeler Island off Odisha coast.

The three stage, solid propellant missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from the launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 8:50am, defence sources said.

The surface-to-surface missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne, witnessed an 'auto launch' and detail results of the trial will be known after thorough analyses of all data retrieved from different radars and network systems, they said.

"The sleek missile, within a few seconds of its blast-off from the Island launch pad, roared majestically into a clear sunny sky leaving behind a trail of thin orange and white column of smoke and within seconds it pierced into sky," said an eye-witness to the launch.

Today's launch, conducted in the presence of defence scientists and experts, was the second developmental trial of the long range missile while the first test was conducted on 19 April, 2012 which was a total success.

The indigenously developed missile Agni-V is capable of striking a range of more than 5000 km. It is about 17 meter long and 2 metres wide with launch weight of around 50 tonnes.

Unlike other missiles of indigenously built Agni series, the latest one 'AGNI-V' is the most advanced version having some new technologies incorporated with it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.

Many new technologies developed indigenously were successfully tested in the first Agni-V trial. The redundant navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) had ensured the missile reach the target point within few meters of accuracy.

The high speed onboard computer and fault tolerant software along with robust and reliable bus guided the missile flawlessly, said a defence official.

In the Agni series, India at present has Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with 2000 km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2500 km to more than 3500 range.

After some more trials, Agni-V will be inducted into the services, the sources said.  - Times of india

Russian Missiles for India’s Rafales?

Russia’s Tactical Missile Corporation is negotiating with Dassault Aviation for the possible use of its missiles on the Rafale combat jets that have been selected by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The corporation, whose Russian acronym is TRV, told journalists attending last week’s Maks airshow in Moscow that the Indian air force has large stocks of Russian air-launched weapons, which drives its interest in adapting them to the French warplane. Although the Rafale was named as the winner of India’s MMRCA competition in January 2012, a firm contract has still not been signed.
Dassault did not respond to AIN’s request for comment.
In the RFP for the MMRCA, India stipulated that the first 18 aircraft be delivered with a full complement of integrated weapons. The Rafales would presumably therefore be delivered with MBDA missiles such as the Mica AAM, Scalp ASM and Exocet AshM. But the RFP also required vendors to “integrate additional weapons of the IAF’s choice, as required.”
It seems likely that the IAF and TRV are looking at future upgrades to the Rafale. But the matter could be one more complication that is preventing a conclusion of the Indian Rafale deal. The other complications have included the allocation of responsibility and liability between Dassault and Team Rafale partners such as MBDA, Thales and Sagem and Indian industrial partner companies, including the role to be played by government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd; and the precise terms of the production licenses to be granted to India. Dassault CEO Eric Trappier described the negotiations as “an uphill task” last June, but nevertheless predicted a successful conclusion by the end of this year.
There are several previous instances of Russian weapons being adapted to French warplanes. For example, Mirage F1EQ fighters of the Iraqi air force carried Kh-29L and other air-ground smart munitions, and South African Air Force Mirage F1s carried R-73E short range air-to-air missiles.

 Ainonline

India to buy 6 more C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft from US for over Rs 4,000 crore

The Defence Ministry on Friday gave its nod for purchase of six more C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft from the US in a deal worth over Rs 4,000 crore.
The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister A.K. Antony cleared the deal and it will now go to Cabinet Committee on Security for the final approval, sources said.
The DAC also cleared a proposal for placing an order for 235 T-90 tanks worth Rs 6,000 crore with the Ordnance Factory Board. These battle tanks would be manufactured under the Transfer-of-Technology agreement India has signed with Russia.
The Indian Air Force already has six C-130J planes, which it had acquired at a cost of around 1.06 billion USD and are deployed at its Hindon airbase.
The new lot of six planes will be located at Panagarh in West Bengal, which would be headquarters of the proposed Mountain Strike Corps of the army along the China border.
The CCS had cleared the army's proposal for raising the Corps, which is expected to cost Rs 62,000 crore, in its meeting on July 17. Like the first lot, the purchase of six more aircraft will be through the foreign military sales route between India and the US governments.
The aircraft is capable of airdropping commandos and material in darkness due to its night-vision imaging. It can prove very handy in wartime due to its ability for special air operations and transport of material and supplies.
During peacetime, it can be used in mountainous terrain in hostile circumstances. The four-engine plane with Rolls Royce engines has the technology and configuration to perform low-level precision flying.
It was recently used in rescue operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand. 

deccanchronicle

Army to raise armoured corps in WB

Following frequent incursions by China violating the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army is planning to set up an armoured corps base in north Bengal.

