Indian Army leases 4 Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from Israel as part of its emergency procurement

 

The Indian Army has leased four Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from Israel as part of its emergency procurement programme. The Heron, with the Indian Army for some years, can be particularly effective in intelligence gathering as it is a long-endurance UAV and can be in the air for about 50 hours at a time. 

The lease comes with the defence ministry changing the rules and allowing for the leasing of certain weapon systems. Similarly, the Navy has leased Predator drones from the United States.

The Herons apart, the Army has used its emergency powers to ensure that it has enough ammunition and spares for a two-week war, even if it is on two-fronts, high-level sources said. The emergency powers, given by the government in the wake of the situation in Ladakh, has allowed the army to get necessary spares and ammunition and also, strengthen its anti-tank weaponry and buy much needed anti-aircraft systems.

timesnownews

Indian Navy undertaking mega exercise in Indian Ocean Region

 

The Indian Navy is carrying out a mega war game involving almost all operational assets like warships, submarines and aircraft over a vast geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region to test the force's combat readiness in a complex multi-dimensional scenario, officials said on Wednesday,

The biennial 'Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX)' aims to validate the Navy's offensive as well as defence capabilities and safeguard national interests in the maritime domain besides promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean, they said.

"Indian Navy's largest war game, the biennial TROPEX 21, which commenced in early January is currently underway with participation of all operational units of Indian Navy including ships, submarines, aircraft as well as units of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard," the Navy said.

It said the exercise will culminate by the third week of February.

The exercise is taking place at a time China has been making increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region as part of its offensive military manoeuvre. "The exercise is being conducted over a vast geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region including its adjunct waters and is aimed at testing combat readiness of the Navy in a complex multi-dimensional scenario set in the context of the current geo strategic environment," the Navy said in a statement.

It said the conduct of TROPEX is being overseen by the Naval headquarters with participation from all three commands of the Indian Navy and the tri-services command at Port Blair.

"TROPEX is being progressed over distinct phases that also test the Navy's transition from peacetime to hostilities," the Navy said.

As part of the first phase of the exercise, the Indian Navy along with other stakeholders held a two-day mega drill in January covering the country's 7,516 km coastline and exclusive economic zone.

The 'Sea Vigil' exercise from January 12-13 was billed as India's largest coastal defence drill and it was aimed at validating the coastal defence setup which was revamped after the 26/11 terror attack.

"Valuable lessons emerging from the exercise are being incorporated in the existing procedures to further fine-tune the coastal defence architecture of the country," the Navy said.

"Exercise Sea Vigil was followed by a large-scale tri-service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX-21, which was conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands from January 21-25," it said.

The amphibious exercise was aimed at validating India's capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity of its island territories and enhance operational synergy and joint warfighting capabilities amongst the three services, the Navy said.

"The weapon workup phase of TROPEX, which concluded recently, witnessed multiple 'on-target' ordnance deliveries including missiles, torpedoes and rockets from frontline warships, aircraft and submarines and demonstrated the lethal firepower of the Indian Navy," the Navy said.

It said the 'weapon workout' phase also reaffirmed the Navy's capability to carry out long range maritime strikes in the Indian Ocean Region, a capability that is central to meeting operational challenges and ensuring safe seas and secure coasts.

ET

Pullback raises hope but India set to keep close eye on China

 

The limited withdrawal of frontline troops by the Indian and Chinese armies from one of the key frictions points on the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh on Wednesday has turned the spotlight on how the broader disengagement plan will unfold in other flashpoints where rival soldiers are deployed eyeball-to-eyeball and where previous attempts to reduce military tensions have failed.

The mutual pulling back of tanks and infantry combat vehicles from heights on the southern bank of Pangong Tso a fortnight after military commanders of the two armies agreed on January 24 to push for early disengagement has raised hopes of a solution to the 10-month military standoff.

This is the first significant movement in negotiations to ease tensions in at least eight months -- disengagement in Galwan valley took place in early July 2020 but it did not progress in other areas.According to officials and experts monitoring the border row, India will keep a wary eye on the developments taking place in the area as the process unfolds.

