India-Russia joint venture for making Kamov choppers registered, talks on

An Indo-Russian joint venture to manufacture 200 Kamov military helicopters in India under a $1 billion deal has been registered in India and it will finalise the delivery schedule and the number of units, officials from Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, said.
Interacting with a select group of journalists on the sidelines of the International Air show MAKS in Moscow, Rostec’s Director of International Cooperation and Regional Policy Victor N Kladov said the joint venture is now final and further negotiations will be done by this joint venture company in which India has 50.5% stake while Russia has 49.5%.
The India-Russia joint venture got the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin in April this year.
Around 40-60 of the 200 helicopters will be supplied from Russia in a knock-down kit state, to be assembled in India, and rest will be made in India. The extent of transfer of technology will be discussed by the JV.
The inter-government agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in December 2015.
In October last year, India and Russia finalised a broad agreement for the JV between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Russian Helicopters and Rosoboronexport.
The Kamov choppers will replace the aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters in India.
“We are very happy that the joint venture is final. Everything is now in the hands of the joint venture,” Kladov said.
He added that the JV was registered in India as India has major share -- 50.5%, in the venture.
The schedule of delivery and localisation as well as the terms and the number of units will be finalised by the JV.

 hindustantimes

Australia quietly makes first uranium shipment to India three years after supply agreement

Three years after signing a civilian nuclear supply treaty, the Federal Government confirmed overnight the first shipment of Australian uranium has left for India.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop provided little detail about the inaugural sale, saying only that it was subject to commercial negotiations.
The supply deal with India, signed in 2014, is the first of its kind Australia has made with a country not party to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
At the time, then-prime minister Tony Abbott said Australian uranium could play a reliable long-term role in supplying India's growing energy needs.
But it was not until last night, in a brief and low key announcement, that Ms Bishop said the first shipment was finally en route.

"I understand the first shipment is on its way. That's my understanding, its a commercial arrangement," Ms Bishop said.

Details of inaugural shipment unclear

It is not clear how big the shipment is, where it departed from, or where in India it might be heading.
Indian officials were unable to immediately provide comment, while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said only that the details were subject to commercial negotiation.
Parliament only passed the final legislation enabling sales last December, following years of debate about supplying uranium to a country with a strategic nuclear weapons program and that refuses to sign the non-proliferation treaty.
Parliamentary hearings to ratify the supply treaty in 2014 heard the International Atomic Energy Agency still had concerns about India's safeguards.
Ongoing tensions between India and its neighbour Pakistan, which also has not signed the non-proliferation treaty, have raised the spectre of armed confrontation in the past.
But Ms Bishop said the Government was confident Australian uranium would not be misused.
"We cleared all of the parliamentary requirements for the civilian nuclear supply agreement, and we see India as a country that has adhered to its non-proliferation assurances," she said.

"Australia will be continuing to send uranium to India depending upon the commercial arrangements."

Commercial considerations are the most likely explanation for why it has taken so long to send any uranium at all.
Prices and demand have languished near historic lows ever since the Fukushima disaster in 2011 turned many countries off nuclear power.
But in May, India announced plans to build 10 new reactors, a $14 billion move the Australian Government hopes will eventually provide 7,000 megawatts of clean electricity.

 abc

As Tension Heightens On China Border, IAF Seeks To Hasten Rafale Jet Delivery

India’s conflict with China and Pakistan has reached a tipping point, pressing the need for astute military strategies. In consonance with this situation, the Indian Air Force is looking to expedite the delivery of Rafale jets from France.

Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa is currently on a three-day visit to France where he will review the production facility of Dassault Aviation where the Rafale multi-role fighter jets meant for India are being built. The IAF Chief is also expected to take a test flight of one the fighter jets.

The IAF is plagued with steady erosion of current fleet with no replacements in sight. The ongoing two-front conflict with China and Pakistan has deepened the concern.

"IAF is eagerly awaiting the Rafale. The Air Chief is likely assessing the possibility of hastening the aircraft supplies and quicker setting of technical infrastructure." Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retired) told Sputnik.