Following intelligence reports and Chinese activity along the LAC, the Indian Army has marked parts of north Bengal and north-east region of the country, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as its own territory, as a ‘sensitive zone’.
A senior army official recently met West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after she came down to Siliguri from the hills of Darjeeling and asked for 200 acres of land next to the Binaguri army cantonment in north Bengal.
He held a closed door meeting with Banerjee and apprised her of the situation and speed up handing over the land to establish an armoured corps division in the area. He stressed the need saying that China was actively increasing its influence in bordering Bhutan and Nepal, according to military intelligence reports.
China, he said, was carrying out many charitable activities and imparting free education through some voluntary organisations next to the LAC, and using them to carry out espionage activities in the region. China is also spending huge sums of money in setting up Buddhist monasteries in the region, he informed Banerjee.
The army plans not only to increase its personnel but also have an armoured crops division with tanks and large number of armoured vehicles.
The Indian Army currently has 63 armoured corps regiments and taking into account China’s military plans has also raised the Ladakh Scouts. In view of the recent developments it might raise another armoured corps regiment armed with MBT Arjun tanks and armoured vehicles to be deployed in north Bengal.
Though Banerjee, it was learnt, gave a patient hearing to the senior army official, she kept silent about acquiring land as her government was opposed to take away land from farmers.
However, a defence ministry official here remarked: “Not acquiring land from farmers for industry might be the chief minister’s policy for vote bank politics but this is a case of national security. The country’s security can never be compromised because of populism.
“We need the land as soon as possible to expand our base as we have been receiving disturbing reports about Chinese activities across the border in this region not only from military intelligence but also from other agencies of the central government,” he said.

 freepressjournal

US set to bag $5bn defence deals

Having already bagged Indian defence contracts worth over $8 billion in recent years after muscling out Russia, Israel and France, the US is now headed towards clinching another four major deals worth almost $5 billion.

Defence ministry sources on Thursday said the deals for six more C-130J " Super Hercules" aircraft ($1.2 billion), 22 Apache attack helicopters ($1.4 billion), 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers ($885 million) and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters (around $1 billion) "are in the final stages" now.

India will convey this to US deputy secretary of defence Ashton B Carter when he arrives here next week. Carter, who will hold talks with defence minister A K Antony, national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and defence secretary R K Mathur, is the Obama administration's "point man" for expanding defence trade with India as a cornerstone of the bilateral strategic ties.

"The deals should be inked within this financial year (2013-2014) despite budgetary constraints. The C-130J deal, for instance, is likely to go to the Cabinet Committee on Security in October-November," said a source.

The aircraft and howitzer deals will be direct government-to-government contracts under the US foreign military sales (FMS) programme, which does not involve competition through global tenders.

The attack and heavy-lift helicopter deals, however, were won by aviation major Boeing after its AH-64D Apache Longbow and twin-rotor Chinook helicopters outclassed Russian Mi-28 Havoc and Mi-26 choppers in field trials and commercial evaluation.

But there are "some loose ends" in the deals that need to be tied up first. The defence ministry, for instance, has told Boeing that it should drop its insistence on "limited liability clauses" being included in the agreements.

Similarly, the M-777 contract has been hanging fire since January 2010 due to field evaluation reports being "leaked" and certain other irregularities involving a top Indian Army officer. "There is an inquiry in progress but it should not be a major hurdle," said another source.

Cost escalation is another big factor. Due to the long delay, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency last month hiked the cost of the M-777 deal from the earlier $ 647 million to $885 million for the 155mm/39-calibre howitzers.