PATROLLING RIGHTS IN DEPSANG AND FINGER AREA

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) aggressive forward deployments in the eastern Ladakh theatre have hindered the Indian Army’s patrolling patterns in several areas including Depsang, Finger Area on the northern bank of Pangong Tso, Gogra and Kongka La.

Regaining access to several areas that are now difficult to reach due to actions by the Chinese army along LAC is critical, experts said.

“On the face of it, the disengagement is a positive step. I think we will have to wait for details of the process, whether it includes all military presence or only heavy equipment and aspects such as future patrolling pattern in vacated areas. It is hoped that this is a part of a more comprehensive agreement covering all areas in Ladakh,” said former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda (retd).

PLA’s deployments in forward areas in Depsang have hindered access of Indian soldiers to routes including the ones leading to Patrolling Points (PP) 10, 11, 11-A, 12 and 13. Also, before PLA grabbed positions on Finger 4, the Indian Army would patrol right up to Finger 8, which New Delhi considers within Indian territory.

The Indian claim line in this sector extends to Finger 8, while the Chinese claim is up to Finger 4. The two are about 8km apart.

China on Wednesday said that frontline troops of the Chinese and Indian armed forces have begun to disengage at the southern and northern banks of Pangong lake in line with the consensus reached at the 9th round of corps commander-level talks on January 24. No withdrawal of troops has taken place in the Finger Area on the northern bank, said one of the people cited above.

India has pushed for comprehensive disengagement at all flashpoints and restoration of status quo ante of early April 2020 during the ongoing military talks with China.

“The 10th round of military talks is expected to be held soon. Aspects related to disengagement will be discussed during the dialogue. Verification will be a critical aspect of the disengagement process, which is likely to take place sector-wise and in phases,” said an Indian official who asked not to be named.

REALITY OR ILLUSION?

Some experts warned that China could not be trusted, and India should be extremely cautious in dealing with the neighbour during the disengagement process.

“They (the Chinese) are masters in creating optical illusion. Their withdrawal from southern heights of Pangong Tso could be a decoy move. They must withdraw to a distance from where swift build up is not possible. De-escalation of the military build-up to a sufficient depth is more critical than disengagement,” said Lieutenant General BS Jaswal (retd), also a former Northern Army commander.

He said the Chinese forces must retreat to such a depth that doesn’t allow them to surprise the Indian Army and reoccupy strategic locations.

“On the one hand, PLA is trying to show that it is withdrawing from the heights on the southern bank. On the other, China is building villages on our borders. It‘s a ploy as those villages house soldiers. These areas will serve as logistics hubs to support future ingress and will minimise troop build-up signatures,” Jaswal added.

India has made all preparations to hold ground in Ladakh for an extended duration. On January 12, Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said that the Indian Army was prepared to hold its ground in eastern Ladakh “for as long as it takes” to achieve national objectives in case the ongoing military and diplomatic talks with China are prolonged.

“Resolving the border row is a priority. But nothing will be done in a hurry,” said a second official on condition of anonymity.

Hindustantimes

French nuclear submarine patrolled in South China Sea

 

A French nuclear-propelled attack submarine and warship patrolled in the South China Sea to underscore freedom of navigation in international waterways, the Armed Forces Ministry said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. navy had said two U.S. carrier groups conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea, days after a U.S. warship sailed near Chinese-controlled islands in the disputed waters.

The latest French passage is a sign that U.S. allies are increasingly asserting freedom of navigation in international waterways near China.This strategy is based in particular on operational commitments, on a tradition of cooperation with regional states and on defense diplomacy which contributes in particular to support multilateralism, international law and the principle of freedom of navigation," the French Armed Forces ministry said.

China has been infuriated by repeated U.S. sailings near the islands it occupies and controls in the South China Sea, saying it has irrefutable sovereignty and accusing the United States of deliberately stoking tension.

The French Emeraude submarine was supported by a warship as part of an eight-month mission that also includes passages in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said on Twitter it showed the capacity of the French Navy to operate far away and in cooperation with its American, Australian and Japanese allies.