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa will also visit headquarters of French air force and a few operational air bases apart from holding high-level interaction with representatives of France's military aviation industry.

"During his stay at France, the Chief of the Air Staff is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with the senior military officials of the French armed forces. The challenges faced by the armed forces of both the countries in the current geo-political scenario are expected to be discussed during these meetings. The main focus of the visit will be on improving bilateral relations, promoting defense ties, and outlining further areas of defense cooperation," IAF said in a statement.

India and France are currently working together on crucial ventures including the revival of India's home-made Kaveri engines for combat planes and another project involving the production of stealthy unmanned combat air vehicles.

France has been one of the oldest suppliers of fighter aircrafts to India. Dassault MD 450 Ouragan (Hurricane) called ‘Toofani' in India was inducted in 1954. This was followed by Dassault Mystere IV. Mirage 2000 had excelled in Kargil war (1999) and maintained a very high mission success rate. Meanwhile, Dassault Aviation has also expressed interest in providing fighter jets for Indian Navy's Aircraft Carriers.

 sputniknews

Futuristic infantry combat vehicle for Army: Decision on whopping $7.5 bn deal likely by July end

The future of the Indian Army’s long-delayed $7.5-billion futuristic infantry combat vehicle (FICV) programme is expected to be taken up when the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meets later this month.
A source told FE: “At the recent Defence Procurement Board (DPB) meeting, it was decided to let the DAC take a call about reissuing expression of interest (EoI) for the FICV.”
No firm decision was taken by the DPB as some companies, including Mahindra Group, Tata Motors and Reliance Defence, which were declared non-complaint earlier this year have been making representations.
For the 2600+ vehicle order, the Indian companies which are trying include L&T, Mahindra, Tata, Bharat Forge and Reliance Defence. The potential original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will include US-based General Dynamics, Russian companies under the umbrella of Rosoboronexport and the German Rheinmetall Group, subject to approval, among others.
The earlier EoI for FICV, which is expected to have a life span of 32 years, was issued under the DPP-2008 and it has recommended a minimum 40% indigenous content.
As reported earlier by FE, “As per the procedure, once the DPB addresses issues related to the FICV that were raised by certain companies earlier this year, it moves to the DAC.”
A lot of issues, mostly procedural in nature, seem to be hampering further progress in the project. There also seems to be no clarity over the number of development agencies the MoD would need for this programme.
Under the approved SP model, for the armoured vehicle segment, the first would be Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV), which is currently being considered under the ‘Make’ Category under DPP-2008.
In February this year, former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said “everything has been discussed about the project and there are certain aspects that are to be finalised”.
The Indian Army had issued a request for information (RFI) in June 2015 to design and develop a new-generation combat vehicle platform called the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV). Under the project, 2,610 FICVs are expected to be built.

 financialexpress

Rafael nears latest Indian contract for Litening pods

India is about to sign a contract to equip its Dassault Rafales with Rafael's Litening targeting pod, according to Yuval Miller, head of the Israeli company's air and C4I systems division.
Miller says the advanced sensors will be manufactured by a local company that is jointly owned by Rafael and an Indian partner. "The Rafale is a multi-role aircraft, and the Litening gives it the flexibility to deal with ground and air targets with the same efficiency," he notes.
India will acquire systems including in a Litening 4I standard, which Rafael says enables host aircraft to fly intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions.
New Delhi's initial Rafale acquisition is for 36 of the French-built aircraft, but Dassault is already eyeing follow-on sales opportunities with the Indian air force and navy.
The Indian air force already uses the Rafael-produced pod on several types of combat aircraft, having acquired the system in the Litening III standard. Rafael also is to supply its advanced 4I version of the system for use by the Aeronautical Development Agency's Tejas light combat aircraft.