Incidentally, the four deals are also in tune with the government's recent approval to the Rs 90,000 crore plan to raise a new mountain strike corps along with two "independent" infantry brigades and two "independent" armoured brigades (totalling over 80,000 soldiers) over the next seven years to plug operational gaps against China.

While the first six C-130J aircraft acquired by IAF are based at the Hindon airbase, the six new "Super Hercules" will be housed at Panagarh in West Bengal. Panagarh will serve as the headquarters for the new Army mountain corps.

Similarly, the air-mobile M-777 howitzers, with an almost 30-km range, can be swiftly deployed in high-altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh by helicopters and aircraft to counter China. -
Times of India

India's nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-V to be test-fired on Sunday

India's most capable weapon, the Agni-V nuclear-capable ballistic missile, is all set to be tested from the Bay of Bengal on September 15. The 5,500-km range missile, capable of striking targets anywhere in China when operational, is being tested for the second time after its debut launch in April last year.

Top sources said, "Scientists on the programme have spent most of the last 16 months studying the telemetry and performance data of the first test and fine-tuning all systems, including the navigation system and on board systems."

The indigenous systems that will be further tested and monitored closely in Sunday's test include all-composite rocket motor, fifth generation distributed on-board computer architecture, ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation system (RINS), the completely new redundant micro navigation system and the crucial re-entry shield, built to withstand temperatures in excess of 4,000 degrees celsius. A more capable cannisterised version of the Agni-V is likely to be tested in December this year.

In July, DRDO chief Dr Avinash Chander, formerly director on the Agni programme, told Headlines Today, "We'll induct the Agni IV and V inducted in the next two years. It's the first time we will be inducting strategic missiles with such long ranges together. Agni III, IV and V are going to be the thrust areas. They give us the reach which we need, and are our highest priority now. Within two years we have to make sure that it happens."

While the Agni-V's second test was expected in the September-October period, it comes shortly after a season of provocations along the India-China border, and is likely to be interpreted as a show of strength.

 indiatoday

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/agni-v-nuclear-missile-drdo-agni-v-test/1/309321.html

Anti-missile shield for frontline Navy warships fast erodin

The anti-missile defensive shield protecting 14 frontline warships, including aircraft carrier INS Viraat, is fast eroding but the government is dragging its feet on taking a decision one way or the other due to an ongoing CBI probe into the original deal.

The Navy has been pressing panic buttons for quite some time about its fast depleting stock of missiles to arm the Israeli Barak-I anti-missile defence (AMD) system - which intercept hostile incoming sea-skimming missiles at a 9km range - fitted on INS Viraat as well as guided-missile destroyers and stealth frigates.

Sources said that Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi has even written to defence minister AK Antony for an early decision on the acquisition of an additional 262 Barak-I missiles, at a cost of over $150 million, since it was a "critical operational requirement".

But the defence ministry had expressed helplessness due to the pending CBI investigation into the infamous Barak kickbacks case registered in October 2006. The law ministry and the attorney general, however, have now left it on the MoD to decide on the fresh procurement case. "The ball is firmly in the MoD's court now," said a source.

The law ministry had earlier held the case should not be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security for approval till the CBI probe was completed. But the CBI has failed to make much headway "due to pending letters rogatory (letters of request)" in Israel and UK. "With Navy pressing for a fresh legal opinion, it was held the MoD get an external evaluation or audit done. Now, even that caveat has been removed," said the source.

But in the backdrop of the VVIP helicopter and other scams ahead of the 2014 general elections, the MoD seems reluctant to take a decision even though it "understands" the urgency for the Barak-I missiles.

It was after Pakistan acquired sea-skimming Exocet and Harpoon missiles, coupled with the failure of the indigenous Trishul AMD system, that the then NDA government had inked the initial Rs 1,160 crore deal for nine Barak-I AMD systems, along with 200 missiles worth Rs 350 crore, with Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Rafael in October 2000.

Subsequently, under the UPA-1 regime in October 2006, the CBI registered the FIR in the Barak kickbacks case to name former defence minister George Fernandes, his party associates Jaya Jaitly and R K Jain, alleged arms dealer Suresh Nanda and former Navy chief Admiral Sushil Kumar among the accused.