ET

India exported military hardware worth over Rs 34,000 crore in last five years

 

India exported military hardware and equipment worth over Rs 34,000 crore in the last five years, according to details provided by the government in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Replying to a question, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said the total exports by both private and defence public sector undertakings were worth Rs 2059.18 crore in 2015-16 while the number came down to Rs 1521.91 crore in 2016-17.

However, the exports of military hardware went up to Rs 4682.36 crore in 2017-18 and further jumped to Rs 10745.77 crore in 2018-19. The amount for 2019-20 was 9115.55 crore while it was Rs 6288.26 crore in the current fiscal till January 31, according to Naik.

Naik said export authorisation has been granted for torpedo loading mechanism, night vision monocular and binocular, light weight torpedo and fire control systems, armoured protection vehicle, weapons locating radar and coastal surveillance radar among others.

To a separate question, he said FDI inflows of over Rs 4,191 crore have been reported by various companies operating in the defence and aerospace sector.

"Further, FDI inflows of over Rs 2871 crores have been reported in defence and aerospace sector after 2014," he said.

Responding to another query, Naik said a total of 124 Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Mark-1 have been inducted into the Indian Army since 2008 and two armoured regiments are fully operational with these tanks.

"The DRDO has further developed upgraded MBT Arjun Mark-1A tank. This upgraded MBT Arjun Mark-1A tank has cleared validation trials in December, 2018," he added.

The minister said out of a total of 191 defence capital acquisition deals in the last three years, 118 contracts have been placed with the Indian industry.

"Further, 58 per cent of total expenditure on capital acquisition in the last three years has been made on indigenous procurement," he said.

ET

HAL SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH ELBIT SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLY OF DIGITAL OVERHEAD HEAD UP DISPLAY SYSTEMS

 

State-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday said it has entered into an agreement with Elbit Systems Electro Optics Elop Ltd., Israel, for supply of Digital Overhead Head Up Display Systems (DOHS) during the recently concluded Aero India-2021. The Digital Overhead HUDs will be initially manufactured in the existing facility of HAL’s Division at Korwa, HAL said in a release.

It said a dedicated facility will be augmented progressively in proportion to manufacturing volume. HAL said the company and Elbit Systems have envisaged a mutual co-operation to upgrade its technological base and acquire high end technology on Digital Overhead HUD System which is primarily used in transport aircraft worldwide.

The Digital Overhead HUD with modern optics provides sharp brightness, larger field of view and larger head motion box. Earlier, HAL’s Korwa Division entered into a licensed Transfer of Technology agreement with ELOP Electro-Optics Industries Ltd, Israel for setting up the D-level maintenance and manufacturing facilities of CRT based HUD (front) in 2000 and 2003 respectively.

More than 500 HUDs have been supplied for various Indian platforms such as Su-30MKI, Jaguar and MiG-27M upgrade, it added.

financialexpress

Indian Su-30MKI Upgrade Program to be Finalized in 6-9 Months

 

Upgrading of the Su-30MKI fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be finalized in the next 6-9 months with some aircraft undergoing the upgrade in Russia and the rest in India.

Discussions with the IAF and the Russians (United Aircraft Corporation-UAC) are currently at an advanced stage, V Seshagiri Rao, CEO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) MiG Complex told  the media in response to a question by defenseworld.net at a press conference held at Aero India  (AI) 2021 in Bangalore.

HAL, which assembles  the Su-30MKI in India has completed  the last  of the 222 aircraft assemblies under  licence from Russia and is expecting a new contract for the upgrade of the Su-30MKI fleet, he said.

The HAL executive statement was corroborated by Sergei Kornev, head of Rosoboronexport delegation at AI 2021 who told the Russian media, "The project (to upgrade Su-30MKI) is at the stage of discussion and the Russian side is ready to offer India a modern upgrade package."

However, both did not disclose details of what systems of the aircraft will be upgraded. Nevertheless, various reports have stated in the past that a modern radar, improved engine, avionics and communication systems would form part of the upgrade.