 flightglobal

France, Germany announce new joint fighter program

France and Germany announced they are planning to develop a new joint fighter plane following a French-German cabinet meeting ThrusdayFrance and Germany announced they are planning to develop a new joint fighter plane following a French-German cabinet meeting Thrusday.
French president Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the plan at a news conference following the meeting. The two leaders also confirmed their countries commitment to the "Euro-drone" program and other defense and economic programs.
"This is a revolution, but we're not afraid of revolutions when they are peaceful, well-thought and meant to last," Macron said.
The proposed fighter would replace the French Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets currently in service by the 2030-2040 timeframe. The first unmanned aerial vehicles under Euro-drone are expected be delivered by 2020.
"I believe that we have shown shortly after the new government here was installed that we are ready to activate Franco-German relations with a new impetus," Merkel said.
Absent from the announcement was any role that Britain might play in the project.
Britain was a main participant in the Eurofighter consortium that built the Typhoon. The "Brexit," Britain's exit from the European Union, has led to complications concerning joint European military programs. Britain is Europe's leading military spender.
The new fighter would provide competition for the United States' F-35 Lightening II and other 5th generation platforms for worldwide sales, but so far is only in its conceptual stages.

UPI

India modernising nuclear arsenal with eye on China: US experts

 

Highlights

• India's nuclear strategy is now focused on China, 2 US experts have claimed.
• India is estimated to have produced plutonium for 150-200 nukes.
• India currently operates seven nuclear-capable systems.

India continues to modernise its atomic arsenal with an eye on China and the country's nuclear strategy which traditionally focused on Pakistan now appears to place increased emphasis on the Communist giant, two top American nuclear experts have said.

An article published in the July-August issue of the digital journal- After Midnight - has also claimed that India is now developing a missile which can target all of China from its bases in South India.

India is estimated to have produced enough plutonium for 150-200 nuclear warheads but has likely produced only 120-130, wrote Hans M Kristensen and Robert S Norris in the article- "Indian nuclear forces 2017".

India's nuclear strategy, which has traditionally focused on Pakistan, now appears to place increased emphasis on China, the two experts claimed.

"While India has traditionally been focused on deterring Pakistan, its nuclear modernisation indicates that it is putting increased emphasis on its future strategic relationship with China," they wrote.

"That adjustment will result in significantly new capabilities being deployed over the next decade that may influence how India views nuclear weapons' role against Pakistan," they said.

Noting that India continues to modernise its nuclear arsenal with development of several new nuclear weapon systems, the two experts estimate that New Delhi currently operates seven nuclear-capable systems: two aircraft, four land-based ballistic missiles, and one sea-based ballistic missile.

"At least four more systems are in development. The development program is in a dynamic phase, with long-range land- and sea-based missiles emerging for possible deployment within the next decade," it said.

India is estimated to have produced approximately 600 kilograms of weapon-grade plutonium, sufficient for 150-200 nuclear warheads; however, not all the material has been converted into nuclear warheads, the article said.

Based on available information about its nuclear-capable delivery force structure and strategy, we estimate that India has produced 120-130 nuclear warheads, the article said adding that the country will need more warheads to arm the new missiles it is currently developing.

Kristensen and Norris said that the two-stage, solid-fuel, rail-mobile Agni-2, an improvement on the Agni-1, which can deliver a nuclear or conventional warhead more than 2,000 kilometres is probably targeted on western, central, and southern China.

Although the Agni-4 will be capable of striking targets in nearly all of China from northeastern India (including Beijing and Shanghai), India is also developing the longer-range Agni-5, a three-stage, solid-fuel, rail-mobile, near-intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a warhead more than 5,000 kilometres (3,100-plus miles), it said.

"The extra range will allow the Indian military to establish Agni-5 bases in central and southern India, further away from China," the research article said.

timesofindia

Can India survive a 10-day war?

In May, 2015, a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in Parliament revealed a shocking truth—if India went to war, it would have run out of most of its ammunition in just 10 days.

The CAG report slammed the defence establishment for the dismal management of ammunition in the Army, expressing shock that there was total "disregard" of the policy to hold ammunition for 40 days of "intense" fighting. "In 50 per cent of the types of ammunition, the holding was critical or less than 10 days in March 2013," said CAG.