The irony is that the UPA government has refrained from blacklisting IAI and Rafael, despite banning other firms like Israeli Military Industries, Singapore Technologies Kinetics, Rheinmetall Air Defence (Zurich) and Corporation Defence of Russia in other corruption cases, on the ground that it would be counter-productive.

IAI and DRDO, for instance, are collaborating in two major but delayed projects to develop a long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) system for Rs 2,606 crore to arm Indian warships and a medium-range SAM system for IAF at a cost of Rs 10,076 crore. -  Times of india

Tactical gap- Prithvi

Indian Army yet to find a role for surface-to-surface missile, Prithvi

It stands 8.5 m tall. Its 1,000-kg warhead packs a formidable punch. And it can hit targets at a distance of 150 km with uncanny accuracy. It is the Indian Army's latest gizmo. And yet, like truculent children, the generals are unhappy with Prithvi, the home-made, single-stage, liquid-fuelled battlefield support surface-to-surface missile (SSM), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
While the Jalandhar-based 60 Heavy Artillery regiment is gearing up to induct the new weapon system and master the launch sequence, the fact is the army had not even asked for Prithvi. Indeed, the top brass is still debating the deployment and operational role of the Scud-like missile.
"They have given us a glove that doesn't fit our hand," says a former general who inducted the nuclear-capable SSM into the army. DRDO, however, touts the missile- designated the SS-150 with a variable 40 km-150 km range and costing Rs.1.50 crore-as an ideal weapon to "take out" large enemy troop concentrations, devastate air bases, hit ammunition dumps, and headquarters well behind the border, DRDO officials claim that with a choice of three types of warheads-a monolith high-explosive, pre-fragmented and sub-munition cluster-Prithvi is versatile enough to strike all these. And, with a lighter warhead, of about 500 kg, its range can increase to 250 km. This version, designated SS-250, was test-fired on August 18.
In fact, during the Iran-Iraq war, even when they were not tipped with mustard gas, Scuds-a primitive version of Prithvi-were regarded as weapons of terror, especially by the civilians trapped in cities. Such missiles have also shown their effectiveness in military encounters, particularly in the Afghan imbroglio.
While India may not target Pakistani cities, Prithvi, even with a conventional warhead, could become a terror weapon. With a great element of surprise, and hardly any counter to it, the independent SSM battery could be used with devastating effect during war. It could augment artillery as well as air strikes. Or it could be used independently to disrupt the enemy war machine.
In fact, according to defence analysts, many of Pakistan's strategic military targets are vulnerable to the Prithvi SS-150. These include the crucial Kamra and Chaklala air bases, the Lahore airfield, the command head quarters at Bahawalpur and the Suk-kur Barrage. In addition, the radar station at Badin can be rendered inoperative, giving Indian forces a dramatic edge in any future conflict (see map). But despite nine test launches-with just one failure-the successful deployment of Prithvi by next year appears to be a remote possibility. It has yet to undergo user trials.
However, even if it were deployed as scheduled, the army would not be able to use it effectively. Mainly because the means of getting real-time information about targets 100 to 150 km behind enemy territory are still limited. For instance, the country has no exclusive military satellites which can be used to spy on troop movements, nor a remotely-piloted vehicle (RPY), which could fly behind enemy lines and relay television pictures of troops build up. Only the air force, with its six MiG 2 5 Rs.and few other' spotter' aircraft, is capable of conducting deep aerial reconnaissance missions. Hence, optimally to employ the Prithvi battery, there would have to be a targeting collaboration between the army and the air force.
The army is also uncomfortable with the liquid propulsion of Prithvi. Unlike a solid-propellant engine which is ready to fire and can be stored indefinitely, liquid propellant has to be filled up close to the time of the launch. The army is also wary of handling the highly toxic liquid propellant so close to the border during wartime. Many officers have wondered why DRDO did not go in for a solid-propellant engine. "We were looking for a thrust vector control and are using liquid engines, at least until our solid thrust vector control is ready," says former DRDO chief, Dr V.S. Arunachalam. In fact, according to DRDO officials, a solid fuel version of Prithvi is also on the anvil.
Moreover, after the controversial exit of the high-profile Dr V.S. Arunachalam and the elevation of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as DRDO head, the army is worried that the missile programme could retard, leaving the service with an under-developed weapon. And with the US extending the Missile Technology Control Regime to cover Prithvi in June this year, Bharat Dynamics Limited, which is slated to manufacture the SSM, may fail to churn out the required numbers due to the restrictions on some critical components.
Experts estimate that to make Prithvi viable, the army should maintain a stockpile of at least 300 missiles, to cater for war wastage reserves and to sustain at least a 15-day operation. Prithvi also pinches the army's already squeezed budget. According to one estimate, the cost of raising the specialised equipment to support one battery-including the quartet of Tatra 8x8 tractor, erector, launcher (TEL) vehicles, the liquid propellant refill vehicles, the high pressure vehicle, the missile reload vehicles and an assortment of computer-based command and control systems-alone would cost Rs.10 crore. The missiles would cost another Rs.400 crore.
But even at that cost, it is cheaper and, perhaps, more effective than a squadron of modern deep-penetration bombers. Says Major Shankar Bhaduri of the Indian Defence Review: "The cost is not important. As a piece of technology, you have to give it full marks. It is now the army's job to fit it in its arsenal and have a clear concept of how to use this weapon system." And that is one challenge that the men in uniform are still to rise up to.