Defensworld.net has learnt that a modern active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar was one of the main upgrade priorities.

a version of a Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)- made AESA radar called ‘Uttam” is being considered for the Su-30MKI should it complete development in time for the aircraft upgrade program. Having been tested on the LCA-Tejas jet, ‘Uttam’ AESA could be suitably modified to fit on the larger Su-30MKI, they said.

However, changing the AL-31FP engine of the Su-30MKI with the more powerful AL-41F-1S (article 117S) from the Su-35 would be expensive and impractical given the extensive engine maintenance facilities  set  up for the current AL-31FP in India.

Russia’s UAC has proposed an upgrade based on the Su-30SM2- an in-development aircraft with the engine, avionics and radar borrowed from the more potent Su-35 jet. However, given the large number of non-Russian systems and components in the Su-30MKI, India may prefer as many locally-made systems as possible. It would still need Russian help to integrate and qualify the new equipment on the Su-30MKI jet.

The integration of the Brahmos heavy air-to-ground missile in the Su-30MKI has given the confidence to HAL-IAF to prefer the indigenous route for the Su-30MKI upgrade.

Full details of what components will go into the upgraded Su-30MKI will be known only after the upgrade deal is finalized between HAL, IAF and the Russians.

defenseworld

Safran, HAL sign MoU on Rafale Engine Manufacturing in India

 

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and French Safran Aircraft Engines, signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to assemble and manufacture components for Smecma M88 engine that powers Rafale jets in India.

Under the terms of the MoU, HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines intend to explore opportunities to assemble the Safran M88 engine and manufacture components for the engine with HAL for additional batch of Rafale Aircraft for India and for any aircraft manufactured in India by HAL fitted with M88, Safran said in a statement.

The transfer of a significant amount of technology in the assembling/manufacturing programs is also contemplated. The MoU also encompasses collaboration between HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines for indigenization programs relating to design and development of high thrust engines of 110 kN power and above with transfer of key technology in the framework of this development.

“Safran is our key partner in respect of Engines in HA’Ls Helicopters like Chetak, Cheetal, Light Utility Helicopter, Light Combat Helicopter and Advanced Light Helicopter. HAL and Safran have successfully co-developed ‘Shakti’ Engine for Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopter. We have manufactured more than 450 Shakti engines in India at HAL Engine Division in Bangalore, which is testimony of success of our collaboration. Both HAL and Safran are keen to take this partnership to next level by exploring new avenues,” said Mr R. Madhavan, Chairman & Managing Director, HAL.

Both companies also teamed up in 2005 to create an equally-owned joint venture in Bengaluru which produces pipes for aero-engines.

defenseworld

India will have 17 Rafale jets by March, entire fleet expected by April 2022: Rajnath Singh

 

India will have 17 Rafale jets by March and the entire batch of the French-origin fighter aircraft bought by the country will reach by April 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.

India had signed an inter-governmental deal with France to buy 36 of these fighter jets at a cost of Rs 59,000 crores in September 2016.

"I want to inform that till now, 11 Rafale have arrived and by this March, 17 Rafale will be on our land. I also inform that all Rafale will be reach India by April, 2022," Rajnath Singh said while replying a question in the Rajya Sabha.


Rajnath Singh said all new aircraft types in IAF are traditionally inducted through a befitting ceremony.

The first five Rafale aircraft of IAF were formally inducted into IAF on September 10, 2020. The arrangements for this event were made mostly through local resources of IAF.

The total expenditure on the event was Rs 41.32 lakhs including Rs 9.18 lakh of GST.

To another supplementary query whether the government will privatise few aspects of defence in the coming days, the minister said, "We are giving special focus on indigenisation".

Indiatoday

I

Rafael, BDL to jointly induct anti-torpedo defence system for Indian Navy

 

Israeli defence technology company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Bharat Dynamics Limited  are teaming up for joint induction of an anti-torpedo defence system called 'SHADE' for the Indian Navy.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for this will be signed by Rafael's Corporate Regional Director for India, Eli Hefets and Director (Technical), BDL, N P Diwakar, in the presence Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during the "Bandhan" ceremony slated on Friday during the Aero India 2021 here.