The Army faces severe shortage in ammunition, mainly for artillery guns, tanks, air defence and certain infantry weapons, which will make it very difficult to fight a short intense short war.

But now the Army is ready to take this challenge head on. The Centre has given Army vice-chief Sarath Chand full financial powers to procure critical ammunition and spares to maintain an optimum level to fight a short intense war following "critical voids" in capabilities of the Army.

The major decision means procurement process of such ammunition and equipment that would take months would be completed much faster.

Today, a short war with Pakistan or China cannot be ruled out. Even if there is no possibility of a war, it is highly important for the defence forces to have minimum required reserves of ammunition.

The alarming CAG report had covered the status of ammunition reserves till March 2013. The NDA government had already started making for the shortfall.

The defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, had highlighted several steps initiated by the government such as placing second Five Year Ammunition Roll on indent for the period 2014-19 on Ordnance Factory Board and approving a road map on ammunition which envisaged procurement ex-import and ex-trade to build up adequate targeted stocks in addition to training requirement.

By giving full financial powers to the Army vice-chief, the procurement can be done faster. According to a top defence ministry official, this is the revenue route for in-service equipment and there will be no need to head to the Defence Acquisition Council (headed by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley) or the Cabinet Committee on Security, for procuring such critical equipment.

The direct route will reduce the time taken in procuring equipment and ammunition considerably.

economictimes

Israeli group to transfer drone technologies to India

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) together with its Indian partners prepares to participate in a tender of the Defense Ministry of India for the supply of dozens of systems with unmanned aerial vehicles, according to Jane's Defence Weekly.
IAI Group has signed with Indian companies Dynamatic Technologies and Elcom Systems an agreement on cooperation in the field of production, assembly and maintenance in India of unmanned aircraft systems developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.
It is noted that IAI plans to offer India its long-endurance Heron drones.
Executive Vice President of IAI, Shaul Shahar, noted that India is one of the main strategic partners of Israel in the past 25 years, which acquires Israeli unmanned systems.

 russianconstruction

India’s Light Combat Aircraft to Be Armed With Beyond Visual Range Missile

Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems successfully completed integration of the I-Derby beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile on the Indian Air Force’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) with test firing of the missile scheduled for the end of 2017, Flight Global reports.

According to a Rafael representative, the new missile is slated to become the LCAs main air-to-air weapon following the completion of testing by the end of the year. The last test firing of a I-Derby BVR missile occurred at the Chandipur Integrated Test Range (ITR) in the Indian state of Odisha in May.

“The objective of the test was to assess the Derby integration with aircraft systems on board Tejas, including the aircraft avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and missile weapon delivery system and to verify its performance,” the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said in a statement at the time.

“A safe separation was followed by missile guidance towards RADAR acquired target. The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it. The test firing achieved all its planned objectives,” the MoD statement added. “The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on LCA aircraft for FOC [full operational capability].”

The missile, fitted with a fire-and-forget guidance system, has an estimated range of over 50 kilometers and an estimated speed of Mach 4. According to Rafael, the LCA could be equipped with an extended-range variant of the I-Derby with a range of up to 100 kilometers. The weapon can be fired from missile rail launchers fitted underneath the aircraft’s wings.

The Tejas LCA is a supersonic, single-seat, single-engine multirole light fighter aircraft, which has been under development since 1983 by the Aeronautical Development Agency in cooperation with Indian state-owned military aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). As I noted elsewhere:

The Indian Air Force intends to induct a total of 123 Tejas Mark-IA aircraft. In November 2016, the Indian MoD cleared the purchase of a first batch of 83 Mark-IA LCAs. The IAF is also currently slated to receive 40 Tejas Mark-I aircraft by early 2018.

However, HAL has so far not yet been able to meet the target of eight aircraft per year. In July 2016, the IAF inducted the first two serially-produced LCAs, followed by three more aircraft during the year. A sixth LCA is expected to join the IAFs Number 45 Squadron. HAL is expected to produce 16 LCAs during the full-production phase.