India Today

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-army-yet-to-find-a-role-for-surface-to-surface-missile-prithvi/1/308598.html

China moved N-missiles and launchers via Karakoram highway to Pak in 2005: Indian intelligence reports

A few days after China conducted atomic blasts in Tibet in March 2005 to divert the Yarlung Tsangpo, or the Brahmaputra, Indian spy planes and satellites spotted the transport of nuclear missiles and suspected fissile material over the Karakoram highway connecting China with Pakistan.
The Times of India had earlier reported China’s ambitious plan to divert the course of the Brahmaputra from south to north in Tibet’s Moutou and Great Bend regions in March 2005. But what made the transfer of nuclear missiles – possibly to locations within Pakistan – significant from the Indian perspective was the movement of road-mobile, short-range ballistic missiles, Dongfeng 11, also known as M-11 missiles via the Karakoram highway in 1995.
Highly classified Indian intelligence reports suggest that in March 2005, an important contingent of the People’s Liberation Army, carrying 11 transporter erector launcher (TEL) laden with short-range nuclear missiles was photographed by spy planes of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) moving through the Karakoram Pass. The Indian security establishment estimated the PLA troops, led by a brigadier rank officer, numbering about 550.
Typically, Chinese TELs are 16-wheeled behemoths that have integrated prime movers that can carry, elevate to firing position and launch or multiple missles. These vehicles are employed to fire surface-to-air as well as surface-to-surface missiles. The Chinese TELs are compatible for firing the Dongfeng 11 and some of the missile’s more improved and lethal versions that have been deployed in different parts of China and shared with Pakistan.
Besides Pakistan, China was recently suspected to have provided North Korea with at least six TELs which was part of Beijing’s covert arms proliferation efforts and therefore stood in breach of United Nations Security Council resolution 1874.
The movement of the TELs, believed to have been designed and built by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, which is the PLA’s main mobile-missile producer, on the Karakoram highway took place just before the then Chinese premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Islamabad in April 2005 when the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. At that time, China had also agreed to establish a facility to produce land attack cruise missiles (LACMs) for the Pakistanis.
Indian intelligence, according to National Security Council reports, also learnt that the LACMs were tested in September 2005 and were suspected to have been transported from China which helped the Pakistanis build a ballistic missile manufacturing facility near Rawalpindi for the Shaheen-1, a variant of the Dongfeng 9 Chinese missiles.
Although the Indian security establishment is well aware of China’s missile proliferation efforts in the region, including providing assistance to Pakistan in strengthening its nuclear missile programme, the atomic blasts to divert the Brahmaputra in Tibet and the transport of nuclear warheads via the Karakoram highway reflect a failure of New Delhi’s diplomacy in containing the threat from its largest neighbour.