"SHADE will be the first system in the world to employ a combination of soft kill and hard kill decoys, thereby providing a robust and effective defence against modern torpedoes", a Rafael statement said.


The joint induction of SHADE is part of Rafael's commitment to the "Aatma-nirbhar Bharat" (self-reliance) initiative of the union government, it was stated.

This MoU will be a precursor for cooperation on futuristic systems for the Indian armed forces, entailing advanced transfer of technology, and a "very high" indigenous content, leading to self-sufficiency in the field of cutting- edge technology in defence, the statement said.

The pact represents an ideal opportunity for industrial cooperation between Israel and India, leading to closer collaboration and co-development of advanced systems in India, it said.

"Parties will work together to identify joint opportunities for export, subject to export control guidelinesof the two governments", the statement added.

ET

Rs 15,000 crore Tata-Airbus deal for military transport aircraft at CCS door

 

With contract for the light combat aircraft signed–the largest military order placed domestically--focus has shifted to a mega deal which, if approved by the PM-led cabinet committee on security, will see military transport aircraft being manufactured in India.

High on the priority list of Indian Air Force is finalisation of an estimated Rs 15,000-crore contract to manufacture the C 295 transport aircraft in India by a Tata-Airbus combine, which would make it the first time a military plane of such size is built domestically.

People aware of the matter told ET that the plan to acquire 56 aircraft to replace the ageing Avro fleet is in the final stage, with top-level approvals expected soon to move it to the next stage as a showcase of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.


Unlike the RS 48,000-crore LCA Mk1A contract, which was awarded on a nomination basis, the transport aircraft deal underwent a competitive process and was reserved for the private sector to bring in alternative capabilities.

The C 295 is a prominent focus at the AeroIndia show, with foreign collaborator Airbus – which is committed to transferring technology to India as part of the contract – saying the final assembly line would generate at least 2,500 new high-skilled jobs in the coming years.

“The Avro replacement campaign could be a game-changer, as the first tangible ‘Make in India’ aircraft manufacturing programme by a private industry player. We propose to work with the Tata Group to build a cutting-edge C295 Final Assembly Line that will be fed by an ecosystem of local suppliers, including MSMEs,” Rémi Maillard, president, Airbus India & South Asia, told ET.

The order size could go up with potential orders by the coast guard and navy.

Industry sources said that plans are also in place to offer the aircraft for exports in the region and in different, specialised configurations to the Indian forces as well.

“It is a very deep Make in India project, where at one end aluminium blocks will literally be imported and at the other end a flying aircraft would emerge from the final assembly line,” one of the sources said.

Besides the Tata Group, the project is expected to give significant orders to at least three dozen sub-suppliers who have been roped in to manufacture a range of parts for the aircraft. This ecosystem will also be vital for the maintenance and sustenance of the fleet, which is expected to be in service for at least three decades.

ET

Boeing announces tie-up for P-8I patrol, IAF VIP aircraft

 

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Thursday announced strategic collaboration agreements with Air Works of India for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Navy’s P-8I long range maritime patrol aircraft and the VIP transport fleet of the IAF.

“This strategic agreement with Air Works positions us to generate significant value for our defence customers locally by delivering faster turnaround, exceptional operational capability and mission readiness on Boeing aircraft,” said Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India in a statement at Aero India.

The Navy operates nine P-8I and will receive another aircraft by year end. A proposal for six more P-8Is is also under negotiation.

Air Works undertakes base maintenance for ATR 42/72, A320 and B737 fleet of aircraft from its facilities in Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur and Kochi. It also undertakes modification and assembly of rotary-wing aircraft and is an Authorized Service Centre (ASC) for Bell and Leonardo helicopters.

The Boeing India said the collaboration is an important first step under its recently launched initiative, the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub, which is an in-country network and alliance of suppliers led by Boeing that envisions a competitive MRO ecosystem for engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft. The hub aims at growing capabilities in heavy maintenance, component repairs, training and skilling of IAF and Navy maintainers, it said.

An important aspect of the hub is training programmes to increase skilled manpower by developing sub-tier suppliers and medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) to build high-quality MRO capabilities in India, it said

the hindu