In addition, I explained (See: “India’s Newest Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight”):

The Mark-I variant (…) suffered from a number of technical shortfalls, according to a May 2015 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India — the Indian government’s principal oversight body — including inadequate electronic warfare capabilities, problems with the on board radar system, and reduced internal-fuel capacity.

The technical shortcomings will be corrected in the Mark I-A variant. Gun trials for the LCA are slated to commence in August 2017.

 thediplomat

India looks to revive $1.65 bn ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious plane deal with Japan

India and Japan have revived talks on $1.65-billion sale of ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious aircraft to the Indian Navy and a decision is expected by the end of the year.

The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard are seeking 12-18 of these search and rescue aircraft (SAR) to expand their reach and capability. Talking to FE on condition of anonymity, a senior officer said, “Japan is offering the amphibious aircraft for manufacture in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s indigenisation drive.

There have been intense discussions between two sides on reviving the deal that had been put on hold, as both sides have tried to iron out issues that forced the government to push it back. ”

Both New Delhi and Tokyo have been discussing and attempting to iron out all issues related to the purchase of ShinMaywa Industries’ US-2i amphibious aircraft.

Hopefully before the annual India-Japan summit later this year, there will be some decision regarding this, said the source. Given that the navy’s requirement for the search and rescue is limited, the two sides are looking at the possibility of exports to third countries. Tokyo has also suggested manufacturing of spare parts for the aircraft in India and setting up of MRO.

Last November as reported by FE earlier, the proposal for the US-2is was expected to be put up before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval or Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). However, it did not come up for discussion.

Since 2011, though the discussions have been going on for this aircraft, there has not been much of an action on the deal so far. According to diplomatic sources, “Recognising the advantage of selling to India, the Japanese government has offered to negotiate much lower price for these machines.”

While Indian Navy has been saying that this aircraft is not its immediate requirement, issues relating to transfer of technology, costs and technicalities of exporting the SAR aircraft have created problems in concluding the contract. New Delhi has been keen on acquiring the ShinMaywa US-2i amphibious aircraft from Tokyo as part of their expanding bilateral strategic partnership, with both nations wary of China’s assertive behaviour in the Asia-Pacific region.

Though the plane is mainly designed for air-sea search and rescue operations, it can also rapidly transport 30 combat-ready soldiers to ‘hot zones’ in an emergency. “The aircraft will give a huge boost to our operational logistics in areas like the far-flung but strategically critical Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It can also land spares and equipment in close proximity to warships on the high seas,” said a navy officer.

Since Tokyo eased its nearly half-century ban on defence equipment exports in April 2014, both countries have been keen on having a military deal. The Indian Navy had sought information about an amphibian plane in late 2010 from Japanese ShinMaywa, Canada’s Bombardier for its CL-415 platform, Russia’s Beriev Be-200 and US/German Company Dornier for its Seastar CD2.

 financialexpress

Coward Separatist Leaders say they fear for life if summoned to New Delhi by NIA

Separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir today denounced the NIA summonses to them and expressed concern that they were being asked to come for interrogation to the national capital where they feared a threat to their life.

"Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik strongly denounced the government of India for widening its ambit of so-called investigations by the NIA to harass and pressure the (separatist) leadership," the leaders said in a joint statement.

They also said the interogation process could be carried out in Srinagar itself, as there was a "very real fear of being harmed or lynched" due to the "hostile and anti-Kashmir sentiment" created by the government.

"As such, the leadership is seriously thinking that anyone who is served the notice by NIA for the so called investigation should not go to New Delhi," they said.

The separatist leaders said after raiding the houses of leaders and workers associated with the Hurriyat and some traders, arbitrary notices were sent to them by the NIA to come to Delhi for the investigation.

"In the meantime, family members and relatives of the leadership were also issued notices by the NIA. Now notices are being issued to prestigious and esteemed educational and social institutions such as Anjuman Nusratul Islam and Auqaf Jamia Masjid associated with the (Hurriyat) leadership," the statement said.

ET