- Times of India

Co-development, co-production in defence top PM's agenda on US visit

Co-development and co-production in defence, including the joint production of BAE Systems’ M-777 howitzer guns, announcement of the acquisition of 20-plus Apache and Chinook attack helicopters from Boeing and second tranche delivery of the world’s largest military transport plane C-130J Hercules, top the ‘informal’ agenda of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s forthcoming visit to the US in September. These defence deals are expected to cost India in excess of $2.5 billion. They would also touch on the progress made so far in the Defence Trade Initiative — aimed at relaxing US laws to allow greater joint R&D efforts on defence products.
A high-level delegation led by US deputy defence secretary Ashton Carter is landing in the capital to finalise the agenda in the next few days, government sources told FE.
FE has learnt that an announcement of a second tranche of the world’s largest military transport plane C-130J Hercules from Lockheed Martin is also expected during the PM’s 3-day visit to the US. Even though both sides are working to have a fixed agenda for the PM and his meeting with the US President Barack Obama, an announcement regarding the acquisition of 22 Boeing Apache Longbow strike Helicopters and 15 Heavy Lift Boeing CH Chinook helicopters is also on the cards.
Sources have revealed that under the Defence Trade Initiative, the US side has offered four projects including the stalled third generation anti-tank guided Javelin missile for the Indian Army, which would also feature in the talks.
The missile is delayed due to reluctance by the Americans to offer the critical technology of the missile to India and the unwillingness to take part in field trials. India is planning to acquire these missiles for modernising its more than 350 Infantry units and provide them the capability to destroy enemy
armoured regiments.
Sources said the US side is keen on the joint production for some aspects of the BAE Systems’ M-777 howitzer guns — for which Bharat Heavy Electrical (BHEL) is one of the PSUs identified for this project as part of offsets. According to the proposed co-production agreement, crucial parts of the M-777 howitzer guns may be developed in India.
With a growing track record of major system sales, including C-17 Globemaster III and
C-130J transport aircraft, P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, the two sides are on the cusp of signing many more deals.
India is expecting to seal deals worth billions of dollars for helicopters, howitzer guns, weapons systems and platforms with the US in 2013-14. Six C-130J special operations aircraft from Lockheed Martin, valued at $1.2 billion, have already arrived in the country and an order for six more is in
the offing.
India is in the process of placing an order for M777 ultra-light howitzers (ULH) with Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing Systems (LINAPS) for $885 million from BAE Systems, US through foreign military sales (FMS) route. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has also shortlisted 22 Boeing Apache Longbow strike helicopters ($1.2 billion), and 15 heavy-lift Boeing CH Chinook helicopters ($1.4 billion).

 financialexpress

Deal or no deal

When Gen. Bikram Singh took over as Army chief last year, he made it clear that military procurement was his top priority. True to his word, the Army Headquarters okayed a number of weapon purchases that included night-vision devices for T-72 tanks, 52-calibre gun systems and air surveillance radars. The biggest one in the pipeline was the Rs.15,000 crore anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) deal.
The Army was keen to buy the Spike anti-tank missile, a lethal tank-killer manufactured by Israel's Rafael company, to replace the older Milan and Konkurs missiles. But, in the Defence Acquisition Council meeting held on April 2, Defence Minister A.K. Antony announced the freezing of the Spike missiles contract and ordered a technology scan—a procedure meant to ascertain whether it was possible to get a similar system from anywhere else.
The deal is now under scanner for more than one reason. Months before the documents related to the Spike missile reached Antony, someone from the defence ministry had, allegedly, leaked a bundle of classified documents related to the anti-tank missile programme to global arms dealers. The leaked documents contained precise details of the trial report, the exact quantity of launchers and missiles and an update on the procurement process. A stunned defence ministry is now trying to verify whether procurement procedures were manipulated to favour Rafael. Edmonds Allen, New York-based businessmen and whistle-blower, told the THE WEEK that top secret documents related to the procurement of the ATGMs were leaked. “I do not know who provided those documents to [Abhishek] Verma [currently in jail for selling classified Indian military documents]. He shared the documents with foreign defence firms,” said Allen. “I have shared the details with the CBI.”
During the desert trials in 2008, the Spike allegedly failed as seven out of 10 missiles had missed their targets, according to an Army officer who was familiar with the trials. “The trial team also raised questions about the missile's infrared seeker,” said the officer. Yet, the Spike was selected on a single-vendor basis, without any competition. Now, a technology scan is under way to find out whether similar missiles are available.
More than the technology scan, it is the allegations of corruption surrounding the deal that may force the defence ministry to notify a fresh tender. If the suspicion of corruption is confirmed, at the very least, the deal would be terminated, according to a senior official. That would be disastrous for Rafael as it would jeopardise hundreds of well-paid jobs, especially at its facility in Haifa. Moreover, the company could be blacklisted for several years in India, if it is proven that it hired middlemen or paid commissions. Israel Military Industries, another leading Israeli firm, was blacklisted for 10 years after its name figured in a corruption scandal last year. Antony has been exceptionally strict on defence deals.
When asked whether Rafael was associated with Verma or whether the company had hired him for consultancy services in India, company spokesperson Amit Zimmer told THE WEEK that Rafael did not provide such information. He, however, said the Spike was a well-known state-of-the-art system with 20 customers worldwide and orders exceeding 23,000 missiles.
“The Spike missiles are being successfully used by our customers in training and operations from different platforms, including infantry, combat vehicles and combat helicopters, for more than 15 years,” said Zimmer. “Over 300 Spike missiles are fired each year with a high degree of technical and operational success.”
The Spike deal was meant to equip 356 infantry battalions of the Army with the latest anti-tank missiles. The Army, with an authorised holding of 81,206 ATGMs, is currently facing a shortage of around 44,000 missiles. Former Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh highlighting a critical shortage of arms and ammunition, including that of the anti-tank missiles. While self-reliance has been India's long stated goal, the country still imports about 70 per cent of its weapons, including the anti-tank missiles, which can also be used to hit enemy bunkers that provide covering fire to infiltrators in border regions.
“The military is directed to prepare themselves for a two-front war with Pakistan and China,” said Lt-Gen. (retd) Prakash Katoch, a special forces veteran. “Yet, they are short of something as basic as anti-tank missiles.” He said China already had third-generation missiles like the Green Arrow and the Red Arrow, while Pakistan was in possession of second-generation missiles like the Baktar-Shikan. The Pakistani army has approximately 2,400 tanks and India has 3,250, while China with 7,450 has more tanks than any other country in the world.
It was during the Kargil War that Indian commanders realised the operational utility of the advanced anti-tank missiles as the Pakistani army had dug itself in high-altitude bunkers. Initially, the Army was keen to buy the American Javelin ATGMs, jointly produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. But, the deal fell through after the US did not permit technology transfer for indigenous production by Bharat Dynamics Limited. With the Spike deal under scanner, the Americans are again pitching for the Javelin and they now appear to be willing to share the technology as well. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon said in a joint statement that they were ready to offer the Javelin as an option to meet India's requirement for an advanced, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile.
“The Indian programme is a priority for the Javelin Joint Venture,” said Lockheed Martin and Raytheon in an email response. “We are prepared to comply with India's requirements for major defence procurements, including transfer of technology....” They said the Javelin was successfully fired in the recent India-US Yudh Abhyas bilateral exercise with five direct hits, of which three were fired by Indian gunners. Like the Spike, the Javelin, too, is a third-generation missile that relies on an electro-optical image seeker, requiring no guidance during the flight.
India is also developing an indigenous third-generation anti-tank missile, called the Nag. The defence ministry has spent Rs.1,700 crore on the Nag, which is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The 42.3kg-missile with an 8.2kg warhead can move at a speed of 230m/sec for up to 6,000 metres. It is currently undergoing trials in Rajasthan. The Nag is among a select few fire-and-forget missiles like the Spike and the Javelin; once it is fired, its seeker automatically guides the missile to even a fast-moving tank. While the Javelin and the Spike are lighter missiles that can be carried by a soldier, the Nag is heavier and more powerful, designed to operate from vehicles and helicopters.
“While the infrared seekers of the Javelin and the Spike can be jammed, the Nag's optical guidance system makes it virtually jam-proof,” said DRDO spokesperson Ravi Gupta. “The Army should buy it. It is the most lethal and advanced anti-tank missile in the world.”
But, officials at the Army headquarters said the Nag had been going through trials for so many years. “You cannot expect the Army to wait for decades for something as crucial as an anti-tank missile,” said a commander. The DRDO admitted that the Nag had faced problems while hitting targets at a four-km range because of high temperatures in the deserts of Rajasthan. Here, the temperatures of the target as well as the surroundings often become the same and the missiles could not differentiate between the target and the surroundings. “We have resolved the temperature anomaly and we are confident that the Army will be impressed by the performance of the missile,” said Gupta. According to the DRDO, the missiles with their improved detectors would perform with more efficiency and accuracy even in extreme temperatures.
At the defence ministry, top officials admitted that the weapons' procurement system suffered from poor long-term planning. Even the upgrade of second-generation Konkurs missiles is delayed by about two decades because of poor planning and coordination, according to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, tabled in Parliament last month. The Konkurs, like the Milan, is a wire-guided anti-tank missile, which does not have capability to destroy tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour (ERA). It was in 1994 that the Army decided to induct the Konkurs-M missiles, an advanced version of the Konkurs, capable of defeating tanks protected by ERA. But, the process of finalising the contract took about eight years and then technology absorption got delayed further, resulting in a loss of Rs.283.72 crore, according to the CAG. The defence ministry has now approached Russian company Rosoboronexport to purchase 10,000 Konkurs-M at a cost of Rs.1,223 crore.
The notorious delays, cancellations and corruption have derailed many defence programmes. Another corruption scandal in military procurement is the last thing the government wants now. For the moment, however, all eyes are on the technological scan report, which is being conducted by the Integrated Defence Staff Headquarters. The report is expected to be submitted anytime now.

3G MISSILESAnti-tank missiles are used against enemy vehicles and bunkers, besides tanks.
The prominent third generation anti-tank missiles are Spike and Javelin. India's indigenous Nag is undergoing tests
SpikeIsraeli company Rafael manufactures the Spike family of anti-tank missiles.
The Spike LR is an anti-armour weapon system with a 4km range and a soldier can carry it.
It can be operated in fire-and-forget mode as well as in fire, observe and update mode for non-line-of-sight operations using the fibre optic data link.

A soldier can carry two missiles at a time and the total system weight is 26kg.

Rafael claims it has 20 buyers worldwide and orders for more than 23,000 missiles.
Javelin
Also a man-portable, anti-tank missile. Used during the Iraq war, it is now deployed in Afghanistan.

India was keen to buy it, but the US refused to share the technology.
The manufacturer, Lockheed Martin-Raytheon, now says it is ready to share the technology with India.
NagIndia's own anti-tank missile, developed by the DRDO, is facing issues with the 4km range.
It is a fire-and-forget missile and can search enemy tanks through thermal imaging telescopes, which help vision at night.
The defence ministry has spent $1,700 crore on its development.
The Javelin and the Spike are lighter and can be carried by a soldier while the Nag is designed to be operated from vehicles.

India's missile chase* Anti-tank missile deal worth $15,000 crore in the pipeline
* Israel's Spike missile selected on single-tender basis; deal put on hold because of technical review and fears of kickbacks; allegation of corruption as documents leaked to arms dealers
* Javelin and Nag now also in the fray, apart from Spike
* The Army has a shortage of about 44,000 missiles

CHINA, INDIA AND PAKISTAN
China's third generation anti-tank missiles, the Green Arrow and Red Arrow are very advanced. China has more than 7,450 battle tanks.
India has second generation Milan and Konkurs missiles. These are semi-automatic missiles that require the soldier to sight the target and guide the weapon.
India has more than 3,250 battle tanks.
Pakistan has second generation Baktar Shikan missiles, based on a Chinese missile. Pakistan has 2,400 battle tanks.

The week